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Archive through November 03, 2009

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Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, October 26, 2009 - 9:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
That's my running mission around here Landi...if I haven't seen it or used it in six months, it's gone.

So last week I was a day off, this week I'm just off, lol! My aunt gave me money Saturday to buy her new blankets and middle nieces birthday gift. I got the blankets yesterday and sis and I are planning to go to Costco for the birthday gift. Niece needs a new coat if we can find one, but Costco also has nifty toys (usually sets) so lots of choices there.

Sis has been going to school Tuesdays and Thursdays but I knew she'd just finished up the first portion of her classes and has a break before the second portion. But, she has to do computer lab work in between and it has to be scheduled. I called earlier and asked if she had to do that tomorrow and she said yep, but not til later in the afternoon. Said cool...we can do Costco in the morning, I only need to pick up a couple things and we'll be done way before her lab time.

I set here and made out my Costco list...water, sodas, fresh veggies, fruit, nieces gift. Planned out my morning...get up and take kids to school, quick chore at home, then go grab sis and do Costco, then back here for more chores.

We were in the middle of dinner tonight when it hit me...I excused myself to call sis and tell her I'm a doofus. I've got this whole morning planned and shopping...aunt's got her drs appt at 10:30. By the time I'm done with her, it'll be past time for sis to go to her lab. Gonna have to do Costco Wednesday I guess.

Took aunts oxy tanks over. I could have them picked up and new ones delivered, but aunt won't open the door. The driver has my number, but if he gets there too early (he's come between 8 and 11) he has to wait for me to get there and it's just easier to take them over myself. Nice thing about taking them over, if any of the delivery guys are outside, they'll run over and grab the empties then bring full tanks to the car and load them. Today was one of those days, we pulled up, Darren started to unload and the guy came running out with a cart. All I had to do was run in and sign the paper and grab new tubing. I just love their customer service.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 12:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Tuesday's Mission

First up tomorrow is aunts drs appt. Or rather, calling the drs office to make sure they haven't run out of the flu shots again and then her drs appt. I also need to get some paperwork done for her and read over a letter/offer she got.

Ok, speaking of that...question, or seeking opinions. She got a letter the other day. At first glance it's from the tax people, but I need to reread it (cuz really all I did was glance at it) to double check that. It's an offer to reassess her property taxes. What caught my eye and makes me question where it's from is that they will charge her $185 to request a reassessment that may save her $135. My first thought was...well gee, she's going to pay $50 to save nothing, and then second thought...they're not saying it will lower her property taxes but that it may and all they're doing is putting in a request to have it reassessed. Does that sound odd to anyone? Like I said, I need to read the paper more carefully tomorrow and have sis look at it. Whats even more confusing for me (rather it comes from the tax people or not) is that the same day she also received her property tax bill, so it could be from them, but I dunno.

Anyways, got to do some paperwork for her and write out some more checks, balance her checkbook. Also one day this week I need to pick up pumpkins for all the kids and take them to her house for the kidlets to carve where she can watch them. We're all going trick or treating in a friends neighborhood this year, so sis and I won't be home to pass out candy. We're going to leave all the pumpkins at aunts house....last year she got no trick or treaters, except our kids, and she's positive it was because she had no pumpkins out. We're more positive it's cuz she doesn't live in a good neighborhood, but if it makes her happy to have pumpkins, we'll make sure she has them!

Caleb informed us today he's going to a Halloween party Saturday night. I said, uh excuse me? Where? Who is throwing the party? Will parents be home? Have we met the parents???? He told us we really didn't need to know all that. Really????? LOL, uh huh, sure we don't. Come to find out, we don't know the parents so Caleb won't be going to any party and will instead be trick or treating with his cousins like planned. I know my kidlets are growing up quick and encourage age appropriate activities, but yeah there ain't going to be any parties if we haven't met the parents!

Er, back to this thread (sorry!) After aunts, I'll be cleaning around my house and doing laundry. Not sure what else I have planned other than that.

Merrysea
Moderator

08-13-2004

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 8:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
War, the letter about the property taxes is a scam. If your aunt feel her property assessment is too high (based on comparables in the area), she can file an assessment appeal for free with her County Assessment Appeals Board. I was Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board for Contra Costa County in the late '70's (both before and after Prop. 13), and these scams were going on back then.

The County Assessor is the only one who can change property assessments (and since Prop. 13, this is not done routinely other than the 2% per year increase), and they do it as part of their jobs. They don't charge homeowners for it.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 8:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Thank you Merry! I had a feeling it was, but wasn't sure since I hadn't done more than glanced at it yet.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 12:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Aunts drs appt is over (was nasty weather wise to take her out but she had to go) and she's had her flu shot. I did her checks, balanced her checkbook and put some paperwork away. Also told her about that letter (thank you again Merry!) When I set down to read it sure enough it said (in very small print) it wasn't from any government agency and all they were offering to do was file the request for reappraisal.

I'm now trying to figure out what to do about dinner. It's cold enough I should be crockpotting something but didn't think about it this morning unfortunately. I may throw together a quick soup or chili, but I'll have to run by the store first.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 10:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Not much of a fun afternoon/evening here. It was cold! Darren got off work and took the window cooler out of the window. I'd thought we'd do it a couple weeks ago but it wasn't really neccessary until now. He also covered up the cooler vent, was still too windy for him to get on the roof and cover the cooler itself. Those things helped until tonight when it got colder.

I turned on the heater in the living room and it stunk immediately. We shut it off, tomorrow I'll have to clean it out. He cleaned out the hall heater and tried to light it but we don't have the long matches to reach the thingamajig so couldn't get it lit. Not a big deal, I threw extra blankets on the bed. I'll call the gas co tomorrow and have them send someone out to light it, might be a couple weeks, but because we've still been using the big cooler we couldn't have that one lit anyways. Also good to have them come out and light the pilot because they'll check both heaters for leaks or problems.

Tomorrow cleaning around my house, then Costco shopping with sis. We're also doing a bit of clothes shopping for the kidlets who need jeans. Caleb has somehow managed to rip the knees out of two pairs, not sure how the heck he's done that! He's not rough on clothes. Oldest niece has only one pair of jeans that fit her.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 12:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Wednesday's Mission

Forgot to post it earlier.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 12:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
Lets see, didn't do much, but it was really cold here as well. Does PG&E or whoever your gas company is charge to light the pilot lights? I am going to light mine this weekend, but would love for someone else to come out and do it for me, LOL. Gas scares me.

I cleaned the ceiling fan in my bathroom, everytime I looked up to gargle I thought, "man that thing needs cleaning". LOL, so I just did it. The mission looks like a good one for tonight as well. I have a few knick-knacks in the LR that could use a good dusting.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 1:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
The Gas Company doesn't charge to come light the pilots or check out the gas heaters/appliances. But, unless you're a priority (gas leak, smelling gas, etc) you're likely to wait 2-3 weeks to see them.

We live in an older house with older heaters. First year we were here we had a major gas leak (oven/stove,) thank goodness no one was home...mom had taken Caleb to her house for the day, we were at work, and when she came back she smelled it as soon as she opened the door. She took Caleb to the neighbors and came back to shut off the gas, open windows and call the gas company. They came out and disconnected the stove and check the rest of the gas stuff. And thank goodness for mil, we'd been in the house just a couple weeks, Christmas was a week away, middle of winter, no stove/oven (they were seperate,) and not a lot of money and she showed up with a brand new oven and said, Merry Christmas and Happy Housewarming!

That whole episode was eye opening for me. Besides installing the carbon monoxide detectors, we also started calling the gas co out every year to check the heaters. One year we had a little problem, some washers or something that needed replacing. Had to wait a couple days, but no charge on that. Another year another part of the heater was going out, think that cost us $20 or $30 but was added to the gas bill. Last year I didn't have them out and I was kind of nervous all winter about that, so for peace of mind if nothing else, I'll have them out this year. They'll also clean way up in the heater where you can't reach. I had one guy tell me they'd rather come light pilots and check out the units than have something bad happen and they really don't mind doing it as long as people have some patience if its not an emergency, because often you will have to wait. At this point, we'll be fine waiting a couple weeks...we can use the wood burning stove and it's not freezing yet, little unpleasant in the mornings getting out of bed, lol, but if it gets that bad we can just camp in the living room with the fire going.

Sis and I did our little shopping. We decided to check out Goodwill for jeans for the kids. Caleb's playing around with a growth spurt, plus with Christmas right around the corner the kids will get plenty of clothes. I got him 2 pair of jeans and sis got oldest niece 2 pair, for $2.99 each.

It was apparently the day for deals, lol. Sis wanted to go into the smoke shop to buy a pack of cigs, I said no problem...they always have neat little things in their to look at and you never know what you'll find. So as she was buying her cigs, I was looking around and found the cutest belt, it's black with pink skull and cross bones....for $1.50! I just bought my first Christmas gift for Kota, lol. It's sooo her style.

Then we went to Costco. I got all excited, they had the big pumpkin pies for $5.98! Usually they are 10 or 11, so that was a deal. But then we got to looking at their toddler halloween costumes. They're the thick costumes, elephants, zebras, lions. I love them...they used to be $30 back when I bought them for my kids and the suckers lasted 3 or 4 years for my kids, not just halloween, but dress up costumes too, and then were passed down to younger cousins. They're also thick and warm. They're now $10! We picked up a unicorn costume for baby niece.

Wasn't really in search of great deals or a Christmas present or a Halloween costume, but heck at those prices, I'm not gonna complain, lol!

Now I need to finish unloading the groceries from the car and get to some housework before Darren gets home.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 9:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
After Darren got home we made a run to Walmart. I needed to pick up a few cleaners and a couple things. Ended up also buying pumpkins for the kidlets and then we ran to sis' house for a few minutes. After picking up Kota I came home to do a few more chores then ran off to pick up Caleb.

Took some time to make Dakota's halloween jewelry. She's going as a witch (dress is black/orange) but needed a necklace and bracelet. She's going to the halloween dance on Friday so wanted to make sure it was done early. Turned out pretty cute, especially the bracelet which I used memory wire for.

Got home with Caleb and my gas light went on so I went tonight to get gas instead of doing it in the morning. LOL, was so cold I only put $20 in and did a crappy job washing my window, but it's good enough for now.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 11:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Thursday's Mission

Plans for tomorrow are more of the same from today. When baby niece woke up, sis tried the costume on her, it didn't fit. We'd stood there looking at it wondering, they only had the unicorn in 12-18 months. While niece is over 2, she's pretty small and still wearing clothes in 12-18 month sizes, but yep, this one didn't fit. So tomorrow, we go back to return it and find a new costume. They had a bunch of others, elephants, lions, zebras, but no bigger unicorns.

Other than that, not too much except cleaning around my house.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 10:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
I changed the sheets and started my walk around to see if there was anything that needed to be put away before my sister comes tomorrow. I took out some recycling this morning, have a little more to go out tonight and I will be ready.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Friday, October 30, 2009 - 12:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Friday's Mission

Went back to Costco with sis to exchange the halloween costume. We picked the baby up the cutest elephant costume (the bottom and tummy are super padded, lol.) She loved it but hates the hat that has the elephant face/ears/nose on it.

We stopped by the bead store on the way home. I need to make Kota's jewelry for the quinceniera. Picked up hot pink (fushia-ish) and black seed beads and fushia crystals, and going to make a spiral rope bracelet and necklace. She loved the colors.

I feel like I just haven't gotten anything done this week around the house except the absolute basics. I've been running all week. After dropping sis off, I came home for lunch and to clean. Then got a phone call.

I had to pick Dakota up early from school, she's sick (cough, fever, headache, stomach ache, sniffles.) Really hoping it'll be a quick bug and she'll be better tomorrow, if not, I'll need to call her dr.

Also need to call the derm and set up her next appt and figure out why the heck I got a referral for Caleb to go see them too. I'm not sure if that was a mistake or if they want to see him for a 3 month check up. I need to pay some bills, pick up halloween candy for my aunt, and not sure what else.

Mostly I'm planning on spending the day at home so hoping to get a lot of cleaning done and taking Kota to the dr if need be.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Friday, October 30, 2009 - 9:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
LMAO about the hat, isnt' that the part that makes you understand she is an elephant! Have a fun Halloween.

I moved some stuff around in my closet so I could put this little shelf unit it, because of this I drug out my blanket that I put on top of the comforter for the winter, so I refolded the blankies that the kitties like to sleep on in the shelves, LOL. Put away a few things, took out some recycling, and the house is ready for cleaning. Have I said recently how much I love that she comes to clean my house, LOl.

This weekend I have to do laundry, I think I have about four loads, with the sheets and towels. And do the mending I didn't get done, maybe caulk the bathroom, I finally got the supplies down.

Might be a quiet, slow weekend.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Friday, October 30, 2009 - 9:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
A quiet, slow weekend sounds good.

LOL, without the hat, it looks like a fluffy grey/white fat suit. When she put it on yesterday I cracked up because the costume is so padded it looks like she ate 3 or 4 other toddlers. The hats attached (like on a coat) so it hangs down her back, but that little elephant nose pokes straight up and almost looks like she has a horn. She was like this last year too, wouldn't wear the hat with her little devil costume. We're hoping to get at least one picture with the hat on. Right now they're on their way to our friends job (she works in a drs office) with her all dressed up and sis said she flat out refused to put the hat on. The whole office decides on a theme for the year and everyone dresses up that way, this year its the Wizard of Oz, and has the kids of family, friends, and patients come over to get some candy.

So far today, Dakota felt perfectly fine this morning and went to school. I've got my checks wrote and bills in the mail, scheduled the kids dermatology appts, and filled out most of my time card (can't finish that and mail it til tomorrow.) I'm about to start on the kitchen, but I've been dragging my feet cuz my hands are cold and I don't want to go put them in the water, lol!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Friday, October 30, 2009 - 1:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Picked Dakota up from school right before 11 feeling like crud again. Made a very quick run to the store for some sick stuff (more tylenol/motrin/gatorade.) Finished the kitchen, except the floor, and picked up the living room.

I need to start a load of laundry soon. Also need to pack the softball teams snack bags. The girls (Kota and niece) have snack day tomorrow. I picked up pretzels, fundips, and some glow in the dark bracelets for those. I'll put them in bags, then drop those off with sis who has gatorade and bananas. That way if Kota isn't up to going to the games tomorrow, sis will have the snacks at least. Also need to drop off the halloween candy for my aunt, I'll do that when I drop off the snack bags later.

I've got to get beans out and soaking tonight. I'm going to cut up the onion and garlic and have everything ready...if Kota goes to her games I have to have that started by 7 so it'll be easy if everything is already ready. And if Kota is feeling good, we'll go to aunts for dinner (I'm taking the beans, sis is making soup) before going to trick or treat with a group of friends. If Kota isn't better, we're going to stay home watching movies and passing out candy.

Sunday is our anniversary, though with Halloween tomorrow, we aren't doing anything this weekend. Planning the kids having a sleepover next weekend with sis and bil so we can go out and celebrate.

Right now our whole weekend depends on how Kota's feeling. Caleb's not interested in trick or treating and is only going if the rest of us are. He's offered to help his two little cousins and hang out with them for the night if we go.

Christy358
Member

07-10-2007

Monday, November 02, 2009 - 12:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Christy358 a private message Print Post    
:::Looking for war..... maybe Dipo?::::

I slept till noon, (really), had lunch at soupersalad, bought a toy for my birds, read my book and played Wizard 101. Cooked dinner in the one clean pan in the house. (Now it is not clean.)

Chatted with mom on facebook, where I also worked on mafia wars, and lil farm.

My sink is full of dirty dishes.
FlyLady would be ashamed of me.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, November 02, 2009 - 12:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Monday's Mission

You just needed a break, Christy, we all do sometimes. Sounds like you had a nice relaxing day to me. I'm a big believer in taking time for yourself once in a while and letting the chores slide. Tomorrow is a new day and time enough for the housework.

I did much the same this weekend. After picking up Kota early from school Thursday and Friday, I spent a good part of yesterday with her in urgent care and then running to the pharmacy (twice) and taking care of her.

She was feeling somewhat better today, but we all took it pretty easy. I did just what I had to do, a couple loads of laundry and a little bit of grocery shopping. The rest of the cleaning can wait.

LOL, not that long though. I'll be spending a good part of tomorrow making up for what I didn't do this weekend. I've got a lot of work at my aunts later this week (we're setting up the back room as a family room) along with the regular cleaning and her shower. Also need to get some more paperwork filled out and mailed for her.

Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Monday, November 02, 2009 - 11:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
my sink is still shiny from yesterday, as chuck took me out for chinese dinner last night. and it was YUM! i put the last load of laundry in the dryer (1 load was still in there when i went to bed last night), so I'll fold 3 loads when that is finished.

Today's mission only needs to have the dining room swept, as all the areas are clean.

So got to get to gathering all the trash/recycling and getting the cans to the street.

Ham and Scalloped potato casserole for dinner. I add chopped ham/onions/bell peppers and celery to a box of scalloped potatoes and dinner is easy!

happy monday!


Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Monday, November 02, 2009 - 11:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
LOL Christy! I watched TV, had food and laid around in my bed all weekend, it was fantastic!

I had three things on my list for the weekend, laundry, sew/mend and grout. I did none of them, LOL. I did run the dishwasher, unloaded it today, read the Saturday and Sunday papers, answered email and read the forum.

I am going to try doing a load of laundry every night when I get home until I am done, I think I have 4-5 loads. I would do more but it gets heavy carrying it up and down the stairs to the laundry room, so one load at a time is not such a burden. I could stand to do the porch portion of the mission, my door is filthy because I can't hose it down since we are in a drought. Maybe I will just take a bucket of water and my rubba scruba to the security screen door, that has been bugging me.

Landileigh, dinner sounds wonderful!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, November 02, 2009 - 12:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Yay! Pretty lazy weekend for all!

I've been taking my time today. Decided it'd be a good day to clean the kitchen top to bottom, scrub cabinets, the fridge, etc. It's the fridge's fault! I had a jar of garlic in there that wasn't closed all the way and it tipped over. Everytime the fridge is open, the smell of garlic overwhelms everything.

I had to fill out some paperwork for my aunt (medi-cal stuff) this morning. It has to be in their office by 11/09...she got it Saturday. Ack! I wasn't in a huge hurry to do it this morning, mailman always comes between 11:30 and 12, but set down to get it over with and get it in the mailbox. I'd no sooner put it in than the mailman came and grabbed it. It wasn't even 10, but was a different carrier.

Taking a little break for now and then it's back to the kitchen.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, November 02, 2009 - 2:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Ok, the kitchen is done (except for the floor) and the living room is done. I'm happy with that much. Tomorrow will be den, vacuum the hallway, and the bathroom. Then rest of the week my aunts.

Dinners already in the crockpot. Since I had a lot of beans left over from Halloween (I'd cooked enough to take to sis' but we never made it there with Kota sick) I just added some pork, threw in some taco seasoning and have been letting it go. We'll have tacos or burritos or taco salads or something later.

The rest of today is fun stuff. Middle nieces birthday is Friday (party Saturday I think.) Picked up aunts gifts for her last week and I need to wrap those today (an art set and a little jacket.) Sis told me niece was getting into doing her own hair and liking all the little girly barretts, hairbands and ties, so we bought her a little case filled with hair stuff, plus had some fun picking out more barretts, hairbands, scrunchies, brushes, etc. Dakota and I will put that together later and may add some jewelry to it if I get the time to make her some.

Then I'll be working some more on Kota's jewelry for the quinceneira. I have the necklace to finish plus some hair barretts. I have sis' camera so plan to post some pics of all that later today or tomorrow.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 12:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Tuesday's Mission

Sigh, I lost track of the date. Tomorrow's the 3rd, so little change of plans in my week, I'll be at my aunts tomorrow for a few hours, running errands and grocery shopping.

Will also do a little cleaning around my house, finish up Kota's jewelry and not sure what else.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 10:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
I did a load of laundry (3 to go), took out the recycling, cleaned up the kitchen, cleaned up the litter locker and took it to the trash.

Tonight another load of laundry and I am not sure what else, LOL.

Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 11:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
tuesday is vacuuming day around here... so sweeping kitchen/dining and vacuuming the whole house. 15 minutes at a time!