New Shower Curtains

For anyone who knows me, my life is not complete without an updated shower curtain.  It had been a while since I actually purchased a new shower curtain.  Especially since I downsized and actually got rid of a few.  I have to admit I don't really change the shower curtain in the basement bathroom very often. Don't get me wrong, I have about six curtains down there that I rotate around, I just don't do it as much since I seldom use that bathroom.

When I purchased my set of golf clubs, I received a rebate for $50 at Menards.  My intention was to purchase a chain saw.  I mean what better purchase than a chain saw?  The last time I borrowed one, I managed to cut down a live tree, have it fall across a dozen wires and land on my garage!  I could only imagine what I could do with my very own chain saw!  So instead, I managed to buy two shower curtains and a bunch of other miscellaneous things instead.  Of course this one, I think I may put in the basement bathroom with the orange too!

 

 

Maybe some day I will find a new hobby or passion.  For now I like the instant change to the bathroom, the lack of storage room necessary to house my obsession and the low cost involved! :)

Outdoor House Updates

I finally decided to replace my garage roof.  I had a feeling if I waited much longer, the roof would have caved in completely.  I wasn't entirely thrilled with the price, but it was done in a day and I am glad to have it replaced!

Before

 

After

I haven't done much to the inside of the house.  I have been keeping busy painting at MS' house since he moved and really don't have much energy or desire to do much on my house.  Earlier this year I discontinued our DISH and switched to AT&T Uverse.  I decided I had had enough of the wires and cables in and around the house.  I didn't realize exactly how much I had from the various services over the years!



Cable/Phone Excess Wires

I also came back from vacation and found that I had a decent size hole in the cement in the driveway.  Apparently some rodent dug through the bottom of the window well and and caused the cement to cave in.  MS and I were able to repair the hole as well as a big chunk of the side door step that had broken off when moving in the new washing machine. 

Other than going through a refinance to lower my interest rate and reduce a couple years off the term, things on the housing front have been pretty calm (knock, knock).

Serenity

I love the color brown.  Over the years I have added various hues of brown to my living room.  Sometime around 2002 I hand painted every single brick on my fireplace one of three colors, two a shade of brown.  Last year for my birthday I purchased area rugs for my living room and dining room in different hues of brown. 

In late November 2011, I finally finished my brown theme, almost a decade in the making.  Although I have to admit, I didn't know it was in the making.  Usually, if I start something, I finish it.  So the living room and dining room, were always a vision, but never a priority.  I purchased a living room set and then a can of paint.  MS and I painted the accent wall in the living room a dark mocha brown and painted the door white (removing all traces of the previous purple!).  I replaced the window treatment with a new curtain rod and five curtain panels.  The curtain rod was actually quite an adventure and after two attempts, I found one at Bed Bath & Beyond large enough (imagine that!).

I purchased wall decor to decorate the walls, including the dining room walls.  I tore down the chair rail and the wall paper and border on the dining room wall.  I went to a painting store on three occasions and painted plates to hang. 

I added the brown wall color to my dresser in the dining room to spruce it up. 

The dresser: BEFORE

The dresser: AFTER

The cedar chest that had been in T's room and subsequently moved into the hallway was repainted and for $3.78 I picked up a perfectly matching piece of fabric and replaced the sports decorum. 

Cedar Chest: AFTER


I have to say that I love, love, love my living room and dining room.  I feel so peaceful and content when I walk in the room.  I am so relaxed.  Accomplished. 



Dining Room: AFTER

Bliss...

Customer Service/Online Ordering

I can readily admit that I pay too much for services.  I wish that I was a better advocate for keeping my costs down, but change keeps me stagnant.  Weekly I receive advertisements in the mail on how to lower my auto insurance, my cable, my phone service, my credit card interests, you name it, I'm sure you and I both receive them.

Change and choice keeps me content.  Or does it?  I know that I pay too much in combination of my home phone, internet and television, but I haven't done anything about it.  I would love to get more for less.  Who wouldn't?  I finally decided to take matters into my own hands, well one matter at a time.

We are having issues with our DVR.  Two recent shows that we have recorded have had interference, of course during critical times, that have allowed us to miss some of the show.  Clearly not life threatening.  As we have Dish, the first time I thought it may have been due to weather, but after the second time I'm afraid that isn't the case.  So I called Dish to ask for assistance and was advised to unplug the receiver.  When I followed up to see if I was under any contractual obligations if I chose to cancel I was told I wasn't.  There was no conversation or discussion as to my desire to cancel or if services could be offered to keep me as a customer.  Based on that, I decided to look into AT&T U-Verse.

I have been receiving sales advertisements for U-Verse for sometime.  The bundle sounds like a good deal, but most deals usually do.  I already have AT&T for phone and internet, so the television addition wouldn't be a bad idea.  I looked online and ended up ordering it today - thinking I got a good deal - which will be installed at the end of the month with a savings of about $30 per month.  Not too bad, right?

Then I started thinking about the deal and what television stations we would be getting, especially since we have been watching many shows on the CW (LOVE, LOVE RINGER).  I was beginning to think I would be going on a similar t.v. hiatus with the switch as I did when I lost the WB years prior.  Frustrated with the online site (as my computer at work has an outdated web browser) I called customer service.  This is where I became...confused. 

The woman on the other end of the phone was FABULOUS.  She didn't say that she could save me more money but advised that I might like what she had to offer over what I just ordered.  I thought I had ordered the U-100 but received the U-Family so 30+ less channels as I ordered the DVR and it isn't available with the 100.  So here is what I ordered and what I was offered by calling Customer Service:

Online Offer: 70 channels, Basic Internet & Home Phone; $250 Visa Credits for ordering online; 12 months for $110/month

Customer Service: 200 channels, Pro Internet, Home Phone, Free HBO/Cinemax 3 months, $250 Visa; 6 months for $95/month and 6 months for $105/month

So which is the better deal?  I was actually a little confused by how I was being offered a better deal by calling and I wondered if there was a "catch". 

Oh and one more thing...She was AMERICAN and spoke ENGLISH.  Who says that Customer Service doesn't exist by phone anymore?  Did I mention I didn't even yell or call to complain?

Popped Circuits

Popped Circuits or blown fuses...I can only imagine what is next on the horizon, and dare I say it?  But bring it on.  If this is my challenge, I can get through it!

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post, although a little more recent than any consistent exercise!  Things have been busy, but nothing too terribly crazy.

Little League World Series was a great time.  T and I survived our last jaunt before school starting.  Even "Tropical Storm Irene" didn't interfere too much: one consolation game cancellation and a rain delay.  Two of my tires were low at one truck stop and fortunately I noticed and T used his tire knowledge to get us back on the road without issue.

School is in full swing.  I have to say that I am glad T is out of the house and back into a routine.  I think we function best with structure, even though I would love it if I didn't have to go into work five days a week and still received a pay check!  His classes are uber difficult but he is managing, so far.  Not so sure that Advanced Placement was the best option, but I am glad he is being challenged.

On the home front, my washing machine crashed last week.  I am sure it was just a belt, but after 14 years it seemed due time to upgrade to a new set.  I haven't managed to read the manuals yet - but the thought of a washer washing FOURTEEN pairs of jeans at a time?  OMG  I tore out the rest of the back fence and had a couple awesome bonfires at MS'.  I managed to brand my toe with the poker and learned that fire tending in sandals isn't the smartest idea.  I priced out new fencing and decided, maybe I don't need a fence right now.  I purchased a few privacy trees to plant instead.  After coming home on Monday, my dehumidifier was no longer working.  I realized while the washer and dryer were being installed that a circuit had popped. 

As the basement is pretty damp, I figured I was due for a new dehumidifier too.  I purchased a new one on Monday night and am amazed at the power!  I moved the dehumidifier into the den area last night and this morning I was astonished that the bucket was almost half full!  I emptied it out in the wash basin and noticed the water wasn't draining well.  Then I noticed that the floor drain wasn't working and all of the water went right to the floor and the carpet.  Sigh...I checked the circuits and a different circuit was popped.  So I turned it back on and the sump worked.  Cleaned up the free standing water and now have a fan and the dehumidifier running to dry everything out.  Two circuits popped in less than a week?  What is going on?

I volunteered to keep JA company and join her in a 5k walk this Saturday.  I thought it would motivate me to start exercising and make a dent in the extra 15 pounds I would LOVE to lose.  Unfortunately it is mind over matter.  I have walked a couple times and even rode the stationary bike while playing Galaga.  I just am not exercising as much as I should.  I am saddened that four years ago I was training for the 3 Day (60 miles in 3 days) and now I can't even get motivated to walk 3 Miles!  I am looking forward to spending some time with JA and bringing back the memories of our walking days!

MS and I are doing well.  Hard to imagine that we will have been dating ONE year this month.  Our anniversary will be celebrated together at his brother's wedding, where he is the best man.  Of course I have less than 1.5 weeks and I have absolutely no idea what to wear!  The ceremony will be "brief" and outside in a park.  As of last weekend, there are 213 people confirmed.  TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN! What in the world do I wear?  Beyond an outfit (and that famous week before of the month) I am trying not to assess what MS and I are doing.  Where are we headed?  While walking to the store on Sunday, MS pointed out a vacant lot on his street and suggested I could build a house on it and we could be neighbors.  Maybe that got me thinking...

Work is work.  There has been much drama lately and many people leaving the office due to the new "Acting Director".  I don't recall ever blogging about it, but much of my personal angst began after the passing of my father when I received an anonymous typed note in my mailbox of an excerpt from an article about angry co-workers and borderline personality.  I brought the issue to the attention of my Union Rep as I didn't want anymore harassment, although I couldn't say for sure who.  Then I had several discussions with Supervisors. Things continued on a short downward spiral briefly thereafter.  I was asked if I would move offices and now I feel like I am in a "timeout" as I sit in the corner and face the corner.  I also received a note in my office of a dress code violation.  This too shall pass and things are getting a little better.  I would love to have a more appreciative and rewarding job - personally, professionally and financially. I am thankful for the employment and the ability to pay my bills and afford the extras that I choose and that choose for me (washer, dryer, dehumidifier...). I love the fact that I only work three miles from home.  I know I hold myself back from wanting more, but what is it that I want? 

It is hard to believe that tomorrow will be two months since my father passed.  I am so glad that he is no longer suffering.  It amazes me how much stress his health, his relationship with his wife and our relationships really affected me. 

All in all, there isn't anything to complain about.  A few bumps along the way, but life has been good.  Two popped circuits so far.  Whatever is next, I can handle it!

Lawn Mower Likes

This spring I had to invest in a new lawn mower.  I purchased a bright and shiny black lawn mower that self mulches.  Since my yard takes 15 minutes to mow, I don't need self propelled or a bag.  I have to say that I LOVE my new lawn mower.  The ease of a simple pull and it starts is sheer pleasure. 

Not only that, I truly believe that my lawn LOVES the new mower as well.  Is this possible?  I have battled with having grass since I moved in, twelve years ago.  Granted, I have never invested in lawn maintenance professionals to actually improve my lawn, but used various methods including grass seed and fertilizers to no avail.  This year, my yard is green and growing!  I really think that the self mulching has made a HUGE improvement in my grass.  If I would have known a small investment of a new mower would make such a difference, I would have purchased it years ago!

Guest Bedroom Transformation

I made some changes to the guest bedroom to make it a little more personable for W.  Of course I wanted to see where he preferred to sleep.  So the bedroom change from the bunk bed along the back wall allowed for him to use the ladder.  If he didn't want to sleep in the bed, I could either move the mattress to the floor or I could use the aero bed on the floor if he wanted something bigger than the twin.  He decided he wanted to sleep in the bunk, so I changed the bedding to be more masculine than the photo.  

Of course I had already purchased the full size bedding, a piece of art and the area rug for the room transformation.  I just needed to get the couch out, the bunk bed disassembled and purchase the full size bed and frame.  No big deal, right?  I had the bunk bed disassembled rather quickly and last Monday T helped me put it in the storage room.  The couch?  Another story.  We attempted every which way to get it out and had no success.  I manged to take the paint off the door trim in three different spots though!  Fortunately MS and I managed to get it out rather quickly after removing the door (I had attempted that myself with no luck!).

I absolutely LOVE the new bedroom look!  It is wonderful to finally have an assembled room.  W painted the wall artwork and I painted the lampshades.  T attempted to paint one lampshade which was an EPIC FAIL.  I plan to paint another white one as I don't care for the yellow one I painted - but I was too lazy to paint over the yellow!

The picture doesn't capture the pale blue and green circles well on the lampshade and artwork.  W did a great job on his picture! 

What do you think of the room transformation? 

Wonderful Weekend Recap

I had the most wonderful weekend.  Some days I really struggle with what MS and I are doing in our relationship.  I enjoy his company and love him, but I struggle with whether we should be dating.  Our parenting differences are always going to be present.  I suppose I sweep them under the rug as it doesn't impact us enjoying each other, most of the time.

With the respite and dog sitting, I haven't been to MS' house in several weeks.  The plan was for me to head to his place on Friday night where we would go to a nice dinner at a restaurant he has wanted to take me to since November.  We still haven't gone.  T started his baseball tournament and it wasn't until Friday at 4:30p.m. that we learned he would be playing at 9:00a.m. at home Saturday morning.  So it didn't make sense to head an hour north for the night to be back bright and early.  MS' son was staying the night at a friend's house so MS offered to come down instead!

We met up with JA and her husband (and kids) for dinner on a whim!  We then went back to their house and played a few games and hung out!  It was great to be able to see JA, I really miss seeing her!  We had a blast and it was a much better impromptu than a fancy dinner with just MS.

Saturday morning we went to the game.  In a great finish, T's team WON!  Was an awesome game.  MS and I decided to head downtown to a little cafe but found a new restaurant en route that was open.  We were the only customers in the place that had been open since March.  A coffee, cafe that offers family game nights, live bands and promotes local food sources.  The food was good, but overpriced for the amount and quality and MS and I agreed we probably wouldn't go back.

Then it was onto a day of accomplishment.  We rented a truck from Menards and purchased a new full size bed for my guest bedroom.  We were able to move the couch out of the guest bedroom to the basement after removing two doors, stair rail and smashing with all our might to get it past the basement trim!  We made several trips to home depot to finish the front landscaping bricks including top soil and grass seed!  I finally purchased a cheap patio set too!  We assembled the guest bedroom and finished the yard.  I was so absolutely relieved to tackle such big and overwhelming projects.  MS even helped me hang four pieces of art too (since I have angst with adding holes in the wall!). 

We managed to finish everything by about 6:45p.m.  He headed home and I showered and packed for the rest of the weekend at his place.  I grabbed pizza for dinner on the way to his house and crashed with an allergy attack during the movie Cropsy. 

Sunday we woke up around 8a.m. and had breakfast and best 2 out of 3 of Skipbo.  MS was just glad that he won a game!  Then we went for a 15 mile rollerblade adventure, which we both survived with only a blister!  Then we headed home to shower and change for the U2 concert at Michigan Stadium.

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.  Good friends.  Great accomplishments.  Great Entertainment.  As I lay in bed next to MS this morning I was happy.  I am blessed.  I am not looking for perfection, but with each day, it appears that I find myself understanding, accepting and loving him more.  One day at a time.  And today, when he confirmed that he has made arrangements for us to plan a vacation in August, I believe it may actually happen and I am looking forward.

Home Improvements: Hallway

MS, my bf has some serious OCD issues, with my house.  Every time he comes over, he points out every flaw - from painting issues, unsunk nails, too high light switches, not enough switches...you name it, he points it out.  One day he managed to point out a color spot on my bedroom ceiling, a blue color on the kitchen ceiling and then peeling paint in the front entrance.

He scraped the ceiling, which then managed to be half of the ceiling which would require new paint.  Unfortunately the ceiling paint I had was different texture and due to the cold temperature in the entrance dried and cracked requiring more scraping and a whole new ceiling paint job (to be done later).  The imaginary blue in the kitchen that I painted over can now be seen as a different ceiling white. The nails that he sunk under the window trim then meant that I had to sink all of them in the trim around the bathroom, which meant I was leaning on a ladder and balancing the thought of falling while filling in nail holes.  All of his LITTLE jobs and negativity means BIG projects for me as they aren't quick fixes. 

The next time he came over, he started on why the hallway only had one light switch.  What hallway only has ONE switch?  SERIOUSLY?  I had had it.  I couldn't handle the constant criticism and negativity.  I didn't build the house!  The house was built in the late 20's!  I have been in it for 11 years, but it is not perfect.  I am NOT perfect.  Please try to be positive!  I told him so.  And, 30 minutes later his son asked why the light switch in the bathroom was so high!  Sigh...

I did finally manage to repaint the hallway - the only area in my house to have NOT been painted (well except inside closets!).  I had avoided the hallway in all it's off white and dirty glory with SEVEN doorways and SIX doors.  I vacillated on colors and finally settled on a tan along the yellow spectrum, Toasted Almond.  I also removed all the toe molding and replaced it along with repainting all of the doors white.  I painted the coat hook and shelf and updated the hooks and added an additional.  It is so nice to just not see all the dirt and discoloration anymore.  So at peace...so wonderful what a coat of paint can accomplish!

Bedroom Redo

Over seven years ago, I repainted my bedroom.  I didn't have a choice and it was actually a good thing since I had to cover over the random primer that had been painted by the ex.  Since the ceiling needed to be painted, I had this great idea to paint it.  Paint it the same color as the walls.  And that painting of the ceiling and the ceiling fan were enough reasons to not repaint.  But the seven year itch happened.

My room was purple.  Initially I thought the color I purchased was brown, but after painting, it was purple.  I learned how similar brown, purple and pink look depending on the lighting.  I even tried to accent the past few years to pull out brown, but was primarily unsuccessful.


THE BEFORE

 I had hoped to paint my room a milk chocolate.  Then one day last week I woke up and decided I didn't want brown.  I feared another purple/pink debacle.  I feared that there isn't one true brown color and that what I painted would be completely different than comforters I was trying to match.  I decided I wanted a pale blue but when I played around on Sherwin Williams with my room I was appalled at the new look.  The next morning I woke and wanted a gold/bronze color that was shimmery and was told at the paint store that without doing a faux finish, not possible.  I was trying to pull out the colors in the comforter.  Then, I decided to go with the taupe.  A darker grey/brown.  I also picked up a couple pictures at Meijer with my 15% off, new linen color blinds on clearance and moved a picture from my living room into my bedroom to complete the room.

Brown- with the flash (not true color)



Bedroom 3/2011 Without Flash



I am glad to have a color different than purple!  It is definitely not what I had imagined for my room over the past couple years.  The brown above with the flash is very close to what I had wanted initially.  I like the color and am welcoming the change.  While I despised painting the ceiling, I do like having a white ceiling again!  Now if only the paint fumes would dissipate a little faster, all would be perfect!

Tubal Ligation & Cauterization

I will never have another biological child.  Since making my decision and scheduling my appointment for my tubal ligation and cauterization, I had many thoughts of whether or not I was making the right decision.

I met with a family for work that was inquiring about foster parenting due to failed attempts at fertility and the financial costs of international and domestic adoption.  I sat in their living room and wondered if I had the right to choose not to bring a life into this world.  If I wanted to conceive, since I have never tried, would I be able?  I also have a cousin that has fertility issues.  Could I be a surrogate? 

I suppose all questions that are normal when making the decision to permanently end the chance of my reproduction.  Almost fourteen years later, I am completely sure that I want to make that choice.  That I don't want to start over and give birth to my child.  And with that, yesterday I had a tubal ligation.

D attended the appointment with me.  Clearly D is not a fan of the hospital where my procedure was.  She had many questions and even offered that we could flee before I went under the knife!  I also learned that despite answering four times that I hadn't consumed any food or drink in twelve hours, that making a joke about eating four donuts for breakfast is not funny.  The nurse said that I would be immediately discharged if that was the case.

I don't remember much of the procedure.  I know that many doctors came to talk to me before I was taken back for surgery.  I know that the IV smelled and hurt when it was inserted.  I know that the nurse said I had "good blood" as she wiped from my fingertips up to my hand.  I know the burning sensation that coursed my vein when the medicine was added to my IV.  I recall the trip down to the surgery room.  I recall the order to breathe from the oxygen mask.  And then I recall being pushed into the recovery room where D sat patiently waiting.

While I have never had the dream to be an exotic dancer, those dreams are crushed if I ever wanted to give a lap dance due to my incision above the pelvic bone.  Although I haven't removed the bandaids yet to see how large or small the sutures are.  I did have the quick moment of panic in pre-op that I hadn't cleaned my belly button lately and maybe the incision would cause belly button lint to fall into my body thereby giving me an allergic reaction to dust that I could die.  SERIOUSLY.  I even considered seeing if they had a q-tip available, but I managed to refrain. Good thing, since I am still alive!

The surgery apparently went fine.  I was given a prescription for vicodin which I didn't pick up.  I considered doing so today but decided why fill another script I have no intention on using?  I came home and ate and then laid down.  I drifted in and out of sleep for about four hours.  Then I was wide awake for the next 7 hours watching movies, television and playing cards before I attempted bed sometime after 2a.m.  I laid wide awake for the next four hours.  I was up at 7:20a.m., about an hour after sleep.  I managed to fall back asleep briefly before getting up for good. 

Other than some ibuprofen, I have been fine.  The sutures have itched, but everything seems to be going well.  I have been on some high of accomplishment today (even questioning if I am manic!) as I went to Kohl's, got the car washed and went grocery shopping before coming home to give T breakfast and take him to school at 11:00a.m. for his late start.  Then I was off to swap movies at blockbuster and back home to wash dishes, sweep the kitchen floor, clean T's room and talk to JA.  While talking to JA I decided I needed to paint the bedroom and closet door inside that was bothering me and then proceeded to paint the door frame, the window frame in the bathroom and touch up paint in the hallway.  I finally put the paint away and washed down the doors and door jams in the hallway.  I then put away dishes and vacuumed.  I ate lunch and then sat down to watch Due Date.  I made it through almost the entire movie (which I so DON'T recommend) before going to pick up T from school and come back to meet with the foster home licensers to renew my provisional license. 

After they left, we finished watching Due Date and then watched Life As We Know It.  Then it was on to dinner and dishes.  Now downtime and American Idol.

Whatever do I have left to do tomorrow while I have the day off to complete my recovery?

Bathroom Assessment Results

In October I posted about the City requesting to visit my house for a new assessment after the permits for the bathroom addition here.  Then on 10/28, I received the short visit from the assessor.

I finally received the notice in the mail over the weekend: Notice of Assessment, Taxable Valuation (including Leasehold Improvements) and Property Classification. 

My taxable value increased $2665 and my Assessed value increased by $3100.  I can't wait to see how much it will affect my taxes.  I would prefer to keep the taxes the same and be ineligible for the homestead property tax refund, but maybe I will finally be eligible. 

It is nice to know that the value of the home has increased despite the housing market.

Teen Room Transformation

T turned 13 in March.  He officially became a teenager.  His bedroom (although I didn't take a before picture - and can't find one on my camera or computer) has been painted twice in the past 11 years.  He continues to have the same bedroom furniture that he has had since he was 3.  My mom had purchased the bedroom set: bunk bed, two dressers and a book shelf.  They are excellent quality but I thought maybe it was time to upgrade.  When T was 3, the bed was on the floor and then years later it moved up to the bunk, where he continued to sleep in his twin size bed.

I offered to repaint.  I offered to add sports border.  I offered to redo his trunk chest.  I offered a new bed.  I offered a new bedroom set.  No, No, No, Well, No.    I had purchased the full size bed for the guest room last year with the intention that it would be T's.  A week ago Friday, I had T sleep in the bed to see if he wanted it or we could go bed shopping.  T decided he liked the bed and it would be fine.  He also decided he wanted the area rug from the living room for his bedroom floor.  He wanted to keep the same colors and not have me repaint.  Less work for me = Love it!

The weekend before Thanksgiving, I spent reorganizing the rooms.  Always an adventure.  I managed to take down the bunk bed and had T clear off the floor, bench and the tops of his dressers.  The room was clear with the exception of the two dressers that I just moved to lay down the rug and moved into position.  I put up the bunk in the spare bedroom.  While not completely functional for guests, it can be appropriate for a foster child that may require respite. 

Guest Bedroom

The afghan was made by my grandmothers and I figured for now, it can cover the crazy fabric of the couch.  I am still planning on organizing the closet and then the plan will be to put the dresser into the closet.  That's the idea anyway.  Then if other company come, I will put the aero bed underneath the bunk.  Seeing that I seldom have overnight guests, I'm not too worried at this point, although I have also considered getting a twin size bed for under the bunk.  Decisions...

Other than dropping the mattresses on my leg while wedging in the bed frame and pinching my index finger in the metal bed frame, I managed to move the bedrooms with little issue, well little blood.  T and I went through both drawers and I made him try on everything.  The following day, I went through and reorganized his closet.  It is amazing how much room he really has!

Clean & Organized, For a Minute...

We attempted to find a comforter set, but didn't find one that was quite right.  He liked a queen size comforter at Meijer that was very grown up (which I purchased for him (or me) for Christmas) on the Saturday after Black Friday for a great steal!  I noticed that he was sitting on the floor with his computer on his dresser.  I asked T if he would like a desk, which he said yes.  On Black Friday I purchased a desk that he had found online at Staples for a steal!  Then I went to the hotel restore and grabbed a desk chair that the clerk discounted $10 as the height lever wasn't working!  I picked up a great queen sized down alternative comforter set at Target for $24.99!

I assembled his desk and added his new bedding last weekend for an early Christmas present.  For less than $80, his room is officially transferred into a great room for him to enjoy through his teens!  And the best thing, when he came home tonight and opened his closed door, he was surprised AND, HE LOVES IT!

Carpet Picture Post

I've been rummaging around trying to find "before" pictures and if I continue to look any longer, I'll never post!  I can't seem to find any with the dining room rug.
  

Here are pictures of the new rugs that I purchased for my birthday: 





 

Living Room Rug: Before

Weekend Recap Part II: Water Line & Lack of Linebacker

If you haven't read Part I yet, here is the recap.  Long story short, my basement looks super fabulous and much less congested with non-functional potentially leaking gas lines! 

Of course, I couldn't find myself doing nothing while Freddie worked diligently on beautifying my basement.  I did attempt to stay out of his way by being upstairs, but he called me for assistance and then I decided I should be close by to help.  We enjoyed several hours of conversation including his becoming a snobby foodie and his favorite dishes to cook as well as traveling.  I worked on freeing up a couple of old galvanized water line pipes that were put through a cement wall and of course Freddie helped me!  He commented on how I'm a "doer" and wondered if I got those skills from my father.  He didn't forsee that there was anything that I wouldn't accomplish if I set my mind to it.  I did tell him that I had my limits, which included not removing gas lines, but removing the asbestos duct work for the furnace years ago - that I was OK with!

After the water lines were removed, I noticed a copper flexible line was dripping water.  The line went from my utility storage room through the laundry room and to the furnace.  The line was not connected.  I decided it would be great to remove it, although the line was secured by copper pieces nailed into the wood boards.  I managed to free the line into the laundry area.  Sitting on the top of the freezer, with a ladder in front of me, I took the hammer overhead to pry off one of the connectors (I'm sure there is a real word for those metal dohickie pieces!).  Unfortunately, I lost my grip on the hammer and it came flying at me. 

Right to my face.  The claw end of the hammer punctured under my left eye, missing my eye by an inch!  Then the hammer bounced to my lip and then onto the floor (although I have a nice bruise on my knee that I'm thinking it may have hit my knee in transit to the ground too!).  Immediately my eye began to swell as tears surfaced.  Immediate PAIN.  I headed upstairs to see the damage.  Quickly, both under the eye and the lip began to swell.  My gum was bleeding but fortunately my tooth wasn't loose.

Being a boxer or a Domestic Violence victim was not part of the Halloween weekend!  I immediately texted AG to tell him that due to my hammer mishap I would be canceling our plans to the Winery.  He suggested I wear sunglasses and we go to the movies, which I declined as well.  Although I would have been right in par for my holiday injuries with AG that I incurred biking with him on Memorial Weekend as posted here. 

Freddie noticed immediately the bruising that was occurring on my face.  He had heard something fall but hadn't heard a peep out of me, so hadn't realized I had managed to injure myself.  I told him, "Unless I am dying, I won't say much!"  He suggested a regime of icing, heat and then pressure to the pooling blood with frozen metal to alleviate the bruising and said I would be good to go by the evening.  Unfortunately, I didn't feel so "good to go" and I stayed home, lights off and watching movies. 

I did however, manage to remove the copper water line and the basement looks super!  Freddie even suggested that I can now put in a drop ceiling.  I'll pass on that, for now.

I have to imagine that if ever I were to have a mugshot...it would look like this:

Of course this was shortly after the injury.  The good coloring and swelling came later.  I only hope that next time, I win! 

Weekend Recap Part I: Gas Lines Removed

I'm trying to recap...because sometimes, it's just easier than living in the now.  Although right now, I can't complain.  So here's the recap from Thursday - Saturday mid-day...

MS (he really needs a different name) had suggested that I "pack a bag" and spend the weekend with him last weekend.  I wasn't sure if he was serious.  Apparently he was, but that wasn't how the weekend quite unfolded.  I scooted out of work a little early on Friday - after making another six tie blankets for foster kids - changing it up and making infant and toddler blankets too!  I headed home and grabbed an overnight bag.  MS had informed me a few nights earlier that his family "birthday celebrations" were going to be Saturday night at his mom's and I could hang out with him and his son until the birthday dinner.  Not attend the birthday dinner.

Oh wait...random is my middle name.  Time to back track even further.  If you recall, the gas had been shutoff and on Thursday 10/30 the Semco Gas man was coming to relight my pilots.  While I may have tried to light them myself (or blow my house up), I couldn't because the gas was actually OFF.  So I finally met up with the gas man (I was running late and the 800# couldn't contact the dispatch and of course I missed him, but he left a message and anyway...) who was very polite.  Since he was in the house, I inquired of the gas smell I have smelled for well, over a decade that I have owned my house.  I realize I have a sensitive schnoz, and we haven't blown up yet.  Even the gas man couldn't smell anything; however, he got his handy dandy tool from his truck which identified a minute leak from an old capped off gas line.  He also wondered who did my furnace and why they connected the gas lines the way they did.  Hmmm...

Long story short, he informed me twice of how my "husband or boyfriend" or "friend" could remove the old lines and fix the lines to the furnace to reduce the potential for gas leaks to three.  Instead of the likely thirteen or something I had!  He then offered to do it on the side for $50 and a couple hours.  I took him up on that offer since "friends" and "projects" have failed miserably for me in the past.  He said that Saturday would work for him and seeing that my weekend plans were crumbling with MS, it seemed like a great opportunity! AG and I had talked about doing something on Saturday if I didn't trek across state to touch base with TS who has been having some difficult times.  Nothing at the time included a costume or Halloween adventure, at the time.

Friday night MS and I headed to Pasta Night at the Cascade Winery and had a great time sampling the wines.  The pasta was a checklist that you could chose your own veggies, meat, pasta and sauce.  It was accompanied by a glass of wine or beer, garlic bread and a mini brownie made with the dessert wine!  All for $10 a person!  Fabulous and if you are ever in the area of Grand Rapids, check it out! Saturday afternoon they had a wine tasting, chocolate and cheese event that AG and I had planned to attend.  Planned.

Saturday morning I waited for Freddie to arrive at my house.  22 minutes late and no word, I was again wondering what it is with handymen not finding it handy to be on time or own a watch.  He called shortly thereafter saying his pipe wrenches were missing and he would be on his way shortly.  He arrived over an hour later. Very nice guy and he did a great job cleaning up all the old pipes in my basement.  I would say that there had to be about 60' of old pipes removed.  There is no more gas smell!  After four hours, the job was complete and he maintained the same price.  I paid him more, he deserved every dollar of it! 



Old Gas Lines Removed (& a copper water line)

Stay tuned for what I managed to do while Freddie worked on the gas lines and I had to be "handy" or onsite for an extra hand if needed.  Never a dull moment.  Dull...now that would have been favorable!

Ghettoesque...

Monday morning I will meet with the City Assessor who is "following up on my basement building permits: 3/4 bath and egress." 

So in true fashion, I had joked with a friend about trying to "ghetto" my house before the visit so that my taxes didn't go up too much! 

Maybe I shouldn't say things out loud, as sometimes, wishes do come true!  In the past 24 hours, the city grass between the street and the sidewalk has been tore up for work.  I thought it was for water line repair.  Today I received a letter in the mail from the gas company about upcoming work (date tbd) to work on the gas lines from the main to the house which will cause trench and yard work (fortunately they will repair concrete and yards at city expense!).  And then this afternoon a friend of mine called me as he was going by my house and inquired about a car out front and asked, "Are you dating anyone?  There is a white car out front of your house."

So how is this for ghetto?  Now if I can only figure out what to do with the inside?  I should really not say anything else, who knows what will happen!

City Assessor Pays A Visit: But Who Really Pays?

Sunday night I went to grab the mail and noticed a pink tag on the ground on my porch. The tag had blown off the door and was from the City Assessor’s Office. Apparently, someone had been by the house on 10/14/10 to follow up on the basement remodeling due to the building permits.

I struggled for about half a second on whether or not I wanted to call and follow up. Afterall, I haven’t had a new assessment since I moved into my house in 1999. I know that with all the work I have done, my city taxes will go up. I’m not looking forward to an increase, but the market hits shouldn’t affect it too much!

I only hope they don’t notice the new furnace, new doors, new windows, new plumbing, new electrical, well and everything else! My goal…keep him focused on the ¾ bathroom addition and the egress window and keep my mouth shut! Wish me well!

Water, Weeds & The Teen

I'm really not sure what is worse, the home improvement adventures or the parenting adventures of my new teenager.  Either way, both have produced massive amounts of grey hair that I can't convince myself is really "sun-bleached". 

Since March, my son has morphed into a completely unknown individual of 5'4" and 120 pounds of insensitivity, lack of communication, non-listening mass of a being.  I would like to say he has been taken over by an alien, but I can't even say that as his mannerisms have remained similar but with more attitude and less emotion and compassion.  My son is becoming...a man.  Sigh...

I ask very little of my son.  VERY. LITTLE. 

I do expect respect, honesty and communication.  I expect that he will be morally and ethically humane.  That he will have both sympathetic and empathetic qualities.  I expect that he will always love me, even when he doesn't like me and most of all that he will listen AND hear me, not just stare at me blankly while he imagines dancing girls, You Tube videos and if he will get a hit during his next game!  I also expect that he will make his bed daily, clean his room on occasion and bring his dirty dishes to the kitchen.  And honestly, I really don't harp on him for the later three things.

On the 3rd of July, in the midst of my painting adventures of the basement bathroom and den, there was the local festivities happening in town.  I asked if my son wanted to go, which he did, at 9:30p.m.  So we headed downtown to see the fireworks.  As we walked to the park, I became the motherly plague.  No longer could he be seen walking with me or next to me.  Nope.  He scurried ahead or shuffled his feet twenty feet behind me, with his head slouched and his hands deeply immersed in his pockets.  We had time to kill after walking around a bit so I suggested he could walk around for a bit and then he needed to come back.

In his defense, I did not give him a time frame.  Ten minutes pass.  Twenty minutes.  Thirty minutes.  Forty-five minutes.  By this time, I'm silently clenching inside, worrying about the thousands of people, wondering if he's been kidnapped or ran off with the nearest gang all the while combating those thoughts with allowing him the freedom and responsibility to Do the right thing.  Sixty-five minutes later, and after the first fireworks began, he calls me.  He tells me where he is.  I inquire if he's staying there to watch the fireworks.  "Yeah."  End of conversation.

I stand there, where I have been for now almost 1.5 hours by myself to watch the fireworks by myself.  I could have been at home painting.  I could have been anywhere.  But there I stood...where he had parted from me, standing alone, watching fireworks. 

After the show completes, he doesn't arrive.  I look at my phone and I have missed two phone calls from him.  I call him back and he tells me that I can meet him at a distant vendor.  NO.  You will meet me where you left me in TWO MINUTES. 

He arrives.  I'm FURIOUS.  I talk to him about safety, responsibility and communication.  I tell him he is grounded.  If he can master communicating on Facebook, he can put his skills into practice in real life without his computer for a day or two.  No racetrack the next day.  If I hadn't promised a friend to go out on her boat the next day, would have cancelled that too.  Icing on that cake, the mother of one of the boys he was sitting there calls to see if he found me as he "just took off".  So he not only worried me, he worried her by not communicating.  And never once did he mention that the mother was there and I could go join them.  He went without his computer for a week.  Not because I didn't want him to have it, but because he never asked and I never offered. 

I can say that his communication hasn't gotten better; however, he is living on his computer and Facebook a lot less these days!

Fast forward to two nights ago.  I informed him that I wanted him to pull weeds the following day, yesterday.  He told me to wake him in the morning before work to point out what were weeds.  I had no interest in doing so at 8:00a.m., so I told him I would show him then, at 11:00p.m. at night.  I pointed out the weeds while he used the blue light.

Yesterday he called me at work.  "Hey mom, I'm pulling weeds.  Is this green thing a weed?"

I get that I'm a mom that may have some bionic powers, but what thing is a green thing?  I tell him not to pull out anything that he doesn't know.  I confirm that around the side were the weeds I had shown him the night before and to pull those.  He called me an hour later to say he was done and asked if he could head to the park.  OK.

I came home yesterday and something was in the yard.  He had left the box of garbage bags on the lawn.  I went to pick them up and to my surprise...half of my plants...WERE GONE. 

Not only had he pulled weeds and a majority of the grass growing in the flower bed, he pulled out a large perennial ground cover that was about 2.5'round!  In addition, he pulled out all the vinca AND he tore out my 4' tall DAYLILLIES.  Seriously? 

The daylillies were almost in full bloom.  I had just purchased two gallon containers of them for the side yard.  He saw them for days before they were planted.  How could he not notice the large daylilly buds?  How could he remotely believe that they were weeds?  In tearing them out, he destroyed the root system.  I was able to replant one stalk and maybe it will come back.  I had him replant the large ground cover. 

Why do I feel that his actions are half-assed in attempt to not have to do anything EVER again? 

It's clearly working though, because the battle just isn't worth it, neither is the damage.  I realize I do this with every aspect and relationship of my life.  If I ask for help and someone fails at doing it correctly, not even MY WAY, I would rather just endure doing it myself when I can find the time than to ask, again.

Then...there was the water.  I forgot that I had turned on the sprinkler on the new side yard to water the newly growing grass seed and our replanted plants in the front.  We left the house and I took my son to his evening adventure (when he wasn't suppose to be with me!) while I headed to dinner and the theater. 

I came home and my son was fast asleep on his couch in the basement with the television on.  Immediately I noticed small streams of water streaming down the cement wall, the newly painted cement wall!  I cleaned up the wall and the water continued.  I heard the sprinkler on.  It had been on for six hours!  He never noticed the water.  He didn't hear the sprinkler and turn it off, nothing.  The neighbors didn't turn it off either after it had been watering their driveway for six hours!  So I shut off the hose and continued to clean up the water.  One area had been streaming in from the old window well glass block window screen that I had left open.  The other area, I have no idea.  Having the sprinkler wedged up against the house with constant water for six hours, not a good thing!  The small amount of water was cleaned up.  The wall was wiped down and the water marks are gone.  The fan went all night long and has dried everything up.

No damage done...today.  Ah, can't wait for the adventures of tomorrow!  How many years left until he graduates and moves on to college?  Let me count the days...

Basement Additions: Bathroom & Egress Window

BEFORE:

Laundry Area/Pre-Bathroom 6/2010

Den/Recreation Area/Pre-Egress Window 6/2010

I am not a fan of contractors. I will admit that I can be a very difficult person to work with, especially if I hire you to do a specific job and you are not meeting my expectations or contractual obligations. Three things are very important to me: my son, my house and my money. Therefore, committing to a contractor to put in an egress window and a second (3/4) bathroom in my basement, affects two if not all three of the things most important to me.

I had anticipated blogging daily about the progress of the construction, but obviously I didn't. I didn't want to focus on the negative and the trivial. Besides, who wants to read about my daily issues exacerbated by home improvement woes? Yes, my thoughts exactly.

So in summary - the job is done and we are squabbling slightly over the final bill. The inspector required that a new stairway handrail be added as it was too short as well as a partial half wall on the other side of the stairs! I went out and purchased the vanity, light fixtures, floor tile & grout and was suppose to get a credit, which hasn't happened...yet. Little of any of the details were discussed with me. Tile went in before I was given the go ahead to paint the drywall, therefore I had to paint over my new tile! Trim went up pre-primed but not painted (Anyone who has seen me paints knows this is a double nightmare!), fortunately they didn't put up all the trim and I located the pile of pre-cut and was able to put two coats of paint on those before they went up!

AFTER:

New Hand Rail & Partial Wall 6/2010

Landscaping - they tore out two trees and all shrubs on the side of the house for the window and told me if I purchased plants they would plant them. Almost $100 later in perennial plants that I hadn't anticipated, I received the bill for landscaping of $95 for mulch, potting soil and grass seed.

Seriously? I could have done it for less! But I was told, "You weren't charged for labor." Great, since they didn't plant the plants where I had told them and they used cedar mulch instead of red that is throughout my yard. But at the time, I thought it was free.

Almost every day I came home to every light on in my basement and the house unlocked. One weekend I came home to the house smelling of turpentine as a bottle had been left opened and several dozen flies! They drilled a 3" hole out of the side of the house for an exhaust fan but didn't bother to cap it or fill it until they installed the fan!

I didn't have laundry usage for two weeks. When I inquired I was told to go ahead and do laundry. During the first load of laundry I walked by the drywalled bathroom and found a small pool of water on the floor. 11:00p.m. call to the contractor, eight towels later and laundry sitting in the tub mid-cycle = priceless. Water quickly creeped up the new drywall as the floors aren't level. The next morning, the drywall guy (who showed up 2.5 hours late on a Saturday and then subsequently locked himself out of the house!) took off the lid of the enclosed pump and found that the pump was wedged against the side wall. Resolved. BUT, wasn't it tested first? Guess not. I do have a nice utility tub and an extra floor drain too!

Apparently my house, which should be a bomb shelter, has nothing normal about it (including the occupants!) and has 10" cement walls with large rocks in it vs. the normal 8" walls. So I was charged an additional $310 drilling fee. In addition, the water drill caused lots of water damage to the concrete so I needed to clean and scrape up the walls to repaint. While doing this, I discovered that I had mold growing on one wall! I was appalled. Amazing the difference a dehumidifier makes - and the contractors kept turning mine off or not putting it together right and water ended up all over the floor, again. So I had to treat the wall, which then bleached out some of my black carpet. Really, how much better does it get? Oh how I love home improvement projects!

All in all though, it's done. I now have an additional bathroom and an egress window that anyone can break into or escape out of. Did I really think this through prior to installation? Nope.

AFTER:

(Oops, missed including the light fixture!)

New Basement Bathroom 7/2010

Egress Window 7/2010

Reorganized furniture and moved t.v.'s (big one is in the nook)


I'm just thankful that I received the grant money to pay for the majority of the window. On a side note, the licensing requirements are completed and my study was submitted to the state for approval on 7/12/10. Let the fun continue!