Fall foliage and open houses

Last Sunday was such a pretty day and the leaves on the trees were reaching their peak, so we decided to go for a drive.  I saw in the paper that a local builder was holding an open house for an environmentally green home before the drywall was hung, so people could see how the house was being constructed in an energy efficient way.  There were a lot of other people who are interested in green homes, apparently, since there were a lot of people walking around inside.  We listened in on some of the conversations the builder was having with some of the other couples and learned quite a bit.  We didn't talk to any of the salesmen or builders, though, since they did not appear to be very interested in two women by themselves.  But they had good coffee and cookies, and we learned a few things and got some pamphlets to read.  After looking at that house, though, I know I want the front of our house to face the north if the solar panels have to be on the south side of the roof.  I also liked the tankless hot water heater. 

Then we decided to go to downtown Fredericksburg for a walk and take pictures.  We both love looking at the old houses in town and in the spring and fall Fredericksburg is especially colorful.  While we were walking around we noticed that one of the historic homes was for sale and was having an open house.  The plaque on the front of the house said it was built in 1837.  We decided to look inside.

I always feel transported to another time when I go into old houses.  This particular house had the kitchen renovated with granite countertops, tile floor and dark wood cabinets, but the bathrooms probably had not been updated since they had electricity and plumbing installed.  The wooden floors, trim and stairway to the second floor all appeared original from when the house was built in the 1800's.   The walls were plaster but the colors that they had been painted were soft and soothing.  The windows appeared to be historical flat glass.  Three bedrooms and two bathrooms were upstairs.  It was a long narrow house.  It had a basement, which was not too creepy considering how old the house was.  It had a little porch in back and a cute little yard.  It also had a detached two car garage which was shared with the neighbor next door. That would be interesting if you didn't get along well with your neighbor.

It was interesting and fun to walk through, but I don't know how comfortable I would have felt after dark.  I don't necessarily believe in ghosts, but older houses always make me feel like there is a presence, (not necessarily good or bad), but something within the structure.  It is hard to explain, but I don't get a similar feeling with newer houses.

Anyway, there were a lot of people going through that house too, so I am sure it will sell quickly.  We walked around some more and I took a lot of pictures of downtown.  Here are a few:

And then when we finished we went to our favorite coffee shop.  I had a cappucino and AJ had a cafe mocha.

We sat outside the coffee shop and sipped our drinks and watched the people walking by.  There were a lot of people out enjoying the weather like us, and many people walking their dogs.  We decided it was perfect fall day.

A little motivation please?

Two weeks on vacation and no gym and I feel like a blob.  Last night I went downstairs to use my old Nordic Track.  Just a couple weeks ago I could ski 45 minutes with no problem, but last night I felt exhausted after 10 minutes.  My leg and back muscles felt like jelly. I didn't think I had been that bad on vacation.  It sure seemed like we did a lot of walking all over Ptown.  Apparently I didn't walk as much as I thought. 


I read in the paper today that the Airforce will be implementing new physical fitness standards standards for it's airmen and (airwomen, airpersons?) on Jan 1.  


For a 40-49 year old, the minimum standards will require a woman to run at least 1.5 miles in 18:14 minutes, perform 11 push-ups and 24 crunches in 1 minute and have an abdominal circumference of no more than 35.5 inches.


Hmmm.


For the same age range the new maximum standards require that a woman must run 1.5 miles in at least 11:22 minutes, have a abdominal circumference of no more than 31.5 inches, and perform at least 38 pushups and 41 crunches in 1 minute.

I think this weekend I will take a PT test and see how well I do.  Maybe retesting once a week will help motivate me to get back into shape.    

Back to reality

Last week we were in Provincetown, MA for vacation celebrating our 19 year anniversary and also the 25th Anniversary of Women's Week.  This is the second time we have vacationed in Cape Cod.  The first time was about 13 years ago, but we didn't  go there during a designated women's week.  Apparently there are 5 a year.  Who knew? Anyway, we were really looking forward to this trip and we had a great time.


We enjoyed the weather at the beginning of the week, but left 1/2 day early because of the rain and wind at the end of the week.  We misjudged what to bring to wear...  it was colder than we thought it would be, so we had to buy gloves, ear muffs and a jacket for AJ while we were there.  And the traffic getting off the the cape was not much fun, but we left a 5 p.m. and drove until we got home 12 hours later.  Fortunately we avoided a lot of traffic, but we probably won't be doing that again.  We probably should have stopped at midnight and stayed overnight since we were both really tired.

The reason we planned the trip to Ptown during that particular week in the first place was because AJ wanted to meet several of the authors of some of her favorite books, so while we were there we went to several book signings and readings. We both find it fascinating how different the authors are than how we imagine them to be when we read their books.   


We also went whale watching one day and saw humpback whales, mothers and their calves, feeding.  They were so close to the boat it seemed like we could reach down and touch them.  And there were so many... at one point I counted 8, and they were all around the boat.  One of the calves breached behind the boat, which made me a little nervous since I was wondering if they would ever try doing that closer and hit the boat.  I guess I am a worrier, because no one else seemed to think this was likely.  I tried to take pictures, but I didn't get very good ones.  The digital camera was so slow.  I wish I had brought my old 35mm film camera. 



A couple days later we went out on a schooner for a couple hours.  The captain of the boat said that was his last sail for the year since bad weather was expected later in the week.  I don't remember ever sailing before.  I thought the most interesting part was when the captain gave directions to his crew.  I couldn't understand a word of it.  Once the sails were hoisted and the wind was pulling us along it was all so quiet and peaceful.  I was sorry when we started turning back towards shore.  I am wondering now if I would enjoy sailing lessons. 


Anyway, 10 days away from home and things sure do pile up.  Lots of catching up for me around here and at work.   I guess that is the worst thing about taking a vacation.  But it won't stop me from planning the next one!

Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009.

Maybe, on Tuesday, there will be a bill introduced to allow same sex couples to wed in Washington, DC.  

If that happens, it is expected to have the city council's support and the mayor's approval and is also expected to pass into law easily.  Of course Congress could overturn it.  Our elected representatives really should be busy enough without poking their noses into something that is none of their business.  Isn't it bad enough that they do not allow the people of DC to have a voting representative?

Besides, don't they already have enough on their plates?



But maybe they will leave it alone. 


And my arguments for moving to DC are getting better and better...


Good Luck, DC!

For AJ - For Us

On 19


I got you when I met you,
And you got me after awhile.


And soon you were lifting me,
and carrying me into my dreams.


and the years sped by.


I got you girl, and you got me.


For. Ever.


 ~Love, Murray