Kitchen Craziness

We have a new kitchen layout (similar to our most recent layout) and the biggest news - WE HAVE A NEW KITCHEN COMPANY. Yes, I was yelling there. I'm soooo excited I can't even begin to tell you!

The estimate came in today and it is a savings of $3000+. There are a couple changes and that is okay. If Cute Boy and I decide to upgrade which I'm not sure we will, it will be an additional $1000. Neither of us had a problem with the price that this second kitchen company came in at, even if it was the same amount as Crazy Kitchen Lady, we would be going with this new company.

Things are what they are in regards to the price of some things and then there are certain things we can't fathom paying the price. Our house was originally drawn up with a fireplace in the plans, but we've decided to let that one go by the wayside. I'm a little sad to thing there will not be a fireplace, but not sad enough that I'm going to push for the extra expense and the decorating issues with the limited space we'll have in the upper level of the house.

As much as I'm excited about this house, there are things that are not turning out quite how I planned, nor as Cute Boy planned either. The misrepresentation on the lot size really screwed us over and most any negative issue we're dealing with can be attributed to the lot size issue. It upsets us both a great deal, but once we signed off we were faced with no option of recourse, so it's forage ahead and deal with things to the best of your ability.

I hate looking at this house already in the context of when we sell it, although that is exactly how we are both looking at it. I will be looking at our financial issues with this house in 3 distinct categories:

1. Pay off any remaining debt
2. Save for a new lot/house
3. Save money to pay down the current mortgage

We met with the electrician today at the house. It was our first time inside and OMG is some parts of it ever small! I'm sad to admit I feel that way. On a positive note though, our windows and doors are installed. The black front door is incredible!! I love love love it! I will be heading back out on Thursday to get another picture. It is holy wow beautiful. That is one fight I'm glad I fought! I didn't get a 'good for you fighting for that one' from Cute Boy though. LOL I know he likes it, so I'm good with that!

I think that is all I have for now. Thanks for hanging in with the housing hell!

The Keepsake - Tess Gerritsen

For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten in the dusty basement of Boston's Crispin Museum. Now its sudden rediscovery by museum staff is both a major coup and an attention-grabbing mystery. Dubbed 'Madam X,' the mummy to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact' seems a ghoulish godsend for the financially struggling institution. But medical examiner Maura Isles soon discovers a macabre message hidden within the corpse' horrifying proof that this centuries-old relic is instead a modern-day murder victim.

To Maura and Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli, the forensic evidence is unmistakable, its implications terrifying. And when the grisly remains of yet another woman are found in the hidden recesses of the museum, it becomes chillingly clear that a maniac is at large and is now taunting them.

Archaeologist Josephine Pulcillo's blood runs cold when the killer's cryptic missives are discovered, and her darkest dread becomes real when the carefully preserved corpse of yet a third victim is left in her car like a gruesome offering or perhaps a ghastly promise of what's to come.

The twisted killer's familiarity with post-mortem rituals suggests to Maura and Jane that he may have scientific expertise in common with Josephine. Only Josephine knows that her stalker shares a knowledge even more personally terrifying: details of a dark secret she had thought forever buried.

Now Maura must summon her own dusty knowledge of ancient death traditions to unravel his twisted endgame. And when Josephine vanishes, Maura and Jane have precious little time to derail the Archaeology Killer before he adds another chilling piece to his monstrous collection.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Book #28 - I loved it! It was a gross read by times, but a very entertaining. I got a little bogged down (no pun intended to those that read and understand the play on words there), with the scientific content pertaining to Archaeological issues.

House Shopping Saga - Sit Down It's A Long One

Yesterday was a house filled day. A day after and my head is still reeling.

I'm working 6p-2am all this week, so it was an opportunity for Cute Boy and I to get something figured out with the house. It is fast approaching crunch time with us and our decisions and then it is up to the builders to bring it all together.

Yesterday went like this:
1. Money guy meeting
2. Bathroom decisions. Tubs, sinks, vanities, faucets, toilets and faucets
3. Fireplace shop - 2nd visit
4. Home/Lunch
5. Kitchen Part 1 and Kitchen Part 2

So, yesterday, I'm up at 8:30a after getting to bed at 2am. Thank the heavens for co-workers that relieve you a little early. We had a meeting with the money guy. I really like him, but I'm still somewhat worried and confused with the amount of money we'll be borrowing and how much of my current debt load I will be able to dump on the mortgage. This concerns me greatly and it is a mess of my own making! No one to blame but ME!!!!!

The next stop is Bathworks where we pick out our tubs, shower stall for the downstairs bathroom and the faucets, toilets and kitchen sinks. What a time this was. It was a relatively easy time to be honest. No control issues on the part of either Cute Boy or myself. It was all good. I learned a lot more about toilets and the way the work than I would have ever dreamed. Once explained by an expert, it all makes sense.

Cute Boy and I were able to scoop a black granite vanity for our en suite for $375.00 with the sink already built in. It was a clearance item. As soon as I saw it I loved it. We both compromised really well to get what we wanted out of our bathrooms and shower areas. We also found a black granite counter top for the main bathroom and the basement bathroom is going to have the same counter top as our kitchen counter.

The thing I find really funny about the bathroom decisions, is this is the one area I had some sort of idea in my head about what I wanted as far as colour. I wanted whites so that I could decorate in any way I wanted around the white and I wasn't committed to any one specific thing. Didn't turn out anything like I expected in my head. Funny how that happened. The only room with a mental picture and I'm no where near it.

The estimate came back on everything we ordered and we're only approximately $900 over budget. That was a good place to be. Everything is in stock even the over sized shower stall for the downstairs bathroom, so there will be no order delays. Smooth sailing so far.

Our next stop is the fireplace store, our second visit here. We decided on a fireplace, but the problem is deciding on a mantle set up. There was one there in the shop that we could have bought at a discount, floor model last one, but the colour isn't right. We bartered with the company to sand it down and re stain it for a fee, but they can't. That option is out. Cute Boy and I are back to our original thoughts of a very dark mantle with ceramic tiling around the fireplace. There is a set up in the store and it looks 100% better than I just described.

We go to lunch at Harvey's in the Home Depot so we can do some looking at things there. Too much to do and not enough time to do it. Nothing much decided there, so somewhat a waste of time.

We head home and Cute Boy gets a call from Derek, our contact with the building company. Awesome guy!!! You know the conversation is not going to go well when the Derek asks Cute Boy if he's sitting down. You would think he'd have seen so much he'd not be shocked by things like quotes - until now.

You see we've been having a hellish time with the custom kitchen company contact (owner's wife). Nice enough lady, not extremely helpful nor all that knowledgeable. Didn't garner a lot of confidence from either Cute Boy or myself. We tried to maintain a positive outlook, but at times it was near to impossible. Anyway, back to the point here.

Our kitchen estimate came in yesterday at 2x plus the amount we have in our allowance for our kitchen. I couldn't believe it. There are upgrades in the kitchen, I'll give you that, but $8000 worth of grades? I think not! This woman has to have been smoking a little too much funny stuff, I'm telling ya. I know the following things are upgrades - wine rack in the island, tandem (slow closing drawers) inserts, a shelf above the kitchen sink and shelves down the one side. She never mentioned the cabinetry finish we chose is an upgrade, not the height of the island.... nothing. She is absolutely clueless. There is no way we are using this company.

As soon as we got home from Home Depot, I was on the phone to another kitchen place that Derek recommended and within 15 minutes Cute Boy and I were in their shop with our drawings. It was a completely different feel and experience. I told the salesman we're looking for the recycling/garbage pull out track for under the counter and he says, "Oh, this?", and pulls out the drawer in front of me. The other woman had me searching Internet sites and measuring garbage cans/bins to see what size it was we were using. I could go on and on about the melodrama of this first kitchen place compared to the ease of this second place, but I'll not. I hope that this new kitchen estimate comes in under $15,000. I'm not sure what it'll be, but anything has to be better than the original quote. Keep your fingers crossed, will ya?

The gentleman at the second kitchen design shop had hoped to have our drawings done by the weekend, but since it was 3:30-4pm Thursday, that Cute Boy and I dropped them off, I don't expect them until sometime Monday.

Monday morning we have a meeting with the plumber and the electrician to discuss plug positions and outlet connections. Oh fun!

Things are really moving along and I'm feeling much better - thankfully! It is getting a little bit exciting and that is really saying something considering the fiasco of the kitchen.

I'll keep you posted on how kitchen place #2 comes in with their quote.

You're a trooper if you've made it through all this!

Week 6 - Flashing and Shingling

Here is the current state of our house. Things are really starting to move forward. The weather has been cooperative, other than Tuesday of this week. We now have a full roof and the back part is more shingle covered than the front. Pretty much what you see there is the flashing.

Cute Boy took the picture and in his little boy mind he just had to get a good shot of the port-a-potty. Seriously? It amazes me how a man can be a complete grown up one minute and in the very next be that of a 5 year old. It was a hilarious moment though. I must admit.

Next week's job list includes windows and siding. That will super exciting, eh!

Enchanted Fairy - 30 hours

At the start of this rotation - 25 hours


And, after. Currently sitting at 30 hours.

I thought I had a mistake up where the brighter colours meet the Ecru, now I'm not so sure. I counted from a spot I knew was correct and filled in and up to find the mistake. Have yet to find it and things are lining up properly. I'm going to concentrate on filling in the blank spots my next rotation.

I'm so excited to be posting WIP pics again. I'm putting these 6p-2am shifts to good use this week! Yaaaaaaa.

As always, thanks for looking.

The Mercedes Coffin - Faye Kellerman

Book 17 in the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series

A novel by
Faye Kellerman

Billionaire genius Genoa Greeves never got over the shocking death of her favorite teacher, Bennett "Dr. Ben" Alston Little, murdered execution-style and stuffed into the trunk of his Mercedes-Benz. No arrests were ever made, no killer charged for the brutal crime. Fifteen years later, the high-tech CEO reads about another execution-style murder; this time the victim is a Hollywood music producer named Primo Ekerling. There is no obvious connection, but the case is eerily similar to Little's and Genoa feels the time is right to close Dr. Ben's case once and for all - offering the L.A.P.D. a substantial financial "incentive" if justice is finally served for Little.

Lieutenant Peter Decker resents having to commit valuable manpower to a fifteen-year-old open case simply because a rich woman says "Jump!" Still, the recent murder of Primo Ekerling does bear a disturbing resemblance to Little's case, even though two thug suspects are currently behind bars for the Ekerling murder. Decker can't help but wonder about a connection. His first phone calls are to the two primary investigators in the Little case, retired detectives Calvin Vitton and Arnie Lamar. Lamar is cooperative, but Vitton is not only reluctant to talk, he winds up dead of a suspicious suicide twelve hours later. Plunging into this long-buried murder, Decker discovers that even though the two slayings are separated by a decade and a half, there is still plenty of greed, lust, and evil to connect the dots.

Decker's team of top investigators not only includes his favorite homicide detectives, Scott Oliver and Marge Dunn, but also his newly minted Hollywood detective daughter, Cindy Kutiel, whose help proves to be invaluable. His wife, Rina Lazarus, continues to be his backbone of support, offering a cool, rational outlook despite her growing concern for her husband's welfare and safety. Rina's worries and fears begin to build at a fevered pitch as past and present collide with a vengeance, catapulting an unsuspecting Peter Decker closer and closer to the edge of an infinite dark abyss.

A relentlessly gripping tale spun by a master, Faye Kellerman's The Mercedes Coffin races through a dangerous urban world of fleeting fame and false dreams, making heart-pumping hairpin turns at each step of a terrifying journey, where truth and justice are fine lines between life and death.

~~~~~~~~~~
Book #27 - I found there were too many characters to keep it all straight. I'm going to switch up my authors for a bit. Things in this series are getting a bit too pat and perfect. I'm a sucker for a series so I know I'll be back. I'm a little disappointed in this one, is all.

The Wedding - Nicholas Sparks

The Wedding

(The second book in the Calhoun Family Saga series)

A novel by
Nicholas Sparks

After more than 20 years of marriage, Wilson Lewis, son-in-law of Allie and Noah Calhoun (of The Notebook) is forced to admit that the romance has gone out of his marriage. Desperate to win back his wife Jane's heart, he must figure out how to make her fall in love with him.again. Despite the shining example of Allie and Noah's marriage, Wilson is himself a man unable to easily express his emotions. A successful tax attorney, he has provided well for his family, but now, with his daughter's upcoming wedding and an impending empty nest, he is forced to face the fact that he and Jane have grown apart and he wonders if she even loves him anymore. Wilson is sure of one thing-his love for his wife has only deepened and intensified over the years. Now, with the memories of his in-laws' magnificent fifty- year love affair as his guide, Wilson struggles to find his own way back into the heart of the woman he adores.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Book # 26 - This was just want I expected and needed. I think it's what I needed. I could be wrong. Do men like this really exist? I wonder.

There was one point in this book that I was sobbing. I don't mean just tears rolling down my cheeks, but all out sobbing.

Wonderful heart lifting love story.

Wildflower Rhapsody - 60 hours

Checking in with another WIP update. As Cathey said after my last WIP update - She stitches!

I was able to hit another 5 hour block yesterday while sipping tea and doing more strenuous than pushing remote control buttons for television flicking. I would have liked to stitch longer, but the lighting in this condo is so poor I run out of good light rather quickly. It seems as though so many things are working against me.

I am working 6p-2a this coming week and that is a good stitching week, so I'm hoping I can get some progress on both pieces. I'm not holding my breath, so please don't you either.

I focused on the right side of the design this rotation. My goal for the next rotation is fill in the space to the right of the water jug.

Thanks so much for looking.

Word Verification

I've had to re-instate Word Verification due to the fact that spam commenters have inhabited my comment section again. It is annoying to live in an internet troll infested time. I hope this stops the stupidity.

Sorry.

Raising The Roof

Front view



Side view

As you can see, the house now has a portion of the roof. Things are moving along quite well at the moment. Lets hope the weather continues to cooperate with our builders.

I was home from work sick today, but still had some running around to do. Cute Boy and I figured it would be quick enough to pick out doors and knobs. Quick wasn't even the word. We were in and out in about 10 minutes. The doors are 6 panel Colonial with brushed black knobs. I'm really happy to say knobs, because Cute Boy and I were in disagreement about door hardware. He wanted levers, but I'm such a clutz that my large opening sleeves get caught on the levers and I end up wrenching my shoulder out or falling on my arse. Not fun! We decided on an upgrade of 5 3/4" base trim. It was the easiest decision yet.

I knew the house was an elevated bungalow, but I wasn't expecting 7 front steps. It was a bit of a shock, but one that I'm warming up to now. I've said to Cute Boy that is the opportunity for 7 Fall Mums! Oh, just imagine the colour! I can hardly wait.

I'm not sure what's up next in regards to this house, but hopefully today is the start of a positive stretch and not a stop over for more stress. Today was a very good day! Yaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

Mentally Sound Again

I've taken the time away to do some thinking and I must say it was the best thing I could do for myself and my relationship with Cute Boy.

The last couple weeks have been very stressful and emotionally challenging to say the least. I'm a worrier extraordinaire and not the most open with Cute Boy at times. The reticence I feel at times stems from past experience of being judged for being negative and fear of being accused of over sensitivity. I know I'm over sensitive and my hesitance to talk with Cute Boy isn't far to him to not communicate my fears and concerns.

He and I have talked a bit the last couple days and I'm so happy to feel on solid ground again. It's not always something he has done, but sometimes more the internal dialogue I have floating around in my damn head. He can't be held accountable for the things he's not aware of it I don't tell him. Hardly fair.

I find that we are still learning to live with each other. It has only been 2 months. As much as we've been dating 2 years, he never spent time at my house and now we are really seeing how the other person lives. To see how the other person lives, especially within the confines of this disgusting condo would be difficult, but factor in a newly joined living arrangement and life is not going to be pretty at all times. Step the stress factor up a notch, by building a house and you're talking about stress the likes I've never experienced ever before.

Some may know and others may not, but I live with a very romantic perfect view of my world. I don't live that life, but I want it. I want sweet kisses for no reason, I want thoughtful gestures just because it would make me smile. Sometimes I think my expectations of such things makes it near to impossible for Cute Boy to live up to what I imagine in my head. The pressure I live under and he's unaware is quite extreme. You'd have to be right out of a fairy tale for me to feel the 'awwwww' of it all. Again, hardly fair.

It has taken me the last few days to come to some of these conclusions. It is hard to admit my overly high expectations because I feel like the worlds biggest be-otch for my thoughts. For quite a few days I was filled with the most disgusting negative brain chatter. I was starting to not like myself all that much and it was being shared with those around me, but not the most important person in the equation - Cute Boy. Once again, not fair. How can he know I'm having issues, if I don't tell him?

The biggest lesson learned, this last little while, is to step back from a situation and not jump to a hasty conclusion. Today's actions could have a resounding affect on tomorrow's success. Don't act in a hasty manner. People you love deeply could be hurt by your rash judgements.

Enchanted Fairy - 25 hours

I'm home today because of Thanksgiving, and not feeling well, so I figured I'd put my down time to good use and do some stitching. I've hit another 5 hour block. I normally only post updates at 10 hour marks, but I no longer have the attention span to stick with something for 10 hours. Sad, eh.

I'm not 100% if there are mistakes in this or not, so I'm all over the map in regards to filling in and trying to determine if there is a mistake or not. It is making for a less enjoyable and relaxing stitch. I'm still really liking it though. The colours are so soft.

Thanks for looking.

Mental Update

I've taken a few days to be with my thoughts and try to process things. As much as I have taken the time I needed I'm no closer to a finding a better mental place. I'm feeling equally as despondent today as I was earlier in the week.

The fear still resides deep inside and the questions are screaming louder and louder. I don't want to come across as a total drama queen, but the mood is dire and the feelings are overwhelming. I'm trying to find the wonder in the little things although that is a difficult

There are heavy life altering events swirling around me that indirectly affect me. I'm trying to find the positive in these events, but if I've been challenged this would be the time! I do not want to stand in judgement, but I know myself and I know myself very well. I will struggle with this one for a very long time.

The house is progressing and I'm glad because that brings me one day closer to be finished. I am NOT having fun. The tear-filled moments of frustration far out number the moments of joy and happiness. If only I'd known...

I've been giving some thought these last few days about my life and how I live it. I worry a great deal about Princess and her health. I don't do right by her with her food decisions (vegetarian), so I've decided to try and help her eat better, I'm going to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle myself. I'm not doing it for any reason other than ease of food preparation and concern for Princess. I like meat and will miss it some times, but I want to do everything I can for her, and if giving up meat is something that may help, I will. There are many days that I will be eating without her, so I can choose meat meals then, but right now I think this is the best decision for us both. She's excited about it. That right there is payoff enough.

I know my countdown for joining Weight Watcher's is this coming Friday, but I just can not do it right now. I'm financially stretched to the limit. That small fact of life is probably not helping in the grand scheme of my deteriorating sanity. I'm trying to make healthy choices and they are paying off because the scale is going down. I had a successful food weekend at Cute Boy's sister's Thanksgiving dinner. I didn't over do it and only had 3 glasses of wine and a ceasar. That wasn't all in one sitting, but over the course of several hours. It was a good food weekend for me!

I think that's all! I'm hoping to be back to normal sooner rather than later.

Love you bunches.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

May your weekend find you with those you love and hold dear to your heart. May this day (weekend) enable you to find good in your world and be thankful for the blessings of your every day.

Stepping Back From The Ledge

My mind is heavy. My heart is heavier.

I'm not sure the words that will hit the screen will make much sense, but I need an outlet and since this is the only diary of sorts that I have, here is where it will be. I'm not looking for or expecting replies and all sorts of "you'll be okay" kind of comments. I don't know what I expect to accomplish, but need to unburden my head before I run full on into a breakdown.

I'm going to take some time away from my blog. It's not a big stretch that I do since I'm barely here anymore. My life is nuts and I'm not having fun. Mentally I'm in a really bad place (some have seen it before) and I'm not sure how to deal with it this time around.

I laid awake in bed for a long time this morning and came to the conclusion that I'm in a bad place. I struggle with the words to better state how I'm feeling. I'm on the verge of tears most every minute of my days lately. I feel hopeless and lost. Scared and annoyed all the time anymore. I have no time for me and I'm entertaining the idea of hitting the gym (which I did on Monday) and I'm about to hand out a resume for a part time job this afternoon. I know I don't have the time for these things, but I'm searching for something. What is the something? I don't know. That is the lost feeling I'm talking about. Is it my age? Is it my change of life oncoming?Don't even get me started on that one. I'm sitting here with the biggest lump in my throat. The tears are welcome, but they will not come. Why is that? Is it because I'll start and never stop?

I try extremely hard to not live in the yesterday state of mind. Regretting things you've done and can not change is something I've come to terms with in regards to many areas of my life. I find more than not I'm questioning my life decisions. Why did you do this? Why did you do that? What if you'd done this instead of that? Where would you be if?..... That is dangerous and in my opinion, underminds my decision making and questions my judgement. I hate when others question my judgement so I don't want to start judging myself.

I've suffered through 3 bouts of depression in my life. I'm very intuned to the workings of my body and mind. I pay close attention to my moods, feelings and the tiny and not so tiny tinges pain of my body. That being said, I don't think I'm in the early stages of depression, but something is up. I'm scared to delve very much deeper.

I mentioned that I'm looking at applying for a part time job. I'm handing a resume in to Micheal's this afternoon for seasonal work. I'm full time at my 'real' job so I'm available to work weekends at a part time job. I also work 1 week days, 1 week evenings, so I'm hoping that will be something that can be worked around. I know my life with be entirely comprised of work work work. It is better to work work work than to be unable to keep up with my financial life.


I hope I'm able to sort my head out sooner, but until I do, I'm taking a break. I will be posting books read and any stitching pics I have to share, but other than that I'm laying a little low.
Know I will be thinking of you all and missing you more than you can ever know!
Love you,

~TT

Gaga Gaga For Garage

Another installment in the house building saga. I've not gotten in to all the drama really, just know it's all around. Here is the Week 3 progress shot. That would be the basement window you see to the left and the garage door openings to the right.

You may notice the garage door openings are different sizes. That would be because they are! With the situation of our lot being smaller than we were advised when we bought and signed the paperwork, we've had to size down our house to fit the lot. One of the places easiest to slim down was the garage. The shrinking of the house on the inside is making for a very interesting life for Cute Boy and myself. It is not fun and not something I would wish on anyone.

That is all I have for now. I'm sorry there are no stitching updates lately, but this house is all consuming right now. I'm working 2-10's next Tuesday - Friday, so I'm hoping to have something to show for my week. It wont be much. Maybe 5 hours or a bit more.

Happy days to you all!

Love you.

Comfort Food - Kate Jacobs

Shortly before turning the big 5-0, boisterous party planner and Cooking with Gusto! personality Augusta 'Gus'? Simpson finds herself planning a birthday party she'd rather not - her own. She's getting tired of being the hostess, the mother hen, the woman who has to plan her own birthday party. What she needs is time on her own with enough distance to give her loved ones the ingredients to put together successful lives without her.

Assisted by a handsome up-and-coming chef, Oliver, Gus invites a select group to take an on-air cooking class. But instead of just preaching to the foodie masses, she will teach regular people how to make rich, sensuous meals - real people making real food. Gus decides to bring a vibrant cast of friends and family on the program: Sabrina, her fickle daughter; Troy, Sabrina's ex-husband; Anna, Gus's timid neighbor; and Carmen, Gus's pompous and beautiful competitor at the Cooking Channel. And when she begins to have more than collegial feelings for her sous-chef, Gus realizes that she might be able to rejuvenate not just her professional life, but her personal life as well. . . .

~~~~~~~~~~
Book #25 - WOW! WOW! This is an incredible book. I can't say enough about it. Enjoy!
Next Book - Mercedes Coffin - Faye Kellerman

October Yankee Stadium Distance Challenge

Since Daisy still needs to be walked, I will continue on with my quest even though I missed the personal goal I had wanted to hit as far as dates go. The date would be the last game at Yankee Stadium (don't want to talk about it). Here's to another month of happy feet!

Distance To Go - 250.12K

1 - .76
2 - .1.52
3 - .1.52
4 - .76
5 - 5.76
6 - 15.3
7
8
9
10 - .76
11 -1.60
12
13 - 5.52
14
15
16
17 - .76
18 - 1.56
19 - 2.28
20 - .76
21 - .76
22
23
24 - .76
25
26
27
28 - .76
29 - .76
30 - .76
31 - .76 (42.55)