Procurements

Well, over the past 72 hours, we have made two procurement.

The first is an Englander Wood stove to replace the one in our garage.  (Our garage is huge, is finished spaced with heating and air conditioning), so it serves as space where much time is spent.  The existing wood stove was a castaway from a neighbor.  It was not efficient nor was it easy to use.  It would not hold a fire overnight.

"Cool Stuff Cheap" in our local paper had an Englander Stove--we've had these stoves for a number of years.  They are well made, and they are efficient.  It is small stove with top vent.  It is likely the smallest stove they make which is perfect for the spot that it is in (as it is a major thoroughfare).  Mark and Reade went to get it.  I wouldn't say that we got a bargain, but we did get the perfect stove (with no catalytic stuff) for the space. 

Story digression....

Many years ago, when we were first married we were living at 'the river place'.  Lest that connote some luxury living, it was not.  The woodstove was the major source of heat. We kept water in an aluminum dutch oven.  Mark and I were watching TV and I could here something boiling in the pot.  I knew that the water had boiled out and that I had forgotten to replace it, so I wondered, what was boiling.

As it turns out, it was cat urine. Houston, our cat, presumably thought that he was indeed fortunate to have a pot to pee in and he claimed the stove pot as his. I can tell you that the smell of boiling cat urine is quite pungent. Though it was very cold we opened up all the sliding glass doors.

He was cured of his stove climbing when he jumped on the stove for about 5 seconds. We were incredulous--shouting his name. He quickly felt the heat. His paws were blistered--just badly enough to disabuse him of the notion to ever get on the stove again.



I have procured another house--in the sense that anything can happen until it is ratified and closed. But my offer has been accepted, and I have returned their counterproposal.  Their counterproposal is simply their contract on their form with their provisions.  It is through an asset manager on behalf of the bank, Wells Fargo. 

 This house is in a golf club community in the same county that I reside.  The current listing noted that the house had 2500 finished square feet. In looking previous listings, I could see that it had 5000 sqf as it had a finished walk out basement (with 9 foot ceilings), and another 1,400 unfinished square footage on the second floor. So with the finishing off of the upstairs that is already roughed in with plumbing and electrical, the home will have 6400 square feet. 

Unlike many houses of this scale (large in size and small on quality), it has many quality features, not the least of which is that it is brick on all 4 sides rather than the pretend brick houses that one often sees.  I have a 3/4 pretend brick house!  I have brick on 3 sides and cedar on the back.  

It is a stunning house in every respect.  High quality, great layout.  Most importantly, mis-priced.  I bought it for less than $60/sqf. Of course, until all the paper work is back and the title work is done, and closing wrapped up, anything can happen (or NOT happen).  I remain circumspect. I had a contract that had all of the proper things done except that the seller could not deliver clear title in a timely manner.  I exited to contract.

Last night I fixed stuffed peppers.  I used basmati, rice, italian sausage (mild), sauteed onions/garlic, tomato sauce and Parmesan-reggiano cheese in the stuffing. I also had a bag of baby carrots that needed something to be done with them.  I made a carrot casserole to accompany.  (Crisp tender cooked carrots, can of cream of celery, 1 cup of cheese, sauteed onions mixed together and baked).  I also made some sour cream biscuits, and I made a pumpkin marscapone pie.  I had to use some leftover pumpkin from NY's day dessert prep.

We'll need to temper our eating for the balance of the year.

Tick tock...time to set the 13 minute timer and do something detestable.

Have a safe and productive day.


Week's End

Here it is the week's end.  A short week, but one that had lots going on.

As part of my time management resolution, I have been using a free countdown timer.  I'm finding it terrific for many things, not the least of which is to set timers for my cooking dishes.  As my computer is just off from the kitchen in my office, I can hear the alarm easily.  Because the alarm is labeled, I know exactly which dish it is for.

In order to give myself a gentle kick to get started on something that is disinteresting but necessary, I created a 13 minute timer.  Why 13 v. 10 v 15?  13 minutes just felt right for my procrastination rhythms. I've been using that to 'start' projects that I otherwise like to put off.  This a.m. I set my 13 minute timer, and I cleaned the kitchen.  While I didn't finish, I got 13 minutes worth of 'stuff' done to make it look presentable--and to be able to bake a pie and invite guests over.

I also need such a timer to remind me to get up from a task when I get absorbed into some bit of problem solving or model creation.  The good news is that I do have a rather infinite capacity to laser focus on a project (once I get started of course).  When I do this, time goes by, and I don't notice it.  Mihály Csíkszentmihályi  wrote about this state and called it Flow.  You can read about it here. (Of course TV has that capacity to suck me in too--that's not Flow, though, it is called vegetation and is generally useless!).   When it is work related, I forget to get take necessary breaks.  My body reminds me when I'm all knotted up from being hunched over for too long. And I've done this for several days straight which lands me in the chiropractor's office after about 10 days.  Hunching, and no-breaks is not kind to the body.

Long ago, one of my colleagues on a VSCPA committee told me his secret (after seeing him having visibly lost quite a bit of weight).  He simply set his digital watch to beep after 50 minutes of work.  He would get up, walk around,drink a glass of water.  He'd sit back down, head down on his task and do it again.  After 8 hours, you have 80 minutes of time that is not at your desk--time that you've hydrated, relieved and refreshed your body and your brain.  That makes for very productive work. For me, I have a 53 minute clock.  Three's are my friends.

House is clean, so I can comfortably invite some folks over for an informal dinner.  My NY day feast was really delicious--in fact, I think that is one of the most successful dinners I've fixed--and I have alot of those under my belt.  I call a dinner successful when all of the dishes are perfectly harmonized in terms of texture, color and taste. This one was just that...plus it all came together beautifully thanks to my efficient countdown timers.

And...my pie crust timer has gone off telling me that it is time to roll it out.


Happy New Year

(Okay, this is a re-tread post, but one that I think worthy of dusting off, and representing)

A New Year!  And conflating the first two words, we get, "anew."

–adverb

1. over again; again; once more: to play the tune anew.

2. in a new form or manner: to write the story anew.

Source: Dictionary.com
The New Year is a natural demarcation line between the past and the future. However, it is worth noting, that the only "time space" in which we can take action is the present. There is not a thing we can do now to change the past, and whatever we imagine for ourselves in the future will not come to pass unless we take steps now to ease that unfolding.  Our being more strong, happy, rich, compassionate, learned, skillful (pick your area) will not happen if we do not make the decision today to take action toward that goal.


In conversation with a colleague some years ago, he was relating to me a conversation he had with his son in making decisions.  He then stated a very simple question he had posed to his son: 
If not now, when?


Over the years, when I am tempted to dawdle, dither and defer--the three "D's" that contribute to the deplorable state of do-nothingness--I invoke this mantra.  It has amazing power to spur action.

Our resolutions, then, are a time for us to begin anew.  The product of our introspective efforts during this contemplative time requires three things.

Thing 1:  Set a goal/objective

Thing 2:  Concretize the needful things that must happen to reach our goal (identify what actions/steps are needed when).

Thing 3:  Measure our progress toward achieving those steps.

I will add Thing 4:  Adopt a reproachful affirmation mantra to chant when you are too tired, sick, bored, busy or stressed:  "If not now, when?"

I promise you that if you invoke that mantra, you will empower yourself.  As the queen of the three dreadful D's,  dawdling, dithering and deferring, I can state that those words have real power. Yes, it is mildly coercive a call to action that question, "If not now, when?"


I believe that there is a range of people in life that fit with in the polarities of people who catapult themselves into action sans thinking and those who cocoon themselves within thinking sans action. I preach to you (and myself!) today as one who is occasionally rooted in the polarity of thinking sans action.

I'm not sure which is worse, action sans thinking or thinking sans action, but I do know this:  Thinking + action = a higher probability of a successful outcome than either of the other two choices. Self discipline is the antidote to most of the ills accompanied by either of those polarities.  Yes, this is a soap box post, but I am preaching mostly to myself.



I wish you a Happy New Year--a year filled with successful transformation of your ideas into actions, and may those actions yield their intended consequences.  And if not....may you have the flexibility and alacrity to adjust accordingly.

Metamorphic List (Resolutions)


I'm resurrecting my 2008 Resolutions.  How can that be 5 years ago?  Those resolutions were the closest I have come to having a list that I could embrace. I used to keep it by my desk, and I looked at it every day.

Another reason I like this list is that it is not a list so much as a balanced score card--if I made small progress along many fronts, I was going to be exponentially 'better'.  Here it is so that I don't yammer on about it without your seeing it:

I'm sitting down with this 'list' to go over the details of each one (which I've not shown above, just the major categories).

During reflective moments (generally involving an alcoholic beverage and proximity to the wood stove or a cuddly dog or cat), I've been reviewing and revising the details.  Even after 5 years, I see no changes that I would make to the categories themselves. However, renewing my commitment to these goals is something that I'm doing...and nothing is better than renewing commitment than putting in a plan of action to "DO".  Rather than re-jigger, classify categories, I want to work on the more granular items (which you cannot see). 

One category that you see on there is Time.  Most normal people probably do not have a "Time" category.  For myself, time is something that I have to grapple with managing. I think that my testy relationship with time is that I require SPACE to think and create and solve problems.  And the DO function of deadlines and such create a tension between the two. 

My goal of putting time as a classification, is to do a better job of allocating my time.  I have many interests, and I have the ability to work and concentrate very deeply on stuff that is important--like problem solving, or working toward a deadline.  However, ultimately what we produce has to be a product of both our time and our effort.  Not all deadlines can accommodate our best efforts; however, we should always use our best efforts within the time allocated.  Absent a time allocation, perfectionism sneaks in.  For me, the problem is that I've always let work encroach into my personal life. 

Hence the need for balance.  And order--which is why I have "Space" on there. 

You can see that I've detailed out the spaces in my life:  Autos, home, garden, desk.  I don't have any other space that I have any control over--but these are the places that require management and attention.

Now, you may look at all of this and think that it is a strange way to go about one's business.  Perhaps it is.  But the way that my mind is wired, this way makes sense to me, and it helps me succeed with the structure that I need to keep balanced and on track.  You see, if you give me a problem to solve (and my career has been centered on that), then my brain will work full time on it until it comes up with an answer.  And, I always get the answer...just not on demand.  My brain chews away at problems, and only gives me the answer when I find some distance.  I call it the worm in my brain.  It is an industrious little fellow and seldom lets me down.

Except...it will pursue an answer at all costs to other aspects of my life which is why I have to laughingly have a resolution for 'fun'.

Not everyone's brains functions the same, and the better we recognize our own proclivities to think this way over that, the better chance we have of mastering our mind.  As the Buddists monks say, "The mind has no mind of its own".  

So I use my mind maps make my life more harmonious and balance. 

And "Park" is to place things for the worm to chew on--'someday/maybe' types of things.

I do not have "stick to resolutions" parked there!





Eye Doc and other matters

Given that the Mayan calendar did not deliver its doomsday scenario, I rather doubt the fiscal cliff will either, I had some 'stuff' to get done before the close of the year.  I was pleased to see that I'm not the only person waiting until the last minute to spend medical FSA dollars.

My regular eye doctor could not take me, and I had to get my eyes examined.  Once shooting past 50, (I am 52) years turn into dog years relative to eye deterioration.  I used to just flip my distance glasses to see--and while I can do that, I cannot do that very comfortably.  In general, to read comfortably, I need reading glasses.  In general with my glasses on, I cannot see things (like my phone etc).  Surely looking over my glasses is not going to help the forehead wrinkles.

Lens crafters, the eye doc, doc in the box, was there for me.  I had a few surprises (all pleasant).  First, they were available to get an appointment.  Second, their fees are much cheaper than my regular eye doc.  One example is the retinal picture.  They charged $25 for this valuable service.  My eye doctor charges $200.  The eye exam is $99.  My doctors:  $150.  (Oh and I'm self pay).

Glasses/lenses---probably at least 1.5 - 2 times more.  Needless to say they have lost me forever as a patient.  Lenscrafters had the trifecta of service, price and selection.

So with $1300 to spend, I got a pair of progressive lenses and rx sunglasses.  Mark bought some wiley x glasses on line for his motosports activities.  I have enough money left over for Reade to get his eyes examined.  He can wait another couple of days and spend 2013 Medical FSA.  Lots of others were doing the same.

For the second year in a row, I am not having a NY's Eve dinner.  However, I am having a NY's Day dinner around 2 p.m.  My sister gave me a beautiful sugar/salt cured ham.  I will be fix it using the method shown here.  I have had WONDERFUL success with this method, and I cannot imagine cooking a ham any other way.  What is nice about this method is that you do not soak it per se.  Rather, you follow these easy steps:

    •    find a pot that the ham fits into, trimming off the hock if necessary.
    ◦    cover with water to a depth of 3-4 inches above the ham and cover
    ▪    bring it to a boil
    •    take it off heat, wrap it up to hold in heat and let it sit unperturbed for 12 hours (still covered!).
    ▪    Use 1 inch of newspaper on bottom and top and tie chair cushions around.
    •    Wait 12 hours
    •    take out, cut off fat, diamond score and rub with sugar
    •    bake@275F for 2 hours

While ham will be the scrumptious centerpiece of the meal, I'll make spoonbread, black eyed peas, scalloped potatoes and collard greens.  I think a simple jam tart with vanilla ice cream will be the dessert.  I might make a sweet potato pie.....I'll leave something to inspiration.

My FR project closed on Thursday.  I was happy for that milestone to pass.  At the last minute, the settlement agent said, "There was a slip up on the HUD form.  The mortgage company said that since this is a flip house, the seller has to pay for the second appraisal."  I said, "Absolutely not.  This is not in our contract, and this was a requirement by the mortgage underwriting.  I'm not paying for their underwriting costs."

Not a peep more was said about it.  I see why people call bankers "banksters".  They are always looking for someone else to pay.

I've been frightfully busy with all these deadlines that are stuffed into a short period of time.  On top of all of this, I'm undergoing my annual metamorphic list (otherwise known as resolutions)----to  emerge in 2013 as an improved human being.




Tick Tock

We are celebrating the holiday simply this year.  Gift giving is minimized--we all have what we need, and our wants are small.  I have a wreath on the door, but I did not put up a tree.  No, I'm not  bah-humbug, but we are doing the things that are important:  spending time with family.

Oh...and one Christmas ho-ho-ho ended up being the old heave-ho of the hot water heater which gave way yesterday.  We noticed the water (well) was cloudy.  It has been dry; I had been washing clothes all day (but the new dishwashers and clothes washers use less water than a toilet flush), and was hoping that we were not suffering from the well giving out.  Mark said, "Let me look underneath and make sure that we don't have a plumbing leak."  He reported back shortly that we did.

No water heater could be had from Lowe's before the first week in January.  Home Depot (God bless them, every one) had one in stock.  We needed a short one because it is under the house.  It looks like the men-folk have installed it with a minimum of fussing/cussing.  (God bless them, every one).

Earlier in the week, my daughter's well pump failed, and her Christmas heave-ho was a new water pump.  Strange synchronisms this past week.  A former colleague died from a heart attack and another friend was hospitalized with a heart attack.  The man who was installing the 'community sanctioned mailbox' at my FD property (the community association did an inspection and the property was written up for leaves in the yard, gutter, non-compliant mailbox and a heat pump that did not have a screen.

The contractor had the lines marked, and they ran very close to the existing mailbox.  When I came back they were tamping the new mailbox in.  He all of a sudden said, "Whoa! Step back and don't touch the mailbox.   "Call Comcast!  he said to his wife.  I said that I had to go, but that I would be back.  An hour an a half later, I returned, and they were gone.  No caution tape was around the mailbox.  I called him to find out the what of the matter.

The what of the matter was not that the mailbox was electrified.  Rather, his heart defibrillator and jolted him just as he had touched the mailbox.  He promptly went to the doctor once he determined that all was well with the mailbox.  He's fine.

I believe that the two best gifts that we can give one another for Christmas is (1)  the expression of our heartfelt gratitude for the people in our lives and for the comforts, to whatever degree we have them; and (2) forgiving past grievances no matter the magnitude. 

In addition to those, I have a third item:  The gift of homemade cinnamon roles from Pioneer Woman's kitchen. (1) Yes, you can do this, and it isn't too late yet (but almost).  I'm making these for neighbors so that they can enjoy them on Christmas morning.  The dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days--which is a very helpful thing to keep in mind when you want to have 1/2 of the prep done on any yeast product done in advance.

Hope your countdown to the holidays is not stressing you out.

(1) Epilogue:  The reasons why I like this recipe so (and some tips) much are as follows:

Why I like them:
  1. This recipe is not as fussy as other dough recipes.  It is a hybrid between a quick bread and a yeast dough as it has both yeast AND baking powder and soda.  I'm a little uncertain as to why there is soda in it as there is no acidic ingredients.  Nevertheless, I'm not in test kitchen mode, so I do not question.
  2. The rise time is much reduced--so you can syncopate your batches.
  3. That refrigerator thing---which allows you to control the dough.
Some tips:
  • Consider using a baking stone that is warm to put your aluminum pans on to create a favorable environment for the second rise.
  • Do NOT use a medium saucepan to mix your milk, oil and sugar.  Rather, use at least an 8 quart pot.  Choose one that you can put a top on so that you can put it right into the fridge.
  • Consider adding some marscapone cream cheese (about 2-3 oz) (or regular cream cheese) and some sour cream (a couple of tablespoons. ) I found that this deepened the flavor and made it a bit lest cloying (not that cloying is bad, but some foil to the underlying sweetness of the rolls is good.
    • I also used maple syrup instead of maple extract and. .  .
    • I added a 1/2 tsp of vanilla
    • Remember....you are shooting for consistency and balanced taste--so don't be afraid.  Too much liquid?  Just add more confectioner's sugar.  It is very forgivin.
  • I used oblong pans with a plastic top.  There is just not simply enough room in the round pans to give everyone another taste!
  • Don't worry if your pan does not look full.  Space about 3/4 - 1 inch apart.  They spread.
And remember....everyone makes cookies....and they are yummy to be sure. However, you'll stand out from the crowd with this offering. Also....they are NO LESS difficult than handling cookies.  In fact, it is a lots more relaxing.

Catching Up

"No one could accuse me of being prolific," I mutter to myself when I see (1) how long it has been since my last post, and (2) how few posts I've made in any month.

It has been a busy year, and absent specific things to write about (there was always a stock chart or something that I found interesting to share on my other blog), I feel no compulsion to write a soporific post for the sake of writing.

I had expected to today to close on my FR property.  This did not happen because at the 11th hour the bank underwriter indicated that they needed a second appraisal.  Geez.  This is the second time that this has happened.  I guess it stems from FHA underwriting on 'flipped' houses--though it is not an FHA loan.  Likely co-opted underwriting.  Oh, I hate that work as it sounds so 'flip' and belies the amount of expense and work that goes into it.  Nevertheless, if you own it less than a year and sell it...it is a 'flip'.

The second appraiser came out on quick notice.  He indicated to my realtor that he did not see any issues with the house value.  But, I'm waiting for the report.  He was interested in what was done to the house (lots!).  He indicated, too, that he gets lots of these last minute calls.  For the NEXT house I sell, I plan to put some teeth into the contract that requires the buyer's lender to be a bit more on the ball.