Moving on

The time has come. We are in the home stretch and will be moving in a matter of days! I have to change internet providers. I will be back with renewed excitement as soon as we are settled and have all services connected.

nothing new, everything new

Not that it will be anything new but I won't be posting for a while. We are weeks from moving in and I am shutting down our service. I'll start back up as soon as I can.

I'll post some pictures of our progress this weekend.
My baby girls turns two this next Tuesday!
Heating and Air was completed today.
I've been caulking and painting doors and trim.

This house is a little like being pregnant.....
At first you dismiss the vomiting with a "that's ok, it's worth it"
Then you do the same with the leg and back aches....
Before long you are 9 months and even though you know you should be enjoying every minute and taking notes.... you are instead saying "can we just get this over with?"

That is where I am.... 9 months and counting.... Can we just get this over with?


I'll will miss your inspiring posts.....

as I see it........

Turns out the things in life that seem so important
just may be.......
the things that keep you away from what really is important.

Who's got spirit??

So I know that life changes.
People change.
Children grow and change.

I just found out that I may not like change too much.

Saturday morning I took LadyBug shopping for school stuff. Just me and her. No LULU. No Daddy. No aunts, sisters, grandparents, friends, or neighbors. Me and her. Big girl shopping day.
She cheerfully helped me count out the school supplies and put them in the cart. 8 boxes of crayons ***WHAT****deep breath*** check, six rolls of paper towels-check, and on and on it went $160 worth. But who's counting?.......
We were starving after all that hard work so we went to a Mexican restaurant that we love (don't know the name, sorry. But it is at the Oxford Exchange if you're ever out that way) She likes it for the virgin strawberry "cold drinks", and they mold the rice and put the beans in a tortilla cup, oh and they cut the quesadillas into triangle pizza shapes.




We spent the rest of the day going through every store we could find and racked up on some good deals!
We went to Starbucks (no caffeine for her, don't worry) then headed home.....
What a fun day! We don't get days, just the two of us any more.

Then it was meet the teacher night. I am frustrated. Nope. That doesn't do it justice. I AM FRUSTRATED!!!!! I was told that they do placement tests. They don't. I was told since it was a small school that the teacher would have so few students, she would be able to spend quality time doing extra work with her. Nope. She has 16 students at least. She can't possibly take the time needed to be sure that LadyBug is progressing to her potential!
Her teacher in 4K ran out of books for her. She is reading and comprehending at a 2nd grade level with ease. She does addition with multiple numbers. She knew her colors, shapes, numbers, and alphabet before she was two!
When we asked about the curriculum for the year.... we were told that they will start with letters, numbers and colors and by the end of the year start to read some.....!
They have to bring coloring books to keep them quietly busy while others are working when they are done!! WHAT?! She can color at home! What the heck is she going to school for??
If she isn't learning something new, she is getting behind.
Before you start thinking that I'm some kinda mad woman who pushes her child too hard..... she asks to do work, and constantly asks tough questions. She is just made that way.

Ok. I need to breathe now so... moving on..... Here is LULU. Ain't she cute?

Getting it Done

I have missed you all!!
There are not enough hours in the day, lately.
I thought maybe today I'd breathe, brew some coffee, and check out every body's pages. Also, I wanted to share what we've been up-to.

LadyBug picked Orange Slice by Glidden but painted in Behr (not sure if that makes a difference in color turnout...) She also loves seaside cottage things. Remember this group we picked up for her room, back when it was going to be a gray-white?





Hmmm. Well now her room looks like this!



However orange this may look on here..... be assured, it is much more vibrant than that!!
That is where the problem lies. But, a most amazing thing happened.... DIYideas.com solved my problem!!!




It is perfect! She wanted citrus colors...hence the Orange Slice! And the art work is just a piece of MDF covered with decorative paper and card stock shapes on top!! I can totally pull this off! And get this, her 3-D chalk set came with perfectly sized stencils of sea animals!!


In other news, my kitchen is really taking shape! I'll have to snap a few pictures Wed. when I go back to sand the cabinet doors and drawer faces. I bought the appliances the other day from Home Depot. They were having a 10% off no interest for 12 months and the fridge was a perfect floor model on clearance. Are you ready for this?? $2300 for the range, fridge and dishwasher!!!!
The fridge is LG's french door top with drawer freezer on bottom, the range is LG's convection oven with smooth top (something I'll have to get used to- going from gas), the dishwasher is Maytag with all the goodies, all stainless. I was so excited! The fridge being a clearance item had to be picked up and is in this kitchen until we move and the other two will be delivered when we are ready for them.



I have some huge questions. Number one: What finish do I do on the concrete floors?
Number two: Should I paint my cabinets or stain them? should I stain the cabinets and paint the pantry and island?


Oh, I can't remember if I told you but my Master bed and bath are painted French Silver by Behr. I love this color. It is a cool blue gray but is shaded enough to be relaxing at the same time.
The main room colors are Natural Linen by Glidden and Crisp Linen White by Glidden. The crisp linen white is also in the laundry/craft room and I painted the hallways in the Natural Linen. The guest bath is called Fresh Guacamole. Yep, this may have been a bad idea, but I'm going to try and make it work. I love the color it is just a little much for the small space. Other than the girls crazy rooms, I wanted a natural and neutral tone in the house.
So, that is how far I am.
The siding is going on Monday week. The septic is going to be put in tomorrow or Thursday.
Any comments, questions or ideas are welcome. Thanks for making it through this lengthy post!!


My baby will be registered for big girl school Thursday.

COMMENTS WANTED

I rode by this little junk place over and over, day after day and kept seeing this chair. I wanted it and found myself looking to see if it was still there every time. So, finally I stopped. No one came out to see if I needed help and to be honest I was starting to wander if this was some sorta pile of stuff the homeowner had collected, maybe major pack-rats or something....
I drove by two days later and it was still there. I stopped again, this time someone peeked out their head and asked if I needed help.
Yes, how much for the metal chair?? "$5", he replied. Hmm, I thought. It needed a lot of work, but I want it. SURE! "There's more inside." He said. An open invitation to scope out some more cool stuff! I found antique glass door knobs, also $5. And I'm thinking of going back for the old french doors to convert to pantry doors.
I need a little help. My kitchen, living, and dining rooms are all together in a big 30 x 32. The first thing you will see when you walk in the front door will be the island. I want to do something super cool. I am going for a minimal with rustic antiques look... any ideas. I'm thinking Natural Choice by Sherwin Williams for the walls, Greek Villa white for the trim and cabinets, the floor will be stained concrete and the counter tops are either concrete or wood, I haven't decided yet.
I want clean lines, serene feel, with wow, that's cool, where'd ya find it antiques here and there.
My plan for this chair includes attaching casters to the legs and using it at my Roll Top desk as a sort of dressing table/writing station in my bedroom.

Here is LuLu's room color as promised






I kicked but and pulled a 8 hour grout job by myself yesterday and finally finished my shower (except for touching up the ceiling and sealing the grout)







If there are any professional shower tile layer people reading...... just remember this was my first!!! And I'm darn proud of it!!!!

Comments are definitely welcome. I need help PEOPLE! Ideas!

What I've been doing

I have been thinking about how simplicity makes me feel calm, relaxed and ultimately happier in general. This picture is a kitchen that says to me "I'm simple but rich in experience and detail, I may not be showy but I am efficient, relaxed, easy going. I can handle hustle and bustle of rush time or I can sit back with a warm cup of joe." I like that in a kitchen. I also like those qualities in life.

Our days have gone like this: (not so simple and relaxed)
During the week Bobby is at work and most days comes to the house to work after that as well as some side work. Our weekends are always at the house working.
My day looks like this......
7am~ wake up, feed the kids, get dressed, change over some laundry, take out the trash, pack lunch, fill water containers
9am~go to Home Depot, bank, pay a few bills, swing by McDonald's for a Caramel Iced Coffee, go to 'the property' (that is still what the kids call it)
10am~work on tile, prime, paint, rethink and plan on kitchen layout because I'm never satisfied with it, referee the girls, check up on the girls because they are curiously quiet, make time for tic tac toe, listen to LadyBug's newest book-now second grade level :0), throw LuLu up in the air until my arms feel like they are going to break, talk about colors and sing the alphabet song.
12:30~ eat a sandwich, some carrot sticks, a V8, a Powerade
12:45~get back to work, being a referee, scrape the tile down again because I made a huge mess with the adhesive, reinstall the corner caddy thingy that LuLu used as a step before the adhesive dried. Scrape off the adhesive that LuLu iced the tile with while I was gone to cut a trim piece.
5pm~ eat a few Fig Newtons, drink another Powerade, get back to work. Check out LadyBug's newest invention outside in the dirt, push LuLu around on the bike.
7pm~ go home
8pm~ bathe the girls, cook and eat dinner, clean up, put the girls to bed
10:30pm~shower
11:30pm~sleep, glorious sleep

This is the color LadyBug picked for her room. Orange Slice by Glidden, we used Behr paint. The ceiling is about 2 shades lighter. Far from the previous description of relaxing simplicity, but you are only a child once. LuLu's color is Pink Peony also a Glidden color. I will post some pics of it soon. It is dusty pink with a lilac undertone.




With the help of my little sister I have been tiling my master bath shower. The opening you see here will be a solid piece of tempered glass. I finished laying he tile and cleaned it up for grout yesterday. As soon as it is grouted I'll post the pictures. I'll have to get a better picture. You can't see it here but a rain can is in the center of the shower ceiling and a handheld is on the wall. The clawfoot will sit right in front of that.

My two little sweet girls get as dirty as humanly possible every single day that we are there! But again, you are only a child once.

My Family~ This is Why I love him Thursday

She painted.

She painted.

We painted.

They may be completely covered in dirt, primer, and sweat........ but they love each other.

Learning math can be fun.

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And this is just another reason why I love him!!!

anxious questions

So... I've been neglecting my blog among other things: such as laundry and dishes and home cooked meals......

I have been stressed...no.... anxious, yeah, anxious.


We have been so busy on our forever home that I've neglected everything else.
Bobby seems to think that I haven't neglected the girls or him, maybe the house we are in, but not the family. I can only hope that the girls feel the same way. School is starting soon, in another district, and we are not finished.


Will LadyBug be OK with a new school, new home, new life??
Will LuLu turn out OK even if I haven't been able to take all the necessary time to do the one on one that LadyBug had when she was a toddler??
Will I ever feel the same sort of balance that I felt before a second child and house building??
What is the real reality of a New Home, New Town, life??
The thing I have begged for and hope for and prayed for is drawing near and I somehow feel anxious.


I give God all the glory and praise for His grace and works of love in our family, for all the things that have been done only through Him. I am grateful. I am humbled. I am undeserving. I am blessed.

I am not complaining. I am just talking to some good friends, who just might understand.

A nugget. Some fire. A load of Stuff.

I've been extremely busy with the house and summer life that I haven't had time to do more than a quick look-see of what has been going on around here! I am glad to see that everyone is doing well and have wonderful things going on. I have to run again but I wanted to share a few pictures first.
AND We start priming the drywall TODAY!




My camera was on fireworks setting. I thought this was a pretty cool picture of LadyBug with her sparklers. Click on these two to enlarge them!


Here is a close up on the same setting of a sparkly something, I don't know the name of but it was pretty and my camera picked up some really neat streams of fire from it.






Here is the load of drywall scrap after the hangers (?) were done.




Here is my LuLu giving everyone 'the tour'.





Here is the patio. Well almost.


I am going insane trying to pin down my paint colors. Seriously. I wish I had an interior designer friend. I will be bald before this is over!

Apparently I'm a Super Hero in the shower...

When my hair is weighed down with conditioner and my legs are half shaven.....
I apparently become a super hero.

My children are tired from a busy day, I'm awaiting my husband's arrival from work, The movie Ice Age the Meltdown is put in the DVD player and everyone is happy. So, I think to myself, I wooonder if I could get away with a shower if I leave the door cracked slightly and LuLu isn't told what is going on??? I of course tell Big Sister because, if she needs me she will know where to find me. So I say, 'hey, this is a funny part!' cheerfully and then sneak away. I wash my hair, soap up, put conditioner in my hair and think.... Oh, yeah! I get to shave too!! So I quickly start to shave and all of a sudden LuLu rushes in and the most unspeakable, terrible, awful, thing has happened and I am the only Super Hero to be found that can right the wrongs of this unforgiving world!
I don't come out right away so she pulls the curtain up over her head allowing a rush of cold air to hit my legs, at this point finishing on chill bumps will be impossible so I quickly close the curtain and bump up the heat in the shower. She lifts it again, either she wants in or wants me out but either way I'm not going to finish shaving today. 'What's wrong?' I finally think to ask. She points to the living room. I give in and get out. It turns out Scrat is having a hard time with those Paranas again...
I did manage to rinse my hair and noted to myself that her bedtime really is the best time for my showers. Because, Super Heroes should always be available.

This is why I love him Thursday and GLOW STICK DOTS

He is building our home. I went in for a peek this morning at the drywall being installed. I didn't want to get in their way because I think I would have been drywalled if I stayed!! They are doing a great job. And I was so excited to see WALLS not just boards. I can't wait until tomorrow when it will be completed.



He gave me a two wonderful children. The oldest did this to her bedroom wall last night.


LuLu broke LadyBug's DVD part of her TV. So LadyBug has been going to sleep in the living room so she can watch TV and 'not be lonely' I told her that she needed to sleep in her bed and gave her two of those glow in the dark sticks 'to keep her company'. And lovingly told her to go to sleep and I'd see her in the morning....

She ran upstairs and said ( in her quiet, as to not wake Daddy or Sister, voice -
' It was an accident!
There's light stick glow dots everywhere!
Come quick!'

Feeling a little frustrated, I went downstairs... the lights were still off except for the stair well light and I easily followed the 'glow dots' trail from the living room, to the kitchen, to her room, up the bed and on the wall...

I couldn't help but laugh. She was so worried that it might harm her in some mysterious way or that I might be angry--- how could I be... it was too funny??

I went to the kitchen to find something to clean up the mess and she was following me with a roll of paper towels, (the poor child was so worried, she was already prepared)
I had still not turned on the lights, because quite frankly I was enjoying our moment of laughing at all the 'glow dots'. I went to the kitchen and saw what looked like a glob of the stuff on the counter. Then I turned on the light and saw that it was a dish towel from her trying to solve the problem herself.... that explained the trail to the kitchen...

So I laughed again and turned off the lights... I picked up the glow stick where she apparently dropped it in a panic, before running upstairs..... I got the stuff on my thumb (and thought, cooool, I bet this is the crazy stuff that old witch put on those folks in that movie- Beast Master...)
We had a lot of fun and she slept soundly in her new glow in the dark room.

If it weren't for my wonderful hubby, I would not have had that experience!
She is a lot like him. ~ I'm just sayin'....;)

I can't wait until he gets home to share our story...

Mustard. It's what's for dinner.

My LuLu loves mustard, ketchup, lemons, steak sauce.... just about anything that LadyBug will not touch. LuLu wanted a snack after dinner as usual, because she never eats her dinner!!!

Anyway.... as I was saying, she went to the kitchen and brought me the loaf of bread so I gave her a slice. Then she brought me the Texas Pete I exchanged that for a wedge of cheese. (what kind of parent gives their child hot sauce for a snack?) She was happy with the alternative and ate (most of) it. Then after leaving a trail of multi-grain bread crumbs and smushy cheese in the floor she brought me the mustard. So I obliged and put some in a plate with some cheese crackers. She ate it all!

*note to self: after dinner is probably not the best time to be distracted by email*

Now before you start judging me on my toddler's eating habits, know that I would have never allowed my oldest to indulge in junk instead of a balanced meal. However, I am older, wiser, busier, and all around less wonderful as a parent.

It happens to the best of us.

Planned Parenthood Abortion Center Staffer: We Bend the Rules on Sexual Abuse

Planned Parenthood Abortion Center Staffer: We Bend the Rules on Sexual Abuse

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S O S

Been busy.

Saturday and Sunday were both tied up with the house and being sure it was completely ready for drywall.
Monday was grocery shopping and catching up on chores.
Tuesday..... still catching up on chores.

Our drywall should be up and ready to paint in a week and a half!!!

I have to get serious about paint colors.
I'm going for a 'cottage with a hint of modern' kinda theme. I like white, cream, mushroom, walnut, dusty blues, vibrant greens.....
Does anyone have any suggestions?
The floors are acid stained concrete in a dark walnut finish. I want to incorporate bead-board. And I need to make some slip covers for my sofa and love seat but I really don't know how. They are in great shape but I want a creamy linen type cover for them that will not cost me a body part!
Help! Anyone! It's crunch time!

Grilling Goodness

click on the pic to join Tina in Grilling Goodness every Friday....
She names the questions, we give the answers and compare, it is a lot of fun!!

1. When you were growing up dreaming of having children...dreaming of what their names would be...did you stick with those names?

No. I wanted to name my little girl Penelope but was waaay out voted when the time came.

2. Are you affected by the death of Michael Jackson?

What was the question?? Who??

3. Do you use your dishwasher and your fireplace?

Dishwasher, yes. Fireplace, I don't have one now and I am voting against one in the new house. I want an outdoor one though.

4. Have you ever been on a mission trip?

No. But one day maybe.

5. Will your kids participate in a Vacation Bible school this summer?

Not this year we did a summer reading program instead and to be honest our schedule has been too crazy to commit.

6. What about the economy is affecting you the worst?

definitely the gas and groceries!

7. Do your kids do chores?

LadyBug is Five and helps when I ask her but LuLu is still too young.

8. Do you use energy efficient light bulbs?

Yes, in most rooms. I do the daylight ones and I really love them.

Not too shabby for hump-day.......

Getting ready for the patio....

Blessings Unending

Hip Hooray for Bobby. He got us a leap ahead for drywall today!
Bobby and a co-worker got more done today than I could have helped him do in a weekend!

The wonderful surveyor that set up our easement for water went way beyond our expectations!
Where we are going to live - out in the boonies- we have to get an easement to run water lines to our property and the meter will also be on someone else's property. The surveyor who took care of it for us is also a notary public. This sweet man met me to get exact location, went to property owner to verify, received appropriate paperwork via fax, went to water board to be sure of what they wanted, drew up paperwork, went to property owner for signature, went to court house and filed it for me, went to water board again to give them a copy..... all for $200!! He is just a good hearted sweet man. He called my husband and asked if he could do all of that because he knew Bobby was very busy with work and since we had two small children I was obviously busy. Can you believe that?! So now all I have to do is show up at the water board with a handful of cash (a check really) and we are all set!!

And I was able to take my sweet girls swimming. That was a blessing.
Time is something I haven't had a lot of lately. But blessings have not run short!!



Me, LuLu - Granny, LadyBug




LadyBug, LuLu, DD, Mom, and Granny

Jumbled Mess

I hope my readers will forgive me for not posting much lately. I've just had so much going on that it would look like a jumbled mess if I tried to update or put together something in a hurry. When I'm this busy it is really hard to sound intelligent because my brain is a jumbled mess.
But here are the latest goings-ons.....

Heating and Air - DONE (at least until drywall is up and painted)

LadyBug's Library reading - 504 pages so far for June!!

Plumbing - DONE (at least until drywall is up and painted)

Insulation and wiring - mostly done, will be finished this weekend

Drywall - waiting on us to finish this weekend

Grocery shopping - I am learning how to shop cheap and feed my family well.

Laundry - Uhmm, washed, mostly

LuLu's potty training - Depends on the day

You get the picture....

I did buy this really cool kitchen faucet today marked down from $247 to $92 wah hoo for me!
I am determined to get great products and great final quality as cheap as possible, for a couple reasons. ONE: I truly feel it necessary to refurbish and reuse when possible and get a deal when you can. And TWO: I need $4400 after the house is finished.....for something(s) a little more personal.

Father's Day was fantabulous. Hope yours was too.

This is why I love him Thursday and Trina

It is Thursday and time to shout from the mountain tops, my reasons for loving the love of my life!
If I never have time for anything else, I want to be sure to make time to: Pray thanks to my God, Hug my girls, and Honor my husband. Those are things that must be done no matter what else is going on.
For better or for worse
In sickness and in health
For richer or for poorer
Till death do we part
I made a promise to him and to God, to honor and cherish, to love and yes, even obey, so long as we both shall live.
I plan to hold up my end of the deal as I know he feels the same.
God has planned our lives together. Whether things are good or bad we are in it together. I am thankful that because of our promise to one another and because of the stubbornness born in us both, that we will make good on that promise.

Of course he makes that easy on my end. I found yesterday that I am terribly spoiled! I had to take the trailer with me to the house so the HVAC guys would have the lumber they needed when I got there.....
I soon found out that not only does it take me a considerable amount of time to back up said trailer, I also had no clue as to how it should be reattached to my Jeep after the nice gentlemen removed it for me so I could go to lunch minus the extra 14 feet of trailer! Thank goodness for my very self sufficient sister who went with me! By the way I think we will start drywall in 2 weeks or less!!!!
Anyway..... I found out by that experience that with out Bobby I would be lost. He just does so much that I look over and take for granted everyday. Things that I didn't even realize that he did. I wish there was some grand way that I could express my devotion, adoration, and appreciation to him on Father's Day. Nothing seems to say THANK YOU enough.

So to wrap up a very wordy post.... He is great!
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It is very important that I recognize Trina. She is such a sweet lady. Her love for peacocks isn't her only unique expression. She loves color and style. But more than that, she loves her family and God. She is involved in youth in a radical and awesome way. I always look forward to her posts. She is the type, you feel like you know her even if you haven't met. I appreciate that. Too many people wear masks when the real person is always so much more interesting to know. She was so kind to mention me in her blog and give me this wonderful gift. It means a lot that someone gets me.