The Old Place

So I'm taking a break from work (much needed, I swear!) and I pulled up Yahoo.com and found this.  If I see a story with Oklahoma in the title, of course I'm going to check it out.  When I saw the picture I thought I recognized that castle but just to be sure, I looked up the address, and, sure enough, I definitely passed this house every day on my way to work at Gaillardia.  Its inside the gates and, believe it or not, is not nearly the largest house out there.  It must be a slow news day.  There are a lot of those houses for sale out there and they all look exactly the same.

Read on if you wish.  I can't see a mention of the old place without reminiscing...

I remember when I wondered who might live in that castle on the hill outside of town.  The answer was "me" for a time.  (it was the club house- not this one)  Then I referred to the big iron gates as 'the gates of hell' (they were) and now sometimes I miss the old place.  (And then I attend a wedding and DO NOT miss that old place)  When I worked there someone told me that "it" would get under my skin.  I laughed but it did.  Its very strange.

Its hard to hate making lunches for the week when they're this cute.

Mommy's Helper

Peyton was feeling neglected when I was taking hundreds of pictures of things and none of him.  

This one we sent to Daddy with a caption that said "I never want to see fish stuff again".  This whole area is fish stuff from the storage unit.  All photgraphed, inventoried and some listed online to sell.  Already had a bite on it, though!

I think we had better not sell the desk for a while!

So this is what its like to be a grown up...

My entire evening (after Peyton went to bed) has consisted of developing my couponing strategy for the week while watching Friends on Nick at Nite. 

Friends?  On Nick at Night?  Mary Tyler Moore is supposed to be on Nick at Night. 

I've been bitten

I'm finally "on-board" with the whole storage unit flipping thing.  If you haven't heard yet, Brandon and Ryan are currently buying storage units at auction and selling the things they find inside.  So far its gone... well not great.  We have sold a table.  One table.  And currently I have an office desk, 4 waiting room benches, a vanity and a dresser in my living room. Yep.  In case you are wondering- the garage is so full you can barely get around in there. 

I could put my foot down and say absolutely no more storing things in my house (and I've thought about it) but the thing is, I kind of have the bug, too.  The first time I met them at a unit to dig through someone else's stuff I had a lot of fun!  You never know what you are going to find.  (a cremated body, perhaps?)

So I did what I do and I created a blog and a craigslist account and a twitter account and got to work.  So far we have posted about 12 items and one pair of $5 toy spurs has quite the competition of buyers!  (the 1940's dresser & vanity, not so much)  Take a look at http://www.dustylittlesecrets.blogspot.com/.  So far I have only listed the tip of the garbage pile (ahem... I mean iceberg of treasures) but if I can stay awake long enough tonight I am hoping to tackle the sword collection.  Or more accurately, "collection of bladed objects".  There is a very cool farming scythe that I have no idea how to photograph yet but I'm up to the challenge.  Its ginormous!

Labor Day in New Mexico

If I told you I had been busy over the last few days, I would feel that I was misleading you.  Aside from a few moments here and there, the last week has been a race of events.  It has all been good, let me assure you.  But busy. 

Last Wednesday Brandon and Ryan went Storage Unit Auctioning.  (Thats my term, but you may use it)  They have recently joined the world of buying storage units at auction and reselling the items inside.  Peyton and I joined them for the digging Wednesday night and found lots of little treasures. 

Thursday morning we all got up and went our separate ways.  I spent the morning packing and preparing for our trip to New Mexico over the weekend and met Peyton's new (pre-K!!) teacher.  There were many other boring things involved but I won't list them here. 

Friday Brandon and I drove to Albuquerque, NM for the wedding of Brandon's friend from high school.  Friday night and Saturday are a bit of a blur but they were filled with old friends and new friends and everyone had a really good time. 

Sunday we met Brandon's mom, sister & brother in law, aunt, cousin & grandma at a house they had rented in north Albuquerque for the weekend.  They had Peyton and played while we were at the wedding festivities.  Sunday we all loaded up and took the Sandia tram up the mountain.  It was foggy and cool and beautiful but I only have pictures from the top and bottom of the mountain.  (when my feet were firmly planted on the ground)  If you know me much at all you know that I was entirely too focused on breathing to take pictures from inside the tram.  I hear it is a beautiful view, though.

Peyton taking a rest on the many stairs.

Brandon at the peak looking into the cloud

Fog at the top

At the bottom

Enjoying the weather

There were lots of kids in the pool at the Sandia resort (where we ate lunch) but we were wearing long sleeves.  Our bodies thought 77 degrees was a bit chilly...

Monday we loaded up and came home to get ready for the week.  I dont think I succeeded in getting ready but we all made it to work and school and we had a great weekend to show for our sleepy faces. 

Do you see anything missing from this picture???

.................

Let me help you...

YAY!!!!!   My driveway is finally for cars only!!!

Someone finally bought this beast on Craigslist and hauled it off.  I was thrilled!!!