More Sudoku

I couldn't resist posting these pics...

Sudoku Championship

Today was the big day for the First Annual Sudoku Championship. I, along with about a thousand other nerds, converged on the Philadelphia Convention Center at 9 this morning. After snagging my free t-shirt and goody bag, I chilled out for a bit with Mike and W. The first and second rounds were back-to-back, starting at 11. There were 263 contestants in my division, beginner. After about 5 minutes of solving, I was the 43rd to finish. In the second round, I took about the same amount of time and was 34th to finish. The third round, after lunch, was much harder. I messed up on the puzzle, and after 7 minutes of solving, I finished 95th. There were some people who didn't finish in the 30 minute time allotment, so not too bad on my part, I guess.
Since there was nothing to do but sit after completing each puzzle, I was glad I had brought some cross stitch to work on. I started on, and got about halfway done with, a piece that will become an ornament for my friend's son's first Christmas. This is also the one I did for a couple of friends of ours who just got married, as well as for my nephew.

Surprise! You're home!

Getting home (back to NJ) has been really nice. My DDH did lots of projects around the house while I was away. He installed a light fixture in our downstairs bathroom, installed a fan/vent in the upstairs bathroom, and (drumroll please) planted my shrubs! They look great. To top everything off, the painters are here today and they are working their tails off. What else could a girl ask for?
I got my pens today for the Sudoku tournament that takes place this weekend. I have to break them in a bit prior to Saturday. Can't just walk in there with virgin pens!
I've cross stitched a bookmark for my mom's birthday. Her BD is Saturday, but she won't be celebrating much, as she will be on a school trip to the Huntsville Space Center with 50+ 5th graders. She says that her best BD gift is that she'll be done with that trip for another year!

Weird Weather

It's been blazing hot this past week, but today it finally cooled off. We are supposed to get rain this afternoon and tonight. I am thinking that I will prepare my flower bed shortly thereafter so that the plants can go in after the painters come on Friday. I think I can talk Mike into putting the plants in on Saturday, even though W. and I will be out of town. It would be so nice to return home on Monday and see my plants settling in with our freshly-painted home! I have been diligently watering them as they have sat and sat in the backyard, so hopefully they will continue to cooperate when they actually enter their new (permanent) home.
Nerd Alert--I have registered for the first U.S. Sudoku Championship that will take place in Philadelphia on October 20. I have been practicing every day and am feeling confident. It cost $50 to register, but it is possible to win monetary prizes. Since I registered prior to October 5, I will receive a free T-shirt at registration. I love a good free T-shirt.