09-30-10

Here’s the kids outside their school building. Waiting for Dad to finish socializing, as usual. I wanted to take a photo of them inside with the STANG posters, but didn’t want to embarrass them with all the friends in the hallway.

We had a busy evening, and ended up cutting out the landlord workshop to ease the schedule. The kids back to school event was pretty disappointing – they crammed each grade into one room and had each teacher speak, and parents couldn’t see both 7th and 8th grade since they were at the same time. Oh well, we tried.

09-29-10

What do you see?

I see:
- cool built-ins in the hallway. Love the charm and storage in these older houses.
- my shadow as I photograph the various rooms.
- the headlights on the vacuum cleaner as Bruce, on flooring duty, approaches the corner and catches up with me.
- one more day until this house is out of our hands and into the hands of our newest tenant.

Happy Wednesday!

09-28-10

Final count down. Tick, tock. Tenant moving in October 1st. I am so ready to have this project wrapped up and move on to resting and other goal items.

Tonight I went through the house documenting the condition of every floor, wall, door, fixture, window, heater, etc, for the walk through this week. It’s also a great chance to see what else needs to be done in the next 48 hours.

Hoping to have time to photograph the house in detail after the work is done, but decided to take a few interesting shots with this interesting wall in the bathroom. When I walked applicants through I called it an eclectic feature. Some even believed me.

09-27-10

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of cucumbers. To me they are like tomatoes – they overpower everything else in the dish. So I almost always pick off my tomatoes and cucumbers. It's not easy eating vegan at restaurants while trying to avoid tomatoes and cucumbers.

Today Donna brought a bunch of cucumbers from her garden to share, so I decided to see if preparing the cukes like pickles would help me embrace them. I thought the assembly could be a mother-son project since last time he scarfed them down before I could even taste test. But he cut his finger with the knife, couldn’t find the mason jars, and decided he’s rather slither off to eat a jar of jalapeños. Thanks a lot, pickle boy.

“Life. A spiritual pickle preserving the body from decay.” -Ambrose Bierce

09-26-10

This morning when I walked the lake at daybreak, I savored the solitude. I knew it would be the last peace and quiet for most of the day.

I taught 8 wee ones that God Made Adam & Eve in Sunday School. Then it was off to Anastasia’s pool party. We had no idea how many teens would come, but we were well under our 40 limit. Several of them tried to get on the raft at the same time. Boyfriend sighting: Austin in the red trunks is Anastasia’s current guy. Later the house was still full for white chili dinner with cousins and adults adamantly debating various topics.

And now it is quiet again.

09-25-10

There’s the evidence. I forgot to change out of my street clothes before attacking the rental with bleach. D’oh! Time will tell if I wrecked my outfit.

Spent about 5 hours at the rental today – tackled the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. The previous tenants had spilled laundry detergent all over the floor, so I had plenty of suds. LOL! The kids helped this morning, we are in the final stretch.

Bleach and a toothbrush are my best friend lately. If at first it doesn’t come clean, apply more bleach or more muscle, or both!

09-24-10

Sometimes my kids exhaust me.

Anastasia leaves a trail of mess behind her; I can tell exactly where she’s been. She’s also about to lose her clothes for not listening to me.

Xander cannot manage money. Tonight he bought movie tickets for him, his friend, his date, and his friends date. And the girls didn’t even sit with them! Forty dollars flushed down the toilet, and he doesn’t even understand why I am livid.

Happy weekend, happy parenting!

09-23-10

Another busy day.

I worked in Aberdeen today, celebrating a 25 year service award of my teammate. Got back in town in time to see most of Xander’s football game. Wolfed down a baked potato and off to a Fair Housing workshop. 30 minutes on the treadmill, and here I am.

Just another day in the life of someone who doesn't know when to slow down.

The Mustangs won another game. I got some action shots of Xander, but I can’t tell if he is doing what he’s supposed to or not, so safer to choose the sidelines shot. This was right before the coach gave them the lecture about paying full attention to the game, not bragging to relatives and girlfriends until after the game.

09-22-10

Woodpeckers?

Nope. Insulation installation.

It was still a bit of a shock to drive up and see our rental in this state.

We signed the lease tonight. So now all that’s left is to get it ready for October 1st move in.

Final count down… Sept 30 marks the end of the rental project and the due date of budgets at work. Looking forward to calm in October!

09-21-10

Driving, driving, driving. This is a two tank of gas kind of week.

Today was one of my favorite destinations, our Vail operation in the tiny town of Rainier, WA. But the 5am wake-up time is not a favorite.

There are signs of fall in the air on this last day of summer. Rain downpours. Dense fog. Dark when I leave the house early. And a few leaves starting to turn color.

09-20-10

Wallet’s out, spending money. Been so busy with the rentals, don’t shop or spend like I used to. Don’t even have my robbery items replaced yet.

I’ve been reading financial books lately. Maybe not the best bedtime reading, but good information, like:
Failing to plan together is the same as planning to fail.
Most couples don’t have an income problem; what they have is a spending problem.
And, something to work on, 10% of pretax earnings should go into a 401K before any other saving. I felt proud of 7%.

“Never take on financial responsibility for anything that eats.” – Diane Billiard
“Having money is rather like being a blond. It is more fun but not vital.” – Mary Quant

09-19-10

Today we were running from 8:30am to 5pm. That’s like a normal work day!

8:30 Church
11:30 Meet applicant at rental house
Noon Small Taco Bell take-out order – with 15 minutes to eat it
12:30 Meeting about family mission trip to California next summer
2:00 Meet another applicant at rental house
3:00 Neighborhood watch potluck and meeting

Never more than 30 minutes until the next thing, and often far less time to spare.

Now it’s time to fall into bed for a 5am wake-up.

09-18-10

Another late night; this isn’t a restful weekend!

Happy birthday was the theme of the day.

Happy 60th to Uncle Darrell. The pizza and bowling party and catching up with relatives was fun. Happy birthday today to Mom Fischer! Congrats on making the blog! And happy birthday to Anastasia with a trip to the party supply store to pick out paper goods for her pool party next weekend.

And now to bed…

09-17-10

It literally took me the first quarter to even find Xander. With all the padding they all look alike.

Musings of a clueless mom:
Which one is Xander? Is that 80 or 90 on that jersey? They sure huddle a lot. The spectators cheer and honk when they go that direction, so that must be good. But it’s farther from my camera. I wonder if wide receiver means playing on the edges. How long is this game anyway? At least it doesn’t look too rough. Wonder what the score is (not realizing I was standing behind the scoreboard). Is that Xander? Oh yeah, two minutes left really means a half hour…

The Mustangs won today!

09-16-10

Tomorrow are the big games.

… Xander’s first game. He’s not starting like he originally thought; too many players in his positions.
… Bruce will be holding the down markers so he has a better view of the game.
… Anastasia is manager for the older team, in charge of drying the wet ball and returning it to the officials.
… I have a great excuse to leave work by 3:30pm, and will see if I can handle watching my boy get pummeled.

“Football is, after all, a wonderful way to get rid of your aggressions without going to jail for it.” ~Heywood Hale Brown

09-15-10

School is back in session but Simple Suppers have not yet started up at church. Which means that friends going to youth group end up at our house for dinner and hanging out.

Girls: Can we eat in my room?
Parents: No way!
Me: Can I eat in my room?!?

Home is supposed to be a peaceful sanctuary, isn’t it? Maybe not until the kids are out of the house…

09-14-10

“hmmm ... do i want cocoa crispies today? today is tuesday which means that my netbook should be here when i get back from football. fingers crossed :)” – Anastasia’s facebook update

Here’s birthday girl with her new netbook computer. Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie all chipped in to get her a cool gift. Now she may never need to ever leave the sofa. :)

Xander: I’m going to ask for a TV in my room this year, then an X-box next year.
Mom: Dream on.
Xander: Can I move my desk back into my room?

09-13-10

I never ever want to buy another property with gravel. It is impossible to clean up!

Tonight I power cleaned the front yard. Which means working up a sweat by trying at a frantic pace to make the place look better. Pulling weeds, picking up trash, looking at the big picture for biggest results.

Not sure what I would do with this yard even if time and money were no object. But both are short with this project, so one more hour of power cleaning the yard, then back to painting the bathroom.

09-12-10

Today we kicked off the Sunday School year, including a church picnic.

Then it was off to the rental house. All of us. I primered the kitchen, Xander was on garbage patrol in the yard, Anastasia was on weeds, and Bruce was repainting exterior trim. Here’s my view out the kitchen window. The kids have a long way to go on being helpful with manual labor.

Plugging along… not exactly a day of rest, but a day closer to October 1st.

09-11-10

A trip to Portland to get low priced flooring for the rental turned into an impromptu family daytrip.

The Vaux swifts are migrating through, so we tried out a new Italian restaurant, had gelato for dessert, then walked to Chapman Elementary School in Portland. We’ve seen impressive flocks of swifts going into chimneys in Olympia before, but this screaming frenzy is estimated to be 9000 birds! There was quite a crowd on hand to watch these “cigars with wings” bed down for the night.

Seven day trips complete for the year. Intention was 12, but expectations need adjusting with all our rental overhauling… back to work tomorrow.

09/10/10

Happy fourteenth birthday to Anastasia…

She got…

… a netbook computer (which will physically arrive soon, LOL!)
… a boyfriend
… a hobo dinner with her friends that she laughed all the way through
… a new friend sleeping over tonight

… no wonder this is her best birthday ever, to quote her Facebook!

I love this photo, because Xander quickly realized that Anastasia’s gift is also his windfall. No more fighting over the laptop, with a computer for every person. We can only hope.

09-09-10

I always leave Wal-Mart grumpy, but I keep going back.

Can’t beat their prices on a few household staples and on rental supplies. Tonight the kids and I had to buy a five gallon jug of Swiss Almond paint, but normally my shopping centers around the more decorative items. Tonight I got bathroom and kitchen stuff; those aisles are well traveled. I’d love to get the more expensive artsy stuff, but I have to remember our “safe and clean” motto and go for the under $10 versions.

Save money. Live better.

Right. But it is nicer now that we divide and conquer. I can avoid the sock picking, pickle picking, and greeting card reading.

09/08/10

Tonight Bruce and I went shopping at Grocery Outlet while he kids were at youth group.

My mission: replenish my secret candy stash. Fifty cent Java Twix, score! If only I had the self control to only grab one, and only on weekends!
Bruce’s mission: fill the PTO student store with cheap eats. Here’s Anastasia checking out the goods. Looks like the kids will be pleased.

Enjoy, but not too much.

09-07-10

Somebody’s getting excited about a birthday this week.

First we rented the pool for up to 40 people for the end of the month. Now there seems to be a slumber party brewing for this weekend. With a hobo dinner?

As we approach both Anastasia’s birthday and another anniversary of 9/11, I am reminded of Anastasia’s fifth birthday when Anastasia was sure she could navigate Grandma Vicki around the bad guys to be able fly to Washington for her birthday festivities. She didn’t want to accept that air travel was grounded.

09-06-10

Today was Labor Day, and we labored. Well, mostly running around with our landlord responsibilities.

Saturday night I couldn’t sleep, so I made a mega to do list. What we need to bring to each property to keep it moving forward, what I need to gather up at home to check one tenant out and another in, what I wanted to get done today, what I need Bruce to get done this week, what we need from the grocery store, what we need from Home Depot… you get the idea.

This afternoon I took a moment to sit on the porch, sip my cold coffee, and review the list. Then we divided and conquered – they went blackberry picking (Anastasia has a cobbler baking) and I worked on Sunday chores and took care of our and fifth and final appointment of the day.

All in a days work.

09-05-10

Today we conquered Tiger Mountain.

1700 feet elevation gain; 3 miles uphill. Lots of moaning and groaning and huffing and puffing; think the family needs more cardio. A nice clear view of Seattle from the top. Downhill was much faster, but had it's own muscle pain challenges.

And only 20 minutes from my sisters house, where we got to catch up with cousins, enjoy an early turkey feast, and see my mom & Jerry again.

This concludes our family summer hike series - exploring five places while getting some great exercise. Already starting a list for next year!

09-04-10

Dear prior tenants or previous owners,

Thank you for taking the towel racks and toilet paper dispenser.

Thanks for plunking the kitchen sink in and not attaching it to anything.

Thank you for causing water damage to the laminate flooring and doors.

Real nice of you to cover random holes with cabinet doors or even bricks (exhibit A).

It's a real joy that you painted and left dried paint splatters all over everything.

We appreciate the dried out Christmas tree in the backyard.

We're sorry the rats invaded your house and chewed up the cabinets, but why did you let it go on so long?

And what the heck were you thinking when you let the mold get so out of control?

Oh, and thanks for the bright pink graffiti on the inside of the garage.

With love, Michele

Sounds like hell, but we really spent an enjoyable day working on the rental house. We found a tenant for one unit and have some bites on this one. Ready for a break in landlord issues, but still having fun. Just scratching our heads a lot on the history of this property.

09-03-10

TGIF. Gruelling day at work. Rush to the clinic to get the last shots of the day. Lots to do and think about at home. The lake walk didn't clear my head on what to do first. But I'm learning that it all just sits here waiting for me. Well, except the blackberries, maybe. So happy to not be travelling far this long weekend.

“Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help.” - Calvin & Hobbes

09-02-10

The most interesting part of my day was enjoying the handmade dairy free mint ice cream with chocolate sauce that Debbie brought to work for us to try. Yum!

Evidently today is significant for 90210 fans, but I never got into that show.

I'm not sure why, but I feel like I have more time since the kids went back to school. Anastasia feels like she has way less time, with practices and homework piling on. This looks like a half hearted attempt by Xander to do homework in front of the TV.

09-01-10

Back to school!

Fights over the bathroom in the morning, wondering what school supplies to take ont he first day, Anastasia helping the new sixth graders find their way around and open their lockers, finding out what friends are in which classes (or none), comparing the schedule/teachers/seating to last year, plotting new class assignments, and football practice.

Not quite back to a routine yet…