It's more love than guilt

I don't often remember my dreams, but more and more often I've picked up bits and pieces, none of which ever make sense. Last night I had a too vivid dream that I was deeply in love with John Krasinski (Jim from the Office). I love the show and his character, and even his cute relationship with Pam, but come on...am I suddenly that person that believes they could be soul mates with some seedy actor? (I'm sure he's nice, but you know what I mean) We were dating (I assume he was Mormon in the dream?) and I just was loving every minute of it.

Then I woke up. Guilty! I felt so guilty, cause it wasn't just a date, it was the kind of good date I only had when I finally went out with Nathan. (aw)

Now that it's evening, I've sorted out my feelings, but this post will help me feel better about the situation...to clear my dream conscience if you will.

This is Natan putting together our new bed. At this point, we'd already spent a long busy day at IKEA. It should also be noted that my job was to put together a lamp (unsuccessful), so we're preetty equally matched in the construction department.

Nate is busy doing this a lot. Kathryn is such a faker.

Nate was willing to eat not one but two pieces of the "bologna" gum my sis so kindly sent me (I can almost hear her self satisfied cackle now).

I'm glad my real date was with Nathan once upon a time. He is busy a lot now with school/work, etc. but I can't picture John/Jim being willing to:

-put together a bed without a needed drill

-study/go to class/lose sleep to help both of us in the long run

-eat bologna gum just to amuse me

...at least he didn't do any of that stuff in my dream, so there.

It's all been done

I am happy to announce that Phyllis passed her salvage inspection with flying colors! That means she is now completely registered and licensed for Ohio and all of my driving needs. I'm glad the old computer monitor, printer, speakers, and random junk from the move in her trunk didn't discourage the inspector from passing Phyllis. It has been 87 days since my accident; with the exception of an illegal week and a half, I haven't had a car for that entire time (that also means taxi could be added to Nate's ever expanding resume). It would be an understatement to just say we are happy to be a two car family again...but I'm saying it anyway (but not typing it twice...all that jumping has made me tired).

My excitement was too much for the BMV, but not too much for the driveway.

An exciting (and true...let's be honestly) accessory that I can now actually use! (thanks Erik)

The whole family is really excited about the news...

Big Screen TV

We aren't moved in enough for me to show pictures; instead I'll show off my picture taking "skills". (It was luck that the squirrel joined the photo). Needless to say, the kitties love the new expanded viewing windows to the outside world.

Staging

We are moving...down the street! For the remainder of our time in Toledo, we will be house sitting for some friends who are moving to Columbus for school. It's a beautiful home and I'd like to feel like we are helping them out, but I struggle with changes and I struggle with lifting things I don't want to. We still have quite a bit left to do, but we've been gradually packing up the house in prep for a big move coming next weekend. For those of you who are curious how the cats are helping:

She who must not be named

Phyllis....
just to update those who haven't heard my rant, I'm carless again, in a sense. See, I have Phyllis, but she's illegal to drive. I truly wish it was as exotic as it sounded. A week and a half ago, I drove downtown to the DMV to get the car registered. While waiting for Nate in the parking lot, some chic threw the door of her Cadillac open and hit Phyllis. I wanted it to be my turn to hit...something? I got out of the car, checked it out and fortunately there is no damage. It was also really nice to hear no words of apology from the culprit. Anyway...

So we first found out that Phyllis is a salvage car. Ask me if I care 3 weeks ago...no. Ask me if I care today, yes! Apparently, in Ohio, a salvage car is kind of the unwanted stepchild (I'd say red haired stepchild, but I happen to really like red hair). With a salvage car, one needs to first purchase a salvage title for the state we live in (car was originally from Wisconsin), then one must purchase an "inspection packet". In this case a "packet"=a receipt that says I've paid $50 for a highway patrolman to check out my car....in a month. I called and the soonest appointment available was September 16. Huzzah! So on top of all that, I'd been driving this car illegally for 2 weeks with no idea...the one time I'm totally risky, I don't even realize it; shameful.

I've been without a car for an additional 2 weeks, and I'm getting more walks in, and (hopefully) getting a bit more patient with waiting for rides. After a bit of time, I've come to terms with my resting car in the garage. I haven't come to terms with my feelings toward the DMV, but luckily I've got plenty of time to do so.

On the bright side of all of this, we took Phyllis in for a physical and she only needed a bolt and a back tail light replaced. I need to find more bright sides to this...I'll let you know when I think of them.

Introducing Phyllis

I'm happy about my new car. I am. I'm happy that, for the most part, my interaction with State Farm is now at a normal level. Hopefully, I'll never have to tell another claims adjuster that I want to file my claims through the other person's insurance. I won't have to remind them that the accident wasn't my fault ever again. Right?

A week and a half ago, we found a car that I liked and was in our price range. We bought it from a guy from Ann Arbor who seemed honest enough and very emphatic about political awareness. Since Nate and I are almost apolitical, our conversations were short...

So, without further ado, I introduce my 2001 Toyota Corolla, Phyllis!

She's a good car, and it's exciting to have my own car again. However, I don't trust her yet. I knew Carol's history, what I'd had fixed, what noises she made and approximately how much it would cost to get those noises fixed. With Phyllis, I don't know...there are noises, some are harmless enough, but honestly, I'm not really sure how harmless they are. According to my dream last night, the repairs (my car died on an imaginary road trip) would be anywhere from 1500.00 to 2000.00. I can't quite get those numbers out of my head, so I still feel nervous. I really shouldn't pay attention to my dreams though; if I did that, there's a 10 story high semi truck (made of bricks/cement) driving around downtown Chicago. I saw it!

I'm sure I'll get over my fears of a new car soon; welcome to the family, Phyllis!

Toronto!

Last weekend, Nate and I headed North to Canada to see what was so great about it. Turns out there's a lot. Here's a few of the pictures of some of the things we got to see/do.

My main motivation for the trip was to see Depeche Mode in concert. It had been rainy but cleared up in time for us to park it on a stretch of wet lawn (we came prepared). We were lucky enough to sit by some friendly/drunk Canadians. Turns out it's acceptable to toast the performing band with a half full cup of beer in Canada as well. The concert itself? Awesome.

If my smile looks strained, it's really fear. I'm sitting on the glass floor of the observation area of the CN tower. At that point, we are about 1135ft up. Heights freak Nate out, and I felt brave until we got to this floor. It's crazy looking that far down.

Horseshoe Falls, Canada side. The Canadians really got the better end of the deal on this, so I'm glad we entered from the Canadian side. Nate and I found ourselves saying "our side" in regard to the Canadian Falls. I'm not sure how we became so quickly superior to our own nationality, but it seemed like the right thing to do.

Niagara Falls, American side; Bridal Veil Falls. This picture is from our journey on the Maid of the Mist. If you look carefully, you can see the little ant people (in yellow) traipsing around the base of the falls. Silly Americans...

Nate and I after our journey on the Maid of the Mist. It should be called the Maid of the Possibly Ruining your Camera because of the Water or Maid of the Anxious Tourist Passengers. Or just the Maid of the Wet. My jeans were soaked* with water by the time this ride was over.

*how you know you are having a good time-eh Ruth?

Me looking down into the water below the falls. This stretch of water is purportedly some of the most deadly rapids in the world. While at the CN Tower, Nate discussed his fear of heights; here I realized the extent of my fear of water.

After our water looking, we took a break to rest our feet. It quickly became a celebration of one's feet drying. Eventually, I gave in (not in the same fashion) and let mine dry off a little.

We waited for it to get dark so we could see the falls at night. Our camera was dying, but we managed to get some really cool shots of the lights they project onto the falls.

Before we left for home, we walked back to Brookfield Place for lunch and a photo shoot. It's a great building and it was fun to pretend Nate was just taking a lunch break from his high rise office. Nah, that doesn't sound fun either...we were just in Sunday clothes.

Me checking out the outside of what we finally figured out to be a restaurant. I like a little Chihuly anytime, but I hoped their decoration didn't represent any of the food served there.

We love Toronto!