I'm not a cat person but...OMG!

Ok, my first attempt at before and after house pics...

OK so here goes nothing...the pictures weren't cooperating. The before pic is the one where the house is white with the nasty green awnings...the after is the brick. Ok...now I'll do some 'splainin. On the right hand side (where the tyvek wrapping is) is the extension that was built on...it's a 4 ft extension to make the master bed and bath bigger. The house was originally built around 1942 and it was a horrible yellow stucco. Over the stucco was what you see, nasty trailer park looking vinyl siding. The siding was just so gross...it wasn't even on the house in some places. Also, if you touched it, it would bend...it stood away from the house about 6 inches. The awnings were also just gross. The other major change done to the outside was the garage. Originally, it was a garage but then it was made into a room and now it's back to being a garage. The nice thing is that there is heat and central air down there since it was a room (we added the central air).

Ok, next....The front of the house is now all brick as you can see. The sides are shingles but they are vinyl. It really looks like a totally different house. This isn't a complete picture because since this was taken, there is now an iron railing and banister by the stairs. I don't know if you can tell but the porch and stairs are also new. They were concrete that was painted green. Now it's brick and slate. There is also now a mailbox, address numbers and a glass and iron awning over the door so you don't get wet in the rain. On the left side of the house is the deck and that's in the picture that has a lovely finger in the way. On the right side of the house is another deck with the hot tub (the hot tub is right outside my bedroom and there's a door there. :)) There is also an outdoor shower by the tub which you can see and now there is also a door to that deck so it's more closed to the outside.

I think I've rambled on enough...so that's about it. I'll try to get to the inside soon. I'm not quite sure where the before pics are so I have to keep looking. Oh and I managed to fall down the stairs inside the house already. That was fun...I was just a bit bruised but I'm fine.

Ok, time to play catch up...

So, I know...I disappeared. Well, I'm moved and somewhat unpacked. If I never see Home Depot again, it'll be too soon. I'm sorry but the people that work there just don't have a clue...well, most of em. Now Bob...he's a good guy and he was really helpful.

This is my first time living in a house and it's taking some getting used to. I already set off the burglar alarm by accident...oops. I did manage to turn in off in time so the cops didn't have to pay me a visit. Also, neighbors....they sure are friendly. I'm NOT used to this. You see....in Manhattan...you look down and don't acknowledge anyone else's presence. You live your life and they live theirs. Now, I get a wave and a how are you every day. It's nice. The people are nice. I'll get more into them in the future. So far, I only know a few. I also learned that there are some scary ass noises that you hear at night. I was convinced that some Norman Bates-esque person was outside my window the other night. I didn't look...I was scared to be face to face with anyone. I just hoped that if anything happened, the alarm would be tripped and I'd be ok. I did stay up til the sun rose though. I'm in the midst of re-reading Portnoy's Complaint so that kept me company. Yeah, I know....interesting company...what of it. Moving along....

Soon, I'll post some before and after pics of the house...I just have to get them organized. I have to organize the house first. Also, I have yet to jump in the hot tub. I'm not sure what I'm waiting for. It does look quit inviting...I must say. I'll get there. If nothing else, my mom and her bf are coming for mother's day and I'm having some company the weekend after so...I should get in that bad boy soon enough.

I've had an education about landscaping...kinda. What the hell do I know...Central Park was my lawn growing up. The Parks Dept took care of it. What do I know from trees and flowers other than the invincible house plant that I can't kill?

Lastly but absolutely NOT least...I met Loving Annie for tea at the St. Regis when she was in NY. Tea is not something I normally do but it was very nice though pricey....as you'd expect...it was $45 a person...so, not an every day thing. I had some lovely Lemon Verbena tea and yummy munchies....she did a really nice write up that even has pictures so go visit and take a look. :) We had a very nice time. Annie is really sweet...as I thought she would be from reading her blog all this time. I have to say...I felt like our time together flew...we had some great conversation. It was wonderful to hear about her recent travels to Europe and hear about what she had done so far in NY. I really love when people get to come here and see what the city has to offer.

So...I think that's about it for now. I took a break from organizing and re-organizing my kitchen because I was just getting fed up. Let's just say that things are not fitting where I wanted them. It's annoying but it's getting there. I guess. I miss everyone. Thanks for bearing with me in my absence. :)

A Quickie...

and not the good kind AT ALL...sorry I've been MIA. Computer is still fucked. I haven't been home at all. I've been running around like a lunatic working on my dad's house. It's almost done but it's getting insane. So, I am sorry I haven't been in the cyberworld at all but the real world is doing me in because it's taken away all my computer time. I try to check email once a day and sometimes that doesn't even happen. Once I'm moved and settled though, I'll be back. I think I'm moving on the 14th or 15th so...I hope to be around more soon. Miss everyone and hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to be better with email since I have been bad...the rest though...the blog, etc...yeah, that's just gonna have to wait til I move. OK...quickie over....hope you enjoyed! ;)

P.S. I have been trying to read blogs and stuff but commenting is just not happening. Sorry about that. I'm not ignoring anyone. :) Well...maybe some of you ;)

Quick update...

I found out a few days ago that Ro is not gonna make it so that totally sucks ass to put it mildly. Apparently, she's had several strokes and loss of oxygen and blood to her brain so even if she did wake up from the coma, she'd be a vegetable basically...I can't tell you how much this sucks and how angry it makes me but I'm sure you can imagine. The other thing that kinda gets me is that this is the second friend who I was supposed to call and then the next day, tragedy struck. I was supposed to call Ro the day before she went to the hospital. We never spoke. That bothers me. When I was 22, a good friend from HS was in school in Berkely and while driving, she was hit by a mack truck and was killed instantly, I was supposed to call her the day before that happened. So, basically...I'm not gonna put off phone calls anymore. I know it's a somewhat trivial thing but it's really gotten to me. That's that update.

As for my computer...obviously not at all as important at Ro but still a pain in the ass...it died. I put in a new hard drive and now I can't connect to my wireless. I can connect to every other wireless but mine. I was on the phone with verizon for like 5 hours and made multiple trips to circuit city. I hate the computer. It's aggravating me.

Oh and lastly...I am SO wrapped up in this Gov. (well almost former Gov.) Spitzer thing. Everyone I used to work with in the Senate is all over it. It's pretty good political gossip. Come on...80 grand on hookers. Well, he can afford it. Side note...some of you may know but others might not...Spitzer's brother performed my spinal surgery...this whols scandal ALMOST makes me want to have some issues again so I could have reason to make an appt. I won't go that far though, I'm happy that my back is fine. But oh...that would be kinda fun. I have to admit.

Well, I'm off. I've been using an old computer of my dad's that is so slow that it drives me insane. I can double click on IE and then do about 12 things before the web page actually opens. I just can't be bothered. So, I'm just checking email really. Hope everyone is doing well. Miss you guys.

Watch Make Me a Supermodel...

I will admit that I've been watching this stupid show but it is amusing....I got a cool email the other day though. My mom's boyfriend's nephew's girlfriend (I know, I know) owns a vintage clothing store here in NYC. Well, she and the store are going to be on tonight's episode of Make Me A Supermodel onj Bravo. I thought that was pretty cool. Shannon, the owner of the store is a really cool chick and she's super talented. She started ths store from practically nothing and it's become a booming business. She works with a lot of stytlists and dresses a lot of celebs as well. She also supplied clothes for some movies.

She lent me a dress for a rehearsal dinner last year. It was beautiful...vintage Belenciaga. OMG, totally gorgeous and all I had to do was dry clean it so that worked out really well for me. I got SO many compliments on the dress and it was fun to tell people that it was designer and vintage.

The store is beautiful and Shannon has just put so much work into it. Each item has a handwritten tag on it that describes the garment, says what year it's from, the designer and anything else that might be interesting. They tags are really pretty and you can just see how much work Shannon puts in. I felt like she deserved a shout out.

This is the store info:
New York Vintage117 W 25th StNew York, NY zip codePhone: (212) 647-1107
http://newyorkvintage.com/
Take a look.

Oh and my bad news...because of course there's always some...for those who don't know...my computer died Tuesday night. I'm told it's on life support. I hope it can be fixed. We'll see. I will say that I feel like I lost an appendage since my computer was always on it was always within arms reach in the living room. I always multi task and am online while I watch tv at night...I think I'm going through withdrawal. That's it for now...over and out.

Another wonderful week begins....

Well, the good news...my cousin's twins had their first birthday party on Sunday. It was nice to see them so cute and happy after all they went through being born so early. They arrived at 29 weeks for those who need a refresher. I don't have any pics yet but when I get some, I'll post em. They're still little for a year old...just to give you an idea...Isabella's party dress was a size 3-6 mos. Jacob is a little bigger but not much. They're little munchkins but cute nonetheless.

My dad had cataract surgery today. He's doing well...he had the 1st eye done December 17th. Not such a huge deal but spending the day in the hospital is just not fun. At least Susan was there to keep my company. I went to get my dad some water after the surgery and was asked if I wanted some...I declined and the woman asked if my mom wanted some...I told her I didn't know, I'd have to call her and ask. I think she felt kinda stupid since Susan's my dad's girlfriend and not my mom but I thought it was funny. I never understood why people just always assume. Don't they know the saying that assuming just makes an ass out of you and me? Anyway...dad's home resting and I get to play chauffeur for the next week or so...until he is able to resume his own driving....fun stuff.

Lastly but certainly not least...I got some new news on my friend Ro, the one who had the aneurysm in LA. Unfortunately, I didn't get good news. She's no longer in an induced coma...she just hasn't woken up. So, the doctors are not really pleased with that. They've been doing tests to check her brain function and she's not responding well to these tests. So, the doctors will wait and retest because sometimes it takes more time for some people to regain their brain function. I wasn't happy to get this news...obviously but Ro is a fighter and I have to believe that she's gonna pull through. Also, the doctors are going to have to perform a tracheotomy because she's in the coma and she may need a ventilator to make sure her lungs are getting the air they need. I guess the pneumonia has some effect on them. She's been getting a lot of visitors and that makes me happy since I'm not able to be one of them. I want to go out there but I'd rather go when she's awake. I have to just keep a positive attitude and keep hoping and praying for the best.

The other great thing is that a few of her friends opened a bank account for her because well, money isn't coming in. Her last job was doing some freelancing. Though she has medical insurance, she doesn't have money coming in and she's been supporting her mom. When her mom retired, she moved to LA to live with Ro and she basically just has her social security. I'm so thankful she's got such amazing friends who are close to her and have been there for her mom as well. I also feel a little better because now I can at least do something for her since I can't send anything to the ICU. I can help her out a little financially. I can't do much but at least I can do a little. She really is an amazing friend. We've only been friends about a year and a half but she's made such an impact on my life and she's just been an amazing friend. I can't tell you how many times I go to email, call or text her something because something reminds me of her or it's something I know she'll want to know or she'll just laugh at. I can't wait til I get my friend back. I really miss her. Get better Ro! Now damnit!

I guess that's about all I have to report for now.

Sleepwalking...

As a kid I used to sleepwalk ALL the time. I would leave my apartment and just walk up and down the halls. My parents and my neighbors came to expect it so I was always returned promptly.

In sleepaway camp, I once left my bunk and caused quite a stir. I had most of the camp up in the middle of the night looking for me. Turns out I left my bunk and walked across to another bunk and found an empty bed and curled up in it and continued to sleep. I had NO idea what happened. I was about 6. I woke up with one of the male head counselors holding me and carrying me back to my bunk. Oops. It didn't happen again in camp but I know I did give everyone a scare since I was just gone for a few hours.

As I got older, I didn't really sleepwalk anymore. It just seemed to stop. There were times where I would be half awake kind of and get up but I never remembered. I was always told later.

Last night the sleepwalking came back. I woke up around 4am and my room was really warm and I was uncomfortable so I went to the living room and set up camp on the couch with a pillow and blanket. I remember going back to sleep on the couch since I was really sleepy. I woke up in my bed this morning. I have absolutely NO recollection of going back to my bed. My pillow and the blanket were also back in my bed. I remember NONE of this. I woke up all startled because last I had remembered, I was on the couch. It really was a shock because nothing like this has happened to me in like 10-15 years....at least that I can recall. I wonder why all of a sudden this came back. I wonder if it'll happen again. I guess I'll find out.

This week just sucks ass...

I thought I had gotten all the bad news I was gonna get this week....nope. I got a call this afternoon that my friend's mom died this morning. NO idea what happened. She had breast cancer several years ago but she was in remission. I have NO idea what happened. Funeral is tomorrow though. I feel so bad...I just saw her at my friend's wedding in December. Totally sucks.

As for my friend in LA...she's in surgery again. Apparently, the drs were afraid of a stroke and her brain was swelling so they are removing a portion of her skull to allow for the swelling. Here's the thing that was REALLY odd to me...they put the piece of skull in the abdomen for safe keeping. Eventually, she'll need a 3rd surgery to put the piece of skull back. Just nuts if you ask me. Hard to wrap my head around but I just hope everything is ok. So, she's in surgery as I type and I hope it goes well.

As we all know...bad things happen in 3s...well, I really hope that isn't the case this week. I've had enough bad news to last a LONG time.

Well, that's my life at the moment. Fun fun fun...

I'm taking a break...

Unfortunately, I got some really bad news today. A good friend of mine is in critical condition in the ICU with a brain aneurysm. She's stable but it's still not great. I'm told she's going to have some non invasive procedure to try to fix it and if that doesn't work...surgery. The doctors are optimistic...or so I'm told but it's still a rough road ahead. Honestly, I feel kind of numb at the moment as well as feeling a bit impotent since she's in LA and I'm here in NY. I feel like there's absolutely nothing I can do but hope everything is ok. Anyway...I just really don't feel like posting but I'll be back. So please...everyone just hope she's ok and put her in your prayers or whatever it is you do. I appreciate it.

UPDATE: First off, thanks guys...second...she had surgery, she's ok and stable. She'll be in the ICU for at least 2 weeks but it looks like she'll be ok. So far she's been sedated and on pain pills and she's a bit of a demanding patient but it's all good. I hope to try and make a quick trip out to LA when she's feeling better and up to seeing people. :)