A medley of updates

I have all kinds of things to write about but nothing really warrants its own posting. As such, please enjoy the following "where are they now" edition of my blog.

*First, we celebrated Rich's birthday last week. Above you'll see the picture I commissioned for his gift. (Yes, that's supposed to be us sitting there on the Simpsons' couch.) Former show animator Gary Yap is responsible for the amazing work of art you see. Other highlights of Rich's birthday week included dinner and a show at Toby's Dinner Theatre, an overnight trip to Atlantic City, and a show at the Kennedy Center.

*Next, I need to update you all on my furniture situation. All is well in bureau land. I have my new bureau, as discussed in my last entry, and I have to say that I couldn't be happier with it. It's quite the sturdy piece of furniture (yay for dovetail joints!) and matches Rich's dresser very well. My brothers were kind enough to carry it up three flights of stairs to our bedroom.

Due to the success of my search, I have found that I am slowly breaking my Craigslist addiction. I have, however, managed to pass this addiction onto other people. My husband is fervently searching for an armoire to help solve our lack-of-closet-space problem on the first floor. We wish him well in his endeavor and I promise to lend my assistance and know-how as necessary.

*Many people have been asking about where things stand with Hunt Valley Motor Coach. Unfortunately I really don't have much of an update. The company's owner has chosen to ignore our letter. Because of this, I will be sending a follow-up letter and also filing a complaint with the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. Thankfully we've identified other local bus companies that will fulfill our travel needs.

*I would be remiss if I didn't mention some exciting news I learned this week. I talk a lot about the Artful Gourmet Bistro, one of my favorite restaurants, but it seems like other people will soon be talking about it too. ESPN will be profiling NFL players and their favorite restaurants. Ravens safety Ed Reed apparently shares my taste in food because he's selected the bistro as his favorite place to dine. So congratulations to restaurant owners Paolo and Julie. You deserve this kind of publicity. But if it makes it hard for us to get a table, I'm going to be pretty pissed.

*In closing, I want to wish my grandfather a very happy birthday. He celebrates #91 tomorrow and I hope he and my grandmother enjoy a wonderful day. Considering the family tendency towards celebratory cake, I believe all will be well. Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Will you be my bureau?

Weird and quirky obsessions are nothing new for me. After all, I did have a subscription to the Limbaugh Letter at one point in time. But in the past few weeks I've developed a somewhat new addiction and I just can't seem to shake it. I'm addicted to Craigslist.com, particularly the furniture for sale section.

I am on the search for the perfect dresser.

It all started when my brothers were looking for stuff for their house, otherwise known as the dorm room that threw up. I kept finding things I like (and therefore, think they should like) and I e-mailed them the listings. Now that I'm looking for a new dresser for our bedroom I check the stupid thing a thousand times a day.

It's gotten so bad that I don't just limit myself to the Baltimore Craigslist. No, now when I'm checking for new listings, I'm looking at the ones for D.C., Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Delaware. When Craigslist can't fulfill my addiction, I turn to Postaroo.com. It's a sickness.

My husband has been as patient as he can with my quest. He patiently looks at all of the pictures I e-mail him, and then reminds me that no, Northern Virginia isn't really that close and didn't I want to spend less than that anyway?

So let's talk dressers -- or more accurately, chests of drawers. You see, in this search I've learned that chest of drawers is the appropriate term for the tall, narrow piece of furniture I desire. The term dresser is better reserved for the shorter, longer pieces of bedroom delight. Bureau, I believe, can be applied to either.

Anyway, I want something older and of good quality. It needs to match the French Country dresser/mirror that we already have in our bedroom. And it needs to be cheap. Let me repeat that. It needs to be cheap.

I've checked antique stores, sought out furniture auctions, and browsed my grandparents' basement. But no luck.

Througout this process I'm learning words like dovetail joints and highboy. I know to avoid any posting that includes works like Malm or Aspelund other dreaded Ikea styles. (Please note that I'm not anti-Ikea. It serves a good place in life and I even own a few Ikea pieces that I like, including a great shelving unit in my den. I'm just ready to move beyond the world of assemble-it-yourself laminate and have something made a real wood.)

And it's finally possible that my search is coming to an end. Today I located a nice looking chest of drawers near the Maryland-Delaware line. If all goes well, I'll have it in my house this weekend. (It could take another several weeks to actually move it up to our fourth floor bedroom.)

I shouldn't get too excited yet. I've been here before. Two weeks ago I loved and lost. I thought I found the perfect piece, only to find that someone else grabbed it first. I hope he and his new dresser are happy because frankly, I'm still hurting.

Once I finally have my beloved dresser, I suppose I will have to turn to a new hobby to round out my obsessive compulsive, anal retentive, perfectionist-type personality. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Otherwise I'll be forced to shop for furniture for you. Just ask my brothers.