Countertops

Happy Halloween. Anyone have any trick-or-treaters? We had 43. Yep--counted 'em.

Here are some photos of the new countertops. They are quartz. Hope we didn't make a mistake by not getting granite. Seems every home improvement show we watch goes gaga over granite.



The next project is the floor. Not that fond of the green vinyl. Am thinking of trying to install a tile floor myself. Color--some shade of beige or brown, of course!

Well, that's it for today. Sure am enjoying these fall temperatures. Off to Chicago next week.

Waiting

I am waiting for the countertop installers to come back to finish the job they started yesterday. The were supposed to finish yesterday, but one of the pieces was not the correct size, so they said they would be back either yesterday afternoon or today with the correct piece. Yesterday afternoon, they called to say it would be today at 11:00. Then, today around 11:00 one of the guys called to say he was supposed to be here at 12:30 (surprise to me) but that he would be a little late--12:45 (hardly worth calling about). However, here it is at 1:20 and still no installers and no additional phone call. In the meantime, it is raining (yay!) and we are expecting company to arrive for the weekend around 3:00. At this point, the countertop probably will not be complete by then. I took the day off of work. I need to vacuum, but if I start vacumming and the countertop guy arrives, I won't be able to hear him (this is the kind of thing I worry about.). DH is at work, but leaving early to go grocery shopping. I feel stuck and increasingly irritable about the whole thing. So, just thought I would take this opportunity to post to my blog ;-) Oh, also, I'm not convinced that I just love the new countertops--all $5,500 worth of them!!

More on Laguna Beach

We're back. Really enjoyed LB while we were there. The flight(s) back weren't very pleasant. That's the problem with visiting somewhere on the opposite coast. Oh well, I'm looking at photos and remembering the good times. The last day was the best. It started out overcast, but ended up 70 and sunny. I took a walk on the beach, had a swim, and then DH and I went to the San Diego Zoo and out to dinner. The Zoo was not as nice as I expected, but dinner was fabulous (and only cost a little more than breakfast at the resort!). We ate at a place called 75 French. The decor was rich, sedate, and private and the food was outstanding! I started with lobster prepared two ways--a bisque and a small sandwich called a slider. This was followed by spinach and fingerling potatoes topped with a perfectly cooked halibut fillet. DH started with a salad of butter lettuce and blue cheese and then had duck prepared three ways. His dessert was best--an apple pastry with cinnamon ice cream. Below are a few photos of LB--sorry no photos of the food!

The view from our balcony!
A series of switchback paths led down to the beach. I was intrigued by this plant with the purplish/maroon leaves (flowers?).

A view as we walked down the path.

The "old man in the cliff."

The Montage

Hello from The Montage at Laguna Beach! This place is amazing, although I do feel somewhat like a poser being here. I wonder how many other folks are here on expense account who otherwise would never be able to afford a place like this? Photos will have to wait till I get home.

The Montage sits on cliff overlooking the Pacific. Views from our room are spectacular. The staff here are all trained to stop and stand aside whenever you pass. Very odd! Prices for food are astronomical. This morning our breakfast for two was $85.00. Beautifully landscaped. We saw some hummingbirds feeding on flowers; thought of Mary.

That's it for now. More later.

Off to Laguna Beach

Just a quick post to say we are leaving for Laguna Beach, CA tomorrow morning. After several weeks of effort, I have managed to lose all of 1.5 lbs.! However, my big clothes do fit, so I am not going to worry about it while we are gone--just have a good time! Finally, we have some beautiful fall weather here in NC. It's supposed to be in the 70s out in Laguna Beach, too. "Talk" to you all in a week or so.

Sunday Post

Well, ladies, I think we've gotten all the mileage we can out of the hair color post. Inspired by Mary's recent post, yesterday I went around my yard and took photos of everything in bloom. Here are the results.

My mother-in-law says these flowers are called something like "Japanese Anemonies?" Can anyone confirm or refute? We have white ones in the front and pink in the back. They don't start blooming until September. (Don't adjust your glasses--the pink ones are out of focus!)
I've never known what these little grape flowers are called, either. (And, yes, that is a maple tree taking root in a flower bed, and water droplets--from the sky, not from a hose!)
Flower on one of our pond plants:
Lone red bloomer:
A scraggly collection around the mailbox:

A New Phase

Well, I've graduated to a whole new phase of life. . .trifocals! Just picked them up today. They are those "seamless" type. Distance and close-up are great. I'm having trouble with the mid-range (unfortunately, including the computer screen), but my understanding is that my brain will adjust. So, now it is glasses on all the time as opposed to peering over or taking on and off. Something to get used to. I've also stopped coloring my hair to cover the gray. In order to make the transition more gradual, I am now getting it highlighted to blend the brown and the gray. Once all of the dyed hair grows out, I'll see what I'm left with (lots of gray on top and front; not so much in back). Anyway, I wonder if I'll look like a granny with my gray hair and glasses. Hey; I'm not even 50 yet!