Trying Something New

I was looking at one of my favorite crafty blogs, Let's Explore, and saw a Chore Bucket that she had made for her kids. I figure it's never too early to start teaching them responsibility, so I decided to make one, too.


I used a small coffee container, covered it with pretty paper, and then filled it with pieces of paper with small chores written on them. Things like, "Straighten up the bookshelf" and "Help fill Harley's water bowl". Once a day, we'll have chore time and Summer will draw one or two chores to do. I figure Camryn can just help Summer for now.

While I had all of the paper out, I cut up some of it for them to make collages with.


Look what Joe brought home today!


He saw it in a customer's garage, asked the guy about it, and he gave it to him! I am totally excited over what I can do with that thing. I think I'm going to sand it down and paint it to match their new playroom. They LOVE it. Summer even wanted to sit there to eat her dinner. We need to find another one, somehow.

We also made a weather wheel today. They have been learning about seasons and weather, so I thought it would be fun for them to look outside and move the arrow every day according to what they see. I might re-do it though, I think it would look better if the snowman and rain drops weren't upside down.

Soooo...meet Remy:


We weren't looking to get another cat so soon, but we did feel like something, or someone, was missing. So when my friend asked if we wanted a kitten that she couldn't keep, we said okay. She is 6-months old and really sweet. Joe has always wanted a black cat so I surprised him with her yesterday. She's been spending a lot of time under our bed but seems to be venturing out more and more. I can understand her wanting to hide... Jack and Harley and the girls are an intimidating bunch!

I had a few requests for the Italian Zucchini and Bell Pepper soup recipe. I found it here. (second recipe down)

A few recommendations...

Cut your bell pepper strips up so that they will fit on your spoon.

After you add the peppers and zucchini, cook it for longer than 30 minutes. Make sure the zucchini is pretty tender or it won't taste just right.

You could probably add penne pasta or even diced cooked chicken to this soup. I might try that next time.

House Update: We are OFFICIALLY closing Thursday at noon. Hallelujah. Can't wait can't wait can't wait.

Have a great weekend!!!

Relief.

I did not realize that my cold is gone until 6pm. That's the kind of day I've had.

There is a 99% chance that we are closing on our house next Thursday or Friday!!! We had to agree to pay the $300 judgment at closing. Yes, I think that is absolutely ridiculous, but it is the only way to get our house. We will take care of the credit mix-up later, and hopefully we'll get reimbursed at some point. After we agreed to that, our mortgage broker let the underwriters know, and they were able to complete our underwriting this afternoon. The only conditions that we have to meet at this point, are to give them copies of our drivers licenses and phone bills, which is apparently for identity theft protection, and a bank statement. We'll be e-mailing over that stuff this weekend, he will send it to the underwriters on Monday, and at that point the seller wants the underwriting approval to pend for 48 hours. After that, on Thursday or Friday, we will close! I cannot wait. Looks like next weekend will be spent tearing out carpet and painting after all.

I just got a call from the vet. Nova is still doing good. She has fluid inside her body from the infection. It is what's causing her heavy breathing and probably her vocal cord issues. The vet said she is going to try to draw it out through a needle. They'll re-evaluate her tomorrow and hopefully she will be ready to come home!

I feel like I can finally breathe. And I can get re-excited about moving! I haven't looked at the bookmarked links of house stuff on here in 2 weeks because I was so afraid we weren't going to get the house, but now I'm excited to go back and look at everything and start planning.

After dinner Joe left to go to the wake of a family friend. We didn't find out his funeral was today until it was over, or else I would have gone with him. I had never met him, but he was like an uncle to Joe growing up. He was the owner of a well-known body piercing and tattoo parlor around here, and the wake is being held in the shop. He was in his 40's I believe, with a wife and kids. So sad.

The weather today was wonderful. I opened the windows and turned off the heat. Tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer, and sunny. I'm hoping we can take a trip to the zoo, or at least the park.

Summer is whining at me to let her brush my hair, so I should go. Maybe I can talk her into giving me a back massage, too! Have a great weekend!!!

Our Thursday

We had a typical evening at home today...

Hanging out on the dog.


Building ginormous block towers.


Pedicures.


A refreshing shower.

Splashing in the water.


A book before bed.

It has been a long and stressful day, but we're trying not to worry too much about everything. The vet called me again this afternoon to let me know that Nova was still doing alright. She was getting up and walking around, and wanting to be petted. Her only concern right now is that she isn't able to meow. Nova is a very vocal cat so there is something wrong with her vocal cords. Needless to say, she's still at the vet. Hopefully we can bring her home in the next few days.

The house..... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Okay... I feel a little better.

You wanna know why we still can't close on it? Because there is a "judgement" on Joe's credit report, two actually, that don't even have anything to do with him. They are his dad's from years ago. Joe is a junior, and of course he and his dad lived at the same address until he was 18. Apparently someone didn't check to make sure they had the right Joe when they were reporting everything. One of the matters was settled, so that one is not an issue. The second however, is not settled. The paperwork at the courthouse that we got, trying to prove that it has nothing to do with us, doesn't have a single piece of information that we can use. No birthday, no social security number, no lawyer info. So they have to proceed assuming that this matter is Joe's. Our mortgage broker is trying to figure out how to get it taken care of. Supposedly we will have it all straightened out in the morning. I won't believe that until I see it.

So... good news... Summer and Camryn's noses have only been running every 10 minutes or so instead of non-stop like before. Hopefully that means the sick bugs are on their way outta here. I, on the other hand, still feel like crap. Must be all this stress.

I'd better try to go to sleep now, so that I have energy to deal with more stressful stuff tomorrow. Goodnight!