Listed
I’ve been a bit scattered this week. To the point where I didn’t have a blog post for you Monday. My blog post on Tuesday was crafted last week. And my blog post today? It’s going to be a random gathering of my thoughts.
- Traveler’s cheques or credit cards when on a foreign vacation? Apparently, a lot of credit cards (ours included) charge an automatic 1-3% on all foreign purchases (it’s a relatively new thing, which surprised me when I saw the charges for our housing in Cayman). Traveler’s cheques often tack on similar charges. Maybe I need to look into the ATM cash option as that might provide for the lowest fees.
- Canada or States? No, not hockey (though the game over the weekend was most excellent, despite that team from the north beating us!). When Sweets and I drive out East this summer, we have the option to drive through Canada on our way there. Kyla seems to think we’d be crazy to go through Canada … far worse roads and a slower speed limit. But, for a change in scenery? Hmmm…
- I couldn’t fall asleep the other night, because I was thinking about going for a nice run through campus in Chapel Hill. (Maybe that’s what spurred the start to my outdoor running season!) Not that I have plans to travel to North Carolina anytime soon. Well, that’s not entirely true. I’m waiting on a decision. And if I hear certain news, then I actually will be traveling to Chapel Hill this spring. So, my dreams could become reality. We’ll see.
- A while ago, I printed a bunch of photos from our wedding with the intention of framing and hanging them. They sat in an envelope untouched for months (maybe almost a year!). The other week, I finally got a frame for three of the photos. It’s all glass with a dark wood frame. It holds an 8½x11 photo of Sweets and me dancing with two smaller photos, each with our parents dancing. The photos look like they’re floating in the glass. I love how all three couples were captured on the dance floor. All the women are on the left, the men on the right. It’s symbolic for me. Our parents have each been married around 40 years. Their marriages serve as a model for Sweets and me.
- Sweets and I had our taxes done over the weekend. As it turns out, we’re getting a pretty really sweet return this year. The biggest we’ve ever had. Some might argue that we need to change our tax withholdings around so we see more of that money throughout the year. I don’t disagree (it’s like an interest-free loan to the government—what’s up with that?!). Though, I think for the next year as we adjust to some other financial decisions, we’ll keep our withholdings at the status quo.
- I was tortured through the Olympics. They kept showing commercials for shows like The Marriage Ref and Parenthood. And I had to wait. Weeks. Before watching them to know whether I’d like them. Well, the other night, we skipped our favorite Tuesday night shows (White Collar and Millionaire Matchmaker—what? I like a little trash. Sue me) in favor of checking out Parenthood. We laughed. We cried. Literally. And we walked away with a possible new favorite show. (But, don’t you worry, I have lots of favorite shows and this one could always be upended by The Marriage Ref which begins tonight.)
- This weekend, a girlfriend and I are road-tripping to Madison, Wisconsin to visit with another girlfriend. I can’t tell you the last time I had a true girl’s weekend. With these particular girls, it was likely years ago when we traveled to Spain together. But, we have a dilemma for what to do Saturday night. Go to the roller derby or watch the UNC-Duke basketball game (clearly, I cheer for my Tar Heels, but one of my friends is an avid Duke fan, so watching games together is always interesting). Dare I say that for me, the roller derby is kind of winning out—c’mon, need I even explain how effing cool, rowdy and fun that would be?
See… scattered! But, to bring it all home, I’ll just remind you to enter my giveaway. Enter once. Enter twice. Enter three times. But, you can’t win unless you play the game! What random fact do you want to tell me about your week?
March 4th, 2010 at 9:05 am
We did our taxes too and we are so happy with the refund. We really need it right now.
Enjoy your trip to Madison!
March 4th, 2010 at 9:13 am
For a change of scenery why not go through Canada? It could be fun, a little side adventure on the way to where ever you are heading. Will your return trip bring you back through Ohio? I really want to check out Parenthood, it looks like it would be such a great show. Sadly I missed the premiere the other night. Can’t wait to hear about a possible trip to NC and definitely have a fantastic time in Madison this weekend. Personally, I think roller derby would be winning out for me as well.
March 4th, 2010 at 9:37 am
I watched Parenthood too! Couldn’t wait for it to start since it has such an awesome cast and great premise; I also laughed and cried… well, I think I cried more than I laughed :) I’ll definitely be going back to it!
I’m road tripping to see my brother this weekend. I can’t wait. And Roller Derby!? What fun. I love watching the matches.
March 4th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Roller Derby is really really fun!
March 4th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Ha! I didn’t say you would be crazy, you just have to pick where you duck up into Canada. Honestly though, if you want to, give it a try! The roads are just not smooth like your US highways, every 2 seconds there’s a BUMP! where the pavement has cracked from the constant freezing and thawing. If you have a short ways to go, or you’re not trying to get there fast, it would be a fun adventure! =)
There’s a reason that Canadians take the US route, is all I’m saying ;)
March 4th, 2010 at 10:02 am
i wanted to watch parenthood, but fell asleep, but i did see the parts from the marriage ref on Oprah this week. it looks pretty funny, i can’t wait to watch it!
March 4th, 2010 at 10:33 am
I was so gleeful about Duke losing to Maryland last night. Such a great game to watch! I mean, I know both teams are still WAY better than UNC this year, but if we’re going down, I’d like to take Duke with us.
March 4th, 2010 at 10:36 am
I love blog posts like this—the random smattering of thoughts that gives us just a little look inside your head.
Also, I really, really wanted to catch “Parenthood”, per all of the previews. Good to hear a positive review of it.
March 4th, 2010 at 10:42 am
my mom watched parenthood the other night (and says it’s airing again this week i think?) and said it was really good! plus, the dude from six feet under, right?
oh, totally go through canada! i just heard that we’re being invited to a wedding there in june, and im totally, totally stoked. last time (only time!) i was there was in the dead of winter and hooboy, im jonesing to go back in the spring/summer.
March 4th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Roller Derby all the way. Violent girls on skates? Dude. You can watch the game on DVR.
March 4th, 2010 at 11:34 am
I was so excited for Parenthood to start and even happier when it did not disappoint! So nice to have so many of that cast back on TV. (Oh, Lorelai Gilmore, I’ve missed you!)
March 4th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I got up with the intention of running this morning, thanks to your encouragement. But, sadly, it was really really cold. So, I worked out on the Wii fit instead.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
You could look into getting cash changed here before you go it might be cheaper.
Canada is worth going through it has some beautiful views and why not have a little adventure. And there are some very cool little towns along the way that have neat stuff.
I wanted to watch Parenthood but we’ve been watching the Good Wife so I missed it.
Roller Derby just sounds fun go for it!!
March 4th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Driving through Canada, depending where you come from, tacks on about 10 hours to your trip -- it takes longer, but is definitely a lot prettier. Driving through certain states is very depressing with billboards for meth habits and all that. Canada is a lot prettier but it will take a lot longer.
March 4th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
We travel a lot: don’t use traveler’s cheques. Many places don’t accept them anymore. ATMs in most countries will work, just check to see what kind of systems they have (Cirrus, PLUS, etc). It’s far cheaper to do it that way than to change money or get a traveler’s cheque. Use a credit card for any big purchase if you’re having it shipped -- you’ll get insurance on it if it doesn’t arrive.
We’ve used ATMs and Credit Cards in the UK, Japan, Australia, Morocco & Egypt and never had a problem.
March 4th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Oh! One more suggestion for travel: if you do think you’ll use credit cards, make sure to call your card company first to inform them you’re leaving the country. They will suspend activity thinking it’s fraud.
March 4th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Um, roller derby?! HELLZ YES!
I am super happy that the Olympics are over because I can resume my normal tv schedule once again! I have missed it!
March 4th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Come visit Canada, eh!
A random fact from my week: My boss had occasion to say to me “So, I get to be the drug mule this time.” And I said “Yes, indeed.” I would explain more, but that would make it less random.
March 4th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
PARENTHOOD STARTED AND I MISSED IT??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
damn, it started the day I got tenure. Maybe I can find it online.
March 4th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
you have so many fun trips lined up! i say do canada, i’ve never been. and post the wedding pics!!
March 4th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Wow I wonder if I was accruing credit card fees in Europe over the summer…what a pain! I hope not…I didn’t even know about them. If you call your bank and tell them where you’ll be, you should be able to use your ATM card freely and just pay cash for stuff while you’re there. When is your trip again?
I vote for roller derby, hands down. Especially because it’s a girls’ weekend.
March 4th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
I have one credit card that charges 3% for overseas and another that charges either 0 or 1/2%…definitely call before you go abroad and see if you have one with a lower fee.
Happy travels to WI this weekend. I can’t say I like either UNC or Dook, but then again, I’m a Wahoo.
March 4th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Good to know about the credit cards on a foreign vacation! I think I’ll talk to our bank about using our debit cards when we’re in Europe maybe. Or travelers cheques, though, I’ve never used those and have no idea how..
March 4th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I also laughed and cried at Parenthood. What a great pilot! We watched the 30 minute Marriage Ref teaser and loved it. Plenty of laughs there, too.
For travel abroad, I use the currency exchange in the airport to have enough to get me started. I take AmEx traveler’s cheques in incremental amounts for the rest. The Cayman’s is loaded with banks and you should be able to cash one or two traveler’s cheques at a time at a Cayman bank. That way, you’re not walking around with bunches of cash.
March 4th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
-- Credit cards and cash. Mainly because I have no idea how to deal with traveler’s cheques :-)
-- I saw the Marriage Ref after the Olympics and it was pretty funny. I had Parenthood on, but didn’t really pay attention. I agree, though, NBC is pulling out some good options. Gotta make up for the Leno gaffe somehow!
March 4th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Have a great time in Madison! I can’t wait to read about where you guys go. I love going up for a visit. Go to the bar on State Street with a tree it in! And bring back some Spotted Cow :)
March 4th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
First, one serious hooray for girl time!
Second, I really wanted to see the first episode of Parenthood but forgot which night it was on. So glad to hear you liked it! I’ll have to check it out next week.
Third, I love it when people have things in the works and I’m curious about the decision you’re waiting on. (I’m not asking you to tell. I just think it’s always exciting to have new prospects in the works.)
March 4th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
I’ve been to Roller Derby here in Chicago and I HIGHLY recommend. Great girl’s outing!!
March 5th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
The Marriage Ref was so good last night! What did you think?
March 5th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
I totally spaced on Parenthood starting. i need to find it online & watch it -- it looks so good!!
That is awesome that you & your husbands parents have been married for 40+ years. My parents celebrated 40 years in December. We are so lucky to have such wonderful examples of love! I never realized how rare it was for 2 people to stay married for that long until I went to college! Now I thank God every day that he gave me such wonderful parents. :)
I also am getting a big tax return this year. Part of me hates that I gave the govt an interest free loan, another part of me likes the surprise bonus!!
March 8th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I felt the same way about the previews on NBC. We recorded Parenthood -- glad you gave it the thumbs up already! Hope you guys are doing well, Nilsa!
March 8th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
I’ve taken 90 all the way across (Boston to Seattle and yes, I called it the Mass Pike the entire way) and then went back via Glacier National Park, the plains of Canada, and Niagara (I LOVE Niagara-on-the-Lake). If you’ve done 90 already, why not try Canada? Just beware those damn mounties. I got my one and only ticket from an over-eager one (no, not on a horse)…with my dad cackling away in the passenger seat next to me.