I recently made a recipe book of all the recipes my mom has collected over the years. Since I'd used Shutterfly twice before, I was inclined to use them for this project. However, I'd heard about Blurb and decided this was a great project to give them a try.
First what I love about Blurb.
When you use blurb you actually download a program called Booksmart. Thus, you do not need to be connected to the internet all the time, and it eliminates the need to upload photos to a server. Once you are done then upload your book when you are ready to place your order. Booksmart is great. You have full control over customization of layouts, which is the biggest perk to Blurb. Plus it is really easy to use. The other nice thing is that you have full color customization over the backgrounds. You see a background you like, but it's in blue and white, well, you can change both those colors to be exactly what you want. There are infinite color options.
What I don't like about Blurb.
First, while I do like their background selection and color choice options, you don't have quite as many to choose from as Shutterfly. Second, while I love their layout and design flexibility they do have more limited book cover choices. (only 3). And then third, and probably the biggest, I don't think their quality compares to Shutterfly.
When I got my recipe book back from them I noticed the front cover wasn't as nice as the Shutterfly covers. I also noticed the book construction wasn't as good and the pages just weren't as nice. Now, for the pages, you do have the option to upgrade to "premium paper" which I had not done on this book. The other thing I noticed was that the last few pages in my book were not bound correctly. One of the pages was even ripping out of the book. So I emailed their customer support with some pictures that I had taken on my iphone and within 3 hours they responded to me saying they would replace the book at no cost. That was nice. I was even able to upgrade to their "premium paper" so I'll know in a few days what that looks like. It was a little annoying not to have a phone number to call, but they seemed to respond to the email quite quickly.
So my overall assessment is that Blurb allows for much more design flexibility, though the overall quality of book is just not as nice as the Shutterfly books. If you are okay with the limited layout options, I would recommend Shutterfly for your book needs. Especially photo books. However, if you have a project that needs full customization of layouts, then you're stuck with Blurb... for now.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Cool People
It's the holiday season, and you know what that means. Crowded malls, lots of music, packages coming and going, and usually rude people. Okay, maybe not usually, but more often than not, the holidays (or at least the days leading up to them) seem to bring out the worst in people. Everyone is stressing.
Well I'd like to take a moment to write about 3 different people/companies that I've encountered recently that have made my day just a little better.
First, English Retreads. This company is awesome. First, they have awesome stuff. Second, the person or persons that work there are just super friendly. I recently purchased one of the seat belts only to realize that i'm not as small as I thought I was. Oh great, I was going to have to send it back, this would be a process. You know, first you send it back, wait 5 days, then they send you something back, but maybe you have to call to check up on it, ugh, a hassle, right? Wrong.
When I called to ask about the return policy, I spoke with Kate, the business manager. She was super nice and better yet, the return policy was the easiest I've ever encountered. She said not to worry about the return shipping or the shipping for the replacement item. She would send out the replacement, plus she would electronically send UPS a return shipping label. So bam, UPS shows up at my house the next day, with said return label, I hand him the old package, and away he goes. New belt is already on the way, and no delays! Awesome.
Second, my new wedding photographer, Beverly. I recently undertook the task of choosing my wedding photographer. For those of you that know me well, you know that I'm an engineer, and not just at work, in all aspects of my life. I like to gather data, ask questions, know all the little details, then make an informed decision. I'm really trying to do all this now, so when my wedding day comes I can just have a good time, or at least try not to stress. I'm working on it. Anyway, sometimes when you know people, it's hard to ask them tons of questions without feeling like a pain in the butt. But Bev has been really great about answering all my questions and still wanting me as a client. Thanks Bev!
Third, my fiance, Jeremy. Yea, he's pretty awesome. And he's been amazing these last few weeks. Between the house and the wedding and Christmas, he's been pretty understanding that I've been a complete stressball. I love you babe!
Well I'd like to take a moment to write about 3 different people/companies that I've encountered recently that have made my day just a little better.
First, English Retreads. This company is awesome. First, they have awesome stuff. Second, the person or persons that work there are just super friendly. I recently purchased one of the seat belts only to realize that i'm not as small as I thought I was. Oh great, I was going to have to send it back, this would be a process. You know, first you send it back, wait 5 days, then they send you something back, but maybe you have to call to check up on it, ugh, a hassle, right? Wrong.
When I called to ask about the return policy, I spoke with Kate, the business manager. She was super nice and better yet, the return policy was the easiest I've ever encountered. She said not to worry about the return shipping or the shipping for the replacement item. She would send out the replacement, plus she would electronically send UPS a return shipping label. So bam, UPS shows up at my house the next day, with said return label, I hand him the old package, and away he goes. New belt is already on the way, and no delays! Awesome.
Second, my new wedding photographer, Beverly. I recently undertook the task of choosing my wedding photographer. For those of you that know me well, you know that I'm an engineer, and not just at work, in all aspects of my life. I like to gather data, ask questions, know all the little details, then make an informed decision. I'm really trying to do all this now, so when my wedding day comes I can just have a good time, or at least try not to stress. I'm working on it. Anyway, sometimes when you know people, it's hard to ask them tons of questions without feeling like a pain in the butt. But Bev has been really great about answering all my questions and still wanting me as a client. Thanks Bev!
Third, my fiance, Jeremy. Yea, he's pretty awesome. And he's been amazing these last few weeks. Between the house and the wedding and Christmas, he's been pretty understanding that I've been a complete stressball. I love you babe!
Friday, December 3, 2010
House Update - 1 Month Later
Well it's been one month since my dryer caught fire and my house burnt to a crisp.
You'd think by now they have a good start on the place, but since we are dealing with insurance here, clearly that's not the case.
Last Wednesday (11.30.10) the more-or-less final estimate was agreed to by myself, my insurance adjuster, and my contractor. Some interesting points:
1. They are going to give me a full new roof (yay!)
2. They are going to put insulation in all my exterior walls as part of a code upgrade (yay!)
3. They are going to rewire my whole house as part of a code upgrade (yay!)
Besides those three points, they are basically stripping the house down to bare wood, removing all (or mostly all) they drywall, tearing down the garage, and then rebuilding it all. Currently they have removed most of the drywall in the house and have started the slow cleanup from that. They will next clean the studs and seal them with "anti-smell" stuff.
Before they put the drywall back up, I'll have to decide what cables I may want to run throughout the house and what type of exterminators I may want to have come in and spray. I guess that will be on my to-do list for next week.
I also get to take this chance to do a different type of roof if I want, metal maybe? And change up the lighting around the house. I'm thinking can lighting in the living room and new ceiling fans in the other rooms. Probably add a ceiling fan to the guest bedroom and a bathroom vent to the, well bathroom.
Also at some point in the near future, I'm going to have to pick out paint colors for the rooms. That's such a daunting task.
Total cost of rebuilding the house (excluding contents clean/replace): $70,000
Thank goodness for insurance and low deductibles!
You'd think by now they have a good start on the place, but since we are dealing with insurance here, clearly that's not the case.
Last Wednesday (11.30.10) the more-or-less final estimate was agreed to by myself, my insurance adjuster, and my contractor. Some interesting points:
1. They are going to give me a full new roof (yay!)
2. They are going to put insulation in all my exterior walls as part of a code upgrade (yay!)
3. They are going to rewire my whole house as part of a code upgrade (yay!)
Besides those three points, they are basically stripping the house down to bare wood, removing all (or mostly all) they drywall, tearing down the garage, and then rebuilding it all. Currently they have removed most of the drywall in the house and have started the slow cleanup from that. They will next clean the studs and seal them with "anti-smell" stuff.
Before they put the drywall back up, I'll have to decide what cables I may want to run throughout the house and what type of exterminators I may want to have come in and spray. I guess that will be on my to-do list for next week.
I also get to take this chance to do a different type of roof if I want, metal maybe? And change up the lighting around the house. I'm thinking can lighting in the living room and new ceiling fans in the other rooms. Probably add a ceiling fan to the guest bedroom and a bathroom vent to the, well bathroom.
Also at some point in the near future, I'm going to have to pick out paint colors for the rooms. That's such a daunting task.
Total cost of rebuilding the house (excluding contents clean/replace): $70,000
Thank goodness for insurance and low deductibles!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Warrior Dash Pictures!
Here are some of the pictures that Brightroom Photography got of us during the Warrior Dash. I only screen captured them off the website, so sorry if the quality is a bit bad. You get what you pay for, and I paid nothing :)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving...
Phew, what a weekend. And it's not even over yet!
This Thanksgiving I did something that I've never done before. Okay well I did many things that I've never done before, but the impressive, and probably most shocking, was that it was the first time ever that I've cooked a turkey. I know, I know. How have I gone 28 years without doing this? Well, I'll tell you. I don't like turkey. Yep, I said it. And it's not even that I'm not fond of it, I mean, I really don't like it. It's funny, because my parents insist that I love turkey and used to eat it ever thanksgiving. But I don't think they've ever realized that I only put a tiny piece on my plate and then take one bite and push the rest around a bit.
Now I realize this seems very un-American, but it's just the way it is.
So, my turkey. I brined it the night before using a salt water mix and turkey herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme). I cut back on the salt a bit and used about 3/4 cup for ~1 gallon of water. The next day I rubbed herb butter under the skin (where I could get it) and let it sit in the fridge for another 2 hours to dry out the skin. I'm told the turkey came out plenty juicy and was very tasty, though I wasn't overly impressed. But maybe that's just my lack of turkey liking. Either way, I'd like to give it one more try because I think I can do better.... I think. I'll need some turkey tasters again. Volunteers?
Thanksgiving day Jeremy and I went to New Orleans with some friends. Man, even that place is dead on Thanksgiving Day. Of course Bourbon street was still open, but half the bars were closed. Go figure.
What I love about New Orleans is the wonderful food and the great music. There's a restaurant called Desire on Bourbon Street and I highly recommend it. Everything on their menu is great. I can say this with confidence since the 4 of us tried almost everything throughout the weekend. We also found a grocery store on Royal street that's a perfect place to get breakfast if you just want some yogurt and fruit.
Friday night we stopped by Fritzels (on Bourbon) to listen to the Jumbo Shrimp Band. We'd heard them last time we were down and this time they did not disappoint. We picked up a CD. We also hit up Frenchman Street on Saturday night. This time we heard two guys sitting on the sidewalk jamming. They were great. I believe they were "19th Street Red." We got another CD.
I love collecting jazz music from New Orleans. It makes great background party music.
On the way back from Frenchman Street, we happened upon this band "Blues 4 Sale." They don't have a CD out yet, but once it comes out, I highly recommend getting it. They were fantastic.
Before we left N.O. this morning Jeremy took me on a carriage ride through the French Quarter. It was super romantic and really neat. I loved it.
And... after we got home from N.O., Jeremy continued his romanticism (is that a word?) by taking me ice skating at Discovery Green. I'm so lucky.
Now after stuffing my face for the last 3 days with more food than I eat in a month, I think I'm going to stop eating for a while. I'm going to bed tonight and not eating until Tuesday...
well, maybe just one kieful that I make tomorrow.... and maybe one jumbo raisin cookie.... maybe some corn chowder.
But really, no eating
unless I do.
This Thanksgiving I did something that I've never done before. Okay well I did many things that I've never done before, but the impressive, and probably most shocking, was that it was the first time ever that I've cooked a turkey. I know, I know. How have I gone 28 years without doing this? Well, I'll tell you. I don't like turkey. Yep, I said it. And it's not even that I'm not fond of it, I mean, I really don't like it. It's funny, because my parents insist that I love turkey and used to eat it ever thanksgiving. But I don't think they've ever realized that I only put a tiny piece on my plate and then take one bite and push the rest around a bit.
Now I realize this seems very un-American, but it's just the way it is.
So, my turkey. I brined it the night before using a salt water mix and turkey herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme). I cut back on the salt a bit and used about 3/4 cup for ~1 gallon of water. The next day I rubbed herb butter under the skin (where I could get it) and let it sit in the fridge for another 2 hours to dry out the skin. I'm told the turkey came out plenty juicy and was very tasty, though I wasn't overly impressed. But maybe that's just my lack of turkey liking. Either way, I'd like to give it one more try because I think I can do better.... I think. I'll need some turkey tasters again. Volunteers?
Thanksgiving day Jeremy and I went to New Orleans with some friends. Man, even that place is dead on Thanksgiving Day. Of course Bourbon street was still open, but half the bars were closed. Go figure.
What I love about New Orleans is the wonderful food and the great music. There's a restaurant called Desire on Bourbon Street and I highly recommend it. Everything on their menu is great. I can say this with confidence since the 4 of us tried almost everything throughout the weekend. We also found a grocery store on Royal street that's a perfect place to get breakfast if you just want some yogurt and fruit.
Friday night we stopped by Fritzels (on Bourbon) to listen to the Jumbo Shrimp Band. We'd heard them last time we were down and this time they did not disappoint. We picked up a CD. We also hit up Frenchman Street on Saturday night. This time we heard two guys sitting on the sidewalk jamming. They were great. I believe they were "19th Street Red." We got another CD.
I love collecting jazz music from New Orleans. It makes great background party music.
On the way back from Frenchman Street, we happened upon this band "Blues 4 Sale." They don't have a CD out yet, but once it comes out, I highly recommend getting it. They were fantastic.
Before we left N.O. this morning Jeremy took me on a carriage ride through the French Quarter. It was super romantic and really neat. I loved it.
And... after we got home from N.O., Jeremy continued his romanticism (is that a word?) by taking me ice skating at Discovery Green. I'm so lucky.
Now after stuffing my face for the last 3 days with more food than I eat in a month, I think I'm going to stop eating for a while. I'm going to bed tonight and not eating until Tuesday...
well, maybe just one kieful that I make tomorrow.... and maybe one jumbo raisin cookie.... maybe some corn chowder.
But really, no eating
unless I do.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Warrior Dash 2010
ARE YOU A WARRIOR?
I AM!
This years 3.2 mile Warrior Dash in Bastrop was so much fun. Jeremy and I, along with 4 of our friends, ran the 10:30 wave on Saturday. We couldn't have asked for better weather.
The 'race' was fun, but we didn't actually run it for time. We just went out and had a good time, stopping to take pictures as we desired, and staying together.
While I was prepared to run the 3.2 miles, I was not ready for the uneven terrain. I haven't really done trail running at all, so I wasn't ready for how much up and down there would be. Also, I wasn't used to having to constantly look at my feet and make sure I wasn't about to turn my ankle or something.
Here are a few of the obstacles that we encountered. Thanks to Mark for bringing along his camera. They were pretty fun, but I'm looking forward to the Tough Mudder where the obstacles are hopefully a lot harder and bigger.
I AM!
This years 3.2 mile Warrior Dash in Bastrop was so much fun. Jeremy and I, along with 4 of our friends, ran the 10:30 wave on Saturday. We couldn't have asked for better weather.
The 'race' was fun, but we didn't actually run it for time. We just went out and had a good time, stopping to take pictures as we desired, and staying together.
While I was prepared to run the 3.2 miles, I was not ready for the uneven terrain. I haven't really done trail running at all, so I wasn't ready for how much up and down there would be. Also, I wasn't used to having to constantly look at my feet and make sure I wasn't about to turn my ankle or something.
Here are a few of the obstacles that we encountered. Thanks to Mark for bringing along his camera. They were pretty fun, but I'm looking forward to the Tough Mudder where the obstacles are hopefully a lot harder and bigger.
Friday, November 5, 2010
1 Week Later... And some exciting news!
First, the exciting news. Jeremy and I have chosen a date and a venue! Yes, we are very excited. What is that date and venue you ask? We'll, you'll just have to wait to find out! Unless of course you are one of the few who are lucky enough to be privy to that information this early. But now that we have a date picked, I feel like a giant stop watch has started and is counting down the days, hours, seconds! So much to do, so little time! Next goal: pick a photographer and a band!
And now, a fire update...
It's been a week since my house first caught fire. Within two days of the fire, my wonderful contractors, Paul Davis Restoration, already had the house gutted. All the furniture, clothing, etc out. They were wonderful. There were no less than 10-15 people there each day working on the house.
On Monday my insurance claim agent was out to look at the damage and write up his initial report and to get things started.
First goal, get the ceilings ripped down in each room to assess the damage to the roof. The initial feeling is that 50-60% of the roof is damaged. I don't yet know if they'll be replacing the whole roof, or just half the roof, but I should know in a few days.
The garage and its contents are pretty much totaled, so that part of the house will be torn down to the ground and rebuilt.
The siding is destroyed on two sides of the house, so we have yet to determine if they will replace all the siding or just those two sides. It seems odd to me that they would only replace two sides of my house, but if it looks bad, I'll fight back.
My housing situation seems to be getting worked out. I convinced my claims agent to let me stay in an extended stay place for 3 months instead of moving to an apartment. I'm happy about this because I dont' have to deal with moving crap around a lot and I don't have to sign an apartment lease, deal with utilities, cable, etc.
So that's about where I stand. Hopefully the work order from the contractor will be completed by Monday and they'll get approval for destruction by early next week.
I'm hoping to move back into the house by the end of January, but we'll see.
And now, a fire update...
It's been a week since my house first caught fire. Within two days of the fire, my wonderful contractors, Paul Davis Restoration, already had the house gutted. All the furniture, clothing, etc out. They were wonderful. There were no less than 10-15 people there each day working on the house.
On Monday my insurance claim agent was out to look at the damage and write up his initial report and to get things started.
First goal, get the ceilings ripped down in each room to assess the damage to the roof. The initial feeling is that 50-60% of the roof is damaged. I don't yet know if they'll be replacing the whole roof, or just half the roof, but I should know in a few days.
The garage and its contents are pretty much totaled, so that part of the house will be torn down to the ground and rebuilt.
The siding is destroyed on two sides of the house, so we have yet to determine if they will replace all the siding or just those two sides. It seems odd to me that they would only replace two sides of my house, but if it looks bad, I'll fight back.
My housing situation seems to be getting worked out. I convinced my claims agent to let me stay in an extended stay place for 3 months instead of moving to an apartment. I'm happy about this because I dont' have to deal with moving crap around a lot and I don't have to sign an apartment lease, deal with utilities, cable, etc.
So that's about where I stand. Hopefully the work order from the contractor will be completed by Monday and they'll get approval for destruction by early next week.
I'm hoping to move back into the house by the end of January, but we'll see.
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