Never a dull moment, especially on Mondays. Amidst the flurry of work phone calls and general morning tasks, I was horrified to hear what sounded like someone walking upstairs in our house. Truly terrified that I would come face to face with an intruder I frantically searched for a blunt object. As I crept around corners to investigate, I noticed a truck parked out front and began to think maybe someone is checking our gas meter in the loudest fashion possible. When I went outside I discovered it was none less than a man on our roof. I have been told that our roof is of the steeper pitch varieties and this man had nothing but a flimsy ladder and knee pads. When I addressed him with a firm "What are you doing", he looked at me with disinterest and said that his boss had told him to check our shingles. Yea right buddy, I wasn't about to fall for that. After we argued about it further I determined that he must be at the wrong house and unprofessional enough to overlook the fact that maybe before climbing up on the roof of a home that is clearly inhabited - he may want to announce himself (this turned out to be the case). I hope that my strong words with the neighborhood management teaches him a lesson. Many people out there are packing and not afraid to blow a supposed intruder through the roof (so to speak).
One crucial difference that I have noticed between single family homes and condos is that all of a sudden, everybody and their brother are at your door, on your property, and on your roof apparently. Every time the doorbell rings (which happens frequently) I cringe and try to avoid answering at all costs. The church, Edward Jones, contractors that you didn't hire, I hope that there is an end in sight. If I were able, I would love to fence in the entire property, but I will have to be content with just the back portion. At least that will offer us some privacy. At this point I would not be surprised if someone opened the gate and waltzed into the backyard. We will have to work on making the dogs look more rabid and less cute.
For the remainder of the week I hope that things calm down and that no more people bother us - I want to be left in peace! Unless you are the Publisher's Clearing house, the lottery, or any legit prize patrol of course.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Cute and Functional Drapery, Where Art Thou?
Who would have thought that finding cute drapery panels that are not offensive to the eye or budget, and measured needing only two panels per window would be so hard. I have scoured the stores in real life and the internet (also in real life I guess?) and they are in short supply! Some too dark in color, others bright and cheery but about half of the width needed on each panel. I refuse to give in and purchase four panels for each large window - how utterly ridiculous! That would end up costing as much as a nice one that fit from Potterybarn. There is the temptation of purchasing panels from Overstock.com...they seem to be an okay color on my monitor, but who really knows and they may look cheap and see-through in real life. Ahhhh the dilemma.
Today we had our water softener installed for the house, it was an all day process as our installer worked tirelessly and we worked tirelessly at our jobs. But it was such a relief to meet him at the end of the day to find he did a tremendous job! The water softener actually looks pretty in the basement (never thought I would say that), probably because now I know that we will not get hard water stains and calcification on all of our pipes :) He ran a few lines to our outside sprinklers as well so that we don't "salt" the lawn with soft water and it all looks great! Among so many less than savory contractors that have been working on our house it was a welcome relief to find someone that took pride in his work and did a job completely up to my very high standards. Kudos to them we will be giving them top marks on Angie's List!
As we creep closer to moving day our temporary apartment is filling more and more to maximum capacity. Anyone who didn't know we are about to move would think that we were very neat horders, minus the spoiling food and psychotic breakdowns...well scratch that, I am liable to have a psychotic breakdown if we don't get out of here on schedule. I am rarely so excited to clean and organize a place, but finally getting into our house will be the most monumentous of occasions!
Here are my happy thoughts as this Monday comes to an end:
1) Tomorrow is technically Friday thanks to July 4th (Yippie for holidays off work!)
2) We got a much needed new spatula that can take up to 600 degrees of heat!
3) In a little over two weeks I can unpack our pictures for the first time in over six months!
4) August is going to ROCK!
Today we had our water softener installed for the house, it was an all day process as our installer worked tirelessly and we worked tirelessly at our jobs. But it was such a relief to meet him at the end of the day to find he did a tremendous job! The water softener actually looks pretty in the basement (never thought I would say that), probably because now I know that we will not get hard water stains and calcification on all of our pipes :) He ran a few lines to our outside sprinklers as well so that we don't "salt" the lawn with soft water and it all looks great! Among so many less than savory contractors that have been working on our house it was a welcome relief to find someone that took pride in his work and did a job completely up to my very high standards. Kudos to them we will be giving them top marks on Angie's List!
As we creep closer to moving day our temporary apartment is filling more and more to maximum capacity. Anyone who didn't know we are about to move would think that we were very neat horders, minus the spoiling food and psychotic breakdowns...well scratch that, I am liable to have a psychotic breakdown if we don't get out of here on schedule. I am rarely so excited to clean and organize a place, but finally getting into our house will be the most monumentous of occasions!
Here are my happy thoughts as this Monday comes to an end:
1) Tomorrow is technically Friday thanks to July 4th (Yippie for holidays off work!)
2) We got a much needed new spatula that can take up to 600 degrees of heat!
3) In a little over two weeks I can unpack our pictures for the first time in over six months!
4) August is going to ROCK!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Strangely Funny
Long drives are a wonderful time to remenice (especially when you are between stops and left to your own devices. A great time to check in with yourself. During my long bit of driving today I paused to pay notice to the fact that time is flying by! Its hard to believe that just a few years ago I was living in completely different circumstances and was even surrounded by different people - things change so quickly. I looked upon some past memories with fondness, some with hilarity at their ridiculousness, but know that in that time I felt differently about them. Keep the good memories and don't dwell on the bad is a good rule to live by.
All this wedding planning has got me to thinking about all kinds of new things - how I would like to incorporate the letter of my "soon to be" last name into absolutely everything, how I can't wait to reinvent my signature, how maybe now people will understand me over the phone when I have to spell out only half the amount of words...all in due course I suppose. Also I would love to be able to go on a fantastic honeymoon (who wouldn't). Not sure how was are going to swing everything at once with the new house and all, but I guess we will just do our best and send lots of positive thoughts out to the universe ;)
Why am I cursed with "night-time allergies"?! Very frustrating at the end of the day to be plagued with sneezing and general reduced-ability-to-breathe discomfort. I blame the seasonal changes and this godforsaken apartment. Mold is in no short supply for sure and the space couldn't be any less insulated or more dank...yuck. Get me out of here as soon as possible! I think once they insulate and drywall our new house I will move in with a tent. It would be better than this place. As of this moment I have lost complete use of my right nostril - highly unpleasant. I may just have to break the rules of allergy pills and take another as it seems the one that I took this morning had no effect.
~ Things I am looking forward to this week ~
* Joining a temporary gym (out of necessity to maintain my fitness level in this time of transition)
* Watching a cookware presentation and getting FREE personalized champagne flutes
* Receiving the most adorable cake toppers the world has ever seen in the mail!
* Progress on the house
All this wedding planning has got me to thinking about all kinds of new things - how I would like to incorporate the letter of my "soon to be" last name into absolutely everything, how I can't wait to reinvent my signature, how maybe now people will understand me over the phone when I have to spell out only half the amount of words...all in due course I suppose. Also I would love to be able to go on a fantastic honeymoon (who wouldn't). Not sure how was are going to swing everything at once with the new house and all, but I guess we will just do our best and send lots of positive thoughts out to the universe ;)
Why am I cursed with "night-time allergies"?! Very frustrating at the end of the day to be plagued with sneezing and general reduced-ability-to-breathe discomfort. I blame the seasonal changes and this godforsaken apartment. Mold is in no short supply for sure and the space couldn't be any less insulated or more dank...yuck. Get me out of here as soon as possible! I think once they insulate and drywall our new house I will move in with a tent. It would be better than this place. As of this moment I have lost complete use of my right nostril - highly unpleasant. I may just have to break the rules of allergy pills and take another as it seems the one that I took this morning had no effect.
~ Things I am looking forward to this week ~
* Joining a temporary gym (out of necessity to maintain my fitness level in this time of transition)
* Watching a cookware presentation and getting FREE personalized champagne flutes
* Receiving the most adorable cake toppers the world has ever seen in the mail!
* Progress on the house
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Birds of a Feather
Always enjoyable to meet kindred spirits in life :) Today we met with our now wedding photographer; she couldn't be more perfect - down to earth, friendly, and extremely talented! I am so glad that we have scooped her up to take our pictures. One more thing ticked off the list :)
This last month has been slow at my job and that is highly disappointing. A salesperson's dread for sure. We seem to take the fall for anything that doesn't go according to plan. So I was so glad that positive things happened today on other fronts. So much more enjoyable to focus on the good things ;) So I am doing a TILT for Tuesday...
* Thinking about flush-mount albums, creative inspiration, cake toppers that I desperately want from Etsy, day-dreaming about finally moving into our house, Addams Family on Netflix on instant, week is flying right on by, bicycling, nice people at donut shops, Daniel securing two interviews!
Springtime without thunderstorms is a pretty time of year - so glad this week is forecasted to actually be storm free! So ready for them to get the exterior of our house done so I no longer have to dread the rain.
Everyday my urge to shop to fantastic spring accessories grows stronger...This is no time for shopping though - I am supposed to save, save, SAVE! (easier said than done). I have managed to be good so far, haven't purchased anything frivolous in fact, but I am dying to get to the mall.
This last month has been slow at my job and that is highly disappointing. A salesperson's dread for sure. We seem to take the fall for anything that doesn't go according to plan. So I was so glad that positive things happened today on other fronts. So much more enjoyable to focus on the good things ;) So I am doing a TILT for Tuesday...
* Thinking about flush-mount albums, creative inspiration, cake toppers that I desperately want from Etsy, day-dreaming about finally moving into our house, Addams Family on Netflix on instant, week is flying right on by, bicycling, nice people at donut shops, Daniel securing two interviews!
Springtime without thunderstorms is a pretty time of year - so glad this week is forecasted to actually be storm free! So ready for them to get the exterior of our house done so I no longer have to dread the rain.
Everyday my urge to shop to fantastic spring accessories grows stronger...This is no time for shopping though - I am supposed to save, save, SAVE! (easier said than done). I have managed to be good so far, haven't purchased anything frivolous in fact, but I am dying to get to the mall.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Most Exciting Weekend Ever
This past weekend I was very happily surprised when the love of my life proposed! Not only did we have great weather for our day at the zoo, visit the new house, and eat amazing New Orleans style seafood - but Daniel took us to the first place that we ever met, where he popped the question :) Such a great Saturday.
Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a planner and love to check things off of my list. We have already made a draft of the guest list, set up a tour of a potential venue, and developed a strict budget (thanks to the help of my mom and grandma). Our wedding website is in the works and I am so excited for cake tasting!!! YUMMM! I have learned so far that venues go fast and even looking at a year out things are already booking up! The main things that I am hoping to get booked quickly are the location and photographer.
Our friends and family are being so supportive and we are so grateful for that :) I feel very lucky and excited!
Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a planner and love to check things off of my list. We have already made a draft of the guest list, set up a tour of a potential venue, and developed a strict budget (thanks to the help of my mom and grandma). Our wedding website is in the works and I am so excited for cake tasting!!! YUMMM! I have learned so far that venues go fast and even looking at a year out things are already booking up! The main things that I am hoping to get booked quickly are the location and photographer.
Our friends and family are being so supportive and we are so grateful for that :) I feel very lucky and excited!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Fantastic Exercise Courtesy of Gala Darling!
I am a big fan of great ideas and just happened upon a terrific exercise from Gala Darlings "Radical Self Love" Program. For those of you who know me I apologize a lot! Perhaps I am using the wrong expression when trying to express my genuine empathy for someone, but also some of this probably stems from the fact that during my childhood I was made to feel that everything was my fault. Old habits die hard.
So hear goes the exercise - the premise being that we apologize too quickly and for too much and by doing so are only doing ourselves a disservice when we are apologizing without adequate reason.
Here are the things that I am NO longer going to apologize for:
* I am not going to apologize for sending too many emails to coworkers when they are important to the function of our jobs * I am not going to apologize for treating myself to the occasional bout of retail therapy * I am not going to apologize for laughing out loud * I am not going to apologize for needing to talk some things out * I am not going to apologize for not wanting children and not always fitting into what people expect that I should do * I am not going to apologize for how many candles I buy.
Here are my I AM statements:
* I am going to eat as much dessert as I want (while countering with exercise) * I am compassionate and willing to help others * I am dedicated to improving my relationships * I am hardworking * I am unashamed of who I am * I am persistent in trying to make the most out of everyday * I am an animal lover * I am optimistic about the future
Simple, yet a wonderful thing to do ;) Now off to bed - very tired - want to be able to greet Friday with a big Hurrah!
The Sweet Taste of Freedom
I am proud to say that I am done selling the condo and do not have to give it another moment's thought! What a great feeling! This point felt so close but so out of reach before, but I could instantly feel my stress level receding :)
We currently reside in a temporary apartment that is not by any means a desirable place to live, but its a necessary part of the journey towards being in the new house. Watching the construction take place is pretty amazing. Something along the lines of someone having a baby - it seems miraculous to each person as it takes shape even though it happens every day, and does not involve the extreme agony of child birth. I vote house building hands down! Never before have I actually hoped to have rain on the weekends instead of the week, but those construction crews only work during the week so the dryer the better.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol really surprised me. I was skeptical being that it has been awhile since I have seen Tom Cruise in anything that I liked, but the movie was exciting and well done! Thank you once again Netflix! Half of our mail isn't coming through, but good old Netflix always shows up!
Last weekend I had another epic movie experience - seeing Titanic on the big screen for the first time since the 90's. That movie still holds up today - very good and even thought I wished my hardest...Leo didn't make it.
TILT: So glad that I have had some sales success recently and so hopeful that it continues, grateful to have a wonderful boss (YES FINALLY!), fun weekend plans with Daniel, progress with the new house, tomorrow is Friday!
We currently reside in a temporary apartment that is not by any means a desirable place to live, but its a necessary part of the journey towards being in the new house. Watching the construction take place is pretty amazing. Something along the lines of someone having a baby - it seems miraculous to each person as it takes shape even though it happens every day, and does not involve the extreme agony of child birth. I vote house building hands down! Never before have I actually hoped to have rain on the weekends instead of the week, but those construction crews only work during the week so the dryer the better.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol really surprised me. I was skeptical being that it has been awhile since I have seen Tom Cruise in anything that I liked, but the movie was exciting and well done! Thank you once again Netflix! Half of our mail isn't coming through, but good old Netflix always shows up!
Last weekend I had another epic movie experience - seeing Titanic on the big screen for the first time since the 90's. That movie still holds up today - very good and even thought I wished my hardest...Leo didn't make it.
TILT: So glad that I have had some sales success recently and so hopeful that it continues, grateful to have a wonderful boss (YES FINALLY!), fun weekend plans with Daniel, progress with the new house, tomorrow is Friday!
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