Closet + Office = Cloffice

So.... there was a little while there when I didn't post anything. I'm saying that the Cloffice* project is why. Previously I had my computer, printer, file cabinet in the corner of the living room, but I decided that I wanted to keep the computer out of entertaining areas. However, I didn't want to dedicate a whole extra bedroom to being an office (I was able to do that in my previous home). What was I to do? I took advantage of the closet in one of the extra bedrooms.



After cleaning out all the junk; the picture makes it look like there wasn't anything in there. I actually still have junk on the bed and in the floor of that bedroom. Anyway, I cleared all of that out. Then I painted the entire closet, including the ceiling. I so totally don't understand why the closets are the only rooms in the house that don't have popcorn ceiling texture. Please!!! I wish I had a time machine to stop several of the tragic mistakes that befell 209 North Park some 15 years ago, including but not limited to: popcorn ceiling texture, not priming sheetrock prior to wallpapering, blue carpet, and blue laminate countertops!!!

Anyway, I painted the entire closet Kilim Beige, which is one of the lighter taupe colors on one of my color swatches. If you are unaware, I'm painting the rooms in the house colors from 2 different swatches, a green and a brown (well, then there's the 2nd bath that's blue - but that was an homage to Blue Majesty's beginnings). Again, I painted the closet and the trim. Then I placed some old shoe racks on top of the shelf and painted them the same color.



I added a new light pull and a linen shade to the bare light bulb. I installed a wireless network (I know that sounded really technically sophisticated - I just plugged the modem into this little white Apple device) and ran a powerstrip with a long cord into the cloffice. I had considered having a cable and an electrical line run to that closet, but I would still probably not be finished. The desk and a file cabinet fit perfectly. The chair works great. A lot of personal specific art pieces (that wouldn't work other places in the house) and photos hang on the walls. I'm still organizing all the baskets and bins that fit in the shelves up top. The desk lamp's linen shade matches the one hanging from above. When I'm done working, I just close the doors to my cloffice.



* The term "Cloffice" was coined by Ricky (of Garbage Burger fame) who helped me with my Mac despite working for Dell.

In today's new, I completed one coat of primer on the kitchen walls (looking a lot better), have eaten no ice cream today, and was demoralized by the Razorbacks losing to Alabama in the last few seconds of the game after a great comeback.

I Scream

So.... I have a new favorite ice cream. Yarnell's 75th Anniversary Cake Ice Cream. "White cake flavored ice cream with amaretto cake pieces, bits of white chocolate and a black raspberry ribbon." I really don't think I have to say anything else.



Yeah, like I wasn't going to say anything else: currently, my second favorite ice cream is Blue Bell's 100th Anniversary Cake which has "Almond Flavored Ice Cream with Cake Pieces and Amaretto Flavored Cream Cheese Icing."

You may also note in the picture that only one wall in the kitchen is actually painted. I'm pleased to report that, as of tonight, the kitchen is almost entirely taped off - now for a weekend chocked full of sanding, priming, priming, texturizing, priming, and last but not least painting (I'm sure I won't get it all done, but I have a goal). I'm sure I'll intermittently reward my hard work with some ice cream.

Garbage Burger

So.... I recently visited Destin with a group of friends. One night we ate at McGuire's, which is an Irish Pub. The menu item that caught our eye The Garbage Burger is described as "some of everything - it's absolutely disgusting." Ricky decided to order it for supper.


Our waitress, Milly, explained that the cooks would just go down the line and put whatever they saw on the burger, apparently including, but not limited to: kraut, guacamole, peanut butter, chili, marinara, horseradish, banana peppers, jalepeno peppers, and three types of cheeses. Please note in the picture that on the side also come the typical burger "dressings:" lettuce, tomato, and pickle.


Ricky stated that it was horrible. After Ricky was done, we passed the Garbage Burger around for the bravest of the bunch to try.


Dave looks to be on the verge of vomiting.


I described my bite as having a "muddied flavor." Fortunately, I only got guac, chili, and jalepeno on my bite.


John is unsure that it's actually "disgusting."


Rachel Baby takes a two-fisted bite!


Jackie was unimpressed (of course he was , he's eaten a pine cone before).


Ali's expression (really the best caught on camera) sums up the group's opinion of this "gourmet offering."

Cheers to the makers and tasters of Garbage Burgers!

Garbage Travis

So.... sometimes I just want to throw Travis away.




I found a squeaker ball hidden in a plastic tote yesterday. I gave it to Travis and after almost 24 hours of non stop squeaking, bouncing, jumping, chasing, fetching, rolling under furniture, and slobbering, I remembered why I hid it in a tote. I guess it may be easier to just throw the ball away.

Speedo Suave

So.... there are some looks not even a fashion icon can pull off.

Seersucker Suave

So.... I think I mentioned that I had acquired a new piece of clothing for my wardrobe prior to leaving for Central America - a Seersucker Suit! My shopping friend Becky and I were at Kohl's, and I found a seersucker suit on sale (80% off). Of course it really doesn't fit (especially the pants), but I thought maybe that might inspire me to get back on my fitness program. Of course, adding nightly ice cream to the fitness program may be better inspiration (though, that program probably won't help me fit in the seersucker pants). Anyway, the other reason I bought it was that Becky and I thought that Misty and Marty would appreciate the humor of meeting us in the ATL airport and finding me wearing a seersucker jacket. We didn't get a picture of their expressions, but it was worth buying the outfit.
I realize that I posted this after Labor Day, but I wouldn't dare wear seersucker out of season; wrong size maybe, but never wrong season.