Hi everyone--I've decided to move on up...I am moving my sporadic (and yes my husband needed to help me spell that one) blogging efforts to a new site...
So join me, and my continuing life dramas at engineergirl.typepad.com
Good-bye Blogger!!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
So, I am not doing so well...
...at my resolution. I haven't blogged in EIGHT days. Not a good start, but I do have an excuse. I have been in Albuquerque for six of those days, and sick for all nine of them. I have the worst cold in the world right now, but slowly getting better. I never fully realized that business trips can be made much worse when you are sick. I hate being sick--and to be sick while traveling for work--it makes it all that much worse.
On to better things though, one of my friends at work got engaged last weekend to this great guy. He did really well on the ring choice, and she seems happy and content. That's really good to see. Funny, before the proposal she was happy, but you could tell she was anxious about something. You would ask her about marriage, and sure they talked about it all, but when she talked about the timeframe, she always said she was OK with where they are. You could tell though, she felt it was time for the next step, but when was always the nagging part. So, the when part finally happened, and the best thing about it is that she didn't expect it at that moment. I am very happy for her, and look forward to listening to her planning adventures and helping her with anything she asks of me.
Weddings are fun, and hearing about how she is just starting the whole process and all the decisions she has to make...makes me recall my wedding over three years ago. Just in time for me to start the process in putting together all my pages for the wedding album. I hope to start and finish the whole thing when in Virginia next month...now just to get off my arse and get prepping.
BTW, if anyone has neat ideas for weddings centerpieces, invitiations, or announcements---just pass along, I am accepting any pieces of creativity now.
On to better things though, one of my friends at work got engaged last weekend to this great guy. He did really well on the ring choice, and she seems happy and content. That's really good to see. Funny, before the proposal she was happy, but you could tell she was anxious about something. You would ask her about marriage, and sure they talked about it all, but when she talked about the timeframe, she always said she was OK with where they are. You could tell though, she felt it was time for the next step, but when was always the nagging part. So, the when part finally happened, and the best thing about it is that she didn't expect it at that moment. I am very happy for her, and look forward to listening to her planning adventures and helping her with anything she asks of me.
Weddings are fun, and hearing about how she is just starting the whole process and all the decisions she has to make...makes me recall my wedding over three years ago. Just in time for me to start the process in putting together all my pages for the wedding album. I hope to start and finish the whole thing when in Virginia next month...now just to get off my arse and get prepping.
BTW, if anyone has neat ideas for weddings centerpieces, invitiations, or announcements---just pass along, I am accepting any pieces of creativity now.
Monday, January 01, 2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR
First off...Happy New Year, and good luck with all the resolutions for the year. Here's mine: Blog more! There is a couple more, but none that I really want to talk about right here. I have a more pressing piece of interesting "news" and it only took 10 hours into the New Year...
Well, you know about the issues in the past with my next door neighbors. The fence thing--they saying that we agreed to pay for half, and we didn't. Which led to the wife saying to me "God bless you" at the end of a asking for money confrontation when their air conditioner went out. When translated meant: "Fuck you very much." Well, now I have been labeled a racist. Yes girls, it only took 10 hours into 2007 for me to be called a racist. Needless to say, my jaw dropped open and I was utterly speechless when I heard that nasty statement. OK--I have been called a bitch many times and I am getting used to it, but what I can't get used to is that "new label". WTF?? So, I bet you are sitting their asking, "Karen, what the hell did you do?" Well, I will tell you.
I opened the door to find approximately a half a dozen men standing in my front yard looking at my neighbor and one other man unloading ATV's from a trailer onto the street in front of my house. I asked them to please not stand in my front yard, please stand in your own yard or in the street. They moved, and I shut the door and proceeded to go back to my morning. Not five minutes later, the wife came knocking at the door with her little whiny son (5 years old) in tow.
First off, the husband refuses to talk to me...he sends his wife over to talk to me when he has something to say to me. C thought it was just because she spoke English and he didn't; but he speaks English just fine.
She asked, "Do you have a problem?"
Response: "I just asked your visitors to respect our property and stand in your yard."
Neighbor: "Why? They weren't bothering you"
Response: "Actually, you and your visitors have never respected our property, and I would appreciate it if you asked your visitors not to park in front of our driveway, your children not to play in our yard, and others stand in our yard for no reason."
Neighbor: Well, your cat pees and poops in my laundry room, so why should I respect you?"
Response: I was unaware of that problem, and I would like to correct it, but I need your help to do so. But that doesn't mean that your visitors can use our yard as an extension of yours.
Neighbor: You don't want to solve...keep your cat, the black and white one on your property.
Response: I will make every effort to correct his behavior, but I would like you to ask your visitors to respect our property.
Neighbor: Get your cat out of my laundry room. Your cat doesn't respect, so why should we respect you.
Response: I told you that I would solve the cat problem, but I can't talk to the cat as easily as you can talk to your visitors.
Neighbor: Well, you are a racist.
LONG PAUSE... Response: What the hell? I am not a racist, and this issue has nothing to do with anything...
C then came to the door, and said this conversation is over and she needed to leave. Oh, btw, the whiny little boy continued to whine the entire time. A few words were exchanged between the husband and wife, and then Chris asked them both to get off our property.
We respect their property, we don't drive across their driveway, and I worked very hard to keep all cats off their property. Every time I saw one, I would grab him, discipline him, and throw them to the other side of the yard. I thought it had worked. I also collect their little drop kick dogs (they have four of them) when they get out, as they don't seem to notice when the little things escape or the kids leave the gate open We also put up with their yapping at all hours of the day and night--they don't bring the dogs in at night, and when its cold I feel really bad for the little things.
So, not sure what we are going to do now, but I pray they don't do something stupid like poison the cats, as much as I would love to put my "kids" in the house to protect them, they love to roam the front and back yards, and they would tear my house up if I locked them inside.
Here's the fact and possibly the sad truth in today's world that slapped me in the face today: No matter who you are, or what type of conflict you have with someone, if you are of different ethnicity, the "race card" can be thrown into the mix. I think it is more apparent here because we have huge issues with illegal immigrants from Mexico, and things are a bit touchy.
So, that's that. Welcome to 2007, I apparently have a cat that pees in my next door neighbor's laundry room, and I am a racist.
Well, you know about the issues in the past with my next door neighbors. The fence thing--they saying that we agreed to pay for half, and we didn't. Which led to the wife saying to me "God bless you" at the end of a asking for money confrontation when their air conditioner went out. When translated meant: "Fuck you very much." Well, now I have been labeled a racist. Yes girls, it only took 10 hours into 2007 for me to be called a racist. Needless to say, my jaw dropped open and I was utterly speechless when I heard that nasty statement. OK--I have been called a bitch many times and I am getting used to it, but what I can't get used to is that "new label". WTF?? So, I bet you are sitting their asking, "Karen, what the hell did you do?" Well, I will tell you.
I opened the door to find approximately a half a dozen men standing in my front yard looking at my neighbor and one other man unloading ATV's from a trailer onto the street in front of my house. I asked them to please not stand in my front yard, please stand in your own yard or in the street. They moved, and I shut the door and proceeded to go back to my morning. Not five minutes later, the wife came knocking at the door with her little whiny son (5 years old) in tow.
First off, the husband refuses to talk to me...he sends his wife over to talk to me when he has something to say to me. C thought it was just because she spoke English and he didn't; but he speaks English just fine.
She asked, "Do you have a problem?"
Response: "I just asked your visitors to respect our property and stand in your yard."
Neighbor: "Why? They weren't bothering you"
Response: "Actually, you and your visitors have never respected our property, and I would appreciate it if you asked your visitors not to park in front of our driveway, your children not to play in our yard, and others stand in our yard for no reason."
Neighbor: Well, your cat pees and poops in my laundry room, so why should I respect you?"
Response: I was unaware of that problem, and I would like to correct it, but I need your help to do so. But that doesn't mean that your visitors can use our yard as an extension of yours.
Neighbor: You don't want to solve...keep your cat, the black and white one on your property.
Response: I will make every effort to correct his behavior, but I would like you to ask your visitors to respect our property.
Neighbor: Get your cat out of my laundry room. Your cat doesn't respect, so why should we respect you.
Response: I told you that I would solve the cat problem, but I can't talk to the cat as easily as you can talk to your visitors.
Neighbor: Well, you are a racist.
LONG PAUSE... Response: What the hell? I am not a racist, and this issue has nothing to do with anything...
C then came to the door, and said this conversation is over and she needed to leave. Oh, btw, the whiny little boy continued to whine the entire time. A few words were exchanged between the husband and wife, and then Chris asked them both to get off our property.
We respect their property, we don't drive across their driveway, and I worked very hard to keep all cats off their property. Every time I saw one, I would grab him, discipline him, and throw them to the other side of the yard. I thought it had worked. I also collect their little drop kick dogs (they have four of them) when they get out, as they don't seem to notice when the little things escape or the kids leave the gate open We also put up with their yapping at all hours of the day and night--they don't bring the dogs in at night, and when its cold I feel really bad for the little things.
So, not sure what we are going to do now, but I pray they don't do something stupid like poison the cats, as much as I would love to put my "kids" in the house to protect them, they love to roam the front and back yards, and they would tear my house up if I locked them inside.
Here's the fact and possibly the sad truth in today's world that slapped me in the face today: No matter who you are, or what type of conflict you have with someone, if you are of different ethnicity, the "race card" can be thrown into the mix. I think it is more apparent here because we have huge issues with illegal immigrants from Mexico, and things are a bit touchy.
So, that's that. Welcome to 2007, I apparently have a cat that pees in my next door neighbor's laundry room, and I am a racist.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Where I have been...
I have been here, there, and everywhere in the past few weeks; so I am very sorry that I haven't updated in such a long time. I have been to Albuquerque probably three times since I last blogged, and when I have been home it's all hectic finishing our addition. It's almost finished...we just have a few minor hiccups left to take care of. One of them is my brand new, luxurious, air-bath tub is on the fritz. When I called to complain, Jacuzzi said, "no problem, just call this licensed repairman in your area, give him your serial number, and we will get it fixed." OK--this wasn't a shock to them that my bathtub would not turn on when I pushed the power button, but would turn on by itself in the middle of the night and not shut off. Also, the blower is stuck on high. So, when I called the licensed repairman, he said no problem, sounds like the computer and I will just call and order a new one. Funny thing...it was so easy to get the repair ball rolling that it almost makes me wonder if this happens a lot with these tubs. I didn't read about any problems when I was researching the tub...but it makes you wonder. Oh well, by next Monday I will have my tub repaired, and I will be able to soak my worries away.
I will post pictures hopefully this weekend.
I will post pictures hopefully this weekend.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The Land of Enchantment...my arse
Question for today...why was New Mexico populated before Arizona? I just don't get it...and this Land of Enchantment thing...enchantment?? No you are just lulled to sleep with the boring flat landscape that hypnotizes you into a half-catonic state; not to mention---it's brown. Korie, your husband has no clue what brown is until he sees NM. I have two words for NM--brown and cold. Imagine Flagstaff weather, but no trees--just brown dirt and little shrub bushes, or at least that's what Albuquerque has to offer. The only slightly interesting thing I found in that city is a Hobby Lobby. Seriously, never been in one before and for a box store, not bad.
The big happening in that city last week was they are finally getting a Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, a White House/Black Market, and a Sharper Image. The tag line was..."now you don't have to travel to Phoenix anymore to visit these stores, we have them right here." Everyone that I spoke to outside my "engineering" world was so excited. Hell, if I had to live in Albuquerque, I would be damn excited about a Pottery Barn as well.
Lucky me, I get to travel there every other week for the next six months. Can you tell I am just so excited about it? Also, my comapny is screwing me as well. As a "part-time" travel employee, I am entitled to a laptop, which is something that I have been requesting for quite a while now. Well, my lovely office manager is hesitant to order one for me, and he would rather just scrounge one up. WTF! I am doing this company a HUGE favor by agreeing to help clean up one screwed up project, and all I am asking for is a stinking laptop. So now this lovely office manager is forcing me to go over his head to the regional manager and plead my case. This will add some fire to an already tense working relationship. Oh, and a side note, another engineer here basically got a laptop forced on them because they will be traveling one day a week to Sedona. Oh, and girls, the week I am here in Phoenix, one of the days is in Sedona as well.
Gotta just love this shit. Sorry to be venting today, but it just isn't a good one. As C put it, it's good to be angry, just not emotional...something I haven't mastered yet.
The big happening in that city last week was they are finally getting a Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, a White House/Black Market, and a Sharper Image. The tag line was..."now you don't have to travel to Phoenix anymore to visit these stores, we have them right here." Everyone that I spoke to outside my "engineering" world was so excited. Hell, if I had to live in Albuquerque, I would be damn excited about a Pottery Barn as well.
Lucky me, I get to travel there every other week for the next six months. Can you tell I am just so excited about it? Also, my comapny is screwing me as well. As a "part-time" travel employee, I am entitled to a laptop, which is something that I have been requesting for quite a while now. Well, my lovely office manager is hesitant to order one for me, and he would rather just scrounge one up. WTF! I am doing this company a HUGE favor by agreeing to help clean up one screwed up project, and all I am asking for is a stinking laptop. So now this lovely office manager is forcing me to go over his head to the regional manager and plead my case. This will add some fire to an already tense working relationship. Oh, and a side note, another engineer here basically got a laptop forced on them because they will be traveling one day a week to Sedona. Oh, and girls, the week I am here in Phoenix, one of the days is in Sedona as well.
Gotta just love this shit. Sorry to be venting today, but it just isn't a good one. As C put it, it's good to be angry, just not emotional...something I haven't mastered yet.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Before I get into trouble
I don't want the blog police to come after me again, so I just wanted to let you know that I am fine. I am working in Albuquerque this week. Good for a change, but with everything going on in this office and the condition of the project that I was asked to fix--one phrase comes to mind--they don't pay me enough to deal with all this shit!
I must be getting picky/grumpy or something because there are lots of people out in the world that annoy me. I just want to tell them to "Shut up. Do you really think you make any sense, or do you just like listening to yourself?" Jeez. Long story--and not that interesting...
I haven't booked my plane ticket yet, but I will when I get back to Phoenix. I am so excited to come and play in February--I can't wait.
Also, the home front is finally shaping up! We hope to have everything completed by Thanksgiving! YEA! Carpet and vanity and shower included.
Enjoyed Vegas, too! Loved Mystere! We thought it was unbelievable what those people can do--it was almost unreal! C kept saying over and over that there is no way this is real! We had a great time! Didn't gamble too much--because of the house and some yet unpaid subcontractors.
I must be getting picky/grumpy or something because there are lots of people out in the world that annoy me. I just want to tell them to "Shut up. Do you really think you make any sense, or do you just like listening to yourself?" Jeez. Long story--and not that interesting...
I haven't booked my plane ticket yet, but I will when I get back to Phoenix. I am so excited to come and play in February--I can't wait.
Also, the home front is finally shaping up! We hope to have everything completed by Thanksgiving! YEA! Carpet and vanity and shower included.
Enjoyed Vegas, too! Loved Mystere! We thought it was unbelievable what those people can do--it was almost unreal! C kept saying over and over that there is no way this is real! We had a great time! Didn't gamble too much--because of the house and some yet unpaid subcontractors.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Observations about the world we live in...
I have noticed over the past few weeks in dealing with contractors and handimen, trades people, and in general other people, that as a general rule people don't care anymore. They don't care that they don't do what they say they are going to do; that they lie to people; that they don't take pride in their work and they say it's good enough...I could go on and on. What is wrong with people today?
When did people stop caring about work or behaviors that reflect negatively about themselves to other people? Are what people in other countries saying about Americans true? I hope not, because I try really hard in my life to put the best foot forward, give my very best efforts (except of course when I procrastinate, but I will readily admit that), and not lie to people. I don't really want to be lumped in with the slugs of this society, and viewed by the rest of the world as not caring. Here's the question though: Why has this happened?
When did people stop caring about work or behaviors that reflect negatively about themselves to other people? Are what people in other countries saying about Americans true? I hope not, because I try really hard in my life to put the best foot forward, give my very best efforts (except of course when I procrastinate, but I will readily admit that), and not lie to people. I don't really want to be lumped in with the slugs of this society, and viewed by the rest of the world as not caring. Here's the question though: Why has this happened?
Friday, September 22, 2006
Gotta love these quotes...
So this afternoon I am sitting at work minding my own business and my sister sends me this wonderful email full of funny quotes, and I just LOVE quotes. Here are a few of my favorites:
I try to take one day at a time--but sometimes several days attack me at once.
--Jennifer Unlimited
If you can't e a good example--then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.
--Catherine
Thirty-five is when you finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart.
--Caryn Leschen
Inside me lives a skinny woman crying to get out. But I can usually shut the bitch up with cookies.--Unknown
I am a marvelous housekkeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house.
--Zsa Zsa Gabor
I told you, you have gotta love them all. Other than that, it is a quiet Friday around here. Just working slowly for an afternoon. Have a great weekend!!
I try to take one day at a time--but sometimes several days attack me at once.
--Jennifer Unlimited
If you can't e a good example--then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.
--Catherine
Thirty-five is when you finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart.
--Caryn Leschen
Inside me lives a skinny woman crying to get out. But I can usually shut the bitch up with cookies.--Unknown
I am a marvelous housekkeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house.
--Zsa Zsa Gabor
I told you, you have gotta love them all. Other than that, it is a quiet Friday around here. Just working slowly for an afternoon. Have a great weekend!!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Carrie has me all inspired...
Before I begin, let me take just a minute and say that this is the second day in a row that I have blogged. No one get too excited, but just thought I would like to pass that little bit of information on. Anywhoo...
Carrie asked how was the CK Convention this weekend, and it was a blast. Mara and I started out at 6:30am and headed to Bazzill for their annual warehouse sale. Tons and tons of paper all for the taking. Women are funny, as Mara and I were collecting our fair share of this wonderful cardstock (and we were also buying for Korie), all these women kept asking me, "So, do you think you have enough paper?" My response was a resounding, "no, actually. I think I need more." Being very sarcastic...and you all know how I respond to ridiculous questions like that. OK--two points of logic here I would like to point out:
Carrie asked how was the CK Convention this weekend, and it was a blast. Mara and I started out at 6:30am and headed to Bazzill for their annual warehouse sale. Tons and tons of paper all for the taking. Women are funny, as Mara and I were collecting our fair share of this wonderful cardstock (and we were also buying for Korie), all these women kept asking me, "So, do you think you have enough paper?" My response was a resounding, "no, actually. I think I need more." Being very sarcastic...and you all know how I respond to ridiculous questions like that. OK--two points of logic here I would like to point out:
- Hello? We are at a paper company warehouse sale. What else is my main staple of purchase besides paper?
- Also, at $15 for over 120 sheets of Bazzill paper (retailing at 60 cents a sheet), why the hell not? That's a saving of nearly $57 per box over retail.
OK, and Mara did point out that we probably wouldn't buy this much paper if it wasn't such a smokin' deal. But, now I have every color in the rainbow, and won't run out until next sale. So that makes me happy. So, that was an interesting adventure, and not a cheap one either. We ended up getting seven boxes. OK, so you buy six and get the seventh for free. No a bad deal on textured cardstock.
Then we went to the convention. Had a blast, took a couple of classes, and spent way too much money on Technique Tuesday stamps. All TOO CUTE. Here are just a couple of my purchases...
Letters and Images and dates...and before you say anything else...I will tell you that I broke the piggy bank for this one.
The other highlight of the day had nothing to do with scrapbooking at all, actually it was a fire alarm. Yes, we had fire alarm go off at the Convention Center and they evacuated all of us out in about five minutes. They literally had to tell people to move away from the building...women were actually standing just outside the doors because they wanted to be let back in. Figures, scrapbookers can be neurotic at times, can't we?
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Surprise in the mail
When I got home yesterday, I had a surprise waiting for me in the mail. C didn't have a clue what it was so he left it for me. When I opened up this non-descript envelope, I immediately realized what it was. No, it wasn't a letter telling me I won $100 million dollars, and wouldn't have to work for the rest of my life--I wish, but that's a whole other story. No, dear girlfriends, all my trips to New Mexico have finally paid off. I have earned a free roundtrip ticket anywhere in the US, and I am going to use it to visit my friend Korie back east in February for a wonderful weekend of scrapbooking. I was totally excited.
C on the other hand couldn't understand why this made me so happy. His response was, "we can use it for our trip to Las Vegas." My answer, "Hells to the no. We can buy those tickets. I am using this to visit Korie." He wasn't too impressed until I told him that I am going in February whether or not we pay for the plane ticket. This way it costs us less. C said fine, as we are trying to price out how much its going to cost us to finish our master bedroom.
Either way, I have my free plane ticket.
C on the other hand couldn't understand why this made me so happy. His response was, "we can use it for our trip to Las Vegas." My answer, "Hells to the no. We can buy those tickets. I am using this to visit Korie." He wasn't too impressed until I told him that I am going in February whether or not we pay for the plane ticket. This way it costs us less. C said fine, as we are trying to price out how much its going to cost us to finish our master bedroom.
Either way, I have my free plane ticket.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Life...in general
This past weekend C and I spent our anniversary in beautiful Sedona. Anyone who has been to Sedona knows that you just can't get enough of the wonderful views. We arrived Saturday afternoon and had a relaxing dinner at the Redstone Cabin. Completely stuffed ourselves to the gills. The next morning we got up and played golf at the Sedona Golf Resort. We had a wonderful time playing golf, who wouldn't with those views. I also broke 50 on the back nine. OK--for all you non-golfers, that is a big accomplishment for a beginning golfer like myself. I par'd a Par 3, Par 4, and Par 5 that day. In my short time playing golf, up until Sunday, I had only par'd a short Par 3 and on another day a Par 4. I have never par'd each one all in the same round.
This weekend, my friend M and I are attending the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Phoenix and going to the warehouse sale at Bazzill. Korie has already put her order in, but Carrie would like anything, give me a call and I will get you what you want. M got into Bazzill early, and she says a ton of cardstock (including all the textured) is dirt cheap. Prices are 120-12"x12" sheets for $20, and 120-8 1/2" x 11 for #15. I figure that is a $50 savings.
Everyone have a great weekend. Oh, our contractor--I think we have finally given up the ghost. Thanks Kat for your offer on the lien release form--I will take you offer up. I sent an email to you, but if you don't get it, put a response here and I will try again. I think we are going to have to hire other people to come in and finish the work and sue our contractor for damages and what it is going to take us to finish the work. Sucks, but hopefully in a month we will have a finished master suite. Unfortunately, we will be a little lighter in the pocketbook--a hard lesson learned.
This weekend, my friend M and I are attending the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Phoenix and going to the warehouse sale at Bazzill. Korie has already put her order in, but Carrie would like anything, give me a call and I will get you what you want. M got into Bazzill early, and she says a ton of cardstock (including all the textured) is dirt cheap. Prices are 120-12"x12" sheets for $20, and 120-8 1/2" x 11 for #15. I figure that is a $50 savings.
Everyone have a great weekend. Oh, our contractor--I think we have finally given up the ghost. Thanks Kat for your offer on the lien release form--I will take you offer up. I sent an email to you, but if you don't get it, put a response here and I will try again. I think we are going to have to hire other people to come in and finish the work and sue our contractor for damages and what it is going to take us to finish the work. Sucks, but hopefully in a month we will have a finished master suite. Unfortunately, we will be a little lighter in the pocketbook--a hard lesson learned.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Fabulous Weekend...sort of
Well, this weekend was a great weekend for two things, a typical weekend for many things, and not a memorable weekend for one thing.
Let's start with the "not" first and get that out of the way. The "not" is my contractor. I found out on Saturday that he is "not" paying his sub-contractors for work completed at our house. We have paid him, but he seems to be lacking in his bill paying habits, and not passing the money through to them. So, which means we can be held responsible for his lack of paying. When confronted he said he has paid, which after speaking to the AC installers (one of the subcontractors), his statement is completely untrue. Unfortunately for us, we need to either get him to pay or pay the sub-contractors ourselves and sue him for the money. The "between a rock and a hard place" thing is we don't want to piss our contractor off too much, because he still has to finish the work. So both C and I are crossing our fingers and praying every night that it all works out in the end; otherwise, we may be out upwards of an additional $10,000 to pay everyone off and prevent any liens from being attached to our home. Life of home improvement is never dull. One huge lesson we have just learned: Never hire a general contractor, be your own--it's more of a headache for you, but at least you are the only one to blame if you don't pay the sub-contractors.
The typical weekend stuff happened: cleaning and grocery store shopping, which by the way has anyone noticed how expensive food has gotten. WTF??
The good things that happened this weekend is that my friend and I held our first monthly crop at Recollections and ...drum roll please...I got FIVE layouts completed. Two single page layouts and three two page layouts. I am finally getting back into the scrapbooking groove and it feels good.
The other good thing that happened this weekend is that C and I went and played golf and I actually made par on a par 4 hole. Meaning that the rules say you must make it from tee to hole in four shots or less, and I did it!! Only on one hole, but still it was my first par 4!! Mind you, I typically shoot a 6 or 7 on a par 4.
...and that's it for a weekend. I am hoping next weekend isn't that "not" exciting.
Let's start with the "not" first and get that out of the way. The "not" is my contractor. I found out on Saturday that he is "not" paying his sub-contractors for work completed at our house. We have paid him, but he seems to be lacking in his bill paying habits, and not passing the money through to them. So, which means we can be held responsible for his lack of paying. When confronted he said he has paid, which after speaking to the AC installers (one of the subcontractors), his statement is completely untrue. Unfortunately for us, we need to either get him to pay or pay the sub-contractors ourselves and sue him for the money. The "between a rock and a hard place" thing is we don't want to piss our contractor off too much, because he still has to finish the work. So both C and I are crossing our fingers and praying every night that it all works out in the end; otherwise, we may be out upwards of an additional $10,000 to pay everyone off and prevent any liens from being attached to our home. Life of home improvement is never dull. One huge lesson we have just learned: Never hire a general contractor, be your own--it's more of a headache for you, but at least you are the only one to blame if you don't pay the sub-contractors.
The typical weekend stuff happened: cleaning and grocery store shopping, which by the way has anyone noticed how expensive food has gotten. WTF??
The good things that happened this weekend is that my friend and I held our first monthly crop at Recollections and ...drum roll please...I got FIVE layouts completed. Two single page layouts and three two page layouts. I am finally getting back into the scrapbooking groove and it feels good.
The other good thing that happened this weekend is that C and I went and played golf and I actually made par on a par 4 hole. Meaning that the rules say you must make it from tee to hole in four shots or less, and I did it!! Only on one hole, but still it was my first par 4!! Mind you, I typically shoot a 6 or 7 on a par 4.
...and that's it for a weekend. I am hoping next weekend isn't that "not" exciting.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Friday...and the weekend is almost here
I am so looking forward to this weekend. I have a crop to go to with my friend on Saturday, and C and I are playing golf on Sunday. This afternoon it is my turn to babysit the contractor, as he is getting ready to install our bathroom cabinets, and work is slowing up--thank goodness. I am actually a bit excited to be slowing up at work. BTW, can you believe it is almost a year to the day that Entranco was no more? Time really does fly by a little too fast for my tastes these days. I can't believe summer is almost over, and we are heading into fall. I remember being little and the days, weeks, and months used to slowly creep by. These days they fly by--
Actually, I think I am having a little panic attack about my age today. I don't know. I feel like I should be doing more with my life then what I am doing. Seems strange to write it down, kind of silly, really. I enjoy my life, and I am happy--but I feel like there should be more, but I don't really know what that more should be. Does anyone else feel this way?
Anyway, I am leaving work now, heading home for the weekend. Bye.
Actually, I think I am having a little panic attack about my age today. I don't know. I feel like I should be doing more with my life then what I am doing. Seems strange to write it down, kind of silly, really. I enjoy my life, and I am happy--but I feel like there should be more, but I don't really know what that more should be. Does anyone else feel this way?
Anyway, I am leaving work now, heading home for the weekend. Bye.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
House update
This house expansion was supposed to be complete by the end of July. Sitting here at the end of August, and we are still not complete. Closer, but not complete. Cabinets arrived today for the bathroom, the correct bathtub will be delivered tomorrow along with my forgotten item of order the medicine cabinet. Those MIA items will finish the list of materials for my bathroom. More on that later.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Love this...
My friend Mara sent this to me yesterday evening and I love it:
God grant me
the Space to put the things I buy,
the Money to buy the things I want,
and the Wisdom to know when to get rid of something,
so I can get something else.
Hope this brings a smile to your face!
God grant me
the Space to put the things I buy,
the Money to buy the things I want,
and the Wisdom to know when to get rid of something,
so I can get something else.
Hope this brings a smile to your face!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
So very cute...
So I have been doing my blog haunting lately and came across this very cool little website for custom purses that Ali E had a link to. BTW, I think its so cool that she gets to travel to places like New Zealand all with scrapbooking. Makes me jealous sitting here behind a desk with half-finished roadway plans staring back at me. Anyway, back to the purses. I adore purses, bags, totes, containers, etc. All things that I can't resist. They are from Elisa Lou, and I just adore the Mary Jane bag, hell, I want them all including the Messenger bags.
So onto another topic that combines totes and scrapbooking: I found this baby on eBay this weekend and bought it for $30.10 with shipping it came to just over $40. I swore to myself that I wouldn't buy another carry case because I don't scrapbook outside my house, but I have persuaded some friends to try and start up a once a month crop at Recollections. So, logically I need a tote. I got the pink and brown one. I need to see what all I can fit into this baby and whether or not I am in need of that tool carry thing. I can't seem to find it online anymore, saw one in a scrap store the other day, but couldn't bring myself to pay $30+tax for it.
K--thanks for the idea about the monthly crop night. Hope we can get this going, because I really need to get some layouts done.
So onto another topic that combines totes and scrapbooking: I found this baby on eBay this weekend and bought it for $30.10 with shipping it came to just over $40. I swore to myself that I wouldn't buy another carry case because I don't scrapbook outside my house, but I have persuaded some friends to try and start up a once a month crop at Recollections. So, logically I need a tote. I got the pink and brown one. I need to see what all I can fit into this baby and whether or not I am in need of that tool carry thing. I can't seem to find it online anymore, saw one in a scrap store the other day, but couldn't bring myself to pay $30+tax for it.
K--thanks for the idea about the monthly crop night. Hope we can get this going, because I really need to get some layouts done.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
...learned a bit
Thanks! I will take a little creativity and say your feet shouldn't be pointing out an outside door because if we place the bed on the west wall our feet will be pointing out the french doors, while if we place the bed on the southern wall they point down the hallway. So, if he tries and pulls rank on me I will just tell him it's bad feng shui. Anyway, the painters are at the house today, and I can't wait to see by crimson red wall. Now I will turn my attention to another matter, succeed in getting the contractor to phyically call me and set up a time to meet to discuss what is left to complete and the timeframe everything.
Something funny for the day on our house adventure: My dear husband almost had a break-down because he had to tell the painters today what colors I wanted and where I wanted them, and bless his heart, he didn't want to screw it up. He called me frantic wanting to make sure he understood the note completely. It's really easy to remember: I have three colors, burnt crimson for the south wall, oyster for the remaining walls, and french white for the ceiling. See not that hard, but I guess for men remembering things like that can be challenging at times, or he remembered the horrible reaction I had when our idiot neighbor asked if he could tear down our perfectly nice (and new) wooden fence to put up a block wall, and he said yes without consulting me. So, maybe it's just a sign that he is finally learning.
Something funny for the day on our house adventure: My dear husband almost had a break-down because he had to tell the painters today what colors I wanted and where I wanted them, and bless his heart, he didn't want to screw it up. He called me frantic wanting to make sure he understood the note completely. It's really easy to remember: I have three colors, burnt crimson for the south wall, oyster for the remaining walls, and french white for the ceiling. See not that hard, but I guess for men remembering things like that can be challenging at times, or he remembered the horrible reaction I had when our idiot neighbor asked if he could tear down our perfectly nice (and new) wooden fence to put up a block wall, and he said yes without consulting me. So, maybe it's just a sign that he is finally learning.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
...getting my act together
OK--it's been forever, and I admit it. I have haunted all my regular blogs, but I haven't written anything. So if anyone is still coming to check my blog for updates, I will try to be better in my writing. Funny story yesterday, all I can say here is that my husband is a typical man.
OK--new master bedroom actually looks like a room now, and last night he figures we need to start talking about furniture location. We still need carpet and paint but the room is a room, so I think why not talk about this he will just re-affirm his preference that our bed will go against the southern wall as we decided about three months ago, and the reason for the smaller windows on that wall, so the bed can fit under it. We talked and talked, and I thought this would be a good comprimising point, and then he won't bug me about most of the other items I pick out for the bedroom. So I go happily off into the decorating world planning that wall to be the dark red wall in the bedroom, madily scanning decorating magazines for some fun window treatments that won't look so overwhelming next to the bed, and peacefully coming to the conclusion that C was right, the bed would be better on that wall... (little hint: my preference was the bed against the west wall)
Flash forward to last night: We measure, we talk, and he says the bed would be better against...you guessed it...the west wall. I'm sorry but wasn't that my preference in the first place? Now, I am lobbying to keep the bed against the southern wall, and he the west. So we diplomatically left it, well when we have the room finished we can move the bed frame around and see what works.
PS. I am hoping once I get that red wall painted and carpet in, and then he will have no choice but to keep the bed on the southern wall. BTW, is that bad feng shui??
OK--new master bedroom actually looks like a room now, and last night he figures we need to start talking about furniture location. We still need carpet and paint but the room is a room, so I think why not talk about this he will just re-affirm his preference that our bed will go against the southern wall as we decided about three months ago, and the reason for the smaller windows on that wall, so the bed can fit under it. We talked and talked, and I thought this would be a good comprimising point, and then he won't bug me about most of the other items I pick out for the bedroom. So I go happily off into the decorating world planning that wall to be the dark red wall in the bedroom, madily scanning decorating magazines for some fun window treatments that won't look so overwhelming next to the bed, and peacefully coming to the conclusion that C was right, the bed would be better on that wall... (little hint: my preference was the bed against the west wall)
Flash forward to last night: We measure, we talk, and he says the bed would be better against...you guessed it...the west wall. I'm sorry but wasn't that my preference in the first place? Now, I am lobbying to keep the bed against the southern wall, and he the west. So we diplomatically left it, well when we have the room finished we can move the bed frame around and see what works.
PS. I am hoping once I get that red wall painted and carpet in, and then he will have no choice but to keep the bed on the southern wall. BTW, is that bad feng shui??
Friday, June 16, 2006
ding...ding...ding....House Update...ding...ding...ding
Another exciting episode of The Old House. I am your host, Karen. And this week there has been a lot of progress since you last visited. We have the exterior wall up and the first level of stucco has been applied. Here's a shot at mid week last week...
I know its really exciting, but its time for a short commercial break. We we come back either Saturday or Sunday, we have some great updates inside the house with an the addition of the hallway to the new master suite, so please stay tuned.
...and then my the end of week 2 we had windows and doors installed.
...now great progress is being made, and the outside treatments start to be applied.
...and this is where we stand today.
I know its really exciting, but its time for a short commercial break. We we come back either Saturday or Sunday, we have some great updates inside the house with an the addition of the hallway to the new master suite, so please stay tuned.
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