We did not get ducks in our flower bed this year. I was actually looking forward to seeing them but they must have decided our front door was too active. Oh well... We will still see the little duckies around because of where we live.
Speaking of which, there are duck families everywhere around here. Going up the main road from our neighborhood, I've been seeing a "husband" and "wife" crossing the road, back and forth, back and forth, all week. They must have their nest on one side of the road or the other. This is a busy 4-lane with a center turn lane road, and the speed limit is 40 mph. I've been quite concerned for them on the busy mornings that I've seen them navigating between the cars.
Luckily, people around here are great about giving them time to get out of the way. People who live down here expect to see ducks and geese on or near the road at any given time. I know that ducks mate for life, so it's always a relief when I see the two of them together. But, yesterday an incident happened that made me wonder if something had happened...
Daddy duck was standing in the middle of the southbound lanes (I was going north), looking like he was really confused and/or lost. Mama duck was nowhere to be seen. I immediately thought that maybe she had been hit (this was near the high school and teenagers may not be as careful as more experienced drivers) and I was afraid that he was also going to get hit. Drivers going both directions slowed to nearly a complete stop (in the middle of the intersection) to slowly go around the duck. In the meantime, Daddy duck was weaving from left to right and couldn't decide where he wanted to go. About the time I got through the intersection, he decided to go my direction - right in front of me. I came to a complete stop and then I lost him. I thought for sure that he was under my car and then I finally saw him exit the other side. Whew! That was close.
Not one driver honked with impatience at any of the other drivers who slowed down or stopped.
I hope I see both of them on Monday morning when I go back to work.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Silence...
I've been pretty quiet this week. Not that I haven't had things to say, but just don't feel like I could say them any better or any differently than how many of my online friends have already done it.
Yes, I'm talking Japan. Terrible, terrible tragedy and the figures get worse every day. One positive thing that I've read in this is the lack of looting in Japan. I had thought about this even before I read this Slate article, and I was correct in my assumptions. It is due, at least in part, to a strong sense of moral ethics. Japanese children are taught from a very young age how to act in an ethical manner. If a child finds even a small coin on the street, that child is escorted to the nearest police officer to turn it in. This is taken very seriously by all involved and teaches the child that just because something is found, it doesn't make it "theirs." They don't do "finders keepers; losers weepers" in Japanese culture. There are some incentives to turning in found items in that if it's not claimed, the finder does get to keep it. If it is claimed, then the finder gets a reward. Either way, the finder wins.
It's the same principle with looting. They just don't do it. It would be morally and ethically wrong for them to do so and they would rather starve than take their neighbor's food.
My heart goes out to all of the people affected and they are in my prayers every day, several times a day.
Most of us cannot imagine the conditions now being experienced by those affected in Japan. We can only pray that we never have to.
Yes, I'm talking Japan. Terrible, terrible tragedy and the figures get worse every day. One positive thing that I've read in this is the lack of looting in Japan. I had thought about this even before I read this Slate article, and I was correct in my assumptions. It is due, at least in part, to a strong sense of moral ethics. Japanese children are taught from a very young age how to act in an ethical manner. If a child finds even a small coin on the street, that child is escorted to the nearest police officer to turn it in. This is taken very seriously by all involved and teaches the child that just because something is found, it doesn't make it "theirs." They don't do "finders keepers; losers weepers" in Japanese culture. There are some incentives to turning in found items in that if it's not claimed, the finder does get to keep it. If it is claimed, then the finder gets a reward. Either way, the finder wins.
It's the same principle with looting. They just don't do it. It would be morally and ethically wrong for them to do so and they would rather starve than take their neighbor's food.
My heart goes out to all of the people affected and they are in my prayers every day, several times a day.
Most of us cannot imagine the conditions now being experienced by those affected in Japan. We can only pray that we never have to.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
New do
I got my hair cut and colored yesterday. I don't usually like pictures, but I decided that I'd take one with my Web cam and see how it turned out. Since I'm posting it here, it must be OK. LOL!
It's got several shades since I wanted it to look like I had some depth. And hide my scalp.
It's got several shades since I wanted it to look like I had some depth. And hide my scalp.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
New Cards
I liked the Crazy 4 Challenges card sketch quite a bit, and my friend liked it too so she ordered a 2nd card. I didn't think I had enough paper to do another exactly the same, so I made some changes. We both like this one better than the first one. I did end up finding enough paper to do another card like the first and I may even be able to do another with this paper, too.
I also have a co-worker who is graduating from college in May so I decided I'd make her a card, too. This is a sketch design that I'm sure other people have come up with, but I like to think "I" designed this card. LOL! Maybe - maybe not. I have no idea. I see so many cards and card ideas out there that it's really impossible to decide if I thought of it or not. I know the card I made my nephew last year was similar to this and I thought at the time that I'd "created" it, too.
I cut the mortar board from the Wild Card cartridge at 1.25 inches and trimmed off the extra piece that would have made it a card. I made the tassel from red and black thread that I wrapped around a nail file and then tied it and cut the other end. It's attached with an iRock stone. Then, I highlighted the brim with gold glitter pen. I actually think it's quite nice. The inside will say "congratulations". Hard to tell, but that's ribbon under the red hat.
I could see myself trying to sell graduation cards with the school colors of choice. The mortarboard paper only comes in black and white. I've also seen it in silver but not recently. The colors for this school are black and red, so this worked out well.
I also have a co-worker who is graduating from college in May so I decided I'd make her a card, too. This is a sketch design that I'm sure other people have come up with, but I like to think "I" designed this card. LOL! Maybe - maybe not. I have no idea. I see so many cards and card ideas out there that it's really impossible to decide if I thought of it or not. I know the card I made my nephew last year was similar to this and I thought at the time that I'd "created" it, too.
I cut the mortar board from the Wild Card cartridge at 1.25 inches and trimmed off the extra piece that would have made it a card. I made the tassel from red and black thread that I wrapped around a nail file and then tied it and cut the other end. It's attached with an iRock stone. Then, I highlighted the brim with gold glitter pen. I actually think it's quite nice. The inside will say "congratulations". Hard to tell, but that's ribbon under the red hat.
I could see myself trying to sell graduation cards with the school colors of choice. The mortarboard paper only comes in black and white. I've also seen it in silver but not recently. The colors for this school are black and red, so this worked out well.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Crazy 4 Challenges
One of my friends ordered a card for another friend, with the request that I incorporate a bee on it, and which was on my list of things to do this weekend. As I was browsing through my blog roll, I happened upon a card challenge using a particular sketch on the Crazy 4 Challenges blog. The sketch looks like this:
This is my version:
I think it turned out very cute. I think both of my friends will like it.
The inside says "For You!"
I used my Create a Critter cartridge from Cricut and cut my bee at 1.5 inches. The scalloped circles are cut at 3.5, 3.25, and 2.5 inches. The overall card dimensions are 5 x 5. The papers are scraps that were left over from other cards I've made (LOL - if you look back at my paper blog, you'll probably find those cards there).
This is my version:
I think it turned out very cute. I think both of my friends will like it.
The inside says "For You!"
I used my Create a Critter cartridge from Cricut and cut my bee at 1.5 inches. The scalloped circles are cut at 3.5, 3.25, and 2.5 inches. The overall card dimensions are 5 x 5. The papers are scraps that were left over from other cards I've made (LOL - if you look back at my paper blog, you'll probably find those cards there).
Simple Saturday...
The other night, Ron and I watched The Secret on Netflix. I had heard of this a while back when Oprah was promoting it but had not really delved into the background of it. Frankly, I was skeptical. But, in all honesty, the stuff I watched wasn't really much different than the "positive affirmations" that we're all taught at one time or another to help us to be successful. It's more indepth, but really not different.
I was fascinated. And, hooked. I believe that putting the "secret" to use will have positve results. I have found in the past that when I focused on the good things going on, then the negative things didn't have nearly as much impact on how I faced the day. I sometimes struggle with that but remembering to refocus my thoughts has really helped a lot.
I remember focusing on putting positive vibes out when wanting a particular job over 15 years ago. I knew when I walked out of the interview that the job would be mine for the taking. The only thing that might hold it up would be what salary they would be willing to pay. I put out a number and they accepted it. I'm using this same mental projection practice for the position that I'm seeing myself in once we get moved to Hesston. I'm concentrating on a salary (which is within the range of acceptable salaries for this type of position within the state).
I read a post on Jax's blog that got me to thinking. She posted "Who are you when no one's looking?" She got it from a country-western song by Blake Shelton called Who are you when I'm not looking. I really like the song but hadn't thought to apply it to myself. Until I read Jax's post. I decided to tackle it myself.
In the past, I was...
I was fascinated. And, hooked. I believe that putting the "secret" to use will have positve results. I have found in the past that when I focused on the good things going on, then the negative things didn't have nearly as much impact on how I faced the day. I sometimes struggle with that but remembering to refocus my thoughts has really helped a lot.
I remember focusing on putting positive vibes out when wanting a particular job over 15 years ago. I knew when I walked out of the interview that the job would be mine for the taking. The only thing that might hold it up would be what salary they would be willing to pay. I put out a number and they accepted it. I'm using this same mental projection practice for the position that I'm seeing myself in once we get moved to Hesston. I'm concentrating on a salary (which is within the range of acceptable salaries for this type of position within the state).
I read a post on Jax's blog that got me to thinking. She posted "Who are you when no one's looking?" She got it from a country-western song by Blake Shelton called Who are you when I'm not looking. I really like the song but hadn't thought to apply it to myself. Until I read Jax's post. I decided to tackle it myself.
In the past, I was...
- afraid to let my guard down and let people see me.
- afraid to not be perfect because I would let others down.
- bound by my fears, which kept me from putting myself out there. What if people didn't like me?
- someone who would sing in the shower, in the car, in the house - but would clam up if I thought anyone was actually listenening to me.
- someone who would go out of my way to do something for someone else, but could not let someone else know how badly I might need something myself.
- check my email, my facebook, my blogs, etc. to see if someone had posted something, sent me a note, or a message - checking to see if they cared enough about me to make contact.
- someone who continually beat myself up for mistakes that I've made.
- hid her emotions because someone might see.
- going to focus on the wonderful relationships that I have with friends and family.
- give thanks for the great new friends I have found online.
- look forward to not only tomorrow, but also to TODAY because I have a lot to look forward to.
- concentrate on reaching out to help others (like I used to do and got side-tracked by my own issues).
- make plans for how to spend upcoming vacation days and financial freedom.
- visualizing myself in a better place, a better job, a happier outcome.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Isaiah
The other evening, after we went to the retirement center to sign the papers, we went to see Isaiah. It’s only 7/10 of a mile from our new driveway to their driveway. That will be very nice!
Ron had on his leg so we “walked” him into the house. Isaiah was in his room playing because Amy was still working. So, we were very quiet until she was finished and then she called him to come see who was there.
He went flying past me without so much as a nod – straight to his “Crampa” and climbed onto his lap. “Crampa! It’s so good to see you. I missed you! How did you get here?”
Duh… me… your other grandparent… the driver…
You know, the chopped liver.
(Seriously, I'm so glad that he has such a great relationship with Ron. The memories of his time with his "Crampa" will go with him all through his life. I know he loves me as much as he loves Ron. They just have a special bond and that is awesome.)
Ron had on his leg so we “walked” him into the house. Isaiah was in his room playing because Amy was still working. So, we were very quiet until she was finished and then she called him to come see who was there.
He went flying past me without so much as a nod – straight to his “Crampa” and climbed onto his lap. “Crampa! It’s so good to see you. I missed you! How did you get here?”
Duh… me… your other grandparent… the driver…
You know, the chopped liver.
(Seriously, I'm so glad that he has such a great relationship with Ron. The memories of his time with his "Crampa" will go with him all through his life. I know he loves me as much as he loves Ron. They just have a special bond and that is awesome.)
The time has come...
To turn off the ability for "annonymous" posters to be able to leave a comment on my blog. For sume reason, my "tornado story" of last May has attracted some kind of interest and I'm getting requests for people (three inquiries) to be able to use part of the information there if they link back to the post. I have read and re-read that post. There isn't any kind of valuable information in that post. It's about Ron falling off the ramp the day we had tornado warnings (when he still had both legs). Nothing of value.
I don't know what they want from that post or where they'd link back to it from. But, if someone doesn't have an email address for me to see or some other means of contacting them, I certainly don't want them using my blog and posts for some unknown reason.
I know I have a couple of friends who have posted annonymously and I apologize if it puts a wrinkle in your ability to comment.
I don't know what they want from that post or where they'd link back to it from. But, if someone doesn't have an email address for me to see or some other means of contacting them, I certainly don't want them using my blog and posts for some unknown reason.
I know I have a couple of friends who have posted annonymously and I apologize if it puts a wrinkle in your ability to comment.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thought we had a big BUMP in the road...
But, instead of a big BUMP, it is a little "bimp" in the road (said in my best Pink Panther detective voice).
They have a pet policy. OK - no biggie; most places do (or should) have a pet policy.
They charge a pet deposit, the pet can't be over 25 pounds, only one per unit, current on shots, spayed or neutered, yada yada yada. Still, no biggie.
Pet deposit - non-refundable. Ouch.
$300.00. Double-ouch. But, Ron loves his girl so I'm willing to pay it for him to be happy.
Got to reading the pet policy paperwork, and it says this in one section...
If the Resident Occupancy Agreement includes a Monthly Occupancy Fee then the resident shall provide a Pet Deposit equal to one month’s rent. The Pet Deposit will be returned to resident upon termination of the Resident Occupancy Agreement less the non-refundable fee of $300 and the cost of any damages to the home...”
And, this in another section:
“If the Resident Occupancy Agreement includes a Monthly Occupancy Fee then the resident shall provide a Pet Deposit equal to one month’s rent less the $300 non-refundable fee. The Pet Deposit will be returned to the resident upon termination of the Resident Occupancy Agreement less the cost of any damages to the home...”
In a 3rd section, it says this:
"If the Resident Occupancy Agreement includes a Monthly Occupancy Fee then the non-refundable fee shall be equal to one months rent.”
Our "Monthly Occupancy Fees" (aka "rent") is $850 per month.
BUMP! No way can this girl afford to pay $850 deposit for us + $850 deposit for Maisey + $850 rent when we move in (plus, the $300 towards escrow, which will be refunded to us in the form of less rent after 12 months*).
I emailed our contact there and she got back with me very quickly. The provision stated in the 3rd location was for the duplexes with "special" month-to-month rental contracts. Our deposit (non-refundable) is "only" $300 plus $10 per month extra in rent. Ouch, but definitely more of a "bimp" than a BUMP in the road. Our monthly rent will be $850 + $300 + $439 + $10 = $1599 per month for the first year; $1299 per month thereafter.
It's a lot of money to pay to rent someplace, but if it means less stress for me (overall) and a better place for Ron - then, so be it.
*They usually charge 12 months worth of rent up front and then you only pay the maintenance fee - in our case, $439 - per month. After 12 months, the rent is added back on monthly (the $850) and residents then pay the rent + maintenance fee. Because they are making a special consideration for us, they are "only" charging us $850 up front (not sure where this is going or if we'll get it back if and when we move), and then an extra $300 per month for 12 months. During months 13, 14, 15, and 16 we'll pay no rent and only pay the maintenance fee. Month 17 we'll have the remainder of the credit (a couple hundred dollars or so) and pay the rent difference plus the maintenance fee. After that, we'll pay the $1299 per month. Confused? Don't feel bad. I have it in red, blue, and white to refer to. Ron was "huh? OK - whatever she says." The entry fee (which is another non-refundable fee) was $3450.00.
They have a pet policy. OK - no biggie; most places do (or should) have a pet policy.
They charge a pet deposit, the pet can't be over 25 pounds, only one per unit, current on shots, spayed or neutered, yada yada yada. Still, no biggie.
Pet deposit - non-refundable. Ouch.
$300.00. Double-ouch. But, Ron loves his girl so I'm willing to pay it for him to be happy.
Got to reading the pet policy paperwork, and it says this in one section...
If the Resident Occupancy Agreement includes a Monthly Occupancy Fee then the resident shall provide a Pet Deposit equal to one month’s rent. The Pet Deposit will be returned to resident upon termination of the Resident Occupancy Agreement less the non-refundable fee of $300 and the cost of any damages to the home...”
And, this in another section:
“If the Resident Occupancy Agreement includes a Monthly Occupancy Fee then the resident shall provide a Pet Deposit equal to one month’s rent less the $300 non-refundable fee. The Pet Deposit will be returned to the resident upon termination of the Resident Occupancy Agreement less the cost of any damages to the home...”
In a 3rd section, it says this:
"If the Resident Occupancy Agreement includes a Monthly Occupancy Fee then the non-refundable fee shall be equal to one months rent.”
Our "Monthly Occupancy Fees" (aka "rent") is $850 per month.
BUMP! No way can this girl afford to pay $850 deposit for us + $850 deposit for Maisey + $850 rent when we move in (plus, the $300 towards escrow, which will be refunded to us in the form of less rent after 12 months*).
I emailed our contact there and she got back with me very quickly. The provision stated in the 3rd location was for the duplexes with "special" month-to-month rental contracts. Our deposit (non-refundable) is "only" $300 plus $10 per month extra in rent. Ouch, but definitely more of a "bimp" than a BUMP in the road. Our monthly rent will be $850 + $300 + $439 + $10 = $1599 per month for the first year; $1299 per month thereafter.
It's a lot of money to pay to rent someplace, but if it means less stress for me (overall) and a better place for Ron - then, so be it.
*They usually charge 12 months worth of rent up front and then you only pay the maintenance fee - in our case, $439 - per month. After 12 months, the rent is added back on monthly (the $850) and residents then pay the rent + maintenance fee. Because they are making a special consideration for us, they are "only" charging us $850 up front (not sure where this is going or if we'll get it back if and when we move), and then an extra $300 per month for 12 months. During months 13, 14, 15, and 16 we'll pay no rent and only pay the maintenance fee. Month 17 we'll have the remainder of the credit (a couple hundred dollars or so) and pay the rent difference plus the maintenance fee. After that, we'll pay the $1299 per month. Confused? Don't feel bad. I have it in red, blue, and white to refer to. Ron was "huh? OK - whatever she says." The entry fee (which is another non-refundable fee) was $3450.00.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
For the greater good
Sometimes, you do things that you don’t really (down deep inside) want to do, but you know you have to do them. It’s for the greater good… I had to sell my scrapbook armoire. I could have justified keeping it. It was, after all, a birthday present to me two years ago. It held all of my scrapbook supplies (and then some) and it was a decent looking piece of furniture. And, it was not cheap. But, it was paid for.
I put an ad on Craigslist and within 24 hours, I had three people interested in coming to look at it. They did know a good deal when they saw one. The first person who contacted me was also the first person to come look at it. She bought it. $600 cash. That gave me enough money to make the appointment to reserve our apartment at the retirement village. We went in this afternoon to fill out the paperwork. {sigh of relief!}
That is for the greater good. Tonight, I have an address and a tentative move-in date. That is a relief for both Ron and I. It’s really a good thing that we’re doing this because we got a letter from the mortgage holder for our house. They have turned down our work-out package to stay in our house and want us to sell it or deed it back to them. They say we need about $700 more income each month than what we currently have in order to make ends meet. That’s about right. Our expenses will be less once we move.
Once we get moved, I’ll set up shop with folding tables and a couple of things that I have on wheels for storage. The floor under the tables will hold a couple of tubs – one for paper and one for tools. I can make do until I can afford to buy something else. Not sure how long that will be, but that’s OK.
Life is good.
I put an ad on Craigslist and within 24 hours, I had three people interested in coming to look at it. They did know a good deal when they saw one. The first person who contacted me was also the first person to come look at it. She bought it. $600 cash. That gave me enough money to make the appointment to reserve our apartment at the retirement village. We went in this afternoon to fill out the paperwork. {sigh of relief!}
That is for the greater good. Tonight, I have an address and a tentative move-in date. That is a relief for both Ron and I. It’s really a good thing that we’re doing this because we got a letter from the mortgage holder for our house. They have turned down our work-out package to stay in our house and want us to sell it or deed it back to them. They say we need about $700 more income each month than what we currently have in order to make ends meet. That’s about right. Our expenses will be less once we move.
Once we get moved, I’ll set up shop with folding tables and a couple of things that I have on wheels for storage. The floor under the tables will hold a couple of tubs – one for paper and one for tools. I can make do until I can afford to buy something else. Not sure how long that will be, but that’s OK.
Life is good.
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