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Home > Archive: August, 2015

Archive for August, 2015

Look out salesmen - here I come!

August 28th, 2015 at 03:05 am

I am going to have to break down and buy a car. Not only did my power steering go kaputs- but the steering wheel and tires no longer speak the same language...and that isn't good. So, I am going to start looking in earnest. Poor car salesmen. I am not an easy consumer..and have been known to make tough deals to the dismay of the dealerships and the commission checks. But I just don't do the nebulous "what payment are you comfortable with" kinda deal. I only speak price, interest rate, and terms... I loathe car shopping- and will be glad when this process is over and I have something dependable to drive again.

The hub is en route tonight. He is supposed to get here about midnight. Right now, they are diverting all flights because of the thick cloud of smoke overhead- but I am hopeful that the smoke blows off and flights are back to normal by midnight. Otherwise, the hub will sleep in the airport and wait until flights start again tomorrow morning- which is miserable for him.

I have postponed getting my hair cut since last November. Yikes! I figure I have saved over $500 by coloring my self and cutting my own bangs- but its time for a good cut, and maybe even color. Im kinda eager to try something new!

The next few weeks will be busy. Aside from car shopping, there are 4 birthdays in the next two weeks- the hubs, DD2s and two granddaughters. I have the grandbaby gifts taken care of. Im just not sure about the hub and DD2- especially since its her 30th - I want to do something special. Hmm...

Lots of fun on the horizon- I am on vaca starting in about 10 days..we are going camping at the coast- and then the first week in October we have our annual girls trip coming up- this year we are going to Sacramento and San Fran! Then towards the end of October, we are going to our bi-annual family trip to the resort. Just the adults- and always tons of fun.

Ive been cooking and baking lots now that my kitchen is finished. I made a tasty lemon blueberry loaf a few days ago and it was a huge hit at work. This weekend I am going to try making a gnocchi dish. I am sure the hub will enjoy his time in the new kitchen too!

Almost done!

August 25th, 2015 at 03:49 am

I have been fighting a headache/migraine for about 8 days now. I am not sure if its because of all the smoke here, hormones, or something else. But NO BUENO! I am going to give it to the end of the week, and then I will go back to the doctor!!

The house is coming along. Floors are 99% done, painting is 95% done...and the rest is about 90% done- Best of all, I am back in the kitchen!! This past weekend I made chili, a new salad, and a yummy blueberry lemon loaf! I LOVE being able to putz in a regular (for me) sized kitchen again!!

I recently scored at Kohl's- they had a big sale, plus I had 20% off. I got several Christmas and birthday presents normal cost would have been well over $400, but my cost was just under $70. Got to love sales like that!

I am taking advantage of no cable right now and using my Amazon prime account and DD1s Netflix- plenty of new to me things to watch, when I am not busy with the house.

I don't know about everyone else, but I am ready to be done with the heat and smoke. I am ready for FALL.

Wickedly GREAT weekend!

August 9th, 2015 at 10:37 pm

We are back from our trip to Portland. Wicked was simply fantastic! I've seen a few performances over the years and this one ranked up there with one of the favorites! The acting and singing were amazing! So glad I had a chance to go see it.

We did a little shopping while we were there, but I didn't get much. I spent $95 at Cabela's for some wall pictures, a kitchen towel and a welcome sign- all in the bear/cabin décor.

I paid for one night at the hotel, my daughter paid for the other. We split the cost of meals and gas. Somewhere along the way I managed to lose my credit card. SO I called and had it blocked. Thankfully no fraudulent transactions were posted before I realized it was missing!!

The weather was great and the air was not smoky- so those were definitely pluses!

While I was gone, my daughter found the cutest bear coffee table on craigslist. It was $75, including glass top- on Amazon it retails for $250 without the top. The bear had a few small dings, but a black marker and 15 minutes took care of that!



Isn't it cute? I think it will go great in the living room or family room!!

I'm cooking my first meal in the kitchen tonight! Chicken and quinoa and plan to make enough for a few lunches and dinners! So good to have a functioning home again!!


Headed to Portland!

August 7th, 2015 at 04:03 pm

DD1, granddaughter and I are about to leave for Portland. I am eager to get going- should be a great girls weekend! Its about a 4.5 hour drive, but hopefully we will get out of this darn smoke for a few days!!

The painters are here finishing up today. I think we are down to our last week of contractors next week and we will be done. It will be so nice to get back to a normal life. Home remodeling and living in limbo are not cheap and I am READY to stop the outflow of finances.

My power steering went belly up on my car a couple of months ago. It is a 2005 - and I don't want to replace it yet. But repairing the PS would be more than I am willing to put into the car. So, I am getting a free workout on my biceps every time I need to turn the darn thing. I have decided I will drive it till it dies, and just keep saving for a newer car. But man, that thing is HARD to turn. (Just keep thinking BICEPS, ray)

This past week I did much better on lunches. I had a sandwich each day for lunch ....so I spent no money on eating out for lunch. Having a functional kitchen again makes all the difference for meal prep.

Well, DD1 is here so I gotta run. Have a great weekend all!

The new Kitchen

August 6th, 2015 at 03:28 am

Here are a couple of few pics of the kitchen. As you can see, we added a peninsula, new cabinets, counters and floors...and some new appliances!

Before:


After:





Moved IN!!! Sort of!

August 6th, 2015 at 02:54 am

After 2+ years of living in the little house (390sq ft) I can finally say we are living in the big house again!! No, everything is not all moved in- but enough that I am living here now!!! YAY!!!!

I will post pictures in the coming days of all the work we have done. I am super pleased with the end result and can now look forward to spending the rest of my life here in the country. Big Grin

The hub went back to Alaska today- so I have the next three weeks to get my things settled in.

In other news, Southern Oregon has been experiencing a summer of triple digit weather and smoke from wildfires. It has been an asthmatics worst nightmare here. UGH. We have been down to one room for a couple of months, the bedroom, where we had a small portable AC running constantly...which helped but boy- stepping out of that room to use the restroom or do laundry was crazy hot. Thankfully, we have dropped down into the 90s this week and the smoke is not reaching the area that I live today...so today is good!

I am most excited about having a KITCHEN again. The stove in the little house didn't work, so I relied on a toaster oven and an electric skillet for two years. I am eager to start cooking and baking again!

DD1 and I are going to Portland with my granddaughter this weekend for a girl scout outing. We get to see WICKED...which I have wanted to see for a long time. I am really looking forward to the trip. I love time with my daughter and this is a double bonus!

Being moved in also means being connected again. No TV just yet, which is fine, but I have reliable internet...so I am looking forward to catching back up with everyone here!