It's a Wonderful Life!!

The Pick of the Crop

I have some rather good news to share - I have a contract on my house. The miracle of the whole thing is that one offer came in on Wednesday, the other came in on Friday.

OFFER ONE: I was on a business trip to none other than the fine town of Jasper, Alabama. My Sweet Baby Julie (my Realtor) phoned me at dinner. I excused myself and she gave me the offer - we discussed things and decided to place a counter offer. Now this guy did not set well with me from the beginning. He was looking for a home for his daughter, who had just finished grad school. He told me he was "a land developer" and familiar with these things. I said fine. I promptly told him I was a real estate paralegal for 10 years and I was as well. He said fine. They meandered around, asked lots of questions. I would not normally be there, but they had made an appointment from 4-5 on Tuesday and as usual I left. Mr. Man and I got home at 5:30 and I had made his dinner and he was eating when a knock came at the door. It was the Realtor and she said "her people wanted to take a second look" - So Mr. Man and I went on the back porch. By the time I answered his questions Mr. Man had wandered into the 1st parlor to have more Hamburger Helper. The man sat down and said he wanted my chandelier, and what was my bottom line price. I told him the chandelier was going with me because it was an anniversary gift from my deceased husband. And, I told him he was putting me on the spot, to make an offer through his agent - that was the way things are done. Period. He wanted to bring "the wife" to see it. She saw it on Wednesday and they made the offer Wednesday night. The offer was $8K below listing price AND stated the chandelier stayed with the house. Can you believe that after I told him my sentiments about the dang thing.

OFFER TWO: So, I am still back and forth with the Chandelier Guy. Sweet Baby Julie brought another couple to see the house on Thursday (while I was still out of town). And my A/R Guru AJ and the M.U. had the pleasure of meeting the two. This was their description: The guy had long hair and a bushy beard and tattoos everywhere, and the wife had long stringy dark hair with tattoos everywhere. They had 2 children. And said they were very nice and the wife just loved it. And we all know when Mama ain't happy, there ain't nobody happy. So that was a good thing that wife loved the colors and the bearded man claimed to be an "artist", so he loved the back sun porch. Well come to find out he is an artist - he owns a tattoo shop. I have learned thru Sweet Baby Julie that they are actually called Tattoo Parlors. Well, I thought that would be good, he owns his own business. Their offer came in at $2K ABOVE listing price. They knew another offer was on the table.

I accepted the Tattoo Parlor couple's offer yesterday, signed, sealed and delivered. It was a good day for Tattoo lady, because it was her birthday. The only hitch in the whole deal, which may be a HUGE hitch, is that they are not pre-approved for a loan yet - but that should come the middle of next week. So - I am still in the woods right now, but they claim it will all be well.

On the home front - all is not well. I have lost my temper in the worst way. I have said some things that haven't come from my mouth in about 20 years or longer. Sports fans, I lost my composure and it was UGLY. Friday night Mr. Man fell asleep early and Andrew asked if he and 3 of his buddies could sit on the back porch. I saw no harm, so I said OK, but just don't make alot of noise. I worked late and went to bed. The next morning, my billfold was missing with about $300+ cash and 3 credit cards and my drivers license, which I just had to replace because my billfold was stolen on Superbowl Sunday mysteriously.

Sweet Leisa showed up about that time and quickly whisked Mr. Man away from the scene. But I was so distraught I missed one of my bestest buds in the world birthday celebration. Sneakin Sallie Thru the Alley! We bought her a house for her birthday - aren't we the best! Sallie, you really are the bomb of all bombs, my dear friend, the PICK OF THE CROP.

After my hissy fit the rules are that Andrew can't drive the van anymore and he can have NO ONE enter my home. I am still furious, and don't know how to solve this mystery except to put it on the other side and go forward. But I do have a lead from the first thief, he/she used my credit card at a local hotel, which I have called and they have surveillance cameras at the front desk. I am going to view the tape one day next week.

I'm kinda freaking out about the moving - my days are full to overflowing now. But I figure everyone moves, and they just get it done....I will miss my now balanced days, full of serenity and peace.

Our Lord is Good and Provides for us Abundantly, each and every day!

What a blessing!

It's a Wonderful Life, isn't it??

Peace Out........

The Saturday Evening Post - And the Winner Is....

This was a hard one, because there were some good ones, like Marye's son "I don't know when I will get my dignity back??" to "Scat cat, get your tail out of my gravy" by Sallie's mother. But the one that made me laugh out loud (again and again) was Keith's "Tight as Dick's Hatband".  I know I had already mentioned that as one of my mother's sayings, but I figure that anyone who had to grow up and listen to that every time he wore tight jeans out, deserves a couple of coffees from Starbucks. So, Congratulations Keith, the gift card will be in the mail next week.

Not to mention Sid's diatribe about the origin of the phrase. Now that we all are sufficiently versed in the origin, we can rest easy tonight.....It really was fascinating. Thanks Sid for your research prowessness (is that a word?).

On to other worthy tales......

My Mr. Man scored the only points for his team in the hilarious, yet entertaining basketball game. He is on the blue team, but the white team pulled out the victory in a tight 4 to 2 game. He is, along with his team mates, need a little practice in shooting. It was a fine way to spend 45 minutes on a Friday night.

Bunco was, well, a barrel of laughter as usual. I generally leave Bunco shaking my head and saying in my head, "THOSE GIRLS, THOSE GIRLS". I really must start wearing a bra to Bunco, and that's all I have to say about that.....We had the damn best red beans and rice in the whole world. The crown was tight as dicks hatband, meaning it did not make its way to my head. I am on a loosing streak, I couldn't win a block of ice in Alaska right now. But good fortune is smiling on me nevertheless. My arena of gaming is on the fritz........I recently lost 3 games of legitimate Backgammon to Mr. Man, and he narrowly lost at a legitimate game of Scrabble. My friends, that is a sad state when your almost 7 year old almost beats you in Scrabble. I was wrecked.

I have a big green plastic pouch, and two new hand crafted pens I now possess, along with the keys to the condo. Yes, it is officially mine, closing went without a hitch. I am very blessed to be able to live here and I am looking forward to a new beginning. My friend, Leisa, said I was starry eyed when I saw it at the Christmas open house. I have been purging my belongings and deciding what to keep and what to part with. It is kind of sad in a way, parting with things. But I strive to lead a more uncluttered life. I think this will help tremendously. I even made a vow to myself to say NO when asked to do something for a while. There is way too much on my plate right now, and tasks need to be completed before taking on anything else.

Our Lord is good and provides beyond our expectations.

I feel like a lucky and grateful girl tonight!

It is a Wonderful Life!

Peace......

What Color Are You - I'm Catching Up.

You Are a Yellow Crayon

Your world is colored with happy, warm, fun colors. You have a thoughtful and wise way about you. Some people might even consider you a genius. Charming and eloquent, you are able to get people to do things your way. While you seem spontaneous and free wheeling, you are calculating to the extreme. Your color wheel opposite is purple. You both are charismatic leaders, but purple people act like you have no depth.

What Color Crayon Are You?

My Mothers Sayings......A Contest!

My Mother is my best friend. At the ripe ole age of 47, I at long last, can say just about anything to the Motherly Unit, as I refer to her on this blog. She has lived a rather ordinary life, but then again, extraordinary. Six months before she was born, my grandparents built a home for themselves on South 15th Avenue. She lived there all her childhood and many years as an adult. South 15th Avenue is close to the park. She moved away from that house when she was 62 years young. I grew up on South 15th Avenue. I rode my bike every day to the park. I remember the monkeys howling and Miss Hattie wailing (she was the elephant).

One day my dad took myself and Allen to the park. Now outings with my dad by himself were few and far between, he worked all the time and was tired. We went everywhere with Mother. Well, this Saturday was different. We were standing there looking at Miss Hattie, when all of a sudden Miss Hattie lifted her trunk and pointed it at my dad and blew out the biggest ball of snot I have ever seen. That ended the outings with dad. I can look back on that time as a milestone in my life. Just as daddy was getting used to 2 little ones, that damn Miss Hattie had to go off and snot on him. It was quite disgusting. We rushed home to get dad cleaned up and then we took a nap with our shoes on - that was another great event. It was billed as a special treat, to take a nap with our shoes on. I remember a crazy song my dad used to sing to Allen and I, it went like this:

""I knew a girl who was tall and yellow. She slept in the hall with her feet in the cellar.""

Now how strange is that, friends?

Well, speaking of strange, I have been taking note of all the funny, quirky ways the M.U. phrases things. Here are a few:

1. He is as rich as cream.

2. He is wound up tighter than Dicks hat band.

3. He has a fart in his brain.

4. Chicago pronounced "Sha car go"

5. Look what the cats have drug up.

6. He was deader than a doornail.

7. A stitch in time saves nine.

So these are just a few that popped into my head.

This is a challenge, a contest so to speak. The winner will receive a $10.00 gift card from Starbucks coffee.....and everybody loves coffee right??

What is the craziest phrase you have heard your parents say???

Winner announced on Saturday on the Saturday Evening Post.

Good Luck.......

It's a Wonderful Life, and other Worthy Tales.

Peace!

The American Beauty Farce

What can I say about a large Saturday ahead of me. I am enjoying my first cup of coffee for the day, and since it is peaceful and quite around here, which is uncommon, I will sit a spell and enjoy the moment.

Any day, nonetheless, Saturday, is not a great start when awakened by a bail bondsman at 5:14 in the morning, but this is how this Saturday began. So the charge is "DUI, other" what the dickens is that?, I ask. Details are still hazy,but the nephew, the boarder, not paying board, was picked up in the wee hours of the morning for DUI, OTHER. Now isn't that a strange charge?? I just really could not get into the details. You know how it goes, you can't see the forest from the trees. I'm not into details at this point.

So, I close on the condo next Friday. I will not move until I get packed - which may be a month of Sundays. But I press forward, packing my boxes and going thru my stuff of some 17 years in my home. Some is the on-going garage sale, some charity, and some packed and put at my warehouse. I hope to be in my new pad end of the month or beginning of March. I am thinking about contacting one of these estate sale merchants and just liquidating all my worldly possessions and starting afresh. I have a few pieces of furniture I will keep, but much of it is on the way out. The plan is to make this move as easy as possible and with not much fanfare.

Mr. Man's first basketball game was last night. Now if you don't think it a riot to see 1st and 2nd graders playing 1/2 court basketball - then please join me for the next 4 Friday nights. Yes, my Friday nights are full and fun, sportsfans. He thinks he is quite the athlete - a big boy who wants to grow up to be a professional basketball player. He is quite aggressive on the court, it's all out game time for him. Those little rosy checks and eager spirit make this mother proud! He was fouled twice......did I say aggressive? He is a shooter as well, but he doesn't hog the ball or anything - if someone has an opening, he passes the ball. I hate to burst his bubble, but I prefer the baseball - and the season is right around the corner......and I am so excited. He will be the youngest player on the team this year - but he will still get some action. My son, the athlete. He definitely gets that from the A.F., not me. Of course he gets his sweet spirit and winning smile from me. The athlete and gift of gab come from the "Y" chromosome.

Speaking of which, and can I rant a moment........digressing, the A.F. still owes me a substantial amount of money, and hasn't paid one dime for child support since June, 2007. That is a crying shame in my humble opinion. What the heck is he thinking?? Or could it be he is not.......thinking. What could possible be strolling thru his mind? The M.U. used to have a saying and I think it now appropriate.......He has a fart in his brain. Nuff said.

The contractors, Preacher Paul and and son are finished - they came and rolled some plastic liquid stuff on my roll roof where is was still leaking (with our torrential rains lately, I have not been happy) yesterday. There is still a glitch in the 2nd bathroom light switch. Sometimes it wants to come on and then there are days when it doesn't want to come on. Preacher Paul asked me how my St. Joseph was working. I said not very good....But in all reality, I have not diligently prayed over my St. Joseph as instructed. My friend, Becky, did, and her house sold after being on the market for 8 months. My time will come, but really, I hope it is not until I can get most of my stuff moved. I hate time pressure, and want everything to fall into place gracefully.

I have not blogged in forever. It feels good to write again. It is my therapy - among many. Two weeks ago plus, I had strep throat, and I swear it took me two weeks to get over it. I went to the doctor for the second time last Tuesday and he said the combination of recovering from West Nile and Strep were taking some time to get over. I did not bounce back as expected. I don't particularly like to complain about symptoms I still have, but that damn West Nile is serious stuff. I still get the all over burning sensation that nothing but rest seems to help. I require plenty of sleep. It is something I simply have to accept and deal with. It's OK, because I like to sleep and feel rested. But good grief - I get 10 hours in almost every night. Sometimes I feel lazy, but I guess that is OK also - but the panic has sort of set in what with a move looming over me.

I've lost my wallet. I prayed to St. Anthony, that little prayer about something is lost and cannot be found, turn around and you'll find it there. Well I have been turning flips. I lost it on Superbowl Sunday. Now I have to go to the trouble of getting a new drivers license and new credit cards. I really feel it is simply lost in some deep cave somewhere, because I have been watching my credit cards and there is no action. Not to mention the cash I had in there, which I have no idea how much. But I will not fret anymore about it - I will go to the dang Highway Patrol Drivers License office (which I dispise) and get a new one.

I will dedicate this blog to my all time favorite movie American Beauty, for every character in this wonderful, academy award winning flick is flawed, but still finds the beauty in the most obscure everyday happenings. And some are pretty extreme, friends. You gotta see this one. You really owe it to yourself if you think you are converging on the normalcy side of life. It will surely open your eyes on how WE others live.

We also have Big Love here, and it is all good.    

It's a Wonderful Life, isn't it???

Peace Out.