I am having a very bad day. I am tired of hearing lame excuses and swear that I will go off on the next person that rubs me the wrong way. I'm sorry for the brevity of this post, but trust me, we will all be better off in the long run if we just leave it as it is for now.
All I can say is that it is only 6 days until I get to sunny southern California.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Baseball... Like It Oughta Be!
Tonight is the season opener for the Madison Mallards baseball team. FMD and I have made the opener for the past two years and have enjoyed every minute of it! FMD prefers to sit in the "Duck Blind" area. Its basically a back porch built in right field where for the span of the entire pregame and game, you can eat and drink as much as you want. While 5 years ago, I would have been all for this notion, I have a hard time spending as much money as we do on the tickets because I know full well that neither of us eat nor drink as much as the ticket costs... I guess its the atmosphere that brings us back year after year. Well, at least until this year then we're going to have to become Wisconsin Woodchucks fans once we hit Marshfield!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Craigslist
We're all a fan of Craigslist... Admit it! I scoured over a few of the categories today and I can't believe the deals to be had if you're willing to drive somewhere and pick something up! I was worried about having fire wood for this winter but thanks to Craigslist, I'm sure we'll be able to find plenty, and for FREE! Damn. If I'd only paid closer attention, I'm sure I could have capitalized on peoples consumer tendencies more while I was here in Madison. Oh well. I'm sure we'll have a full UHaul no matter what! Oh yeah... And the countdown is officially at 30 days!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
I LOVE Short Work Weeks!
This week is my first of three, count them three, shortened work weeks that are laid out in front of me. I LOVE IT! I love my job, well, most days, but short work weeks just make the days pass fast and the next thing you know, FMD and I will be moving into our new home! If only I could secure a job between now and then...
Just yesterday was Memorial Day. FMD and I took an early "vacation" to Wisconsin Dells and toured the area on the Ducks and then hit up Noah's Ark with our free passes. The ducks were great and for the third or fourth or fifth time I've ridden them, the tour has been different. I really like the fact that they mix things up and keep it enjoyable for their repeat customers. FMD and I arrived at the duck dock at about 8:30 and we didn't actually board the ducks until almost 9:45! Yeah, we were gate busters, and we wanted to make sure we had enough time at Noah's Ark later so we arrived early. To pass the time we talked with a couple from Mississippi about things and found it interesting. Other than that, the trip around was great and we had a good time.
Noah's Ark was a good time as well. For being 80+ degrees and the fact that it was a holiday weekend, there were no lines for any of the rides and we pretty much had our run of the park. It was great! While I'm a fuddy-duddy and didn't go on any of the crazy ass tube rides in the pitch black, we still had a good time. FMD laughed at me all day as I screamed like a girl on the rides...
After our mini trip, we had a relaxing evening grilling out and playing ladder ball (a.k.a. polish horseshoes, a.k.a. testicle toss). She beat me pretty bad and that was ok with me. I'll get her next time. And to top the evening off (as if we hadn't had enough excitement already) we found a man passed out in the bushes outside our apartment building when we were walking the dog. We found him laying there and he didn't respond with anything other than a little movement and some mumbled words we couldn't make out. Well, a 911 call later, the ambulance and police showed up and the man just got up and walked away. Freaky. We don't know what all happened once he left (the police were trying to track him down) but I'm glad he did. I can't get out of the city soon enough!
Just yesterday was Memorial Day. FMD and I took an early "vacation" to Wisconsin Dells and toured the area on the Ducks and then hit up Noah's Ark with our free passes. The ducks were great and for the third or fourth or fifth time I've ridden them, the tour has been different. I really like the fact that they mix things up and keep it enjoyable for their repeat customers. FMD and I arrived at the duck dock at about 8:30 and we didn't actually board the ducks until almost 9:45! Yeah, we were gate busters, and we wanted to make sure we had enough time at Noah's Ark later so we arrived early. To pass the time we talked with a couple from Mississippi about things and found it interesting. Other than that, the trip around was great and we had a good time.
Noah's Ark was a good time as well. For being 80+ degrees and the fact that it was a holiday weekend, there were no lines for any of the rides and we pretty much had our run of the park. It was great! While I'm a fuddy-duddy and didn't go on any of the crazy ass tube rides in the pitch black, we still had a good time. FMD laughed at me all day as I screamed like a girl on the rides...
After our mini trip, we had a relaxing evening grilling out and playing ladder ball (a.k.a. polish horseshoes, a.k.a. testicle toss). She beat me pretty bad and that was ok with me. I'll get her next time. And to top the evening off (as if we hadn't had enough excitement already) we found a man passed out in the bushes outside our apartment building when we were walking the dog. We found him laying there and he didn't respond with anything other than a little movement and some mumbled words we couldn't make out. Well, a 911 call later, the ambulance and police showed up and the man just got up and walked away. Freaky. We don't know what all happened once he left (the police were trying to track him down) but I'm glad he did. I can't get out of the city soon enough!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Dang...
This is really turning out to be a ho-hum kind of week. I'm busy at work and the days are flying by (which is very nice) and there's plenty to keep me busy outside of work too! Sorry about the lack of quality posting this week folks... I'll do my best to live a more exciting life next week!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
What Do You Know About Radon?
I'll be honest. I don't know much. I know that its the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US behind smoking. Thats about it.
The reason I ask is because apparently there is some in our house that we just bought. We had the home inspector put a monitor in the basement that reads the levels periodically and it came out to an average of 5.5 PCI (with highs in the 13+ category and lows in the 1- category). 5.1 is the tolerable limit from the EPA (I think... I'm a little confused but thats what I think.). In some states the tolerable limit on a house sale is 14 PCI. I can't find any info on Wisconsin's limits however.
In any case, to solve the issue, you just install a mitigation system to vent the soil under your house and the problem goes away (or usually reduces the reading to 2 PCI or lower)! The problem is that its a costly system to install. Where do you draw the line between owning your "dream home" and walking away from a deal because radioactive gases are invading your basement? Its really a no brainer to me... I'm just interested in what everyone else has to say...
The reason I ask is because apparently there is some in our house that we just bought. We had the home inspector put a monitor in the basement that reads the levels periodically and it came out to an average of 5.5 PCI (with highs in the 13+ category and lows in the 1- category). 5.1 is the tolerable limit from the EPA (I think... I'm a little confused but thats what I think.). In some states the tolerable limit on a house sale is 14 PCI. I can't find any info on Wisconsin's limits however.
In any case, to solve the issue, you just install a mitigation system to vent the soil under your house and the problem goes away (or usually reduces the reading to 2 PCI or lower)! The problem is that its a costly system to install. Where do you draw the line between owning your "dream home" and walking away from a deal because radioactive gases are invading your basement? Its really a no brainer to me... I'm just interested in what everyone else has to say...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Done Deal
Well folks, our third transition out of Madison has finally been completed (first FMD found a job in Marshfield, second we found somewhere to live). On Saturday, I saw FMD walk across the stage while they announced that she has successfully completed her coursework at UW-Madison to become a Registered Nurse. Hooray!
Sunday, the deal was sealed even further when we held a graduation party for her at Garner Park here in Madison... Too bad it was freezing cold in the shelter and it actually turned into a great big wind tunnel leaving everyone shivering as they ate their hamburgers. We packed it in early and then packed it into our teeny tiny apartment. Never knew we could have so many folks in that apartment at once! It looked as though we might have been in violation of the fire code or something with the number of people we had in there! In any case, the weekend was great and it was wonderful seeing both our sides of the family together and having a good time.
The next stage for our move out of Madison is for me to find a job! Wish me luck!
Sunday, the deal was sealed even further when we held a graduation party for her at Garner Park here in Madison... Too bad it was freezing cold in the shelter and it actually turned into a great big wind tunnel leaving everyone shivering as they ate their hamburgers. We packed it in early and then packed it into our teeny tiny apartment. Never knew we could have so many folks in that apartment at once! It looked as though we might have been in violation of the fire code or something with the number of people we had in there! In any case, the weekend was great and it was wonderful seeing both our sides of the family together and having a good time.
The next stage for our move out of Madison is for me to find a job! Wish me luck!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Graduating!
Tis the season I guess! Seems like everyone is doing it! FMD's convocation for nursing school is Saturday and her family is coming to town. We're celebrating her achievements on Sunday with a cook out at the park near our home! I have to admit, I'm proud as hell of her. Going to school and getting your degree is one thing... Going back to school to get a second degree, thats applaudable! She's managed to knock the socks off her professors and preceptors and I'm confident she'll succeed as a nurse once we move to Marshfield!
On a similar but separate note, for me being the good boyfriend/husband that I am, FMD wanted to show her appreciation by giving me a gift. I thought it was silly at first, but now with "the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window" greeting me every day when I get home from work, I can't but think its one of the awesomest gifts ever!
And for my faithful readers (there has to be at least two of you out there right?), I feel the need to explain my absence yesterday... Yeah, I know I miss from time to time but yesterday was a special day. FMD and I got to take the day off work and go to visit our new home once again! I tell you what, the next six or so weeks of apartment living are going to crawl by... We've secured a fridge already and we're picking it up this weekend for the low, low price of $75. See as its 100 times better than what we have (nothing), we figured we couldn't go wrong! Plus if all else works out and we can keep scoring great deals like this, maybe we can afford to buy FMD her tractor this fall!
On a similar but separate note, for me being the good boyfriend/husband that I am, FMD wanted to show her appreciation by giving me a gift. I thought it was silly at first, but now with "the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window" greeting me every day when I get home from work, I can't but think its one of the awesomest gifts ever!
And for my faithful readers (there has to be at least two of you out there right?), I feel the need to explain my absence yesterday... Yeah, I know I miss from time to time but yesterday was a special day. FMD and I got to take the day off work and go to visit our new home once again! I tell you what, the next six or so weeks of apartment living are going to crawl by... We've secured a fridge already and we're picking it up this weekend for the low, low price of $75. See as its 100 times better than what we have (nothing), we figured we couldn't go wrong! Plus if all else works out and we can keep scoring great deals like this, maybe we can afford to buy FMD her tractor this fall!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wise Beyond My Years
The more I think about it, sometimes years may make you wiser, but they don't make you smarter... Think about it. Its a rough and tumble world and if you would have told your parents 20 years ago that they would live in an age where virtually every man, woman, and child were connected to every last bit of information ever available to humans and otherwise (a.k.a. the internet), they'd think you're crazy!
Anyways, being the political activist that I am (yeah right), I found on someone else's blog a link to this site... http://www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com/ Yup. You read that right. I guess I knew he was old, but still... 1936? Damn! I'm not sure that the world we live in today is the right time and place for someone who was born just after prohibition was ended to run our country... Back when lead based paint was common and well, prohibition just ended! Did they know the health risks of smoking and drinking when the mother was pregnant?
I'm just spouting off now and not making a lot of sense. If you have time, check out the link for your own enjoyment.
Anyways, being the political activist that I am (yeah right), I found on someone else's blog a link to this site... http://www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com/ Yup. You read that right. I guess I knew he was old, but still... 1936? Damn! I'm not sure that the world we live in today is the right time and place for someone who was born just after prohibition was ended to run our country... Back when lead based paint was common and well, prohibition just ended! Did they know the health risks of smoking and drinking when the mother was pregnant?
I'm just spouting off now and not making a lot of sense. If you have time, check out the link for your own enjoyment.
Owning A Log Home
Well, if you're not already sick of hearing about our new home, read on. If you ARE sick of it, read on anyways because, well, you're here anyways and you really have nothing better to do.
All I can think about lately is our new home (besides job hunting but I don't care to talk about that today). Its a crazy notion really. Its something that neither of us have experienced before and just for grins we decided to go extra crazy and just buy a property and plan on building a barn on it within the first few months of occupancy... While moving and finding new jobs is tough on a relationship, so isn't making the single largest purchase of your life at the ripe old and wise age of 27 (26 in FMD's case). To add on to that, FMD and I decided to buy a log home.
The more I’ve thought in depth about the house, the more happy I become to have purchased this home versus a stick built, vinyl clad, drywall lined house that most people live in. Log homes I’m coming to find out (yes I’m just now finding out. I’m a fan of research and all, but when something just feels right, you know it) are a ton of work and are in many cases a very rewarding investment. All of this sort of makes me feel like a frontier’s man forging into the great unknown to find a plot of land to build his home and barn and to raise his family on. It makes me feel a little more in touch with the way things used to be and really stresses hard work equals great rewards. It seems to go with my current mantra, “Simple and Traditional”.
While my mantra changes from day to day, I feel really good about this and the way it seems to be reenergizing my batteries. It’s the reason I started carving my own decoys and why I want to hunt with black powder and single/double barrel shotguns. It’s the way things used to be and now those things are becoming a lost art. Growing food in a garden and raising meat on your farm... Taking care of your home and working with nature instead of against it. What can I say? I like it!
The overarching theme here is not the house itself. Its not the property. Its not the simplicity and the way of life I want to try to lead (to a certain extent… I am a computer dork after all so we’re talking cell phones and internet connections to go with my tractor that will dig fence post holes for me). Its really a culmination of all of these things and the sense of what a home really is. Its where you hang your hat and hang your heart. Its there to comfort you and frustrate you all at the same time. Home means a lot of things to lots of people, and I’m happy to say my home for the future is finally taking shape bit by bit, piece by piece…
All I can think about lately is our new home (besides job hunting but I don't care to talk about that today). Its a crazy notion really. Its something that neither of us have experienced before and just for grins we decided to go extra crazy and just buy a property and plan on building a barn on it within the first few months of occupancy... While moving and finding new jobs is tough on a relationship, so isn't making the single largest purchase of your life at the ripe old and wise age of 27 (26 in FMD's case). To add on to that, FMD and I decided to buy a log home.
The more I’ve thought in depth about the house, the more happy I become to have purchased this home versus a stick built, vinyl clad, drywall lined house that most people live in. Log homes I’m coming to find out (yes I’m just now finding out. I’m a fan of research and all, but when something just feels right, you know it) are a ton of work and are in many cases a very rewarding investment. All of this sort of makes me feel like a frontier’s man forging into the great unknown to find a plot of land to build his home and barn and to raise his family on. It makes me feel a little more in touch with the way things used to be and really stresses hard work equals great rewards. It seems to go with my current mantra, “Simple and Traditional”.
While my mantra changes from day to day, I feel really good about this and the way it seems to be reenergizing my batteries. It’s the reason I started carving my own decoys and why I want to hunt with black powder and single/double barrel shotguns. It’s the way things used to be and now those things are becoming a lost art. Growing food in a garden and raising meat on your farm... Taking care of your home and working with nature instead of against it. What can I say? I like it!
The overarching theme here is not the house itself. Its not the property. Its not the simplicity and the way of life I want to try to lead (to a certain extent… I am a computer dork after all so we’re talking cell phones and internet connections to go with my tractor that will dig fence post holes for me). Its really a culmination of all of these things and the sense of what a home really is. Its where you hang your hat and hang your heart. Its there to comfort you and frustrate you all at the same time. Home means a lot of things to lots of people, and I’m happy to say my home for the future is finally taking shape bit by bit, piece by piece…
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day!
As everyone knows by now (and if you don't you're probably in the dog house and your brother/sister is now the favorite) that this past weekend was mother's day. For FMD and I, we decided that taking our mothers to a baseball game was the perfect way to celebrate the day!
As it turns out, we couldn't have come up with a better idea if we tried... Half price tickets, dollar hot dogs, dollar sodas... What else could you ask for? I know I sound cheap, but hey, I just bought a new house! Anyways, we got to see the Brewers beat the Cardinals and a couple great home run shots by Ryan Bran and one hot pink bat!
In all seriousness however, I do want to thank my mom for everything she's done for me. She's one of the driving forces behind who I am and I don't think I could have done many of the things I've accomplished in my life without her steady hand and guidance. Make sure to thank you mother for everything she's done for you!
As it turns out, we couldn't have come up with a better idea if we tried... Half price tickets, dollar hot dogs, dollar sodas... What else could you ask for? I know I sound cheap, but hey, I just bought a new house! Anyways, we got to see the Brewers beat the Cardinals and a couple great home run shots by Ryan Bran and one hot pink bat!
In all seriousness however, I do want to thank my mom for everything she's done for me. She's one of the driving forces behind who I am and I don't think I could have done many of the things I've accomplished in my life without her steady hand and guidance. Make sure to thank you mother for everything she's done for you!
Logos Gone Bad
You know, somewhere, somone should have said something before these things happen... Sheesh!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Our New Home
Well, its pretty much ours pending a couple routine inspections and ton of paperwork, but otherwise its a done deal! Click on the photo below to see more pictures of our new house and property!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
I Broke The F'ing Scale
Last night, as I do just about every night, I weighed myself before going to bed. Much to my dismay, the scale tipped to the right and I'm officially heavier than I've ever been. Bummer. To some, they might read this and say shut up BJ! You have nothing to complain about! To this I reply, "Yes. Yes I do have something to complain about. When I stepped on the scale this morning to verify that I am indeed the same weight I was last night and to make sure it wasn't a fluke, I stepped on and consequently broke, yes broke, the scale. I broke the f'ing the scale. I am just in my complaining and now am going to get things back in order and turn thing around like I had for the first 3 months of the year!" Bleh. No more visions of a riding mower and a new house for this guy... Looks like I'll be pushing that mower around the yard!!!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
No Update
Ok. I guess there is some update but nothing earth shattering... FMD and I counter-offered the owners counter-offer and we'll now know by tomorrow (Wednesday) at midnight if we're home owners. Keep your fingers crossed for us everyone!
Monday, May 05, 2008
House.
Well, FMD and I went on our final house hunting trip to Marshfield this weekend and decided to put an offer in on the house I posted a little while back. To check it out, visit here or just scroll down a little bit to see the photos. We put in the offer with our agent and we are supposed to know for sure if the offer is accepted by midnight tonight. We're keeping our fingers crossed, but it doesn't look to promising to close the deal any time soon. FMD called our agent this afternoon and it turns out the seller is counter offering with a ridiculous number that in essence takes about $1k off his original asking prince. I'm sorry but for a house that has been on the market for 300+ days, it just seems as though this guy doesn't want to sell his house because he's in the middle of a big 'ol divorce case and doesn't want his ex to get any of the money... Bleh. Well, I'm still excited, but I'm a little deflated. We'll know more later tonight once the seller's agent and the ex have time to talk things over... Keep your finger's crossed for us!
Friday, May 02, 2008
And They're Off!
We're off to Marshfield this weekend on what will likely be our last house hunting trip of the year! Looking at the calendar, FMD and my's schedules (sorry if thats incorrect grammar...) are really, really full! I remember the days when I would actually carve decoys or sit around and be nothing but a couch potato all weekend... Oh well. Its that time of year I guess! Things should prove to be real interesting for us over the next few months and I'm looking forward to sharing our experiences with all of you! So with that, I'm signing out of the blog world for the weekend and I'll catch you up on all the action Monday (hopefully)!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
