I'm a Reel Lawn Mower!

Our landlord has graciously provided us with a lawn mower for the lawn out front. It is our neighbor's job to do it, but he has mysteriously disappeared and has been gone for a few weeks. So Mark and I have taken up the opportunity to do some yard work. However, there's only one small detail; the lawn mower looks like this:

EEK! Has anyone else tried mowing a lawn with these things? It is quite the effort. No wonder everyone back in the day was so skinny. :) But there is something satisfying about being able to mow a lawn with it. I love it! 

A Few of My Favorite Things...

When I was in Seattle, I stopped by a little store called Fireworks. It was in the SeaTac Airport, although I know they have several other stores in Seattle. I saw some soaps that were "all natural" so I gave some of them a sniff. They all smelled AMAZING! But my favorite one of all was this...

This soap by Pacifica smells so unbelievably delicious...I bought two of them! (One is for a gift, but I admit, I'll have a hard time giving it up!) And it doesn't say it on the package, so I don't know if it is a fluke or something, but one side has an exfoliating scrub. It feels like a dream! After my bar is gone...I just might die if I don't get another to replace it. 

And my next favorite item:

Can't beat 10 dollars from a street vendor! As long as I tried to refrain from buying the 80s style shades, I just couldn't take it any longer. By the way, the stripes are GOLD. I am in love. I admit I look pretty amazing in them, (ha ha)but I think Mark looks even more amazing. 

Oh, Seattle

Well, we did it! We went to Seattle this past weekend and it was a blast. We both loved it up there and it didn't even rain the entire time! It was actually really hot. But we really really enjoyed it. Luckily our hotel, the Ace Hotel, was located right in downtown, so we got to walk everywhere. (By the way, if you are ever going to Seattle, I would recommend the Ace. Cheap, affordable, and the beds are incredible! The only downside is that it is European style, which means you share a bathroom. It wasn't a problem at all and the bathrooms were clean and always open. There are rooms with bathrooms in them, but they are more expensive.) Anyway...where was I? Oh yes, most of the downtown attractions were within a few blocks of where we were and also right by the water. Just perfect.

Eight Belles

I was so saddened to hear about the tragic story of Eight Belles over the weekend. She was the filly who ran in the Kentucky Derby and placed second...only to shatter both of her ankles at the end of the race. Since the injuries were so extreme, she was euthanized on the track, with only ambulances to block the view of the spectators.

I can only hope that another horse won't have to die in this sport for some rules and minds to change. I definitely don't think this is an "honorable death" for a horse, and I don't think that any horse would choose to run until it's ankles shattered unless it was forced to. 

In the meantime, rest in peace Eight Belles. I know many people will miss you.