I've been trying to think of something momentous to say in this, my 500th post.
Nope, can't think of a thing.
TOPS
4 hours ago
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunshine Day
Well, after I thought somebody should think about building an ark, the sun is finally shining. Baby, it's bright out there after 5 or 6 straight days of torrential rain (not that we didn't need it--we've been in a drought for what seems like about 10 years now).
Yesterday was great because the girls came home and I took them to the ballet. It was so good and a fabulous collaboration with our county's symphony orchestra. Nothing like ballet with a live orchestra. I am continually astounded at the talent in our little 'burb. J2 asked me how we ever ended up going to that ballet studio when they were tiny 3 year olds. We lived far and away in outer suburbia and it would've made much more sense to sign up for classes at Linda Lou's Tap and Twirl or some such place up in our neck of the woods. I was told by a friend to go to the best from the very start, where they followed a strict syllabus and where the girls could see their teachers perform, and we never looked back. Thank goodness. It was a wonderful experience, we met great people, and it was one of the reasons we decided to leave outer suburbia and move here almost 12 years ago. No regrets whatsoever.
DOTR and I decided it's about time we got with the program, so we ordered new iPhones. They should be here in a day or two and then we'll be cool kids, too. Facebook, iPhones....what's next? Before you know it, we'll be tweeting on twitter (if we can figure out just exactly what it is you're supposed to "tweet" about, that is!)
The torrential rains caused a big washout for all the scheduled baseball games, so this week will be nonstop to make it all up. Five Varsity games, and we're not sure where they are in the JV rotation (J3 pitches for them every 3rd game). At the end of the week the boys leave for their mission trip to Arizona, and we'll also have to figure out how to slip in some kind of birthday celebration for J4 on Thursday. My baby will be 15--old enough to start learning how to drive a car! Unbelievable.
All in all, it's all good.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Raising Boys
It's prom season and that always brings.....drumroll, please......prom drama.
The biggest drama this year is our obstinate, obviously too young with his head up his arse baseball coach who scheduled a game for prom night. Like there's not a game every other night between February and May. He was told by the athletic director to reschedule it, and he shot back a nasty email that said that these boys need to get their priorities straight. Baseball 24/7/365, don't you know. J3 is currently not in favor, despite being one of the best players, because he has the audacity to be involved in another sport. The sad and silly thing is that these kids who have given up any semblance of a normal life aren't going to go any further in their baseball careers than J3. But he'll have had a lot more fun and be a more well rounded individual. I guarantee it. He even told me that he's planning to go out for cross country again next fall (he hasn't run since his freshman year) because he was in such good shape for wrestling that year, and it will help him get down to his wrestling weight. He thought of this all on his own. I'm pretty proud. He said he'd rather be mediocre in 3 sports than waste his time trying to be good in one where the opportunity to play relies solely on where you sit politically and how much sucking up you and your parents have done. For all the grief we giving him for being a bit of a mimbo, he really gets it.
DOTR talked with a few of the parents at the game last week and asked them what they thought about having a game on prom night. The coach oh so generously (and don't think he didn't say how generous he was in doing this) pushed back the start time to 5:00 so "they can still go if they want to". Well, that's not how it works. Pictures are at 5:30. Always. At that pretty historic house. The sweet lady who's invited them there for years and years and years, remember? This is why we live here. If we wanted to be like every other suburban high school, we'd all live in much cheaper, bigger and nicer houses without stinky basements (or trees, but that's another story). Anyway, most of them didn't think it was any big deal because their sons didn't really want to go anyway. It's not like we can make them go, right?
In my opinion, this is what is wrong with boys these days. They don't have to do anything they don't want to do. Their parents are clueless, whatever makes little Johnny happy because the world freakin' revolves around little Johnny, now doesn't it? Having had girls first, we've been very sensitive to how boys need to be taught to act. We always tell J3 and J4 that it won't kill them to go to a dance or party or dinner as an escort, act polite and kind, dress nicely and behave. It's not ALWAYS about you. In fact, it's hardly ever about you. Get used to it and you'll have a much happier life!
My nephew served as Rent-a-date twice for two of J2's friends for prom, and both he and the girl had a great time. He pulled out BIL's tux, bought a flower, held open doors, and acted like a gentleman. He danced, escorted J2's friend across the stage for the Senior Walk, with nary a complaint. Last year, J3 did the same thing for another of J2's friends who did not have a date. He was only 15, but he stepped up to the plate and I was proud of him.
Back when J2 was in 10th grade, J1 set her up for the "girl ask boy" spring dance with one of my favorite boys. J1 acted as their chauffeur, made the reservations, etc. and we sent money with J2 to pay for the dinner and dance. This dance is fairly casual, but he presented her with a little corsage of spring flowers and paid for dinner and the dance. I spoke with his mother the next week (she is one of my dearest friends) and I told her that J2 had money, and we surely didn't expect him to pay since she had done the asking. She said something that I have taken to heart with my boys--"Boys don't learn how to act in social situations these days, so we need to take advantage of every opportunity to show them how to behave. We need to show them and tell them what they should do so that they are comfortable doing it, otherwise, we're raising a generation of mannerless, self involved jerks."
So, if you need to rent a date, I guess you know who to call.
The biggest drama this year is our obstinate, obviously too young with his head up his arse baseball coach who scheduled a game for prom night. Like there's not a game every other night between February and May. He was told by the athletic director to reschedule it, and he shot back a nasty email that said that these boys need to get their priorities straight. Baseball 24/7/365, don't you know. J3 is currently not in favor, despite being one of the best players, because he has the audacity to be involved in another sport. The sad and silly thing is that these kids who have given up any semblance of a normal life aren't going to go any further in their baseball careers than J3. But he'll have had a lot more fun and be a more well rounded individual. I guarantee it. He even told me that he's planning to go out for cross country again next fall (he hasn't run since his freshman year) because he was in such good shape for wrestling that year, and it will help him get down to his wrestling weight. He thought of this all on his own. I'm pretty proud. He said he'd rather be mediocre in 3 sports than waste his time trying to be good in one where the opportunity to play relies solely on where you sit politically and how much sucking up you and your parents have done. For all the grief we giving him for being a bit of a mimbo, he really gets it.
DOTR talked with a few of the parents at the game last week and asked them what they thought about having a game on prom night. The coach oh so generously (and don't think he didn't say how generous he was in doing this) pushed back the start time to 5:00 so "they can still go if they want to". Well, that's not how it works. Pictures are at 5:30. Always. At that pretty historic house. The sweet lady who's invited them there for years and years and years, remember? This is why we live here. If we wanted to be like every other suburban high school, we'd all live in much cheaper, bigger and nicer houses without stinky basements (or trees, but that's another story). Anyway, most of them didn't think it was any big deal because their sons didn't really want to go anyway. It's not like we can make them go, right?
In my opinion, this is what is wrong with boys these days. They don't have to do anything they don't want to do. Their parents are clueless, whatever makes little Johnny happy because the world freakin' revolves around little Johnny, now doesn't it? Having had girls first, we've been very sensitive to how boys need to be taught to act. We always tell J3 and J4 that it won't kill them to go to a dance or party or dinner as an escort, act polite and kind, dress nicely and behave. It's not ALWAYS about you. In fact, it's hardly ever about you. Get used to it and you'll have a much happier life!
My nephew served as Rent-a-date twice for two of J2's friends for prom, and both he and the girl had a great time. He pulled out BIL's tux, bought a flower, held open doors, and acted like a gentleman. He danced, escorted J2's friend across the stage for the Senior Walk, with nary a complaint. Last year, J3 did the same thing for another of J2's friends who did not have a date. He was only 15, but he stepped up to the plate and I was proud of him.
Back when J2 was in 10th grade, J1 set her up for the "girl ask boy" spring dance with one of my favorite boys. J1 acted as their chauffeur, made the reservations, etc. and we sent money with J2 to pay for the dinner and dance. This dance is fairly casual, but he presented her with a little corsage of spring flowers and paid for dinner and the dance. I spoke with his mother the next week (she is one of my dearest friends) and I told her that J2 had money, and we surely didn't expect him to pay since she had done the asking. She said something that I have taken to heart with my boys--"Boys don't learn how to act in social situations these days, so we need to take advantage of every opportunity to show them how to behave. We need to show them and tell them what they should do so that they are comfortable doing it, otherwise, we're raising a generation of mannerless, self involved jerks."
So, if you need to rent a date, I guess you know who to call.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Eat your fruits and veggies
I mentioned earlier that I signed up for a weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, and we're on our 4th week. It costs $80/month and we get a box filled with absolutely delicious stuff. Generally it's a surprise. The first three weeks we even got a bag of unshelled pecans. We've seen romaine, red leaf, green leaf and butter lettuce. I forgot how muddy real food from the garden is--the washing takes a lot longer! The carrots taste like they came from my grandparent's garden. The organic strawberries are so good. DOTR has them hidden behind the turnips so nobody can find them. We found green onions the past two weeks, and the first organic tomatoes yesterday (they do some things in the greenhouse). Along with that, last year we started getting a box of fruit every month from The Fruit Guys courtesy of Kaiser Permanente. We thought they ended the program when we didn't get a box for a couple of months, so we ordered it ourselves for the year. Then it started showing up again--so we have pears, oranges and all sorts of fabulous citrus fruits, and apples coming out of our ears (we're not so fond of apples, I've discovered). We gobble up the pears--bosc, d'anjou, bartlett, asian, etc.--but it seem that the granny smith apples eventually end up on the compost heap. We should be skinny, we eat so many fruits and vegetables, but I guess it's the portion control that gets us!
Since I had some things I needed to use (turnips come to mind), yesterday I made the best crockpot recipe for pot roast that I've ever come across. It was in the Sunday paper a week or two ago as part of the 7 Day Meal Planner. I've made it twice and it's a keeper.
Pot Roast and Vegetables
1 (.75 to .90 oz) packet 30% less sodium brown gravy mix (I didn't use this the first time I made it, just used flour and it was fine)
1/3 c. flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 medium potatoes, quartered (I used 8 small creamer potatoes, halved and unpeeled yesterday--mmmmm!)
2 ribs celery, cut into 2 inch pieces
8 oz. baby carrots
1 med onion, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
(I added 8 small turnips, halved)
1 3 lb. pot roast (bottom round or chuck)
1 1/4 cups low sodium beef broth (and I also added one of those little individual serving bottle s of cabernet that I keep in my pantry for cooking)
In large bowl, combine gravy mix, flour, salt and pepper. Add vegetables to bowl; toss to coat. Remove vegetables and place in a 5 quart or larger slow cooker. Add beef to bowl, turning to coat with flour mixture; place in slow cooker in center of vegetables (I put it on top of the veggies) Whisk broth into remaining flour mixture; add to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 10-12 hours or on high 6-7 hours or until beef and vegetables are fork tender. Remove meat and vegetables. Skim fat from gravy. Carve beef in thin slices, serve with vegetables and gravy.
It was sooooo good last night, perfect for a rainy night supper.
Now I just need to get busy and make about 5 Apple Tarts a la Barefoot Contessa to use up those granny smith apples!
Since I had some things I needed to use (turnips come to mind), yesterday I made the best crockpot recipe for pot roast that I've ever come across. It was in the Sunday paper a week or two ago as part of the 7 Day Meal Planner. I've made it twice and it's a keeper.
Pot Roast and Vegetables
1 (.75 to .90 oz) packet 30% less sodium brown gravy mix (I didn't use this the first time I made it, just used flour and it was fine)
1/3 c. flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 medium potatoes, quartered (I used 8 small creamer potatoes, halved and unpeeled yesterday--mmmmm!)
2 ribs celery, cut into 2 inch pieces
8 oz. baby carrots
1 med onion, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
(I added 8 small turnips, halved)
1 3 lb. pot roast (bottom round or chuck)
1 1/4 cups low sodium beef broth (and I also added one of those little individual serving bottle s of cabernet that I keep in my pantry for cooking)
In large bowl, combine gravy mix, flour, salt and pepper. Add vegetables to bowl; toss to coat. Remove vegetables and place in a 5 quart or larger slow cooker. Add beef to bowl, turning to coat with flour mixture; place in slow cooker in center of vegetables (I put it on top of the veggies) Whisk broth into remaining flour mixture; add to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 10-12 hours or on high 6-7 hours or until beef and vegetables are fork tender. Remove meat and vegetables. Skim fat from gravy. Carve beef in thin slices, serve with vegetables and gravy.
It was sooooo good last night, perfect for a rainy night supper.
Now I just need to get busy and make about 5 Apple Tarts a la Barefoot Contessa to use up those granny smith apples!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
iGoogle
I finally got all my various email accounts going to my gmail account. I made myself a fun little iGoogle homepage and discovered there are a million different themes you can use, along with a zillion applications. I have a french word of the day, a translator, a dictionary, three news feeds (BBC News, Google News and Le Monde), to do list, calendar, weather and gmail.
My theme:
My theme:
Some people want to run away with the circus. Me? I want to run away with a pro cycling team.
Boys in shorts.
Smells (no bells)
I may have mentioned before that I have a thing about smells. I can't hear anything, my eyesight is going......but my sense of smell has always been, shall we say quite acute. I hate fake fruity or flowery smells, so needless to say Bath and Body Works generally makes me want to hurl. (not to mention their absolutely annoying sales people who follow you around with commentary the entire time you're in the store).
I love the smell when you walk by Aveda (and J1 just likes to go in to drink the tea) and most of the L'Occitane stuff, especially the milk, honey, olive oil, lavendar and sandalwood. Mmmmmm, just thinking about it makes me feel calm.
I'm not wild about the fragrance that is always wafting out of The Body Shop, but I did wander in there the other day and came out with a bag fill of goodies. Too bad this isn't a scratch and sniff blog.
Olive Shower Gel
Hemp Body Butter
Deep Sleep Shower Cream
White Musk Body Butter--this reminds me of Skin Musk that I used to wear in high school.
Things smell very, very good at my house!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Free Stuff
Yesterday I went to Borders and I stopped for a drink at the Seattle's Best on my way out the door. I noticed that they had huge bags of used coffee grounds for your garden, free for the taking.
If it's free, it's for me.
If it's free, it's for me.
Sunny Monday
It's going to be beautiful today!
Things are under control at the office, I have a luncheon at church (Altar Guild where I'm one of the YOUNG women! ha!) and no baseball game. I think we'll throw something on the grill, eat the rest of the veggies from our CSA box and call it dinner.
Hope your Monday is great, too. I feel so free.......I'm not tied to cleaning this house and worrying anymore.
Spring, at last.
Things are under control at the office, I have a luncheon at church (Altar Guild where I'm one of the YOUNG women! ha!) and no baseball game. I think we'll throw something on the grill, eat the rest of the veggies from our CSA box and call it dinner.
Hope your Monday is great, too. I feel so free.......I'm not tied to cleaning this house and worrying anymore.
Spring, at last.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
To buy or not to buy, that is the question
I responded in the TGIF post about the house.....but here's the update in my response if you are wondering what the heck I'm talking about. I'll put my labels back up on the side and you can read the whole saga under "house stuff" if you're having trouble sleeping ;-}
Well, here's the thing--this house is almost exactly the same size as our house. It's only a 1/2 acre more of land, but most of that is a big downhill slope to the street. There's no pool, there's no evidence of any landscape planning, and nothing has been touched inside as far as decor since the 1980's when the kitchen was remodeled (with white cabinets and brass fixtures). All the bathrooms are original, c. 1960 when the house was built. It has fewer rooms, but is more "grand" and open and timeless, so great things could be done to it. But they want $300,000 more than we are asking for our house and I think they don't realize how nice our house is--yes, theirs is one of a kind next door to the oldest house in town; yes, I'd love to live next door to our friends and sit around their outdoor fireplace at night sipping gin and tonics; yes, this house has that WOW factor when you drive up to it. But the bottom line is, it's going to take a minimum of $200,000 to get it back to it's glory.
Our house is an L-shaped ranch built by a doctor in 1964, so it's the size of a 2 story house on one level. We have an acre that is private and wooded on three sides. Each of the bedrooms has its own attached bath (they all need updating)--think about how luxurious that would have been in the early 1960's! We have hardwoods everywhere, solid cherry cabinets, Wolf and Bosch appliances.....what am I thinking?????
I'm not moving. I must be stupid to even consider it.
Oh yeah, and our house is PAID FOR and has been for a year and a half.
Well, here's the thing--this house is almost exactly the same size as our house. It's only a 1/2 acre more of land, but most of that is a big downhill slope to the street. There's no pool, there's no evidence of any landscape planning, and nothing has been touched inside as far as decor since the 1980's when the kitchen was remodeled (with white cabinets and brass fixtures). All the bathrooms are original, c. 1960 when the house was built. It has fewer rooms, but is more "grand" and open and timeless, so great things could be done to it. But they want $300,000 more than we are asking for our house and I think they don't realize how nice our house is--yes, theirs is one of a kind next door to the oldest house in town; yes, I'd love to live next door to our friends and sit around their outdoor fireplace at night sipping gin and tonics; yes, this house has that WOW factor when you drive up to it. But the bottom line is, it's going to take a minimum of $200,000 to get it back to it's glory.
Our house is an L-shaped ranch built by a doctor in 1964, so it's the size of a 2 story house on one level. We have an acre that is private and wooded on three sides. Each of the bedrooms has its own attached bath (they all need updating)--think about how luxurious that would have been in the early 1960's! We have hardwoods everywhere, solid cherry cabinets, Wolf and Bosch appliances.....what am I thinking?????
I'm not moving. I must be stupid to even consider it.
Oh yeah, and our house is PAID FOR and has been for a year and a half.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
In Demand
For all the eye rolling sent in my direction since the kids found out that DOTR and I are on facebook, I can't say it's been a bad thing for us. We've managed 3 dinner hookups with friends just in the couple of weeks we've been active. It's much easier to click and ask than to get around to calling, calling back, etc.
I set up J4's math tutoring entirely by facebook messaging.
I fb chatted with my very best friend from my hometown one afternoon--we were on the Immanuel Lutheran Church cradle roll, we were confirmed and of course attended all 13 years of school together where we played sports, cheered and double dated (remind me to tell you the story sometime of the loss of her disco skirt in my driveway on prom night.....it just fell off!)
I communicate with my brother nearly every day. And my brother in law, sisters in law, aunt and cousins.
I found four sorority sisters along with my two closest friends from my college cheerleading squad (I never lost them, I just never talk to them).
I get all the church youth group updates so now I have half a clue what's going on.
So far, it's been a good thing. I've only "friended" real friends, people I'm happy to talk to in my past life and my current life (it's all the rage in the neighborhood and at church--I'm finding out so much stuff!)
We finally have a social life again (one that isn't solely focused around the kids' activities, anyway). Amazing.
Thanks, facebook.
I set up J4's math tutoring entirely by facebook messaging.
I fb chatted with my very best friend from my hometown one afternoon--we were on the Immanuel Lutheran Church cradle roll, we were confirmed and of course attended all 13 years of school together where we played sports, cheered and double dated (remind me to tell you the story sometime of the loss of her disco skirt in my driveway on prom night.....it just fell off!)
I communicate with my brother nearly every day. And my brother in law, sisters in law, aunt and cousins.
I found four sorority sisters along with my two closest friends from my college cheerleading squad (I never lost them, I just never talk to them).
I get all the church youth group updates so now I have half a clue what's going on.
So far, it's been a good thing. I've only "friended" real friends, people I'm happy to talk to in my past life and my current life (it's all the rage in the neighborhood and at church--I'm finding out so much stuff!)
We finally have a social life again (one that isn't solely focused around the kids' activities, anyway). Amazing.
Thanks, facebook.
Friday, March 20, 2009
TGIF
What's up for your weekend? I haven't taken a peek at the weather forecast, so I am clueless on whether I will be working inside or outside.
On Tuesday, we'll have the agent caravan through the house again. I'm not sure if we'll have a real live "open house" or not, but I'm thinking not. In our neck of they woods, it's basically just neighbors who want to see what you've done to the house. Total waste of time.
I'm feeling very ambivalent about the other house these days. Going back through it and seeing all the work and money we will have to put into it, along with the family's unwillingness to even think about working outside the box of "you give us a bunch of money and we take it and leave this house looking like crap" makes me like it less. I love the feel of it, I love what it could be.....but they want a ton for it and it's not much bigger than this house. It actually has fewer rooms and one less bathroom than we have here (and one of the bathrooms is in a ridiculous location, but we really couldn't have a house that size with only two full baths and two half baths--we have 4 full and 1 half here). Right now we don't have a mortgage and I like the freedom to do whatever we want. Maybe we should be buying a condo for the girls down by Tech instead of getting ourselves into another never ending money pit.
Our deal expires in April. I guess I have a lot of thinking to do between now and then.
But for now.....more cleaning.
On Tuesday, we'll have the agent caravan through the house again. I'm not sure if we'll have a real live "open house" or not, but I'm thinking not. In our neck of they woods, it's basically just neighbors who want to see what you've done to the house. Total waste of time.
I'm feeling very ambivalent about the other house these days. Going back through it and seeing all the work and money we will have to put into it, along with the family's unwillingness to even think about working outside the box of "you give us a bunch of money and we take it and leave this house looking like crap" makes me like it less. I love the feel of it, I love what it could be.....but they want a ton for it and it's not much bigger than this house. It actually has fewer rooms and one less bathroom than we have here (and one of the bathrooms is in a ridiculous location, but we really couldn't have a house that size with only two full baths and two half baths--we have 4 full and 1 half here). Right now we don't have a mortgage and I like the freedom to do whatever we want. Maybe we should be buying a condo for the girls down by Tech instead of getting ourselves into another never ending money pit.
Our deal expires in April. I guess I have a lot of thinking to do between now and then.
But for now.....more cleaning.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Moving Right Along
Well, of course Mental Health Day was immediately followed by How Many Things Can I Cram Into This Day? day.
I seem surprised.
I seem surprised.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Mental Health Day
I totally missed yesterday. Seriously did not move from my spot on my bed, except to refill my Diet Coke. I read 4 books. Nothing earth shattering, just a series of paperbacks that were totally mindless and entertaining (like watching an all day movie marathon on the Hallmark Channel).
No corned beef and cabbage, no shepherd's pie, no Guiness or Irish whiskey. Not even a pair of green lounge pants. Nada. J3 had a baseball game, and J4 grazed through all the various boxes of frozen crap (hot pockets, corn dogs) and still kept asking "what's for dinner?" every 30 minutes.
I just needed a day with nobody bothering me. My weekend was not relaxing. I work with DOTR and I just feel like I get no privacy. Usually it doesn't bother me, but I can't even get to the grocery store, much less just wander around doing whatever I want to do without 10 calls on my cellphone and somebody on my back.
Sometimes you just need a 2 liter of Diet Coke, a pile of paperbacks and nothing to do.
Back to reality.
No corned beef and cabbage, no shepherd's pie, no Guiness or Irish whiskey. Not even a pair of green lounge pants. Nada. J3 had a baseball game, and J4 grazed through all the various boxes of frozen crap (hot pockets, corn dogs) and still kept asking "what's for dinner?" every 30 minutes.
I just needed a day with nobody bothering me. My weekend was not relaxing. I work with DOTR and I just feel like I get no privacy. Usually it doesn't bother me, but I can't even get to the grocery store, much less just wander around doing whatever I want to do without 10 calls on my cellphone and somebody on my back.
Sometimes you just need a 2 liter of Diet Coke, a pile of paperbacks and nothing to do.
Back to reality.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Who Will Stop the Rain?
Actually, we need the rain. It's just that rain and Monday together are such a drag.
We had a wonderful day yesterday. Not so much. I was at church getting the acolytes ready when our real estate agent called and asked if she could show the house at 5:00. Haven't shown the house since October. A bit of mess considering all the work we had going on all week. And I had to make two large salads and do all the flowers for the wrestling banquet that started at 5:00. So I planned to leave the house around 3:00 pm to help get set up and put together 18 centerpieces.
I sent the acolytes down the aisle, and immediately left church to go to Kroger to buy the salad fixings I had planned to buy AFTER church. Made it back before the sermon was over, put away all the robes, etc., snuffed the candles in the back and got the heck outta there. Went home and found that DOTR was messing around at his office and the boys were playing video games (don't think I didn't call DOTR and tell him to get the boys working after Sunday School--I did!) They were like "what's the big deal, I'll have my room cleaned by 4:00. Errrgh.
Suffice it to say, I had a meltdown, the house got picked up (sorta), I left at 3:15 and hoped for the best. The last thing I said was "make sure that all the closet doors are shut, all the lights are on and ALL THE TOILET SEATS ARE DOWN.....and flushed.
It's the little things that sell a house, right?
We had a wonderful day yesterday. Not so much. I was at church getting the acolytes ready when our real estate agent called and asked if she could show the house at 5:00. Haven't shown the house since October. A bit of mess considering all the work we had going on all week. And I had to make two large salads and do all the flowers for the wrestling banquet that started at 5:00. So I planned to leave the house around 3:00 pm to help get set up and put together 18 centerpieces.
I sent the acolytes down the aisle, and immediately left church to go to Kroger to buy the salad fixings I had planned to buy AFTER church. Made it back before the sermon was over, put away all the robes, etc., snuffed the candles in the back and got the heck outta there. Went home and found that DOTR was messing around at his office and the boys were playing video games (don't think I didn't call DOTR and tell him to get the boys working after Sunday School--I did!) They were like "what's the big deal, I'll have my room cleaned by 4:00. Errrgh.
Suffice it to say, I had a meltdown, the house got picked up (sorta), I left at 3:15 and hoped for the best. The last thing I said was "make sure that all the closet doors are shut, all the lights are on and ALL THE TOILET SEATS ARE DOWN.....and flushed.
It's the little things that sell a house, right?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Spring Break
Not for me, though I think I will take the week off next week to work on the house. We have an agent caravan set up for March 24, so I may do some more robocleaning.
The girls are off this rainy morning. J1 enjoying her last spring break in sunny south Florida and J2 freezing her bunzies off in Montreal.
The boys are off the first week of April and are going on a mission trip with our church's youth group. I can't wait. Maybe I can find somewhere to send DOTR that week, too.
Now that's what I call a vacation!
The girls are off this rainy morning. J1 enjoying her last spring break in sunny south Florida and J2 freezing her bunzies off in Montreal.
The boys are off the first week of April and are going on a mission trip with our church's youth group. I can't wait. Maybe I can find somewhere to send DOTR that week, too.
Now that's what I call a vacation!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Respite
We've had crazy times around here the past few days, but rain is rolling in for the weekend. Which means an end to all the outdoor home improvement projects. Maybe I can catch up on my laundry.
Last night I walked past the front doors, and there were 6 deer in the front yard munching away at the bushes and flowers. I turned the lock and they all looked up. I opened the door and they stared. I looked at them and they just stood there looking at me. I threw my arms out and took a big step out the door without saying a word and they all turned tail and ran away. All without saying a word. I felt so powerful.
I'm sure they were back in 15 minutes because there are a million footprints in the freshly strewn pine straw this morning.
End of power trip.
Last night I walked past the front doors, and there were 6 deer in the front yard munching away at the bushes and flowers. I turned the lock and they all looked up. I opened the door and they stared. I looked at them and they just stood there looking at me. I threw my arms out and took a big step out the door without saying a word and they all turned tail and ran away. All without saying a word. I felt so powerful.
I'm sure they were back in 15 minutes because there are a million footprints in the freshly strewn pine straw this morning.
End of power trip.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Spring Cleaning
DOTR went on a tear Tuesday and we've had estimates, estimates, estimates. Reminds me of when he went down the list in the phone book and called every gutter company in town. They were fighting in the driveway. Today it was dueling concrete guys for our messed up driveway. Then the handyman to fix the basement door (the garage door guy came last week...both of them quit working). Then the guy to power wash the pool deck and get the green moss off the corner of the garage roof (remember, I have trees, trees and more trees....lot 'o shade). Tomorrow the window washer comes at 9:00 am sharp. I am borderline white trash here, we've never had the windows washed in this house other than when we had it painted twice. Yeah. Ick. I guess our excuse is the old fashioned storm windows, which require lots of labor and the big cha-ching.
Pine straw also comes tomorrow. 200 bales. Yeah, I said 200. Who knew living in the woods would be so high maintenance. Saturday morning, DOTR will pay some day laborers to throw it down and pay them cash money, lunch, and a couple of beers. If the rain holds off, that is.
I have about a hundred moving boxes that we're filling and taking over to our empty office next door (filling it up with our crap will be a surefire way to get a tenant, don't you think?) And we're finally doing something about those pesky termites. Going, going, gone.
We have an appointment to show the house next week. It will be a very, very important appointment.
Details to follow. Much later.
Pine straw also comes tomorrow. 200 bales. Yeah, I said 200. Who knew living in the woods would be so high maintenance. Saturday morning, DOTR will pay some day laborers to throw it down and pay them cash money, lunch, and a couple of beers. If the rain holds off, that is.
I have about a hundred moving boxes that we're filling and taking over to our empty office next door (filling it up with our crap will be a surefire way to get a tenant, don't you think?) And we're finally doing something about those pesky termites. Going, going, gone.
We have an appointment to show the house next week. It will be a very, very important appointment.
Details to follow. Much later.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Terrific Tuesday
Here's why today is terrific:
J2 came home late last night and she's spending most of the day here. Mainly because she needs a new tire on her car and she wants to gather up her clothes for spring break.....but we'll take it.
J1 is coming home to celebrate her birthday with dinner later. And pick up her clothes, birthday gift and money for spring break....but we'll take that, too!
J3 is pitching in the JV game tonight--he's on Varsity, but pitches every third JV game so he gets enough innings in.
We're pretty sure J1 got a job for after graduation! And it's a good one! They just have to work out the details. We cancelled the autodraft for her college savings account this morning....she's done!
We set up all sorts of appointments this morning--window washing, pinestraw delivery, pool deck power washing, etc. That house will be shining in no time.
I found a check in my wallet for $50 from my two days of jury duty that I forgot I had! And I got a $50 rebate visa card from J1's new phone, and $50 in REI rewards. I love found money.
I'm leaving the office now--at 10:30. I'm done with everything I needed to do, the sun is shining and I'm going home to do some spring cleaning!
Here's to a terrific Tuesday for all!
J2 came home late last night and she's spending most of the day here. Mainly because she needs a new tire on her car and she wants to gather up her clothes for spring break.....but we'll take it.
J1 is coming home to celebrate her birthday with dinner later. And pick up her clothes, birthday gift and money for spring break....but we'll take that, too!
J3 is pitching in the JV game tonight--he's on Varsity, but pitches every third JV game so he gets enough innings in.
We're pretty sure J1 got a job for after graduation! And it's a good one! They just have to work out the details. We cancelled the autodraft for her college savings account this morning....she's done!
We set up all sorts of appointments this morning--window washing, pinestraw delivery, pool deck power washing, etc. That house will be shining in no time.
I found a check in my wallet for $50 from my two days of jury duty that I forgot I had! And I got a $50 rebate visa card from J1's new phone, and $50 in REI rewards. I love found money.
I'm leaving the office now--at 10:30. I'm done with everything I needed to do, the sun is shining and I'm going home to do some spring cleaning!
Here's to a terrific Tuesday for all!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Another Look
Today DOTR and I are going over to the house we want to buy for another look. This weekend they were doing a lot of work over there and we were just a tad freaked out. What the heck?! Is somebody else interested and nobody told us? Remember, we only have a contingency contract (if our house sells) and they are still marketing it. There were piles of old carpet and draperies at the bottom of the driveway last night--evidently being closed up with nobody living there and nobody looking at it made it really, really stinky. Best way to get rid of that is to ditch all the textiles. Although it was alright with us if everybody thought it was nasty and stinky!
So, we're going to see how the hardwoods they found under the carpet look. And since they are evidently getting a little antsy to sell, maybe they'll be willing to be a little more "creative" than they were last fall. Our contract expires April 9, a month from today. They can decline to resign with the same terms then or we can renegotiate. Or something.
We've had a lot of activity on our sign (they call the number for information) but they always say we're "out of their price range". Well, since we have the lowest priced house currently on the market in our neighborhood, I'm thinking they need to be driving around looking somewhere else. Don't be getting me all stressed out about cleaning everything up for no good reason!
It's been 5 months. Five loooooong months.
I hate limboland.
So, we're going to see how the hardwoods they found under the carpet look. And since they are evidently getting a little antsy to sell, maybe they'll be willing to be a little more "creative" than they were last fall. Our contract expires April 9, a month from today. They can decline to resign with the same terms then or we can renegotiate. Or something.
We've had a lot of activity on our sign (they call the number for information) but they always say we're "out of their price range". Well, since we have the lowest priced house currently on the market in our neighborhood, I'm thinking they need to be driving around looking somewhere else. Don't be getting me all stressed out about cleaning everything up for no good reason!
It's been 5 months. Five loooooong months.
I hate limboland.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Tempting
I just read in the newspaper this morning that "Clean House" is having one of their yard sales at church not too far from here. I am soooooo tempted to go even though I am not into yard sales.
Wouldn't you just love to yuk it up with Neicy?
Wouldn't you just love to yuk it up with Neicy?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Aaaaaa-chooo!
I hope my itchy eyes and non-stop sneezing mean that spring is finally here. I'm tired of being cold.
If I'd wanted to freeze my ass off in March, I'd live in Nebraska.
If I'd wanted to freeze my ass off in March, I'd live in Nebraska.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Travel Reading
I had a lot of time on my hands this past weekend and I also had the pleasure of staying in Friday night after I got in later than I expected, so I spent the evening in my big king sized bed in my quiet hotel room reading. Paperbacks to stash in the purse, no highbrow literary finds here, but enjoyable nonetheless. And who needs highbrow literary stuff in an airport or a Hampton Inn anyway?
Iraq, Nazi Germany, European capitals. Archeologists and assassins.
Charleston, old houses, ghosts.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
International Badge Day
I'm a day late on this (and I wasn't wearing badge attire yesterday, so I didn't get out my pin) but this is a fun thing to do every year. I have the weird ability to never forget what sorority everybody is in--if you've ever told me, I'll remember it. I can't remember where I put my car keys, but I can remember what house you were in and where. Yeah, I'm a freak.
So, my pin is a key with pearls and sapphires. Sigma Chapter, Kappa Kappa Gamma, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
And you?
Opinions Needed
At the end of the month a couple of our cell phones are eligible for new devices...which means I'm finally getting a new phone.
I never thought I'd need another phone because I rarely use it (seriously, it's such a joke when we look at the bill--out of our 6 phones, you'd have no trouble figuring out which one is mine....that would be the one with about 8 minutes of use each month). Anyway, after a year of trying I finally figured out how to text on the thing. I decided I like using it for that but it take for-freaking-ever to text anything because it's so old. And I'm so bad at it. Definitely need a querty keyboard.
The girls both have Blackberry Pearls, and both DOTR and I have decided we need something to check email and/or the internet.
So....if you have at&t and you have a Blackberry or iphone or any other cool device, please tell me what you like or hate about it.
Pretty please?
I never thought I'd need another phone because I rarely use it (seriously, it's such a joke when we look at the bill--out of our 6 phones, you'd have no trouble figuring out which one is mine....that would be the one with about 8 minutes of use each month). Anyway, after a year of trying I finally figured out how to text on the thing. I decided I like using it for that but it take for-freaking-ever to text anything because it's so old. And I'm so bad at it. Definitely need a querty keyboard.
The girls both have Blackberry Pearls, and both DOTR and I have decided we need something to check email and/or the internet.
So....if you have at&t and you have a Blackberry or iphone or any other cool device, please tell me what you like or hate about it.
Pretty please?
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Big D
I had a great weekend in Dallas. I was happy to get home to snow (sorta) late last night after a very long delay. My friend's brother and sister weren't so lucky--their Atlanta flight was cancelled. We're running low on Delta SkyMiles since we got rid of our SkyMiles amex, so I got a cheap flight on AirTran. Since my flight was full of adolescent cheerleaders on their way home from a big competition (I had the heads up since my whole plane was full of them on the way there, too) I upgraded to business class when I checked in online. Best $69 I ever spent.
Pattie, of Pearls to Hide My Neck, and I met for a fab-u-lous and very lengthy lunch (yes, we could not stop talking) at the Dallas Galleria. It was great and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to meet. Now she must definitely come to Atlanta. Soon.
My friend's new husband is just what she needs. I was happy to see her parents and brother and sisters again--I've missed them, too, since she moved away. It was a very small and touching ceremony following their Sunday morning worship service. I'm glad I made the trip. Life is definitely too short--I found that out the hard way.
Now, back to your regular programming.
Pattie, of Pearls to Hide My Neck, and I met for a fab-u-lous and very lengthy lunch (yes, we could not stop talking) at the Dallas Galleria. It was great and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to meet. Now she must definitely come to Atlanta. Soon.
My friend's new husband is just what she needs. I was happy to see her parents and brother and sisters again--I've missed them, too, since she moved away. It was a very small and touching ceremony following their Sunday morning worship service. I'm glad I made the trip. Life is definitely too short--I found that out the hard way.
Now, back to your regular programming.
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