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New Phone Number (425)

by Lucky Red Hen on August 24, 2007

In case you’re trying to call me… I’ve finally made the switch to the new area code but it hasn’t started working yet and I’m not sure if it’ll stick (might end up being an old fax machine or something worse). Before I broadcast it (meaning = you’ll have to email me a request for my new number because I’m not stupid enough to POST it on the internet), I need to try it out for a few days.

So if you get a mysterious (like in Scooby Doo tales) phone call or text from the (425) area code… you might be able to presume it’s me.

Luv, Lucky Red Hen

P.S. I still have amazing stories to tell now that we’re in our new (old, built in ’67) pad but just an hour ago plugged in the internet so you’ll have to wait until things slow down a bit. Promise you’ll either gasp or laugh outloud to at least ONE thing I will be mentioning. Seriously.

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The Act of Moving To Another State Sucks

by Lucky Red Hen on August 6, 2007

Holy schmoly! We’re not done with this roller coaster yet (I get motion sick on them – barf). Today was load-the-truck day… and we are beside ourselves.
Let’s start out from before we went to CA…
1. Tried our darnedest to get the house mostly packed before we left for vay cay… but had some leftovers. Called in some back-up since we were having a realtor tour come through on Thursday when we were gone. Tuesday I thought there would be 2 people to finish before the tour but got a call Thursday AFTER the tour went through with a worried friend that was scared to tell me she only worked 1 hour and couldn’t finish. Well, I would’ve liked to hear that earlier so I could call in MORE back-up. Dangit.
2. So we had a 6:35am flight… woke the kids up at 4am to arrive at the airport with an unbelievable line through security down past all the baggage claims to the exit door and BACK AGAIN. We missed our flight (I would like to say I’ve NEVER missed a flight before… and I’ve flown a lot). Getting to our destinations now was going to be tricky (Ben to San Diego and the kids and I to San Jose) because we were going to fly together to Vegas. But we couldn’t manage that sweet set-up having to rearrange our plans. No point in getting pissy though, so I put my best smile on with the agents I had to deal with and got great service (don’t understand why people get all mad, just causes ulcers and bad karma).
3. The kids and I ended up flying to Oakland (further away from San Jose and longer drive for Bridgette and her 1yr old who were picking us up) because it got us there quicker than having a stop and changing planes. Because of that… we had to drive to the San Jose airport to pick up our bags (and by then my brand new flip flops from Nordstrom were KILLING my feet so I walked barefoot through the airport, not the bathroom, and on the scalding pavement). The kids were troopers and did great considering we woke them about 4 hours earlier than they usually wake up.
4. During all this flying we were inundated with phone calls from our realtor and the title company because the closing of our Washington house had reached a snag. The lendor was on vacation and our down payment amount was 60 THOUSAND dollars more than we expected based on what we agreed upon. Um, we’re not going to find 60k laying around. Trying to arrange for the notary once was a bummer but having to do it twice in such short notice before we left for CA… the one that came was great, so we lucked out. Once the down payment was figured out it was still 5k more than we thought because the 5k earnest money we paid did not go toward the down payment but, instead, went toward the bottom line (which doesn’t help us at the last minute when we’re scrounging for an extra 5k, like we have that laying around either). Holy moly… purchasing in a different state has it’s surprises too (there was a 1% thing that I cannot remember the name of that threw us off).
5. I about had a heart attack thinking Piper was drowning in the pool when she had built-in-her-suit floaties and had another inner tube around her waist. She was just showing me a trick where her head was forward and she was kicking ferociously but I thought she couldn’t bring herself back up. I yelled to Jack to pick her up but they were in the deep end and he’s not used to it so responded with, “But I’ll drown if I try!” I was about to jump in when she pops her head up and asks if I saw her trick. Heart in pit of stomach.
6. We get back to the SLC airport an hour late due to some delays for other passengers so we’re there at 11:30pm. Get off the bus. Load the kids. Load the suitcases. Turn the ignition. Click click click. Turn it again. Click click click. Um, now what? I ran to the next shuttle and asked if they had someone on-site to help. Another passenger on the bus offered to come by when he grabbed his truck and the driver radio’d dispatch to send out the rescue guy. The truck got there first so we tried jumper cables. Nothing. Wait and rev… nothing. The rescue guy shows up and we still wait for the juice to kick in. Nothing. Switch to the rescue guys cables and uber-strong battery charger. Nothing. Wait some more. Nothing. Wait some more and made small talk. Finally our rig comes to a roar. Phew. Thanks to Jason for waiting in the wings to drive out and pick us up if we needed to. On our way to pay and get out of the parking lot… can’t find the ticket that was JUST THERE. Look on the floor and between the seats. Nothing. Then I realize that sometimes stuff falls behind the dash via the change holder lid, which is a black hole. Get to the cashier and paid a default fee (which I think was actually cheaper than our 8 day stay even though we gave her our departure date – the real one not the dishonest one that would’ve saved us $10). Get home to find angels came and helped finish off our leftover stuff we hadn’t packed.
7. Fast forward to today. I thought the moving truck was supposed to show up between 8-10am but was really 8-11am. At 11am I called for an ETA. He said 35 minutes. Then I called to find out when. He’s on his way. At 12:30pm the truck is finally here but our help isn’t (I told everyone 10am). Luckily we have fantastic youth in our area… Jared, Corey and Chris worked their butts off helping get us started (got over 1/2 way) then our friend, Darrell, came for a couple hours and pounded out more work before heading to HIS job later (thank you, thank you). Mid-day we break for more packing and relieve the boys who’d been there the whole time and resumed at 6pm when more men could come after work. Apparently, and I say that because I had done all I could with packing and couldn’t help load and had plans I didn’t really want to break since we’re moving, the packing didn’t get done until about 9pm (almost 2 hours longer than we hoped). Guess they had to pull some stuff out to try and squeeze everything in (and had to leave stuff out because there just wasn’t room for it all). I think I remember Ben said that Aaron, Scott and he did all they could to make it work. Again, I am blessed to have so many kind people in my/our life.
8. The house is empty, for the most part, and I still have loads to do. Gotta figure out how everything that was left behind will get to WA, sell or give away some (still have the armoire, TV unit and TV as well as a taupe love seat, sage green wingback chair, ladders, old wood chairs that need some work, a giant classroom chalkboard), figure out how to get my Harley up there and have dental work done before we leave.
Grrr.

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What if you had no tongue?

by Lucky Red Hen on July 24, 2007

Apparently, according to my 7yr old, you wouldn’t be able to talk. I believe I agree, especially since I tried holding my tongue against the bottom of my mouth to try it out.

Go ahead… try talking without using your tongue. I dare ya.

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The ABC's of Lucky

by Lucky Red Hen on July 22, 2007

A – Attached or Single: attached to my Nordic prince who’s 5 years younger than me but WAY smarter, taller and musically inclined.

B – Best Friend: blanket answer, My Lisa. We’ve been friends for over 10 years. However, I have many “besties” who know more about me than anyone should and I trust them with that LOL (Cathy, Tiffany, Christine, Ann, etc.).

C – Cake or Pie: cheesecake, the Chocolate Dream from Carrabba’s (but it MUST be shared unless you’re a freak) or made-from-scratch (shout out to Azucar who’s made the most amazing from-scratch cakes I’ve ever tasted).

D – Drink of Choice: 1.5% milk (my dad used to say I drank so much I should be IV’d to a cow), pink lemonade, Clementine Izze straight from the bottle (sorry about my residual licking of the rim, just bugs me to leave a little behind).

E – Essential Items: cell phone, camera/computer, A/C and my new watch from Denmark with 2 faces (one set to Mountain and the other to Pacific).

F – Favorite Color: red and pink to look at (not together, separately), chocolate to wear and orange as an accessory (as in my faux leather handbag and Harley).

G – Gummi Bears or Worms: bears, but not all colors (green & yellow taste dumb).

H – Hometown: 10-17yrs old Clovis, NM… 17-early 20’s Spokane, WA… mid-20’s-31 Seattle, WA.

I – Indulgence(s): jewelry, original artwork, gourmet food, reality TV (Miami Ink and Simmons Family Jewels) and girls night out.

J – January or July: January… love the cozy feel of a sweater or sweatshirt and hot drinks (Wassail, flavored herbal teas and hot cocoa with real cream) with friends and family (not a fan of heat because you can only get SO naked).

K – Kids: just 2… Jack (named after my grandpa who didn’t have biological kids of his own) and Piper (who’s middle name is a shout-out to My Lisa).

L – Life is incomplete without: ethics, good food with good friends, laughter and faith (in many things, not just religious).

M – Marriage Date: in March of 98 because it’s in the middle of any holidays so we wouldn’t have to share (plus it wasn’t the height of wedding/vacation season and rates are lower; I’m pretty practical that way).

N – Number of Siblings: 1 brother, Jason (was going to be Matthew), who’s 7yrs younger, single, treats women with respect and is a talented welder by trade.

O – Oranges or Apples: oranges, but don’t like the seeds and prefer the taste of tangerines, and the smell of them over lemons.

P – Phobias/Fears: have nightmares about snakes and my children being badly hurt (especially being hit by a car as I was when I was 4).

Q – Favorite Quote: You are unique; just like everyone else.

R – Restaurants (I changed this one): Carrabba’s in Orem, JaK’s Grill in Issaquah, Dixie’s BBQ in Bellevue, Thai Village in American Fork and Red Robin for their fries.

S – Season: anything but summer because it’s so hot and I don’t do well in hot. I remember one year Lisa and I went to Utah in the summer and it was so hot she swore it was a good thing she wasn’t a crayon.

T- Tag Three: whoever hasn’t done one of these ever or lately.

U – Unknown Fact About Me: lived with cats all my life until I moved to Vancouver, WA as an adult and became allergic (even to my family cats whom I grew up with sleeping on my neck and rubbing my face as I got ready in the morning).

V – Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: I believe in the ethical treatment of animals (don’t like the idea of wearing fur as an accessory) but eat meat and desire dairy products throughout the day (cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, milk).

W – Worst Habit: forgetting to call people back after I’ve listened to then deleted their voice mails intending to call back… saving even the tiniest amount of leftovers just to end up tossing them in the garbage.

X – X-rays or Ultrasounds: x-rays because ultrasounds kinda creep me out.

Y – Your Favorite Foods: well-made, thin-crust pizza with fresh ingredients, Cinnabon with cooold milk (once or twice a year and usually with My Lisa), white sauce, Big Salad, a nice med-rare filet, bleu cheese burger at Mon Amie Gabi in Vegas, anything that Cathy makes, CW’s blueberry homemade ice cream, PayDay candy bar, anything with cream cheese and Sticky Chicken (Hawaiian recipe that’s called by many names).

Z- Zodiac: Gemini.

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Thank You

by Lucky Red Hen on July 21, 2007

Sometimes… there are no words.

thank you seems so insignificant

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Harry Dilema

by Lucky Red Hen on July 18, 2007

Did you ever, in your youth, try that four letter word that starts with N by spreading it all over your harry legs so that the acid could slowly eat away at 2 layers of your epidermis (if it recommends 6 minutes then isn’t 9, 11 or 13 minutes better)?

How many times have you taken those cheap drugstore razor blades to your sweet ankle, pulling up gobs of fleshy meat and NOT a blade of hare (I’ve claimed shark bite and dropping a knife when I did it)?

Ever tried the electrolosis route where you pay over six HUNDRED thousand dollars and willingly let some masochist shock your harry parts with the power of a gajillion transformers (and I’m not talking about autobots here even though I saw it twice in less than a week)?

Well, I’m tired of it all and am not going to take it anymore (que Twisted Sister and their Mimiesque eye shadow). Please tell me of an alternative to torture and the path to everlasting (gobstoppers, you know you said it in your mind) silky legged bliss.

P.S. Does it bug you that I never spelled harie properly?

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Motorcyle Trailer Shopping

by Lucky Red Hen on July 15, 2007

We’re still chugging away at getting ready for the big move.
Today I asked a friend at church if he’d help me figure out what used motorcycle trailer to buy online (KSL.com hosts a FREE classified section and there is a TON of stuff on there).
Good thing I asked because he actually has a 6mo old one that he doesn’t need anymore because he’s sold his bikes! Yay!
I plan to trailer my Harley up to the new house then sell the trailer since U-know-who-hauls wants over $250 just to rent one of theirs. I’ll buy his for $450 and even if I sold it for $350 I’d still be saving $150. Now that’s good thinkin’! Plus, he’ll show me how to properly attach the bike so I don’t have to worry about it falling off (already have had nightmares about it).
Speaking of KSL.com… I’ve put some of our big furniture up there for sale that we can’t fit in the new house (we’re going from our 3301 sq ft house down to 1760 sq ft). We are a non-smoking, clean home and take pride in our stuff. Maybe you likey?
queen size futon in GREAT condition
with sliding drawers underneath
(one needs glue to keep it together)
and pillows included $200

Would anyone want this for $15?
I was hanging my necklaces on it
in my bathroom or used it for
holiday decor (Halloween, Easter
and Christmas).


Pine can-be-painted entertainment
center in EXCELLENT condition
with 3 rolling drawers (need some work
because they sometimes get stuck)
and 2 shelves $350 (27″ TV $100).

weathered black wooden & metal patio 4-piece set $25

white “shabby” solid wood table/desk $150

This was my grandfathers and needs
a little work (pegs don’t stay stuck
in their holes… need glue) with a
cool, old leather seat $75

plant stand? We used it for Piper’s books (lower shelf)
and toys/stuffed “aminals” in her room. Creamy white
with sage green detail $25

The German armoire I’ve spoken about.
HUGE and HEAVY. The left 2 doors
open to a large compartment with a
shelf above then the right door has
several adjustable shelves. 3 drawers
underneath. Breaks down into pieces
for easy moving. Some rickety pieces
since it’s over 80yrs old and shipped
from Germany $500

Matching dresser to the German armoire.
4 drawers with one missing handle (but
I actually have it somewhere and will
mail it when I find it after the move).
Marble top is cracked into 2 pieces but
it’s not that noticeable and actually
looks kinda cool. Mirror included and
sets on top of marble $250
(buy both German pieces for $50 off)

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The Easy Way to Stop Smoking

by Lucky Red Hen on July 13, 2007

Editorial Review for The Easy Way to Stop Smoking from Amazon.com:
A new edition of the revolutionary bestseller, with four million copies in print. Allen Carr’s innovative Easyway method—which he discovered after his own 100-cigarette-a-day habit nearly drove him to despair—has helped millions kick smoking without feeling anxious and deprived. That’s because he helps smokers discover the psychological reasons behind their dependency, explains in detail how to handle the withdrawal symptoms, shows them how to avoid situations when temptation might become too strong, and enables them to stay smoke-free. Carr discusses such issues as nicotine addiction; the social “brainwashing” that encourages smoking; the false belief that a cigarette relieves stress; the role boredom plays in sabotaging efforts to stop; and the main reasons for failure. With this proven program, smokers will be throwing away their packs for good.

Read the Customer Reviews about the middle of the page.

My mom and dad (who’s smoked most of their lives) and brother (who’s smoked about 10 years; he asked for a quit smoking gimmick for Christmas one year – didn’t work) quit by reading this book. They’ve tried other methods before, with no lasting success so I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in kicking the habit. My brother has given this book as a gift to 6 of his friends and 10 of them have quit (are you trying to figure out the math? …4 friends borrowed the book).

BTW: it’s cheaper at Walmart.com (especially with the 97 cent shipping and $9.76 price tag). I pre-ordered Eclipse through them, guaranteed delivery on Aug. 7, and got the hardback delivered for under 12 dollars!

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