Lights Out!
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Posted:Dec 15, 2006 3:05 pm
Last Updated:Jan 27, 2007 6:56 am 2985 Views
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Oh this is fun. Our lights went out last night just before 10pm. It's 2:30 now and hubby has called to let me know that they are still out.
Luckily my grandkids finally went home. My granddaughter was in the bathtub last night the first time the lights went out. Nothing like a 3 year old shrieking in terror. The lights came back on, my got her settled in with a movie - and the lights went out again - and stayed out. Very unhappy camper we had.
The rest of us were doing just fine with candles, although we had to chase the little ones away from the candles frequently. With most of the furniture in storage, we had limited places to put the candles.
The wind storm last night may have knocked out the electricity but didn't do too much damage to the trees. I woke up at 3am thinking I heard a breaking/tearing sound. It wasn't near our house though, or was just a dream.
This morning the neighbor's was going crazy, ours were fine. So maybe the damage was next door.
Hubby drove by a house we were considering (for when ours finally sells). He found out that a large cedar from the park behind that house had fallen, crashing the fence. Lots more of those trees back there. Made him a bit nervous about buying that particular house.
We are supposed to have an open house tomorrow for realtors. With no electricity today, and no idea when it will be fixed, that makes me nervous.
So, nervous me from all this checks my checking account on line and finds my fears were true. The house has to sell soon.
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I warned him!
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Posted:Dec 8, 2006 1:28 pm
Last Updated:Jan 27, 2007 6:58 am 2923 Views
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My dear weird wolf hubby joined FF just to see what I was up to in my blog. So now he reads it but doesn't leave a post or tell me later that he even read it.
So just gotta stir things a bit.
Hmmm, his Christmas present hasn't come from BudK.com yet. I could cancel it and get him something else.
Hmmm maybe a gift certificate to the dentist?
Or Spanish lessons. package deal. He would go with one of my older sons.
Maybe tax classes. He's intelligient!
Oh, flower arrangement classes.
Swimming classes?
OK, something other than classes.
Country Western concert ticket?
Maybe Opera instead.
Gold jewelry with little hearts?
A package ski trip with my older sons?
I'll keep thinking (if you knew him you would know that each of the above would make him cringe. So I'm an evil dragon at times)
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This is supposed to be my slow time of year
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Posted:Dec 6, 2006 12:02 pm
Last Updated:Dec 8, 2006 8:40 am 2654 Views
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Working for landscapers is generally very slow during the winter, or at least it has been for the last 6 years.
This year, I'm working for a different company, a smaller one. He's still getting work now in December.
Also working part time to help out my old company (as a contractor).
Also, suddenly I'm getting tax . Usually this doesn't happen until mid-January. These are ones who haven't done taxes yet have worked for several years. Some clean-up definately involved with these . One wants to start a business and have me do his bookkeeping. Small detail of getting licensing, social security numbers, etc.
A man who rents property from my boss in order to sell Christmas trees was checking on what I do for the boss. It appears he needs a bookkeeper also. A previous boss of mine still wants me to do an annual clean-up of his accounts.
There is also the fact that we are still trying to sell the house. We are now going to have to offer $5000 off the price for the new owner to do upgrades to the kitchen and baths. It makes no sense for us to do the work now, since people's tastes differ. Also, now we have to move back some of the furniture since the house looks so industrial without it. Had to remove it to paint.
The house is an old school house, different, and wonderful. The 4-bay carport used to be the 's covered play area. Up in the rafters we find "Bobby loves Suzy" carved into the wood. I love the house, love the back field. We have so many trees: Apples, pear, asian pear, cherry, fig, kiwi. One large pond, one small. Room to move, to have parties. We just have to let it go.
Someplace in all this comes Christmas, scheduled around all the work schedules. It's not the best way to celebrate the holidays.
It doesn't help that everyone in the house has had medical issues lately. My weird wolf hubby and I do not have medical insurance now. My doctor wanted me to go to the emergency room, but just can't do it. I've tried to cut down on work, but need the money and the work is available.
So much to do, so little energy, even less time, and no money.
We will manage, we will survive. Gotten lots of practice over the years.
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Holidays
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Posted:Dec 1, 2006 11:43 am
Last Updated:Dec 20, 2006 11:13 am 2912 Views
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This list is from a web page on December holidays.
"The following multicultural events and celebrations are among those that will happen this December:
Hanukkah (Jewish) -- Begins at sundown on December 15
Saint Nicholas Day (Christian) -- December 6
Ramadan -- Began September 23
Eid al-Fitr (Muslim) -- October 24
Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexican) -- December 12
St. Lucia Day (Swedish) -- December 13
Christmas (Christian) -- December 25
Boxing Day (Australian, Canadian, English, Irish) -- December 26
Kwanzaa (African American) -- December 26 to January 1
Omisoka (Japanese) -- December 31
Eid'ul-Adha (Muslim) -- December 31 - January 2"
For some reason the Winter Solstice wasn't included (December 21).
For those so wishing, please tell of your favorite traditions or memories.
Since the ceiling in our living room is 12 ft tall, we enjoy getting tall Christmas trees. There have been tree farms in our area with U-cut trees, $10 each regarless of size. Getting those trees through the front door can sometimes be a challenge, and a lot of fun.
In our house, the best behaved for the year gets to wear the Santa hat and passes out the Christmas presents. My 2nd oldest was rather shocked when it got it 2 years in a row since he actually acted human those years. The honor is more of a joke, and everyone takes it that way. This year there is only the one left at home so she gets it by default.
Although Christmas presents are wrapped and stored under the tree, the stockings aren't filled until late Christmas Eve so that the do get surprises when they wake up. I woke up one morning to find a large stuffed Chinese Dragon with her head stuffed in my Stocking as she tried to devour the Dove dark chocolates.
Oh, yes, my husband is Pagan, my is Wiccan, I'm agnostic with Pagan/Wiccan influences. But many Christmas traditions were adapted from Pagan traditions. Besides, a person doesn't have to be Christian to enjoy giving gifts or celebrating life.
Anyone else care to add their memories or traditions?
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details, details
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Posted:Nov 27, 2006 12:45 pm
Last Updated:Nov 27, 2006 12:45 pm 2465 Views
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We hadn't expected anyone to view the house over the Thanksgiving weekend, just figured everyone would be busy.
My weird wolf hubby had to work Thursday night so we didn't do anything. We did go run errands on Friday. As we left there was one car at the sign next to our driveway. A family was getting one of the fliers on the house. Before they left another family drove up and got another flier. Hubby thought there were about 6 fliers in the box before these people came. When we got back from errands, there weren't any. Hmmm still some hope.
Our phone wasn't working for a few days. Dear hubby joked once that the reason he married me was because he had never been a home owner. I'm not about to let him live that one down. Good time for him to take on the responsibilities. He got it fixed, I knew he would. In the meantime our realtor called on the cell phone letting us know that some prospective buyers were coming Saturday. Well that means we have to get the dogs and cats out of the house but we had already been set to go to the coast for a late Thanksgiving dinner with hubby's family.
We really didn't want to leave the cats in carriers all day and into the evening. The same went for tying the dogs to the fence. (The only way to show the basement is to go down the back steps - inside the fenced area with the dogs. With my old van, we would have had room to take the cats with us, maybe even the dogs (doubtful). There is just not enough room in the vehicles we have now.
Our realtor, a very nice person, offered to drive to the house and put the cats back in the house. We told her to leave the dogs as they were since they probably outweigh her. Just toss them a cow's ear to gnaw on until we got home.
When we got home, the dogs were loose in the fenced area. Somehow she got them unchained (hate to see what her clothes looked like after wards - big muddy paw prints probably). These two dogs do more damage being friendly than mean dogs do by biting. Those tails are lethal weapons.
The cats were inside - except for Rascal. We had set the cat carriers and the two covered litter boxes under a small rowboat that was covered by a tarp. She probably didn't see Rascals carrier since it was behind the others. She got the other two and the litter boxes inside.
Well Rascal is the one who likes to sneak out. I think he got a big enough dose of outdoor weather for a while.
Hey, it's snowing outside here at work. Wonder if the dogs are getting snow at home. They really haven't seen any before. We don't get much where we live. The one is half black lab, 1/4 mastiff, 1/4 rotty - and she hates water - including rain. Wonder if that includes snow. Silly dog, labs are supposed to be good water dogs.
While running errands Friday, we found a small Tiffany glass christmas tree lamp on sale, half off. I told my that was our Christmas tree this year since we have to keep the house clean. She decided that the only presents that would fit under the tree would be money. Always thinking, that one. Might just hide her presents and put just the clues under the Tiffany tree. She and her boyfriend are the only ones left for Christmas morning so going to have to do something different.
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Simple benefits
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Posted:Nov 21, 2006 3:36 pm
Last Updated:Nov 29, 2006 12:24 pm 2762 Views
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Being forced to downsize our housing because of my moving out has had some benefits.
The house is much cleaner while waiting for the sale
We got rid of a lot of junk we didn't need.
My relationship with my is better than it's been in a long time
Hubby and I will actually get a house we choose together - this is important to me. It will really be OUR house.
The last remnant of my first marriage will be gone.
My ex will actually have to do some work to look for us if he feels he wants to hassle us. This should help relax my more.
The house hasn't sold but a new loan is guaranteed for the new one. Things will work. Somehow.
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Yet another installment
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Posted:Nov 20, 2006 11:30 am
Last Updated:Nov 22, 2006 8:59 am 2639 Views
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Even though Saturday was clear, no rain, there weren't any people coming to see the house. We had really expected people to come to the house over the weekend considering next weekend being an extended Thanksgiving weekend. With the added break in the weather, it seemed certain people would come. Didn't happen.
We took another load to the dump, burned some more - all from the basement. That reminds me, I have to box up more fired ceramics that were stored in the basement. Also need to pack up the ceramic shelves and stilts for the kiln. It's been so long since I've had time. Maybe after we move, I can do some more. There's a wonderful dragon stein in the basement that really wants to be painted.
The and I cleaned up most of the last of the fallen leaves. The majority is gone so we may be able to take the leave blowers to the storage unit.
We drove by a few possible homes on the way back from the dump, getting flyers for info that might not be included on the web pages. It also helped us to view the neighborhood. One was located next to church, with trees pruned along a border wire but no fence. With two big dogs, we have to have a fence or be able to install one. Those trees would make it difficult to install a fence. Interesting thing about that house was the in-ground swimming pool that was enclosed. With Oregon weather, an enclosure is a great idea - specially since this was under trees. The enclosure was just made out that green wavy stuff often used for porches, but functionable.
All of these houses were on dead ends so no random traffic.
My next to oldest finally got his stuff out of the garage (borrowing our pickup) but that meant we wound up babysitting the grandkids. Just can't take a 3 year old and a 10 month old into our basement to work. That kinda ended the work until my 's friend picked up the Sunday night.
There is more we need to do, to improve our chances. So far the realtor has stated that people think the house would cost to much to upgrade. The house is an old school house, built with utilitarion purposes. Any upgrade we put in would probably be torn out for something better. We had many many ideas of things we wanted to do, just waiting for to grow up and leave. Just didn't work out.
But life goes on. We will sell the house, and find something different, smaller, easier to maintain and less costly to maintain. We will make it our own. Dragons here, swords there, celtic blackets on the wall. It will work.
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Fall Storms
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Posted:Nov 15, 2006 9:40 am
Last Updated:Nov 22, 2006 9:00 am 2566 Views
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The other night, there was a loud bang on my wall - enough to get the running into my room from the living room. A branch had hit the side of the house. There was no damage other than the broken branch, but there were a lot of those branches covering our driveway the next morning.
I love watching storms, but this one hit during the night as I was trying to sleep. My weird wolf hubby got to watch the show as he works graveyard shift.
There is so much energy and power in storms, but there is also the destruction caused by them. The small airport (maybe 10 miles away, I'm terrible about distance) recorded sustained winds of 55 mph. My yard reflects it. We are still picking up branches. One benefit though: there had been a dead branch hanging between two others in a tree. Our ladders didn't extend that far, we had tried several things to get that stupid branch down. After 2 years, this storm finally brought down that branch. It did, of course, leave another branch hanging high up from a different tree.
Also, we got a call that the realtor was bringing to view the house. Wonderful timing.
Another storm is pending, we wonder what it has planned for us.
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Finally - on the market!
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Posted:Nov 8, 2006 1:49 pm
Last Updated:May 21, 2024 10:34 pm 2463 Views
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Our agent came by with the flyer for our house. Some minor modifications need to be done, then it will be listed by tomorrow.
We did so much cleaning! We filled 3 storage units (10x15, 10x10, 10x10), took several trips to the dump, a few loads to Goodwill, and burned a bunch more. Walls were repaired and painted. Cabinet doors were fixed. The floor in one room was sanded down and varnished. The other floors were varnished.
A lot of the stuff from the basement was hauled out but more remains. The same is true for the garage (actually a four-car carport that was originally a covered play area for when the house was a school). Some more of that is scheduled to be removed this week, if the rains let up. If it keeps up like this we will need a boat instead of a truck to haul stuff.
The rain is keeping us from painting the back porch. Just too much humidity for the paint to dry.
The most important stuff is done. My knees and back ache. My weird wolf husband is having major problems with his back. My and her boyfriend are a pretty burned out. So it's a good thing we can relax - but just a bit.
Keeping the house clean will be a major issue. Plus trying to get the basement and garage cleaned out with all this rain. The door to the basement is at the back of the house. The yard back there is mostly for the 2 dogs. Right now it's a swamp. We just can't take the truck back there. Of course, that same area includes the garage.
Still laughing at my hubby and my . Both were against my idea of moving in with my and his family if we needed short term housing. I figured it would be great pay back time but, nope, saner heads prevailed.
I'm at work right now, in an office built into a tin pole barn. I can hear the rain on the roof. Normally, that would be so soothing to me. Today, it just makes me wonder if the back yard swamp is now a lake. I know it's not, we survived the flood of 1996 better than most. Still, the rain isn't helping right now.
Back to work, break is over.
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That dang cat!
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Posted:Nov 3, 2006 11:36 am
Last Updated:Nov 30, 2006 8:00 am 2730 Views
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We still haven't got the house on the market. The Realtor did come by to take pictures and acknowledged how much work we did to clear things out of the house. It looks so very empty.
Now we have to get to the deep cleaning: sand and varnish floors, touch up the trim that hasn't yet got painted, get rid of the painting supplies that are all over the house, replace some tiles on the kitchen counter, and do something about the one cat who stinks up the house every time he uses the litter box!
Since Cleo died, we still have 3 black cats in the house. Hector and Stitch are not a problem. Rascal, such a beautiful fluffy cat, lots of personality, and a major Stinker. We can't let him go outside, we had two cats run over just in front of the house. Since then, we have kept the cats indoors.
I think we need to make some arrangements outside to put the cats (in their carriers), litter boxes, and cat food when people come see the house. (Just got a sneaky idea where we could do this).
We clean out the litter boxes frequently, but all it would take is for Rascal to do his duty in the box when people viewed the house. Gas masks for everyone.
If we don't know people are coming, or can't get home in time to get the cats out - then what?
The dogs stay outside, but people can't check out the basement without going through the dogs. This gives us plenty of protection from theft, but doesn't bode well for selling the house. The dogs will have to be chained to the fence away from the back door when people come.
Then there is the kitchen. Who wants to do the dishes when they have been painting and hauling all day? We broke out paper plates, cups and bowls to cut down on dishes. We have been living off sandwiches to cut down on dishes. Still, even sandwich preparation makes a little bit of a mess. NO mess is acceptable when selling a house.
When the Realtor came by the last time, my and her boyfriend were frantically cleaning up the front yard (leaves are falling fast now) and the entry (paint cans, stuff to be hauled out) so they didn't get to the kitchen to clean up their breakfast mess. My husband was cleaning out the pond from all the leaves. I was at work.
We are just going to have to make more adjustments in the kitchen to keep it clean. I think, maybe, there is enough room in the storage units for a couple more boxes of kitchen supplies.
It does no good to concentrate on a new house because without the money from this one, we can't afford another. This has to be done first. If there is a gap in between, well we can move in with my and his family - turnabout is fair play!
I'll be so glad when the house is sold and a new one acquired. Even moving into that house will be a breeze because at least we will know where we will be living. The uncertainty is whats bothering me now.
*sigh* Still so much work to do.
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