The weekend is almost over. We had a busy one. I helped M all day on Saturday with the remodel. We cut the roof in. It was very hard work for me. I was up and down the ladder several times, handing M pieces of rafter up the side. I took as many breaks as possible because I knew as soon as I started hurting, I would be worthless. I made it most of the day but I was very sore by the end. My hip is really giving me a hard time and so are my shoulders. Several times I really put the hurt on them lifting boards over my head to him. I had left shoulder surgery last year, but both are bothering me still.
Today I had lots of house work I needed to finish but M needed my help occasionally. He knew I was hurting and needed to rest often, but it worked out okay. I was able to rest enough that I was not just terribly in pain, but near the end of the day, he asked if I would try to get the truck loaded with trash while he finished up. We were supposed to go to his brother's house for dinner and he wanted to take a load of trash to his dumpster.
Today was very warm and extremely humid. The heat is hard on me and I was hurting already, but I managed to get all the trash loaded in the truck. My hip was screaming by the time I got done. I have got to get it calmed down, but there is always so much to do. I think sitting all day long is hard on it and so is being overweight.
I did find the time today to finish reading the South Beach Diet book I bought. I am really interested in trying this. It is news to me that reducing your cholesterol with diet means reducing bread and not just red meat. I had to start taking cholesterol lowering medicine last year after I tried for 6 months to lower it on my own. I guess I thought I knew what I was doing but it didn't work. My doctor's nurse just casually mentioned something at a visit the other day that I should cut out pasta, bread, and sweets to lower my cholesterol, something like South Beach she said. After I left the appt, I thought "What?!?! Give up carb stuff to lower cholesterol." This seemed very strange to me and I finally got around to investigating it.
The South Beach Diet was written by a FL cardiologist and it really makes sense. It is geared toward eating the right proteins and the right carbs, not really giving up on any food group. I have decided to try it. WW works for me, but it really involves me eating a lot more food that I want to. I do not overeat. I just eat bad things and with my sedentary lifestyle both at home and work, it leads to the weight trouble. With WW I find myself eating a lot right before bed because I still have "points" left for the day. South Beach isn't like that. I am getting ready to make a grocery list for tomorrow so I can shop and be ready to start South Beach on 1 April. If I can lose weight and get off cholesterol medicine I will be thrilled.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Safe Room
We ventured into new remodel room this evening when M got home. We had poured concrete yesterday and had it all braced up inside. It was very humid in there from the concrete pour. It is getting so exciting. Bracing will come out in there this weekend and I will really get a good feel for how BIG our new closet is going to be.
We looked at tile last night for the bathroom when we were at Lowe's. We usally like the same thing but we really didn't pick anything. We will go to a tile store when it is time. The closet will be carpet though and the master bedroom wood floors.
M had a wonderful idea the other day. I loved it. He is going to cut a recess into the large wall above the Jacuzzi tub and sheetrock it in then have a mural painted in it and will put a large piece of wrought iron across it. It is going to look great. I think we are going with a Tuscany styled mural. I am excited about it. I haven't been able to decide what to do in there. I just knew I wanted to do something with paint, no wallpaper again.
M is great at coming up with ideas because he sees so many houses. We are planning to paint the study red with a black/dark brown glaze. He took me to the house that he saw that in the other day and it looks great. Excellent choice, M.
We looked at tile last night for the bathroom when we were at Lowe's. We usally like the same thing but we really didn't pick anything. We will go to a tile store when it is time. The closet will be carpet though and the master bedroom wood floors.
M had a wonderful idea the other day. I loved it. He is going to cut a recess into the large wall above the Jacuzzi tub and sheetrock it in then have a mural painted in it and will put a large piece of wrought iron across it. It is going to look great. I think we are going with a Tuscany styled mural. I am excited about it. I haven't been able to decide what to do in there. I just knew I wanted to do something with paint, no wallpaper again.
M is great at coming up with ideas because he sees so many houses. We are planning to paint the study red with a black/dark brown glaze. He took me to the house that he saw that in the other day and it looks great. Excellent choice, M.
Eating Crow
Well, I met my husband (referred to in my last post as a sorry ol' GPS thief) at the door yesterday when he got home and confronted him about stealing my brand new GPS out of the box and it turns out I just hadn't dug far enough into the box. He didn't take my GPS. All my plans to give him a hard time backfired as he got to use my incorrect accusations against him to get his way two times last night. LOL!
We did take the GPS to Lowe's and Home Depot last night and I used it to "find" my way to work this morning. It didn't want me to take the same route that I usually take, so it had to do several recalculations. Plus it really didn't like it when I got to work and turned in to the parking lot across the street from the address I had programmed in. I really do like it and will be handy especially when traveling out of town. I need to get some songs loaded into its MP3 player.
Anyway, to my dear husband M: I sincerely apologize for so wrongly accusing you of absconding with my new GPS, aka Alejandro. I will never again so grievously accuse you of such a dastardly action and I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. =;-)
We did take the GPS to Lowe's and Home Depot last night and I used it to "find" my way to work this morning. It didn't want me to take the same route that I usually take, so it had to do several recalculations. Plus it really didn't like it when I got to work and turned in to the parking lot across the street from the address I had programmed in. I really do like it and will be handy especially when traveling out of town. I need to get some songs loaded into its MP3 player.
Anyway, to my dear husband M: I sincerely apologize for so wrongly accusing you of absconding with my new GPS, aka Alejandro. I will never again so grievously accuse you of such a dastardly action and I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. =;-)
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Hectic
It has been a hectic week already. Feels like it should be much later than Tuesday.
I got a new computer at work on Monday. This is always a big upheaval. I knew it was coming and tried to prepare, but there are always lots of little things that continue to be not quite right.
I actually have my old computer set up on my desk too, so as a last resort I can use it to access things not working well on the new one. I had requested this because there are two programs I anticipated being a problem to transfer over to new computer. It has been an even bigger blessing because several MS Office issues came up to. I am getting spoiled though with having two monitors. I am often finding it helpful to have different things opened on the two monitors for reference. Some of our accountants have two monitors that work with their one computer. I was offered this but decided it was not needed enough to warrant having two monitors all the time. Now I might have to reconsider.
M and I spent late Sunday and Monday evening getting ready for concrete. He poured it today and it went well. It will have to dry several days before we can remove braces. He plans to get the roof and frame work done this weekend. M's leg is giving him no problem. I am so glad.
After I took M's GPS to Tulsa a few weeks ago, he has been suggesting that I get one for my car. I wouldn't need an aviation one like he has. I researched online a little bit and we decided on one and ordered it from Amazon.com on Saturday. It arrived today while M was home working on remodel. I got home and tore into the package and it was empty. He already took it and left!! I really don't blame him and he should be home anytime, but I am planning to give him a hard time about it. Sorry ol' GPS thief.
When we were in New Orleans, I jokingly named M's GPS Mildred. Our niece and her friend CH were riding with us. CH names everything (my signature Labels came from her) and she was very bothered by the GPS having a voice and not a name. When we got back in the truck after getting off the ship, the GPS powered up and gave us a street direction and I replied "Hello, Mildred." C and CH thought it was hysterical and now M and I have been calling the GPS Mildred. I told M I was going to name my GPS Alejandro, but I am willing to bet the voice is female. I haven't seen a GPS yet that wasn't. I don't really need the navigational part too often, but it sure was helpful in Tulsa. It also has an MP3 player built-in.
Our health insurance at work renews on 1 April and we just got really good news that our share of the premiums is going down! DOWN! I didn't even know this was possible. The company has always split the premium with the employees 50/50. Last year, the company took all the increase and the split went to 55/45. That was great, but this year is even better. The split is going to 60/40 and it is going down $78/month. Plus we are getting better Rx benefits. This is great news.
I got a new computer at work on Monday. This is always a big upheaval. I knew it was coming and tried to prepare, but there are always lots of little things that continue to be not quite right.
I actually have my old computer set up on my desk too, so as a last resort I can use it to access things not working well on the new one. I had requested this because there are two programs I anticipated being a problem to transfer over to new computer. It has been an even bigger blessing because several MS Office issues came up to. I am getting spoiled though with having two monitors. I am often finding it helpful to have different things opened on the two monitors for reference. Some of our accountants have two monitors that work with their one computer. I was offered this but decided it was not needed enough to warrant having two monitors all the time. Now I might have to reconsider.
M and I spent late Sunday and Monday evening getting ready for concrete. He poured it today and it went well. It will have to dry several days before we can remove braces. He plans to get the roof and frame work done this weekend. M's leg is giving him no problem. I am so glad.
After I took M's GPS to Tulsa a few weeks ago, he has been suggesting that I get one for my car. I wouldn't need an aviation one like he has. I researched online a little bit and we decided on one and ordered it from Amazon.com on Saturday. It arrived today while M was home working on remodel. I got home and tore into the package and it was empty. He already took it and left!! I really don't blame him and he should be home anytime, but I am planning to give him a hard time about it. Sorry ol' GPS thief.
When we were in New Orleans, I jokingly named M's GPS Mildred. Our niece and her friend CH were riding with us. CH names everything (my signature Labels came from her) and she was very bothered by the GPS having a voice and not a name. When we got back in the truck after getting off the ship, the GPS powered up and gave us a street direction and I replied "Hello, Mildred." C and CH thought it was hysterical and now M and I have been calling the GPS Mildred. I told M I was going to name my GPS Alejandro, but I am willing to bet the voice is female. I haven't seen a GPS yet that wasn't. I don't really need the navigational part too often, but it sure was helpful in Tulsa. It also has an MP3 player built-in.
Our health insurance at work renews on 1 April and we just got really good news that our share of the premiums is going down! DOWN! I didn't even know this was possible. The company has always split the premium with the employees 50/50. Last year, the company took all the increase and the split went to 55/45. That was great, but this year is even better. The split is going to 60/40 and it is going down $78/month. Plus we are getting better Rx benefits. This is great news.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Spring
Yesterday was a wonderful spring day here. It was great. M worked in the morning, but in the afternoon he cleaned out the shop and then did some mowing. I cleaned the flower beds out and it was tempting to start thinking about planting new stuff. However, we have learned our lesson. 15 April is the first day here to even begin to think about planting. A late frost will always get anything planted earlier. Today was 39 this morning and only got to 55 this afternoon, but I am still basking in the warmth of yesterday. I think there is actually a frost expected in the morning. All the beautiful Bradford pears will be done blooming. We got almost 10 days out of them this year. They are beautiful and I am always glad when we get to enjoy them longer.
I think the 7-day forecast has some 80 days. I am so ready. Yesterday I was able to open the windows while I was cleaning downstairs. I love to have the windows open, even though my allergies always pay for it later. We have got to scalp more of the yard to get rid of the old dry grass then we need to spray pre-emergence before the weeds take over. I love spring yard work before the really, really hot days get here.
M and I worked on the remodel this morning. We are ready to pour concrete for the walls and ceiling this week. We were talking today that as soon as we get the remodel finished outside and sealed off from the weather, we might move on to re-painting the rest of the downstairs and finishing all the other downstairs stuff before working on the inside of the master area/remodel. It would be nice to enjoy all of that change right away since the remodel/master area is such a big project.
I think the 7-day forecast has some 80 days. I am so ready. Yesterday I was able to open the windows while I was cleaning downstairs. I love to have the windows open, even though my allergies always pay for it later. We have got to scalp more of the yard to get rid of the old dry grass then we need to spray pre-emergence before the weeds take over. I love spring yard work before the really, really hot days get here.
M and I worked on the remodel this morning. We are ready to pour concrete for the walls and ceiling this week. We were talking today that as soon as we get the remodel finished outside and sealed off from the weather, we might move on to re-painting the rest of the downstairs and finishing all the other downstairs stuff before working on the inside of the master area/remodel. It would be nice to enjoy all of that change right away since the remodel/master area is such a big project.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Stacks
I just got done with L's state taxes. I did her federal taxes online several weeks ago but our state doesn't offer free online filing, so I told her I would do them on paper. It created more work for me, but her taxes are not really hard.
I spent last Saturday getting the airplane partnership stuff ready for the tax accountant. He received it Monday and is working on it.
I have barely started on ours. I don't use an accountant for our personal taxes or M's company's taxes. I do have everything for the company entered in the computer, but there are always lots of adjustments and tweakings and extra details. I will get them done in time. I always have.
I know I should really stay on top of things all year and there wouldn't be so much to do at the end of the year, but it just isn't me. I am a great organizer, but I am not a great maintainer. I can set up systems and everything to keep on top of stuff, but when it comes down to it, I would rather wait and do it all at once.
I am a firm believer in the stacking system. As long as everything goes in its proper stack, or pile, or even box, I am comfortable with it. I can find what I need when I need it because the stacks make sense to me. I understand the stacks. I love the stacks.
However, my stacks don't make sense to other people, especially M, but he has learned just not to look for things, just to ask. It works for us, but I have had some recent guilt and before I made the decision a year ago to go back to school, I was getting ready to tackle the stacks and organize stuff so when I die, poor M won't have to.
School of course put that project off a year, but I am going to get back to it . . . I promise . . . soon, very soon I will do something with the stacks.
I spent last Saturday getting the airplane partnership stuff ready for the tax accountant. He received it Monday and is working on it.
I have barely started on ours. I don't use an accountant for our personal taxes or M's company's taxes. I do have everything for the company entered in the computer, but there are always lots of adjustments and tweakings and extra details. I will get them done in time. I always have.
I know I should really stay on top of things all year and there wouldn't be so much to do at the end of the year, but it just isn't me. I am a great organizer, but I am not a great maintainer. I can set up systems and everything to keep on top of stuff, but when it comes down to it, I would rather wait and do it all at once.
I am a firm believer in the stacking system. As long as everything goes in its proper stack, or pile, or even box, I am comfortable with it. I can find what I need when I need it because the stacks make sense to me. I understand the stacks. I love the stacks.
However, my stacks don't make sense to other people, especially M, but he has learned just not to look for things, just to ask. It works for us, but I have had some recent guilt and before I made the decision a year ago to go back to school, I was getting ready to tackle the stacks and organize stuff so when I die, poor M won't have to.
School of course put that project off a year, but I am going to get back to it . . . I promise . . . soon, very soon I will do something with the stacks.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Liberated
M rechecked with doctor today and leg is healing nicely. He has been out of the brace 6 hours now and that is all he could wait . . . . . we are headed to the airport. He can finally fly again. It has been hard on him not being able to because of the brace. If think it would have been easier if he had just been so busy he couldn't fly, but he was not liking the restriction.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
We're worth it . . .
DISCLAIMER ADDED LATER: I am not very happy with this posting and almost erased it. I might still, but I haven't thought of a better way to say what I wanted to say, so I am leaving it for now. It came out sounding worse than I was even worried about. I don't want anyone thinking M and I are living in the lapse of luxury with everything we want at our fingertips. M worked this morning and is now outside cleaning up the yard around the remodel. I have been scrubbing toilets. I was just trying to say that we are happy and I am glad we are. . . .
ORIGINAL POSTING
I had a series of thoughts while sitting in the dentist chair Tuesday morning. I have been thinking about it a lot since and am going to try to put it down on paper. I am a little worried it will come off sounding pompous or arrogant but here goes . . .
We go to a local dentist that is probably on the higher pay scale end of things in town. There is a lot of silly things his office does that M and I have always joked about between ourselves: warm towels on a plate after your cleaning for wiping your mouth, shaded safety glasses to wear during the procedures, text message reminders of appts, etc. We have always laughed and told ourselves that we were just looking for good quality dental care and we stayed because we found it, not because of the extras. I realized Tuesday that I like the extras. I am glad I am to a point that I can enjoy what I can pay for. I don't need the perks, but I like the perks. I bruise very easily and one time I got a small bruise on my cheek after a shot and my dentist gave me a Starbucks gift certificate! When the kids were at home and we had a self-purchased (compared to work-furnished) dental plan, we went to some lousy dentists. The kids were both in braces and had fragile teeth. We spent a lot of time in crummy drafty offices with rude receptionists and assembly line-style care. I am glad we can afford better now.
The same theory applies in other areas of our lives. We eat out almost anytime we want to because we enjoy it and because it is convenient. Yes, we often choose to stop at Taco Bell or a sub sandwich place and we eat relatively cheaply. But if we are looking for something more, then we do it. If we want to drop $100 on a meal and spend an hour lingering with friends over coffee afterward, then we do. We don't feel guilt about it. It doesn't hurt our budget.
I know I am not explaining this very well. I am just glad to be at a place in our lives that our enjoyment of something matters. We aren't penny-pinching or constantly scraping. We are careful with money but we enjoy it too. We get a lot of flak from some people about what they see as our extravagant habits. But we work very hard daily and have worked hard to get where we are, why shouldn't we enjoy it. We aren't careless or living outside our means. We are paying our bills and investing nicely.
M has gotten so much out of aviation. I am so glad we had the time and money for him to get his license and invest in an airplane. He works so hard and everyone deserves to have something they are working for. I read a lot and I have tons of books to prove it. I know I can get them from the library but I get pleasure out of owning them and I re-read them. M drove by one of the casinos the other day and saw one of our favorite comedians is coming in May. He called me and I ordered tickets as soon as they opened. I like that we can do this.
While a group of us were on a cruise in Dec 2006, our nephew won a free cruise for two that had to be taken within the year. I like that we were able to tell him right then, we'll go with you. And we did in Oct 2007 and even left from New Orleans so we could spend a weekend exploring the French Quarter.
I'm not trying to show off or seem like I am better than anyone else, but I am proud that M and I worked so hard to get where we are (and keep working to stay there). This is a big deal to me. I have to work at taking care of myself. I have a personality that will easily set aside my own wants or needs in favor of others. I have come to realize this isn't healthy, but it is still hard to be different. Just have to remind myself . . . we're worth it.
ORIGINAL POSTING
I had a series of thoughts while sitting in the dentist chair Tuesday morning. I have been thinking about it a lot since and am going to try to put it down on paper. I am a little worried it will come off sounding pompous or arrogant but here goes . . .
We go to a local dentist that is probably on the higher pay scale end of things in town. There is a lot of silly things his office does that M and I have always joked about between ourselves: warm towels on a plate after your cleaning for wiping your mouth, shaded safety glasses to wear during the procedures, text message reminders of appts, etc. We have always laughed and told ourselves that we were just looking for good quality dental care and we stayed because we found it, not because of the extras. I realized Tuesday that I like the extras. I am glad I am to a point that I can enjoy what I can pay for. I don't need the perks, but I like the perks. I bruise very easily and one time I got a small bruise on my cheek after a shot and my dentist gave me a Starbucks gift certificate! When the kids were at home and we had a self-purchased (compared to work-furnished) dental plan, we went to some lousy dentists. The kids were both in braces and had fragile teeth. We spent a lot of time in crummy drafty offices with rude receptionists and assembly line-style care. I am glad we can afford better now.
The same theory applies in other areas of our lives. We eat out almost anytime we want to because we enjoy it and because it is convenient. Yes, we often choose to stop at Taco Bell or a sub sandwich place and we eat relatively cheaply. But if we are looking for something more, then we do it. If we want to drop $100 on a meal and spend an hour lingering with friends over coffee afterward, then we do. We don't feel guilt about it. It doesn't hurt our budget.
I know I am not explaining this very well. I am just glad to be at a place in our lives that our enjoyment of something matters. We aren't penny-pinching or constantly scraping. We are careful with money but we enjoy it too. We get a lot of flak from some people about what they see as our extravagant habits. But we work very hard daily and have worked hard to get where we are, why shouldn't we enjoy it. We aren't careless or living outside our means. We are paying our bills and investing nicely.
M has gotten so much out of aviation. I am so glad we had the time and money for him to get his license and invest in an airplane. He works so hard and everyone deserves to have something they are working for. I read a lot and I have tons of books to prove it. I know I can get them from the library but I get pleasure out of owning them and I re-read them. M drove by one of the casinos the other day and saw one of our favorite comedians is coming in May. He called me and I ordered tickets as soon as they opened. I like that we can do this.
While a group of us were on a cruise in Dec 2006, our nephew won a free cruise for two that had to be taken within the year. I like that we were able to tell him right then, we'll go with you. And we did in Oct 2007 and even left from New Orleans so we could spend a weekend exploring the French Quarter.
I'm not trying to show off or seem like I am better than anyone else, but I am proud that M and I worked so hard to get where we are (and keep working to stay there). This is a big deal to me. I have to work at taking care of myself. I have a personality that will easily set aside my own wants or needs in favor of others. I have come to realize this isn't healthy, but it is still hard to be different. Just have to remind myself . . . we're worth it.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Morning Catchups
This is the second morning I have had time to post. Going to be getting up a little early now to help M get up early for an out of town job. However, today I also have a 7:30 a.m. dentist appt which to me means I get to stay home almost an hour longer than normal. I don't mind going to the dentist and my dentist and his entire staff are warm, comfortable people. However, my appt was for tomorrow and got changed, so I am missing a local Employer's Council meeting at 8:30 this morning. I don't think there is anyway I can get to it in time, but it is pouring rain so maybe I am glad I have an excuse not to go.
Yesterday was wild at the office. It was Monday and just hectic and I overdid it on coffee in the morning and was buzzing by lunch. I had a 2:30 ultrasound back here so I spent time driving to and from. I got back to work about 3:30 and worked late.
I haven't been to gym in over 10 days. M has been hurt and can't go but I planned to except my back flared up for some unknown a week ago last Saturday. I have also been having a hip problem but the doctor thinks he knows what is causing this. I have cortisone to take for a week or so and I am hoping to see a difference. I think it is helping but last night, I had terrible shooting time pains in my right knee and leg. It started in afternoon just around knee. It feels like the old "growing pains" you have as a kid. Sometimes I get this if I don't take potassium so I drank some orange juice and ate a banana at work. Expected it to just go away. It didn't. Last night, the pains continued into my calf and thigh. They aren't debilitating or anything. There almost like a cramp but not so intense. However, after I would get them, my calf and thigh would almost feel bruised like I had had a severe cramp. This morning, they seem to be gone, but a lot of my new hip problem is gone in the morning and just comes back as I spend more time up and around during the day.
Yesterday was wild at the office. It was Monday and just hectic and I overdid it on coffee in the morning and was buzzing by lunch. I had a 2:30 ultrasound back here so I spent time driving to and from. I got back to work about 3:30 and worked late.
I haven't been to gym in over 10 days. M has been hurt and can't go but I planned to except my back flared up for some unknown a week ago last Saturday. I have also been having a hip problem but the doctor thinks he knows what is causing this. I have cortisone to take for a week or so and I am hoping to see a difference. I think it is helping but last night, I had terrible shooting time pains in my right knee and leg. It started in afternoon just around knee. It feels like the old "growing pains" you have as a kid. Sometimes I get this if I don't take potassium so I drank some orange juice and ate a banana at work. Expected it to just go away. It didn't. Last night, the pains continued into my calf and thigh. They aren't debilitating or anything. There almost like a cramp but not so intense. However, after I would get them, my calf and thigh would almost feel bruised like I had had a severe cramp. This morning, they seem to be gone, but a lot of my new hip problem is gone in the morning and just comes back as I spend more time up and around during the day.
Anyway, I don't want this to be a whining medical blog, so I will stop there. I am just anxious to get back to the gym and I know M is too. He rechecks on leg on Friday and is hoping to be able to take the brace off. It really hasn't kept him from doing anything but I wonder how he will do in rain and mud today.
Depressing
My financial advisor returned the pathetic message I left for her on Friday. I got her voice mail Friday and left "Hi Nellie, I just called to whine about my 401k and so you could tell me that everybody's is doing bad and that it is okay and not to worry." We went over the funds I had selected and she advised me to just hold tight. Everyone is doing bad, and I should really stop checking it, but it is so depressing and very very annoying. I like to watch my 401k online and have little mini-celebrations to myself when it reaches different levels. 8 Months ago I was almost to a new level so I was checking daily. I put a large percentage in so I knew next payday would push it over for sure. Sure enough it did, the next day I checked and it had fallen a lot. It has fluctuated now in a range just up and down and down and up and down and down and down. GGGGGRRRRR!!!! My online page shows my personal rate of return which is great, except they have all (1 month, 3 months, YTD) turned negative except the 1 year which is barely positive. Doesn't even count as positive it is so low. Anyway, Nellie told me it would be okay. She said her company's advisers still anticipate a chance for double digit growth in some of the mid-cap funds. Blah, blah, blah. I don't know how they can have a clue when no one else seems to have any control over what the economy is doing.
It is sad but I have been throwing a little money here and there into savings bonds. US government has a great online purchase program for savings bonds and I know they are ridiculously low pay offs when compared to last decade's stock market growth, but at least they are positive growth. Also, I figure anything I put in there is money I would not have saved anyway. It is money I would have spent going out to eat or on diet Coke. The savings bonds are probably doing better than a money market or even CD right now. I am glad I have plenty of time before retirement but M needs to retire before me, and I would like to be able to retire with him too.
It is sad but I have been throwing a little money here and there into savings bonds. US government has a great online purchase program for savings bonds and I know they are ridiculously low pay offs when compared to last decade's stock market growth, but at least they are positive growth. Also, I figure anything I put in there is money I would not have saved anyway. It is money I would have spent going out to eat or on diet Coke. The savings bonds are probably doing better than a money market or even CD right now. I am glad I have plenty of time before retirement but M needs to retire before me, and I would like to be able to retire with him too.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Monday Morning
Got up early this morning, will be doing this for awhile. M is working out of town so he has an hour drive to work for next couple of months. He and L are going to get an early start, work late, and try to not work Fridays. Or at least spend Fridays working here in town.
I had to get up about 20 minutes early but that is a lot when I usually leave the house exactly 30 minutes after I get out of bed. Going to have to adjust coffee pot. I got downstairs a few minutes ago and it hasn't even come on yet.
We went to W's birthday party yesterday. It went good. Got him a Lowe's gift card. Hard to believe he will be a dad in a 7 months or so. He was 5 the first time I met him, now he is 26, been married for 5 years, has a baby on the way and a mortgage and we probably spend as much time hanging out with him as we do his parents. He is a good kid.
We were very productive when we got home after the party, we cleaned up remodel debris and loaded our spare truck down with it and hauled it to K's shop. His dumpsters get emptied on Mondays so we always try to fill them up the weekend before. Then we stopped at hangar to see D and pick up a set of scaffolding we need for remodel. He has been borrowing it for a few weeks to do some painting in the hangar. D already gave M some seaplane rating study material. M and D and another friend G are going to Florida next month to a big air show and to spend two days at Jack Brown's getting their seaplane rating. D actually already has his but might get a refresher or at least rent a seaplane to get some time in.
Today is going to be a busy day. Boss is going to be back in town, plus Mondays are just busy anyway. I have a 2:30 diagnostic test here in town, so I will have to head back downtown afterward unless it goes significantly long. If I can get back to work by 4:00, I will and work until 5:00. Tonight I have to go grocery shopping since I never made it this weekend, plus I need to go to pharmacy and bank. Tomorrow morning I have a 7:30 a.m. dentist appt.
I hear the coffee pot now and I'd better get around before I end up running late after getting up so early.
I had to get up about 20 minutes early but that is a lot when I usually leave the house exactly 30 minutes after I get out of bed. Going to have to adjust coffee pot. I got downstairs a few minutes ago and it hasn't even come on yet.
We went to W's birthday party yesterday. It went good. Got him a Lowe's gift card. Hard to believe he will be a dad in a 7 months or so. He was 5 the first time I met him, now he is 26, been married for 5 years, has a baby on the way and a mortgage and we probably spend as much time hanging out with him as we do his parents. He is a good kid.
We were very productive when we got home after the party, we cleaned up remodel debris and loaded our spare truck down with it and hauled it to K's shop. His dumpsters get emptied on Mondays so we always try to fill them up the weekend before. Then we stopped at hangar to see D and pick up a set of scaffolding we need for remodel. He has been borrowing it for a few weeks to do some painting in the hangar. D already gave M some seaplane rating study material. M and D and another friend G are going to Florida next month to a big air show and to spend two days at Jack Brown's getting their seaplane rating. D actually already has his but might get a refresher or at least rent a seaplane to get some time in.
Today is going to be a busy day. Boss is going to be back in town, plus Mondays are just busy anyway. I have a 2:30 diagnostic test here in town, so I will have to head back downtown afterward unless it goes significantly long. If I can get back to work by 4:00, I will and work until 5:00. Tonight I have to go grocery shopping since I never made it this weekend, plus I need to go to pharmacy and bank. Tomorrow morning I have a 7:30 a.m. dentist appt.
I hear the coffee pot now and I'd better get around before I end up running late after getting up so early.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday Morning Laziness
Alas, we did not win the lottery last night. How depressing. Also my ticket ran out so I will have to buy a new one.
It is noon Sunday and I just got downstairs. M got up at 8:20 and for some reason I just stayed in bed. We usually get up at the same time. He had people coming over at 9:00 to help him with remodel. I could hear them sometimes but kept right on sleeping. M came and woke me up at 11:00. I slowly got around and I am mobile now. I am having a terrible hair day. My hair is very fine and I have to use hairspray to hold it in place. My hairdresser always uses some spray or gel that keeps it in place without hairspray. I bought some control gel thinking I would do the same thing. Tried it for the first time today and it was disastrous. After I dried my hair, it was gigantic. You would have thought it was the mid-1980s my hair was so large. I had a hard time getting it back under control. Thanks goodness it is not a work day or I might have had to re-shower.
When I finally came downstairs, coffee pot had already turned itself off (how sad) so I had to go straight to diet Coke. Ate a bowl of cereal and started the dishwasher. Then wandered out to see how much M got done. He got a lot done! It is looking great. The room is completely closed in now (and gigantic). There is some more work to do outside before we can pour the concrete for the walls and ceiling but it isn't far away.
We have a 1:00 birthday party for my nephew at his house. I think he is grilling burgers. I'd better call and see if I need to bring anything and also better leave in time to go by and get a card or something.
It is noon Sunday and I just got downstairs. M got up at 8:20 and for some reason I just stayed in bed. We usually get up at the same time. He had people coming over at 9:00 to help him with remodel. I could hear them sometimes but kept right on sleeping. M came and woke me up at 11:00. I slowly got around and I am mobile now. I am having a terrible hair day. My hair is very fine and I have to use hairspray to hold it in place. My hairdresser always uses some spray or gel that keeps it in place without hairspray. I bought some control gel thinking I would do the same thing. Tried it for the first time today and it was disastrous. After I dried my hair, it was gigantic. You would have thought it was the mid-1980s my hair was so large. I had a hard time getting it back under control. Thanks goodness it is not a work day or I might have had to re-shower.
When I finally came downstairs, coffee pot had already turned itself off (how sad) so I had to go straight to diet Coke. Ate a bowl of cereal and started the dishwasher. Then wandered out to see how much M got done. He got a lot done! It is looking great. The room is completely closed in now (and gigantic). There is some more work to do outside before we can pour the concrete for the walls and ceiling but it isn't far away.
We have a 1:00 birthday party for my nephew at his house. I think he is grilling burgers. I'd better call and see if I need to bring anything and also better leave in time to go by and get a card or something.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Lottery
The lottery is at $275 million today and we plan to win it in tonight's drawing. We have been playing the "what if" game the last few weeks as the lottery has grown. M & I have talked about what we would do first, who we would buy houses for, would we claim it anonymously, etc. It is fun wishing and dreaming. Both of us have no plans to move, but we would finish remodel quicker and do some other stuff to the house too. Our first thing to do changes. This week M wants to immediately buy out one of the partner's in the 182 that is not working out. I am so aggravated with this partner that this might be my first thing to do too. Sometimes my first thing to do is to buy an ice blue-colored Jaguar. But if I really wanted to, I could probably buy one now if I really had my heart set on it, so I am not sure if I really would or not. It is hard to imagine not having to worry about money. We are very comfortable and don't have real money concerns, but I am so practical that I usually talk myself out of any luxury purchases and I am usually happy I did later. For years, I talked about wanting a Miata. I don't know why. Then one day, when we were getting close to getting a new car for me, I saw one in a parking lot and walked up to get a better look. They are teeny-tiny. I couldn't stand it and I have never thought about it again. My practicality sets in. M and I both love the new Mustangs, but we both know we would get annoyed at making insurance payments and loan payments on it and we really don't need a third car just for fun. But if you won $100 million dollars, would that practicality go away. I wish it would not, but it is too hard to even imagine how you would feel or act. Can't put myself in that position. Anyway this week, I announced I was going to buy a Jaguar and a HHR as soon as I win the big lottery. (We always specify the big lottery, no big purchases if we just win a little lottery.) M is going to buy a plane from our neighbor that sells Cirrus airplanes and he is going to buy two just so he can pull the parachute on one of them. LOL! The Cirrus airplanes have a parachute system in case of emergencies but pulling it just for fun isn't really an option because it is very violent, tears up the plane, and still a very scary landing, but we always want to try it. M test flew one a few years ago. He really liked it. It has a joystick in it.
It is hard to think of what you would do for the kids if you won that kind of money. Neither of us wants them to not have to work. I don't want them spoiled and worthless. It would be hard. I would buy them a house, but I don't think I would just give them enough money to let them do whatever they want. There are several people I would buy houses for if I won the big lottery.
It is hard to think of what you would do for the kids if you won that kind of money. Neither of us wants them to not have to work. I don't want them spoiled and worthless. It would be hard. I would buy them a house, but I don't think I would just give them enough money to let them do whatever they want. There are several people I would buy houses for if I won the big lottery.
M and I have to be busy. We would have to be involved in something. But we would travel a lot. We both like to vacation even though we are ready to come home quick. Nephew R said he would buy a house in Colorado. That would be nice but like M said, who wants to always vacation in the same spot. We would just go all different places all the time.
It is fun to think about but scary too. Winning just a smaller lottery, you would have to be very careful. You could not be thinking about buying a lot of people houses. If I won just a million or so, I would pay off anything high interest which we don't have much of, I would take our "peeps" on a huge luxury vacation to Vegas, then I would finish the remodel, and probably nicely invest the bulk of it and plan for an earlier retirement.
I know chances are slim that I or anyone I know will ever hit the big lottery but we have had some good times playing the "what if" game.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
L's Place
M and I spent last night moving L into her own place. She has been on her own awhile but not really in a place that was in her own name. She stayed with friends, stayed with her mom, and lived with her boyfriend T but now they have moved into a new place that she rented in her name. She wore M out talking about places to rent. She went several places looking. Poor thing, they finally settled on a place and filled out an application and they turned her down. The "report" they pulled on her showed she had been evicted previously from an apartment in another town in 2000. Ridiculous. She was a minor still living at home in 2000! The ignorant people at the apartment were unable to use actual useful information. They had to go off their "report" regardless of the fact that it obviously had erroneous information. Anyway, M found her an apartment just a mile from the other one that some friends of his own. It ended up being a better deal. Large 900 sq ft one-bedroom with utilities paid and comes with a washer and dryer. I would prefer that she had saved money during this time she was not having to rent something and was making a house down payment instead but at least she is self-sufficient.
We gave them our oldest couch and an entertainment center we don't use anymore. K & C are in the process of building a new dining room table and once they get it stained, they are going to give her their old table and chairs. She had a bed and dresser. We stopped on our way over there at the store and bought them laundry baskets, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, laundry soap and lots and lots of other essentials. It can be very expensive to start over stocking an entire home.
I am proud of her and happy that she has her own place. I like T and am not really surprised that they are living together even though it is not something I would have ever done. I lived at home until I got married. I was pretty young so I hadn't even considered moving out on my own, but I never considered just living with M. I know it is very common and I really am not disappointed or shocked. I like T and think he and L are good together. They have been dating for a year but there are some other issues that I wish L was not having to deal with, but we can't choose our child's lives.
We gave them our oldest couch and an entertainment center we don't use anymore. K & C are in the process of building a new dining room table and once they get it stained, they are going to give her their old table and chairs. She had a bed and dresser. We stopped on our way over there at the store and bought them laundry baskets, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, laundry soap and lots and lots of other essentials. It can be very expensive to start over stocking an entire home.
I am proud of her and happy that she has her own place. I like T and am not really surprised that they are living together even though it is not something I would have ever done. I lived at home until I got married. I was pretty young so I hadn't even considered moving out on my own, but I never considered just living with M. I know it is very common and I really am not disappointed or shocked. I like T and think he and L are good together. They have been dating for a year but there are some other issues that I wish L was not having to deal with, but we can't choose our child's lives.
Conference
My trip to Tulsa Wednesday was for a Women's Leadership Conference. It was very good and I enjoyed it. Some of it really got me thinking. There were a few speakers that had a little bit of a man-bashing theme to them. This just really turned me off. I think I should get paid and treated equal to men in the same type of work, but I am not all about being female.
At work, I just be myself. I don't play games or think about myself as particularly "a women in business". I just think of myself as a business person. I don't feel a particular affinity to other women there anymore than I do the men I work with. One of the speakers quoted Madeline Albright as saying "there is a special place in Hell for women that don't help other women." That is ridiculous to me. Shouldn't it be "there is a special place in Hell for people that don't help other people."
It's not that I don't admire women that struggled to break into male-dominated industries, but didn't they do it through their own abilities, not through the fact of being female. I know that previous generations had more discrimination to battle, but I just don't think of myself as being part of a special group of all females so I deserve different treatment. I want the treatment for who I am not what I am. I am not sure if I am making sense.
Maybe it is partly from being raised just by my mother. I never had a man or father to go to to get some things done. If our car was broke, mom arranged for it to get fixed. Mom made the money, mom paid the bills, mom and me and sister C painted the house and mowed the lawn and did anything that needed done. I just didn't think there was anything we couldn't do or shouldn't do because we were females. My sister abhorred dolls and played with cars. It is not surprising her first career was in auto parts or that she worked her way up to parts manager. I just did what I wanted and acted the way I wanted and if someone didn't like it, I just didn't care.
One of the speakers handed out buttons that said "I am a difficult woman." Her talk was about being difficult to stand up for yourselves, not playing to emotions or getting brow-beat by strong men. It was a good speech, but once again while I might categorize myself as difficult, is it necessary to add the woman part. I am good at my job, if that means I have to be difficult to get it done sometimes, well that doesn't have anything to do with being a woman. It is my personality and who I am.
Four of the other ladies from my work all wanted to wear their pins the next day to work and I told them I would not be wearing mine. It's not me and it's not the message I want to give off. I thought it was ridiculous. I don't want special treatment for being female or think I need to point it out over and over. What would you think about someone who wore a pin that said "I am difficult"? You would think this person has an attitude problem, not a team player, unwilling to compromise, etc. Adding the word woman doesn't change that. I was disgusted by it. My pin went in the trash.
I am sure there are women who would read this and think I was anti-woman or anti-equality, but what I am trying to say is that I want to be valued or judged based on myself and myself alone. What could be more equal than that.
There were excellent parts of the Women's Leadership conference. Excellent advice on controlling emotions and communicating with male hierarchy. All good information and geared toward women and gives a good message. Women need to be more assertive and not play the nurturing role at work. Women need to be pro-active in advancing their careers and their responsibility level. However, if we don't want to all be treated badly just because we are women, how can we think we should all be treated well just because we are women. Trust me there are a lot of women who shouldn't be given position of authority or promoted into certain situations and it has nothing to do with them being female. It has to do with them not being a right fit for the position. Same holds true for some men too. Judge people for who they are, not their race or gender. Being female doesn't make us all bitchy or whiny, but it doesn't make us all wonderful CEOs and entrepreneurs either.
At work, I just be myself. I don't play games or think about myself as particularly "a women in business". I just think of myself as a business person. I don't feel a particular affinity to other women there anymore than I do the men I work with. One of the speakers quoted Madeline Albright as saying "there is a special place in Hell for women that don't help other women." That is ridiculous to me. Shouldn't it be "there is a special place in Hell for people that don't help other people."
It's not that I don't admire women that struggled to break into male-dominated industries, but didn't they do it through their own abilities, not through the fact of being female. I know that previous generations had more discrimination to battle, but I just don't think of myself as being part of a special group of all females so I deserve different treatment. I want the treatment for who I am not what I am. I am not sure if I am making sense.
Maybe it is partly from being raised just by my mother. I never had a man or father to go to to get some things done. If our car was broke, mom arranged for it to get fixed. Mom made the money, mom paid the bills, mom and me and sister C painted the house and mowed the lawn and did anything that needed done. I just didn't think there was anything we couldn't do or shouldn't do because we were females. My sister abhorred dolls and played with cars. It is not surprising her first career was in auto parts or that she worked her way up to parts manager. I just did what I wanted and acted the way I wanted and if someone didn't like it, I just didn't care.
One of the speakers handed out buttons that said "I am a difficult woman." Her talk was about being difficult to stand up for yourselves, not playing to emotions or getting brow-beat by strong men. It was a good speech, but once again while I might categorize myself as difficult, is it necessary to add the woman part. I am good at my job, if that means I have to be difficult to get it done sometimes, well that doesn't have anything to do with being a woman. It is my personality and who I am.
Four of the other ladies from my work all wanted to wear their pins the next day to work and I told them I would not be wearing mine. It's not me and it's not the message I want to give off. I thought it was ridiculous. I don't want special treatment for being female or think I need to point it out over and over. What would you think about someone who wore a pin that said "I am difficult"? You would think this person has an attitude problem, not a team player, unwilling to compromise, etc. Adding the word woman doesn't change that. I was disgusted by it. My pin went in the trash.
I am sure there are women who would read this and think I was anti-woman or anti-equality, but what I am trying to say is that I want to be valued or judged based on myself and myself alone. What could be more equal than that.
There were excellent parts of the Women's Leadership conference. Excellent advice on controlling emotions and communicating with male hierarchy. All good information and geared toward women and gives a good message. Women need to be more assertive and not play the nurturing role at work. Women need to be pro-active in advancing their careers and their responsibility level. However, if we don't want to all be treated badly just because we are women, how can we think we should all be treated well just because we are women. Trust me there are a lot of women who shouldn't be given position of authority or promoted into certain situations and it has nothing to do with them being female. It has to do with them not being a right fit for the position. Same holds true for some men too. Judge people for who they are, not their race or gender. Being female doesn't make us all bitchy or whiny, but it doesn't make us all wonderful CEOs and entrepreneurs either.
Trip to Tulsa
My conference on Wednesday was in Tulsa. I don't make it to Tulsa very often even though it is a short trip up the Turnpike. Because I don't go very often, the trips remains a memory of my Beba and visits to her when I was young. Beba was my dad's mother but my mom would still take us to visit her several times a year. We would always go sometime in early December to have Christmas with her before going to my mom's family in HHI. I guess my dad's brother's and sister's families got together with her at actual Christmastime. I am not sure. We were never with them for Christmas except one time in probably 1975 or 1976 when we went to my Uncle M's house for Christmas in OKC. I think we only went because we were living with my Aunt M's family at the time. It is still strange to me that my mom moved out here to OK to my dad's family when they separated. I understand being close to them but then after the first few months, we never saw them.
Anyway, we did see Beba. We would visit her throughout the year and often I would spent time alone with her during the summer. She passed away when I was out of the country in 1980 and I didn't even know until I got home at the end of the summer. I understand that my mom didn't want to tell me over the phone or by mail when I was so far from home and only 9 years old, but I can remember being so angry that I didn't know when it happened. My dad came out for the funeral and I missed seeing him which might have been a good thing or a bad thing. Visits didn't always go very well, but I would still have liked the chance to see him. I would have gone on up to Tulsa with him for the funeral I am sure. C did not go, but that is not surprising either. Beba was the first relative I ever lost and in a way the hardest. She was so sweet and I have such fond memories of visiting her that I still feel the loss. Her death also ended all contact with my dad's family for the most part.
I can remember making the trip up Turner Turnpike to visit Beba. We always went for the weekend and I can remember packing for the trip like it was a long road trip and I needed activities to keep me amused on the way. That is funny to me now because Wednesday I drove to Tulsa and back. It is only 100 miles and took exactly 90 minutes. Even considering the speed limit was probably lower than 75 in the 1970s, it still wouldn't have been a long trip. I remember the end of the turnpike it Tulsa had a rough section before the toll gates to make you aware of the upcoming stop. Turnpikes don't have those anymore in OK but if I ever drive across any, I always think of those trips. Being so young when I last went, I really don't have a good idea of what area of Tulsa that Beba lived in, but I can remember passing a large hotel that looked like it came out of a set for Camelot. They tore it down last year or so and it made me sad, because I always thought of Beba when I saw it.
Beba was wonderful to visit. I always had such great times there. It was usually just me and her even though sometimes Aunt M's kids would be there at the same time. I can remember a cloth sack of blocks and I never built anything out of them, I always stacked them against the wall to see how tall of a tower I could make before they fell over. It made a terrible racket but Beba never complained. I always stacked them against the outside wall between the living room and the eating area. There was a picture of Jesus on the wall above.
I remember the doorbell was different that I had seen before. I can't remember what was different about it, I just remember it was different. I remember the time the cat stepped on the edge of the bowl of applesauce and the applesauce flew up and splattered on the ceiling and stayed there! We laughed about that for years. I remember the backyard and climbing Pop's old radio antenna tower. I can remember my cousin R telling me I could climb it has high as I wanted and he would stay there to catch me if I fell. I think I only climbed two feet or so off the ground but it made me feel so good that he let me do that. I can remember playing in the garage with Pop's ham radio equipment. I never met Pop but always heard so much about him. I remember the freezer was on the bottom of Beba's refrigerator and I thought that was pretty neat. Beba had a meat grinder that clamped to the edge of the kitchen table. I remember when she was babysitting the child that lived in the house behind her and everyday, we would set a place at the table for Roger Staubach to eat with us. We even pretended to talk to him.
I remember the blue room was spooky because their was a painted picture of a sea captain and his eyes would follow you and there was a painting of a ship too I think. I seem to remember that one of my aunts painted the pictures. There was also a stack of National Geographics in this room and a doll filled with sand to hold the door open. I can remember sleeping in every room of this house on one visit or another. I slept in Beba's room, the blue room, Pop's room and on the hide-a-bed in the couch. I love the feel of cool cotton sheets because Beba always had them. I can remember her ironing them.
Beba was a wonderful person and made me feel so special when I was with her. I miss her still even 28 years later. I'm not sure I ever told anyone until this but shortly after I found out that she had passed away, I had a dream about her house. There was a closet behind the front door and in my dream everything was the same except when I opened that closet door, it was white and opened to Heaven inside. There was a large set of wide white stairs that led up to Heaven. I don't remember seeing Beba in the dream but just of knowing that everything was okay with her and that everything would be okay with me too. This is not like me at all and I have never experienced anything like it before, but I remember this dream like it was yesterday and it brings me a lot of comfort.
Anyway, we did see Beba. We would visit her throughout the year and often I would spent time alone with her during the summer. She passed away when I was out of the country in 1980 and I didn't even know until I got home at the end of the summer. I understand that my mom didn't want to tell me over the phone or by mail when I was so far from home and only 9 years old, but I can remember being so angry that I didn't know when it happened. My dad came out for the funeral and I missed seeing him which might have been a good thing or a bad thing. Visits didn't always go very well, but I would still have liked the chance to see him. I would have gone on up to Tulsa with him for the funeral I am sure. C did not go, but that is not surprising either. Beba was the first relative I ever lost and in a way the hardest. She was so sweet and I have such fond memories of visiting her that I still feel the loss. Her death also ended all contact with my dad's family for the most part.
I can remember making the trip up Turner Turnpike to visit Beba. We always went for the weekend and I can remember packing for the trip like it was a long road trip and I needed activities to keep me amused on the way. That is funny to me now because Wednesday I drove to Tulsa and back. It is only 100 miles and took exactly 90 minutes. Even considering the speed limit was probably lower than 75 in the 1970s, it still wouldn't have been a long trip. I remember the end of the turnpike it Tulsa had a rough section before the toll gates to make you aware of the upcoming stop. Turnpikes don't have those anymore in OK but if I ever drive across any, I always think of those trips. Being so young when I last went, I really don't have a good idea of what area of Tulsa that Beba lived in, but I can remember passing a large hotel that looked like it came out of a set for Camelot. They tore it down last year or so and it made me sad, because I always thought of Beba when I saw it.
Beba was wonderful to visit. I always had such great times there. It was usually just me and her even though sometimes Aunt M's kids would be there at the same time. I can remember a cloth sack of blocks and I never built anything out of them, I always stacked them against the wall to see how tall of a tower I could make before they fell over. It made a terrible racket but Beba never complained. I always stacked them against the outside wall between the living room and the eating area. There was a picture of Jesus on the wall above.
I remember the doorbell was different that I had seen before. I can't remember what was different about it, I just remember it was different. I remember the time the cat stepped on the edge of the bowl of applesauce and the applesauce flew up and splattered on the ceiling and stayed there! We laughed about that for years. I remember the backyard and climbing Pop's old radio antenna tower. I can remember my cousin R telling me I could climb it has high as I wanted and he would stay there to catch me if I fell. I think I only climbed two feet or so off the ground but it made me feel so good that he let me do that. I can remember playing in the garage with Pop's ham radio equipment. I never met Pop but always heard so much about him. I remember the freezer was on the bottom of Beba's refrigerator and I thought that was pretty neat. Beba had a meat grinder that clamped to the edge of the kitchen table. I remember when she was babysitting the child that lived in the house behind her and everyday, we would set a place at the table for Roger Staubach to eat with us. We even pretended to talk to him.
I remember the blue room was spooky because their was a painted picture of a sea captain and his eyes would follow you and there was a painting of a ship too I think. I seem to remember that one of my aunts painted the pictures. There was also a stack of National Geographics in this room and a doll filled with sand to hold the door open. I can remember sleeping in every room of this house on one visit or another. I slept in Beba's room, the blue room, Pop's room and on the hide-a-bed in the couch. I love the feel of cool cotton sheets because Beba always had them. I can remember her ironing them.
Beba was a wonderful person and made me feel so special when I was with her. I miss her still even 28 years later. I'm not sure I ever told anyone until this but shortly after I found out that she had passed away, I had a dream about her house. There was a closet behind the front door and in my dream everything was the same except when I opened that closet door, it was white and opened to Heaven inside. There was a large set of wide white stairs that led up to Heaven. I don't remember seeing Beba in the dream but just of knowing that everything was okay with her and that everything would be okay with me too. This is not like me at all and I have never experienced anything like it before, but I remember this dream like it was yesterday and it brings me a lot of comfort.
Remodel
The remodel is going well. It rained Sunday and Monday and left a big mess in the yard. The ruts from previous dump truck and mixer truck visits were filled with water. We ordered concrete for Wednesday and M spent Tuesday night trying to decide if yard was dry enough to get the mixer truck in. He scattered out the remaining sand pile on the ruts, using a tractor then drove his truck across it several times. It seemed pretty solid and we decided to go for it. Thursday and Friday had pretty good chances of rain and snow. They were calling for 2-4 inches in the metro (which didn't happen at all but of course, we didn't know that then). I think a part of M wanted to wait but we didn't want to risk getting so much precip that we couldn't pour for a week or more.
Wednesday I was out of town for a conference (more about this in a later post) so our daughter L and her boyfriend T and M's brother and sister-in-law came over to help him with the concrete. It was only 3 yards but it would have to be finished and M and K were only ones with experience with that. Well, it went good. The truck got in and out very well, not even a lot of new ruts. The mixer driver did put too much water in the load and it was too runny and they had to work it until right at dark, but it turned out well. After the truck left and they were cleaning up and finishing stuff, M was pushing a wheelbarrow very very full of concrete. Anyone that knows M, knows he is in great shape and can do almost anything. Well, when he accelerated pushing the wheelbarrow and turning just right, he felt sharp pain in his left calf. He turned around and asked everyone if they had thrown something at him. He said the pain was sharp and instant and he felt a tearing feeling. No one had thrown anything at him and when I got home, I knew instantly he probably tore his muscle or a tendon. I got online and looked up Achilles tendon calf tears. The website actually said that you will think feel a tearing feeling and you might even think someone as thrown something at the back of your leg. M went to doctor next morning and sure enough, he tore his Achilles tendon.
We were thinking it really wasn't too serious of an injury because there was no bruising or internal bleeding and very little swelling, but I told him it was not worth risking for just the cost of a co-payment. He agreed even though he hates going to the doctor. The doctor just put him in a boot for two weeks to hold the foot still and let tendon and muscle heal. Really that is the best case scenario considering. Serious tears require surgery and a lengthy recovery. As it is, M can't go to the gym or fly for few weeks. He is doing well. It really hasn't stopped him from doing anything. He has been working and gets along pretty well with the boot now.
I feel bad for him because I know he doesn't like to be restricted and I know he hates everyone noticing the boot and asking him about it. He rechecks with the doctor in two weeks and I hope it has healed sufficiently to be able to stop wearing the boot. He is working today since he missed all day Wednesday with the concrete.
The next step on the remodel is to build the wall structure out of the Styrofoam blocks. Once that is done, he can building the forms for the ceiling. The concrete walls and ceiling will be poured all at once, using a pump truck so there are no seams in the structure. We probably need to wait at least a week to let the slab cure out completely since the bracing for the ceiling will put so much pressure on the floor. Right now, we have insulated blankets on the slab since it has been below freezing most nights and just in the mid-30s during the day. We will probably remove them this weekend.
Wednesday I was out of town for a conference (more about this in a later post) so our daughter L and her boyfriend T and M's brother and sister-in-law came over to help him with the concrete. It was only 3 yards but it would have to be finished and M and K were only ones with experience with that. Well, it went good. The truck got in and out very well, not even a lot of new ruts. The mixer driver did put too much water in the load and it was too runny and they had to work it until right at dark, but it turned out well. After the truck left and they were cleaning up and finishing stuff, M was pushing a wheelbarrow very very full of concrete. Anyone that knows M, knows he is in great shape and can do almost anything. Well, when he accelerated pushing the wheelbarrow and turning just right, he felt sharp pain in his left calf. He turned around and asked everyone if they had thrown something at him. He said the pain was sharp and instant and he felt a tearing feeling. No one had thrown anything at him and when I got home, I knew instantly he probably tore his muscle or a tendon. I got online and looked up Achilles tendon calf tears. The website actually said that you will think feel a tearing feeling and you might even think someone as thrown something at the back of your leg. M went to doctor next morning and sure enough, he tore his Achilles tendon.
We were thinking it really wasn't too serious of an injury because there was no bruising or internal bleeding and very little swelling, but I told him it was not worth risking for just the cost of a co-payment. He agreed even though he hates going to the doctor. The doctor just put him in a boot for two weeks to hold the foot still and let tendon and muscle heal. Really that is the best case scenario considering. Serious tears require surgery and a lengthy recovery. As it is, M can't go to the gym or fly for few weeks. He is doing well. It really hasn't stopped him from doing anything. He has been working and gets along pretty well with the boot now.
I feel bad for him because I know he doesn't like to be restricted and I know he hates everyone noticing the boot and asking him about it. He rechecks with the doctor in two weeks and I hope it has healed sufficiently to be able to stop wearing the boot. He is working today since he missed all day Wednesday with the concrete.
The next step on the remodel is to build the wall structure out of the Styrofoam blocks. Once that is done, he can building the forms for the ceiling. The concrete walls and ceiling will be poured all at once, using a pump truck so there are no seams in the structure. We probably need to wait at least a week to let the slab cure out completely since the bracing for the ceiling will put so much pressure on the floor. Right now, we have insulated blankets on the slab since it has been below freezing most nights and just in the mid-30s during the day. We will probably remove them this weekend.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Week Reflection
This week went pretty good. I was feeling much better. I got a lot done at work. I mean a lot. I was pretty behind from spending so much time on end of year stuff then being sick for 7-8 days. Monday and Tuesday my boss was on vacation and for some reason, this always makes me very productive to get big things done. I brought a rolling cart in my office and cleaned out three years worth of old files. It was great. Now I have room for all new 2008 files and things can be retrieved without wondering if you will be able to fit them back into the drawers later. Clerk was also out sick on Mon, Tues, and Wed. This left just me and secretary in office but we got a lot done. R did a great job. She was busy with her job which is always hectic on Mondays plus she did T's job and it was busy too. She took 22 applications on Monday and almost that much on Wednesday too. We really got a lot done and I got my office all cleaned up and more organized. Which was good because I was able to take a last minute 1/2 day vacation on Friday.
Home also went well. M got a lot done outside and we were able to call the city for the rough-in HVAC inspection for the remodel. There was a small glitch when first inspection was denied because inspector didn't have access to the area. We didn't find this until it was too late to contact them. It made no sense at all. What needed to be inspected was outside!! There was no reason to get into the house. M did a good job of not blowing up at them the next morning. He knows if you lose your cool with the inspectors, you will never get on to pass. Turns out it had been mistakenly written down as a final HVAC inspection and the inspector thought they needed to get in and see unit in attic. How ridiculous. The inspector was the same as the one who inspected footing and she thought inspection was wrong but she had to do what was on the piece of paper. Typical government employee/bureaucracy stuff. Anyway, they came out special the next day and got it done. Now we are ready to pour slab but rain expected tomorrow might delay us.
Speaking of weather, even the weather this week was wonderful. (And don't doubt that I wondered if the wonderful weather didn't help my entire week go well.) It has been warm with some days reaching 70 and plenty above 60. There have been a few days of wind but that is okay. We needed it to help dry out yard where concrete truck got stuck earlier. Earlier in the week, it was right around freezing in the morning but warmed up nicely.
The nice weather was particularly good yesterday (Friday) when I took my half-day vacation. Our neice-type-person was in town from her small college in KS to play in a softball tournament. M was able to get off work and so was I so we headed down there to see her play. Whole gang was there and since C is such a people-person, we knew half her team already from her dragging them home on weekends and holidays. One went on cruise with us last year and 4 or 5 were at Mardi Gras party. They were beat in both games we watched but I am glad we were able to make it to watch. C is a senior so this is last season for her.
M had two classes to go to Tuesday and Thursday evenings plus today for Aviation Weather Made Simple. He really enjoys these ongoing aviation education and usually goes with friends who enjoy getting together too. M said it has mostly been refresher and that he really hasn't learned anything new, but still it is good to have the refresher. He really enjoys flying so much. I am so glad he has been able to indulge his passion for it.
This extra time home alone this week worked good for me too. I have been increasingly irritated with my desktop computer. It has become so slow that I worry M will destroy it in a fit of rage. LOL! Not really, but it is awfully slow and something needed to be done about it. I have been working on cleaning it up and getting some unneeded stuff off of it. I think the McAfee virus scanner has been sucking up a lot of memory. I also discovered there is only 256 Ram. That doesn't even seem possible, it is so low. I can't believe I would have bought it like that but it is 4 years old so maybe that wasn't low ram back then. I can't remember. I don't know enough about it, could I have lost ram? Does it fail? Need to find this out. One of the nerdy boys from work is helping me. I think he wants a free plane ride. I didn't tell him that M would always give out plane rides for free. I'll let him help me first. Poor nerdy boy. Oh, when I need his help, I call him Computer guru instead of nerdy boy. They actually don't mind being called nerdy boys, especially from me. They always say anyone that has had a discussion with them about old Commodore 64s, can't call them nerdy without including herself. I guess this is true.
What didn't go as well as it should this week is that I gained a couple pounds at ww and we didn't eat home at all. Well, I did on the nights M was gone but I had sandwiches. I didn't cook all week. It was really pretty hectic. Hey wait, I just remembered I made spaghetti on Monday night and I get double points for that because I used leftover spaghetti sauce from another meal instead of letting it get old in the fridge and have to be thrown away. I am vindicated. I did good in the cooking department too. I wasn't too upset about gaining a couple pounds back. I lost quite a bit while I was sick, plus I know that it just fluctuates some for different reasons. I have done good at not getting discouraged and just going back to being good.
We did eat pizza this week twice! New place opened up in town with Italian style pizza. We went Wednesday night with brother-in-law and sister-in-law, it was really good, flat style, so big you have to fold 'em to eat 'em slices with only Italian toppings available. It was really good. Friday, after softball game, we all four went there again, but it was not as good. Crust was overcooked, pop machine was messed up on carbonation, and to top it all off, I paid with a $100 and the cashier gave me back $108 in change. I returned it to her right away and told her she gave me too much change. She was irritated. You would have thought I was complaining instead of doing her a favor. I couldn't believe it. Anyway, we will go there again sometime, but it broke the spell of that first amazing trip there.
Home also went well. M got a lot done outside and we were able to call the city for the rough-in HVAC inspection for the remodel. There was a small glitch when first inspection was denied because inspector didn't have access to the area. We didn't find this until it was too late to contact them. It made no sense at all. What needed to be inspected was outside!! There was no reason to get into the house. M did a good job of not blowing up at them the next morning. He knows if you lose your cool with the inspectors, you will never get on to pass. Turns out it had been mistakenly written down as a final HVAC inspection and the inspector thought they needed to get in and see unit in attic. How ridiculous. The inspector was the same as the one who inspected footing and she thought inspection was wrong but she had to do what was on the piece of paper. Typical government employee/bureaucracy stuff. Anyway, they came out special the next day and got it done. Now we are ready to pour slab but rain expected tomorrow might delay us.
Speaking of weather, even the weather this week was wonderful. (And don't doubt that I wondered if the wonderful weather didn't help my entire week go well.) It has been warm with some days reaching 70 and plenty above 60. There have been a few days of wind but that is okay. We needed it to help dry out yard where concrete truck got stuck earlier. Earlier in the week, it was right around freezing in the morning but warmed up nicely.
The nice weather was particularly good yesterday (Friday) when I took my half-day vacation. Our neice-type-person was in town from her small college in KS to play in a softball tournament. M was able to get off work and so was I so we headed down there to see her play. Whole gang was there and since C is such a people-person, we knew half her team already from her dragging them home on weekends and holidays. One went on cruise with us last year and 4 or 5 were at Mardi Gras party. They were beat in both games we watched but I am glad we were able to make it to watch. C is a senior so this is last season for her.
M had two classes to go to Tuesday and Thursday evenings plus today for Aviation Weather Made Simple. He really enjoys these ongoing aviation education and usually goes with friends who enjoy getting together too. M said it has mostly been refresher and that he really hasn't learned anything new, but still it is good to have the refresher. He really enjoys flying so much. I am so glad he has been able to indulge his passion for it.
This extra time home alone this week worked good for me too. I have been increasingly irritated with my desktop computer. It has become so slow that I worry M will destroy it in a fit of rage. LOL! Not really, but it is awfully slow and something needed to be done about it. I have been working on cleaning it up and getting some unneeded stuff off of it. I think the McAfee virus scanner has been sucking up a lot of memory. I also discovered there is only 256 Ram. That doesn't even seem possible, it is so low. I can't believe I would have bought it like that but it is 4 years old so maybe that wasn't low ram back then. I can't remember. I don't know enough about it, could I have lost ram? Does it fail? Need to find this out. One of the nerdy boys from work is helping me. I think he wants a free plane ride. I didn't tell him that M would always give out plane rides for free. I'll let him help me first. Poor nerdy boy. Oh, when I need his help, I call him Computer guru instead of nerdy boy. They actually don't mind being called nerdy boys, especially from me. They always say anyone that has had a discussion with them about old Commodore 64s, can't call them nerdy without including herself. I guess this is true.
What didn't go as well as it should this week is that I gained a couple pounds at ww and we didn't eat home at all. Well, I did on the nights M was gone but I had sandwiches. I didn't cook all week. It was really pretty hectic. Hey wait, I just remembered I made spaghetti on Monday night and I get double points for that because I used leftover spaghetti sauce from another meal instead of letting it get old in the fridge and have to be thrown away. I am vindicated. I did good in the cooking department too. I wasn't too upset about gaining a couple pounds back. I lost quite a bit while I was sick, plus I know that it just fluctuates some for different reasons. I have done good at not getting discouraged and just going back to being good.
We did eat pizza this week twice! New place opened up in town with Italian style pizza. We went Wednesday night with brother-in-law and sister-in-law, it was really good, flat style, so big you have to fold 'em to eat 'em slices with only Italian toppings available. It was really good. Friday, after softball game, we all four went there again, but it was not as good. Crust was overcooked, pop machine was messed up on carbonation, and to top it all off, I paid with a $100 and the cashier gave me back $108 in change. I returned it to her right away and told her she gave me too much change. She was irritated. You would have thought I was complaining instead of doing her a favor. I couldn't believe it. Anyway, we will go there again sometime, but it broke the spell of that first amazing trip there.
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