Gutter and Balloon Animal Services
I hope you enjoyed greeting the surprises in our rental yesterday! To continue on with our housing adventure…
On Day Three of being back in Oz, Mother Nature gave us a rainstorm, followed by a hailstorm. I didn’t mind either as we were inside and the show was a change from the usual tumbleweed/dirt storms experienced in Texas. And look at all of that *green!*
Do you remember me mentioning the duct taped gutters yesterday? Apparently the duct tape was merely a cosmetic issue, the real problem easily obscured by the fact that I couldn’t see INTO the gutters themselves from the ground. From out of our bedroom windows, we could hear what sounded like a flood, coming off of our roof, more intense than the rain and hail itself that was falling. When we looked out the windows, we saw two rivers of water being shot up and out away from the house four or five feet before hitting the ground. With special lighting and Liberace playing piano, we would have had our own Vegas Water Show!
Sigh. Maybe not. I don’t have the epaulets for that kind of production.
Anywhoo…the gutters were clogged, plugged, full of who-knows-how-many-years’-worth of debris.
And the in-my-opinion hazardous exposed fiberglass insulation garage? Flooded.
Another call was made to the property manager, and after this pearl, “Oh, it’s normal for the garages around here to flood,” he actually produced a ray of hope: he called a Gutter Service/Repairman to come out and clean the gutters.
While Dear Husband made plans to seal the walls of the garage himself (and wowzer, can I just tell you how SMELLY, horribly NOXIOUS the fumes from sealant are?), Walt arrived. Walt got on top of the roof, and cleaned out what he called our “compost pile” that had accumulated in the gutters. Walt removed the duct tape that was holding the gutters’ joints together and made sure the assembly wasn’t dumping water along the garage walls. Walt ran some scary tubey-chompy-snakey looking thing through the drain pipe to clear out any clogs that were hiding.
And once Walt was done, he made balloon sculptures/animals for us. No lie.
Here’s a pink kitty, but if he had had an orange balloon, Walt said it would make a cute tiger:
My husband’s favorite, a motorcycle:
A sweet faced bumblebee (MUCH nicer than the wasps!):
And if you can imagine this one made out of a green balloon with a red tongue, it’s a FROG!
I’m thinking Walt the Gutter Service Repairman just might need to come in for Show and Share sometime this year!
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Want to learn more about balloons and balloon art? Check out the “Pop” Culture at Balloon HQ!
Here are ideas for balloon games and decor for childrens’ birthday parties…
…and check out balloon fashion at Secondose!
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Congratulations to Daisie and Andy! They got married in Hawaii yesterday!
(bears found here)
Everyone, Say “Hello!”
Hello House!
Hello beer bottle in the backyard:
Hello, duct taped gutters:
Hello, er…walkway(?):
Hello lawn decor:
Hello wasps!
Hello, “freshly painted walls:” (**cough, hack**)
Hello, garage door opener track that has been jerry-rigged so it’s cutting/gouging into the drywall each time the door is opened or closed:
And hello to you, exposed-fiberglass-insulation-in-the-garage-ceiling-that-covers-the-entire-area:
Hello water heater, propped up and tilted on cinder blocks:
Hello light boxes falling away from the ceiling, hanging on by only a few screws:
… a few things I’ve learned this past week…
*Renting over the internet might not be such a great thing, especially when the property manager posts photos online from THREE TENANTS PAST. Oh my, those photos were downright flattering. Flattering enough to make us want to rent. Surprise, surprise, surprise (go Gomer!) once we arrived.
*While it’s wonderful having household goods delivered the day after arriving at one’s new home, it’s not so great when a painting crew is hired the evening before to peel the paint from the walls (oh yes, they PEELED IT OFF IN SHEETS), patch, mud, sand, and prime, with painting occuring as the moving truck pulls up in the driveway.
*When speaking with the property manager pre-rental, don’t just ask “is the garage finished?” Ask things like “Is there exposed fiberglass insulation (rotted in places) hanging from the ceiling?” “Is the garage TALLER THAN MY HUSBAND?” or “DEFINE ‘finished.’”
*Make sure to keep receipts (okay, so I already knew this one, but it’s worth bringing up for other renters out there) for any and all improvements you have to do to the property, and by gum, make sure you negotiate an agreement that you can write them off of your rent each month.
*My definition of “house in MOVE-IN condition” is obviously different from other peoples’. My definition is better.
*And finally, it’s awesome having a great big tattooed Harley Tech/Soldier husband, because when the retired military property manager tells you “Well, you’ve lived in military housing before, this shouldn’t be bad for you at all,” SGM Grumpy can growl and assert his impression of what is and isn’t acceptable for his family…and oh my, what an impressive scene that is!
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Never fear, dear Readers! While we’ve had to deal with the not-so-fun elements of moving this past week, we’ve also met some pretty terrific people too: the painters on the paint crew, our gutter service guy (more on him tomorrow), the DISH installer (he stayed for dinner), and we’re looking forward to meeting the air conditioner repairperson sometime today. Oh yes, we’re really looking forward to that visit!
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It’s a few weeks before school starts, so check back in periodically as I’ll be posting some helpful tips and ideas about setting up your classroom, making lunch time easier for kindergartners who bring “home” lunch, and any other news from the world of public education!
Show and Share Thursday: We Made It!
Hello again! I’ve managed to get the computer unpacked, the desk and chair situated, and thanks to Time Warner Cable, have internet access once again. Just don’t look around the rest of the house. Really. You’ll get to see photos of the mess sometime this weekend, I promise, but for today, check out some scenery from the trip:
Here we are, moments before we hopped into the trucks (Dear Husband drove mine, with the kids, hauling the big trailer, while I drove his white Chevy, pulling the Harley, with the cat in her carrier on the seat next to me):
Driving out of Texas, in the morning before triple digit heat set in for the day (ooh, look at all of that lovely…BROWN…):
The first of two blown tires on the trailer (yes, I’ve gained a few more gray hairs thanks to driving behind my family, watching helplessly as tires smoke, shred, then pop):
A tire repair shop that for some strange reason, we had trouble finding at first:
A storm rolling in (the weather service put out a hazardous weather warning over the radio as we were driving, telling all to “take cover”):
Driving past some wind power on Day Two:
An ominous looking sky later in the day:
Stopping for lunch (no, not at Walmart, we just parked in their lot) before the big push “home:”
Me checking on Anni the cat:
She loved the air conditioning:
Look! A patch of green:
…and another!
Honey, I don’t think we’re in Texas (or Oklahoma) anymore!
Where our adventure picks up:
**Spoiler alert: This is the photo I took BEFORE we were able to get inside. Other than the patchy grass, we weren’t at all concerned…until…
…to be continued…
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Here are some quick links for you (I read through 1300+ blog posts on NetNewsWire yesterday!):
~PhotoJoJo has a Photo Chain idea that I’d like to try! Anyone up for it?
~Cream Puffs in Venice just might lure me away from my usual stress relief food (peanut M-n-M’s) with this strawberry tart…
~I’m back to teaching in a few weeks, so with the hopes that parents who are still in the dark about NCLB and recent “school reforms” can better understand what is *really* going on, here’s Schools Matter, advocating for students and their teachers.
Sweeties, when we were in school, were we just taught the ITBS (or whatever version YOU took one time each spring) year ’round? NO. After watching Dear Daughter’s eighth grade curriculum material consistently being replaced by “test preparation” for the ENTIRE YEAR in Texas, I was appalled. Remind me to show you the DOG TAGS (military style) necklace her school gave out as “rah rah’s” for the TAKS. This military spouse, parent, and teacher hasn’t been amused for some time.
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I’m off to unpack some more boxes, but hope that all of you are enjoying a happy and sunny (yet not-too-hot) summer!
Red Friday
Happy Friday! Are you wearing red for our troops?
Today it seems sunlight red has been catching my eye. A vase…
Silk flowers on the dining room table at breakfast:
A bird sunning himself on our wall:
Thanks again to Sara at Sadie Olive for hosting this Inspired Photo Event!
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Dear Daughter is officially done with junior high now!
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Here’s a peek at some red I used on her “High School Girl” banner (I’ll post the project tomorrow):
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Hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend~ I’m off to bake cupcakes!
Red, Red, Red…I Saw Red, Day Two
Summer fun and summer sun make for apple red cheeks and a desire to make multiple passes through the playground equipment!
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It’s June 2 and I’ve got moving on the brain. Today’s to-do list includes paper shredding, family-document-binder-organizing, letter writing, and blogroll tending. Add to that the daily chores of laundry, vacuuming, with a lot of playing with the toddler thrown in for good measure, and I have a full schedule. This is Dear Daughter’s last week of school- her “transition ceremony” (apparently it’s not called “graduation” here) from junior high takes place later in the week, along with her first semi-formal school dance. Dear Husband is having some mild heart attacks over it all, while I’m looking forward to seeing her gussied up again. She used to be such a girlie girl, all dresses, hair bows and pretty tights, but time has certainly marched on, and functional fashion has replaced the frillies. Volleyball, tennis and track will do that I guess! She’ll be a high schooler. Our eldest graduates in 2009, daughter in 2012, and toddler in, what….2022? Yikes!
Getting back on track~ the packers come to start filling my house with big brown boxes on June 24. We drive back to Oz around June 27 or so. The fourth of July will be spent in our new home, though I’m not sure we’ll have our household goods by then~ seems I need to add “posting-blogs-in-the-queue-just-in-case-we-don’t-have-computer-access-for-a-bit” to my to-do list.
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*Check out the latest edition of Kids Craft Weekly and of course subscribe for a summer full of wonderful, developmentally appropriate early childhood/family activities.
*Photo Jojo has me thinking of fun ways to take group photos…after all, for military formals, family get-togethers, etc., we always pose, huddling in, trying to smile sincerely, trying NOT to blink. Time for FUN to be reintroduced to my photography!
*Before you sign your children up for every sports or camp activity known for their summer “break,” read Children Deprived of Time to Play Are Deprived of the Childhood they Need and Deserve. As usual, I’ll be spending time with my children running through the sprinkler, drawing pictures in the sand with a stick, going for walks (either early in the morning or after dinner due to the daytime heat), playing board games, and letting them play by themselves, on their own.
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Have you been Seeing Red? Do tell, and check out the links to other participants at Sadie Olive!
Busy Busy Busy = Blog Lapse!
You know how it goes!
Several happy events took place this week: our daughter’s last band concert, our toddler’s third birthday, my husband’s graduation from the SGM Academy, time spent with friends, and my teaching contract arrived in the mail! Whoo hoo! Happiness all around, but at times it’s felt like we have been going bananas. Thank goodness for Martha Stewart Crafts and Target!
The toddler’s party was MONKEY themed!
Gummy bears, trail mix, and pretzels are some of his favorites, along with carrot cake cupcakes:
The tumblers and plastic plates/bowls are from Target (the tumblers, packed with gummies, were our gift favors):
The cupcake picks were part of the Monkey Birthday Kit from Martha:
Num num num!
Happy Birthday, my rowdy three year old!
Who Needs a Fairy Godmother…
… when you have Dillard’s, Monet, Sam and Libby, a set of Swarovski Crossed Pistols, and a handsome Sergeant Major to escort you to the Graduation Ball?
The dress, not a meringue in sight:
The bracelet and earrings (sparkly marcasite):
Did you think I was kidding when I mentioned pistols?
A black lace shawl, though none was needed since the temperature was in the TRIPLE DIGITS yesterday:
My new, most comfortable shoes by Sam and Libby:
Me and my dear husband, who graduates Thursday from the Sergeants’ Major Academy!
…For I Am the Binder Queen!
It was rainy and windy yesterday, so I took the hint and decided to update our family info binder. As we’ve moved from military post to post, we’ve driven, and have needed to carry our important papers and documentation with us. A binder with page protectors, page dividers and pencil bags has served us well- go figure!
Just call me the Binder Queen. (Recipe Binder, Inspiration Binder, Lesson Plan Binder)
My first attempt at decorating our Family Binder entailed finding colorful paper, cutting it to size, and slipping it into the cover’s sleeves. That’s it.
Fast forward three years, and I’ve built up quite a stash:
And enjoy using ribbons and brads:
Three years ago I wouldn’t have thought to put a photo of our family on the book:
(I couldn’t get the taupey-glittered “family” stickers to show up due to the cloudy day, apologies)
This update is a bit more femme than the last one…
…but we can’t miss it, which is important when it’s time to pack up the vehicles and return to Oz this summer!
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*Doug is adding to my summer reading list…
*Vicki shares an altered photo idea that I’m inspired to modify for my students in August…
*Hostess With the Mostess posts a Mississippi Mud Recipe!
*As soon as I get some quiet, self-reflection time (and I’m AWAKE during it), I’m going to write my personal mission statement, suggested by WishStudio Blogzine.
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Have a great weekend!
Magazines/May
Another reason to look forward to our new post assignment: we’ll live there long enough to make two-year magazine subscriptions worth it!
Here’s what I’ll be subscribing to:
…and the British version as well:
Just makes me all the more eager to find out what our new address will be so I can fill out all the subscription cards/forms necessary to get these treasures started on their monthly/seasonal trek to our mailbox!
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* PhotoJojo posts games you can play with your camera…
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I hope Moms everywhere enjoyed their special day yesterday! I certainly did! I have no clue why the toddler decided to sleep in (and therefore let ME sleep in) two extra hours, but it was the first of many special treats my family had in store for me! Other treats included a stash of peanut m-n-m’s (friends, family, and especially colleagues could tell you a story or two about my fixation on those candies!), a new digital photo frame, new movies (Sweeney Todd, and the new Alien/Predator movie…SPOILER ALERT... I haven’t watched Sweeney Todd but the Alien/Predator movie crossed some lines I didn’t care for, including violence against children, newborns, and mothers-to-be...honestly, THAT was the best script they could come up with? I love Sci-Fi, but am going to find it difficult to see any future films in the “Predalien” franchise thanks to this one.), a new little device for my iPod so I can enjoy tunes in our new-yet-still-old vehicle when we drive back to Oz this summer, and a very good dinner at Outback.
The rest of this month is full of celebrations: the SGM Ball, our toddler’s third birthday (Martha’s Crafts were on sale at Michael’s last week so he’ll have the monkey themed party)
and my husband’s graduation from the SGM Academy.
Whew!
Go Ahead and Giggle…LAUGH Even!
…and then *admit* you too, have some prom photos that have come back to haunt you!
In honor of my eldest son, who will be attending his first prom this weekend, here are some blasts from the past (and yet more proof that I have always loved playing “dress-up”) along with a challenge:
I *dare* my readers to dig through your photo boxes, albums and shoeboxes to find evidence of your own formal fashion “foo-paws” from yesteryear- and POST THEM, linking back here so that I can see!
In fact, I *double-dog-dare you!*
My first prom (I was thirteen) was in an Eskimo village!
Another blue gown that I also wore the year before (nope, not sharing THOSE photos!), this time shortened, for Prom #3.
Prom #4, still in Alaska, only this time outside of Squarebanks, with my dear friend Jodi. She wore lilac, I wore white…
Only to follow it up with a black lace dress for my Senior Prom. The photo doesn’t show it, but boy did I have 1987 BIG HAIR!
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Have fun Boy- I can’t wait to see your photos!
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