Tuesday, May 6, 2008

The Queen has Inspired Me....

The Queen B has always been somebody that I wish to emulate. First, she talked me into blogging. Then, she gave me my name, ABBA. Then she left and gave me her job (which I'm not so happy about but neither was she). And most recently, she has inspired me to work on a healthier lifestyle (Healthy Lifestyle Update).

So, with that in mind, I went and walked The Dish with Sam after work yesterday and we have made plans to do this again on Wednesday as well as make it a twice weekly practice. Sam has also given me the name of the Pilates studio and instructor that she works with and while I've been talking about doing something of this nature for a while now, this time I might actually break down and do it. Especially since Sam tells me that the studio is within walking distance of the new HOD.

Next thing...Farmer's Markets and I've getting very excited because I think some of my favorite fruits and veggies are coming into season.....

Anyway, I'll keep you all posted on MY healthier lifestyle. Keep your fingers crossed that I can actually stick to it.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Grrrr....I Say Grrrrr

So, I'm getting all settled into the New House of Dodds and really starting to get a feel for the neighborhood. I hear the little kids playing in the street and the ice cream carts rolling past the window in the early evening. I watch the steam come off the generator things at the hospital a few blocks over. I know that my neighbor's name is Richard and I think he may be straight, but am not positive. I haven't actually met him, but when his window is open and my window is open, well it is like we are practically in the same room. I know that the fire department is just down the street as they zoom and roar past my window periodically.

There are, however, areas of my new abode that I haven't figured out yet, and these are what frustrates me the most; mainly because these are things that I SHOULD know and/or be able to do for myself but I just can't seem to get it going.

1. I can't seem to get my wireless Internet to work. Well, that isn't exactly true. I have managed to get the router to work, so I can have more than one computer plugged in at any one time. AND, magically last night I turned on my old work computer to get my pictures of the Grand Canyon and Gettysburg off of it and found out that it was seeing and connecting to my network and the Internet....very strange because I then turned on my Mac Book and didn't have the same warm fuzzy; maybe tonight, though.
2. I have hooked up my television and cable and DVD player and can get them all to turn on, but can't get a picture to come out on the TV. True, I didn't see if the DVD player was feeding through the TV, but that is mostly because I can't find the remote to either. Tonight I'll see if the cable will magically begin to work but if not it looks like Comcast will be getting a call from me.
3. I can't cook. I know that my personal ad used to read that my ideal man would be able to "cook with fire", but I was referring to bar-b-queuing, not using the gas stove!! I tried to make macaroni and cheese last night for dinner. I measured out the water, set it on the stove, looked at the little knobby thing, push, turned to "Lite" and it went click, click, click....but no flame. So, then I called my Dad, because even though he is 1500 miles away, he should still be able to make fire happen for me!! Nope, he told me how it works on a gas grill, which seems to be very similar to what this should be doing as well, but no flames. So, I found the instructions that were left by the previous tenant. I saw the scorched corner of the helpful hints sheet, which tells me that at one time there was fire, and I followed the instructions. Still no flame. No flame = no boiling water. No boiling water = no macaroni and cheese. No macaroni and cheese = ABBA having Cheerios for dinner. Looks like I'll be calling the Apartment Manager to see if he can help me out.

So, that is a recap of my first week in my new place.... no wireless, no television, no fire. But, I'm happy!!