Robo Blog

Correction to Building Update #6

Completion date as previously reported in "Building Update #6" was incorrect...the expected completion date is September 2007 NOT September 2008!  Good catch Megan!

Building Update #6

We broke ground!  Yes, they have officially started excavating our lot!  Nobody is happier than Steve and I.   Now is the long waiting game...14 months until we will be complete (so we are told)...that will be late September 2008!  Can't happen fast enough as far as I am concerned!  BTW...we even have a port-a-potty!

We are on Vacation! Report #1

Life does not get much better than this!!!  We are on our annual family Summer Vacation...just like the Greenwald's (sans the amusement park destination)! The two week adventure began with Matt and I heading to the mountains first...in separate cars!!!  Yes, Matt drove his Honda to Tahoe.  He did a great job, except he never answered his cell phone when I called him to check on him...the reason he explained was that he had his windows open and music blasting!  Funny though, when he needed a bathroom stop (which was twice...for once it wasn't me!!!) he was able to use his phone!

Matt & I enjoyed some wonderful Mother/Son time together.  We laughed at things, chatted about life, school, friendships, partying & girls.  All subjects that I was interested in and had "life lesson" comments about.  He is an articulate, funny, handsome young man and I REALLY enjoyed this time together.  It has made me realize how fast time does go by, and before you know it they are out the door!  The funniest thing happened at one of our dinners out, Matt had a major food mishap.  Those that know him, this will come as no surprise to you.  We were at dinner at Jake's in Tahoe City, Matt ordered Tomato Soup as his first course.  The soup arrived and Matt decided that he wanted to "dip" his bread in it.  Well, Matt did more than dip, he actually tosses his entire dinner roll into the soup with such velocity that it splatter all over himself, the white tablecloth, the wall and the window!  Of course being tomato soup, there was no covering up the evidence!  Matt's face revealed a combination of embarrassment and near hysteria...I think he was concerned as to how I would react, and much to his surprise, I laughed my ass off!!!  My response sent Matt in to laughing spasms as well, causing the surrounding diners and restaurant staff around us to wonder what the heck was so funny.  He was a good sport. It takes a strong person to be able to laugh at themselves...an wonderful trait! The waiter came over and gave Matt some club soda to clean off his shirt...there was another life lesson he learned...who needs a Tide Spot Removing pen when you have good old fashioned club soda!!!

Steve and Sarah arrived a few days behind us. We were very happy to see them.  Steve had told me that the car was "packed to the rim", which surprised me when it was just the two of them.  When we began to unpack the car, here's what I found (mind you this is for a two week trip and I had already brought up ALL the food):

• 12 bottles of wine (the most important cargo next to Steve and Sarah)
• Sarah's 2 LARGE suitcases (one was specifically dedicated to shoes...like mother, like daughter, the other one had 15 tank tops, 8 skirts, 4 shorts, 10 t-shirts, lingerie to fill a Victoria Secret store...obviously packing light is note words in Miss Sarah's vocab)
• Bed pillows
• Two sets of golf clubs
• Steve's suitcase (small...not like Sarah's)
• Sarah's personal bedding (why?  Not sure!!!)
• Sarah's book bag (with more clothing!!!)
• Sarah's toiletry bag (about the size of a backpack)
• Sarah's make-up bag (also about the size of a backpack)
• 1 laptop, 2 IPODS and an assortment of cables

Lot's of stuff just stuffed in the car!

Our friends the Fletcher's arrived in grand style on Tuesday night.  Bearing yet MORE wine!  You can imagine how much fun our evenings have been.  The Dads are playing in the Lahontan Golf Tournament, the teenage boys are playing golf whenever they can, the Mom's are talking and giggling constantly, the teenage girls are primping, spa-ing and shopping! Vacation could not get much better!

More escapades to follow....

Five by Five

This is a meme...from my sister Megan I apparently have to do this as this is like a blog chain letter!

5 Things in my Freezer:

Ice cubes

Toothpaste...don't ask!

Fred's Steak

8 Lime Green Individual Mini Martini Shakers (great for Margaritas too)

Tequila

5 Things in my Closet:

109 pairs of shoes (that does not include boots)

Flash Light

37 Handbags

Dust bunnies

Dirty clothes hamper

5 Things in my car:

Desk (it's going to Goodwill)

Golf balls with my husbands face stamped on it.

Empty water bottle

Stuff to return to Bed Bath & Beyond (love that place!)

Japanese paper umbrellas (Why??? Not sure!)

5 items in my purse:

Vitamins

Post-it notes

Jack sock...only one!

Loose change

Cell phone ear piece

Tag five people (I only know 4):

Rifka Greathead

Zach Taylor

Michelle Matthews

Lori Geary

Unplanned House Repairs

OK...our house is now 9 years old and all of a sudden, things are breaking!  Let's start with two toilets in a week!  Last Friday, the powder room toilet basically just stopped working...nothing coming in and nothing going out...NOTHING!  We call the plumber he comes out and fixes it..easy, quick...$150!  Then Sunday, Matt informs me that his toilet is leaking...we call the plumber (we are now on first a name basis)...again he comes out (another service call$$), fixes the toilet...easy, quick..another $150!  BTW...KOEHLER toilets SUCK!  So if you are planning on getting one...don't! According to my plumber (notice I use the word "my" because he is now here more than the kids!) they are "shitty"...since that is what you do in one I can't see the problem...but I don't fix them, I just use them!  Just when I think I am rid of "plumber butt" exposure...today...my kitchen sink backs up...nothing going down the drain...AT ALL!  So once again, I call my new "dependent"...out he comes...we need a new disposal...$200!  Then, as he is installing the new disposal and testing the pipes...he finds a leak!!!  Off he runs to the hardware store to purchase the necessary pipe that he doesn't have in the back of his enormous plumbing truck (why not I ask myself?)...finally...all is fixed $660 later!!! What's next?  My guess is the water heater...I'm taking bets!  In my next career I may consider plumbing, you can charge loads of money($108 an hour to be exact), wear a baseball cap and show your butt crack all you want!

Building Update #5

Still no building permit!  This is so frustrating!  I guess we have to "imagine" the end product!  Albert Einstein once said..."Imagination is more important than knowledge.  Knowledge is limited.  Imagination encircles the world."  Here's to having a good imagination! Keep your fingers crossed that we get a permit before snow falls!

Mans Best Friend

I can honestly say, that Matt (my son) & Kobi (our dog) are best buds!  The two of them are like peas in a pod.  Matt says that Kobi is the kind of dog you'd find living in a frat house "cuz he's chillin".  Must be the spotted tongue!

You can always Kobi hanging out in Matt's room...typically on his bed.  When Matt is away, Kobi is moppie and misses his bud.  Ahhh...a boy and his dog is a good thing!

To Extend? or Not to Extend? That is the question...

I got removable extensions and I am having so much fun with them.  I have been met with mixed emotions...specifically from my teens. 

Without extensions:                                                                     

                                                                                                With extensions:

What's the verdict?   Now I don't have to go through the agonizing time of growing out my hair! 

Building Update

Still waiting for permits from the building department...it has been over 5 weeks...SLOW!!!