Just a quick note.
Closing on the new house is this Friday at 2pm. Everything is done now, except the waiting.
We have been packing for four days now. Well, mostly I've been packing since most stuff is mine. I am trying to purge at the same time. I have way too many things.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
In the Beginning
At five, she had more freedom than most, even for the times and place. She ran errands to the store four blocks away. She roamed the apartment complex, hanging out with older kids. She was out all day, coming and going as she pleased. Curiosity about the world around her directed her activities.
The basement in her building fascinated her. Long hallways leading off in both directions the length of the building had gated cubicles for each apartment. She could see into each storage area and she imagined the kind of people that the stored items belonged to. It was quiet, dim and private. A hidden space in which to be alone. It was always deserted, it was always her secret place, except today.
He was much older than the usual kids that played with her. He had dark hair and spoke quietly.
“You like it down here, don’t you?” he whispered. “Lots of secret things. Lots of private things.”
He took her hand and guided her further along the hallway.
“This is my space.”
He showed her his bicycle.
“I don’t ride anymore.” He stroked her hair, caressed her face.
She stood there quietly. Mute with curiosity, fascination and fear as he pulled her shorts and panties down and moved his mouth towards her pubic area. He held her back with one hand to steady her as he spread her legs with the other hand. She remained frozen by the feelings her body produced. He glanced up at her face to see her expression and grinned. She thought this couldn’t be right and she was proved right when she heard her mother call down the stairwell.
“I know you're down there. I know you’re doing something you shouldn’t be doing. Get out of that basement.”
And her brain screamed, Mommy, come save me!
But Mommy didn’t.
Daddy, please come home!
But Daddy stayed away.
And he was pulling up her pants and whispering to her again, his voice penetrating the roar of the hurricane in her brain.
“My mom’s not home right now. Let’s go up to my apartment.”
He opened the door and drew her into the livingroom. The couch was center stage. She moved like a ghost, floating above herself, watching with detachment. He laid her on the couch after removing her clothes, his face at her crotch again.
“I can tell you are enjoying this. Wouldn’t you like to give me the same pleasure?”
He stepped back, pulling his penis from his pants. She turned her face away and buried it in the seat back of the couch.
The chimes on the coo-koo clock sounded.
“My mom will be home soon. It’s time for you to go.”
She learned how to keep secrets. She learned how to hide. She learned about shame and guilt. She forgot herself.
The basement in her building fascinated her. Long hallways leading off in both directions the length of the building had gated cubicles for each apartment. She could see into each storage area and she imagined the kind of people that the stored items belonged to. It was quiet, dim and private. A hidden space in which to be alone. It was always deserted, it was always her secret place, except today.
He was much older than the usual kids that played with her. He had dark hair and spoke quietly.
“You like it down here, don’t you?” he whispered. “Lots of secret things. Lots of private things.”
He took her hand and guided her further along the hallway.
“This is my space.”
He showed her his bicycle.
“I don’t ride anymore.” He stroked her hair, caressed her face.
She stood there quietly. Mute with curiosity, fascination and fear as he pulled her shorts and panties down and moved his mouth towards her pubic area. He held her back with one hand to steady her as he spread her legs with the other hand. She remained frozen by the feelings her body produced. He glanced up at her face to see her expression and grinned. She thought this couldn’t be right and she was proved right when she heard her mother call down the stairwell.
“I know you're down there. I know you’re doing something you shouldn’t be doing. Get out of that basement.”
And her brain screamed, Mommy, come save me!
But Mommy didn’t.
Daddy, please come home!
But Daddy stayed away.
And he was pulling up her pants and whispering to her again, his voice penetrating the roar of the hurricane in her brain.
“My mom’s not home right now. Let’s go up to my apartment.”
He opened the door and drew her into the livingroom. The couch was center stage. She moved like a ghost, floating above herself, watching with detachment. He laid her on the couch after removing her clothes, his face at her crotch again.
“I can tell you are enjoying this. Wouldn’t you like to give me the same pleasure?”
He stepped back, pulling his penis from his pants. She turned her face away and buried it in the seat back of the couch.
The chimes on the coo-koo clock sounded.
“My mom will be home soon. It’s time for you to go.”
She learned how to keep secrets. She learned how to hide. She learned about shame and guilt. She forgot herself.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Success was achieved!
We went to my parents' house yesterday for turkey dinner. Very yummy. My mom's a good cook. We had turkey, stuffing, smashed tatters, gravy, corn, broccoli in cheese sauce, cranberry sauce and apple sauce. Before dinner we had the Guacamole Salsa I made up. It tasted very good. Definitely a keeper. For dessert, we had the peach cobbler I made. Also, a recipe I'll make again. My sister-in-law asked for the recipes, so I type them up and they follow below.
Guacamole Salsa
Makes 7 cups of Salsa
3 Limes (¼ cup juice)
3 Avocados (pitted, peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes)
4 tomatoes (stem end cored and cut into ¼ inch cubes, keeping juice)
1 large sweet onion (peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes)
1 yellow pepper (stem end cored, seeds removed and cut into ¼ inch cubes)
1 orange pepper (stem end cored, seeds removed and cut into ¼ inch cubes)
½ cup Parsley leaves (minced)
½ cup Marukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar
1 tablespoon Knorr Chicken Flavor Bouillon Powder
1 teaspoon Sea salt
Juice the limes into a large glass bowl. Put the avocados in the lime juice and toss to prevent avocados turning brown. Add all of the remaining ingredients. Toss and refrigerate at least one hour.
Serve with baked scooping corn tortilla chips.
Peach Cobbler
Original PAM cooking spray
¼ pound (one stick) salted butter
2 teaspoons cinnamon
29 ounce can plus 15.25 ounce can sliced peaches in heavy syrup (4 cups of peaches)
1 tablespoon salted butter
½ cup sliced almonds
1 cup sugar
1 ½ cup self-rising flour
1 ½ cup milk
Preheat oven to 350
Spray a 13 x 9-inch Pyrex baking dish with Original PAM spray. Put one stick of salted butter in dish. Put dish in oven to melt but while preheating oven.
In a pot, put the sliced peaches, with 2-tsp. Cinnamon. Boil peaches 15 minutes to soften and reduce the heavy syrup.
In a small fry pan, melt 1 T butter and toast ½ cup sliced almonds just until very lightly brown (they will finish toasting on the cobbler top.)
While the peaches are cooking, in a mixing bowl, combine sugar and flour. Using a hand whisk, slowly add milk and blend until all dry ingredients are wet and your batter is smooth.
Remove pan from oven when butter is melted. Pour batter over melted butter (do not mix.) Using a slotted spoon, scoop peaches from syrup and top batter with peaches, trying to place peaches evenly across the top (do not mix.) Spoon about a half-cup of hot peach syrup over top. Sprinkle toasted almonds over top.
Bake 35 minutes until top is golden. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Guacamole Salsa
Makes 7 cups of Salsa
3 Limes (¼ cup juice)
3 Avocados (pitted, peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes)
4 tomatoes (stem end cored and cut into ¼ inch cubes, keeping juice)
1 large sweet onion (peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes)
1 yellow pepper (stem end cored, seeds removed and cut into ¼ inch cubes)
1 orange pepper (stem end cored, seeds removed and cut into ¼ inch cubes)
½ cup Parsley leaves (minced)
½ cup Marukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar
1 tablespoon Knorr Chicken Flavor Bouillon Powder
1 teaspoon Sea salt
Juice the limes into a large glass bowl. Put the avocados in the lime juice and toss to prevent avocados turning brown. Add all of the remaining ingredients. Toss and refrigerate at least one hour.
Serve with baked scooping corn tortilla chips.
Peach Cobbler
Original PAM cooking spray
¼ pound (one stick) salted butter
2 teaspoons cinnamon
29 ounce can plus 15.25 ounce can sliced peaches in heavy syrup (4 cups of peaches)
1 tablespoon salted butter
½ cup sliced almonds
1 cup sugar
1 ½ cup self-rising flour
1 ½ cup milk
Preheat oven to 350
Spray a 13 x 9-inch Pyrex baking dish with Original PAM spray. Put one stick of salted butter in dish. Put dish in oven to melt but while preheating oven.
In a pot, put the sliced peaches, with 2-tsp. Cinnamon. Boil peaches 15 minutes to soften and reduce the heavy syrup.
In a small fry pan, melt 1 T butter and toast ½ cup sliced almonds just until very lightly brown (they will finish toasting on the cobbler top.)
While the peaches are cooking, in a mixing bowl, combine sugar and flour. Using a hand whisk, slowly add milk and blend until all dry ingredients are wet and your batter is smooth.
Remove pan from oven when butter is melted. Pour batter over melted butter (do not mix.) Using a slotted spoon, scoop peaches from syrup and top batter with peaches, trying to place peaches evenly across the top (do not mix.) Spoon about a half-cup of hot peach syrup over top. Sprinkle toasted almonds over top.
Bake 35 minutes until top is golden. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Peachy Keen
Oh, and don't ley me forget I promised my mother a peach cobler for desert tomorrow at our family turky dinner. k?
Chew-zee?
I'm really very easy to please, really. I'm only a cranky bitch some times. Well, ok, most of the time. But I'm not particular. No, I'm not. Well, yes, I guess I am.
I only drink Diet Coke. I will not, even if I'm perishing from thirst, drink Pepsi, diet or otherwise.
It took me 38 years to find my husband. I can't stand anyone else but him. He's it, won't ever marry or have another relationship again. I'll be alone instead; the wacky Cat Lady of the block.
I don't drink beer, ever. Wine is ok, if I'm in the mood, but G & T is best. And I only drink Bombay Sapphire Gin. Can't stand Tanqueray, it tastes weird. The others are just a waste of time. Even though I'm on my 3rd BIG G & T, I'm quite serious about this.
I'd rather drink water, than drink something I don't like. I like water.
What does all of this have to do with anything? *shrug*
Been talking about alcohol all day. it is St. Pat's after all. Everyone's been goofy. I'm in a sloshy mood. All is right with the world. Happy, happy!
I only drink Diet Coke. I will not, even if I'm perishing from thirst, drink Pepsi, diet or otherwise.
It took me 38 years to find my husband. I can't stand anyone else but him. He's it, won't ever marry or have another relationship again. I'll be alone instead; the wacky Cat Lady of the block.
I don't drink beer, ever. Wine is ok, if I'm in the mood, but G & T is best. And I only drink Bombay Sapphire Gin. Can't stand Tanqueray, it tastes weird. The others are just a waste of time. Even though I'm on my 3rd BIG G & T, I'm quite serious about this.
I'd rather drink water, than drink something I don't like. I like water.
What does all of this have to do with anything? *shrug*
Been talking about alcohol all day. it is St. Pat's after all. Everyone's been goofy. I'm in a sloshy mood. All is right with the world. Happy, happy!
??? Jenn ???
Jenn:
What's wrong? Don't you love me any more?
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Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Update
We got the final contract for the sale today, read and signed it. The termite inspectio was done yesterday. The appraisal will be done tomorrow. We are waiting for the results of the title search and we have to schedule the home inspection. So, we are almost set.
I can't think of anything else to say because it's late and I've had 3 big glasses of wine. I really need to build up some tolerance.
I can't think of anything else to say because it's late and I've had 3 big glasses of wine. I really need to build up some tolerance.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Red Roses & Yellow Ribbons
These Red Roses & Yellow Ribbons were done February 2005, in honor of some young soldiers my daughter knows that went to Iraq: watercolor on watercolor paper done in an Art Deco style.
Mermaid
This mermaid, done in April 1995, ink and wet wash watercolor on tracing paper, was in honor of my daughter who loves water.
Killing Time
I am killing time while our first viewers are here.
This is a butterfly I drew in November 1993: wax color pencils.
I'm a lousy photographer.
Monday, March 13, 2006
House for Sale
We have a For Sale sign out front. That part was ok, until today.
The Realtor called me today. Two different couples want to see the house tomorrow. Now I have a headache. We had no idea we'd have interest so quickly. We're not ready. There are things we wanted to do first: paint all of the walls, new bathroom and kitchen floors, refinish the hardwoord floors. None of this will have been begun by tomorrow.
Boxes and bins form canyons in each room. The dog wears a confused look. He doesn't understand all of the chaos. Sleep evades us each night. The days drag by and yet bedtime comes quickly each day.
Ugh!
The Realtor called me today. Two different couples want to see the house tomorrow. Now I have a headache. We had no idea we'd have interest so quickly. We're not ready. There are things we wanted to do first: paint all of the walls, new bathroom and kitchen floors, refinish the hardwoord floors. None of this will have been begun by tomorrow.
Boxes and bins form canyons in each room. The dog wears a confused look. He doesn't understand all of the chaos. Sleep evades us each night. The days drag by and yet bedtime comes quickly each day.
Ugh!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Real
We have a realtor coming here to our current house in two hours. The bank is insisting we list this house for sale. They don't want us to be land magnets, or something. We don't actually have to sell this house before we buy the next one, we just have to act like we are. Go figure. But whatever they want.
I have to use the next two hours to move around all of the things we've been packing so she can walk around.
Saddly, all of my books were the first things packed. They take up considerable space. We've also started packing the kitchen, all of my seasonal decorations, and my art supplies. God, I have alot of crap. My husband has his jeans and some fishing poles. He just loves the inequity of our possessions. Makes him especially happy when he has to carry all of the bins.
Although all of the stuff in the kitchen is really his. He cooks. Everynight. I used to cook, but he bitched about what I made one too many times, so I just quit and refused to do it ever again. And I'm really not a bad cook, which he has admitted, but now it's too late and I'm used to his doing the daily chore. So, there's no going back for me.
I'm rambling now, because I don't feel like getting up and doing anything, but I must.
After she leaves, I'm taking the rest of the day off. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and it's 65 degrees. I think the puppy and I need a walk in the park.
I have to use the next two hours to move around all of the things we've been packing so she can walk around.
Saddly, all of my books were the first things packed. They take up considerable space. We've also started packing the kitchen, all of my seasonal decorations, and my art supplies. God, I have alot of crap. My husband has his jeans and some fishing poles. He just loves the inequity of our possessions. Makes him especially happy when he has to carry all of the bins.
Although all of the stuff in the kitchen is really his. He cooks. Everynight. I used to cook, but he bitched about what I made one too many times, so I just quit and refused to do it ever again. And I'm really not a bad cook, which he has admitted, but now it's too late and I'm used to his doing the daily chore. So, there's no going back for me.
I'm rambling now, because I don't feel like getting up and doing anything, but I must.
After she leaves, I'm taking the rest of the day off. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and it's 65 degrees. I think the puppy and I need a walk in the park.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Moving On Up
I met with our lawyer today. We're doing a private purchase, so no realtors are involved. Everything is moving along. We should settle by the 31st of March.
We must check for termites, structural damage and a clear title, then we'll be good to go.
Now, I can't wait. We've already begun packing and discussing what will go where, who gets which room, the changes we'll make. I am being cautious with my enthusiasm so the fate fairy doesn't smite me in the ass for wanting it too much.
The weather was gorgeous here today. A spring day. Lots of sunshine, about 50 degrees.
I was almost hit 5 times times in my travels today. Going to work, to the lawyers, back from the lawyers (twice) and on the way home. People pulling out in front of me like I wasn't there.
I'm pooped-ed tonight so I'll stop for now. I'm going to watch my new HP & The Goblet of Fire DVD now. I'm an HP geek.
We must check for termites, structural damage and a clear title, then we'll be good to go.
Now, I can't wait. We've already begun packing and discussing what will go where, who gets which room, the changes we'll make. I am being cautious with my enthusiasm so the fate fairy doesn't smite me in the ass for wanting it too much.
The weather was gorgeous here today. A spring day. Lots of sunshine, about 50 degrees.
I was almost hit 5 times times in my travels today. Going to work, to the lawyers, back from the lawyers (twice) and on the way home. People pulling out in front of me like I wasn't there.
I'm pooped-ed tonight so I'll stop for now. I'm going to watch my new HP & The Goblet of Fire DVD now. I'm an HP geek.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Thanks for all the fish!
I saw the movie The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Not up to the standards of the book, so I started re-reading the books. Douglas Adams is just so blaise about human beings.
Thanks to all of you who miss me. You are all so sweet.
I was sick with a cold, then I was better, then I was sick with the flu and then I was much better, then my husband came home to say he wanted to move. Now, this would have been ok if it was just him (much less work for me) but he meant he wanted all of us to move. He found a house for sale that he really wanted, at a really good price. I had not been prepared to move or buy another house.
We currently live in what we lovingly refer to as a double wide (for my non-American friends, that's two house trailers stuck together.) We have a real house, but it's small. Three grown people and a dog are cramped. And we have alot of stuff, or had. One of the things I have been doing is going through boxes I never went through when we moved here 5 years ago. Vince brings a box from the basement, yells at me for being a packrat, ducks when I chuck a heavy object at him and carries out the junk I finally feel I can part with.
I have also sorted 10 years of papers and shredded them in my lovely new shredder. The recycle center has worked overtime in the last two weeks.
The finances are adjusted, the agreement made and the motgage company called. As long as the new house doesn't have termites and the bank's appraiser doesn't find any problems, we should be the owners of two houses by the end of the month. I know, you should sell one before you get the next one, but why do things the easy way? This way is so much better to have a nervous breakdown.
The new house has a gorgeous new big kitchen with a dishwasher (yes, I still wash dishes by hand.) A full basement with bar and pooltable and a huge bar in the backyard with a pool. Can you guess why Vince wants the house? Even my daugther and her boyfriend like the house, so that was the clincher.
Things are moving along, and relatively organized, packing has begun and I have made my 17 lists. Now, I can get back to doing the things I have put off for the last couple of weeks: reading my favorite bloggers (I'm going through withdrawls) and keeping my blogs up-to-date. Oh, and I will actually have enough room for a desk, even a whole room, of my own where I can happily blog my life away. No more TV tray office.
I'm off to read what I missed. Talk to you later.
Thanks to all of you who miss me. You are all so sweet.
I was sick with a cold, then I was better, then I was sick with the flu and then I was much better, then my husband came home to say he wanted to move. Now, this would have been ok if it was just him (much less work for me) but he meant he wanted all of us to move. He found a house for sale that he really wanted, at a really good price. I had not been prepared to move or buy another house.
We currently live in what we lovingly refer to as a double wide (for my non-American friends, that's two house trailers stuck together.) We have a real house, but it's small. Three grown people and a dog are cramped. And we have alot of stuff, or had. One of the things I have been doing is going through boxes I never went through when we moved here 5 years ago. Vince brings a box from the basement, yells at me for being a packrat, ducks when I chuck a heavy object at him and carries out the junk I finally feel I can part with.
I have also sorted 10 years of papers and shredded them in my lovely new shredder. The recycle center has worked overtime in the last two weeks.
The finances are adjusted, the agreement made and the motgage company called. As long as the new house doesn't have termites and the bank's appraiser doesn't find any problems, we should be the owners of two houses by the end of the month. I know, you should sell one before you get the next one, but why do things the easy way? This way is so much better to have a nervous breakdown.
The new house has a gorgeous new big kitchen with a dishwasher (yes, I still wash dishes by hand.) A full basement with bar and pooltable and a huge bar in the backyard with a pool. Can you guess why Vince wants the house? Even my daugther and her boyfriend like the house, so that was the clincher.
Things are moving along, and relatively organized, packing has begun and I have made my 17 lists. Now, I can get back to doing the things I have put off for the last couple of weeks: reading my favorite bloggers (I'm going through withdrawls) and keeping my blogs up-to-date. Oh, and I will actually have enough room for a desk, even a whole room, of my own where I can happily blog my life away. No more TV tray office.
I'm off to read what I missed. Talk to you later.
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