Hi all! Candice, Steph and I returned safe and sound, though a good 12 hours later than expected. I had a fantastic time, and am just so grateful for the two of them planning pretty much the whole trip!
More details to come, I promise!
Sunday, August 3
Thursday, July 31
A Little Splicing Goes a Long Way
To keep you all entertained while I'm away in Las Vegas meeting crazy creatures of all shapes and sizes, I have a few interesting movie trailers:
First:
Surprising, eh? Considering this is one of the most family-friendly and cheerful movies of all time.
Second:
I've never seen the movie in it's entirety, but I'm pretty sure it is NOT what is being advertised here!
Just thought it interesting that it's possible to take key scenes from these movies and make them appear to be their exact opposites!
And just because I'm freakishly excited about the movie, and that we finally have a trailer:
Laters!
First:
Surprising, eh? Considering this is one of the most family-friendly and cheerful movies of all time.
Second:
I've never seen the movie in it's entirety, but I'm pretty sure it is NOT what is being advertised here!
Just thought it interesting that it's possible to take key scenes from these movies and make them appear to be their exact opposites!
And just because I'm freakishly excited about the movie, and that we finally have a trailer:
Laters!
I'm a Saver
I started looking for a condo way back in March. Before I started looking, I thought it would be a good idea to get pre-approved for a loan and find out how much I can actually afford. The loan officer told me to bring in my two most recent paystubs and my most recent bank statements. When he saw my savings account, his eyes got really big and he exclaimed, "Wow! You're a saver!"
Yeah... I'm one of those. I like to hoard my money so I have it when I need it -- I don't even need a goal, I just like to the numbers go up and up. And then, when I want to go to the Carribean, or spend a bunch on new shoes, or buy a new VCR I don't have to worry -- I know I have it. It's allowed me to be very lazy in regards to my money. Well, that, and the fact that I've been living at my parents' house, so I haven't had to worry about rent or the rest of those utilities.
Meanwhile, I'm paying a bit more for the condo than I anticipated, and have been awake late a couple of nights thinking about closing costs, of all things. Today I sent in my updated information to the loan officer, and told him I want to pay the closing costs separate from the rest of the loan. I want to keep my monthly payments as low as possible, and the less I have to pay off, the better, right? He confirmed that means I'll be bringing a freakishly huge check to the closing (he told me the amount, but I feel embarrassed posting that here). Seriously, who has that kind of money in the bank? Oh, yeah, me. Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for letting me stay with you so I could save all that up. I love my future home, and am thrilled I can afford it!
I guess the hardest thing about this home-buying deal for me is knowing that the huge chunk of money I've been saving will be gone and I will likely never have that kind of cash again. So now I'll have to get used to living on a budget again, saving for fun trips and clothes and home-improvement projects, and prioritizing which of those things is most important to me.
Whoa. I guess that's what being a grown up is all about.
(Having said that, what with this being my 21st post in July, and Steph and Candice and I flying to Las Vegas tonight, I just want to say "Blackjack!" I win!)
Yeah... I'm one of those. I like to hoard my money so I have it when I need it -- I don't even need a goal, I just like to the numbers go up and up. And then, when I want to go to the Carribean, or spend a bunch on new shoes, or buy a new VCR I don't have to worry -- I know I have it. It's allowed me to be very lazy in regards to my money. Well, that, and the fact that I've been living at my parents' house, so I haven't had to worry about rent or the rest of those utilities.
Meanwhile, I'm paying a bit more for the condo than I anticipated, and have been awake late a couple of nights thinking about closing costs, of all things. Today I sent in my updated information to the loan officer, and told him I want to pay the closing costs separate from the rest of the loan. I want to keep my monthly payments as low as possible, and the less I have to pay off, the better, right? He confirmed that means I'll be bringing a freakishly huge check to the closing (he told me the amount, but I feel embarrassed posting that here). Seriously, who has that kind of money in the bank? Oh, yeah, me. Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for letting me stay with you so I could save all that up. I love my future home, and am thrilled I can afford it!
I guess the hardest thing about this home-buying deal for me is knowing that the huge chunk of money I've been saving will be gone and I will likely never have that kind of cash again. So now I'll have to get used to living on a budget again, saving for fun trips and clothes and home-improvement projects, and prioritizing which of those things is most important to me.
Whoa. I guess that's what being a grown up is all about.
(Having said that, what with this being my 21st post in July, and Steph and Candice and I flying to Las Vegas tonight, I just want to say "Blackjack!" I win!)
Tuesday, July 29
A Line Dance Class
Last night, I taught my mom's friends to line dance.
Let me back up: My mom, her three closest friends, and all four of their husbands get together once a month for a "dinner group". They each take turns hosting. My mom's been planning the July party for a good three months, and decided to go with a Western theme. She had my dad and my brother find the old bebe gun and drink soda so they'd have cans to shoot, she pulled the rocking horse out of storage so they could take turns lassoing it, and spent quite a bit of time creating a quiz on cowboy terms and pop-culture cowboys and sidekicks. She even bought bandanas for everyone.
She asked me two months ago if I would be willing to teach her friends to line dance. I said "No." She kept asking every couple of weeks, but I really, really didn't want to do it. For one thing, I can only ever remember one line dance (the Boot Scootin' Boogie), for another I don't like being in front of an audience when I don't have a script I've been rehearsing for two months. I haven't taught a class like that in about 10 years and I was afraid Mom's friends would think it was lame, and by extension that I am lame.
Last Saturday, Mom asked what she'd have to promise me to get me to do it. I felt more than a little bratty at that point. Apparently it meant enough to her to try to bribe me, and goodness knows I've made her do plenty of things she didn't necessarily want to, so I said "Okay". I just asked her to make sure she had the music. If I asked for something else, I don't remember what it was.
I admit, I really enjoyed telling people on Sunday that I was teaching my parents' friends to line dance Monday night. You just can't make something that bizarre up!
So last night I hung around the house out of the way so as not to disturb the party, and secretly hoped that they'd decide not to do the dancing after all. They'd eaten barbecue and apple pie, so maybe they'd feel too full. I held onto that hope until 9:30 when Mom came to tell me they were ready.
Actually, I was surprised at how willing everyone was to give it a try! Even the men who normally don't go for that sort of thing got into it. They were all quite good, too. I was proud of them. I taught them the steps for the Boot Scootin' Boogie, and then we danced through the whole song. Mom even insisted I teach them how to dance with a little swagger. I am not going to pretend I am the coolest line dancer in any group, so that was a little humbling for me. Once we actually started the music and turning around at the end of the segment, I had a tough time trying to get around everyone so I could always be visible in the front. I had quite a workout, but I managed! They probably didn't even need me to do that, but I think it helped them to relax anyway. I wish I had a video or pictures, but I know they never would have had so much fun if they knew someone was actually watching them.
There you go. That's what I did Monday night. Mom's party was a success, and I have fantastic leftovers for lunch today. What more can a person ask for?
Oh yeah, not to have to do it again. At least, not anytime soon...
Let me back up: My mom, her three closest friends, and all four of their husbands get together once a month for a "dinner group". They each take turns hosting. My mom's been planning the July party for a good three months, and decided to go with a Western theme. She had my dad and my brother find the old bebe gun and drink soda so they'd have cans to shoot, she pulled the rocking horse out of storage so they could take turns lassoing it, and spent quite a bit of time creating a quiz on cowboy terms and pop-culture cowboys and sidekicks. She even bought bandanas for everyone.
She asked me two months ago if I would be willing to teach her friends to line dance. I said "No." She kept asking every couple of weeks, but I really, really didn't want to do it. For one thing, I can only ever remember one line dance (the Boot Scootin' Boogie), for another I don't like being in front of an audience when I don't have a script I've been rehearsing for two months. I haven't taught a class like that in about 10 years and I was afraid Mom's friends would think it was lame, and by extension that I am lame.
Last Saturday, Mom asked what she'd have to promise me to get me to do it. I felt more than a little bratty at that point. Apparently it meant enough to her to try to bribe me, and goodness knows I've made her do plenty of things she didn't necessarily want to, so I said "Okay". I just asked her to make sure she had the music. If I asked for something else, I don't remember what it was.
I admit, I really enjoyed telling people on Sunday that I was teaching my parents' friends to line dance Monday night. You just can't make something that bizarre up!
So last night I hung around the house out of the way so as not to disturb the party, and secretly hoped that they'd decide not to do the dancing after all. They'd eaten barbecue and apple pie, so maybe they'd feel too full. I held onto that hope until 9:30 when Mom came to tell me they were ready.
Actually, I was surprised at how willing everyone was to give it a try! Even the men who normally don't go for that sort of thing got into it. They were all quite good, too. I was proud of them. I taught them the steps for the Boot Scootin' Boogie, and then we danced through the whole song. Mom even insisted I teach them how to dance with a little swagger. I am not going to pretend I am the coolest line dancer in any group, so that was a little humbling for me. Once we actually started the music and turning around at the end of the segment, I had a tough time trying to get around everyone so I could always be visible in the front. I had quite a workout, but I managed! They probably didn't even need me to do that, but I think it helped them to relax anyway. I wish I had a video or pictures, but I know they never would have had so much fun if they knew someone was actually watching them.
There you go. That's what I did Monday night. Mom's party was a success, and I have fantastic leftovers for lunch today. What more can a person ask for?
Oh yeah, not to have to do it again. At least, not anytime soon...
Monday, July 28
It's Mine!
Just got a call from my realtor, and the owner accepted my latest offer! The condo is mine... well, as soon as I get the inspection, appraisal, loan request, and a bunch of other stuff done.
By the end of August month I will be a homeowner.
Ack! and Wah-hoo!!
By the end of August month I will be a homeowner.
Ack! and Wah-hoo!!
Saturday, July 26
A Lesson from the Terrifying Uh-Oh Baby
My current favorite comic strip is Cul de Sac by Richard Thompson. It's hilarious! This week, Alice and her friends were terrorized by the Uh-Oh Baby. I posted some of my favorites from this week, so you can laugh along with me (if my blogscreen cuts off the right side, just click on the picture for a full view):
I started to wonder: what is it that makes the Uh-Oh Baby so terrifying? The fact that it goes around ominously anticipating doom? Or is it just letting them know something bad happened? Is it that the baby can't seem to say anything else? Or that the baby is so adamant about its gruesome message?
Possibly, the baby is scary for all of these reasons. After all, there must be something to look forward to or feel happy about, right? Do each of us play the part of the Uh-Oh Baby from time to time? Shouldn't we be counting our blessings instead of our hardships? There's only so much doom and gloom a person (okay, me) can listen to before they (again, me) want to run from the room screaming.
Everyone has problems, and heaven knows I need someone to listen to me complain every once in awhile, but I hope that I can find something in every day and every situation to be grateful for. Often, I can even find positive lessons within my hardships, and those are the most valued blessings of all. I think I'll work on those a little bit more.
On the flip side though, I want to pick that cartoon Uh-Oh Baby up and give it a big hug and tell it everything will be okay. Sometimes all I can do for a loved one during their bad day is listen and offer hugs. And sometimes when I'm having a bad day all I need is someone to listen and to love me. Sad indeed is the Uh-Oh Baby that everyone runs away from. Guess the secret is to offer Uh-Ohs in moderation, and to remember that no bad day can last forever.
So, the next time I feel like an Uh-Oh Baby, I'll seek out someone I trust for a hug, and make more of an effort to follow the advice of that wonderfully cheesy hymn:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
So amid the conflict whether great or small
Do not be discouraged; God is over all!
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
I started to wonder: what is it that makes the Uh-Oh Baby so terrifying? The fact that it goes around ominously anticipating doom? Or is it just letting them know something bad happened? Is it that the baby can't seem to say anything else? Or that the baby is so adamant about its gruesome message?
Possibly, the baby is scary for all of these reasons. After all, there must be something to look forward to or feel happy about, right? Do each of us play the part of the Uh-Oh Baby from time to time? Shouldn't we be counting our blessings instead of our hardships? There's only so much doom and gloom a person (okay, me) can listen to before they (again, me) want to run from the room screaming.
Everyone has problems, and heaven knows I need someone to listen to me complain every once in awhile, but I hope that I can find something in every day and every situation to be grateful for. Often, I can even find positive lessons within my hardships, and those are the most valued blessings of all. I think I'll work on those a little bit more.
On the flip side though, I want to pick that cartoon Uh-Oh Baby up and give it a big hug and tell it everything will be okay. Sometimes all I can do for a loved one during their bad day is listen and offer hugs. And sometimes when I'm having a bad day all I need is someone to listen and to love me. Sad indeed is the Uh-Oh Baby that everyone runs away from. Guess the secret is to offer Uh-Ohs in moderation, and to remember that no bad day can last forever.
So, the next time I feel like an Uh-Oh Baby, I'll seek out someone I trust for a hug, and make more of an effort to follow the advice of that wonderfully cheesy hymn:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
So amid the conflict whether great or small
Do not be discouraged; God is over all!
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
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