Random Story Saturday: That Time We Committed Mail Fraud and Still Chuckle About It

 This is my sister Mary Lynn and I.

This is also my sister Mary Lynn and I. We fought like crazy as kids because she was mean and I was annoying. But then we stopped fighting because we were too busy being hilarious together.

The night of the above picture started out innocently enough. I think we were going through my mom's box of greeting cards for a real purpose. Then the wheels started turning and absurdities from each of our brains built upon one another (as all good ideas do). "Wouldn't it be funny if we sent random people we found out of the phone book a card?" "Or if we signed it from other people we didn't know? Wouldn't that be so funny?" But then we stumbled upon a card of sympathy and suddenly we had the perfect idea for a prank. It's a little complex so follow me.

We signed the card something like, "I am so sorry for the hurt I've caused. Please forgive me. Love Karen" We have an aunt named Karen with a good sense of humor. She's the victim of the prank.

We addressed the envelope to our other aunt Leanna (her sister) and for the return address we put Karen's. But we don't put a stamp on it.

The plan is that the card then goes through the mail system but never gets delivered to Leanna because there's no stamp. The card will be "returned to sender" which is Karen but she didn't send it and she will be all sorts of confused. Like what the heck? I didn't send this and what is the hurt being referenced? Did I offend Leanna and someone is trying to meddle and mend it on my behalf? (Besides coming up with a great prank, we figured out how to send letters for free.)

Mary Lynn and I took the picture with the card before we sealed it up. I think we were going to send the photo to Karen like a week later so that her mystery is solved. But I don't think we ever sent the photo.

And then we waited and wondered. What if the card made it to Leanna and the prank didn't turn out? Did it make it back to Karen as planned? We laughed every time we thought about it. Imagining her confusion and the frilliness and seriousness of the card is just so dang funny. 

And then I forgot about it. Until Karen came up behind me at the next family gathering and kicked me in the butt. She figured out it was us after being totally confused. That was the best part. She thought of us first. 

The Befores

We close on our new (to us) house on April 30. It needs a lot of work. Fortunately the work is mostly cosmetic but it is the entire house. All the floors, walls, trim, and lights need to be replaced. Even the outlets and light switches are 80s tan. The bathrooms are gross and ugly too so some things will need to be replaced and others will get a good cleaning to avoid needing replacement. Here are the before pictures and some ideas of our plans.

Here's the house! There are three large trees which I love and will shade the house in the afternoons. The windows will be replaced someday (they are all 33 years old in various states of disrepair). The front door needs repainting but I don't know what color yet. 

The front room. The main level has 12 foot ceilings throughout.

There are two sets of stairs that converge in the center of the main level. One set goes to the master bedroom and bathroom, the other to the split level--3 bedrooms and bathroom above, and a family room, one bedroom and bathroom below.

One thing I don't like is how much the stairs stand out and how chopped up the room feels with two floorings: dark carpet and tile. The entire floor will be a nice neutral wood. I'm liking this look, especially the non-carpeted stairs.

We call this railing above the dining room "the balcony." See what I mean about railings everywhere? I want them to blend in with the walls more.

To the kitchen. I love how big the windows are on this level but not digging the half circle ones.

We are super excited for a gas stove. The dishwasher and fridge are the nicest things in house and the only thing that doesn't need work.

To paint or not to paint this light?

And here's the plan: The flooring will be LVP but a warmer wood tone than this picture but the cabinet colors are spot on. The backsplash is my favorite.

 I don't have a great picture of the master bedroom. It is huge and full of mauve carpet.

I'm digging this panel moulding look but undecided on the headboard and wall color.

Oh the bathroom. I'm so excited to take a sledgehammer to this. 

We'll put in a double sink vanity, tear out the tub and shower and put in something a little like this.

And onto the other side of the house.

These bedrooms will get new carpet and paint.

The bathroom. I'm very excited for this linen closet. We don't have one at our current house.

This bathroom will get new flooring as well. We are still deciding if we replace the entire vanity or just paint it and put on a new counter. You can see how damaged it is.

Downstairs. Family room will get the same white paint and carpet as the bedrooms.

The bedroom.

Storage area that will turn into our games storage by adding more shelves.

And my least favorite room, the downstairs bathroom. I am bound and determined to make this room one to be proud of instead of grossed out.

I've never had grout before. Wish me luck on cleaning and repairing this.

We can't end on that photo so we'll head outside to remind myself why we are so excited for this house. The backyard is just so awesome. It is big and square and aside from the several fruit trees it is a blank slate. I'm looking forward to having the house redone because it's going to be quite the dramatic transformation but that will also mean we can focus on the outside next year.

Demo day is May 1!

April Fools and Easter Kids

I pranked the kids good this year. They are such good sports. I didn't remember to do any pranks last year because lockdown felt like a big prank and I just wasn't in the mood. This year though.....

After they went to bed Justin and I made this box.
And I dipped Cheerios in pink frosting. They look like Barbie doughnuts. 

The kids thought they tasted good and actually ate them all up!

For Easter my family got together at my parent's house just like we're supposed to. I was so excited for this day. I saw my brother and his family for the first time since July, my parents since Christmas and my sister since November, I think. The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious and the kids were so dang cute with their Easter baskets. 

The "seeker" group is getting smaller each year and the "hider" group is getting bigger.

We may have had enough eggs for 20 kids. I am not without blame as I filled 183 eggs. Erica adapted quickly and filled her pockets.

This tree was made for hiding eggs.

I had to pass out grocery sacks to the kids when their baskets  and pockets got full.

And then the dumping and sorting and trading begins.

Hey everyone, look at the sunset! Gotcha!

(We also snuck in a second showing for a house in Mapleton we saw the day before. That evening we put in an offer so I was all distracted and anxiety filled this day too.)

Sunday we watched conference and made it a restful day since Saturday was pretty hectic. After conference we went to Justin's parents house for a ham dinner and an egg hunt in their yard. I was also still so distracted wondering if we got the house or not. Kind of made it a weird day. 

Justin's parents are good hiders! The kids had to try really hard to find them all.

It took a game of warm and cold for them to find this blue egg on the boat trailer.

We ended up with so much candy but you just have to because Easter candy is the best. There's something about chocolate in egg form that just tastes better.

And a week later the kids got to wear their new Easter church clothes.

On Tuesday we found out our offer was accepted! No bidding war, no competing offers. There was some back and forth about the AC and furnace to work out but it is a done deal. We've done the inspection and don't need an appraisal.

We close with our buyer on the 19th but stay here until June 18

We close on our "new old house" on April 30.

We'll have 6 weeks to make it awesome. May is going to be crazy.