A Hard Day's Work

Most of you are aware that my husband and I foolishly purchased a foreclosure home in August 2010. Not foolishly because there have been so many problems with the house. Foolishly because there is so much cosmetic work to do.

Today I hired some help to pull out some dead shrubs and overgrown grasses. My mom, Tommy and I have already spent countless hours in the backyard. There is so much more to do. Below are the pictures from when we first moved in. Tomorrow I will try to get some updated pictures. I'd say we are about 40% done with the outside, and it is looking great! Tomorrow we will probably spend another 5-7 hours outside. Also, hired the same help to come remove another seven shrubs. It seems extreme to remove all of those shrubs, but because the house was empty for nearly two years the shrubs got overgrown and now do not look good.

I am hoping to have my pool open in two weeks!!! My original goal was May 1. I think I'll be lucky to get it open by the 15th but I'm going to keep trying. In the meantime, its barely 9pm, and I am ready for bed.

Good Night!

A Typical Day....

The following conversation took place between me "D" and a potential client "PC" today:

D: Its my understanding you are looking for representation for a speeding ticket you received this week.
PC: Correct.
D: Who wrote you the ticket?
PC: A police officer.
D: No, I mean what jurisdiction wrote you the ticket?
PC: Oh, I don't know.
D: Well, where were you at when you got the ticket?
PC: Oh, I get it. A Polk County Sheriff wrote the ticket.
D: What was the posted speed limit?
PC:  35
D: What did he write the ticket for?
PC: 45
D: How fast were you going?
PC: Oh at least 55.
D: Is that what he clocked you at?
PC: Yah, and then he wrote it down to 45.
D: What is it that you believe your defense is?
PC: I just don't want to pay it.
D: Let me make sure I understand you correctly. You were going 20 over the speed limit. The officer kindly wrote you down ten miles per hour. And your only defense to the ticket is that you do not want to pay it?
PC: Well, I also didn't see the cop. Don't they have to be sitting in an obvious place if they are going to ticket you?
D: I don't think I can take you on as a client. Have a nice day.

Thankful Thursday

I am copying a theme from one of my favorite blogs that uses Thursday's posts to show appreciation and thankfulness for the things in her life.

I just got done with a home visit for a guardianship matter that I was appointed. It reminded me how thankful I am to have two loving parents who worked hard to provide things for me, didn't drink alcohol, didn't do drugs, didn't molest me or allow other family members to molest me, and motivated me to be the person I am today. It was not really until I became an attorney that I realized it is a privilege to have not only one, but two, loving and supportive parents. The truth is that many kids never get a chance in life.

I am also thankful for so many wonderful friends. Life is so much easier when you have friends like mine. Even though I may not see many of these friends for periods of weeks or months, I am always thinking about them, and I feel the same support from them.

Lastly, I am thankful for Spring and Summer. I self-diagnosed a mild form of seasonal depression. It usually subsides around April and it feels wonderful to see the sun and spend time outside!

BIRTHDAY

I heart birthdays.

I had a majority of my day off of work. My mom, Tommy and I worked out in the yard. I am getting excited with the progress we are making on the house and looking forward to opening up the pool in a few weeks. Tommy brought some flowers home which are beautiful. If my cell phone werent dead from all the usage today I would post a pic. Also, the majority of the inside of my house is now painted. I am in the process of putting together a before and after photobook. I hope to be able to share those photos with you soon!

Here are some highlights of my birthday week:

1. All the texts, calls, emails and facebook posts wishing me a happy birthday.
2. All the lunches and dinners I have had with friends and family this week.
3. Hearing one my friends say when referring to a vitamin she is taking "I have to take that vitamin at night. I used to take it in the morning but it made me sick. At first I thought I felt sick because I had to go to work, but it turns out it was just the vitamin."
4. Listening to Tommy teach Anthony a Japanese song today. Every time I sing to or with Anthony he says "stop-a singing Auntie Dawn."
5. NOT going into the office today.

Here is hoping my 28th year has been as blessed as my first 27!!

New Blog and Easter Brunch

Inspired by many friends who are regular bloggers themselves, I decided it was time to start my own blog. I'm somewhat uncertain of the success of this blog given that the blogs I read of my friends usually largely encompass post about the children. Luckily I have an awesome nephew I can brag about on the blog until Tommy and I show a lapse in judgment and decide to have our own.

Although my nephew swears I'm his "favorite aunt" it can be somewhat difficult to bribe him to stay at my house without his mom or his grandma. In fact, tonight my sister and mom were both at my house. When my sister went to leave Anthony said "I want to go to Mommy's house." Anthony loves my front load wash machine and I had waited all day to do my laundry until he came over. I told him we still had two more loads of laundry to do that I could not possibly complete without him. He agreed to stay.  A little while later when my mom was getting ready to leave he told us "I want to go sleep at Grammy's house." This time I had to bribe him with a bubble bath.

During his bath, Anthony and I had the following conversation:

Anthony: "I saw two stars in the sky- one - two. I cant reach the stars. It is too high. I need a ladder."
Me: "Should we get Mommy's ladder."
Anthony: "No, lets get Grandpa's ladder. It is in the garage."

Tomorrow is Easter! Tommy and I always make a big Easter Brunch. I just got done putting together the last few recipes. Tomorrow's menu includes Cheesy Hashbrowns, Honey Ham, Bacon, Omelets and Fresh Fruit. Also, we are adding a few new dishes inspired by our recent trip to Las Vegas and brunch at the Bellagio. They are: Chocolate Hazelnut Banana French toast and Champagne. If they turn out decent I'll post a pic.

Happy Easter!