17 Days to Freedom!!!

I have buyers for my house. The closing is scheduled for December 5, 2007. It's a long story, but basically selling this house ranks #6 on the world's all-time list for "Greatest Tests of Patience". I first put the home up for sale in the spring of 2005. Almost three years later, it will finally be gone from my life. I'm trying to focus on the good memories from the house, like the two Halloween parties, the fires, chopping about 5 1/2 cords of wood with my chainsaw. I did have fun working on all the projects, but in the end, the house was too big (I don't have much "stuff")and too isolated to really enjoy. So, life goes on. I love my apartment and my new role at work is coming along.

Tomorrow, I meet Anne, Isabella's new babysitter. Bella enjoys her independence and I think this is the best way for her to spend weekends when I'm not home; in her own bed, with her own food. She is definitely a Russell!

I'm still looking for a part-time job for the weekends. I get off from Saturday morning until Wednesday night, so I have a lot of time. I want to get into something to do with dogs, like a kennel tech, but those jobs are hard to come by. We'll see. I really enjoyed my job as a pizza chef in high school, maybe I can do that again. I also thought about working at Gap, so I could get discounts, but I really dislike retail.

I miss Rob. He's in Iraq while Meg and Katy Rose are in Germany. I hope they are all warm and safe.

Kajal comes in this week for Thanksgiving and then I go see Girish and his new home in December. And then back to the East Coast in December for Christmas.

Hiking in Colorado

Well, Colorado has one thing many other places don't. Excellent hiking trails. Yes, I've done some good hiking here. Colorado Springs, Jamestown, Boulder, Estes Park, Long's Peak, even Rabbit Mountain in good ole' Longmont. Actually probably considered Lyons, but it's only a 5 minute drive from my apartment. You can never get too much of a good thing, so tomorrow I am planning on going to Blue Lake in Nederland. Actually it's more near Ward and only 10 minutes from my house in Jamestown. It's hard to believe that in 17 days, my house will be sold. Wow. I am so estatic. It's going to rain today or else I'd go today. I will use today to do my 400 lbs. of laundry.

This Friday, I get paid. I have been so careful with my checks up until now and had never really made my home in Jamestown comfortable b/c I was always spending money on projects and if it was up to buying frilly curtains and valences or a snowblower, I would choose the snowblower. With the house now selling, I can afford "comfort" things, like curtains, art, nice dishes, nice clothes, nice blankets, etc. It's not like I couldn't afford them before, just that I'd rather spend the money on improving the house. So, I'm happy about that. I'm going to buy some nice Brooks sneakers, some really nice casual shoes, and some other nice clothes. I like Polo b/c it fits me well and it's expensive, but I think there's an outlet in Castle Rock. I do understand I need to regrow my savings after losing money with my house, but oh well, such is life. My family is healthy and happy, my dog is awesome and I have a really nice girlfriend. That's really what is important.

I never heard from Safeway about a second job. I might just drop it for now. I do enjoy these days off. If I can go for a long hike(s) on my off days, then I would rather do that. I don't like the gym, but need to exercise, so I figure hiking is a good way to do that. It will be cold, yes, but Bella will love it as will I.

The Eagles are 4-5 and my fantasy team, the Phoenixville Crappies, are 6-4. I think the Eagles will beat the Dolphins and have a shot at the playoffs. Here's why. I think they will BEAT the Patriots. Yes, win. The Patriots will lose at least 1 game, why not against a team they should beat. Any given Sunday. It'll be a game like the Colts v. Chargers. Brady will have a bad day, the Eagles will get some lucky breaks and win 20-17. Final predictions:

Eagles 29, Dolphins 20.
Eagles 20, Patriots 17.
Seahawks 34, Eagles 17.
Giants 28, Eagles 13.
Cowboys 31, Eagles 28.
Eagles 23, Saints 21.
Eagles 20, Bills 16.

Final record: 8-8 I doubt that's good enough actually.