75. Move somewhere super duper fabulous.

I moooooved! Hallelujah!

Let me tell you, the old place had just gotten crazy.  It was time to move on to greener pastures. So, I hitched up my wagon and moved exactly 1.5 miles east. Yep, that was far.

The move went without any major glitches. My moving company moved the big stuff (BIG-HUGE shout out to 2 Men and a Truck, the Decatur location. Those guys rock!!!) And, la familia moved the little stuff...a lot of little stuff! I have to give a big shout out to The Sister, The Sister's Friend and The Arteest for helping out big time. The Princess worked her little tail off too. High Five Girlie!

Oh! And Spy Grandma saw me moving. She wanted a hug! (Screams loudly in her head). I went right in the house and took a shower! I bet she put a tracking chip on my back. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw her at the new place (I'd probably pee my pants but I wouldn't be surprised).

Long story short, everything is great. There are a few annoyances that will work themselves out soon. Like --I have to wear an eye mask at night cause the street light shines in my south bedroom windows and I haven't hung the "black out" curtains yet; I have to be careful hanging curtains because I get charged for every nail hole in the wall at the end of my lease; I can't make eggs because I can't find my frying pan; I ran out of shelf paper and have to get some more before I could put up my spices and seasonings; I haven't been able to cook a real meal in a week and I am having cooking withdrawls; And, my land line (yes, I have one) doesn't

have all the feature working yet, BUT...

I sat on my patio Sunday night sipping wine and watching airplanes go by; I have a garden forest tub in my spacious bathroom with walk-in-closet; the morning light from the east window is soooo beautiful; My kitchen has plenty of cabinets and a pantry (!); My rental office is open when they say they will be open (9am - 6pm) and they will stay a few minutes later if need be; Paying your rent on line is FREE; The Princess L-O-V-E-S her room and ajoining bathroom; I have trash valet service (yep, I know!); and the cable people gave me free HBO for a year!

It's great. This weekend, I'll hang my pear pictures and my curtains. Anyone got any 3M curtain hanging ideas? So far I got PVC pipe and some 3M command strips.

Grandma Is A Spy

Let's preface this post by saying my apartment complex has gone downhill since new management took over last year. I'm sure I've mentioned my refrigerator problems, a/c problems, cable stealing issues, "recreational salesperson" issues, electrical outlets that cannot be used issues, etc. Needless to say, I will NOT be renewing my lease.

And now, some body's Grandma sits by the steps and watches my comings and goings.

No, she doesn't sit on her porch or by her door. She sits next to the last step on the stairs. She has to physically get up and move her chair in order for you to pass by -- and it takes her days to actually move the chair! Wouldn't it be easier on you if you would just sit on the other side of the steps? Or (here's a thought) SIT ON YOUR OWN PORCH! We pay extra for these nice patios. It's shaded and everything. You can still see everything that goes on!

I know that sometimes older people don't have anything else to do so they amuse themselves by keeping tabs on all 9 families that live in their unit but do you have to sit you table chair right by the steps? My company is scared to come over. I've had someone actually call me and say, "I'm downstairs. Granny is outside."

Oh. Will you pah-leese keep your grandkid's squawking and mess making to a minimum? There juice and cookie crumbs all over the walkway (He's not eating the cookies lady. He's obviously smashing them up and leaving them on the ground). When he's not making a cookie and juice mess he's yelling very loudly. I open my front door and I hear him hollering at people. He probably wants to go inside the house. Here's an idea...take him there.

And, you do not have to mention that I sure do shop a lot because I'm always taking bags into my place? I don't see where that is any of your business. That makes you noisy and a potential thief. If any of my groceries are missing when I come home, I'm coming to you first old lady.

I think your family members should enroll you in some activities. The senior center has a bus that comes into the neighborhood. They leave an activity list at the front office. I glanced at it when I was paying rent and it looks pretty good. Swimming, painting, exercise class. Go bother those people. I bet they have a front porch you can sit on. Leave me and my household alone.

I actually think Grandma is a spy. It's a good cover. I think one of my exes has paid her to report my every move. I leave the house in the am, she is there. I come home in the pm, she is there. I bet if I came home for a nooner, she'd be there too.

Well keep on spying Granny. You've got until the end of October and then I'm bustin' the hell outta there.

And no, you will not get good tenant ratings.

So Far So Good!

Yes, I had a great birthday. Thank you so much for asking. It was so great, I felt that I need to give my O.sca.r award speech. So here goes.

First, I want to thank everyone for my "burf-day" calls, texts, emails and well wishes. Yes VA Girl, I do look good for 50, even though I'm only 38 (Side bar, calling me at 2am to wish me a happy birthday was a nice idea. That's why I turned my phone off! Better luck next year!). Thank you Tall Girl for my card, your constant support and lunch. I lurve talking about people with you (Can you believe we made those people get up and move!?!). Thank you pirate boy for your illegal phone call and heavy breathing but no, I do not want you to come searching for buried treasure (again, nice try, better luck next year).

Next, I have to give a shout out to my "lil budder" - The Arteest. He made me a cake. Wanna see it? It's to the right up there. He's so nice to me. No, it's not real and no, I can't eat it but then the calories don't show up on my hips. Yay!

And, thanks to the fam for the flowers and cake. Oh, yeah and thanks for eating most of the cake! No, really, I didn't need all the calories. And thanks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all weekend. I've never eaten quite as much as I did this weekend. The food was de-lish! And super thanks for the shopping trip. Ma Mere and Auntie can be some wild ladies!! I had a great time with you two. Love ya'll.

And my "bookies" - thank you for the reading material. You guys were right on the money. It will take me a month to read everything you sent but I will enjoy it all the same!!

And last, but never least, I have to give a big hug and kiss to The Princess. She is truly my reason for breathing. She is the best birthday present a girl can every have. Thank you my princess!!

And thank you readers, all 4 of you, for letting me have my mushy, smushy moment.

Now back to the snarkiness that you know and love me for!!

Change is good.

I'd like to update some of my 101 in 1001. Why you ask? Well, things have changed in the last 150 days. I've changed. My circumstances have changed. So my 101 has changed.

I'd like to be able to say that I'll feel the same way 1001 days later but come on, really?! I change my mind on what color underwear I'm going to put on between the bathroom and the dresser!

So, I've listed the original items and then the changes (in red).

====================================================

4., 5. & 6. - Creating scrapbooks - Yeah....no. I'm just not into scrapbooking. I like crafts but not that much.

55. Get married - No. I don't think that's for me. I've already done it a few times. And, as I was telling The Tall Girl, I don't think I am a "forever" kinda girl. I'm more of a "just for now - let's see how this goes" kinda girl. I'd like a companion but I don't know that I can promise more than 10 years or so. This could change, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

57. Get things from mom's garage - she's my mom - I ain't movin' my stuff!! (And the Arteest better keep his mouth shut! If you tell mommie, I'm gonna give you a wedgie!). I'm going to buy a new filing cabinet instead.

75. Buy a house - I would like to but it may not happen in the next 2 years. It's a great plan but I have a more important plan right now. Instead, I'm changing this to move someplace fabulous. I don't have to own it, I just have to love it.

77. Open an IRA - Yeah, I know I should. But, Sue-sue said to get 8 month savings into an account. Let's work on that first. Maybe I'll just buy a savings bond (in this time of economic craziness).

82. Volunteer 101 hours. I've downsized. There are 16 hours in a day. I spend 2 1/2 commuting, 8 at work, 2.5 each night with the Princess and 3 trying to see what's at the bottom of my wine glass. No, really, I spend as much time as I can with the Princess and the rest getting my mind right. 24 hours is good. Let's make that the starting point. We can always do more.

So there you have it. Change is good.

Day After Christmas Shopping

I woke up early. I braved the cold weather. I fought the crowds. I elbowed my way through the heathens all for....more blue Christmas lights and a big ben tree ornament. Yeah, I know. That's a pretty pathetic haul. I chalk it up to still being kinda tired.

Tired from what you ask? Well it takes energy to eat as much food as I did yesterday. I ate so much yesterday, I gained at least 6 more pounds, I just know it! Ma Mere made a pineapple pound cake and a 1,2,3,4 cake. Auntie made a chocolate cake and a vegan lemonilla cake (for The Arteest). Oh, and I ate real food too. Mac-n-cheese, cornbread dressing, salmon souffle, carrots, homemade cranberry sauce, fresh rolls, green beans....I'm sure I'm forgetting something. We ate at 3pm and I'm still full! (Oh, well, I just ate left overs so maybe that's why I'm full).

And, let's not forget, I was up until 1:00am Friday morning, helping Santa put out presents. I had to wrap a billion pairs of earrings and avert my eyes from the glittery tops and hats that were purchased. It's hard work wrapping up stuff for a teenage girl -- all that bubble bath and lip gloss! No, I still haven't recovered.

So, due to fatigue, I didn't stimulate the economy as much as I could have. Have no fear economy. I'm off work all of next week. I'm sure that I'll help put a dent in the deficit.

Happy Black Friday

I decided to stay home this year...well this morning. I did go out but I waited until after 12pm. I didn't wake up at the butt crack of dawn and stand in the cold trying to get a good deal on stuff. I have done that in the past but this year I was simply too tired. Preparing for Thanksgiving wore me out!

Instead, I dozed in my warm bed until about 9:30am, made some coffee, had some oatmeal and snuck kisses from Mr. Vampiro. But once the sun warmed the earth just a bit more, the royal family went out into the world and helped dig us out of the recession.

Well, half of the royal family. The Princess was more than happy to stay at home with The Arteest. She knew that this trip began the Christmas shopping that would end up in tons of goodies under the twinkling lights of a blue and silver decorated tree all for her. I never have to worry about her wanting to come shopping. She knows that her reward will come 28 days from now.

And, we helped the recession, but not by much. We picked up $2 and $5 movies and other little odds and ends. The three of us combined might have spent $80. Sorry economy -- we have to watch our pennies.

But Cyber Monday will come along in a few days and I'll spend maybe another $100 or so. And the days leading up to Christmas will have purchases as well. Don't worry. I'll do my part to stimulate the economy. Economy, you are welcome.