Cal got a 12 string guitar for Christmas. This will be guitar number four for him. His first was an acoustic, second was an electric, third was another electric (much "cooler" than the first), and then the 12 string electric/acoustic.
He was taking lessons but they stopped for basketball season. I am looking forward to him starting again because he has somewhat stalled in his growth. Of course, it would help tremendously if he actually practiced.
As is the case with my boy, Cal is already looking ahead to his next musical instrument. His father would love for it to be the lastest and greatest electric piano. I have a funny feeling that it might be some ovation guitars. There are some really nice ones out there but, the boy better plan on getting a job because I think four is more than enough.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Maturity
I know that I will probably regret blogging about this but, my 15 year-old son is finally starting to get it. He is finally starting to act like a contributing part of this family.
I spoke with one of his ex-teachers today and she mentioned that she has noticed a huge improvement in him during the past couple of months.
He has given me a run for my money. You know when you are kids and your parents say they hope you have a kid just like yourself. My parents got their wish. He is a good boy but I honestly didn't think he was ever going to catch on. My boy has been given the impression that the world revolves around him and his father has reinforced this belief. It has been a huge obstacle.
I spoke with one of his ex-teachers today and she mentioned that she has noticed a huge improvement in him during the past couple of months.
He has given me a run for my money. You know when you are kids and your parents say they hope you have a kid just like yourself. My parents got their wish. He is a good boy but I honestly didn't think he was ever going to catch on. My boy has been given the impression that the world revolves around him and his father has reinforced this belief. It has been a huge obstacle.
Creating some theme frames for our family photos
Guest post written by Tina Haverford
There's nothing that I love more to do in my free time than doing some DIY crafts with my kids. They're just as crafty as I am and we have a lot of fun putting up all our little craft projects around the house. While I was off for the holidays, I had a lot of pictures printed that have been sitting on my computer for several years now. So now it's like my family and I are reliving all these good times that we had in these pictures and my kids wanted to make some picture frames for them.
We looked online to find some good picture frame ideas. While I was online doing that I found some info on Installing new floors and decided to go through them to get that done.
We came up with some really great picture frames and also worked on putting the other pictures into some photo albums so we can actually enjoy those too. Overall, we just had way too many pictures to actually frame all of them, although we would if we could have.
There's nothing that I love more to do in my free time than doing some DIY crafts with my kids. They're just as crafty as I am and we have a lot of fun putting up all our little craft projects around the house. While I was off for the holidays, I had a lot of pictures printed that have been sitting on my computer for several years now. So now it's like my family and I are reliving all these good times that we had in these pictures and my kids wanted to make some picture frames for them.
We looked online to find some good picture frame ideas. While I was online doing that I found some info on Installing new floors and decided to go through them to get that done.
We came up with some really great picture frames and also worked on putting the other pictures into some photo albums so we can actually enjoy those too. Overall, we just had way too many pictures to actually frame all of them, although we would if we could have.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Work
There are some days that I am so frustrated at work that I am ready to walk out and never return. I had one of those days on Tuesday. I was so upset that I actually removed the chair that I have in my office for my friends to sit in when they come to visit. When a co-worker came to sit and "talk" I simply told her I had no interest in speaking to anyone. The chair has not been replaced.
Today, however, was one of those days that I love my job and most of my co-workers. I laughed so hard today that I actually lost my voice and the people from upstairs came down to see what we were laughing about. (this is the second time that this has happened). I was shocked that they could actually hear us. I guess we just don't understand how loud we are as we are rolling on the floor.
"Please Lord, tell me that the sound she just made came from her mouth?".
Today, however, was one of those days that I love my job and most of my co-workers. I laughed so hard today that I actually lost my voice and the people from upstairs came down to see what we were laughing about. (this is the second time that this has happened). I was shocked that they could actually hear us. I guess we just don't understand how loud we are as we are rolling on the floor.
"Please Lord, tell me that the sound she just made came from her mouth?".
Friday, December 30, 2011
The cutest thing
"E" (see the list of characters to the right) received an iPod Touch from Santa. He seems to enjoy the "facetime" feature. It is so cute to hear Cal and "E" talking. "E" just talks and talks about everything and Cal doesn't "know what to say". It is funny. The first few days they called each other several times.
I hope they keep it up because I know that Cal really needs and enjoys talking to his nephew.
The Vacation that wasn't
My work was very generous in giving us the entire week between Christmas and New Year's off. The bad part about being part-time is the fact that I don't get paid. I was able to "bank" enough time so it won't hurt too badly.
I was so excited because this would have been the first vacation (for more than a day here or there) that I had since starting the job two years ago. I cannot tell you how much I needed this vacation. I have been having a difficult time dealing with just the everyday stresses of a job. Two years without a vacation is a long time. I work 34 hours a week so I am part-time on paper only.
Then reality hit and I soon realized that we would be car shopping during my vacation. The stress was on because we had to purchase a car this week. The insurance would only cover a rental for 20 some days and the first ten we didn't know the amount that we would receive.
It is hard to shop for a car when you have no idea what your budget is going to be. We started shopping the day the settlement check arrived. Because of our past sins, we knew that we would not qualify for the conventional loan and we most definitely had to look for a used car.
Monday, after no less then ten phone calls about different cars and a few trips to look at different vehicles we found what we wanted (or better described as what we would settle for). The hard part was the fact that our used 2005 was loaded, and when I say loaded that is what I mean. Our old van was a Limited and it had every option ever offered by Dodge. We could not find any vehicle that had everything. We knew that we would have to settle.
On Tuesday, we drove an hour to look at the car, and a few other makes and models. We decided to get a 2007 Dodge Caravan. We filled out all the paperwork and the salesperson sent us home to come back at 4 p.m, when we could drive away with the car. We drive the hour home, got all the ridiculous paperwork together, waited a few hours and then drove back. We sat in the waiting room for 30 minutes and then had the privilege of being called into the office of the "financial officer". This guy was as smug as they come. He felt the need to remind us of all our past sins and problems. Thank you very much but we were very aware of the "problems" He then showed us the "offer". The deal was 25% interest, $1,700 fee, 25% down, and a loan that was longer than the life expectancy of the car. I let the "gentleman" get to the 25% interest and $1,700 fee before I stood up, shook his hand, and told him he was out of his mind. I left the hubby sitting there. I walked out, told Cal to get in the car and waited for Dante.
This place did such a job on us. It was horrible. Not only did they think that they had us over a barrel, but they made us think that we would NEVER get approved through a bank. (which is what this smug finance guy told us).
Wednesday, we spent the entire day arguing. I think that both Dante and I really started to panic. We had no idea what our next step would be. How can we buy a car if we can only get approved for a loan that in the end costs us almost 40%. We spent the entire day saying mean nasty things to each other (more me than him) and looking for cars that we would be able to purchase with the limited cash we had.
Thursday, we decided to get back on the horse. We went to look at a car and filled out the credit application. Once again everything played out like it did on Tuesday. They told us we were qualified but had to call us back with the terms. We were on pins and needles. We waited the entire day to find out that this company is awesome. They approved us without the ridiculous requests and paperwork and, the interest is one third what the first company tried to charge us.
Friday, we picked up our new car. It is not a car we ever considered looking at but, in the end, love. I am so glad that God put the obstacle in our way of the shady car dealer in order to point us in a different direction. We do not have a mini-van. We purchased a Honda Pilot. I am a little nervous about the gas mileage but in the end it is awesome.
I cannot believe how easy the process was once we were on the right track. The first car dealer was a scum and I will spend a fair amount of time giving them a negative review on every web site possible.
So in the end my vacation will be a stress free Saturday and back to church on Sunday.
I was so excited because this would have been the first vacation (for more than a day here or there) that I had since starting the job two years ago. I cannot tell you how much I needed this vacation. I have been having a difficult time dealing with just the everyday stresses of a job. Two years without a vacation is a long time. I work 34 hours a week so I am part-time on paper only.
Then reality hit and I soon realized that we would be car shopping during my vacation. The stress was on because we had to purchase a car this week. The insurance would only cover a rental for 20 some days and the first ten we didn't know the amount that we would receive.
It is hard to shop for a car when you have no idea what your budget is going to be. We started shopping the day the settlement check arrived. Because of our past sins, we knew that we would not qualify for the conventional loan and we most definitely had to look for a used car.
Monday, after no less then ten phone calls about different cars and a few trips to look at different vehicles we found what we wanted (or better described as what we would settle for). The hard part was the fact that our used 2005 was loaded, and when I say loaded that is what I mean. Our old van was a Limited and it had every option ever offered by Dodge. We could not find any vehicle that had everything. We knew that we would have to settle.
On Tuesday, we drove an hour to look at the car, and a few other makes and models. We decided to get a 2007 Dodge Caravan. We filled out all the paperwork and the salesperson sent us home to come back at 4 p.m, when we could drive away with the car. We drive the hour home, got all the ridiculous paperwork together, waited a few hours and then drove back. We sat in the waiting room for 30 minutes and then had the privilege of being called into the office of the "financial officer". This guy was as smug as they come. He felt the need to remind us of all our past sins and problems. Thank you very much but we were very aware of the "problems" He then showed us the "offer". The deal was 25% interest, $1,700 fee, 25% down, and a loan that was longer than the life expectancy of the car. I let the "gentleman" get to the 25% interest and $1,700 fee before I stood up, shook his hand, and told him he was out of his mind. I left the hubby sitting there. I walked out, told Cal to get in the car and waited for Dante.
This place did such a job on us. It was horrible. Not only did they think that they had us over a barrel, but they made us think that we would NEVER get approved through a bank. (which is what this smug finance guy told us).
Wednesday, we spent the entire day arguing. I think that both Dante and I really started to panic. We had no idea what our next step would be. How can we buy a car if we can only get approved for a loan that in the end costs us almost 40%. We spent the entire day saying mean nasty things to each other (more me than him) and looking for cars that we would be able to purchase with the limited cash we had.
Thursday, we decided to get back on the horse. We went to look at a car and filled out the credit application. Once again everything played out like it did on Tuesday. They told us we were qualified but had to call us back with the terms. We were on pins and needles. We waited the entire day to find out that this company is awesome. They approved us without the ridiculous requests and paperwork and, the interest is one third what the first company tried to charge us.
Friday, we picked up our new car. It is not a car we ever considered looking at but, in the end, love. I am so glad that God put the obstacle in our way of the shady car dealer in order to point us in a different direction. We do not have a mini-van. We purchased a Honda Pilot. I am a little nervous about the gas mileage but in the end it is awesome.
I cannot believe how easy the process was once we were on the right track. The first car dealer was a scum and I will spend a fair amount of time giving them a negative review on every web site possible.
So in the end my vacation will be a stress free Saturday and back to church on Sunday.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tis the Season for Surgery
I must confess that I don't think I have ever known so many people who are having surgery.
My husbands brother fell and broke a hip and he is in surgery. One of my ladies from basketball just had surgery on her knee. I know two ladies that will be having surgery for breast cancer. The list seems to go on and on.
I am thankful that I don't know anyone who is having laser spine surgery.
Of course, Cal having his teeth pulled was classified as surgery and that is the closest to home. He had to have several stitches and that doesn't help the smile. He has two large black clumps on both sides of his front teeth.
Hopefully after the stitches come out things won't look so bad. He will have the top braces put on in mid January and that will also help tremendously
My husbands brother fell and broke a hip and he is in surgery. One of my ladies from basketball just had surgery on her knee. I know two ladies that will be having surgery for breast cancer. The list seems to go on and on.
I am thankful that I don't know anyone who is having laser spine surgery.
Of course, Cal having his teeth pulled was classified as surgery and that is the closest to home. He had to have several stitches and that doesn't help the smile. He has two large black clumps on both sides of his front teeth.
Hopefully after the stitches come out things won't look so bad. He will have the top braces put on in mid January and that will also help tremendously
Prayers Appreciated
It seems to be the time of stresses in our family. We have a history of December being a difficult month and this year is the same.
Cal had to have two of his teeth pulled, his eye teeth. The thought is, because one of those teeth didn't survive being knocked out, to pull them and move everything else forward. This is fine but it leaves him with a very unattractive smile for quite some time. This also comes during his basketball season which will probably have to end early.
The situation with the car is just a little stressful. We did OK with the insurance but quickly found out that we cannot "replace" the vehicle we had for what they paid us. We obviously got a great deal when we purchased the car originally. Now we are trying to find a car within our price range. The van that I want is probably not "the best" minvan on the market but it is what we can afford. Of course, Dante wants the best. I understand but we do have to live within our income.
I have to take the last week of December off, and of course because I am part time I don't get paid. Just what I need, a decrease in income.
If you could just keep our family in your prayers it would be appreciated.
Cal had to have two of his teeth pulled, his eye teeth. The thought is, because one of those teeth didn't survive being knocked out, to pull them and move everything else forward. This is fine but it leaves him with a very unattractive smile for quite some time. This also comes during his basketball season which will probably have to end early.
The situation with the car is just a little stressful. We did OK with the insurance but quickly found out that we cannot "replace" the vehicle we had for what they paid us. We obviously got a great deal when we purchased the car originally. Now we are trying to find a car within our price range. The van that I want is probably not "the best" minvan on the market but it is what we can afford. Of course, Dante wants the best. I understand but we do have to live within our income.
I have to take the last week of December off, and of course because I am part time I don't get paid. Just what I need, a decrease in income.
If you could just keep our family in your prayers it would be appreciated.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Party
We will be having our staff Christmas party this evening and I am confronted with the fact that I really don't have anything "fancy" to wear. Yes I have plenty of skirts, and a fair amount of shirts but nothing fancy. I am just a plain girl.
Our dress code at work requires a skirt or dress that is mid calf length. Most of my skirts meet this requirement except for a few summer ones that barely touch the knee. I wear them anyway and I am sure that I look ridiculous but they don't make scooter skirts that long.
What I need is to break down and go shopping for plus size dresses to have for Sunday morning and these occasions where I should be dressing up just a bit.
I am not feeling well today (or yesterday for that matter) and do not look forward to going back out this evening to a party, but I do have the perfect gift for our swap and that is making it worth the effort.
Our dress code at work requires a skirt or dress that is mid calf length. Most of my skirts meet this requirement except for a few summer ones that barely touch the knee. I wear them anyway and I am sure that I look ridiculous but they don't make scooter skirts that long.
What I need is to break down and go shopping for plus size dresses to have for Sunday morning and these occasions where I should be dressing up just a bit.
I am not feeling well today (or yesterday for that matter) and do not look forward to going back out this evening to a party, but I do have the perfect gift for our swap and that is making it worth the effort.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Almost Done
I am almost done with Christmas shopping. Not because I really want to be but because I am desperate to try to keep things under control this year. We have already spent much more than we had wanted to but because money has been tight for several years our want list is much larger than normal.
My list is mostly household items. I wanted a new living room set, love seat and over sized chair. I hope Santa can get that down the chimney.
My list is mostly household items. I wanted a new living room set, love seat and over sized chair. I hope Santa can get that down the chimney.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Promises, Promises
Each year I promise myself that this will be the year that I use my cross country skis. They actually made the move because I was positive that in our new town I would most definitely use them.
We live in a great location and have a nice park within walking distance and it is an ideal location to get out on the trails and ski again.
This is about the time that I start looking for Black Diamond Compactor Poles to try to make the walk to the trails as convenient as possible. I would also love to use the poles for other winter activities that I am sure I will take part in during the next few months.
This will be the year! I have always used the excuse that I had to wait for Cal to get older because Dante would NEVER do an activity like this. Now that Cal is older he is very much like his dad with little desire to actually spend time outside in the snow that he claims to love. Winter is his favorite time of the year.
We live in a great location and have a nice park within walking distance and it is an ideal location to get out on the trails and ski again.
This is about the time that I start looking for Black Diamond Compactor Poles to try to make the walk to the trails as convenient as possible. I would also love to use the poles for other winter activities that I am sure I will take part in during the next few months.
This will be the year! I have always used the excuse that I had to wait for Cal to get older because Dante would NEVER do an activity like this. Now that Cal is older he is very much like his dad with little desire to actually spend time outside in the snow that he claims to love. Winter is his favorite time of the year.
Not the best way to start the week!
Monday after arriving home from work around 3:30, Dante said that he needed to get an order ready and run it to the post office. I told him to go ahead and I would start dinner. Cal also declined to ride along.
I started dinner and few moments later Dante appeared with a good-bye kiss and he was on his way.
The next sound I hear is the front door crashing open and Dante bursting through. I came out of the kitchen and asked him what was going on, I had no clue. He didn't answer me the first few times that I asked, because he was concentrating on calling 911. Finally he screamed that the car was on fire. I looked out and saw smoke coming from the hood of the car. It didn't look bad and it certainly didn't look on fire. I did notice a little fire underneath and assumed that is what he was talking about. I grabbed the pot of water that I had on the stove and threw it under the car. That was when I noticed the entire engine compartment was red with flames. Yep that pot of boiling water was like spitting on the fire.
Within minutes the entire engine was engulfed in flames. Both Cal and I had already changed into our PJ's for the day so I yelled to Cal to get changed and then we would need to get out because the car was parked very close to the house. By the time we changed and got back down stairs the fire was large enough that exiting through the front door was not possible.
We ran to the back door as Dante starting banging on the window for us to get out of the house - just in case. The Christmas tree blocked the back door so I grabbed it by the middle and laid it on the floor and Cal and I exited just as the police arrived.
The police officer started banging on the doors of our neighbors and made them leave their units. I guess Dante and I should have done that before but by that point no one was really in danger the cop was just being cautious.
The fire department arrived a few moments later and put the fire out. The car is obviously totaled and now the fight with the insurance begins. As I type this the car is still sitting in front of our unit, stinking to high heaven. I called the insurance company yesterday and told them that it needed to be gone by time I got home from work because the smell was making me nauseous and giving me a headache. I don't think they really gave a hoot.
Dante mentioned that they called back and said "maybe" Friday. I love being at the mercy of these people. They have no trouble collecting my premiums each month, but when I need them they suddenly have trouble with the simplest requests. If this fire had been in front of a store would they have left the car that for five days, I doubt it. I have had insurance with this company for almost my entire adult life with only one small claim over ten years ago.
Now we wait to see how little they will give us for the van. I am just praying it is enough to actually get a replacement but I worry that they will low-ball us and we will be up a creek.
I will update you when this is all over and let you know just how "on my side" the insurance company is being.
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