Today has been a somber day. It started with the next door dog barking 1:00am to 1:30am and again at 5am and 6am. We are having THE talk today. But I am tired of bitching about that.
We saw the demolition of the hard work we did in the back yard. A troop of what felt like a dozen people (less than that, but it felt like a small army) came over to buy our landscaping pavers. And gazebo. And some other stuff. Within two hours. It just reminded us of how we really don't have many friends here. A few great ones, but not a small army. I wanted this to happen, since we paid for this stuff and it's ours, we should recoup a tiny fraction of what we paid for this stuff. It's just sad to see what took Todd (with a tiny bit of help from me) years to build.
Hmmph.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
I'm So Tired
I'm really exhausted. There are reasons for this. We get up early every day and we work on stuff around the house related to getting it on the market or the move every minute of the day until we sit down for dinner. Then I'm ready to go to sleep for a good solid 12 hours. Ha.
That could NEVER happen. Not in this neighborhood. Not with the windows open. It just turned warm here over the past week. It's not blazing-hot-summer here yet like it is across most of the rest of the country. I think it broke 90 once this past week, and that felt like a massive heatwave. It was nothing to turn the A/C on for, but it made me think about thinking about it soon. So we have the windows open over night, and that cools our easy-bake-oven-of-a-house.
Except when karma decides to go all medieval on my ass. Here is the schedule for yesterday: 1) dog RIGHT next door outside my bedroom window goes all Cujo at 6:53am. NOT the way I intended to wake up. Apparently it cared that there was a stray dog milling about driving the first dog mad with jealousy that he isn't free too. 2) the damn rat terrier up the hill decides to bark it's head off last night at 10:30pm when it's stupid owner let's it out. It's barking for several minutes because I had time to wake from my deep sleep I had drifted into at 10:00pm, walk out to the edge of my patio, and scream at it, TWICE. I unfortunately woke up Todd and probably several other neighbors, and for that I am sincerely sorry. The positive is that bitch heard me scream "IT'S-TEEEEEN-THIRTY!!" TWICE. I KNOW she heard me because she had just said "Petey get in here" in a much more quiet voice than I was using. I was so worked up I swear I didn't get back to sleep until 3am.
Oh, oh, and then today? Here's today's schedule: 1) 5:00am, momma and papa birds decide to feed a nest of a billion chirping baby birds I swore were right above my head. At least that eventually quiets down, and I know eventually the babies will fly the coop; however I will have flown this coop much earlier. Much to my delight I wont have to stick around and wait for them to fly away first although if all this dog-barking was not going on, I would have WAY more patience with the birds. I like birds. I like dogs. I hate bad dog owners. And then? 2) dog RIGHT next door outside my bedroom window does this whimper/whine/bark thing at 6:00am. Just once. Next on my schedule? Call the bitch-neighbor's husband and give him an ultimatum. They put the damn dog out earlier, say 9:45pm and bring it in prior to 10:00pm, or there is going to be an uprising the likes of which he has not seen before. His choice.
Good morning... or is it?
That could NEVER happen. Not in this neighborhood. Not with the windows open. It just turned warm here over the past week. It's not blazing-hot-summer here yet like it is across most of the rest of the country. I think it broke 90 once this past week, and that felt like a massive heatwave. It was nothing to turn the A/C on for, but it made me think about thinking about it soon. So we have the windows open over night, and that cools our easy-bake-oven-of-a-house.
Except when karma decides to go all medieval on my ass. Here is the schedule for yesterday: 1) dog RIGHT next door outside my bedroom window goes all Cujo at 6:53am. NOT the way I intended to wake up. Apparently it cared that there was a stray dog milling about driving the first dog mad with jealousy that he isn't free too. 2) the damn rat terrier up the hill decides to bark it's head off last night at 10:30pm when it's stupid owner let's it out. It's barking for several minutes because I had time to wake from my deep sleep I had drifted into at 10:00pm, walk out to the edge of my patio, and scream at it, TWICE. I unfortunately woke up Todd and probably several other neighbors, and for that I am sincerely sorry. The positive is that bitch heard me scream "IT'S-TEEEEEN-THIRTY!!" TWICE. I KNOW she heard me because she had just said "Petey get in here" in a much more quiet voice than I was using. I was so worked up I swear I didn't get back to sleep until 3am.
Oh, oh, and then today? Here's today's schedule: 1) 5:00am, momma and papa birds decide to feed a nest of a billion chirping baby birds I swore were right above my head. At least that eventually quiets down, and I know eventually the babies will fly the coop; however I will have flown this coop much earlier. Much to my delight I wont have to stick around and wait for them to fly away first although if all this dog-barking was not going on, I would have WAY more patience with the birds. I like birds. I like dogs. I hate bad dog owners. And then? 2) dog RIGHT next door outside my bedroom window does this whimper/whine/bark thing at 6:00am. Just once. Next on my schedule? Call the bitch-neighbor's husband and give him an ultimatum. They put the damn dog out earlier, say 9:45pm and bring it in prior to 10:00pm, or there is going to be an uprising the likes of which he has not seen before. His choice.
Good morning... or is it?
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Finally
It has been a looooong 4.5 years almost to the day. I started working in Nevada 4.5 years ago. It took my hubby and dogs 7 months to get here when I transitioned from KS to NV, and I thought I would lose my mind during that time without them. It broke my heart to come "home" to an empty place with no welcoming committee. It was way too long to live without my family. This time will be different. We will be together MUCH sooner this time.
In so many ways, the first 3.5 years felt like 10. I did nothing but work, and although I had tons of vacation saved, I felt like I could take none of it. Why did I do that to myself? It was totally my fault. That was just crazy. I should have been selfish and used my time for us, but yet I wasn't and I didn't. That part sucked. There were so many places I wanted to go see on the West coast. #1 was Yosemite. I'm not going right now, that's just crazy talk with school being out for the summer. #2 was to go see the big redwoods in CA. #3 was Crater Lake, a dream we've had for over a decade. We did none of it. And it's OK, it really is. I am OK with the fact that we didn't take advantage of the fact that we didn't fly to Hawaii with it being so close. I just want to get back "home" where I have a satisfied feeling of fulfillment and contentment. The last year has been filled with worry about finding a job, then worrying about not having a big enough job.
Tomorrow is my last day of going to work in NV. I am beyond giddy with excitement to never HAVE to make that hideous drive again. With road construction and accidents, it has been horrendous. But that is a very minor detail. I am more excited about what our future holds in MO. I will have friends and family in close proximity, a shorter commute to work, less worry about having a mega-mortgage, and a job with endless possibilities for growth and opportunities. All changes for the better, and chickens. Y'all, I can't wait to have chickens.
In so many ways, the first 3.5 years felt like 10. I did nothing but work, and although I had tons of vacation saved, I felt like I could take none of it. Why did I do that to myself? It was totally my fault. That was just crazy. I should have been selfish and used my time for us, but yet I wasn't and I didn't. That part sucked. There were so many places I wanted to go see on the West coast. #1 was Yosemite. I'm not going right now, that's just crazy talk with school being out for the summer. #2 was to go see the big redwoods in CA. #3 was Crater Lake, a dream we've had for over a decade. We did none of it. And it's OK, it really is. I am OK with the fact that we didn't take advantage of the fact that we didn't fly to Hawaii with it being so close. I just want to get back "home" where I have a satisfied feeling of fulfillment and contentment. The last year has been filled with worry about finding a job, then worrying about not having a big enough job.
Tomorrow is my last day of going to work in NV. I am beyond giddy with excitement to never HAVE to make that hideous drive again. With road construction and accidents, it has been horrendous. But that is a very minor detail. I am more excited about what our future holds in MO. I will have friends and family in close proximity, a shorter commute to work, less worry about having a mega-mortgage, and a job with endless possibilities for growth and opportunities. All changes for the better, and chickens. Y'all, I can't wait to have chickens.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Don't Judge THIS Book By Its Cover
I've spoken to no less than 4 real estate agents in the past 4 days. I have little faith that I will enjoy any kind of engagement with ANY of them. They speak solely for the purpose of hearing themselves talk. They must HATE the sound of MY voice because I cannot get a word in edgewise. I hate to say this, I really do, but I think it's because they happen to all be women*. My opinion that follows does not apply to the only male real estate agent I have ever worked with, as he was our rock of sanity at an insanely crazy time in our lives about 4 years ago.
I believe real estate agents would make horrible project managers.
Do you know how frustrating it is when they TRY to be interested in ME and ask me questions about my new job, or whatever? I'm so used to not speaking that my answers are curt, unenthusiastic, and monotone. I quickly turn the conversation to my needs, because guess what? I don't NEED a new best friend. And if I did, it would be NONE of these ladies, I can assure you of that. Who said I was automatically going with YOU just because we had one phone conversation? You will know when I am exclusive, when I sign on the dotted line.
Why do I think real estate agents make lousy project managers? After all, they have to keep a schedule and work with all kinds of people to deliver a unique result in a specific amount of time. I didn't say they can't deliver the result. The worst project manager can have a "successful" project. It's all in how you define success. How much pain did you have to go through to get there? How many people were pissed off or stepped on getting there? Is anyone going to want to work with that person again?
The reason I believe real estate agents are horrible project managers is because: THEY DO NOT LISTEN!!! How can you possibly deliver what I want if you won't SHUT UP and listen to my requirements? You ask two questions and presume you know who I am, where I've been, and where I'm going. Well let me tell you something, sister, you don't know shit. When you look at me, would you EVER expect that I want..... Chickens? Really. I want chickens. When you look at me, you would never ever guess that, I agree. And my husband and I are going to have our farm-type property in the country and I will be damned if ANYONE (but the county) is going to tell me how many dogs I can have and that I can't have CHICKENS. I'll paint my door any color I want. And god help the person who has a dog I can hear barking. (No, there will be no rooster.)
Assumptions will always get you into trouble. Real estate agents should take note.
*Addendum: I need to adjust my statement about all women real estate agents... because I found one who actually LISTENED! She didn't interrupt us and she didn't ignore what we were saying! I am so shocked and surprised. I think we finally found someone we can work with and who will work FOR us. Thank goodness. My faith has been restored. For now. I reserve the right to adjust my opinion in the future.
I believe real estate agents would make horrible project managers.
Do you know how frustrating it is when they TRY to be interested in ME and ask me questions about my new job, or whatever? I'm so used to not speaking that my answers are curt, unenthusiastic, and monotone. I quickly turn the conversation to my needs, because guess what? I don't NEED a new best friend. And if I did, it would be NONE of these ladies, I can assure you of that. Who said I was automatically going with YOU just because we had one phone conversation? You will know when I am exclusive, when I sign on the dotted line.
Why do I think real estate agents make lousy project managers? After all, they have to keep a schedule and work with all kinds of people to deliver a unique result in a specific amount of time. I didn't say they can't deliver the result. The worst project manager can have a "successful" project. It's all in how you define success. How much pain did you have to go through to get there? How many people were pissed off or stepped on getting there? Is anyone going to want to work with that person again?
The reason I believe real estate agents are horrible project managers is because: THEY DO NOT LISTEN!!! How can you possibly deliver what I want if you won't SHUT UP and listen to my requirements? You ask two questions and presume you know who I am, where I've been, and where I'm going. Well let me tell you something, sister, you don't know shit. When you look at me, would you EVER expect that I want..... Chickens? Really. I want chickens. When you look at me, you would never ever guess that, I agree. And my husband and I are going to have our farm-type property in the country and I will be damned if ANYONE (but the county) is going to tell me how many dogs I can have and that I can't have CHICKENS. I'll paint my door any color I want. And god help the person who has a dog I can hear barking. (No, there will be no rooster.)
Assumptions will always get you into trouble. Real estate agents should take note.
*Addendum: I need to adjust my statement about all women real estate agents... because I found one who actually LISTENED! She didn't interrupt us and she didn't ignore what we were saying! I am so shocked and surprised. I think we finally found someone we can work with and who will work FOR us. Thank goodness. My faith has been restored. For now. I reserve the right to adjust my opinion in the future.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Booze & Beads, Episode 5: No Tears Allowed Edition!
Welcome to episode 5 of Booze & Beads. I think this is the sad edition. Well, it will be more sad next time, if we can have one more. And I am determined to do just that. We are in the process of moving from NV to MO and so happy to be getting back to the Midwest where we belong. It is bittersweet though because we have a few close friends we will miss dearly.
I know what it's like when someone really important in your life moves on by moving away. That does not mean that you'll never see them again. It just means things change.
I remember when Shelly left KC to go to FL and I bawled my head off for several days. I remember to this day her & R walking out of our house when they had to go. Dammit, I just found her and then she had to go. Little did I know that I would see her many more times for many special occasions. Damn if it isn't the hardest thing I have to do every time I have to say bye to her.
Then I had to leave Suzie when we moved from KC to NV. I remember pulling out of the driveway all Clampet-style towing our trailer and crap strapped to the roof of the Excursion. It was very sad leaving her & K & the hood, especially with her being all pregnant. That was a time of change for everybody.
Now I have to leave Tric soon, and it's going to be very sad. BUT, she will come visit and we KNOW that, so it makes it easier at least for me, knowing this isn't goodbye forever, it's just so-long-for-now. So we can't have quantity time, but we can sure have quality time.
Back to the B&B topic. Last night we made a few nice pieces of jewelry after we ate ribs and Todd's awesome surprise-beans (it's always a guessing game as to what kind of yummy mystery meat he used--tonight was char-grilled hot dogs). We didn't have a specialty drink of the evening since we are trying to decrease our booze collection. Tricia rocked the pinball game of Majorettes--such an awesome game, but that is a topic for another post at another time. It was a fun evening!
I know what it's like when someone really important in your life moves on by moving away. That does not mean that you'll never see them again. It just means things change.
I remember when Shelly left KC to go to FL and I bawled my head off for several days. I remember to this day her & R walking out of our house when they had to go. Dammit, I just found her and then she had to go. Little did I know that I would see her many more times for many special occasions. Damn if it isn't the hardest thing I have to do every time I have to say bye to her.
Then I had to leave Suzie when we moved from KC to NV. I remember pulling out of the driveway all Clampet-style towing our trailer and crap strapped to the roof of the Excursion. It was very sad leaving her & K & the hood, especially with her being all pregnant. That was a time of change for everybody.
Now I have to leave Tric soon, and it's going to be very sad. BUT, she will come visit and we KNOW that, so it makes it easier at least for me, knowing this isn't goodbye forever, it's just so-long-for-now. So we can't have quantity time, but we can sure have quality time.
Back to the B&B topic. Last night we made a few nice pieces of jewelry after we ate ribs and Todd's awesome surprise-beans (it's always a guessing game as to what kind of yummy mystery meat he used--tonight was char-grilled hot dogs). We didn't have a specialty drink of the evening since we are trying to decrease our booze collection. Tricia rocked the pinball game of Majorettes--such an awesome game, but that is a topic for another post at another time. It was a fun evening!
And now for pics:
Tric made this awesome set.
I made this set. I have been attracted to orange lately.
And now for a pic of us. Yes, I have my eyes closed like a dork.
Happy Beading!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Good Times With Good Friends Make Life Fun
I enjoyed great food and great drinks in Vega$ with some great women. It was the perfect celebration of Shelly's 40th birthday!
It was a total blast of girl time, and just what I needed. We wore tiaras and pretty flower rings all weekend. We had tasty rum drinks at the rhumbar--the place we seemed to always gravitate towards regardless of the time of day or night. The tutanga drink was divine; complete with an orchid flower and a pineapple spear.
There was another drink with a wrinkly looking...well, I will let you decide what it looks like:
Thunder From Down Under was so hilarious that my voice was almost hoarse from laughing so hard. Initially, I was not crazy about the idea at all. However once we were there and I realized nobody was going to touch me, I relaxed and realized how funny the situation was. The women, oh the women, were SO loud and crazy that just people watching was the ultimate best! One boy dancing (I'm not referring to that male as a man since he was so young) thought he was so sexy pouring water over his head--I hysterically lost it when that happened, cause dude, that was a huge MISS on the whole sexy vibe. I remember that old lady sitting there and the kid took her glasses and mock-cleaned them with his wet shirt. OMG, can you hear me cackling at this very moment just remembering??? Oh, oh, and that one dance where the guy took that bride-to-be in the shiny silver dress on stage and danced around her to a ballad song. Cracked me UP!!! I was so happy it was not raunchy, and really funny. That was a highlight of the trip for me because I have never laughed so much in my entire life.
The other highlights for me were the food!
Crab bisque before:
And crab bisque after:
The Serendipity 3 waffle (Becky and I pretty much made this trip for two reasons: Shelly and this waffle):
The bananas foster (the bump in the middle inside the crepe is extra creamy vanilla ice cream, and the sauce is a homemade caramel I think I would walk over hot coals to eat):
The chicken & waffles the morning our happy group parted:
The other highlight was...Barry Manilow! Wow, who knew he still has it?!?
My one regret (besides committing drinking mistake 101 and mixing WAY too many kinds of alcohol on Saturday night because I swore each drink was the last one of the evening) was that Becky and I did not get our milkshakes at BLT. They had a beefy good juicy burger which is perfect for a hangover. I WOULD have had the Malibu Barbie milkshake (which included Malibu rum, vanilla ice cream, and toasted coconut). Next time...
That weekend just proves, tiaras make EVERYTHING better! Donna, Shelly & Becky, Cheers to you!
It was a total blast of girl time, and just what I needed. We wore tiaras and pretty flower rings all weekend. We had tasty rum drinks at the rhumbar--the place we seemed to always gravitate towards regardless of the time of day or night. The tutanga drink was divine; complete with an orchid flower and a pineapple spear.
There was another drink with a wrinkly looking...well, I will let you decide what it looks like:
Thanks for modeling, Becky!
Thunder From Down Under was so hilarious that my voice was almost hoarse from laughing so hard. Initially, I was not crazy about the idea at all. However once we were there and I realized nobody was going to touch me, I relaxed and realized how funny the situation was. The women, oh the women, were SO loud and crazy that just people watching was the ultimate best! One boy dancing (I'm not referring to that male as a man since he was so young) thought he was so sexy pouring water over his head--I hysterically lost it when that happened, cause dude, that was a huge MISS on the whole sexy vibe. I remember that old lady sitting there and the kid took her glasses and mock-cleaned them with his wet shirt. OMG, can you hear me cackling at this very moment just remembering??? Oh, oh, and that one dance where the guy took that bride-to-be in the shiny silver dress on stage and danced around her to a ballad song. Cracked me UP!!! I was so happy it was not raunchy, and really funny. That was a highlight of the trip for me because I have never laughed so much in my entire life.
The other highlights for me were the food!
Crab bisque before:
And crab bisque after:
The Serendipity 3 waffle (Becky and I pretty much made this trip for two reasons: Shelly and this waffle):
The bananas foster (the bump in the middle inside the crepe is extra creamy vanilla ice cream, and the sauce is a homemade caramel I think I would walk over hot coals to eat):
The chicken & waffles the morning our happy group parted:
The other highlight was...Barry Manilow! Wow, who knew he still has it?!?
My one regret (besides committing drinking mistake 101 and mixing WAY too many kinds of alcohol on Saturday night because I swore each drink was the last one of the evening) was that Becky and I did not get our milkshakes at BLT. They had a beefy good juicy burger which is perfect for a hangover. I WOULD have had the Malibu Barbie milkshake (which included Malibu rum, vanilla ice cream, and toasted coconut). Next time...
That weekend just proves, tiaras make EVERYTHING better! Donna, Shelly & Becky, Cheers to you!
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