Totally snagged my ticket to go see the advanced showing of THIS little gem tomorrow night.  They are a bit twisted, but I do enjoy Rob Zombie's movies.  Too bad girl child will be in a class, but I'm willing to roll solo.

I am still standing by with hope for the house.  So much so that while I'm away visiting with family I even bought a bottle of champagne for here, so we can celebrate _when_ the time comes.  Word back on the open house proved to have more traffic than I expected, especially since it was a mere 45 minute window.

Since I'm visiting w/ family I got to see Niecy Poo for a brief window, that was nice.  I'm also eating good grub like a crazy person.

They didn't finish up as early as they claimed they would, but the upstairs carpet is now complete as well.  It too looks pretty nice.  Of course, there is plenty of 'lint' to vacuum up with new carpet.  The big challenge of the day was that, as I feared, the metal door and the cubby doors wouldn't have budged on the new carpet.  They needed cut off.  Fortunately, the woman from the carpet place already had someone lined up - unfortunately, that cost me another little chunk of money.  But it's complete!  I got everything "back where it belongs" upstairs too.

Of course, contractors tinkering with freshly cut carpet tend to make a mess - the whole way down the stairs, through the dining room, and across the front porch.  So there is plenty more to clean up. It was nice to have two days guaranteed to not have showings - but it's time to get all of the rest of the cleaning back up done too so we're ready for more.  This Saturday my agent has scheduled an open house, so I want to make sure all is in order for this.  It is a never ending battle, and I'm getting tired.

Still sounds like good things may come of the second showing earlier this week.  I'm on standby to answer any questions that may crop up, and counting on the big Guy upstairs.  I had a massage this evening, but thee is no early bed time - it's time to get a few other things done.

New carpet is complete in the apartment and looks pretty darn good, matching well with the newly painted walls.  I touched up the paint quickly tonight before running back out to head to the church.  I will need to do a little cleaning up in there after they get the rest of their stuff out of there.  Upstairs they have the smaller bedroom complete, which also looks brighter/lighter and quite nice.  They'll move the furniture in the morning and get the other room done.  Then I'll have all of the reorganizing and clean up up there to tend to on top of more cleaning ... because an open house is currently scheduled for Saturday and contractors tend to track things every which way.

Another cool discovery is that there is hardwood under the carpet upstairs too!  They painted some of it, but at least it isn't wood just around the outside.  That's good info to pass along to new owners should they prefer to redo the hardwood.

Either way, today was nice.  The girls were happy that I was here for a chunk of the day, and I didn't have any messes to clean up.

Fortunately there wasn't an accident when I came home before the showing today.  I had gotten a little more cleaning done and I lucked out and the guy who mows was out and about last night so I feel like the house was as ready as it could be.  Now I wait.  Whatever the answer - God has me.  I know this.  I may get tempted to forget more than I'd like to admit, but it's true.

The new carpet comes tomorrow.  I'm eager to have new photos of the apartment and upstairs to share with everyone.  I think it's going to look great.

I finished the New Testament!  Three days ahead of the 90-day schedule!!  I'm glad I was drawn to get going on it.  I've learned things I hadn't realized were in there, I read things that I saw in a new light, and I feel like I'm a step further in the right direction.  I challenge you.

I think the fall is already here.  It was pretty cool overnight last night and is headed there tonight too.  The A/C is off and windows are open.  I'm praying for a good night's sleep.

Last night I caught up with C and V to have an appetizer and a drink.  It was good to see them, but unfortunate to be under sad circumstances for their family.  I was worried the whole time I was gone about the mess I might come home to.  That's no way to live.  I got lucky.  Today all went relatively well while I was at church but there was definitely something in the crate, it wasn't anything definable. Maybe slobber?  But she had herself fairly soaked too.  She's making some progress on breaking the plastic and metal on the side of the crate.

I had good news in the afternoon, as a second showing was requested!  It was almost a quick turn around... but eventually got scheduled for early this week.  I've been praying to remain in faith and hope.  I've been praying that the people we are waiting for will come.  I've had others praying.  I've also been staying ready... making my bed each morning w/o anything scheduled and tentatively looking at my email for the feedback from that showing.  His will. His timing.  I continue to struggle with all of this.

Tonight I have an old friend swinging in as he passes through town on his way home from the Camaro Anniversary shindigs in Detroit.  I love that you can meet people through things like being a fan of Type O Negative that turn into long lasting friendships.  Dinner!

Saffy got to wear her red polka dot bathing suit today!  The Blair county dog park had an event in Altoona at my old stomping grounds, Prospect Pool.  We were only in there for a little over an hour but I am glad we went.  My arms are scratched and bruised from when she tried to climb me a few times, but we did do some real swimming and then she used me like an island as I walked around in the deeper part for a little while.  It wasn't too busy, which was good for me.  Saffy did well w/ the other dogs.  I didn't think she wouldn't, but you just never know with all of that stimulation, you know?

Of course we came home to another mess (sigh, we were only gone for 3 hours).  I'm at wit's end.  I am really starting to think it's partially age getting the best of Danika.

I just want to move on, but I feel trapped. I was so hopeful this time would be different. It isn't. My frustration is only compounded by the futility of trying to keep things in order. Every showing is approx 2 hours lost at work because, by some oddness no one seems to work during the day but me. This week too it seems like the dogs, well one of them, is acting against me (I swear on purpose).

I started to waffle again and think maybe it would be better/easier if I wasn't here, but I fell for that mistaken thinking when I moved to NC and we all know how that turned out. I know that an empty place means things start to go wrong, plus it's all cooped up, and you can't get a great vibe on room sizes w/o furniture.

I loathe that I cannot think of anything else that I can do other than spend a ton more money on upgrades or dropping the price drastically - and even those two things hold no guarantees other than the fact that it would leave me hurting. This sucks.

The showing on Monday was postponed... so I redid that cleaning this evening in prep for it tomorrow.  Of course, it looked fine outside until I cleaned the outside of the back door and the windows in the living room - and then another heavy rain came blowing in, making a mess of the door and window all over again.  I also put the switchplate, plug, and heat vent covers back on in the apartment, even though they'll need to come back off when the carpet goes in.

Oh, I also trimmed back the butterfly bush and the russian sage, both of which were going insane out front and looked a bit too unruly.  I'm kind of disappointed w/ the butterfly bush, maybe it's my own fault as I don't know if I should have been trimming in some manner, but it gets so tall and lanky with blooms far apart.

In other interesting 'news'.  I don't know why or how, but I feel like I knew this was going to happen before it came to be - but the people who owned this house before me?  Their current place, the one they moved to after leaving here, just came on the market now too.

The painting in the apartment is done, with the exception of any touch ups after the new carpet goes in.  I'll admit, it looks way better than I could have anticipated.  Since so much progress was made prior to today I had plenty of time to make a batch of brownies and cook up pork/kraut/mashers.

While I've been busy I still took the time to sing happy birthday to Danika today, who has turned 11.  They got to share a can of moist food and lick out the mashed potato pot, so everyone is happy.

Sure I still had plenty of the odds and ends to do since there is a showing tomorrow, but I have actually gotten to sit down too.  I don't think it's felt so good in a long time.  My eyes are heavy, but there is a preview show on the upcoming Walking Dead season tonight at 10 - I have to keep them propped open.

I'm whooped.  Friday night friends stopped in to see how the patched spots looked in the apartment after I had finished and showered... I was just sitting down on the coach and already fighting sleep.  When they got here they said "let's start priming!"  I can't say no if I'm getting free help, but I was dying by the time we halted for the evening.  Today I was up early for there return and we got everything fully primed and the first coat on.  It looks so much brighter in there.

Of course, I had committed to helping at Summerfest tonight too, so there was no rest for the wicked.  Another shower and I was out the door and on the way to Portage.  I was really hoping I was needed sitting in the information booth or something like that.  Instead I was serving fries.  I think I got all of the grease and smell off of me.  I'm tired, my feet are aching, but my brain is still going.

I came home and forced myself to reply to an email on the home warranty.  *sigh*  It boggles my mind how things change with every single email.  Seriously, why are people incompetent at their jobs?  If you do this EVERY day, how can you not get it right.  Hmm, sounds like a great time to bring up the fact that our lawyer for Mom's estate is still cluster f-ing things.  Seriously dude.  Fire your receptionist.  She is a waste.  And you?  You need to go get things done instead of pointing out how much your balance is for finishing things.

The reasons people don't like my house really shouldn't get longer the harder I try to make it more sellable.  *sigh*  I really hate the house selling process, it is just exhausting and depressing.  It also makes me hate myself more for having bought this place in the first place.

The apartment living room and bedroom walls are washed down.  I need to remove electrical covers and fill holes tomorrow and then I'll be ready for priming on Saturday.  After that and sitting in the heat with the girls for the showing I'm drowsy and ready for bed.  We have been promised quite the heat wave coming through this weekend.

Primer and wall cleaner procured!  Another showing tomorrow, and then I need to get the walls washed down.  I don't have much to say... as you can see it's late, thanks to church study on Wednesdays, and I still have some things to do this evening before I can rest.  One of those things is to get the sheets/blanket from the dryer and back on the bed!

It's time to get back on the (work) horse.  I committed to having the carpet replaced in the apartment and upstairs here in the main house (another task that I should have done for myself a long time ago).  Before the apartment carpet goes in I want to get the wood paneling painted - so that'll be the next task up.  I picked up the Home Depot gift card from Iggle to get the primer and bought the miscellaneous supplies to force myself into scheduling it.

If I can get that done without too much pain maybe I'll keep moving and get the basement floor repainted too?  I admit, as much as I hate to ask for help - I did it.  My Mom would be so proud.  It will definitely help make the panel painting task less painful.

Good news is the past two nights I've slept a little better than I was.  Not quite the excellent sleep I am so spoiled by typically having, but I've gotten sleep.  Ironically enough though I spent both days yawning and finding myself dragging.

I've been feeling run down all weekend, just tired, not sick.  Friday after work I wanted to nap before my Favorite Egg got here, but instead I just lounged on the couch and sleep didn't come.  Both nights I laid there in bed more than I slept.  At least we were able to sleep in a little, so I got some sleep.  Not much got accomplished around here this weekend, but we did get hedges trimmed at his old place.

Do I have to go back to work tomorrow?

I'm feeling pretty disenchanted on the house issue.  Another no thanks and reverting back to old comments.  *sigh*  I have no other ideas other than to step up the same things more frequently.  Even all of that won't help the fact that either you want the apartment or you don't.  I hate not having a say or a feasible course of action.  Now I waffle back in the other direction on my internal dialog.  Will it be easier to sell if I WASN'T living here?  Sadly, this is the same discussion in my brain how many years ago and look how that turned out.  Well that train of thought is just so incredibly depressing and frightening, not just from the house perspective but also on the relationship perspective.

It really hasn't been on the market long, I know this.  I shouldn't feel crappy about it - but I do.  The summer is almost over and with that is the house selling/buying season.  Hell, I've lost most of this year to the whole situation at this point from initial prep to today.

Drake went to his new home today.  My driveway feels empty.  Yes I'm a little sad about that too.

Thank God it's Friday.  Thank God I get to hug my favorite Egg tonight.  When I'm around him I tend to at least get a good night's sleep, there's something comforting about his presence.  Maybe that's what I need to get past this physical and emotional exhaustion.

And just like that... Drake (the Tiburon) is spoken for.  He is scheduled to get cleaned and will go to his new home by the end of the week.  As always there is sadness for me, but I know that Serafina (Sorento) will take care of me and it's for the best for me to lighten up as I prepare to shift lots of things in my life.

If only I could sell houses as easily as I can cars.

Another no thanks showing with feedback that isn't something I can remedy.  Yes, the basement stairs are narrow, but no, I don't think the street is busy.

I'm trying to put the next house options out of my head for right now.  While it's in my nature to try and figure out the next step, I know that's just not viable.  It's very possible that I'll be here for a while.

Suddenly my HSA is stealing a monthly fee from my account too.  That's nice.  They didn't notify me of any change and I've had an HSA for several years without a single penny fee.  WTH.  What gives you the right to pilfer from my pre-tax dollars - especially unbeknownst to me?  Is that legal?  I thought those pre-tax dollars needed to go for qualifying expenses?  Meh.