Home Inspection

So, we had our home inspection this past week. I was really nervous about it for some reason, which is a little crazy since our home is all of 3 years old. What could go wrong in 3 years right? Well, in my mind - and probably in reality - a lot, so I worried because we all know that worrying will fix anything! I worried and I cleaned. Man, did I clean! Top to bottom and side to side. Inside and outside. This place sparkled. Still, I worried. I think it must be in the genes. I come from a long line of worriers. Sometimes, it seems, the women in my family look for things to worry about.
The inspection man came - 15 minutes early - and began. He got out his ladder and his computer and his other various tools and went to work. I finished putting my make up on. My realtor came with the buyer. Such a nice man. He owns a grass seed company here in the area - grass seed is huge business. I currently live in the "grass seed capitol of the world." No, really - I do. He tells me that he and his wife love Arizona. They go down there twice a year on business. He'd like to live there 6 months and here 6 months. I don't tell him that that's my husbands dream as well. I put my shoes on, grab my dog and walk down to my sister-in-law's home one door away. I should only have to spend an hour or so there. Not that it's bad to spend time there - I enjoy it, but I don't want her to feel like she has to entertain me.
Ha! 3 hours later the inspection man is starting to put his stuff away and get ready to leave! 3 hours!! Now I'm really worried. He could find a lot wrong in 3 hours. Granted my home is large - 3900 square feet, but really - 3 hours???
So as he's putting his stuff away I strike up a conversation. It goes something like this -
Me - "So, you were here a long time."
IM (Inspector Man) - "Yep. I try to do a thorough job."
Me - "Did you find a lot wrong?"
IM - "Nope. nothing."
Me - "Nothing? Really?"
IM - "Well, one thing."
Oh, here it comes - the reason I worried. I KNEW it was justified. I KNEW he'd find something!
Me - "Really. Something major?"
IM - "Nope, just the A/C filter in the family room. It's dirty and needs a good cleaning."
Me - "A filter?? Can I hurry and clean it now so you don't have to put it on the report?"
IM - "Nah - it'll give the buyer something to read. Besides, he needs to feel like he got his money's worth with the inspection." IM says with a smile and a wink.

A filter - a lousy filter stands in between me and a perfect inspection. I'm so happy it wasn't more!! I know it's because I took the time to worry about it. Yep, that's it.

How did you turn out like that?

Chad, Ryleigh and I are in the car on the way to the new Hannah Montana movie. Chad surprised Ryleigh with a late birthday gift and took her to the movie on opening night! I know, he's a great uncle and very thoughtful.
We are discussing sweets, in particular chocolate. Chad asks me about our families sweet preferences. I tell him that Tyler loves anything chocolate, Justin doesn't like cake, Grandpa Ken doesn't eat chocolate for whatever reason. Chad says he doesn't like chocolate - it's yukky.
Ryleigh and I lament how anyone could NOT like chocolate. It's unAmerican. It's abnormal. There were a few seconds of silence and then Ryleigh says,

"Chad, how did you turn out like that?"

Yeah - how DID you turn out like that?

Thankful Thursday - on Friday...

So much to be thankful for this week!
1. We sold our house. Of course it "ain't over, til it's over", but I feel really good about this. Our home is officially in escrow and we close June 8th. There's light at the end of this really long tunnel.
2. I have some resolve back to loose those last few pounds.
3. It's rained a little, so our grass is starting to get green.
4. Chad got his first ever triple! And his team won all 3 of their games this week. O.K., so it was South Albany - but we'll take a win where we can get it.
5. Jeni and I remembered that Jeff and I own a propane space heater! Only those of us in Oregon can appreciate that, I know, but here goes - we took it to Chad's game last night and it kept us toasty warm and happy. It was FREEZING last night and watching baseball in the cold and wet is a serious drag. Can't do anything about the rain, but the cold is another story!
6. Clean cars. Chad washed my car for me and vacuumed it out. Don't cars always drive better when they're clean?
7. We kept all our boxes from when we moved here, so I don't have to buy boxes to pack my stuff!
8. I shredded Jeff's divorce file - FINALLY - and it's given me enough shred to cushion a lot of fragile items. I do mean A LOT. Like 3 green garbage bags full.
9. Primary songs. I love primary songs. The choir sang several primary songs during last weekends conference. It was so cool.
10. Days off of school. Anyone that knows me knows that I am not really a girl that loves schedules. So when we don't have to get up at a certain time and don't have to be showered by a certain time and don't have to be in our car on the way to school at a certain time - it's a great thing.
What are you thankful for?

Happy Birthday Greg!

This is my son-in-law Greg Royal. He's married to our daughter, Andrea. They've been married 3 years and are still fun loving newlyweds. Actually, now that I say that, I think they will ALWAYS be fun loving newlyweds. How can they help it with such happy go lucky personalities. Greg has been a wonderful addition to our family. Jeff and I have often said that we could not have picked a better husband for Andrea if we had hand picked him ourself. Greg is hilarious. He is king of the one-liners. Don't try to out do him in this department, because he will always win. He's going to college right now - studying plants. He wants to work in that field someday. I am very happy about this because if you know me, you know that I LOVE plants and if I can have an expert on them in the family - all the better. Greg is easy going and fun and most of all, he loves Andrea so much. He is such a good husband to her - so kind and patient and calm. He keeps her grounded and makes her happy and that truly, is all a parent can ask for.

Thanks Greg, for putting up with our crazy family. We love you!

Thankful Thursday

I am Thankful that -
1. My children (Jeni and Dan) had a great time in Arizona, but in the end, did come back for their other 3 children! (Not that I wouldn't have kept them, but MAN - I was tired by the end of the week!)
2. I lost .8 at Weight Watchers this week. I had gained the previous 2 weeks - so maybe I can keep up the momentum!
3. My husband's business in Arizona is getting busier.
4. Chad had a GREAT game yesterday. He went 3 for 4, with 4 RBI's and no passed balls behind the plate! His team won 11-7!
5. We have a couple of families that are VERY interested in our house. (Please, please, please...)
6. I have a great colorist that makes me look a little less like a grandma every 6 weeks. :)
7. It's April. That means several things - the rain is closer to going away, school is closer to being out and I am closer to moving to Arizona.
8. I can make chocolate chip cookies anytime I want.
9. Rusty is happy in his new home.
10. I have drugs for migraine headaches.

Baseball season is here!! (or is it?)

I'm not sure actually. It seems that it is. The calendar tells us that as of yesterday we are in our official "season" of games. My enthusiasm tells me it is. I've been waiting patiently since last summer for games to start!
However - Oregon weather is not really what I would consider baseball weather. At yesterday's game I had on my long sleeved CHS t-shirt, my black hoodie and Jeff's heavy jacket. I also wore gloves and my heaviest socks with heavy boots to keep my tootsie's warm (they weren't really that warm). As if all that wasn't enough, I was wrapped up in one of my heaviest blankets and had Ryleigh sitting on my lap to try and keep the two of us warm. Yeah - nope. Didn't work. The wind was blowing and it was FREEZING outside!! Dan finally had to take Livy and the boys homes because she was so miserable. Her hands were like ice-cycles (is that how you spell that? WOW - I'm old!!)
We have another game today and it's the same weather as yesterday. Dang!! I really want to be watching baseball in my capris and flip flops!! Sunshine - where ARE you??

Thankful Thursday

So, I haven't been very consistent with this yet, but that's o.k. I'll keep working at it. This week I am thankful -
1. That I've had 3 of my grandkids here with me since Monday while their parents are on a trip to Arizona. Ryleigh (11), Spencer (8) and Ethan (6) are great reminders to take life a little slower and enjoy the ride a whole lot more.
2. That I was able to find a wonderful, loving home for Rusty. I feel better about that decision as each day passes.
3. That it's sunny today. I never realized how much I love sunny days.
4. That my 12 x 12 printer works and I can use it to get so much more scrapbooking done!!
5. That Chad is playing baseball and I can go watch him. It's one of my favorite things to do.
6. That Jeff is doing the hot dog cart again. He really does love serving food to people - it makes him happy. If it makes him happy - it makes me happy.
7. For Google Maps. Otherwise - I'd never be able to find my way around the State of Oregon.
8. For cell phones and husbands that can help me find my way around the State of Oregon when I get lost and my google map didn't give me the location I needed.
9.That my smaller jeans still fit - that means that in spite of myself, I obviously haven't gained enough weight to move up a size!!
10. That tomorrow is another day as far as food choices go. Yep, I'm struggling right now. This waiting for the house to sell stuff is getting really, really old.