Time to wake up

For Kitty and Hil

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:33:53 GMT

OBGYN recommendations?

Fri, 29 May 2009 23:27:55 GMT

Hi there,

I have a friend that needs an OBGYN here in Austin. Anyone got some recommendations? Someone who is holistic, naturopathic, crunchy granola, whatever it's called these days, would be cool, but not required.

Thanks!!
Lub!

Lookie what we built!

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:22:58 GMT

This is the project that we have been working on in Steiner Ranch.

First pic: the play structure that we custom designed and built

Second pic: from L to R, flagstone patio, play area w/ play structure and 2 -1+ ton boulders, and the moss boulder wall that forms the edge of the play area.

Third pic: from out in the yard, looking back at the moss boulder retaining wall & play area.

We have the HOA inspection monday, YAY!

Writer's Block: GIP (Gratuitous Icon Post)

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:18:30 GMT

You finally have an excuse to use it—what userpic do you not get to use very often but can't delete because it's just that awesome?

View other answers

It has been a while!

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:57:12 GMT

So, the week has been productive. John & Draque are back from CO, both with great attitude shifts, yay!

John and I had a talk about how I have felt the need to introduce him to Austin, including people, places, etc. It stems from feeling responsible for his experience, and Duh, not my camel! So, I am gonna interact with people/places on my terms, and he is gonna explore some Austin on his own, and I feel greatly relieved, and hopefully I am learning how to quit feeling responsible for anyone's experience except mine (well, except for Dad's, that is a lot of my responsibility these days. Whether he retains the progress he has made in therapy is almost entirely my responsibility.

Bohemian Landscapes, our company:

It is going relatively well, we are about to finish the big project in Steiner Ranch, then on to a friend's terraced gardening area!
Tuesday, we filed DBA, got bank account, and overall tied up some paperworky dangly things.

Me: I have felt like I am operating on half-capacity. I started anti-depressants 6 weeks ago, but no change. Today, I went back to the Dr. and got a new scrip. Meds? not cheap. Feeling fully-functional? Priceless.

Over all, a pretty good week.

Dolly & JenMarie, I didn't forget that I sed I'd get together with you individually, let's make it happen!

Love,
S

Home Alone!

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:35:02 GMT

Well, relatively.

John and Draque left about a half hour ago to drive to Fort Collins for Spring Break. I miss them already! I am sure that once they arrive safely, I will be more okay, but that is a looonnggg drive through boring, windy country, and John's truck is not as young as it used to be. I am also sure that I will be revelling in the quietness that their absence will allow, but for now, I miss tha cuddle!

Austin Sushi Score!

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:29:50 GMT

Just got back from Korea Garden on Lamar, and they have the coolest thing EVAR: A SUSHI TRAIN!

So, I lurv me some sushi, and it's kinda My & John's thang, so we went for sushi for my Birfday. I specifically wanted a casual-ish atmosphere, and to not hafta drop a huge chunka change, and Korea Garden more than exceeded my expectations. We arrived, not knowing what to expect from a "sushi train", but it was around the corner from our house, and I was up for some exploration. Turns out, they have a cute little conveyor belt that wraps all the way around the sushi bar, and the plates that the dishes are on are color-coded according to price. There is a constant supply of artfully presented rolls, sashimi, appetizers, etc. streaming by, and you just grab what strikes your fancy. If what you want is not there, you can request it. This is BRILLIANT! You can see what you will be getting before you get it, and this is the first time in ages that I have had just the right amount of sushi, instead of over-ordering, or not getting what I thought I would be getting. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and I spent much less than I would have if I had gone to a standard sushi restaurant. The plates of rolls range from $1.50 to $4.00, and each had 2 pieces of fish or about half of a standard roll, which is perfect, cuz it's a great excuse to try varying things I wouldn't normally order. I ate exactly the amount I wanted of exactly what I wanted, and had a lovely display of the chef's artwork streaming by to entertain me. If yer a sushi-phile, go check it out!

I thought this was pretty good,

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:35:25 GMT

The Crisis of Credit Visualized

by Jonathan Jarvis

This makes me happy!

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:32:37 GMT

I am so incredibly proud!

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:12:28 GMT

The new white house rules that Obama layed out in welcoming senior staff and cabinet secretaries to the White House:

Room 450
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

1:18 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Please be seated. Still getting used to that whole thing. (Laughter.) Please be seated. Thank you so much. I wanted to get everyone together on the first day to welcome you to the White House.

From our vantage point yesterday you couldn't help but be inspired by the sight of Americans as far as the eye could see. They were there because they believe this is a moment of great change in America, a time for reinvigorating our democracy and remaking our country. They've entrusted all of us with a great responsibility. And so today I'd like to talk with you about our responsibility to keep that trust.

In a few minutes I'm going to be issuing some of the first executive orders and directives of my presidency. And these steps are aimed at establishing firm rules of the road for my administration and all who serve in it, and to help restore that faith in government, without which we cannot deliver the changes we were sent here to make — from rebuilding our economy and ensuring that anyone who is willing to work and find a well-paying job, to protecting and defending the United States, and promoting peace and security.

However long we are keepers of the public trust we should never forget that we are here as public servants and public service is a privilege. It's not about advantaging yourself. It's not about advancing your friends or your corporate clients. It's not about advancing an ideological agenda or the special interests of any organization. Public service is, simply and absolutely, about advancing the interests of Americans.

The men and women in this room understand this, and that's why you're here. All of you are committed to building a more responsible, more accountable government. And part of what that means is making sure that we're spending precious tax dollars wisely and cutting costs wherever possible.

During this period of economic emergency, families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington. And that's why I'm instituting a pay freeze on the salaries of my senior White House staff. Some of the people in this room will be affected by the pay freeze, and I want you to know that I appreciate your willingness to agree to it, recognizing that it's what's required of you at this moment. It's a mark of your commitment to public service.

But the American people deserve more than simply an assurance that those who are coming to Washington will serve their interests. They also deserve to know that there are rules on the books to keep it that way. They deserve a government that is truly of, by, and for the people. As I often said during the campaign, we need to make the White House the people's house. And we need to close the revolving door that lets lobbyists come into government freely, and lets them use their time in public service as a way to promote their own interests over the interests of the American people when they leave.

So today we are taking a major step towards fulfilling this campaign promise. The executive order on ethics I will sign shortly represents a clean break from business as usual. As of today, lobbyists will be subject to stricter limits than under any other administration in history. If you are a lobbyist entering my administration, you will not be able to work on matters you lobbied on, or in the agencies you lobbied during the previous two years. When you leave government, you will not be able to lobby my administration for as long as I am President. And there will be a ban on gifts by lobbyists to anyone serving in the administration, as well.

Now, the new rules on lobbying alone, no matter how tough, are not enough to fix a broken system in Washington. That's why I'm also setting new rules that govern not just lobbyists, but all those who have been selected to serve in my administration.

If you are enlisting in government service, you will have to commit in writing to rules limiting your role for two years in matters involving people you used to work with, and barring you from any attempt to influence your former government colleagues for two years after you leave. And you will receive an ethics briefing on what is required of you to make sure that our government is serving the people's interests, and nobody else's — a briefing, I'm proud to say, I was the first member of this administration to receive last week.

But the way to make a government responsible is not simply to enlist the services of responsible men and women, or to sign laws that ensure that they never stray. The way to make government responsible is to hold it accountable. And the way to make government accountable is make it transparent so that the American people can know exactly what decisions are being made, how they're being made, and whether their interests are being well served.

The directives I am giving my administration today on how to interpret the Freedom of Information Act will do just that. For a long time now, there's been too much secrecy in this city. The old rules said that if there was a defensible argument for not disclosing something to the American people, then it should not be disclosed. That era is now over. Starting today, every agency and department should know that this administration stands on the side not of those who seek to withhold information but those who seek to make it known.

To be sure, issues like personal privacy and national security must be treated with the care they demand. But the mere fact that you have the legal power to keep something secret does not mean you should always use it. The Freedom of Information Act is perhaps the most powerful instrument we have for making our government honest and transparent, and of holding it accountable. And I expect members of my administration not simply to live up to the letter but also the spirit of this law.

I will also hold myself as President to a new standard of openness. Going forward, anytime the American people want to know something that I or a former President wants to withhold, we will have to consult with the Attorney General and the White House Counsel, whose business it is to ensure compliance with the rule of law. Information will not be withheld just because I say so. It will be withheld because a separate authority believes my request is well grounded in the Constitution.

Let me say it as simply as I can: Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency.

Our commitment to openness means more than simply informing the American people about how decisions are made. It means recognizing that government does not have all the answers, and that public officials need to draw on what citizens know. And that's why, as of today, I'm directing members of my administration to find new ways of tapping the knowledge and experience of ordinary Americans — scientists and civic leaders, educators and entrepreneurs — because the way to solve the problem of our time is — the way to solve the problems of our time, as one nation, is by involving the American people in shaping the policies that affect their lives.

The executive orders and directives I'm issuing today will not by themselves make government as honest and transparent as it needs to be. And they do not go as far as we need to go towards restoring accountability and fiscal restraint in Washington. But these historic measures do mark the beginning of a new era of openness in our country. And I will, I hope, do something to make government trustworthy in the eyes of the American people in the days and weeks, months and years to come. That's a pretty good place to start.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Finally!

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:57:07 GMT

Ever since I moved here, & got John, Draque & Dad here, I have been neglecting our crazy amounts of accounts and paperwork. I kinda have PTSD of tha paperwork, after going through cancer treatment with no insurance, and more than 20 separate accounts from Harris County Hospital District (they created a new account for each month, and for each department), and collection notices and calls on ALL OF THEM. I pretty much got completely traumatized, and with Dad's financial responsibilities now my responsibility, I have been overwhelmed.

Yesterday, I SORTED & FILED IT ALLL! I now have an acion-items folder 2 inches thick, but I now have a clear view of what I need to do, and it is not all mixed together in random piles. John was a huge help, he opened, sorted what just needed a payment from what needed actual attention, and made folders with me. Now that we have dug ourselves out of that, all I hafta do is call the umpteen gazillion people in my actionn file, and set up an LLC for our landscaping biz, weee!

Santa Rampage!!!

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:55:29 GMT

Yesterday John and I attended our first Austin Santa Rampage, and the first ever for him. We had a BLAST! The count of Santas was over 400, and as we all spilled onto 6th street, the ratio of Santas to non-Santas was about 2:1. I decided that I haven't been working tha sexy enough lately, so I splurged on a sexy Santa dress, and I must say, it was worth it. John woke up this a.m. going on about how it was the best EVAR, and I was so glad to get to introduce him to tha rampage :)

Tha Crud

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:32:53 GMT

I have been overly-exhausted for the past few weeks, but attributed it to the adjustment of moving here, getting Dad into outpatient therapy, etc. Draque just started running a mondo fever and was sent home from school on friday, and turns out our house has been infiltrated by tha Crud, now identified as MONONUCLEOSIS, WEEE! I am not 100% sure I have it, but something has been askew for a while, and that seems to make the most sesnse. No wonder I have felt like the bottom of a shoe! Perfect timing, just in time for John's parents & daughter to arrive for Turkey Day.

Girlie Shopping Suggestions?

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:56:37 GMT

Hi all,

I will be entertaining a teenage girl from small-town Colorado over Thanksgiving, with the intent of her falling in love with Austin. She loves to shop, and I am not familiar with anything other than thrift stores, Kohl's and Ross, which she can find plenty of at home. Where should I take her? Any other suggestions of what I might do with her to woo her?

THANKS!

Lots

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:18:03 GMT

I has new vehicle:

2003 Saturn Vue, in verrry good condition. Actually, Dad has new vehicle, I only drive it.

House, moved in 3 separate households, all at least 4 hours away, and all are mostly unpacked.

Kitty, arriving from Tacoma with Gwen this evening. YAYYY!

Boyfriend is in job interview that is close to a done deal right now!

We leave thursday a.m. for Houston to do training with Dad and pick him up, returning saturday.

Pile-o-paperwork is still not as handled as I would like, but I have been busy!

In retrospect: I arrived in Austin on May 22nd. I has job, house, car, caregivers for Dad lined up, doctors appointments in order, and good supportive folks around me. I feel like I have been slacking a lot, but apparently not.

Whew!

For XT

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:04:32 GMT

Hilary, thanks for posting this many months ago.

In honor of Dr Horrible:

Mrrr, men in skirts just make me happy!

Wahooey!

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:08:20 GMT

My Boyfriend is ON HIS WAY!

Finally, some good news. I will get to kiss and cuddle him in about 24 hours, YAYYY!

And I find out a solid answer on the house around 6 pm this evening! I am pretty sure it's a done deal, but a confirmation sure is nice.

That only leaves:
Move myself, John, & Draque (John's 16-yr old son) to new house
Move RV to new house
Fly Toki (cat) from Seattle to here & move into new house
Move Dad's stuff from Galveston to new house
Furnish whatever else we need from wherever we can get
Acquire vehicle Dad can get in & out of
Move Dad from Houston to new house
and several other pages of things that are not interesting.

I literally had to step outside of the office to jump up and down on the sidewalk and whoop like a freak! Ahhh, things are finally going, I thought i might be stuck forever.

*Big sigh*

Life is 'splodey...

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:19:54 GMT

Hi all. I am currently living in Austin (yay!), waiting to hear about a rental house, waiting for my boyfriend to get here, waiting to see how Dad progresses, waiting for just about everything really. I'll update thoroughly at some point soon, but currently just slowly reappearing in the LJ world.

Quiz: The Attachment Style Test

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:17:11 GMT

Your result for The Attachment Style Test...

The Cuddleslut

You're mostly secure, but sometimes you need a little extra reassurance to make it through the tough times. You are usually affectionate and sweet, and you find it easy to fall in love. An encouraging word from a crush or a loved one can motivate you for weeks.

Fictional character with whom you might identify: Kaylee (Firefly/Serenity), Hiro Nakamura (Heroes)

Other Attachment Types:
Secure:	The Unicorn	\|	The Cuddleslut	\|	The Free Agent
Preoccupied:	The Cling Wrap	\|	The Squid	\|	The Insect
Fearful:	The Doormat	\|	The Leper	\|	The Exile
Dismissing:	The Hermit	\|	The Stone	\|	The Player
Confused:	The Waffler

Take The Attachment Style Test at HelloQuizzy

I'm like Kaylee? That's awesome!

"Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up."

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:38:20 GMT

My Dad had a massive stroke in his home in Bayou Vista (near Galveston) on March 4th or so. I am the only child, and he never remarried, so I am his Power of Attorney. I went to Galveston at that time to handle business stuff and be with him, and stayed for a week. He was transferred to Rehab in Houston about a week later. I have since been to Houston to visit again, last week. He is making good progress, but he is going to need some help, and as I left last week, I felt like I was abandoning him. I did not like it one bit.

So, I am moving to Austin as soon as I can to get close to Dad. "As soon as I can" means in about a coupla months, I suspect. My boyfriend, his 15 year-old son, our cat, and our plants are coming with me in the RV. I am gonna try to move a month or so before them so's I can secure house and job for all, then fly back up & drive RV down.

I need jobs: architecture-ish CAD-type stuff for me, a landscape architect job for John (that's tha boyfriend). We both are able to do contract work, or freelance. I also need a housing arrangement: 3 bedroom 2 bath with yard is preferable, but smaller at first works too. Pre-move, I need a place to crash while I hunt jobs and house down. Many of you have offered me crash place, and I very well may be calling or IM-ing you soon.

We are looking at starting a landscape/container house design/build firm after we get settled some.

Anyone who has info on job leads, contacts, housing, whatever, please let me know.

FYI, I am very VERY glad to be headed back home, I've missed y'all terribly.

Lub,
S

My Boys

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:01:58 GMT

Meet Toki Wartooth:

He's my other new boy. The original new boy is John:

John picked out Toki, he made a beeline straight for the fluffiest thing in the Fort Collins Cat Rescue shelter. I was a bit skeptical about getting a persian/himalayan poofta of a cat, but he has turned out to be about perfect. He's 1 1/2 years old, and his owner died, so he has never really been in a bad situation. Thus far, no cat-box misses, no furniture clawing, eating well, loves to be brushed, and adores being loved on, but will not bug the hell out of us about it.

I wants dem!

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:05:43 GMT

Teensy oinkers!

Happy Birthday

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:52:09 GMT

Dearest incysor,

I hope your birthday is a good'un!

Love,
S

I love missing y'all

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:50:11 GMT

I read this lj post from xoxoxtc and I just started crying. XT, what a wise woman you are, to depart for a possibly daunting new life in an oasis of friendly community. I am so homesick right now, and there is not a damned thing I can do to get home any faster than I already am. When I get sad, when I get frustrated, I start to look for reasons that this painful piece of my experience, this seemingly useless piece of life I might prefer to skip, might be important to my bigger picture. This is. I do realize that homesick is, at the heart of it, under the owwies, an indication of being blessed. I am so thankful that I have a home, family and community that I miss so dearly. I am so thankful that I have been afforded the opportunity to more fully understand how important my people are to my spirit, and how much I really need to be physically around y'all.

Lovely Denver peeps, don't think that I don't love you, I just am not near enough to immerse myself into your lives on a regular enough basis I miss y'all too.

Update: I just got a call from my daddy, he misses me and is thrilled that I have gotten the full understanding of what being from Texas, the part of it that is in your bones, is about :)

Oh, and our menu:
Roasted Pheasant
Cornbread Dressing
Oven-roasted sweet potatoes and caramelized onions with parmesan & rosemary
brussel sprouts with bacon and garlic
homemade rosemary crescent rolls
Much Nog.

Update update: I underestimated the awesomeness that fine dining in this house. J & A & I just prepared and ate the tastiest thanksgiving dinner I think I've ever had. And the wine & champagne were paired fabulously. And it's been a great day, a Thanksgiving I will be happy to look fondly upon. I am lucky to have the people I have here too. Surely one of you brilliant people I know will have a teleporter ready soon so we can all be everywhere at once, yes? No?... grumumble.

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

Phone interview #1

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:04:02 GMT

Went well. I have a face-to-face interview monday at 8:30 am. Back to the land of people who wake up before 9 am, uncivilized!