Countdown - 4 days and now snow

Yep, this morning it started to snow. SNOW....I know this is Chicago. I know it has snowed all the way to June. But come on now....give me a break here. There's a wedding on Saturday!

So the landscapers couldn't finish their job. At least my other tulips and jonquils and spring bulbs haven't bloomed yet although I don't know if they will now. There is a freeze warning in effect (low 30's by evening). It is currently 36 and snowing. It isn't supposed to stick but will someone please tell me what that white stuff is on my tulips?

Update on the craziness: Counter tops installed this morning. They had their sealant put on so no touching for 24 hours. We are still living in our utility sink and the upstairs master bathroom which is the only place where there is a sink, toilet, and working shower. Hubs is still 'working' on the upstairs bathroom. The toilet tank is still in the middle of the backyard and the toilet is in the bathtub. The new sink and counter top is in my breakfast room along with the new faucet and new lighting fixture. He finally finished son's room and I hung those drapes last night. Then I hung the sheers I had made for my office and the living room windows. I think they might be a bit too sheer but I am so not starting over now. They will do.

So counter top installer went to leave and when departing says, "Missus, see you viernes" and left. I stood there wracking my brain trying to remember my high school Spanish lessons.....when is viernes? Then panic.....it's Friday....OMG no......not Friday! So I race (now remember my racing is akin to a turtle) to the front door thinking I could still catch them before they left.....they were standing on the other side of the door along with my husband and all were laughing. Seems my husband had taken a call while I was at the dentist (I know I just had to add to the stress and schedule another thing to do this week) and they said they were rescheduling the back splashes to be installed Wed am now instead of Tues pm. If something was close, I would not have been responsible. "Judge...your honor sir...in my defense these men teased me and thought it was funny and I was trying to get things ready for a wedding and it's not nice to tease the mother of the bride". I bet I would have gotten off if it was a woman judge!

So right now, carpet cleaners are here. So we take a tour of the carpets to be cleaned with him asking me what each stain was. Ok now who here marks down on a floor print what you or someone else in your house spills? I was like, white and clueless. Treat it for anything and everything and one of them will be right. But next time I will keep that blueprint for you...wait...I am installing hardwood floors within a year. And no, I am not waiting for another wedding or any other occasion to do it. I am just going to do it! Won't you and I be shocked??!!

Countdown - 6 days and regained my sanity

Well, I decided to take it a bit slow today. I started off the day by rearranging the built in bookcases that flank either side of the fireplace. Then went down to the end tables and threw out magazines that were older than 2 months. Then I got ready for daughter's appointment for her final dress fitting. The maid of honor met us there and they both tried on their dresses. Pictures were taken but I am not going to show daughter until after the wedding just in case groom sees this blog.

That done, we set a pickup date of Thursday on both their dresses and mine. We then went to lunch at a favorite soup and salad place. After we finished daughter and I headed to Nordstrom to see if I could find a pair of shoes that not only fit but ones this bum foot could wear. We did find a couple of pairs but settled on this one (nothing much but to someone who has worn oxford tie shoes or sported a cast, it was amazing and on the road to being normal....well ok partly normal at least in shoes).


Daughter took me home then and I wrapped godson's confirmation present then I retrieved my grandfather's rosary and we took off for the service. Godson carried grandpa's rosary and my father was his sponsor so there were 3 generations with him along with his godparents, parents, one brother (other is away at college and couldn't come home), a couple of aunts and cousins. We then all went out to eat.

Got home 2 hours ago and son and hubs are moving son back into his room. My foot was throbbing (another storm coming in, this time with snow) and so I was ordered to sit. I am but I did the quarterly reports so they can be mailed Monday, and played a few games of Word Whomp.

So a nice decompressing day. Only 2 dramas to deal with today and one of all things, about who was saying grace at the reception. I needed today. I think I regained my sanity although not if you ask hubs.

Countdown - 7 days and losing my sanity

I come home from the grocery store this morning only to find hubs beat me home. His first comment to me was: "Honey, you don't have to pick up Gizmo, I brought her home". Me: "What did you just say"? Hubs: "You heard me. She's on the mantle". So I look to the mantle over the fireplace and what do I see but a cat. So I am now thinking what the h did the man do? Get her stuffed?


Then I go for a closer look and the cat opens her eyes and stares at me. I screamed. Yep, one of those blood curdling screams I am sure the whole neighborhood heard.


Turns out it is the last cat we still have, Tigger, who decided it was a nice spot to sleep in to get away from the granddoggies. I calmed down but not for long.

The granite installers came. They wouldn't install until we unhooked the electric cook top and the sink and the garbage disposal. I looked at them like they were nuts...like I know how to do this stuff. So I think they felt sorry for me because I went for the How to do Anything in your House book for Dummies and they unhooked everything for me. I am thinking ok....here we go. Right? That's what a normal person would think, right? But we all know I am not normal.

We built this house in 1986. It still has the original floor, and original cabinets. I paid a hefty price back then to have stuff installed. You would think they would have done it right, correct? No yet again (remember this is me here). I have a 1/2 inch difference in heights of the cabinets. Installers shake their heads and say in broken English, "Sorry, miss, no install. Crooked". Ok here I am thinking you took counter tops off, right? They were on crooked cabinets. What's the big deal?

Well, a big one. One of the guys went to my book and showed me what was wrong then called his boss. I picked up a few words but basically they were saying they were leaving. I said hell no you aren't leaving. I have a wedding. Ok crazed woman went into high gear. I called the granite people and found out I had to now hire a carpenter and until I got the cabinets leveled, I was not getting the counter tops installed. What I said can't be repeated here but suffice to say, installers stuck around and installed the bathroom and short cabinet in the kitchen. They rescheduled me for Monday.

I got on the phone to now find a carpenter. Luckily I opened up the phone book and saw a name I recognized I had patients from and called them. I was crying at this time. I think they felt sorry for me but they had 2 carpenters out here within the hour. They leveled my cabinets. I am now missing a few tiles but was planning on putting in hardwood floors anyway within a year or 2 or 3. Besides, what's a few tiles missing vs missing counter tops?

Hubs came back home. Son had been here throughout the whole afternoon. Hubs asked where the new counter tops were. Son said, "Man, I wouldn't talk to her without giving either her or yourself some Valium. It just isn't safe".

So here's the kitchen. That's hubs' rear in the pic - collecting things that had fallen back behind the old counter tops. Actually he saw a golf ball back there. I wasn't going to find out how it got back there. I didn't want to ask. I didn't want to know.


I also am not going to talk about how a county inspector who comes from downtown Chicago manages to find out we have a huge dumpster in our parkway and walks into my house without knocking and scares the pants off me.

A sane person would be drinking by now. 7 more days to get through. Somehow the song, "They're coming to take you away, haha" is playing in my head.

Countdown - 8 days - starting to ramble

The bride and groom outfit I ordered for dogs came in. They are too little so re-ordered new ones. Hopefully they come in on time. Both dogs are girls but one is larger than the other so she is going to be the boy and wear the tux.

Today we got the final bill so have to get a cashier's check for that but it came in under what we had thought so there is leftover money now for a new laptop for me before Vista is the only OS you can get. I don't want to invest in all new programs yet.

I had payroll to do and it was on the list and did it, but sending it in wasn't on the list. Thankfully it was only the one girl who only works at the one office. She is leaving anyway to visit her grandkids so she said to just bring it in on Monday. Put a reminder on tomorrow's list to send it in for the other girls.

Client office called and are sending a check finally (they are 4 months behind). I started tacking on rebilling charges and sent them a certified letter warning them of work stoppage as of 4-30 unless they catch up. I will believe it when I see the check.

Yesterday had my first dress fitting. It was an interesting. First, they ordered a petite size and yet somehow there was still 4 inches to cut off the hem. I swear they ordered it totally larger than what I needed to make money in the alterations. Oh....and alterations are CASH only! When I met with the alteration people, I understood the cash part. No one spoke English. Cash is under the table. I demanded a receipt. Next fitting next Tuesday.

So since I forgot the payroll, I checked the family calendar and found out I have to add godchild's confirmation to Saturday's schedule. Thank goodness I picked up an extra shirt when daughter and I went shopping (it was a 2 shirts for one sale) so now I will wear one Saturday with the pants, then wear the other for the rehearsal.
My head is still attached but at times feel it is on my ass instead.

Foot still becomes thigh by the end of day but I am getting better walking without looking like I am drunk or limping or looking at the floor. I also started driving either yesterday or a few days ago. Can't remember. I steer clear of rush hour. Please steer clear of me.

One of son's friends fell playing basketball last night and can't walk today. He's at the office right now. But he was supposed to help son and I tomorrow carry things to basement....should say I was to direct them on what is to go down 2 flights of stairs. Trying to get a replacement now. Decided to do a total rearrangement of the furniture in the house.

Painted the futon today on the grass - glossy black. Dogs tried to help and brushed up against it a few times so shall see what daughter has to say about her black striped dogs when she comes to pick them up after work.

Dinner ready to throw on grill (made kabobs). Easy cleanup.

Think one of the dogs is sick. Her farts are killing me and when she gets that bad she has an intestional infection. I am sure daughter is not going to be happy when she comes to pick them up but I am tempting her with leftover stuffed shells I made last night. She might get distracted.

Gave myself a B12 shot. I needed the energy boost.

Countdown - 9 days - Countertops to Bras

I took off work this week and next....well not entirely off. I am not going into the office but I am still doing things at home. And I still have my client work to do.

Yesterday the counter top/back splash measurers came. Not too much drama there...but you all know me and my luck lately....yep no drama until the guy told me that the counter tops will be installed Friday but the back splashes won't be installed until next week, PLUS I will not be able to use my kitchen sink or new cook top until 2 days after the back splashes are installed. So I 'calmly' called the place we are having this done by and 'calmly' informed them where to go. I was so not told about the delay with the installation process. I had planned on having these installed a month ago. They are already over schedule and now adding 4 additional days onto said schedule isn't exactly on my calm list. Now I can be flexible but people, we are running out of time here. You think it's not nice to piss off the bride? Well, try to also not piss off the major coordinator and payor either, especially one whose tolerance levels are slowly disappearing and there isn't a strong enough drug to knock me out or calm me down once I get going....just a word of warning!

So now I had to rearranged meals to either the grill or the oven plus washing dishes in the utility sink were added to the list until I can use my kitchen again....oh and the downstairs bathroom vanity too since I got it to match the counter tops. **sigh**

After the measurers left, daughter and I left and went shopping. I picked up sheers and curtain rods for the living room, office, and upstairs hallway, and room darkening curtains for son's room. Then we stopped at another fav store and picked up something for both of us to wear for the rehearsal and dinner, dress for her and pants and top for me. I continue to be amazed at the sizes I am able to fit into. Size 2 here I come!

From there we went to Target and picked up 2 new wastebaskets for the upstairs bathroom and the downstairs bathroom, 2 kitchen size garbage cans to put the dog food in (each of the dogs has their own food), 2 twin sheet sets in a solid color (all I had for the bunk beds were either pound puppies or hello kitty sheets), and a foam topping for the bunk beds (grownups don't need to sleep on plastic mattresses) and I have 8 bridesmaids staying here the night before the wedding, plus my one sister, my 3 grandnieces, the granddoggies, my one niece's wiener dog, and other niece's yellow lab. Yeah I am nuts!

Our last store was bittersweet. We went for a rite of passage every young girl goes through when they are large enough.... we both got measured for new bras. I remember our 1st trip - daughter was so embarrassed and gosh forbid if anyone touched her or her mother saw her (I had to turn my back yet she didn't realize there were mirrors and could see anyway). We both needed different sizes since we both had lost weight and I wanted my puppies to come back to the area from where they once were. We both had fun and were laughing hysterically by the time we were done. I have always gone for what daughter calls utility style undergarments for everyday life. This time I let her talk me into getting a few lacy thangs and in another color but white or tan. I even got a black and brown lacy one. Maybe I will wear it when I want to get lucky. What was even funnier though was showing hubs what I had gotten when we got home. He took my bra and said holy moly....it's a hat and promptly put it on top of his head. Yes he has a big head. Yes it actually fit said head. Yes he got 'the look' and no he didn't get anything else.

Countdown begins - 10 days

10 days and I will have a housefull. This house is not ready. I am sure my blood pressure is up. All I am getting from the males in the house is, "we're working on it". I dunno what they are working on. All I know is that there is still so much left undone. People are staying away from me now or giving me the trite: "Yes dear". No clue why.

Today I cleaned and oiled all the kitchen cabinets, washed walls in the laundry room, washed sheers from the family room, kitchen, and laundry room, cooked dinner for the past 3 nights in a row, did the billing for the week for 2 clients and waiting for the other client to send hers, washed all the bedspreads, comforters, sheets, plus the laundry from the week. Kitchen counters totally cleared off. Silverware drawers cleaned. Bathroom walls washed. Closets cleaned. Put more things in the pile that will go to the dumpster.

What's funny is that I am the handicapped one. I can't walk that well. In fact, I honestly don't know what shoes I will be able to wear because I am lucky to get on a walking shoe but can't lace the right one together and that is the morning when the swelling is down. It swells according to how much I am up on it, which I have to be so by the end of the day the cankle could pass for a thigh.

My dress is not in so no alterations done yet.

Countertop postponed yet again. Measurements now Monday and installation Friday. I threw one huge hissy fit. They obliged and rearranged their schedule to calm the crazy lady screaming at them.

Carpet cleaners due Monday the 28th and when I went to confirm them yesterday, their number is disconnected. I think I have their cell at the office and will check that tomorrow.

Tomorrow evening daughter and I go shopping to finish picking up a few things. Finally found the 1980 penny.

My stuff is done. Waiting on the males here one more day and then I say to hell with it and call someone. The bathroom sink and countertop upstairs is in my breakfast room along with the new light fixture, shower rod, shower rings, and shower curtain. I am waiting for the 2nd coat of paint to go on for 3 days now.

Table arrangements made. Final count 284. We crammed everyone into 30 tables with 2 head tables on tiers. We put people with people they did not know. We totally mixed everyone up. Daughter and I made the placecards this weekend. Wedding rings were picked up from jewelers. Church programs done. Reception programs done. Wedding dress to be picked up next Saturday for final fitting and I get to learn how to bustle it.

I have this problem though.....my list keeps growing instead of shrinking.

**sigh**

Dumpsters - The New Fascination

What is the fascination with dumpsters? Ours was delivered this morning at 8:00AM. We started hauling our stash out of the living room around 9. Between 8-9 the dumpster had 5 cars stop and look inside. Now I ordered a 30 yard dumpster so said dumpster is huge and one end opens so you can take things in all the way to the other end, which of course is where we started putting things.

People didn't bother us all day while we were loading it although our little street got a lot of traffic, much more than usual for a street which has a dead end at either end. We don't usually get any traffic, only locals. Today I counted 64 cars passing by the house looking at the dumpster. I made dinner around 5p and in the past 2 hours, I think all of those 64 cars plus a few more have stopped and gone through our dumpster trash.

One couple hauled off a queen size mattress and box spring. I think the wife didn't want it after she smelled it. Neither would I which is why I threw it out (our cat who we passed a couple of weeks ago used it as a litter box). The man however, thought it was his prize possession and quickly tied it to his roof of his station wagon and they sped away.

Another hauled off a bookcase that had long ago lost its shelves. Wonder what they will be used for?

Guess what is one man's junk is another's treasure.

Organized Clutter and Chaos

16 days to the wedding...actually 15 for me since I have people staying here at the house the day before. Yep list is made. We are now down to finishing the projects in each room so I have an organized clutter. Hubs calls it chaos.

I don't know about any of you but when we have a family function and it involves people at our house, it's the exact same time we decide to do some major changes. Usually in my typical fashion we start a week before. I will have you know that this time I started earlier......yep last fall!

Last fall: new roof, new landscaping

Winter: Ripped son's carpeting out of his room, patched his walls and ceiling (don't wanna know how or why or the wherefores there) and have finished painting it blood red. Yep it's red. Very red. I picked up light gray room darkening drapes for him. (Did I mention that to walk to son's room, one has to negotiate all his furniture - double bed, 2 dressers, desk, computer, TV, and clothes - which all happen to be in the hallway to said room.

Guest bathroom: walls patched, counter top and sink ripped out and discarded, on 2nd coat of light gray paint. Already have new light fixture and new counter top that includes a sink along with new faucet ready to go in once the paint is dry.

Daughter's old room: Still currently has sugar glider in her cage but the room has been cleaned out and ready to wash walls after glider is back in son's room. Old queen size bed out of room and into living room (that story coming a bit later). So waiting to wash the walls and carpet and then hang the drapes from the master bedroom, move our king size bed from master into that room, and put in girly smelling things to cover the musk of sugar glider smell.

Spare room: Currently son is sleeping there so until I get him moved back to his room, can't do much there. But the curtains that were in daughter's old room are going in this room so they have been laundered and are ready to hang.

Our room: not a thing is being done for the wedding. I plan on closing the door and putting a lock on it. We are planning on taking delivery of a new king sized mattress next week so when we do ours will go to daughter's old room. But in reality our room isn't that bad. Now it just needs a design since we are putting the bedspread and curtains in daughter's old room but haven't found anything I like.

Now most people would think....that's a lot to do yet. But it really isn't. The most work is still downstairs on the main level. Here's where we get to the interesting parts.

The living room has become the dumping ground. I had son push all the furniture in it to the far side and are using the other half as a dumpster (well the dumpster is coming Saturday and then that stuff will be carted out to said dumpster) but I had to have a collection place and that was the biggest area.

Family room has become the sorting room. There are piles everywhere. Piles for each room upstairs or downstairs once the said room is ready for its pile.

New granite counter tops for the kitchen are being put in next week along with a new counter top and sink for the downstairs bathroom. I cleaned out the laundry room and pantry closet today so I have piles again on the counters. They will be gone tomorrow.

So does my house look like I could qualify to be on Oprah for clutter bug? You betcha! But it is an organized clutter. Unless of course..... the dogs and cat, hubs and kid get in the piles and mess them up then it will be chaos and you will be able to hear me many miles away!

Mother of Bride Dress

Ok another item checked off the to-do list. Ordered my dress this afternoon. It will be here in a week. Yipeeee.......

Here is the dress:


A closeup of the bodice of the dress:


Here is a color chart and I got the dress in the color called delphinium which is the 2nd to last one on the left column of colors (it's a bluish purple color). Daughter loved it on me and hubs loved the cleavage part. Shoes will be the problem as I don't know yet what I will be able to wear.

This and That

Wedding update: 24 days to go. Change in colors of flowers a bit. Handled that yesterday. 3 days to go before RSVP's need to be in and there are 1/4 yet to respond so looks like I will be spending the weekend on the phone. Then it is table arrangements....one of the biggest nightmares. Daughter and I have already fielded phone calls: "I can't sit next to so and so". "Don't put so and so next to me". "I don't want any bratty kids next to me". "What do you mean we are not at one of the head tables? I am her godfather." **sigh** I still think my idea of putting one member of my family and their family with one member of the groom's side at the same table will solve all issues.

Ankle: I have been walking now a week. Each day it gets stronger however, I still walk like an old lady and cannot climb stairs without taking each stair at a time. I need to be able to light the unity candle elegantly. Inside incision still open but down to a pinpoint.

Health: I finally succumbed to the upper respiratory virus currently in our area. I figured when everyone in the office had it, I would get it. But I will say my immune system held out for quite a while as I am the last person to get it. I am still down one girl to tonsillitis. I am working but in a mask.

Mother of the bride dress: Still looking. Going out tomorrow with daughter again.

Bachelorette party and bachelor party: All went well with both; well, for the most part. Some drama but nothing that wasn't handled. Nicest thing: we got the granddoggies for the entire weekend.

Home repairs: Coming along. Painting son's room.

Weather: Typical Chicago spring weather. Temps up and down. Rain. But we had thunderstorms so things are now greening up. Robins were spotted; however, snow is called for this weekend.

RIP Gizmo! Poem - A Pet's Plea

Gizmo was 18 years old and was put to sleep at the vets this morning in her mommy and daddy's arms. She has lived with us for almost all of those 18 years - we found her when she was 4 weeks old, abandoned behind our office in a box with 8 other kittens. She was the only one to live. She never meowed like other cats. She beeped and was a huge cuddler for a female calico and especially loved men. I was probably the only female she ever liked and would let hold her. She is at peace now and so am I knowing she is no longer suffering. It's always a hard decision to make.


A Pet’s Plea
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce purring and excitement when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting in your lap. Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

Author Unknown

Happy April Fool's Day!

Ever wonder where April Fool's Day came from?

Straight from snopes.com

It has become tradition on the first of April to pull jokes of the harmless variety on those near and dear to us. We plot and we scheme, and often the yuks are funnier in our imaginings than how they play out in reality, but that doesn't stop us from sending the little kid in us out on a rampage. Even the most staid among us have been known to indulge in a practical joke or two, so beware of trusting anyone on that day.

How the custom of pranking on April 1 came about remains shrouded in mystery. Wherever and whenever the custom began, it has since evolved its own lore and set of unofficial rules. Superstition has it that the pranking period expires at noon on the 1st of April and any jokes attempted after that time will call bad luck down the road onto the head of the perpetrator. Additionally, those who fail to respond with good humor to tricks played upon them are said to attrack bad luck to themselves.

Not all superstitions about the day are negative, though - fellas fooled by a pretty girl are said to be fated to end up married to her, or at least enjoy a healthy friendship with the lass.

Now aren't you glad you asked? This year hubs got me at 3am. He woke me up stating that the power went off during the night (we did have thunderboomers) and that I had to hurry and get ready or we would be late to work.

Tis ok. I got him back. I had preset the sprayer on the kitchen faucet so when he went down to make us coffee, and turned on the faucet, he got sprayed straight in the face.

Past pranks we have done: gotten the kids up on a Saturday morning and said it was a schoolday and we were late and had to hurry. I was rushing them and said they didn't have time for breakfast but threw them a banana to eat on the bus. I drove them to the bus stop where my husband was standing with a sign that said, "April Fool's Day - there is no school. This is a Saturday." We all went out to breakfast then. Every year it was always a contest to see who could get who first. Nice memories.