vacation rentals

I really want to spend a week in an Outer Banks, NC house. I've always wanted to. Wild horses, house with a kajillion decks, 4wd-access only, secluded beach--all of these things sound awesome. I've been on vrbo.com looking at these places and they look awesome. I'd like the following breakdown:
-3 or 4 couples, or not - really just 6-10 people.
-No kids (unless they are babies and super-cool and fun).
-Dogs. Mine and at least one other. But they should all get along. This is a key problem in one couple I'd like to vacation with. Their dog is not nice. Especially to other dogs. Here's the problem with this plan:
1. Picking who goes. All the mens and all the womens need to get along. Even better if all the sexes can intermingle (not in a dirty way!)
2. Getting all those people to be able to take a week off work at the same time.
3. Figuring out the organizer in this grand scheme of things. I would do so, but not sure if I can hack it. People annoy the shit out of me and I don't like dealing with minutia that belongs to others.
4. I don't think I know anyone with a 4wd. Renting such a vehicle would be expy$$.
Really, these are not huge problems - just more effort-filled tasks that I don't want to do.

Moral of this stupid-ass story: Someone should invite me, my husband and my dog on an Outer Banks vacay.

steel, wood and plants

I want my back yard to look like this:

(oscar planters, cb2)

Too bad I can't keep any plants alive, I have a chintzy chain link fence that I really have no intention of replacing anytime soon and I have hoodlum neighborhood kids (or adults) that steal the stuff out of my backyard - like my fire pit.

I still might try. Watch this space

travel bucket list

See for the 1st time:
Croatia
Africa (Botswana, Nigeria, Tunis, Egypt, South Africa, Madagascar)
Food tour of Vietnam
Argentina (esp. BA & Mendoza)
Iceland
India

See again with my husband:
London
Paris
Barcelona
Australia
Amsterdam

And that's just off the top of my head...

Soundtrack of my life

How is it that The Police are so flipping awesome, but Sting sucks so bad? I really can't wrap my head around it. In fact, I think Sting is so bad solo, that if you tell me you like him--I think less of you.

The Police on the other hand were awesome. I heard this on the radio this morning and have subsequently launched myself into some sort of fan club situation.

another list

Blogging isn't the only thing I've been slacking off with.*

This is what my to-do list looks like:

1. Call the Contractor about the kitchen
2. Start new freelance article (due 3/16)
3. Give the dog a bath - he smells like a foot
4. Clean something, anything
5. Call the guy to do our taxes
6. Work on my new project (I'd say look for a post soon, but let's be realistic - look for a post in 6-9 months)
7. Sit down with the hubs and make a real budget/figure out our new financial plan (it's only been almost 2 years since we agreed to do this...)
8. Clean out the basement
9. Take photos of bike, elliptical, furniture, and clothes to sell on craigslist or ebay
10. Replace living room light fixture
11. Call my out-of-state friends (I would be satisfied if I made 2 calls, but I have about 14 on the call-back list. At this rate, I'll have no friends.)
    

I would like to delegate some of this, but the man's list looks quite the same and I don't know who else would do any of this crap.

*not entirely true. miltonaday has been updated every day of 2009 (with a little maneuvering from vacation on my part)

Well, it's been awhile

I think that my busy has left me uninspired to write anything. So, in an effort to get back into it - I will start with some lists.

5 things that made me happy today
1. Melted Gorgonzola cheese
2. My new hat
3. Having a nice conversation with my mom
4. Cooking buffalo successfully
5. Getting a fun present from my husband

5 things that made me sad today
1. Going back to work after 2 weeks off
2. Wind. Cold. More wind
3. Daily idiots
4. How tired I am
5. No one handed me $1 million

Confession

The Duggars captivate me. I am obsessed with all of these J-named chilluns. They are some God-fearing folks in a way that I can't get with and they all have bad hair, but I can't get enough. Part of me wants to learn all of their names in chronological order.

The oldest son and his wedding story also intrigue me. I just spent the last 20 minutes on his website. Also, their Walmart registry is available online. They asked for coca-cola products (including Gatorade). I have no words.

Seriously. I cannot get enough of these people and I can't pinpoint why. I'm both concerned for my well-being and anxious to see which Duggar strays from the quiver-ful lifestyle first.