En Pointe

A couple of months ago, I saw a great coat in an Anthropologie catalog. I saved the catalog not because I want to buy the coat, but because I want to replicate the design on the coat to create some art for my dining room.

I don't think the project should be too hard. It's basically very simple pointillism using orange paint. If I prove to have a really steady hand, I might even throw a dash of red-orange in here and there. I picked up some painting supplies a few weeks ago, so now I just need to actually take the time to make it.

Close-up of the coat/my soon-to-be wall art

Shake Awake Alarm Clock

Sleeping soundly is my God-given talent. I do it very well, too well perhaps. Over the years, I've become desensitized to my alarms. I had four alarms going off every morning -- the radio and buzzer alarms on my alarm clock and two alarms on my cell phone -- and sometimes, I would still sleep late.

So, I requested a vibrating alarm clock for Christmas. Both my dad and Chad told me I didn't need the clock; I just needed discipline. Needless to say, I got the clock. It has a vibrating pod that goes under my pillow or mattress to shake me awake in the morning. I've been using mine since Monday and really like it.

Get yours at amazon.

Hooray for AutoZone

The check engine light came on in my car earlier this week. After checking the usual suspects, it seemed the only way I was going to find out was wrong with my car was to bite the bullet and take it to the dealer so they could hook it up to their computer.

As I bemoaned the thought of spending an extra $100, Chad suggested I take it to AutoZone where they'll diagnose it for free. One no-cost computer hook-up later, the culprit was revealed: My gas cap wasn't tightened enough. How embarrassing. Although, not quite as embarrassing as spending $100 for that same information.

Image from flickr

Walgreens Ink Refills

Walgreens can do no wrong in my book. Today I tried their printer ink cartridge refill service and couldn't be happier. It cost me $10 and a 20 minute wait to have my black ink cartridge refilled ($15 for a color cartridge). That's at least a 50 percent savings over buying a new cartridge and it upholds the three R's: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Leaky Schmeaky - UPDATE

The leak is fixed! A very friendly plumber (or as the company calls him, "technician") took care of the problem this morning. Just for the record, Chad initially pinpointed the source of the leak but we were unable to find the right replacement part.

I'm looking forward to spending my weekend cooking, cleaning, bathing, flushing the toilet and doing laundry.

Leaky Schmeaky

Not that my posts are ever overly abundant, but they may be particularly sparse for a while. My bathtub pipes started leaking into my basement on New Year's day, forcing me to turn off all the water to the house and set up camp in my aunt and uncle's basement. I have a home warranty that I'm trying to use to get this thing repaired, but so far nothing has happened and I'm getting a wee bit irate.

Image from flickr. My leak is not so pretty.

Arch Rival

I love a good board game. On Christmas night, that game was Arch Rival. It's a "game of balance...nerves...and suspense." And it is awesome. The gist of the game: you don't want to be the one that makes the arch fall.

My mom got Arch Rival at a garage sale or consignment shop years ago and I'm still not sure why someone would want to get rid of it. Buy your own set on eBay; you won't regret it.

Becky, attempting to place a plastic piece in the keystone. Plus, look at all the neon pieces in the lower left corner of the photo -- that's a lot of 1992 goodness.

Blake, attempting to remove a plastic piece from the arch.

Me, rockin' it.