03-07-11

Kind of a weird day.

Froze to death all day at work, but that isn’t all that unusual.
Bruce met with a Home Path banker today, maybe we can start peeking inside houses again soon.
We had our consultation with the contractor for our kitchen facelift, but more questions than answers for now.
Trying to get through an audio book this week, but my CD player seems to be broken.

Pounding head, must be a Monday…

03-06-11

One of today’s tasks was going to Home Depot and Lowe’s so I could photograph the ideas I have and products I like for our kitchen make over. I figure I’m not very good at describing what I want, so a picture is worth a thousand words.

Bruce and I aren’t exactly having a meeting of the minds, but hopefully we can meet in the middle. I’m thinking blue, yellow, and warm gray walls with terra cotta counters, a mosaic or copper backsplash, and black accents. He wants more black. But a stainless steel fridge instead of black…?

I don't mind shopping for the rentals, but it is way more fun to shop for our own house!

03-05-11

Tonight Bruce and I spent 3 ½ hours (!) at the Republican Lincoln Day Fundraiser Dinner.

I enjoyed hearing freshman Jaime Herrera speak. I didn’t realize hers was the only seat on the west coast to switch to Republican. Her current priorities are stopping the spending, eliminating duplicate programs, and breaking down red tape that’s preventing job growth.

The event included a dessert dash, where this adorable Republican giant rice krispie treat was one of the choices. Our table grabbed the black forest cake instead, which was divine.

03-04-11

Friday night took us to Portland for a hockey game. We realized as soon as we arrived that something was different. It was mascot night! Anastasia and her friend Bethany took photos with tons of the characters, it felt like Disneyland.

The Seattle Thunderbirds didn’t put up much of a fight against the Portland Winterhawks; figuratively and literally. But it was a fun evening with family and friends.

03-03-11

Some interesting news from a weekly e-mail feed I get from Corporate Executive Board:

Despite unrest in the Middle East and rising oil prices pressuring world markets, a survey of more than 400 senior executives in finance, sales, supply chain, IT, and HR shows that the world's business decision makers are cautiously optimistic about prospects for 2011. Revenue at many companies is back to prerecession levels, which suggests companies may start adding equipment, factories and, eventually, workers.

Let’s pretend that the United States is a corporation – with a negative $44 trillion net worth, rare profits, and huge off-balance sheet liabilities. The U.S. can fix its problems, but only with direct acknowledgment of its shortcomings and aggressive efforts to manage costs. To remain competitive against rivals, U.S.A. Inc. would do well investing in R&D, infrastructure, and education.



The education theme again. And we discussed rising gas prices at our mission trip meeting this evening. We Fischer’s are cautiously optimistic that the rent money will keep coming in…

03-02-11

I’ve been hearing a lot about Read Across America Day and Dr Suess’ birthday today, have you?

In the morning I jog on the treadmill while I watch the news on CNN, but in the evening I like to go at a slower pace and read a good book. Today another land lording book arrived; it’s hard to not drop everything and read that. But my quest to read my Jane Kirkpatrick books historical fiction collection this year continues…

Happy Reading!

03-01-11

Bring on March! ‘Tis the month to tint food green, to celebrate my birthday, and to hopefully see signs of spring instead of school delayed two hours and snow clumps still in the yard.

I think we can change the world with education, better housing, and better nutrition. Greg Mortenson thinks we can change the world by educating girls, talking to our elders, and immersing ourselves in poverty instead of arrogantly prescribing solutions from a distance.

Anastasia and I both got to see and hear Greg Mortenson of Three Cups of Tea today. I love his photos and video, his spin on military politics, and his vision to take the time to build relationships.