This was a long week.........

Well, I got what I asked for...work, work and more work. My job this week, in North Arlington, was priming over paper in a kitchen and powder room, stripping a hall bath, master bath and 1 wall in a bedroom and then patching and priming them.

After sitting in traffic for 1 1/2 hours Tuesday AM, I got to work and things seemed to be going really good. After working from 10:30 till 5:00 I headed home and sat in traffic again until 6:40.

Wednesday, the same thing with traffic even though I started out a little later. Started home at 6:15 to "miss traffic". Got home at 7:40. Exhausted from the stop-and-go.

Thursday got to work at 10:15 and decided to leave at 2:00 to get home early because Deb and Felicia were spending the night and leaving Friday AM to go visit Longwood and Lynchburg Colleges. Got home in 25 mins.(what a difference a few hours makes on Rte. 66) and took a nap and was refreshed when they arrived. Had a great evening and they got off okay on Friday.

I had a repair job in Franklin Farms at noon and then I had to go back to finish the job in Arlington. Worked until I got finished at 9:15 PM and made it home by 10:00. Sure hope I finished everything because I was to the "stupid" stage by that hour. Forgot to leave a bill so I'll have to mail it.

Today, I didn't do much of anything except take a shower, talked on the phone and I met Deb and Felicia at 6:00 in Gainesville at Blue Ridge Seafood for dinner on their way back home.

This coming week is looking like it will be just as hectic if everything goes the way I have it scheduled. I promised myself that I wouldn't do this again but it just happens. I'm sure I'll live through it all. DARN !!!

Monday, Monday

I decided to go to Pap's yesterday and I'm glad that I did, just to spend a few hours with him. He is less argumentative and definitely slowing down with age.

Then I went to Dean's in Thurmont to spend the night and left this morning to come home. I just can't stay at Pap's anymore because of the damp, musty house and he keeps the thermostat too high.

I stopped at Endless Summer RV's on Rte. 15 to get info on motorhomes and they had nothing that would be small enough nor cheap enough for me. But I did get an idea of what they are like, the type I should be asking about and the rental fees, if I choose to go that way to test it out. Just another "pipe-dream".

Came home, took my nap and am now settling in for the evening. Working tomorrow so have to get my rest. I am really babying myself in my old age but have to reserve my energy for the important stuff that makes me money.

Humidity returns

Today I worked in Alexandria because traffic is easier to navigate from here to there on weekends. Papered a small room with grasspaper woven like burlap. It was so tough that I broke a blade on every strip. Needless to say it took a lot of muscle power to get through the paper so I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow. And the house was all closed up with no air conditioning on and the humidity was 80% so I am dripping wet sweated. Have to shower soon to even watch tv tonight.

Haven't decided if I'll go to Pap's tomorrow yet. Kind of waiting to see how I feel in the morning. Would much rather stay home and do nothing but I'm feeling guilty about never visiting him anymore.

On hold.....

Here it is Friday and I am again waiting for wallpaper to be delivered to complete a job. Yesterday I got to my job and after testing the "stripability" of the old paper, I decided the best course of action was patching all holes and priming over the old paper. The electrician and tilers had done a number on various areas of the walls so there was a lot of spackling to be done. This made for a slow-paced day but "it's work". Left for home at 3:00 and still no wallpaper. Called decorator when I got home and still "no paper" and UPS delivers late afternoon so I know I won't be working on this job again for a few days.

Wednesday I went on an estimate for a VERY LARGE McMansion in Clifton which will be a Showhome before it is lived in by the builder. Great way to write your house off your taxes as advertising.

I called the wallpaper store to give them the amounts of paper to order and they questioned my figures. The only thing I can figure is they are talking in double rolls and I am talking in single rolls and they come up with half the amounts. I wish the companies would make a change so it would clear up this confusing issue.

Maybe today will be the day that I actually get brave enough to list something on e-bay and start selling some of the things in all these boxes that are taking up my precious space. It's not really being brave as much as taking the hours needed to figure out new things and get started. Usually after the initial confusion it is a piece of cake. We'll see!!!!!

Catching up....

Saturday afternoon I went to Sterling to watch Felicia's softball games. She had 2, one at 4:45 and one at 6:30. Lost one and won one. Then we went to TGI Fridays for dinner. I, of course, got lost because it was dark and I get disoriented easily and I didn't really know where I was going. Thank God for cell phones or whoever is responsible for them because I'd probably still be going around in circles.

Anyway, made it home by 10 PM and played on my computer and went to bed.

Sunday AM her first game was at 8:00 and the second at 11:30. I made it to the second game. Couldn't quite get moving any earlier. They lost both games. Better luck next time.

While there, Deb asked Cassidy (not quite 4 yrs. old) if she'd like to go to Winchester after the games to visit her grandpa who just got out of the hospital. She looked up so seriously and said "okay but I don't want to see him, I want to see the baby." At first we didn't know what she was talking about but then it dawned on us that she has only known people coming home from the hospital with a baby. She was so cute and took some convincing that this was definitely not the case. But she went along anyway just to make sure.

Monday I went on an estimate in Arlington to strip some wallpaper and prime the walls for painting. Today the lady called and said that I could start the job next week.

I also picked up wallpaper at Washington Interiors for a job that I agreed to do in Alexandria on Saturday. I'm already stripping and rehanging paper on Thursday and Friday so it looks like business is picking up, at least for now.

Now I'm torn about accepting too much work because it sure is nice not working every day. Guess I'm either spoiled or just getting too old. Need to work some to be able to eat and buy gas. SS check only covers my charge cards.

Today I was over at Nancy's weeding her front yard and cleaning up a barrel in her backyard that was falling apart. Also turned the ringer up on her phone because she couldn't figure out how to do it. Hope someone is around to help me with things when I am no longer able to tend to myself. We'll see !!!

Clare's Firsts

Here is my first attempt at adding a picture to my posting.

Clare's 1st B-day and 1st cupcake. Notice the look of utter disgust!!!

Hope I remember how to do it again.

Back at home.........

and finally getting to my blog. Hope I remember everything that has happened.

The ride to Columbia and back home was uneventful but I listen to books so it goes pretty fast. I left at 9:00 AM Friday and, after numerous gas and pee stops, I pulled in front of Gwen's house at 6:30 PM.

Clare is even more lovable than I anticipated. Such a busy, happy little girl. She's not walking yet but that doesn't hold her back from crawling and exploring and emptying everything in site. Lots of fun.


Saturday, Michael and Mikie arrived about 5:30 and we were off to Chucky Cheese's to celebrate Clare's 1st B-day. It was like a wonderland to her and she took everything in with those big, beautiful eyes. Mikie had the most fun playing Skeeball-winning gobs and gobs of tickets. (640 I think)

Sunday, Stacey, a friend of Gwen's, came over with her 2 boys to enjoy cake with Clare. This was her 1st ever cupcake and she was not happy having her hands covered in icing and didn't seem to like the taste so she threw it on the floor twice. Eventually Bailey scored at least 1 cupcake and maybe 2. Definitely his lucky day.

Michael put up Clare's swing on the front porch for us and she is totally content swinging for long periods.

Monday was a day of making "cloth diapers". Can't remember what they are called but this is to save money on disposables and save the environment from plastic. But she says if they get to be too much of a pain to use, she'll switch after a trial period of 2 months.

Also on Sunday evening I installed a new ceiling light in the hall bath and a new privacy blind on the end of the front porch.

All in all, this was not like our usual visits that are at such a frantic pace getting lots of projects done that we never relax. Maybe it's my age and maybe it's because of the baby but it was less tiring this time.

Tuesday morning I got back on the road at 10:30 AM and after my many stops again (including a side trip to tour "South of the Border") I made it home at 7:30 PM.

Filled my gas tank in Gainsville and couldn't believe prices had dropped since I left to $2.15. Total gas costs for the whole trip were $119.22 and I still have a full tank. Guess I got really good gas mileage because I anticipated a total of $200. Will have to figure it out.

Waiting for me at home were 3 pairs of my super cheap bargain shoes from e-bay that I had won before I left and hallelujah I love them all. Today another pair arrived and they don't fit quite as well but I still like them. Now I only have bids on 1 more pair. Have to stop this lunacy. I'll never wear them all. I have to count but I bet I have 80 pairs of shoes. Is this an addiction???????? I can't resist but hope I can move on to another obsession soon.

I promised myself that I would try listing some things to SELL on e-bay today so maybe this can take the place of bidding and buying. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Packed and ready

I think that I am ready to leave bright and early in the morning. (9 AM) This is the most prepared that I've been in a long time but I guess that is because I haven't been working very much.

It's been great having the time but I really need to earn some money. When I get back I have to seriously think about getting a part-time job. I knew the time would come when I had to do this anyway because of my age. All good things come to an end.

Maybe I can win the lottery and still live the way I have been. Yes, and pigs will start flying tomorrow too.

Can't think about all that now though. Have to concentrate on the route I'm taking tomorrow and relaxing and having fun visiting. Can't wait to see Clare. She looks sooo cute in her pictures!!! And babies are so cuddly. Can't wait to go to the zoo and Chucky Cheese's.

Guess I will post again when I get home on Tuesday night. Hope I have lots to talk about.

Truck repair....

Well, my truck is back home and it seems to run pretty good so far. Or is it my imagination since I just paid $1191.70 to get it to come home. The mechanic always says "it could have been worse if we had found.............". All I can say is "thank God they didn't find it".

Gwen called this morning from Logan Airport to ask me to please bring my drill along on Friday. She left hers in Myrtle Beach in March when we were fixing up her brothers' condo. Her mind never slows down......always planning ahead.

The temperature never got out of the 60's today and it poured down rain again this morning. I hate to see summer coming to an end but then there is Redskins Football to look forward to. Speaking of that, they play their 1st game Monday night and I'll be in SC. Not only will it not be on TV there but Gwen doesn't like the TV to be on. She has developed an aversion to it. Go figure !!! I can't live at home without it and don't understand her thinking.

TGIF

Yeeeaaahhh!!!!

Finally got the paper hung in that bathroom. Thought it would never happen. UPS was trying to deliver it to the wrong house. Sure screwed up my whole week. Anyway, it is done.

Actually have 2 calls to return about papering jobs and a repair that I forgot about for the woman who had the Party on Monday. So maybe next week won't be a total waste.

We are getting lots of rain and some wind from the hurricane and they say it is still south of Richmond. I really love rainy days. And I love thunder storms. Don't know what it is but they seem so cozy and peaceful and exciting. WEIRD !!!

Will enjoy the storms this weekend and not drive too far.