Moving on up....

No, not to the east side.
Although there was a time when I was auditioning for a musical back in college and we could pick any song we wanted to sing at the audition. Yep, I picked George and Louise's theme song. Hey, ya gotta have some fun with this stuff, right?

Anyway, after scouring the real estate market and having some good people with their eyes open for us, it looks like we have found our first purchase.
We have been eyeing the market even before we returned to the area. Prices in Saratoga have become, i don't know, ridiculous!
We found a great little townhouse, technically in Ballston Spa but 5 minutes from where we live now. It was in foreclosure and needs work. Hey, I think I know someone who can do that. I mean, I am a mean painter and all but remodeling kitchens...I will design it all day and find the best prices on appliances and all, but certainly don't know how to run piping! Tim does. Thank God!

So, on Friday night we got the call that our offer was accepted. Saturday we went over to take another, much more serious, look. Lots of photos and measurements were also taken.
I will be meeting with the mortgage person on Thursday. Keep your fingers crossed.
If all goes well it will take some good timing (so we aren't living in the midst of a construction zone) and some well thought out purchasing so we make sure we fix it up as economically as possible. It is a foreclosure after all.
But, this should lead to some interesting posts for all of you (who still reads exactly, not sure...)
I can't post photos yet...wait till it is all official.
Then you will see the crazy work ahead of us.

By the way, in case any of you know this answer:
Who leaves personal products; say a razor, shampoo and your kids chair and dresser...
but spends the time to remove a fireplace mantle and several lighting fixtures and, oh yeah, a bathroom sink...

"Hi, we just foreclosed on our house, do you mind if we stay with you for a bit, we don't really have anyplace to go.
Oh yeah, do you mind if I put this sink in your living room? Hey, and do you have a chair for my baby to sit in?"

Ummmm, right. That's interesting.
Stay tunned....

We miss and love you Gram

Okay, it has been QUITE a while since I have sat down here to post something.

I really have no excuse. Life doesn't really cut it as we all have one.

So much has happened since March. Well, one would certainly hope so, wouldn't one? If I said I had been doing nothing but organizing my shoes and such you would be worried about me...at least I hope you would be worried about me...I don't have that many shoes.

Sometimes too much time passes and then you think it is too late. Maybe it has been 3 months since you called a friend and then you feel so bad because it has been so long and what really is your excuse going to be because none is good enough. Well, I have been thinking about this blog and my sheer neglect and have decided that it is certainly time and it doesn't matter how long it has been. I had thought that I would start chronologically...get you up to speed in order. That makes sense...therefore, that is not how I will be proceeding! Gotta keep you on your toes!

Good things, bad things, funny things, interesting things...all have happened.

However, there is one that is always on my mind; everyday. So, that is the one I have to start with.

On June 24th, the world became a little bit less fabulous.

Patricia Jandro, aka Gram, left us.

The hole that she left behind is immense.

She had not been feeling well and no one seemed to be able to figure out what was happening.

Tim flew to Arkansas on Saturday morning and I was able to get there late Sunday morning. What I can say is that she waited. At least for Tim. She was still alive when I got to the hospital and I have to believe in my heart that she knew I was there.

Her body, and I believe her heart and mind, were ready to go.

I don't have any grandparents anymore. Mine had all left before my senior year in high school.

I always envied Tim a bit that he had Pop (when we first met) and Gram. He had so many years with them and they meant so much to him. Gram was his second Mom. She quickly became my Gram too. Even before I met her in person we had spent many hours on the phone together.

I used to love calling her house. She would answer the phone and I would say "Hi Gram" and she always said "Well, hello Kathleen". The sound of her voice obviously can't come across here, but I hear it in my head. It was a welcoming, loving sound. It was the best part.

Gram had a great laugh. Not a laugh that is loud and makes peoples heads turn. Not a laugh that is a belly jiggler. But a tight, short laugh that was accompanied by an equally great smile. She had a beautiful sense of humor. She was opinionated and stubborn as can be and I loved that about her too; because even though she was both of those things, she also would listen to other points of view and was okay with having differences of opinions.

Gram was a very giving and kind person. Christmas was ridiculous at her house and that is just what she wanted and exactly what made her happy.

There isn't enough that I can say to describe this amazing woman. Trying to do so reminds me of when Tim and I first met and he attempted to describe her to me. You had to know her. To do so made you love her, without question.

I miss her everyday.

I think about her everyday.

I know she is looking over us...and I am sure, offering her opinion.

We love you Gram. Thank you.