Well, Kwasi and Kwabena have been gone for a whole week now, come tomorrow. *weep, weep* Ohene and I are settling into a nice routine now, and I’m feeling more comfortable now that it’s been a week. Kwasi and Kwabena call at least twice a day, so I only feel like they are a phone call away, which helps. At first, the house seemed so quiet and empty; bare. Now, I’m getting comfortable with just Ohene and me. In fact, I’m loving this time I am getting with him. He’s such a cute little boy! And it’s not fair that he never really gets me to himself. So now, I think he’s eating up the attention 🙂
Today I took him to work with me, because Miss Marilyn was closed last week and this week, for vacation. On Monday, Kofi watched him half day, which was hilarious, considering that he had to wrap plastic around his hand to change his poopy diaper (hahaha! Kofi’s the same one that said he would never change diapers, EVER, not even his own kids when he has them). Tuesday Kwasi’s mom watched him. Yesterday, I took off work. And then today, he went with me. And tomorrow I have to take off because the basement door is being replaced. More on that in a minute.
Kwasi and Kwabena are having a great time in Ghana! Kwabena loves playing outside the apartment building where Osei is staying; there’s a nice playground there. And they’ve gone to the beach, and just hanging out.
So one week down……three more to go!!!
Being in a quiet house makes me realize that I really love having a larger family. I like noise. I like being surrounded by my family. I love my “me” time, but I hate the idea of the being gone, especially for so long!! I’m so thankful for two little boys, and one on the way!
So let’s see what else is going on…..
The baby! He’s doing very well! But he’s going to be a little lazy boy. 🙂 He rarely moves! Or rather, I rarely FEEL him move. I feel him mostly when I am lying down on my side. Occasionally if I am pressed against him if I am leaning over or something. But he’s really not very active. Reminds me of Ohene. But even Ohene I could feel more. I think this baby has tons of space in there; that’s why. I feel like my uterus is the size of the Grand Canyon, so that could be why I don’t feel him much!
I’m beginning to feel fat. I have gained probably 25 lbs? Maybe 30?? Butter Pecan ice cream has become my food of choice 🙂 Love it! But when I walk now, I’m having some pulling, aching pains in my inner thighs. Maybe all the ligaments relaxing is causing it. Not sure. I also feel like my ass has gotten 10x chunkier. ICK! And the fact on my back that is growing there?? Gross! However, it’s not changing my eating habits yet! I feel like I should just eat whatever I want, and come November, I’ll worry about it then. I know how to lose weight, and when I can, I will. But not right now.
Hmmm….what else?
There’s been a bridge contract for work, which extends for the next 8 months, max. That makes me happy that I should be covered for maternity leave, depending on if another contractor comes into the picture. We shall see. I have interviewed for a couple jobs, but honestly, even though I may not be the best candidate, going in pregnant sure doesn’t make me the best candidate! Not in this market… So I’m going to stick with my current employer and hope that I can find something else once I have delivered. And I don’t want to be at NNMC! Holy shit, the parking is horrific!
The house is coming along, but we have a moisture problem. I have someone coming next Wednesday at 10 a.m., who is a home inspector, but also an indoor air quality specialist, and he’s going to do a moisture assessment. Thank GOD. I finally have found someone that I think will be able to tell me why the humidity level is too high in the house, and why the house smells stinky and musty.
Today when I went to work with Ohene, I grabbed my carrier, which has been out in the foyer for the last month or so. And I noticed, when I got to work, that it smelled LIKE the house. ICK! It smells a bit musty. It makes me wonder what else here in the house smells musty when we take it outside. 🙁 It really bothered me today. I can’t wait for this guy to come and hopefully troubleshoot what the problem is. I know we have a problem with the basement. Tomorrow we’re getting the basement door (the “Wizard of Oz” basement/cellar door) replaced ($2,600). OUCH. But after putting it off for the last number of months, I can only take so many incidents of water coming in.
I even put a towel in front of the door, to stop any water that may come in, and even though there hasn’t been any flooding, there is still a wetness seeping through. The towel is damp. And just think of all that dampness seeping in, with nowhere to go but sit there and cause damage and smells.
I just want to get these problems taken care of asap. I can’t even focus on decorating and enjoying our home because what’s the purpose, if all you’re going to do is coming home and be unhappy with the musty smell??
The bright side, however, is that for every problem, there will be a solution. The dark side, however, will be that there is a COST associated with fixing that problem, and Lord only knows how expensive it will be! I can only hope that the problems we are facing are minor. But somehow, I feel like whatever it will be, it might be at least $5,000. UGH…..But let’s just see what this guy says first. He’s really good at what he does, so I’m looking forward to him coming on Wednesday and providing some answers!!
Let’s see….what else is going on??
I am, however, trying to re-do the master bath! I chose a nice color called Sea Salt, that I had seen at Vanda’s house, in her laundry room, and I did a sample test on the wall, and found that not only did it make for a nice transition from the bedroom’s “Rainwashed” color, but it compliments the blue-green of the shower. We don’t have money to get that replaced right now, so we’ll just have to work around it. I would like to get ceramic tile in that bathroom, too. I’m going to get it priced out to see how much it costs, just so we know what we can get done first, second, third, etc.
As for my budgeting, it’s going very well!! I started the “Envelope Method” last Friday, for payday, and tomorrow marks one week! I have to say it’s going very well! But then again, could be because Kwasi and Kwabena are gone, so I’m having to buy less food….and also not having many other expenses. The true test will be 1) can I maintain it?, and 2) can I maintain it once Kwasi and Kwabena come back? We’ll have to see.
The money group that Hakimah and I started is going well! Well, okay, don’t mean to sound so enthusiastic, because it could be better in terms of participation. However, the meetings have been valuable. And it’s at least keeping me focused on my money. I do wish that of the 6 people, more people would show up, and more people would participate in the Facebook “Sista Cents” group.
Last Saturday, Nana Ba watched Ohene for me during our second meeting. I show up with just Angie, and Hakimah, and even Hakimah didn’t even have her budget spreadsheet prepared! I was actually a bit perturbed about that, along with her sister, who was supposed to come, but decided that the neighborhood pool party was more important and canceled at the last minute. It made me question my involvement with a group of women that obviously don’t have their finances as a priority. Me having to get childcare for the evening, and waste my gas to go all the way to Laurel….it really irritated me that more people didn’t show up, or at LEAST R.S.V.P. We’re supposed to meet this Sunday, although Hakimah keeps complaining about it, since she just wants to relax on Sundays, blah, blah, blah. (Angie can’t meet on Saturday). I’m tempted to say, “Fuck it” and when people want to make it priority, they can. But personally, it’s priority to me, and I really don’t need a group to get me on track, or to STAY on track.
But anyhow, I’m doing good with budgeting. I need to adjust some of my categories, because I have overspent on Home Improvement things by a few dollars, and I also have used up all my $90 alloted for gas, in this week! YIKES!! It’s all this driving to and from Hagerstown. I went this past weekend to attend the Norton family reunion (Aunt Les’s family), but Mom, Pappy, Nanny, etc., were all there, so that was nice. I have to go this weekend to do some spot painting, to get ready for the new tenants that are supposed to move in in the next week. It’s this young couple, who seem responsible, but I also wonder if they make enough income. I won’t get into all the details, but there IS some concern there. We’ll just have to see how it goes. I’m glad to not have to come out of pocket for (much of) August! WHEW!
Hmm….what else?? Life is generally good. I wish I put more time into my hobbies and interests. Once the evening comes, I am the laziest bitch and I just get NOTHING done but sit on the computer and spazz out. I have furniture that needs painted……sewing and knitting I could do for the baby…..household projects…..so much. Oh well, I will just have to get back in to it, little by little.
Well, off to bed soon!
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