Charlie’s Haus

We ordered new furniture!  We (mostly Mandi) decided it was time for new furniture.  We went to American on teh way home from the Rash bash.  They were having their friends and family sale so we got a good deal.  We ended up getting a couch, loveseat, and recliner.  The couch and loveseat are red, and the recliner is tan.  They should be coming in about 2 months. 

And I also got my navigation system installed in my car.  There were some bugs, but I got them worked out now.  Its really awesome.  Someday I can actually use it even I bet!   Seriously though, I can already tell its gonna come in handy.  The coolest part is that it shows all the turns to your destination in the HUD (Heads up Display).  The HUD is the thing that shows your speed, temp, compass etc on the windshield so you dont have to look down.  Its amazing!

Well there are good reasons for not updating in so long!  I have been working my ass off lately.  I have continued to kick the projects around the house in the butt.  I finished the majority of the windows.  The outside trim is done, and I got the two bedroom windows stained and poly’ed.  They just need the inside trim work done.  Im hoping to have that done by the end of the week.  I am not going to do the computer room window this year though (staining and trim that is).  Its barried under too much crap to get to.  Maybe if I get enough motivation I will stain/poly it, but too many other things going on. 

I got the shed 95% done.  I finished the fascia on all of it, and I cut the pieces for the soffit on the last 5 foot section of it.  I ended up running out of the U-channel it sits in, so I need to run to menards tonight for that.  I got the last trim on the edges cut, I need to pick up some nails to finish the last corner.  Then a little paint and its finished. 

Yesterday I also cut down some more branches off of the dying pine trees.  My goal is to get rid of them by next spring so we can plant some lillacs in their place (so we dont have to look at the neighbors ugly yard/house anymore). 

Haidens dedication was good.  There were some stupid last minute things that happened, but in the end it turned out nice.  It was nice to see everyone I got to see, but it would have been nice to see some more people.  I really need to make an effort to get back there more often. 

Rash bash was fun as always.  Cory and Roxy showed up and kept us company.  At one point I had to go into the bouncy house with Maddy because she was scared to go by herself, and mommy and daddy wouldnt go with her.  How mean.  There was another girl in there whos name I found out was also Maddy, so they became instant friends and I could go back to drinking…lol.

Hockey tickets for the first half of the year were ordered this morning.   I dunno why, but for some reason we are still in the 3rd level.  I cant believe they are still selling that many season/package games.  I was able to score the friday game in the 100 level.  Oh well.  Its still fun.

Today is Mandi and my 2 year anniversary.  We were planning on going to Louisiannes (an upscale southern cuisine restaurant in Middleton…everyone raves about it), but she isnt feeling good today.  Hopefully she will be better for tomorrow night.

Halo 3 is being released at midnight tonight.  You better believe I will be there to pick up my copy.  I already took off work tomorrow so I can play it all day/night.  I cant wait, its gonna rock! 

I found out about this software because of a MS press release.  The guy was actually hired by Microsoft, so he is now giving the software away free.  Its extremely awesome.  It basically lets you control all your media center features from a webpage.  Lets you record shows, see what you have recorded, see whats scheduled, view pictures and videos, and stream recorded shows and live tv!  This is the best software I have used for this functionality to date.  Combine it with a dynamic DNS service like no-ip.com and its way easy to use.  This is highly recommended!  Check it out!

http://www.asciiexpress.com/webguide/

Well I have been a busy little bee lately.  Since last Friday I have gotten a lot accomplished around the house.  The only problem?  I’m tired as hell now.  Some things were supposed to be easy…ha!  I had to replace the rotted piece of wood on the bottom of the sliding door.  The problem was I had to remove like 1/3 of the deck to do it.  OK, no biggy.  Well it wouldn’t have been if every single screw wouldn’t have stripped out.  Then when I tried to use my screw extractor, I could still only get about half out…..after 5 or 6 hours of working on it.  Finally I said screw it (lol) and ripped the screws through the wood.  I actually ended up only damaging one piece of wood, and I was still able to use it.  All that for a little 1×2 strip of wood. 

So after I got that done, we got the deck stained.  I started using a spray gun, but the one I had borrowed didn’t have a big enough nozzle so it took forever.  It was way faster to just use a roller I figured out 3/4 of the way through the first coat.  So the second coat went on almost entirely with the roller.  Mandi went behind me with a brush to get the spots I couldn’t. 

I also got the flower beds weeded.  Its been months.  It wasn’t all that bad really.  A couple of bad sections where there were the long field grass, but other than that, not a ton.  It looks so much nicer now. 

I started on getting the outside trim on the windows (yeah the ones I put in last year).  I got 1 almost done, 2 to go.  Shouldn’t take long now.  I ripped down  the wood to the size I need, now I just need to cut to length.  I also picked up the trim to finish the outside of the sliding door, that one will be quick.  Then I gotta do the inside.  There is always something isn’t there. 

Mandi decided last weekend was a good time to also start some inside projects (I’m still confused about that one…but whatever).  So I almost have the new closet organizer done.  We just bought all the pieces separate and made our own.  It would be done, but I have to get some better wall anchors for the lower clothes bars.  The ones I got are a giant POS.  They rip out with about a pinky of pressure.  High quality there =/

We went to Taste of Madison on Saturday.  I wanted to see a few of the bands on the JJO stage, so Mandi decided she would go with (mostly for the food….lol).  12 Stones was awesome, and Hurt rocked too.  The food was as disappointing as I remembered.  Its been a couple of years since I was there, but it hasn’t changed.  They really don’t have a lot of variety like you would think.  The one surprising thing was Abuelos was there, and they had their bacon wrapped shrimp, which is stuffed with jalapenos and cheese.  They are my fav at the restaurant, but they are expensive because they only come with the steak.  At the Taste they were only a buck each!  They were as delicious as normal.  YUM!

I picked up the factory Navigation unit for my car for a song and a dance…so that’s my one mod I’m allowed (that’s what Mandi told me).  I’m not sure how long that 1 is for, but my guess is until after Xmas….lol.  There really isn’t much I want to do.  I would like a new exhaust, but it is pretty pricey.  It makes the v8 really growl though.  Something that I will ask for Xmas (but I assume I wont get…lol) is a radar detector.  Its so easy to speed in that car because you hardly have to hit the gas and your gone.  Maybe its just because I’m not used to the electric throttle.  Either way, it would be nice to have if you ask me.  Of course I want a Valentine1. 

This weekend we are headed to Mandi’s family reunion in IL on Saturday, then on Sunday, its off to O-town for Haidens baptism.  I’m the godfather you know!  I told my sister I would only do it if he was forced to kiss my hand every time I see him.  She agreed…not so sure that was a good idea on her part…lol!

Lastly, its Hockey time.  I will be sending out the email for games today.  If you don’t get it and want to go (I may not have your email), let me know!  Pop me off an email.  Peace out!