Workin hard for the money

Thanks to my work for sending us to the Caribbean. Here's the link to my write up and other such fun: http://youngliving.us/cruise/cruise-2008.asp

Back to reality

We were officially welcomed back to real life on Monday by our title company telling us we needed to come up with $2,500 to close our loan that day. (Thanks to my mom for coming through with the cash faster and with much less interest that one of those shady payday loan companies.) But it's officially signed and over with and we've even got a $600 check coming in the mail, which means we can even pay back the money we spent island hopping on the cruise...

Since it's a general rule not to blog about work, I won't go into may details about our fabulous Young Living Cruise other than I totally swam with sea turtles and even almost caught one by the leg. Sneaky little turtle, I'll get you next time! That was awesome and of course Nic was the belle of the ball. Most people thought he was the one who works for Young Living, and most of the cruise staff knew him by name. (Julia up at the Sea Breeze Cafe personally ensured him twenty hot wings each night at 11:00 and Soni our waiter even hugged him goodbye.) Leave it to Nic to make friends everywhere he goes. The only problem now is that we wake up and there's no freshly sliced pineapple and we go to bed and the covers aren't turned down and there isn't a chocolate on each pillow. How are we supposed to go on living like this?

Cruisin'

Bursting my bubble

When we signed our adjustable rate mortgage, it didn't seem like it would be a big deal to refinance in two years. But now there's the whole mortgage debacle, subprime crisis, collapsing housing bubble, record foreclosure rate (insert other financial buzz word here) and our refinance is quickly becoming a huge source of indigestion.

They (the mortgage people) keep wanting more information and are endlessly faxing me new papers to sign. Listen, I'll sign in blood if that will make it go any faster, let's just get this done people. At this rate, I'm very tempted to "accidentally" miss the cruise ship and live out the rest of my days on an exotic Caribbean island. But for now, I guess I'll see you all on the 21st--maybe.

Retro redux

Finished basement: About $5,000.
1950s-era couch and chair from KSL.com: $300.
Walking foot upholstery sewing machine and new, funky material: $1,000.

Having a husband who will do most of the work on "my" project: Priceless.

Jeeps, cars, boats, motorcycles...Nic is full of hobbies that he's had forever. Me, I never really put a finger on what my so-called hobbies are because they seem to change before my new hobby project is even finished, leaving me with left over stained-glass materials and a box of plates and cups I shattered to make a mosaic. I don't stop coming up with projects though, and my current hobby of the week is old stuff. Old windows, doors, furniture, I want it all.
But with my new hobby, I've also come up with a new angle: Get Nic involved. It's the perfect solution really; he's good at finishing things, and I'm not. So when he wanted to buy an upholstery sewing machine to do the interior of Mater, I was all for it--as long as he would help me reupholster my furniture. Now we're all prepped and ready to go, so as soon as we get back from the Young Living cruise we (and when I say we remember I mean mostly Nic) are going to bring my couch into the 21st century.

T.G.I.F

Feet are totally gross, I know I know, but try to look past that to the one black and one brown flip-flop. That's how I showed up at work today--completely stepping over the line that separates casual Friday with "What was she thinking?" No, this was not on purpose, and yes, I'm super excited that it's the weekend.

Punch Buggy, no punch backs!

The idea when we bought our Jeep Patriot was to consolidate our vehicles. It feels like we just barely got rid of the Grand Cherokee and Hyundai, then Nic shows up with this beast, a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle...and I am so excited! Can you believe one of his customers just gave this thing away for free? The current plan is to do a complete overhaul, including a Nic Stewart custom orange paint job, after which me and the puppies will drive it around to our little hearts' content. Mater is going to be totally jealous. And even though I know this solidifies the fact that I will never, ever be able to park in the garage, my inner hippie is still smiling.