I Heart NY

Other than maybe a quaint town tucked somewhere in Europe, I can't imagine a better place to be than at Christmas time in New York. There is magic in that city. Add a 45-degree evening, wool coat and scarf, some 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' mood music, and someone to enjoy it with - ahhh.

I came off Thanksgiving with anxious anticipation to start playing Christmas music, hang some lights, and make soup. I'm losing it though. I need some New York, that might do the trick.

Come on now..

My last post might have been a smidge harsh, but hey, blogs are a blank canvas, right? We have made a true effort to have those obligatory "we're new, what's your name" conversations with all our neighbors as we see them outside. So the childish part is that someone couldn't find some courage and knock on our door. I'd be pretty open to discussing when my dogs are disrupting you and do my very best to keep the terrors at bay. If you have kids that go to bed early, sure, I'll try to keep the dogs inside or take them with me. Seriously, help me out a little.

To my neighbors...

Get some balls and don't send me a fucking anonymous letter saying "Please do something with your barking dogs. Thanks, Your Neighbor."

Grow up. At least have the courtesy to come over and introduce yourself and your complaints so I could tell you to get a fucking life to your face. Now, you have introduced a problem I have no way of remedying becuase you have not given me enough information to help you out. I don't intend to lock my dogs in the bathroom for 10 hours a day so, please, tell me if you are an over-bearing, uptight nurse who sleeps lighter than a feather during the days, I will be sure to keep my dogs out during those hours. Ugh.

Thankful.

This year has been no exception in the blessing department. I'm not naive to forget the valleys or that I reached the peaks because of them, but my year in review shines bright. I could use this post to list all I am thankful for, but in reality, those blessings only mean something to me rather than anyone who reads this.

However, I will share what I consider to be the greatest blessing of 2010 - little brother found a job. It's difficult to see someone, your family, directionless with a degree and no one to appreciate it. Five years of dedication, studying, and maybe a little partying, yet no where to go but home. I am truely proud of Nick for keeping positive and now, not only employed, but employed 6 hours away, braving a new environment and job. Kudos to little brother!

May Your Season Be Bright

If you are in need of some Christmas cheer, may I suggest James Taylor's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." The way that song eases you into a Christmas spirit has not a close rival of any cheery tune. It just makes you want to wear flannel, make a fire, and unpack Christmas decorations.

103.7 is playing Christmas music! 103.7 is playing Christmas music! And apparently the radio DJ's love Mr. Taylor as much as I do cosidering how many times they have already given him air time. Christmas perfection.

The NEW Rickner Residence

Sheesh, tackling a move really makes you fall off the map. We sucessfully closed last Friday on the house, not without a hiccup of course. Little issue with the property survey and a utility line and easement that was not noted. The bank had ASSURED me the underwriters would not find this to be an issue, but guess what?! Banks lie. We survived though and the Rickners have a new address.

I'm in love - absolutely in love - with our new house. Sitting in my new living room, I think back to all the houses we looked at - even the one we put our first offer on - nothing suits us better than the one we ended with. It's us.

We've had a few additions to the new house already - none that go in the green room though. I got a new washer and dryer - fancy front loaders. Laundry is fun again. They even sing a little chime-song when they're done. No one actually took me up on my Facebook offer, but I'm still accepting takers. If you'll bring dinner to my house, I'll do your laundry. :)

If you remember, we now have a gameroom to furnish. Bo was planting the TV bug so I gave him a budget and told him he could get whatever he had the money for. Well, his luck and timing could not come at the same time any better if he had planned it. He saw a news blip announcing an early bird special at Wal-Mart Saturday morning so we scoped it out Friday night and indeed the sale would be happening the next day at 8AM. We braved the morning chill Saturday and posted up in the electronics section at 7AM. A few other people had the same idea and the short panic of a Black Friday epidemic crossed my mind. There weren't near that many folks but a 55" inch TV was the biggest they had on sale and in Bo's budget so we were after 1 of the 5 prized. Luckily, we were the first people there and our gameroom now houses a TV larger than any woman would see necessary. But, we did get about 30% off so any financially conscious woman would concede.

Finally, we did some painting. The beginning of LOTS of painting. The gameroom was our first amateur attempt. Below the chair rail was previously baby blue and begging to be Oklahoma Crimson. That color actually does exist. Home Depot conveniently publishes a sporting team pamphlet with all teams colors in a gallon-size can. Two gallons of Oklahoma Crimson later and Bo's manroom got a dramatic update. Looks pretty good if I do say so. When I find my camera cord, I'll post some pictures.