Show Me a Little Shame

So when it comes to neighbors that are courteous and personable, I really can't complain. But when it comes to neighbors that actually care about what their yards look like, or understand the concept of pride in ownership, we really drew the short straw.

We are literally surrounded. On both sides, they have allowed weeds in their front yards to grow... to... well, my estimation (without exaggeration) would be... 5 feet high. The neighbor on the left's lawn is on the verge of dead, and we're lucky if the neighbor to the right mows his lawn once a month.

That doesn't even start to explain the backyard. In fact, I was sure I couldn't put it into words, so I went ahead and took some photos... From my backyard, of course:

Neighbor-to-the-Left

Neighbor-to-the-Right

No, those aren't small trees. In fact NTTL's weeds are TALLER than his tree. Now that is a feet within itself. We have their weeds starting to creep under our fence. Matt went through and sprayed weed killer to stop the invasion.

And you would think this was enough. You might think this is where the neighbor-bashing ends... But this is truly a sight I couldn't pass up. Just recently, Neighbor-to-the-Left hung what looks like coat hangers drilled into a wooden spoon. It is literally taped to the side of his house, in front, for the world to see.

Is it for a tv? Is he contacting the mother ship? This looks like a 3rd grade science project gone wrong!

Who does this?

Radio Flyer

I surprised Matt with a radio-controlled airplane for our 2-year anniversary... I like to buy him things he'd never buy himself. And it's not something he's necessarily ever asked for... But I knew he'd have fun with it. Here he is on his first real attempt. I thought his biggest obstacle would be the ground, but surprisingly, it ended up being light posts... (He dodged every one by the way!!)

My how it flies...

I have never seen a summer move so quickly. I mean, is it really almost July?

Fiona, one of the trees in our front yard, JUST started showing her trademark pink signs of summer. So I'm thinking that it's not so much that summer is moving quickly... It's that it just got a late start. And that means it'll have a late end.

Yes - I actually derive comfort in conceptualizing and blogging about this.

Is this for real?

So I got some pretty incredible news the other night. The type of news that I never in my life expected to hear...

My father started as the Executive Director of a Chapman University College in Victor Valley not too long ago. He's been in the school business for roughly 25 years, so after dabbling in mortgage for a bit, it was nice to see him get back to his roots. What was even more nice was seeing how happy it's made him. I'm not sure I've (ever?) heard him use the word "love" and "work" in the same sentence, but he is absolutely ecstatic about his school and his staff and basically everything! ...I couldn't be happier for or prouder of him.

Working for a college myself, I realized there was likely a discounted tuition rate for family members. At my college the discount is 80%. Sounds like a lot, until you hear the full tuition amount. (Trust me).

Well, come to find out - at my father's college, for family members - it's FREE. .......(After I typed that, I had to sit here and stare at the sentence. I'm still in disbelief).

They're in the process of rolling out their MBA program and just so happen to have a campus in Roseville. I'll be eligible to start in August... Higher education, here I come!

How did I get so lucky??

Perhaps before it's too late for you...

I was graced with a cell phone ticket the other day.

I started out with the greatest of intentions. I do own a bluetooth ear thing, and used it all the time. At first. But it was always so easy to forget when I needed to bring it in to charge. So then I just started using my speakerphone and holding it against the wheel while I drove. Well, the one person who I talk on the phone with most, Matt, always said I was mumbling when I did that.

So I finally just gave up and with my new window tint, I felt even more stealth than ever. ...Now the question might come to mind: If my windows are tinted, how did I manage to get caught?

Believe it or not, the moto-cop saw me through the windshield! I was turning right, and there he was on the corner, parked at a gas station... And our eyes met, and I said "Oh shit mom, I got to go. I'm about to get a ticket for being on my cell phone. And probably for my tinted windows." And she said, "Oh. Ok, Dear. Call me back."

He was nice enough. Straight to the point. I thought it was strange that he asked if it was my car. He probably thought it was strange to find a white girl rolling around in gangsta tint.

Anyhow, it was a $20-cell phone ticket. No biggie, right?

Allow me to clear up a common misconception for you.

Although I think allowing the government, or any entity for that matter, to increase the principle of your debt by 590% in fines alone should be outlawed... As we all know it is very legal and living and well in California... Here is the riveting breakdown:

Violation: VC 23123(A) Drive using wireless phone not hands free, First offense
Base Fine: $20
Penalty Assessment: $44
State Court Facilities Construction (ICNA): $4
Night Court Fee: $1
DMV Fee: $10
20% Criminal Surcharge: $4
Criminal Conviction Assessment: $25
Court Security Fee: $20
Total Fine Due: $138

That's a pretty expensive $20 ticket if you ask me. Let this be your warning.

But please don't wear those earpieces around like it's your newest accessory. Honestly, people...

I have...

...not forgotten about my blog. I've just been on a mental vacation is all.

Sure, there's lots to blog about. For instance - my boss has given up the Eddie Haskell act (as we all knew he would). And I've applied for another position within the organization, which I believe I haven't got a chance for. And my 2nd wedding anniversary has come and gone (on the 9th), and Matt sent 12 gorgeous roses to my work, but I didn't get them home in time to get a good picture for you. Also, I've touched base with an old friend. Not just any old friend, but a friend who was like a sister to me, and who I've missed every single day since I wrote the letter that caused us to stop talking in the first place. I was lucky enough to have not only recovered that friendship, but to have discovered its true meaning and to have witnessed its forgiving endurance.

And then there's all that lies in between. But I think I'll spare you the details, and spare myself the work.

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na

BATDOG!