monday 10.19

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Too chilly! And I was either too cold or too hot to sleep. I am not prepared for this.

Andy, on the other, loves an excuse to wear more clothes. He is bundled up and we had to search for gloves. We did finally find a matching pair. He needs slippers too.




9:50

Priming is done for Andy's room.

Still deciding how to decorate my dad's room. I love the idea of a red, white & blue room. It was supposed to be the boys' room but I never got around to finishing it. My dad's room started out as a garden theme, then into a nautical theme. Again, it was never completed so I have bits & pieces of it. The largest reason for keeping it one was is the large poster of a painting. But I didn't spend much on it so it's OK to get rid of it and start over. I need someone to execute my ideas. And pay for them.




11:47

One coat done. I coat to go and trim. I am really get sick of painting. Really.

Lunch is in the oven.




1:27 Top coat is done. I just need to do the trim but that might happen tomorrow or another day as the top coat should be really dry in case I need to wipe off any overage. I need to go buy some spackle so I can start on Ryan's room tomorrow.




My goddaughter has H1N1. Poor MG!




4:24

Andy helped me move his dresser. I needed his help to direct and to put the gliders underneath. He is happy to have his room done... even if it isn't.




I found a quilt at Target that might work for Ryan. It's part of their Woolrich brand. I thought I liked this blue quilt until I got home...

Then I came home to Sturbridge Yankee Workshop catalog. I love their stuff.




weekend update 10.18

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10.17

I am behind in posting my blogs and photo of the day. The computer continues to act strangely and require much more attention just like a typical 3 year old. My van is also needing maintenance but at least it is 6 years old.




Figured out 2 problems this morning. I am going to move the bench at the end of my bed to Andy's room. It will fit perfectly under his piano and be one more shelf for all of these books.




9:45

Wow! That bench holds a lot of books. I still have 2 milk crates full for Andy's room. I may still put them on one of dad's shelves. I also have 3 boxes to sell/donate.

I moved the remaining shelves away from the wall. I found remnants of a cookie and grilled cheese sandwich. Gross! I blame both on Ryan.

I want to just move all the furniture now but I have to wait for help. And I still have to paint Ryan's room. And guess what? The little turd sweetie just changed his mind about the accent wall. He wants blue. sigh




10:56

Oh wait! Now he wants green.

I suggested that we go get a gallon of paint today so I could save $5 during the sale. Of course Ryan doesn't want to go out. Here come the excuses... "I think I want yellow." Right just so we don't have to go out.

I realize I won't save any money taking them out since it will include lunch. Andy wants to go and hovers in the hallway waiting for a decision.

We won't go so now it's green. What color green? Light. I look at bedding for ideas. I made the mistake of offering camouflage and he wants that. Um... maybe some sheets. PB Teen has a Design Your Own Bed Tool where you can pick the color of the wall and then all the bedding. I found a paint color I like. It's from Benjamin Moore but I will just find something similar at Sears. I also find a quilt we both like. It's more masculine and will grow with him.

I tried to find some bedding for Andy but yellow is just not a color associated with teen boys. I did find a quilt I like at Country Curtains for Andy. It's still a classic but with brighter colors.




12:54

I concede. Low fat cheese is fine on a quesadilla and reduces the calorie count by 100. Adding the green onion and tomato were a good choice though I have onion mouth now.

I moved the mattresses with a bit of Andy's help. I know I should wait for Paul to take apart the bunk beds but I have to motivation to do it now.




5:18

The bunk beds are apart and one is set up in Andy's room. I will put the other one together after I paint Ryan's room. Sweaty.




5:44

Dad's bed has been moved. Ryan wanted to help but he isn't much help. Everything is a game to him. sigh

Nice in dad's room without a lot of furniture.




8:35

So I went out and got more paint on Wednesday. I only just bothered to check tonight to find out it is the wrong color. I wonder what the chances of Ryan letting us go to Sears tomorrow are? Ugh!




I was cleaning out my nightstand so I can give it to Andy. (His deep red one will look better in my room.) could I have anymore cough drops in there? I threw them all out. None of them work as well as ricola.




10.18

What?!? It was 42 degrees this morning! Did Florida shift north? This is SO not right. Right now it is only 54. I doubt Andy's pants fit. We ARE going to Sears today for pants and paints. I told Ryan he only has the choice on the ROUTE.




Andy slept in poppa's room. It's the bed.




11:55

Looked at Wallies today. They have really expanded their line. I was thinking of musical notes for Andy. I just hope he won't peel them like he did in the past. Otherwise I might stamp them on if I can find a big enough stamp. I am only thinking of the corner where his piano is sitting.




All of Andy's pants are size 14. I am pretty sure they will be too short. (They are just OK. A 16 would be better.)




4:09

Ryan's room is spackled. It looks that Bonnie & Clyde's car... 37 holes! I don't know if I will have enough to do any holes a second time, the jar is almost dry. And since it had been painted blue, all the white spackle looks even worse.

We did go to Sears. Ryan chose the long way to get there. And we stopped at Publix for pringles and tea.

We chose some green samples then went up to boys to look for pants for Andy. They do not carry Lands' End in the stores only online. They did after the buy-out but it must not have worked out. I got Andy some lined track pants and some cargo jeans. I had him try them on. It was a new experience for him as I typically buy online. He ended up wearing the jeans home as they were larger and felt better. I will have to order more this week.


friday 10.16

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The nice long draft I had typed out was lost. However, it did let me know that my sites were down. All three of them. After an hour on the phone with tech support, I was no further along and had baffled 3 of their people. I had to file a ticket and was just informed that it was due to...There were many, many stale processes that were causing your account to exceed its process limit.

So the sites are back but the post of my (somewhat) dreadful morning is gone. Homemade popcorn had helped some.



OK, I just can let the post go away. Though now that I have typed it out once, I am not feeling quite so frustrated.

The was no school today. Last night, Ryan finally declared that we would go to the Aquarium. I lounged a bit before I started my day. Ryan informs me that he has lost his iPod. I look, he looks. I fix breakfast. Just as mine is done, Andy calls from the bathroom door. I can't hear him because the washer & dryer are running. I think he is asking to go pee pee. I say OK buy he remains half naked at the door (t-shirt but no bottoms.) I go and see (OK smell!) that he has had diarrhea which has run down his leg. I clean him and get him in the shower while I clean up his carpet. After he is OK, I can eat my breakfast. But do I want to?

Ryan still cannot find gis iPod. He is trying not to get upset. I try to get him to visualize where he had it last. All he cam say is that he was playing a game. He continues to look while I shower.

I like to let my hair dry a bit before I use the blow dryer and I sit and played Bejewed 2 while Ryan looks and rests and looks and rests. I ask him what he will do if we can't find his iPod. Will he use the old one? Will he go without? He doesn't like that idea at all. I get up to dry my hair and check by the front door and find it. Ryan swears he didn't go that way all morning.

As I drying my hair, Ryan flies into my bedroom clearly upset. He can't tell me but keeps saying "He thinks we should go to school every day!" he is Andy and I know Andy hasn't said anything like that but finding out what bug crawled into Ryan's behind is fruitless at best.

Ryan does calm down and we leave. But my mind is elsewhere and I turn onto Bruce B Downs instead of making a u-turn. The mumbles and grumbles begin anew. I am somwhere in between going back home (but that would upset Andy too much) and telling Ryan to STFU! I do my best to tell him to keep his complaining to himself and ignore him.

The Aquarium is nice. It is not too crowded yet and we can park nearer to the door. Ryan did not want to bring his umbrella so he and I are forced to share the compact one.

I kept my camera setting on shutter priority, 1/60. Some shots were just too dark but the rest seem to be OK though noisy from the high ISO.

It was still gloomy when we left and I could see the disappointment in Ryan. We went to lunch then home. No Ikea. I am OK with that.

Then we got home and I found my site down which brings up back to do!




I just filled up Andy's bookshelves and Ryan's bookshelves. I filled 3 boxes to sell/donate. A few books are very damaged and will be thrown away. But, There are still LOTS more books to put away. I was hoping to have an empty bookcase in dad's room but I may have to fill it. Maybe I can go through the books some time later when I am not thinking of painting and decorating.


thursday 10.15

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(sorry about the delay in posts... site issues then just plain lazy)


Tired. So very tired. Too much caffeine yesterday.




Why are lamps so expensive? At least nice ones for boys. Eight bazillion frilly and girly colors but only a few for boys and nothing yellow.




11:34

In line at Starbucks. Trim is done on 3 walls. I will start moving some furniture when I get home from the chiropractor.




1:17

So much for waiting to buy a mattress. I complained to Paula about the prices of mattresses. She recommended that I go to Famous Tate and gave me a card. I went and go and education and a good deal.

• box springs are required for the warranty (MF lady said they are just a box)

• box spring help support the mattress and make it last longer

• price for whole set @ FT is $429, price for mattress alone @ MF is $429

• free delivery @ FT until the end of the month otherwise it is $29.95 (delivery from MF is $79.95)

• I did have to purchase the expensive mattress cover for the 90 sleep guarantee, $59.95 @ FT, $79.95 @ MF

So I put a down payment on a pair and will have them delivered on Halloween. Now to transfer some more money.




3:45

The new mattress set will be as tall as the footboard on the boys' beds.




8:51

All the caffeine from today is no longer working. Tired.




I moved Andy's desk, piano and a bookshelf. I was in the process of moving books when I learned the lesson of 12 year olds and closed doors. I did knock but go no answer so I walked in... Now I need to teach Andy to tell people NOT to come in when he is not dressed. Oops!




Meanwhile, the boys have way too many books. Many books they don't read and don't need. I will start weeding to donate. I did NOT find the missing library books.




Got very lazy and bad and at the remaining 5 brownies for dinner. PMS was happy to be "fed" such treats.

wednesday 10.14

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(The magic of Lightroom and skin softening.)

More ideas for decorating. I would really like staff so I can delegate what needs to be done.




I found out that Ryan looked at Andy's missing library book. But he cannot remember where he put it. So frustrating.




2:21

Love a busy and productive day especially when I spend most of it out of the house.

Goofed on my hair appointment. I was way too early so I went to lunch but then it was late and I had to rush.

I looked at mattresses for the boys. What?! $1000 for a twin mattress? Crazy! I was hoping for about $250 each. But those are not comfy. At least I can forget the delivery which costs $69! But they do take away the old mattresses. I think I'll keep looking and wait for a bigger sale.




I went to Sears at Slug Mall. What a depressing store. But Kevens seemed much smarter than Jimbo Ignatowski. Paint is on sale this week. D'oh I could have saved over $25 if I had waited but then I wouldn't have 1 1/2 rooms done.




Interesting to see to people at Starbucks. I have to remember not to stare.




5:36

Another batch of brownies is in the oven. It's a pretty easy recipe even though you have to melt the chocolate. I did refigure the calories and I was only off by 20 so I don't feel bad for eating 2 yesterday.

Here is the recipe... it's from Martha Stewart's Cookies. Double Chocolate Brownies

A few points:

• I use bittersweet chocolate because I never have semi-sweet on hand.

• The book calls for unsweetened Dutch process cocoa. I can only find sweetened Dutch process cocoa so I am betting the bittersweet cancels out the sweetened cocoa.

• I use a Baker's Edge pan sprayed with pam. I get 16 brownies (OK they are not quite equal in size) and the calorie count is 131 for one brownie.

tuesday 10.13

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Instead of just telling he no longer likes biscuits, Andy waits until they have baked and I have put them on a plate, then comes over, pretends to smell them and say "Ugh!" I would have made him some bagels if he had said something earlier so his only option was donuts. Guess I need to buy more of those in the future.




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I looked more for those books. I think I will have to look under the couch next. And by that I mean lifting it up and crawling under since there is only about an inch gap. Just enough space for books, cars and trains to get lost. I thought this would be better than the open bottom we had with the futon. But things get lost and forgotten and the boys are rubbish at helping me clear it out. As I am holding up one end of the couch, they are checking out all the found treasure instead of just sweeping it clear.





9:07

I went into Andy's room to get ready to paint. First off, I think he slept there. Silly boy. Next, I see white paint scribbles on my freshly painted wall. What?! It's a good thing the boys are at school. I suspect Ryan as he is more curious than Andy. Andy wouldn't want to take the chance of getting any paint on him. I think Ryan used the paint stirrer since he didn't do much damage. Note the evidence above.


The other day when I prepped the room, I could not get out 4 wall anchors. They are the plastic ones which expand when you put a screw in. I tried again today and was succesful. Unfortunately, they left big, gaping holes which require at least 2 applications of spackle. So the painting will be delayed. Perhaps I should be working on some cards I keep putting off.




10:37

Primer is done on the last easy wall. I was concerned that I wouldn't have enough to finish this wall. I did and had enough to start on the last wall. I still have to get some more primer but at least I can get another wall done today.

I also did a card for Liz and started one for Steve & Liz. (Waiting for the glue to dry.) (Lazy... took pics with my iPhone, above)




I have an idea for frames in dad's room. I want to get square ones with 5x7 mats so I can put them either way. I did find some at Exposures but they are $40 each. I found another site called Saline Picture Frame. They have a lot more options and much better prices. I trust the Exposures quality but I don't think I can afford them right now.




12:18

One word: yellow.

Oh my! I am glad I didn't agree to the whole room this color. Which is funny since I chose yellow for my bedroom in my first home. But it was on the west side of the house and I wanted bright and cheery since I was a morning person. Then, my brother shook his head at the color but I loved it. That was 15 years ago. Makes me feel old.




4:44

Ugh. My update I made from Starbucks was lost. Their wifi was not working right. Oh well, it wasn't much. Just posted that I had finished painted and showered and shaved and was back at Starbucks.




When Andy got home, I asked him about the white paint on the khaki wall. He said he did it! Then I asked Ryan when he got home and he said he did it. Ah, I knew he had done it. He said he would just paint it back and looked for the tools which I had put away.

Both boys like the yellow.




7:17

I made brownies. Quicker than cookies. Harder to resist.







I asked Andy again about the paint. Again, he claimed he did it. I told him that Ryan claimed responsibility. Andy thought about it. I asked. Andy pointed to Ryan and said "He did it!" As he walked past Ryan he said sternly "You are not supposed to do that. Don't do it again!" he was going to take the rap for his little brother! How cool is that?

This reminds me about something that I have read several times. People with autism and aspergers don't lie. I don't believe this. I asked Andy where he slept last night. He said the bunk beds. You could seem him hesitate. He knew where I told him to sleep but he didn't sleep there. Once he realized I wouldn't yell, he confessed he slept in the other room.




Oh man those brownies are good. I may have miscalculated the calorie count. Anyway, I had 2.


monday 10.12

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What does it say about the day, about the week, when you open the dishwasher to open it and realized you forgot to turn it on last night? Probably nothing but this week was freaking me out before it even began. Too.Much.To.Do.

I don't like this feeling. I tend to overthink it all in need of a game plan.




10:24

Prime coat done on 2 walls. I will not have enough primer to finish this room. Fudge.

Good news: this room has a south east window so it's much brighter.

Bad news: this room has a south east window and I nearly blinded myself trimming around the window.

I got the bright idea to put some newspaper on the window. But we don't get the paper. I did find a few sheets and taped them up. Much better.

I think my 15 year old cd boom box is dying. I have really only kept it around for the radio since it can run on batteries. But it takes a boat load of them so maybe it's time to get rid of that and get a smaller transistor radio for emergencies.




12:35

Top coat on two walls. I am going to end up doing the worst wall last again. With tomorrow's FiOS installation, I don't have time to get anymore paint. I can do the yellow wall tomorrow.

I also forgot to take some salmon out of the freezer for lunch. My lazy part wanted Arby's Beef n Cheddar but it weighs in at 445 calories not to mention curly fries. My smart side chose eggs, cheese & tomatoes. Total count=274 calories.




1:44

Two walls done and I am showered. Ahh... feels good. Now off to the bank to make an ATM deposit.

And perhaps Starbucks.




3:58

Andy is missing 2 library books. I have no idea where they can be. I have looked.




Got an email from onstar saying that now my antilock breaking system may not work. I had them run a diagnostics while I was driving. Although not critical it should be checked out in the next 7 days. Right. Let me add that to the list. It may be related to the traction control system. And my cruise does not work, especially when I first start the car. Love old cars!




7:01

Verizon just called to verify my appointment. And I had them move it 2 weeks later. Whew! I probably could have done it all by why if I can reschedule?


weekend update 10.11

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10.10

Today is a semi annual community garage sale. I didn't know about it until Thursday and then wasn't sure if it was ours or Meadow Pointe I. We don't get monthly newsletters delivered to our door. They've gone digital but I didn't know this. See the newsletter is/was 8 pages of the same general info crap each month. So I rarely read it but did look to see when the garage sale might be.

Anyway, I did not participate because I didn't know in time. Instead, I got Andy to pick up his bedroom. And I moved some of the furniture out so I have more room to paint. I also did my computer maintenance and am backing up disks. Somehow to back-up boot disk got full. So I had to erase it and start over.

I have been thinking of decorating ideas and such. So many options, so little money. It was keeping me awake some last night.




10.11

I was enjoying dome Jack Johnson when Ryan started hovering around the entertainment center. Oh time for the wii so I turned off the tunes. sigh




I did a lot of looking at furniture and bedding yesterday. Quality isn't cheap. I am not sure I want to spend that kind of money right now. I know Andy wants bunk beds but I think I am going to set up a bed in each room. I was thinking of something I could hang from the ceiling like a tent.




8:35

Well, crap! I just realized that tomorrow is a bank holiday and there is no school on Friday. Tuesday is the FiOS installation, Wednesday is haircut, Thursday is chiropractor. And I'm supposed to get painting done through all of that?

Don't expect much in the way of me blogging this week. And I just posted photo of the day for Saturday and Sunday. Ugh.




On the other hand, I have figured out what to do with the boys' beds and hanging sheers from the ceiling. And since we won't be getting new beds, maybe it's time to upgrade the mattreses. They are not very comfy.

friday 10.9



8:58

Time to paint the trim. And I really don't want to. I would love to go back to bed. But that is probably my fault for drinking a venti chai latté after 2 pm.




10:09

Taking a break to straighten my legs. I have 3 walls done. Yeah, I know! It's going much better than I expected. Turns out I do trim much better left handed, it shakes less. And once I stopped trying to paint the trim under the carpet line, it went better.

I really hate 2 1/2" trim. I grew up in older homes with 6" trim. That feels so much more substantial. More of a design element that an after thought to hide a joint.

But I really love Dark Was the Night. It's a compilation album. I love compilation albums as they introduce me to artists that I hadn't heard before. I know I don't need to add anymore artists to my collection but music is just so wonderful!




11:30

Done and showered. OK there are some spots on the ceiling I need to touch up but I will do that later when I get out the tiny brushes.

As I got to the door, I realized it would better to take it off the hinges. But I couldn't get it to budge. Oh well, maybe Hank can help me. All three doors could stand a good coat of paint as well. And my dad's closet door. I removed it after the boys managed to break the ones in the other rooms...grr.

One problem with my dad moving in not good. OK there are more but this is one of the bigger ones nagging me. He leaves his laptop on the kitchen table all the time. I have mentioned this before and lamented the lack of natural light. But now I realize that I don't want his stuff creeping all over the table. I have trouble with this myself. He needs a place for his stuff. I was thinking about a computer cart or maybe an armoire in his room. But how do I do that without him feeling alienated?




What is it about the Awake Tea at Starbucks that hits me so much harder than me fixing it at home?




4:44

The doorbell rang and I answered it. It was Joel from Verizon trying to sell me services. For once I did not send him scurrying away with his tail between his legs. Only because I have been meaning to make the switch from Brighthouse to Verizon Fios. I already have Verizon Fios for phone and Internet. I did not have TV because the boys (mostly Ryan) loved Bay News 9 so much. And Bay News 9 is a brighthouse exclusive. But we don't watch TV much and Ryan agreed to the switch. Two things; 1) I wish I could get cable without a box!; and 2) It would be cool if I could pay for the hours I actually watch TV.

Joel was still here when Ryan got home. "Who is this?" Nice.


thursday 10.8

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One benefit to be stuck at home with a cold and painting is that I am not indulging at Starbucks which means less calories and more weight loss. The cold has killed my appetite, all I want to do is drink tea. I have seen the digits get smaller and I have lost almost 60 pounds total.

Sure I feel much better losing that weight but I wish it would be more noticeable. I wish I had to buy some new clothes. And I wish people would say something. I am definitely a sucker for words of encouragement (which is probably why I take criticism so hard). I appreciate the kudos from my readers (all 3 of you). The only person (in real life?) to say anything is my hair stylist, Dana. She is probably happy that she doesn't have to worry about me breaking her chair.

Ugh! How did I manage to turn weight loss into a pity party? Enough!




10:07

I am getting towards the end of the first room. And as I get closer, I get lazy & sloppy. I probably should have done this wall & dog leg first but I thought doing a straight wall would be better since I hadn't painted in years. Next room, I will save an easy wall for last.

Ugh, sucks knowing there is a next room and one after that.




12:07

Top coat done, one more required. I have really gotten careless. Three days with not a drop on my clothes. Today? Was I in a paint fight? The second gallon of paint is almost gone. What was I thinking?

Salmon is baking. Yesterday, I only cooked it for 10 minutes instead of twenty. Not until I bit into the middle did I notice. Gross! I don't do sushi.




3:43

Waiting for Andy's but and catching up on Twitter which was down for a couple of hours this afternoon. Funny to read all the tweets by people who were lost without Twitter.

I left the house! I probably shouldn't have since I seem to be coughing more. But the ricola does a fine job of suppressing most coughs.

My cruise control is acting up again. I wonder how much that is going to cost me? I do use it a lot.

I went to Home Depot (I prefer Lowe's) since it was on the way. I got some brushes and a runner size drop cloth. $60! How does that happen? Another complaint, self checkouts. I try but I always need help. Today it was a missing bar code. And then you can't use your own bag. Stupid.