Handling the Estate

Well, I've had my first "screw up"---at least I think it's my first.

I never even thought about canceling mom's Charter cable. I thought the basic she had was through the apartment. Not a big deal as her bill was only $5.38 a month. But, when I called (and couldn't figure out why I didn't get an October bill) they said that I needed to return the box. To make a very long and frustrating story short, Claudia at Brentmoor Village is going to take the box to Charter for us.

I called Charter back. Here's the kicker: I am not authorized on mom's account to cancel it---she didn't put anyone down to make cable decisions for her---is that a bunch of crap or what? Anyway, I fought with the gal, told her I couldn't fax the death certificate, couldn't scan it---just played dumb---she would just have to take my word for it. She ended up looking up Baue Funeral Home to verify that mom died and that I'm not just some jerk trying to cancel an old lady's cable (I wonder how often that happens). She even went so far as to say that I couldn't have gotten a bill because they have strict rules that bills are not to be forwarded (which is probably why I never received an October bill). Somehow, this one slipped through.

The bottom line is that when the box is returned, the account will be canceled and a final bill will be sent. Hmmm, it just occurred to me that they didn't ask for my address. I might not ever get it! Their loss. If I do get it, it will cost us about $12.00 (she said). Even though it's my mistake---I'm taking it out of the estate!!! No complaints, please!!

House of Lapps

We had such a good time at Sandy and Greg's. We got there on Friday. We love just walking up to the door, ringing the bell and then seeing the kids reactions when they realize it's us! We weren't there a half hour before Elizabeth wanted to know what game we wanted to play. Sandy made a nice dinner for Friday night and we spent the evening talking and catching up.

On Saturday, I took Sandy and the kids shopping. I let them all get two outfits---except Mitchell as he didn't want any clothes. I told him that I'd do something nicer for Christmas then. The guys went geo-caching. We had lunch at Red Robin, then home for the afternoon. Another great dinner, then an evening of games. They introduced us to a new one called "Hed Banz" that was a riot. I've been searching here, but have been unable to find it.

After a big breakfast on Sunday, Sandy and I went to a great antique mall. They were having their Christmas Open House, so we enjoyed the Christmas music. Between Christmas Village on Thursday night, the music at the mall and antique mall, it's starting to look like Christmas! We each made several purchases. Sandy found this really cool and huge punch bowl on sale for $22.00. She also got an old fashioned (from the 1950's) eggnog set. I found another antique mirror to add to my "wall of mirrors". I found a couple of things for friends and a pink, metal doll high chair. Where I'm doing to put that I have no idea---but it was too cute to pass up.

That afternoon, Greg and Sandy took Mitchell to Hackett Catholic High School's Open House where he'll be attending next year. Butch watched football while I played games with the girls. I finally go to see the Hannah Montana movie which I really enjoyed. Sandy cooked another good meal, a few more games, and bed for the kids.

Monday, back to the mall for Sandy and I to do some Christmas shopping. We met Butch for lunch. After, we went to Target and Michaels before picking up the kids from St. Monica's. Barely time for homework until we left for Mitchell's basketball game. It was a fun game to watch. He scored a couple of baskets and his team won.

We stopped at Steak and Shake on the way home where the Lapps treated us. By the time we got home, it was 8, so that made for a quick evening.

We headed home early on Tuesday morning. It was cold in Michigan and we were disappointed to find that it had gotten cold in Nashville while we were gone---and there must have been a storm due to all the leaves.

Now it's time to get ready for the holidays! I've hired Morgan and Jordan to help me with the decorating this year. They want to earn some money for Christmas gifts---and Jordan is working on her car fund. She has plenty of time as she's no where near ready to be let loose. She could easily pass the driving test, but we're not ready to turn her loose. She needs a lot more practice---just time behind the wheel.

And now for the pictures. Above you see Victoria and Elizabeth ready for school. I don't have any shots of Mitchell---what can I say---teenagers are never around when you want to snap a few shots.

There's so much about motherhood that I've forgotten already. Namely, homework. Luckily, the girls don't complain.

Victoria is having the best school year. Her teacher likes her so much that I had to tease her about being "teacher's pet". While we were there, she got this award certificate. Elizabeth was happy to get to be the door holder and line leader. I can remember the fun in those simple acts---makes you feel "big" to have those responsibilities.

Lastly, Elizabeth was making food requests for Christmas. I told her she better write them down for me. Everything she picked was sweet---lemon cake, oreo balls, cake balls, decorated cookies---she definitely has my sweet tooth! I told her that now that grandpa is home, we can have a baking day together. Butch rolled his eyes, but I think it will be fun. I'll let you know how that goes!

4 Days Equal 24 Hours and I'm Finally Done!

Here is the project I've been working on in my dining room---a little re-decorating. I've collected the vintage frames for about 8 months now. It took me 4 days to do this. I have to say, a day of work for me is 6 hours---except when it comes to decorating for Christmas and the dreaded "take-down"---then I work about 12 hours to do it all in one day and nearly kill myself doing it---what a job.

After 15 years in this house, I've just been in the mood to do some re-decorating. Luckily Butch is pretty laid back about it. I know he thinks I'm crazy---everything looks fine. But a girl just needs a change now and then.

Day one is when I took all the frames apart and cleaned them. Not an easy task as many were very fragile. Most had nails that had to be removed. Day 2 was scanning and printing pictures and figuring out which were going into which frames. I also started cropping the pictures. Day 3 was more cropping of pictures, putting them in the frames, creating new mats where necessary (thank God for all of my scrapbook supplies). I ended up not having enough frames, so had to buy new that looked old. Works for me. Ovals were a real challenge. In fact, I had several of those left over---just didn't have the right type of picture to put in them. Day 4 was laying out the design and hanging. Butch helped me a lot with that. The medicine I'm on causes dizziness---so every time I get on the step stool or ladder, I get dizzy. I nearly fell a couple of times and decided not to chance it. Getting them straight required a lot of adjustments and scotch tape. He really kept his cool (although I could tell he got frustrated a few times) as I had him re-doing some. I couldn't have done the hanging without his help.

Notice the first picture---what's up with those type of hangers---you can't hold it up, fit your hand behind it and find the nail all at the same time. See my solution below. Definitely for me---where there's a will, there's a way.
Here's the final results. I'm so happy with how it turned out. These are ALL real family members, not my adopted relatives. I must say, I get these hair-brained ideas---had I known how much work and how hard this would be, I wouldn't have done it. I had the hugest mess---I didn't know where to begin. I gave myself my usual pep talk when I take on an organizing job that seems to be too much for me. "Okay, Barb, just begin." Works every time to get me to focus. There are 55 pictures here.

Here are a few more pictures of the room. I couldn't get all the pictures on the one wall, so I spread them around. I love how you can see the reflection of my "portrait gallery" in the mirror.

I bought this

autographed picture of an opera singer from the 1890's for the swing frame. I thought I would sell the picture on Ebay, but then I just didn't have the heart to do it. I love how dramatic she looks.

I took down all of my needlework and replaced them with more pictures.

I've shown this picture of the $5.00 toaster I got at the flea market long ago. But what I wanted you to notice is the porcelain poinsettia that belonged to my mom. It will definitely be part of my Christmas decorations this year. I think I'll leave it out all year.

And finally, my latest autograph book find. Another gem from it:

"Remember me and don't forget,

You have an aunt in Iowa yet!"

And this:

"When you get married and your old woman gets cross, just stamp your foot and show her who's boss."

I just love thinking about those simpler times. I wonder what stories all this old stuff could tell. That's why I scrapbook the everyday.

Some Things Never Change

When we stopped by Steph's last week I went upstairs to see Jordan's fish. When I saw the girls rooms, it reminded me of my own teenagers---or I should say---Mindy when she was a teenager (or right now too). Sandy and Stephanie weren't this messy.

This is Jordan's room. Aren't the stars cute? I made those a few years ago. I guess if you keep your drawers hanging open, you never have to look for stuff---it's either right there, or on the floor.

Morgan wants to be a photographer. I actually love what she's done to her wall. You can see by the "up close" photos, she's pretty darn good too. Her boyfriend, Carson is an artist who loves doing mazes. They are pretty darn intricate and awesome.

I guess Morgan's bra storage is the floor next to her dresser. I must admit, you can see everything you have easily like this.

This lone graffiti is on the ceiling above Morgan's bed. I have no idea what its significance is, but apparently, she wants to see it each night before she goes to bed and then again first thing when she wakes up.

I would love to see teen rooms from around the world. If they haven't changed generationally, then perhaps environment doesn't matter either. Sandy and Stephanie were pretty neat. They did put a lot of crap on their walls---especially Steph with her New Kids on the Block collection.

Mindy's crap didn't have any particular theme. Sandy was the neatest (and still is---way to go Sandy). She had a few posters, I think one of them was Vanilla Ice. When I think of Sandy as a teenager, the thing that sticks out the most is her "black" phase. She dressed in black from head to toe---including hats. She refused to wear dresses or skirts. We had several arguments over that---one in particular. We were invited to a Mother/Daughter Christmas Tea. I ended up changing into silk slacks so she wouldn't feel bad to be the only one wearing pants. Afterwards, she wasn't even embarrassed or upset---I was the one worked up. I told her I was taking her shopping and that she'd HAVE to buy a dress. She said she didn't like any dresses in the stores. I said to her, "well, what does that say about YOUR taste? The stores don't sell things people don't buy!"

It was after this that I instituted the rule that the girls could dress however they wanted with their friends as long as they had at least one or two "normal" outfits for going out with us. That sure came in handy when Steph went through her "army fatigue" stage. Mindy---well, what can I say---she's always been a fashion icon!!! Even if she's still a mess.

I've decided that it sure comes in handy to carry your camera all the time. You just never know when a photo op like this will pop up.

Cheese Tortellini Crisis

We had our Monday planned. Butch and I were going to Mindy's to haul some stuff and hang some pictures. On her way to work, Mindy called Butch in a panic. She said that the night before a tortellini had jumped out of the pan and landed between the stove and the counter---way in the back. She tried to use a hanger to get it out, but couldn't. She asked Butch if he could handle it so that it wouldn't draw bugs or something worse.

Mindy: "well are you going to be able to get it out?"

Butch (in a slightly exasperated voice): "I don't know Mindy...it's not exactly like I have an instruction booklet on how to remove cheese tortellinis from behind stoves!"

He couldn't get it out. Sounds like a job for the "super"--after all, they said to call anytime about anything! I think it would be really funny to call them about this and see how they respond.

Notice the picture? It's a good thing he had his shirt tucked in, or he would have had the tv repairman butt thing going on. Oh wait---he really used to be a tv repairman. Looks like he still has the moves!

From the time the girls were little, they thought he could fix anything. My favorite was the plastic Barbie doll high heel that had a broken strap. Sandy was sure he could fix it. And the time Steph flushed a doll bottle down the toilet. He had to take the toilet off the floor and finally break the bottle to get it out. She was mad at him for breaking it. Mindy regularly hands him a tangled mess of necklaces. He somehow always manages to come through for them.

Back to Monday. From Mindy's, we went to Steph's where you see Butch in the picture here replacing the door handle and lock. Last week, it was her washer. He had already given up hours of his football afternoon on Sunday to work on her outside lights. He also fixed her garage door opener---or I should say fixed the progam-able keypad

I feel sorry for him that he has 3 households to maintain. All I can say is thank God he's retired! I recall the time a couple years ago that Steph called him in a panic that her closet pole had fallen down. He responded, "well Steph, I'm in a meeting in Atlanta with $500 an hour attorneys. I can't do anything about it now."

The girls don't know anything else to do but to call on him when they need help. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Another cute saying from my 1929 autograph book:

Drink your tea, think of me.

Drink it hot, forget me not.

Weekend Work

I had decided that I was going to spend this weekend trying to get my much neglected house back in order. I feel like I've lost September and October, so things were really behind around here. I spent a couple hours (total) in the laundry room and cleaning out the hall closet. I found something I forgot I even had! Then it was on to the dining room which had become the storage room for all of my boxes from mom's and my antique hunts. Here's a rundown. The beautiful photo album at left is in near perfect condition. The ivory on the cover is almost all there---and I snagged this baby for 10 bucks!! When I opened it up, I discovered these little guys. Turns out, they are literally bookworms!! I always thought a bookworm was "me." I never really thought about what the word actually meant. Here's the official definition:

bookworm

1. informal: a person devoted to reading.

2. the larva of a wood-boring beetle that feeds on the paper and glue in books.

I cleaned them out---just these two. I tried to look down the spine, but couldn't see anymore. Aren't the pages gorgeous? I plan to fill it with my "adopted" relatives.

On to my mirrorr collection you see on the floor. I thought I had so many---turns out just 8. I plan to fill the entire wall with antique mirrors. The old family photos you see are being moved to the dining room. Notice the afghan over Butch's chair?I brought that from mom's---I got first pick on the last afghans she made.

I fell in love with those gorgeous bird pictures. I have no idea where they are going, but when I couldn't convince my friend, Nancy to get them for her bedroom, I had to have them for myself.

See the dining room table covered with vintage frames and the old relatives to go with them? I'm planning on making a gallery wall. That is going to be a huge job---and I thought I'd get it done this weekend. First I have to move all the crap that is already on the wall. I don't know where I'm going with it as my closets are bursting at the seams. I just love everything?

Again, you find me washing buttons. I found this HUGE jar full of black and grey buttons. I'm a sucker for buttons. The AYM kits this year will definitely be seeing lots of them.

Originally, I got mom's mirror for Mindy's apartment. But there was no room for it there. Instead, I took down the old tapestry I had hanging and Butch put the mirror there. I love it, so now it's mine. Sorry Mindy.

Mom was in the middle of making this black and white afghan for a friend. The woman hadn't paid her, so I didn't feel bad finishing it and keeping it for myself. Again, it was going to Mindy, but instead, I decided to put it in the guest room that used to be Mindy's.

Over all, a very productive weekend, but alas, I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted. That's always the way. I think I can do way more than I actually can---and I work FAST!!!

I'll leave you with a quote from a darling old autograph book I bought (I collect those too---I forgot to take a picture of it):

"When you are standing on a stump,

think of me before you jump."

PS I can't believe it. What a fluke---when I published this post, the pictures all just about lined up with the explanation. That almost never happens. Also, I plan to ask for a new camera for Christmas. I think mine has been dropped one time too many. The pictures are hit and miss as for blurriness---I promise you it isn't me!

Luggage Lessons

While I was out-of-town last week, Butch, Stephanie and Mindy had dinner. Mindy is all excited because she will be making her first trip out-of-town for work soon. Steph told her that the large duffle bag she's been using to travel with really wasn't appropriate for the corporate world. Mindy put her dad on it. He was so excited to get her $400 worth of luggage at Kohl's for $125 (on sale, extra 25% off coupon and then a reward card). She came from work on Friday night. Butch introduced her to her new luggage and then proceeded to show her all the features and how to use it. As he was giving her "luggage lessons," she smiled at me and said, "mom, this is just how he acted when he was showing me how to load the dishwasher." She thinks her dad is so cute (well, actually, I do too).

We had cocktails on the patio with a fire in the fire pit. Butch grilled salmon and I made parsleyed potatoes and brussel sprouts to go with it.

Mindy had brought over a scary movie for us to watch. We don't watch movies like that, but she convinced us we should since it was Halloween weekend. The movie was The Orphan and was really good. Even though it was predictable, there was an unusual twist at the end.

Afterwards, we were just talking---it was about 10:45. Mindy decided to spend the night because she'd had a couple drinks. With all this cooking, her stopping by for lunch and dinner and spending the night, all of a sudden, it occurred to me that Mindy had actually moved back home without telling us. When I got up this morning, I knew it was true---every light in the house was on!