So Happy I Could Cry

Today at my Dad's was a good day... it was kind of bittersweet though.  With the trees blooming (Flowering Cherry and Lilac) outside and the grass cut... and everything cleaned up inside, it was one of the first times that I half expected my Mom to come out on the porch or around the corner in the kitchen.  Today was emotional as well because not only am I tired of the whole project, but I now realize that my childhood is just about to go up on the sales block.  With the state of the house before, I disassociated myself with it... now, I can see so much history again.  The property has such an old-fashioned charm to it, with the long driveway and huge trees on either side of the front yard.  In the second picture, you can see the long-needle pine tree that I planted as a kid... it was smaller than the Charlie Brown Christmas tree at the time... now look at it.

I finished up a lot of projects today and my Dad cut all the grass.  I got the whole house mulched and put down some decorative rocks.  I got all of my tools gathered up and did a light cleaning on the house.  It looks really great.  We just got done in time for the real estate agent (my friend Kim) to come by and get some measurements and take some pictures.  It is officially ready to be put on the market.  The pictures below are the ones I took myself (you can click on them to see the original size pics)... The next-to-last pic is of the attic (it used to be our playroom), and the last is the satellite view with the yard outlined.

The Blog Post Framework

Yesterday, I was talking to my friend Elaine (who I was about to feature, but after what happened... I'm not so sure)...  You would think that one of my oldest friends who knows everything about me there is to know would be reading my blog, but I'm finding out that that's not exactly so... or to what degree.  I mean, she is extremely busy with work and is always traveling and she usually prints out 20 pages of it and reads it on the plane once a month to catch up.

A week or so ago when I was having that bad couple of days, she couldn't get ahold of me (because I slept 15 hours) and she started worrying... so she finally thought to look at my blog and that might shed some light (since my whole life is vomited in print daily).  After she read it and then we talked, she felt better, and she vowed to "read it every day from now on".  So yesterday when I talked to her, she made it a point to say that she'd been keeping up with it every day and she started spouting off some posts to show her blog knowledge.  The first thing she said was about my friend Matt's dog Nick and how that was great how I brought him home and how was he doing, etc.  After being confused for 8 seconds (which felt like 3.5 minutes), I quickly realized that she was only skimming the first paragraph of each post and, had she read on, she would have known what happened with Nick, etc.

When I'm writing something, there is always this feeling that if it's too long, I'll lose the interest of the reader, so I try to keep it short... but sometimes, a bitch just has to say shit and I need more than a paragraph.  When I put together a post, there's usually the first paragraph, which is the fluffy back-story... then the lead-up and, finally, the dismount tie-in that wraps it all up, usually with a quip or antecdote.  And while some posts may seem like they are going nowhere... there's no point or the point is not in plain sight, I can assure you that, if you stuck it out (and I know some posts take up to 1.5 minutes to read)... it would come together. 

If you were going to skim, check out the blog post name (which usually gives a preview of what's to come)... look through the first paragraph for big and shiny $4.00 words.... and you'd definitely want to read the last paragraph and look at the pictures (which usually tie in somehow). 

YUM !! (Necklaces)

Nick, Nick, bo bick....

For those of you that have been asking about how Matt is doing... he is managing.  When you lose a beloved pet, you never get over it.  After almost a week, Matt was able to post a nice rememberance on his blog...

Ode To Nick

Gone to the Birds

Today, it was back at my Dad's again.  He was busy painting the basement (starving the roller)... while I was all over the house trying to get things done.  I hooked up the bathroom sink and drain and thoroughly cleaned the bathroom (which is completely done).  I've used the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers in the past... but I just couldn't believe what a great job it did on the bathtub, the shower stall downstairs and all the kitchen cabinets inside and out.  I started to put the new knobs on but they don't fit.  I still have so much to do yet before Monday, and tomorrow may be a landscaping day.

I'm really tired.  All the scrubbing not only exhausted me, but pissed me off as well.  It's hard for me to be over there, devoting all this time to fixing and cleaning the place up... and all the while, I am fuming inside that my brother made all this mess and I'm stuck cleaning it up.  Same with my nephew (that used to live there for a summer) and my brother's friend.  None of them did a thing but make a mess.  Somehow, I have to find a way to work through this anger and resentment I have for them. It just amazes me that, with all the money they conned my Dad out of, and continue to in ways... I'm the one that is doing all the work and they're nowhere to be found. 

Early this morning at my Dad's, I heard this sound at the back door.  There used to be these wooden lattice panels that I took off, and I think it's confusing the birds.  All day long, this cute little bird tried getting in and then would fly around to the other window and just look in at me (from the bottom right box in the pic).  If there's one thing that I inheirited from my Dad, it's his love of birds.  With his birdfeeder mounted outside our balcony... and bird book in one hand and binoculars in the other... it's the Price Is Right and bird watching from my leather couch that I never get to sit on because I'm never home every day.  I'm about to mount the hummingbird feeder out there as well.  My whole life has gone to the birds.

The Devil's Playground...

I don't think it's any big surprise to anyone that I'm not a kid person, at least until they are old enough to push a lawn mower or make tennis shoes.... but give me puppy any day though.  Here are some interesting playgrounds that seem to solve the children over-population problem or offer some challenges for their ever-curious minds...

And my favorite playground of all.... (what a nice place this must be)

The Old Gray Mare....

Today was another day over at my Dad's.  It was sunny and nice much longer than they said it would be, and I started second guessing my decision to go there instead of getting some outdoor work done... until I saw Elmira Gulch and a random cow go flying by the window.  It surely rained and was pretty windy.

I don't know if you've ever cut a hole in a formica top for a sink or not, but it aint easy, that's for sure... for many reasons.  One wrong cut and you're done... you have to go get another top.  I managed not to mess it up, got the sink attached... attached the base cabinets to the wall and the countertop to the base cabinets... a little plumbing magic and voila... water that goes down a drain.  Other than a light cleaning... and gluing on the countertop end piece... and changing out the knobs... the kitchen is done.  Tomorrow, I will do a few odds and ends and clean the entire house... and it will be listed on Monday.

I had to get some copper fittings to solder to the existing pipes so that I could hook up the sink and the first time around, I got the wrong size.  Long story short, I told my Dad to shut the water off so that I could open the lines and have it all drain out so I could solder.  I had had enough for the day at that point, we both left the house, I went and got the right fittings and was going to go home... but something told me to go back and get the soldering done.  I walked in the house and the water was pouring out of the kitchen pipes, through the floor and into the basement.  Here, my Dad didn't turn the shutoff valve off enough.  Thank goodness I went back 20 minutes later instead of waiting until tomorrow. 

When things like that happen, there are a miriad of things that go through my mind.  I don't double check what my Dad does because I don't want to make him feel useless and he wants to help... or I don't get mad at the outcome.  What upsets me is that my Dad is getting older.  And things like his strength and mind are going.  I feel like that strong Dad that can fix anything is slipping away.  And since I've never really been close with him until the last couple of years... I can't help but feel a void in my life of time missed.  But, the old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be... are any of us though?

I've been posting some fluff lately... mainly because not too much is going on that I haven't been talking about... landscaping, work at my Dad's, sleep, repeat...

And with this pattern, I am the happiest that I've been in a long while.  Working is a drug for me.  I feel best when I'm accomplishing something and tired at the end of the day.  Add to it beautiful weather and the trees and flowers sprouting... what more can someone ask?

That's Just a Bunch of Craziness...

Let Loose

Proving that you can have a wild and crazy night, even if you're a big weiner... and, without reason (actually, for various)... I'm strangely turned on by this pic...

Timmy Makes It Through

In a double elimination week... Tim manages to squeak through again... donning his winning smile and manly-muscle arms....  it was pitchy in places... but who cares... look at him.  :)

Pro (re) gress?

This is one of those days where everything went right... I watched my shows last night but still got good sleep and was up very early and out the door... I got a lot done at the Marriott today and went over another project there that I'll be putting together... they are thrilled with the work that I'm doing.  I got paid by them for an invoice I sent them 6 days ago... I got another small unrelated job today... I spoke to my real estate agent and she will be listing it on Monday and thinks she has someone to show it to and that they are busy and it should sell fast... I made a fresh pitcher of my flavored ice coffee.. did two loads of laundry... going to get the countertop for the kitchen to finish it up on Friday... AI and all my favorite shows are on tonight...

It has all the makings for an excellent day... and I'm not complaining... I'm just like... whatever... good for me.  Ever have one of those days?

The Last Song

Today, I was able to get all the trim up and all the touchups done... only the countertop and sink plumbing needs to be done and the kitchen will be done... I should have it listed by early next week, with a severe cleaning still needing to be done.

Tonight, I decided to go catch a movie... and although it's Tuesday Night Movie Madness night... we haven't gotten together in the last couple of weeks for one reason or another... plus, camp starts this weekend, so it's time for it to come to an end until Fall any way.  Most times not getting to see movies that I want to see, picking songs for the masses.... I went to see what I wanted to... which was 'The Last Song', with Miley Cyrus and her hunky new boyfriend that she met on the set.  Knowing full well that it was a tear-jerker, I was prepared for the plot.  What I wasn't prepared for was her acting.  I can honestly say that I don't like her... nothing about her.  The movie was nice... it would have been better with someone else in it.  I enjoyed it, but I really don't have anything to say about it (I know, hard to believe).  It would have been better had the other 6 people in theater not crumpled plastic wrappers and talked the ENTIRE time. 

I have AI to watch and GLEE.... Tim Urban really did a nice job on Elvis' I Can't Help, Falling In Love With You (yet another performance dedicated to me... I know you miss me, Tim).  Dare I say he did the best tonight?   

Old Lady Blues...

I swear, sometimes I'm like such a little old lady... set in my ways with my routines... doing my crossword puzzles... sitting down watching my Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with a nice glass of Metamucil... and having the weather channel on constantly in the background when I'm putzing around the house, redding up and all.  I am really effected by the weather... especially the damp, forty degree weather that we're having today.  I get so cold... much more so then when we have 20 degree weather.  Probably my arthritis or rheumatism or something.  It cuts right through me like a letter opener on a Publisher's Clearinghouse sweepstake notice or social security check envelope.

Yesterday, it was a pretty productive day at my Dad's.  I got the floor glued down, the base cabinet put back in, some trim put up and my brother painted the front and back doors while my Dad (actually, I have no idea what he did all day).  We also got some more things down for trash pickup... it feels great to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel... hopefully it's not a train coming to run my ass down.  Supposed to be doing landscaping today, I'm off to my Dad's for more work to be done instead, with the rain.

With our lease on the townhouse coming due, we've decided to stay here for another year.  A lot of my neighbors have moved out and some new ones moving in.  A nice family moved in next to us last night.  The crappy landscapers that cut our grass came by, in the rain, to make a mess out of everything.  They're so bad (but so cute too, so I'll struggle through it). 

GLEE IS BACK ON TONIGHT!!!!   If you didn't get a chance to check it out before their hiatus.... check it out.... it's the best show!!

Nick

Yesterday, I got a call from Matt that Nick, his dog, hadn't been doing well getting around and was at the dog sitter's.  Since his flight was delayed, I went and picked Nick up and took him home and sat with him until Matt got home around midnight.  Having been given an estimated 2-3 months (5 months ago), Nick had been doing really well, albeit losing weight and dealing with the tumors... but he was very happy and even active.  When I picked him up at the sitter's, he couldn't walk and was very tired.  He was very happy to see Matt when he walked through the door, but it was more of the same today with little hope of him getting any stronger and, hopped up on pain meds, whether he was suffering or not, so it was time.

Nick was one of the most loyal dogs I've ever seen, with a communication between them that didn't require words.  Almost 14, he never rested, always looking to see what Matt was doing and followed him around endlessly by his side.  I met them at a park this afternoon and we sat in the sun.  Last night, while at my feet, not able to get up... Nick was sleeping and you could see that he was dreaming... all four of his legs moving as if he was running in the woods like he always has... and now, he is again...

This is one of my favorite songs from Lord of the Rings... and my definite favorite of Annie Lennox...

Into The West - For Nick

Progress

Today, I went over to my Dad's and got some stuff done... some plumbing issues resolved... laid out the one-piece linoleum floor and got it cut and down (but not glued)... etc.  I got the light covers back on and installed the range hood.  I'm making baby steps, but it's going well and I hope to have it listed mid-week.  My Dad was in the garage getting the walls painted... it looks really good.  Tomorrow, my brother and I will get the floor glued, get the baseboards cut and get the base cabinets back in, ready for the new countertop.  Some lady stopped by that saw it 3 months ago... she was amazed at how different it looked.  She may be interested now... we'll see.

I Go Out Walkin', After Midnight...

Last night, I went to this little straight bar in Rochester, PA to see my friend Julie sing with her band.  Their's was the opening act, but it should have been the headliner (if my management company had anything to do with it (look how far I've gotten Tim Urban))... it was good to hear Julie's sing live for the first time in over 25 years.  Being her biggest fan and organizer of a few fan clubs (The Jul Tones..  The Jul-eries... I'm not Lisa, my name is Julie (only for those who remember the late 70's))... it's great that she's using her instrument and talent.  It was a fun night had by all.

Very confusing for me in a straight bar, it's hard to relax and it's a bit like kryptonite.  At first I'm looking at the straight guys, then realizing they are straight and with the girls... then I (ever so briefly) look at the girls (spit up in my mouth a little bit) and flirt with a girl with a guy, then look at the guy, remember that he's straight and then run to the nearest gay bar where my powers are fully functional, but the guys are fully disfunctional.  It's a scarring process and the reason I stay out of straight bars.  Either way, I walk out empty-handed.