Au Revoir 2006

Ah, 2006.

2006 started out with such promise. The first new year as a married couple. The first year together in our little trailor home. Happily living with our two cats (who's gay love affair would make any true romantic turn green with envy)and the Wiener, a new year seemed full of promise, fun and adventure. And boy did 2006 deliver!

DH started his first employement since moving here to marry lil' ol' me. On a number of levels, this was a good thing. For one, it helped financially, but the underlying fact is that I think it made him feel useful. We married in September and, due to immigration issues, he wasn't given authorization to work until late December. Although he cleaned house (!!), had dinner waiting for me when I returned from work each day (!!!!), and in all other ways was a wonderful man-slave, I think he was relieved to finally bring home a paycheck and feel like he was contributing to our well being.

Summer 2006, DH was accepted into the University and began school a short while later. Full time work and full time school makes for a busy combo. It didnt' help that we got bit by the "house bug" at roughly the same time and began looking at properties around town.

Reasons to Buy a House:

#1: We needed more space. A 2 bedroom manufactured home was ideal for a single girl. Not so much for a married couple with twice the "stuff". (And we NEED our stuff. NEED IT!!)

#2: Wiener seemed a little listless and lonely. The cats love each-other and tolerated her just fine, but I could tell she would really benefit from some companionship. Unfortunately, the regulations in the trailor park prohibited having a certain number of animals and since we already had a zoo forming... it wasn't gonna happen.

#3: My parents were the owners of the trailer and, although they made great landlords, I knew that eventually the hassle of selling it would rear its ugly head. Re-sale on mobile homes can be a real bitch. No other way of saying it. Since our particular home was on a corner lot and we'd put a LOT of time into making it absolutely adorable, I felt that the time was right for passing it on to someone else to enjoy. Someone else who had less STUFF!

#4: A new home would give us lots of space. Room for storage, room for another office. Room for a new puppy for the Wiener. Room for babies.

#5: I WANT I WANT!! It would be ours. We could decorate exactly how we wanted and put our own touches here and there and everywhere.

The housing market across the country is reported as being a buyers market. Many cities have had values taper off or falter recently. In our neck of the woods, however it is exactly the opposite. After years of just maintaining value with no great increase, the area is suddenly developing. "Housing Explosion" might be a good description. What this means is that values of homes here have gone up anywhere from 17- 30% and prices are steadily climbing. For the average layman (or laywoman, if you were to refer to me), finding a home can be a nightmare. Only a handful of areas (if you want to live somewhere without fear of being mugged while checking the mailbox in front of your house) are affordable. And, since about 85% of the world falls into this 'average' category, the battle to find a place, put in the offer, and be the lucky bastard who's bid is accepted can be quite a challenge. After a short, but exhaustive search we found The Haven. We received the keys on the first anniversary of our wedding. In all honesty, I still look around and wonder how we got so lucky. The Haven is a charming little brick rambler with 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a car-port AND a huge garage (3 cars could easily fit) as well as a yard for the babies to play in! It even has a garden area, complete with picket fence and gate around it. BLISS! Of course, every rose has its thorn. The Haven's thorn is that the people who owned it prior to us had NO sense of style. Wait, I take that back. They had a sense of style. It was bad Bad BAD! The paint on the walls was a nightmare. Luckily, with a little elbow-grease, we've managed to remedy the issue. My current project has been peeling off the wallpaper mural (pine trees complete with river full of dirty water) in our guest room, priming the emerald green walls, and preparing to paint it a nice, soothing, calming color. Dark green walls and carpet, complete with mural wasn't soothing to me. It made me feel rather angry. Luckily the main living area (i.e. Kitchen, Dining, Living Room) is all painted and complete. Finishing that monster of a job made the Haven feel like home. Ours. happy sigh

How appropriate that 2006 was the year of the dog according to the Chinese Calendar. In addition to having Shelly the Sheltie (aka Granny Dog) come down from Canada to join us, Sir Gus Pugsalot joined the family in mid-October. Small, fury, and full of spunk and spitfire, he has changed life in ways before unimaginable. It may seem odd to anyone who isn't an animal person to hear this, but Gus (my Monkey) has somehow filled a maternal void for me.

DH and I have been trying to have a child from the first month that we were married. Though I can't deny how convenient it has been (can wear white pants without fear!), I've never had a regular menstruation cycle. I found the most wonderful doctor who put me through a bunch of tests including medications as well as (horror of horrors) NEEDLES!

Ms.B's Deep Dark Confession #1: I experience great angst when it comes to needles. I have my theories as to why this is, but that's another story.

The deeper part of this critical fact is that it took great strength of will to go through the process and when, in the end, I was told I am infertile and that meetings with doctors who specialize in In vitro fertilization would be the next step, depression set in and I gave up my hopes for a child- for now. I won't even begin to describe my feelings of failure when I found out that my new sister-in-law, who married my DH's older brother in late November, is already expecting their first child. sigh

Fertility issues aside, this has been a banner year. First anniversary, new home, new additions to the family. I am truely blessed. Poor 2007, you are coming with gusto, and honestly, I am not sure you will be able to deliver the way 2006 has. But, venture forth, bring it on. I am ready.

Ms.Behaved

I have the power

I've created a monster! The wiener has a new dependency. 362 days a year, my pets do not get people food. Yesterday was one of my exceptions. I now have a dachshund addicted to whole grain Goldfish crackers. She can't live without them. Pepperidge Farm has a new groupie. She wants them ALL. I sit here typing and hear little whimpers. There she is, balancing on her hind legs in the cutest begging stance on the planet and my guilty conscience shakes its finger at me. She can't seem to grasp the idea that autolyzed yeast, monocalcium phosphate, and sodium phosphate aren't good for dogs. Come to think of it, they probably aren't very good for people either. Rats.

Less of a Man

As they brought him out from the back room, he seemed listless and sad, but when he heard my voice, the tail started wagging and I was bathed in kisses. The big day has come and gone, along with his balls, and my little monkey is doing fine. The assistant at the doctor's office told me he would be rather sedated, to let him relax and to restrict activities like running, and jumping. These kinds of activities can cause his incisions to re-open, don't ya know. I had to remind her that we were talking about a Pug puppy here. Comments like "avoid jumping and bouncing" and "pug" don't go together any better than my ex-boyfriend's Peanut butter & Mustard sandwiches did. ACK ACK!

I've been spending the evening watching him like a hawk to make sure that he doesn't roughhouse with the Wiener or Granny Dog too much and get himself into mischief. His energy levels are normal (what happened to sedated?) If he had the thumbs to open the front door, I bet he'd run a marathon around the block. Crazy, sweet monkey.

Ms.B

Proudly Introducing

My Monkey (age 16 weeks) and the Wiener (5 1/2 years).



Just two of the many stars in our zoo.

The Little Snip

If my baby knew what was going to happen tomorrow he'd think I didn't love him anymore. He's so innocent right now, blissfully sitting at my feet while chewing on his pig ear. Tomorrow he'll be so excited when we get to leave the house together. What a change of routine from having to stay in his puppy room for a few hours while the DH sleeps after his night shift. But alas, he'll soon find himself at our wonderful Dr. Wilde's office. He'll get picked up later that evening, minus a few major (to him) parts and he'll be pampered all night. Poor little monkey!

Lovely

The DH is a playful, quirky sort of chap. I love him dearly, truely I do.

Just now, as I was typing my blog, he whispered my name and I turned towards his voice. There, in all his naked glory, he stood, hands on hips. Whereupon he made "woo woo woo" sounds while swiveling his hips causing his bits to jiggle and sway.

I hope he didn't take offense to my laughter. I couldn't help it. The sounds he was making reminded me of the Little Engine that Could, but the accompaning visual pushed me over the limit. He ran away before my belly laughs started so maybe there has only been minimal damage to his self-esteem.

Not Michelle

*ring ring*

Ms.B: Hello?

Stranger: Hi Michelle!

Ms.B: ... This isn't Michelle.

Stranger: It's Not?

Ms.B: ... No.

Stranger: Oh, well, she must have changed her number then.

Ms.B: Yup. About a year and a half ago. I've had this number that long. Get lots of calls for her though. Her mother is a right friendly lady. I've had numerous chats with her. Wish I could give you a forwarding number.

Stranger: Oh, I think I have one here.

Ms.B: Oh, good. Well, take care and tell Michelle I say "Hi".

Stranger: ... Uh, okay. Bye!

*****

Isn't it wonderful how the holidays bring people together?


Ms.B

I am Midas

I found this site on my favorite blog.









What are you?

Ms. B

All is Well, All is Well

If there had been a musical track for the background of the past couple of days here in the Haven, it would have been "Flight of the Bumble Bee", by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov . In hindsight, it is great that we had the motivation to finish so many projects. The house looks great. Today, right now, is the blissful moment that I told myself to look forward to while working my butt off for the last 48 hours. The good angel on my right shoulder told me: "Relax, don't panic. Once this is all done and the party is over, you'll be so greatful that you've accomplished so much!" The devil on my left, however, was more a true reflection of my inner thoughts: "Dammit! This sucks. I'm never moving again. Redecorating a house is a pain in my ass. ARG. Oh, puppy, you better not even THINK about pissing on that floor. I've just spent four hours cleaning it and it took two, count em, TWO trips to Walmart on the eve of Christmas Eve to take back that damn rug shampooer. Curse all that be for us forgetting that stupid stair attachment and having to make a return trip!"

So today, Christmas Day, I am going to be a lazy slob. It is my gift to myself. The DH is sleeping. Worked a NOC last night to earn extra holiday pay. What a trooper. I need to stay quiet so he can rest. I plan to waste time by hopping on the "City of Heroes" game and fighting crime. Too bad I couldn't channel my hero's powers for the past few days. Just think what could have been accomplished if Ms. Behaved had 'super speed'!

Happy Holidays

Friday. The last day of work before a glorious, though all too short weekend. There is nothing quite as satisfactory as a Friday. The Friday before Christmas however, is quite a bit less relaxing than others have been. It is Christmas in our new house. Our first Christmas in the new house. Bless mother’s heart for suggesting we have our family Christmas celebration at our place. I’m sitting here at work, where the focus should be on.. well, WORK, and the only thought in my brain is the checklist of tasks I need to complete before the Haven will be ready for a visit from my mother.

I love my mom. I really do. We have a lot in common. Too much in common. When two people with too much in common get together, the chances of a clash are high enough that you dare not bet against it. She will see every flaw. "Oh, Is a crack on the ceiling the new style these days?" Red-heads such as myself can only bite our tounges for so long before hell-fire and brimstone fly from our mouths and we rip someone a new a-hole. My home must be perfect for her visit! AHH!! My dear husband (DH) has a honey-do list a mile long and I’ve made one for myself as well. I think the chances of me finishing everything on it are slim to none. But I will try. My house will be sparkling and ready for a party when my family arrives…. And I will be in a corner somewhere, rocking back and forth while in the fetal position, sweaty and twitchy, ready to celebrate.

Ms. B

Evil, Devil Snow

The slick parking lot as already claimed another victim in the short time since my last post. C, a lovely gal that recently moved to our cold town from down south received a rough introduction to the perils of slippery ice today as she was stepping out of her car. She says the vehicle door softened her fall to the ground but I somehow think she's putting on a tough front. Most likely, she'll hobble home tonight and hunt down some alcohol, a heating pad, or a hot bath. Poor C.

Oh the evil evil calories!

Today my brother brought me a slice of cheesecake. It was a thing of beauty, complete with raspberry topping. It made me happy. I’ll have to walk the dog an extra time around the block to avoid having it do any additional damage to my waistline.

Pretty, Sparkling Snow

I am a person who thrives on inspiration, on beauty, on the small things in life. Snow is on the ground, and as much as I hate cold and wet, it is beautiful. The parking lot at work is a busy place. Buses, vans and cars are constantly on the move. Moving around the 60 residents who live here at the care center. The building is old and the owner of the facility tends to prefer price over quality when it comes to hiring a snowplow company to keep the employees’ paths to their offices free of slippery horror. Right next to my regular parking spot is a small planting area. It contains a few miss-matched bushes and old wood chips but it is one of the only unmarred areas in the parking lot. As I stepped out of my car this morning, the sun was twinkling off of the snow in that planting bed. I took the long way around to keep from making ugly footprints through it.

Testing 1.2.3...

When it comes to technology I fully confess that I am a little behind the times. The junior college I attended has a neat program called "Summer Block" which allows students to arrive at school two weeks early and take one of the hand-full of courses offered at break-neck speed thereby earning some credit before all the sane, normal students arrive for the start of the regular year. That first day in block class the professor wrote what he called an "e-mail address" on the board. It was all greek to me. Someone, aka ME, needed to get with the times. The classmates that were in my project group thought it was really quite odd that I didn't understand the concept of e-mail or grasp something as simple as entering a very long address full of dots, dashes and letters into an address line.

If this post appears on the blog, I will have just successfully published to a blog via e-mail. Who says you don't learn anything in school.

The Beginning

In the beginning, Ms. Behaved created the Blog. And she saw all that she had made, and it was good.