Life Update

Published on by Casey Category: Work

Yesterday USA Rugby went through a restructure.  Part of that restructure involved eliminating some positions…mine was one of them.  The reason behind this was budget; curse of the non-profit.  So I spent the majority of today sitting on my couch looking for jobs (and finalizing Homestead’s taxes).  I also went into Boulder this morning and re-activated myself at the temp agency that got me the job at Rugby.

I don’t do unemployment well, I’m much too type-A personality.  I know God has a plan and has a place for me.  I hope it’s that I get a job soon…preferably in the field of my career and not just a job!

I appreciate all of your prayers and will keep you updated!

Other realizations about my first day of unemployment:

  • Job hunting sucks
  • I miss my co-workers.
  • I’m bored.
  • My dog can’t figure out why I was home all day during the middle of the week.

I should charge for parking

Published on by Casey Category: Homestead, Household

But then it would just go from Noah back to me and wouldn’t make any profit.  Unless I charge Joe rent, hmm…. 😉

We have way more automobiles than two people need.  I came home from work on Friday to find yet ANOTHER vehicle on my property.  There was the Frontier (which technically wasn’t home at the time), my CR-V, the F-250, Joe’s camper and a work van.  Oy!  It was time to finally get rid of the Ford!  I promptly called Noah and complained that our house is not a parking lot.  He said that he had a co-worker who was interested in buying the F-250.  I told Noah to hang up with me and call that guy back; tell him it has to go!  By the time Noah got home, the truck was sold…but to Noah’s “boss” and not the co-worker.  I didn’t care who it went to as long as it went away and I got paid.

Yesterday the Bill of Sale was signed, possession was transferred, I cancelled insurance and today I deposited the money, which has already burned a hole in Noah’s pocket.  Yes, the truck went bye-bye and in exchange I get an edger.  Well, not really me, but Homestead…I wouldn’t know what an edger looked like if I tripped over it!  Anyway, I’m glad to finally be rid of the F-250 that has been driven so little since we moved I think it’s only had one oil change in the past 3 years.  And it’s exciting, I guess, to acquire tools for the company.

An unpleasant April Fools “prank”

Published on by Casey Category: Household

I am a very deep sleeper, and by very I mean I sleep like the dead.  It takes something really big or really loud to draw me out of my slumber…and even then, it’s not a guarantee I will actually wake up.  Because of this I can sleep just about anywhere on anything.  It’s wonderful.  Typically I can even sleep through earthquakes.  I tried to sleep through the Northridge quake but my mom wouldn’t let me…something about a bookcase falling on my head…  Anyway, the other thing that will cause me to bolt upright in bed is the wailing of a smoke alarm.

That’s what woke all three of us (Noah, me, the dog) at 2am this morning.  Horrible horrible way to find yourself suddenly awake — nothing like an impending house fire to get you out of bed in the morning.  The alarm only went off for a few seconds then stopped.  Noah clambered out of bed, checked out the house, saw that there was no fire, and we attempted to go back to sleep.  Ha!  Apparently inanimate objects also like to play April Fool’s pranks.  Just after we got comfortable, the alarm sounded again.  But only for a few seconds like the first time.  Noah went downstairs to get a ladder to take apart the stupid thing (yes yes, bad, blah blah blah).  As he ripped it from the ceiling the stupid thing started squelching again…but this time it wouldn’t shut up.  My fingers were in my ears, my poor dog was cowering beside me on the bed, and I kept thinking about the Friends episode where Phoebe beats her smoke detector with a shoe.  We were about to get to that point when Noah was finally able to eject the battery.

Perhaps I should mention that this is not just a regular smoke detector but also a carbon monoxide detector.  So now that the noise was over and we could attempt to fall back asleep not only was my mind running around with all sorts of possibilities about the roof being on fire (the “settling” of the house noises didn’t help any) but also the possibility of us dying in our sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning.   But, we have at least one other carbon monoxide detector in the house, so should our furnace be spewing poisonous gases into our air, we have that to fall back on.

But now, I have the ridiculously expensive carbon monoxide sensor/battery in my purse to go buy a new one at some point today.  I did happen to notice a bright orange sticker on the battery slot on the smoke alarm that said the detector should be replaced prior to 2004.  Interesting…

Regardless, I think if a battery is going to die on a smoke alarm it needs to be, say, between the hours and 6:00pm – 10:00pm.  That way I’m not in the middle of an already creepy dream (smoke detectors never go off when one is dreaming something pleasant) and won’t be so freaked out.  *grumbles*

**EDIT** Turns out our alarm was for carbon monoxide detection only.  It has since been replaced with a dual smoke/carbon monoxide detector that will not only wail an 85db alarm but will also speak either “fire”, “carbon monoxide” or “low battery”.  Genius.

“Spring Break” – Day 4

Published on by Casey Category: Colorado, Travel

What a difference a day makes!  Yesterday the weather was sunny and in the 50s, which is warm for early spring in Colorado.  This morning we woke up to about 3″ of snow on the ground and heavy snow falling from the sky.  By noon we had white-out blizzard conditions.  Around 2 or 3 the snow had abated enough to shovel the driveway and sidewalk.  Then, we went snowshoeing in 12″ of snow…plus it’s still snowing.  There are conflicting reports on how much snow we will continue to get tonight.  The blizzard warning is over, now we are just under a snow advisory.  But should still get anywhere from 1-8 more inches of snow tonight, then possibly another 1″ tomorrow morning.  It always figures that the snow falls around trash day.  And that saying the post office has about “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow…” does not apply to Colorado…at least not my neighborhood.

At least Hayley has had the full spectrum of Colorado’s schizophrenic weather during her trip.  All that’s left for tonight are elk burgers on the grill (yes, we bbq regardless of the weather), down a few more rounds of hot cocoa and we still need to get in that game of farkle!

“Spring Break” – Day 3

Published on by Casey Category: Colorado, Travel

Today was our last chance to get out and explore before the snow.  Yes, it is supposed to snow…more on that later.  We left relatively early this morning to drive down to the Springs.  When we got there the weather was great.  The sky was a brilliant blue, there was snow on the ground in spots.  Pike’s Peak was mostly hidden behind incoming storm clouds, but as the day progressed and the clouds moved east, the snow-capped peak was exposed.  Beautiful!

Hayley and I thoroughly enjoyed Garden of the Gods…our reason for making the 90-minute trek south.  Lots of pictures have been posted on my facebook page, but not yet on here.  The res is too high right now, so once I adjust the pics I’ll post them on the blog.  After the Garden we headed to a shopping mall in Aurora so I could get a jacket at the Tilly’s there.  The store in Westminster told me they carried the jackets.  The store in Westminster lied.

Back to Lafayette.  We could see the storm clouds move in as we drove and rain pounding the plains.  Hayley is very excited for tomorrow’s snow.  Not that I’m not, I am too.  Yesterday the forecast was calling for 5-8″ of snow.  That’s a lot, especially for our area.  Today, the forecast was changed to 8-16″!  The National Weather Service has even issued a Winter Storm Warning from 6am tomorrow through 6am on Friday.

Hayley and I probably won’t travel further than my yard tomorrow.  Plans for Day 4 – teach the girl how to play Farkle!

“Spring Break” – Day 2

Published on by Casey Category: Colorado, Travel

When the weather is beautiful in Colorado it truly is a shame to stay inside all day, especially when this state was designed by God to be explored!

This morning I drove Hayley up to Chautauqua where we proceeded to hike 3 of the different trails that surround the Flatirons…including the Royal Arch, which took us to the top of one of the mountains and 6800-feet in elevation.  All three hikes took about 90 minutes…because we are that good!  Even with Hayley adjusting to our thin atmosphere.  😀  We made it down in 30 minutes.  These hikes were not suitable for Bella, but we managed just fine.

After the hikes, I took Hayley to Boulder Falls.  She loooooved it;  then up to Nederland for Elk burgers.  Yum!  She got to see some snow too as flurries fell in earnest up the canyon.  Although, according to the National Weather Service we might get 6″+ of snow on Thursday!  Maybe snowshoe around Kneebone??

Tomorrow we will tackle Garden of the Gods…got to get that one in before the snow makes the drive to the Springs unbearable!

“Spring Break” – Day 1

Published on by Casey Category: Colorado, Travel

Today my friend Hayley arrived for a week-long visit from California.  We both took the week off from work for a “we’re not in college anymore but still deserve a spring break vacation”.

Day 1 –

I picked Hayley up at the airport this morning around 1030.  She was hungry.  We stopped by the house to drop off her suitcases then headed into Boulder for some Colorado Pizza…BeauJos anyone?  She loved it!

After lunch we drove around “old town” Boulder and then headed-up Sunshine Canyon.  Never been up that canyon before, but we took it until we could take it no more…and ended up in Gold Hill.  What a cool little town that is!  And oh the buildings, the history!  That town was founded in 1859 and started the Gold Rush in Colorado!  Not to mention it also has oldest continuously operating public school in Colorado (in operation since 1873)!  The buildings were amazing; left over relics from the 1800s!  It gave me so many ideas for the story of Logan and Noelle!  Our favorite was a dilapidated mining section outside the town limits.  The coolest house on one side of the road, and on the other a crumbling barn and mining cars.  We might have to make another trip up the canyon for more pictures and to walk around the cometary (1866!).

After coming back down the canyon, we drove by a few more historic houses in Boulder before returning home to our feed on our Twilight obsession.

Tomorrow, maybe hiking in and around Chautauqua, Flagstaff Road and perhaps even Boulder Canyon.  Elk burgers for lunch in Nederland!

Maybe one day she will choose the Angel of Darkness

Published on by Casey Category: Colorado, Whatever

Last summer I learned that my all-time favorite musical was coming to Denver.  Three months ago I gobbled up tickets as soon as they went on sale.  Last night all my patience in waiting finally paid off.  It was almost hard to believe that the performance was here, already! What am I talking about (incase you could not tell from the subject line), none other than The Phantom of the Opera!

This was not the first time I have seen a live production of this wonderful masterpiece.  Eleven years ago I went with a friend to the Pantages in LA, a few years after that I saw a “version” called Phantom up in Santa Barbara (not the same).  But now, I’m older, more mature, I’ve fallen increasingly in love with Phantom and thus was able to better appreciate everything about the performance.  Plus, our exceptional seats didn’t hinder the experience either (dead center, about 20 rows back).  😉

As far as we know, this was Noah’s second professional live musical performance.  The first was in December when we went to see The Producers, however, this was his first musical put on by a national tour ensemble.

If I were to re-write the play, Christine would choose Phantom.  I just love his character so much more than Raoul.  But last night, it was Raoul’s baritone voice that enchanted my ears.  Plus, perhaps it was the fedora that donned Phantom’s head that continued to dissuade me.  I was almost rooting for Raoul…almost.  I still would prefer Christine to end up with the Phantom.  🙂

All in all, it was an amazing performance and an exhausting night (we got home quite late; I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow) that we thoroughly enjoyed, even though I had to turn and tell the woman behind me to be quiet during the beginning of Act II.

So which play will be next?  Wicked will be in Denver this autumn and my sister has demanded I go see that one.  Perhaps then Wicked will be the next Playbill to grace my palms.

It’s Official

Published on by Casey Category: Work

I’d like to introduce you to Homestead Hardwood Floors, LLC.

After meeting with an accountant we took the next big step in creating Homestead by registering it with the state.  Now, Homestead is more than just an idea, it’s a limited liability company, the IRS owns us, we have a business checking account and an unwanted line of business credit!

Next steps – finalize the company logo (Hannah, you rock!), create biz cards and a website.
Later steps – acquire more tools and jobs.

Right now Noah is working as a contractor under the Homestead name (as of today).

When I was at the bank yesterday opening the account, the customer service rep was very interested in receiving a quote from Homestead on having floors put in her condo.  Which, reminds me, I need to call State Farm again…still need to line-up the liability insurance.

So many little processes…I also have to finish setting-up QuickBooks.

Obsession

Published on by Casey Category: Fiction, Whatever

Hi, my name is Casey, and I’m obsessed…with any and all things Twilight.  If you have not read the Twilight series, you MUST!  I have not been this sucked into a series in a looooong time, if ever!

I didn’t even know about the books really until the end of last year (over 3 years since the first book was published).  A lot of my friends mentioned they were reading Twilight.  I thought it was one book, not a series and eventually I kind of wanted to read it too.  Last year a movie based on the 1st book was released in November.  At that point I still didn’t know anything about the series and thought the movie looked like something I wouldn’t go see.

Then, my sister started to borrow the books from my mom’s middle school students.  She said I needed to read the series (she had finished book 1 – Twilight – by this point).  So that weekend I went to Costco and bought the box set.  I read them back-to-back in about 10 days (each book ranges from appx. 500-800 pages).  I was completely useless around the house and invisible, as far as Noah was concerned.  I would come home from work and delve right back into whichever book I was currently reading.  I didn’t watch any TV and I even started escaping for lunch.  Not to eat outside my cube, but to go sit in my car across the street and read for an hour.

When I finished the series I didn’t know what to do with myself.  These books had been my life for over a week and I missed the characters!  I went to the author’s website to read the manuscript for Midnight Sun (Twilight from another character’s point of view).   Then I acquired the soundtracks (there are two of them); one of which I am listening to as I type this blog.

I doubted the movie would still be in the theatre.  I now wanted to see it…badly!  So I pre-ordered the DVD, which should be delivered on March 21st!  But I didn’t have to wait that long!  I found a theatre nearby still showing the movie.  By this point, I already had the soundtracks memorized.  I dragged Noah to the film, and loved it!  I am looking forward to my DVD delivery!

The obsession didn’t end there, however.  I still missed the characters.  I started to re-read the series.  I am currently 1/2 done with the final book.  Noah asked if I was going to re-read the same four books for the rest of my life.  I asked if that would be a problem.  He just laughed.

The Internet has been a god-send, feeding my addiction.  I have read bios of the actors, searched for pictures and I am kicking some major bum playing trivia against my friends.  We all find links about the books, the actors, the movies and pass them around.  By the way, the movie New Moon (based off of the 2nd book) will be released November 20 this year and Eclipse (book 3) is scheduled to be released June 30th of 2010.  I already have a standing date with my friend Marie to go see New Moon this fall!

I also have found sheet music to one of the series’s main musical themes online.  That has encouraged me to break out my flute and enjoy the melody (not to mention I also set this piece as a ring-back tone on my phone.  So if you ever call me, you might get to listen to it)!  I also found tab for a guitar piece and have been trying to learn how to play that (with Noah’s help).

It’s a good thing my husband has an enormous amount of patience because I don’t see this obsession waning any time soon!