The news I've been waiting for.

I can't believe it happened this fast.

We made an offer on the house on Tuesday. The seller countered, we countered, and finally the seller countered again with a price we couldn't refuse.

Today we accepted, signed the purchase agreement, and qualified for funding. All this happened in two days. It used to take at least two weeks! But that was before the advent of the computer age of today. My head is swimming.

Anyway, unless the house doesn't pass inspection, it belongs to us. I'm so happy!!!




So... why have I been crying since we found out???

And ......the work begins!

We made an offer on the house last night, and then signed dozens of different forms that basically just say that we are interested in making a purchase. I had forgotten just how much paperwork there is to buying a house! And, it's just beginning. And we don't even know yet if we will qualify. And we have to do it all over again if the owners don't accept our initial offer. No wonder it's been 20 years since the last time I did this!

OK everybody... I'm in LOVE again!

I am completely head-over-heels about the house we saw today! (Oh yeah, I still am crazy about Arthur too, but you know how it is with a brand new love!) :)

One thing that is keeping me from totally floating away on the love-cloud is the fact that it has been over two decades since either of us have been through the house buying process. We have heard horrible things about the current market. Will we be able to qualify for the loan? Will we be able to sell this house? AAAUuuuggghhh!!!! I don't want to have my heart broken if it doesn't work out!

All the angst aside, we are planning on making an offer on the new house tomorrow. We'll just see what happens.

House hunting in January

For the past three years I have been writing about moving.

When Arthur and I were first married, it was almost an insurmountable task to even consider selling my house. There was SO much work to be done! And, truth be told, I wasn't even sure how to go about selling. We decided to go ahead and let Arthur do the repairs and cosmetics needed to get the house ready for market. He made arrangements for contractors to do the big things he couldn't handle on his own.

The house now has a new roof, new heat and air (with ducts completely re-routed through the ceiling since the floor ducts had collapsed.) We have had the plumbing repaired and new carpeting and tile placed. There is fresh paint inside and out. The landscaping has been redone. (That's MY specialty!)

There are only a couple more relatively minor things that need to be completed. We are in a financial situation where we are well able to purchase another house. But I keep dragging my stupid feet!!!

February looms on the horizon. Six years since Andy died. The month of infamy. It's always hard for me to get my act together in February to deal with even minor issues. Perhaps it would be a good thing to put the house up for sale in February, though. Kind of fitting, in a way, to say goodbye to the house the same month I said goodbye to him.

Today I decided we are going to finally make that move. Arthur has been so wonderful about this, and has let me decide when the time is right. I feel like the time is now. Shelby is entering her senior year of high school. I want her to feel like the new house is "home" when she goes away to college. John wants to move. Arthur and I need a place that is "ours." It's time. It's time. It's time! (I keep repeating to myself.)

Tomorrow we are going to look at a house a friend of mine has for sale. It has everything on our wish list, and the price is right.

Wish me luck.

Which way did he go????

"Which way did he go? Which way did he go??? .... he went for FAYYYGO...old fashioned root beer!!!" (The Faygo Kid, circa 1955)

There is a light-hearted thread on my favorite bulletin board about which word to use: "Pop" or "Soda."

Those of us who are native-born Detroiters know that a carbonated strawberry soft drink should ONLY be referred to as "Red Pop."

Here's a few more Detroit Pop Trivia questions:

Q. How did carbonated beverages become known as "Pop?"
A. The originators of the Faygo company of Detroit came up with the title. They began calling the product "pop," because of the sound made when opening the bottle.

Q. What was the first soda pop made in the U.S?
A. Detroit's own Vernor's ginger ale, created in 1866.

Q. What is a "Boston Cooler?"
A. A Boston cooler is an ice cream soda drink made from Vernor's and vanilla ice cream. It did not come from Boston, it was named after Detroit's Boston Boulevard.

Q. What alternative band uses Faygo pop as part of their show?
A. Insane Clown Posse.

...and here for my Detroit friends and family (and anybody else who cares to watch this!) is our famous Faygo Boat Song. Remember the Great Gildersleeve filmed it on the Boblo Boat??? Ohhh! oh! oh! I feel like a KID again!!!!!

Winter Formal 2008

Nothing could dampen Shelby's excitement yesterday... not even the fact that our water pipes froze out front so we had no running water. (The plumber is making the repairs as I write this.) A quick sponge bath in bottled water made her a happy camper. She complained for a brief moment about the chilly water, but when I reminded her that she could have heated it on the stove, she just shrugged it off and said it wasn't a problem... she would think of that next time! :)

Pennies from Heaven

Are there really such things?

Like others, I have found pennies at just the “right” moment.

For instance, I found one the day I ordered Andy’s headstone. When I left the office, there on the ground next to my car was a shiny new 2002 penny. 2’s are special to me, so my concrete heart felt a tiny bit lighter.

Then there was the day that the kids and I went to the Frontier City theme park for the very first time…a place Andy always wanted to go. I was talking to him in my mind, telling him how much I wished he was with us. Then I looked down. Once again, there was a shiny new 2002 penny.

At the time I craved little coincidences. Often such little things could give me a jumpstart out of my depression.

Those were 2002 pennies, not really so much of a coincidence considering it was 2002 when I found them. For a very long time I wouldn't admit to myself that pennies are generally lying around everywhere, whether I need one or not.

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t special.

I am now in the habit of picking up a lost penny and checking the date on it. Then I go back in my mind to a special thing that happened that year. 1982… I moved to Oklahoma. 1978…my oldest son was born. 1989… I graduated from college. 1968… I was in love with Davy Jones! :)

So whether or not pennies come from heaven they always bring a blessing.

(If the penny is from before I was born that is pretty special too, because that means it is a wheat penny!!!) $$$

And... that's my two cents worth for today. LOL! (Groan!)

Pennies From Heaven


I found a penny today,

just laying on the ground.

But it is not just a penny,

this little coin I found.

Found pennies come from heaven,

thats what my Grandpa told me.

He said Angels toss then down,

oh how I loved that story.

He said when an Angel misses you,

they toss a penny down.

Sometimes just to cheer you up,

make a smile out of your frown.

So don't pass by that penny

when you're feeling blue.

It may be a penny from heaven,

that an Angel's tossed to you.


Author Unknown

The most beautiful grand-twins in the world!!!

Here are Stevie and Andy on their first visit with Santa. It looks like they are already conspiring with each other! :)

I only wish they didn't live on the other side of the country. I did send a big box full of sweet baby things for their first Christmas, we do get to watch them on the web-cam... but I can't hold and squeeze them!


Here are their parents: my son Jimmy and his lovely wife Tiffanie.




I'm only gently complaining about them being so far away. I know that I have been so blessed...