So I’ve never bought or sold anything on Craigslist. I’ve purchased a handful of items from eBay but never the previously mentioned online marketplace. I took a look at it this morning and Craig’s site is not very fancy. It’s mostly a bunch of text links and nothing is flashy or animated.
When we moved into our new place the previous owners left their washer and dryer. Having moved from Chicago with our own set of laundry machines the utility room space was being eaten up by the extras. Having no need to run a laundromat out of our basement we were able to strike a deal with a family member on the washer. That was a while back and the extra dryer remained pushed against the wall. It’s only function was helping the Christmas tree box with its off-holiday task of holding up the extra box spring.
Today I finally snapped a few photos of the dryer and created a listing with my man Craig. In less than 15 minutes I was corresponding with two potential buyers by email. After 45 minutes I had a time set up for my new friend Bruce (no relation to Craig) to swing buy and pick it up for a mutually agreed upon fee. Less than 10 hours after posting my online add, the dryer was loaded up and off to its new home.
It was a successful first online item dump. I was surprised at the speed of things and it left us wondering how many people were sitting there just waiting anxiously for the right dryer add to pop up (there were others who contacted me later in the day). My magic touch has at least two friends inquiring about my availability to broker deals for some of their extra stuff.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Neighborhood News, Part I
A math riddle for you...
Family A lives 300 miles northwest of Family B. Family A moves an additional 400 miles northwest. How many miles now separate Family A and Family B?
The answer is 436 feet...if you don't cut across the back yard.
One year ago my college buddy Scott and I lived 300 plus miles apart with us in Chicago and he and his family in Cincinnati. Shortly after Family A (that's us) moved to Minneapolis, Scott accepted a transfer to Minneapolis. Over the past week we've been lending them some assistance in the way of moving and unpacking as they move into their new home.
Family A lives 300 miles northwest of Family B. Family A moves an additional 400 miles northwest. How many miles now separate Family A and Family B?
The answer is 436 feet...if you don't cut across the back yard.
One year ago my college buddy Scott and I lived 300 plus miles apart with us in Chicago and he and his family in Cincinnati. Shortly after Family A (that's us) moved to Minneapolis, Scott accepted a transfer to Minneapolis. Over the past week we've been lending them some assistance in the way of moving and unpacking as they move into their new home.
A view from our back deck
We'll now be separated by just two houses...unless you cut through the grass and trees behind the house.
The boys are thrilled to have their pal A.J. (two months older than Kellen) near by and we're excited to have additional friends so close. They even suggested Rachel and I could start dating again...we clarified that they meant each other and not other people. Swapping childcare and sharing time together with them is an exciting prospect. Scott even considers me adequate enough muscle when it comes to lifting heavy objects.
Our wives don't seem as keen as the men on the ideas we've hatched related to underground tunnels or zip lines connecting our two homes. It's probably best or Aidan will have far too easy access to the air hockey table in their basement.
Neighborhood News, Part II
In other neighborhood news the residents across the street and slightly up the hill still have a yard full of Christmas. Don't let your heart be swayed by the white stuff on the ground, there have been ample days of green lawns and take-down-your-holiday-cheer warmer temperatures...as evident by EVERYONE else's decoration free lawns.
I'm not sure if St. Patrick and St. Nicholas are related but on his holiday next week Pat can come hang with Nick on our street. At least the inflatable Santa in a recliner is devoid of air. It's still there under the snow, it's just not puffed up and ho-ho-ho-ing.
A view from our kitchen window
I'm not sure if St. Patrick and St. Nicholas are related but on his holiday next week Pat can come hang with Nick on our street. At least the inflatable Santa in a recliner is devoid of air. It's still there under the snow, it's just not puffed up and ho-ho-ho-ing.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
VIDEO: Toy Soaps
My Facebook buddies requested a second toy movie installment after seeing Toy Cops. This time we moved our genre from prime time to day time TV.
Show Me the Monkey!
We’re back from Kellen’s two year checkup. I expected him to be a little shyer than he was around the doctor and nurses but he was his personable self…with just a hint of timidity.
A big thank you to my favorite two year old for making us look good. Just after the nurse walked into the room, he pointed to the ladybug mobile hanging from the ceiling and proclaimed “Ladybugs…1…2…3…4” with the correct bug count. He’s good up to 14 right now but nailing a smaller number with an audience was appreciated.
The most entertaining moment came after the doctor was through listening to his chest with the stethoscope and checking his ears and such. She told him she was listening for a butterfly in his chest and then said she found a monkey in his ear. She popped the disposable piece off of her ear looker thingy (don’t you love my precise medical jargon?) and tossed it into the trash can cut out through the counter top. Kellen, still clad in only his diaper and socks, pushed the stool up to the counter, climbed up and asked to see the monkey.
A big thank you to my favorite two year old for making us look good. Just after the nurse walked into the room, he pointed to the ladybug mobile hanging from the ceiling and proclaimed “Ladybugs…1…2…3…4” with the correct bug count. He’s good up to 14 right now but nailing a smaller number with an audience was appreciated.
The most entertaining moment came after the doctor was through listening to his chest with the stethoscope and checking his ears and such. She told him she was listening for a butterfly in his chest and then said she found a monkey in his ear. She popped the disposable piece off of her ear looker thingy (don’t you love my precise medical jargon?) and tossed it into the trash can cut out through the counter top. Kellen, still clad in only his diaper and socks, pushed the stool up to the counter, climbed up and asked to see the monkey.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Ready Two Party!
Today is Kellen’s 2nd birthday. I was reflecting on his name and seemed to remember it meaning “fiery”. That would be an accurate description of my infinite bundle of energy. Turns out “fiery” belongs to Aidan which is not exactly his disposition. They also allow for “warm” which suits the older brother better.
So what does Kellen mean? I found two suggestions. The first one I came across was “slender”. Perhaps that will prove to be true in the future. He’s slimming from the pudgy little boy he once was but slender is not exactly Kellen at the moment. The other meaning I found was “powerful”. That’s more accurate than slender as he turns two.
Kellen is, as previously mentioned, a ball of perpetual energy. He has a strong and powerful personality, full of life as he makes us smile and laugh on a daily basis. He loves to keep up with his big brother and is nailing letters, shapes and all sorts of fun things that I enjoy quizzing him on. His knack for identifying songs and recognizing every character from Handy Manny’s tools to Mario’s Kart buddies is impressive. I hope his wonderful memory translates to things with more lasting value as he ages.
Of all the things he mimics, I’m most appreciative of him imitating his brother’s affectionate side. He’s suddenly full of hugs, snuggles and “I wuv you’s”.
I wuv you too Kellen!
So what does Kellen mean? I found two suggestions. The first one I came across was “slender”. Perhaps that will prove to be true in the future. He’s slimming from the pudgy little boy he once was but slender is not exactly Kellen at the moment. The other meaning I found was “powerful”. That’s more accurate than slender as he turns two.
Kellen is, as previously mentioned, a ball of perpetual energy. He has a strong and powerful personality, full of life as he makes us smile and laugh on a daily basis. He loves to keep up with his big brother and is nailing letters, shapes and all sorts of fun things that I enjoy quizzing him on. His knack for identifying songs and recognizing every character from Handy Manny’s tools to Mario’s Kart buddies is impressive. I hope his wonderful memory translates to things with more lasting value as he ages.
Of all the things he mimics, I’m most appreciative of him imitating his brother’s affectionate side. He’s suddenly full of hugs, snuggles and “I wuv you’s”.
I wuv you too Kellen!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
There Arose Such a Clatter...
...I went to the basement to see what was the matter.
Upon discovering the following scene I grabbed the camera sure I was about to find something worth documenting.
Looks like all of the toys had to come out of the box so two stowaways could hide out from their father.
After being caught in the act the two posed for a quick picture without the toy box lid banging down on their heads.
Upon discovering the following scene I grabbed the camera sure I was about to find something worth documenting.
Looks like all of the toys had to come out of the box so two stowaways could hide out from their father.
After being caught in the act the two posed for a quick picture without the toy box lid banging down on their heads.
Later in the day Aidan was playing with the balloons again and one got stuck to the ceiling.
***Note to self: Run the humidifier downstairs.***
Trying to get the original clinger down he got three more stuck to the ceiling. He hasn't grown enough in the last few days to alleviate the problem by himself.
Aidan also decided we should sumo wrestle again. I got a picture of him but his brother was too quick and not-so-stationary. We weren't able to get photographic evidence of Kellen's sumo tummy.
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