I forget it's Ash Wednesday...

One of the commentators on CNBC has the trademark black smudge on his forehead. Kudos to him for not wiping it off!

My Grout is Losing

So I've decided it's time to clean and seal our grout. Nothing seems to work so far!

• baking soda and water (from Mom) - she used this combo to clean her grout in the foyer. It hasn't worked for me so far.
• industrial cleaner - nada
• vinegar - nada
• baking soda and vinegar - nada

I'm trying glass-top stove cleaner right now.

Another trip to IKEA!

The glasses I bought were broken when I got home (and too small according to Michael), so we went to IKEA yesterday afternoon. I think Michael was impressed somewhat. We got a bottle opener for $2 and that digital thermometer with the wire that runs into the oven for around $7. We ended up getting 6 14-oz. glasses for $7. Good deal, good deal!

Whenever we get our next house, we're definitely getting this:

I LOVE baskets! Michael was also impressed by the build-your-own-table, where you choose the surface and legs. I foresee a trip to Atlanta if and when we move...

I now have 65 "Greetings from" postcards

http://sites.google.com/site/susanvmayer/postcards/Greetings

On the bandwagon (EDIT)

So remember that my boy's name is Carsten Joseph Mayer? Well, I've been told that it was stupid (basically), so I've changed it.

We have either Andrew Joseph "Andy" Mayer or Patrick Joseph Mayer. Good, classic names. Andy sounds like a laidback kind of guy, right?

IKEA!!

IKEA is finally open in Charlotte, and half the city made a pilgrimage this morning! It was like the day after Thanksgiving! Cops were directing traffic off I-85 to City Blvd. and onto Ikea Blvd. There were parking attendants directing traffic. It was nuts, but it only took about 15 minutes to get from I-85 to a parking place.

Once inside, wow! There are lots of neat goodies there and for cheap! I was a bit disappointed in the seating, though. Lots of the couches were covered in slipcovers, which made them look messy. The other upholstered seating just didn't look well-made. The fabric could have been tighter and the leather looks fake (I think it is).

I bought a majestic palm (real - $13), 8-pack of wood hangers ($4), 6-pack of glasses ($4, but one is broken so I have to take them back), fun-colored straws ($2 for 200), wooden plant roller stand ($5), stainless steel mixing bowl (dishwasher safe! - $7), energy-efficient incandescent-replacement bulbs (2 for $6.59), and a juniper blue bathmat ($10). You get 3% of your purchase toward your next visit (like Off Broadway, but a bit lame-o percentage). There were oodles of other things I liked, especially the wood cube and basket storage things (I don't know what they're really called). In my next house, I'll have them.

I definitely another trip to IKEA in our future, especially if all goes well and we have to sell our house.

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Here's the 2008 champion, a beagle named Uno. The 2009 champion is a 10-year-old Sussex spaniel named Stump.