September 12, 2006

• Things have been busy around here, but definitely getting more organized. We are starting to get back into the swing and pattern of the girls in school again, doing the homework at night, etc. It helps a lot to have the girls home right after school rather than at 5 or 6 pm. There is a lot less pressure to try to do the homework, play and still get to bed at a reasonable hour. I also make sure to have at least 30 minutes each night to read a book to them. I really like that time, cuddled between the two of them as I share some of my favorite childhood books. Last night, we started the first of the Nancy Drew books and they both seem very into the story.

  Today I organized the whole garage, tearing down boxes from the move (to save to move things out of the old house, once Gene is out), sorting things, organizing a bunch of stuff for Salvation Army to pick up, etc. Joe assembled two bike holders as well. The end result, a very neat garage and you can find everything! Yeah!

  Then I headed over to the Social Security office to apply for a name change. I had called the night before and after 30+ minutes on hold, I was told they don't give appointments for that, that I should just go into the office. Today I went to print out the PDF version of the form and found my Adobe Reader had become corrupt. I tried to reinstall it, but had the same problems. So then I rolled way back, totally uninstalling the software and then doing an install from scratch. That did the trick and I was finally able to get my form. Once at their offices, I learned that Social Security offices are apparently a huge red bullseye for terrorists. A prison guard stopped everyone entering, demanding photo I.D. to sit in one of the old sticky seats in the waiting room, but only after a speech where he told us we were not allowed drinks or electronics in the waiting area. It was like trying to get on a plane, but no interesting destination at the end. Anyhow, over an hour later, my number was finally called and I had my 5 minutes with a grumpy federal worker who quizzed me on where I was born and what my father's full name was,  just in case I was one of  those sneaky illegals trying to get a card. In two weeks, I should have the actual card, then I can move on to getting a new driver's license at DMV.

  This afternoon, I started to sort all the files, tossing out old and/or irrelevant data, finding the documents we need for Joe's immigration visa and just trying to figure out where everything was and get it in some sort of organized manner so it will be easier to find things in the future. There is still a lot of that to do. Joe wants me to organize all his paperwork in our office as well, so I will be tabbing for awhile.

  Tomorrow is back-to-school night for the girls, but otherwise not too much on my plate. One of my big jobs still left in the house is organizing my closet. It ended up being a dumping ground for a number of noncritical boxes when we moved and I still need to unpack, sort and organize all that. Bleh. But it can wait for another day.

  Oh and I did get to work on minis for part of Sunday and part of  Monday! I did a bunch of landscaping around my thatched 1:48 cottage, put lace curtains in the windows and window boxes with flowers under the two lower windows. I also made a kitchen table and decorated to look like someone was getting ready to make a pie. For the living room I made a small arm chair and upholstered it in a tiny green plaid print. I had never tried to upholster a chair only 1/2 inch tall, it was a bit of a challenge! I want to have two chairs, but I will save the second chair for a bit, when the memory of the first is not so vivid!

  Saturday is the monthly mini meeting. I have said I will go, but the last two times I said I was going, it didn't happen. Perhaps three is a charm and I will really get to go this time. And perhaps I will be up to that second arm chair and tiny bits of fabric to upholster it. Perhaps.

  Anyhow, it is about time to do bedtime stories and see what Nancy Drew is up to. Hope everyone is well. In regards to the comments about our wedding: 1) Joe is wearing the tartan of the Armstrong clan. Armstrong is my maiden name and family clan. 2) We were married at the Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo in San Diego County. Afterwards, we went to the Rancho Bernardo Inn for dinner and that is where the photos with the fountains were taken.

  • 10:22 pm
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