As promised (a month late)...A Virtual Open House

127 Magnolia Lane

We've moved! Still getting settled, as you'll be able to tell from the pictures. Please ignore the fact that all the walls are white and there are virtually no curtains.

Patio in between the carport and back porch. Great place for a hot tub, don't ya think?

Back porch. These doors go into the living room.

View from office, front of the house. NEED CURTAINS. :)

Here is where my sweet guests will lay their heads when they come to visit. BYOC! (Bring your own curtains) :)

Basement.

Computer center. This is right at the back door when you come in off the carport. A nice place to collect all that junk you bring in with you.

Laundry room.

View of dining room from kitchen.

View of dining room from living room. NEED Curtains. (Notice a pattern here?)

Note to self.... clean black smoke dust off of bricks.

Another note to self... read stack of magazines and throw away.

Quite possibly the ugliest mantle ever.

What would you all put on these shelves?

Foyer

Living room

Opposite side of living room

Master bedroom

Ahhh... my reading chair!

Back in May I flew to my sister's house in St. Louis for my niece's high school graduation. Thankfully, my sister Sharon asked me to stay with her. This was the first time I had stayed in her new house and I felt very comfortable immediately when I walked in the door. Sharon is one of those people that just have a knack for decorating. I want my house to look just like hers. I, not unlike her, can't stand clutter. She has the neatest house but at the same time it feels comfortable and welcoming. Mine? Not so much. It's looking pretty sterile around here at the moment. All the walls are contractor beige and I've only got curtains in two rooms. Sharon's coming to spend Thanksgiving with me and I hope she gets bored while she's here, takes pity on me, and helps me fix this place up. (Hint, hint.) ;)

My friend Sarah is the same way. She has the best ideas and best paint colors ever! (You can see for yourself if you follow her blog link on my page.) When we moved into our last house, Sarah picked out all my curtains. I hate curtains. Sarah's coming to spend a weekend with me in December and I hope she gets bored while she's here, takes pity on me, and helps me fix this place up. (Hint, hint.) ;)

Chris Dodd (D-CT) Seriously?

Most of you know that I rarely post my political views on my blog even though I have pretty strong ones, but with this one, I just can't help it. I'm livid about this one. Here is the article from Chris Dodd's website.

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October 19, 2009
At a press conference at Stamford Government Center today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) unveiled The Fairness and Accountability in Receiving (FAIR) Overdraft Coverage Act, a bill to protect Americans from excessive checking account overdraft fees. Dodd was joined at the event by Attorney Ellery Plotkin, a consumer advocate, and Mario Livieri, a resident of Branford who was unfairly hit with overdraft fees earlier this year.

“At a time when many can afford it least, Connecticut consumers like Mario are being hit with hundreds of dollars in penalties for overdrawing on their account by just a few dollars. Banks should not be trying to bolster their profits at the expense of their customers,” said Dodd. “My legislation gives Connecticut consumers control over their bank accounts – giving them the chance to choose whether they want overdraft protection, establishing strict limits on these fees, and shining more light on these practices.”

So-called “overdraft protection programs” enable customers to overdraw their accounts, without their knowledge, they make debit card purchases, electronic transfers, ATM withdrawals or use checks. Account holders are often enrolled in the programs without their consent and many banks will slap customers with fees of upwards of $30 for this “courtesy” even if their account is only overdrawn by a few cents.
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Etc. etc. You can read the full article if you follow the above link to Dodd's website.




Here's a thought, Mr. Dodd -

I don't think people need "government protection" from these "ridiculous" overdraft fees us evil banks are charging. Here's a novel idea... Maybe consumers could just balance their check books and not spend money they don't have. That would be the quickest and easiest way to ensure they aren't hit with these huge fees. Problem solved, no need for legislation. Taken directly from the article..."so called overdraft protection programs enable customers to overdraw accounts without their knowledge" WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE? Are you kidding me? Do they not have a check register and a calculator? Give me a break! Where does taking personal responsibility for one's actions fall into this bill?

Secondly, if this legislation passes and banks are only allowed to pay overdrafts only six times per year, what happens when consumer habits don't change? Let me just inform you. Our bank currently charges $25 for an overdraft account per item. If we instead (after the alloted 6 per year) sent those items back to the businesses they were written to, guess what their fee is for a returned item. At Wal-Mart and most convenience stores, it's $35.00! Shall we save your constituents from evil Wal-Mart, Family Dollar, Sally's Salon and Bert's Barbeque Pit as well?

This proposed legislation helps no one, not banks, and definitely not consumers. What are you thinking?

Granted, I'm a banker and probably more than a little biased on the topic, but seriously, can someone tell me why this is a good idea? Really, what am I missing here?

Our right and our responsibility!

I've voted. Have you?

Thankful, Fortunate, and a Little Selfish, Too.

2009 has had it's ups and downs in the Robertson family, no doubt, but as we head into the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I can't help but think about how fortunate and how blessed we truly are. As we prepare to celebrate the holiday seasons in our new home, I am acutely reminded of those who have nowhere to call home. As I am surrounded by family and friends, I remember that the holidays aren't such a happy time for so many. I've been blessed beyond measure with more happiness, health, and financial and job security than I've earned or deserved. I don't take it lightly. I don't take it for granted.

All day I've been thinking about that quote (Bible verse maybe) "Too whom much is given, much is required." Yesterday, my mom asked me for a Christmas list. I've thought of a couple of things, but in all honesty, I don't NEED anything. I think I'm going to ask her to get an angel from one of the trees at Wal-Mart or the Department of Social Services and make someone else's Christmas special. A donation to Habitat for Humanity is also on my list.

One of the best gifts I've ever received at Christmas was something I couldn't unwrap or hold or even see, but I'll remember it forever. Chris and I were opening gifts a few years after we were married. Chris has a tradition of buying one or two of the things that are on my list and then there are these small things that he buys year after year for me (Chapstick, Christmas tree cakes, magazines, etc, etc.) Not big items but they are a tradition and he always, ALWAYS shops for them on Christmas Eve. That year, I didn't get any of those things while we were opening gifts. After we finished, he told me the story. He was doing his shopping and overheard a husband and wife having a small arguement in the aisle beside him. The wife wanted to buy their child a toy, the husband wanted to buy her new winter coat. They went back and forth a little bit and the husband finally decided that maybe the child could get by with the old coat a little bit longer because he wanted her to have a toy to open on Christmas morning.

Chris said, I'm sorry Heidi but I left all your gifts in the basket and gave them your Christmas money. I was so GLAD he did. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I hope that sweet baby stayed warm that winter and had a BIG fun TOY to open on Christmas morning. I think about that kid every year, even though I have no clue who she is, and hope she's having the best Christmas ever.

Of course, we all have that selfish side too, and with all that I've said, I would be thrilled if this would show up on my doorstep Christmas morning. I'm finally ready!

Don't you think I'd be an awesome Peekapoo mommy?

A little deal for you...

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Sweet, huh?

The ABC's Book...

Many of you know I have an ABC scrapbook of mixed drinks that I'm working on filling up. The goal is to pick a new drink for each letter of the alphabet and get pictures of the drink and the aftermath. Some of my favorites are Appletini's with mom, Levi and Maranda. And Margaritas with Sarah in Myrtle Beach. Oh, and Jello Shots with Justin and Jill in Gatlinburg. That one was not pretty!


Me and Carrie are going to be documenting W and B tonight. This could get ugly!
FUN TIMES! I love summer!

So I log onto my blog today...

after spending a good 10 minutes trying to remember the user name and I quickly remember why I have been avoiding it for so long. All the pictures of Brady! Does it ever really get any easier? Seriously?





Let's see... since my last confession... I mean update...





I have turned 32.


I have booked a trip to Disney.


I have not visited anyone else's blog. (Going to check them when I finish writing)


I have not gotten another dog.


The King of Pop died.


I have updated to an iPhone which is the single greatest gadget I've ever purchased. If it is possible to be in love with an inanimate object such as a cell phone, I'm so there. I should have listened to mom months ago.

I've missed you guys!