Lord Levi Review

 Not a lot has happened in the past weeks but some cool things have gone on. 

I'll cut right to it, last Friday a friend (Hugo) and I went go-karting at a karting place a while away. It was 36 bus stops there and back. When we got there we just headed in and scanned our codes at the desk, then waited in the waiting room. After like 5 minutes we were taken to the briefing room where we learned the rules and just told not to kill each other on the track. After that we suited up in uniforms and had real quality motorcycle helmets and got assigned a kart for each of us. I got number 14 for the first race. These karts were very good quality too, they actually went fast and were very agile. After like 20 minutes of racing and getting pulled to the side for passing too many people, I somehow places 6th even though I can confirm I was passed like once. So I don't know what they measure in to calculate the places. After the 1st race we waited 15 minutes and went at it again and I got 6th again after the second. My friend Hugo got 3rd for both his races.

    After the karting and bus ride home we both went to Bread Meets Bread, a really good burger restaurant. The best way to explain it is; a fast food restaurant but they make it slowly. So like a medium food place I guess. But yeah we both got cheeseburgers and it was really good. After the meal we both headed home and I just hung out with Cassie and Freya for a while then went to sleep. 

Speaking of the cats, they are basically fully settled into the house but not very settled with each other. Cassie really just hisses at Freya all the time and seems to really hate her whenever she's in 5 feet of her. So I don't know why but whatever.

Cassie

Freya

Cassie

Freya - in the best room with a view.

In between writing I went to fencing class where it was normal except for while I was fighting an opponent rushed at me thinking I would back away, but I stood my ground and broke his blade into 4 pieces on my chest. so that was cool.

I have been getting some great advice from Hugo's dad on fencing lunges and how to improve, so I feel I will definitely get better over time with the classes and practice.

This 4 day weekend has been great so far and I look forward to my preliminaries coming up soon!

-L.G

A blank slate....

I got the keys to the house - Day 1!!!!!

                               

 I was beyond thrilled when we got this house back in June.  Even if it was a week before we were to fly to GR for the summer.  To finally actually secure a home that I really want to live in, was monumental.  

It was completely unfurnished.  Which I really wanted, because I am tired of other peoples leather couches and you already know how fervently I feel about glass topped tables.  

And while I didn't have the time, I decided to go.....

SHOPPING!

I mean come on, it's one of my favourite things to do.  I even made a career out of it.  So no sooner had I gotten the keys, that I was out the door to find furniture, kitchenware, beds, towels, hammers, you name it!

I couldn't wait because there was a 3-piece antique bedroom set waiting for me at the Antique market.  I've been watching it since last August and it is gorgeous.  There was also a chair down the road, and then a very unique antique writing desk, further on down the same road.  I figured I would get the keys to the house, walk around in it, feel the space and then head off shopping.

What a great day awaits....

The antique store is a 45 minute walk from the new house, so Off I went.  There were actually about 4 pieces there that I wanted and now I was ready to buy.  

I do love all different types of decor (I swear I do), but even with this blank slate, here I was right back to my love of antiques that I planned to fill the house with.  

It was a gorgeous day, one perfect for walking and acquiring furniture.  I took pictures on the way, and almost whistled while I walked.

Once I got to the antique store, I went right to the bedroom set, and it wasn't there.  No biggie, they move it all the time.  So I kept shopping and looking for all my stuff.  Where is it?  I'm not finding any of the things I like and have multiple pictures of.  As I start to slowly panic, I go to the desk and ask for the furniture.  "Oh" she says, "you are the one with the two boys."  Right!  "Yeah, we sold that a week after you were in last time."

WHAT!

I've been watching it for almost 9 months and now it's gone?!?!

I wanted to sit down and cry.  

But then I thought.  Well, all of the apartments you lost, and cried over, were not meant to be or you wouldn't be in this awesome house now.  

And although that made perfect sense, it did nothing to calm my sadness.  

But what do you do?  I left, bereft, and went to buy the chair at the next store.

BUT, I shit you not, it was GONE!

Okay, that's it, if the writing desk is gone, I'm going to lose it.  

When I get to the store, it was still in the window, but with the day I'm having, I'm not going to be sure of anything until I hear it is NOT SOLD.  

Through the window.

Lo and Behold - it's still for sale!  YIPPPPEEEEEE!  I don't think I've ever been so thrilled to buy a piece of furniture.  

Of course I start my negotiations (remember the career-it's now just part of my personality), and talk to Carol for the next 30 minutes.  The shop is adorable, a wee place with nice antiques.  After we have become best friends, she says, do you know this is a charity shop?  All of us are volunteers and we help prisoners rehabilitate.

Oh FFS!

"I am paying you full price," I blurt out.  Feeling like the biggest heel around.

Carol is non-plussed and starts to say to the other volunteer worker there, "Say Janet, do you think Kitty (we are on first name basis now) would like our warehouse?"

WAIT WHAT?????????????????

There's a warehouse?

Have you been holding out on me Carol?  I got a whole house to fill here!  Kitty in a warehouse full of antiques is like a kid in a candy shop!

Suffice it to say, I was at the warehouse the next morning for 2 hours, and I picked up 7 new pieces, and a new best friend Pat.  And the following day, it all was delivered and put in place.  (I didn't negotiate a thing!) (and way over tipped on the delivery!). Guilty much?!?

It had to have been one of my best shopping days ever!  So much fun.  Right down to meeting some of the best people in Glasgow, as Pat gushed with pride and joy when he introduced me to his 31 year old downs syndrome son.  I mean I was near tears at the love he was exuding.  I literally did not want to leave.  

Now in the house

I now go over there (Open Gates is the name) every couple of weeks, because in the big warehouse is a cafe and they are going to do a soup kitchen that I want to be a part of.  I love this place and all that it stands for.  These charity shops in the West End of Glasgow are magical I tell you.  I feel blessed to be a part of a couple of them so intimately.  

Here are some of my treasures....

A dressing table, that I am repurposing into a desk and entry wall mirror.

I'm going to do a mirror wall to copy my dear friend Melanie!  

Some wardrobes that open by turning the pull thing sideways (that took me longer than it should have to figure out).  These Scottish antiques are cool.  The huge one is mahogany (not even $200), and it was a bear getting it up the stairs.  

This is for Levi's room.

Pat my new BFF with the mahogany giant.

This is for my room.

A wee table, just because.

Chests of drawers - this one is Levi's clearly.

Mine!

A bespoke bed for Lord Levi.

  

I found out that in Scotland, antiques aren't really selling unless they are refinished and refurbished.  That's just blasphemous to my all American soul.  Once you refinish there, the value plummets.  But maybe antiques aren't much of thing there anymore either.  Who knows, but back in the day, when I decorated the GR house, that was the rule (or law according to Bob at the Emporium - god rest his unique and rare soul).  

So now I am beyond glad that those pieces were gone at the Antique market.  I've met some truly great people, I'm helping out a charity with a mission I totally am on board with and I got an amazing deal.  My heart is full to bursting!

Everything happens for a reason!  

Life is soooooo good!  

And, I'm still shopping......

Kitty cook-less Crocker

PS - Okay, I swear to you I DID NOT negotiate, but I got the whole lot (at least on the first trip), of 7 pieces or so, around $1000.  Say what?  the 3-piece bedroom set at the Antique store was about that same price.  Crazy right?!?  My bargain hunting heart is happy.....

PSS - I now know where all the antique dealers are shopping.  

PPSS - I think I am gonna need a bigger house - LOL!

 

 

Kitty's kitties

 

Levi:  A week has passed since the last blog update about the cats we got and the cats have gotten more used to the house and us. When we first got them they didn't like us and they just didn't know what was going on. They also thought it was a good idea to try to climb up the chimney at night while we were sleeping and sink soot into their fur as deep down as they could to make it as hard as possible for us to wash off.  Which we eventually had to do by getting a bath going. It took 2 people to barely wash one cat. Nimble little creatures they are. 

    So its been a little while and they really have changed. Now they are more comfortable with us and just kinda chill in the upstairs rooms all day. Freya likes sitting in the window spot all the time while Cassie just likes to sit under the cabinet across the room. Cassie still gets a little scared when approached or someone comes up the stairs. I don't really know why but it's whatever.

Mama wants them to start eating in the kitchen for some reason so every time they need to eat I have

to carry them down, which isn't always easy. They scratch if they are carried for too long so my hands

are pretty messed up. As long as they eat it's all good. 

Other than the cats, I have done more fencing and it's been alright. I am getting better at it, though it's getting hot here so it's hard to be in a fencing suit and move around a lot. SO that makes it much harder and very uncomfortable. The lessons are like 2/3 hours long and it's pretty tough. But it's only once a week so that makes it a little better.  

    In between writing this I have actually cooked dinner tonight and I made some chicken pot pie, which tasted alright. Mama said it was fantastic but I think she's just being nice. I'll link the recipe I used incase anyone wants to try it out, it wasn't bad!  Here

Last week, steak enchiladas.

    Also after I made dinner, some fencing friends came over to our house to see it, the cats and try some brownies Kitty Crocker made. (Really good btw). So we hung out for a while and talked, then eventually I went with them to fence and did the usual routine of footwork and bladework then me getting destroyed by the good fencers. It was nice and after 3 hours of work and exhaustion, it was dark and I was driven home.

      And now I am here writing the last part to this blog. 

    So yeah, that's all that has happened since the last update and I'm sure Mama will keep you guys updated in the future. Cya.

-Levi

When the cat's away.....

 Yeah, you know the rest

Let the RODENT RODEO BEGIN!

Unfortunately, it isn't my first one  

We came back to Glasgow with a pantry that had been infiltrated.  The tell tale signs in the form of mouse droppings in the kitchen cupboard.  As well as packets of food nibbled on and thus binned immediately. 

Uggggh

I've had this issue in GR, I mean who hasn't that lives in an old house?  They say to plug up all the holes.......seriously, you ever lived in an old house? 

So I took to Google, and started my revenge.  

I apologize to all of you animal lovers, but I'm not above the ridding of vermin with killing force.  

But just to be somewhat thoughtful, I began with steel wool.  They don't go thru that, it says so right on the internet.

ha!  They did.  Of course they did. 

SMH  

Day 1:  

mice = 1  mom = 0

Next up, traps.  And after setting one that went off on my finger (karma?), we were off and running.

Day 2:  peanut butter gone, trap still set.  

mice = 2, mom = 0

Okay you smart little bastards, we shall try again.  One you-tuber said to not set the trap for a day or so, give them the goods, to trick them into feeling all is well.  So unknowingly, we've have already attained that step.  Or I mean, that is exactly what we were doing.......right?!?!?!  

Day 3:  GOTCHA!  

mice = 2, mom = 1

Thank goodness for Levi, as he is the mouse eradicator.  I can't even stand to look.

Day 4:  Levi thinks we are done, why are we setting more traps?  AH, my naive child, where there is one, there are tons.  

Gotcha again - 

mice = 2, mom = 2

Day 5:    We set another trap, maybe getting too used to this.  Levi is thrilled, nothing caught.  Could it be this easy?  I tell Levi to check and see if the peanut butter is still there.....nope, it's gone, but no mouse.

mice = 3, mom = 2

Damn, I hate losing, especially at this game.  The gloves are coming off.....

Day 6:  Gotcha!  

mice = 3, mom = 3

We need more mouse traps.....

Is this the definition of insanity, or what?

Day 7:  It's been fun little mice, playing this non-ending game of "Kitty and mouse."  But I'm done, and when I say I'm done, I'M DOOONNNNNNNNE.

Let

me

introduce 

you 

to 

Cassie

&

Freya

BOOYAH!