Staying in the Village

Whew! It's been a long time between posts, but yup, I blame Facebook. Not a bad wag of the finger blame, but all the same....

Here is our house situation update: The wonderful people who were trying to buy our house were 3 weeks from closing when their world turned over, he was let go from his job at Caterpillar after 13 years. At that point they were going to have Dennis' (that is the name of the fellow trying to buy our house) sister lend them the money because they wanted to live in Chesaning and in our house that bad. The sister lived in New York and her fiance had sold a business and wanted to invest it in this family's future. So we waited a few extra weeks so some money could be moved to their account from a bank in England. Then there was a hold up from Homeland Security. (Oh great, now the FBI is gonna be flagging my blog. What a disappointment it will be for them.) On Tuesday, February 10th we received the call we were expecting.... The benefactor was, in fact, a crook and had embezzled all the money he was "lending" them and was using them to launder it. Sounds like an episode of "All My Children", I know. So that day, Joe put a "For Rent" sign in the yard. By Thursday the 12th we had been given the first month's rent.

We had moved a few seasonal and big items out to the house during the clean up and redo. It just made sense, we were that close to closing. But now we have everything (but the patio furniture and the grill) moved back and we are content to stay in the village for a while longer. The renters we have in both farm houses are really nice dependable people who needed safe places to live and I'm glad they are there.

I can't say I'm sad about moving.... That was one project that seemed so daunting, but I will miss seeing the farm house. She really cleaned up well. I won't miss painting, scrubbing, and tearing down wallpaper.

We had a party on Friday the 13th and our wonderful neighbors were here. We shared a few drinks and then told them the sad news....."We have to stay". It was so funny, they were cheering and ready to start the summer bonfires now.

We are so lucky to have great friends to share our time with. Thanks to everyone for your concern and laughs.

Happy New Year a little late

Yeah, I know, it's kind of late, but for the first time I am making New Year's Resolutions. It's not that I haven't thought of things that need changing every year, it is just hard to write them all out and not feel like a person in need of counseling. Maybe accepting constructive criticism (even from myself) is something to add to this to the list for 2010.

Anyway, here's my list for this year.....

1. Vow to take better care of my skin. There has to be time in a day to properly cleanse and moisturize every night. (Maybe my teeth brushing will have to lax).

2. Take less and print less photos. Let someone else snap and record an event and I will just get to enjoy it and not feel guilty for not scrapbooking it.

3. Do yoga for an entire year. 9:00am at the Peet Center on Fridays if anyone needs to help motivate me, (or help me up off the floor.)

4. Drink more water.

5. Yell at my kids less.

6. Don't buy anything that is not necessary. (I have some loose criteria on that one).

7. Try to be greener. I'm gonna tote those trendy canvas bags, turn off more lights and make everyone turn the water off sooner while tooth brushing.

An update on my nephew: The horrible looking (but life-saving) vent. tube has been removed from his precious little mouth and he is breathing on his own now. My brother said the nurses are increasing the amount of food he is getting by 1 cc a day.

We are all anxious to see this little angel come home, safe and sound.

Happy New Year.