Sunday, March 24, 2013

Catching Up

Seems like forever since I posted, so I don't know where to begin.  I had spring break week before last and spent it cleaning out our attic and getting rid of stuff.  I took about fifteen large trash bags to Good Will.  When they put our addition on they're going to put a furnace and air conditioner in the attic for the upstairs, then use the current furnace and a new air conditioner for the first floor.  Unfortunately, our attic was about three foot deep with stuff.  Anything we didn't know what to do with went in the attic.  There were quite a few boxes unpacked from when we moved into this house, fifteen years ago this month.  I've never watched the show Hoarders, but I might be a candidate.

Speaking of our addition, we are closing tomorrow on our house loan--we refinanced the house and will get the money tomorrow.  Our architect did not get our stuff to the city council meeting in time fore this past week's meeting, so we'll have to go April 4.  There is an architecture review board that has to approve the plans before we can get building permits.  RW went to the meeting this past week just to see what it was like, and he said they ask lots of questions.  I hope our architect is prepared.  Once they start, the work is going to take four months.  I was hoping for about six weeks.

I'm still planning to retire this summer, hopefully the first of July.  We went to a retirement a couple of weeks ago; I already knew most of what they told us since we've met with a financial planner who is in the Missouri Public School Retirement System and he was very informative.  I'm still waiting to hear from Social Security about buying some years from retirement.  I sent the request and check on Nov. 4, but I heard they were very slow.  That's an understatement.  The check was finally cashed three weeks ago, so hopefully I'll hear something soon.

We're having our family here for Easter next week.  I sure hope the weather warms up.  We had about ten inches of snow today.  I just heard that our school is cancelled tomorrow.  Too bad so sad.  I'm glad I'm not teaching this semester, since this is the third snow day this semester.  It's hard to get everything in during the semester when days are missed.   I'm really looking forward to Easter, and especially to spring.  It is supposed to be spring but it's hard to feel it with the snow outside.  I'm hoping it warms up so the little ones can wear their cute Easter clothes and hunt Easter eggs in the yard.  We usually have about fifteen little ones and it's so much fun.  I've been buying candy and sewing something special for the baby.  They're coming in for Easter--I haven't seen Stephanie since she started walking and can't wait to see her.  I'll post pictures next week.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Grand Children

A blog which I have been reading for a couple of years, Kelly's Korner, often has a "Show Us Your Life Friday."  I've never posted there, but this week is "show us your grandkids."  Of course I have to show mine! 

Most are group pictures of the first seven grandchildren, who were born within five years.  Five years later we had an eighth grandbaby, and we have another one due June 1.  Some are on holidays, and others are during our yearly family vacation at Gulf Shores, AL.



Gulf Shores Family Vacation 2012

Papa with baby Stephanie

Baby Stephanie's Christening
 
Me holding Stephanie last Fall

All eight grandchildren last summer

The first seven a couple of years ago on Easter

All seven a couple of years ago at Christmas
The whole family at my son and his wife's wedding in at the Beach Club in Gulf Shores, AL
The four oldest granddaughters were flower girls
At our family vacation in 2009 at Gulf Shores

My grandchildren and nieces and nephews on Easter at our house

The grands on vacation in Gulf Shores

The grands, Christmas 2008


Gulf Shores vacation 2010

Me reading to the girls, Gulf Shores, 2006

Our two boys--we will have our seventh granddaughter in June.

Baby girl at the beach 2012

Friday, March 1, 2013

Five on Friday



1. What was the most productive thing you have done this week?
 
Finding information on our old refinance from 2001 for our refinance for our addition.  I save everything; however, I never remember where I put stuff.  Husband is always so surprised when I find something.

 

2. Enjoying the winter or ready for spring?

Silly Question.
19 days and counting..........

 

3. Are you an introvert or extrovert? Is your spouse the same as you?

I am definitely an introvert. 

He is definitely an extrovert.



 

4. Would you rather go without music or television for 1 year?

Television.  I like some of the series, like Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife, but I could watch those on the computer.




5. Have you ever been truly scared of someone?


My old dean.  She would yell and scream at me and tell me I was a terrible business person and the most incompetent person in our division.  When I heard her high heels clicking in the hall (she wore mini skirts and five-inch heels and had had lots of cosmetic surgery)I wanted to climb under my desk.  Luckily, she resigned in December.