An Attempt.

I have no idea if this will go over but I thought it was worth a try.

I am going to attempt to try and sell a few items through this blog occasionally.  If I don't have takers, then I won't waste my time any more with it.

So . . without further ado here are the following items for sale:

*********

Winter Wonderland signs - $26/big and $22/small

Baby, its Cold Outside - $14

This is a really crappy picture.  let me know if you want measurements.

These cute little winterland scenes in a jar:  $10/small or $12/big

And last but not least my friend Kim makes these fabulous gloves!  I am only posting a few pics but she has quite a few - they are $32/each and are touch screen for all you savvy iphoners.

This guy has been on my nerves lately.  He makes large messes, typically hits his head somehow and may be heard cursing from time to time.  He may also be for sale.

Please email me at slknudsen7@yahoo.com if you want something and we can work out the details from there.

*******

Was that annoying?  Are you more interested in furniture?  Or nothing at all?  I'm curious.

*******

The bedroom is basically done.  Doors still need to be hung, floors washed, etc BUT I'm calling it done.  I love the color AND I love my new little chair from my friend Natalie.  Stinking adorable.

********

I think that is all for now.  I feel like I have been in a holding pattern lately - - trying to find joy and gratitude in the mundane and the slow process of the house.  It is hard to not play the game of:  "Once this gets done THEN I will be happy.  Or when we can finally move in, THEN things will be better."  I have found that this rarely solves anything.  There is just a new hurdle to overcome.  And frankly . . who am I kidding - - my hurdles are typically insignificant in the large scope of things.

So.  Yes.  It is annoying to have to drive to the gas station every time I have to use the bathroom . . . but is it worth really whining over?

Probably.

*******

I hope the holiday season is treating you all wonderfully.

Life is a Verb.

I hope you all had a restful and grateful Thanksgiving.  We hosted the first ever South Dakota Turkey Bowl.  It was a blast and I'd like to give a huge shout-out "thank you" to all of you who attended!  Surprisingly it was a very skilled game of football despite the fact that most of the players have been out of the game for 10+ years.  

No one got hurt.  No one cried and no one laughed at my jokes.  Personally I think using the term "huggle" (in place of "huddle") and "It is tickle football this year not flag football" is hilarious.  None of the guys even cracked a smile.  

Tough crowd.

******

I did not do any Black Friday shopping.  

I value sleep way too much.

******

I went to Minneapolis on Saturday to visit my friend Natalie.  We decorated her house for Christmas, caught up on sale strategy, grabbed Chinese food and watched a chick flick.  I oohed and ahhed over her inventory and of course had to buy a few items for my house (Boyd had requested that I take the car for this very reason.  Jerk.).   It had been a long time since I had been back to the Twin Cities and it was good for my heart.  I found myself breathing it all in.  I miss the energy of the place, the abundance of creativity, the hustle and bustle.

Natalie's house.

BUT that is not to say that I don't like South Dakota - it has its perks too.

Like a house that needs a ton of work. :)

********

Speaking of the house.  I was able to paint the master bedroom on Monday.  It used to be a pepto pink but now it is a color called sea salt.  I'm not sure if I picked it for the actual color or just the name of the color.  I like salt.  And I like the sea.  It made me happy to request "sea salt" for my bedroom color.  Boyd has been tearing out the ceiling in a room.  It is a mess.  He also demolished the bathroom.  This is also a mess.  So far he is only making gigantic messes. I'm not so sure his prediction of moving in before Christmas will actually take place.

the bathroom

the master bedroom.  

Soon I will try and post pics of after pictures.  If I can get my lazy butt to actually finish a room.

********

Boyd has been trying desperately to get a well on the property.  (personally, I don't think we need one but he REALLY wants one.  I REALLY want a pool but he seems to ignore that).  When Boyd initially called the well guy ("Mr. L"),  he was unsure if he was going to come out and dig.  Mr. L. then called back on Thanksgiving Day and said: "I sure don't need the money, and my wife thinks I'm crazy, but I will be there Friday morning".  And he was.  There and crazy.  Boyd and Mr. L were busy figuring out where there should be water, etc. - I went out to check on the progress and Mr. L says "You must be the wife!" and he gave me a hug.

So that was weird.

*******

Brother2 just asked me where my dog Lou was.  Apparently he is needed for his science experiment.  I wonder if the experiment is "how much cuteness can one dog contain?"

Have I posted this pic dozens of times already?

*******

Boyd and I were outside.  It is a full moon outside and you could hear the coyotes howling.  All of the sudden a huge gaggle of geese (is anyone else impressed that I used the term gaggle?) flew overhead.  I could hear their wings flapping.  It was . . . pretty awesome.

Immediately I thought to myself:  "Bastards! How dare they fly overhead.  We MUST shoot them!"

I'm channeling my inner hunter.  

********

I bought a new book called "Life is a Verb".  It is supposed to be challenging and I'm due for a little inner working.  The first challenge is to "be curious not judgmental".  So . . I'm making a mental note every day to flip a judgment around into a curiosity.  When I found myself thinking:  "Good grief, he's an idiot".  I stopped and flipped it into "I wonder WHY he's an idiot?"  That was a cinch.

I think I'm a better person already.

Hustle. Bustle.

The holiday sale is finally over.  Such a relief and kind of disappointing.  Its almost like a wedding . . . you put a lot of work into planning the event and then Bam! Its over and now you are stuck with one big mess.  :)

Seriously though:  It was great.  I have to give a big shout out to the vendors who participated in this event.  The work and creativity they put forth was awe inspiring.  I felt so completely inept once I saw all the beautiful items.  My stuff looked like dull middle children. :)

Holiday sale held at the Goss Opera House

Yeah for shoppers!

And the shoppers.  THANK YOU loyal shoppers!  You make all the work worth it - - obviously by buying our stuff but also with all the kind words and encouragement. We really like that and, I can't speak for the others, but it made me feel warm and fuzzy. And for that I thank you and offer you my own warm and fuzzy to you:

kitten and my nephew

You are welcome.

I am not sure where "Lucky Day" will go from here.  If it will just stay a big event sale held twice a year or if there will be offshoots of it:  like maybe craft nights or even full craft weekends; selling a special item once a week online; traveling to special venues and renting a booth; maybe trying to bump up the big sales to 4x a year instead of 2x; offer decor/design services . . . . . who knows!  I certainly have no idea. BUT if you feel inclined, please do offer some insights or things you would like to see and it might just push me to focus on one area.  Maybe.

Cooking more is not a viable option. Boyd already offered that piece of input.

***** 

Did I mention that I spilled a FULL quart of paint in my car during the sale?  I did.  It nearly pushed me over the edge. Boyd wanted me to give him a shout out for cleaning up all the paint but I am refusing.

Supposedly I am working at the "new" house this weekend. According to Boyd, that is.  We shall see.  Supposedly the heat is not hooked up and I am not feeling all that hearty lately.

People have been asking for before and after pics of the house.  The problem with this is that I don't have AFTER pics.  Here's the thing: we JUST got the house on the foundation and it is over 100 years old.  And my husband is "handy" which means we hire very little out and if you don't hire stuff out . . . . (a) you save money but (b) you live in a mess for a long time.

So . . . be patient because I know I will not be.

And the project begins.

Fun Alert:  The new James Bond movie is fun.  I have a few critiques but will stay quiet because they would be spoiler alerts.

The really big fun alert is that "Life of Pi" comes out next weekend.  The book was crazy fabulous so go and read it first AND then go the movie. Obviously, I have a very full social calendar.

****

Random: I was looking through my notes and I found a list entitled: "Things I hate".  It consisted of leaky pens and salamanders.  Who's with me?

It is now 8:30 p.m. I have been in my PJs since 7pm. Things get pretty crazy around here.

Good night.

The Liberal.

I was pointing out to dad that maybe the famdamily could try drinking water at meals instead of gallons of milk in one sitting.

Apparently this makes me a liberal.

******

I took Brother2, O and Oli to Hotel Transylvania.  Oli was thrilled when I warned him there would be monsters, zombies and skeletons in the movie.

During the movie, there were some pesky 5th graderish kids making noise in front.  This is a pet peeve of mine.  So I snitched.  Which, ironically, is also a pet peeve of mine.

*******

We just found out that our house can be moved.  This week.  

AS IN . . this week.   

Boyd is a loyal helper for me but he's very distracted with the whole "moving a house" thing.   We loaded up a trailer and 2 trucks tonight and dropped it off at the Goss.  Thanks Boyd, Dad, Jim, Brother2, Sav, Jordan, Mom and Phyllis!  Only a few more truckloads to go.  :)

Is he really the happy elf he appears to be?

*******

Mom got a call from one of Brother2's teachers who went on and on about how great of a student he is for her.  Mom later found out that he had cashed in points/credits for that call to happen.  

I was sort of impressed.

********

I have started drinking real coffee.

I have no idea what is happening to me.

I might be a grown-up now.  Maybe a liberal.  Most definitely a snitch.

Football and Books and Snakes, oh my.

Work has begun on the window display at the Goss Opera House. The Facebook announcement has been sent out and postcards are being passed out. All of this means that I am now 100% committed.

Committed.

*********

The Hamlin Chargers lost last night to the Arlington Cardinals.

Let’s have a moment of silence.

(Silence)

It was a great game.

I may have wet my pants.

Just a little.

********

Book Club was last night. I adore these ladies who read books.
My favorite quote was "It is so cool that you have read so many books".
FINALLY. The heavens have parted and I have finally made it to the "cool" status.
Unfortunately, this event has happened 15 years later than I would have preferred.

*******

It was a rough morning yesterday. Not only did it snow but I realized my hair is extremely greasy and I did not leave enough time in my morning schedule to wash it (this is not that unusual). So I decided to turn a rough morning into a better morning by celebrating (the first snow fall - - not my lack of personal hygiene) by ordering my first peppermint mocha of the season. Mmmmm......much better. Not only is it delicious but it also serves for fattening me up for the winter winds that I will be enduring in the very near future.

********

I don't really have any house updates.  Its always the same but with boring details.  Boyd finds the details extremely interesting but I'm just waiting for a HOUSE to finally make it onto the premises.  I do not care about running piping, where to put the furnace or where the well will be situated.  Have I mentioned that we have a well to get our water from?  I'm envisioning me carrying buckets of water on my head while the 50+ mph winds whip at my thin home-sewn dress that I made out of curtains.  Boyd has been assuring me that I can just turn the faucet on and water will miraculously appear. 

We'll see.

********

I heard roosters (as in male pheasants for you "out of staters") the other night when I dropped by the property.  It was magical.  Boyd immediately mumbles something about hunting blah blah blah.  So I dubbed the FIRST RULE OF OUR NEW HOME: 

Our measly little 4.5 acres is OFFICIALLY a safe haven for animals.  Come one and come all.  No shooting allowed.  Snakes may be the exception.  I really hate snakes. 

This is only one of many similarities I share with Indiana Jones.

Problem Solvers.

My Aunt Karen and cousins (Sophie, Ian and Issaac) are visiting this weekend.  Sophie is 15 years old and Brother 2 thinks it is great if she is around.  

Overheard (Brother2 talking to Sophie):

"If you help me with my science fair project, I will teach you how to play basketball."

There may be hope for this kid yet . . . his problem solving skills are definitely improving.

*******

House update:

We have basement walls now.  Yeah!  

We also have 50 mph winds.

We have no tree belt.

Our problem solving skills suck.

*******

I'm tired.  I had to work today.  On a Friday.  A FRIDAY!  Oh, the agony.

Fridays should be free days.  Always.

Good night.

It's Official.

We own land.  Officially.  We also have a large hole on our new land.  Officially.

Boyd was saying we will be in our new place before Christmas. I gave a cheer and Brother2 gave a "rats".    Supposedly my dessert obsession has opened up a whole new world to him and he is afraid it will leave with me.  As a parting gift (for the whole 2 miles we will be moving away), I will leave him some frosting and a package of graham crackers.
It works in a pinch.

Boyd and a hole.

A large hole means large sand dunes.

Sister1, Mom, Brother2, G, O & myself all went to a Toby Mac concert in Fargo.  I wasn't prepared to enjoy it that much.  I have a slight aversion to concerts.  Whenever we went to concerts in the Cities it was because we just happened to be in downtown, just happened to bump into a scalper and just happened to like who was playing.  I think of it as destiny.  PLANNING to go to a concert is always tough for me . . . oh the agony of finding parking (and then paying for it)! the crush of people!  the noisy, overstimulated environment!  Stupid people "encoring" constantly and silly girls screaming in my ears
 (oh wait . . that was just Boyd at the Killers concert)

Mr. Mac  I love the guy in camo.  He represented Dakota well.

We even got Meet and Greet tickets (tickets were courtesy of Sister1's friend who is Toby's publicist.  Thanks Velvet!) for before the show.  For NORMAL people this is a big deal.  For WEIRDOS like myself it is a little overwhelming.  Am I supposed to make small talk? Compliment his choice in eyewear?  No clue.  

But the whole event was quite delightful.   

Even despite Mr. B.O. sitting next to me.

I wish I had a tigger sweatshirt (Note Mr. B.O. behind me)

In other news.  I have been crafting up a storm.  I. Just. Can't. Stop.

This is the state of the house right now.   

It is officially out of control.

Fickle Funk

I have been in a funk lately.  

I hate being faced with the reality that I am a fickle person.  

It goes against everything I stand for.  Blasted.

Moving on.

Here are some random updates in no particular order:

I stink at blogging.

We have still not closed on our lake property.  Winter is coming.  Please God.  Can you hear me?  Hello?  Heelloooo???

Oli turned 4.  We had a little party for him.  

Played hide-n-seek in the trees.  And speaking of hide-n-seek . . . such a terrible game for someone with anxiety.  We are teaching the children to hide from the adults and not come out when you call for them.   Breathe.  Breathe.

Because of said anxiety, I made the rule that all children had to hide with an adult.

I ruin birthday parties.

Coop and Oli.

Dinosaur Hooks! 

Brother2 finally got a closet.  I never thought about where he kept his clothes.  One day I asked and he pointed at a plastic bin.  This might be more of a second world problem.

I have started preparing for the holiday sale - - which means, I have started to panic about the holiday sale.

 

Boyd has been working weekends.  I find this highly annoying.

I am contemplating going back to school.  I am unsure of why.  

Apparently I prefer to stay in debt.   Take that Dave Ramsey.

I have been volunteering a little bit for the fourth grade class at Hamlin.  When asked what the difference is between the southern region and our region (midwest) one kid piped up with: “We shovel snow and they just play”.   Amen, little man.

Brother2 is doing a lot of fundraising for the 8^th grade D.C. trip.  I remind him thrice weekly that I did not get to go on this trip.   Imagine my 8^th grader delight when my mom informed me that instead of me going with my friends to our nation’s capital that I get to go with my famdamily?! Totally not bitter.

I AM enjoying living in the country though.  I go for many walks and I even have an entourage.  Typically all 3 dogs and all 3 cats trail after me.  It makes me feel special and never fails to make me smile.

This friend is Oreo.

The Wiper.

I finally got my driver's license changed to South Dakota.  I had been waiting for a really great hair day but after 6 months I just went ahead and did it anyway.  

I went right at 7:30 a.m. to the DMV.  It was just me.  Fabulous.  I give Mr. DMV all my paperwork and then I am told where to stand for the picture.

I stand where he asks and then BAM!  He snaps the picture.  No warning whatsoever.  

Me:  "I wasn't ready!"

He gives me "the look".

Listen Dude.  I am the ONLY person here.  I think you can give me another shot.  I have been living with my terrible Minnesota picture for YEARS because there is no way in HELL St. Paul DMV was going to let me have a re-do picture.

Gads.

Why is the DMV always so cranky?  And void of humor?

Let's just say the new SD picture isn't great but its better than MN.  

*sigh*

You should see my passport picture.  EMBARRASSING.  

I almost posted the passport picture on here and then thought . . . 

"Why am I doing this to myself?"  

When we got our passports in the mail, I was super excited and hurriedly ripped open the package.

Only to stare in complete horror. 

Boyd asked what is wrong.

I hand him the passport.

And . . . . he started LAUGHING HIS HEAD OFF.

At least he had the decency to not say "it isn't that bad".  

********

We had a lovely Labor Day weekend.  Candy and Kevin came to visit.  They were our friends/neighbors in Minnesota.  They have 3 boys.  2 of them are 1 year old twins.  Amazing.  My head was spinning with how they were able to change diapers so quickly.

Boyd and Kevin went fishing.  Candy and I went on walks.

Boyd also showed off all his toys to Mac (5 years old).

"When I grow up I want to be a paintball gun maker".    
Funny . . . so does Boyd.

It was low key and lovely.

*******

My facebook sabbatical did not last long.  The first week was actually kind of nice but then I started to feel out of the loop.  So.  I'm back on Facebook.  However.  If you bother me, you will be "hidden".
Consider yourself warned.

*********

I stopped by Sister1's house to pick up the boys for pizza in the park with Boyd.  

G and O are ready and in the car waiting.   

Oli informed me he isn't ready because he has to poop. 

Me:  Okay . . hurry up!

Oli:  Will you be my wiper?

*******

Fall is in the air.  Supposedly football is in the air too.  And politics.  UGH.
 Brother2 has been glued to the TV all night (for the football - - not the politics).

Why I am against hunting.

I know this picture is small but since I have amazing eyesight I will help you out:

  There is a fish, hiker, deer and pheasant pictured on the sign.

I'm curious as to when opening "hiker season" starts. 

Sabbatical.

I was browsing my blog the other day -  AND I realized that I had 70+ posts in 2011.  I haven't even hit 20 in 2012.    Writing became more difficult apparently in 2012.    

We are still living with my parents.  I have no doubt I will have some material on this in the near future.  

Brother2 was filling out some school forms.  He asked if he could put me down for an emergency contact and I said to put 911 down instead.  He then started listing his allergies and I said he should add "teachers and homework".  We got dad to sign off on the form.  I think Brother2 is starting to think I'm A-OK after all. :)

However I am not A-OK with math homework.

In other news:

Mittens (one of the kittens) ate rat poison and died.

Mel got sprayed by a skunk.

Lou loves bean fields.

Boyd has been working way too much and I'm starting to get cranky.

Also . . as an FYI . . I am taking a sabbatical from Facebook.  I know.  Crazy.  It might just be a week. Maybe a month.  Forever?  Who knows.

Moving on . . . . . 

How about a Quick Nerd Alert Update???

I'm reading White Oleander by Janet Fitch right now and I'm struck by how hateful women are to each other and not to mention the failings of America's foster system.  This is the second time I have read this book.  I do that from time to time.   Recommend.  Duh.

I am also reading Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz and find it fascinating.  Haven't finished yet . . but more than likely recommend.  Its about DOGS after all!

I just finished reading Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Ann Fadiman and was amazed by how many words I didn't know.  It made me want to give more books as gifts, write in the margins and be smarter.  Umm . .  I liked it but I think it might be too "weird" for most.

A few weeks ago I finished World Without End by Ken Follett.  It took me awhile to get into it but  I persevered and learned a few things about the Black Plague.  I have no idea why I have such a morbid fascination about the plague.   Sort of recommend.  It is a big time commitment for the feeble story line.  Follet let me down with this one.

Book club selection for last month was The Time In Between by Maria Duenas.  I disliked it at first because the girl was really dumb but then the girl got a little smarter and redeemed herself and I got sucked in to the story.  Overall recommend but not whole heartedly.

The book club selection this month is Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.  I have already read this book and really liked it.  Read it.

On my nightstand:  1,000 Gifts:  A Dare to Live Fully Where You Are by Ann Voskamp; Les Miserables by Victor Hugo; and The Big Short:  Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis.

I am a very random reader.

And with that . . . I am heading to bed.

Rest in peace, Mittens

Mittens is the black kitten.  Leo is the orange kitten.
Leo is thriving although I'm concerned he is a little too skinny.

The Big Bad Sale and Other Tidbits.

The sale is finally over.  It went fabulously.  

I'm not sure who was more excited - the vendors or the shoppers.  

I may have spent more money than I made.   Fail.

Sister2's house worked beautifully for the location.  The vendors brought great stuff and worked their butts off.  Win.

I got yelled at by an old man about a placement of a sale sign.  Good grief.  Apparently my charms do not work on grumpy old men. 

Just old farmers.  

******

Mom had labeled one of her items (a decorative bird), as "F*cky Bird".  Supposedly she meant it as Funky Bird but she did not write it as such.  The woman who bought it said she was ONLY buying it because the description made her laugh and insisted on keeping the tag.

Well played, mom.  Well played.

I will now start describing all of my items with profanity.

********

Sister1 was telling us about a trip she took to a casino recently.  She was explaining that she doesn't like doing math just for fun (i.e. blackjack) so she never needs to go back again.  Mom was noticeably silent throughout this discussion.  After about 5 minutes she gives a relieved laugh and says: "I thought you said you didn't like doing METH just for fun!"

Oh my.

********

Lou got lost in a cornfield.  We looked and looked and looked in 90+ degree heat.  It is possible I ended up going to the bathroom in said cornfield.  Fail.

********

We found the little bastard.  Win.

********

The famdamily went to the Black Hills for the weekend.  It was beautiful weather and fabulous scenery. Not to mention chipmunks aplenty for the children to chase.  O caught a few.  I told him of my glory days and when I caught a gopher. 

He wasn't as impressed as he should have been.

*******

We sold our house in Watertown!!!  Win.

*******

We have not yet purchased our Lake Norden land.  Fail.

********

We are living with my parents and Brother2.  Fail?

********

I had to carpool with Boyd this morning.  

He starts work at 6am.  I start at 9am.  

We need to have a "heart-to-heart" convo this evening.

*********

Sister2 got knocked up.  Wait . . is that still a secret?! :)  

*********

Thus ends my updates. Does the centered text bother anyone?

  I hope so.

Boyd and Oli

Lucky Day sale!!!

My naughty little dog.

Me.  Sister1.  Erin (Sis-in-law).  Sister2  I need an ugly sister.
Maybe I will luck out when Brother2 gets married.

It is now 8:30 a.m.  Looks like I have time for a Target run.

Win.

forgiveness

Do not be alarmed by the title.  I am by no means that nice of a person.

********

This weekend was a whirlwind. We did not close on our house. I also do not have cable, internet or mail anymore. Or shelving or food. *sigh*.

(I’m still whining)

So we left Friday and headed to Sioux Falls. We got to see Brother1's new house that they closed on (not ironic at all) and then we headed to the LaVerne Drive In. We love Drive Ins and if you have never gone, you must. Now. Find the nearest one and go. This was a frequent date night for us in Minnesota. Spiderman was showing and I have to say I found it . . . . delightful. So refreshing to have someone other than Tobey Maguire playing Spiderman and Kirsten Dunst being the girlfriend . . ugh . .
good riddance.

And no, we do not park in the furthest row and make out.  Gross.

Saturday we stuck around and had breakfast with Brother1, Erin, Coop and Cate at Bagel Boy. Cate loves markers and Coop loves cheese.

Obviously we are related.

Brother2 turned 14 on Saturday so the whole famdamily went to Wild Water West to celebrate. I can’t believe he is already 14. It seems like just yesterday that I would have to babysit him as an infant while Boyd and I were dating.

My parents had a great sense of humor.

Or maybe it was a birth control tactic. I’m not certain.

***************

A few nights ago Sister1 had us over for dinner. You will remember that we have no kitchen supplies. I can’t even fry myself an egg. Or cut a pizza. I feel like a pilgrim.

(Still whining)

ANYWHO. Oli was deliriously tired and doing what very tired children do . . . which is everything but obey. Sister1 sent him up to his room for a "timeout’. He came downstairs a few minutes later with an uncertain expression on his face:

Sister1: "Oli. It is not time for you to be done with your time-out. Get back upstairs."

Oli: "But, I FORGIVE YOU, Mommy!"

Bless his little heart.

*****

Sale set-up as begun. Now begins the nights of tossing and turning and rearranging furniture in my dreams. Is that strange? Heather Holman dropped off a load of stuff and I went right to work moving this and that . . . so much fun.

And so overwhelming.  I have no idea how to fit everything in the house. 

Yes. I would like some cheese with this whine.

WARNING: this post is filled with whining.   If this makes you cringe . . stop reading now.

Ok.  Let’s begin.

We were supposed to close on our Watertown house on Friday the 13^th.  As in tomorrow.  (AND BEFORE that we were supposed to close on June 25^th) So we have been HAULING CRAP over to a storage unit in Lake Norden in anticipation of being out of  the house tomorrow.  We are down to some random bits and pieces of things that need to be gathered and organized, our clothes and our bed.  This morning I sat on the floor, looking at the blank wall, while eating a bowl of cereal.  We have one bowl left and plastic spoons.  That is my kitchen presently.

I KNEW having a closing on Friday the 13^th was a bad idea.  I was trying hard not to be a silly but now I am officially superstitious.

I got a call from the utilities department this morning saying that our account cannot be taken out of my name because the buyer just called them and said he was no longer buying our house.  SAY WHAT?!  Why am I hearing this from the Utilities lady?

Here is the thing.  We actually own 3 houses right now.  2 are in Minnesota with renters in them. (Keep in mind that being landlords was never on our “wish list”) We had put our Stillwater house on the market this spring and accepted an offer.  BUT they want some “dips” fixed in some of the shingles on the roof.  Boyd claims it is nothing serious and it’s because of some spray foam blah blah blah and it would be expensive to fix so he won’t fix something that is not going to leak and is not noticeable to the naked eye.  So we keep trying to line up people to get out there and test the integrity of everything to prove the roof is fabulous.  People keep scheduling and then cancelling.  Our renters are moving out of that house at the end of July.  If this sale does not go through, I have to find new renters.  Yes . . I should say WE have to find new renters but let’s not kid ourselves. :)

So there is that.

And our Lake Norden property that we would like to start on is constantly being dragged out because the surveyors TAKE FOREVER.  And then once they did survey the land, the main beach area was cut off.  WHAT?!  So . . must figure that out.

And now Watertown.  The house that should not be any hassle is a thorn in my side.  We need to sell it to move forward with purchasing the LN property BUT can’t purchase the LN property until the property lines are officially set, title work ordered, etc.

GADS.  Just stick me in a trailer.  In Kauai.  Yes.  That sounds nice.  I will now go check airline tickets.  Excuse me.

It appears we will not be going to Kauai anytime soon.

To add to all of this . . . . I have a “stress eating” problem.  What do I do when there are boxes to be packed, loaded, etc??? I bake a chocolate cake, dump it in a large tupperware and continuously take chunks from it.  Gaining weight is not on my wish list either.

Have I mentioned that we will be living with my parents during this interim time? 

Party. On. 

Yes.  We will be inhabiting my old room.  For some reason when I was a teenager I decided I wanted this bright blue carpet to go in my room.  BECAUSE IT WAS MY ROOM and for whatever reason I was in love with primary colors.  After a few years, mom scavenged up some leftover neutral carpet (that woman can find just about anything that no one else wants) and did the entire upstairs - but I put my foot down.  I wanted the blue.  And I would not allow her to touch my room.  (side note:  I also used to have several animals that lived in that room.  Mom used to say “It stinks in here! And I would say: “Then get out.” I am such a problem solver.) 

I now get to revel in my late 90’s stylish stubbornness.  Payback is a b*tch.

I couldn’t find my sunglasses this morning after running errands.  It made me angry.  I found them later after being at work for an hour.  They were on my head.  No one told me.

I am 32 going on 72.

Oh.  And I’m trying to prepare for a glorious sale.  With lots of furniture.  I have filled Sister2's garage FULL of items.  All 3 stalls.  I need to stop moving all the time since my main hobby is collecting furniture.  The 2 do not go well together.  Boyd has lamented that if “artsy” is going to be a hobby of mine why can’t it just involve a small paint set.  I pointed out that at least my hobby tends to bring in some cash while his hobbies tend to take my hobby's cash.

Go figure.