Monkey mayhem...

At first, when I heard that Monkeys were wreaking havoc in India, I didn't believe my husband. I thought he was pulling my leg. Then, I thought he was getting his news from The Onion, but seriously, monkeys are causing great distress in India and even caused a death of a government official. I think the monkey to the left may have stolen the newspaper from the poor man.

I tried to compare what the experience would be like in the US and I realized that we don't have any animals that the country or a religion holds as sacred, which personally I think is such a shame, but I tried to imagine if raccoons or squirrels began taking over to the point where they were stealing cell phones from us and after fits of laughter, I decided that would actually be pretty scary... but what in the world will the government do with the monkeys since they are held in such high regard religiously? Can they relocate them? Send them to a less populated area? Although, that appears to be a lot of the problem as well, humans are taking over more and more land that used to belong to the wild and nature and eventually something has got to give. I'm just waiting for them to all start speaking to us and tell us that they've always been able to speak our language, they have just chosen not to.

So far, Monkeys 1: Man 0

What's that I smell?

In order to deal with the end of summer woes, I look forward to fall fashion and this year I am experiencing a new enticing treat! No, it's not all those fabulous pumpkin pie latte concoctions (those are enticing), but all of the new fragrances out there!! A few of note to try are: Giorgio Armani Diamonds, Gwen Stefani L for L.A.M.B, and Sean John Unforgivable Woman. All three of these scents are irresistible. And the best thing about each one is it's distinct style. So, if you are like me, you can have a fragrance for each mood and outfit.

Picking a fragrance is almost as important as picking out the right pair of shoes. It is an identifier of your mood, personality and a subtle imprint that can linger on a memory. Giorgio Armani Diamonds floral scent is for a confident woman. So, if you enjoy being a wallflower, do not wear this, because you will not smell like a wallflower. Remember that you wear the fragrance. It does not wear you. Gwen Stefani L for L.A.M.B is a fresh citrus scent that will show off that quirky cool side. It has unmistakable scents of pear, peach and freesia without any one of the ingredients overpowering the other. Finally, my favorite of all three. I brought home a sample of this and I can't get enough of it. It is Sean John's Unforgivable Woman! By spritzing just a hint on the wrists and chest, not only with those around you enjoy it but you will catch hints of it throughout the day as well. It goes on sort of sweet but throughout the day it becomes softer and lighter but still powerful. Sean John definitely knows what smells good on a woman! I've never been as impressed as I am with the Fall Line-up of perfume.

Now, I wonder if I have any fabulous shoes to go with my new perfume. You will have to stay tuned tomorrow to see...

Three Legged Red

Dunham Cellars has created a fabulous red tablewine,Three Legged Red, that "blends a portion of its wines into this red table wine. Using fruit from all of our estate vineyards and using the same barrels in which our finest Cabernet, Merlots and Syrahs are aged". Which was frankly a brilliant idea! This wine is wonderful. The only thing they may want to change is the story on the label. Jeff and I were having dinner at Anthony's for our seventh anniversary. It was recommended by our server that we should read the label on the bottle of wine. I thought it was called Three Legged Red based solely on the fact that it is a combination of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah wines, but apparently the name works on multiple levels. The vineyard also has a three legged dog named Port. And that is all I know of the story because my husband read the label as recommended and told me to absolutely not read it. He said it was a horrible and disturbing story, which I am imagining has something to do with why the dog only has three legs. I am extremely sensitive to animals and anything that even hints at an animal suffering in any way, so I did not and will not read the story. I'm sure it ultimately has a happy ending, because the dog on the label (I'm assuming it is Port) is pretty damn cute and happy. So, I highly recommend the wine when having a nice casual dinner or just wanting to sit and have a glass while reading a good book, eating some chocolate and listening to some Yo-Yo Ma or Andrea Bocelli ~

Is Nordstrom still Number 1?

So, clearly I enjoy shopping as seen in photo at right. I have my favorite places and not so favorite places. Nordstrom ranks very highly, if not, number one on my list. Lately, I've had a few issues with one of the stores. I won't say exactly which one. Let's just say it's in the Seattle area.
Last month during the long awaited and much anticipated Anniversary Sale, I had some of the worst service I've ever had in the Women's Shoe Department. I had a young male that looked and acted like we woke him up from a nap. The store did not have the size I asked for, and the guy says, "We have an 8 1/2, do you want to try that?" Why did he ask that question?? If I wore an 81/2 I would ask for it. And I'm sorry but the shoe is not so incredible that I'm going to pay $150 for a pair of shoes that are a half size too small. The salesperson did not offer to locate the shoe at another Nordstrom nor check availability online, which is usually a standard service. He actually told me I could go and find it at another store. I told him I would just order the pair myself online. And then he just walked away from me with no offer of any other assistance or a thank you or anything. I felt completely undervalued. 

On the other hand, my husband and I had amazing service in the Men's shoe department. I would have purchased a million dollars in shoes from that salesperson. So, I chalk it up to one bad experience. 

 Okay, so today my girlfriend, April and I go to Nordstrom and April was in the market for a few pair of shoes. Someone is going to make a nice commission. Terrible service again! I saw the guy from the Anniversary sale and avoided him like the plague, so we have this other socially awkward salesperson who approaches. He brings out one box of shoes for April to try on. Mind you she asked for at least two pair to try on. April has to ask him where the other shoes are and he said, "Oh, you wanted to try on some shoes?" She replied, "Yes." And then he said, "Um, we didn't have any of those." How does he know they don't have them if he didn't even know he was looking?? Then he basically hands her the boots, tells us he'll be back and disappears... April did not buy any shoes at Nordstrom and we went to Macy's where she got a couple pair. What is up with the Nordstrom women's shoe department at this particular store??? I am going to take a little bit of a break from that particular location. I haven't checked statistics lately, but is Nordstrom still number one on the list for best customer service? ~

A Day at Zuanich Park

Jeff took Cody to Zuanich Park a couple of months back. We had recently adopted Cody from the Whatcom County Humane Society (who by the way are some of the coolest people on the planet). Jeff did not want another dog. Maggie, our extremely beloved Chocolate Lab had just died in February of this year, and Jeff was not ready for the added responsibility that a dog brings. I unfortunately missed Maggie so much that I was not moving on. I was wallowing in grief and guilt. I spotted Cody on the Humane Society's website and it was love at first sight!! I also noticed a chocolate lab that looked rather adorable.

My mom and I went to the Humane Society and I saw the chocolate lab. He and I just didn't really click. But, I saw Cody sleeping in the corner of one of the kennels. And he turned his long, sad face and looked at me and my heart melted. My mom told me that I shouldn't adopt Cody because of his age, a mere 6 1/2 years old. Mom didn't understand that was not old. Since Mom wasn't saying what I wanted to hear, I went back alone the next day. I took Cody for a walk and we were instantly in love. Now, I had to convince Jeff. I asked the Humane Society to put a hold on Cody so my family could meet him.

I begged Jeff to just go look at Cody. Jeff had made up his mind and he did not want another dog yet. But I needed Cody. After avoiding the topic the first half of the day, I was brave and broached the subject. After a lot of conversation and a few tears on my part, we went to see Cody. It didn't take much and Jeff said that I could have the dog. I was ecstatic!!! We took Cody over to April's house (she's my best friend). Cody got along swimmingly with her two dogs, Phoebe and Rufus (Pomeranians). April decided that Cody's name is Louis, and so that is what she calls him. He doesn't seem to mind. But, coming from April, who would mind?

The next day I had to go to work and, lo and behold, I come home and find the pictures of Jeff and Cody at Zuanich Park! You can only imagine my pleasure at seeing how much Jeff didn't want a dog ;-)

First Day of Vacation

It was a beautiful drive from Purdy, WA to Kingston to catch the ferry to Edmonds. It was mid 70s, the sun was shining and ABBA was blasting on the radio as my mom and I cruised along in the BMW. We visited my sister, Andrea who is recuperating after evicting Murphy the Tumor.

I don't have to go back to work until October 1st. There is no better feeling than the first day of vacation! I don't care what you are doing, you get to stop and think, "I don't have to go to work tomorrow!" Now vacations are interesting. I spent years trying to figure out why vacation didn't feel the same way as an adult as it did when I was a child. And I think that I finally figured it out. When I was young, I relished summer vacation, but I was always excited to go back to school and I didn't mourn the end of vacation like I do now. Well, when you're a kid, you get to end that year of school, go on an extended summer vacation, possibly travel and don't have to pay for a thing. Then, I get to start an entirely new year of school, with new subjects, new teachers, etc. As an adult, I go on vacation and get a couple of weeks if I'm lucky. If I go somewhere I have to pay and then after vacation is over I come back to the same job, the same work, the same people, and in my case a big pile of work that didn't get done while I was gone. Do you see my point? So, my solution is this. We should get to work at a job for 9 months, take a 3 month vacation and then start a new job every year! I think next year, I'll be a Cardiologist! That sounds kind of interesting...