Hmmmmm. Is this a sign of things to come? Boris, a structural engineer, came highly recommended to us by our contractor, Rafael. So far, we have received three phone calls and one visit. Oh yes, and a quote for $2000.00 to draw up plans for our new stairs. Of the three phone calls, two were to make arrangements for him to come and make some measurements. Each of those times, schedules were cleared, huge chunks of time were made wide open, and asses got sore sitting around waiting for this guy to show up. And show up he never did. Not a phone call. Not a word. What the hell is this? This guy's gotta be kidding me. He's holding up the entire production. So, Mr. Donaghy placed one very firm and unhappy phone call to Rafael and, lo and behold, guess who showed up today to make measurements?
While I am happy he did so, I am still nervous that this appearance is ghostly at best. Yes, he showed up today but will he really make the plans and deliver? Idiots. I am surrounded by frigging idiots.
By the by, I got shitfaced on Sunday night for Diana's Birthday. It was truly needed and I don't regret any giggly or hungover second whatsoever.
P.S. I won at PeeWee Golf AND Bowling!!! Take that Boris!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Fire
The whole of Southern California is ablaze. Mr. Donaghy said it right when he said the "sky has a creepy apocolyptic orange glow". For the past couple of days, we've noticed a layer of ashes on the cars and yesterday afternoon, I noticed four ashes fall to the ground right in front of me. Fire terrifies me. This is the second major wildfire of the year. I cannot watch the news anymore and see people in shock about the loss of their homes. Thankfully, the news is subsiding today and I hope that the fires are as well. It's hot outside. Damn near 95 degrees in the shade. Mr. Donaghy is sick and hacking up a lung. Great. Mucus and ash are proving to make a dandy combo.
On another note, WE HAVE A ROOF!!! We can finally look foward to what will hopefully be a very wet and rainy winter since we replaced the old leaky roof. PLUS, we are nearing the final phase of upgrading our HVAC system. The AC ductwork has been installed and we are waiting for a new set of stairs to go in so we can finish the furnace ductwork. Hooray!!! I won't melt next summer...altho, I am melting now. Our electrical panel was upgraded yesterday so we no longer have to use our electronics in phases. Our little house, built in 1911, is getting 106 years young!! On Sunday, the structural engineer is coming to to measurements so he can start drawing up plans to create a new set of stairs. The stairs will be the most exciting phase of the remodel as it will completely change the entire feel of the house. Be gone you dark and dreary hallways!
The garden is looking spectacular beneath the orange glow. It's unfortunate but true. I dethatched the lawn this morning. I just think of it as combing the hairs of the lawn. So many mangy tangles!!
On another note, WE HAVE A ROOF!!! We can finally look foward to what will hopefully be a very wet and rainy winter since we replaced the old leaky roof. PLUS, we are nearing the final phase of upgrading our HVAC system. The AC ductwork has been installed and we are waiting for a new set of stairs to go in so we can finish the furnace ductwork. Hooray!!! I won't melt next summer...altho, I am melting now. Our electrical panel was upgraded yesterday so we no longer have to use our electronics in phases. Our little house, built in 1911, is getting 106 years young!! On Sunday, the structural engineer is coming to to measurements so he can start drawing up plans to create a new set of stairs. The stairs will be the most exciting phase of the remodel as it will completely change the entire feel of the house. Be gone you dark and dreary hallways!
The garden is looking spectacular beneath the orange glow. It's unfortunate but true. I dethatched the lawn this morning. I just think of it as combing the hairs of the lawn. So many mangy tangles!!
Monday, October 8, 2007
All Was Lost
Ah, the troubles with technology. My computer crashed and I lost everything that was on it. All the photos of my family in Indiana, all the photos of Mr. Donaghy and I, and all the photos of my life for the past 3 or 4 years. When I got the news that everything was lost, I was shocked that I was completely okay with that. It's as though the house caught fire (p.s. my worst fear ever) and I lost "things". I figured I lived just fine before these "things" were in existence and I imagine that I could keep living pretending they never existed.
Met with another contractor today. He quoted an outrageous price. Well, not really but I can't afford what he proposed. I told him that I would think about it and then proceeded to spend the next 30 minutes reminding him that I would, indeed, think about it as he began to tell me all the reasons why I should be careful and pick him. I was irritated when he asked me if I was serious about having work done to the house. AM I SERIOUS!!! No, buddy, are you serious? Oh Yes!!! I love scrambling around the house making sure everything is clean and tidy so the person coming over does not think we are slobs. I love spending three hours with a total stanger in my house showing him every room knowing that I am standing in front of the drawer with all my panties and jewery and hoping they don't have x-ray vision. Hmmmm. The pleasures of being an adult and dealing with this *!@%.
The bright spot of the day was the many pink buds I've been noting on my rose bushes. I dare say they are about to explode. Pictures to follow.
There are a few patients in the hospital that I have taken care of and I cannot seem to get them out of my mind. I think that I am softening in my old age and I really have prayed to God that he take good care of them. I do not dare ask Him to cure them...it would be heartbreaking if they weren't. I've only asked Him to please take care of them and make sure that they do not suffer. Alas, I am hoping that soon, I can leave work at the hospital. It's not that I don't like it. I just don't love it anymore. It hurts a bit when you try hard to save someone's life and it all goes to shit just because it has to. I am weary that's all. Just weary.
Met with another contractor today. He quoted an outrageous price. Well, not really but I can't afford what he proposed. I told him that I would think about it and then proceeded to spend the next 30 minutes reminding him that I would, indeed, think about it as he began to tell me all the reasons why I should be careful and pick him. I was irritated when he asked me if I was serious about having work done to the house. AM I SERIOUS!!! No, buddy, are you serious? Oh Yes!!! I love scrambling around the house making sure everything is clean and tidy so the person coming over does not think we are slobs. I love spending three hours with a total stanger in my house showing him every room knowing that I am standing in front of the drawer with all my panties and jewery and hoping they don't have x-ray vision. Hmmmm. The pleasures of being an adult and dealing with this *!@%.
The bright spot of the day was the many pink buds I've been noting on my rose bushes. I dare say they are about to explode. Pictures to follow.
There are a few patients in the hospital that I have taken care of and I cannot seem to get them out of my mind. I think that I am softening in my old age and I really have prayed to God that he take good care of them. I do not dare ask Him to cure them...it would be heartbreaking if they weren't. I've only asked Him to please take care of them and make sure that they do not suffer. Alas, I am hoping that soon, I can leave work at the hospital. It's not that I don't like it. I just don't love it anymore. It hurts a bit when you try hard to save someone's life and it all goes to shit just because it has to. I am weary that's all. Just weary.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Knock it Down!!!!
Belive it or not, this is a hallway in my house. This hallway takes you to three different places: the bedrooms, the living room and the kitchen. So dark, so scary.
This set of stairs takes you to the kitchen.
This is where we are supposed to eat? Does this eating nook know how big my brother is? How is he supposed to eat in such a small place?
Cocina de la familia Keaton...remember Family Ties? Yeah, I remember it everyday when I'm in this kitchen.
My plan is to bust down the wall in that dark doldrum hallway and create a new staircase that lands right smack in the middle of the kitchen. The stairs that led to the kitchen would be busted out to make way for a larger eating area (informal dining room?) and everything in the kitchen will be replaced.
New cabinets--white
New countertop--black
New floor--white and black or gray tiles
New appliances plus a dishwasher...Please God Please!!!
New lighting--recessed and pendants
I am excited and frightened of this new endeavor. There was one contractor Mr. Donaghy and I really liked. So straightfoward and no nonsense. Good price as well. I hope I don't screw this up.
1 down and 14 to go
Ah, the mysteries of Homeland Security.
It appears that Homeland Security is on the ball in regards to our case. You see, Mr. Donaghy is a Canadian and since we've been married, we have applied for his Green Card. Our immigration attorney had advised us that the entire process could take 6 months to one year as the government agency has been bombarded with applications and like any true beauroracray, they like to take their sweet time making people wait. (Living life in the private sector is very much free and democratic. One is free to do as they please with minimal wait times. However, once one calls upon the government for anything, one feels like they are dealing with Big Brother and that can be very scary.) Believe me, I am not complaining because for some reason, our application has been pushed through in a very expediate manner. We filed on July 19th. We were told the fingerprinting would be done in three months and our interview could be anticipated for February 2008. Mr. Donaghy got fingerprinted on September 11th...one month early.
It appears that Homeland Security is on the ball in regards to our case. You see, Mr. Donaghy is a Canadian and since we've been married, we have applied for his Green Card. Our immigration attorney had advised us that the entire process could take 6 months to one year as the government agency has been bombarded with applications and like any true beauroracray, they like to take their sweet time making people wait. (Living life in the private sector is very much free and democratic. One is free to do as they please with minimal wait times. However, once one calls upon the government for anything, one feels like they are dealing with Big Brother and that can be very scary.) Believe me, I am not complaining because for some reason, our application has been pushed through in a very expediate manner. We filed on July 19th. We were told the fingerprinting would be done in three months and our interview could be anticipated for February 2008. Mr. Donaghy got fingerprinted on September 11th...one month early.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Back and Forth
This is Mr. Donaghy. He was up North with my brother and friend doing their favorite thing...car stuff. Was really nice to have the house all to myself. Kinda scary, though. This is not the best neighborhood. I know that the house is mine and that I have lived here for the past two years and, yet, at times, I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that I really do live here. I still have dreams about my little apartment on Willoughby and secretly wish I could just go back. I love that I have a garden here, but I also had one at the apartment. Albeit in containers. I love being married and I love my husband. I just wish I could go back and forth from my new life to my old one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRlvdmnD7nU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4oL-O5NoJ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdFVMEm9WLA
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