This morning we met with our realtor to begin the process of getting our house listed and on the market. She showed us a few of the comps in our area and the information was a bit discouraging. Normally she would pick 3 or 4 recent sales of similar houses to help us to get an idea of what we should ask. The problem is that there aren't any. The market has been so slow that she had to really stretch to find anything similar.
There is a 14 month supply of houses on the market in the Portland area. Which essentially means that it would take that long for everything on the market currently to sell, and we are planning to jump into that same pool... not good news.
However, our ridiculously huge house is well built, upgraded and on a large lot. So at least its not a cookie cutter place. For the right family this home would be a major bargain.
On the up side, thinking about selling your home really makes you look at it with different eyes. The 'to do' lists are growing, and many things that we have put off are now getting started. We have been planning to add a sink downstairs since we moved in and now it has all been purchased. The plan is to get started tomorrow morning with some minor plumbing work, and then to install the vanity, sink, and badda bing: New Sink!
That's the plan any way. We will see how it plays out!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Door to Door
Over the past few days, 3 door to door salesmen have come by. They were selling vinyl windows, lawn care, and some sort of philanthropy for disabled people. I actually just closed the door on the window salesman and I felt horrible. It's raining hard and he had a huge drip of water on his nose... he was soaked! His tag-a-long trainee looked as if she was frozen solid and I felt so bad that I tried to let them down easy as I said no thanks.
I seem to remember saying "try to stay dry..." hope that didn't sound condescending.
It has to be tough doing that kind of sales work. I had a friend in college that spent an entire summer selling reference books door to door. He literally walked through the tread on his shoes! The money was terrible and his self-esteem was so low when he got home that it took him 6 months to recover.
If the spent the same amount of time at an hourly job, wouldn't that be a better use of their time. I suppose it must work sometimes. We did buy a freezer full of meats from a guy last summer (best free range stuff I've ever tasted!).
If you are not asking for a couple of eggs from a neighbor or wearing a girl scout uniform, I think most people would prefer if you let us find you!
I seem to remember saying "try to stay dry..." hope that didn't sound condescending.
It has to be tough doing that kind of sales work. I had a friend in college that spent an entire summer selling reference books door to door. He literally walked through the tread on his shoes! The money was terrible and his self-esteem was so low when he got home that it took him 6 months to recover.
If the spent the same amount of time at an hourly job, wouldn't that be a better use of their time. I suppose it must work sometimes. We did buy a freezer full of meats from a guy last summer (best free range stuff I've ever tasted!).
If you are not asking for a couple of eggs from a neighbor or wearing a girl scout uniform, I think most people would prefer if you let us find you!
Monday, February 25, 2008
What made it fall apart today...
As soon as I merged onto the freeway on the way home from class, something felt wrong. It wasn't overt or obvious, but there was a sluggishness when I changed lanes.
A couple of miles later I changed lanes again, and something just seemed off to me. There was no loud noises and my passengers encouraged me to keep driving. But I had a strange feeling, so I pulled over and got out. There was smoke coming from the left rear wheel. Not a good sign.
I called a mechanic friend (great to have one of these btw) and he said it might be the bearings or a loose axle assembly. He suggested that I jack it up and check the lug nuts and the wheel to see if they were loose. So, I found the jack and placed myself between multi-ton vehicles flying by at 65mph and my car (I hate that feeling) and started to raise the car. Sure enough, after a few minutes of playing roulette with oncoming traffic, the tire was off the ground and it was VERY loose. It wouldn't have been much longer and the entire wheel would have come off... and this blog might be something very different... which of course got me thinking.
What else in my world is just about to fall apart? What's the difference between something working perfectly fine today, and tomorrow its useless or even dangerous? This has been an ongoing question for the past few years living in a 30 year old home. Most household appliances last 20-25 years. We have been replacing everything: oven, garage door openers, water heaters, furnace condenser pumps.... It just makes me wonder what other things in my world are on their last legs? How dangerous will it be when it finally stops working? Will it just die, or will it fall apart in some dramatic fashion?
I am not prone to living in fear, but it astonishes me how thin the line is between functionality and dysfunction. I suppose that applies to most things come to think of it.
Well, I encourage you to keep your radar up and alert. Trust your instincts and intuition. If something seems off, look into it. I can only imagine what would have happened if I had just kept driving.
A couple of miles later I changed lanes again, and something just seemed off to me. There was no loud noises and my passengers encouraged me to keep driving. But I had a strange feeling, so I pulled over and got out. There was smoke coming from the left rear wheel. Not a good sign.
I called a mechanic friend (great to have one of these btw) and he said it might be the bearings or a loose axle assembly. He suggested that I jack it up and check the lug nuts and the wheel to see if they were loose. So, I found the jack and placed myself between multi-ton vehicles flying by at 65mph and my car (I hate that feeling) and started to raise the car. Sure enough, after a few minutes of playing roulette with oncoming traffic, the tire was off the ground and it was VERY loose. It wouldn't have been much longer and the entire wheel would have come off... and this blog might be something very different... which of course got me thinking.
What else in my world is just about to fall apart? What's the difference between something working perfectly fine today, and tomorrow its useless or even dangerous? This has been an ongoing question for the past few years living in a 30 year old home. Most household appliances last 20-25 years. We have been replacing everything: oven, garage door openers, water heaters, furnace condenser pumps.... It just makes me wonder what other things in my world are on their last legs? How dangerous will it be when it finally stops working? Will it just die, or will it fall apart in some dramatic fashion?
I am not prone to living in fear, but it astonishes me how thin the line is between functionality and dysfunction. I suppose that applies to most things come to think of it.
Well, I encourage you to keep your radar up and alert. Trust your instincts and intuition. If something seems off, look into it. I can only imagine what would have happened if I had just kept driving.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Amazing Grace
I just finished watching an incredibly inspiring movie. Amazing Grace is the story of William Willburforce, the man who devoted his life to the abolition of slavery in England. A must see movie about a truly great man!
Time for a Change?
How do you know when its time for a change? Does the desire grow slowly over time, or does it come upon you all of a sudden?
I have always tended to be a bit of an idealist. I have a hard time settling. Yet, like most people, over time things seem to become more normal or more comfortable.
My wife and I stumbled upon a home the other day. It has been vacant for over a year, is in a prime location, and could hardly be more perfect for our unusual family situation. However, the amount of work it will take to even be able to see if making a change is possible is overwhelming to me.
There is also the subtle question of influence. Many times in my life I have been able to bring about the change that I hope to see by sheer hard work, tenacity, and influence. But there is often a bitter taste in my mouth wondering whether it was meant to be or if I just "worked it".
Some refer to this as the concept of fate vs. free will.... God's plans vs. my plans... there are many areas where this tension comes to light, but I often see the potential to "work it" when change is an issue.
The questions are many: do I want to work it? should I work it if I could? if it takes a lot to work it, is it worth the effort? will I regret it if I don't try?
Perhaps this is just self-indulgent naval gazing, but I find it important to lay hold of my motives and desires before I commit myself to action.
I have always tended to be a bit of an idealist. I have a hard time settling. Yet, like most people, over time things seem to become more normal or more comfortable.
My wife and I stumbled upon a home the other day. It has been vacant for over a year, is in a prime location, and could hardly be more perfect for our unusual family situation. However, the amount of work it will take to even be able to see if making a change is possible is overwhelming to me.
There is also the subtle question of influence. Many times in my life I have been able to bring about the change that I hope to see by sheer hard work, tenacity, and influence. But there is often a bitter taste in my mouth wondering whether it was meant to be or if I just "worked it".
Some refer to this as the concept of fate vs. free will.... God's plans vs. my plans... there are many areas where this tension comes to light, but I often see the potential to "work it" when change is an issue.
The questions are many: do I want to work it? should I work it if I could? if it takes a lot to work it, is it worth the effort? will I regret it if I don't try?
Perhaps this is just self-indulgent naval gazing, but I find it important to lay hold of my motives and desires before I commit myself to action.
Monday, February 18, 2008
One Good Turn...
The other day, as I was returning from the store, I pulled up to my house to see my neighbor walking away pushing his lawnmower. I thought this looked strange, so I stepped out to investigate and was blown away. He had mowed my entire front lawn.
My first reaction shock. Then my mind started racing as I tried to remember how my lawn looked before I left. Had it been that bad? Did he mow my lawn because I wasn't taking care of my yard to his standards???
I caught up to him and thanked him for his efforts. Quickly he replied that it was no big deal, and that he was simply returning a favor. Then it dawned on me that 2 months ago I had helped him tow his car home after work when it had died on the highway.
I had completely forgotten about what I had done and it never even occurred to me that this might be some benevolent gesture. Its funny how all of the possible reasons I could come up with for doing something like this were negative... not sure what that says about me...
Generosity of the kind my neighbor demonstrated makes me uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, I am incredibly grateful, but I have no idea how to respond. Is a simple "thank you" enough? Or now do I owe him again???
If one good turn deserves another, then where does it all end? Or is that the point? That serving one another, in the best sense, is an on going process.
My first reaction shock. Then my mind started racing as I tried to remember how my lawn looked before I left. Had it been that bad? Did he mow my lawn because I wasn't taking care of my yard to his standards???
I caught up to him and thanked him for his efforts. Quickly he replied that it was no big deal, and that he was simply returning a favor. Then it dawned on me that 2 months ago I had helped him tow his car home after work when it had died on the highway.
I had completely forgotten about what I had done and it never even occurred to me that this might be some benevolent gesture. Its funny how all of the possible reasons I could come up with for doing something like this were negative... not sure what that says about me...
Generosity of the kind my neighbor demonstrated makes me uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, I am incredibly grateful, but I have no idea how to respond. Is a simple "thank you" enough? Or now do I owe him again???
If one good turn deserves another, then where does it all end? Or is that the point? That serving one another, in the best sense, is an on going process.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Saying NO!
Tonight, as my daughter was getting ready for bed, she threw a tantrum. We were almost finished with her regular routine, all three stories had been read. It was time to brush her teeth and we were going over the next steps.
Usually this means a 'once-upon-a-time' story and prayers, then lights out. From time to time we negotiate a variation: shadow puppets, a puzzle, back rub... Tonight, she wanted to do a puzzle. But, it was getting late and sometimes puzzles can take a while. Especially if they are missing pieces. So, I said no.
She reacted like a prisoner pleading for her life: "PLEASE, DADDY, PLEASE!!!!" I'm sorry, I said, but no. At this point, parenting becomes diplomacy. The lines have been drawn and the sides have been taken. The volume goes up, the tears begin to flow, and the passion and frustration at the injustice being done become hysterics.
It was interesting how clear the options became: I could give in to her demands and let her do the puzzle and it would all be over... so simple, so easy. Or I could stand my ground and maintain my position. In some ways, I love that she is willing to fight for what she wants. I never want her to lose that passion. But if I gave in, I would be creating a monster. Tonight is one thing, the problem becomes that she will expect me to cave the next night as well.
My inconsistency, becomes, consistently expected.
On the one hand, it is a bit arbitrary on my part to say no. At times in the past I have agreed to a bargain. I am certain that I will do so again in the future. Yet letting her think that she can change my mind at will is giving her too much power. And once you give that away it takes a long time to get it back (check out an episode of the Supernanny)!
On the other hand, it would have only cost me a couple of extra minutes of my time to let her do her puzzle, and it would have saveed my wife and I a lot of grief. Not to mention all of my daughters tears and frustration.
I'm not sure it really matters what I could have done. I made a decision, and once I said no, I was committed to that decision.
We have a saying at our house: "I can't give a whiner what she wants." If it is applied in time, it has been an effective tool at staving off many tantrums. But logic and reason are seldom employed in a child's brain. Especially when they hear the word NO, and that only supports the truth of the saying.
I don't like to say NO. I would much rather say YES. But I love my daughter too much to stop being a parent just because it would easy.
So, to the temptation to just give in, I say: NO!!!
Usually this means a 'once-upon-a-time' story and prayers, then lights out. From time to time we negotiate a variation: shadow puppets, a puzzle, back rub... Tonight, she wanted to do a puzzle. But, it was getting late and sometimes puzzles can take a while. Especially if they are missing pieces. So, I said no.
She reacted like a prisoner pleading for her life: "PLEASE, DADDY, PLEASE!!!!" I'm sorry, I said, but no. At this point, parenting becomes diplomacy. The lines have been drawn and the sides have been taken. The volume goes up, the tears begin to flow, and the passion and frustration at the injustice being done become hysterics.
It was interesting how clear the options became: I could give in to her demands and let her do the puzzle and it would all be over... so simple, so easy. Or I could stand my ground and maintain my position. In some ways, I love that she is willing to fight for what she wants. I never want her to lose that passion. But if I gave in, I would be creating a monster. Tonight is one thing, the problem becomes that she will expect me to cave the next night as well.
My inconsistency, becomes, consistently expected.
On the one hand, it is a bit arbitrary on my part to say no. At times in the past I have agreed to a bargain. I am certain that I will do so again in the future. Yet letting her think that she can change my mind at will is giving her too much power. And once you give that away it takes a long time to get it back (check out an episode of the Supernanny)!
On the other hand, it would have only cost me a couple of extra minutes of my time to let her do her puzzle, and it would have saveed my wife and I a lot of grief. Not to mention all of my daughters tears and frustration.
I'm not sure it really matters what I could have done. I made a decision, and once I said no, I was committed to that decision.
We have a saying at our house: "I can't give a whiner what she wants." If it is applied in time, it has been an effective tool at staving off many tantrums. But logic and reason are seldom employed in a child's brain. Especially when they hear the word NO, and that only supports the truth of the saying.
I don't like to say NO. I would much rather say YES. But I love my daughter too much to stop being a parent just because it would easy.
So, to the temptation to just give in, I say: NO!!!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Multiple Choice
I just finished an exam for my Church History class. It was going well until I got to the multiple choice questions. Why is that a multiple choice answer seems so difficult?
Which of the following are not true? Which of course implies that more than one is...
How many of the following people are...? Which means you have to know about all of them...
I suppose its not so bad if there are only 3 possible choices. One is obviously wrong, and then at least you have a 50/50 chance. But as soon as I see D) and E) my eye starts to twitch!!!
D and E are never good. They always seem to be some ghastly combination of death by logic!
d) both A and B; e) all of the above.
It drives me CRAZY I tell you! The amount of time I spent thinking and over thinking those questions was ridiculous!
And then, after you think you've finally gotten the answer and are about to move on, there's that voice.... you know the one. Its your high school English teacher reminding you that you should go with your "first impression". Or that pimply faced nerd who always got such great grades that swore he could prove statistically that "C" is by far the most common answer.
I hate multiple choice questions! It seems like I can always find a way to convince myself that any of the answers might be right under certain circumstances. And then there's the trick play. I start trying to get into my prof's head and start wondering if he is asking trick questions...
This all goes to show that I have a significant problem: option paralysis.
Too many choices mean too many possible solutions, and my capacity to convince myself of something is staggering.
Why can't all the questions be short answer? At least then, if you write enough, you're sure to stumble over the right amount of BS!!!
May all your tests be True/False and short answer!
Which of the following are not true? Which of course implies that more than one is...
How many of the following people are...? Which means you have to know about all of them...
I suppose its not so bad if there are only 3 possible choices. One is obviously wrong, and then at least you have a 50/50 chance. But as soon as I see D) and E) my eye starts to twitch!!!
D and E are never good. They always seem to be some ghastly combination of death by logic!
d) both A and B; e) all of the above.
It drives me CRAZY I tell you! The amount of time I spent thinking and over thinking those questions was ridiculous!
And then, after you think you've finally gotten the answer and are about to move on, there's that voice.... you know the one. Its your high school English teacher reminding you that you should go with your "first impression". Or that pimply faced nerd who always got such great grades that swore he could prove statistically that "C" is by far the most common answer.
I hate multiple choice questions! It seems like I can always find a way to convince myself that any of the answers might be right under certain circumstances. And then there's the trick play. I start trying to get into my prof's head and start wondering if he is asking trick questions...
This all goes to show that I have a significant problem: option paralysis.
Too many choices mean too many possible solutions, and my capacity to convince myself of something is staggering.
Why can't all the questions be short answer? At least then, if you write enough, you're sure to stumble over the right amount of BS!!!
May all your tests be True/False and short answer!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
The Fast Begins
I have an addictive personality. If 1 is good, 2 is better, and 3... well, you get the idea. Moderation, discipline, and delay of gratification are all things that I value, but they are also things that I really struggle with.
So, this lent season (which began last week on Ash Wednesday) my wife and I decided to fast two things that have gotten a bit out of hand for us: TV and Fast Food.
Practically, this means that anything with a drive through is off limits for 40 days. And as far as TV is concerned, we are limiting ourselves to 1 night per week. That's it! And for people with as many shows to watch as us, that's a real sacrifice!
So, we are 4 days into it and things are going well so far. In fact, I am off to play a card game (Quiddler) with my wife!
So, this lent season (which began last week on Ash Wednesday) my wife and I decided to fast two things that have gotten a bit out of hand for us: TV and Fast Food.
Practically, this means that anything with a drive through is off limits for 40 days. And as far as TV is concerned, we are limiting ourselves to 1 night per week. That's it! And for people with as many shows to watch as us, that's a real sacrifice!
So, we are 4 days into it and things are going well so far. In fact, I am off to play a card game (Quiddler) with my wife!
Friday, February 08, 2008
Blogs, Blogs, and More Blogs...
It seems like everyone has a blog these days. It's a great way to stay connected to people and see what's going on in their world... so, I figure I'll give it a try.
Some people write blogs that focus on the world of ideas. Other people use blogs as a way to keep a sort of journal about their lives and what's going on for them.
I see value in both styles, and since my world is often a life of the mind, I am certain that there well be many thoughts and ideas to go along with all of the events!
So.... off we go!
Some people write blogs that focus on the world of ideas. Other people use blogs as a way to keep a sort of journal about their lives and what's going on for them.
I see value in both styles, and since my world is often a life of the mind, I am certain that there well be many thoughts and ideas to go along with all of the events!
So.... off we go!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
