Some day I will have a clean house. Maybe when I don't work anymore. Or when I finally find the perfect spot for everything. Or when I learn how to move faster. Or find two more hours every day. Or get a maid. Or overcome entropy.

Today I did 9 loads of laundry. That seems like more than 4 people should be able to generate. Between sheets, towels, gym clothes and spit-up we manage to make a real mess. Unfortunately, I did not finish vacuuming, mop or plant my bulbs. Don't plan to eat off my floors any time soon.

Matt's birthday is this Friday. I always look forward to his birthday because it means I'm not older than him for the next nine months. We're going to dinner at our favorite restaurant, Thai Ruby, which is always closed on my birthday. I also look forward to making Matt's birthday cake. Last year it was black forest. This year it's going to be pumpkin spice with honey-cream cheese frosting. He's lost almost 40 pounds since we got married, so I need to make sure it's really good and he'll want to eat a lot of it. My weight buffer is getting painfully small.

Hooray for Ebay, Part 2

I am on a roll--I haven't lost an Ebay auction all year and I've gotten everything I've bid on at a lower price than I was willing to pay. (Ignore the fact that this might mean I'm willing to pay too much.)

I just bought this set of coasters that I've been trying to find for months. Aren't they cute? Can you believe someone else didn't snatch them up right away? This set is missing one coaster, but the price was right. Of course, I'll need the full set at some point, but for now this will take care of my family's coaster needs. Any bets on how long it will be before little hands break off one of the people?

Another plus is that buying from Ebay really builds self esteem. Every time I buy something I must get three emails telling me that I'm a winner! Much nicer than all the snarky complaint emails I usually get at work.

Somehow, when I woke up yesterday morning, my babies had suddenly grown older all at once.

Winnie, who is starting to always give fake smiles for the camera, spent over an hour yesterday building with her blocks. Last time we played blocks Winnie was more interested in knocking them over the minute you stacked two. And now, suddenly, she's Dr. Seuss's city planner.

I haven't wanted Luke to be ready for solids, but I think he was more than ready. He's had cereal in a bottle for a month or so now, but tonight was his first chance to be spoon fed. Mmmm. Green beans. He was so excited about eating them that it was hard to feed him because he was flailing his feet and hands. Luke also started pushing himself up onto his hands and knees a couple of days ago. I'm not ready for crawling! He supposed to still be too little for that sort of thing!

261 E 100 N

After being "for sale by owner" all summer, my current dream house (or more aptly, dream yard) is listed with a realtor and a price drop.

http://utahrealestate.com/910162

This house ends up being a pretty great deal after you factor in the pioneer neighborhood purchase assistance programs offered by the city.

Oh please still be on the market next summer when we might be looking for a new house here in Provo. I really want that .45 acre lot! Unfortunately, the house appears to be vacant in the listing pictures, which probably means they're in a hurry to sell.

Update: I though this house was a good deal based on the sellers telling me it just needed some cosmetic updates. If only that really was the case. I went to see the house and discovered that the plumbing and electric haven't been updated, it needs a new roof, new furnace, window glazing and on and on. . . I never thought major systems were considered "cosmetic". Anyone who buys this house at the current listing price would have to put more money in than they could ever recoup.

Another First

For the first time in 5 1/2 months, I don't have a little boy right next to my bed tonight. Luke's in the big crib in Winnie's room--now the kids' room--for the first time. Luke was getting too big and too mobile to be comfortable in the little bassinet (he weighs 18 pounds already!). I'm going to miss looking at that little face while I fall asleep. Hopefully when he wakes up and can't see me he'll decide to just go back to sleep instead of fussing until I give in and snuggle him.

Putting the Cart Before the House

Matt and I are starting to get serious about looking for jobs for him after he graduates in December. Of course, for me that really means looking for a house. He's not crazy about the midwest, but I like it--so much bang for my housing buck!

Dear Kansas City,

I've found the house. If you could supply the job I'd be grateful.

Love, Me

425 East Center Redux

This house has been on the market for over 4 months now and they've raised the original listing price by $10,000. Raised it. Really? To help sort through all the potential buyers and offers or what?

I know some people say the economy is showing signs that it's primed for a recovery, but I think this is a little optimistic.

On a somewhat related front, I've finished designing the yard for when we move into 261 E 100 N and moved on to the interior, so maybe I can't criticize anyone else for being a crazy real estate optimist.