House of Himberger: March 2011

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 185 - 29th March 2011)

And back down south we go.

View from the car window on our drive back to North Carolina.

Picture of the Day (Day 184 - 28th March 2011)

After an emotional morning, some of the family went to Olive Garden for lunch.

It was lovely to see everyone, we just would have preferred it to have been under different circumstances.

The Himberger siblings shared their memories of growing up together, most of them hilarious, but all of them wonderful.

Picture of the Day (Day 183 - 27th March 2011)

Our hotel in Bohemia, New York.

The spa was empty, but we made good use of the gym!

Picture of the Day (Day 182 - 26th March 2011)

Today, Paul and I drove up to Long Island, New York with his parents.

It was a long drive, but seemed to pass by quickly.

We had dinner at this 'typical American' diner.

Picture of the Day (Day 181 - 25th March 2011)

This photograph of Uncle George and Aunt Debbie was taken at Kevin and Libby's wedding in September 2009.

After a long battle with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease and Motor Neuron Disease) our beloved Aunt Debbie passed away this morning.

Although not unexpected, it is still hard, but we feel relief in knowing that she is at peace and her suffering has finally ended.

RIP Debbie. Heaven has received another angel. We will always love you.

Picture of the Day (Day 180 - 24th March 2011)

I don't think I ever posted a picture of this and I wanted to share it with you all.

This is a photograph of a painting of a photograph!

My amazingly talented friend Stella (www.stelladuplass.com) painted it from a picture I took of Benny hanging his head out of the car window.

I love it so much!

Picture of the Day (Day 179 - 23rd March 2011)

Today I planted my herb garden (which may turn out to be a bad idea seeing as we have cold weather expected).

I only wanted to plant things I would actually use, so from left we have leeks, parsley, rosemary, cilantro and chives.

Picture of the Day (Day 179 - 22nd March 2011)

This is the haul Mum and Dad brought me from Australia.

Picture of the Day (Day 178 - 21st March 2011)

Our last day in San Francisco :(

After a huge breakfast we had some more excitement involving the buses of San Francisco - a mugger jumped off the bus we were about to board followed by the bus driver and the lady whose bag he stole, but he was too quick and disappeared around a corner.

Mum then made a Chinese friend on said bus who wanted her to go to her house for dinner!

We wandered down Haight Street, enjoying all the hippie motifs, then reached my favourite part of the city - Golden Gate Park.

We spent a few hours wandering through the park enjoying the different areas including the Children's Playground and Carousel, the Japanese Tea Gardens, Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill, and the Music Bowl.

Then it was back to Market Street for some last minute shopping (most exciting part - the curved escalators in Nordstrom's!), followed by a late lunch at Lefty O'Doul's, and one last ride on a cable car.

What a wonderful weekend with Mum and Dad - love you both so much!

Picture of the Day (Day 177 - 20th March 2011)

Some sad news today - Mum's umbrella didn't survive the night. It had to be put down....into the bin.

She's lucky she has such a generous daughter who gave up her own umbrella and braved the rain for her!

We took a tram to the ferry wharf, where we caught the boat across to Sausalito, a cute, sleepy little town across the bay. As we walked around, the sun made an appearance, and then decided to stay! From Sausalito, we took a bus back in to San Francisco, which went over the Golden Gate Bridge.

We got off the bus close to Lombard Street, and our huge day of walking began. First we walked up some of the steepest hills you'll ever see to get to the part of Lombard Street that's known as the Crookedest Street in the World. Then back down the other side we went, and continued on to Fisherman's Wharf, where we ate lunch at the oldest restaurant on the wharf and had a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

We then walked back along the wharf to the ferry terminal where we started our day. Now this may not seem like much, but it was so far! At least it was a flat part of the city!

But the walking didn't end there - up Market Street we went, to check out the shops and the domed Westfield's building.

From there, we caught another tram and bus back to the hotel - but not without some excitement involving an argument between two homeless men, and a bus driver that refused to continue his route.

A lovely Italian dinner rounded out our busy day.

Picture of the Day (Day 176 - 19th March 2011)

Day One in San Francisco with Mum and Dad.

I was so excited to see them. The wait at the airport took so long! I tried to take some photos as they arrived but I was shaking so much with excitement that they came out blurry!

They were both running on very little sleep so I was impressed they ventured out of the hotel straight away. The rain wasn't going to stop us!

We walked from the hotel down (and up - I hate those hills!) California Street to Powell where we caught a cable car down to Fisherman's Wharf.

We spent most of the afternoon down there, watching the sea lions at the end of Pier 39 and having lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 175 - 18th March 2011)

Paul will have a friend to play with while I'm in San Francisco visiting Mum and Dad this weekend.

This is Twig, the beagle. He is very timid but loves to snuggle.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 174 - 17th March 2011)

My hairdresser :)

I love Steve, he's awesome. He was a great recommendation by Meagan.

Today I just had my roots done and colour topped up, plus a trim and a tiny bit of layering. I wanted to get something crazy, like purple or blue streaks, but now that I'll be starting a new job, I didn't think they'd appreciate it.

Did I tell you guys I got a job? It's as a part-time receptionist for a physical therapy place called InsideOut. I wasn't actually looking, but my friend Heather referred me and it all turned out great!

It's really close to home, the people who work there are so nice, and part-time is great for me for now because I can still do stuff at home, and still go places with Mum and Dad when they come visit. I don't foresee it as a hugely long-term thing (ie. years) but it's perfect for now.

I start training in April and then go to my normal hours (3-7:30pm) in May.

Picture of the Day (Day 173 - 16th March 2011)

We've been having some troubles with our visa lately :(

Whenever we try to ask questions, we get the runaround or different answers from different people.

Anyways, today I had to go to an immigration certified doctor to have my immunisation records transferred to a new form and signed off by the physician. Lots of drama for nothing, in other words!

Picture of the Day (Day 172 - 15th March 2011)

I went to a Book Club Bash at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh last night. They hold this event twice a year. They give away loads of books and recommend new things to read. Unfortunately I didn't win anything but I now have lots of things to add to my library list.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 171 - 14th March 2011)

Just wanted to show Mum my new shoes :)

Picture of the Day (Day 170 - 13th March 2011)

This box, full of goodies, arrived yesterday from Australia. Thanks Mel!

Picture of the Day (Day 169 - 12th March 2011)

We went into downtown Raleigh for the St Patrick's Day Festival. We missed the parade but not the Guinness!

There were lots of people out celebrating in their green clothing, but the music (which included a punk update of Sweet Caroline) didn't really fit with the theme. Give me Irish folk songs that noone knows/can understand the words to!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 168 - 11th March 2011)

In America, people don't really use doonas and quilt covers. Most use comforters, which are basically the doona and cover in one. But that makes them hard to clean. I usually have to put ours on at least 4 rinse cycles in the washing machine because its size means it doesn't move around too much and the soap doesn't wash out properly.

Mum and Dad sent us a doona cover from Australia a little while ago (because they are few and far between here) and we finally found a nice doona for it.

This is it on our bed. It's not as shiny as it looks, the flash reflected a little bit.

Picture of the Day (Day 167 - 10th March 2011)

Part of our gardening last weekend included finally planting the hibiscus and frangipani (plumeria) cuttings we bought in Hawaii.

This pot holds the frangipani, so I'm hoping it grows.

A huge came storm came through today, which is why the ground is wet.

Picture of the Day (Day 166 - 9th March 2011)

Sorry about all the flower pictures but I'm just so excited that winter is almost over!

Picture of the Day (Day 165 - 8th March 2011)

Lunch!

America is making me fat so I'm trying to eat healthier.

I'm also giving up Pepsi for Lent to try and curb my addiction to it.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 164 - 7th March 2011)

How freakin' awesome is my new bag?!

Also came home with some purchases for the kitchen - a fruit bowl, egg cups, and a giant spatula.

Picture of the Day (Day 163 - 6th March 2011)

Our first daffodil made an appearance today - before the storm came and made her fall.

Picture of the Day (Day 162 - 5th March 2011)

Today was gardening day!

We started out in the morning by going to a local nursery to pick out some perennials. We want to get lots of lavender, but were told it won't be in stock for another few weeks.

The owners have a koi pond that they have just restocked with hundreds of koi fish.

Paul's parents came over to help us dig and plant. First we tilled the area where Paul's tomato plants will go, then we got started on my flowerbed along the back fence.

We planted a mix of perennials and annuals (we'd bought the annuals earlier in the week from Lowes) including dahlias, black-eyed susans, tulips, pansies, pericallis and lots of others I can't remember the names of! I wanted lots of colour.

I can't wait to see what it looks like when everything is in bloom - hopefully they don't die first!

We'll add in the lavender when it arrives, and wait for the butterflies and hummingbirds to come.

Picture of the Day (Day 161 - 4th March 2011)

Paul and I went to see the Adjustment Bureau tonight.

We both really liked it, but I think they could have come up with a better ending.

It was great to see John Slattery in a semi-leading role, and Emily Blunt was funny and brilliant.

Of course, Matt Damon was, as always, incredibly likeable.

Picture of the Day (Day 160 - 3rd March 2011)

A beaver update.

The tree that had fallen behind our house after beavers attacked it is now half the size. They've been going teeth happy!

Paul is still trying to catch one.

Picture of the Day (Day 159 - 2nd March 2011)

I don't normally shop at Victoria's Secret - too pricey - but I got coupons in the mail for free underwear, no purchase required. Score! Their wrapping is always so pretty.

Picture of the Day (Day 158 - 1st March 2011)

No news today, so I leave you with a picture of my mini honey pot, a gift from one of my best friends in Australia.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 157 - 28th February 2011)

I'm a sucker for free stuff, no matter how gaudy or useless it may be.

We picked up these goodies at Trali trivia. Yuengling was running a promotion to win a snowboard. Obviously we didn't win that :(

Picture of the Day (Day 156 - 27th February 2011)

Today was my first turn hosting Book Club. The previous hosts have provided wonderful assortments of food so I had a lot to live up to.

My fail safe? Channelling my parents.

I made a cheese tray a la my Dad, and Mum's delicious spinach dip, both of which were huge hits.

I added my own touch with chocolate dipped strawberries which took a lot longer to make than I expected!

The book up for discussion was actually a play - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead - which I first studied in high school. I don't think the discussion actually went too well, but I had a great afternoon with the girls.

Picture of the Day (Day 155 - 26th February 2011)

Our friend Hillary had an art therapy fundraiser today at Fullsteam Brewery in Durham.

I volunteered to help out (although I'm not sure how much I actually helped!). There were some amazing pieces of art on display and up for auction, and I think the afternoon was a success.

We finished up the day with dinner at Dain's (which was once featured on Man vs Food), and home brewed beer and Kinect on the X-Box at our buddy Andrew's place.