The Robinsons

Hi Everyone... Daddy went for his MRI today. Unfortunately, we know nothing new until the report is read by his nurse practioner and his appointment with her is not until Wednesday. Days are long for Daddy, and stairs are his enemy. Stairs and TV. Nothing good on TV and I don't know how to pick videos! (Any suggestions?) The color of this print is the color of his foot. I love serving him, but it seems to annoy him to have to be served... [the independent cuss... ; )] He had company today and that was a nice diversion! (Bob Hawkins and Joe Tabone) The other good news is his 'gout' pain has subsided for the most part. That was killing him. Will let you know more when we do... Until then...

Stephanie and I have had a run of bad luck. Our car died, our cat got sick, I found out grad school is going to cost $1,000,000, and today our sump pump broke. We ordered a new alternator for our car and had a friend tow us back to our house -- we had tried pop starting it and when that didn't work we found ourselves a couple blocks downhill from where we live. When the alternator gets here, Steph and I are going to try to install it ourselves(!!). We took George to the vet yesterday. They hydrated him, took some samples, charged us $250, and today he seems much better. We were just scared that he might be suffering from the same problem as Thunder, who it turns out had cancer or heart disease. That's what the vet told us when we went back to them with George. Fooled us once . . . I am still unsure about what to do about grad school. They gave me a $3000 scholarship for the year, which definitely makes it more doable, but the shock has sort of put me off the idea altog...

WELL, AS PER ALL YOUR ADVICE AND OTHER EXPERT OPINIONS... THE HOUSE IS SOLD. $185,000. I prayed that God would give us wisdom Then I felt to get advice, because with abundance of counselors there is wisdom! (Proverbs) So, I asked you, neighbors who are savey, our appraiser, and indirectly, bob denny. All said it was a fair offer and in an unstable economy and world at large, [war], we should take the offer. So, we did. Harry and Darlene just sold with a realtor asking 210,000. They came away with $182 or 4, [can't remember...] so... They had to pay $12,000 realtor comission and $6,000. of the buyer's closing costs. [I don't understand that...] Anyhow... Now we wait to see if we get a better offer. If we do, they have 72 hours to come up with the cash, or drop out of the deal. We'll wait. We'll watch. We'll see. Please pray that I don't get sick with all this stress. There are still some questions that need answering and we have an appointment withthe lawye...

Well, we at 10 Alden Av. have a new subject. . . Which would be a dandy relief except. . . It's nasty. For Daddy had a fall while playing in his friend's back yard. . . A rousing senior game of badminton . . . And fell with rollicking enthusiasm when the joy ended . . . In a ripping pain. Iced, and lying in the grass, Surrounded by the love and concern of his playmates Dad got his bearings and drove home... How I can't imagine! Oh the pain! To find an empty house. . . and no TLC. He waited over an hour for me to come home. . . And take him for X-Rays. Results? The ATFL tendon is sprained. Dad is throbbing. And I am sad for Dad. Plus. . . No matter how many times I blew the horn ; ) I had to bring in the groceries! And I ask you . . . Who will cut the grass?

Mom, you'll be happy to know that we didn't adopt this guy: But Leah, you NEED him. He is an amazingly gentle, 80-pound, 2-year-old American Boxer. And he doesn't pull the leash!

We-l-l-ll. . . Fact: The house is for sale at $198,500. Fact: The house is appraised for $192,000 Fact: The house has been on the market for 11 days. Fact: We were offered $175,000, countered their offer with $195,000 and then they recountered today with $185,000. Fact: It costs us about $700/month to live here for taxes, utilities and phone. Fact: The appraisal was made on properties sold this past year when sales were 'hot!' Fact: We are having another Open House this Sunday from 1-2 pm. (Can you believe I'm saying that, Leah?) Fact: Dad would like to be on the road by November. Now the question is... what to do?

Performed April 8, 2006. Stephanie played the visionary scientist who, in the future, runs the HL Mencken house and museum. I play HL himself, kept alive by her mechanisms.

It's going to be a hot one today, but I don't mind; we've got central air. I heard that it's probably cheaper to use central air (if you have it installed already) than to keep four fans and a dehumidifier running, so we tried our unit out, and it works. It works well. Also, I heard that if you don't use your central air at least once in a while it breaks down. Alright, back to work.

Seems like . . . Looks like . . . Feels like . . . Nobody's into blogging any more . . . Um, Are we done? Am I talking to myself in cyberspace?

Hey Emma! Welcome to the club of double digits! The big one-zero. You've made it a decade! Sweeeeeet.

July 7, 2006 8:17 pm

If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto, the blockage will be almost instantly removed. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by simply using the sink. (For Daddy) For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer. (Here's one for Adam...) A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you will be afraid to cough.

Oh boy! We're pooped. Let's see. Today. Cleaned stove. Did clutter. Resettle the kitchen, DR and LR after carpet guy left. Installed new exhaust fan. Repaired study window and painted it. Prepared curtains. Worked in cellar organizing!!! Cut grass. Grocery shopped. Library. Post Office... Bartolotta's...... Oh boy! We're pooped! Tomorrow another realtor is coming to give his opionion of price setting in morning. First potential buyer, [neighbor,] to look through the house. Pressure is mounting. Lots to do. Oh boy! So much fun! We rejoice that God is still helping us to keep the main thing the main thing! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. This is a real marathon!

Here it is the Fourth of July and we have been celebrating in the cellar. More junque shuffling and organizing. We're thinking of having an auctioneer come in and pick up the whole kit and kaboodle and take it away! The thought of a house sale is starting to give me adjida! We just want to be done. Don Blake came over to look at the house and appraise it for us, and will let us know by Thursday his idea for pricing. One realtor came and said $189,900. He said she's close. So our hopeful bubble of 219,000 is burst. As I see it, if we list it for $189,900, we'll not get more than $185,000. Ah, well. It's only money. God will provide for our future if we are wise! Tomorrow the carpet comes. We will finish Dad's den/study and make it nicer. He wants to build new window casings. Then hang curtains. The main bathroom needs a bit of caulk. Then, I'll get the ad to the paper. Then, resettle the kitchen and dining room again and hopefully for the last t...

Here it is the Fourth of July and we have been celebrating in the cellar. More junque shuffling and organizing. We're thinking of having an auctioneer come in and pick up the whole kit and kaboodle and take it away! The thought of a house sale is starting to give me adjida! We just want to be done. Don Blake came over to look at the house and appraise it for us, and will let us know by Thursday his idea for pricing. One realtor came and said $189,900. He said she's close. So our hopeful bubble of 219,000 is burst. As I see it, if we list it for $189,900, we'll not get more than $185,000. Ah, well. It's only money. God will provide for our future if we are wise! Tomorrow the carpet comes. We will finish Dad's den/study and make it nicer. He wants to build new window casings. Then hang curtains. The main bathroom needs a bit of caulk. Then, I'll get the ad to the paper. Then, resettle the kitchen and dining room again and hopefully for the last t...

A lot got done this weekend. Thank you Alan for scraping painting the peak and washing windows. I'm so glad you're safe and sound on the ground again. That was a tough job! Thank you Adam for the kitchen floor removal and prep work! For the rehanging of the k shelf. For the moving... moving... moving ... moving of boxes... boxes... boxes... boxes.... and fruniture and furniture... and installing the new bedroom light And whatever else you both did to lighten Daddy's load that I don't know about.... THANK YOU! We're getting there... We're getting there! Soon it will end. Amen!