No longer AWOL

Well hello there, strangers!

It's been a busy, busy few weeks for me. Brief (okay, it'll probably be fairly lengthy) recap...

My last day at school was June 10th. Yeehaw!

Had my final "interview" with my new Superintendent on Monday the 15th and was officially offered the position. Even filled out some payroll paperwork. That evening I met up with an old college buddy for the first fitting of my ninth bridesmaid dress.

Tuesday the 16th I looked at 13 homes up for sale in the new town. My mind was a jumbled mess before it was all said and done. The top two contenders were the first (a koi pond in the back yard!) and last (the street I always wanted to live on!) of our three-hour tour. Came home that night to discover there were two birds in my house. Birds. In. My. House. Luckily I was able to shoo one out (I think I even said, "Shoo!" more than once) and the other I was able to scoop up in a plastic bag and release outside. They couldn't have been there long because I found only a couple of dribbles of bird poo. Sadly, the next day I saw Wilbur munching on something that looked an awful lot like that baby birdie. :(

On the 17th a local realtor came to take a look at Loraine and we came up with a general game plan. Selling as-is with an inspection done beforehand so buyers know what to expect. Although I won't make as much money as I had hoped, I'll still make a profit and I won't have to start any projects. But she did recommend I clear my fencline of the jungle that has overtaken it. Gulp.

On the 18th I had my annual check up and the good doctor told me she was concerned about my enlarged thyroid. Had blood taken and tested (second year in a row) but all levels are normal. She still recommends that I see my primary care physician about it. Still on my to-do list.

On Friday my mom, stepsister, and nephew showed up and we loaded two truck beds with boxes and tubs and random bits of furniture and took it to storage in the new town. Including one terribly tacky headboard I cannot wait to funkify. Hope it turns out as great as I'm imagining it. Pictures to come.

Last Saturday I went to a baby shower for an old friend, cleared out the rest of my office at school, and then prepared to tackle my overgrown, weed-infested, outta control ivy piece of property. My mom showed up that evening followed shortly by my stepfather, stepsister, and nephew. We made some serious progress in just a couple of hours. My mom decided to stay overnight so she could get started again first thing in the morning. After a couple of margaritas she decided it would be a great idea to paint the floor of the front porch. So at around 10PM on Saturday night my mom and I did it. What is sad is that I always envisioned it to be such a daunting task so I kept putting it off. But now, eight years later and just before I move away, I have a front porch that is one consistent color and it took us all of an hour, start to finish. Go figure.

On Sunday we completed clearing the fenceline and other yard stuff and then hauled six truckloads to the Greenwaste Dump with Chris's help. Yes. Six truckloads. I know. Wow. Now if just anyone walked up to my yard and looked around they'd think there was still a lot left to be desired. But I wish I had a before pic to show you, folks, it's a million times better!

On Monday my friend Mindy came over to help me clean because the realtor was due back on Tuesday for a home inspection and a staging appointment later in the day. Laurie, my realtor, surprised me by telling me she wanted to show Loraine to a prospective buyer the next day. She's not even on the market yet! But this guy is looking to buy in the neighborhood and can make a CASH offer and even though there's a lot more work to do on my house than he's looking for, there is huge potential here. When the stager came by at 2PM she basically said my furniture placement and decorating skills were great (yes, I tried to pat myself on my back). I just needed to clean, dust, and declutter a bit. Gulp. If you know me at all, you know that cleaning, dusting, and decluttering are things I know nothing of. At least Mindy was around again to help out!

Sure enough, my realtor brought the prospective buyer over yesterday and he's really interested. A little skeptical about the scope of work left to be done but definitely interested. They're coming back tomorrow with a contractor who'll provide him with some estimates. Keep your fingers crossed, ladies and gentleman. Wouldn't it be spectacular if Loraine sold without even being on the market? This little old lady (the house, not my realtor -- she's actually quite young) never ceases to amaze me. I also enjoyed a belated Father's Day lunch with my dad. He's a difficult man to shop for so when I find something he likes he receives it over and over and over. I think this is the third (if not fourth) year of same cologne. It's okay, he says he loves it!

Today I scootered my way over to mom's house and we had a garage sale. Not too shabby for something we basically just threw together. We closed it down at 1:00 when the driveway was no longer shaded by the trees. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Mostly I'm just trying to get rid of stuff. Isn't it crazy how much crap you can accumulate as the years go on?

I'm headed down to Texas this weekend to hang with old college roomies and hopefully catch my breath for a day or two. Should be back to my alphabet on Sunday. I know Frankie's dying to know if he has a cameo in the Fs.

Good News/Bad News

Good News: I bought an AWESOME desk at a thrift store last night
Bad News: I cracked the windshield trying to stuff it into my car

Good News: I'm going to take the new job
Bad News: Everyone at work already seems to know about it

Good News: I will be celebrating my birthday with dear friends and tasty beverages tomorrow
Bad News: I will be 34

Good News: Olive the Cat is scheduled to be spayed on June 15th
Bad News: I suspect that Olive the Cat is pregnant again

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life - E

So much for weekly posting...

E

Elephant - I can remember a trip to the zoo where I got to ride on an elephant with my dad. So big and tall. Lumbering slowy in a big circle. And elephants just seem like kind animals. It's their eyes, I think. So big. So blinky. Long lashes. Except now that I think about it maybe it was a camel I rode on. With my stepmother?

English Bulldog - I want one. Brindle with white spots. And I shall call her Stella. Or maybe Lola.

Ephemera - this is one of my favorite words. It just rolls off the tongue..."ephemera." Go ahead, try it. And the definition! "transitory written and printed matter not intended to be retained or preserved"...basically it's just old paper stuff. Discarded photos, cards, tickets, advertising, bingo cards, etc. Perfect for all sorts of crafts. And it's collectible!

Eric - my brother. One of my favorite guys. Quite the guy. Double majored in finance and marketing. Ended up in China teaching English. Currently in seminary. Wow. A man of few words. But the words are witty.

Ethan - my nephew. Another one of my favorite guys. He is an engineer at heart. From the time he was two he was spinning anything he could get his hands on...coins, buttons, tops, etc. Then it was assembling Hot Wheels tracks into monster race courses. Now he's moved on to K'nex. An engineer, I tell ya. Mark my words...

Extravaganza - I cannot help but say this word in my head in a booming car salesman's voice. Everytime I write it or see it it's an ex-TRAVA-ganza!!!!!