Letterboxing

Jim had today off of work and it was way too glorious to stay inside, so we went letterboxing.

Letterboxing is kind of like a scavenger hunt for adults. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly-accessible places (like parks) and post clues to finding the box online on one of several Web sites. However, clues to finding some of the most highly-sought boxes are passed around by word of mouth. There are about 20,000 letterboxes hidden in North America alone. Individual letterboxes usually contain a log book, an often hand-carved rubber stamp and may contain an ink pad. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox's stamp on their personal log book, and leave an imprint of their personal stamp on the letterbox's logbook .

Here are some pictures of our letterboxing adventure. We printed out the clues for five letterboxes. Fortunately, they were all still in place. We found this one under a log. These are a spider stamp and Ariel that we collected today. We had so much fun that I am sure we will go again, although we may have to wait until spring.

Halloween Party

Jim and I went to a Halloween party on November 1. He was a great sport and said that he would dress up in whatever I wanted but to please be merciful. So, we dressed up like the 50s so he could wear his own clothes. Since we hadn't eaten dinner yet when we left the party, I suggested the Silver Diner, since we were dressed appropriately. I made the waiter take our picture. I'm just a little bummed that you can't see the poodle on my skirt. I think we were totally cute.

Happy Halloween

Here are the pumpkins we carved for Halloween. The pictures aren't that great since I took them with my phone, but the witch is at Jim's house and the cat in the window is at mine.

Jeopardy! Update

On Friday, I was in a taxi cab on my way to the Kennedy Center when I got "The Call." That's right, kids. I am going to LA to tape shows (I hope it's more than one show) on November 12 and they are scheduled to air in January. The Jeopardy! people continue to say on all the official paperwork that a call to come out is still not a guarantee of an appearance, so I suppose it's possible that I might not make it on the show, but they were pretty certain on the phone that I would get on. That's really all that I can tell you until after I tape the shows and even then I can't discuss the results.

In the meantime, I am watching a lot of Jeopardy! and studying. Yes, Katherine, I am using the placemat. Feel free to email me random trivia questions.

September 24, 2008

On September 24, I flew home to check on my family and help out my former co-workers at the Haven. They lost some staff and didn't get the new accountant trained before the old one left, so they asked me if I would come down and help her out for a couple of days. Like I would say no to a free plane ticket home. My sister says I am a 'rock star accountant' and is writing me a theme song.

If I didn't get to see you when I was home, I'm sorry that I missed you. I'll be back for a few days around Christmas.

Apple Pickin' Time

Ok, I know, I've been a bad blogger. I am way behind. Therefore, you are going to get three blog updates today covering the last three weeks or so. I'm trying to stay in chronological order.

September 20, 2008

We went to Stribling Orchard to pick apples. It was a great day - sunny and warm. The Macintosh and Jonathons were ready (there were other varieties ready as well, but I wanted cooking apples). We picked about 10 pounds of apples. I made a delicious apple crisp with some and turned the rest into homemade apple sauce. We also bought some apple butter and jam while we were there.

On the way back, we stopped at Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane to do some tasting. We bought a bottle of the Bowwow White, which tastes a lot like pineapples. The winery is gorgeous and they sometimes have entertainment on Friday nights.

Big Work News

So, here is the big news from the office. My immediate boss is leaving for 'greener pastures' at the Environmental Defense Fund. His last day is tomorrow. Since I already had the majority of the finance related things that he formerly dealt with, I am getting the remaining few - mostly long range planning and budgeting - and the board stuff, legal stuff, risk management stuff and some of the development stuff.

I am also getting a new title, Director of Finance and Administration, and a nice raise to go with it. Everybody say "Congratulations."