Monday, November 12, 2007

I said I would attend the birthday party several months ago, then forgot about it. Yesterday was the day . I didn't want to go, but I had purchased a card and put money in it. I was obligated to go. It was Spence's grandson's first birthday. His mom made it into a big deal. Spence picked me up. We went to the birthday party, filled with Spence's relatives. It turned out to be a wonderful party. The mom and dad of the birthday boy went to a lot of thought. There were plates of munchies all over. One table was set up as a bar. Later, pasta and salad were served. There were two cakes!
The best part was watching Sam...now age one. Most children at that age get over tired and cranky...or hyper with excitement. Sam took it all in...completely calm. He smiled at the gifts...especially a big monkey that delighted him. Sam laid on it, perfectly happy.
When my daughter was one, I gave her a cake. The cake was torn apart, daughter a mess of chocolate, followed by distress cries ...her hands were all sticky. She didn't like it.
Compare that to Sam, who politely stuck one finger in his cake, tasted the frosting and went back for another fingerful. I've never seen such neatness and restraint...a one year old eating his birthday cake.
There were a few young children at the party. Brenda (Mom of birthday boy) bought a pinata for them. She gave all the children colored bags. There were ribbons hanging from the airplane pinata. One ribbon opened it. Toys and candy fell out. The children scooped up their prizes. Wasn't Brenda thoughtful? Little Sam was too little to open his presents, so Brenda got the other children to help with the wrappings. She involved them in the festivities, so they wouldn't get bored and race around, annoying the adults. Brenda is a teacher working full time. Her skill with young children is apparent. I admire any working mom. It is a lot of work and not enough time to get every thing done. She has a wonderful, supportive partner in Spence's son, Jason. They work together, not against each other. It is so wonderful to be aware of this.
The gathering was made up of personally successful people...unlike my own family. (This distresses me.) Spence's family is sports minded. Some play golf, they are interested in U Conn Women's basketball. Some are musicians. One is a banker, another a serious painter. Spence reports that there is an Olympic swimmer in his ancestry. His son is a triathlon athelete. Every body swims and boats, even if they don't own a boat. I enjoyed being exposed to the crowd. I think they accepted me. I also think they expected something from me....to make Spence happy, but that is a topic for another day. Anyways, Spence is loved and admired by his family. What a support system that man has.
After the party, Spence offered to help me paint the edge of my stairs. Russo Floors removed the quarter round molding, exposing an unpainted strip. It had to be painted before the carpet arrives...today! We got the painting done. It dried overnight and the carpet arrives today.
After the carpet installation, Chris and I have to buy gasoline and groceries for him....until his first check comes in. I have to get the key for the rental house to the agent....details...details.

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Friday, November 09, 2007

Maybe it is because the weather is changing. Maybe it is because of daylight savings time...or maybe it is anticipating Thanksgiving, Christmas and high heat bills. Whatever the reason, I want every thing done now. Chris and Stephen will be out by the weekend. Chris has most of his things over at the Melba Street house. He was considerate. He tore his bed apart and washed the sheets. Stephen never thought about leaving a clean bed and a clean room. Instead, he acts imposed upon. I ignore the attitude.
It is time for house projects. A chair goes to out to be reupholstered.
The old Bengal stove is replaced with a new one from Sears. I have to get used to this new appliance in my kitchen. How come the grates are set so high over the burners?
Then I called in the floor man. Ron sent me to a flooring showroom. You had to make an appointment to go in. A saleslady showed me rug samples. I found what I wanted. It got ordered. Ron will get the call to pick up the carpet when it comes in. He will install it on the stairs and landing . It should look pretty nice. The color scheme is the same as the one on the stairs to the basement, except the basement stairs is paint. The upstairs is carpet...same color.
Today, I met with my favorite real estate agent. Debbie found a very nice tenant for my house in Orange. His lease is up the end of this month. I signed the contract that allows her to find another tenant for my antique home. Looking for a new tenant is nerve wracking to me. You never know what you will get....like a box of chocolates. There are tenants from hell out there. The only leverage I have is that I don't have to rent to someone with a history of distroying property or a history of not paying rent. They have to have a good credit rating. I comply with all tenant/landlord laws. I've rented to a mix race couple, a single man from Thiland, divorced man, unmarried couple, couple with children. If they take good care of the property, are clean and have a history of paying , plus a good credit rating, then I will rent to them. I am in contact with a couple from India with two children. We exchange letters. They haven't lived in our state, in my house, for many years. Tenants usually leave my rentals on good terms with me because I do right by them and they do right by me. On the other hand, there were a few who tried to stiff me. We went to housing court and I won, of course. I don't fool around with a business situation. So now, Debbie will look for another good tenant.
While I wait to interview prospective tenants, Ron has a job to do. My floor man will make a repair to the kitchen vinyl . The house will look good. It usually does. I feel like an administrator, administrating my life, planning the details, looking at the budget, directing staff.

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