toadnae

My weekend was a lovely combination of busy and relaxed.  We've started half-day Fridays at work again, so I was able to sneak out of the office at 11:30 am.  I do love this perk!  There was a lovely lunch and afternoon with Thomas, followed by a Friday night filled with slack.

Saturday I got up eventually and headed off to the wilds of Cottage Grove to help the sheep (Bri) move into her very first apartment!  It was a pretty quick move.  There are advantages to moves involved tiny adorable studio apartments - there isn't room for much stuff.  I helped her unpack a bit.  Next, I introduced her to joys of Aldi's for those on the college student budget.  We got almost everything she needed for just about $100!  I continue to win at the budget/clearance shopping!  We "splurged" on Little Ceasar's pizza and crazy bread - taste of my childhood.  I know it's crappy pizza, but the nostalgia factor kicks in every once in a while.

Sadly, this was followed by her cell phone disintegrating in her hands, so we voyaged out to Target to acquire a new one.  There was a bit of trepidation, as this was money not in the usual incredibly tight college budget.  I'm hopeful that a warranty claim will succeed, as her phone was only 9 months old. After more hanging out and arranging the kitchen, I headed off to Thomas' to get his old green chair for the sheep's apartment. 

We decided to go out for appetizers/dessert at Buffalo Wild Wings and got some of the worst service I've ever gotten there.  We showed up a full 40 minutes before their advertised close.  The waiter had already dumped the iced tea and was distinctly not friendly.  He wasn't directly rude, but he was brusque, rushed, and stand-offish. He let us hear he and the kitchen girl complaining loudly that we'd ordered food, despite the significant advertising campaign that their kitchen doesn't close until they do. Our waters were never refilled.  He brought us plastic silverware and literally snatched the wrappers off the table as soon as we set them down. He loudly banged the stools and chairs he was already turning upside down on tables.  We were distinctly underwhelmed.  At least the food was still decent.

Sunday I lazed around with LT for a bit, and then finally headed of to cheshirekate 's home.  We had a good, productive afternoon.  I got Colleen started on her next knitting project - she's going to make an afghan of squares from the screamingly loud yarn she got for her birthday.  It's so cute - she's very excited about all the math involved!  She's definitely improved in knitting - she was able to do almost all of her own cast-on.

Home to LT and we induldged in delayed Olympics-watching.  I love that we were able to record a bunch so I can still watch it.  Olympic volleyball is just such GOOD volleyball.  Lots of fun, up WAY too late.

Monday we finally rolled out of bed, got some things done around the house, and finally realized that food was not optional.  Off to El Loro for tasty tasty meat.  Then we did a grocery run for LT's honey caramel plan, and I got the stuff to make hummus.  I love doing my own chickpeas in the pressure cooker, although I must agree that soaking the beans is very helpful for even cooking.  This time I experimented with adding some lemon zest to the olive oil.  Very tasty, very lemony hummus resulted - I am pleased.

Over lunch, LT and I started talking about a program that Metro State has for a Masters in Technical Communication.  I was poking around their website for the Sheep and was stunned to discover how reasonable their graduate tuition is.  This program really sounds like a good fit for me, and it would let me transition into more of a process-oriented role.  That's the part I love about being an admin, and the rest of the admin gig is getting kind of old. 

So, now I'm filling out FAFSA's again and trying to put together a portfolio of work, letters of recommendation, etc.  This portfolio thing is kind of throwing me - I have no idea what I should put in there or how to lay it out or anything.  I'm hoping that when their admission office responds, they'll be able to give me more details.