Anyone who knows me will understand why I'm not jumping up and down and screaming and laughing as I tell you that we have a contract on the house.
!!!!!
Yes, I am SOOOOO excited, but I'm also now able to focus on a whole new set of worries--the inspection and appraisal.
That crappy day Sunday? It was punctuated with a spontaneous visit by a couple of house hunters who thought I was having an open house. I turned them away, but encouraged them to set up an appointment to see the house later that day. They came back about 2 hours later and stayed for about 1/2 hour (we were cussing them, actually, as we had been on THREE different walks that day and we were hot and worn out--Bucket just flat out refused to move at one point!)...Monica phoned around 9 or 9:30 that night to say that they wanted to make an offer. Woohoo.
To shorten an epic tale, they offered, we countered, they countered, and now we are set to sign on the 13th of September--a year and a day after we signed to get the house in the first place. Yep. It's quick. They needed to sign early to get the interest rate they locked down...but they've agreed to let us occupy the house for up to a week after signing in case Russell can't find a rental house for us quickly enough.
So you see, the stress is just beginning!! Still and all, I'm very happy that I will soon be in my honey's arms again!
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Sunday, August 22, 2004
...
Was (am) tired and grumpy. Was venting. No lies were told, although I do apologise for being a bit brusque about the whole thing.
The dogs are outside now. We'll see if the new boards hold. Or if I even put them in the right place.
Ironing's still not done. And the house stinks (guess why?). Time to get busy(er).
The dogs are outside now. We'll see if the new boards hold. Or if I even put them in the right place.
Ironing's still not done. And the house stinks (guess why?). Time to get busy(er).
Babydoll
I want you to tell me again how f*(K*!g lucky I am to have the pups. I have not gotten to sleep past 7am EVER since you've left. Bucket WILL NOT shut up when I need to do something that doesn't involve him directly. The neighbours were over at 9:15 this morning to tell me that, despite my recent best efforts, the dogs had gone through the fence and were in her yard again. I was just trying to catch up on some ironing and laundry and clean the house (AGAIN) for our showing today, but NO! I had to drop everything to go get the damn dogs and then fix the fence, all the while listening to Bucket's incessant whining and yelping because he's inside and I'm out. Now I can't even let them out in the back yard without constant stress of wondering whether they've escaped.
I'm sorry, but I don't really feel all that lucky.
I'm sorry, but I don't really feel all that lucky.
Friday, August 20, 2004
Frightening Observation
I turned on CNN Headline news just a bit ago, and was shocked to note that their new (well, I just noticed it) tag line is Need To Know News Network--or something to that effect. "Need To Know"is the flag that caught my eye. I may be mistaken, but isn't that phrase generally used when information is being withheld? If a relationship is on a "Need To Know" basis, it means that one side is only getting information that the other side deems neccessary--not ALL the information...
Think about it.
Think about it.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
As Per Shanny's Request
Holy Jeebus, I had no idea it had been so long since I updated! Sorry, fans.
(hehehe)
So in the interim, I have decided there is a special place in Hell for all of those people who allow their dogs to roam freely in their yards (sans fencing). These little monsters consistently rile up my nutters and make walking in the neighbourhood a real nightmare. And it's always the nasty little yappy ones who come charging out at us while there pathetic owners stand idly by and say "Fluffy, come. Come, Fluffy. No, Fluffy, come...". Meanwhile, the dog is about to be mauled to death by one very psycho Delilah, who remains in that maddened state for at least the next three blocks.
*sigh*
Aside from frustrating walks with the dogs, not a lot going on. Someone wanted to come look at the house Friday evening, but A) I was on the way to dinner with some friends and B) it was 7:30 pm and as it was so late--on a Friday evening, I feel I must re-iterate--I had not counted on anyone wanting to come over...so the place was a bit mussed. So they didn't come over, as per my request, and we've never heard from them again. Whoops. No one came over the weekend, or the last two days. I'm going to call Monica tomorrow and find out what the hell is up.
Anyway. I've not slept well in ages, so I'm going to go now and try to change that. Need to get up early and walk the pups, as it's getting to be hot again. I'm sure Russell is laughing at me, as it's continually 100+ in Phoenix, but whatever.
I got my hair cut Saturday. It's damn cute, but Russell would probably say that it's short. Good thing it grows at the speed of light.
Happy now? It's not much, and I promise more (as always I do)...niters.
(hehehe)
So in the interim, I have decided there is a special place in Hell for all of those people who allow their dogs to roam freely in their yards (sans fencing). These little monsters consistently rile up my nutters and make walking in the neighbourhood a real nightmare. And it's always the nasty little yappy ones who come charging out at us while there pathetic owners stand idly by and say "Fluffy, come. Come, Fluffy. No, Fluffy, come...". Meanwhile, the dog is about to be mauled to death by one very psycho Delilah, who remains in that maddened state for at least the next three blocks.
*sigh*
Aside from frustrating walks with the dogs, not a lot going on. Someone wanted to come look at the house Friday evening, but A) I was on the way to dinner with some friends and B) it was 7:30 pm and as it was so late--on a Friday evening, I feel I must re-iterate--I had not counted on anyone wanting to come over...so the place was a bit mussed. So they didn't come over, as per my request, and we've never heard from them again. Whoops. No one came over the weekend, or the last two days. I'm going to call Monica tomorrow and find out what the hell is up.
Anyway. I've not slept well in ages, so I'm going to go now and try to change that. Need to get up early and walk the pups, as it's getting to be hot again. I'm sure Russell is laughing at me, as it's continually 100+ in Phoenix, but whatever.
I got my hair cut Saturday. It's damn cute, but Russell would probably say that it's short. Good thing it grows at the speed of light.
Happy now? It's not much, and I promise more (as always I do)...niters.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Outwitting the Storm.
It's a quarter after 7am and storming like gangbusters. I think the pups are a little leery of poopin in the rain. I've managed to con them into peeing, but have yet to witness "the business". Seems like as the sun fights more for rights, the rain slows more and more. Hopefully I can get them out there and done before work. I have actually considered calling in so that I can stay home a bit longer and make sure they go. Sad, hey? "Sorry boss, I'll be a little late today. My dogs won't poop."
They went three times out the back door and promptly sat down on the mat and cried to come in. I thought to try the side door of the garage--it's a bit more sheltered there with the fence and shrubs... Lo, they went out and immediately did the potty squat...apparently glad to do it, too. I'm so clever for figuring that out. (Hey, you have to take the small victories, too!)
It seems to have calmed down still more, so I think I'll try again to cajole them in to a business run...laters.
They went three times out the back door and promptly sat down on the mat and cried to come in. I thought to try the side door of the garage--it's a bit more sheltered there with the fence and shrubs... Lo, they went out and immediately did the potty squat...apparently glad to do it, too. I'm so clever for figuring that out. (Hey, you have to take the small victories, too!)
It seems to have calmed down still more, so I think I'll try again to cajole them in to a business run...laters.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Yes!
The neighbour *was* tumbling rocks! It was a dryer, not a washer, but there were rocks involved. He does jiu-jitsu and was trying to soften up his ghi, which (he showed it to me) would have been about like donning 1/4 inch thick lead with an 80grit sandpaper laminate. So all day Saturday, he ran the back-yard dryer with the ghi and a bucketful of riverrock. As I was working in the yard a good portion of the day, it became something of a drone, and a comforting one at that. When the dryer periodically went off, I was jolted by the relative silence. What does that say about me and our society of constant noise and activity? Inactivity I don't think I ever fully appreciated, but peace and quiet used to be appreciated and and even valued. Now I have a pacifier full of rocks to keep my brain from chewing on matters too weighty.
At any rate. The Open House came (and I went to the mall and bought myself 3 skirts and a shirt for $66! What a bargain!) and strangers again wandered around in our home and passed judgement. Monica The Realtor wasn't too excited about any of them, so I'm still waiting for that fabulous moment of "They want to make an offer..." What music that will be!
The pups are still at boarding--I'm going after work to pick them up. I should probably schedule us for some bathtime tonight. They will surely need it after a weekend in the country...I'm loathe to mess up the nice clean bathroom, but dog smells have even less of a place in a house for sale than a few errant dog hairs. My back aches just thinking about it, but it's far less trouble to bathe them at home than to load them up and drive down to the dog wash again. Perhaps in our new house we can build a similar grooming station. A girl can dream.
Anyway. It's Monday. How is it that we keep looking forward when all there is is more work and more work and more work? This 8-5 business is not going out of style anytime soon, at least not for yours truly. Okay, style is perhaps a poor choice of words. It won't become any less of an option for me anytime soon. Sure, the hours may change, but the bottom line remains that when it's all said and done, I will have spent the bulk of my life doing meaningless crap for someone else's benefit. How is that right? How does that fit in with my ideals? And what the hell can I do to change it?
whoa. not sure where that came from. chalk it up to the angsty "Kerri needs to see her man" side of things. everything is better when you have someone with whom to share it. even melancholy.
soon. soon.
At any rate. The Open House came (and I went to the mall and bought myself 3 skirts and a shirt for $66! What a bargain!) and strangers again wandered around in our home and passed judgement. Monica The Realtor wasn't too excited about any of them, so I'm still waiting for that fabulous moment of "They want to make an offer..." What music that will be!
The pups are still at boarding--I'm going after work to pick them up. I should probably schedule us for some bathtime tonight. They will surely need it after a weekend in the country...I'm loathe to mess up the nice clean bathroom, but dog smells have even less of a place in a house for sale than a few errant dog hairs. My back aches just thinking about it, but it's far less trouble to bathe them at home than to load them up and drive down to the dog wash again. Perhaps in our new house we can build a similar grooming station. A girl can dream.
Anyway. It's Monday. How is it that we keep looking forward when all there is is more work and more work and more work? This 8-5 business is not going out of style anytime soon, at least not for yours truly. Okay, style is perhaps a poor choice of words. It won't become any less of an option for me anytime soon. Sure, the hours may change, but the bottom line remains that when it's all said and done, I will have spent the bulk of my life doing meaningless crap for someone else's benefit. How is that right? How does that fit in with my ideals? And what the hell can I do to change it?
whoa. not sure where that came from. chalk it up to the angsty "Kerri needs to see her man" side of things. everything is better when you have someone with whom to share it. even melancholy.
soon. soon.
Saturday, August 07, 2004
Rock Washing
No, I'm not referring to some new hip method of doing laundry. Nor is it some eco-friendly variation on that loathesome chore. I'm referring to the fact that there is a washing machine in our neighbour's back yard, and it sounds as though it is full of rocks. Maybe it's a dryer, I don't know. The bottom line is that it's NOISY! I'm dying for them to make an appearance so I can ask them what is going on.
It's 2:30 and I'm on break. I've just come in from doing some mowing and then vacuuming up the clippings. Much better effect than just sweeping. I've also hooked up the sprinkler in the front because it never fails that when I mow the grass just ceases to look as green. I'm loathe to water in the middle of the day like this, but if I want get get all of the front yard and back yard done in time to pull in the intstuments of waste and get the lawn dried out before we Open tomorrow, I figured I'd best get started.
I stink.
We had a showing today at noon, so I had to do a lot of half-ass cleaning for that...now I have to go back and re-do some of that work. Bah. Still need to mop the floors and vacuum and just generally clean. Oh, and light a ton of candles and hook up some Plug-Ins. The inside smell comes and goes, but it is maskable if I work at it. What about what died in the back yard?? That's another story. I swear it smells like sewage out there. The dogs were a bit nutty the other day, sniffing at the boards on the deck--I suspect that a mouse or toad or other smallish critter has crawled under there and died. Great. What timing.
My pesto's done...I'm off to eat.
It's 2:30 and I'm on break. I've just come in from doing some mowing and then vacuuming up the clippings. Much better effect than just sweeping. I've also hooked up the sprinkler in the front because it never fails that when I mow the grass just ceases to look as green. I'm loathe to water in the middle of the day like this, but if I want get get all of the front yard and back yard done in time to pull in the intstuments of waste and get the lawn dried out before we Open tomorrow, I figured I'd best get started.
I stink.
We had a showing today at noon, so I had to do a lot of half-ass cleaning for that...now I have to go back and re-do some of that work. Bah. Still need to mop the floors and vacuum and just generally clean. Oh, and light a ton of candles and hook up some Plug-Ins. The inside smell comes and goes, but it is maskable if I work at it. What about what died in the back yard?? That's another story. I swear it smells like sewage out there. The dogs were a bit nutty the other day, sniffing at the boards on the deck--I suspect that a mouse or toad or other smallish critter has crawled under there and died. Great. What timing.
My pesto's done...I'm off to eat.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
5Aug2005
Today is Thursday, and the pups have been sent to boarding school so that momma can have a nice, peaceful weekend...of cleaning! The 3rd installment of Open House is this Sunday, so I've set to getting the place ready. I dropped the pups off after work tonight, played for a bit, and then went out to deadhead the hydrangeas and pull some sundry weeds. I also got the sprinkler going, so that we'll have a nice green lawn this weekend. We got a little rain night before last, and it's supposed to rain again, but I figured I'd get some water in the ground while the pups are gone--just in case the weather man turns out to be wrong *cough*--neverrightanyway--*cough*. So that was a new bit of excitement for me--hauling out the hose and tearing the $4 sprinkler out of the box. It all seems to be going well, aside from the fact that the hose hookup is leaky like a bugger, so I have a bucket under the faucet to prevent flooding.
I have some laundry to attend, and the sprinkler to move, and then I think I'll go to bed early and read a bit. I was up until 2am last night on the game--but I hit the level cap, so it's all good! I am now a l33t d00dee. Except that, thank heaven, I have no idea how to type "l33t 5p34k". Anyway, it was fun to hit the cap; now I can help out my lower level friends, *or* hang out with all the higher-ups in the Guild. :) Yah, I'm a huge geek. I'm okay with that. I have plenty of time to get a life.
I hereby promise a much more intelligent post sometime over the weekend.
And HI to my newest added reader, Chris in Dallas! Don't forget to post your comments, man! Hellos to the missus and James. :)
I have some laundry to attend, and the sprinkler to move, and then I think I'll go to bed early and read a bit. I was up until 2am last night on the game--but I hit the level cap, so it's all good! I am now a l33t d00dee. Except that, thank heaven, I have no idea how to type "l33t 5p34k". Anyway, it was fun to hit the cap; now I can help out my lower level friends, *or* hang out with all the higher-ups in the Guild. :) Yah, I'm a huge geek. I'm okay with that. I have plenty of time to get a life.
I hereby promise a much more intelligent post sometime over the weekend.
And HI to my newest added reader, Chris in Dallas! Don't forget to post your comments, man! Hellos to the missus and James. :)
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Time, she does fly...
It's Sunday evening already, and I'm never sure how that happens exactly. The weekdays are roughly equivalent to two-point-five weekend days--at least in my universe. I did get a lot done this weekend, in addition to many hours of WoW time, but it's never enough. Never enough.
It's Big Trash day tomorrow (or sometime this week, at any rate, since they are always several days week for the Big Trash pickup), so I did some yard work. I finally broke down and bought some hedge and pruning shears. The bushes were looking...well...bushy. I should have borrowed the electric ones from Ken (next door neigbour), but I feel pretty awkward doing that. They were 15 bucks or something, so it's managable. I trimmed a bit here and there--what I could stand, anyway. It was miserably hot, so I worked in approximately 20 minute invervals. It looks better. Not great, just better.
I also had to buy some concrete pavers and 1x4s to strategically place along the fence in the hedge to keep the dogs from taking advantage of the rotten wood and errant branches...Apparently Delilah found a way through yesterday! The doorbell rang and there's the other neighbour timidly telling me that my dog is in her yard. Thank goodness the little yappy dog that visits from time to time wasn't there! *shudder*
I'm tired. Goodnight. Hope you had a good weekend and have a good week.
It's Big Trash day tomorrow (or sometime this week, at any rate, since they are always several days week for the Big Trash pickup), so I did some yard work. I finally broke down and bought some hedge and pruning shears. The bushes were looking...well...bushy. I should have borrowed the electric ones from Ken (next door neigbour), but I feel pretty awkward doing that. They were 15 bucks or something, so it's managable. I trimmed a bit here and there--what I could stand, anyway. It was miserably hot, so I worked in approximately 20 minute invervals. It looks better. Not great, just better.
I also had to buy some concrete pavers and 1x4s to strategically place along the fence in the hedge to keep the dogs from taking advantage of the rotten wood and errant branches...Apparently Delilah found a way through yesterday! The doorbell rang and there's the other neighbour timidly telling me that my dog is in her yard. Thank goodness the little yappy dog that visits from time to time wasn't there! *shudder*
I'm tired. Goodnight. Hope you had a good weekend and have a good week.
Friday, July 30, 2004
Bucket is Confused.
We have the most dysfunctional dogs on the face of the planet. It's official.
You'll remember how proud I was that our boy Bucket had finally learned to lift his leg to pee? What an amazing moment in puppy parenthood that was! I must have made too big a deal out of it, or perhaps the boy's brain is addled, because tonight while on our walk, I witnessed the following: Bucket approached the mail box like any other--sniffing earnestly, determining whether he needed to leave a reminder to the other dogs that this is his neighbourhood, too. He then proceeded to lift his leg....and pooped! I wish I was kidding. I would love to have the imagination required to make something like this up. But no, he really did lift his leg as though going for the Mark, and pooped. He even looked confused when it happened, sort of like "Uh-oh...that's not what I meant to do..." I nearly fell over laughing, and I'm not sure that helped much, because then he tried to stop and walk away, dingleberries and all.
On an up-note though, after last night's dog-walk-near-catastrophe*, I decided to walk them separately tonight. It went swimmingly. Bucket didn't have to wear his Halti, which he was ever so grateful for and repaid by walking nicely by my side nearly the entire time. We even stopped to say hello to some kids, and despite some bit of skittishness (something about little kids kind of freaks him out), he eventually even did "sit" and "wave" at their commands (I gave them treat-bribes to give to him). Delilah had to wear her Halti, but without him there, she walked really nicely and even looked up at me from time to time. Not adoringly like Bucket, but I'll take any attention I can get from her at this point. So we had two shorter walks instead of one long one. Let me rephrase that: I had two shorter walks instead of one long one. The kids each got to walk for about 20 minutes. Not really enough, I know, but it's a start. I would love to say that this will become the norm again, but I would probably prove to be a liar. It's just more time-efficient to take them both at the same time...although it was much more pleasant to be with them separately (except for the whining and crying when they crated alone...you'd think the sky had fallen!). Anyway.
It's already 9:37pm. Russell's playing WoW, so I'm going to read some more of my book and hit the hay. The dogs have (touch wood) actually been pretty good about not being all wakeful and annoying in the mornings, so perhaps I'll get some good sleep...
*My biggest pet peeve in the world by far at this point in time is people allowing their dogs to run loose in their yard--or the neighbourhood. The whole "oh, ____ is a great dog and always minds me and wouldn't hurt anyone" bullshit really doesn't fly with me. Last night we had issues with both a Rottweiller and a Jack Russell Terrier...want to guess which one was worse?
You'll remember how proud I was that our boy Bucket had finally learned to lift his leg to pee? What an amazing moment in puppy parenthood that was! I must have made too big a deal out of it, or perhaps the boy's brain is addled, because tonight while on our walk, I witnessed the following: Bucket approached the mail box like any other--sniffing earnestly, determining whether he needed to leave a reminder to the other dogs that this is his neighbourhood, too. He then proceeded to lift his leg....and pooped! I wish I was kidding. I would love to have the imagination required to make something like this up. But no, he really did lift his leg as though going for the Mark, and pooped. He even looked confused when it happened, sort of like "Uh-oh...that's not what I meant to do..." I nearly fell over laughing, and I'm not sure that helped much, because then he tried to stop and walk away, dingleberries and all.
On an up-note though, after last night's dog-walk-near-catastrophe*, I decided to walk them separately tonight. It went swimmingly. Bucket didn't have to wear his Halti, which he was ever so grateful for and repaid by walking nicely by my side nearly the entire time. We even stopped to say hello to some kids, and despite some bit of skittishness (something about little kids kind of freaks him out), he eventually even did "sit" and "wave" at their commands (I gave them treat-bribes to give to him). Delilah had to wear her Halti, but without him there, she walked really nicely and even looked up at me from time to time. Not adoringly like Bucket, but I'll take any attention I can get from her at this point. So we had two shorter walks instead of one long one. Let me rephrase that: I had two shorter walks instead of one long one. The kids each got to walk for about 20 minutes. Not really enough, I know, but it's a start. I would love to say that this will become the norm again, but I would probably prove to be a liar. It's just more time-efficient to take them both at the same time...although it was much more pleasant to be with them separately (except for the whining and crying when they crated alone...you'd think the sky had fallen!). Anyway.
It's already 9:37pm. Russell's playing WoW, so I'm going to read some more of my book and hit the hay. The dogs have (touch wood) actually been pretty good about not being all wakeful and annoying in the mornings, so perhaps I'll get some good sleep...
*My biggest pet peeve in the world by far at this point in time is people allowing their dogs to run loose in their yard--or the neighbourhood. The whole "oh, ____ is a great dog and always minds me and wouldn't hurt anyone" bullshit really doesn't fly with me. Last night we had issues with both a Rottweiller and a Jack Russell Terrier...want to guess which one was worse?
Thursday, July 29, 2004
The Blustery Day
Gomez via Winamp, a heavy misty fog over the city, and another 8 hours at "work" staring me in the face. I have a few small things to take care of, but mostly I'm looking at another day of rather abysmal prospects--at least where keeping busy is concerned. Would that I had the prerogative to just stay home on days like this (note: I never realised that word was spelled like that! I had to look it up just now.). *sigh*
There was another couple came to see the house yesterday afternoon, but again I was unable to get away to retrieve the puppies, so I don't know how it went. Monica said she could go over and get the dogs out, but I'm wagering she didn't. It was raining, and who wants to walk strange dogs in the rain? I need to call her anyway, because the flyers she FINALLY got out yesterday (after I called, what, Sunday?) are all wet with said rain. Again: *sigh* Things just aren't happening the way they should. I should probably, in fact, just dig up good ole St. Joseph before I ruin his reputation further.
So it's Thursday. Two more days til the weekend. I mowed Tuesday night, but with the rain I'll probably have to do it again before Monday rolls around. Gotta put the mower back together... Gotta get the hell out of here and see my honey before I go seriously mad.
There was another couple came to see the house yesterday afternoon, but again I was unable to get away to retrieve the puppies, so I don't know how it went. Monica said she could go over and get the dogs out, but I'm wagering she didn't. It was raining, and who wants to walk strange dogs in the rain? I need to call her anyway, because the flyers she FINALLY got out yesterday (after I called, what, Sunday?) are all wet with said rain. Again: *sigh* Things just aren't happening the way they should. I should probably, in fact, just dig up good ole St. Joseph before I ruin his reputation further.
So it's Thursday. Two more days til the weekend. I mowed Tuesday night, but with the rain I'll probably have to do it again before Monday rolls around. Gotta put the mower back together... Gotta get the hell out of here and see my honey before I go seriously mad.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Damn!
I keep thinking that it's Wednesday, although I'm not sure why. As I started to open up this page to blog, it occurred to me that it is indeed only Tuesday and I have three more days of gruellingly boring work to suffer before the weekend. At which time I will be free to sit my happy ass down in front of *this* computer to play or blog or whatever. It's supposed to rain anyway.
I just came in from mowing the lawn, so I hope that it does rain. I really don't want to have to haul out the sprinkler--I can't imagine the chaos that will ensue once the pups get a load of that contraption. Russell said it was raining in Phoenix, so maybe that's what's heading our direction. I had to take the lawn mower apart again to clean the fuel filter. Seems like I just did that, but I guess it has been a couple of months, and I have had to mow about every 3-5 days... That's a lot of grass and dust. The mower is starting to cut out a lot, and it's bellowing that black smoke again, so I figured it was time. :) That done, I've treated myself to a dinner smoothie, and I'm about to go rinse off (I'm ITCHY!) and hit the hay for some book time. Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett, in case you're wondering...
I just came in from mowing the lawn, so I hope that it does rain. I really don't want to have to haul out the sprinkler--I can't imagine the chaos that will ensue once the pups get a load of that contraption. Russell said it was raining in Phoenix, so maybe that's what's heading our direction. I had to take the lawn mower apart again to clean the fuel filter. Seems like I just did that, but I guess it has been a couple of months, and I have had to mow about every 3-5 days... That's a lot of grass and dust. The mower is starting to cut out a lot, and it's bellowing that black smoke again, so I figured it was time. :) That done, I've treated myself to a dinner smoothie, and I'm about to go rinse off (I'm ITCHY!) and hit the hay for some book time. Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett, in case you're wondering...
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Freedom!
So my friend Sophie is supposed to be in town this weekend, but there was a slight snafu with her car and her mechanic. Neither is in a hurry to get her on the road again. If she gets it back by noon today, she'll still make the jaunt, but it's not looking hopeful.
The upside of any of this is that I told Russell he could play WoW all day today--thinking I'd be hangin' with Sophie. Suddenly I have a life again! I got up with the pups around 6:30 (Bucket was starving to death), but managed to lay back down for 45 minutes or so. Well then, of course, they needed to go outside, so I let them out and fixed myself a bowl of cereal. Can't eat without colourful moving pictures in front of me, so I turned on the telly. At 7:30 on a Saturday there is very little on, so I ended up with Xena, in hopes of seeing some Bruce Campbell. So far no BC, but there is some bizaare musical version of Xena happening right now. Xena is crucified, and Gabrielle is on a sacrificial altar of some sort...and they are SINGING! It's soooooo bad! Anything for a glimpse of Brucie. *sigh*
I did take a break from the madness around 8 and took the pups for a long walk around the 'hood. It rained last night, so I don't really want to turn them loose in the yard--figured I owed them at least a long walk. Rain still looms, but so far it's just grey and lazy out today. Just as well. I have a list of 15 things (mol) to do today. So far I've done two. I'd better get moving.
The upside of any of this is that I told Russell he could play WoW all day today--thinking I'd be hangin' with Sophie. Suddenly I have a life again! I got up with the pups around 6:30 (Bucket was starving to death), but managed to lay back down for 45 minutes or so. Well then, of course, they needed to go outside, so I let them out and fixed myself a bowl of cereal. Can't eat without colourful moving pictures in front of me, so I turned on the telly. At 7:30 on a Saturday there is very little on, so I ended up with Xena, in hopes of seeing some Bruce Campbell. So far no BC, but there is some bizaare musical version of Xena happening right now. Xena is crucified, and Gabrielle is on a sacrificial altar of some sort...and they are SINGING! It's soooooo bad! Anything for a glimpse of Brucie. *sigh*
I did take a break from the madness around 8 and took the pups for a long walk around the 'hood. It rained last night, so I don't really want to turn them loose in the yard--figured I owed them at least a long walk. Rain still looms, but so far it's just grey and lazy out today. Just as well. I have a list of 15 things (mol) to do today. So far I've done two. I'd better get moving.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Penny Arcade!
One of the greatest compliments I've ever received was when Russell told me that I write like Tycho of Penny Arcade!. He reads the strip (go to Latest Comic, or Archive) regularly, but I never got involved until he told me about the WoW Beta Test contest they were hosting. I didn't win the contest, but I have become a regular and avid reader of--at least--Tycho's rants. I enjoy the art of the strip, but I can't really say that I fully appreciate it otherwise. Perhaps I just need to get more involved, like I am with Sluggy Freelance. To say that I write like Tycho is, I think, a great thing. He's smart, a bit pompous, quite funny, and--like me--keeps his dictionary a little too close to hand.
Now, if only I had something to say!
Now, if only I had something to say!
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
today
Is only wednesday. This font looks weird. Blogger is always changing things around! Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but I just never know what to expect when I log in. Being a Taurus, this is somewhat traumatic for me.
At any rate, I would normally have just come in from walking the dogs at this time, but we've been playing in the back yard because our realtor came over yesterday and hid the Haltis! She didn't really hide them, but she took them off the leashes and stashed them on the shelf on the back porch (I couldn't get away from a meeting yesterday, so she came over and walked the dogs during a showing--I guess she couldn't figure out how to put the Haltis on, so she dumped them). I was just a little peeved to have gotten up early for a walk to find that it would not be happening. Yes, they are a crutch, but I am not ashamed to admit my handicap at walking to PitBull mixes without them. One at a time, maybe--definitely not together. I placed an angry call at 6:20 and then found them at 6:25 (but I had been looking since 10 after!)...but by then it was pretty pointless to go. We got out the basketball and played in the yard for a bit, and I unhomed some spiders and picked up poop and looked for the missing Kong. I'm beginning to wonder if one of them just ATE it. It's time for new ones anyway--the old ones are beginning to crumble.
So yeah. There was another showing yesterday, although once again I've heard nothing more about it. Monica said another fellow contacted her about the house and is supposed to call back for a showing... That's it really. She thought about having another Open House this weekend, but since we just had one weekend before last, I don't know... Seems a bit desperate! My friend Sophie is (I think) coming into town this weekend, and I would rather not have to sweat keeping the house particularly nice while she's here. Then again, I don't want to miss the opportunity to show the house to potential buyers. *sigh* What to do? What to do?
I read a good book last weekend at the races: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" It's about a mildly autistic child who sets about solving the murder of a neighbour's dog. I won't tell you more than that in case you decide to pick it up, except that I found it very entertaining. A bit funny, quite depressing, super intelligent, and ultimately worthy of being loaned out or at least recommended to friends. Shannon, you especially would enjoy it, I think, having worked at CLO like me. Understanding the protagonist just a little bit more than most readers, I think you and I are set up for a better appreciation of the story. Anyway. I read it in a day. Back into Terry Pratchett now, and I wonder how I put him away for so long!
I'm going to run and get ready for work--think I'll take Bucket to daycare today! It's been TOO long! :)
At any rate, I would normally have just come in from walking the dogs at this time, but we've been playing in the back yard because our realtor came over yesterday and hid the Haltis! She didn't really hide them, but she took them off the leashes and stashed them on the shelf on the back porch (I couldn't get away from a meeting yesterday, so she came over and walked the dogs during a showing--I guess she couldn't figure out how to put the Haltis on, so she dumped them). I was just a little peeved to have gotten up early for a walk to find that it would not be happening. Yes, they are a crutch, but I am not ashamed to admit my handicap at walking to PitBull mixes without them. One at a time, maybe--definitely not together. I placed an angry call at 6:20 and then found them at 6:25 (but I had been looking since 10 after!)...but by then it was pretty pointless to go. We got out the basketball and played in the yard for a bit, and I unhomed some spiders and picked up poop and looked for the missing Kong. I'm beginning to wonder if one of them just ATE it. It's time for new ones anyway--the old ones are beginning to crumble.
So yeah. There was another showing yesterday, although once again I've heard nothing more about it. Monica said another fellow contacted her about the house and is supposed to call back for a showing... That's it really. She thought about having another Open House this weekend, but since we just had one weekend before last, I don't know... Seems a bit desperate! My friend Sophie is (I think) coming into town this weekend, and I would rather not have to sweat keeping the house particularly nice while she's here. Then again, I don't want to miss the opportunity to show the house to potential buyers. *sigh* What to do? What to do?
I read a good book last weekend at the races: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" It's about a mildly autistic child who sets about solving the murder of a neighbour's dog. I won't tell you more than that in case you decide to pick it up, except that I found it very entertaining. A bit funny, quite depressing, super intelligent, and ultimately worthy of being loaned out or at least recommended to friends. Shannon, you especially would enjoy it, I think, having worked at CLO like me. Understanding the protagonist just a little bit more than most readers, I think you and I are set up for a better appreciation of the story. Anyway. I read it in a day. Back into Terry Pratchett now, and I wonder how I put him away for so long!
I'm going to run and get ready for work--think I'll take Bucket to daycare today! It's been TOO long! :)
Monday, July 19, 2004
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Ack!
I am Bill the Cat, with a giant furball in my throat. My allergies, I suppose. I've just had a nasty sore throat and all the gook that comes with it for about 2 days now. Not sleeping well/generally feel like crap.
But on the up side, Bucket is becoming a man! When we went for a walk the other night, I actually saw him lift his leg to pee on TWO different occasions. :) Seems an odd thing to get excited about, but there you have it. He's peed like a little girl up to know and it was big news to see the leg lift thing. Of course along with that goes his newly acquired desire to stop every 10 paces to mark, but such is the life of a boy dog.
We've had a couple more people in to see the house this week, and there are folks coming over this morning at 11:45, so that's good. No offers yet from ANY of the multitude that have been through, so that's bad. I don't know what the hell the problem is, but it looks like the price might be coming down if we don't get anything.
I'm going to Ponca City, Oklahoma this weekend to visit my folks/watch my dad boat race. The pups will be boarded--again--which I feel crappy about, but I can't handle both of them on a trip like that by myself (and the hotel doesn't accept pets anyway). I'll just make sure the house is nice and clean so that if we have any lookers on Saturday I can feel good about letting them come on over. This cleaning is all a bit tedious and I cannot wait for the time when I can go back to being a slob. Ah, the good old days.
Well, I still have poop to pick up, Kiki's cage to clean, breakfast to eat, and my body to dress and make-up, so I'll scoot. Have a good weekend; I'll try to blog more on Sunday.
But on the up side, Bucket is becoming a man! When we went for a walk the other night, I actually saw him lift his leg to pee on TWO different occasions. :) Seems an odd thing to get excited about, but there you have it. He's peed like a little girl up to know and it was big news to see the leg lift thing. Of course along with that goes his newly acquired desire to stop every 10 paces to mark, but such is the life of a boy dog.
We've had a couple more people in to see the house this week, and there are folks coming over this morning at 11:45, so that's good. No offers yet from ANY of the multitude that have been through, so that's bad. I don't know what the hell the problem is, but it looks like the price might be coming down if we don't get anything.
I'm going to Ponca City, Oklahoma this weekend to visit my folks/watch my dad boat race. The pups will be boarded--again--which I feel crappy about, but I can't handle both of them on a trip like that by myself (and the hotel doesn't accept pets anyway). I'll just make sure the house is nice and clean so that if we have any lookers on Saturday I can feel good about letting them come on over. This cleaning is all a bit tedious and I cannot wait for the time when I can go back to being a slob. Ah, the good old days.
Well, I still have poop to pick up, Kiki's cage to clean, breakfast to eat, and my body to dress and make-up, so I'll scoot. Have a good weekend; I'll try to blog more on Sunday.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Overwhelmed
I'm home from work, and yes, it's 9am. Just feeling a little out of control right now--needed to get myself together. Here's the story.
I went in like on any other day, and like every other day I go in, I'm almost immediately bombarded by people asking about the house. "Any luck on the house?" "Any nibbles?" "How'd the open house go?" "What's the problem? Why isn't it selling?"
HELL IF I KNOW!!
It was just a bit much to take today. It bothers me everytime, and I do believe I've mentioned this to several people but they just keep inquiring. I know the intentions are good, but no one really seems to understand that every question asked is equivalent to someone saying "So, your house hasn't sold yet? You're stuck here another month or more in limbo without Russell!" I'm perfectly capable of living in denial, or at least setting those thoughts aside while working, but when I'm perpetually reminded of the situation thusly it's difficult to do. After the third person in a row asked (and actually uttered the final set of questions above--i.e. "What's the problem...") I just sort of lost it. I thought I could take a walk and sort of shake it off, but when I got back to the computer I couldn't think of anything else but what the hell to do about the house. I'm still arguing back tears as I write. I'm just SO ready for this to all be over. Don't want to ever buy a house again. Just want to live in someone else's house so they can worry about the maintenence and having to sell it and pay taxes and all the other house bullshit. American Dream my eye! American Nightmare!
Anyway. I just needed to vent a bit. Still not ready to go back to work, although I probably should make a concerted effort to compose myself. Loads more training to do with my replacement. If, in fact, I ever get to leave.
I went in like on any other day, and like every other day I go in, I'm almost immediately bombarded by people asking about the house. "Any luck on the house?" "Any nibbles?" "How'd the open house go?" "What's the problem? Why isn't it selling?"
HELL IF I KNOW!!
It was just a bit much to take today. It bothers me everytime, and I do believe I've mentioned this to several people but they just keep inquiring. I know the intentions are good, but no one really seems to understand that every question asked is equivalent to someone saying "So, your house hasn't sold yet? You're stuck here another month or more in limbo without Russell!" I'm perfectly capable of living in denial, or at least setting those thoughts aside while working, but when I'm perpetually reminded of the situation thusly it's difficult to do. After the third person in a row asked (and actually uttered the final set of questions above--i.e. "What's the problem...") I just sort of lost it. I thought I could take a walk and sort of shake it off, but when I got back to the computer I couldn't think of anything else but what the hell to do about the house. I'm still arguing back tears as I write. I'm just SO ready for this to all be over. Don't want to ever buy a house again. Just want to live in someone else's house so they can worry about the maintenence and having to sell it and pay taxes and all the other house bullshit. American Dream my eye! American Nightmare!
Anyway. I just needed to vent a bit. Still not ready to go back to work, although I probably should make a concerted effort to compose myself. Loads more training to do with my replacement. If, in fact, I ever get to leave.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Another Open House
Today is the 11th of July, and the house has been on the market just over a month. I know that relatively speaking that's not really all that long, but when you hear tales of houses selling in a week or less, it gets a bit discouraging. St.Joseph has been in the ground almost 2 weeks? Or is it one week? It's all a blur. At any rate, we have had more people in to see the house since his interment, but no offers. One couple apparently really loved the place but The Smell concerned them. Replace the freakin'carpet, people!! It's not that big a deal. It needs to be replaced anyway! So today's Open House is in about an hour. Monica couldn't be here, but she is sending someone from her office to sit. I suppose I'll hang around until he shows up--just to be sure. I think I'm going to try to go catch King Arthur at the theatre while strangers creep around my house and pass judgement. Hopefully that will keep my mind off things.
The bottom line is that I REALLY want someone to fall in love with this house the way we did and make an offer. I need to get to Phoenix and be with Russell and carry on with my life. This limbo shit is for the birds!
Keep your fingers crossed for us today.
The bottom line is that I REALLY want someone to fall in love with this house the way we did and make an offer. I need to get to Phoenix and be with Russell and carry on with my life. This limbo shit is for the birds!
Keep your fingers crossed for us today.
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