Being bullied!

I've reached the conclusion that someone in the office does not want us living here anymore. We've been here almost 3 years. The only problems we had for a while was the neighbor boy upstairs that's now in rehab.

Then I called the office to complain about kids starting a fire at the playground. This was just after 4th of July. One of the kids was the grandson of one of the women that work in the office.

Then we started getting notices on our door. For stupid stuff. Jackson left a riding toy on our porch and we get a notice saying we're in fire code violation because we're blocking the breezeway. Jay and I walked around with my digicam and took pics of other porches. Porches that were completely blocked by bicycles and/or grills. (When we first moved here, we had the boys' bikes chained outside. We were told it was not allowed to have them outside. So we've kept them in my bedroom since.) Jay and I took about 12-15 pics. I burned them to disc and attached it to a not I scrawled on the back of my fire code violation notice.

Then we get notices that our apartment is going to be inspected for preventative maintenance. Ok used to that, they've been doing that since we first moved here. A maintenance guy comes in, checks the fire extinguisher, smoke detector and hot water heater.

Then I got a notice recently about music/noise violation. I called the office as instructed and was told that it was a general complaint for our building so the four of us got one. I told them who it was. I also got a notice saying there was going to be an inspection on general maintenance. They came in, took notes and left.

Today while I was at the bank I got two notices. One saying that according to section X in our lease we're responsible for the "sole expense keep an maintain the leased premises and appurtenance in good and sanitary condition and repair during the term of the Lease, ordinary wear and tear accepted." Then goes on to tell me it is necessary at this time for me to clean and sanitize said premises. Deep clean entire apartment. Clean all toilets, tubs, tub walls, sinks and floors in bathrooms. (That's always done.) Entire carpetting must be vacuumed. (They must not know I'm obsessed with vacuuming.) Remove all food particles, trash, etc from all areas of apartment. (Trash is always taken out. Food always put away or disposed of.) Clean out cabinets and drawers in kitchen and thoroughly clean countertops, appliances and floors. (I do that several times a day as I'm cleaning.) AND....we're to be inspected on Wednesday October 3 for compliance of said letter. WTF?

Attached to that notice is a notice saying their office has been notified of loud music or noise coming from our apartment that's disturbing our neighbors. Again, WTF? I haven't played music in at least a month! It was 5:03 when I read the notices. I immediately grabbed the phone to call the office, but apparently the switch them to voice mail at 5.

SO I left a message saying, "This is Kaytee P----- in B29. I just recieved a notice about loud music complaints. I don't know who's calling to complain but I haven't played any music in three weeks. If you want to send a notice about loud music send it to my neighors upstairs in B30." I was not very nice in tone. I left my number. But I will be calling back first thing Monday morning.

Our lease is up for renewal the end of November. As far as I'm concerned, they can take that renewal and shove it up their asses. We are looking for somewhere else to move to. This place has gone downhill that past year and a half. Nothing but illegals piling into 1,2, or 3 bedroom apartments. Hell the people upstairs from us have 7 adults and one child in a 3 bedroom. Where the hell do they sleep?

Anyway, Jimmy said he doesn't want me to go all crazy making sure it's completely spotless. Wants me to clean it like I do every day. He said, "We have four children in a small 3 bedroom apartment. What do they expect?" He doesn't care what they think. He's just as sick of living here as I am.

Apparently we've pissed someone off and they want us to leave. Well Bon Voyage. Come November 30th, we're gone. I'm tempted to have the camera set up and have all 6 of us moon them. LOL

I bought a fish today.

Not to eat, but to enjoy. LOL

Jay and I went to the Super Pets to get bedding for his hamster...and a splashy new cage. She was living in a metal cage with just a wheel attached inside. No fun tunnels or anything. Now she has a home we can add all kinds of tunnels to.

Well I decided I wanted a fish. Obviously, I couldn't just buy any fish. After all, a fish tank with all the fixings costs quite a bit. So I bought a Beta Fish and a Beta Fish starter kit. LOL Sounds funny, doesn't it? It's a Beta fish tank that came with water conditioning, a packet of food, gravel and a plastic tree. He's quite beautiful. I asked Jimmy to explain his color. He thinks in car colors. LOL So to him Mr. Fish (Jimmy wanted to name him that. LOL) is a light black cherry color. Kandy red meets burgundy. Whatever. He's beautiful. He is resting comfortably on my dresser as Jackson would climb or do whatever to get Mr. Fish if he was in sight. LOL

I can't wait til we're living somewhere and I can get a puppy! For now, we'll settle for pets where a pet deposit isn't required. LOL

Speaking of recipes...

I have found myself addicted to Rachael Ray's show 30 Minute Meals. She gets on my nerves, but I enjoy learning recipes that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. LOL

Today, while watching her show, I watched her prepare a recipe called Antip-Achos. It's an italian style nacho using pita bread. It's a long recipe. The first half is for fish sticks parm, or whatever. But on the recipe under ingredients, for this "nacho" recipe, start at 6 pitas.

Well I made this tonight. It was alright to me, but Jimmy LOVED it. I didn't think he'd like it because of the artichoke hearts. But I was wrong. I thought I would love it because of the artichoke hearts. Again, I was wrong. LOL I liked it ok. I took some over to our neighbors so I hope to find out tomorrow how they liked it.

MMMMMM LOVE shrooms!

Home Ec 101 is having a contest to win a t-shirt. Apparently September is National Mushroom Month. I happen to LOVE mushrooms and try to use them in whatever I'm cooking. In following the contest's rules, I have to post my fave recipe concerning mushrooms. Well, here it is.

Stuffed Mushrooms

1. Carefully remove stems from whole mushrooms.
2. Lightly toast 2 slices of bread, then break apart into bread crumbs.
3. chop 3 (or more depending on your taste) green onions into small pieces
4. Add a 4 oz container of feta cheese (crumbled works best and I use the kind that's tomato and basil flavored)
5. Add half a 6 oz container of shredded romano cheese.
6. Season with garlic salt.
7. Add Olive oil until moist.
8. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps.
9. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes.

Jimmy doesn't really care for mushrooms like I do, but he LOVES these. And I've been delegated to make these whenever we have guests over that like mushrooms. LOL

Proud Moments...

If ever there was a moment a Mother's pride just bursts, this is it. My children are smart. Of course every mother says that. LOL But in this case, it's completely true! Justin has been bumped up to 2nd grade! 2ND GRADE!!!!!!!!! LOL

This all started when I sent his teacher an email last week informing her that Justin's been coming home completely bored and begging me to print out harder worksheets. She emailed me back and suggested we have him tested for 2nd grade. Jimmy and I discussed it with Justin and left the decision to him. Justin was quite excited about taking the test so I emailed his teacher yesterday and gave her the go ahead.

While we were at a doctor's appointment for Jackson today, she called and left a message. They tested him first thing this morning at 8:00 and tomorrow, he will change grades. I'm so proud of my boy!

I met him at the bus stop this afternoon and he had this big ole grin on his face and excitedly told me his news. He graciously let me hang around while he shared his news with his Homework Club teacher. LOL

I am definitely doing something special for him this weekend. I've already called my family and shared the news. LOL I'm just so happy for him and so damn proud!

Fishing with the kids

We decided to take the older three fishing today. After finally securing a sitter for Jackson, we cooked lunch. On the weekends, we usually have one big meal then snack on smaller items at other mealtimes. Today we had fried chicken, homemade mac and cheeses, mashed taters with gravy, lima beans and dinner rolls. It was delish! And....I was finally able to cook fried chicken without burning myself. LOL

After we ate, we dropped Jackson off at my Aunt's house and headed for the Hatchery. We were dismayed by the state of the Hatchery. The water level had dropped a couple of feet. We don't have a boat so we fish on the banks. But according to a boater that was leaving, the Hatchery has been like that for a couple of months and supposedly a couple more feet of water was going to be drained soon.

Still we fished on. Jimmy caught a baby Bass. Justin caught two small fish, though I don't know what they were. After we fished for a while, Jimmy (who'd wandered off) found his way back to us and wanted us to go for a walk. So we did. Here are some pics he took on our walk.

The first three show how different it looks with the water having dropped. The last one he's titled "Sunday Walks."

Btw, my cousin is spending the night so Jimmy, Jay and I can go fishing again in the morning, though closer to home. LOL My mom, aunt and other cousins are coming over tomorrow for a cookout. We were invited to their house, but I convinced them to come here since my apartment is kid friendly for Jackson. So sometime tomorrow, I'll have a houseful. I'll just send the kids to the playground. LOL