Thursday, August 28, 2008

Birthday Wishes





Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Timmy


Happy Birthday to you!


And many many healthy and happy ones to come!


So Tim, Timmy, Liam

You have just finished your 49th year and beginning your 50th year. I don't know when you passed me out as I still feel like a kid of 30something. You are getting ready to join the Club. Now that I figured out how to put in pictures, (we are all in trouble), it's fun.
Being the oldest and only sister(another blog on that), Tim was welcomed to our family just two years after my brother Mike. There was nothing usual about my new brother. He got the straight hair and long eye lashes! He was fun and full of spirit, and still is. He attended a special elementary school , then on to trade school to become a chef. Being creative is so natural for him. He can look in anyone's fridge and make a dinner out of its contents. He married a lovely lady, Sandy. The two of them are so good. They then adopted two pembrok corgies, Kirby and Clohe. (note - need a picture of the "kids").

Of course, please add your own stories/memories, here are a few of mine.

Being four kids, all with healthy appetities, Tim would hide fruit in the wonder bread loaf, right where the ballons cover the bag. That way he would have a piece of fruit when we would run out.

Guinea pigs - we had lots of them. I remember something with going to Mrs. Moore's on Saturday mornings with Tim and getting or giving them some of ours

Tim's van - yes it was back in the 70's and he had a really great van until a deer hit him! You'll have to ask him about that one. Though I do remember he was working at a restuarant when he took a fresh deer in and I asked for venison when it wasn't on the menu for my birthday dinner. It was so good! (the only time I didn't order "real" veal).
Living at the Penthouse in New Haven - what a nice pad! I remember that's when Sh-t Head came to be his little princess .....
Escaping from the hospital - he took a fall and hit his head, a freak accident. While he didn't think it was a big deal , Tim never does, he had quite the concussion that required hospitalization. I remember getting the call at college and running down to see him but he escaped and no one knew where he went. "I was bored and wanted real food or was it a coffee" is as close to the words I remember when he returned to the hospital.

Christmas eve dinner at Mike's in Black Rock? Did you finally arrive?

Bottles of wine - yep you can count on my brother to know his wines. I remember him getting a case of assorted bottles from CA. They were all good, even when I did cellar them for quite a while!
Happy Birthday Tim - may you have many more
Much Love,
your sis



Tuesday, August 26, 2008

On my way to St. Louis......??

So if you noticed, my count down clock to St. Louis is not running backwards. All that is planned doesn't necessarily happen. Unfortunately I have been re-assigned to November for Children Duty.

I was so looking forward to about two weeks, in September to be with my 3 neices and nephew. Nice weather, generally, and plenty of time to do "stuff" with the kids.

This whole thing began a year ago when my brother wished to take his bride of almost 20 years to Paris for a week. WOW - nice guy ya think! So what do you do when you have four kids, with schedules that would make the current political runners look like couch potatoes. These kids are between 16 and 11(almost), and are full of energy! He calls me and says - "what are you doing next September?" LOL - I don't know - working? is this a trick question? So all in all, plans were made, plane tickets booked. I wanted to be "there" when they told the kids that I'd be coming out - any way - they did find out ahead of time. At Christmas, Taylor & Jessica asked if I'd come out - I looked at both of them, shrugged my shoulders and said, flatly, no. The look on their faces was just priceless.

So life gets in the way - and I've been rescheduled. I'll be there the day after the election. While the election is important - my role at the polls is legendary. It's the day/night that I sign up people for Library Cards. I generally do the 5:30 to 8:00pm shift at one of the schools and am usually joined by another volunteer. Well let me at them....... in an off year, like last year, I signed up 26! The highest number that I did sign up was 40 - so this year I'm looking to break records! It's funny as I can get just about everyone to show me their library card before they go in to vote! I hope more folks come out to vote and then we will have more card holders!

First Night

Oh my goodness, the Olympics are over and Bang! we are into the dang conventions. This year it seems that the two political machines are at it in a big way - I wonder how much the media gets for "living" there. I took my look from the CPTV vantage point (public TV for those non-Nutmegers) right here in my office. I figured I needed to get some 'stuff' done as I didn't feel it was going to be a riviting night.

One question - are the only people that attend are first timers? Geez Louise - it seemed that the only folks the CPTV guys could find to interview were first timers.

Last night I watched as DNC paraded Obama's family out to show the world. They seem like a very nice family. To get a kick - read my brother's blog. So we got to see Michele and her brother and sister, and of course, momma was in the audience. Why didn't they have momma speak? Their two children are just darling. Put a kid in the picture and they steal the show.

Don't forget Sen. Clinton did get up there too. If she doesn't get her supporters to turn to Obama's team, then there will be McCain in the White House!

What was probably a highlight for me was the "tribute" given to Sen. Kennedy. He is truly an icon to our Senate and has had his fingers in so much of the legislation that has passed over the years that has shaped many of our social lifestyles. With all that he has gone through, especially recently with his health issues, it was exciting to see him take the podium. My brother will tell you about the "scripted" night, yet I still get chills when I hear him speak. BTW - Carolyn looked lovely.

If you are not watching, you probably can get reruns on cable in the middle of the night between Monk and Ron Popeil supermercials. This year - I'm not expecting anything to come out of these conventions. Of course the media and political analysts will begin the score card.... so....... yawn.


So a very scripted first night - yawn

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Stars

There is this site that I visit most days. It allows me to get new screen backdrops and to wonder who is really looking at us. Astronomy Picture of the Day

It would be too much to think we are the brightest - take a feast at this pictures of what is out there waiting for us to discover.

Last night was so unbelievably clear - I just can stand and say wow. When I was little my dad and I made a 6" refactor lens. I moved it with me to my new home. Hopefully I'll have a little more time and possibly be able to get the pieces to finish the scope.

Looking out beyond your little back yard, to imagine "what if", to say "why", and to just think about the world as it stands. Sometimes we get caught up in such nonsenses, such little insignificant crappy stuff, we forget who we are and our purpose.

Get outside - it is truly a humbling experience and in my opinion - wakes up the inner you!

To see prior days click on 'archive' at the bottom of the page or click here.

The real estate Market

So the unit has been on the market - though I do pick the slowest two weeks to begin! There has been two actual showings. So far good feedback, they have liked it, 1st one like the privacy of the other unit and the 2nd one thought she smelled mold (must have a Peter nose).

1st rule - have a great property
2nd rule - have it priced right
3rd rule - have patience

First two rules - okey dokey

Now you are talking the 3rd rule. For a person that needs to make decisions at a snap most of the time, tic toc tic toc tic toc, this is a killer. I'll check my email way too often, how much Frebreeze can I spray around, re-set the blinds, a/c, make sure the dust isn't piled up.
Go ahead and laugh at that one. A former boyfriend used to make fun of me because I did not religiously dust each week! To make his point, he'd write his name and other messages in the dust and wait to see how long it would take for me to notice it.

Now it is just a waiting game. After this next week I should, hope, see inquries pick up.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

TA DA .... It looks beautiful!

Hello all, I know it's been a while though in keeping up with business, new home, family stuff, old home, I can get bushed by the end of the day.

Friday - I signed to have the Woodsedge Unit sold, yesterday were the pictures and hopefully later today it will be live on the MLS.

When you enter my home, you are met with the Irish Claddagh. The grouping in the circle shows that they are all connected. the hands for friendship, the heart for love, and the crown for loyality all that resides within.

First - thank yous to all that have assisted in this move, Jules, the ever Helpful One who packed, cleaned, and offered advice and thought in advance; Tom, great neighbor and use of his Volvo station wagon and aero bed, Joe, thanks for the use of the aero bed and being a great neighbor - hug Normar for me; Lee, a friend and my agent; Fred, on moving day to assist with the take down of the wall; moving company, three great guys that will be back once again to move all the furniture out; Christine, the wonderful stager you'll see her work below; brother Mike, for the tools; parents for just being there; and yes I may have missed someone along the way - so tell me!



Here's some pics of the finished tour - it's so lovely - maybe I could use it as a get away? LOL!





Let folks know it is FOR SALE!!



Welcome - entering the unit, and entering the kitchen - great one to work in




This kitchen has been a dream, then a goal, and now is present. An absolute joy to work in. It was all the details that made it special - let's see what the 'showings' say!


When I had it done - professionally installed yet I was the GC on the job. Attention to all the details so that it was exactly to plan and by goodness it was just that.

I had won a take home chef meal. He was impressed with it and made me such a wonderful meal. I guess I'll had to have him for a farwell dinner.

I took lots of these pics, though I'll spare you. If you want to buy it, CONTACT ME!!

The stained glass windows were hand made for this kitchen - by CRP. make note - need a better picture


After you prepare a great meal , you can dine in a lovely area and then there is also the al fresco space



This is lovely place where I spent lots of time enjoying reading and visits by my human and feathred friends; the bird feeder is missing as the stager didn't want to have it messy out there. Uncle Bob - yes those are those patio chairs!








Moving back inside....

The area rug that you can see is the one I made (note another better picture needed)






That back wall had my entertainment center on it. So someone with a "big tv" has no problem to put it there!






My little "spa", arched shower curtain rod, plenty of counter space, amazing size of cabinet and drawers and storage for a little 5 x 8 space, and those lights are on a dimmer to make it just so :)


I'll miss this space as my new place has two and a half baths with no style at all.



After freshing up - you may retire to either of the two bedrooms.

The first one had been my office. A great space with lots of light. It looks enormous without the office in it!

Great light, great views into the woods








That rhody outside the window is just lovely when it blooms!




Now the second, I used as my master bedroom it was a cozy room with a great feature - read on......






So what's behind that door # 1?







Remember - storage should be pleasurable - not that I had lots of stuff - I'm not a stuff person... so to make it all pretty and there is somthing to be said for 'a place for everything and everything in its place'.... if the kitchen or the bath didn't do it for you........so for door @#1.....




Its the walk-in closet--
Its the cedar lined walk-in closet--
Its the built in, cedar lined, walk in closet-
I'm proud of this one - I built it myself, and has laminate flooring installed by yours truly!



Thanks for stopping by - leave me a note! Tell your Friends Family and assorted other Folks in your life............... It's for SALE!!!