You can look but you can't touch

Dark, rainy morning except when you look east towards the Cascades, sunny with clouds and snow, beautiful.
It's the first day of spring. The morning news making such a huge deal about it. If you didn't know you wouldn't be able to tell. Same weather as yesterday. I know some long term Seattle residents that are anxiously awaiting some nice weather so I know it can't just be me being a Calif. transplant cry baby.
Busy weekend, packing and moving stuff over to the new place. Sid and I went over after school yesterday and did a few little things. Nothing much, just trying to get acquainted with the place. The more we are there, the more we like it.
Haven't heard anything on the job front for me which kind of bums me out and then again, with moving, it doesn't bum me out. Something will happen when it is supposed to. That's me displaying a little faith...
So off I go, diving into my list of things, enjoy your weekend and if you get bored fly on up here and help me pack up my 8,000 pieces of dinnerware and kitchen gadgets.

Some thoughts, Some Photos

Going to the parent meeting tonight for Riley's Outdoor Education Camp trip. It is for all of the 5th graders and it's for three days. It is a beach setting on the Puget Sound. The pictures look awesome. Bob says he is jealous, he wants to go too. He get plenty of chances next year with the new school. These are a couple of pictures from the camp's website. Beautiful huh?

The plumber just left. Hallefreakinlua... One whole day yesterday til Bob gave them the boot and then till 11:30 today.
Gloomy outside today, rainy, dark, gray,chilly day.

Sid took photos at the new house while Bob and I did the wheelin & dealin'. They aren't panoramic or prize winning photography but will post more as we get moved in.
It was fabulous to be able to see the lights reflecting off of the lake last night. While it is nowhere near the lake front home that my aunt and uncle have, it's our little slice of happiness. Looking forward to having everyone over this summer.

Just Call Me June

As in Cleaver. My new house is so retro and vintage...
Well, it's all final and official. We are the new occupants of a different home!
I am excited, really excited. It is a very circa 1950-60's house and I really like that. We signed lease papers tonight and then spent another hour just looking at everything!
It was just nice to leave my bedroom. The plumber ended up being here ALL day and has to come back tomorrow. Joy... Our current landlord had already listed this house for rent. He didn't mention to us at all and am wondering if he just thinks we will show it whenever? The ad says showing by appointment only, but still... oh bother.

Here are a couple of pictures of Riley that I took last night at her concert. She is getting so mature. When she is with her friends(she was with her two BFFs last night) she is such the little teenager.
The plumber is here along with the landlord who is helping him. I am glad he is here with him and he is tearing the kitchen apart, otherwise I would be freaking out wondering what the landlord was gonna say. I am hiding in my bedroom, I have a lovely headache and am keeping the spoiled brat cat away from everyting. He would be right in there crawling around and being a nuisance. He is currently sleeping in in my closet in one of my purses.
The kitchen is trashed. The dishwasher has been pulled out and there is drywall torn up from under the sink and behind the dishwasher. It looks like it will be a while before the kitchen is up and running again... darn... I may have to order out tonight...

Green is my favorite color

Happy almost belated St. Patrick's day. I made corned beef & cabbage for dinner to celebrate. Bob paid me a compliment. He said that was my best cornbeef/cabbage ever. It's funny, I probably put less effort into it this year than I ever have. I just didn't have or make the time. Riley had to be at the jr. high early for practice because she had a concert tonight. I had a haircut appointment at 9:30 down south, it takes me a half hour because of traffic to get to the stylist. I had to be back by noon to pick Riley up, minimum day due to parent teacher conferences. Riley's conference at 1:00 and it went well. Her teachers told me that she is quite social, compassionate towards others, not shy or intimidated and feel that she is doing well and making improvements in some areas that needed it. She is way up there in the reading, etc. but we are still struggling with math. She is my mirror image! Next week she will start to get tutored. Actually, she and Sid both are going to go to tutoring for math. Sid knows her stuff but is having some test anxiety and is falling behind because of it. She has had to have some things taken away until the math grade improves.
We had Riley's concert at 7:30. Bob was getting a little concerned that he may actually fall asleep during the performance. He gets up so early and it takes a toll, he is not the 26 year old I met and married. He was pleasantly surprised at the talent tonight. The 5th graders did a great job, 6th graders did an outstanding job, Jr. high band did a fabulous job and then there was the high school band. Whoa baby! They were so impressive and so professional and such a pleasure to listen to. At the end, the tradition is to have all of the different bands play together. It was amazing. Bob was so happy that he went and really did not feel tired at all once we got to hear those awesome bands. Sid had to stay home as she had tons of homework and that was fine with Ri as long as I took video of the performance. She had the kitchen all cleaned up for me. The plumber comes early tomorrow morning.
We get to sign the lease on the new house and do the walk thru. I am so excited. Can't wait to post some photos of the lake, etc. The owners were thrilled when I told them I would like to plant some hydrangeas and different flowers. Why wouldn't they be thrilled? It will just make it look all the nicer. Bulbs are a big thing up here and are blooming everywhere right now, I need to get my camera out and take some photos of all of the pretty flowers.
Thursday I will take stock of the new kitchen and buy cleaning supplies. I will start to move a few things over.
I am waiting to hear if I have a job or not, will hopefully hear something soon. I look forward to working again and getting out of the house.
I have to fling my head onto my pillow now, I am kind of pooped. Tomorrow promises to be another fun filled busy day. Eye yi yi.... I shoulda had a green beer when I had the chance!

Make Gatorade

I saw something sad on the news last night. It was about this new company that was created out of the economic slump. The company goes into bank owned/repo homes to clean them up. The occupants generally just pick up what they can carry and abandon the home. Many cannot afford to rent a U-haul and even if they did, they have no where to put the stuff, they are living in a shelter or their car. BUT they were showing some of the homes and in one room that belonged to a child they showed some of the child's artwork. It was a picture of an alligator and some bottled drink and said "When life gives you gators, make Gatorade" ... Loved that. Optimism amongst the chaos.
The girls and I straightened up the house yesterday as the landlord and his plumber were coming over in the evening. He also wanted to go over the details of our departure from this house. He was very kind as I knew he would be. He offered to lower our rent, which did not surprise me, but I was touched by that. Of course he does not want to lose good tenants like us(his words). I told him how much I appreciated the gesture, but there were more factors in this decision than just cheaper rent. As I trudged out to my cold un-garaged car this morning in the rain and piles of pine needles, I remembered one of the big factors of why I am moving... a garage for my car. Heaven...
As I was putting the final touches on the house and finally sat down for a second to look at my e mails, the doorbell rang. The man at the door introduced himself as my neighbor that lives directly behind me. He asked me if we were aware of a fallen pine tree branch that was hanging precariously from another limb and threatening to break down our common fence? I was not. I thanked him, told him I would look into it and that it was nice to meet him. I have seen and heard plenty of him and his wife in the last year to feel as though I have already met him. They are a childless couple with an annoying dog that are working in their yard all of the time, they cook outdoors every night in the summer, when they prune, they throw it into our yard, they chat across the fence to another neighbor in a high volume and share their entire menu with that neighbor, she cuts his hair outside, luckily they like jazz because you hear that all summer too.
So, Bob comes up from the man cave and asks me what all that was about, and I tell him about the tree limb. We go look immediatley and really have a lot of trouble finding it. No wonder we were not aware of it! It is not a limb or branch but a twig, seriously. It would not hurt a squirrel if were to land on it. This guy is a busy body with no life. This is why I felt I must begin the description of him as having no children. He has nothing constructive to occupy his time other than his pristine, manicured, entertaining outdoor space. So I am sitting here in the dining room, posting and looking at the branch...errr..twig. I will try to take a picture of it to post. If I can even focus in on it.




So the new landlord calls the old landlord and it sounds like it was a Hewitson Love Fest. I was not too worried. When I have to turn on the charm, there is no stopping the love that people have for me. It amazes me how much of that Bob can turn on to when he wants to. I wish he would use that charm on me more at times because I might actually fall for it once in a while.
We will sign lease papers and have our walk through on Wednesday evening. I would post pictures but if I show you the outside right now you would weep for me. Winter has not been kind to the landscape around here(except for my neighbor's backyard) and the outdoors of this house need some TLC. So when it gets all spiffy I will post. I will shoot some pics of the lake view we have and the inside as it is cool. Hardwood floors and a looooong rock fireplace, retro green kitchen cabinets, retro vintage aqua hall bathroom that I love, tile and all. My mom cracked up at it, it reminded her of my grandparents bathroom. All new carpet in the bedrooms, fresh paint, etc. and the garage and 2000 sq.ft. basement. Love that.
The girls are bickering back and forth about who gets what room and all that, poor things, they think that they actually have a choice... Let em worry a bit and debate it a little longer and then I will squash their dreams like a giant tree limb falling on the fence.
So it is back to packing and all that jazz. Ugh... Forgive me, as I will bring this up about 10 million more times and you can just scroll thru that part of the post.
I am off to do that thing I do on Mondays, bank, grocery, etc. Have a great week, and watch for falling trees.

Snow GO Away!

Yes, I know, big fat surprise... It is snowing. The only good thing I can say about it is this... At least it didn't snow while my mom was here. Thank goodness for small favors. Or so they say.
House cleaning today. The current landlord is bringing over a plumber this evening to check out the problems in the kitchen. He also thought it would be a fine time to go ahead and work out the details of our departure from his dwelling. I am wondering what all that will involve and hoping and praying it is just a smooth normal transaction...

Riley and I are up and awake, Bob is at Costco(probably keeping the parking lot snow and ice free) and of course the teenager is still asleep.
Yesterday was not the fun filled day, I do not like saying goodbye to my parents, I don't like it when I have to say goodbye to my sister or niece either. I am so bad about saying goodbye that I can't even say goodnight. I suck at it. We drove through Seattle on the way home from the airport and then drove around our new prospective neighborhood. When we got home I grabbed my two new magazines and went to my bed. I read for a while and napped for a while. That is how I chose to handle that.
Riley and Sid watched an old Marilyn Monroe movie last night, I polished Riley's nails with her new polish that Grammy bought her and then played a little online poker. What an exciting day/evening.
I am not excited about moving. I know I have already expressed this sentiment but I reserve the right to spout off about it for the next eight weeks or so. I am really really leaving it in God's hands as to how I should handle it, and just praying for patience, strength(mental and physical) and to remember my sense of humor and that it is illegal in most countries to commit murder. So I figure if I follow those guidelines, I should come out of this whole thing fairly well. I wonder what our co-pay is for psychiatry sessions?
It is so dreary and cold and I know that it was sunny for four whole days, but damn it is unusually cold and snowy here for my first winter. I thought all I had to do was brace myself for rain and cloudy days from November to March, not the onslaught of snow every weekend. Sheesh. I better add this one to my list when I finally go to a therapy session.
I will be okay during and after this move, this winter, etc. I always am able to be okay after its all over, its during that has me worried. I have been close to my breaking point in my life a few times and don't really like going that close to the edge. I am just trying to stay away from the edge of that cliff and stay on the marked paths. I know that I have so much to be thankful for, so many good things happen to me all of the time. I know that so many have much bigger problems, bigger obstacles, bigger piles of snow to shovel, this I am aware of. I want to be able to work with grace and patience and understanding. Is that too much to ask for? It might be for me, that is not how I usually do things but what the heck it's worth a shot...

Business is next to...

I think it's cleanliness is next to Godliness but I take artistic license. Bob, the girls and I took my mom to the airport where we met up with my dad. They had a few hours to wait for their flight back to Phoenix so we all went to breakfast. Good times. Hard to say goodbye though. I just kept reminding the girls that Grammy and Papa will be back in June. The girls are going to be so busy in the next few weeks that they wont have time to miss anything or anybody.
We are moving as far as I know. We have one more hoop to jump through and hopefully will know by tomorrow sometime. As soon as it's all finalized, I will spill forth with more info but it is one of the houses that we looked at and I do believe I did post about it. Oh glory be, I cannot believe we are moving... Like my sister said, "put your head down and plow through it" and she is right. I am trying not to over think it. I am just gonna pack it up and move it on out.
It is easier to move across town than it is to move across states. I don't have to pack as tight or secure, but I did have packers last time. Oh well...
The girls are fine with it, they are not looking forward to the moving part either and I don't blame them but I told them it's not going to ruin their whole summer.
Had a great visit with my mom. We did and saw fun things and I hope that we showed her a good time. It was chilly for her but at least the sun was out the entire time and it didn't start raining until today. That was a stroke of luck!
Pretty dreary out and raining on and off all day. Got some leftovers in the fridge with my name on them...

To Move or Not to Move...

Well, what a day I had yesterday people!!! My parents were due to arrive at around noon, I had an appointment to see a rental property at 10:00, girls to school, grocery shopping and last minute house stuff. Yikes... I was not prepared for the house viewing. I was hoping that I liked it and kept telling myself to keep an open mind. The owners were the sweetest people, loved them. The house on the outside is 1960's Doctor's office chic. It is stucco, which kills Bob, he says he moved to WA to get away from stucco houses and low and behold...But it was built in the 60's....
All new flooring, carpet, etc. but they left a lot of vintage too which is cool. We can start moving in next week, and am dreading letting our current landlord know our plans. He has been a great guy but we just can't deal with his house any longer.
The new rental has a huge yard and lots of property and I can put my car in the garage again. I drug my poor mom around all day but I think she had a good time. Came back to the house last night and made chicken enchiladas. My dad ate and had to leave, he was flying out of Seattle to Spokane early this morning.
This morning was nice, mom and I got to just sit and chat, have our coffee and ate some breakfast. Then it was hustle time to get cleaned up, pick the girls up from school, fill out a credit application and off to Bellevue Square. We got lots of shopping done. Mom and Dad are going on a cruise in June so Mom wanted to get some things. We had a late lunch, early dinner at Red Robin. Lots of fun. Mom and I will go run around tomorrow, I will start looking for a salon or some kind of job.
I want to drive her through downtown Kirkland, around the lake and parks, etc.
The weather is great in that it is sunny and cloud free but damn it is COLD. The high today was about 45. It's deceiving, you look outside and see the sunshine and think its warmer than it is. My mom thinks she has died and gone to the frozen tundra. She has to stay bundled up.
Well, this is a lot of excitement for me, so I must close as I am starting to feel the weight of my eyelids. Grammy is helping Riley with her homework, Sid is admiring her new MAC lipgloss that Grammy bought for her and of course the husband is already in bed.

Papa and Grammy are on a jet plane. They left Arizona early this morning and are on their way to chilly, snow on the ground Seattle. Yikes, are they in for a shock!
I told Grammy to bring her warm woolies. Lucky for her, I will keep the heater on.
The girls are excited of course, they were a HUGE help in getting the house all spiffy. I am going to get ready and go and see another rental property this morning. The girls and I drove by it yesterday. The neighborhood is awesome and one we could never ever afford to buy in but the rental is the most unattractive house on the street. Seasonal lake views though and million dollar homes surrounding it. The price is right too, less than we are paying now which is good while we still try to hold on to our Calif house. If I had all the money I pay in house payment and rent, I could afford one of those big beautiful lake houses!
Lucky for now that the renters in Calif. are paying. Keep your fingers crossed.
Both girls feel great, I think yesterday did them both a world of good and me too. We three feel kind of guilty because we didn't tell Bob! Sometimes its just not worth the hassle it would bring on, I really do not feel like having my parenting skills examined and the thousand questions it would entail. I told the girls about 50 times each that I was NOT promoting lying in anyway, just sometimes moms have to do what they have to do. They have lived with their dad long enough to know exactly what I mean. So I have made them my partners in crime and leading them down a path of debauchery and sin... oh the guilt... I do have a clean house though....
I better hit the road, still have to beautify myself, grocery store, rental, car vacuumed and so on and so forth. The sun is out and it's kinda icy but the sun is out and that is all that matters at this point. Maybe if mom sees sunlight when she lands she wont feel so cold right away!!!!

Gray, Weird Day

It has been a mixed bag of weather. Yesterday it was hailing while the sun was out. Snowed last night but did not stick. It is snowing now. A very dark, dreary day today. Thick and gray, not a good mood kind of day. Both girls are kinda under the weather so being the nice mom, I am letting them stay home. My cough is soooo much better but my sinus/stuffy allergy thing is making me unhappy. I started antibiotics last night because I have a sinus infection. One of those molar aching, face hurting, pressure behind the eyes kind of sinus infections. What the hell???
Sid feels achy all over and Riley was just too pooped to pop. So, hopefully they are up and at it later today and tomorrow, they got grandparents coming to visit, they gotta perk it up a bit!
Had a lovely time at my cousin's yesterday. She made us a wonderful dinner and great to visit with her mother in law from Canada. Of course I had to get my baby holding in too, very important. Both of my cousins have the cutest kids. Sid and Ri may be a lot older but they are so good with them, patient and willing to play. I may complain a bit but I have good girls.
I am washing towels, etc. getting things ready for tomorrow. I will turn every light on in the house and put some peppy music on. I e mailed about another house for rent in the neighborhood that we like, close to Lake Washington. I can go and see it tomorrow. Maybe it will add up to be something more than the previous one.
Bob is in Seattle today, snowing there a little too. I cannot wait for summer...

Cinderella

Bob called from Costco. They have kept him busy today with snow and ice removal in the parking lot. Pre-spring storm last night, snow was falling when I went to sleep last night. Pretty clear and wet this morning. The deck has some frozen hail remnants. He said he was kind of still bummed out about that rental house yesterday. I told him I understood how he felt. He suggested that we contact the owners in a couple of weeks to see if it had been rented. The owner explained that they were making some repairs and changes to the house so maybe, just maybe it might be enought to be worthwhile for us. I kinda doubt it.
Trying to finish up some chores today before we go over to my cousin's house for dinner. Her mother in law is visiting from Canada and we don't need much of an excuse to get together!!!
Girls are pouty, grouchy, teenagers. They think I am the meanest slave driver around. Oh well, it's a badge I wear proudly. Like Bob told them, "I work all week and then have to go to my Costco job on my day off". I didn't see them change their attitude immediately after that statement.
Will turn in Riley's "Notice of Acceptance" letter tomorrow. How exciting.
My parents will be here Tuesday. We are excited.
Off to do my share of chores, hoping to be a good example to my daughters as I cheerfully go about my tasks. Smiling, humming a happy tune, birds and butterflies flitting about my head, mice that sweep and scrub, much like the movie Cinderella.
Ummm... yeah right...I wonder if they sell glass slippers at Costco in a size 11?

How do People make Decisions?

This is a question I ask myself too often. My sister and I both have a hard time making a decision. Sometimes I am very decisive and my mind is made up, a lot of times I am just not capable of making a decision. I think it is out of fear of making the wrong decision. I guess I could read up on it, do some research, self discovery, blah blah blah. If I were to "fix" that then I would be that much closer to perfect. So my dilema that makes me ponder my decision making skills? Rentals. We went to see that rental house today. I'll admit we were all intrigued by it. Built in the early 50's, on a large piece of land, 2800 square feet, views of mountains, parks, walking trails, wildlife, etc. It sat back from the road quite a ways. It was kind of dissapointing inside. Very eclectic, the owner is an artist. The newest part of the house was a kitchen remodel, but does not match the rest of the house. Hardwood floors that have water damage, no master bed/bath. No garage. The outside had a big brick fireplace and would be an awesome place to have everyone over to, as long as they didn't go inside. Except for the kitchen, the rest of the house has not seen a hint of remodel or repair in years. The people that own it now are only the second owners. Their teenage son was accepted to some kind of great high school in Seattle so they are renting a home closer to the school. Yes, it was large, but lots of rooms, lots of character, just kinda dingy, wierd... Very disapointing because we all wanted to like it, close to Riley's school, really close to lake access and great parks. The owner said the neighbors are great and that's what she really misses the most.
So, there we are. Went to lunch at one of our favorite Mexican places which is close by to us and to the rental.
It has been snowing on and off all day. It's snowing right now. Had some thunder and lightning tonight as well.
Watching 48 Hours Mystery now. A man from Phoenix, they think his girlfriend did it. He was young, Mormon and appeared to be successful despite a sad upbringing in Riverside Calif. I love 48 Hours Mystery and Dateline when they have a murder mystery.

Sunshiney Day

That is from a Brady Bunch song. My sister and I saw the Brady Bunch live in concert when we were young, San Bernardino California. Imagine the thrill it must have been back in 1975.
Slept in late just as promised. Awoke to the sun in full shining mode. Love it.
The landlord from the new house said that tomorrow at noon would be fine for a showing. Hopefully it is what I think it is, we shall see...
On to the chores of the day, have a wonderful Friday everyone and will post my findings this weekend.

Clean Your Clogs

The plumber finally showed up, late. It started snowing and he said it was worse where he was and he got delayed. Whatever... It snowed and did some freezing rain things here for a bit but luckily it stopped and eventually gave way to sunshine. It is cold though.
The plumber walks in, takes a look under the sink and shakes his head. He says it's a plumbing mess down there. He thinks some "not so bright" people must have done the plumbing. Let me explain about the kitchen in this house. It was re-done. I don't know when but it's been re-done. Sink, faucet, counters, etc. Sounds nice huh? It is not. It is just okay and whoever did it put the old garbage disposal back in and left the old dishwasher installed. They both suck. The plumber went to call the insurance company and they told him since it was a rental that they would not pay for the repairs. Now, you see, the house's owner has been paying for this insurance for almost two years now in case something like this were to happen and now they wont pay. He says they were never clear about rentals, etc. So we still have a jacked up sink, dishwasher, disposal nightmare. We are paying a large sum of money in rent for a house that has bad plumbing and shitty appliances. The real kicker? I had brand new, beautiful, top of the line appliances in my Calif. house. I try not to think about that or I will break into tears. Our lease is up in April and we are seriously considering looking for a new rental. I have found one that I am really interested in and am waiting for the landlord to get back to me. It's location would enable the girls to stay in their schools. Please do not misunderstand, moving again makes me want to vomit. But staying here makes me feel crabby too. Decisions, decisions.
Riley is having a "Colonial Day" at school. She is a plantation owners wife. We ordered her a costume off of Ebay. I had to attend a meeting today for parent volunteers. I am going to work the "quilling" station. Turkey feathers made into writing quills and walnut ink. The two fifth grade teachers asked me to be the chairperson for Colonial Day. I had to decline the offer. I told them that I had to get a job and it would not be fair of me to offer to coordinate this ambitious effort and then leave everyone hanging because I got a job. Both teachers looked at me with pity and said that they were sorry to hear that I had to go and get a job.
I told Bob to skip his usual morning phone call. He calls me every morning around 7:00. Since we don't have school tomorrow, we are sleeping in and to get a 7:00 AM wake up call just wont do. Sometimes during those morning phone calls, I actually don't wake up but carry on a conversation with him. It works out great because when we are done talking I go right back to sleep. He is never any the wiser. Actually, I can think of a few other things that this talent of mine works well for...

Good News does come in an E mail

I complain too much about not answering the phone or getting the mail because I feel like I am getting too much of the bad news and not enough of the good news. An e mail that I received yesterday was good news. Riley has been moved up to the #1 spot on the waiting list for the school that we enrolled her in. The school went ahead and sent us the acceptance letter to fill out and return! We are very excited. While Riley is excited, she has mixed feelings about leaving her friends. These friends all live close by and one of them may be going to live with her dad anyway. All of the 6th graders that she will be in school with will be new to the school as well. The first week of school is spent at camp so that these new kids can bond and hopefully forge friendships that will last. There are children going to this school from all over the district and the district is quite large. There are only 140 children and 5-6 teachers in this school. It shares a campus with the Jr. High that Sid is currently attending. Each family commits to 25 hours per school year of volunteering. Lots of camping and outdoor activities that involve the environment, etc. She will have to maintain a certain G.P.A. but we think that she is very capable of that and having certain short term goals is good for her.

The plumber will be here by 10:00 this A.M. Whoopie... Hopefully it all works out and they don't have to tear the kitchen apart too much. I am getting company on Tuesday and this just wont do. Oh well, it's my parents and what's the worst that could happen? We eat out the entire time they are here? Sounds like a plan.
My cousin called yesterday and invited us over for dinner this weekend. Looking forward to that. I love spending time with them and with their cute babies.
Raining today, they put snow back into the forecast too. Ugh... luckily it only lasts for a day and is gone. The girls have no school tomorrow. We are looking forward to sleeping in! I will be the house Nazi once we do get outta bed and will crack the whip! No, really, the house looks pretty dang good, I have tackled a room at a time and its coming together.
Well, the teenager is about ready for school and needs me to take her. Riley and her buddy, Dustin are walking to school again today. This means she needs to leave about 15 minutes earlier than usual. She is listening to the Yardbirds"For your Love" in her bedroom while she beautifies. Hoping that her outfit includes a warm sweatshirt and an umbrella.

Know the name of a really good plumber?

I have posted before in regards to this house and it's faulty plumbing. We have had three leaks, several clogs and low water pressure. We are in the midst of a new leak and clog and am waiting for the plumber to arrive. Bob and I went online last night and looked for the availability of rentals. The house that we are in currently is a rental and it is over 30 years old. It has had cosmetic changes made to it but has not been maintained really well. The owners treat it like well... a rental. While neither Bob, me or the girls wants to move, we are really considering it. Of course it is more than just the plumbing, lots of issues that arise, but again the thought of packing it all up in less than a years time...
Girls are early for school dismissal today and I have a couple of rentals to drive by. Hopefully, the economy downslide will work in our favor and rental prices will start getting lower. What we pay in rent up here and what our house in Cal. rents for is really sad...huge difference.
I am still struggling with my lovely friend the "cough". I just cannot shake it. I feel fine for the most part and am sleeping through the night but I have asthma and combined with this cough, feel like I have a cat lying on my chest. A few trips up and down the stairs and I am wheezing and reaching for my inhaler. Mornings and evenings seem to be the worst for the cough.
I am going to close now and get busy. I need to figure out a way to get the kitchen cleaned up with out the use of a sink. That will be a challenge. I still have a mountain of laundry, Bob is amazed at how much I have gotten done but still have so much to do. He thinks that the girls have a dirty clothes manufacturing operation going on in their bedrooms. I wouldn't be surprised.
Dark this morning, the last two days have been glorious, sunny, etc.
Sid got her stitches removed and we got the biopsy report back on her skin things. Her stitches were out so fast she didn't even notice it and her reports came back clean as a whistle. She may have some issues with the one she had to have stitched but the nurse said that it's not a problem and we will keep an eye on it. Bob says that I will never get him into the dermatology office ever. He has had to go so many times and has had thousands of things cut, burned and scraped off. He swears he is done. That's funny, really, he is sooo mistaken... Blonde hair, blue eyes, living and working outside in So. California? Ha! He will be lucky to make it to the age of 55 with both of his ears and nose intact.

Days go by...

So many blogs, so little time. I am following some great reading and it takes time!
Girls off to school and I am alone with my laundry. Productive day yesterday. Riley called me from volleyball and asked if she could go to her school skate night. Sid went with me to drop Riley and her friend Sam off and then pick them up. It was amusing to pick them up. We got there a bit early and the next group to use the rink was arriving. It looked to be like a bunch of women that were roller derby queens. Sid didn't want to go inside the rink because the women looked too tough and might want to beat her up.
I am coming to grips with the whole job thing. I am giving myself the pep talk. I know I have to get a job and I am torn. I want to and I don't want to. Let's just say as far as me getting a job, I have to get one. Period. I have tons of excuses and reasons for my lack of motivation but none are enough to change the outcome. More on that topic later as just thinking about all of it scrambles my brain like an omelet at Denny's.
No news from the choice school for Riley. We have to wait for the decision deadline when parents have to accept of decline, we will know more then perhaps. I am hopeful.
Spring break is in a few weeks. I would like to try to figure something out for the girls but again, me getting a job could put a damper on that. Maybe I can get some local plans together. Since we just got back from AZ and my parents will be here next week, going back to AZ wont happen. There is so much around here that I want to do so I am not too worried.
Yesterday was so beautiful. This picture is one that I took with my phone from Sid's school. Blue skies and huge white puffy clouds. Picture perfect...


Some of Riley's classmates are video makers. They have characters and a story line. Yes, they are fifth graders and it's a little silly but they are very funny and could have some real talent. This is how lots of famous movie directors got their start. They were planning to video an installment last night at the skating rink.
Sid gets her stitches out today. She had a biopsy/removal last Tuesday and stitches come out today, she is glad.
Bob is in Seattle today, working away. Cloudy and chilly but could burn off a little later.
I will try to enrich my life a bit more as the days progress so that I actually have something interesting to post.

Get into the groove

I am up and have been up since 5:15. I tripped a breaker last night so the girls had no lights in their bathroom. Sid got up and showered this morning instead as her father had fixed the breaker this morning. It's currently not raining but kind of a blustery wind whistling around out there. The girls have a short week with Friday off. They are already looking forward to it. Little do they know that what I have planned for them will make school look like a holiday. Not really...
Errands today, bills to pay, calls to make, dragons to slay, mountains of laundry, all the fun usual Monday kind of crap.
Good weekend that went by way to fast. Bob motored out of here about 5:00 and headed for Seattle. He should be home by 4:00. I like his hours up here in the NW compared to the hours he had to keep in So Cal.
I have blog that I am following, the author just started it not that long ago and was feeling her way around for the first few weeks. I just read two of her current entries and I am so proud of her. She has found her voice and is really in the writing groove. She has much more to say than I think she even realized. While I love the stories she tells about her children, I am appreciating the insight and thoughtfulness that she is posting about her self and her growth. She had a pretty amazing weekend of self discovery and a walk in faith and her posts were great in reflecting those occasions. Big hugs to her! I am glad to know that I inspired her to launch her talents and hope she gets as much from posting as I have.
I have some much needed chatting to get done too. Friends that have called and I have to get back to them. Yikes, I suck at the phone thing...

Another Weekend Bites the Dust

It is Sunday evening all ready. Where in the hell did the weekend go? Dang!
A lot of kids and adults get the blues on Sundays. It's because another work week is starting. I have been very fortunate to not have that Sunday Blues thing. I have always had Mondays off. I guess Monday night would be my Sunday night but by then it was already into the week and didn't seem to bother me. I remember being in school and HATING Sunday nights. Ugh...
Rained pretty much on and off all day today so we stayed in. I ended up having to take another muscle relaxer last night so I could try to sleep with out coughing my guts up. They knock me out tho and I am a hung over mess all the next day. Wanted to try to go to church today but it could not happen. Bob worked at Costco today. No one got a parking ticket, no one got run over, no one got into a fist fight in the parking lot, etc. these are things that have REALLY happened at Costco. Bob says that store brings out the worst in people. He can't believe the line of people that wait for the free food samples and the crap that people return due to Costco's very loose return policy. The best thing for us girls is that he brings home pizza for dinner. Love that.
Girls have a normal school week, Bob has a normal work week in Seattle. I will be busy doing things that need to get done.
Don't know what the weather is supposed to do but I do know that we have time change next weekend and we will "Spring forward". I like it because we are back on the same time schedule as Arizona.
I have 3 books sitting on my nightstand that need to be read, maybe I will turn in early and get started on those books.