He finally carved out Saturday to build a large portion on the fence. Since it’s not a task he can complete by himself, he called my brothers and his brothers to help.

No one was available.

He looked at me, his last hope (his very last and desperate hope since I’m afraid of sunshine, bees, saw blades, splinters, and manual labor)… and said, ‘Hon, do you think you could help me out this weekend? I need strong helpers but everyone is busy.’

I thought about pulling the ‘I’m recovering from pneumonia’ card but quickly decided I should make an attempt at being a decent human being.

We worked together for a few hours. I drew lines on the beams and things seemed to be going well until he started calling out construction terms when measuring.

‘142 – 3 strong!’ He yelled.

‘Hut hut hike?’ I asked confused. Were we playing football?

Things only went downhill from there. I tripped repeatedly, accidentally broke boards, misfired the nail gun, and inaccurately measured several times.

Fortunately, his brother freed up his afternoon and stopped by to help for a few hours. His brother knows construction terminology and they moved like a set of skilled craftsmen. I was demoted to weed puller and water girl for the afternoon.

Despite the botched morning, the fence is nearly done and it’s beautiful thanks to the hard work of my husband and his brother. It’s times like these that I am thankful for the talented men in my life. Without them, I’d be a mess. Well… more of a mess than I already am.

And in case you were doubting the stability or reliability of our old fence… photos are more valuable than words…

and the last photo – the saw blade start to our new fence.

I’m working a temporary night job. At this point, I’m not turning anything down.

Sleep can wait until my husband is gainfully employed.

I’ll be sure to post tomorrow.

They let us escape the office 3 hours early yesterday (another reason to be thankful) so I went on a 2 hour hike in preparation for the food fest today. I thought maybe I could squeak out another run today but… I ate a chorizo burrito, a dozen mini pickles, and a slice of cheesecake. There will be no running today.

Be thankful for your blessings and… try not to eat too much.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

San Diego mass transit won an award for the most on time performance… something I was resentful of as I ran down the platform this morning chasing – and missing my train.

I caught the next one – which promptly broke down two stops later.

I showed up a record 30 minutes late for work because the functioning train was stuck behind the broken one.

I spilt hot chocolate on my skirt from shivering on the side of the tracks.

Then, I tripped down the hallway at work and broke my shoe.

All before 9AM.

Clearly…

I should have stayed in bed today.

How was your Monday?

Just a note, if your comment does not immediately appear, it is likely labeled as a ‘spam’ comment. I review the comments labeled as spam every other day and approve them – unless they refer to Viagra, Nigerian Lottery Winnings, or Olestra.

I typically don’t dress up for this holiday (something about being over the age of 12 – the official last year a person can dress up without feeling silly), but my brother is throwing a Halloween party and I’m fairly certain he would kick me out of my own home if I didn’t at least smudge on some black eyeliner.

I don’t have the desire to spring for a $75 polyester outfit with less fabric than a string bikini so I’m wearing something I already own…

*Cue Rocky theme song*

My kickboxing gear from college.

This will serve dual purposes:

1.) A free costume.

2.) A deterrent for potential toilet paperists who are angry over the lousy Chiclet gum selection since we can’t afford the good candy this year.

Have a good and safe holiday.

I’ve been embracing this as my last chance to go running after work and have been pushing harder than usual. My poor dogs are tuckered out. I have a feeling they are ready to welcome winter as a reprieve from my shouts of ‘Run!’

Enjoy these last two days of ‘summer’.

Go for a walk. Let the sun kiss your face.

Make sure you give summer a proper goodbye.

I expected his benefits to expire but I did not expect the high cost to maintain his health insurance through COBRA. We’re looking at $250 a month for an active healthy guy who hasn’t been to the hospital for a medical reason since birth.

This expense isn’t an option for us. It’s either healthcare or our mortgage payment and since healthcare won’t keep us sheltered at night… it lost.

In light of this, I have restricted him from doing anything dangerous. He is officially banned from riding a dirt bike, surfing near sharks, standing on ladders, and clipping his toe nails. I have also encased him in bubble wrap and tied large sofa cushions to his stomach.

I think it will work.

He’s been dealing with a constant barrage of advice from his divorced co-workers – all telling him he’s making a mistake getting married. Not because he’s marrying the wrong girl, but because they think marriage in general is a mistake.

To my brother,

I remember how nervous I was on my wedding day. I wasn’t sure if my marriage would work. I was scared to fail at something so big.

Five years later, I can tell you this…

It’s worth it.

The laughter, the fun, the tears, the fights…

It’s all worth it.

Chris sent me a text today that said, ‘After almost 5 years of marriage, I love you more today than I did when we first started this adventure.’ I picked a great guy and I’ve been fortunate to have an amazing five years. I am so so very blessed with marriage.

You picked a great girl. You’re in for a great adventure.

Happy Wedding Day.

As I’ve said earlier, my husband and I are involved in litigation. Someone has been suing us over an incident that didn’t involve us and didn’t occur on our property. After two YEARS of legal paperwork including nightmare depositions asking insanely personal questions, our attorney finally believes what we’ve been saying all along – we don’t own the property.

We had to hire two experts to support our claim. Sure it seems simple but this is California – aka lawsuit country – and frivolous lawsuits are common. Even my parents have been sued before!

Obviously I can’t elaborate since the case is still pending but it’s a big deal to finally have someone – ANYONE – certify what we’ve been saying.

The trial is still set for Christmas but I’m hoping the new facts will cause the judge to throw the whole lawsuit out.

Ugh. Maybe I can finally cross out the ‘lawsuit’ line item in our budget.

Sure I could stay home and skip the expense, but it means a lot to me to be a part of the events leading up to her marriage to my brother.

I promise to be good.

Have a good weekend.

Do me a favor…

take Labor Day off.

Have a glass of wine. Go for a run. Ride your bike. Use a kitchen appliance you haven’t used since you received it as a wedding gift 5 years ago. Spend time with the ones you love.

Don’t worry about that checking/savings account today… the banks aren’t open to bounce those checks until tomorrow anyway.

I’m off to the beach (free) to spend time with the man I love (free). Have a good day – I know I will.

My husband’s scholarship money came in!

We will be reimbursed for his tuition, text books, and a little extra later this week. Hello extra credit card payment! OK, so sure, doing a dance followed by a cartwheel across my office wasn’t appropriate, but it felt good.

I’ll update you on the new numbers as soon as the check clears.

We will be staying home this year celebrating with friends while watching the fireworks from our backyard.

Please be safe and please, above all else, don’t drink and drive!

I. The 30th day of May, 1868,is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will, in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers sailors and Marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hinds slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation’s gratitude—the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander in Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective.

—General Orders No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters.

This is when I made Mistake #1 – Recommending this before actually trying it.

And followed it with Mistake #2 – Not understanding the actual size of ‘1 cubic yard’ of mulch.

$6.00 at your local garden supply will purchase a bag, maybe two at most, of mulch. I didn’t think it was unreasonable to assume $6.00 would stretch to three, maybe four, bags at the greenery.

My husband asked, ‘Two yards will fit in my truck right?’

We made Mistake #3 when not stopping to ponder the question mark at the end of her response, ‘Uhhhhh. I guess?’

Mistake #4 was not asking ‘Why are you starting up a tractor?’

Two tractor loads later, I was shocked at the distance $6 stretched.

Not only does this prevent your credit from being misused, it also gives you a clear picture of where you stand financially.

If you’d like to join me, next on the list:

Trans Union

I’ll remind you again in four months! Happy Credit Score!

Update: I forgot to say where to go for the free reports. Please visit http://www.ftc.gov/freereports for the only TRUE free credit reports. Thanks L!