2011... A Look Through The Rearview Mirror

Looking back, I must admit 2011 hasn't been the best of years for us. A huge chunk of time was spent going to doctor appointments, countless hours on the phone with AT&T trying to get our services to work, trying to redecorate for showing the house (someday) and attending far too many funerals for family and friends. Somehow, we were able to survive a record setting drought, late record setting freezes that jumped straight to record setting heatwaves, the wildfires from Hell and city imposed water rationing because there are so many idiots in our city that just didn't get it that we are seriously running out of water. Soon.

The entire year has been riddled with repairs in and around the house and we've still only taken a tiny chunk off the *Big Picture* of things that need to be done. We still have so many things to update and repair. However, if we keep hiring people who are slow as molasses, then we've still got a few years ahead of us before we're even ready to put the house on the market, much less move. Luckily, I've also learned many things already, about the way things are done and not done.Always good to know, right?



 
Whew! That is the most we've ever had to deal with in one year. Maybe one other year. The year we lost both of Mr. Snooty's parents to cancers (7 months apart) was gut wrenching but we didn't have insanely drastic and unpredictable weather to deal with, in addition to what was going down in our lives. But I'm getting off track here.

So taking everything that has happened this year into consideration, I'd say 2011 ranks pretty low on my list of the *good years*. That said, there have been some pretty grand perks to the year. I was able to see Celine Dion for the first (and last) time, zip-lined for the first (and second) time, learned I could successfully do my own home decorating, discovered the joys of spray painting and Goodwill, taken 4 or 5 nice trips together, and I had one of the highlights of my year, going to Seattle and getting to know my *blisters* (blog sisters) better.

Probably the best part of 2011 Christmas was having Mr. Snooty's brother and his family come to visit after Christmas. We had so much fun with them and we all found one another to have mellowed over the years, allowing us all to have nothing but fun times. However, we all went bowling yesterday (which neither of us have done in years) and today we are both miserable with muscle aches, back aches and various other pains.....



What were we thinking?



So, for a HUGE laugh today, go here to see the top 25 Twitter auto-correct fails. Never have I laughed so hard at the many reasons I don't text...

Just Leave Your Shoes At The Door Please....

Today has been one of those days that makes me feel as if I'm in a whirlwind. Honestly, I'm just not used to so much excitement.

Our housekeeper came this morning and got the house back to sparkling. As she was leaving, the guys who installed my ovens returned to figure out why my exhaust fans haven't been working that are above the stove. In addition to the 4 gas burner stove top we also have an indoor gas grill which hasn't been used in years because the fans couldn't suck out all the smoke and grease. It took them what seemed like ages to get both motors out for the two vents. In the process, much mess was made, which they left me with, promising to return tomorrow. I'm over joyed. Really. Can't. Wait.


As those guys were leaving, the next round of workers arrived. These workers were here to fix several light sockets that had gone bad as well as putting in light switches where we used to have pull strings. I hated those pull strings because they were always breaking. They were also able to repair the inside switch to my ceiling fans on the back patio (I love my outdoor fans). The guys were also here to install a grounded line to the den so that we can switch to AT&T this week (they required that we have a grounded line before they could switch us over). One guy was up in the attic running the cable wire, one working on the light sockets and another working on the fan switches. It was total madness with them all yelling at each other while trying to figure out the intricate electrical system in this house. I was running from room to room trying to oversee everything, although I don't know why. I wouldn't have been any use to any of them.



Just as they were finishing up, my favorite butt crack plumber arrived to put some finishing touches on the new air conditioning system he put in on the bedroom side of the house last week (we'd had the air conditioner on the other side of the house replaced last summer). Last week I woke up totally drenched in sweat and thought I might be suffering from hot flashes again. Egads! Not that! I was almost relieved that it was just the air conditioner, but not really. It was a rough night for me although Mr. Snoots didn't notice a thing. It was like 80 degrees inside that part of the house. Anyway, that's fixed and working like a well oiled machine now.



So, my freshly mopped brick floors are now gritty and dirty from all the man shoes (or work boots) coming in and out of the house. (I think the Japanese are brilliant for taking off their shoes before entering an abode.) There is some unknown crap all over the carpet that came from the entrance to the attic, my stove area is a mess and there is sawdust all over the place as well as discarded wires and other unknown items. Basically it just means it was a wasted day for the housekeeper. I get to do the floors all over again but I really think I should wait.


The AT&T guys and the guys repairing my exhaust fans come tomorrow and a carpenter coming Friday to make a drawer underneath the ovens where there is now a gap.... Do you think they'd be offended if I tell them to leave their shoes at the door?