Monday, July 14, 2008

Larsen Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Free family history - Family history

Tag Along..........

I decided to post this on my blog, too, to see what people might remember about me. What a fun idea. Heidi's comment to Katie brought back a rush of memories. I'm the one that made her write those apology notes.

Here's a fun little tag-type thingy. Enjoy!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, repost these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Lucky Duck

I am one lucky duck! Last night, I got into one of my closets (the one with the newly hung doors). I got something out and moved over to the other closet. I had been away from the first closet not even 30 seconds when one of the doors from the first closet came out of the track and went crashing to the floor. I was stunned!!! And frustrated. And amazed that I had not been struck and hurt!!!!

Another truly amazing thing about it is that it fell at an angle and did not hit my new dresser, or the other closet door, or a newly painted wall. It fell straight onto the floor. The one bad thing is that it landed on the side with the new knob. The knob went straight through the door and jammed the screw into the back side of other door in the set. So there's a big hole in the door. I received a suggestion that I get a washer that matches the knob (and put one on the back, too). Hopefully, if I do them all the same, it won't look too bad. The only other solution (I think) would be to replace the door. And what do you think the chances are that I could find a door that is the right size and style? Not great, I would bet.

Anyway, I'm not too upset because it could have been much worse, on many levels.

It's Sunday night, and I'm pooped. I've worked about 68 hours this week. I'm so looking forward to this Saturday when I don't have to work at all. :o) I'm also looking forward to seeing my sister Claudia and her family this week. That will be the highlight!!!! I'm so excited to seem them all.

Surprisingly, I have actually accomplished a few things this last week regardless of my work schedule. One of the biggest things is ridding my driveway of Daniel's old Corolla. I found a buyer AND cleaned the thing out (which was one of the most disgusting experiences of my life). Don't even ask.............. But it has a new home with someone who will fix it up and get a little more life out of it.

This coming week is going to be very busy, but I hope to finish painting my closet doors and get them hung by the weekend; finish up filling out the papers for my benefits at work (I have a couple of changes to make, and they make it SO complicated); register at least 50 students at work; give my house a good cleaning; clean up the laundry side of the basement. That may be a bit ambitious, but if I don't have at least a loose plan, I'll accomplish nothing.

Have a good week everyone.....

Monday, July 7, 2008

Is It Just Me?????

Is it just me, or do little, doable projects ALWAYS become huge, expensive projects???? Must simple things ALWAYS become difficult???

Case in point: I am in the process of painting my closet doors. I have two large closets. Each closet has two folding doors. Each of those folding doors has two panels. That means I have 8 separate, beveled doors (on both sides) to paint. Now that's a doable project, right? So I took all the hardware off and set it carefully aside. I have begun painting. I have completely finished three panels and am halfway through a fourth.

Yesterday I was going to put the hardware back on the first set of folding doors. I started to put the knob back on and realized, "Wait, this is gold. All the other hardware in my room is black." So, another trip to Home Depot to get new knobs and hinges. Simple, right? That's what I thought, too.

I get to Home Depot. I find plenty of knobs I like, but I can't find the right hinges in black. In fact, they don't even make these particular hinges at all, let alone in black. So I'm thinking I'll have to drill new holes in the door for different hinges. Then I have a brainstorm. Why don't I just paint the silly things black? So I go to the paint department and talk to the guru there. He says I need to sand them a little, then prime them, then paint them. And he's talking multiple coats. And there are 12 hinges!!! So, I bought spray paint. Then talking to someone here, I learned that you don't paint the screws until after you screw them back into the door. Then you get an itty bitty paint brush and paint them black. That way you don't scratch the new paint off.

Oh, and the screws for the new knobs aren't long enough. I have to go back to Home Depot to get longer screws.......

ARRGGGHHHH!!! I won't have my doors back up for another two months at this rate! It's so ridiculous, it's hilarious.

Does anyone else ever have these experiences?

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy Independence Day

Happy Indedpendence Day, everyone!!! This truly is a great country and I'm glad to be a citizen. It's true that we have some very serious issues these days, but it is still a land of freedom and opportunity. It is full of wonderful, good people. And it is BEAUTIFUL!!! If it was a terrible place, we would not hear near as many accents as we do. I fly our flag proudly today!!!

I have been enjoying my time off immensely. I have accomplished some big tasks but have also done some enjoyable and spontaneous things. On Wednesday, I spent hours pulling weeds and dragging the hose around. In addition, I cleaned up a disaster of a kitchen and did nearly all of the laundry. I had a lovely, yet hilarious, conversation with my sister, Claudia. (We discussed our common aversion to pets.) I was finally able to complete the legal paperwork that has been hanging over my head. Yesterday, I officially filed it. (My "almost" Indepence Day came a day early.) The die is cast. The clock is ticking. It's just a waiting game now for at least three months........ Last of all, Nadia and I went to the gym and flailed around in the water.

Yesterday, I did housework, finished laundry, filed paperwork, went downtown to the courthouse, went to lunch with Mom, Dad, Katie and Doug, went to Western Gardens with Katie and got some plants, went to the parade with all three of my kids, rushed home and picked up my friend Nadia for another water aerobics class, and slept like a baby!! The class we went to was at the West Jordan Middle School pool. I've never been there before. The facility itself is old, and doesn't seem particularly sanitary, but the pool itself is very nice. The instructor (Teresa) does such a great job--probably the best class I've ever attended. At the end of class she turned out all of the lights, except for the reflective pool lights, and we did our stretching to very relaxing music. It was so great!!!!

Today I am going to weed and plant for a while in the morning before it gets too hot. Then I will head to the Equestrian Center to deliver a package to someone. When I get home, I plan to start painting closet doors. I have just GOT to get this done. Tonight, Nadia and I will go see a movie--don't know what yet. All in all, I feel good about what I've been able to do the last two days. I haven't missed working AT ALL!!! :o) I desperately needed this time to be on my own clock and do the things that I wanted and needed to do--things that have been weighing on me heavily in recent weeks. I feel great!!!!!

Well, it's 7:30. I had better get out there before the sun hits the patch I'm working on. Go enjoy your holiday!!!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Three Days

Woohoo!!! I see stretching before me three whole, entire days without having to report to either job!!! I am totally psyched about it. I have such plans--so many things I want to accomplish. I realize, of course, that I won't get nearly as much done as I would like, but I AM going to be a busy girl! There's always room for spontaneous interruptions, though.

Some of the chores I plan to complete (or at least get started) are:
1. Legal paperwork.
2. Weeds, weeds, weeds. And deadheading the roses.
3. Painting closet doors.
4. Get our living quarters in order.
5. Plenty of SLEEP.
6. Organize the basement a little.
7. Laundry, as usual.
8. Some reading.
9. A trip to D.I.
10. Go to the Water Conservancy District demonstration gardens to get ideas.
11. Go to Costco.
12. Get my camera out and start taking pictures again. Perhaps Bug can teach me to post them????

This list is a little ambitious, I think. But if I can accomplish just a few of them, I'll feel great about it.