Ye Olde Red Brick House

It's been one of those weeks... On Tuesday, I had a massive migraine, so stayed home from work. The wind was blowing 24 miles an hour all day so it felt good just to curl up on the couch and watch TV and read all day. Wednesday, I went back to work and got a lot of paperwork done. It's the end of our fiscal year this week, so there is so much to be done by this afternoon! I don't mind though, because time goes by really fast when I'm too busy to look at the clock. Yesterday, I came home and started raking up sticks and leaves again. My huge oak tree loses a lot of branches & the winds the other day left a lot of debris in my yard. I filled up 2 whole waste barrels, and my yard looks fab again. :) Off to work... everyone have a lovely Friday!

I can't find a lot of my decorations, so I made due with the ones I bought from Michaels Crafts. But... next year, I will go all out! I need more pumpkins! :)

And I can go to work knowing I only live in one place! The rental is all clean and ready for the key to be turned in. Which I'm not going to do quite yet... It was an extremely busy weekend and I feel the urge to just be lazy for a few nights... but I won't. Last night I was up until 10:30 doing laundry and putting away clothes. I am so happy that I'm completely in my new house. My oldest daughter and I even put out the Halloween & Fall decorations on the porch yesterday. (Will take photos this afternoon) Two neighbors came over to introduce themselves. (Wish I wouldn't have looked like crap) I know I'm going to love this neighborhood. I've already met 4 neighbors since I started moving in. I lived in the rental for a year and a half and only met 2 neighbors and they were loud & partied all the time. I finally found home .

My oldest daughter and I went over to the rental first thing this morning. We brought over 6 loads of garage stuff. The entire house and garage are empty now! Tomorrow is all about cleaning it up so I can get some of my $950 deposit back. It will be so nice to concentrate on only this house for a change. I was on the Live Chat with Comcast for an hour and a half last night. The only thing that got accomplished is that they are saying I didn't order Internet, and that I haven't asked for my previous service to be disconnected. I printed out my 'request for service' after I submitted it on October 16 th , so I know for a fact that I did order Internet, and request that my old service be turned off. After an hour and a half I was still told that I still have to call Comcast to arrange for them to turn off my service and pick up my extra cable box. That is another hour of my life I'll never get back. I am so thoroughly frustrated with them. Never in my life has it ...

Yesterday, my oldest daughter & I started cleaning the rental. I was only in it for about a year and a half, so nothing major to clean. We got two complete rooms & one bathroom finished! Tonight we are taking a break and are going to the movies to see Law Abiding Citizen . I love Gerard Butler, so it will be interesting to see him playing a bad guy. Then Saturday, my daughter & I will go back to the rental & clean the rest of the house & move the containers in the garage over here. I can't wait until I can turn in my keys and just put all of my energy into this house. Load 41: 2 wood file cabinets & misc I didn't want to get out of bed this morning. Then I remembered it's Friday, finally!

I am beginning to think that I'll never finish with moving. Granted, I am only bringing over 1 load an evening and then putting it away... but it is tiring. Last night I hauled over 10 boxes of hardback books. Ouch. I'm still not done bringing over my antique book collection... about 5 more boxes. Load 38: Kitchen items Load 39: Hall closet, spare bathroom, kitchen items Load 40: 10 boxes of books In other news. I hate Comcast . Pick that up google search engine. On Tuesday, I left work 3 hours early to meet the Comcast tech here at the house. I ask him if he's disconnecting my old service as well. 'no, you need to call them' So, I did, for an hour with no answer given to me about my old service. He was going to give me a phone number to call, but became mysteriously disconnected before we finished the phone call. I ask the tech if my computer has to be within reach of my tv since I'm only getting basic service and don't know if he's using a...

I actually worked on my new lawn for 3 1/2 hours! I raked enough sticks to fill 1 whole recycle barrel and 2 whole trash barrels. Mowed, trimmed & pulled up dead bushes. It actually looks quite decent! Time to do some laundry, try to organize my room & eat before I pass out. It's been very busy today, but I'm happy I'm making progress. News! I came back from the other house around 3:00 pm and the realtor code box & the For Sale sign were actually gone from my new house! About darn time... it's been 18 days!

It has been a busy day and it's barely 3:00 pm. I am so exhausted and just want to take a shower & crawl into bed. First thing this morning I went to OSH and bought a new shower head. I wanted to pick up a new Black & Decker 18V drill but could not find the masonry drill bits anywhere. Since not one salesperson was within sight, I passed on the $80 expense for today. After that, I went over to the rental & spent a few hours cleaning and putting more stuff into boxes. You know those last few boxes that all the leftover junk goes into? Well, there is about 5 more boxes of that stuff to be packed. Plus, I started packing up my books. I have about 10 boxes of books to bring over... but not today as my back hurts. I mowed the lawn, trimmed the edges and blew away the leaves at the rental. That took about two hours. I wish I had enough energy to do yard work at the new house as well. The storm we had the other day brought down a gazillion more sticks and branches to be raked...

Yesterday was crazy busy non-stop (but what day isn't anymore?) While waiting for my co-workers to show up, I loaded the SUV: 2 t.v.'s, VCR , cable equipment, all the couch pillows, etc. Load 27: Electronics & couch pillows My co-worker & friend, DB, showed up about 8:30 am and got the Malibu jump started as it died from sitting so long with inactivity. I let it run while we loaded up his truck. Load 28 - 29: furniture The Boss showed up and we brought: Load 30 - 32: furniture Load 33: twin bed went to daughters Load 34: King size bed came to mama Load 35: washer & dryer ( yay !) The Boss had to leave for a Fresno State game. I went & picked up lunch. DB & I sat on the front porch & ate our lunch & it was awesome. There was a nice cool breeze blowing & we sat there imagining what it must of been like 100 years ago. He tried unsuccessfully to remove that darn realtor code box from the door. (I sent a not-so-nice email to the owner of the real es...

I don't know when I'm going to be able to post photos again, as Comcast is being difficult. I called during two of my 15 minute breaks yesterday to try and schedule an appointment for installation. They already have the new account information, because I did that yesterday morning. The problem is that their "system is having difficulty and they are unable to make appointments right now." Well... I go to my new house last night to check the mail and guess what's on my door? A note from Comcast saying "sorry we missed you, please call 1-800...." Are they serious? After being online for 1 1/2 hours, and two other phone calls, they show up without calling me first. Grrrr At least I can use my laptop at my new house. It picks up the free wireless from the library, how cool is that? I've been up since 5:30 am. I'm moving all of my furniture into the living room so my co-workers can help me move today. Can you believe my boss helps me move? lol He help...

I work in the customer service field, so I know how important it is to not make people wait forever when they need service. I was just online with Comcast for one hour and 15 minutes and I have an existing service ! I signed up for everything I wanted and then to finish the process, I had to chat live with a representative. OMG , I gave him my account number and he kept asking the same questions over and over again. I put on my makeup at my computer desk. Lovely. Off to work... T.G.I.F.

On Tuesday, it actually rained here; a lot. We rarely get rain, and it was much needed. After moving one load, I spent the rest of the evening being a lazy slug. Load 23: desk items On Wednesday, had my daughter over for pizza & cookies & cream pie. We celebrated her 26th birthday a day early, since I needed to buy my hot water heater today. Today, it was straight to Lowe's after work to buy my 40 gallon hot water heater, lines, & gas valve. That sucker was heavy, but with my daughters help, we got it into the house! After I took her home, I got a few more loads over. Load 24: 1/2 load ~ storage room Load 25: 1/2 load ~ bedroom closet The birthday girl! She loves polka dots, so I got her a quilt, sheet set & pillows. Also, a cute pink jewelry box. :)

My daughter called me earlier to chat. At the time, I was going through paperwork & tossing what I don't need to move. Fast forward to 10:00 and I am frantically searching for my cell phone. I finally found it. In the blue recycle bin. Outside. It's time for bed.

I worked on Jewell's room for a few more hours today. I have decided that I'm too tired to paint the door, window trims and closet door; hence the blue tape you see in the photos. That will just have to be a job after I've moved completely in. I went and picked up Jewell & her mommy so I could do the big reveal. Jewell kept walking around in circles trying to take it all in. It was so adorable & worth every minute my daughter & I put into it. her birthday dress (that she never wore, lol) a happy little princess I painted this little vanity for her :) what shall I play with next grandma?

Jewell's bedroom walls are made of cement or something, because it is extremely impossible to hammer a nail in. I found this out the hard way. I swung at the nail and the hammer bounced & hit my finger. *ouch!* I'm sure it's going to look a lot worse tomorrow. another battle wound and another

Here ya go Jodi, here's the pics of Sasha's haircut... since it's wet in the 1st pic, you can't really tell how fried the ends were. Before After ~ she LOVES it!

I was up bright and early at 7:00 am. Packed a few more boxes & my daughter and I took over a few more loads. Load 19 - 21: Storage room Load 22: Living room About 10 am, we started painting some more of Jewells room. My daughter had enough by noon, so I took her home to get some rest. I continued working on Jewells room until 8:30 pm! I got most of it done, so here's a little peak... will show more when it's completely done. :) Her castle that takes almost an entire wall. Reminder, I am not an artist and don't claim to be. lol The castle however, is my own design. :)

So little time. On Friday, my daughter and I moved over a few more loads. Load 12: Craft room Load 13: Craft room Then we painted Jewell's room until 11:30 pm. It's going to be so bright and very Disney, can't wait to show photos. :) Saturday morning, we were up bright and early. Took over some more loads. Load 14 - 18: Storage room After that, we both took showers and headed to the mall. I gave her $100 to spend for her birthday, and we both got haircuts & had lunch. I found some really good draperies for my bedroom, at Ross of all places. I really love the shabby chic style, but Target no longer has the curtains I love. But, I found some pink striped curtains at Ross for $9.99 a package, which includes 2 panels. I walked out of Ross with about 6 bags full of wooden shoe racks, Welcome Friends sign, pillows, photo frames, etc. It was a lot of fun buying things for the house that isn't at Home Depot, Lowe's or OSH . Time flies when your having fun... soon it was...

Yesterday, I received a call from my current landlord. They are showing my rental between 3:00 - 4:00 pm today. I did look it up and found several California laws that state this: The landlord also has the right to make an appointment with you to show potential buyers the property to potential renters if you are leaving or being evicted. The landlord must provide you with a twenty-four hour notice before entering to conduct normal business, and it must be during normal business hours, not in the middle of the night. I totally did not know that. Since the person who phoned me is also the person who sent me the paperwork regarding the final walk-through, I figured I better play nice. $950 deposit is a lot, and if I have to allow strangers into my house for the next few weeks, I'll just deal. So... as soon as I got home from work, I hurried up and mowed the back yard (there is very little grassy areas, but it was high). Then I cleaned like a madwoman on a mission. The house looks real...

Despite a stiff & sore neck, I managed to do the following after work: Load 11: Closet stuff; purses, shoes, suitcases, etc. I also cleaned out the new garage, which had a gazillion cobwebs, cat poop, trash, etc. It looks good now!! Then, since I hadn't inhaled quite enough dirt yet, I started working on the yard. I raked up about 20 piles of leaves & sticks from my HUGE old oak trees (I loooove my trees!) I filled my green waste barrel within about 20 minutes, so will have to go back and fill up black lawn bags tomorrow. By then it was dark. So, I hung up my bathroom curtains & shower curtain. I then decided I was way too dirty and grimey to continue doing anything in the new house. Oh, while I was there, the Listing Agents kid came & installed my smoke alarms. It was quite funny actually. I had told my realtor quite adamantly that the seller had agreed to bring the smoke alarms up to code. She kept telling me that the Listing Agent insisted that they didn't ne...

Monday, I went to Target for a door knob so my current realtor doesn't come in my rental while I'm at work. I spent the next 2 hours trying to put it on. I've never been good at door knobs. It looks so easy, but I'm door knob dumb . After that, I was too frustrated & tired to do anything. So I didn't. Tuesday, I had to try and find a retirement gift for one of my bosses. This is a daunting task. Isn't there anything out there that doesn't just say over the hill ? I thought for sure Hallmark would have something. Nope. Went to Michael's Crafts, nothing there either. Then to Marshall's . Nothing. Finally gave up. Went and picked up daughter and baby, came back to rental. Loaded up of my DVDs and VHS tapes. I am definitely not one of those people who can load up one vehicle and move across state lines... my movies filled an entire SUV . Then we headed over to the new house. The code lock thing is still on my doors. Have I mentioned how frustratin...

I live in a rental. I just gave my 30 day notice to vacate the premises on October 2, Friday. I have 27 more days to live here... and the real estate agency I rent through is already placing a sign in my front yard. I went out and told the man 'I don't want anyone coming in my house until I am completely out'. He told me 'the real estate office has the right to show the house as long as they let you know ahead of time'. Ummm , what?! I need to find my rental agreement (in all this mess?) and see if there is anything written on it regarding the right to show my house while I'm still living in it . Maybe I should make it good and messy, that way they will be too embarrassed to show it again. lol

Updated post ~ with photos! I'm sooo sorry bloggy friends, but life has been extremely hectic since I got off of work Friday. Since my oldest daughter wanted to help, but didn't have a babysitter until 7:30, we went and did some shopping. First, we went to K-Mart so I could pick out my refrigerator and stove. The guy who helped us was extremely nice but not very good at his job. He had to start my order over 3 times as he kept forgetting to put in things as I told him. (Gas, not electric ~ Sunday delivery, not Monday, etc.) The stove is in black and White and a Frigidaire. The refrigerator is black Kenmore. I would have preferred both items to be Frigidaire, but no such luck. They both came as requested! I love them! Jewell approves too! Then we went and did more shopping (after dropping $1300 in one hour). I needed curtains for just about the entire house, and I know occasionally there are good ones at 'Factory 2 U'. Usually, I won't step foot in that store becau...

I didn't get a whole lot done after work. I had good intentions though, if that counts. One of my work friends came over to cap the line on the hot water heater. (I still haven't bought a new one; that is one of the weekend projects.) He also checked my front door to see why I cannot open it. It appears to be the latch on the dead bolt getting stuck. So, for now I'm not going to use the dead bolt. One of my other work friends also stopped by to see the house. And the neighbors across the street asked if they could see inside. I don't mind showing the house, but I feel like telling them " ok , now you've seen it, now scoot so I can get some work done" lol (I had a random stranger come and ask to see the inside of my house yesterday as well) I did manage to wash all of the windows on the outside though! That is a major accomplishment as they were all cobwebbed & dirty. I started using the heat gun to remove paint, but set off the smoke alarm. ...