Friday Frustrations

The load of stone that was delivered on Monday remains piled through the upper portion of my driveway. The neighborhood youth are using it as a bike jump while I'm at work. I really wish people would respect boundaries. As in mine, not yours. Supposedly the stones will be spread this afternoon, but I've heard that line before.

A job has been posted at my alma mater that I really want. But I feel it would be unethical of me to pursue it, given that I've only been in my new position two months. I wish I'd never seen the listing. I also wish my current position was more inspiring.

At least I am wearing a low cut shirt.

Because that's about all I had going for me when Mr. Cutest Co-Worker Ever came by my office for our meeting. He has three master's degrees for god's sakes (he's a year younger than me!), and unfortunately I seem to turn into some sort of blubbering idiot when he's around. Or an airhead with a vocabulary of a second grader.

It's a good thing he doesn't work in my department, or people would start wondering how I got this job. But at least the scenery would be nicer.

OK, back to reality.

Bullets of Weekend Lethargy

• I finished the book I'd been reading for over three weeks, Lady in the Palazzo, by Marlena de Blasi. It was good, although perhaps not as good as her first two (and clearly, not that fast-paced). Sometimes I think my love of travel narratives is fading as the years go by, and I seem no closer to visiting any of the places I read about. And yet, I can't seem to resist them.


• I started reading Rilla of Ingleside, by L.M. Montgomery, this morning. I caught one of the Anne movies on PBS a few weeks ago, and I've been thinking a lot about her since. I would love to visit Prince Edward Island. I suppose I might be disappointed if I did not find old P.E.I. looking like it did at the turn of the century.


• I went for a nice hike on the state land this morning. Dog makes for a nice companion, but when I point out great blue herons he doesn't return my enthusiasm. He does like to see the deer though.


• I have felt no motivation for yard work this weekend. I just can't find the interest. I don't know why the enormity of the task is bothering me all of a sudden.


• FF did take me to HomeDepot to get concrete and securely reinstated the mailbox to it's original position. It is somewhat lower than it had been, so I hope that will not be an issue with the mailman.


• I saw a piece on the news last night and again this morning on how San Francisco is banning bottled water for city workers. I started drinking bottled water almost exclusively when I lived somewhere that had vile tasting well water, and it became a habit in the years since. I think it may be time to adjust this pattern. From what I've heard, tap water is every bit as healthy as bottled, and I am not opposed to the flavor of the water at my new house. There is the economic aspect to be considered on a personal level, as well as the oil consumption for manufacturing. Also, even though I recycle my bottles, not everyone does, so the environmental impact can't be overlooked.


• Could someone please answer my phone the next time the Red Cross calls and tell them to bug off? I have 162 missed calls from them currently. The more they call, the less likely I am to donate blood. That may be petty and childish of me, but it is what it is.


• And that about sums it up for tonight. I have other things on my mind, but I am not blogging about them for now.

And so it begins...

In the space of time between when FF got here and brought up the trash can and recycling bin and when I next looked out my front window, someone hit my mailbox and knocked it clean out of the ground. It was no more than half an hour at the most.

I am 100% convinced it was the neighbor across the street. He had been parked on the road with a huge trailer hitched to his mammoth pickup truck. I'm figuring when he backed into his driveway my mailbox took a hit.

How perfect is that? Couldn't I have one frickin' day of homeownership before something needed repair? Just one day?!

Sign here, here, and here

Closing done. I signed and initialled so many times that I barely recognized my name by the end.

It was fairly anticlimatical considering there were no keys exchanged and I already live in the house. I feel like I ought to do something special to celebrate, but my back hurts and I'm awfully tired. I think more strawberry shortcake is the best I can come up with.

Now that closing has been accomplished it's time to move on to the construction phase. I can't say that I'm anxious to start that process. I'll see if I can get FF to phone Contractor to see when he plans to start work (technically work must begin within 30 days of closing).

I'm going to have to start buying the Sunday paper so I can clip my name from the Real Estate section. I own my own home!

(Also worthy of note, this is my 200th post! Wow!)

Those napkins should come with a warning.

We had our annual appreciation party at work today. It was catered by a famous local barbeque joint and held in our conference room. The Big Cheese attended and gave a long speech. He's my boss' boss' boss; our yearly holiday parties are attended by many hundreds of people, all of whom fall under his umbrella of power.

When he arrived (I didn't know he was coming), I couldn't help but think perhaps BBQ wasn't the best food for the occasion, no matter how tasty.

When I'd just about finished eating I noticed that my hands were quite pink. A co-worker realized and pointed out to those of us sitting nearby that the red checkered paper napkins were staining our fingers.

When my boss got up for her speech, she had a large pink goatee. But at least she's got good hygiene.

Closing Scheduled!!!

The moment we've all been waiting for is finally upon us. This Thursday, June 21 (already considered a good day in these parts) my house will officially become mine. Wha-hoo!!!

I've already spoken to my insurance agent, the mortgage company, and the lawyer's office this morning. Everything is squared away.

I've also made an appointment to get my car inspected, which is totally beside the point, but it does reveal my efficient nature this morning.

To celebrate I had a big bowl of strawberry shortcake for breakfast. I whipped up some biscuits earlier to go with the fresh picked berries. The only thing missing was some whipped cream, but I managed to enjoy it anyway.

Now I must go mow the lawn that will soon be all mine and only mine.