Come On Knock On Our Door

Upon the suggestion of our UPS guy, H and I decided to add a peep hole to the front door. Apparently, he thought it was funny how I wouldn't open the door until I looked through the window first. Not sure why that's so funny on account that we live in one of the most dangerous cities in America. But, that's neither here nor there. 

So, off to Home Depot we went. 

This lil guy came in oil rubbed bronze ( to match our existing hardware) and appeared to be simple enough to install. 

 

Out of the packaging it came. 

Pretty simple, yes?

I asked my (not so handy) husband for a little assistance. Cue his "shocked" face. 

And off he went, power tool in hand. 

 

A few minutes hours later, (and another trip to HD) H turned this:

& this

Into this:

& this

Now, we can see you when you come to visit! (hint, hint, wink, wink)

Or... if you send gifts we will also open the door for the UPS man. (hint, hint, wink, wink)

 Come on knock on our door! We've been waiting for you.

May you have this song stuck in your head for the rest of the day. You're welcome!

Shoo Sandy

Frankenstorm update, Tuesday: 

H and I were pretty lucky yesterday. We ate, drank, danced, and played Gin Rummy. We both were awaken by the storm in the middle of the night but, we seemed to have slept through the worst of it.

As of now, it's still raining.

The winds have died down. The temperature's in the low 40's. The clouds will hopefully part by tomorrow and start drying up this soggy mess.

H took this picture this morning at the Harbor. 

From what I can tell, or have been told, some people/businesses had problems with flooding. Some did not. Most of the store fronts near the water still look like this. 

Travel restrictions are being lifted, debris being cleared, and power is slowly being restored. Although, it is not the best day in Maryland it looks like minimal damage was done, respectively.

Our thoughts and prayers are with my family and the people suffering in NJ/NY. In particular, my UB who has a house on LBI, NJ. The reports and pictures we've seen so far aren't good. But, we wont know details until they let people back on the island which, may be somewhere around 10 days. 

LBI is a long, skinny island that runs north-south along the NJ coast. Yesterday, the ocean met the bay and the water levels rose. Many homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. We are hoping not UB's and saddened for the others. We have so many great memories there. Remember Chowderfest?

Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful

"Frankenstorm" Update:

It's raining. The wind is picking up. Right now, it is blowing at about 30-40 mph. All in all, its not too bad, yet. 

Before I left for work this morning, my weather app's map looked like this.

Yes, I said 'before I left for work', I work at a major hospital that is open for business. However, I was sent home almost immediately because, the path of Miss Sandy has changed. She was once reported to be heading north and striking NJ/NY with the majority of her force. The silly girl decided to detour and hang out in Charm City for a while. Super. Thanks girl.

Yesterday, the city was preparing for the hurricane and things looked like this around here:

The Coast Guard was docked in Fells Point and hard at work in the Harbor. 

 

Dump trucks full of sand were lined up along the Harbor.

Where citizens could bag their own sand to protect their homes.

Lower level doors had been taped off with plastic barriers and sand bags put in place. Many windows had been boarded of buildings that sat on or near the water. 

Basements windows and entrances were covered with plastic and sand bags.

Storm drains were covered (in some places) with duct tape. Classy Baltimore.

Back to today, Monday: 

We aren't too concerned with flooding as we live about a half mile or so from the water and up hill. Oh, and we don't have a basement. sorrynotsorryaboutthelackofmancave

The temperature has already dropped into the 40s and H just reported to me that it is snowing in the Harbor. 

So far we have power. The Governor is saying that wont last for long. 

This tree in our back yard, that on a good day drapes and hangs over power lines may pose a problem. 

Or perhaps the bigger problem is that when Sandy makes landfall, tonight, the winds are expected to be at or around 90-100 mph (meaning she will then be classified as a category 2 hurricane). She is expected to stay, unwelcomely, for 24-36 hours.

We are all home now, safe and sound. Mr. C even wrote us an email saying, if we have any problems that he and his crew are on standby and will be available to help if any house related issues arise. 

Also, we have plenty of booze to keep us entertained so, don't feel too sorry for us yet. 

Maui, I've Got A Feeling We Aren't in Wyoming Anymore

As the weather turns colder and the sun shines fewer and fewer minutes every day I am becoming more safety conscious. H and I spend a lot of time walking the mean streets of Baltimore, between our walks to work and taking care of lil MauMau, safety is becoming a huge concern. 

Today, at work I received (yet another) "Security Alert" from the Security Department reporting that an assailant robbed a fellow colleague. A "teenager" grabbed her iPhone out of her hand and sprinted away while she was on her way to work. These occurrences happen almost biweekly. 

Then on my way home from work I passed another colleague standing by her SUV with her husband/boyfriend, a police officer, and shards of broken glass at their feet. Her driver's side window had been shattered and she was listing objects that she noticed missing. "...Oh, and my EZ Pass too." 

Photo Credit

After I was home for about an hour I heard some noise in our street. The commotion was coming a few houses down. An ambulance, police car, and a lot of shouting were what I observed. I tried to apply investigative techniques (err, sitting on the floor hunched down with my ear to a cracked window) to gain a better perspective of what was happening. I do believe I missed the majority of the action and I wish I had more details to share. All that  I gathered was it seemed like some sort of domestic dispute had occurred.

Those events occurring all within a few hours of one another plus the usual hum of the Ghetto Birds flying around the city was enough for me to spend the remainder of the night looking up personal safety devices and tips.

Photo Credit

I have an old key chain sprayer from college but, it may not be good anymore. We also have bear spray (duh, I'm from Wyoming!) which, I will probably start toting around until I purchase something more easily concealed. 

I found this Mace Pepper Gun. It seems to be a happy median between the key chain pepper spray and the full on, huge a** can of bear spray. 

Photo Credit

It even comes in Black, Blue, Silver, Navy, and Pink. If anyone is thinking of sending me a, hmmm... Halloween (?) gift this may or may not be on my wish list.

Here is the video that accompanies the Mace Gun.

Looks kind of spiffy right?!

To recap, here is a list of things I learned or were reenforced today: 

• Electronic theft is on the rise
• Victims are being targeted as they talk, text, or use other features on their phone while not paying attention to their surroundings
• Keep your phone or other valuables secure and out of view 
• Always pay attention to your surroundings while out and about
• If you are robbed: stay calm, listen and observe, give up your property, and report the crime ASAP. (do not chase the suspect as apparently, my colleague did today)
• Keep the interior of your care clean. Don't keep expensive or important items inside but, if you do make sure they are well hidden. Remember my car break in?
• Don't play with (some of) our neighbors. 

For more Charm City safety tips go here:

The Skinny

Before I get to the juicy news I wanted to share with you some of Week 17's progress.

The updated TBC list:

TBC

✓  Paint

✓  Flooring

✓  Cabinets

✓  Posts and rails for internal staircase

✓  Plumbing fixtures

✓  Appliances

✓  Countertops 

✓  Fence

     Stairs to RTD

     Garage door 

     Permit

Plumbing fixtures are in. Here is our kitchen sink, well the faucet at least. 

The crew is protecting the countertops beneath as to why I don't have a "money" kitchen shot.


Countertops you say? I am so spoiled lucky! The countertops I have dreamed of are now my own little reality! They are Carrara marble and the island is butchers block. 

The fence in the back of the house was completed. Hadyn's mother suggested we put up rod iron to ensure our safety or possibly glue down broken glass. Depending how some of these neighbors behave we may entertain those options.

Lighting fixtures are up (not all of them)

Here is our little powder room.

The posts and rails were built for the internal staircase. 

The stairs were being stained over the weekend to match the dark wood floors. 

The laundry closet complete with full size, spiffy washer/dryer we pretty much stole got for cost from the appliance store, HHGreg. Washer/dryer : me :: SuperFridge : H

Now where on earth do I keep the laundry supplies?! (soap, fabric softener, etc)


The second bath.

This weekend H's family visited to celebrate our sweet, nephew Charlie's baptism and middle brother/uncle/Godfather/DDS extraordinaire's birthday.


Said BIL (brother in law), James was busy scaling the walls to the RTD while I snapped this FFF (forced family fun) photo of H and his 'Papa Bear' in our master closet. I was trying to show just how large the closet is.

All in all the house is looking pretty ready to move into. 

But, alas, it is not. 

Here's the skinny on why:

The house is VERY close to done. As in, Mr. C says he will be 99% complete (excluding the final punch-list) on Tuesday (tomorrow!). 

However, the house has to be inspected and we have to receive an Occupancy Permit from the City before we can legally move in. The permit will likely NOT be granted if we cannot get the power on. As in this is still tied into the power-line dilemma I told you about here. 

It is my understanding that the permits have to be signed and processed through the local power company, BGE.
Once approved, the power has to be hooked up and turned on by BGE. 
Then the inspection for our Occupancy Permit will happen. 
THEN we can move in. 

All in all, the BEST case scenario we will move in by August 1. WORST case scenario we will move in by August 16. 

We have to move out of our rental house by the morning of August 1. (I didn't plan that - it just worked out that the owner of our rental is moving back in and needs it by that date.)

Please say a little prayer, meditate on it, send positive energy, or just think happy thoughts for us! 

Take A Bite Out Of...

Exciting news! 

No, the house isn't finished. 

No, we didn't get a puppy.

No, we aren't expecting.

No, we didn't win the lottery. 

Sheesh, you aren't very good at this guessing game.

What's exciting is that I made the Annapolis crime map! 

My waSaabi was broken into last week. In case you missed it or need to jog your memory, you can jump back here.

Below, is a picture of the Annapolis Crime Map website. My crime is flagged by one of those little blue men doing the robot dance across the city. 

Annapolis Crime Map 

Until this week, I didn't even know that Annapolis had a crime map. Silly me thought crime maps were reserved for larger cities like, Baltimore and Washington DC. 


In comparison, the Baltimore Crime Map is shown below. This is a website that I typically check a few times a week. Mostly because I like to torture myself. 


As I mentioned here, Baltimore was rated the eight most dangerous city in the US last year by the FBI.


Super.


If you notice, there is a lot of pink in Baltimore, 100% more pink than in Annapolis, in fact. 
Pink ≠ Flowers, lemonade stands, or candy stores.
Pink = Bad. 
Pink = Shootings (or sometimes stabbings)

Baltimore Crime Map 

There wasn't much pink near the location of our new house until earlier this month. Boo. 
If you don't already know which block we will be moving to and you would like to, please email me. Happy to fill you in. Then you can type the address into the site using the link above and get excited to come visit. Don't forget to pack your Kevlar. 


Special note to our parents: you may want to pretend like you never saw this.

Hot WaSaabi

Two things I am diligent about doing: hiding the goods I have in my car (if I even have any in there in the first place) and locking my car doors. Something I got into the habit of doing when I was 16 and started driving. Even when I was parked at home, wayyy off the beaten path (where being charged by a mama moose was much more likely than being robbed). One of my little OCD traits I suppose. 

So, yesterday morning, I was pretty surprised when I woke up to find my driver's door slightly ajar. At first I thought H had to grab the EZ Pass or something and forgot to shut it all the way.

Until I saw this.

 

OCD me would never leave my car in this state and my rather well trained H would certainly not purposefully rock the marital boat by rand-sacking my car so, I knew something was up.


Oddly, neither H, nor myself, nor any of our neighbors heard my car alarm going off last night and there were no signs of forced entry (thankfully). I do not believe this burglar was cleaver enough to break in without a little dumb luck. One of my rear door's locking mechanism works when it feels like it. I (again) am pretty diligent about making sure this locks but, I may have missed it just this once (dang!). The night before H and I returned from a long weekend visiting family. My exhaustion may have gotten the best of me.


So, why don't I think that this was the brightest robber on the burglary tree? Well, here is a list of my reasons why.


Things the robber took of mine:

• $60-$80 uncirculated dollar bills (Santa always brings a pad of $100 dollar bills when we are visiting H's hometown for Christmas, funny he never did this in Wyoming -silly Santa)

Things the robber left of mine:

• GPS
• Digital camera
• Patagonia jacket
• Maui Jim sunglasses (2) 
• EZ Pass
• Car

Things the robber left of his:

That my friends is a KA-BAR knife with a 7" blade. It looked like this (I peeked when the cop took it out of its sleeve). 

Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside now doesn't it?!

The police officers took a lot of photos, fingerprints, and of course the KA-BAR. The crime lab will process the knife, take more fingerprints and DNA (it was dirty, ew).

At least it was a beautiful morning for some fingerprint dusting. Which, is rather messy by the way, had to take my lil WaSaabi to the car wash so I didn't continue to get fingerprint powder all over myself.

I'll leave you with a little exchange I had with the nice police officer.


PO: Are you from around here?
SL: No Sir, I am from Wyoming. So, this is my first robbery.
PO: Well, hopefully it will be your last.
SL: I hope so too but, my husband and I are moving to Baltimore soon.
PO: In that case, this wont be your last.


Awesome. 

Garage

The best thing about the two little (780 and 920 square foot) "shells" we purchased is probably that one of them had a garage.  Which, means that we will also have a garage at our new house. 


"Garage! Garage you say?!" Yup! Isn't that amazing?!  


Well, if you don't know, having a garage, in general, is a pretty wonderful thing.  Having a garage in a CITY is quite rare and is absolutely outstanding.  


Why is it outstanding? Let me count the ways:


1. Guaranteed parking. We hear (and have experienced a little) that parking is tough in city world. Think about not having to lug groceries up and down city blocks, or not forgetting where you parked and having to search for your car the next day. 
2. Value. It increases the value of our house. A nice thing since we probably won't live in Baltimore for the rest of our lives and will one day have to think about selling our lil house.
2. Storage. Where else will we keep the skis or H's hunting gear (that we don't get to use nearly enough)?
3. Safety. Less chance of getting followed home by creepers from far away parking spots, or having the car broken into. Or stolen. 


I'm sure I will discover all kinds of other reasons why having a garage is awesome once we move in.  As an over-sharer, I will clearly let you know what those reasons are when that time comes. 

But, for now, I can't tell you how happy I am that this lil baby of mine will get to sleep in a nice, warm garage.  

Funny how a tractor can make you homesick! Or maybe that's just me.