trillian's blog

Wherein I was actually productive

2010-10-25T11:43:00.003-04:00

So, there was this:

Add 30 years and a few cats and you have this:

Remove wicker and hardware and you have this:

Add fabric, glue, and hardware and you've got this:

CitiMortgage is a bunch of crapweasel lying liars.

2010-06-28T10:34:00.001-04:00

April 2010.
I heard about the loan modification programs and called CitiMortgage to see if they could do anything for me. I gave them some info over the phone about my income and how much money I paid each month for mortgage, car loan (none), and credit card dept (also none). They said I didn’t qualify for the modification because I didn’t owe enough money. They suggested I talk to someone in their refinancing department. Considering the house is now worth about half of what I own it and I have no money for closing costs and such, I opted not to talk to them. The next day I called back to check if there was anything else I could do. This time they let me know I just had to get some code from the refinancing department to show I tried other options. Then they asked me about other expenses like utilities, health car costs, and groceries. Based on that I qualified to apply for the modification. April 21 I received a package with applications to fill out and a checklist of info they needed from me. April 23 I sent in everything they asked for. April 29 I got an automated call with a message saying I needed to call in. I called and they said they had everything they needed except that they wanted the full bank statement including any adverts the bank tacks on. So I emailed that off to them that day.

May 2010
May 10 I called in to see how things were going. They told me they needed another month’s worth of bank statements. So I emailed that to them that day. May 24 I got a package from Citi sent by UPS overnight that contained a letter saying they needed additional paperwork and to call them. I called them and was told to disregard the letter, they have everything they need and the application was going to be sent up to get a determination.

June 2010
June 28 I called to see if they had come to a determination. I was told I was declined because the account was not in delinquency. They said that in order to qualify for a “traditional modification” I had to be behind in my payments. This is not what I’d been told before. I went through the paperwork Citi had sent me and right on the checklist it says, “Continue to make your current Mortgage payment”. I called back and said that I was told I was declined because I wasn’t in delinquency, but it says right here I need to continue to make my payments. They said, no, I wasn’t declined for not being in delinquency, I was declined because, according to them, my income is sufficient to cover my mortgage payments. I was told that this determination was made without considering basic monthly costs like utilities. They just asked for that info because the government program required them to, but they don’t have to use it to decide if you can afford to make your payments. In a few days I’ll be getting a call from some other department for some other program. So we’ll see how that goes.

Ferry to Canada

2009-08-05T13:29:00.000-04:00

Ferry to Canada

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2009-08-05T13:00:00.000-04:00

Harsen's Island

2009-08-05T12:54:00.000-04:00

Harsen's Island

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2009-08-05T12:53:00.000-04:00

Ore boat

2009-08-05T12:43:00.000-04:00

Ore boat

Trying out new phone. Views from Algonac

2009-08-05T12:40:00.000-04:00

Trying out new phone. Views from Algonac's boardwalk

Test

2009-08-05T12:23:00.000-04:00

Test

2009-03-22T12:16:00.002-04:00

I named 43 US states in 10 minutes

not too bad. would have had 1 more if i could have remembered how to spell it.

Park Project - Phase 0

2009-03-16T15:00:00.003-04:00

This is a photo of the park area after the house was demolished, the concrete rectangles removed, and the walking path and new parking lot were constructed. I didn't get to design the layout of the path, but I set the grades and I designed the parking lot.

Park Project - Before

2009-03-16T14:24:00.002-04:00

This is an aerial photo of the park from 2005. The site is bound by Taft, Pointe Tremble, Ester Green and Lakepointe roads. The buildings on the east side are the Township's offices and the Police Station. The house in the center has been demolished, but the garage is still there. I'm not sure what the west side of the site was used for, but I think all those little rectangles of concrete were spots for campers. There is one rather strange building still standing in this area. It's 20' by 30' and it's gutted now, but I think there used to be 2 bathrooms in it. I'm guessing it was an office and public bathroom for a campground.

I knitted a sock!

2009-03-09T19:32:00.003-04:00

They are for my sister who is 6'2" and wears a lady's size 12 shoe. She's a Children's Librarian and a fan of Harry Potter so I made her a pair in Gryffindor's house colors. I used KnitPicks' worsted weight Swish yarn. They were done toe-up using the Judy Becker Magic Cast-on and the Andersson heel.

nap time

2009-03-02T19:44:00.003-05:00

This is Bailey. We're adjusting to life without Chloe. I'm doing well, I can think about the stupid/funny/weird stuff Chloe used to do and smile instead of sob. Bailey is acting strange, though. She never used to meow, but now she meows quite often to get my attention. She used to be very aloof, but now she wants to be with me all the time. I don't get it. She and Chloe weren't exactly cuddle buddies. In fact, Bailey would have a hissy fit whenever Chloe got too close to her. Does she miss Chloe's company, or is she happy to have me to herself now?

Chloe

2009-02-12T20:30:00.002-05:00

Chloe is the cat who was in the Christmas photos before. She died Tuesday night. When i got home, she dashed outside as soon as the door opened. It was warm, so i just let her go and opened the doorwall so she could come in when she wanted. later that night I went to lock up and saw only Bailey in the living room. I opened the front door to see if Chloe was sitting on the front porch as she didn't always think to check the side door to see if it was open. Turned out she was in the field across the street, and when she heard the door open she came running home. Unfortunately, a car was driving down the street just then and it hit her. I ran and picked her up and carried her over to the lawn. She was alive, but only barely and she died a few minutes later. I had her for 12 years. my sister found her as kitten. someone had abandoned a pair of kittens by the side of the road. Sarah heard them meowing when she was on her way to school and brought them both home. we ended up keeping one and Sarah gave the other to a friend of hers. I'm having a little bit of difficultly dealing with it, both the shock of seeing her die and missing her. I went into work yesterday and managed to keep it together most of the morning with just a few discrete bouts of tears, but by the afternoon i was so tired from the effort and ended up having to go home early. Today was better, but i still get choked up now and then.

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2009-01-26T17:53:00.000-05:00

Looks like someone is moving house.

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2009-01-23T15:25:00.000-05:00

My new cubicle

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2009-01-22T16:03:00.000-05:00

Looks like christmas is officially over

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2009-01-06T19:06:00.001-05:00

mystery critter in my seafood soup. mmmmm delicious mystery

second christmas

2009-01-03T22:13:00.008-05:00

My Aunt, bless her heart, has some strange ideas when it comes to buying gifts for my sister and I. First we have this:

It's a rock. With a cat painted on it. A pet rock if you will. Cute, but not what one would call useful.

25th anniversary cabbage patch kids. bought from QVC I think. She got 2 sets of three and gave 2 dolls each to myself, my sister, and her (my aunt's) son. again, cute and even nostalgic, but what am i supposed to do with cabbage patch kids?

A shirt. Cat shown for size comparison. But see how it's all wrinkly and textured? because it stretches out!

awesome! not.

OK, this is actually useful, if i can remember that i have it. I drink a lot of tea and often have to fish string less tea bags out of my mug

luckily my cousin hasn't inherited his mother's gift giving gene and got me something I can really use.

There is a long standing family history of buying my sister and I the same items in different colors. here is my sister modeling her fabulous shirt:

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2008-12-25T15:20:00.000-05:00

Don and buddy taking post Christmas dinner nap

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2008-12-19T11:05:00.000-05:00

7 inches and counting

my trip to work

2008-12-19T10:21:00.003-05:00

it snowed a few inches during the night and was still snowing when i left this morning. the roads weren't plowed yet and visibility was near nil. i drove about half a mile and decided i wasn't going to make it in my little car. i turned around and slid on back home, with a stop at the micky d drive thru. 4 hours later and it's still snowing.

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2008-12-19T07:29:00.000-05:00

Whats the point of parking in a carport if your car still gets covered with snow

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2008-12-03T17:08:00.000-05:00

Buddy says hi

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2008-12-02T19:03:00.000-05:00

Who's a pretty bird then?

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2008-11-29T12:51:00.000-05:00

The package has been delivered

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2008-11-28T12:42:00.000-05:00

Gratuitous panty shot!

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2008-11-28T10:22:00.000-05:00

Spending the morning at the laundromat

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2008-11-28T10:20:00.000-05:00

My aunt really enjoys decorating for the hollidays

2008-10-03T21:50:00.005-04:00

TFD Random Picture Generator

FW:

2008-09-24T17:11:00.000-04:00

Have you seen these? Itty bitty ice cream with itty bitty 'spoon'

and the kitchen sink

2008-09-08T15:53:00.000-04:00

you really can get anything on Freecycle

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2008-09-05T23:15:00.001-04:00

went to Hazel Park race track Friday night. only lost $20

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2008-09-04T19:42:00.000-04:00

Creapy

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2008-09-04T17:21:00.000-04:00

Huge freaking bug on my screen. (hand provided for size comparison)

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2008-09-03T07:03:00.000-04:00

In left field Matt Joyce

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2008-08-30T20:27:00.000-04:00

In center Curtis Granderson.

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2008-08-30T20:25:00.000-04:00

In front of me Jerk in Bad Shirt

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2008-08-30T20:20:00.000-04:00

Gitcher cold beer here

heh, good luck with that

2008-08-12T13:02:00.002-04:00

nataliedee.com

tossing dough to the kitteh

2008-07-21T19:26:00.002-04:00

a word of explain about the halp wanted thingy over thar -->
GolfWidow is a really funny blogger that I ran across many years ago on the Dave Barry blog. She's a big fan of Dave's and when she published a book a few years back, she dedicated it to him. recently, she and her husband were both "downsized" and the economy in their area has sucked, so they've decided to pack up and try to find work elsewhere. They've since run headlong into a few very sticky wickets and are in need of some help. read here to find out how you can help. read here to get a bit of back story and any info i may have missed or miss remembered. Also, buy her book. it's funny and clever. buy 2 even.

simon's cat

2008-07-21T19:24:00.003-04:00

they are so funny and so dead on. my cats are just like that.

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2008-07-11T22:33:00.002-04:00

I was out "in the field" checking out one of the sites i'm working on and a family of swans swam by.

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2008-07-11T22:32:00.001-04:00

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2008-07-11T22:27:00.001-04:00

explanation of graph below

2008-06-28T20:32:00.000-04:00

charts and graphs time

2008-06-20T13:00:00.001-04:00

more graph humor and song chart memes

aprops of nothing

2008-06-17T22:00:00.004-04:00

nataliedee.com

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2008-06-10T09:24:00.001-04:00

Pouring rain. Again.

Mackinac Bridge

2008-05-21T19:52:00.003-04:00

I have my pix up on Flickr. I'm still working on adding descriptions and such, but here is the link: http://flickr.com/photos/trillian1977/collections/72157605116231834/

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2008-05-19T10:57:00.001-04:00

Back to work :(

2008-05-17T20:16:00.002-04:00

I am finally home.

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2008-05-17T20:12:00.001-04:00

Pet peeve - bread and butter served without a plate

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2008-05-17T16:46:00.001-04:00

I am now here. 108 miles to go

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2008-05-17T12:00:00.001-04:00

I love my car

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2008-05-17T10:22:00.001-04:00

Last look at the mackinaw bridge

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2008-05-16T15:52:00.001-04:00

Had to potty

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2008-05-16T15:45:00.001-04:00

I am here, aparently

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2008-05-16T12:05:00.001-04:00

Score!

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2008-05-16T12:01:00.001-04:00

*sniff* i smell yarn

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2008-05-15T21:26:00.001-04:00

Water stumble

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2008-05-15T21:24:00.001-04:00

Water fall

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2008-05-15T09:23:00.001-04:00

It puts the lotion on its skin or else it gets sunburn again

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2008-05-14T19:48:00.001-04:00

I have made fire

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2008-05-14T14:03:00.001-04:00

In a land with no proper grocery stores, where available produce consists of 3 sad looking tomatoes on a shelf next to the beer at the gas station kwik-e mart, i have found a wal-fart

FW:

2008-05-14T12:44:00.001-04:00

Here is Bailey

FW:

2008-05-14T12:43:00.001-04:00

Don and my sister are taking care of my cats. Don sent me pics of them. Here is Chloe

2008-05-12T19:52:00.003-04:00

I'm so going to hell for that

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2008-05-12T13:59:00.001-04:00

I'm crushing His head.

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2008-05-12T13:53:00.001-04:00

55 foot tall crucifix in Indian River

2008-05-12T10:07:00.003-04:00

Looks like my CrapCam travel log isn't coming through in order.

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2008-05-11T18:06:00.001-04:00

Om nom nom nom. Good jerky

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2008-05-11T18:04:00.001-04:00

Vacation day one. Port sanilac. Cousin Jackie's 70th birthday party

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2008-05-11T14:04:00.001-04:00

Pony!

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2008-05-11T07:58:00.001-04:00

Best. Toast. Ever. Homemade jam!

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2008-05-10T22:36:00.001-04:00

I'm at the cabin

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2008-05-10T19:04:00.001-04:00

Gas at the mobil station / jerky outlet was 3.89

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2008-05-03T12:31:00.001-04:00

Bunny!

Got $10?

2008-05-01T09:52:00.001-04:00

you send them a ten spot, they send you .... something

I'm in for one. I'll let you know what it is when it gets here.

yarn store

2008-03-07T19:45:00.003-05:00

I found a great yarn store in Grosse Pointe Park called Artisán Knitworks. I bought the 3 skeins of yarn shown below there. They had a great selection of beautiful hand-spun and hand-dyed yars

cth spanish moss

2008-03-07T19:44:00.001-05:00

cth spanish moss
Originally uploaded by Trillian1977

Cherry Tree Hill
hand-painted worsted 85% wool, 15% mohair
colorway spanish moss

yarnsmiths highlands treefrog

2008-03-07T19:43:00.003-05:00

yarnsmiths highlands treefrog
Originally uploaded by Trillian1977

Yarmsmiths
100% merino
colorway highlands treefrog

ellens half pint farm

2008-03-07T19:43:00.001-05:00

ellens half pint farm
Originally uploaded by Trillian1977

Ellens 1/2 pint farm
hand dyed 50% merino 50% bamboo

scanned 034

2008-02-28T14:22:00.001-05:00

scanned 034
Originally uploaded by Trillian1977

me @ 6 months

me

2008-02-28T14:21:00.001-05:00

scanned 036
Originally uploaded by Trillian1977

FW: I know I don't say it enough...

2008-02-14T15:01:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentines Day! ;p

CARd!

2008-01-08T19:22:00.001-05:00

I got a Christmas Card from Prague

hee hee it says vanocum

hat!

2007-12-21T18:20:00.001-05:00

DSCF0003
Originally uploaded by Trillian1977

I knit this hat for my sister for Christmas. i very nonchalantly asked her, "if someone were to, say, knit you a hat, what sort of hat would you like? scull cap, stocking cap, ear flaps, pom-poms?" she sent me this link: http://www.kittyville.com/knit/kitty_hat.html and said she'd like one like that. i still need to add the pom-poms

yarn plug

2007-12-18T18:12:00.000-05:00

I've recently bought some sock yarn from this guy: Knitivity. I was looking for a brown pink variegated colorway because my sister loves those colors together. He does a Neapolitan colorway and agreed to do a hank for me without the white. it came today and it is lovely! if i start now i may have a pair of socks ready for my sisters birthday. in September. :)

2007-09-26T14:10:00.000-04:00

thanks to Mr. Fisher for the link to this site. it is so funny

happy TLAPD!

2007-09-19T14:32:00.001-04:00

My pirate name is:

Iron Bess Kidd

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.

desktop gourmet

2007-08-30T12:41:00.001-04:00

presents cucumber salad

the hardware:

bowl, fork, knife

the software:

plain yogurt, salt, dill weed, cucumber

step 1. peel, seed, and slice cucumber

try to keep waste in grocery bag, not on TPS reports

Step b. open yogurt, add salt and dill, stir

Step 3. no 3

Step IV. combine and enjoy. if bowl size does not allow for mixing, a dip method could also be employed

Lets Go Tigers!

2007-08-28T21:10:00.001-04:00

The only game of the 4 game series that the Tigers lost against the Yankees, and I was there. *sigh*

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2007-08-27T21:06:00.001-04:00

Alice In Chains! Really, it's them! The new singer they got is pretty good. Next up is velvet revolver and kill hannah. I have no idea who they are.

2007-08-27T21:03:00.001-04:00

Note to self: find out how long 'low spark of highheeled boys' is. It seemed to go on for freaking ever

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UPDATE: 12:10 apparently. it was on the radio as i was driving to the Alice in Chains show.

Would you like to play a game?

2007-07-10T20:06:00.000-04:00

I'm addicted, nay, obsessed with a game called Kingdom of Loathing. It's an on-line Role Playing Game. No, I'm not trying to get you play Dungeons and Dragons with me, this is way cooler. You play as an adventurer traveling around the Kingdom fighting monsters and doing quests. but here's the twist: it is packed full of references to tons of cult classic movies and books. there are tons of quotes from H2G2, The Big Lebowski, and Army of Darkness, plus references to Steven King books and tons of SciFi Classics. Plus there are tons of jokes, haikus, limericks, and palindromes

There is a whole area where the the monsters are constellations named after different terms for naughty bits like the Hooded Warrior -
or the Camel's Toe -

as you can see, the graphics are very simple. there's even a taco cat -

you have the option of being a Disco Bandit, an Accordion Thief, a Pastamancer, a Sauceror, a Seal Clubber, or Turtle Tamer, each with its own set of special abilities. There's even a Wiki dedicated to KOL

I've mentioned this game once before on my blog which got Deon interested in playing. I've just found out that he has started up a clan for Dave Barry Bloggetts and that he's gotten Bismuth to play too.

if you deside to join us Kmail (message) me, my account is Trillian1977

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2007-07-05T19:25:00.001-04:00

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2007-07-05T19:21:00.001-04:00

Hail!

2007-07-03T20:07:00.001-04:00

On my way to tool show! Stuck in traffic. Will miss opening act

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