putting the knit in shizknitz

 Oh, how life has been good lately.  2 weeks into the new job and all is going well, we’ve unpacked to a point we can begin normal life again, hosted a BBQ on Fri, got a fabulous pedicure today, eyebrows threaded, hair appt in a few hours and of course… our new baby Bella!

The first week we arrived and had no furniture (and I wasn’t working yet) I started looking at some of the pet rescue sites in the Bay Area.. there were so many, but I was looking for something specific - pom mix, young, female.  I came across her photo on Smiley Dog Rescue and was absolutely intrigued.  They were having adoption events that very weekend and despite poor T and his horribly infected eyes, I went.  I fell in love with her that instant and wanted to take her home right away.  Patience, patience.. she had broken her leg while in foster care (she’s an escape artist - she managed to jump out a window) and thus has to have a cast for several more weeks.  Until then, we cannot officially adopt her, and thus a “foster to adopt” program.  We had someone from the organization come out to check out our place (despite the unopened boxes, she was gracious enough to know that we were good dog loving people) and little less than a week later, voila!  I picked her up on Thursday night and she’s been here with us now since.  She seems to be good with potty training, only a few accidents which is to be expected, but she’s been really, really good and a fast learner.  The cast doesn’t slow her down either - she kuh-klunks around the house, as much as we try to keep her quiet and calm.  Oh!  How I love having a pet around again…. the simple joys of life!

BTW, my parents don’t know that I got her yet so please don’t mention it to them (it’ll be a surprise on their next visit)!!!

Unpacking

Originally uploaded by Mashimia

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Nor Cal!

Originally uploaded by Mashimia

I don’t think I ever saw a SoCal one while I was down south…

Who needs furniture when you have a working grill?  (Er, almost a working grill)  We’re currently living a week and a half without most of our belongings thanks to the movers.  It’s been like camping indoors (yes, complete with sleeping bags) but with wireless internet (you know that was installed within 24 hours of moving in, T’s one and only request). 

With the exception of our wierd eye irritations/infections which make me feel really self conscious and praying for it to clear before I start work (can you imagine first impressions with one red eye?), life has been pretty good in our new ‘hood.  With some driving around and the help of Yelp, I’ve found quite a few things that has me excited about our new area:  Boba place (a good one!), yarn store next door, Denica’s bakery and Taco Lounge (yes, the two go together!), a British Tea House (nearby city), a Costco where the parking isn’t a nightmare, Joann’s and Michael’s within a block from each other, and Target.  Our neighborhood is very quiet and although we are on the 3rd floor and get lots of sunshine, it is relatively cooler than originally expected.  Given the current heat wave though, I’m scared to see what our electric bill will be given our AC usage (and my usage of our in-unit washer and dryer). 

Given we have no utensils or knives, we have to be creative in our grocery shopping.  BBQ menu for tonight consists of pre-made kebabs (Safeway will marinate them for you!!!), corn on the cob (spray on butter), salad from the deli and cookies from the Denica’s place.  Yum!

Oh to boot, I was carded today when buying a lotto ticket.  Yes, I was carded.  Over a lotto ticket.  Don’t you only have to be like, 18 to buy a lotto ticket these days?  Not to mention I rarely buy a lotto ticket but something about the heat and 3 irritated eyeballs made me feel a little lucky this 4th.  Imagine the surprise when the man scanned my DL through the machine and it punched out the numbers three-oh.  Congrats, T.  You’re dating someone of legal age.

I don’t think I ever had a chance to post about one of my favorite finds for my Europe trip - disposable underwear!  Onederwear was one of those brilliant buys and one of the must-have items I recommend for those on a long journey.  They have several different kinds - bikini, brief and thongs which gives you your typical underwear choices so you can pick the one closest to what you usually wear.  I took with me 3 packs, which was 15 pairs of underwear for 6 weeks.  Let me explain.

The packs arrive already in ready-to-throw-in-your-pack form.  Each individual underwear is packaged in a small plastic bag, rolled tightly.  There are 5 pairs in a pack which are also packaged quite tightly.  I know my first concern was that disposable meant plastic, or diaper or uncomfortable feeling but its not that way at all!  They are made out of 100% cotton and because they are disposable, they are made a little thinner than your typical cotton underwear.  Here are the benefits:  1) they are more lightweight (less to carry!), 2) they are softer and very comfortable (no need to wash first) and 3) they dry quicker (you know, you wash in the shower with you, dry it on your bed and its good to go the next day).

No need to buy those expensive underwear at the sporting goods store for traveling (you know the one - its labeled something about 36 countries in 6 weeks on 2 pairs of underwear or something) just pack some of these bad boys and you’re good to go.  Mine on average has lasted 5 washings and if you need to toss one - since its one-derwear and disposable, there’s no guilt!