If you happened to be stopped at a red light in Plano last night next to a dark blue SUV with some crazy blonde woman screaming and bouncing while holding a phone to her ear, you witnessed my reaction to the news that our offer contract has been executed. No, I wasn't driving and talking, I was checking my voice mail while stuck at a really long light.
Today Sean and I went to Grand Prairie to meet with the home inspector we hired and go over any problems with the house. Best news: NO MAJOR PROBLEMS!
News we didn't expect but are willing to deal with and it's not that expensive to fix:
The roof has some nail pops under the shingles and the furnace stack isn't sealed properly so there has been minor leakage. Around 300 to fix.
The A/C needs to be serviced (but it's working and fairly well. Just needs some basic maintenance).
The rubber washer inside the thingy that switches the shower on in the guest bath needs to be replaced.
News we expected:
Major cosmetic work needs to be done to the walls and floors.
Kitchen needs new faucet and sink or refinish the sink.
Dishwasher is kaput (but the inspector recommended a store that sells scratch and dent appliances).
Locks need to be rekeyed.
Weatherstripping around exterior doors and sweeper on front door.
Replace faceplates for electric outlets/tighten outlets inside of boxes.
Something I noticed that I hadn't before: The master bath has pretty faucets. Not super fancy or expensive, just chrome with brass highlights, but they look fairly new and are shiny.
Oh my goodness this is going to be a lot of work. Even so, I am SOOOOOO excited!
I will post pictures later. Unfortunately all the house pics are on Sean's computer or his Picasaweb album and he's having a well deserved "boy's night out" to see the 2nd Hellboy movie.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
TOOFERS
Little bitty ones, all white and shiny. Bottom front. Two of them, perfectly even. Please oh please let him take after me when it comes to tooth quality.
They're so cute, those little toofers. Must have hurt like crazy when they popped up.
Ouch, please don't bite my finger!
Oh the drool...and more....and more..... need a cup?
Oh sweet child, too bad you won't hold still for a picture, I'd love to show them toofers off.
Love you, George.
They're so cute, those little toofers. Must have hurt like crazy when they popped up.
Ouch, please don't bite my finger!
Oh the drool...and more....and more..... need a cup?
Oh sweet child, too bad you won't hold still for a picture, I'd love to show them toofers off.
Love you, George.
Aaargh.
I have always found it rude when someone gossips "behind someone's back." Whether it be a friend or enemy. I consider myself to be a fairly decent person, and I would hope that others see me the same way. I've learned to stay out of church politics for the most part although those who know me well know where I stand. My big mouth has gotten me into trouble before and I don't want to repeat mistakes.
When I took the position of newsletter editor for St. Alban's, my only thought was "Awesome! I get to practice my mad design skillz and play with InDesign!" Had I known my position would be part of the battle between liberal and conservative, I might have thought twice before accepting.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this job. It gives me something to do besides being a mommy, I practice my design skills (however un-mad they may be), and I get to be one of the first to know of church events which is really nice because I'm one of those people who is usually the last person to find things out.
That being said, if you are a parishioner of St. Alban's (conservative or liberal, I don't care) please understand a few things:
1. I have a name, I am not "our newsletter editor." My name is Anna. If you're going to make a complaint on an egroup about me or the work I do, please use my name. If you're going to send me regular submissions, please use my name. Trust me, I'm a lot friendlier when someone takes the time to show they respect me by using my name.
2. The newsletter is not your personal political battleground. It will NOT become one...or I quit. I have made that statement before and I'll make it again.
3. The purpose of the Legate is to inform parishioners of parish news. The Diocesan newsletter's purpose is to inform of diocesan news. TEC's many news outlets exist to inform of national church news. I do not make a habit of putting in worldwide news articles because I have faith that parishioners are intelligent enough to seek out information using the appropriate outlets.
4. I have read a complaint that the recent issue is a bit lacking in church events and only has the "same old announcements." Guess what, people...it's SUMMER! People are on vacation. Vacation Bible School is over. There are no Christian Education events going on in the summer because there's hardly anyone here for a couple of months. Listen to the prayers for those traveling...the list goes on for a while. Trust me, when school starts up again in the fall, people start returning to work, and parishioners come home from vacation, the Legate will be so much bursting with news that I will be hard pressed to fit it all in. When I took over last September, it didn't occur to me that I could expand the size to accommodate all the info. I tried to cram it all in a 16 page size with itsy bitsy print when I should have expanded it to 24 pages. I learned my lesson.
I don't know how many people view this blog, but if you are a parishioner at St. Alban's, please know that I love you all. I am grateful to be the newsletter editor and very much enjoy working on it and with everyone who sends in submissions. Please just remember that I'm a human being like you. Yes, there is someone real sitting at her desk with her feet propped up typing on the wireless keyboard in her lap like the lazy bum she is and wondering if she can con a certain husband of hers into getting her something to munch on....all the while hoping the baby doesn't wake up again tonight.
God bless.
When I took the position of newsletter editor for St. Alban's, my only thought was "Awesome! I get to practice my mad design skillz and play with InDesign!" Had I known my position would be part of the battle between liberal and conservative, I might have thought twice before accepting.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this job. It gives me something to do besides being a mommy, I practice my design skills (however un-mad they may be), and I get to be one of the first to know of church events which is really nice because I'm one of those people who is usually the last person to find things out.
That being said, if you are a parishioner of St. Alban's (conservative or liberal, I don't care) please understand a few things:
1. I have a name, I am not "our newsletter editor." My name is Anna. If you're going to make a complaint on an egroup about me or the work I do, please use my name. If you're going to send me regular submissions, please use my name. Trust me, I'm a lot friendlier when someone takes the time to show they respect me by using my name.
2. The newsletter is not your personal political battleground. It will NOT become one...or I quit. I have made that statement before and I'll make it again.
3. The purpose of the Legate is to inform parishioners of parish news. The Diocesan newsletter's purpose is to inform of diocesan news. TEC's many news outlets exist to inform of national church news. I do not make a habit of putting in worldwide news articles because I have faith that parishioners are intelligent enough to seek out information using the appropriate outlets.
4. I have read a complaint that the recent issue is a bit lacking in church events and only has the "same old announcements." Guess what, people...it's SUMMER! People are on vacation. Vacation Bible School is over. There are no Christian Education events going on in the summer because there's hardly anyone here for a couple of months. Listen to the prayers for those traveling...the list goes on for a while. Trust me, when school starts up again in the fall, people start returning to work, and parishioners come home from vacation, the Legate will be so much bursting with news that I will be hard pressed to fit it all in. When I took over last September, it didn't occur to me that I could expand the size to accommodate all the info. I tried to cram it all in a 16 page size with itsy bitsy print when I should have expanded it to 24 pages. I learned my lesson.
I don't know how many people view this blog, but if you are a parishioner at St. Alban's, please know that I love you all. I am grateful to be the newsletter editor and very much enjoy working on it and with everyone who sends in submissions. Please just remember that I'm a human being like you. Yes, there is someone real sitting at her desk with her feet propped up typing on the wireless keyboard in her lap like the lazy bum she is and wondering if she can con a certain husband of hers into getting her something to munch on....all the while hoping the baby doesn't wake up again tonight.
God bless.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The House Hunt Continues
We have made an offer on a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath house in Grand Prairie. The offer was made on Friday morning so we hope to hear back today or tomorrow. This house is huge but is going to need a lot of cosmetic work. It looks like it has a good structure (we will have an inspection) but the carpet is going to have to be replaced throughout the entire house (we're going to put in laminate flooring). It is also going to have to be painted throughout. Please keep us in your prayers as we go through the process of buying our first home!
If our offer is accepted, expect pictures to be posted!
If our offer is accepted, expect pictures to be posted!
Strange Dreams - Bad Piskies!
Have you ever had a dream where you could swear it was real...until you wake up? Last night was one of those...
I was at St. Alban's for the Sunday Eucharist. Fr. M was celebrating and Fr. K assisting. Everything was going fine, I sang in the choir while Sean sat in the congregation with George. Then comes Communion and that's when everything went horribly wrong. First let me explain that George's godmother Allison was next to me at the rail but instead of the black cassock and white surplice of the choir she was wearing a white alb, bright purple chasuble and biretta. It so happened that this particular Sunday was a feast day for something special although I don't remember hearing what exactly it was. Instead of the normal consecrated wafer, each communicant was given a spoonful of pistachio ice cream. After the blessed ice cream, I was about to be offered the wine (can you imagine the taste combination?) when all of a sudden the communicants at the rail were asked to seat themselves in the front pew for a few minutes.
Warning bells were going off in my mind as I took my seat and wondered why Communion was being interrupted. Fr. K mumbled something about an apology that the following skit wasn't done before the sermon because he forgot but it's being done now.
The church darkens and stage lights (we have stage lights?) come on as Allison and three other young ladies come out all wearing different types of vestments in garish colors. They performed a skit that parodied the Sex and the City movie trailer, then the regular lights came back on and Communion resumed. Confused, I sipped the wine from the chalice before I heard a rather annoying alarm.
I opened my eyes, put on my glasses, and watched as Sean got up and turned the alarm clock off at 6am. Now I have a craving for pistachio ice cream.
To clarify, neither Fr. K or Fr. M would EVER let something like that happen in real life. Nor is there any feast day that tradition requires pistachio ice cream be served. And I can't imagine Allison taking part in something so....ugh.
I was at St. Alban's for the Sunday Eucharist. Fr. M was celebrating and Fr. K assisting. Everything was going fine, I sang in the choir while Sean sat in the congregation with George. Then comes Communion and that's when everything went horribly wrong. First let me explain that George's godmother Allison was next to me at the rail but instead of the black cassock and white surplice of the choir she was wearing a white alb, bright purple chasuble and biretta. It so happened that this particular Sunday was a feast day for something special although I don't remember hearing what exactly it was. Instead of the normal consecrated wafer, each communicant was given a spoonful of pistachio ice cream. After the blessed ice cream, I was about to be offered the wine (can you imagine the taste combination?) when all of a sudden the communicants at the rail were asked to seat themselves in the front pew for a few minutes.
Warning bells were going off in my mind as I took my seat and wondered why Communion was being interrupted. Fr. K mumbled something about an apology that the following skit wasn't done before the sermon because he forgot but it's being done now.
The church darkens and stage lights (we have stage lights?) come on as Allison and three other young ladies come out all wearing different types of vestments in garish colors. They performed a skit that parodied the Sex and the City movie trailer, then the regular lights came back on and Communion resumed. Confused, I sipped the wine from the chalice before I heard a rather annoying alarm.
I opened my eyes, put on my glasses, and watched as Sean got up and turned the alarm clock off at 6am. Now I have a craving for pistachio ice cream.
To clarify, neither Fr. K or Fr. M would EVER let something like that happen in real life. Nor is there any feast day that tradition requires pistachio ice cream be served. And I can't imagine Allison taking part in something so....ugh.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Magic Baby Go Sleepy-Bye
And because of this, I get a chance to post! BWA HA HA!!!
So far, our house hunt is going well. We found a great 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 story home in Grand Prairie within our price range and made an offer. Because it is a foreclosure, it might be a few weeks before the bank makes a decision on whether to accept our offer. That said, for now we are playing a waiting game.
I have started the Region 10 Teacher Preparation and Certification Program, and am loving every bit of it. The program involves a lot of intense studying but is loads of fun. My favorite part is the classes where a lot of group activity is involved.
Well, I'm off to clean the bathroom....
So far, our house hunt is going well. We found a great 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 story home in Grand Prairie within our price range and made an offer. Because it is a foreclosure, it might be a few weeks before the bank makes a decision on whether to accept our offer. That said, for now we are playing a waiting game.
I have started the Region 10 Teacher Preparation and Certification Program, and am loving every bit of it. The program involves a lot of intense studying but is loads of fun. My favorite part is the classes where a lot of group activity is involved.
Well, I'm off to clean the bathroom....
Monday, April 21, 2008
The House Hunt (and other things)
I've been neglecting my posting duties as of late, but at least I have a good reason....it's all George's fault! He's been keeping me busy.
Sean and I have decided it is in both our and George's best interests to buy a house. With the housing market the way it is, now is a good time to buy (if one can afford it, that is). The selection of houses for sale right now is enormous, and sellers keep dropping their prices. With that in mind, we went house hunting Saturday. We found one that we both particularly like and though we're still going to look at other houses with our realtor, we both think we'll seriously consider making an offer on it.
George is laughing now, he's full of smiles. We think he's going to be a roller-coaster loving, daredevil, risk-taker. He gets really excited when we 'airplane' him, thinks it's just the bees knees. On the not-so-great side of things, he's been waking up in the middle of the night the past couple nights. I wonder why?
Sean's and my allergies are going nuts right now, we're going through Kleenex like there's no tomorrow. Crazy.
Sean and I have decided it is in both our and George's best interests to buy a house. With the housing market the way it is, now is a good time to buy (if one can afford it, that is). The selection of houses for sale right now is enormous, and sellers keep dropping their prices. With that in mind, we went house hunting Saturday. We found one that we both particularly like and though we're still going to look at other houses with our realtor, we both think we'll seriously consider making an offer on it.
George is laughing now, he's full of smiles. We think he's going to be a roller-coaster loving, daredevil, risk-taker. He gets really excited when we 'airplane' him, thinks it's just the bees knees. On the not-so-great side of things, he's been waking up in the middle of the night the past couple nights. I wonder why?
Sean's and my allergies are going nuts right now, we're going through Kleenex like there's no tomorrow. Crazy.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Happy Easter! Baptism Ahoy!
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
The Lord is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!
I love Easter, it's my favorite holy day of the church year. This year, Easter holds an even more special place in my heart as George was baptized on Easter Vigil.
My sweet, adorable baby boy is a new Christian.* Praise be to God!
Fr. Matkin is his godfather, Allison (last name omitted for privacy) is his godmother.
*I must explain--a parishioner came up to me on Sunday and said "Oh, George is a new Episcopalian, isn't he!" I was too exhausted from the activities of the weekend to do more than grunt in response, but feel I must clarify here....my son's baptism marks him as a CHRISTIAN. There is NOTHING in the baptismal vows that pledges him to TEC. Big. Difference.
The Lord is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!
I love Easter, it's my favorite holy day of the church year. This year, Easter holds an even more special place in my heart as George was baptized on Easter Vigil.
My sweet, adorable baby boy is a new Christian.* Praise be to God!
Fr. Matkin is his godfather, Allison (last name omitted for privacy) is his godmother.
*I must explain--a parishioner came up to me on Sunday and said "Oh, George is a new Episcopalian, isn't he!" I was too exhausted from the activities of the weekend to do more than grunt in response, but feel I must clarify here....my son's baptism marks him as a CHRISTIAN. There is NOTHING in the baptismal vows that pledges him to TEC. Big. Difference.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Winnie the Poo....without an H
I have found it necessary to make a nice, embarrassing post about George that he might read in the future. And of all things, it concerns poop.
He seems to be greatly amused by letting loose as SOON as I get his diaper off. I am running out of dirty clothes to wash the changing pad cover with. After he commits this foul deed, he looks up at me and has the audacity to GIGGLE. Which of course makes me giggle....and then he knows his involuntary action has elicited a positive response.
Why is it that the things they do (doo-doo?) that is unacceptable behavior as they grow older is just so darn cute or funny when they're so little? A sleep-deprived, half insane mother is of COURSE going to find it hilarious when the little squirt (pun intended) gets a goofy grin because he 'got Mommy'.
I can see it going through his head...
Okay, she's undoing the velcro tabs....okay, she's exposed my rear to the air..but the old diaper is still under me. Not yet....there, she's slipped it out! Ah, nekkid butt to the wind....here she comes with the wipe....ready.....aim....FIRE!!!! Haha! There's the look of disgust on her face....now for me to be cute....*grin*....wait for it...wait for it....HAH! I made her laugh too!
And the cycle continues.....
He seems to be greatly amused by letting loose as SOON as I get his diaper off. I am running out of dirty clothes to wash the changing pad cover with. After he commits this foul deed, he looks up at me and has the audacity to GIGGLE. Which of course makes me giggle....and then he knows his involuntary action has elicited a positive response.
Why is it that the things they do (doo-doo?) that is unacceptable behavior as they grow older is just so darn cute or funny when they're so little? A sleep-deprived, half insane mother is of COURSE going to find it hilarious when the little squirt (pun intended) gets a goofy grin because he 'got Mommy'.
I can see it going through his head...
Okay, she's undoing the velcro tabs....okay, she's exposed my rear to the air..but the old diaper is still under me. Not yet....there, she's slipped it out! Ah, nekkid butt to the wind....here she comes with the wipe....ready.....aim....FIRE!!!! Haha! There's the look of disgust on her face....now for me to be cute....*grin*....wait for it...wait for it....HAH! I made her laugh too!
And the cycle continues.....
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
What's Been Going On
While there hasn't been a lot of news to relate, I do have a couple of items to share.
First, I am in the application process for Region 10 Teacher Preperation Certification. While it is going smoothly for the most part, I have gotten....stuck, shall we say...on a couple of items. The first of which is that the application process requires three professional references, which I seem to be having a bit of trouble fulfilling as I have not had a lot of work experience and am not sure if my former boss is even still working for the company. I also need my ACT scores and am having trouble accessing them (to request them online I need to know the month and year I took the darned test. Do you remember when you took your college entrance exam?). Please keep me in your prayers that I may be able to obtain these items and complete the application and certification process.
Also, I just need to get off my chest that if I don't get out of this apartment and get some real adult conversation soon, I'mma go nuts. As much as I love my sweet baby George, he doesn't really respond by much other than cooing and giggles. It's cute, but I am going stir crazy.
First, I am in the application process for Region 10 Teacher Preperation Certification. While it is going smoothly for the most part, I have gotten....stuck, shall we say...on a couple of items. The first of which is that the application process requires three professional references, which I seem to be having a bit of trouble fulfilling as I have not had a lot of work experience and am not sure if my former boss is even still working for the company. I also need my ACT scores and am having trouble accessing them (to request them online I need to know the month and year I took the darned test. Do you remember when you took your college entrance exam?). Please keep me in your prayers that I may be able to obtain these items and complete the application and certification process.
Also, I just need to get off my chest that if I don't get out of this apartment and get some real adult conversation soon, I'mma go nuts. As much as I love my sweet baby George, he doesn't really respond by much other than cooing and giggles. It's cute, but I am going stir crazy.
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