The Life and Times of Two Crazy Kids

One week to go...

2007-09-21T17:40:00.000-04:00

The papers are in, the insurance is purchased, the mortagage rate has been locked in.

It looks like we will have approval to close Tuesday and then actually have the closing next Friday!

As I figured, I have been spending quite a bit of time pricing out appliances, cabinets, countertops, carpeting, toilets, paint...all those things that make a house a home. I am pretty comfortable that I have it well figured out. We will walk away from the closing and then I will start making calls...lots of them. As the closing will be the 28th of Septmeber and we have to be out of our current cozy home no later than October 31, the clock will be ticking.

We are very fortunate that our timing is great.

Tim's Mom, both brothers and sister in law, Aunt, Uncle, cousin, other cousin, other cousin's wife plus other Aunt, Uncle and cousin, are all coming into town. They are here until Sunday after the closing.

We are hopeful that this extra help may give us the big push forward we so drastically need.

So, without further ado and not to jinx ourselves, but to give you a taste of what we are up against... some photos for you...

the oh so lovely kitchen

the downstairs bath...I know, you thought those things came with sinks?

What will soon be a fabulous walk in closet for the master bedroom

Like I said, who takes things like this???

So, I am thinking that for Halloween, Tim and I will dress up as new homeowners. Whadya think?

Moving on up....

2007-08-27T18:06:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-18T17:34:00.000-04:00

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.

Reality Check

2007-03-04T08:50:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Tim, Sarah, Mom and I went to the home show here in Saratoga. We walked around and checked out lots of vendors selling everything from shrubs to hot tubs, siding and gutters to solar panels. It was pretty cool, we got lots of ideas and Tim found new companies he can sub to.

Is this exciting...not really. But, what do you usually get at a home show...that's right, free rulers.

Bet you are excited now!

The point is, with a free ruler in one hand (fluorescent pink even) and a glass of wine in the other, it is always a good time to measure your sister's hair and see how much she will have left for her new hairdu after donating 12 inches...

Um, not much. In fact, not even really 1/2 an inch with which to create a new du. My new haircut seems that right now it would look a bit more like this:

Although there currently seem to be some celebrities that think this is totally the look for them right now, I just don't think I have the jaw line to pull this one off.

So, I guess it is all about ponytails and hair clips a bit longer than April.

A new fall du is always an option.

Latest and Greatest

2007-03-01T19:16:00.000-05:00

So, faithful readers, you have now all come to realize that once every few weeks is about all you can expect. I promise to work on that.

That being said...Tim and I have both been out of our minds, ridiculously busy.

This pharma rep business has been crazy.

Good crazy. I have been enjoying my new challenges tremendously. I meet lots of great people everyday and feel good that I am helping doctors help patients.

My manager was riding with me and visiting offices with me the past two days. I learned a lot from him. AND, got a speeding ticket! Which, looks like I might get off of AND, I totally blamed on him which he agreed. So, hope that I get off because even though it was his fault, the points still won't go on his license!

To more fun topics...

For those of you who haven't seen us in a bit and those who don't know...my hair...

Well, it is long. It is actually a bit ridiculous if you ask me.

Several months back I realized that it was getting long. So, instead of cutting it, I decided to keep going. Why? You ask? Is it because Kathleen thinks the "Crazy Bushwoman Style" is back in. Oh No. I may be fashion handicapped, but that isn't it.

Once I realized how long it was, I decided to keep going.

So, in April, I will be sporting a new short spring du and will be sending my locks to Wigs for Kids. I set an appointment today back at the salon that I used to go to in New York. I will be cutting 12 inches off and sending it to an organization that makes wigs for kids; kids with cancer and other diseases that prohibit hair growth.

Locks for Love has received a lot of attention lately. However, when I checked them out I found out that they charge the children who receive their wigs based on a sliding scale of what their parents make. Wigs for Kids gives the wigs for free. The other thing I thought of is that for people with straight hair, theirs tends to grow a lot faster. So, they probably don't get that much curly hair.

So, here is where I stand now...it doesn't look that long, but remember, when you pull it straight, it is a world of difference...

A few months ago, I went with Sarah when she had her hair cut and while we were waiting, I found this photo in a magazine...

Although I am really not quite that pouty, I think the style might work for me...here is what I am thinking...

Krista and my new friend from training, Susan, are going to go with me to New York to have it done. Susan is from Ireland. I could listen to that girl read the ingredients on a cereal box her accent is so lovely! So, I will let you know what happens and post the photos.

In the meantime, Happy Birthday to our friend Adam who turned 30 yesterday...welcome to this side of the pond brother!

From left to right: Sarah, Me, Tim, Adam, Krista and Jason

Oh the whirlwind of life

2007-02-19T17:35:00.000-05:00

Where to begin really...
You haven't heard from me in a bit because I have been, well, buried. In two senses of the word.
The week before last I was in Indianapolis training for my new job. It was a super intense week. I was up by 5:30 every morning and in bed about 11. The training was long and interesting and scientific and fun and hard. The crew that makes up the rest of my territory is wonderful. We spent a lot of time together and all wish that we were able to work together everyday. But, alas, it is me and my Impala hitting the road.
I learned so much about diabetes and became really excited about speaking with the doctors because, OH MY GOD!! This disease is insane. If it isn't under control, the havoc it can reak on the human body is horrible. I won't go into blood glucose levels and A1C readings and all of that. I am so happy to know that the two people I currently know who have to deal with this disease everyday ARE in control. There are 18.2 million people in the U.S. alone who are diagonsed with this disease. What is scarier than that number is the fact that there are 6.2 million walking around with diabetes who don't even know that they have it! To put that into perspective...that is the ENTIRE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS! This is no joke people!
I will get off my soapbox now, but, want all of you to know that I happen to know A LOT about diabetes now and am happy to share any information I have or can get with any of you.
This, people, is an epidemic.

Back to the buried...I finally was able to take a photo of the cars. Yep, plural, as I technically have two now which means I am really making up for lost time!

Ummmm, yeah, the first bump is the Audi, the second bump is the company Impala. And this my friends, is snow. This was about 1/3 of the way through the storm that we got last week and at this point the cars had both been cleaned off once already.
Here is some more for you...

This is looking one way down our street, you can see some of the other cars...

This is our neighbors, across the street. Yeah, this wasn't even 1/2 way through the storm! Needless to say, we got some snow!

This weekend was lovely. Much enjoyed for me after a crazy week of driving to see and meet doctors. AND, our friend Adam came to visit which means there was much merriment and fun for all.
I will try to post more often, I know I have been a slacker. Man, those docs take a lot out of you at the end of the day!

And, because they are beautiful and a nice way to end a post, I give you photos of the lovely flowers that were waiting for me when I got home from training...

Thanks Tim, you rock!

Sappy post ahead, look out!

2007-02-01T21:13:00.000-05:00

In the last few months I have been privy to more than a few marital issues.
My parents were married for 36 years. My friend Tricki (name changed to save whatever) was married for 3+ years and my friend Bloz (name changed to also save whatever) was/is married for 1.5 years and on the verge of divorce.

So, apparently things change. I have been married for 3.5+ years, it will be 4 on September 26, 2007.

No one is perfect. Me included, I can say that about my self. I can be an immense pain, I know this.

Let me please just say that my husband can not breathe through his nose. Every morning I wake up and hear this loud breathing. IT'S LOUD! After that, he gets into the shower where he CLEARS HIS THROAT, several times, because he has allergies. He has allergies, that doesn't make the SOUND okay. I get it, I get why that crazy ass sound is coming out of the shower, he can't breathe, but man that doesn't make the sound less pleasant! But, when he gets out of the shower, he kisses me on the head and wakes me into the day and says "good morning", most of the time he doesn't even end it with "lazy butt, when are you getting up?" (but sometimes he does. He should read my blog more often, because then he would know that he shouldn't say that!)

All I am trying to say, or think, or whatever, is what Paul Newman said... He was interviewed once and the interviewer asked how he and his wife, Joanne Woodward, the actress, were able to stay together so long considering they were both in Hollywood. Paul thought about it and said "Every day I get up, I pack my lunch and I go to work". Obviously, he wasn't talking about his "real" job. I have always thought that that is a fantastic quote. A very poignent quote. I would also like to point out that Joanne went to work too. There has to be two.

I still consider Tim and I to be "newley wed". I try to tell him everyday how special he makes me feel and how much he means to me. I plan on continuing to do this until some sickness strikes me down so I can't speak (which will probably also be declared a national holiday)

I think that we have to look at all of the relationships that matter to us. Things do not happen without effort. All Things.

I really think that if we can all spend a tiny bit more time reminding those that we love, that are in our lives everyday, that they are special to us, and telling those that we maybe don't see everyday that they matter, and make a difference, perhaps the world would be a little bit nicer and really, isn't that the point?
No more marriages ending please. More time needs to be spent talking and caring and loving please.

Thank God it wasn't a Resolution

2007-02-01T09:57:00.000-05:00

Blogging more regularly that is...I would've failed MISERABLY.

Well, Happy February anyway.
So, let's have a quick January recap, shall we?

Ohhhhh, where to begin.
I just looked at my calendar to see if that would jog my memory as to what the heck we did since I last filled you in. I had lots of meetings listed for the different volunteer activities I have signed myself up for. Let's see, the Universal Preservation Hall which I showed you earlier, the picture of the church, also the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga, I am helping to organize their annual fundraiser which is in August AND most recently, the Saratoga Arts Fest which is a weekend long arts event happening here in town in mid June with lots of various musical performances and art exhibitions. Tim has basically told me that I am not allowed to get involved in anything else! My favorite saying for a while is that I am the busiest unemployed person ever.

What a nice segue...so, not really unemployed anymore!
Yes, very exciting news. I have done a complete 180 and am starting a new path. I will be working with doctors in the area as a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep for Humalog, a diabetes medication. Still in sales which is why I say 180 and not 360. I started home based training on Monday and fly out to the Eli Lilly Corporate Offices on Sunday for more training all of next week. So far this week has seemed like a crazy Biology class for me. But, I am finding the information really interesting.

Funny how things happen in life that you can look back on later and see how they impact you so much more now than they did then. 2 summers ago we had a family reunion at my cousin Paul's house in Vermont. (It was 2 right? Was it 3? Wow, time goes by quick! Aunt Bev, was it 2 or 3?)
While there, my Uncle Felix, who is diabetic, was testing his sugar. Several of us were very interested in what he was doing...did it hurt? what do the numbers mean? That sort of thing. Well, Uncle Felix proceed to test the blood sugar of all of us so we could see for ourselves. Man, do I have a better understanding of all of that now!

Even though this new position is dramatically different from things I have done in the past, it is a really exciting new challenge for me. It also comes with some great perks...I don't sit in an office all day, I get to meet with interesting and different people everyday, they pay well and offer some great benefits so Tim and I no longer have to cut off one of our arms each month to pay for our own health insurance. Oh yeah, another perk...I am about to get a 2007 Chevy Impala...my paid for company car.

Nice segue number 2:
I sold my car when I move to NYC. Got myself a subway pass and was happy as could be. The problem with that is that when we moved back to Saratoga, that flimsy little Metro card didn't seem to get me anywhere at all! Yes, we had the van (for those of you new to this broadcast, please see photos in September of VERY LARGE RED VAN) but I simply can not be driving that thing around to get groceries. Yes, I can drive it, but park it? PLEASE!
So, after 5 years of being carless, Tim and I decided it was really time for me to get a car. It is much too cold for my bike and, let's face it, I am a bit lazy and really didn't want to be biking all over town either.

We were able to find exactly what I was looking for in a car and traded in the van. Two problems solved! Bye Bye van...hello wheels for K!
Here is a photo of what we got:

Okay, this is SO NOT FAIR...Blogger is not currently accepting my attempts to load images, so, you will have to wait for an image of my super cute and fun to drive Audi A4 Quattro with heated leather seats and sunroof and all that plus a bag of chips.

The point here really is that I went from having NO car for 5 years, to getting a used Audi and the commitment of a new Impala within two weeks of each other! Not sure yet what we are going to do with the Audi once I get the Pharma car. I am not going to need it. The company even expects you to use your company car for personal driving as well so it isn't even that I need to hang on to it for the weekends!
When it rains, it snows, cars at least!

Ummm, what else...I spent 5 solid days between the couch and the bed last week. I don't think I have ever been so sick. Feeling MUCH better now. It is amazing how something small like being able to breathe through your nose or swallow a mouthful of water can really change your outlook!

Tim received golf clubs and lessons for Christmas this year and took his first lesson last Saturday. He seems to be pretty exciting about it. I am too. I took lessons many years ago and actually have my own clubs. (Once I find them in my Mom's basement!) I think golf is something that we will be able to do and enjoy together. Think about it; it is a sport, which makes Tim happy. It is a sport in which you walk through a beautiful park like setting while playing, you hear birds chirpping, the ball goes AWAY from you and you don't sweat like with other sports, all things I like!

Okay, for now that is it. I apologize for the delay in posting. I have been out driving my new car and looking for my clubs, what can I say!
Happy February everyone and may this month bring more posting!

Excuse me while I kiss this guy*

2006-12-31T12:14:00.000-05:00

Here we are at the last day of 2006. Wow has this year gone by fast!
Lots of thoughts usually swirl around for me at this time of year. Remembering things that have happened over the last year. Looking forward to what the new year may have in store.

I don't typically make new years resolutions. But, I have been thinking the last few days about what I would like to see different next year versus this year. My thoughts don't seem to be very original:

start regular exercise
drink less
correspond with friends more often
give back to my community and others
find work that I enjoy and that pays the bills
find first piece of investment real estate and actually buy it

How about you? Do you have thoughts about what you would like to do differently this next year? What about things that happened in 2006 that were great and you would like to see repeated?

_______________________________________________________________________________

New Years Eve has always been an odd one for me. There is all this hubba ballo about doing something special. It isn't so much what to do on New Years Eve that frustrates me. It isn't thinking about resolutions and knowing that I won't really pay much attention to them. It isn't even seeing Dick Clark on tv every year and wondering how in the world that man NEVER ages. Really, my biggest frustration about NYE is very simple...

Does ANYONE actually know the words to that song? Huh? Anyone? I bet most of you would be hard pressed to tell me the title and then even harder pressed to be able to spell it. Don't feel like you are alone in the world. Took a few google searches before I found the right way to spell it too!

So, as part of my resolution to give back to others, and because it has to make you at least a little bit crazy too...I have done the research and now present to you the background AND lyrics. Feel free to print this off and bring to your NYE celebrations tonight. Pretty damn impressive to actually be able to sing along with Dick Clark and crew and not just be mumbling and tra la laaing.

Auld Lang Syne
Scottish
adv.
Long ago; long since.
n.
Time long past; times past.

"Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind;
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And days of old lang syne.

We two have run about the hills,
And pulled the daisies fine.
We've wandered many a weary foot,
Since old lang syne.

We two have paddled in the burn,
From morning sun till dine,
But seas between us broad have roared,
Since old lang syne.

And here's a hand my trusty friend,
And put your hand in mine.
We'll take a right good willie-waught,
For old lang syne.

And surely you'll lift up your glass,
For surely I'll lift mine,
And we'll drink a cup of kindness yet,
For old lang syne.

For old lang syne, my dear,
For old lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For old lang syne."

Happy New Year to you all. May this year bring peace, joy, health and strength.

*I am sure many of you have had all sorts of interesting ideas of what the words to Auld Lang Syne may have been. My friend Nicci once believed that this was what Jimi Hendrix was singing in Purple Haze. This is only slightly better than a cell phone commercial I saw recently where the guy was singing "Rock the Casbah" by the Clash except he was saying something like "Rock the Cat Box".

Christmas Celebration Part III

2006-12-31T11:51:00.000-05:00

We have returned from Arkansas after a fabulous week spent with family.
We cooked and danced and sang and played lots and lots of cards.
I was a bit disappointed in myself once I got home and took a look at the photos I took while we were there. Apparently, I was having so much fun making merriment that I forgot to take very many photos. I do have a few good ones to share with you.

Jason really got into the Chrismas spirit this year. Here he is with his wife, Charlene.

Okay, I put all the beads around that wreath and stuck it on his head, but he is a good sport for just about anything.

Here is Katelyn, our niece, with a doll sent to her by Tim's father.

Tim, ever so festive, dancing with Santa

One of the things I have been wanting to do for a while is try skeet shooting. This year, I got my chance. The day we went to a friends farm was simply beautiful.

Here are the guys...

Considering that this was my first time shooting a gun, I chickened out a little and asked if I could try on some targets that weren't actually moving. They set me up with a great little target range.

Those cans had no chance!

I am very proud to say that I hit 3 cans with 2 shots and 5 cans with 3 shots. Can you say Annie Oakley? Okay, maybe not so much, but it was really a lot of fun.
After our shooting adventure, I was off for a 30 minute massage provided by our brother Jason as a Christmas gift to me. Can it get any better than that?!!?

In the blink of an eye, the week was over and it was time to head home. Why is it that time always goes so much faster when you are spending it with those you love?
This photo is for Katelyn, who has never been on a plane. It was a beautiful sunset as we started back for home.

An amazing and horribly sucking thing

2006-12-20T14:08:00.000-05:00

Sometimes in life you make really tough decisions.
Yes, I know that that seems like a bit of a banal statement, but it really says so much when you think about it.

The last year seems to be full of a lot of tough decisions for both me and the people I am close with.

Tim and I decided to leave NYC. Super tough. We love it there. Tim was making good money and I was at my dream job with people I really loved working with, doing things I always wanted to do.

My sister decided to leave Spain and come back to the states while waiting to see if she receives her fullbright scholarship. Coming home was great for her (and us!) but also a really difficult decision to change everything in her life like that.

After 36 years of marriage, my parents made a ridiculously tough decision to separate. Although I am not going to get into the particulars, that is obviously the toughest one that has happened.

I guess you have to make decisions all the time, some of them you think about long and hard, others just sort of happen. Would I like to wear these orange shoes with those green socks? No, that would look aweful. See, easy decision.

I interviewed for a position that was perfect for me in everyway (almost).
It was for the Exhibitions Coordinator at the Arts Council here in Saratoga. The job description might as well have read:
Job Duties Include:
1. be Kathleen Lucey
2. be Kathleen Lucey
3. be Kathleen Lucey
The organization is wonderful. The people who both work and volunteer there are interesting, motivated, creative, fabulous people.
They offered me the job yesterday.
After a lot of searching and thinking and talking and frustration, I turned it down.

So many questions going through my head and so many uncertainties.
It was really hard. But, I guess the reality is that once you make the choice, then the rest is just dealing with what comes at you next.
Now, where did I put those polkadot pink socks, that works better with orange shoes, right?

Christmas Celebration Part II

2006-12-20T09:41:00.000-05:00

After driving back from Vermont on Sunday, we celebrated Christmas at my Mom's house with a fabulous dinner of Osso Bucco with the neighbors and our gift exchange.
I would give you the recipe for the Osso Bucco because it is incredible. However, we have connections apparently and when we asked the Springwater Bistro (our favorite restaurant) for the recipe to cook it, they started giving us the instructions and then decided they would just make it for us! Thanks Damon, it was SO great!!

(Perhaps it was the slightly glazed over look we were getting in our eyes when Damon started explaining how to prepare the meat and then create the sauce and whatnot. Maybe they had no faith in us and figured they see us so regularly in their restaurant because we have no idea how to do anything other than open a can of Chef Boyardee. I, however, am going to stick with the thought that they are just nice. That feels better.)

A very nice night indeed. Here we are.

And here is the crazy Sammy. He was sitting in the tree but my camera only caught his bum as he was hoping down. Or, maybe he is really just mooning all of us?

Sidebar:
I guess I really can't discuss the holidays without talking about some major life changes that have been going on around here. I mean, I guess I could, this is MY blog after all. But, that would be ignoring the fact that things are different.

Considering that I think it is pretty much Gram and Aunt Bev who read this anyway, it doesn't matter much as you already know what is going on. But, whatever.

My parents have separated. It actually happened the beginning of October, but I haven't really been interested in discussing it. Actually, not real interested in discussing it now, just offering up some facts and explaining things like why 141 Lincoln Avenue is now referred to as "my Mom's house" and why you haven't seen my Dad is some of these outings photos. No, my Dad has not been eaten by a wild bear or anything, he is doing well. He just doesn't live with my Mom anymore and now when we get together we do thing separately.

We will be celebrating Christmas with my Dad and Sarah and Tim's Dad at our house tonight. Tomorrow morning early we head off to Arkansas to see Tim's Mom's side of the family.
I guess the upside of all of this is that Christmas ends up being 2 weeks long and we get to spend quality time with each of them independantly. The downside of this is, well, my parents are separated.
Holidays are a bit surreal this year.

Starting our Christmas Celebrations

2006-12-20T09:23:00.000-05:00

This past weekend Tim, Sarah, my Mom and I went to Burlington, VT to see my Aunt Phyllis and cousin Deborah and her husband Bruce. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet my amazing Aunt, she is 88 years old (actually my great Aunt) and, um, amazing.

She really doesn't like to have her photo taken though. So, I didn't get any of her while we were there, but here is a photo of Sarah and me with Aunt Phyllis at our cousing Paul's wedding this past September.

And, to continue with visuals for you. I also did not get a photo of Deborah and Bruce, but here they are from same said wedding.

We drove my wonderful new car (new to me, old to the rest of the world, whatever) to Burlington. That was great and it drives so nicely. Way better than trying to fit Mom, Tim and Sarah all on the handlebars of my bike!
We had a lovely lunch with the VT crew.

Every year we travel to Burlington to see them sometime around this time of year. This year we decided to make a bit more of an adventure out of it and booked a hotel room for the night. We spent the evening wandering around the streets of Burlington, specifically Church Street which is a great pedestrian only street lined with fun shops and restaurants and such. This, I did get photos of...

One photo in each direction even.

For anyone traveling to Burlington in the near future, there is an excellent Sushi restaurant right on Church Street that we went to. Vermont, it isn't all about cows and Ben and Jerry's...they have GREAT sushi! Who knew?!!?

Made in Korea

2006-12-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

My mother emailed me this morning that she needed to find out what kind of phone I have. Now that I have a car (mass celebration erupts around the world. No, you didn't miss that part, I haven't posted it yet. This is a bit out of order, but I will fill you in shortly, in the meantime, feel free to continue celebrating)

It really is not very safe to drive a car while talking on the phone. (Sorry, another interjection here. I think talking on the phone is actually not that big of a deal, for most people anyway. The real problem is dialing, you know, the part where you have to look at the phone and either scroll through 88 gazillion contacts to find the right one, or punch in the numbers you need...all this while NOT looking at the road or any of the other drivers around you) Anyway, it is also illegal in the state of NY to be on the phone while driving, so, I need a headset for my phone. (see car above and oh yeah, NY state doesn't care if you dial while driving, go a head and do that all day long!)

My point here...ah yes. It is only 9am. Here is my day so far summed up in the response email I sent to my Mother:

WHEW!!

That was a scare!

I took the battery out to see what type of phone it was but didn’t think to turn it off first. (Pls note, no morning coffee had been had up to this point!)

When I put the battery back in, it wouldn’t turn back on. I tried several times.

Went online to see if they had any info about what to do.

Went to the Samsung site specifically.

Entered in my model number and it told me that “We’re sorry, but no items match your query”!!!!

OKAY, my phone is not that old!

So then I tried finding it through the drop down menu thinking that maybe I some how input the info wrong.

Nope, not there either.

Now I am starting to think that I may spend my entire afternoon at the Verizon store with some guy named Cliff trying to get my phone to work because, HI! I am in the middle of trying to find a job and that number is the only one that those who have jobs have to contact me and I have just severed all connection with that world!

With a last ditch effort I decided to try the battery one last time because the definition of stupidity is doing something over and over and expecting a different result.

Unless it is a Samsung phone, model number SCH-A630 made in Korea…because then, then, for NO apparent reason, you will put the battery back in and the phone will turn on. And all will be right with the world today.

Okay, going to go get more coffee.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2006-12-11T11:57:00.000-05:00

Here is how things are starting to shape up for us over here...

Our porch is now festive.

And here is the most beautiful tree EVER!!

Please don't mind the bum on the left of the photo.

I know this one is a little blurry, I don't have a tripod but wanted you to be able to see it with the lights.

Actually, I should take some more recent photos for you too. It now has presents under it and looks even more festive! Will do.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2006-12-06T17:38:00.000-05:00

Ah yes, December.
A time for rush shopping, packed stores, expensive airline tickets, freezing cold temperatures and
OH WAIT
I meant, decorations and lights, time with family, spruce scented candles and Christmas songs!

After not having had a tree EVER since Tim and I have been together, we are doing it up this year. Not only do we have the most fabulous tree, we found it after walking about at the tree farm and then cutting it down ourselves! Okay, I sort of held the tree while Sarah and Tim cut it. We needed a top man really to hold it from falling, because right, you don't want this tree that lives outside in the dirt and elements to fall onto the ground! whatever, it was completely plausible at the time so I didn't have to lie on the ground with our stinking saw that was missing like, a gizillion teeth!

Anyway, here are the adventurous tree hunters, with said crummy saw.

Sarah and Tim pondering a tree, "Could this be the one?" "No" Tim says, "It's nice, but not quite perfect"

After some searching and two fields, we found the one for Mom and Sarah. Yeah, Tim and Sarah cut this one down too. Whatever! I helped carry the trees out of the field, I am not adverse to working.

Then we spotted it...

And thought it through

And declared victory, we had found our tree!

I know, this SO does not look like a "victory!" type photo, it is all sappy and sentimental and pretty silly, but it seems to be the one we have so just pretend our arms are raised over our heads and we are wearing viking helmets and cheering and whatnot.

Lights on the house and our decorated tree to come...
You just have to wait Gram, three postings in one night is pretty damn good if I do say so myself thank you very much!

FLAT kitty

2006-12-06T17:33:00.000-05:00

Okay, these are completely UNholiday related and just sheer funny...
I give you Cleo, the world's flattest cat!

Me thinks the kitty maybe ate too much turkey?

Thanksgiving Update

2006-12-06T17:16:00.000-05:00

So, without much fanfare as I really am NOT interested in pointing out how late these are...here are some photos from Thanksgiving at our house...

Frank, Linda and Bella arrive. You can tell this because there is Frank, cooking in the kitchen, .37 seconds after getting here! You gotta love company that shows up and starts cooking!

The crew, minus Tim who is taking the photo, before our first of many meals...Frank's homemade sauce, meatballs and sausage

The sky that night was incredible!

Bella made quick friends with Cleo, which, for those of you who know Cleo, understand what an accomplishment this was!

Thanksgiving in our dining room the next day.

Munching, chatting...

Oh yes, and napping

And then it is time for dinner!

And just because we haven't had enough...Frank decided to create yet another delicious meal for us the next day...who needs turkey, we have meatball subs!

With his trusty sous chef Bella

Next holiday on tap for you shortly!

The Steeps!

2006-11-30T11:21:00.000-05:00

After returning to Saratoga, I became involved with a fantastic group dedicated to a really fantastic cause. The Steeplechasers are a group of people, all around our age, who live in the Saratoga area. The goal of the group is to help raise awareness and donations for the Universal Preservation Hall.
www.universalpreservationhall.org

For those of you familiar with Saratoga, the UPH is the old Baptist (also Methodist at one point) church on Washington Street; it is the brick one that once looked like a strong wind might topple it. This is the architect's rendering of where we are headed:

Once the restoration is completed, UPH will be a community arts focused space available to everyone. It will be used for theatrical events, musical performances, art exhibitions, weddings and other parties or functions...
I won't go on and on here, but suffice it to say, it is a spectacular and unique venture. You can learn lots more on the site.

The Steeps are a great group of people that I have really enjoyed getting to meet. A group of us went out to dinner last night after our meeting and Tim was able to come along so he had the chance to meet many of them as well.
I made mention of having this blog at dinner last night which means two things:
I was asked for the address so some could read it, so, HI STEEPS!
Two, crap, now I really do have to post occassionally or they will all know that I am a slacker, not just Gram and Aunt Bev!

What? No Photos??

2006-11-30T10:57:00.000-05:00

So, after a ridiculous amount of time since I have given you any sort of update, I sat down this morning prepared to really fill you in. And then I realized, where the hell did the camera go? How am I supposed to update all our adoring fans (Hi Gram!) when I can't find the camera? Ummm, Tim took it to the job site today so apparently you will have to wait for visuals.

We had our first holiday celebrated at our house this year. Thanksgiving was wonderful. No, I don't mean in our new Saratoga house, I mean our humble abode period. Who wants to eat Thanksgiving dinner on a coffee table while sitting on the floor? That is how it would have been in Brooklyn! As we now have a fantastic dining room with a table and chairs and everything, it was finally time for us to hold the shindig. Tim's aunt Linda and uncle Frank and daughter Bella, the one who played the piano at our wedding for those of you who were there, came from CT to stay with us for a few days. Tim's dad and my parents and sister were also here. We cooked and laughed and danced and much merriment was had by all...photos to come.

Linda gets up every year at ungodly hours to hit the Black Friday sales. This year was not to be any different! I really wanted to go with them, but after the excitement of the day I found myself laying in bed still staring at the ceiling at 1:30am. Yeah, they got up and left for Best Buy at 3:15. Needless to say, I was NOT in tow. Linda and Bella and Tim went and stood in the cold with all the rest of the shopping crazies. Tim estimates there were over 300 people in line when they got there at 3:30 and the joint didn't even open until 5! Linda got some good deals and Bella and Tim got cold feet.

After which, they headed to Dick's. The background to why you should feel the extreme excitement pulsating from your computer screen as you read that last sentence is this:
We have been looking at, pricing out, dreaming about, and down right drooling over the idea of owning kayaks for about a year. Thanks to a friend of Tim's for the heads up and Dick's decision to liquidate some of their kayak inventory...HOORAY FOR US!!! We were able to get super great kayaks at an unheard of price. Bring it on spring! Yes, this means that Tim and I have completed our shopping for one another for the holidays. Yes, I also know that this means that we purchased super fun toys that we can't use for a few months. Hey, you may stop by to visit us and see the two of us sitting in our little boats in the living room...you never know.

We have a blue one and an orange one...

Okay, I said no photos, but I found this one on line so you could see

After Thanksgiving and our company had departed, it was time to really start swinging into the holiday gear. For the last 4 years we have not had a Christmas tree. We were typically away from our apartment for at least 2-3 weeks at the end of December and beginning of January, so a tree really didn't make sense. Fire hazard, pine needles everywhere, that type of thing. Fake trees, not so much. I would rather go without. (Sorry Gram, I know you like them)
So, Saturday we purchased some lights for outside, stockings which we have hung by the bookcase with care, ornaments, even Christmas hand towels for the kitchen! Lookout Clark Griswald, here we come.

This weekend we are planning on putting the lights on the porch and getting a tree. I will take photos of all the shinanegins and post them here so you can giggle. I promise not to let Tim steal our camera again before so doing.

Nothing new to share

2006-11-05T18:55:00.000-05:00

Just thought I would take a quick minute to say hello. Really, there is nothing new and too exciting to share, but, if I don't occassionally post things here, you won't keep coming back!

Last week was busy with work. I started doing some freelance work for the photographers who photographed our wedding. I am doing some inhouse graphic design for them, redesigning their brochures, designing ads. Also am doing layout design of wedding albums for them. It is a blast. I have great new software on our home computer, I work from home most the time, make my own hours and am doing creative, interesting work with two people who I find creative and interesting as well. If you would like to know more about them, their site is www.pachterphoto.com
I completed my first album on Saturday morning, so that was exciting for me.

Tim has been keeping busy with his jobs and we continue to try to get the company name out there and get him new work.
He put together a team of guys who will be playing indoor soccer once a week. I know he is thrilled about that. They will be playing on Tuesday nights.

I also sent my resume into the Saratoga County Arts Council in response to an opening they have for Exhibitions Coordinator. It would be doing much of the same thing that I have done in the past for a group that I believe strongly in. I don't want to jinks anything. I know I would be perfect for the position. We will see what happens and I will keep you posted.

And, here, just because it is a lovely photograph and I hate to post and not give you an image to see...outside our house in Brooklyn last year after a snow storm. Those of you who know me well, know that I hate winter. It is because I hate being cold and I really dislike wind. But, images like this remind you of how lovely the season can be. And, I know it is around the corner...trying to look on the bright side...

Happy Hallloooooweeeennnnn - Now With Photos!

2006-10-31T21:32:00.000-05:00

So, with much anticipated (I am sure) a do...

That and the following photo were taken from the Pumpkin Carving Party we went to last weekend while Cheryl was here.
Pretty great creations were made!

Here, at this house, well, I may have been a bit over zealous in my hopes of tricker-treaters. Hey, it isn't Brooklyn anymore where someone would have to push a buzzer and hope for someone to answer. But, we do live on a small alleyway...so...it is a good thing that I only bought candy of a type that Tim and my Dad like as they have some eating to do. (Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for those of you not in the know)

Other good pre-Halloween fun was had while Cheryl was here. Mom, Sarah, Cheryl, Tim and I completed a Corn Maze which was a blast! They said the average was 45 minutes to an hour if you didn't get all the map pieces hidden within the maze. We completed the maze, with ALL map pieces, in 1 hour, 6 minutes. WE ROCK! And, we had so much fun! Here are some maze photos...

This is looking out over the maze. If you click on it the photo will come up larger and then you can see the flags out there. Each flag is a group of people finding their way through the maze.

Here is the crew after finding one of our puzzle map pieces. Gives you a good idea of high the corn was!

Tim is out of town on a job in CT right now. So, Dad came by for dinner and to help hand out candy. Needless to say, see above mentioned surplus of PB Cups. The good news is that there is no way that this holiday is getting me down considering that we are having a Christmas Tree this year for the first year in the last 5! Bring on the holiday, jolly good times!

And, just because he is black and white (holiday appropriate) and ridiculously cute...I bring you Sammy, the new terror of 141 Lincoln Avenue... look out, he might bite your face off....or just lick it a bunch. Mom's new kitty...

WHAT THE HECK (you are saying!) WHAT IS WRONG WITH KATHLEEN, MY STUPID COMPUTER, MY INTERNET CONNECTION, THE BAPTISTS PREACHING NO DRINKING AND GAMBLING IN CONWAY, ARKANSAS...(okay, maybe I stretched that last part, you don't all wonder about that!)
Apparently, everyone and their Mother and Aunt, Next Door Neighbor and Senator are trying to upload things to blogger right now so it is not letting me put photos in. I PROMISE, I will come back and fill this in, once everyone else goes to bed or work or whatever. I realize that only two, maybe stretching it, one, HI GRAM, will even see this without photos. But, whichever, I will add them as soon as technology permits.

In the meantime, stay tuned, and put down the candy.
Oh yeah, BOO!!!!

Quick Update

2006-10-22T10:01:00.000-04:00

It occurred to me yesterday morning that I needed to post a few quick things to clarify.
"Um, Kathleen," (you say) "If you thought about this yesterday, why are you taking care of it today? Lazy much?"
To which I say to you, "HECK NO, Busy Much!"

More on that later. In the meantime, here is our fabulous new rocker WITHOUTH Cheryl in it so you can see what the chair looks like!

Here is the dining room, finished, with the track lighting. MAN OH MAN does it look nice now!

Another shot of the Hooray Cheryl is here Cactus as I decided that the first one did not properly show off the amount and beauty of all the blossoms. 19 I counted! and there are still more to open.

And, because I do the posting and the photo taking around here which = because I can...here are fun photos of Cheryl and Tim, because they are fun! These were taken after our great dinner at a local Italian restaurant, Gotchya's, where we went on Friday night.

More to come about Pumpkins, Mazes, Mailboxes and such...

And, We Went Shopping...

2006-10-20T18:49:00.000-04:00

Putting Tim, Cheryl and I together and letting us loose anywhere near shopping and antique stores will always be trouble. Well, maybe not trouble unless you are our accountant, we were happy and the shop keepers seemed pretty happy too!

Yesterday we went to a Fabulous antique store in Ballston Spa. Here are the photos of our shopping victims.

Cheryl found all these goodies...okay, Tim helped too. I was helping a friend next door serving at her deli. The wonderful plant that Gram got us for our anniversary now has an appropriate and lovely stand on which to sit...

We also got a wonderful small rocker. The only space left in our living room for another chair was not a large space. HEY, we aren't large people. Cheryl found the perfect small antique rocker for us. OUR FEET TOUCH! It is so great. Here she is, enjoying her find...

The third thing we found was a small table that I am now using as my nightstand. It is WAY better than the plant stand I had there before and is the perfect height and looks great with our Indonesian screen that is our headboard.

Along with many other wonderful things that we did today, we went to a great shop called Schuyler Pond. www.schuylerpond.com
There we found the exact armoir that we need for our bedroom. We don't quite have enough dresser room with the small one that we have and this was just the thing. So, back to saving for furniture we go...

AND, for no reason other than the fact that it is incredibly beautiful, here is a picture of our blooming Christmas Cactus.

It is a bit of a joke in our family that all the Christmas Cactus we have ever had bloom whenever they damn well feel like it. So, we have had Valentine's Day Cactus, Thanksgiving Day Cactus, in the middle of the freaking summer because no one knows why Cactus. So, we decided that this one is a "Hooray, Cheryl is coming to visit" Cactus.
More on our crazy adventures as they unfold.

AND II, because it wouldn't be this family getting together without projects going on...here are what Tim and Cheryl are doing while I hide in the office and post to the blog...

We are getting track lighting in the dining room!!

YES! She made it!

2006-10-18T21:55:00.000-04:00

So after a long anticipated wait, she finally came to see the new digs!
If you are in doubt, here are the photos...my Mom and Sarah came for dinner. We drank, we ate, lots of fun, oh yeah, and we drank some more. Right, and chocolate. (You should have seen this before the spell check!)

So, here is the beginning of a fun filled week...we will keep you posted!

Okay, I'm a Slacker

2006-10-11T18:02:00.000-04:00

So, it has been 10 days since I posted last.
Wow, is this a Catholic confession or what? I am not even Catholic!

What has been going on, WOW, what hasn't.
We sent our first mailer out for Spire Restoration and Construction, Tim's new company.It went out on Saturday and we have had 2 calls already. That is good news.
The job that we had to move up here with starts excavation tomorrow, so that is now moving forward.I have started looking for something for me as well...will keep you posted on that one.

Tim went fishing on Saturday and came home not feeling well. Has been battling that since then. Thought I was doing well, but am starting to feel achy and feverish now. So, don't mind me if I ramble and have incoherent thoughts. Figured you deserved some sort of update by now. (Hi Gram!)

In order to compensate, I am going to give you photos from our apple and raspberry picking from this weekend and some super yummy recipes that we tried out. Figured that since our "About Us" talks about cooking we might as well try to make you believe that we actually do that occassionally.

Here is Amy (formally Lucey, now Cantinucci, for those of you who don't know, this is Tim's cousin) with her daugher Payson.

Here is an image of a beautiful upstate New York Sunday afternoon in the fields.

And here is our Tim, the champion raspberry finder. It was sort of late in season so the bushes had been pretty picked over, but, if there were berries there, he found them!

After this we headed to the Tommell's for Kyrek's 8th birthday. HOLY SCAMOLLY!! How in the heck did he get to be 8 years old???
Here he with is many desserts...

And, what good is only half the sweetness...here is Kiegan.

Now, onto the stuff I know you are all waiting for...the recipes:

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Pancetta (whatever, use bacon, it is easy to come by, less expensive and tastes just as good.)
1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 lb. bacon
2 med. onions, thinly sliced
3 lbs. butternut squash
1/2 tsp. salt, to taste
1/8 tsp. black pepper
2 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme or 2 tsp. dried
2 tart apples, granny smith, cored, peeled and cut into chunks
4 cups veg or chicken broth
1 1/2 cups water

Okay, here are the instructions with my spin:
Cook bacon and set aside. Shew Tim away from eating it.
Heat some oil and cook the onions until translucent. Some oil, I don't know how much, till it looks right. Open bottle of wine.
Add squash, salt, pepper and thyme to pot. Did I say this should be a largish pot? Cook stirring for 5 mins. Pour wine into glass.
Add apples, broth and water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 15 to 20 minutes or until squash and apples are tender.
Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Refill wine glass. What do you mean it isn't empty. I didn't think I had to tell you to DRINK the wine.
Working in batches, puree the soup until smooth in a blender. (Hold the top of the blender. This is very important unless you WANT to clean all the facing of your cupboards!) Add the soup back to the pot and stir in half of the bacon. Oh wait, crumble the bacon before adding, don't just go throwing the full strips in!
Reheat all of this and serve with rest of bacon as a garnish on top.

*the above recipe was totally stolen from a Hannaford's recipe flyer, Sept. Oct. 2006

Crumb topped Apple Raspberry Pie
For Pie:
1/2-2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5 cups thinly sliced peeled cooking apples (about 2 pounds)
Pastry for Single-Crust Pie
2 cups fresh or loose-pack frozen red raspberries
For Topping:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

RECIPE METHOD

FOR PIE: In a large mixing bowl stir together sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add apples, tossing to coat. Set aside. Prepare and roll out pastry as directed. Line a 9-inch pie plate with pastry. Trim and crimp edge of pastry. Transfer half of the apple mixture to pastry shell. Sprinkle with raspberries; add remaining apple mixture.

FOR TOPPING: In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in margarine or butter till crumbly. Stir in pecans or walnuts. Sprinkle topping over pie. To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 20-25 minutes more (30-35 minutes if using frozen berries), or till top is golden and edges are bubbly. Cool on a rack.

*Ummm, yah, completely stolen from the Cooking.com site.
** I don't bake, ever. I made this and it was YUMMY. AND, I didn't screw it up, so, you won't either.
Here is the photo...no of theirs, mine has pieces missing now!

So, lots of other things going on in life.
Some of them I am just not prepared to talk about right now.
Others, my face is just too hot to continue.
SO, go try these and let me know your results.
And, HAY! Don't think this is a free for all. If you find a good one, I would like to know about it!

Continuing to unpack

2006-10-01T11:19:00.000-04:00

Some of you may know about all the crazy things that Tim and I have accumulated. Our "Solar System" was a purchase to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. There was only one spot in our new home for this as it is large and needs to hang from the ceiling.
In Brooklyn, it was over our coffee table as we had 12' ceilings. Here, they are 9' so it was going to be trickier.
Tim, fixer of all things needing to be fixed, was able to hang it yesterday.
MAN, does it look great.
The center is glass surrounded by copper tubing. From the tubing are smaller pieces of stained glass, copper wire and various beadwork. The artist is a woman from Brooklyn.
Here it is in its new home.

We are short. Only our tall friends like Chuck, Adam and Jason Tommell might have to duck a bit walking up the stairs.

It is a rainy Sunday. So, looks like the stair risers may get painted today. AND, now that there is no longer a huge box on the floor in the guest room, we may be able to get in there and tackle that. It is a bit of a catch all right now. We are on countdown to C-Day! Happy October! 18 days till Cheryl is here!!

Thank You Gram!

2006-09-27T10:39:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was our 3rd anniversary.
Three wonderful years, man they go by fast!

Gram, ever the thoughtful, sent us this most lovely plant.

We are ungrateful heathens who in the midst of moving and unpacking selfishly forgot Gram's birthday. She remembered our anniversary. I hope it is something that gets better with age? Gram, we won't forget again and Thanks SO much for this plant. It is huge and healthy. Now it feels like home!

A Place to sit in the Place where we hang our hat!

2006-09-27T08:47:00.000-04:00

So, without further ado (I know, I know, I have been adoing and adoing, alright already!)
It is true. Tim and I finally became grown ups and bought furniture. Real furniture, from a store and everything! Not from a yard sale or a hand me down anymore!
So, I won't write too much but will show you how the house is shaping up...

Here is the new and improved living room. We painted the walls a very light blue with yellow trim. Matches great with our new furniture. Here is the big comfy chair and our coffee table. This is just as you walk in the front door looking into the house.

From the other side of the living room...our new couch!

The bookcases on the right still need to be organized and the tv is being hooked up on Friday, but we are getting there.

This is the view from the living into the dining room. The table looks tall because, well, it is. It is counter height.

This is a closer view of the BEAUTIFUL hutch we got. The sides are glass and lit which is SO nice! We actually have unpacked and can now see so many of the wonderful wedding gifts we received.

Here is a closer view of the table. It actually expands to a square, seating for 2 on each side. We love that because everyone is equal, no heads of the table.

This is looking back to the dining and living rooms from the kitchen doorway. The dining room is a light tan now. NO MORE Kangaroo poo for this crowd!

And to really give you the full experience, here is our downstairs bathroom...Oh yeah, tilt your head.

And now what?!!?

2006-09-20T09:09:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know that today is the 20th of September.
Yes, I realize that I haven't posted anything since the 11th.
Yes, we did move into the house, we haven't been sleeping in the truck or anything.
Sorry for the delay. We've been, well, moving.

This is the first post that I am actually writing from OUR computer, in OUR office, in OUR house. My Mom is probably really happy to get her computer back!
And I did have to ballerina dance my way around, over and around some more, a few boxes to GET to this computer, but here I sit!

There is A LOT to get you up to speed on. We've been pretty busy over here. Although I would love to just show you the final outcome, you need to get a walk through of what the heck has been happening over here.

First, Janet decided that she agreed with Tim and we had the floors stripped! What this translates to is, 1. We no longer have to live with outrageous teal floors in the dining room and living room. 2. The previous owners, all of them, were crazy. There were 5, yes, 5, layers of different colored paint on the floors before we found wood! 3. My husband is brilliant and thank god he pushed to have the floors done. They are amazing. I was ready to deal with the teal as I just really wanted to get in the house and unpack. It added 4 days on and was well worth it.
Here are some in progress photos for you. The legs you see are the floor dude. Tim did not do the floors. He could've mind you, you probably know that, but thank goodness, Janet paid to have the work done!

Bye Bye teal!

We had the stair treads done too. We still need to paint the risers.

It looks so much brighter and bigger now.

Okay, that is it for now. I know there is lots more to share but I can't throw it all at you at once you know! More later...

The final push

2006-09-11T10:33:00.000-04:00

Although Tim has been really great in that everytime he drove from Brooklyn to Saratoga this summer he took a full truck load of our things, we still had quite a bit in Brooklyn that needed to be moved up. Friday afternoon we rented a 16 foot Ryder truck. Dad, Tim and I hopped in and drove to the apartment. We had a lovely dinner at Patois, one of our favorite restaurants in our neighborhood. It was a bittersweet meal. Happy to be closing one chapter, but saying "good bye" is always tough.

We were up by 6am on Saturday to finish the packing and load up the truck. Dad finally got to see the deck we built.
Luckily for us, Sackett Street was planning an evening block party so the street was closed and parking right in front of our building was no problem.

It continues to amaze me how much stuff Tim and I are capable of fitting into a place. The kitchen had to be packed up but most everything else was boxed and ready to go. We had two light fixtures to take down and reinstall the old, but that was it. How in the world did it possibly take us 9 HOURS to load the stinking truck I ask you?!!? AND, we filled the truck...16 foot truck, FILLED!

We really loved our neighborhood and our neighbors. They will be missed. We close this chapter and move on to the next...

Making it our own

2006-09-10T08:13:00.000-04:00

It has been a crazy last week and I have had no time to post.
In order to prove to you that this is not because I have been sitting around eating bon bons, I will try to get you up to speed on what we have been doing.

Janet decided to let us do our own painting at the house. This is great because it means that we can pick whatever colors we want. It also means that we have our work cut out for us. Man, the place needs some paint. Tuesday Tim and I went to the house and took care of the kitchen. At first we didn't think the color yellow in the kitchen was too bad. Hey, we like yellow for a kitchen. However, the previous yellow was so hot and intense that after about 4 minutes of standing in the room one could feel agitated enough to want to rip the heads off of small animals. SO, that needed to be taken care of. We had a gallon left of the yellow Tim had used a year or so ago for my parents kitchen. That made it much more comforting. We also cleaned up the molding and wainscotting with a fresh coat of white.

The kitchen, ahhh, that was the easy part. Now on to the dining room and living room, which as you saw earlier, without furniture could be interchangable due to the fact that they were painted exactly the same. Which would be a lovely light eggshell on the walls and, as my father and I aptly named it, trim coated lovingly with a color that can only be described as "Kangaroo Poo". Yeah, that had to go.

Thank goodness for retirement. My Dad was able to come and help me and once Tim and my Mom had finished with their days, they came to lend a hand as well. We selected a very light yellow, almost white, to paint the trim, for the living room. The walls will be a light blue which will compliment our new furniture (I didn't forget to fill you in on the whole "how we quickly filled it up" portion of my last post. Bare with me here, it will come.) We started that room first as not only does it have a lot of trim but also has the rather large bookcases to deal with. The previous owner of the house either had absolutely no color sense, or an odd sense of humor. I say this as the back of the bookcase, on the top portion only, was painted in what one would have to call Peppermint Green or Pepto Bismol green if it were green, you get the drift?
Here we are so you can see the progress...one coat of that yellow will not slay the Kangaroo Poo, we will need to do another coat!

We smartened up when we did the dining room next. We put primer on the Kangaroo Poo to help cover that. It worked much better.

Both the front and back doors have screen doors that SLAM! For me, hearing a door slam is the feeling that some get when fingernails run down a chalkboard! Tim is taking care of that for us.

The next day I painted the dining room trim, well, most of it, with white. Man, there is A LOT of trim!
From there, it was onward and outward. We left Friday afternoon with a 16' Ryder truck and the trusty moving team of Daddy, Tim and Kay and headed for Brooklyn.
That will be next, but for now I need to go eat breakfast and get ready for another fun filled day of moving...

Oh What a Day!

2006-09-04T19:19:00.000-04:00

This morning we met with Janet, our new landlord. Turns out that she is really lovely. Both Tim and I took an immediate liking to her. Always a good thing with a landlord, and hey, we have been around the block and know the whole landlord gig!

After signing the paperwork and handing over a bunch of money, we had a key! We went directly to the house...to take pictures and measure. Yes, I took the camera out of the car this time.

Let's see if I can walk you through. We are still going to paint, so it will look a bit different, but here is our canvas to work with...

Here is looking from the kitchen to the patio, backyard and to the shed

This is standing in the dining room looking into the living room...the front door is to the right of the double window, with the stairs going to the second floor across from that. Yes, the floor is a crazy teal. We are thinking of either having it sanded or painting it or just covering it with a rug...

Here are the builtins on the other side of the room for the tv and books and such

After walking through the front door and the living room, you walk through the dining room to the kitchen. Here is the dining room

Yes, it looks very much like the living room...just wait till we have furniture, that is part II of this post. After the dining room is our HUGE kitchen. You can sort of see the doorway from the dining room photo, but here are two more of the kitchen
From the dining room into the kitchen

From the backdoor to the other side of the kitchen...our kitchen is big enough for two sides!!

Um, yeah...did you see that...a dishwasher, microwave and OH YEAH...a garbage disposal in the sink which you can't see in the photo.
Then we move to upstairs.

This is what will be the guest room. It may not look that exciting now, but once we paint and put some things in it...whatever, the closet in this room is larger than some of the rooms we had in Brooklyn! The carpet that you see here is throughout the upstairs, with the exception of the bathroom. It needs to be cleaned, but is in really good shape.

This is the middle bedroom, basically at the top of the stairs. As you can see, it was formely a kids room. We are going to leave the painting on the windows because it is so fun. BUT, we will get rid of the plaid paint and the text on the walls. This will become our office/computer room.

These next two are our bedroom. It is a really nice size with vaulted ceiling and fantastic closet. I don't know how to turn these photos, so, just tilt your head, you'll be fine.

So that is part I as dinner is now ready.
Part II shortly is where I tell you about how we have filled it already...

Hanging, Hanging....HUNG!

2006-09-02T08:15:00.000-04:00

For those of you that have been checking back the last few days to get an update about the house and have been frustrated at my lack of posting to give you an update...Whew! You should have been on this end with me! I waited until I actually had information to share with you. Which means, yes, we have been waiting since we told them on Monday that we wanted the house to find out what was happening.

Janet apparently had told another realtor friend of hers that they could show the house to a perspective tenant couple. She told me this when I spoke with her on Wednesday. The couple was supposed to look at the house yesterday. She also told me that she was "pretty sure" she wanted to rent to us, but needed to honor her word about allowing the other couple to see the house. From what she said they were also prepared to pay more per month in rent than we were. If this was to become a bidding war on the house, we would quickly back down. Yes, the house is perfect and everything that we are looking for and a HOUSE, not an apartment. However, it is also at the cap of what we can afford to spend a month. And another thing, Why waste the time of the realtor and the couple if you are going to rent to us?!!?

So the lovely waiting game was played until 10pm last night...nothing like dragging it out, huh? I have no finger nails left from all the anticipation! I received an email from Janet last night saying that she would be happy to rent to us!!!!!! HOORAY!!! We have a home, a nice one!

We are expecting to hear from her today to make arrangements and decisions as to when we move in and all those things. She has had the whole building, including the carpets and windows cleaned. She said she has a plumber and an electrician scheduled to be there this week. Something about when you turn the dishwasher on the lights in the kitchen dim...Um, a dishwasher, whatever, I would run that sucker in the dark if it meant Tim and I didn't have to actually do dishes anymore! But, she is fixing all the problems that arise in a house that old. She is also having a medicine cabinet installed in the upstairs bathroom.

I am not sure when we will have keys to get in, but as soon as we do, we will go and see the house and bring our camera. This time, I won't leave it in the car!

Thinking about hanging our hat...

2006-08-29T08:42:00.000-04:00

The answer to the house question is...
I think so?

Tim and my Mom and I went to see the inside of the house on Saturday.
It truly is perfect.
The kitchen is huge with tons of cupboards and gas stove.
There is a washer and dryer in the downstairs bathroom...Yes, downstairs, meaning there is another one upstairs. OH the luxury!

The living room has built in bookcases and there is a dining room!
Yep, a room made for eating...we have spent the last 4 years eating at our coffee table, it may take a little while to adjust to actually having a room for eating!

There are 3 bedrooms upstairs, which means that our guests no longer have to sleep next to our computer. There are lots of closets which is amazing for a house that is over 100 years old!

So, we told the real estate woman, Stephanie, who showed us the house that we absolutely wanted it. Janet, the owner, closed only Friday and needs to get into the house to clean it and replace a bathroom vanity that the previous owners took with them. Who does that by the way? A fancy light fixture in your dining room, okay. Your furniture, certainly. Maybe even your window treatments if they aren't custom made. But, a bathroom vanity??? Really? You left a teapot on the stove and a toaster oven on the counter but couldn't be without a medicine cabinet!?! Bizarre!
So, Janet is supposed to contact us to set up arrangements and, I don't know, MEET US?

Therefore, my answer is "I think so?"

*Yeah, I brought my camera with us when we went to see the inside and in all of my excitement, left it sitting in the car. That's okay...I wouldn't want to get your hopes up if Janet turns out to be a flake. Keep your fingers crossed for us. I am going to try to call her later today...

to be continued...

A place to hang our hat?

2006-08-22T06:54:00.000-04:00

As you know, when one moves, one needs a place to move into.
Although my parents have been more than generous in offering their house to us and telling us that we are welcome to stay here as long as we want, we really need our own space.
The two of us really are nesters. We like to make a place our home and frankly, have a lot of stuff. Yes, we could pay to store it some where. But the idea of not having access to our stuff is a bit unnerving. And, the idea of 5 adults (YAY!! Sarah comes home September 15! No really! And she is staying. What do you mean believe it when you see...Hey, she cancelled her return ticket!) As I was saying, one house with 5 adults, 3 businesses and 1 cat is too much.

I have spent quiet some time looking at options for us. Tim has had a chance to see some with me over the weekends. I was a little shocked at the lack of selection out there. Maybe we are too picky, but I think it is more that apartments in Saratoga are currently expensive for what they are. I actually had a real estate agent tell me that okay, so the bedrooms are a little small (full bed was too much and there were 3 of them) but you could put your bedroom in the dining room. Right...in the dining room that is on the street side, basically at the street with great big arched windows and would need to be walked through anytime someone came to the house...um, YOU put your bedroom in a dining room. NEXT!

Thank goodness for a reconnection that I made with a woman who had shown us a possible investment property. I told her that we were on our way back and were looking. A friend of hers is in the midst of closing on a cute house HOUSE!!!! that she wants to rent. Tim and I have seen it from the outside only so far. But, that part looks great. We know that the kitchen and bathroomS have been remodled. It has 3 bedrooms, hardwood floors, IT IS A HOUSE!! Probably completely jinxing ourselves by putting this here...she closes on Friday and we can look at it on Saturday. We have the first pick of renting it. So, if all goes well when we see the inside...things like, if we put a bed in this room, would we have to get to it from the doorway and never make it because it is the only thing in the room?
Anyway, here it is...Will let you know what the inside is like....

Oh the joys of a garage

2006-08-20T07:20:00.000-04:00

A full day spent moving things to the new space. Well, actually, it didn't take too long to move Tim's tools; thanks Dad and Koz. What took the longest was going through the garage. The new garage still needs to be organized, but we will get there. It went from empty to having a van, a fridge and lots of job boxes and things in it.

Tim has the two bays on the right side of this photo...here is the inside

The van actually fits inside the garage with room for some shelving behind it. Oh yeah, if you didn't know we got a van, we got a van. A 15 PASSENGER VAN. It is huge. Long story about how we ended up with it, BUT it will make a great job van. Tim is going to pull out most of the seats and we will (we, HA, okay, Tim and John) will put in metal cages to cover the windows and then put job boxes and shelving in the back for tools.

Koz and Tim moving one of several job boxes. Don't know how we would have been able to do this without his help today. What you don't see in the photo are myself and my Dad standing in awe as they lift these things into the truck. We wouldn't have been much help in the heavy lifting department I'm afraid.

Tim and I spent the rest of the day going through all the stuff that was still in my parents garage that wasn't work related. You know...boxes of kitchen stuff, still sealed from when we moved Tim out of his apartment in Layfaette street. Manuals for 8 year old phones that we haven't had for 4 years. The really important stuff. Needless to say, I will add "Go to the Dump" on my list of things to do Monday. It feels so good to get rid of this stuff! Yeah less to move!
Maybe today we will try to organize ALL the stuff in the new shop, whew!

Decisions Made

2006-08-19T09:27:00.000-04:00

Well, it looks like the 15th of September will be the day.

It is time to finally move forward with our plan. Two nice college girls will be taking our apartment and even better, they are taking our stuff! Hooray!!
So much of what we have are things that we both came to our relationship with. It is time to move on from that as well. So, we sold the girls our couch, coffee table and end tables, 2 air conditioners, some of our light fixtures. Not only did we get rid of things and get money for them but it also means that we don't have to move these items. So good all around.

The money we made will go into a savings account for now where it will sit until we a.) have decided what we would like to have for furniture and b.) have a stinking home to put it in.
Yes, please do come and visit us but don't be upset if you have to sit on plastic lawn furniture in the living room for a little while.

Today is the day that we start moving all of the tools and equipment that are in my parent's garage into Tim's new work garage. Man, a long day ahead of us. I will post later, hopefully with photos, of the new garage.

First entry - decision time has come

2006-08-17T10:40:00.000-04:00

Well, I am really going to give this a try.
Most of you will read this entry, if you read this silly thing at all, somewhat after the fact as I have to figure out WHAT THE HECK I AM DOING!!

Currently, Tim is still in Brooklyn and I am at my parents in Saratoga.
Brooklyn is great, my parents and Saratoga are wonderful and frankly, this sucks!
We know it is only temporary and will end soon...we can't wait.

A real estate agent who showed our apartment said the people wanted the place and that they would like it for Sept. 15, did we know when we were moving yet. So, tomorrow is D Day...the day were we finally make the decision of weither it is a 9.15 move or a 10.01 move. Now some of you out there may look at that and say, "Um, guys, what is the big deal? It is a difference of only 15 days or two weeks or half a month or however you want to look at it." Well, the answer is, it is a big deal. I have nothing better to offer you than that.

We are excited and sad at the same time to be leaving Brooklyn. Both of us fell madly in love with the area, the people (well, except David the YaHoo from the 4th floor of our building) the ease of having so many fantastic shops and shopkeepers all within walking distance. The trees along the street in the spring and summer and the wonderful architecture all around us. However, there were other things that we have decided we aren't willing to give up which we can't have in Brooklyn or anywhere in New York City in general so the time has come to start the next chapter.

Whew...for a first post I just kept going right along. Sort of how I can talk a lot too I guess...here is the good news...you are reading this, if you feel like "enough already Kathleen, take a breath!" You can just walk away from your computer. Can't do that in person! What do you mean sometimes you put the phone down when I get going on one of my tyraids??