To You

Rudy and Pilot

Say Goodbye

West Salem went ahead and had their Independence Day celebration without us. Imagine the nerve. Instead of celebrating our nation's freedom from the tyranny of England, we packed and packed and bought some stuff and packed. I've come to the conclusion that we're not going to get out of here with everything and that's just fine. We've filled up the trash toter for this week and we'll have one more trash day to go before we actually sell the house. I just don't know where it all will go.

Today we bought a table and chairs. Ragged looked green while we were doing the transaction. Buying all this stuff at once is overwhelming. Now if we could just get some living room furniture we will have something resembling a house when we move over there. Actually the furniture won't be here for 6 weeks. Just enough time for us to get everything put away.

The Boop's all packed

Stamina

Today, Ragged and I set out to search for furniture. After coming up empty at another local furniture store, we travelled to Hson and then to the Big E for the search. We didn't find anything definite but we surely got a good idea of what we want. It's just a matter of finding the perfect one. Anyway, after we got home, ate, and napped, we went back out again to finally purchase our fridge, washer, and dryer as well as lots of other small things we'll need for the new house. It took forever but we made our purchases and the good news is that it will all be delivered on July 4. We also made a run to Target for some stuff we need for home. We only got home a little while ago. I'm completely spent, but Ragged is still up doing some things to prepare for the move. It's not going to get any easier the next few days. Oh, and in case you were wondering, we went with top loaders.

Our future laundry area

Tireless

I'm just going to accept the fact that I'm not going to get more than 6 hours of sleep on any given night at least until after this move happens. For the past few nights I haven't slept past 4:30 and I haven't gotten any naps either.

Last night Ragged and I went out to dinner as is our usual activity on a Friday night. Not that we don't eat out on many other occasions, but Friday is definitely a habit for us. Anyway, after a day of cleaning our offices at work, I didn't have a great deal of energy, but before we ate, we went to a new furniture store that recently opened in our city. We saw several prospects for a new couch, chair, and kitchen table. I also liked a dresser they had, but Ragged wasn't as keen on it, I don't think. Anyway, we are going to hit a few other furniture stores here and perhaps in the Big E. We were initially going to wait on living room and dining room furniture but with the sale of our old house going through, we decided to go ahead and see what was out there. We were going to buy our washer, dryer, and fridge last night, but we spent too much time at the furniture store and we ran out of steam. Also last night we gave away our current living room furniture to a co-worker of Ragged's. Ragged was in hate with the furniture and refused to move it to the new house even if we had to sit in the floor for six months. We are down to one small loveseat for seating in the living room. We are also shedding an old dresser soon hopefully. It's not like we're going without television, though. At least not yet. Oh, we also moved boxes into the living room to expedite the move. Packing boxes out of the house from the living room will be easier than getting them from all over the house.

Since I'm up so early, I've been changing my address online. For months, we've been gathering a list of places both big and small with who we need to change our address. I'm sure we'll be changing addresses for a long time to come.

The kitchen sink

The Final Countdown

Tonight we tackled the kitchen. It seems like boxes fill quickly and then we need more boxes. It feels like there is an endless amount of "stuff" to box and get out of here. We quickly used up all the boxes we had. Tomorrow we are going to work on the garage and who knows about Saturday. We are getting rid of our living room furniture this weekend and hopefully a much-hated dresser. We are also purchasing all the things we'll need for the new house including washer and dryer and fridge. We've got lots of little do dads to buy including welcome mats, fire alarms and extinguishers, and a paper towel holder. We have to buy blinds, too, but we have to wait until we can get in there and do some measuring. We are coming down to the wire. I can't wait. We got a house warming gift from a couple of Ragged's work friends, one of whom has been as eager to find a house for us as we were. She went to several open houses with us. Anyway, their gifts included a bottle of cascade. Dishwashers rule.

Blogger won't load pics

Step By Step

Tonight was by far the worst time of our moving experience. Our "old" house was inspected for the new owners. For those who don't know, home inspections last two, yes I said two, hours. That means I was in my car with four crying cats for two plus hours. It was closer to three if you count us leaving out 20 minutes early and the inspection lasting 15 to 20 minutes longer than anticipated. It started out with Ragged helping me get them all in their crates. Izzie and Ike were easy, Eli a little bit harder, and Cooper, well let's just say it didn't go well. Nevertheless, we eventually got them all in. We went to a nearby park while Ragged went and grabbed some food. About an hour later, Ragged exited for a conveniently planned meeting. I sat around a little while then I went and parked down the street and watched and waited for them to leave. Brealtor called in the meantime and said there were a few things but they were all minor and she didn't expect anything to hold up the house going to the appraisal stage. She even said the couple wanted to move up their closing and she asked if we needed a full 30 days to move out to which I replied, hell to the naw. As soon as all of this is done the better. Ragged initially wanted to take a week after closing to move out, but I think she's on the "the sooner the better" train now. Anyway, back to the cats, after I saw the buyers and their inspector pull away, I gunned it and whipped into the driveway and immediately started unloading cats. Eli was first since he was in a smaller crate on top of Ike. When I got him in the house, he began yelping and I opened the door and he was turned around and didn't realize he could get out. I poked him in the butt then went for another cat, figuring he would figure it out eventually. I got Ike out next. Ike has the hardest time with the experience but he's the quickest to recover afterward. I grabbed Izzie next and then poor Cooper who occupies the most cumbersome cat carrier we own. Needless to say we are all back home now and everyone is settling down. Cooper scurries away when I walk by, but he'll be okay in short time. I'm just glad that's all over with. I have been worried and dreading it for days now.

I can't even look at you

Let Freedom Ring

Saturday brought getting up early due to our next door neighbor repeatedly slamming his car door at 5:30 am. If I would have had a gun, I would have taken care of one of our current neighbor issues. Why would someone think it is okay to do that? These people in our current neighborhood have no regard for others which is one if not the main reason we are leaving. Shortly after the slamming stopped, someone pulled in across the street with their music blaring. What happened to sleeping until 10 and respecting others on a Saturday. It's definitely lost on these people. I will be so glad for July 3. It's our independence day.

Today Brealtor called and scheduled the home inspection for our current house. It will be Tuesday at 6pm. We have to get ALL of the cats out of the house. Yes, I said all and that includes the Izz. As you know, I hate doing this worst of all and Izzie really hates it. We have a plan in place, however, but we have to stay gone for such a long period of time, it will be a whole different experience than the ones we've had so far.

Packing continues around Chez Ragged. We continually bounce around ideas of how all of this is going to go down after we move. It is not an easy chore let me just say.

What's wrong with this house?

Frydee

Today I got industrious and filled up three boxes with my belongings. I'm about to the point where if I pack anything else I will be living out of boxes until we move. Ragged still has a ways to go I have to say.

I went into work today and the printer was fixed about an hour and a half after the start of business, so I was able to get a bunch of stuff printed and copied. What exactly did people do before computers and copiers?

This weekend we'll be doing some more packing since Ragged vetoed my camping idea. It would been a perfect weekend to be outside as the weather is quite agreeable for the hot natured like myself.

Tonight Ragged and went out for some Mexican food followed by the obligatory daily drive-by of our new house and then to Ragged's parents for some visiting and gift getting. Afterward we decided to go to Starbucks. I have to say SBs doesn't compare to the Mudhouse. That place was definitely a find in Springfield.

Pending

Two weeks from today we will be closing on our house. It's a long-term goal finally coming to be. I'm still sort of holding my breath, looking around for something to go wrong. We're wrangling some muscle for the move and Needles and Pilot have graciously if not foolishly agreed to help the entire first weekend. Better start doing your stretches now kids.

The network issue at work was resolved just in time for an issue with the printer. We can't print anything and this is the third day. I live and die by the printer. I could go as late as Tuesday without printing anything, but beyond that will put me in a crisis. The latest news is that the issue should be fixed tomorrow. We'll see.

We haven't ran the air conditioner for the last two days and it has been great. Although the air conditioning is fantastic, the cold air doesn't compare to fresh air. Tomorrow I think it is going to get slightly warmer than I can tolerate without air conditioning, so I'm trying to enjoy it while I can.

My dad is going to have surgery sometime after July 1 and it will be up to me to take him to Nashville to have it done. It's easier for me to take off from work than any other family members. I don't know any of the particulars yet as he meets with the surgeon on July 1 to go over all the details. One thing is for sure it will be during all the moving/closing mayhem. Thankfully this isn't a serious surgery, not that surgery isn't serious, it's just that his issue doesn't threaten his health.

Ragged is away tonight at a knitting excursion with Kissed Knitter, so I've been home most of the day alone. I'm a little stir crazy. I have cabin fever. I'm crazy as a shithouse rat, people. Nah, I just a little human contact, that's all.

I'll close with saying my thoughts go out to Brando and her family. I hope everyone finds peace and comfort in the times ahead.

The fireplace of our new home

LOL

Processes

Today I spent the entire actually at work. I had intentions of getting so much done as the summer seems to be a very busy time for us. Well, I would have gotten alot done if it weren't for network problems. Connection kept going in and out and there was no connection at all in my office which is on the very end of the building. Eventually I moved to a vacant desk where I could have intermittent connection and got a little work completed. Apparently those that work from home weren't having difficulty. It was specific to those in the office. Also today employees were offered a 4-day work week. Of course, telecommuters were exempt from the offer. That's okay because I'd rather work at home then work 4 long days at work. Today I also talked to our mortgage guy who assured me everything was on course and we may even be able to close a bit early. That was good news. I also talked to Brealtor who said the people who are buying our old house haven't locked in a rate on their mortgage. Apparently rates have taken a swing up and they are waiting to see if it goes down a bit before locking in their rate. I started developing scenarios in my head where this sale could fall through. I just need to chill and let all this work itself out.

The light in our new dining area

Sold This House

So the packing has kicked into high gear. And when I say high gear we packed maybe five boxes tonight. To me that's high gear. It seems like the more we pack, the more there is to pack and we're running out of boxes. We've pretty much decided to rent a U-Haul instead of borrowing the trucks of our friends and family and making 200 trips across town. Larger and fewer loads are the way we have decided to go even though it will cost us a little moola. We close on the new house July 3 and our old house will close on July 14. We're hoping to be out of our old house by that time so we can hand over the keys the day of closing and be done, but we will have 30 days after closing if we need it. It's still amazing to me that this all happened so close in time. We had anticipated having this house for at least a couple of months, but it seems like the real estate market here is pretty hot right now. There are lots of buyers it seems. We see folks slowing down for a looksee all the time outside our house and we even had a couple stop by and ask to walk through the house. I proudly told them the house was sold. It felt nice to say that.

Our new front door from the inside

Now What

May and June are months when we spend mass quantities of time with our families which usually isn't a good thing. My mom and dad's birthday AND Mother and Father's Day fall within these months, so about every two weeks we are doing something with somebody one of us are related to and sometimes on conseuctive days. Oy! Today, we went out to lunch with Ragged's dad followed by yet another movie at the movies. This time it was "Indiana Jones". Good Lord this movie went on and on and pretty much ruined the IJ franchise for me. They were definitely kicking a dead horse with this one. I'm not sure I will ever thoroughly enjoy another movie until my ADD is medicated. I lose interest so easily. Oh, and I slept through the end of "The Golden Compass" and didn't bother "rewinding" it to see what happened. Yawners.

Included in today's doings, Ragged and I hit up Home Depot and Lowe's to shop for washers, dryers, fridges, bistro sets, and other stuff for our new place. If we would have walked out of there with all the stuff we wanted, our bill would have been $78,449.81. It was great fun, though. Now I'm home with heartburn and ready to go to bed. I have had difficulty staying up past 8 the entire weekend. Zzzzzzzzzzzz...

Did you buy me?

Repeat

Today I went to the grocery while Ragged cleaned the house for my parents arrival. They came and we went out to lunch and celebrated mom's birthday and Father's day. Later, Ragged and I decided to go to the movie. I don't go to the movies very often because there's usually not a movie I can't wait to see until it comes out on DVD, but I wanted to see "The Happening". The movie wasn't bad, but left a little to be desired. I do like saying M. Night Shyamalan, though. I said it about 200 times on the drive to the movie, during it, and afterward much to Ragged's annoyance.

This and That

It's done. Last night we signed the contract to sell our current home. While we were out, we went and grabbed a gift for my mom's belated birthday celebration and for dad for Father's day. We also went out to eat since we don't have to hold on to every dime anymore because our house sold.

So who is the 5th cylon? I was trying to decide who it was in terms of the shock value and impact on the storyline, so I'm going to choose not Starbucks or Admiral Adama. Those are the only ones it wouldn't make sense or it would be anticlimactic if it were. I wouldn't be surprised to see it be the President. Shouldn't it be a woman to make it five men and five women?

This weekend is a free Showtime and Starz weekend. I happened across it last night. Not that we need any more movies to watch. Our blockbuster viewing has slowed to a crawl with all the house activity. I did manage to watch half of "The Golden Compass" last night.

Ike enjoys sun from the windows for one of the last times before we move

Dum Da Da Dum

This may be premature, but I think we sold our house! Brealtor called today with a new offer from the same folks which is more acceptable than the last one. The contract should be written up tomorrow and all I have to do is go by and sign. I can't believe this all happened in such a timely manner. Usually I'm not this lucky. It must be Ragged's luck that made this happen. Of course there are lots of things that could go bad between now and then but I'm going to think positive, against my nature and upbringing.

Wild Wednesday

Yesterday I spent the first part of the day on the firing range practicing with my gun. We have to do exercises once a quarter to keep us comfortable with our guns and practice scenarios that we may find ourselves in. After I got home, the inspections on our new house commenced which last for two hours and included a swirl of family, friends, and inspectors wanting attention. I was zapped when it was all over, but that wasn't the end of the day. We then went home to load up the cats for a showing. The offer that is still being worked on seems to have taken a turn for the worse. The couple which made an offer are very young and don't understand when you ask sellers to pay your closing costs that you are in effect offering them less for their home. Anyway, after that we went with Ragged's parents to dinner and for coffee afterward. I was so out of it, I couldn't eat much or drink any coffee. When we got home, I pretty much collapsed into bed.

I realize none of this compares to being without water, having your home flooded or destroyed by mother nature, so I want to wish everyone that is affected by the recent crazy weather a quick return to normalcy.

Ike and Eli eyeball the "ugly crickets" that gather at the backdoor.

Cue the Fat Lady

We have an offer for our house which is in the tweaking stage. We should know something later tonight. In the meantime, we had another showing today. When Brealtor's company called (Brealtor is in Cally for the week with her offspring) and requested a showing today, I nearly threw up in the car as I happened to be at Ragged's work getting her to sign a document for our new house at the time they called. The thought of having to load up the cats sent me into a panic because this time I would have to do it without Ragged. I rushed home and started straightening the house up and finally it came time to load the cats. Ike was my first victim and Cooper my second. Izzie and Eli went and hid per their usual. Anyway, I got them in the crates with no trouble. I used Needlefingers recommendation and it worked well. The time in the car, however, was miserible. Ike freaked out a couple of times and I came to the conclusion cats get clautrophobic too. I may ask Farmwife if that is possible because I don't have the energy to look it up. At any rate, the new prospects were in the house for 40 minutes, 10 minutes longer than the scheduled tour, so hopefully they were seriously considering the house. If the pending offer falls through, maybe there will be a backup.

No Effing Way

We got an offer! Although it may not be the perfect one, it's our first one and you always remember your first. Ragged and I will spend the night mulling it over and we'll know something more definitive tomorrow like how all the numbers will fall out. Of course it is very tempting to accept this offer because we could close this house the week after our new house. We would not have two mortgages which would be great. Will keep all those who haven't fallen asleep from boredom on all our house buying drivel posted on what happens.

I Got Stimulated!

Finally today I received my economic stimulation check. I know it's tacky to talk about money, but we have bought a house and every dime will help. Thanks, George although I think I've lost more than $600 over your tenure in office.

Pull the Trigger

Yesterday was my mom's birthday and due to some complications we won't be celebrating until next weekend. Good thing because this week has been a whirlwind which resulted in Ragged and I buying a home. We toiled and worried and finaggled and finally came to a point where we felt comfortable and went for it. I have to admit I am very nervous, but more excited and anxious to get in there. We have to wait until July 3 for the closing to take place, which is a little less time than it typically takes for a closing. Ragged and I are raring to go on our part next week and then we can sit back and wait for all the other details to fall into place. Now we just have to get ours sold. We have another showing tomorrow and I have to admit I hate the showings the worst. I know I've said that ten times, but it is really bad. Ike handles it poorly and he has been behaving badly pretty much sense we went on vacation. Maybe this will be our last one.

Moving? Bitch, please.

Booper Trooper

Sixteen days with no scabs (knock on wood). No, my herpes didn't go into remission, it has been 16 days since The Boop got his shot and flea/mite treatment and the scabs haven't come back. I guess he was allergic to one or the other. I think he may have had ear mites. Anyway, I'm glad The Boop is better. I hope we found the cure.

Cooper dunks his food in water before eating it.

Hope...NOT

Well we will officially have four more years of Republican rule. I don't have confidence that Oh Mama will beat McCain. I'm convinced that America will never make another good decision and we are certainly in the midst of our downfall as a civilization.

Go Hillary!

Let there be a miracle.

Weekender

This has been a busy weekend. Friday night we decided to trek to the Big E for some shopping, eating, and getting away time. We didn't get home until nearly 10 o'clock which is past my bedtime, or at least the time I like to be home by. Saturday, we got up early and went to an open house, cleaned the front of the house and the side of the garage, and went to a Girls, Inc. fundraiser. Today, we wrangled the cats up for another showing today which is complete and utter hell to me and now Ragged is pricing yard sale stuff while I contemplate where I want to take a nap. I know I'm forgetting a dozen things we did this weekend, but my mind is in a fog. I really just want to post this picture of Neen.

If yall try to get in me in that crate one more time, I'm gonna...