Meeting new neighbors, wondering why we have all of this stupid crap, and a partridge in a pear tree...

Okay, so we don't have a pear tree. But we do have a Redbud Tree - so that counts right?

Moving is kicking my ass... I HATE living in chaos... HATE IT. Hate it BAD. And that's really all moving is, it seems. Barely controlled chaos. At best. But there are some fun moments too... (Struggling to remember one - I'll just leave a space here if something comes to me...)

And eating out. A LOT of eating out. So there's that... And things *are* coming along.


I am amazed at how many holes I have needed to drill into these *new* walls. we're talking many many holes... Having this-->
has made my life soooooooo much easier!! I had no idea! And it was one of the first things we brought over (thank God). And also - Thanks Pop! You said that I would love it and need it. Boy, were you right! Drill bits - no such thing as too many...

We have been meeting some other folks in the neighborhood - most seem very nice. Sporta got invited across the street yesterday to come and play with *all* of the neighborhood kids on a tire swing the dad just hung. Heaven that... And I am determined to not let Bitchy Lawn Envy Lady get under my skin. (Yes, that is her real name.) And her little yappy dog can kiss my ass too...

And in that light, I have either completely endeared myself to the new neighbors to the North or completely alienated them. Remains to be seen... They are a very happy (and large) Indian Clan - as Christina would say, Dot not Feather. And the dude - Raj - was struggling to install his mailbox. So since I have a great cordless drill, plenty of bits, and a plethora of decking screws I offered to help him out. His dad (I assume) just stood by and smiled and bowed a lot. Raj seemed happy too and his mailbox is good to go.

"I must soon visit a hardaware store and purchase one of those tools!" He said. "They seem quite handy!"

Lord know how many social and cultural mores I have destroyed... But hey - I was only trying to help.

At the request of a few of you for pictures - here are a couple. I call them "What moving looks like..."












































As for WxMan - he continues to be very happy with his grass.















Heh. There is much discussion about the whens and whys of mowing of late. God love him...

And I finally installed the vertical blinds - so the "easy-bake-oven" quotient has been greatly diminished. That's good...
















As for me, as long as there is wine I will be fine. Hey look! I can still rhyme! I must not be totally nuts... Or maybe that is the first sign... Wine fine rhyme sign. Works for me!

BbbbBbbbBbbbbbBBbbbBBbbbBbBbBbbb

Whee!

(Dont'cha just wish you were here?? Yeah - me too...)

Done.

Which loosely translated means at least all of our stuff is one in ONE location instead of two...

That's good. I said my goodbyes to the old house. It was a lovely place for us... Too tired for any kind of emotions, I suppose - and that's okay. I left three root beers, a six pack of Guinness and a bottle of Champagne for the new owners. Seems only right, ya know? And I feel really good about the way we left the house. Good karma is everything.

Now all I have to do is get this place put together...

Hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahaha....

I crack myself up!

Glass of wine?

Check.

Comfy chair?

Check.

A few hours off?

Check.

But company's coming... Gotta keep trucking.

Regular posting to resume... uh... soonish... Have a great weekend y'all!

Final Push...

That's the plan.

Two more days to button this deal up - keys get exchanged tomorrow evening. Two.more.days. **sigh** I am so very ready to be done...

As yet I am working at the new place this morning, and will be cleaning carpets at the old place this afternoon. Hopefully, constructiuon wise, I will actually be able to drive to the house - but that remains to be seen.

Two more days...

How long before it's considered child abuse?

I am talking about the moving = pizza consumption quotient.

You should have seen their faces tonight....

Gah...

Just for fun....

And lord knows we need some. I took the girls last Friday to get a little beauty treatment. They weren't overly excited until I explained to them that they could get "streaks."

"Really Mom?? Any color we want??"

They were over the MOON!














Heh. And I got to be a "cool" mom for a change (instead of the resident harda$$ that I usually am).

Now having read HP7, I would like to say that the streaks are a show of solidarity with Tonks. (Man, I love her character). Or at the least a symbol of loyalty to Dumbledore's Army... Viva la resistance!!

I guess I'd better start choosing *my* colors, eh?

Harry Potter Mania!!

alternate title: Do I get my official stalker card now??

You see, ever since they tore up our (former) street, we have been receiving our mail in this weird little communal unit. And might I stress the word little??

So I know from experience that HP 7 will not fit there. Arrrgh! And I had visions of getting the mail today and receiving one of those little yellow "we have something you need to pick up at the Post Office" cards. In which case I would have to wait until MONDAY.

MONDAY!!!

Nuh uh. Anything else could wait until Monday. But not this... Someone would be sure to accidentally spoil it for me before then...

So on my way to the post office to check and see if they had my book (they didn't - the carrier took it with) I had seen the mail truck turning up another street. Okaaay... At least I knew where they were headed. And you *know* that I totally tracked down and accosted our very sweet former letter carrier to ensure I got my book today...

Well... maybe "accosted" is a bit strong, language wise. But I did track her down and flap my arms a bit and she then gave me the book with a big smile and shake of her head...

"I was just going to hoof it down to your house," she said. "I knew you would want this today!"

God love her.

So I will be busy this afternoon. Not with house stuff - even though I should be. But with this....












It's going to be a great day.

Before and after....

I am not yet ready to post *interior* B&A shots, but the outside of the house is looking fabulous! Wanna see?











Definitely before, eh?

Here is the completed patio - I just *love* this space...

And ::drumroll:: please....

This is my very happy hubby tending his grass. It is a well loved lawn, I assure you.

Now all that's left is the entirety of the inside!

Uhhhhh, right. It may be awhile... Time to get to work.

Tired...

And sore and discombobulated.

And dang near all moved! Whoohoo!

And back online - not that I have time to do much at all with it... Soon though.

Pictures to follow - and thanks everyone for your kind well wishes! They have been greatly appreciated.

See you soon!

Alive and Well

Hey, Christina here.

Richmond and I have been visiting and she wanted everyone to know that she is well and fine.

All of their "stuff" has been moved.

In fact, they spent their first night in the new house last night!!

Internet service has not yet been established and she is not quite sure when she will be able to give you all of the wonderful moving details, so I'm just popping in to say "Hello!" for her and post a few pictures from late last week.

So, here we go!

Here are some shots of the new paver patio:







The kitchen looks fabulous!!



The IKEA bookshelves DO look like built-ins!!





She has also purchased this beautiful corner cabinet for the dining room:



What can I say?

Girlfriend has damn good taste!!

I don't know about you guys, but I am so thrilled for Richmond and her family.

Congratulations!!

Swimming Upstream....

Holy shit.... It's getting real now.

So much to do...

So little time.

And we *are* going to see Harry Potter tomorrow.

I am tired - yet exhilarated...

This plan is coming together, by God.

(Hope He's in a mood to help, though...)

And this was all my own bright idea, right?? I can be *such* an idiot sometimes...

Still alive...

I hope to come up for air again soon.

And to post some pictures of actual "progress" as far as the house is concerned...

So much to do. Ack! Time to make lists, get organized and paddle like hell...

Thank God I have a paddle.

Family, Friends, Hope and Joy...

And most of all - Love.

It's in the walls - and throughout the home.












At least that's my intention. I am LOVING this color, BTW. What do you think?

More planned for this week - appliances get delivered and we get things set up with the basement contractor guy... I feel particularly scattered dividing my time and energy between two houses, but I am pretty sure the end result will be totally worth it.

I hope so, anyway.

Either way I *look* happy, right?? 'Course, that might be how crazy looks too... Hard to tell...

I am Tall and Yellow...

Via the blogfather Harvey himself.

You Are Big Bird

Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around. You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy. You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you. How you life your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper."

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

"Super. Duper. Flooper!" Huh? Not a bad way to live. And I get to hang out with everybody - even Oscar. That's pretty cool... And now that I think about it, I really am kinda tall and a little yellow. It's good to be Big Bird. :^)

In like Flynn...

To the new house that is... Now the real work begins.

I have picked my paint colors. Colorifficness begins tomorrow....

The Satellite TV guy was there today.

As was the Garage door Guy

Contractor for the basement

Electronics installer guy...

Satellite TV, Baby! That guy too...

We took delivery on both a package and a pizza.

Doesn't that mean we're moved in? I think it's a great start!

Now the real fun starts.

I have keys. ;^)

Life is a parade...

Followed by a party! Or at least mine was yesterday...

Contagion and his lovely wife Ktreva along with their boys Boopie and Clone were the first to arrive at my humble abode. Troopers that they are, they managed to schlep ice, a super yummy potato salad and two bottles of vino even though they couldn't make it to my driveway! Yikes!

I was so glad that they were here, I immediately put them to work - Ktreva slicing and dicing in the kitchen and Contagion manning the grill... It wasn't *that* hot - or so he said - but I was glad to have quite a few beers for him to sample and he seemed quite content.












fire + meat + beer = happiness... For Contagion, anyway. And he is a master of all three...

Harvey and TNT arrived shortly there after - packing more Ice up the hill. (Thank heavens!) It is always a joy to hang out with them and the frozen H2O was waaay necessary - gotta keep those beers cold, don't cha'know. And it was melty mcmelty in the heat...

After a quick bite to eat and a couple of beverages we gathered up the kids and headed down to the parade! The only things missing were Andy and Opie - I swear to God...

Everything from octogenarian square dancers, to classic cars, princes and princesses for days... Marching bands, fire trucks and politicians. What I so dearly love, is that when the colors are presented to begin the parade everybody stands up and pays their respects. (Even the 14-15 y.o. boys behind us - though it took me giving them a curt nod and the "mom stare" to seal the deal) when I heard one of them sigh,

"Huh - guess we have to stand up now..."

Damn straight, dude. On your feet...








More tractors make for a better parade, right?


Computa and Clone were digging the candy throwing...



Sporta did too, though she felt the need to stake out her own territory. Imagine that...

Freezee pops make everything better. Definitely.





So after the parade, we headed back to my place.

We were all eager to cool off inside and I needed to get cracking on the mojitos! Once the illustrious Tammi arrived, we ladies moved back to the patio for some R&R. And snacks - always with snacks...



Brats and hot dogs, asiago chicken sausages and polish sausage...

Potato salad (thanks Ktreva!), my yummy veggie summer salad, baked beans and the like...

Followed closely by Grandma's homemade Macaroni and cheese, and crack...

Shrimp and bacon crack... Mmmmmmm....

And you know? I have discovered that I have been remiss in the past and skimping on desserts. This year I decided to rectify THAT error with a lovely (and delish) Tiramisu ala Christina.

Honey? That stuff is slap yo momma good. Seriously.














Between the tiramisu and the chocolate fountain with an assortment of fresh fruits, berries, and cheesecake bites for dipping, I think everybody was pretty happy.

I took this picture just *after* all the kids had gotten their chocolate groove on.

To watch their anticipation, you would have thought I was channeling Willy Wonka himself. I had some VERY happy campers on my hands - and more than one shirt had to be changed... You *know* it's good stuff when that happens...

All in all, it was a great gathering of friends. Roses was able to stop by with one of her boys and enjoy a bit of the evening. The new owners of my this cute little house dropped in as well! (Did I mention that I really like them??)

And my blogless friend Nancy and her family stopped by too... Between bites of mac-n-cheese she talked blogography with the Blogfather himself (amongst other things). I figure she'll be posting away in no time... You know how it goes...

Anyhoo, not long thereafter my good buddy AkshunJ and Mrs. J made their appearance! Remember their recent trip to Bejing? Well, they brought me a present! Look!












Isn't that just gorgeous?? Wow! Thanks you guys!!!

And the girls got a little somethin' somethin' too - I'll post pictures once their ears are pierced - they are over the MOON!

So after all the yum and much fun conversation it was time to gather up and head to the park for some fireworks. (Hope the walking wasn't too much, y'all!) Folks come from miles around to see the show! My good friends and former neighbors had saved us a spot to plunk down our chairs and ourselves...

Ohhhh.... Pretty!!!!












Then home again for a few extra pops and crackles. It was a great evening...

Thanks so much for celebrating with us, everybody!! Y'all were a blast - better than the bombs bursting in air even.

Same time next year - okay?

More to follow....

Yesterday was a FANTASTIC day. Hope yours was too...

Happy day after the Fourth of July!

37 years ago today...

Nixon was in the white house.

Gas cost $.36 a gallon.

The Jackson Five topped the charts with The Love You Save.



And these two crazy kids embarked on a journey of a lifetime.



















Sparks still fly...














Happy Anniversary, Mom and Pop!

I dunno where I'd be without you! ;^) I hope you have a wonderful day!

About Last Night...

We had an AWESOME time!

And I am in full prep-mode for our annual 4th of July party.

Damn, I love this time of year....

Oh now - this really sounds like me....

You Are Paper

Crafty and creative, you are able to adapt freely to almost any situation. People tend to underestimate you, unless they've truly seen what you are capable of. Deep down, you're always scheming and thinking up new plans. Your mind is constantly active. You are quite capable of anything you dream of. You can always figure out a way to get what you want. You can wrap a rock person up in your sheet of trickery. A scissor person can sneak up and cut you to pieces. When you fight: No one can anticipate your next move If someone makes you mad: You'll attack them mercilessly when they're unprepared

Are You Rock, Paper, or Scissors?

I found it over at Tammi's place. And yes - "Crafty and creative, you are able to adapt freely to almost any situation. People tend to underestimate you, unless they've truly seen what you are capable of."

Totally.Me.

Anyhoo - we're off to blow stuff up. As paper though, I will be sure to stay well away from the sparks. ;^)