Moving Day....for Chris and Dee

Sunday, I was up somewhat early to help some friends move into their house. Chris purchased a house in Bellevue, an Omaha suburb. Very beautiful multi-level on a corner lot and also part of a cul-de-sac.
My van is very spacious when I remove a couple seats and push the rear passenger bench all the way to the front. So I picked up Dee and we went to a storage unit that she has been using since October. We filled it up and headed to the house. Upon arrival, we found Trisa and Jamie, Chris and his brothers Tim and Greg, and our friend Scott. After many discussions, Scott and I took my van, followed by Jamie in his car, back to the storage shed. Chris, Greg and Tim went back to Greg's and got a load of furniture that was his. After returning back to the house with another van load (including a washer and dryer!), and Jamie's car loaded as much as we could, we found a few more helpers. After unloading all of that, back to the storage shed I went, this time with Jamie as my passenger, followed by Tim in his pickup. At this point, I've lost track of what and where everyone else was at! We had quite the moving crew! Dee stayed at the house with the help of Trisa, to start sorting boxes and putting things away in the kitchen. Dee's sister-in-law, Lori and her girls were there as well. After filling the van and Tim's pickup, we were off again in the direction of the house. On and on we went, people coming and going with different vehicles of items. Finally, I was able to stay at the house as well, and help clean things out, empty boxes, wash dishes that had been in storage and put things in their new spaces.
Trisa eventually mentioned that it would be nice to have some lunch! Oh yea, food! We were all hungry after all! So a lot of pizza and dessert cookies were ordered from Godfather's Pizza. We all took a well deserved break. We counted 14 adults and a few kids.
Then it was back to work. Later in the day, Dee and I went back to her parent's house (she has been living there to get herself back on track financially) and we loaded up my van with her clothes and personal items, she got her dog, Fankie Sue, a very cute springer, and back to her house we went. Her parents had been out of town most of the week, and after a brief phone call with Dee, decided to come over to the new house upon arrival back in town. They couldn't believe how much we had accomplished in one day!
It was a very good day, the weather cooperated and a lot of hard work had been done by a lot of people!
Congratulaions, Dee and Chris! Enjoy your beautiful home! I'm next......

Another graduation

Yesterday I attended a graduation party for my friend Tammy's son, Tyler. He actually graduated Sunday. They held an open house for him yesterday at their house. They had sooo much food. All cooked by them! BBQ meatballs, BBQ pulled pork, hot dogs, sliced cucumbers in dressing, pasta salad, chips, salsa, cheese, iced tea, lemonade, water, beer, wine, a big cake--white with strawberry filling and chocolate with bavarian cream filling, and mints. A feast fit for a graduate and all his guests!
There was a big tent set up on the driveway, butted up against the garage to provide additional shade, or as the case was yesterday for a short time, shelter from a passing rain shower! Several tables and chairs had been set up under the tent and all the food was lined up on tables in the garage.
Inside the house, Tyler himself, had put together a video that included photos of himself as he grew through the years, competed in dart tournaments and chess tournaments. There were also family photos with his siblings, pictures of the actual graduation and the best one being one of Tammy and her sisters and Mom, smooching Tyler's cheek after graduation! Very cute! They had a large picture frame with Tyler's photo in the middle and room around the edges for all the guests to sign and wish Tyler their best.
Many friends and relatives of Tyler and his family were meandering around, filling their plates and indulging in conversation all afternoon. A very special event for a special graduate! I'm so glad I was able to take part! Congratulations, Tyler! You have a very bright future ahead of you!

Graduation

Sunday, May 20Th was a special day for some young adults. Including Ryan McCloud. He is my stepson. However, he had some difficulty towards the end of the school year with some classes. Whether or not he would graduate was questionable for awhile. But he made it. His Mom, Mindy, wasn't so sure what to do about announcements, etc, not knowing if would pass. had a phone call on Friday from his Dad, Ron that he would graduate at 4:00 pm Sunday the 20Th. So yesterday I attended this huge event. His brother Aaron, whom is a year older, was unable to attend due to the fact that he couldn't get out of working. After the ceremony, Ryan's Mom invited us back to their house for a small open house. His Aunt Dianne and cousin Dylan from San Antonio, TX were in attendance. His other Aunt Linda from Omaha has chronic laryngitis and had strict orders from the Dr not to be talking. So she didn't come either. His Grandmother and Great-Grandmother from Arkansas were able to make the drive in spite of the short notice.
We were able to see Aaron for a short time once he arrived home from work. I took several photos and will share them with you. But I didn't get any pictures of Aaron. Sorry...
Even though Mindy didn't have much time to prepare, she was able to come up with some last minute hors doeuvres. Including some very tasty crab dip served with crackers. She also was able to bake a cake in honor of the occasion! Over all, it turned out quite nicely. Ryan had to turn in his gown immedietely after the ceremony so all he had at him Mom's was his cap.


Ryan and his aunt Dianna
Ryan and his Dad, Ron
Me and Ryan (he grew taller...obviously!) I used to be taller than him!
Ryan's brother Cameron, Grandma, Ryan, his Mom Mindy and step Dad Chris


Ryan's cousin Dylan and Ryan

Inspections aren't always a bad thing...

On Wednesday, the house I'm buying went through the inspection phase of this important purchase. It pulled through very well. Only one "sort of" major ailment....and several very minor items which I can take care of after taking possession. The major case was the skylight in the bathroom. The seller will need to repair the leak that happens during rain showers. It will require pulling up some shingles, making sure that there is flashing around the skylight and caulking around said flashing. The shingles will then be replaced and it should be as good as new. No other major items to worry over.

While I was in the house again, I took a few photos of rooms that aren't in the listing. But here is the important one.....

It's only of the part of the house with the front door....the one that you will all enter through upon arriving at my house! Just picture all the flower pots that I will have around the door and along the sidewalk! Pretty huh? And yes, the grass is as lush as it looks!

Flower girl

The other day, I was at the grocery store and before entering, I stopped outside to browse the vast selection of annuals and trees that they had to offer. I scooped up all the moss roses (click on flower and grass seed, then click other flower seeds)I could find (as they are my favorite outdoor flower next to snapdragons), some pansies, violas, merigolds, and a select few other varieties of varying heights and colors. I hope to get some snapdragons soon! Because I had worked a lot of extra hours over the weekend, I waited until today after work, to play the part of flower girl, and plant all the flowers in floral boxes and flower pots. I had a total of 9 packs of 4 plants each to plant. I just hope that they all survive now. And after I move, I'll have some nice flowers to set outside of the new house to welcome all of you! I love spring....

I'm almost "HOME"!!!

I bet you don't know where this is leading do you! I've been house hunting! My lease is up at the end of July in my townhouse, so I figured it's time to look and see just what was on the market.

After looking at 10 different houses, I knew the minute I walked into number 11 that it was the one I really wanted. Multi-level, 2 car garage, open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, 3 bedroom, spacious kitchen with oak cabinets and laminent wood floor, 2 bathrooms, HUGE laundry/storage room with shelving along one wall, a fire place (bonus--not one of my requirements), vinyl siding and a sprinkler system on a nice flat yard! It faces the south on the outer edge of a cul-de-sac.
Who could ask for more? It was built in 1988 and has a small front porch with 2 windows that are floor-to-ceiling looking out over the porch. I am closing on it on June 29. I then take possession! As far as a moving day, not sure yet. Maybe I'll move a few boxes here and there after that until I know when I'll have a truck to move the rest.

I've kept myself awake at night just thinking about different things that I will have to purchase or how I might decorate at Christmas time. I think some of my friends are as excited as I!
If I can figure out how to do it, I'm going to put a picture of the house in a blog. So there you have it.......I will be moving again in the near future. Hopefully it won't be a real hot day!!

Mother Nature at her finest-that's no foolin'!

This past weekend we have had more than our share of rain here in Omaha. Starting last Friday through Sunday, we had over 6 inches of rain. Part of I-29 was closed down yesterday afternoon through this writing.

Sunday morning at around 4:00am, on my way to work, I ended up driving through some water, not realizing just how much it was until I was right in the middle of it! On the regular streets mind you! The deepest part of it was coming up over my headlights on my mini van as I drove. I was actually looking to see if it was seeping in under my passenger doors. That's how deep it got. In the darkness among dimly lit streets, I had no idea at all just how much water there was. Aside from a few cars and people standing around looking at the water, it didn't give me any clue just how bad it was. Not until I was driving into and out of it.

I have never in my life driven through that much water. It made the belt on the engine start to squeal. If I had driven in it any longer, I think my van might have stalled. One of my fellow ramp agents did have his car stall. He was late for work. His car sits lower than my van, though. It just didn't look as bad as it was. And had I known the conditions prior to arriving at the particular intersection and street that had the water, I would definitely have driven an alternate route.

The night before had caused so many problems with flights, that only 1 out of 4 of our over night airplanes was able to land in Omaha. The others all had to divert to either Denver, Kansas City or St. Louis. Subsequently, the next morning, they all had to come back in order for us to resume our scheduled flights. It turned out to be quite the morning on Sunday. Most of our morning flights were late leaving. Plus the fact that it was still raining. The only news that we've seen on a constant basis this weekend has been about all the flash flooding in different areas. Parts of Omaha, Council Bluffs and sections of the interstate, I-29, have had the flooding issues.

Today was the first afternoon we've had any sunshine since last Thursday. But the forecast calls for more rain this week. Hopefully it won't come down as fast as it did Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We need some drying time....anyone have some quarters? :)

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Does anyone celebrate Cinco De Mayo? I guess I usually don't. But one of our friendly Customer Service Agents, Rocio, is from Mexico. She arranged to have pot luck food to commemorate Cinco De Mayo. That would be the fifth of May for those of you unfamiliar! So several people contributed some very tasty dishes! I decided to try a new recipe. Mexican Brownies. After all was said and done, they taste like regular brownies. But we sure had a feast of several wonderful dishes! I can't even begin to remember them all.

Ever wonder about how it all got started? Check this out. It gives alot of interesting facts regarding Cinco De Mayo. Here is another site. Many cities throughout the U.S. celebrate this Mexican holiday. Even more so than the Spanish themselves. Strange, isn't it? As I sit here typing next to an open window, I can hear some folks nearby whooping and hollering! Of course the possibility is there that it has nothing to do with May 5Th, I guess. There is a bar just over the small hill....hmm.
At any rate.....I hope your Cinco De Mayo is festivo and seguro! Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

The Mercury has risen again....(not the thermometer!)

Maybe you recall a recent post regarding how I think that Dad jinxed my van, a Mercury Villager. I had told him that I will soon pay it off and he said that I will have to use the payment money for repairs! Two days after that, I had to fix the front brakes! Plus I was told that the CV Joint would need to be fixed soon. Any guesses as to where this is all going? Well, guess what I had to have done this week? The Mercury was in for repairs! ..and of course it's put on a hoist in order to do this....get it? Mercury has risen?.....I know....very bad.
Anyway, while Dad and Beverly were here, I took the van in to D and D Automotive to have the electric window replaced. It had to stay there overnight because the parts had to be ordered.
The other day after leaving work, I noticed that as I was making a turn, there was a clicking noise coming from the driver's side wheel. I knew that it was the CV Joint. That meant that a repair would need to happen soon! So I called one of the ramp agents that I work with and arranged to get a ride to work the next day. He lives about 1/2 mile from me. After getting home from work again, I took the van to D and D once again. I got a different fellow ramp agent, Lisa, to take me home again. Scott from the automotive shop called me to let me know that the CV Joint and the Tie Rod Ends needed to be replaced. That's not all!!! He also said that the struts are leaking too. But not badly. So I had them fix the cv joint and the tie rod ends. The struts will have to wait until I get another paycheck!
The next day I rode to work, once again, with Ron, the fellow ramp agent whom lives close by. After work, he drove me to D and D (he's been there several times himself with his own vehicles!) to pick up my van. Once I wrote out a check for a small fortune, I again had my van in my possession! A person never really realizes how much they depend on a vehicle until they don't have it! And I hate depending on people for rides! So much for all the overtime hours I put in! My van is slowing eating all of that up in repair expenses!
So now I'm trying to work overtime again as much as possible. Because the Mercury will be rising again in the near future!