When it rains...

Last month it was the a/c.

This month, looks like we have a new adventure:

We were wanting to wait until this fall before Brent got a new car, but looks like that might be happening this weekend. Ugh.

Update: Yay! It's just the battery!

Nothing but time

Last February, I mentioned the place I worked being acquired by another company. In November the companies merged, and yesterday, my job was "terminated."

This is the second time I've been laid off. And sadly, this is the second time I've been laid off via phone.

Fortunately though, this time I wasn't bit on the face by my foster dog several days prior with 3 stitches by my eye, so I never asked if I could just go back to my cube because I wanted my ice pack. Let me tell you, a comment like that receives a very awkward silence after explaining why you want said ice pack.

Unfortunately, unlike last time I wasn't given a 5-week separation date. And while it wasn't effective immediately (to where you're escorted out like a common criminal), I was given the day to gather my things and unsuccessfully try not to cry.

Yesterday consisted of a lot of wine, tears and Ally McBeal. Today will consist of Ally McBeal, filing for unemployment and trying to figure out a computer situation. From there it's working on the resume, hopefully doing some freelance, seeing what the fuss with Lost was about and working on tedious DIY projects I never had time for.

Projects will continue; they'll just be the cheap ones that involve paint. In other words, the plans of a new kitchen countertop/backsplash and new furniture for the man cave probably won't be happening this year. But things I didn't think I had time for this year will be. Give and take (well, mostly give).

I have so many pictures to post, but sadly, my camera was linked with my work laptop, so that is also on my list of things to get squared away. But for now, I'm just taking it one day at a time.

Brent’s Sod FAIL

There are so many things I should be doing right now (most importantly, preparing for the Mother’s Day brunch I found out I was hosting several days ago), but making fun of Brent on my blog sounded like way more fun. ☺

First, I need to start by saying we have letters in our grass.


That’s right, our backyard is saying “oh.” And what caused these awesome dirt patches?


(So any parents out there with these gadgets in your yard – please make sure your soon-to-be-dead-spots are saying “oh” rather than “ho.” Nothing is worse than a verbally abusive yard).

Now on to the Brent part…

Last weekend he decided to put sod over the letters. So now our yard looks like this:
So what exactly happened, might you ask? Brent bought the sod that way. That’s right. He bought dead sod.

See the happy sod on the “o” and the top of the “h” – that’s the sod Brent and I bought together. When he realized we didn’t have enough, he went to a different store and noticed the only thing available was the dead sod. So did he find this unacceptable and go to a different garden center (such as the one we went to several hours earlier), nope, he bought the dead sod.

I’m not quite sure what face I made when I saw this gem, but I’m sure it was a special one. He tried telling me that while the sod is dying, it will be fine with water. It’s now been a week, and while the good sod is becoming greener, the dead sod is maintaining the brown look.

I’m pretty sure Brent is about to the point of saying I was right. What can I say – he always keeps me entertained.

Wine rack found....sort of

Since I bought my wonderful Ikea Expedit shelf, I have been looking for a wine rack insert (because apparently Ikea hates wine). Well, I finally found exactly what I'm looking for. Too bad the company is in Sweden and doesn't ship to the US.

Look how perfect it is though. Sigh.

Weekend Wrap Up – I Hate Paint

Friday night, Brent and I decided to take things off the walls – so everything could be spackled and painted. The living room was definitely the worst off, because of the huge screws from the floating shelves. Plus, Brent didn't get the screws in correctly the first time around, so there were just holes galore.

So I spackled those mofos, and then realized the living room paint was dried and crusty. I have no idea when the living room was painted, so I was expecting the paint to not be usuable. Fortunately, the paint can had the store name and color code.

I went to Sherwin Williams thinking I could buy a $5 sample can. Ha! Jokes on me. Apparently, they only have sample sizes in satin finish, not flat. Since I needed the exact same paint, I walked away spending $38 on a stupid can of professional paint (which was terrible quality IMO).

When the touch up area dries, this is what I see (ignore the spackle marks):















At this point, really my only thought is "mother fucker." While the paint is the correct color, the sun faded the walls, so the living room is no longer that color.

So my Sunday was spent bitterly painting. I still don't see what was so "professional" about that paint either. I hated it. The paint would just soak into the roller and edger, and I lost a lot of paint because of it. I had maybe 2 drops of paint leftover, which I think is beyond ridiculous. Granted the living room is large, but factoring in 3 doorways and 4 big windows – a gallon should have been enough plus a little.

I'm just hoping I don't have to do anymore touch ups in the living room, because I am in no mood to spend another $38 on crappy-ass paint.

Roof update :(

Dear Traveler's Insurance,

Seriously, F you. I knew the seller's roof was most likely too old/damaged for you to cover any of the replacement costs, but how it took 11 days for this announcement is beyond me. Real insurance companies are able to look at a roof and give you a yes or no right then.

Verifying even more why I don't have Traveler's Insurance,
A lover of Shelter Insurance

The Waiting Game Continues

What the hell? Now we aren't going to know anything until next week about the roof. I want to smack the crap out of this adjuster/insurance company. This is just another reason why I love Shelter Insurance, they understand people don't like to wait.

As for our house, we went ahead and sent negotiations back to the buyer, so we shall see what happens. And speaking of the buyer, I actually got to meet him yesterday! He lives down the street from us with a roommate, and when Brent and I were on a walk with the dogs, he happened to be outside. He seems really nice – I approve.

Major Roof Drama

Drama. Not with our beautiful one-month-old roof, but with Dream House's roof. Brent and I knew going in that we'd be stuck with getting a new roof in 5 years or so. It wouldn't be fun, but we loved the house – so we'd make it work.

Today, we had our roof guy, Jim, drive by the house to get opinions, oh, and opinions we got. First of all he didn't know if the roof would pass the inspection because it needed lots of love. But more importantly, since the roof has 2 layers of wood, he didn't think we'd even be able to get it insured. Ummm, what?

Brent calls Shelter Insurance, and sure enough, they do not cover 2 layers of wood on a roof, and therefore, do not insure those houses. Apparently this is a new thing insurance companies are doing. Best part: Shelter doesn't think any insurance company covers those roofs anymore.

Now it was my turn to call Patti freaking out. Patti has never heard of this before, so she is now calling different insurance companies before telling Dream House owners the wonderful news – they need a new roof.