Month: February 2008

I have never been very big into video games – well not since the original Nintendo. When Wade got the Wii I played quite a bit, but no we tend to use it only when we have a group. Wade got his PlayStation 3 in January and I wasn’t very excited. Then he started playing Stardust – a small ship flies around shooting rock, bombs, and alien ships. I watched him for a few weeks before I wanted a try. I am now addicted. I play until my thumbs hurt. It took me a week or two to beat the first level and then I beat the second and third on the same day. Now I just need to find a second game I find interesting.

I had forgotten the joys of living in an apartment. There are very few overhead lights and never enough outlets. Wade and I both have desks set up in the living room along with our TV and all it’s extras. We also have floor to ceiling windows. In Milwaukee in the winter that means it stays chilly. Wade and I both like small space heaters at our feet. We knew better than to turn them both on at the same time. I have also recently learned that I cannot use my printer and my heater at the same time. I defintely need more outlets!

Madison has lots of odd quirks. One of them invloves my shoes. Whenever we leave her alone for a significant amount of time, we come home to find a single shoe misplaced. It is usually found on her pillow. The shoe isn’t chewed and shows no sign of Madison’s attention. Oh well, whatever makes her happy.

Melissa arrived in town early this morning and after a quick breakfast with Dabney we drove to Dad’s house. At the end of the day, we had an almost done room and a huge pile of stuff for the Salvation Army (which is no longer located on Broadway).

My mom and I ran to Reidland for a visit with Granny and Papa (Wade’s grandparents). I also got to meet Bonnie, the nice lady who comes to help them during the day. We interrupted their late lunch, but they refused to finish eating and instead we visited. While we were talking, my mom happened to glance out the window and saw an ice covered tree filled with Cardinals. Unfortunately, as I raised the blinds most of them flew away, but I did get a picture of a few.

I come to Paducah for some warmer weather and awake to this:

Wade and I got another offer on our house, but we were rather insulted. The people took the price we paid for the house and then put in 3% appreciation per year to calculate their offer – nowhere near our asking price. Then they wanted to include Wade’s woodshop and all tools with the sale (which is a significant chunk of money). Our agent said they wanted us to counter and offer a complete list, with prices, of all the improvements we made. How ridiculous. Wade told our agent to give a list of all the improvements (no prices included) and tell them to come back with a more reasonable offer if they were really interested.

Mom and I spent the day in Nashville. We had time for a stop at Old Time Pottery before meeting Melissa for lunch. Then we spent the day running to different malls and stores all over Nashville. We bought Wade some Gold Label shirts at Dillard’s. I bought a dress for a wedding in March. I also bought knick knacks and a new bed spread for my room at Dad’s house. My favorite purchase was four framed pictures that I have been admiring for a few years. They were on sale and I finally decided to use them in my room at Dad’s house.

As we were leaving the mall, Mom asked me to drive to Melissa’s house. We were packing bags in the back of the car and one bag was blocking part of the window. Mom asked me if it would bother me and I said, “I don’t need to see out the back.” Two seconds later we hear a crunch and feel a slight impact. It turns out that somebody put a pole, painted the same color as the brick wall, right in my path. I was in Mom’s car two seconds and messed up her bumper. I haven’t done that in my car, ever. She just starts laughing and repeating my words, “I don’t need to see.” At least she thinks it’s funny. I still feel horrible.

Mom and I spent the morning in downtown Paducah. I found an antique chest of drawers that I love. It is an English splitter chest (it comes apart to be taken up the small staircases in old houses). The chest would look great in our bedroom, but it was a little expensive for Wade and I. Instead I bought it to use in my room at Dad’s house. I can’t wait to get it in there and “arrange”. (Mine is not the one below but similar. The one I bought is more American with wooden knobs, straighter lines, etc.)

Mom and I had dinner with Joyce at Di Fratelli’s and then went to see the play Annie at the local performing arts center. What a wonderful play! I sat with Mary Ann and we both enjoyed the musical. It’s too bad Melissa wasn’t in town. My red head sister always loved the story.

The phone kept ringing. I went to bed late because I didn’t think I would be able to drive to Paducah. The ice was supposed to start after midnight. Mom called at 8, right after my alarm had gone off and I had hit snooze, to see if I knew if I was going to make it in. I told her I hadn’t checked the weather yet. I got up and saw that it was raining, no ice. I watched the news till I fell asleep. Then Melissa called. Then Mom called. I decided to get up and try the drive. The news wasn’t telling people to stay off the road and it was supposed to start snowing around noon. Madison and I got on the road around 10 and didn’t have any trouble.

I got into Paducah in time for dinner. Mom and I went to Chong’s and then made plans for a movie (she had forgotten that they have 9 o’clock movies. Evidently her group doesn’t go out past 7). We called Joyce and met up for Fool’s Gold. I don’t think Wade will mind missing this one. I liked the movie but it didn’t have the plot or fun dialogue of How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days. Then it was late to bed with hopes that Madison will sleep late.

Wade’s work is sending him to China for a week. He spent last night trying to gather enough batteries and movies to last on the 15 hour flight. He’s concerned about being cooped up in a small seat with nothing to do. You know the insomniac isn’t going to sleep any. He got up early to finish packing and they picked him up at 8 am.

I am on my own for 8 days. I realized I had most of my work for next week already done so I decided to spend the week in KY. Then I remembered that I was invited out with the girls on Saturday night and a big storm was coming through on Sunday. I decided to stay for the girls’ night out.

Christin picked me up and we went to her house. Liz arrived with garlic bread and chocolate. We made shrimp, pasta, and garlic bread – yum!. Then we had chocolate cookies, starbust jelly beans, and garlic popcorn for snacking during the movies. We watched Sideways and Under the Tuscan Sun. As Liz drove me home, I realized it was well past midnight. I had contemplated heading for KY after my night out but realized I was much too tired. I’ll just see what the weather is like tomorrow.

Wade and I might have a house. We are still waiting on the home inspection and there is a contingency for the sellers to get the house they want, but all of that should be taken care of by next week. With our luck, there might be a hiccup or two, but we’ll manage.
617 N. 66th Street

Wade and I have already started a project list. I think Wade has gotten very bored in a one bedroom apartment.

Wade and I had dinner with Maren and Michael last night. We picked up a couple pizzas and headed over to see their house and to meet Elise. Elise has a full head of dark hair and is a very cute baby. I held her most of the night and was shocked when Wade asked to hold her right before we left. This was the first time I think he’s held a baby – especially one a couple of weeks old. He did fine and Elise slept through the entire thing. Somehow I still don’t think he’s ready for a diaper change yet.

Wade and I are beginning to feel like pros at this house hunting business. We saw three houses today, but this one was by far our favorite. We are going back tomorrow to look at it again.
617 N. 66th Street

It’s snowing in Milwaukee. I have never seen snow like this before – it just keeps coming. We are supposed to get 12-18 inches. The picture of Madison below isn’t blurry – that’s the snow.

After it finally stopped snowing (around 9 pm), Wade and I went for a walk. The snow was up to Madison’s chest and it was quite a hike, but what fun!

Wade and I spent the evening at an information session for international adoption. Bethany is just one of the organizations we have found in Milwaukee. I wasn’t very impressed with the presenter and most of the information I had already read online. That being said, ti was still nice to meet some people and see the organization.

Wade and I are destined not to find a church in Milwaukee. We had picked out a new one to try last week, but didn’t make it because Wade didn’t get to sleep till 5 am. This week we decided to try the same church again. We arrived at 11 am and realized church started at 10:30. Darn it.
We did look at a few more houses. The one below was by far our favorite, but once again the neighborhood is a little sketchy. Who put all these wonderful old houses in bad neighborhoods?
3002 W State St.