Land's End

We took advantage of the beautiful weather this week to go for a walk. Unfortunately, the wind was not so pleasant. It was nice to enjoy the fresh air and the gorgeous scenery.

Matt also enjoyed monkeying around.




These are the Sutro Baths next to the Cliff House.

Christmas Morning

Christmas dawned crisp and bright in San Francisco. Matt, Ali and I had a nice french bread fench toast and bacon breakfast before seeing Ali off to the airport. It was a wonderful day.

Ants v. Woodards II

The industrial strength bait Matt ordered arrived. We set one trap and went out for the day. The instructions warned us that it will attract more ants, but nothing prepared us to come home to this swarm - leading us to set out a few more traps.




The end result, of course, is an even score - Ants 1, Woodards 1.

Family Fun Time

What better way to spend the holidays than playing games with family?
See how much fun they're having?

My hand was unplayable, so I resorted to taking pictures while Matt & Ali put down tile after tile. The joker finally saved me.

Matt couldn't help but also play helicopter.

The helicopter caused Franklin to appear.

More Evidence of iShares on the Street

The last time I saw this it was in pdf form on my work computer. Matt, cousin Alison and I spotted it on Market Street Sunday. iShares is sponsoring Cirque du Soleil, which we'll go see in a few weeks, courtesy of BGI.

Matt's New Toy

Toby & Steve buy Matt a fun new toy every year. This year's toy is a remote control helicopter. It has already proven to be entertaining for Matt as well as Franklin. How do cats know to chase miniature helicopters?

Work baby shower

As if we didn't have enough parties happening and treats to snack on, my department threw a baby shower today for a colleague of mine whose wife is due in about two weeks. I cracked up at the diapering game my manager forced upon the dad-to-be, a recent new mom and a woman 14 weeks pregnant. Guess who finished first, second and third?

Oh, to be a cat

Getting up and out for work this week has been extra hard - despite the various holiday events. I think it has something to do with knowing I will only work 2 days each over the next two weeks and all the year end madness and of course the preparations for an audit which starts Jan 7. Whatever the reason, just as I was about to leave this morning, I see the critters in some of their favorite spots and I really just wanted to do the same. I'd probably supplement the curling up with a book or some Tivo, but the result would be the same. A relaxed day without the stress of human life. Sigh.

Christmas decorating

I finally cleared enough floor space to go ahead and decorate a little for Christmas. Matt & I went out to find a tree in a nearby lot, brought the little guy home and I went into full holiday mode. I cranked up the holiday music while Matt was tutoring and made mints for my work cookie exchange (yes, mints for cookies - was worried I'd duplicate one of the other 16 varieties).

So far the cats have sniffed & circled it. Hopefully they won't try to climb it or chew through the wires.

Just Like Our Second Date... Almost

Stuart Hall & Convent high schools rented out the Presidio bowling alley last night. There was quite a turnout of kids and teachers. The teachers (plus me) huddled together on one lane and bowled until our arms fell off. We all enjoyed the free bowling, the hot dogs, fries & onion rings. Watching all the kids around us, was we all pledged to teach our future kids to bowl. I guess when you live in an exciting city, bowling is less of a draw than for those of us who grew up in less, uh, urban areas.

Ants Marching

When I arrived home from work & the grocery store Thursday night, I faced this sight:

An army of ants had taken over the counter. They say the colder weather drives them inside. I think the composting bin was an irresistable picnic. All the more reason to get the kitchen project going and include a garbage disposal in the plans.

My First Hanukkah Celebration

Matt and I decided to try and celebrate Hanukkah this year. We bought a menorah and lit the candles, even amidst the chaos all around. I think Matt enjoyed his 8 gifts, too.

There's no escape

For the past two days, equipment like this has been outside the office windows - maybe 20 yards from my desk. They have been jackhammering for hours on end. For two days. The headache is inevitable.

Update 4:30pm PT: I just learned Cal Trans plans to do this demolition & clean up for another week. Goody. Still have no idea what the purpose is.

Great picture of Julia, Kris & Lilly

I just have to share this picture of my cousin Julia with her daughter and fiance.
Courtesy of Uncle Bruce

Spouse selection

I know the idea of marrying a woman like your mom is a good idea (or inevitable) and likewise marrying a man like your dad is a good idea (or inevitable). I won't comment on Matt's choice, but I have noticed some similarities between Matt & my dad. They are very, very different in a lot of ways, but the home projects really bring out the similarities. As noted by my dad:

Glad to hear progress continues - no surprise there, Matt's obviously working hard on the project and also obviously has interest and apptitude for this kind of work. He takes after me - how'd that happen?

Trim progress

I have been delinquent in my posts & photos. Here are some pics snapped this morning before heading out to catch the train.

Bedroom door frame. This one is a real treat. After a few agonizing days of rewiring and redirecting a phone jack into the den, including securing the wire up and around the door & its old molding, we realized with joy we could probably tuck the wire behind the new trim. Voila! Very exciting.

This is one of a few completed doors.

The corner challenge. Only one side will fit intact. The other must be "ripped". It's amazing how much this sight reminds me of living in Pennsylvania with my ever-renovating parents.

The entry is almost complete - even the baseboards. Of course, we still need to fill the nail holes & paint

Hmm...

The boys (Matt & Brian this time) set out today to work on installing the baseboards. This didn't get very far. We realized if we ever wanted to replace the trim around the doors & windows, the baseboards would have to be rejiggered. So they did some probing and then left to obtain the new trim. Let the construction continue!

Things I do not miss about Sausalito, or Benefits of Judah St

1. The feeling of isolation. It was dark on our street. It was dark going down to the laundry (in fact, we did the occasional load of evening laundry with a headlamp on). If we went out to dinner, walking to a restaurant provided either very limited choices or a long, somewhat creepy walk.

2. The lack of space. 600 sq ft apartment; 1048 sq ft condo. Not much of a decision!

3. Confirming our address. Yes, we're the Woodards on Woodward. It's spelled s-a-u-s-a-l-i-t-o, like the cookie.

4. Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge nearly every day. First, it's $4 per round trip. Second, it's a big red barrier to getting many friends to come out with us. Third, it takes a while, especially navigating around the slow moving tourists.

5. Coin-op laundry. Need I say more?

Things I miss about Sausalito

1. The view. It is really hard to beat the view we had from 3 walls of windows looking out over Richardson Bay and Tiburon.

2. The kitchen, specifically the dishwasher, gas stove and spacious cabinets, drawers and counter space.

3. The woodsy scent. I think it was eucalyptus, but I really have no idea. (And if it were, they're non-native anyway so it was a human-manufactured aura). To add to this one, I miss the feeling that the neighborhood (and the town itself) were somewhat isolated - bordered by Golden Gate National Recreation Area on one side and water on the other.

4. Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge just about daily. This stretch of the drive (or bus ride) provided such great variety of scenery. It could be a beautiful clear day and I'd see surfers, sailboats, windsurfers, kitesurfers, giant container ships, cruise ships, ferries, you name it. Other days you can't see the car ahead of you.

5. The Banana Belt. Our apartment was in a particularly great weather zone within Sausalito. If the entire Bay Area was socked in with fog, the chances were still good we would arrive home to clear, sunny skies. Marin is sunny in the summer 99% of the time; Sausalito sits around 68-70 degrees for months.

Feasting

After the excitement of an unplanned cat bath, the Thanksgiving meal actually went quite well. We dined among some stray boxes, but all happily ignored them. With a little help from nearby Andronico's Market, we had a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I even used this as the first opportunity to use our silver and several wedding gifts.

The vintage oven proved rather useful for simultaneously heating the turkey at one temperature and cooking the sweet potatoes & stuffing at another.


We even attempted (and succeeded if you ask me) to make a Tarte Tatin, which, tho simple, is apparently a dessert which intimidates many people. For me, I'll make this any day over a pie - much less work, fewer ingredients! Also, a great excuse to break in the cast iron skillet.