Some of you may not know that in Colorado, Kent and I are homeowners. If that's the case then you need to start taking better notes about our lives. Anyway, moving down to Texas presented some problems because we'd only be gone nine months and didn't want to (nor would we probably be able to) sell our condo.
Compounding this problem is that our condo, while very nice, doesn't have a washer and dryer. It's one of the upgrades we plan to make but we haven't had a chance to run the water lines or buy a W/D. To me this meant that we would probably not be able to find a mature, responsible renter since most adults refuse to live without a washer and dryer inside their house. By "most" I of course mean that I will not rent someplace that doesn't have that feature.
Anyway. So we were faced with the arduous task of finding someone to rent our place. In April we started thinking seriously about starting to find someone. To facilitate this we did absolutely nothing.
As luck would have it I went to lunch one day with a friend and was discussing our lack-of-renter dilemma with her. I was telling her that we'd done nothing to find anyone and surprisingly had no prospects. She asked what kind of person we were looking for and I told her that a single, employed, middle-aged person with no pets or active social life would be ideal. She didn't have one of those for me but she did have a single, 19-year-old brother that needed someplace to live right away. This seemed to violate my main rule: no one with an active social life that might want to have people over. TEENAGE people with no respect for wood floors or new carpet. However I did figure he was young enough that he probably hadn't figured out the whole washer/dryer thing yet so I grudgingly told her to give him my number.
The short version of the story is that he ended up renting from us but wanted to move in two months earlier than we'd orginally planned. Realizing that any other prospects would have to be found and there would be work involved with that my husband and I agreed to move in with my parents for six weeks. All I can say about that six week period is that everyone played nice and there were no murders.
As it turned out our renter is a considerate and well-mannered kid. He's very polite and assured me numerous times he would take very good care of our wood floors and newly installed carpet. He even promised to keep our house clean, to which I said I couldn't care less as long as we didn't return to find cockroaches in the cupboards.
I had only one rule.
Under no circumstances was anyone ever to smoke cigarettes in our house. EVER. He promised no one would, and that he himself wasn't even a smoker anymore. That reassured me immensely, but I still made him sign the lease in his blood. It's not that I didn't believe him it's just that would be the one offense for which I'd have to string a tenant up by their thumbs and beat them. I would really hate to have to do that.
I was forced to think about this over the weekend when we to some friends' house. See, they are renters as well as indoor smokers. I wonder if their landlord knows or cares? I know that I care when we go over there. I am actually surprised when anyone over the age of 25 smokes. I can understand smoking as a teenager in a misguided attempt to rebel but really, why keep doing after you turn 25? Don't you realize by that point your parents aren't complete idiots whose every wish should be violated? I mean, I figured that one out by 21 but I respect that some people aren't quite so mature. (If my parents are laughing now they need to shut their faces. Love you!)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Quiz time!
I'm bored. Therefore you all get a quiz. You're so lucky, I hope you appreciate all this hard work I go to so you'll stay amused.
What is your salad dressing of choice?
Hidden Valley Ranch. Yes, I’m a cliché.
What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
How can I pick just one?
On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?
20% unless the service is really terrible. Then I leave 25%, since they’ll need it when I get them fired.
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Bagels and cream cheese.
Name three foods you detest above all others.
Beef stroganoff, rice pudding and that’s about it.
What is your favorite dish to order in a Chinese restaurant?
As far as I’m concerned the only dish that exists is chicken and broccoli.
What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Black olives and mushrooms. It’s ok if you hate this. Of course it means we can't be friends anymore.
What do you like to put on your toast?
Butter and cinnamon sugar.
What is your favorite type of gum?
The kind that doesn’t give me TMJ. Oh wait, that kind doesn’t exist.
What is your wallpaper on your computer?
Boring.
What is your screensaver on your computer?
I don’t have one, they bug me.
Are there naked pictures saved on your computer?
NO! What did you hear??
What kitchen appliance do you use the most?
The coffee maker. Begetter of sweet, sweet caffeine.
Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Teeth and a couple extra fingers.
Do you prefer to read when you go to the bathroom?
I prefer to read when I go anywhere or do anything.
When was the last time you had a cavity?
Next time I go to the dentist, I’m afraid.
What is the heaviest item you lift regularly?
The cat. She’s pretty fat.
Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
Not yet! Although when I was in junior high we used to play this horrible “game” where we made ourselves pass out. Oh to be young and completely stupid.
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Only if it were tomorrow. So I could hide from Death behind the couch.
How do you express your artistic side?
Interpretive dance and playing the lute.
What color do you think you look best in?
Navy blue and green. But not together.
How long do you think you could last in a medium security prison?
Do I get a shank? Because if so then I would be Queen of the Prison Yard for at least two weeks.
If we weren't bound by society's conventions, do you have a relative you would make a pass at? Here’s the thing. Since I do live by society’s conventions (at least with regard to playing in the gene pool with relatives) I am incapable of answering this question with anything but “ew” and you're a pervert.
Have you ever saved someone's life?
No, but I've considered ending some people's.
Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000?
Yes, and then I would move.
Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
Sure.
Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
Of course not. I have some standards. Sheesh.
Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
Hm, I would have to ask Kent how he’d feel about that.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Never. Not even for $500,000.
Would you shave your head and get your entire body waxed for $5,000?
This is a no-brainer. I usually have to pay practically that much for the waxing. I think this is a question for guys.
Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000?
Er…I don’t know if I can do that. Is it tax-free?
Would you never blog again for $50,000?
Sure. I would just write about my life online. But it wouldn't be a blog.
What is your salad dressing of choice?
Hidden Valley Ranch. Yes, I’m a cliché.
What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
How can I pick just one?
On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?
20% unless the service is really terrible. Then I leave 25%, since they’ll need it when I get them fired.
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Bagels and cream cheese.
Name three foods you detest above all others.
Beef stroganoff, rice pudding and that’s about it.
What is your favorite dish to order in a Chinese restaurant?
As far as I’m concerned the only dish that exists is chicken and broccoli.
What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Black olives and mushrooms. It’s ok if you hate this. Of course it means we can't be friends anymore.
What do you like to put on your toast?
Butter and cinnamon sugar.
What is your favorite type of gum?
The kind that doesn’t give me TMJ. Oh wait, that kind doesn’t exist.
What is your wallpaper on your computer?
Boring.
What is your screensaver on your computer?
I don’t have one, they bug me.
Are there naked pictures saved on your computer?
NO! What did you hear??
What kitchen appliance do you use the most?
The coffee maker. Begetter of sweet, sweet caffeine.
Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Teeth and a couple extra fingers.
Do you prefer to read when you go to the bathroom?
I prefer to read when I go anywhere or do anything.
When was the last time you had a cavity?
Next time I go to the dentist, I’m afraid.
What is the heaviest item you lift regularly?
The cat. She’s pretty fat.
Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
Not yet! Although when I was in junior high we used to play this horrible “game” where we made ourselves pass out. Oh to be young and completely stupid.
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Only if it were tomorrow. So I could hide from Death behind the couch.
How do you express your artistic side?
Interpretive dance and playing the lute.
What color do you think you look best in?
Navy blue and green. But not together.
How long do you think you could last in a medium security prison?
Do I get a shank? Because if so then I would be Queen of the Prison Yard for at least two weeks.
If we weren't bound by society's conventions, do you have a relative you would make a pass at? Here’s the thing. Since I do live by society’s conventions (at least with regard to playing in the gene pool with relatives) I am incapable of answering this question with anything but “ew” and you're a pervert.
Have you ever saved someone's life?
No, but I've considered ending some people's.
Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000?
Yes, and then I would move.
Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
Sure.
Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
Of course not. I have some standards. Sheesh.
Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
Hm, I would have to ask Kent how he’d feel about that.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Never. Not even for $500,000.
Would you shave your head and get your entire body waxed for $5,000?
This is a no-brainer. I usually have to pay practically that much for the waxing. I think this is a question for guys.
Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000?
Er…I don’t know if I can do that. Is it tax-free?
Would you never blog again for $50,000?
Sure. I would just write about my life online. But it wouldn't be a blog.
Some things aren't meant for public consumption
Just because you have a cell phone doesn't mean that every conversation is now appropriate to have in public. Apparently that memo wasn't given to the guy in the post office this morning. He would have irritated me regardless of the conversation he had because he had an extremely loud, booming voice. You know the "Hey! HEY EVERYONE! Look at me. I have a cell phone and I'm such a wanker I'm going to talk on it in line." You know the type.
Anyway, he decided that since he has this beacon of convience and mobility he should probably have a loud argument with his doctor's office about a procedure he had that insurance wouldn't cover. I couldn't tell if the profanities coming out of his mouth were directed at the person he was speaking with or the insurance company. However I did learn that he has some sort of prostate problem. So then I could look at him and think "I know you have an enlarged prostate" which is really a very odd thing to know about someone you aren't related to.
I'm not one of those people that hates all cell phones and thinks they should be condemned to the fires of hell. I actually find mine quite handy. However I am all for condemning people that misuse them to the fiery circles of hell. This includes people like my friend at the post office along with people that talk on their phones while they're being rung up at a store and people that veer around dangerously on the highway while having what I can only guess is a lively session of phone sex.
The man sharing inappropriate medical information in line reminds me of another story. For a long time I went to a pharmacy I'll call Rite Aid, since that's which one it was. I was almost always helped by "Beth". I dreaded dealing with "Beth" because there was something a little...off about her. I went in for months and she seemed to have some sort social interaction impairment. I actually sort of figured she had Asperger's Syndrome.
Not only did I not enjoy having to deal with "Beth" but it was also very difficult to get in and out of this Rite Aid. So when a Walgreen's went in right by my house (much easier to navigate) I thought about switching pharmacies. But I am a loyal customer and just because "Beth" was weird and it was a pain to get in and out of Rite Aid was not incentive enough to take my business elsewhere. Until one day...
I was waiting in line one day and a gentleman ahead of me was trying to pick up his prescriptions. He gave his name and good old "Beth" looked at him and said in her very robotic voice, "Are you picking up the Viagra?" Did I also mention that she had a voice like a foghorn? I was several feet behind the guy but I'm guessing that people across the store could hear her. This guy bent over and said in what I can only imagine was a low, embarrassed voice, "No, the Ambien." So now I know that you're impotent and can't sleep. How awkward. Of course it wasn't his fault so I looked at the ceiling and pretended that I was very interested in the lighting system. You know, rather than mocking him and calling him names.
That pretty much ended my days of giving Rite Aid my business. I marched myself up to Walgreen's and had them start filling my prescriptions. The end.
Anyway, he decided that since he has this beacon of convience and mobility he should probably have a loud argument with his doctor's office about a procedure he had that insurance wouldn't cover. I couldn't tell if the profanities coming out of his mouth were directed at the person he was speaking with or the insurance company. However I did learn that he has some sort of prostate problem. So then I could look at him and think "I know you have an enlarged prostate" which is really a very odd thing to know about someone you aren't related to.
I'm not one of those people that hates all cell phones and thinks they should be condemned to the fires of hell. I actually find mine quite handy. However I am all for condemning people that misuse them to the fiery circles of hell. This includes people like my friend at the post office along with people that talk on their phones while they're being rung up at a store and people that veer around dangerously on the highway while having what I can only guess is a lively session of phone sex.
The man sharing inappropriate medical information in line reminds me of another story. For a long time I went to a pharmacy I'll call Rite Aid, since that's which one it was. I was almost always helped by "Beth". I dreaded dealing with "Beth" because there was something a little...off about her. I went in for months and she seemed to have some sort social interaction impairment. I actually sort of figured she had Asperger's Syndrome.
Not only did I not enjoy having to deal with "Beth" but it was also very difficult to get in and out of this Rite Aid. So when a Walgreen's went in right by my house (much easier to navigate) I thought about switching pharmacies. But I am a loyal customer and just because "Beth" was weird and it was a pain to get in and out of Rite Aid was not incentive enough to take my business elsewhere. Until one day...
I was waiting in line one day and a gentleman ahead of me was trying to pick up his prescriptions. He gave his name and good old "Beth" looked at him and said in her very robotic voice, "Are you picking up the Viagra?" Did I also mention that she had a voice like a foghorn? I was several feet behind the guy but I'm guessing that people across the store could hear her. This guy bent over and said in what I can only imagine was a low, embarrassed voice, "No, the Ambien." So now I know that you're impotent and can't sleep. How awkward. Of course it wasn't his fault so I looked at the ceiling and pretended that I was very interested in the lighting system. You know, rather than mocking him and calling him names.
That pretty much ended my days of giving Rite Aid my business. I marched myself up to Walgreen's and had them start filling my prescriptions. The end.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Can't it please be over?
I'm practically the worst sick person in the world. I suppose a few people are worse than me but I'm pretty bad. So you can imagine how much fun I've been these last few weeks. The week before Christmas I started feeling pretty bad, worse than just a cold. It was different than a normal cold though, because just my lungs hurt. Then I got a fever. Good times. I'd been putting off finding a doctor down here because I never really go to the doctor. So of course I need a doctor now and I don't have one. I found an urgent care I could go to (which my insurance didn't cover) and the doctor told me that I had bronchitis. Yay!
I was sick with that for weeks. I was so sick when we drove back to Colorado that Kent ended up driving pretty much the whole time. I was still sort of sick when we came home a week later but I thought I was on an upswing. Then Kent got sick. Three days later I got his cold. That was last week. Now I'm finally starting to feel better again! But...this morning Kent woke up with pinkeye. I've never had pinkeye but I hear that it's very contagious. I'm afraid it might be next on my list.
I'm hoping that this week will mark the end of being sick, at least for a while. Cross your fingers for me that I don't get pinkeye. Yikes.
I was sick with that for weeks. I was so sick when we drove back to Colorado that Kent ended up driving pretty much the whole time. I was still sort of sick when we came home a week later but I thought I was on an upswing. Then Kent got sick. Three days later I got his cold. That was last week. Now I'm finally starting to feel better again! But...this morning Kent woke up with pinkeye. I've never had pinkeye but I hear that it's very contagious. I'm afraid it might be next on my list.
I'm hoping that this week will mark the end of being sick, at least for a while. Cross your fingers for me that I don't get pinkeye. Yikes.
Friday, January 11, 2008
A great day
Ladies and gentlemen.
Today is a monumental day.
This morning I was able to fit into my skinny jeans. Not only did they fit, I was also able to button them without looking like a sausage. I have not been able to wear these for a year so you can imagine how ecstatic I was when I realized they once again fit.
Full credit must be giving to abstaining from alcohol. If I ever needed motivation to continue my abstention this is it. I will willingly never drink again as long as these pants will fit me forever. Of course, I must also note other good things happen when you don't drink. Today though, the pants are key.
Now if I would only start exercising instead of watching three hours of reality TV every night.
Today is a monumental day.
This morning I was able to fit into my skinny jeans. Not only did they fit, I was also able to button them without looking like a sausage. I have not been able to wear these for a year so you can imagine how ecstatic I was when I realized they once again fit.
Full credit must be giving to abstaining from alcohol. If I ever needed motivation to continue my abstention this is it. I will willingly never drink again as long as these pants will fit me forever. Of course, I must also note other good things happen when you don't drink. Today though, the pants are key.
Now if I would only start exercising instead of watching three hours of reality TV every night.
Monday, January 7, 2008
A new start
Well how can I expect to maintain a readership when I never update? Seriously I have no excuse aside from pure laziness. But new year, new motivation. I hope everyone had a good Christmas. We drove home to Colorado to see our families. On the way there we did the trip in one day and drove for 14 hours. The last three hours from Pueblo to Lakewood were painfully long. I was sick with bronchitis, Kent's back was killing him from driving and we were hungry. The actual holiday itself was full of drama and fighting. I don't really want to get into it but I think next time we'd be better off to stay in a hotel.
We decided to do the drive home in two days and stayed in Lubbock on New Year's Eve. It wasn't too bad, we had a bottle of champagne and watched the ball drop in Times Square. We both made our resolutions and talked about how we wanted to accomplish them. I didn't make any resolutions last year and I sort of regretted it. Even though they're kind of silly the new year does provide a clean slate and a starting point for making improvements.
I only had one resolution this year and that was to take better care of myself emotionally and physically. I am almost incapable of really relaxing so that's the biggie for me. Just learning how to take deep breaths and not stress so much. I think I'm doing pretty well so far. The other resolution I made was to quit drinking for at least 30 (consecutive) days. I'm at a week so far and really proud of myself. I've already lost some weight, I'm sleeping better and overall I just feel happier. I'm not an alcoholic but, like everyone in my family, I drink too much. I don't want my life to be all about needing alcohol to socialize so I stopped. This weekend was hard because we were with friends and everyone was drinking but me but I resisted. That was definitely something to feel accomplished over.
I hope all you had a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year's. I promise my postings will be more frequent (especially since I finally got our home computer set up and no longer have to rely on my work laptop!).
We decided to do the drive home in two days and stayed in Lubbock on New Year's Eve. It wasn't too bad, we had a bottle of champagne and watched the ball drop in Times Square. We both made our resolutions and talked about how we wanted to accomplish them. I didn't make any resolutions last year and I sort of regretted it. Even though they're kind of silly the new year does provide a clean slate and a starting point for making improvements.
I only had one resolution this year and that was to take better care of myself emotionally and physically. I am almost incapable of really relaxing so that's the biggie for me. Just learning how to take deep breaths and not stress so much. I think I'm doing pretty well so far. The other resolution I made was to quit drinking for at least 30 (consecutive) days. I'm at a week so far and really proud of myself. I've already lost some weight, I'm sleeping better and overall I just feel happier. I'm not an alcoholic but, like everyone in my family, I drink too much. I don't want my life to be all about needing alcohol to socialize so I stopped. This weekend was hard because we were with friends and everyone was drinking but me but I resisted. That was definitely something to feel accomplished over.
I hope all you had a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year's. I promise my postings will be more frequent (especially since I finally got our home computer set up and no longer have to rely on my work laptop!).
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