we have stars, and they are lucky

No, no offer yet. But we do acknowledge and thank our lucky stars that we've now had two agents bring their clients through the house. Alia held the agents open house today and had two show. The agent who called me to set up a time for between 4 and 4:30 today was not one of those agents.

I expect to hear some feedback in the next day or so from Alia.

I am also expecting to receive an offer from the first couple by tomorrow. It would be fitting, to get the offer from the first couple who looked at the house exactly one week from the day we listed.

And thanks, stars...

kamikaze butterflies return

Our offer was rejected. (the word contingent scared the hell out of them, I suppose. Even with bumpable listed as well.)

Their price reduced. (lower than our offer)

We've got wind that the couple who viewed our house Sunday, love it and are getting their pre-approval letter together so they can make an offer. (which I joked about being what would happen, so color me stunned, excited, hopeful, guarded)

Wouldn't it be a gas if we got the house we offered on for at least 16,000 less than the original listing price?!?

Again, things happen when they are supposed to. Thank you Universe. :)

m'kay

So it's a bit confusing, but our offer was rejected. It's okay. It's supposed to happen this way.

We offered a certain amount with it being contingent on the sale of our house. We also wrote into the offer that we were bumpable. Meaning: if they got another offer, they could entertain it, let us know and give us 72 hours to come up with another offer/plan (getting more loan money so we could still get the house...not! what we would have done).

Their agent sat with them for almost two hours explaining that this was a good offer.

They rejected and lowered their price lower than what we had even offered, by quite a bit.

So, if it's supposed to be our house, it will be there when we can buy it. Alia has just said this means we have to sell our house faster. I could feel her shaking her head about this whole situation. I think she feels really bad (or is it badly), but extra motivated now (as if she wasn't motivated before).

they came and saw

Well, there was a business card left from the agent who showed the people our house. Alia is going to get feedback from the agent tomorrow (they both work for Remax). We made sure everything was spic and span for the walk through.

It's pretty exciting that someone wanted to see it PRIOR to the agent open house or a regular open house.

Anyway, Chuck is now here and we're hanging out. It's his last night in town so I'm out.

eleven on sunday

We have our first viewing. I'm pretty jazzed. Of course I joke we'll also have our first offer, but we'll just have to wait and see. :)

and the beat goes on

Well, nobody has asked to see our little gem yet, but since we've only had it on the market three days, I'm not too worried. :)

Alia is bringing by the agent to the house we...put an offer in on...to show him she's priced it right. Of course it is a contingent offer. Yes, we can afford to live in the house mom and dad. We've looked at numbers, we have discussed everything.

The weather is working with us again and it's been cooling down. From what Alia says, people don't like to look at houses in the heat. We did on Wednesday so I think everyone else are wimps. :) She had clients cancel on her Thursday because "it's too hot to go anywhere." I told her they were lightweights. She laughed.

Kev said to me last night, "She's really good." I agree. She's on top of her game. She's having us sign buyers agent contracts on a per house basis. Meaning we're not locked into her if this house doesn't work, she leaves her company, or we end up finding her incompetent. We won't, of course.

I post about the selling of our house, the offer being made on the other house and everything because I am not superstitious. If this house is meant to be ours, it will be. I can see us in it. I can see the cats loving the fireplaces. I can see Josie adoring the backyard. I can see the remodeled bathroom. I can see it.

I can also see our little gem selling quickly. I just can.

cheating on the neighbors

The sign went up yesterday morning. Last night as we were heading out to dinner at the coldest place in town (it hit 101 here yesterday) Kev and I talked about how weird it feels, having the sign up. It's almost like we are cheating on the neighbors. We're not saddened by it, though.

Today we went around and toured many homes. Some nice, some okay, one wonderful. We are now in the "thinking about our next move/option" phase. I mean, we seriously JUST LISTED. We could make an offer, but it would have to be contingent on the sale of this house. I do think, honestly, that our house will grab someones eye and sell quickly.

So tonight we sleep on it, talk about it, obsess on it. We think we know what we are going to do, but we have to wait for a couple of things to happen prior to any offers being made.

Trust me, when it all is said and done, and houses are sold and bought, you all will be the first to know.

campfire

My dear Chuck is in town for this week. He got in on Friday and is here until NEXT Monday. Right this very moment he and Kevin are out back sitting by a fire in our fire pit, drinking beer. I had been out there, but I figured they needed some "guy" time. And I had muffins in the oven that needed to be tended to. What?

It's been a little while since he left us here. I can't even tell you how much I miss having him around. I'm not entirely convinced that he is happy with the move, but he made it and it's what he has to do right now. I have no doubt he'll be back...soon (within two years at most)

We had him over for dinner, because that is what we do. We feed bachelors who appreciate a home cooked meal. We started a fire in the pit, because that is what we do. We burn all the wood that came off the cherry tree a while ago (I do not want to talk about how long it's been in a pile out back). We drink beer and share stores, because that is what we do. We catch up with friends who are more like family.

Josie was beside herself when he came through the door. She really acted the way I wanted to, wiggly and licking him. Okay, perhaps I didn't want to wiggle. :)

I have informed him that he is staying the night, I will go to work, come home to get them for lunch and then take him back to the other friends house he is staying at. He agreed. Isn't that sweet? He thought he had a choice.

I now smell like a campfire. The bedroom smells like a campfire.

Mmmm, campfire.

don't fence me in

Friday night Jill and I made plans. We were making these plans over drinks. We decided that when I woke up on Saturday morning (which I warned her could be as early as 7:00) that I would call her and pick her up.

7:30 came and I was up, dressed and ready. I gave her a call and set off to pick her and her wheelbarrow up. We dropped it off at home, took some measurements and were off to the Deep Hole for wood, cement, brackets, and screws. In no time Jill had the hole dug out. I was helping and something snapped in my left wrist (true story). She is an amazing friend and just kept on digging out the hole. We filled it with cement and set our post in. Taped it to the house and wedged it with a 2x4 before heading for lunch.

We have a beautiful bit of fence built and done. All by 2:30 yesterday afternoon! We'd originally planned of finishing it today, but because it was just moving so quickly and easily, we figured why not start and finish it all in one day?

Last night we sat around, drinking our margaritas and patting ourselves on our backs. It feels good to have this one last large item on MY list taken care of. Now Kev just has to paint the laundry space, finish the last details of the bathroom fan surround and help me hang the downspouts. I suppose I might wash a few windows while I'm at it as well...hush up Dad!! :)

Pictures are forth coming, but I have a horn that I just had to toot now! TOOT!!!



Updated: Now with picture! And guess what else is up (but you can't see)...the downspouts! Kev's currently finishing up the paint job in the laundry room.

It's happening kids...it's happening.

title free

need i say more?

Although this year we realized that Josie doesn't bark when we are not here. We snuck up on her, the neighbors setting off quite the arsenal outside. She didn't hear us, but wasn't barking either. So we've determined that she wants the attention we were lavishing her with. Even our initial attempts to ignore her leading up to today seemed to work. Although this night of nights will still give her pause and make her bark.

Which makes me play Radiohead once again.

today

It is the fourth and for many people here in the ol' USA that means exploding things and eating way too many hot dogs or hamburgers. For us it means (at least this year) getting the house cleaned to sparkling, having an electrician out to look at an outlet, and THEN going to our friends house for cooking out and enjoying the rest of the day. We will be home before the explosions start.

I've got about an hour before the electrician guy is supposed to come out with Steve, our contractor. Although I feel funny calling Steve OUR contractor since we've only ever used him for suggestions and ideas (something he says he is TOTALLY comfortable and happy doing since most of the work people have him come do is stuff they could easily do themselves...which he went on to say to call him anytime we had a project and if he could, he'd walk us through it). Anyway...they are coming around 9:00. Alia (realtor) will be here between 11 and noon to take photos and measure. If she doesn't have one of those digital ones that you hold up against the wall and point at the other wall, I'm going to get her one as a gift (and maybe paint a gnome on it...she collects gnomes).

The kitchen is ready. All I have to do is take the list off the fridge and the CostCo sized box of dog treats off the counter (Kev can do that because there is a CostCo sized spider living in it as well which ICKS me out!!).

We have to clean the rest of the house and clean up the front yard, but when Kev gets up (which should be soon if he keeps hearing me cleaning) it will take no time. We'll have it all done before our photo gal gets here. :) I can't wait to see Alia. She's such an amazingly energized and fun woman.

Okay, back to the cave. Must pick up clutter (and try not to throw anything away Kev might need).

not quite right

Looking at this house online, it was THE one. :) When we toured it, not so much. It was a sweet house, but it lacked something. The space was just a bit odd. The front right window (when looking at the house) is one of the bedrooms. It was not a bad size, but just a bit of an odd placement. The bathroom had over sized, kitchen, cabinetry and the second "bedroom" on the main level should really have been touted as a dining room (even though it really didn't have that feel).

The hardwoods were fir, old fir. They were gorgeous, except in the back part of the house (the kitchen, second bedroom, bathroom) they used the peel and stick tiles over it all. WHY?!?! I'm sure there was some damage, but someone would be willing to fix them up...

The basement had a usable space for me for a craft space, and was plenty light, but the space was cut up and the storage was a bit odd. The attic, which was converted into a third bedroom, had the odd ceilings and what not. It was paneled with wood (that fake 70's crap) and hot.

The backyard was almost all hardscaped with beds and ponds. So. many. ponds. There was no space for Josie to do her thang. We could have made it into a great yard, but at the price and the amount we'd have to put into it...nope.

So we continue to look.

kamikaze butterflies

Ever since our friend told us he knows a woman from work who might be interested in buying the house I've felt a weird knot in my stomach. Not the type of "no, this isn't right" knot. More like butterflies who are fitted with leg weights so they keep bouncing around rather than fluttering.

I sent our realtor an email about the person who might be interested. I've not heard back. I fear that with each day that passes the kamikaze butterflies are going to get even more out of control, leaving me to feel like they've broken through and are beating me up from the inside out.

I breath.

The whole sell our house/buy a new house dance is interesting. We have found a few homes (I've shared them with you, Mom) that we wouldn't mind seeing the inside of in person. We're blasting through our list of things to do before listing, quickly. However, I feel like time is standing in mud that is up to its calves.

I'm a RIGHT NOW girl. I try to not be, I try to know that NOW doesn't have to happen at the exact moment my mind feels it should. NOW could be in two months. But NOW I'm wanting things to move along quicker. A test in patience, which I don't always exhibit.

I breath.

I am working this whole weekend. I hope it keeps my mind off of house house house stuff. I hope that while I'm out of the house Kev will paint the laundry space (it's hardly a room) and finish the fan trim (exhaust fan in bathroom).

If (and it's a HUGE if, I understand) but IF this woman does happen to come by, tour the house, fall in love and make an offer prior to us listing...I would laugh and laugh and laugh. Not in the maniacal way, but in the "I can hardly believe our luck" as I thanked those lucky stars.

I breath.

the list

So much black, no?

Close...so close...

house

Well, the list we made at the beginning of this whole house selling thing is rapidly becoming nothing but a big black mark. I just took a photo of it but can't seem to email it from my phone. Oh well. It's pretty impressive.

Kev is rockin' the exhaust fan in the bathroom. He started the project yesterday before his double header basketball night. They lost the first game, won the second. I didn't go. Figured he could use some "him" time. Anyway, before he left he started cutting the wood surround for the fan. This week he'll finish caulking and then paint it.

Next week we get the pictures taken of the house. There will still be a few things we have to take care of before we list the 11th, but with an entire weekend off (me) things should be done before we know it.

Okay, must get ready for work. Boring post, I know...

r.i.p.

We've had another casualty here at the homestead. At around 1:30 I woke up (I honestly don't remember why/how, I just remember all of a sudden being awake). Kev came back saying, "I think they have one." I was not 100% sure what "one" he referring to, but I had a sinking suspicion.

Back track: Chloe, Simon and Josie had all been interested in something under my dresser all day today (I assume all day, but in reality I don't rightly know how long Mr. Mousie was under there). I suppose it was all day yesterday, because if you look at the time it is now the 27th...early.

Back to the story: So Kev is standing there, lights are all off (and seeing since I was in a rather deep sleep it's understandable as to why they would be off). He goes to get the dustpan and turn on the hall light. We're discussing if it is still alive and just playing 'possum when Simon grabs it and gives it a toss into the air. Discussion over, it's DEAD.

The thing is, we never know there is a mouse until we find (or smell) it's corpse. Normally it is surrounded by cats as well. And a big nosey dog. There isn't droppings in the house, that we see. There isn't holes in bags of food (thank the all mighty doG). There isn't any indication that we have mice.

The thing I wonder now...how in the world will I ever get back to sleep?!?

learning and other bits and bobs

I'm working the second half of the day at the kids store. I'm learning as I go. I'm not feeling quite like a fish out of water anymore.

This morning I started my day with driving out to our Hillsboro location (it's roughly a 25 minute drive from where our office is located). While driving and drinking my coffee a car rolled by with three people waving frantically at me. Huge smiles crossed their faces. I knew it was because the KU sticker we have on the window. My fellow Jayhawks. I smiled and waved back. It made me laugh all the rest of the way into the store.

Tomorrow I have a day where I'm not having to be at any of the stores to work on the floor. This makes me happy. I have much to do at the office and will be there most of the day. I'm hoping tomorrow night I will be able to run things with Kev over to Jill and Mark's garage. We have just the furniture to remove. Any boxes that I'm packing now will just go into our storage.

We drove around and looked at houses yesterday. Of the eight homes, four were marked off. One is soooo cute, but only about 500 sq/ft larger than what we have now and it's at the top of our price range. There is another really sweet one we loved and it's a great price, pretty good location, not a bad size. We're wanting to walk through both but are worried about looking too early and falling for a home before ours sells.

I've got Mahjong Monday tonight. I'm hoping a new friend will join me. Kev and I taught her and her boyfriend how to play a couple of weeks ago and they are hooked. They're getting ready to close on their house and so she's feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I'm hoping she will come with and just relax a bit. It'd be the first time she and I hung out alone. I'm kind of excited.

We had our friends over last night with her 13 and 14 year old. Josie wasn't so sure of them. I think they kids were just loud enough to make her nervous. She warmed up a bit, but wouldn't go near them if they called her.

Simon, on the other hand, is a lap whore. He will sit on anyone who makes a lap. He was smitten with the kids. Chloe even made an appearance, which surprised Kev. She loved the 14 year old girl quite a bit. It made me smile.

Okay, with an hour left I am going to get my things together and clean up the store...

my arms are cursing my very self

I did all of them. I stood, raised my arms, bent at the waist, raised my heart, and thanked the sun...all 108 times (without #9).

Now, my arms don't want to function. Lifting my beer to my lips is a trial. Eating my garden burger was almost torture.

I can't think what tomorrow will bring. Although I thank my body for allowing me to make it to the 108th salutation. I thank it for carrying me through each and every day. Some days more gracefully than others. Today, she was graceful.

not the end of the world...

I am currently working at the kids store. Kids. Shoes. Parents. Now I adore kids, don't get me wrong. And some parents are rockin'! However, the shoes...drive me batty! No two brands run the same in length, some are wider than others, while some run short, some just are dumb. Nothing different than at the regular stores I work at (selling shoes from ladies size 5 and up). It's just the combination and the unknown. I don't know kids feet. I am learning, though.

I have had two great kids/parents in today that I got to help. Both resulted in sales, one in a hug. I was smitten with the little girl. We'd been trying to get her to run in the shoes to see if she'd trip on the toes (a sure sign they are too long, I've learned). I knelt down and she bolted into my arms. OMG! It's like crack. I want more hugs from little ones. I think I need a Henry fix soon.

I had a woman tell me yesterday (when I was at one of the "regular" locations) that there is no way I could love Henry as though he were my own. I disagreed with her. She was adamant about nobody being able to love kids that are not theirs as though they were, it was just not possible. I pulled out the big guns of:

"well, when your body does not let you have the kids you so desperately want, and your close friends have babies, you can love them with every fiber of your being...I even have pictures of him on my phone...he lights up when I enter a room...I love him like no other child...I don't ever get tired of being with him..." the list continued. I came back around to the first part though. Her husband looked at me with sympathy in his eyes and annoyance at his wife.

I have decided when complete strangers ask when we are going to start having kids I am not going to sidestep the question anymore. I am going to be honest and tell them when my body lets me. And so far, it ain't letting me. It hurts more than anyone could know, well, anyone other than families who are going through this as well.

My friend and coworker Jessica agrees that you can love others kids as much as your own. And when you are the parent of the child in question, it warms your heart knowing your baby is loved so much.

So I will work at the kids store, play with my friends babies and children and be the best darn aunt I can be. Henry will be spoiled beyond belief!

the last bits

We only have a few more things to do around the house before July 11th. That is the Wednesday we'll be listing.

1. Build bit of fence on North side of the house.
2. Paint laundry room.
3. Finish off the exhaust fan in bathroom.
4. Move boxes to Jill and Mark's garage.

Other than that, we just have to keep the house clean. That could be the toughest part yet.

my dog doesn't like...

...throw pillows.

Just about every day we come home we find the two pillows from one of the sofas on the floor.

Just now, I went back to the bedroom and the two new pillows I just made were...on the floor. The bed was a bit disheveled looking as well.

She's sacked out on the floor herself, nowhere near the pillows. She must be tired after all that bed unmaking and pillow tossing.

Help me when we list this house!

my boys

I went into the bedroom this morning to give Kevin a kiss goodbye. I couldn't resist taking this picture (as well as two others). Simon was using Kev's head as his own pillow, which you can see.

I swear, that little (ahem) orange kitty makes my heart swell with love. He's the most annoying creature on the face of this planet and at the same time we can't imagine life without his ass (in our faces when we are going to bed, lying on the couch, or at any given time). I should say he's not always annoying, just anywhere from 5:30-7:00 on most mornings.

You look at that picture and think "him? annoying?" Trust me, the photos is AFTER he's been fed breakfast and the little bastard goes back to bed.

Simon has been ever so helpful when it comes to packing up things, as well. Making sure that the boxes are...boxes, I suppose. He has a thing for them. It's weird, taking photos off the walls, getting Kev's chest of drawers ready to go into storage, clearing everything off the counters in the kitchen. It's slowly hitting me that we are going to sell our house. The place that the trio and we have known for the last four years. We always knew that it wasn't the house we wanted to live in for more than that, but it's still a bit sad. However, I think when we find the right house for us (and trust me, I feel like I've seen one, but know at the price it is listed it will go faster than we would be ready for) I think I'll be okay. I'm looking forward to moving on and moving into a bigger place.

Tomorrow we might go to the open house at that house...you know, to make my heart cry. We will be listing after the weekend of July 7th. For that weekend I have both Saturday and Sunday off and Jill and I are building a fence (unless Kev and I do it sooner, but that is highly doubtful). It seems surreal to me, listing in three (!) weeks.

As for the knitting front, I've got some great 100% cotton that I am busy making dish clothes for various family members who at this time shall remain nameless. I'm playing with stitches and enjoying myself. As for the sewing, I bought some amazing blue and green striped fabric that I've started making into 20" pillow covers for our bed. Must make this place look amazing since strangers will be walking through and judging us. :)

Hope everyone has a good Wednesday. Think of us chopping wood and doing other random chores we must get done before listing. Let's hear it for cooler and cloudier days coupled with yard work!

brought to you by the letter C

Scattergories...it's harder than it looks!

Rules: Use the first letter of your last name to answer each of the following...They MUST be real places, names, things...NOTHING made up! If you can't think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question... Now Go!


Your Last Name:
Clock

1. Famous singer/band:
Clash, the

2. 4 letter word:
Crap

3. Street name:
Couch (not pronounced like the thing you sit on)

4. Color:
Cream

5. Gifts/present:
CD

6. Vehicle:
Camry

7. Things in a Souvenir Shop:
Cards

8. Boy Name?
Carl

9. Girl Name:
Christine

10. Movie Title:
Clerks

11. Drink:
Cocoa

12. Occupation:
Cart driver (at the airport)

13. Flower:
Columbine

14. Celebrity:
Chris Rock

15. Magazine:
Cat Fancy

16. U.S. City:
Cleveland

17. Pro Sports Team:
Cavaliers

18. Fruit:
Cherry

19. Reason for Being Late for Work:
Car out of gas

20. Something You Throw Away:
Corks from wine

21. Things You Shout:
Crapdammit!!

told you so, dad

You are a PC

You're practical, thrifty, and able to do almost anything. Appearances and trends aren't important to you. You just like to get the job done.

Are You a Mac or a PC?

tonight i will soar

Change of plans. Originally, when I found out the Yarn Harlot herself was going to be back through town, I was going to go to Powell's tonight to listen to her speak, commune with knitterly people, and have a lovely evening (possibly even meeting up with Kat). However, the opportunity arose to take a partners yoga workshop. No, Kev's not going with me. Jill is. She's my partner in my practice, although I would have no objections to Kev getting more into it.

I'm excited, yet a bit nervous, about tonight's practice. I know to expect to be challenged. I know to expect to be sore tomorrow. I know to expect feeling amazing. I just don't know how scared I will be. Perhaps surrounding ourselves with the other people and their partners, as well as Diana and Lisa Mae will give me a sense of calm. Diana and Lisa Mae are my favorite two yoga teachers in town. Diana is our yoga teacher, Lisa Mae is one we have taken classes from WITH Diana.

I do not hold any expectations of how I will look tonight. Or how my practice will look, I should say. I will do my best and soar.

outbid

Got too rich for my blood.

Depression has set in.

Ah well.

ulcers and ebay

The bidding has commenced. I've got just about 4.5 hours left until I find out. Of course this means I am perched in front of the computer, hitting the refresh button every minute or so. Ugh, I need to stop. But I can't!!!

And Dad, it won't affect the purchase of our house. I know my limits and boundaries and know when too much is too much. However, I am confident I will be the winner of the beautiful RUBY clutch and you all will see an image of me holding it in the near future. Because face it, that's what you all really want to see.

In other news...

Kev is working for a little this morning. He is going up to Seattle tomorrow for work and so he only gets one day off. That day was Sunday (or will be Sunday, not sure). He is going to be getting off work early, however. He stayed about an hour late yesterday. When he gets home I think we are going to bust a few moves and clean this house more. Perhaps I can convince him of a trip to the Deep Hole to procure wood and the necessary fasteners so I can build me a fence. Hmmmm.

I suppose I should get my bootay ready for the day and get out of my jammies already. But it is just so hard to tear myself away from the computer and my dear, dear ebay...

note to self

Never again try to be "ahead of the game" by calling in your dogs prescription.

Scenario:

Wednesday I call in Josie's Proin script (for her weakened bladder...she leaks small amounts when she barks). She has 10 pills left. Enough to last her five days.

Thursday I drop by the vets office at 4:45 to pick it up, cuz it should be ready to pay and go. Am told that it will be a few minutes because it's not been pulled yet. I don't have a few minutes because I have yoga. Office gal wants to start talking yoga. I don't have time for that either. I tell her I have to go NOW in order to get my friend and then to practice. I have ten minutes left until I have to pick up my friend.

Thursday, during practice I get a message left on the voice mail saying "it's ready!"

Friday I have to work out in Tanasbourne and don't have time to run by to get it ever.

Sat/Sun they are closed.

Monday was the day for me to get it and my brain went fuzzy. By this time she is officially out of her pills.

Today I go in to pick them up. YEA! They are ready. I pay, I jet home. I pull the bottle out of my bag to give one to Josie. Bottle is already opened, foil gone. Call vet to vent about the entire situation. Tell them I love them and it must be something about me actually calling before she only had two pills left (which is my normal MO). Woman on phone sounds PISSED at the staff and tells me a full, unopened bottle is ready and I can come get it. I tell her that I am taking two pills out of this bottle (one for today and one for tomorrow morning) and I will get it tomorrow. There is a bottle of wine waiting and I've had a rather craptastic day.

That will teach me to try to be on top of my game...

common courtesy, where are thou?

I designed an ad for our kids shoe store combined with a toy store next door. I gave the toy store a proof to look at a full week ago. I told them I needed to know by the end of the week because it is due on the 5th. When do I hear back that they don't care for it? TODAY, THE 4th!

I'm not doing anymore ads with the toy store. My boss told me they can go...well, I can't write it here.

So I've changed it and am now sending it to the magazine. I just hope the fact it's the original, smaller, size they will not have a ton of space left over.

ebay is an illness

Which color?

I was outbid thus far on the lighter pink one. Although I could rally and still get it. However I've never seen the ruby pink before and I've always craved the celedon. ARG!!! The pink is the only one whose time is up tonight. The other two have a couple of days left.

I know, I know. But ebay really is evil...

dear trio

To my three loving and wonderful animals:

You bring such joy to my life. You three always make me smile. I can not remember a time when you were not all here, in our world.

Chloe, you have been lucky enough to know both Bob and Fred. They were two special kitties, weren't they? You cleaned Bob until the very end, when he'd given up. You owned Fred, which you particularly enjoyed. We have photos of you scowling down at him from atop the dresser. He has fear in his eyes. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the shelter. I can hardly believe we just celebrated your 10th birthday! I don't like to think of it, really. Even though people keep telling me "cats live long" I still don't like to think of it. Although we joke that you are going to outlive us all! We also warned Simon at the three year anniversary of when he became part of the pack to watch his back. You're a sneaky one, Chlortence Evelyn Jones.

Simon, my dear pudgy Simon. How much do I love you? You entered our lives shortly after we lost Freddie Lumpkins. I will never forget the day we picked you up at the shelter. Your right cheek shaved because you'd gotten into something they couldn't wash out...and by cheek, you know which I mean. ;) You came in and immediately took over. Something Chloe was not too thrilled about. You couldn't have cared less. You filled a big void in our hearts left by the sudden departure of Fred. I like to think he knew you needed us.

Josie...oh Josie. My first dog ever. I didn't think I could love another soul as much as I love you. You entered the house knowing that Simon was the king of the house (among you guys, that is). You have nibbled on his back doing that sweet little "flea biting" thing, making his eyes roll back in his head. I swear! I saw it! You persist in smelling Chloe and wiggling whenever she is near, winning her over. I promise you, she does love you. The two of you girls are so close to actually snuggling it kills me. You also have given the sweetest of kisses to a baby who is dear to my heart. You made Henry's Mom love you even more with your delicate, tip of your tongue, kiss. Then, you turned to me and slurped up my entire arm. Wiggling the whole time. Josephine Sassafras MacGillicuty MY dog. It still wows me to think you are all MINE! Well, I suppose you think Pops is pretty special seeing as he makes the sun and moon rise...

I can not imagine life without you three in it. I love you so much and am honored we are the family you live with. Thank you for your love.

old salmon river

We got up earlier than I thought we would yesterday. Normally I am the early riser. I wake with the animals as they start bugging me for breakfast. I sometimes think Kev is laying there awake, waiting for me to get them before he has to. If I tell him the night before that I'm sleeping in it works and he will get up to slop the pigs.

Yesterday he was up before the stomping even started by our middle child. I got up shortly after and suggested we use the gift certificate I'd won for a great breakfast place. His response was "don't you want to go hike?"

You can see what my answer was. We've not hiked together in quite sometime now. What with his changing his job from a Mon/Tues weekend, to a regular weekend, to a split weekend (Wed/Sun). We tried to go on Sundays because he was playing basketball on Wed nights for a little while. I figured he wouldn't want to hike in the morning and then go play ball in the evening. But there was always too many people out on the trails so we just sort of stopped going.

Because he is the manager of his shop he sometimes has to work crummy hours (and because of my status at work I can pick and choose my days off). He worked all day, open to close, on Wednesday (yes, that is a normal day off). I decided to put in a few hours on Wed so we could actually hang out on Thurs.

I digress...

I had found a hike that looked good, not too hard, and just long enough (5.2 miles, 100ft gain in elevation). It was about a 45 minute drive towards Mt Hood.

Josie was all knowing and having a conniption fit until we finally were all in the car and heading there. Even while in the car she was a wreck. She could hardly wait to get out and go. go. GO!

The weather here has been a bit on the warmer side so I am glad we chose a hike by the water. It was cool while we were close and just a few feet off the banks we could feel the difference. We saw amazing things, heard the water crashing over the rocks and just enjoyed spending the day together. It's been a long time...too long.

We spoke of the fact that he would possibly be playing basketball again on Wed nights, but if we did get up early enough and plan to do so, we could get a hike in in the morning as well.

I've missed my time with my husband and our dog. I know they have missed it just as much.

and it begins

For almost the entire month of June somebody at work is taking off on their normal days. This means what we can't get covered by other employees, Charles and I must work. Today I get to go out to the location furthest from where I live to work for five hours. It could be worse, I could be closing (that store closes at 9pm).

I don't want to sound like I am complaining. I'm not. I'm just preparing myself to be really tired. :)

I've not worked on the floor for more than one day a week in a long time. The next five days, I'll be working on the floor. Only Saturday is a full 8 hour shift, but I am sure I'll still be a whiny baby who is tired and blah blah blah. Yeah, tell me there are many worse things in the world to whine about and I'll tell you I know.

I suppose this is what I get for even thinking that I kind of missed working on the sales floor full time. I know, I know. I was just asking for it, wasn't I.

Lucky for me I have a bag full of goodies and fun things to keep me occupied while out there. It's a slower store in the mornings normally (yeah today will be a crazy day I am sure since I just put it out to the universe that I have things I can do, that I WANT to do). I have a dish cloth I am knitting. Some people knit copious amounts of socks, I knit dish clothes. I also have some embroidery to take along. Our dear realtor admired a small pillow I made with a carrot embroidered on it. The whole thing measures about 4" square. She loves it quite a bit. Because I love it quite a bit and I'm not wanting to give mine away I decided to make her her very own. I will have to take photos of it when it is done.

Okay, must go down a latte, make a second and get myself on the road to work. At least we filled up yesterday on our way out to hike Old Salmon River. I have photos of that to share too once I get them unloaded from the camera...oh so many things to share.

Latte!

hello, i'm shanny and i'm a purse addict

I just bid on this:

I've got two Hobo clutches that I love, but I borrowed Jill's (her Lauren is a bronze color) for Vegas last time and was in love with the Lauren clutch. It is a perfect traveling companion really. It's got a side for work and a side for personal (I'm always the one who gets handed the work receipts when we are in Vegas).

I hope I win it...please, send your good eBay mojo my way!!!

cuz i like bein' like jen!

Your Personality Profile

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

the bird is the word

PICTURE TIME!!!

This is what used to be the side door into the garage (which is now a functioning cave)

The threshold into our home had been worn and rough. Now freshly painted.

The front of our home. The flowers planted a couple of weeks ago in the boxes have really taken off! The trim of the window (behind them) was painted just this morning. The eaves painted on Friday...

A trio of grasses.

This getting the house ready to list has been fun at times. Kev is still not 100% excited about the idea, but is starting to come around a bit more every day. I think as I continue to do more things around the house, to the house, he will really see what I'm so excited about. The unknown is scary and the whole selling of one house while trying to find and buy our next freaks him out. Normally it would freak me out as well but for some reason having Alia work for us has calmed my nerves. She's been doing this job for 10 years (this July) and LOVES it. I trust her and know she'll make everything happen.

I get to go squish on my favorite baby today. Henry is nearing 5 months old. I can hardly believe it! They do grow up really fast, even when they aren't your own.

happiness is

The sound of painters getting ready to paint your eaves.

A fat cat sitting on his pillow giving himself a bath.

Your faithful diggity dog at your feet, not barking at the painters.

The washing machine making the noises it makes as it cleans towels from all the guests you've had lately.

The feeling in your arms after a really amazing (read: tough) yoga practice the night before.

A completed ad sitting on the ottoman by your feet.

Knowing that in a couple of hours you will be heading to eat with good friends.

Having your husband tell you he's getting a little more comfortable with the idea of selling your house and buying a new home (getting there, but not quite there yet).

The twitching of your dogs toes as she dreams those dreams dogs do.

Birds singing outside (all except that blasted crow).

Having the windows open, letting the breeze flow through your house.

Being able to lean your head back and type while not looking at the keys (Mom would be proud).

Having good friends who will let you stash your stuff in their garage with NO for sure time of when you'll be getting it out of there.

A vacuum that makes you WANT to clean...speaking of which...

woke up dreaming

I've not dreamt and woken exhausted in quite some time. Last night broke that draught. I had a dream that I was back in college. It was the first day and I had looked at my schedule prior to leaving my dorm room. I left it there, sure I would remember all of my five (!) classes I was to go to. Between classes I realize this is not going to happen and I'm an idiot for not bringing my schedule. I have ten minutes between classes that are across campus from one another. To top it off I am wearing black patent high heels. I'm swearing to those around me that they are really comfortable as I am screaming through campus trying to make it to some Female African Art class.

I think I need a nap.

Thankfully there is nothing pressing to do at the office and so I am working most of the day from home (I went in to capture images of the clogs I had to list at our site today before coming home). The painters should be here soon to paint the eaves. I might bust out the sander and finish the door I started a couple of years ago. Yes, the front door. It's red, but splotchy. Sabo, the painter, offered to do it for me, but I told him I had started it so I had to finish it. I think it made him shake his head a little (we were on the phone so this is just a guess).

maybe baby

I'm kind of thinking that Dad likes Josie and she feels the same way. She's a funny one with him. In the beginning she was a bit unsure of him, keeping her head down but her eyes on him. And then he chucked her cheeks. Anytime he'd sit down, she'd be near.

I also had to laugh because I would catch Mom scritching on Josie's head as well. While talking to her in a sweet voice. Now my mom has not been a real dog person ever. They had guard dogs on the farm, but family pets...not so much. I grew up with cats, of which they still have one. I think, however, Josie is so much like a cat at times that she is growing on my mom.

It was a wonderful visit with them. We got a few things done around the house to get it ready to list. We're not super close to listing, as in next week, but we are getting things taken care of little by little. We've already gotten a pile started at our friends house in their garage. I've got a meeting with a guy in a few minutes to talk about painting our eaves. My boss set it up, it's a friend of his. I am sure we will get quite a deal...

what started out

Dyson DC17 how I love and hate thee...

James Dyson dropped the ball on part of his design. Or perhaps one of the junior designers who probably took on the accessory designs did. I am sure James is just too busy to come up with effective parts. I mean hell, he designed the thing that "doesn't lose suction" why would he feel the need to make all its parts just as fantastic.

The particular model we got (thanks Mom and Dad) has a smaller brush with rotating head (it's called the "mini turbine" and no, I am not making that up) to pick up all the animal fur on sofas and such. The concept is great and it really does a good job, however in those first moments of trying to figure out how the hell the thing attaches to the vacuum, we all almost blew a gasket.

There is a button that you would think clicks into something so it doesn't fall off the tube. You would be wrong in that assessment. I've been informed by no fewer than three employees of the Dyson help line (two via email, one phone) that that button is for an adaptor for another machine, so people can use the mini turbine on their model of Dyson...

So, you have to wedge this thing on the tube and if you vacuum too quickly, it might fall off. So, stop trying to vacuum at warp speed. Mom and Dad were all kinds of annoyed. I was getting there too. The thing was whipped out of each others hands as we all fought to make it work. Finally they left and I lived with the machine. I told myself if that is the way it was designed then maybe I should give it another go and see if I can make it work, without my parents around. I mean I love them (they are actually heading back my way as I type) and I adore the things they do for me, but every once in a while I have to step back and let them do their thing.

Mom said to take it back. It wasn't working like it should. It was inconvenient and hard to manage. At that time, I agreed. I even told the woman on the phone that James had totally missed the mark on the design of that attachment.

Dad agreed with Mom, I think. I was even on board. But then I started thinking about it. I love that little attachments abilities. I love knowing that the fur that is on my sofas will not be as difficult for me to remove (oh the things I would do to get rid of the fur...short of shaving the animals mind you). So this morning, I pulled the machine out of my sewing room. I closed the door to the bedroom because even I know it's rude to vacuum someone into wakefulness at 8:30. I stole away to the cave and I vacuumed. I moved the coffee table. I picked up the dog bed. And then, I attached the mini turbine and decided to just be with it and allow it to do its job.

Even though I still think there should be some way to affix it to the tube so you don't have to worry about it falling off, I found myself enjoying it. It's funny to me how a vacuum can really make you see your home in a different light.

but dove told me

Do you think my boss would buy this? I mean, Dove told me...

It's been fun getting my head back in the game of work. I got to create an ad for a group ad (I just did our spot) that is due tomorrow. I am going to be getting an order together for rain boots for the kiddies for fall. I have another ad due next week.

I thanked my boss for letting me have time off while family was here. He told me to take Monday and Tuesday this next week off to enjoy my parents visit. I can't tell you how much I love working for him. Words fail me over and over to describe it.

I will tell you he is kindness personified.

But even so, I don't think he'd buy this. :) Even if Dove did tell me I was allowed.

whirlwind

I love that word. Whirlwind. It conjures up thoughts of twirling in the yard on a warm summer night. Skirt flowing outward. It makes me think of being absolutely and completely exhausted from running and doing and going and being. It reminds me I need to slow down and enjoy.

This trip with my sister has been a whirlwind. We've done so many things, yet gotten to just sit and visit and catch up as well. I would say some of my favorite parts were the sitting and knitting/crocheting, playing Mah Jong, and going yarn shopping.

The flowers in the box will make me think of her as she stood there watching me plant, suggesting how to make the flower boxes look like they are secure to the house instead of ready to fall off with the heaviest of rains. The clacking of the Mah Jong tiles will make me think of her finally winning a hand last night and rejoicing. The yarns I purchased while she was with me ooohing and ahhhing will make me smile, remembering.

It's been a great visit.

look mom, something got done!

You can't really see, but there are two colors of pansies planted (purple and red) along the potato vine in each box. My sister and I got this done this morning, after making the boxes not look as though they are falling off the house. I realize as I write this they do kind of still look like that in the photo, but not in real life. The plants are perky now after a full day of sunshine.

The three pots to the left of the bushes got planted on Saturday by my dear Mom. She enjoys getting her hands dirty every once in a while.

Today was spent planting flowers and knitting things. A perfect day one might say. After a full day of making beautiful things out of yarn we headed over to my friends house for Mah Jong Monday. I was told to bring my set. I love my set! It plays well and is comfortable to use. I even one a hand!

Tomorrow Adrianne and I plan on going to my favorite yarn store, walking up and down Hawthorne, and out do dinner with some of our friends (Kev opens tomorrow so he'll be joining us for dinner...yea!).

Well, off to surf the web a bit before turning in. Just wanted to share with Mom that we did in fact do what we said we'd do! :)

goodbye

written yesterday...


How do you say goodbye to a feline? Do they really understand? We have to say our last goodbyes to Vladimir tonight. It brings me much sadness. He was the first cat I’ve met that reminded me soooo much of my beloved Bob. He went missing a little while ago, Vlad did, and we feared the worst. Luckily he was not lost forever. However, it is a bittersweet ending because cancer has taken over his once robust body.

It’s hitting me slowly that tonight is my final farewell. Tears well up in my eyes and I’m sure if I had to speak my voice would waver. I am still at work so I try to pull myself together, in case customers come in during these last 45 minutes.

I will thank Vlad for being my special little (ahem) guy whom let me snuggle, kiss, and love all over him whenever I felt the urge. I will tell him it was an honor just knowing him and being chosen (he would sit on me every so often). I will tell him I will remember him always. But will be sad that all I get to hold anymore are simple memories, and not him.

I am thankful that I got the time I did get with him, but feel it was too little. I will thank his human family for allowing me to care for him and his little “brother” while they were away on trips. For in those times, I got to be a little closer to Vladimir. He would meet me at the door and look up at me with his green eyes. Ready for a kiss and some food.

Life is so short for our animal friends. We only get what seems like a minute with them to learn all they were set out to teach us. Vlad taught me that snuggling is good, a purr can go a long way, and to not lose hope (I knew he wasn’t gone for good when he’d gone missing in November).


(I've now said my farewells, cried tears into his long beautiful fur, and thanked him for letting me love him...he will be missed by all who ever met him)

there are times

On Tuesday this week my coworker and I were talking about when I could cover for her (she's working Saturday for me so I can hang with the 'rents). She asked if I could possibly work this Thursday (today) but she also said she knew it was last minute, but she was just tired. She works two jobs, and doesn't normally have one full day off from both at the same time.

I had originally told her that I needed to get ready for the family who are coming to visit. I started thinking about this yesterday and realized that I was being selfish. I can clean in the evenings. I'm not exhausted like she is. I don't have to work two jobs. I get days off where I can do nothing at all if I like.

I called Chas yesterday to tell him I'd be working the floor today at our new store. Of course he answered the phone "Aren't you supposed to be off today?!" And when I told him of my plan he said no problem.

When I called my coworker yesterday to tell her she was absolutely surprised. She was so happy. I could feel the weight lift off her shoulders.

hard

It is a beautiful day outside. I am inside, sadly. I've created another ad for yet another publication and I have at least two more to do...soon.

I missed Mah Jong Monday at my friends house last night. Ah well. Our set arrived yesterday so we'll soon be able to host our own Mah Jong nights. It's much fun.

It's hard to concentrate with the sun in the sky. I hear the approach of my coworker...I must get back to work.

no dolls hurt, all releases signed

eleven to seven

The eight hours I work. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of regarding my job. It seems as though time starts to stand still around two. And I still have five hours to go after that. I don't have internet connection there (yet) so I can't really work on the site (which I did for many hours last night only to realize I didn't have prices of a few of the things I am adding...). But even if there was internet there, I wouldn't work on the site. I have a hard time breaking from whatever creative thing I am doing to interact with customers. I find it difficult to stop what I am doing, focus on something else, then going back to the computer. It's how I would work on the site before (when I was working full time on the floor). I didn't like it then and I don't like it now.

Since I worked late last night at home I decided to take next Saturday off (well, happy coincident there really). Mom and Dad are coming through town and then my sister, Adrianne will also be coming. I'm pretty excited about family coming to visit. I can hardly wait!!!

Okay, must figure out what else I can do around here to burn some time before heading in...

and the winner is:

I had such a good time working on this ad. Like I said over there, I normally come up with one real solid (make it to print) idea, but this time I had two. So I asked those around me here in person as well as those of you who read my words to take a look and give me feedback. I appreciate it quite a bit. It helps me grow as a designer.

I told Kev tonight that there was something more to this months ad. Not that I don't love designing each and every single ad for Clogs-N-More, but there ws something. It could have been the photo shoot with the ugly dolls, the size being bigger, or the inclusion of another business, I suppose.

Speaking of the photo shoot, Oh My Word. What a riot. All I needed was some electronica and perhaps a little dry ice...well, you'll see what I mean (I got the dolls to sign releases, so I can share here).

Off to create. Thanks again.

not let down

So we met with Alia today. She wass everything Jill and Mark told us she would be. There wasn't even a ton of stuff she added to the list. Just things like increasing the wattage of our bulbs once we start showing, remove the microwave from the kitchen, hiding the coffee maker and toaster, etc. The one thing that was "major" was we have to paint the laundry space after we clean it up. Jill and I were thinking of doing something like that anyway so...

I can hardly wait to tell Jill and Mark how much we love Alia!

So in the next few months we will be listing the house and finding our new home. It all seems a bit unreal for me.

anticipation

There is a quote about anticipation, but it escapes me right now. I think it's from the Simpsons, the quote I am thinking...possibly from the episode where Marge almost has an affair with Jacques, whom she met bowling. It's a long story really.

Anyway, I am excited about tomorrow and meeting Alia. Kev got the lawn mowed tonight after work and I started trimming the hedges. We've got quite a bit to do to clean up outside, but it's going to start raining again and I figure it's better to work on projects as weather allows. Don't ask me about the eaves.

We'll get up early-ish tomorrow and do a thorough cleaning (which I did just a couple of days ago, but I'm anxious and worried what she'll say about the house). Meet with her at 1:00. Then go hang with Chuck before basketball tomorrow night.

Did I mention that Alia sent us a card saying she is excited about meeting us face to face?! I thought it was the sweetest thing.

So go check out the clog blog and give me your vote...(shameless, ain't i?)

got a list, gotta stick to my list

Cave:
Remove ottoman (replace coffee table in living room)
*Remove cd towers
*Remove dog bed
*Remove tv trays
Remove clutter (under flower box/table, top of desk, etc)
Control wires behind tv stand and desk

Closet off Cave:
*Remove boxes
*Remove filing cabinet
Organize coats
Organize home improvement items (paint, etc)
Organize space in general

Laundry closet:
*Remove wooden crates
Organize and clean wire shelving unit

Living room:
*Remove most of books on bookcase
*Remove coffee table (replace with ottoman from Cave)
Remove shoe pile by door
Remove much of the knick knacks on tables, etc.
*Remove kitchen table (replace with sewing desk)
*Remove white and chrome chair

Hall cabinet (small):
Reorganize medicines
Remove cookbooks

Bathroom:
Clean and paint wainscoting
Clean floor
Clean grout (re-grout if necessary)
Clean off back of toilet

Kitchen:
Remove items under microwave (in cabinet and on wine rack)
Clear many knick knacks off exposed shelves
Remove pictures off refrigerator
Clear off top of refrigerator
Clean refrigerator



Sewing room/dressing room:
Turn into dressing room?
*Remove small dresser from closet
Place carpet from “The Kochenour Boutique”
*Remove most of the items in the closet
Remove sewing desk (move to living room)
*Remove sewing machines, etc (store in Jill’s sewing space)

Hall closet (larger):
*Remove extra pillows
*Remove extraneous blankets, sheets and towels
Refold everything neatly

Bedroom:
Reposition chest of drawers
Reposition bed and night stand
Remove dresser (move to dressing room)
*Remove small table from closet
Organize closet (matching, white hangers)

Front yard:
Clean up driveway
Pick weeds
Seed
Plant pretty flowers in boxes and pots
Keep mown
Trim hedges

Back yard:
Clean up mine field (dog doo)
Pick weeds
Seed
*Remove fire pit
*Remove table and chairs (?)
Clean and organize shed
Trim hedges

General:
paint eaves
plant pretty flowers

*store at Jill and Mark’s

make mine a double

I've been starting to really think about exactly what all we are going to have to do to our house to get it ready to sell. I even have gone so far as to make a long, two page list of things. Mentally, room by room, I looked and made notes of what things were glaringly obvious and others that might not seem as "important."

I have already begun boxing a few things up from the kitchen, taking over half the books off the bookcase in the living room, and am contemplating a clearing off of many photos that we have on tables here and there. The fridge must be cleared off. It's a shrine to friends, family, animals, with pictures covering the whole thing. The top of the fridge needs to be cleared off as well. Every horizontal surface really needs to be swept clean. I now have images of myself sweeping my arms across the desk, wiping everything off and onto the floor. While that would be kind of fun to do, it is just really making more work for myself so I think I'll stick to the method of box for trash, box for packing, box for recycling.

I can't wait to meet with Alia, our realtor, on Wednesday. I think she will laugh at the list, as I am planning on sharing it with her. I will ask her if she's ever gotten a list of things her clients know they need to do, room by room.

I need to get another cup off coffee. How I wish there was milk in the house so I could have my double latte. Instead, black french press. It could be worse, I could be out of coffee.

doing well

-I have been good. I've not obsessively looked at/for houses all day long or even once again since that first foray into the world of rmls.com after we got back from our meeting with Debbie. I know, it's only been one day, but I still think that I've been good.

-I have a mini knit night tonight with my friend Jenn. Our pal Amy was hopefully going to join us but she's going on a blind date. Here's to hoping we don't hear from her saying it was horrible.

-The temp is supposed to get up to 70 today. Bring out the new green skirt and flip flops! Okay, maybe not the flips, but the skirt is a go!

-My boss is quite possibly the kindest person alive. I was at TJ Maxx getting some things for the new store (baskets for trash, a nice vase) and I found a great bag. Now those who know me know I'm somewhat of a bag whore. I am always on the lookout for "the perfect bag" for any occasion. This bag will be my Vegas bag! It is big enough to hold my laptop, a small dog, a sweater, my date book, etc. Yet it doesn't look the size. It's a Mary Poppins bag! Anyway, back to the boss thing...I get into the office and start telling him of my amazing find and how it's going to be great for Vegas and all those catalogs I will inevitably be picking up and he says, "How much was it?" I tell him $25. He pulls out cash, plops it on his desk and says, "Give me the receipt. Since you are using it for work and especially Vegas...you deserve to be treated every once in a while." HUH? I stuttered and thanked him and told him he really didn't have to do it...etc.

-My parents will be here in about two weeks. They're only here for a couple days before heading to Canada, then they are back in a couple weeks for a couple more days. My sister from Phoenix will also be here for a few days in a couple of weeks as well (their days somewhat overlap a bit). I'm jazzed!

-Kev's first two games of basketball were so much fun to watch! He did great, aside from the possibility he may lose a toenail (not the first time for that to ever happen). He had a blast though, but is a bit sore. Next Wednesday myself and another wife will be bringing bottles of water, orange slices... we're such good moms!

So there you have it, we're doing well.

houston, we have progress

Kev and I met with our mortgage broker this morning. She is such an amazing person!!! If anyone in Oregon (not sure if she can do things for people outside of Oregon) is looking for someone to work with, I suggest Debbie Patton!!! The broker, not the body builder. :)

Now on our list of things to do is find and meet with a financial adviser as well as make an appointment with our realtor to figure out how much we should list the house for. I've sent Alia (realtor) an email and am just waiting to hear back from her. (Update: before I even hit publish, Alia sent an email back and we're meeting with her next week, Wednesday!!!) As for the financial adviser, I'm still looking. We thought that we'd found a company to work with (long story of how) but they are in Bend, Oregon (a bit further away than we'd like).

So the internet is waiting for me to explore. We came up with a good plan for "if the house sells for X much then we can us Y amount and pay off all debt and have Z amount plus A as a 20% down payment." And it seems feasible! I'm a bit surprised by how much Debbie says we should be able to afford, assuming it sells for around what Kev (conservatively) guessed. He thinks it could/will sell for even more than the number we used. That could be a good thing.

Of course I've already started looking online at homes. Yeah, we say the next 3-6 months we'll be listing...any bets that it'll be sooner?

Here are four I've found that seem interesting... (I hope the link works)

Link didn't work for me so here are the four numbers: 7029241, 7036825, 7034139, 7037089. You can visit this site and plug them all in.

In other news, Kev has his first basketball game tonight. He is excited, but nervous. I'm going to go along to watch and cheer. I am hoping at least one of the other wives I know will be there too.

Okay, off to drink some java and start some laundry.

pull my finger

You Are a Pinky

You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird. A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone. You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are. You get along well with: The Ring Finger Stay away from: The Thumb

What Finger Are You?

letting the eyes down?

You read posts at other blogs saying what terrible bloggers they are...haven't posted in a long time...promise not to do it again...or at least try.

Yeah, here's the thing. I try not to let guilt set in because then, I don't want to write. Writing when one feels guilty because x, y, and z doesn't seem to make for interesting writing (shush now, this is NOT a guilt written post it's about to become the most enthralling post ever...yeah, right).

We had two glorious days of sunshine in the Pac NW and it looks like we are heading back into a bit of rain this weekend. (heh? enthralling weather) I am only hoping it does not result in a slow day at the store. Saturdays are the only days I work directly with the customers. Thankfully it's at our new location and I like new.

Went out with Jill and Mark for drinks and BBQ last night. Man, Clay's is the best BBQ in town! Their ribs...the meat falls off the bones. I even had enough left to make lunch for today (yeah, food is always a great topic, too).

We're coming up on our 7th anniversary on May 6. Any ideas? The traditional gift is: well blow me away...WOOL (or copper, but who really cares about that?). The modern gift is a desk set but we don't care about desk sets when WOOL (!) is an option. Someone, please someone, tell Kevin that a great gift for me would be a gift certificate to Close Knit! I've linked to it so you can also tell him exactly where it is. Tell him the wool I buy will be for his anniversary gift (a new winter hat since I usurped his...he wasn't wearing it, it was "too thin."). If someone here loves me, and knows how to get ahold of Kev...

The clog blog has been lacking lately. It'd be easier to write about the store if I could post it while there. The energy there is great and creative and I come up with things, but then the brain shuts down when I am home. I suppose I could use Word to write it and then print it out to bring home and punch in. It'd be better if we had internet there though. Everything is better with internet.

(aside: not only does blogger not understand the word blogger in their spell check program, but also internet ain't there either)

And so there you have it, the non guilt written post. It had its ups and its downs. Its moments of boring and the excitement of WOOL! What more could you ask for?

our baby's baby

Three summers ago my parents, Kevin and myself planted "the littlest tree" in our front yard. We bought it under the guise it was a dogwood. I've been waiting since that first year for it to bloom (okay, I guess that makes me the most impatient person in the world because I knew it would not bloom that first summer-it was too late in the season). I'd hoped it would bloom in the second year, but figured when it didn't and its sisters all did, it needed time to become established. So this third year I felt positive it would bloom. It'd be all awash of white flowers.



Almost...

Two, there were two little white flowers on our beautiful little tree. I noticed when I got home from yoga last night and remembered this morning I wanted to take photographs of them. They are the most perfect and beautiful little flowers I've ever seen.

When I see them I get jolts of "this tree won't be mine when we end up selling this house in the next year..." and that makes me kind of sad. Our first little tree has its first little flowers. Our baby is growing up...

question

Say you are playing Scrabble with your loved one...

Say that loved one puts his tiles down and gives you the total of the word.

Then say that loved one says, "OH WAIT!" and insists that he had meant to put down all seven tiles, resulting in an extra 50 points.

Suppose you felt, in your gut, that he was not telling the truth about meaning to play that word AND you believed that once the score was given and tallied, it was your turn.

And then, when the game was officially over with that same loved one playing out all his tiles and winning he says, "I saw it at the last minute..." in regards to the seven tile word (which was played as his third word.)

I'd say the 50 points should be subtracted from that loved ones score and given to the other player. What you think? Oh, and a stringing up and a flogging with a wet noodle.


Kev is adding that his side of the story should read: that since I love him I should let him have the points.

gui-tarrrrs

So this afternoon I called our pal, let's call him Chuck, and left a voice mail about coming over for dinner. Chuck is getting ready to head back home to his parents house for an undetermined amount of time. From what I understand he feels the need to be home for a little while.

I will miss him, but Kevin will miss him more. And here is why:

This is the boys playing Guitar Hero on PlayStation 2. After they played, I got in on the act and hit the bass. It was a riot. I have already informed Kev that we would be playing this after Chuck took off as well.

He will be coming back here, hopefully, in a couple of years. We will always have dinner on the table for him, whenever he gets back our way.

I will miss Chuck.

is love enough?

I have a friend who has just announced that she and her husband of many years are getting a divorce. I will not use their names but it is nobody any of you have met (for my family who reads this) nor is it anyone I have 'met' online.

This friend sent out an email letting us know. She sent it to me a few days after April 1 so I wrote back saying "wasn't april fools day a couple of days ago?" She responded that it was not a joke. I felt a bit betrayed, to tell you the truth, because each time we'd hang out with the two of them everything was fun, light and there was ZERO sign of any turmoil.

We ran into her last night and while Kev was wandering around she and I spoke a little about it all. She said that love wasn't enough.

This confuses me a bit. I mean, I always though love was the basis for marriages and that sometimes the two parties might disagree about things, pick on each other, and what not...but love would still be there. I suppose communication is also key in a healthy relationship and the two people need to be able to communicate with one another, but if you truly love someone, aren't you supposed to want to work things out? Get the help you need to make it work?

Is love enough? Personally, I think it's a good start.

sweetness abound

Seriously, does it get any sweeter than this?

It's a cold and rainy Thursday in Portland. We both have off work. Kev's getting ready to go shoot some hoops with one of the guys who works for him. I'm steadily pressing on through the laundry. Josie is confused and is not sure what is going on and if she gets to go with him. She is hopeful. I hate to break it to her. Had it been not so cold out and not all that rainy I would have joined the guys, taking Josie with to jog around the large park. As it is, I am still sore from yoga on Tuesday night and the laundry was starting to take over the bedroom. If I want to have anything to wear tomorrow, must stay home and wash clothes.

Thankfully, the smell is gone in the laundry room/closet. Thank goddess!

The photo was taken the other night. They are just the funniest duo.

snood

On Easter Sunday I decided I would take knitting with me along to our friends home. I tend to do things like that, take knitting with me where ever I go. These friends are always intrigued by what I am working on. I didn't have a particular project so I decided to look in my notebook of patterns. Now, that notebook is big, but there are only a few patterns in it. One was for an "Urban Cowl" that the kids at Knit/Purl designed and were giving away for free (now they charge for any of their patterns). I figured it would look pretty with my leftover sweater yarn (yeah of the 9 balls I bought, I used 7 in the end) and grabbed needles close to the size the pattern called for, throwing a ball of yarn into my current knitting bag (still on the lookout for the 'perfect' knitting bag). I am making quite a bit of progress (sorry no pics) and it dawned on me, I'm making a snood. Mine won't be worn quite like that, but...it's still a snood.

I am really making it with the thought of wearing it around my neck, like a cowl/turtle with no sweater attached. You know, a scarf without the long ends to get caught in things. What kind of things? Well, zippers of coats, buttons, under your purse straps. I know you guys all understand how annoying the purse strap thing is.

addiction

Sometimes that word is bad. I mean, sometimes people get addicted to things that are harmful to them, their bodies, and all others around them. Fortunately google analytics isn't harmful for anyone. Thanks to Monika I was drawn in. She simply mentioned checking it out to see her stats(her blog just turned a year old). I instantly wanted to see what she was talking about. Now, I check in every morning, noon, and night to see where people are reading from. I also check clog blog's status. I'm pretty impressed that people are going there. Thanks!

Yesterday was a quiet day for me. I got up, mowed the lawn (and am thankful I did because it started raining yesterday afternoon and still hasn't stopped), went to our friends house for amazing food and great company. I even took some knitting! I was left so depleted after finishing the sweater I really didn't know what to do. So, I decided to use some of the left over sweater yarn to make a cowl. Not a sweater, just the neck. Kind of a scarf that doesn't hang down, if you will.

Today is a day full of a doctors appointment (nothing bad), figuring out what is on order for the kids store (and what to cancel), and sending in the new design for our business cards. I'm sure there will be more lumped on me, but I'm not going to think about that. So, that's it...for today.

nothing like the smell of death

...in the morning.

We occasionally have a mouse in our house (I know many now are saying "If you have one you have hundreds"). Anyway, a couple of times we've come home to our huntress (aka Chloe) playing with her catch (thankfully death has always overcome the mouse...and I always thank the mouse for giving its life while entertaining my cat). Twice we've found them simply dead of natural causes in our laundry closet. One we knew because of the stench (did I mention this post is not for the faint of heart?). The other we had no clue because it was winter and cold in there and without the heat of summer...you get the picture.

So this morning, it's back. Someone has died in our house. I'm pretty sure natural causes because Chloe would have brought us her prize had she had anything to do with it. I just don't want to be the one to find the corpse.

an idea

Over the years I've read various blogs about not writing anything about your work place. While I agree it's a good idea to not bitch and moan about ones place of employment, I can't agree that you shouldn't write about it at all.

Last week Wednesday was a rough day for my family (trust me, I bring this story back around to work). We lost Grandma to a long battle with dementia. We all flew/drove into Pennsylvania to say our goodbyes. Right as I received the IM from my dad that Wednesday morning I had had the idea of starting a new blog. But this one would be different. It wouldn't be my personal space about whatever, rather it would be about the store. I could write about new styles coming in, any sales going on, other events that will happen in the future...

Let me introduce you all to... Clog Blog. Be kind.

home

The trip home yesterday was uneventful. I enjoy flights that are uneventful. :) I did have an interesting conversation with one of the flight attendants...we are pretty sure I sold her her clogs. She looked familiar to me and I to her.

I slept like a rock again last night. I don't think I moved until this morning when Simon started walking on my head. It's rare for me to not toss and turn so a night of blissful sleep was great.

Upon getting home this evening from dinner I received a great voice mail surprise. My sister, Adrianne, is coming to see me!!! She got a free ticket on Southwest and since she's not been up here (and her sons both say it's okay for her to come see me instead of using it to see them in Cali) she's coming!

I think I am going to turn in soon. I am going to go into work tomorrow for a while so I should get some sleep.

sitting

My sister and I made it to California safely. I am now sitting next to Oscar (my favorite boy dog on the face of the planet) and am relaxing after a long flight. Her husband picked us up at the airport and drove us straight to sushi! Dinner was great.

I fly home tomorrow evening. Thankfully I got a call from one of the employees today saying she'd cover for me at the store downtown on Tuesday if I wanted. I am thinking of taking her up on the offer and will probably go into the new location to work on display things I want to install Thursday when I am working downtown with our new guy.

I can hardly think straight at this moment. Oscar is making me smile. I hope he sleeps with me tonight!! Please...please Ox.