Deals & Chills

You know how there are people who act like there are things so complex, so intense, so difficult in their lives that you can’t POSSIBLY fathom what it must be them?

Well, then let me tell you what my day was like :).

The deal I’ve been working on has been one of the most smooth I’ve had the pleasure to “agent”. My client (and more importantly my friend) Jamie is awesome and a low-maintenance dream come true. There were a few issues that came up last minute which threatened being able to close by the May 30th deadline, but the rockin’ loan officer and escrow officer made it happen, and we got it closed last night. That DEFINITELY called for drinks and delish appetizers at the Oyster Bar, courtesy of me :).

Real Estate Agentin’ can be incredibly stressful. I mean you only have people’s dreams in your hands, so the responsibility to make sure they get into or sell the home in question is something I take very seriously and often very personally. You may think you know what it entails and how much work it takes, but unless you’ve done it personally, I promise… you don’t.

Today when I took the keys to Jamie and then got a call from her while she was walking with her kids through the house for the first time, I was grinning from ear-to-ear. Her boys are thrilled with their new abode. At almost 4,000 sq. ft., it’s a big change from the 1,600 sq. ft. townhome they’re used to. The awesome yard (which I’ve been promised volleyball and BBQ fun), the huge kitchen, the spacious family room and bedrooms… this house will be perfect for them.

However, my eyes were only slits as I was doing all of this smiling. I am SO DAMN TIRED I had 5 minutes of internal dialogue, arguing with myself if I should post tonight or put it off until tomorrow. I won.

I won’t mention any names, but a certain person had a rough night. He was experiencing full body shivers and muscle spasms. It was really weird and a little bit scary. At about 1 a.m., I asked him if he needed me to take him to the E.R., but he toughed it out and went back to sleep. Much to my delight, he survived the night! That’s the good news. A side effect of all of this shivering and weirdness, plus stupid details running through my brain about stuff I needed to handle today kept me from getting much sleep. Luckily tomorrow should be pretty low key (knock on wood). Until next time, me and my eyes bid you a good evening.

 

 

It’s Gotta Go Wednesday

It business and in life, I assume that when there is a deadline or a contract, everything is clear and final. But I’m learning more and more that this just isn’t the case.

People who don’t do what they say they are going to do or flake on commitments they’ve made… it’s gotta go.

Now wish me luck at my closing today! (and that the closing will happen 🙂 ).

Let The Carnage Begin

Warmer temperatures, all of the wonderful colors that only nature can display, the scent of BBQ’s in the air… these are all things that tell me summer is at the doorstep.

That and the carnage on my lawn.

This past weekend was the first of what will be many feathery slaughters. It all started with a robin, and just a few minutes ago the cutest baby quail became the second victim of our summer holocaust. Ugh!

Pheobe is probably the sweetest cat I’ve ever known. So how can this ball of love and cuddles be such a killer! OK, she’s a cat, and killing birds is what cats do, but it doesn’t make it easier for me to stomach. She has TWO full bowls of fresh food, so why in the hell is she resorting to this violence? She’s the feline version of Jack the Ripper.

I don’t put bird seed out anymore in an attempt to not attract my flying friends, but she finds them just the same. This isn’t new to me. It’s something she’s done every year.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I LOVE summer. Love love love! And if the occasional bloodbath is part of the deal, I’ll take it. But I’ve got to do something to at least attempt to save a few bird lives this year. I think I’ll head to the pet store to get a bell for her collar in the hopes that it will give the birds a fighting chance. In the meantime, I think I’m going to change her name to Dexter.

M.D.W.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! Except I think that “happy” used in conjunction with a holiday that commemorates or recognizes those who have died is a little odd. Anywhoooo…

Sometimes I have plans to do certain things, and sometimes these things happen. And sometimes they do not.

Due to the weather (the crappy weather), we decided to skip the cabin in the woods to stay home and complete a few projects.

FINALLY, we’ve got this sucker planted:

We are trying out some new tomato varieties this year (nothing genetically engineered, which surprisingly many of the varieties are). Last year we did get “crop”, but I’m wasn’t the best in terms of output. We decided to plant 10 tomato, 4 pepper, 2 cucumber, and bunch of herbs. I LOVE watching my green babies grow and develop. And like every good mother, I enjoy eating my young :).

Greg stepped up his awesomeness today by cleaning the carport/side of our house. There was so much crap, garbage, and about 39423 pounds of leaves. We do have a D.I. run to do for some of this stuff (if anyone wants these lawnmowers who for some odd reason aren’t running, but they both are nice and worked last year, just let me know and they are yours. The Big Wheel is also up for grabs!), but the mess is no more. It’s SO nice to walk through our back gate to this:

And not this:

OK, this really isn’t my house or yard, and ours was NEVER this bad, but you get the dramatic effect, right?

Last but not least, there is a strip of dirt near the carport. Last year I threw down some wildflower seeds, and then forgot about them. SHOCKINGLY, nothing grew. But we’re experimenting a little this year. We planted some strawberries and raspberries, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they will grow and give us some yummy fruit. And if I manage to remember they are there and actually water them, I think our chances are pretty good.

In addition to our yard work, we ate well this weekend. Maybe too well. Greg treated me and prepared all of our meals :). We also did some shopping for stuff we needed, and stuff we definitely didn’t. I think I may have a disease. Not sure of the name, but it entails me purchasing new bedding every year or more. In my defense, we only get them for a bargain. We found this duvet set at the Overstock.com storeroom by us. It was marked down from $149 to $69, PLUS an additional 60% off of that. Can you say awesome!?!

We also got a mattress topper that is part memory foam and part “Softloft” fiber (whatever that is). It was ridiculously cheap, and I doubted that it could really be great. BUT, Greg and I have slept better the past 2 nights than we have in a long time. Coincidence? I think not.

Since Tuesday Morning is right next door, we had to stop in. Yeah, we bought more stuff that we may not have needed, but our lives are now totally complete ;).

Fascinating stuff, I’m sure. I mean really, who doesn’t want to hear the ins and outs of another persons purchases.

This weekend was a little more quiet than anticipated, and it was SOOO wonderful! We got lots done, relaxed a lot as well, played games, and just enjoyed time together (plus the neighbors dog we are babysitting). The kids will descend upon us shortly, and while the relative quiet has been nice, I’ll think we’re both ready to see our babies.

Things and Stuff

Have you ever found yourself at the end of a week and it’s all kind of a blur? That’s how this last week felt for me. The internal dialogue does something like, “what just happened?”. Maybe it was because my brain became mush after last weekend.

What a nice few days of relaxing! The girls hung out by the pool, and the boys joined us each day after golfing. Lots of food, games, and it was great getting together with a friend of mine who lives down south who I hadn’t seen in years. These are just a few of the highlights. It was a much needed break from the “grind”.

Both the kids and I are ready for school to come to an end (although if you ask me a month from today, I’m sure I’ll be counting down the days when it’s back in session). Not having homework, projects, the morning rush to get everyone up and ready for school, and early bedtimes sounds pretty good to me right now. We’ve got some fun family activities planned for the next month and I’m eager to have some fun with the kiddies.

I’ve got a deal scheduled to close next week (YIPPY), and so getting everything in order to make sure that happens almost made my head explode yesterday. That being said, it’s so worth it.

Today on the menu: We have GOT to get our garden in, or else it’s going to be too late. I’m pretty sure Greg is super excited to till. But the thought of not having endless fresh tomatoes to pick on a whim is sad. Being able to cut my own fresh cilantro, basil, or parsley is SO nice, and cooking with food and herbs you’ve grown yourself makes everything taste that much better.

Tomorrow we’re heading up to the Park City area to spend the night at a cabin (the one I helped a client buy last fall/winter), and it’ll be nice to spend the evening with friends (and dogs).

That’s my world… what’s happening in yours?

Sweet 37

While I think we can all agree that at this point in my life a birthday cannot be a celebration of my virginity, and I’m pretty sure my coming of age happened, well, ages ago. But this birthday was pretty sweet even at the ripe old age of 37. THIRTY SEVEN! How did that happen?

I woke up to Greg getting the kids fed and ready for school, followed by a yummy french toast breakfast in bed and a white chocolate mocha (courtesy of Greg and a run to Starbucks and Hagerman’s). My relaxing morning turned into a nice lunch with friends (thanks friends) who treated me to lunch. Later tonight we took all of the kids out to dinner, came home to open presents, eat cake, and then watch a fun home movie my sister made as well as a regular movie. Now it’s bedtime.

Just like on Mother’s Day, I was spoiled. I’m kind of embarrassed by how much Greg and the kids have gotten me over the past two weeks, but I love the loot!

I got a bunch of bath stuff from the new store, LUSH, at Fashion Place Mall. Yummy!

I also got some cool work-out shorts. And some neat nail polish and stuff.

This AWESOME ring that I absolutely love:

These super cute wedges:

An iApps gift card, and also a very pretty rock that Cooper wrapped all himself :).

I must admit that b-days really aren’t that big of a deal to me anymore, but it is so nice to be remembered. Family and friends called and texted, and the Facebook wishes were numerous :). It really all does make me feel so loved. And it also makes me feel so lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing people in my life. Thanks to everyone for making it such a great day!

It’s Gotta Go Wednesday

I wouldn’t say that I’m buddy buddy with all of the moms at school, but I do have some women that I’m friendly with. What I’ve noticed is that mothers do talk.

What bothers me is when I hear a mother talk bad about another child. Maybe it’s something they’ve heard about that child, or maybe they’ve witnessed something that a child has done. But there is a fine line between discussing an issue and pure malicious gossip.

These are children, and as mothers, isn’t it our jobs to protect rather than hurt? I haven’t experienced it first hand with my own kids, but I do feel bad for the kids and their parents when I hear another parent perpetuating what may or may not be true.

Maybe things are happening in the life of that child that you don’t understand. Maybe putting your arms around that child or encouraging your own children to be especially kind to that child would do more good than you’d even know.

People being catty when it comes to other kids… it’s gotta go.

Giddyup

In a few short hours we will be hitting the road and heading out of town! Maybe Southern Utah isn’t your idea of an ideal getaway, but for me, it definitely hits the mark. My awesome and generous parents have given us their home to use for the weekend, where Greg, me, and some of our friends are determined to take relaxation and fun to a whole new level.

While part of the magic for me is NOT having any plans or deadlines, here is what WILL happen this weekend:

And I’m hoping to avoid:

Have a great weekend y’all!

It’s Gotta Go Wednesday

Summer is right around the corner, and  I am loving it!

One thing I like about the change in the seasons is that I get to wear the clothes that I haven’t seen in over 6 months. It’s almost like getting a new wardrobe. I love wearing flip-flops or sandals every day. I love being able to throw on a comfy skirt and not having to worry that my legs will get cold. I love that for me, my husband, and our children, shorts become the staple.

I’m not picky… you don’t have to have perfect legs to rock some cut offs. But there is (or should be) a cardinal rule when it comes to wearing shorts and sandals… DON’T WEAR SOCKS. Unless you’re a soccer player or on safari, leave the socks behind. And if you’re an 80 year old man that has given up caring at all, have at it. That being said…

These are NOT good looks.

It’s just gotta go.

What A Day

My Mother’s Day began with this:

And was followed by:

SPOILED!!! It definitely felt like Christmas. I’m not sure that I deserve it, but I was thrilled with every gift that Greg and the kids showered on me. I also got some really cute gifts that the kids made for me in school.

That afternoon my parents came to our home where we enjoyed a delicious dinner together on the patio. The weather was perfect, and we made the most of the sunshine by playing games, visiting, and enjoying each others company. While it’s hard to top the stash I received, being surrounded by family was the best gift of all.

I am so incredibly grateful not only for my mom, but also for my husband for making it such a special day for me, and for the wonderful kids that have made me a mother. Thank you all for making it my best mom’s day ever!