RENTED?

Today we had someone come to look at the house for graduation weekend. I was shocked that she rented a taxi just to come and take a look. Bizarre.

She said she'll get back to me tomorrow which means either she has another place in mind or she didn't like our place.


Wench.

Either way...I've got to keep trying to rent our place for graduation weekend!

How old am I again?

That's right...I'm 33.

I still get pimples and I have no idea why! When I was younger I had the oiliest skin. I took a bath every day and for some reason the second I would wake up my face would be greasy.

These days I have dry skin and oily skin and I should probably look into getting acne solutions.

Right now I have a monster growing on my chin and I am sure that it will be at its peak during my next interview.

RIBS.

Tomorrow we are having a nice little cookout. We bought ribs and we're inviting over a few friends. It's been a while since I've made ribs and so I'm a bit nervous and I want them to be awesome!

I've got to look up a recipe tonight because I totally forgot the timing and instructions and I can't remember if I used a rub or just plain bbq sauce.

FOUR RACKS ready to go!

Bad shape.

That's how you might want to define my closet.

For some reason there is a major shortage of clothing. I guess it is because I've been out of work for nearly five years and have yet to really restock after I had Emmy.

Perhaps I should just be a cool mom and go for the hip hop clothing look. I know my kids think I am the bomb when we pull into the school parking lot with Kidz Bop 17 pumpin loud over the mini-van!

TGIF

I'm so glad it is Friday! This afternoon I was able to do the trim work in the hallway and tomorrow I plan on painting and finishing up the hallway.

Of course, we still have FIVE doors that need to be hung and there's no doubt that there's going to be tons of cursing and fighting!

I think once we get the hang of it we should be alright. It's just getting in the groove that is hard to do!

So much for a great family vacation on spring break!

Graem is on vacation this week for Spring Break. You would think that we would have beautiful weather and clear skies. As I look out the window all I see is gray skies, pouring rain, and this morning I saw a male and female duck swimming in one of the water ponds in the back yard!

I've looked at Breezes Resorts in the past and been very impressed! They offer family vacation packages for you and your family to relax and soak up the sun! In fact, I keep looking at the all inclusive vacation packages and I can't help but think that within 24 hours I could be on a sunny beach somewhere sipping on a tasty tropical drink!

If you're looking for affordable family vacations I've heard that Runaway Bay Jamaica is incredible and it would probably be one of our best options since it is not too far from us. L & L went to Negril Jamaica a few years ago and loved the people and the place they stayed at.

Not only were they able to enjoy their family vacation destinations but they got an incredible deal at a five star resort! It is nice to go to a place where you can get a good deal and have top-notch accommodations!

Unbooked!

Today was quite productive. I didn't do a damn thing on my list but I did take all of the books out of their boxes and they are now on the bookcases in the living room.

Never have we been able to see our books and I must say that it feels really warm and fills in the living room!

Margot hasn't seen it yet and I think she's really going to like it when she gets home!

Clay fun!

Our children absolutely love doing art projects. One problem with it is all is that I am not overly creative or artistic.

When Graem came home with clay art dinnerware that she had made at school I was so happy and proud! It was a little cup and it actually holds water and is so cute.

I wish that my grandparents were still around because my grandmother was extremely artistic. She worked on pottery and ceramic dolls. She had such a steady hand and could make most anything absolutely beautiful!

When I was younger I remember standing next to the hot ceramic pottery kilns. My grandmother used to pour molds of the pottery and then put them in the kiln. She made beautiful clay art plates and even goblets!

There's no doubt that she would have loved a place like AMACO/Brent! They offer quality pottery, education, and crafts products.

Maybe this spring break I should pass on the pottery tradition and introduce my children to some crafts and pottery!

Rain, rain....get the hell out of here!

So much for a sunny spring break.

Right now I'm looking out my window and it's pouring. The kids are in the playroom watching a video and I have no idea what to do with them today!

Maybe I'll take them to the Sciencenter or the bounce-house at the mall. I can't help but think that other parents are stuck at home on this crappy day thinking of what to do with their kids.

Perhaps I'll call one of Graem's friends and see if they would like to come over for a playdate.

I need an adjustment!

I went to the chiropractor last Friday and it was amazing! Ever since I became pregnant I have gone to Meghan and she knows exactly how to adjust my aching back and shoulders.

With taking on the different home projects, I am in special need of a chiropractic center that knows how to make me feel human again! The worst pain was when I was painting every single day and I got the worst pain in my shoulders and neck. I could hardly move and sleeping was unbearable.

A chiropractor Des Moines that you can trust is Hassel Family Chiropractor. They have been in business since 1997 and have a very hands-on approach to your body and the healing process.

In fact, chiropractic health Des Moines focuses on your body as a whole. They look at the whole picture and really dissect the many things that could be causing your pain.

Going to the chiropractor is such a luxury because it is a bit pricey and insurance does not always cover it. However, when you can not move and need the help of professionals I would be the first to recommend going for chiropractic care! It is money well spent! Plus, you can write it off on your taxes as a medical expense!

Bad day.

Can't talk about it online because God knows the one reader that I don't want reading it will read it and we'll all be in trouble.

Just know it's a not-so-good-day for the other half.

Ugh.

Gold is my best friend!

One thing that never loses it’s value is gold bullion! Even when our stocks are floundering you can always look to silver, gold, and precious metals to maintain their value. Our friend, L, has had gold bullion in her portfolio for the past few years and we constantly compare. Despite the crashing economy - she's always in the black!

I'm sure she's looking for a good time to buy gold bullion with her tax refund money!

US Gold Bureau offers silver, gold, and other precious metals for delivery or they will make arrangements to have your metals stored privately and securely at a bank or depository.

I didn’t realize this but US Gold Bureau is an industry leader. They sell gold in two forms: coin or ingot. The world demand now exceeds the supply demand for gold - which makes it a pretty smart investment

Behind...

I'm pretty bummed that we're so behind on our television shows. when we were in the middle of moving we had to take down the television and so the DVR wasn't able to capture the typical shows that we watch.

I figure I can just hook up online and watch the episodes that I've missed. Hopefully, they'll still be available and FREE!

Beautiful day!

The past two days have been awesome! We've worn shorts and the kids have even been wearing dresses and sandals! It feels like it's summer.

But...

I just looked at the weather forecast for next week and it's due to rain and snow.

So much for having a SPRING break?

Playdate central.

Today Graem was quite the popular little girl! On our way to Emmy's therapy she got asked to go to Ava's house for a playdate.

I dropped her off and took Emmy to Speech Therapy. THEN...we had eaten lunch, gone to the mall, and were headed to my chiro appointment, when Nora's dad called. He wanted to know if Graem wanted to come over for another playdate!

Then this afternoon L and J stop over and Graem played all night!

Now she's sleeping!

Coming together nicely!

So I've finally finished painting the living room.

After going back and forth I settled on doing the fireplace a bright wall and the wall behind the television yellow. I think it looks great and once the sconces have been installed I'm sure it's really going to be the perfect arrangement!

I think the living room is still missing something and it could be two nice and comfy recliners!

I must say that I still haven't found my comfy spot to watch the tele.

I keep trying...

to rent our place out for graduation weekend. I listed it on the local list and I also bought an ad with the Cornell Daily Sun. I don't know why we have not had any hits because I have seen graduation invitations out and about and I know that Cornell seniors are gearing up for the end of the year.

Maybe they have been lost in spring break and it is not until they get back to school that they realize they are in trouble and don't have housing for their folks!

This week's to-do list.

I'm going to keep it kind of simple because it's SPRING BREAK. Damn! That means mama's going to be nutzo at the end of the week!

I'm going to try and paint the hallway this weekend and install new overhead lights in both hallways. Shouldn't be too bad because there are existing lights and so all I need to do is do wire for wire.

The hallway leading the bedrooms is a beast though. There are five doors and since we are replacing the doors we'll need to put the new doors up so that they can get painted too!

Ugh....I guess I'll try to nail out painting the ceiling tomorrow.

Keeping it together!

It seems like there are so many different things to do to the house. You can really get lost! I feel like if I were more organized I might not have to make ten trips to Lowes and Home Depot.

Maybe I should look into getting some project management software!

That way we can break down each project and see what needs to be done, when, and where and what supplies are needed.

Another day...

So I called yesterday to confirm my real estate interview only to find out that they were totally disorganized and had not gotten the message from the website that I had scheduled an appointment.

The good thing is...I wasn't up for meeting today. Graem is sick and I'm just getting over bronchitis.

I talked to the business manager and we decided that Monday would be a good day.

Wish me luck!