artistalana

All workouts have been postponed in our home this month. Mainly because we are getting them old-school style. Dang it, landscaping is hard work, y'all. Here's the garden we got. It has a self-watering system and the sides help the plants not only grow, but keep critters and weeds at bay better. Believe it or not, putting this thing together was the easiest thing we've done in the yard lately. ANd it still has work left to do. And we love every second of it, in spite of the fact all the heavy... Read Full Story

Alex and I have been playing in the backyard daily. It takes walking around that vast barren land to truly dig in to what we need to dig into in order to dig to make it landscaped. Yes, I just did that repetition on purpose for my own amusement. Sorry. Anyhoo, the fiberglass pond form and the stacks of rock are morphing into actually being utilized this week. (Can I get an "Amen!"?) Gated garden box goes in this weekend too. Then our heads explode as to all we still have left to do. Sometimes... Read Full Story

As many cohabitants find themselves, the temperature preferances between Alex and myself differ. When I'm chilly, she's not. So the thermostat gets some exercise. So Friday night we are sitting on the couch and Frosty and I were having to watch a movie while Alex sat all comfy. I threw out how I wish I had my snuggly blanket...in hopes that the universe would reward me with it, without my having to go upstairs to get it, which I was feeling too tired to do. It did. God love her, Alex... Read Full Story

So last week Alex has to get her food license renewed since she owns a food manufacturing company and it had expired. She goes to the address, parks her car, and is surprised upon entering how "shady" these business owners seem to look as she waits her turn. That sounds judgemental but bear with me. So a woman comes up to her and asks how she can help her. Alex says "I need to renew my food license." As something that could only happen to her, the woman's response, with a very questioning... Read Full Story

Ah, the saga. What was it...a year and a half ago perhaps, we met with a landscaper and began thinking of a very modern design for the backyard...then, we realized that a cool modern grassy area and other stuff that was planned would cost as much as a cool new deck (now completed most awewomely by our builder, Nelson) and be far less practical for entertaining. So we went that different route and are uber thrilled with our deck, especially now that we are firing up the grill at times no one... Read Full Story

I wasn't sure I even remembered the password to this blog. Just testing. Let's see...what's up 'round here... The new deck is getting much usage now that we got a "Big Green Egg" (a Christmas surprise for Alex mostly from my parents with some cash input from me as well. We had a big Christmas this year at home and ate and unwrapped presents for hours. Good Times.) Dang that thing can cook a mean ANYTHING perfectly. (The Big Green Egg, that is.) This summer we hope to get landscaping phase... Read Full Story

So last night I pulled into our neighborhood and saw a man with a woman under his arm, putting her into a large semi. Not the kind of thing you see every day just pulling in with some groceries in your car after shopping and minding your own business. But then again, it's not every day they are filming the movie "Machete" in one's neighborhood either. So our friends Rob and Lori (shout out!) were on the sidewalk and I stopped the car to chat and said I'd go round up Alex and the dogs and meet... Read Full Story

Im unhappy with my camera right now which seems to be overexposing...consequently, until it goes on a visit to Nikon, there will be no pics posted. Anyhoo... Alex and I went to an interesting event last weekend that could be smelled from the hallway of the Hilton outside the ballroom even with the doors shut. peaked your interest? I found out about the American Cheese Society last June when on a quest to find the best blue cheese made for my dad for fathers day, as he loves blue cheese and... Read Full Story

what's up? 1. big ol' deck in the backyard underway in spite of the fact it's too dang hot to start up a grill in Austin without heat stroke 2. Much like Benjamin Bratt, I decided to get younger. And I did. 3. I also have continued my weight loss obsession. Which truly now has become an obsession, admittedly. So much so that I was hired to teach weight loss clinics at 2 big offices during my own lunch hour twice a week. And I did it. I can't say how this mindset came about but if I'm to... Read Full Story

Time-Lapse Across China my mom will totally understand that there is no doubt he didn't have to ASK anyone in China to come up and stare at him and get in the video. We've been there...personal space around an American is not an option. Our tourguide explained that, for most, the only place they see an American is in the movies so to them...we are that exciting and it's the same as seeing an actress. I have stories. But that's not the point, (merely an anecdote to amuse my mom), this is a... Read Full Story