September 12, 2005Big tipper or penny pincher?
A while back, in my wanna be asleep stupor, I stumbled on an interesting (or so I think) thought: why do we base the amount we tip on the size of the bill?
Just because the food might be more expensive doesn't mean the service was any more prompt and deserving.
What do you think?
Posted by Olivia at 4:35 PM | Comments (2)
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September 13, 2005News from the homefront
Labor Day weekend we decided to labor outside in hopes of one day having grass growing in our backyard. We had made a half-hearted attempt last year, but the weeds completely overtook and prevented any new grass from growing.
Saturday afternoon we stocked up on dirt, seed, and various tools from Lowes and went to work pulling weeds. And pulling weeds. And pulling more weeds. We had 2 rakes with the idea we could just rake it all out, but unfortunately our hopes were shattered when we found out the clay in our yard was much too hard for even the rakes. We had really hoped to completely tear up the yard and start fresh, but unless we got a tiller, there was just no way. So with the help of some little shovels (from our failed effort at digging for diamonds a few years ago) we spent several hours on Saturday and all of Sunday morning just pulling weeds and leaving the few patches of grass.
Thanks to our early start Sunday we were able to finished the weed pulling and get the new dirt and grass seed down. Jeff's been dutifully watering everyday since then but have not seen any results yet. The back half of the yard just looks like a barren desert.
To anyone who's had success growing grass from seed, suggestions would be much appreciated! We'd really like to get something growing before trying to sell next spring.
Posted by Olivia at 11:13 PM | Comments (3)
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September 26, 2005New development
Trees started going down last week in the 'forest' area on the opposite side of Hunton Park Blvd. We knew it was going to happen eventually, but it's sad seeing the empty space between our neighborhood and the interstate.
The original plan (so we were told) was for a business park, similar to Innsbrook, to be developed. But Jeff read somewhere recently that plans has changed, the area has been rezoned for single family homes.
I haven't been able to find any documentation on that, only this, found in the July 05 meeting notes:
C-36-05 RMA/Hunton, L.C. and WWJ, LLC: Request to rezone from R-2AC One Family Residence District (Conditional) to C-1 Conservation District, part of Parcel 762-774-3512 containing .19 acres, located on the south line of Hunton Park Boulevard approximately 935 feet east of the I-295 exit ramp (north on Staples Mill Road – U.S. Route 33). The applicant proposes a conservation area. The Land Use Plan recommends O/S Office Service.
And according to the Henrico County Codes, C1 is a Conservation District:
Restricted to uses that have minimal environmental impacts and which provide open space.Principal Uses: agriculture, forestry, public and private wildlife preserves, private noncommercial recreation uses, public waterworks and drainage works.
Additional Uses: golf courses, commercial outdoor marine recreation facilities, extraction
Hmm...
Posted by Olivia at 1:33 PM | Comments (0)
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September 27, 2005CT-related weekend adventures
A belated congratulations goes out to Jimmy & Kristy on their newly wed and parents-to-be status. September 10 Jeff and I traveled to Nova to celebrate at a post-wedding celebration. They did it the smart way; had a small, family-only ceremony and a few months later had big parties to celebrate with all their friends and family. And now they're going to have a baby! Congrats you guys!
The following weekend we went east to VA Beach to hang out with some of the CT crew for a little go-kart action. Although these tracks and cars are much better than the ones at the Grand Prix, they do not offer an all-day pass. Needless to say, buying tickets for each race got pretty expensive and didn't last as long as we'd expected.
Even so, we still had a lot of fun. We never really had to wait in line and we got to race against each other every time. That made for some fun 'hard' racing, bumping, and spin outs. Poor Jeff got t-boned pretty bad near the end of the day and ended up with a nasty bruise. And he doesn't bruise easily!
The Oceana Air Show was wrapping up for the weekend, and we had a perfect view at the go kart track.
After lunch we walked around the boardwalk area. The Neptune Festival was starting to wrap up, but there were still a lot of people in the area.
We didn't have a big turnout, but it was a good group and we had a lot of fun. Now we need to think of some winter-time activities we can do.
Posted by Olivia at 12:10 AM | Comments (0)
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September 27, 2005Martin Enduro
For Jeff and I, the last 2 Friday nights have been spent at the Southside Speedway, anxiously waiting for the Enduro race to start, only to be disappointed by the races being called for rain.
A ninth place finish at the September 2 race had convinced John to continue racing the Martin Enduro car as long as it would hold out. Never mind the trouble getting onto the trailer after that top 10 finished-race. At that point, only one more race (23rd) was scheduled, but within a few days the 16th was added to the schedule. Unfortunately, these were the 2 to be rained out.
Next weekend is supposed to be the last night of races for the season, but it doesn't usually include an Enduro race. But since the past 2 have been rained out, we just might end up there again. For one last race.
Posted by Olivia at 12:45 AM | Comments (1)
Find me in: The Garage
September 29, 2005Calling all ambitious young people
I just want to say that last night, while shopping in Short Pump, I was hit on. Not in a sexual, relationship way, but in a come join our pyramid scheme way.
Yeh. I know.
There I was, minding my own business, moving from aisle to aisle, when I noticed this girl following me. I decided to skip a few aisles and head to the back of the store. Unfortunately, I had to walk back up to the front eventually, and not a few moments later, got the spiel.
Too bad it wasdn't even a very good spiel. Something about companies that hire people to shop from their 'dot com.' It didn't really make sense, but I took the girl's card and off she went. Didn't push or keep talking, which was nice.
I just don't see how these people make money. Anyone have any insight?
Posted by Olivia at 11:18 PM | Comments (2)
Find me in: Chit Chat