I'm back down in Ganado, dealing with the mail, bills, tax returns, etc. It's good to be out of Austin for a while. I truly love all there is to do there, but darn, it's spread out! I've gotten spoiled living in a small town where everything is just a few blocks away.
The situation with the flooring at Vine Street is still hanging. We haven't heard from the flooring inspector with her report yet, but Lumber Liquidators is trying to decide exactly what to do. They have offered a refund of $750, which is truly not adequate. I've asked for that, plus refunding the inspection fee ($250), plus refinishing the floor in the front three rooms and the hall. PLUS a plan in place for dealing with the other flooring if we find a problem there.
We picked up Nathan's big reclining chair from Frankie. It's absolutely beautiful. Frankie has over 30 years of experience working for large furniture manufacturing firms in Houston, and I bet they were sad to see him go. He's an artist. We put brown suede on it instead of the leather it had before, so that it will match Nathan and Wendy's furniture. I don't guess they will come get the chair until they move to Florida. That's fine. It looks great in the living room!
I had a jury duty call this morning, but it was cancelled after we got there. Most of the people settled early, and the remaining six were no-shows. That loosened up the rest of the day, and we are almost ready to head back to Austin and then to Missouri to be there by Saturday for Kathleen's birthday!
The last two months have been incredibly busy. I haven't taken a day off since late January. I think when I get to Missouri, I'm going to sleep for a couple of days.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Rounding The Bend
This morning was frustrating, and I had one of those hours of not being able to do anything right, but luckily, it turned around.
The exterminator arrived to treat for carpenter ants. He's truly a nice man, and his family has been spraying Mom's house for over 18 years. Mom even did a sculpture of him years ago.
The 1-800-GOT-JUNK guys came at 9:30 and got our two big piles of miscellaneous trash. Everything from an old box spring to carpet scraps and broken plastic dog dishes.
After that, we made a trip out to Lumber Liquidators with the scrap of defective flooring. The manager said he hadn't seen anything like that in 15 years of selling flooring. He is sending email pictures and the sample to the corporate office and the supplier. We are hoping to get some of the cost of the flooring reimbursed and some sort of repair done.
The afternoon was spent in small tasks. Lonnie worked on the door latches for the kitchen cabinets, and I re-grouted the kitchen table. It really looks much better, and we put the plexiglass top in place. No more crumbs caught in grooves!
The flooring inspector is coming on Friday, and Terese is coming this weekend for her scooter class. Hopefully, we will return to Ganado early next week.
The exterminator arrived to treat for carpenter ants. He's truly a nice man, and his family has been spraying Mom's house for over 18 years. Mom even did a sculpture of him years ago.
The 1-800-GOT-JUNK guys came at 9:30 and got our two big piles of miscellaneous trash. Everything from an old box spring to carpet scraps and broken plastic dog dishes.
After that, we made a trip out to Lumber Liquidators with the scrap of defective flooring. The manager said he hadn't seen anything like that in 15 years of selling flooring. He is sending email pictures and the sample to the corporate office and the supplier. We are hoping to get some of the cost of the flooring reimbursed and some sort of repair done.
The afternoon was spent in small tasks. Lonnie worked on the door latches for the kitchen cabinets, and I re-grouted the kitchen table. It really looks much better, and we put the plexiglass top in place. No more crumbs caught in grooves!
The flooring inspector is coming on Friday, and Terese is coming this weekend for her scooter class. Hopefully, we will return to Ganado early next week.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
The Grumpy Point
We have hit that point in the remodeling job where every little thing that happens seems to be a big problem, every step forward leads to two back, and grumpiness prevails.
The new floor was installed Monday, and apparently there was one box of defective flooring. The finish has come off in ten spots. I'm taking a sample of the leftover pieces that has the defect to Lumber Liquidators tomorrow to show them, and an inspector is coming on Friday evening. It's possible we will get reimbursed for part of the cost of the flooring.
The new back doors to replace the old jalousie doors were installed today, but now we have to repaint the trim.
The arbor is up, and it looks absolutely beautiful. That, at least, went without a hitch.
We are trying to get through so that Lonnie can get to Missouri for Kathleen's birthday on April 1. I have jury duty on March 29. We still haven't finished up at Mom's office, but I think that's just going to have to wait. The garage is still full of tools and lumber and stuff that needs to be sorted.
Overwhelmed is my middle name.
The new floor was installed Monday, and apparently there was one box of defective flooring. The finish has come off in ten spots. I'm taking a sample of the leftover pieces that has the defect to Lumber Liquidators tomorrow to show them, and an inspector is coming on Friday evening. It's possible we will get reimbursed for part of the cost of the flooring.
The new back doors to replace the old jalousie doors were installed today, but now we have to repaint the trim.
The arbor is up, and it looks absolutely beautiful. That, at least, went without a hitch.
We are trying to get through so that Lonnie can get to Missouri for Kathleen's birthday on April 1. I have jury duty on March 29. We still haven't finished up at Mom's office, but I think that's just going to have to wait. The garage is still full of tools and lumber and stuff that needs to be sorted.
Overwhelmed is my middle name.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
The Importance of Stories
Our lives are a web of stories, weaving in and out with the stories of others. When we are gone, some of the threads of our stories continue in the lives of family and friends. The strongest threads live on in our children, and we can strengthen those threads by telling the stories of our lives to them.
As I sort through the debris left behind after Mom's passing, I realize that there are stories I don't know....threads of the web of her life that have been cut and lost. There's no one left who can connect the broken fragments. So, in the interest of family continuity, I will post a story or two in the hopes that the threads will connect the generations.
My mother, Anna Kathrin Leigh, was the only daughter of Roy Earl Leigh and Kathrin Callie Heard. My grandparents (grandfather especially) raised my mom with the intention that she would never marry and would take care of them in their old age. Mom didn't marry until she was in her 30's, and the entrance of my father onto the scene was not appreciated by my grandfather.
The animosity between them was an ongoing factor in my family. Daddy rarely went over to my grandparents' house. I don't remember my grandfather ever coming into my parents' home, although my grandmother visited often.
My grandparents paid off my parents' house note as it neared the end of the term, as a generous gesture, but my father interpreted it as implying that he couldn't make the payments.
Sad that such anger and resentment went on so long.
As I sort through the debris left behind after Mom's passing, I realize that there are stories I don't know....threads of the web of her life that have been cut and lost. There's no one left who can connect the broken fragments. So, in the interest of family continuity, I will post a story or two in the hopes that the threads will connect the generations.
My mother, Anna Kathrin Leigh, was the only daughter of Roy Earl Leigh and Kathrin Callie Heard. My grandparents (grandfather especially) raised my mom with the intention that she would never marry and would take care of them in their old age. Mom didn't marry until she was in her 30's, and the entrance of my father onto the scene was not appreciated by my grandfather.
The animosity between them was an ongoing factor in my family. Daddy rarely went over to my grandparents' house. I don't remember my grandfather ever coming into my parents' home, although my grandmother visited often.
My grandparents paid off my parents' house note as it neared the end of the term, as a generous gesture, but my father interpreted it as implying that he couldn't make the payments.
Sad that such anger and resentment went on so long.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Winding Up and Down
Today was very busy. The inside of the garage now has three coats of paint, and the utility room has one. I cleaned out one of Mom's old desks and gave it to a nice lady who is setting up an office in her home. She lives near the swimming pool, and she's been watching the remodel unfold over the past few weeks.
We made three trips to Lowe's in order to get the two new back doors ordered.
We picked up the glass backspash for behind the stove and the plexiglass cover for the tile dining table.
David and I went over to the O'Dell house, and I cut up all the limbs and branches that needed to be cleaned up and loaded them in the truck while David mowed the yard. Hopefully we will have a renter there soon.
We moved 43 boxes of bamboo flooring out of the storage unit and into the house so that they can acclimatize for Monday's installation.
I talked to the arbor installer's company. They are coming Tuesday to put the arbor up over the new extended front porch. Terese intends to plant climbing pink roses there.
The gas line plumber came by and capped the last gas jet that had been hiding behind a piece of furniture in the living room.
Mildred and Betty came over to see the progress on the house and to pick up some more of Mom's books. OOPS, just realized I forgot to give her a sculpture!!
Tomorrow is going to be calmer, I think.
We made three trips to Lowe's in order to get the two new back doors ordered.
We picked up the glass backspash for behind the stove and the plexiglass cover for the tile dining table.
David and I went over to the O'Dell house, and I cut up all the limbs and branches that needed to be cleaned up and loaded them in the truck while David mowed the yard. Hopefully we will have a renter there soon.
We moved 43 boxes of bamboo flooring out of the storage unit and into the house so that they can acclimatize for Monday's installation.
I talked to the arbor installer's company. They are coming Tuesday to put the arbor up over the new extended front porch. Terese intends to plant climbing pink roses there.
The gas line plumber came by and capped the last gas jet that had been hiding behind a piece of furniture in the living room.
Mildred and Betty came over to see the progress on the house and to pick up some more of Mom's books. OOPS, just realized I forgot to give her a sculpture!!
Tomorrow is going to be calmer, I think.
Winding Up and Down
Today was very busy. The inside of the garage now has three coats of paint, and the utility room has one. I cleaned out one of Mom's old desks and gave it to a nice lady who is setting up an office in her home. She lives near the swimming pool, and she's been watching the remodel unfold over the past few weeks.
We made three trips to Lowe's in order to get the two new back doors ordered.
We picked up the glass backspash for behind the stove and the plexiglass cover for the tile dining table.
David and I went over to the O'Dell house, and I cut up all the limbs and branches that needed to be cleaned up and loaded them in the truck while David mowed the yard. Hopefully we will have a renter there soon.
We moved 43 boxes of bamboo flooring out of the storage unit and into the house so that they can acclimatize for Monday's installation.
I talked to the arbor installer's company. They are coming Tuesday to put the arbor up over the new extended front porch. Terese intends to plant climbing pink roses there.
The gas line plumber came by and capped the last gas jet that had been hiding behind a piece of furniture in the living room.
Mildred and Betty came over to see the progress on the house and to pick up some more of Mom's books. OOPS, just realized I forgot to give her a sculpture!!
Tomorrow is going to be calmer, I think.
We made three trips to Lowe's in order to get the two new back doors ordered.
We picked up the glass backspash for behind the stove and the plexiglass cover for the tile dining table.
David and I went over to the O'Dell house, and I cut up all the limbs and branches that needed to be cleaned up and loaded them in the truck while David mowed the yard. Hopefully we will have a renter there soon.
We moved 43 boxes of bamboo flooring out of the storage unit and into the house so that they can acclimatize for Monday's installation.
I talked to the arbor installer's company. They are coming Tuesday to put the arbor up over the new extended front porch. Terese intends to plant climbing pink roses there.
The gas line plumber came by and capped the last gas jet that had been hiding behind a piece of furniture in the living room.
Mildred and Betty came over to see the progress on the house and to pick up some more of Mom's books. OOPS, just realized I forgot to give her a sculpture!!
Tomorrow is going to be calmer, I think.
Winding Up and Down
Today was very busy. The inside of the garage now has three coats of paint, and the utility room has one. I cleaned out one of Mom's old desks and gave it to a nice lady who is setting up an office in her home. She lives near the swimming pool, and she's been watching the remodel unfold over the past few weeks.
We made three trips to Lowe's in order to get the two new back doors ordered.
We picked up the glass backspash for behind the stove and the plexiglass cover for the tile dining table.
David and I went over to the O'Dell house, and I cut up all the limbs and branches that needed to be cleaned up and loaded them in the truck while David mowed the yard. Hopefully we will have a renter there soon.
We moved 43 boxes of bamboo flooring out of the storage unit and into the house so that they can acclimatize for Monday's installation.
I talked to the arbor installer's company. They are coming Tuesday to put the arbor up over the new extended front porch. Terese intends to plant climbing pink roses there.
The gas line plumber came by and capped the last gas jet that had been hiding behind a piece of furniture in the living room.
Mildred and Betty came over to see the progress on the house and to pick up some more of Mom's books. OOPS, just realized I forgot to give her a sculpture!!
Tomorrow is going to be calmer, I think.
We made three trips to Lowe's in order to get the two new back doors ordered.
We picked up the glass backspash for behind the stove and the plexiglass cover for the tile dining table.
David and I went over to the O'Dell house, and I cut up all the limbs and branches that needed to be cleaned up and loaded them in the truck while David mowed the yard. Hopefully we will have a renter there soon.
We moved 43 boxes of bamboo flooring out of the storage unit and into the house so that they can acclimatize for Monday's installation.
I talked to the arbor installer's company. They are coming Tuesday to put the arbor up over the new extended front porch. Terese intends to plant climbing pink roses there.
The gas line plumber came by and capped the last gas jet that had been hiding behind a piece of furniture in the living room.
Mildred and Betty came over to see the progress on the house and to pick up some more of Mom's books. OOPS, just realized I forgot to give her a sculpture!!
Tomorrow is going to be calmer, I think.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Food Surprise
Marisco's Seafood Grille on Burnet Road is in an old Pizza Hut building, next to Burnet Road Storage, which used to be the drive-in movie theater. We've been driving by it all this time, wondering if it was any good. Took the plunge this evening, and already have plans to go back there on Friday evening. It was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!
They don't have a website, so I can't share the whole menu, but we started with a Mexican shrimp salad. We have had them before that were just avocado and shrimp in salsa, but this was a delicious cold soup of shrimp chunks, avocado, and onion, liberally spiced with fresh cilantro, swimming in a tomato juice based sauce that had hints of sweetness. We asked the waitress if she knew how it was made, and she said there are three sauces combined in it.
Next, we had a plate of spiced chicken and shrimp with mushrooms and onions, sauteed in wine, lightly topped with white cheese. Sides were the most delicious white rice I've ever put in my mouth. We think the rice was sauteed before it was cooked, then simmered in a mild fish broth. The vegetable was a blend of corn, zuchinni, chayote, and carrot chunks.
We risked over stuffing ourselves with the flan. Very light, silky smooth, with a pale clear caramel sauce. Again, perfection.
Our plan next time includes the seafood caldo, crab enchiladas, and sopapillas.
Here's what I found on the web about it....Mariscos Seafood Grill
A little more upscale (both in atmosphere and price) than their similarly-named competition, this small chain (is two a chain?) of restaurants is an excellent introduction to the joys of Mexican seafood. If you think south-of-the-border cuisine is all tamales and frijoles, well, no way Jose! And, by the way, Marisco's also serves tamales and frijoles if that's what you're craving... (North: 6444 Burnet Road, 458-9440) (South: 211 E. Sixth, 474-7372)
They don't have a website, so I can't share the whole menu, but we started with a Mexican shrimp salad. We have had them before that were just avocado and shrimp in salsa, but this was a delicious cold soup of shrimp chunks, avocado, and onion, liberally spiced with fresh cilantro, swimming in a tomato juice based sauce that had hints of sweetness. We asked the waitress if she knew how it was made, and she said there are three sauces combined in it.
Next, we had a plate of spiced chicken and shrimp with mushrooms and onions, sauteed in wine, lightly topped with white cheese. Sides were the most delicious white rice I've ever put in my mouth. We think the rice was sauteed before it was cooked, then simmered in a mild fish broth. The vegetable was a blend of corn, zuchinni, chayote, and carrot chunks.
We risked over stuffing ourselves with the flan. Very light, silky smooth, with a pale clear caramel sauce. Again, perfection.
Our plan next time includes the seafood caldo, crab enchiladas, and sopapillas.
Here's what I found on the web about it....Mariscos Seafood Grill
A little more upscale (both in atmosphere and price) than their similarly-named competition, this small chain (is two a chain?) of restaurants is an excellent introduction to the joys of Mexican seafood. If you think south-of-the-border cuisine is all tamales and frijoles, well, no way Jose! And, by the way, Marisco's also serves tamales and frijoles if that's what you're craving... (North: 6444 Burnet Road, 458-9440) (South: 211 E. Sixth, 474-7372)
Talking to Folks
When we went to Foley's to shop for shorts (thanks to the 80 degree weather), we got into a conversation with the lady who checked us out. The discussion started about people who try on clothes and just leave them piled up in the changing rooms instead of putting them back, but when she mentioned that she gave some of the slobs her "teacher look," I asked where she had taught. Turned out she was a junior college speech teacher in East Texas, but got out of it due to administration issues, too.
When we went to Lowe's to make arrangements for the new back doors, the young man who entered our information into their computer made the comment that my phone number was from South Texas. I said, "Yes, Ganado," expecting the usual blank look. Turned out he was from Palacios and is between Travis and Nathan in age. Small, small world. :-)
When we went to Lowe's to make arrangements for the new back doors, the young man who entered our information into their computer made the comment that my phone number was from South Texas. I said, "Yes, Ganado," expecting the usual blank look. Turned out he was from Palacios and is between Travis and Nathan in age. Small, small world. :-)
Friday, March 10, 2006
I HATE BANK OF AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there anything they WON'T screw up??
I took the actual re-order sheet into BOA on Shoal Creek. Told the guy the only changes needed was the address. Wrote the info on the order form for him. It's the three-to-a-page business checks that go in the big black book-like folder.
The checks came today. F*&#^%$-ing duplicate wallet size checks. I called the phone number and talked to a couple of really nice folks at Clarke American, and they are going to send replacements.
The next question is...do I go by BOA on Monday or just let it go.
The question after that is...how quickly can I get the accounts moved?
I hate Bank of America!!
I took the actual re-order sheet into BOA on Shoal Creek. Told the guy the only changes needed was the address. Wrote the info on the order form for him. It's the three-to-a-page business checks that go in the big black book-like folder.
The checks came today. F*&#^%$-ing duplicate wallet size checks. I called the phone number and talked to a couple of really nice folks at Clarke American, and they are going to send replacements.
The next question is...do I go by BOA on Monday or just let it go.
The question after that is...how quickly can I get the accounts moved?
I hate Bank of America!!
Thursday, March 09, 2006
A Rant on Banks
Dealing with the Austin banks since Mom's passing has been an ongoing frustration. Bank of America wins the prize for incompetence, obstructionist policies, and just general lack of respect for the customer. Wells Fargo isn't on my good list, either.
Our troubles with BOA started before we were aware of the problem. Mom and I went to the bank after her first minor stroke on Labor Day weekend of 2005. We made sure I was on all the signature cards, explained the Trust to the 'personal banker' assigned to us, and left thinking everything was fine. Then, Mom had the second stroke, and all heck broke loose. They lost the signature cards.
Every time we went in the bank, the 'personal banker' was a different person. Either they can't keep people, or they are moving their personnel around so quickly that a customer can't even get recognized on bank visits two weeks in a row.
After Mom passed, there was the issue of the IRA. They couldn't document who were beneficiaries of the IRA, had my sister and I fill out lots of forms, and were generally not helpful. A few weeks later, both my sister and I received the same form from another BOA location stating that each of us was "the" beneficiary of the IRA. After more paperwork, we did each receive half of the funds.
When I moved back to Austin to remodel Mom's house, I needed cash. Silly me, I assumed that now, as Trustee of the accounts with my name of the checks, there wouldn't be any difficulty cashing a personal check. They absolutely refused.
Just so that you won't think BOA is the only bank in Austin that tries to make things difficult, Wells Fargo pulled some tricks out of the hat, too. Mom had a couple of almost dormant accounts at WF, and when I went to move them, they wouldn't let me, even though I had Power of Attorney. If I had done them BEFORE she passed, it would have been fine, but because she had, they wouldn't do it. The county took three weeks to get a death certificate to me, then we had to go through probate before I could handle that banking chore.
More recently, my friend Terese gave me a check on Wells Fargo. I went to their drive up window to cash it, passed in my driver's license at the same time I put the check in the drawer. She looked up Terese's account, looked at me, looked at the screen again, and asked if I had an account. I said, "No, but Terese does." She said that they wouldn't cash checks at the drive up window if the person didn't have an account. I was completely flabbergasted and said that it appears that Austin banks don't want people to do business. She said that if I had another I.D. that she would it it this one time, but normally, I would have to go to the walk in bank, show two I.D. cards, and give my fingerprint in order to cash a check, simply because I don't have an account there.
A few days later, I took a Wells Fargo check from the estate sale to the walk in bank, did their song and dance, and cashed a check. Then, I asked if they could change the three Bank of England pound notes to U.S. currency for me. They asked if I had an account, and then told me that they wouldn't exchange them for anyone who didn't have an account. This was getting to be a MAJOR problem.
I went back to BOA with the pound notes. They agreed to exchange them, but they had to look them up in a reference book first. After scratching around a while to find the book and searching for matching photos of the notes, they said they would have to call the foreign exchange office of BOA for more information and approval. After standing at the counter for ten minutes, I told the next cashier that I was going to sit in the lobby until they made a decision. From the time I walked in with the notes until we finally left with dollars, forty minutes had elapsed. Frustration mounts!
In last week's Austin Chronicle, a local semi-underground paper, a long article appeared about the comic book store, Dragon Lair, having problems with BOA. Over a two year period, BOA has lost about $30,000 of Dragon Lair's night deposits. Bank of America is NOT being cooperative with the owner of the store and simply denies any responsibility. BOA has lost one of our deposits, too, made during the day. The check never cleared, so I really wonder what happened there.
On the other hand, the small town bank in my town, has been helpful any time I called them with money issues that I needed long distance help with. More on that story later, but I can tell you that I'll be moving the BOA accounts out of that bank as soon as possible.
Our troubles with BOA started before we were aware of the problem. Mom and I went to the bank after her first minor stroke on Labor Day weekend of 2005. We made sure I was on all the signature cards, explained the Trust to the 'personal banker' assigned to us, and left thinking everything was fine. Then, Mom had the second stroke, and all heck broke loose. They lost the signature cards.
Every time we went in the bank, the 'personal banker' was a different person. Either they can't keep people, or they are moving their personnel around so quickly that a customer can't even get recognized on bank visits two weeks in a row.
After Mom passed, there was the issue of the IRA. They couldn't document who were beneficiaries of the IRA, had my sister and I fill out lots of forms, and were generally not helpful. A few weeks later, both my sister and I received the same form from another BOA location stating that each of us was "the" beneficiary of the IRA. After more paperwork, we did each receive half of the funds.
When I moved back to Austin to remodel Mom's house, I needed cash. Silly me, I assumed that now, as Trustee of the accounts with my name of the checks, there wouldn't be any difficulty cashing a personal check. They absolutely refused.
Just so that you won't think BOA is the only bank in Austin that tries to make things difficult, Wells Fargo pulled some tricks out of the hat, too. Mom had a couple of almost dormant accounts at WF, and when I went to move them, they wouldn't let me, even though I had Power of Attorney. If I had done them BEFORE she passed, it would have been fine, but because she had, they wouldn't do it. The county took three weeks to get a death certificate to me, then we had to go through probate before I could handle that banking chore.
More recently, my friend Terese gave me a check on Wells Fargo. I went to their drive up window to cash it, passed in my driver's license at the same time I put the check in the drawer. She looked up Terese's account, looked at me, looked at the screen again, and asked if I had an account. I said, "No, but Terese does." She said that they wouldn't cash checks at the drive up window if the person didn't have an account. I was completely flabbergasted and said that it appears that Austin banks don't want people to do business. She said that if I had another I.D. that she would it it this one time, but normally, I would have to go to the walk in bank, show two I.D. cards, and give my fingerprint in order to cash a check, simply because I don't have an account there.
A few days later, I took a Wells Fargo check from the estate sale to the walk in bank, did their song and dance, and cashed a check. Then, I asked if they could change the three Bank of England pound notes to U.S. currency for me. They asked if I had an account, and then told me that they wouldn't exchange them for anyone who didn't have an account. This was getting to be a MAJOR problem.
I went back to BOA with the pound notes. They agreed to exchange them, but they had to look them up in a reference book first. After scratching around a while to find the book and searching for matching photos of the notes, they said they would have to call the foreign exchange office of BOA for more information and approval. After standing at the counter for ten minutes, I told the next cashier that I was going to sit in the lobby until they made a decision. From the time I walked in with the notes until we finally left with dollars, forty minutes had elapsed. Frustration mounts!
In last week's Austin Chronicle, a local semi-underground paper, a long article appeared about the comic book store, Dragon Lair, having problems with BOA. Over a two year period, BOA has lost about $30,000 of Dragon Lair's night deposits. Bank of America is NOT being cooperative with the owner of the store and simply denies any responsibility. BOA has lost one of our deposits, too, made during the day. The check never cleared, so I really wonder what happened there.
On the other hand, the small town bank in my town, has been helpful any time I called them with money issues that I needed long distance help with. More on that story later, but I can tell you that I'll be moving the BOA accounts out of that bank as soon as possible.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Yard / Estate Sale
The estate sale was a grand success, but not primarily due to the clearing of the clutter and the money received. The fun came from meeting all the neighbors who came by, often walking, some with their dogs. Because we had three workers, me, Lonnie, and Terese, someone was always available to answer questions, give prices, and chat.
The first lookers were here an hour early, at 7:00 AM instead of 8:00. These were the die hards and the professionals, seeking specific categories of items. They all knew each other by first name. The front of the house filled, although the sale was supposed to be in the yard, and I finally called out that everyone should pick up a piece of furniture and head out the front door! We could have sold the Amish bent wood rockers several times over, but those weren't included in the offerings.
Finally, we got everyone herded out, and the buying frenzy began in earnest. Who had dibbs on what became important. I think half the items were sold before 8:00, when the crowd thinned, and several items had "sold" signs on them, waiting for the family truck. It seemed like the shoppers came in waves about every 45 minutes or so.
Sheryl, the dog rescue lady, came by with Hank, the Basenji. He's a sweetheart, and Sheryl is always talking about one dog or another that needs rescue.
A couple of wonderful folks, the Clicks, came by and purchased the dresser and mirror. They both work at ACC, and Terese enjoyed visiting with them, as she just interviewed for a job there.
The next lady around on Parkview came and told us the saga of our back fence neighbor. He is apparently in a home of some sort, after wandering in the yard sans trousers, letting the house deteriorate and fill with black mold, and exhibiting other bizarre behaviors. We gave the nice lady Mom's sewing machine for a friend of hers who wanted to sew, but couldn't afford a machine.
Another shopper from Parkview shared that in China, the grief process is allowed three years. Considering how much work there is to do, and how doing the work opens unexpected paths of thought, I think that's reasonable.
A pair of gentlemen who were professional garage salers, shopping for items for resale, helped tremendously, sorting through books for personal items to return to us, and advising us of things to look for.
Mr. Ashcraft came across the street to visit several times. He and his wife are such a wonderful couple, and I can remember when they built that house in the 1960's. They also help with dog rescue. Mrs. Ashcraft walks every morning, starting about 7:30, and she goes MILES and MILES!
Several people waited patiently for Lonnie, Todd, and David to make three runs for more stuff. One to the office for the office desk, a dresser, sofa, chair, ottoman, and pictures, and two trips to the storage unit for boxes of books.
By 1:00 PM, my energy level was waning. The constant chatter of "how much is this" and telling the history of items is wearing. We began a count down, and it was all I could do to sit still and not back the truck into the driveway to start loading the remnants. Finally at 2:00 PM, we loaded and carried two truck loads of miscellaneous items to Goodwill. All that remains were some of the very old 78 RPM records, the love seat, one dining room chair, one end table, and the old wooden turned arm chair. Those items moved back in the house.
Also remaining were the two computer tables. Those stayed outside until Sunday when the signs that said, "computer table, take me" worked. The nicer of the two tables went to a young couple in an old beat-up yellow truck. They said their computer was taking up almost the whole dinette at their apartment, and they were thrilled with the desk. We were thrilled for it to be gone!
A successful, but exhausting day. Glad it's done, glad the stuff is gone, enjoyed meeting all those folks!
The first lookers were here an hour early, at 7:00 AM instead of 8:00. These were the die hards and the professionals, seeking specific categories of items. They all knew each other by first name. The front of the house filled, although the sale was supposed to be in the yard, and I finally called out that everyone should pick up a piece of furniture and head out the front door! We could have sold the Amish bent wood rockers several times over, but those weren't included in the offerings.
Finally, we got everyone herded out, and the buying frenzy began in earnest. Who had dibbs on what became important. I think half the items were sold before 8:00, when the crowd thinned, and several items had "sold" signs on them, waiting for the family truck. It seemed like the shoppers came in waves about every 45 minutes or so.
Sheryl, the dog rescue lady, came by with Hank, the Basenji. He's a sweetheart, and Sheryl is always talking about one dog or another that needs rescue.
A couple of wonderful folks, the Clicks, came by and purchased the dresser and mirror. They both work at ACC, and Terese enjoyed visiting with them, as she just interviewed for a job there.
The next lady around on Parkview came and told us the saga of our back fence neighbor. He is apparently in a home of some sort, after wandering in the yard sans trousers, letting the house deteriorate and fill with black mold, and exhibiting other bizarre behaviors. We gave the nice lady Mom's sewing machine for a friend of hers who wanted to sew, but couldn't afford a machine.
Another shopper from Parkview shared that in China, the grief process is allowed three years. Considering how much work there is to do, and how doing the work opens unexpected paths of thought, I think that's reasonable.
A pair of gentlemen who were professional garage salers, shopping for items for resale, helped tremendously, sorting through books for personal items to return to us, and advising us of things to look for.
Mr. Ashcraft came across the street to visit several times. He and his wife are such a wonderful couple, and I can remember when they built that house in the 1960's. They also help with dog rescue. Mrs. Ashcraft walks every morning, starting about 7:30, and she goes MILES and MILES!
Several people waited patiently for Lonnie, Todd, and David to make three runs for more stuff. One to the office for the office desk, a dresser, sofa, chair, ottoman, and pictures, and two trips to the storage unit for boxes of books.
By 1:00 PM, my energy level was waning. The constant chatter of "how much is this" and telling the history of items is wearing. We began a count down, and it was all I could do to sit still and not back the truck into the driveway to start loading the remnants. Finally at 2:00 PM, we loaded and carried two truck loads of miscellaneous items to Goodwill. All that remains were some of the very old 78 RPM records, the love seat, one dining room chair, one end table, and the old wooden turned arm chair. Those items moved back in the house.
Also remaining were the two computer tables. Those stayed outside until Sunday when the signs that said, "computer table, take me" worked. The nicer of the two tables went to a young couple in an old beat-up yellow truck. They said their computer was taking up almost the whole dinette at their apartment, and they were thrilled with the desk. We were thrilled for it to be gone!
A successful, but exhausting day. Glad it's done, glad the stuff is gone, enjoyed meeting all those folks!
Friday, March 03, 2006
A Pause...then Chaos
The last couple of days have been moderately quiet. On Wednesday, we had only Todd painting, and on Thursday, NO workers for the first time in weeks! It slowed the pace of our day so that I could work on the finances, do some back yard clean up, and take a relaxing deep breath!
Today, Friday, the pace picks up again. The ridge vent/radiant barrier installers arrived at 7:00 AM. The tree trimmers and yard workers arrived shortly thereafter. More in that crew than I expected, including a scuzzy looking white guy, and the girlfriend of the son of the crew chief. My 'are these folks trustworthy' radar went up, and I should have listened.
During the morning, the girl, the nephew, and the crew chief used the hall bathroom. I had left my little gold hoop earrings in the soap dish that's right under the light switch. When I went in there just before lunch, they were gone. I told the girl they were missing, just as they were leaving to take the trailer of trash to the dump. She claimed innocence, of course, and they left. We decided to address the issue with them when they returned, but they haven't come back. This may mean we may have gotten a lot of trash hauled off in exchange for a pair of $20 earrings.
I also met with a gentleman over at the O'Dell house to look at Nathan's motorcycle. He said it would cost between $1000 and $1500 to repair it, depending on what level of cosmetic damage one would tolerate, and then only be worth $1500. He has a friend who may take it off our hands for $400.
Today, Friday, the pace picks up again. The ridge vent/radiant barrier installers arrived at 7:00 AM. The tree trimmers and yard workers arrived shortly thereafter. More in that crew than I expected, including a scuzzy looking white guy, and the girlfriend of the son of the crew chief. My 'are these folks trustworthy' radar went up, and I should have listened.
During the morning, the girl, the nephew, and the crew chief used the hall bathroom. I had left my little gold hoop earrings in the soap dish that's right under the light switch. When I went in there just before lunch, they were gone. I told the girl they were missing, just as they were leaving to take the trailer of trash to the dump. She claimed innocence, of course, and they left. We decided to address the issue with them when they returned, but they haven't come back. This may mean we may have gotten a lot of trash hauled off in exchange for a pair of $20 earrings.
I also met with a gentleman over at the O'Dell house to look at Nathan's motorcycle. He said it would cost between $1000 and $1500 to repair it, depending on what level of cosmetic damage one would tolerate, and then only be worth $1500. He has a friend who may take it off our hands for $400.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Chewed up and spit out.
Today was one of those days when you feel like you have been chewed up and spit out by the end of the day. Whew, but we got a lot done!
Todd got here early this morning, and we loaded up two truck loads of boxes and furniture to go to storage, drove to Burnet Road Storage, unloaded, went to the other unit, loaded some of that to bring to the house for the yard sale, came back to Vine Street, and staged it all in the front room. We moved almost everything that's to be sold into the same space. We're hoping for clear weather on Saturday, but if not, we will still be able to have the sale.
As part of the moving, we re-arranged the boxes of flooring that need to come here soon for installation. That's work, let me tell you, but it was better to move it forward to be easy to get to NOW, rather than later. Each box weighs over 40 pounds. I've moved them twice now!
The stone masons got here shortly after Todd, and they got very busy today. I'm going to post pics of the new installations in a few minutes. This afternoon, they ran out of rock, and Lonnie and I drove out 2222 to 620, turned West, and drove past Mansfield Dam to the rock yard.
I was absolutely stunned at the development out there. It has been almost forty years since I drove out that far, and it's not the same. Where there were wild hills of brush and rocks and trees, now multi-million dollar homes line the hilltops. Part of the new neighborhoods look like ancient cliff dwellings, and there is NO way the residents can navigate those roads in one of our mid-winter ice storms.
After we got back, Todd was finishing up the closet painting, the masons finished the rock in the front, and we started sweeping sand into the cracks of the paver patio. This is a LONG slow process. Sweep, sprinkle with water, let set, sweep, water, let set, repeat. Tonight was just sweeping. We'll do step two tomorrow.
Our feet hurt, but it's a healthy, satisfactory feeling today.
Todd got here early this morning, and we loaded up two truck loads of boxes and furniture to go to storage, drove to Burnet Road Storage, unloaded, went to the other unit, loaded some of that to bring to the house for the yard sale, came back to Vine Street, and staged it all in the front room. We moved almost everything that's to be sold into the same space. We're hoping for clear weather on Saturday, but if not, we will still be able to have the sale.
As part of the moving, we re-arranged the boxes of flooring that need to come here soon for installation. That's work, let me tell you, but it was better to move it forward to be easy to get to NOW, rather than later. Each box weighs over 40 pounds. I've moved them twice now!
The stone masons got here shortly after Todd, and they got very busy today. I'm going to post pics of the new installations in a few minutes. This afternoon, they ran out of rock, and Lonnie and I drove out 2222 to 620, turned West, and drove past Mansfield Dam to the rock yard.
I was absolutely stunned at the development out there. It has been almost forty years since I drove out that far, and it's not the same. Where there were wild hills of brush and rocks and trees, now multi-million dollar homes line the hilltops. Part of the new neighborhoods look like ancient cliff dwellings, and there is NO way the residents can navigate those roads in one of our mid-winter ice storms.
After we got back, Todd was finishing up the closet painting, the masons finished the rock in the front, and we started sweeping sand into the cracks of the paver patio. This is a LONG slow process. Sweep, sprinkle with water, let set, sweep, water, let set, repeat. Tonight was just sweeping. We'll do step two tomorrow.
Our feet hurt, but it's a healthy, satisfactory feeling today.
Monday, February 27, 2006
The Very Red Mrs. Ellis - August 7, 1993 obituary
From the obituary in the Austin American Statesman, dated August 7, 1993, of my grandmother's half sister. Kathy and I remember her as "Maimie" with the fine house, formal Southern manners, and a domestic servant who served meals.
"She looks like a porcelain doll in her August 1902 wedding photo, her delicate neck rising from a stiff collar and her waist probably cinched in a tight corset under all those tucks and ruffles. But, Mary Heard Ellis was hardly a fragile doll. She was an outspoken Austin suffragette who later became an officer in the League of Women Voters.
Ellis was clearly a woman ahead of her time. A newspaper article once reported that, while trudging door-to-doorin Hude Park, making a survey of reactions to women's suffrage, she got the following response: "Yes, I think women should have the vote," said one man, with all seriousness. "That is, if they are people."
Ellis clearly qualified, and lived as a bonifide person until the ripe old age of 83. A close friend described her as a woman who "wouldn't waste her time on bridge and was too intellectual to sew." But she did enjoy plays, political gathering, and dressing well. A newspaper article about her as an octogenarian characterized her thus: "Mrs. Ellis likes to wear handsome clothes. For a dinner the other night, it was a simple dress - but very red."
(Mary's husband, Caswell Ellis, was a pioneer in his own right. He introduced the first abnormal psychology course at the University of Texas at the turn of the century and was a leader in the field of mental health.)
"She looks like a porcelain doll in her August 1902 wedding photo, her delicate neck rising from a stiff collar and her waist probably cinched in a tight corset under all those tucks and ruffles. But, Mary Heard Ellis was hardly a fragile doll. She was an outspoken Austin suffragette who later became an officer in the League of Women Voters.
Ellis was clearly a woman ahead of her time. A newspaper article once reported that, while trudging door-to-doorin Hude Park, making a survey of reactions to women's suffrage, she got the following response: "Yes, I think women should have the vote," said one man, with all seriousness. "That is, if they are people."
Ellis clearly qualified, and lived as a bonifide person until the ripe old age of 83. A close friend described her as a woman who "wouldn't waste her time on bridge and was too intellectual to sew." But she did enjoy plays, political gathering, and dressing well. A newspaper article about her as an octogenarian characterized her thus: "Mrs. Ellis likes to wear handsome clothes. For a dinner the other night, it was a simple dress - but very red."
(Mary's husband, Caswell Ellis, was a pioneer in his own right. He introduced the first abnormal psychology course at the University of Texas at the turn of the century and was a leader in the field of mental health.)
It's "worker central" again!
Today we have the stone masons back, finishing the wall and the paver patio in the back, the sidewalk in the front, and giving me an estimate on the flower bed border that I'm adding to the project. Jesse's going to do an S shaped walkway from the back door to the steps in the wall, too. He's really an artist.
We had a metal roof estimator. Not going there. Just can't spend $12,000 in that one spot, when a 30 year shingle roof is so much less. Also getting radiant barrier paint under the roof deck, ridge vent, and radiant paint on the inside of the garage door. It should help keep Terese's utility expenses down.
Todd is over at the O'Dell house, cleaning and finishing up the paint job there. He's just a great worker. Tomorrow, he is coming over to help us move furniture to storage. We have him reserved all day.
We hope to have the O'Dell house rented again within a couple of weeks.
We went to a belly dancing exhibition on Saturday evening and had a FANTASTIC time. Terese showed me the basic moves yesterday, and it makes you feel very, very flexible. I may go to a class with her in the future.
The weather has warmed up and is sunny. It's just delightful. The mountain laurel is in full bloom and covered with bees.
There are so many remodeling projects in the neighborhood that the air just vibrates with the sound of machinery and hammers. Springtime in Austin!
We had a metal roof estimator. Not going there. Just can't spend $12,000 in that one spot, when a 30 year shingle roof is so much less. Also getting radiant barrier paint under the roof deck, ridge vent, and radiant paint on the inside of the garage door. It should help keep Terese's utility expenses down.
Todd is over at the O'Dell house, cleaning and finishing up the paint job there. He's just a great worker. Tomorrow, he is coming over to help us move furniture to storage. We have him reserved all day.
We hope to have the O'Dell house rented again within a couple of weeks.
We went to a belly dancing exhibition on Saturday evening and had a FANTASTIC time. Terese showed me the basic moves yesterday, and it makes you feel very, very flexible. I may go to a class with her in the future.
The weather has warmed up and is sunny. It's just delightful. The mountain laurel is in full bloom and covered with bees.
There are so many remodeling projects in the neighborhood that the air just vibrates with the sound of machinery and hammers. Springtime in Austin!
Friday, February 24, 2006
Absolutely Incredible Enchiladas, etc.
Austin Fire Department Engine No. 2 has gained some renown as the vegan fire house. Read their story here: http://engine2.org/index.asp
On their website is a recipe for Paul McCartney Enchiladas. It's a vegan recipe, so I'll post that version first, then my modifications.
On their website is a recipe for Paul McCartney Enchiladas. It's a vegan recipe, so I'll post that version first, then my modifications.
PAUL MCCARTNEY ENCHILADA RECIPE
Ingredients (use vegan versions):
- 1 pound cramine or portabella mushroom
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 or more clove of garlic
- 1 cup dry textured soy protein
- 1 cup veggie broth 1 package Taco seasoning
- 1 large can or 2 cups of enchilada sauce 8 to 10 corn tortillas shredded vegan cheese alternative of choice, if desired
Directions:
Heat oven to 375
Mince mushroom to fine consistency Chop onion to desired size Mince garlic
In medium sauce pan on low, heat enchilada sauce till warm. Remove from heat. In large skillet on medium high add mushrooms, saute till tender. Add onions and garlic, saute till desired doneness. Add textured soy protein (if skillet is dry add a spray of a non stick fat-free spray to the pan then add textured soy protein) and mix well.
Add taco seasoning and mix till completely coated.
Add veggie broth and mix well (I like my textured soy protein soft, so if needed add extra veggie broth 1 tablespoon at a time).
Pull skillet off heat and let sit for a couple minuets mixing a couple times till textured soy protein is well hydrated.
Coat both sides of tortilla by dipping in the warm sauce. Place desired amount of filling in a line in the middle of tortilla. (3 or 4 tablespoons). Take left edge of tortilla and tuck under right edge so your tortilla rolls up and place seam side down in pan. Repeat till all filling is used.
Top enchiladas with left over sauce
Top with your favorite vegan cheese alternative if desired
Place pan in oven for 15 to 20 min
The warm sauce helps soften the tortilla so you can roll them with out breaking. If tortilla is really dry have a pan of hot water near that you can dip tortilla in to soften, then dip in sauce.
I build my enchiladas in the pan I am going to bake them in so all I have to do is roll the tortilla over seam side down and slide into place.
Now the Finnabair Pendragon version of Portobello Enchiladas...
- two large portabella mushrooms, chopped
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 or more clove of garlic, mashed
- 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1 package Taco seasoning
- 1 small can V-8 juice
- 1 large can or 2 cups of enchilada sauce ( I used Hatch Fire Roasted Tomato Enchilada Sauce with Peppers)
- 8 corn tortillas
- shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
Heat oven to 350
In medium sauce pan on low, heat enchilada sauce till warm. Remove from heat.
In large skillet on medium high, saute onions and garlic. Add portobello mushrooms (if skillet is dry add a spray of a non stick fat-free spray to the pan) and mix well.
Add taco seasoning and mix till completely coated.
Add V-8 juice and mix well.
Coat both sides of tortilla by dipping in the warm sauce. Place desired amount of filling in a line in the middle of tortilla. (3 or 4 tablespoons). Take left edge of tortilla and tuck under right edge so your tortilla rolls up and place seam side down in pan. Repeat till all filling is used.
Top enchiladas with left over sauce
Top with cheddar cheese.
Place pan in oven for 15 to 20 min
These are the BEST enchiladas I have ever made. Give them a try!
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