Party of Five

As a kid I can tell you my dad helped just about anyone we crossed paths with. He was by profession an auto-mechanic, but really he was just handy with almost anything. If someone needed help, stranger or not he was the guy who stopped, and he would never accept anything in return other than a thank you. As I have grown I can’t say that I see many good samaritan acts like these, but times have changed so drastically its easy to understand why. For one, just about everyone has some sort of roadside assistance and a cell phone to get help out to them. For another it is hardly safe to stop and check on strangers, especially in remote areas or at night. I also think as a general rule we own newer cars (unlike the days where we drove a car for 20 years until it was on its last leg) so there are fewer break downs. Still though, even in modern times, gas runs out, tires go flat, and on the rare occasion that you either do not have your cell phone or happen to be in between roadside assistance plans, help is always desperately wanted. On with my story.

Yesterday wasn’t one of our luckiest days in the Riley house, a few flips and flops through the day (nothing major), but we didn’t manage to be driving home from work until it was dark, slushy, and pouring down rain. On the darker “short cut” home though, we got a flat tire. Since I was certain that I opted out of the roadside assistance to keep our insurance policy low, Damien started out in the cold to change it. This is where I should mention that trying to find where the factory jack is installed in your vehicle, is like playing Where’s Waldo. Then getting it out of the housing is another puzzle. Ten minutes in the rain and we haven’t even taken the spare of the back of the car. The kids and I got to stay tucked away for the grueling 40 minutes that followed while Damien knelt in soggy snow and was getting soaked with fresh rain, but the good ol’ factory jack still refused to get the car high enough to put the full sized spare on. So just as we are about to freeze to death, a car pulls up and a guy steps out offering to help. In less than 10 minutes he uses his (far superior) factory jack and has us on our way. It was unbelievable to both Damien and I that someone would stop on a pitch black road, in the slush, with rain pouring down, and help change a tire for strangers.

Oh and when I called later to add roadside assistance to our policy I learned we already had it…go figure.

As usual I have gotten backed up and haven’t posted in forever, but this time I have good reason. So many darned exciting things have been happening. Lets start with this being my last class in my Bachelors program. With four weeks to complete a journey that started forever ago, it is super exciting surpassed only by super chaotic. Next I went to my best friends wedding. Now this was a very small intimate event with only the closest friends and family, but it was extremely touching and beautiful. Days later I made it to my very first theatrical event and wouldn’t you know it, it was AWESOME! I went with a group of friends to see Wicked. Now if you have any means to make it to this show, RUN! I couldn’t believe how incredible the story line, music, acting, and sets were. I want so badly to spill the beans and tell you what happens in the Oz spin off, but you have to go and see for yourself.

Finally as I mentioned previously, we recently started the home shopping experience. Actually let me reword that. We started the loan approval process. Luckily Damien’s brother has been in home sales for years so he set us up with an incredible guy who got us an amazing interest rate and clean approval. This allowed for us to officially jump in the market this week. So we went out Wednesday, found a home we wanted super bad. Made an offer Thursday morning and if you can believe it got the banks approval of our offer back the very same day. So in just over 30 days when escrow closes we will officially be home owners

It’s getting late but I promise to give you full scoop on the house later.

Blogged with Flock

If you have ever been through the process of purchasing a home, then you can probably relate to the roller coaster we just jumped on this last month. See since Damien and I got married we have heard the opinions of many who often advise us on when we should or shouldn’t be trying to buy a home. Never really knowing when the timing would be right, we waited and waited, but have finally decided that maybe now is a good time to take the leap.

Needless to say starting the financing process has been a touch time consuming for two reasons.

1. Our credit has a few bruises in it.

2. Finance companies are currently knee deep in applications for finance and refinance with the market being what it is.

However being the over eager person I tend to often be, I jumped the gun and started home hunting early. A few weeks passed and one by one I saw each of the homes I was hoping to purchase be bought up by others. It was slightly depressing and extremely frustrating so I decided to stop looking until we had an actual approval.

Fast forward two more weeks and one approval we wanted came through. It did however leave a bit to be desired in terms of the amount, so while waiting from word from others our agent suggested we check out some homes in the lower range. What seemed like a unrealistic amount actually produced a few decent options. Further more if we choose to purchase a home at this amount we could be paying less than it is currently costing us to rent. So I got my heart once again set on a house now in our range only to find out that by snubbing the lower approval we now need to get it reapproved to be put on paper before we can make any offers, ugh.

So this morning, knowing I shouldn’t be looking lest we not get our approval down on paper until it is too late to make an offer, I went out to look at a few homes I was certain wouldn’t meet my approval (I had time to spare). The very first one was it. My ideal home.It was at the end of a culdesac, with hardwood floors throughout, four bedrooms, curbs & gutters (don’t laugh, where I live this is a luxury), a big enough yard to entertain company and leave the kids a place to play, but not too big to require too much maintenance, a patio, with a lovely yard in the front and back, and it is just under the price we should be approved for. I now need to find a balance between hoping it will all work and not getting too excited lest someone else find this adorable house and snag it up before we can. Meanwhile keep your fingers crossed for us.

Well it would seem I have gone and dropped off the planet again. With three kids, school, and now work as well I do not manage my home time well. When I should be doing laundry that is usually up to my knees, or homework which I am getting behind on, or even picking up diapers at the store, I instead get backed up doing who knows what. Periodically I think I will stop and blog about a thing or two, but then I get distracted and pitch the project all together.

Today is different though, the laundry pile has dwindled, homework is on hold, tv is a bore, and I won’t be running out for diapers til after the oldest child is out of school. With a few minutes to write and a few more to browse buddies blogs I am starting with a tag from my talented scrapbooking buddy Nicole.

Actually it is called a “Blog Blessing”. The idea behind this tag game is different from other tag games. Rather than look inwardly, we are to look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for three blog friends. By participating in this endeavor we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Be sure to go to the blog of those you are blessing and leave a comment on their blog to be sure they check yours!

The first person I would like to bless is Damien. When it comes to blogging this husband of mine is completely dedicated. He is also devoted to keeping my blog going including guest posting to tell the world I am still alive, thanks honey. Second goes to Carrie the Gremlin Wrangler. She is one of my favorite bloggers and even when I disappear, she peaks her head in rather than dropping me like a hot potato. She is also an extremely talented artist, mom and comical cashier with posts that have me in stitches most of the time. Next is Jessica the Rock Chick. From the first day I started she has been supporting me as an avid reader. She is genuinely one of the nicest bloggers I have met who amazingly keeps her spirits high even while raising teens. Though I could hand out a blessing to just about everyone on my blog roll I am only supposed to have three, so my final and fourth blessing goes to Boho Rhap. I don’t know where this amazing blogger gets her talent, but she makes her own incredible templates and also has some of the best photoshop skills I have seen. I am eagerly awaiting the day that she starts offering tutorials, I may never leave my couch again if that day comes. Ok, so just one more. Rosemarie at Miscellaneous Matters is a sweet proud momma with enduring faith that shows up in all of her posts.

I do have some pent up blogging waiting to bust out, so hopefully you’ll come back in the next few days and you won’t be disappointed.

This is how my day is starting out. I have been doing laundry while trying to read my ethics assignments. Mind you the disclaimer in the front of the syllabus says it is important to read in an environment that is “conducive to concentration”. Ha Ha Ha. This is a memo that the little ones missed. Here I am trying to read about the meaning of life as well as the first five chapters of Genesis with both girls staring at me wanting breakfast. So I get a bottle for one, cereal for another, two poops changed and try again.

Meanwhile I realize I have nothing in the house for dinner, and tonight is my dinner night at school as well where I am supposed to pick up fried chicken. Hence at some point today I will be making not one, but two trips to the store. It is only 9 am so I decide to give reading another shot. Mind you while reading through these materials my assignment calls for me to answer questions like “who are we?”, “where are we?”, and “where are we going?” Huh? I mean if I knew the meaning of life in the first week of the class what in the world am I doing here? Before I have a chance to answer any of the above, the girls are sounding off again. Then Dora takes away any opportunity to read in a “conducive environment”. So I decide I might as well continue working on the house with a 3 year olds birthday party in two days.

Once again the littlest one decides playing independently is beneath her so I put her on the counter where I am washing dishes so that she will be near mom. Umm, here is where some of you may be gasping thinking who puts a seven month old on a counter to play? Well, the answer is the idiot who looked away for a second only to barely miss catching said little one as she slips off. OUCH! The poor thing cried for almost ten minutes, but some walking, rocking, and comforting from mom finally calmed her down.

By the time my nerves calm down it is after 10am, and I have read only enough of my assignment to know it isn’t interesting nor simple, I have filled 1/2 a dishwasher full of dishes, and have washed two loads of laundry but folded none. My point being that I am sitting here blogging with 100 things still waiting for me and all of it needing to be done by 5pm. Luckily one of my favorite cd’s just happens to be in the radio. So here I go…off to conquer the world while listening to Eddie Rabbit (ha ha ha, you can flame me about this one later).

Is there a rule that says whenever you have loads of stuff to do you should instead waste your time away on something else? I ask because my week is jam packed with an enormous “to do” list, yet here I sit, not doing any of it. Here is a glimpse at my week.

• Gather all necessary documents to apply for a substitute position (done)
• Get finger printed for above stated job
• Fill out and address birthday invitations for 3rd birthday party coming up
• Get homework done for class one (due Wednesday)
• Finish homework and study for final exam for class two (due Thursday)
• Get to the store for diapers as the littlest Riley has only 1 left
• Make dinner multiple times this week since I have yet to do any mass cooking for the freezer this month
• etc. etc. etc

Now that you have seen my rather boring list of things to do, I would like to share what I did instead this morning with toys piling up around me and Blues Clues chiming in the back ground.

Yep, I decided I would try to make my own flowers for my first decorated cake. Mind you the party isn’t for nearly two weeks yet, but I couldn’t shake the notion of conquering the darned flowers. Surely I had a back up plan to run to a bakery and buy a sheet of flowers if this flopped, but I am very excited to say that I successfully made two flowers on my first try and am fairly certain I will get them the way I want them on the day of the event.

I think it can pretty much be said without hesitation that I stink at keeping up with a blog. Further more I must apologize to the kind dedicated readers of mine who have sent messages inquiring where I have disappeared to. My only rather sad excuse is that I am currently buried under piles of homework, laundry, dishes and diapers. So, here I am posting now because I have a link to my blog in my signature and removing it to let Party of Five die completely made me sad. My Thursday Thirteen could therefore be dedicated to none other than the 13 ways I intend to redeem myself and beckon back my wonderful readers and blog buddies.

1. I promise to dedicate myself to at least two posts per week.2. Even if I am too distracted to write my own post I commit to reading and commenting on at least two other blogs.

3. Instead of attempting to make every entry perfect and pristine, I will post blurbs sometimes to let my readers know I haven’t dropped out of the blogosphere.

4. I will stop worrying so much about what others think of my thoughts in print, after all, isn’t that the point of having my own blog?

5. If my kids, school, work, or marriage are the only hot topics on hand, then so be it…they shall appear with in these pages.

6. When hubby steals the fun family events for blogging I will post them anyways for those who do not frequent his sight.

7. When my river of thoughts runs dry I shall beg others to guestblog if they feel so inclined.

8. If I get requests (other than from hubby) to update the look of my blog I will indeed look into it.

9. I will cut at least thirty minutes of literati out of my limited schedule just for blogging.

10. I shall seek out a dark secluded place in my house to write undistracted (even if I have to hang out in the closet).

11. Even if I don’t have a bright, bubbly, exciting, or fun subject, I will blog the bummer events sometimes too. (It can always be sunshine and summertime right?)

12. If I know hubby is planning on blogging my best material, I will either stake claim to it first or race him to the finish line.

13. I shall not disappear again without warning

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Do you ever feel like you are on a practical joke show? You know, one where so many things are going wrong in such an exaggerated manner that you have to wonder if it could possibly occur outside of rigged television? Well today I had a moment where I wondered as much. See, my van looks as though our entire party of five actually lives in it. Complete with back up outfits that are dirty because they have already been swapped in a crunch, stacks of ads that never made it in from the mailbox, toys for long road trips kept in case of tantrums on the road, and crumbs everywhere. In fact, I even had shelving, a tv, and dvd player that were given to me which had never made it in the house. So I decided it was well past the deadline to clean this mess out. The first step was to bribe the 9 year old with a trip to the movies in an effort to get help. Next I pulled out the center set of seats and removed all unrecognizable fragments of candy stuck to the carpet and drug the vacuum out to finish the task. This is where it went awry.

Bouncing back two weeks ago, the 9 year old was cleaning his room and busted the vacuum. Luckily the next week I was fortunate enough to pick up a used one off of my local freecycler. Unfortunately it was free because it gets clogged and can’t seem to maintain suction. So after dragging it out and rigging it to stretch, it was off to option number two, the free vacuums at the local car wash. Leaving the middle seats in the front yard planning on rushing home, and hoping the sprinklers were not set to turn on, I pull up ready to finish the job. Well the first vacuum was out of order, so I moved to a different stall, where the next one was missing the tip and wouldn’t pick up fuzz, on to the next one which excitedly had the tip and turned on, but wouldn’t work either. Hmmm. Beginning to wonder if someone was out to sabotage my attempt at driving a clean vehicle, and determined not to be taken down, I headed back home.

At this point I am thinking that even though our original vacuum is squealing really loud from what would seem to be a busted fan, it at least still has decent suction, so I drag er’ out to get it all done and wouldn’t you know it, I start smelling a really foul scent similar to burning rubber, or rather burning plastic. Which is precisely what it was. As I turn back to see why it is so strong, I find that the 5th vacuum I have attempted to use to clean out the car, is now on fire. This has got to be bloopers practical jokes right?

I started working at 16 and was always taught from my parents as well as employers that the customer is always right. In other words if you work a taco stand and a customer says they saw a commercial for $2.99 Ribeyes, you had better be running to a store for them rather than explain that they have the wrong place. Repeat service and advertising by word of mouth was the name of the game. It seems though that this is no longer necessary. In fact my motto in the last couple of years has become “the customer is always right, except when I am the customer”. This would be because no matter where I go, when something goes wrong, I find the finger pointing back at me. Here is an example from my day today.

I have been bounced through multiple appointments and approvals for five months trying to get a tuba ligation. I had finally arrived at the day of my pre-op this morning to rush around dressing little ones, drag them out and about with entertainment and snacks in hand anticipating a long wait, and get settled in a chair in my ob’s office, when an hour into the juggling act and 25 minutes after arriving I am informed the Dr. is not in and I will have to return on a different day. The first offer was to return on Wednesday at 5pm. Uh, sure. I have three kids, with two who will be nagging to go trick-o-treating the second they wake up, but I am certain though they would prefer sitting in a Dr.’s office watching birth videos instead, thanks, but I think I will pass. After many attempts to reschedule we found a day that worked, but not before the unnecessary eye rolling and sigh from the assistant at having to look for something else. The look on my face must have been pure psychosis as I wanted to cross over the counter and take out the scrawny 19 year old who most assuredly has no idea what jumping through these hoops again in the same week with a full schedule means. There was never an apology or explanation offered just a silent “get the hell out” look.

My next stop today was to exchange some pants at Walmart since my son has gone from an 8, to a 10, to a 12 in less than a year and didn’t fit the new pants he needed for his costume. This is where I was ignored by an over worked, bitter, cashier who would apparently rather munch on her donut than acknowledge the guest standing behind her. I presented my receipt and kindly explained them not fitting my fast growing son and received nothing more than a blank stare and my refund slapped down on the counter.

Day not going so good, and over an hour until my son got out of school, I stopped for lunch. Though I suppose I should have anticipated from the empty parking lot a long wait, it would never have occurred to me that a french dip could be mistaken for a grilled chicken sandwich. 45 minutes into remaking the order it finally arrives as the server nudges toward an explanation of “MY” error in ordering being the cause of the mistake. Silly me, I forgot that the word chicken was slang for beef in some social networks. Once again the customer is always right, except when I am the customer.