Rivalries
This weekend is Packer/Viking weekend. The first of two per season. This season, the packers are 3-0! The Vikings....are not. We plan to go to Erin and Lance's to watch the game, along with many Packers fans...and a few Vikings fans that happen to be dating or married to the Packers fans, and are thus required to watch the game in the company of Packer's fans.
I wore my Packers shirt to work today. It's a cute little black T w/ yellow and white writing, and then a little 'G'. I was walking through the hallway and a gentleman with a Vikings jersey passed me. We sized each other up...If I were a kicker he would have been a line backer...and gave each other the 'acknowledgment nod' and continued on our way. Most people were saying good morning to me, and me to them. Not him. We had the mutual understand that - for today at least, we were rivals. Our teams were rivals. On Monday, one of us will be able to gloat, the other will be quite sad.
Let's hear it for rivalries!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
A world without stairs, amen.
I have turned over a new leaf. Or perhaps it was the leaves falling on my house in the small thunderstorm last night. Whichever the case...yesterday I went to gym class, and I intend to continue doing so. I started the week by climbing on Sunday. Monday, I didn't want to - but I went to Step Class. No one was forcing me to with candy posing as guns. No, it was self bribery, and the candy the reward. I went to step and for 45 minutes I steped on and off and over the little staired platform, and side to side, and did steps I can't even name. By the end I was winded, and uncoordinated, and feeling rather good about myself. By the time I left the gym and went back to my desk to collect my things, I knew I would pay the price. This morning, when I hopped (yes, hopped and it was a dumb idea) out of bed I just about fell over in pain. I needed a remedy.
Dr. says - hair of the dog that bit you. So I went climbing. I climbed this afternoon on some easy climbs, and some hard climbs...and wouldn't you know it - most of them called for foot switches, or toe rises, or some other action that required much use of my muscles of leg. I felt stretched and better. Good Dr.
Nope. BAD Dr. I stretched when I got done, but not enough, I fear. Now my shoulders and neck and feet and hands AND calves hurt. I should clarify. This is all good hurts. The kind of hurts you get when you work out. The pain that says, 'this is a good thing, it will help me if I just keep at it.' It is that ' I'm accomplishing something' kind of pain. Still. It hurts. I am also thirsty (I'm going to fix that as soon as I'm done typing though).
So, tomorrow, will I rest? NO! Tomorrow is Abs and Gluts class! I like that class. Plus, those muscles don't hurt yet. If you're going to get wet, you may as well jump in the deep end...or something like that. Still, it would be nice if the whole world had elevators and escalators where hills and stairs might be....just for one day, just til my legs feel better.
I have turned over a new leaf. Or perhaps it was the leaves falling on my house in the small thunderstorm last night. Whichever the case...yesterday I went to gym class, and I intend to continue doing so. I started the week by climbing on Sunday. Monday, I didn't want to - but I went to Step Class. No one was forcing me to with candy posing as guns. No, it was self bribery, and the candy the reward. I went to step and for 45 minutes I steped on and off and over the little staired platform, and side to side, and did steps I can't even name. By the end I was winded, and uncoordinated, and feeling rather good about myself. By the time I left the gym and went back to my desk to collect my things, I knew I would pay the price. This morning, when I hopped (yes, hopped and it was a dumb idea) out of bed I just about fell over in pain. I needed a remedy.
Dr. says - hair of the dog that bit you. So I went climbing. I climbed this afternoon on some easy climbs, and some hard climbs...and wouldn't you know it - most of them called for foot switches, or toe rises, or some other action that required much use of my muscles of leg. I felt stretched and better. Good Dr.
Nope. BAD Dr. I stretched when I got done, but not enough, I fear. Now my shoulders and neck and feet and hands AND calves hurt. I should clarify. This is all good hurts. The kind of hurts you get when you work out. The pain that says, 'this is a good thing, it will help me if I just keep at it.' It is that ' I'm accomplishing something' kind of pain. Still. It hurts. I am also thirsty (I'm going to fix that as soon as I'm done typing though).
So, tomorrow, will I rest? NO! Tomorrow is Abs and Gluts class! I like that class. Plus, those muscles don't hurt yet. If you're going to get wet, you may as well jump in the deep end...or something like that. Still, it would be nice if the whole world had elevators and escalators where hills and stairs might be....just for one day, just til my legs feel better.
Monday, September 24, 2007
A wonderful, wet weekend.
Wet? You ask. It was lovely. Well, yes...Friday through Sunday were. Thursday on the other hand was a monsoon. We had water again, and Saturday Trev and my dad determined the source of the water to be the plugged down-spouts outside my house. So they worked at unplugging them. They also found water in the smaller downstairs bedroom (the one right next to the understair storage.) We are now frantically trying to dry that carpet.
Otherwise the weekend was lovely. Mom and I shopped most of Saturday, getting outfits for her, and shirts for me and also some really cute new shoes for me that I have nothing to wear with. Seriously. I loved the shoes so I bought them, and now I have to go shopping to find something to match them.
Friday and Saturday night Mom, Dad, Trev and I played Sheepshead. I made some dumb mistakes as I haven't played in a while, but it was really fun. Sunday we went to brunch and then Mom and Dad headed home. So...Trev and I headed to Redwing on our motorcycles with our climbing gear in the saddlebags. We met Karin and Nate there, and climbed until almost 7 before heading back home. We got home in the dark, so now my nice bike is covered in bugs. Oh well. It was great fun and if the weather holds, we'll probably go again this coming weekend.
Wet? You ask. It was lovely. Well, yes...Friday through Sunday were. Thursday on the other hand was a monsoon. We had water again, and Saturday Trev and my dad determined the source of the water to be the plugged down-spouts outside my house. So they worked at unplugging them. They also found water in the smaller downstairs bedroom (the one right next to the understair storage.) We are now frantically trying to dry that carpet.
Otherwise the weekend was lovely. Mom and I shopped most of Saturday, getting outfits for her, and shirts for me and also some really cute new shoes for me that I have nothing to wear with. Seriously. I loved the shoes so I bought them, and now I have to go shopping to find something to match them.
Friday and Saturday night Mom, Dad, Trev and I played Sheepshead. I made some dumb mistakes as I haven't played in a while, but it was really fun. Sunday we went to brunch and then Mom and Dad headed home. So...Trev and I headed to Redwing on our motorcycles with our climbing gear in the saddlebags. We met Karin and Nate there, and climbed until almost 7 before heading back home. We got home in the dark, so now my nice bike is covered in bugs. Oh well. It was great fun and if the weather holds, we'll probably go again this coming weekend.
Friday, September 21, 2007
No One Hundred and Eleventyth Birthday for me
But I enjoyed mine just the same. I have been listening to the Lord of the Rings trilogy on CD Book in my car for the last month, or more, and I am wrapped up in that world again. They are unabridged - hence the amount of time it's taking me.
Last Friday was my B-day. Friday night to celebrate - I went to my golf banquet and became VP of the couples golf league. What does that get me? The ability to go to meetings, run a tournament, and get a box of balls at the end of the season (oh, and the ability to be president the next year). Then I talked Trev into signing up to be League Secretary, where he'll get to do lots and lots of math. Don't laugh, he likes math.
Saturday we had a cookout and bonfire w/ a few friends and Trev's family. Smallerish party this year than in years past, but it was fun. Lance and Trev decided to do a 'scientific experiment' in which the placed a cardboard box full of small bits of wood on top of the bonfire. I'm not sure what the hypothesis was, or if they proved or disproved it. Still, it was amusing to chase bits of burning box around the yard and stamp them out, and then watch as the contents of the box (Volume in box was NOT equal to volume left in pit) spill out into fire, and around the fire. Then Lance and Trev had to shovel it all back into fire and hope it stayed. Don't worry though - they are both Eagle Scouts, and so there was no danger of burning down. Burning up from the heat of the fire was another problem entirely - and left for a different day.
Sunday we went over to my friend Chris's house for apps, dessert, and cards. Great fun was had by all as Tricia tries, in vain, to master a card game that the other three have been playing for years. I started to do better, really. I blame the cards. Yes - bad cards :P
This past week I was sick for a few days, always fun. I actually took time off of work to get better. I also cleaned the house, and played my last two softball games. It's sad really. I FINALLY am getting good at hitting the ball, and I have to put my bat away until next season.
This Tuesday and Thursday we had much much rain, and Thursday we had a big storm. We were spared any damage from wind, but because of the amount of water, we have a wet storage area again. This time we realized our sump is not burping, our walls are leaking. This is a MUCH bigger problem, that may involve having to have some foundation redone. We are going to call the homeowners insurance people and determine if this is covered or if we are up the creek - as it were. Luckily, this only happens when we have lots and lots of rain, and should be an easy, if not inexpensive, fix.
So, today I'm working, and then Tomorrow and Sunday (along w/ tonight) will be chill w/ the parents time. Then, Sunday, depending on weather and timing, Trev and I may head down to Red Wing to do some climbing. Anyone else want to go???
But I enjoyed mine just the same. I have been listening to the Lord of the Rings trilogy on CD Book in my car for the last month, or more, and I am wrapped up in that world again. They are unabridged - hence the amount of time it's taking me.
Last Friday was my B-day. Friday night to celebrate - I went to my golf banquet and became VP of the couples golf league. What does that get me? The ability to go to meetings, run a tournament, and get a box of balls at the end of the season (oh, and the ability to be president the next year). Then I talked Trev into signing up to be League Secretary, where he'll get to do lots and lots of math. Don't laugh, he likes math.
Saturday we had a cookout and bonfire w/ a few friends and Trev's family. Smallerish party this year than in years past, but it was fun. Lance and Trev decided to do a 'scientific experiment' in which the placed a cardboard box full of small bits of wood on top of the bonfire. I'm not sure what the hypothesis was, or if they proved or disproved it. Still, it was amusing to chase bits of burning box around the yard and stamp them out, and then watch as the contents of the box (Volume in box was NOT equal to volume left in pit) spill out into fire, and around the fire. Then Lance and Trev had to shovel it all back into fire and hope it stayed. Don't worry though - they are both Eagle Scouts, and so there was no danger of burning down. Burning up from the heat of the fire was another problem entirely - and left for a different day.
Sunday we went over to my friend Chris's house for apps, dessert, and cards. Great fun was had by all as Tricia tries, in vain, to master a card game that the other three have been playing for years. I started to do better, really. I blame the cards. Yes - bad cards :P
This past week I was sick for a few days, always fun. I actually took time off of work to get better. I also cleaned the house, and played my last two softball games. It's sad really. I FINALLY am getting good at hitting the ball, and I have to put my bat away until next season.
This Tuesday and Thursday we had much much rain, and Thursday we had a big storm. We were spared any damage from wind, but because of the amount of water, we have a wet storage area again. This time we realized our sump is not burping, our walls are leaking. This is a MUCH bigger problem, that may involve having to have some foundation redone. We are going to call the homeowners insurance people and determine if this is covered or if we are up the creek - as it were. Luckily, this only happens when we have lots and lots of rain, and should be an easy, if not inexpensive, fix.
So, today I'm working, and then Tomorrow and Sunday (along w/ tonight) will be chill w/ the parents time. Then, Sunday, depending on weather and timing, Trev and I may head down to Red Wing to do some climbing. Anyone else want to go???
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Water, Water, Everywhere!
All summer we were in a drought. Since Friday night though, it hasn't stopped raining. Raining, pouring. Southern Minnesota is being hit the worst, with entire towns being evacuated because of the flooding. My little corner of the world has not gone untouched, however.
I think I blogged about my lovely surprise when I moved into my house. Do you recall my rant on the sump that had no pump? Well, if not, let me sum up- I have a sump (hole) under the stairs in my under-stair storage area. This sump has no sump-pump. The problem with this: If water comes in, it has no way of going out again. I looked at the drain tile system, or what I thought. I called the nice company. they say that water below a certain level will drain right back out again...
Apparently, the caveat to this is that water ABOVE a certain level will not. That is what we learned the hard way last night, though I highly doubt that the bloop happened last night. We went downstairs after making and eating dinner to watch the Twins game. ::Sniff, sniff:: What is that smell? It smells wet. Around the basement went my nose, right to said sump. Hand to carpet - sure enough, there is water here.
So I spent last night with Trevor, pullling all the things out of the storage, pulling out the carpet, using the shop vac to get the water out of the sump (which was back to it's normal half-full after blooping all over my carpet), finding a fan, using said fan to dry out under stair storage area, drying carpet in main area that got wet from shopvac being emptied outside, moving fan to dry that carpet, putting carpet from understair storage out in 3 season porch with windows open to hopefully dry it before mold grows on it, and getting the can of Lysol and spraying it EVERYWHERE.
The problem with this situation is that I still don't know where we'd plum in a pump for our sump. There is really no power down there, we'd have to put in an outlet. We'd also have to cut through finished basement bits to get the water to go outside, because it is illegal to drain a sump pump into a floor drain. Even if we were to do the illegal, we'd still ahve to cut through the bathroom and into the laundry room, and by then, why not just cut to outside.
Sigh. In retrospect, it was really a small amount of water, probably only 2-5 gallons, and it probably was only there for a day. There was no carpet pad in the storage area (though the carpet that got wet in the main area does have it. It could have been so much worse. Now I just have to borrow a carpet cleaner again, as the water from the sump is yucky muddy.
Hopefully all you that I know in MN did not also have this problem.
All summer we were in a drought. Since Friday night though, it hasn't stopped raining. Raining, pouring. Southern Minnesota is being hit the worst, with entire towns being evacuated because of the flooding. My little corner of the world has not gone untouched, however.
I think I blogged about my lovely surprise when I moved into my house. Do you recall my rant on the sump that had no pump? Well, if not, let me sum up- I have a sump (hole) under the stairs in my under-stair storage area. This sump has no sump-pump. The problem with this: If water comes in, it has no way of going out again. I looked at the drain tile system, or what I thought. I called the nice company. they say that water below a certain level will drain right back out again...
Apparently, the caveat to this is that water ABOVE a certain level will not. That is what we learned the hard way last night, though I highly doubt that the bloop happened last night. We went downstairs after making and eating dinner to watch the Twins game. ::Sniff, sniff:: What is that smell? It smells wet. Around the basement went my nose, right to said sump. Hand to carpet - sure enough, there is water here.
So I spent last night with Trevor, pullling all the things out of the storage, pulling out the carpet, using the shop vac to get the water out of the sump (which was back to it's normal half-full after blooping all over my carpet), finding a fan, using said fan to dry out under stair storage area, drying carpet in main area that got wet from shopvac being emptied outside, moving fan to dry that carpet, putting carpet from understair storage out in 3 season porch with windows open to hopefully dry it before mold grows on it, and getting the can of Lysol and spraying it EVERYWHERE.
The problem with this situation is that I still don't know where we'd plum in a pump for our sump. There is really no power down there, we'd have to put in an outlet. We'd also have to cut through finished basement bits to get the water to go outside, because it is illegal to drain a sump pump into a floor drain. Even if we were to do the illegal, we'd still ahve to cut through the bathroom and into the laundry room, and by then, why not just cut to outside.
Sigh. In retrospect, it was really a small amount of water, probably only 2-5 gallons, and it probably was only there for a day. There was no carpet pad in the storage area (though the carpet that got wet in the main area does have it. It could have been so much worse. Now I just have to borrow a carpet cleaner again, as the water from the sump is yucky muddy.
Hopefully all you that I know in MN did not also have this problem.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Motorcycle Mama...
Well, not the Mama part anyway. But, I am the owner of a motorcycle. I finally got my own! I'll post a picture when I upload them from my camera.
I have put about 350 mi on it so far. I've had it for about 2 weeks :) 230 of those mi were on Sunday, just two days ago. Trev and I went out w/ his dad and his dad's group for a Sunday ride. Many curvey roads were found. By the end I was a bit sore, and a bit tired, but I had fun (thought I've developed 'glove tan').
I've taken to riding it to work. I've added a windshield and saddlebags to it, but that's about all.
WHEEeeeeee.
Well, not the Mama part anyway. But, I am the owner of a motorcycle. I finally got my own! I'll post a picture when I upload them from my camera.
I have put about 350 mi on it so far. I've had it for about 2 weeks :) 230 of those mi were on Sunday, just two days ago. Trev and I went out w/ his dad and his dad's group for a Sunday ride. Many curvey roads were found. By the end I was a bit sore, and a bit tired, but I had fun (thought I've developed 'glove tan').
I've taken to riding it to work. I've added a windshield and saddlebags to it, but that's about all.
WHEEeeeeee.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Summer of Weddings
This weekend starts our summer of weddings. By our I mean Trevor and I, and by summer of weddings, I mean that between this weekend and mid September, we will be attending 5. I will be in 2. Two of my best friends, whom I've known since Kindergarten, will be getting married this summer. One this weekend, and one in early August. Another friend, who I met much later - college, will be getting married in September, ending the summer of weddings. In the middle, one of Trevor's friends will be wed, and one of his cousins. 5 weddings. All are people my age.
This weekend I will drive to Green Bay to stand by my friend's side as she says "I do" (or it's equivalent) to a man she loves. She has found a man that makes her happy, who challenges her, who cares for her, and who she can be both friend and lover with. I know all is not picture perfect (that would be boring anyway), but they do so very well together. The only caveat to this driving home for the weekend - I haven't packed yet. :P I'm in the process of making a list so I don't forget anything.
The next wedding happens a few weeks later up in NW Minnesota, a friend of Trev's that I haven't met yet, though I will know at least 2 other people at the wedding. The weekend after that we drive back to GB to the second wedding of a childhood friend. Now she is an adult friend with a child of her own and a man who loves her, and their son, with all his heart. A few weeks after that will be Trev's cousin's reception, and then my friend of college years will end the summer of weddings with her own.
It will be a whirlwind summer. I know it will be fun, exciting, emotional, crazy, and it will be sad to see it go. I will post more about the weddings after they happen. Right now I have to buckle down and finish up some work things, pack for the first wedding this summer, and finish my tea.
This weekend starts our summer of weddings. By our I mean Trevor and I, and by summer of weddings, I mean that between this weekend and mid September, we will be attending 5. I will be in 2. Two of my best friends, whom I've known since Kindergarten, will be getting married this summer. One this weekend, and one in early August. Another friend, who I met much later - college, will be getting married in September, ending the summer of weddings. In the middle, one of Trevor's friends will be wed, and one of his cousins. 5 weddings. All are people my age.
This weekend I will drive to Green Bay to stand by my friend's side as she says "I do" (or it's equivalent) to a man she loves. She has found a man that makes her happy, who challenges her, who cares for her, and who she can be both friend and lover with. I know all is not picture perfect (that would be boring anyway), but they do so very well together. The only caveat to this driving home for the weekend - I haven't packed yet. :P I'm in the process of making a list so I don't forget anything.
The next wedding happens a few weeks later up in NW Minnesota, a friend of Trev's that I haven't met yet, though I will know at least 2 other people at the wedding. The weekend after that we drive back to GB to the second wedding of a childhood friend. Now she is an adult friend with a child of her own and a man who loves her, and their son, with all his heart. A few weeks after that will be Trev's cousin's reception, and then my friend of college years will end the summer of weddings with her own.
It will be a whirlwind summer. I know it will be fun, exciting, emotional, crazy, and it will be sad to see it go. I will post more about the weddings after they happen. Right now I have to buckle down and finish up some work things, pack for the first wedding this summer, and finish my tea.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Jumping Rocks
This weekend Trevor and I discovered something interesting. We have jumping rocks at hour house. Along our driveway, we have rock and bushes. We were weeding the rocks, as the mole** and the ants have created tunnels for the weeds to get through the barrier and up into the rocks. As we were weeding, we began to notice something peculiar. The rocks were jumping away from us.
As we watched, it happened again and again. Finally, Trevor decided to catch a jumping rock. He stalked through the rock bed, looking for a jumping rock. I went back to weeding. A bit later he came over with a rock for me to look at. I looked at the rock in his hand. The top of it looked suspiciously like a grasshopper. He gave the 'rock' to me. It bounced off my hand.
How long does a species take to adapt to it's surroundings, to evolve? Not long apparently, because the rock in front of our house has only been there for 2-3 years. The little hoppers of grass were not green, or brown, but grey and speckled. They looked exactly like our rock. They are now hoppers of rock, or 'jumping rocks', at our house. They look silly when the perch on a plant and try to blend in.
We weeded the rocks up the driveway and in front of the house for 2 hours on Saturday and 1-2 on Sunday. That got that area cleaned up, but we have more to go. It was just to darned hot to weed more than that, and I'm not getting up on a Saturday at 6 AM unless I have Very Good Reason. Weeding doesn't constitute a Very Good Reason. I'll get to the rest of it piecemeal, this week.
**Sidebar - the mole has attacked our back yard in earnest. Apparently it did not like me jumping on it trails. It has made them everywhere!! Trevor has set the trap, and we will be setting bait and perhaps even feeding it caster oil. We will not be bested by a mole.
This weekend Trevor and I discovered something interesting. We have jumping rocks at hour house. Along our driveway, we have rock and bushes. We were weeding the rocks, as the mole** and the ants have created tunnels for the weeds to get through the barrier and up into the rocks. As we were weeding, we began to notice something peculiar. The rocks were jumping away from us.
As we watched, it happened again and again. Finally, Trevor decided to catch a jumping rock. He stalked through the rock bed, looking for a jumping rock. I went back to weeding. A bit later he came over with a rock for me to look at. I looked at the rock in his hand. The top of it looked suspiciously like a grasshopper. He gave the 'rock' to me. It bounced off my hand.
How long does a species take to adapt to it's surroundings, to evolve? Not long apparently, because the rock in front of our house has only been there for 2-3 years. The little hoppers of grass were not green, or brown, but grey and speckled. They looked exactly like our rock. They are now hoppers of rock, or 'jumping rocks', at our house. They look silly when the perch on a plant and try to blend in.
We weeded the rocks up the driveway and in front of the house for 2 hours on Saturday and 1-2 on Sunday. That got that area cleaned up, but we have more to go. It was just to darned hot to weed more than that, and I'm not getting up on a Saturday at 6 AM unless I have Very Good Reason. Weeding doesn't constitute a Very Good Reason. I'll get to the rest of it piecemeal, this week.
**Sidebar - the mole has attacked our back yard in earnest. Apparently it did not like me jumping on it trails. It has made them everywhere!! Trevor has set the trap, and we will be setting bait and perhaps even feeding it caster oil. We will not be bested by a mole.
Friday, July 06, 2007
On Adventure:
Life is an adventure, right? Some days are more than others. Don't get me wrong...any day in my imagination is a huge adventure. You never know who you'll be, what world you will be in,etc.
This past Tuesday, the Super Saturn gave me a scare. A coworker and I went out to lunch. We tired to go out for Nepali food, but the place we were going to go was closed. No worries, let's try another. We go back to car... Nothing happens. I try the key over and over and over, but no luck. I was so worried I'd broken something vital.
I had the car towed. Trevor was our Knight in Shining Spyder, and took us back to work. Saturn called later in the day, I had a very deaded battery. I got the car back on Thursday AM.
In other news, work progresses on the story I'm writing. I have finished Chapter one. I will post this, and begin chapter two. Should you like to read it, drop me a line.
Also, I'm drinking rather a lot of margaritas tonight. And watching Family Guy. I cleaned earlier. Is that a lame Friday night? I hope not :)
Life is an adventure, right? Some days are more than others. Don't get me wrong...any day in my imagination is a huge adventure. You never know who you'll be, what world you will be in,etc.
This past Tuesday, the Super Saturn gave me a scare. A coworker and I went out to lunch. We tired to go out for Nepali food, but the place we were going to go was closed. No worries, let's try another. We go back to car... Nothing happens. I try the key over and over and over, but no luck. I was so worried I'd broken something vital.
I had the car towed. Trevor was our Knight in Shining Spyder, and took us back to work. Saturn called later in the day, I had a very deaded battery. I got the car back on Thursday AM.
In other news, work progresses on the story I'm writing. I have finished Chapter one. I will post this, and begin chapter two. Should you like to read it, drop me a line.
Also, I'm drinking rather a lot of margaritas tonight. And watching Family Guy. I cleaned earlier. Is that a lame Friday night? I hope not :)
Friday, June 29, 2007
Yuck Yuck!
I have been busy lately. Apparently, so busy I don't notice when things cling to myself for all night.
Let me 'splain. I got home the other night, and went out back to water the garden. I did so, then came back in. I watched the twins, and wrote some...I'm writing a story, more on that later...and then went to bed.
The next morning I woke up, showered, and began to towel off. What's this? I ask myself, looking at my foot. I don't remember a mole there. I don't look closer. I have a sneaking suspicion, and I'm NOT bringing my foot closer to my face if that is what I think it is.
I run to Trevor. I tell him to look at my foot. He says, "oh, you have a tick." in a very conversational way. I squeak. I shudder, I wimper. I make him get rid of it, then throw myself into his arms. Yucky yucky yucky! I hate ticks. I hates them, precious. rrrrrr.
I still shudder when I think on it. Bleah.
I have been busy lately. Apparently, so busy I don't notice when things cling to myself for all night.
Let me 'splain. I got home the other night, and went out back to water the garden. I did so, then came back in. I watched the twins, and wrote some...I'm writing a story, more on that later...and then went to bed.
The next morning I woke up, showered, and began to towel off. What's this? I ask myself, looking at my foot. I don't remember a mole there. I don't look closer. I have a sneaking suspicion, and I'm NOT bringing my foot closer to my face if that is what I think it is.
I run to Trevor. I tell him to look at my foot. He says, "oh, you have a tick." in a very conversational way. I squeak. I shudder, I wimper. I make him get rid of it, then throw myself into his arms. Yucky yucky yucky! I hate ticks. I hates them, precious. rrrrrr.
I still shudder when I think on it. Bleah.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
I flew to
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Don't Follow the Lights!...
It's 2AM CDT and I'm sitting at the rental car place at the Las Vegas Airport. They have free wi-fi here, so I figured I'd make a post. I am on vacation for 6 days. 6 days of climbing! Woot! Also, I hope to take in a show, maybe...maybe pull on a slot machine or two, eat yummy food, and relax. Saw the lights on the Strip as we flew in. Impressive, most impressive.
Oh dear, I'm mixing and maching my Movie quotes. I must be tired.
Have a good Memorial Day everyone.
It's 2AM CDT and I'm sitting at the rental car place at the Las Vegas Airport. They have free wi-fi here, so I figured I'd make a post. I am on vacation for 6 days. 6 days of climbing! Woot! Also, I hope to take in a show, maybe...maybe pull on a slot machine or two, eat yummy food, and relax. Saw the lights on the Strip as we flew in. Impressive, most impressive.
Oh dear, I'm mixing and maching my Movie quotes. I must be tired.
Have a good Memorial Day everyone.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Bright new colors, pretty new furniture.
Finally. Am I done? No. But I have finished the painting and the moving about of the major furniture. Now all that's left are the hard things. The organizing of the things that are still in boxes. Things I don't use everyday, because they are still in boxes, and I am not so very keen on taking them out again. Oh, I'll do it. I'll hate it, but I'll do it.
This weekend my parents brought over the piano, a couch, a loveseat, and a table, and a chair. We moved those into the house, and then we spent the weekend doing various odd jobs about the house and doing yard work. LOTS of yard work. I think I pulled weeds and did garden bits for a total of 9 hours over 2 days. I am a sore self. Oof.
So, what's on the agenda for this coming weekend then? Will I be planting my garden, or will I be unpacking the dreaded boxes? Nope. This weekend I will be off climbing at Red Rocks. Whee. I'm excited and nervous. I don't do well in heat, and I just bought two pairs of capri pants and am wondering if I should have bought long pants. Oof. Oh well. Wish me good climbs, and a safe return (and no encounters with scorpions or large, furry spiders).
Finally. Am I done? No. But I have finished the painting and the moving about of the major furniture. Now all that's left are the hard things. The organizing of the things that are still in boxes. Things I don't use everyday, because they are still in boxes, and I am not so very keen on taking them out again. Oh, I'll do it. I'll hate it, but I'll do it.
This weekend my parents brought over the piano, a couch, a loveseat, and a table, and a chair. We moved those into the house, and then we spent the weekend doing various odd jobs about the house and doing yard work. LOTS of yard work. I think I pulled weeds and did garden bits for a total of 9 hours over 2 days. I am a sore self. Oof.
So, what's on the agenda for this coming weekend then? Will I be planting my garden, or will I be unpacking the dreaded boxes? Nope. This weekend I will be off climbing at Red Rocks. Whee. I'm excited and nervous. I don't do well in heat, and I just bought two pairs of capri pants and am wondering if I should have bought long pants. Oof. Oh well. Wish me good climbs, and a safe return (and no encounters with scorpions or large, furry spiders).
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Already a whirlwind weekend!
It's 10:30 on a Saturday night. What are you doing? I'm sitting at the desk in my office, posting to Craig's List the apartment I just moved out of, and blogging. How cool am I? Not very, apparently.
This weekend has been a whirlwind already! Friday right after work Trevor and I drove to visit my cousins in the Madison area. I have a 9 month old baby cousin, and was able to play with him all this morning. Whee! Baby fix! Then this afternoon we drove to Wollersheim Winery for the spring case club tasting, and bought a case of wine. We then drove back here. Now it's even later, and I'm almost ready for bed.
Tomorrow we're going to check out some bedroom furniture, unpack some more, and perhaps install the dishwasher! Slowly, the house comes together.
It's 10:30 on a Saturday night. What are you doing? I'm sitting at the desk in my office, posting to Craig's List the apartment I just moved out of, and blogging. How cool am I? Not very, apparently.
This weekend has been a whirlwind already! Friday right after work Trevor and I drove to visit my cousins in the Madison area. I have a 9 month old baby cousin, and was able to play with him all this morning. Whee! Baby fix! Then this afternoon we drove to Wollersheim Winery for the spring case club tasting, and bought a case of wine. We then drove back here. Now it's even later, and I'm almost ready for bed.
Tomorrow we're going to check out some bedroom furniture, unpack some more, and perhaps install the dishwasher! Slowly, the house comes together.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Just about there.
I go tonight to pick up the food in the fridge, gather the cleaning supplies, and turn off the lights for the last time. It seems sad, knowing that a chapter in my life is just about to close. I have lived in that house, in two different apartments, for a very significant part of my life. I ended my Bachelor's there. I fumbled with my life, then decided to do my Master's. I completed the Master's there. I ended one job, did some research, and started a new job while living there. I had 4 different roommates, some for a very short time, others for longer.
I am...sad to leave it, and excited. I am slightly scared, but mostly anticipating the next chapter of my life. I have all my things at the new house, and I've begun the sorting and putting away process. Things are going in the trash, and sometimes those things are mementos. It is hard to get rid of them, like throwing away a piece of my past, but I can't keep it all. I have to be choosy. What to keep and what to recycle/throw away. I know I will always have the memories, but will a physical reminder help keep the memory strong? Without something tangible, will it fade away?
I look at this blog, and where it's taken me. All the way from my first apartment to my first house. Yet, as things go on, is this the forum for me? Will I keep writing here or shall I write somewhere else? Will changing the blog title really change anything? I want to keep writing, but does anyone even read this? Would it be better to start with my paper journal again, or is that just another thing I should put in a box on a shelf to read another day?
Don't mind my waxing eloquent on the blog, and the chapters of my life. I'm tired. I moved for 12 hours on each day of this weekend, as well as preparing for a major presentation today at work. I also have errands to run at lunch, and my brother is back from Canada and I'd like to see him today or tomorrow. It seems lately my life is in hypermode, with not enough time to do all that I'd like.
Hopefully, sometime very soon, life will slow down a bit, so I can just relax and enjoy it.
I go tonight to pick up the food in the fridge, gather the cleaning supplies, and turn off the lights for the last time. It seems sad, knowing that a chapter in my life is just about to close. I have lived in that house, in two different apartments, for a very significant part of my life. I ended my Bachelor's there. I fumbled with my life, then decided to do my Master's. I completed the Master's there. I ended one job, did some research, and started a new job while living there. I had 4 different roommates, some for a very short time, others for longer.
I am...sad to leave it, and excited. I am slightly scared, but mostly anticipating the next chapter of my life. I have all my things at the new house, and I've begun the sorting and putting away process. Things are going in the trash, and sometimes those things are mementos. It is hard to get rid of them, like throwing away a piece of my past, but I can't keep it all. I have to be choosy. What to keep and what to recycle/throw away. I know I will always have the memories, but will a physical reminder help keep the memory strong? Without something tangible, will it fade away?
I look at this blog, and where it's taken me. All the way from my first apartment to my first house. Yet, as things go on, is this the forum for me? Will I keep writing here or shall I write somewhere else? Will changing the blog title really change anything? I want to keep writing, but does anyone even read this? Would it be better to start with my paper journal again, or is that just another thing I should put in a box on a shelf to read another day?
Don't mind my waxing eloquent on the blog, and the chapters of my life. I'm tired. I moved for 12 hours on each day of this weekend, as well as preparing for a major presentation today at work. I also have errands to run at lunch, and my brother is back from Canada and I'd like to see him today or tomorrow. It seems lately my life is in hypermode, with not enough time to do all that I'd like.
Hopefully, sometime very soon, life will slow down a bit, so I can just relax and enjoy it.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Connected with the world.
Here I sit at a desk, this post. I have my desk put together and my computer upon it and internet attached to the computer. I have set up a new wireless internet account and will put in a network for the computers here when I have the chance. I have cable TV too, for the first time ever. I'm not sure we need it, but we got a deal for 6 months. We'll try it and if we decide we don't need it, we'll switch. I've never had it before, but Trevor has. We'll probably be keeping it :)
My clothes have made it to the house. My bedroom stuff has been organized, and the bathroom stuff and the kitchen stuff that is here, and some office. I need to put the downstairs bedroom back together but that is a chore for a different day. Now I'm tired, and I want to crawl into my new bed and fall asleep. I am going to work for fairly early tomorrow. I will be done about 3:30 or so, and then I'll begin the process of bringing one more load to the house, cleaning, wiring, and organizing again. Ooh, and a target run. Time to go spend money!
PS. Painting party on Sunday. Anyone want to come???
Here I sit at a desk, this post. I have my desk put together and my computer upon it and internet attached to the computer. I have set up a new wireless internet account and will put in a network for the computers here when I have the chance. I have cable TV too, for the first time ever. I'm not sure we need it, but we got a deal for 6 months. We'll try it and if we decide we don't need it, we'll switch. I've never had it before, but Trevor has. We'll probably be keeping it :)
My clothes have made it to the house. My bedroom stuff has been organized, and the bathroom stuff and the kitchen stuff that is here, and some office. I need to put the downstairs bedroom back together but that is a chore for a different day. Now I'm tired, and I want to crawl into my new bed and fall asleep. I am going to work for fairly early tomorrow. I will be done about 3:30 or so, and then I'll begin the process of bringing one more load to the house, cleaning, wiring, and organizing again. Ooh, and a target run. Time to go spend money!
PS. Painting party on Sunday. Anyone want to come???
Monday, April 16, 2007
Move In Begun.
I am sitting on the floor in my living room of my house. It's 10 PM. I have been a home owner for almost 17 days. Maybe 18. I can't be bothered to do the math right now. Last night was the first night I slept here. It was kinda scary and kinda sad. Scary, because it's a neighborhood I've only driven through, been in my yard. There are a lot of kids, I know it's safe, but I was all by myself and I am only half moved and was feeling very discombobulated. I was also sad. Sad to leave Como Park. Sad to leave the current roommate. Oh, I know we'll be seeing each other, hopefully often. But it is different when you live with someone, and you live together well. I was also hyped up on emotion because of all that had happened last weekend. I painted downstairs and finished the whole bottom level while Trev did wiring and putting together upstairs rooms and such. Sunday Trev and I moved most of my stuff with the help of his friend Tim. Sunday night I picked up roommate from the airport. By the time I got back to the apartment and got the few things I needed and made sure I was OK for work....I was over emotional. Weepy almost. It was odd. I think the house finally became real to me in that moment. I was leaving renting. I was growing up. It was odd, and scary, and I"m still in a weird mood about it. (but still very happy, I assure you.)
So here I sit on the floor in my living room at 10:06. I have my speaker system hooked up so I can listen to music as I clean and work. Tonight I've done 2 loads of laundry and put it away in my new closet. I've vacuumed one room and steam cleaned two. I'm about to organize the bathroom stuff and take a shower. Shower, you think...that's not that odd. It is, when it's the first time you've used the shower. I have no idea if it gets too hot or too cold. How the water pressure is. If the bottom of the surface is slippery, and if I need to add some stickies to it. I had meant to organize the kitchen stuff, but the vacuum and steam cleaning and laundry took longer than I expected. Always that is the way with things for this house. I think I estimate the time well, but something happens to make it take longer. Part of me just wants to take the shower and go to bed. I can do the bathroom stuff tomorrow when I'm fresh. I'm wanting to put everything in a place. To pick the place now. To stick with the clean, organized self that lives inside me...deep, deep down. I think I may just put away enough to get into the shower for tonight. Yes. Then I will sleep. It's been a long day.
Tomorrow I will go get a new license :( I will miss my WI one. So here I stand, at 10:11, to go finish my evening, curl up with Eeyore, and go to sleep.
I am sitting on the floor in my living room of my house. It's 10 PM. I have been a home owner for almost 17 days. Maybe 18. I can't be bothered to do the math right now. Last night was the first night I slept here. It was kinda scary and kinda sad. Scary, because it's a neighborhood I've only driven through, been in my yard. There are a lot of kids, I know it's safe, but I was all by myself and I am only half moved and was feeling very discombobulated. I was also sad. Sad to leave Como Park. Sad to leave the current roommate. Oh, I know we'll be seeing each other, hopefully often. But it is different when you live with someone, and you live together well. I was also hyped up on emotion because of all that had happened last weekend. I painted downstairs and finished the whole bottom level while Trev did wiring and putting together upstairs rooms and such. Sunday Trev and I moved most of my stuff with the help of his friend Tim. Sunday night I picked up roommate from the airport. By the time I got back to the apartment and got the few things I needed and made sure I was OK for work....I was over emotional. Weepy almost. It was odd. I think the house finally became real to me in that moment. I was leaving renting. I was growing up. It was odd, and scary, and I"m still in a weird mood about it. (but still very happy, I assure you.)
So here I sit on the floor in my living room at 10:06. I have my speaker system hooked up so I can listen to music as I clean and work. Tonight I've done 2 loads of laundry and put it away in my new closet. I've vacuumed one room and steam cleaned two. I'm about to organize the bathroom stuff and take a shower. Shower, you think...that's not that odd. It is, when it's the first time you've used the shower. I have no idea if it gets too hot or too cold. How the water pressure is. If the bottom of the surface is slippery, and if I need to add some stickies to it. I had meant to organize the kitchen stuff, but the vacuum and steam cleaning and laundry took longer than I expected. Always that is the way with things for this house. I think I estimate the time well, but something happens to make it take longer. Part of me just wants to take the shower and go to bed. I can do the bathroom stuff tomorrow when I'm fresh. I'm wanting to put everything in a place. To pick the place now. To stick with the clean, organized self that lives inside me...deep, deep down. I think I may just put away enough to get into the shower for tonight. Yes. Then I will sleep. It's been a long day.
Tomorrow I will go get a new license :( I will miss my WI one. So here I stand, at 10:11, to go finish my evening, curl up with Eeyore, and go to sleep.
Monday, April 09, 2007
I can’t believe all that has happened. I have been so busy I have not even blogged.
After I blogged about not having my house, I got it back. It’s a long story and not worth getting into here, but I closed March 30 and I am now a proud homeowner. Proud, and tired. I have been painting for the last week and a half or so…almost every room in the house needs paint. After tonight the 4 bedrooms will be done. I still have the kitchen, living room, family room, hallways, and main entrance to paint. Luckily it will only be three more colors. I just have to pick them. Sometime I am going to paint the two bathrooms, but not now. Also the laundry room can stay the way it is. I have to figure out a few more things as well. Such as what is going where for when I move my stuff.
I know where most of the things I’m bringing over will go, but not all. I will start with the bringing things soon. In fact, this weekend I will probably move most of my stuff. That doesn’t leave me with much time. Tomorrow I will pick up the rest of the paint and pack up things, Thurs/Friday I will try my best to get most of the painting in the downstairs done. Saturday I will move a majority of things, if the weather is nice. Sunday too there will be moving, and more painting. Next week I hope to finish the painting and start some organizing. Either that Sunday or sometime during the week I’ll finish moving the stuff from my apartment. That next Friday (we’re up to the 27th now folks) My new appliances will be delivered, so I have to have things ready for them to go into place. I also have to find out if I have to plumb in the new gas line or if the installers do that. (for the gas dryer). By the end of April I have to be completely out of my apartment.
1 desk, slightly bruised but in fine working condition.
1 electric coil oven (30 in width)
1 washer
1 dryer
Anyone who wants to try their hand at painting with me is more than welcome!
Monday, March 19, 2007
No House for you!
That's right, you heard it hear first folks. No house for me. I was denied by, well. I'm going to be adult and not go into details over the internet. If I speak with you in person, or you email me, I'll give you all the gory details. The quick summary: I felt as though I were in an HGTV channel episode of "Buy my House". Only I didn't.
In the end it was my decision to pull the plug. I'll look at more houses on Sunday.
Back to the drawing board, kids.
That's right, you heard it hear first folks. No house for me. I was denied by, well. I'm going to be adult and not go into details over the internet. If I speak with you in person, or you email me, I'll give you all the gory details. The quick summary: I felt as though I were in an HGTV channel episode of "Buy my House". Only I didn't.
In the end it was my decision to pull the plug. I'll look at more houses on Sunday.
Back to the drawing board, kids.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Offer Accepted
I made my offer last Tuesday. They countered and I countered and they tried and I said no. Finally they accepted my original counter and I am now in the process of purchasing a house. Yesterday and today are call people frantically days. Tomorrow is the home inspection. Thursday is 'contact the sellers with any and all consessions needed from said inspection' day. Then Friday they get back to me on what they will give me, then by Monday I decide if I agree with that. Then, by March 30th I have to have the mortgage, the insurance, and the titlework all set so I can close at 2PM. Then...I own a house!
That weekend, March 31/1 will be major clean of new house and picking paint colors for Unfortunate Choice of Paint Color Rooms in the house. The weekend after I'll paint (Easter, I know). The weekend after that I'll do my major move I think. Sometime after moving most of my stuff I'll have to do the major clean of my current apartment and the check out with my land lord there.
I still have to do the 'normal' move things, like contact the post office with my new address and let every one else know that too. I have to do the not quite every time things like change my drivers license and license plates and tabs. I have to do the necessarys like inform Excel of cancelation of my apartment electric and gas on a specific day, transfer of my cable internet, adding (perhaps) cable TV and determining where, finding out about wanter/sewer/garbage and what one does with those, and anything else that I find out I have to do.
Can you tell I'm making my list here so I can access it anywhere?? Yeah, I have a zillion lists and many copies of them all. I am hoping everything goes smoothly, but at least I have the entire month of April to do the above before I have to leave my apartment.
So, sometime after all of this, I'll be ready to have a new house party at my new place. Whee!
I made my offer last Tuesday. They countered and I countered and they tried and I said no. Finally they accepted my original counter and I am now in the process of purchasing a house. Yesterday and today are call people frantically days. Tomorrow is the home inspection. Thursday is 'contact the sellers with any and all consessions needed from said inspection' day. Then Friday they get back to me on what they will give me, then by Monday I decide if I agree with that. Then, by March 30th I have to have the mortgage, the insurance, and the titlework all set so I can close at 2PM. Then...I own a house!
That weekend, March 31/1 will be major clean of new house and picking paint colors for Unfortunate Choice of Paint Color Rooms in the house. The weekend after I'll paint (Easter, I know). The weekend after that I'll do my major move I think. Sometime after moving most of my stuff I'll have to do the major clean of my current apartment and the check out with my land lord there.
I still have to do the 'normal' move things, like contact the post office with my new address and let every one else know that too. I have to do the not quite every time things like change my drivers license and license plates and tabs. I have to do the necessarys like inform Excel of cancelation of my apartment electric and gas on a specific day, transfer of my cable internet, adding (perhaps) cable TV and determining where, finding out about wanter/sewer/garbage and what one does with those, and anything else that I find out I have to do.
Can you tell I'm making my list here so I can access it anywhere?? Yeah, I have a zillion lists and many copies of them all. I am hoping everything goes smoothly, but at least I have the entire month of April to do the above before I have to leave my apartment.
So, sometime after all of this, I'll be ready to have a new house party at my new place. Whee!
