Bloom

I seriously cannot wait for this book to arrive.  I preordered it weeks ago. 

 

If you haven’t preordered your copy, check out what Kelle is offering in exchange for preordering! 

25 Things Linky Party

I decided to link up to Shaunna's fun party today, just to see my list.  Well and maybe to actually force myself to sit down!

1. No matter what I do, I cannot find enough time in the day.  Like, ever!

2. I have not had one week without multiple sporting events since July of last year.  I’m burned out.

3. I love sunshine.  I crave it like a drug.  There hasn’t been much lately. 

4. My second oldest graduates from 8th grade this year and my oldest will be 22 the same month.  Lots of tears in May.

5. My dad and my hubs are going to look at a 5 acre spread that sits on a river today.  I’ve already looked at it.  And it gives a whole new meaning to the term “fixer upper” but it boasts an old dance hall/studio for me.   

6.  Did I mention the chicken coop?

7.  Did I mention that I already named Carson the chicken hunter?

8.  I love the silence in the morning, that and a good hot cup of coffee. 

9.  I really love to take pictures. 

10. We just might actually move….again….and start all over!

11. I get up 3 days a week at 5 a.m. to work-out.  Boot camp style.  Not fun. 

12.  I’ve only lost 10 pounds in a year.  But I can do lots of push-ups and lunges, that means I’m stronger. 

13.  I’m super duper cheap.  It’s rubbing off on my kids. 

14.  I gave the 8th grader money to buy a daddy-daughter dance dress and shoes.  I prayed I gave her enough cash.  She bought 3 dresses, 3 pairs of shoes, a pair of jeans, fake glasses and a glasses case and still had money left over.  She’s a frugal rockstar!  I’m so proud.

15.  Last daddy daughter dance is this year.  More tears.

16.  She gets her license in 2 years.  Even more tears.

17.  I melted down on Saturday night at the thought of leaving my house.  Again with the tears.  I’m like a blubbering fool. 

18.  We just remodeled the dining room and I still have not shared pictures.

19. I blame sports for my lack of posting.  I can’t even find time to get my hair done.

20.  I’m amused by this list making thing. 

21.  It isn’t even Spring and I can’t wait until Summer. 

22.  I haven’t been on vacation in 5 years.  Oh I need one so badly. 

23.  I pay someone to come by my house every two weeks and deep clean my floors.  Tomorrow is one of those days.

24.  I wish I could work from home.  I miss my kiddos an awful lot while I’m at work.  Thank God for Meme (the babysitter) though I hate to call her that because she is so much more. 

25.  I texted my hairdresser/friend today because I have to reschedule my haircut again….told her I am in desperate need of a wax, I look like Tom Selleck.  

When I started, I thought I would have a hard time coming up with 25.  Wrong!  I bet I could come up with 25 more. 

2012 Kitchen Plans

Hi…um, Hello, how are you?  I am fine, thanks for asking.  It’s been a while, but like any old friend, we can just pick up where we leave off and go on.  You guys are cool like that. 

It seems like time just keeps getting further and further away from me.  People always ask me how I do it all and work full time and I can only say, I cry a lot.  All kidding aside, I really do struggle to get it all done.  Just like all of the other women/mothers in the world.  We try to be super heros.  Thankfully, I realize while I possess no super powers, I do have an ability to multitask and not sweat the mess (non-stop renovating and laundry are to blame). 

I suppose if I would take on fewer projects or convince the hubby I need to simply quit my job (can ya say more work), I would find some time to actually complete Project A before I decide Project B should take precedence.  But if there is one thing that can light a fire under my rump like no other, it is the thought of the MIL arriving on a train from Texas in about one week.  Yikes. 

We have been so busy repainting walls and doors and installing crown moulding (or molding, according to Google either is appropriate) that I have failed to take any in-progress pictures. 

We have, however {for the most part} completed the dining room renovation.  The items left to cross off that honey-do-room list are touch-up wall paint, order this rug from this lovely lady, whose taste is impeccable and doesn’t mind helping you pick out a rug, nor does she mind giving you a push to step-out-of-your-comfort-zone.  She’s a wise one and she is like your mama, always right!  I’m so proud to call her friend.  Oh and hang the light fixtures, which are still up in the air because apparently disassembling ancient rusty light fixtures is no easy task.  Sore subject, we just won’t go there today. 

We also aren’t going to mention wall art because no matter what, I waffle constantly when it comes to putting holes in the walls.  Seriously, it is a problem and I hope someday when I grow up I can over come my anxiety.  Sigh!  I’m not sure why I have such a crippling fear.  I know one thing for sure, I will be hanging the hubby’s giant old school map center stage in there.  In our previous home, it hung in his home office and has since been hiding out in a closet waiting for his moment to shine.  And he couldn’t be happier.  I always ask his opinion and if he genuinely dislikes anything it is an automatic veto.  If he is uncertain, he will give it a chance, but he rarely has much input otherwise.  I’m just glad the man can fix anything and everything. 

Whew, as I just reread that list, I’m worn out.  But, all of these things must be done in order to get our house “done”. 

In other news, you would think that taking on a major wall-removing renovation might cause us to set aside the very idea of another project, but actually quite the opposite happened.  We are apparently gluttons for punishment.  We decided that with as much seemingly wasted floor space we now have, it would be the perfect place for a peninsula with some bar stools.  You know so the kiddos can hang out and do homework, or I can watch hubby cook some of his yummy dishes.

 

I have my eye on something similar to what the ever-inspiring Holly recently debuted. 

 

But considering the splurge she made on the corbels is way out of my budget and I will likely be using these salvaged beauties, my father so kindly bid on at an auction for me without even asking (smart man) and only after winning did he call to say that handy hubs could stop and pick them up.  And with a $50 price tag for two, I couldn’t pass them up.  The cell phone picture he took does not do them justice.  They are giant at almost 2 feet, I hope they fit. 

And the fun doesn’t stop there, oh no, a peninsula and gorgeous corbels are a perfect excuse to try out concrete countertops too.  Kind of like these:

My poor hubby.   Seriously, the man is a saint.  I mean he never ever complains.  Ever! 

Finally, amidst all of this, our house is a major disaster area and I can’t wait to cross a few more projects off the list.  One that has been a thorn in my side since we moved in has been finished for the most part, and we used this wall

as inspiration for that project.  More on that next week, for now, I will wade through the laundry, drywall dust and paint cans and find more work. 

What about you?  What projects do you have on your agenda for the coming year?? 

There are no words….

Early yesterday morning, we woke up to the typical routine.  I was out of laundry detergent and the wonderful hubby decided he would take care of it so I could get ready for church.  I jumped in the shower and he walked out the door headed for the store.  As I type this, I keep thinking about myself yelling mid-shower that whoever is running water needed to turn it off; selfish me.  Little did I know, in a desperate attempt to help our neighbors, the hubs was trying to fill a bucket of water to save their home.  As he walked out the door, he saw the corner of their garage was on fire and ran over to wake them.  On the first try, they didn’t answer.  He frantically ran next door to get help and as our other neighbor grabbed a garden hose to douse the flames, they realized the hoses were frozen solid.  That is when he ran back across the street to our house and was trying to fill a bucket.  Shortly after, Amanda came in screaming the neighbors house was on fire.  Thankfully, on his second attempt to rouse them, they came out and were able to get themselves, their twins and their dogs to safety.

 

It took what seemed like an eternity for the small town volunteer fire department to respond.  There was little they could do to save it.  The garage is completely gone.  Thankfully, they were able to save themselves as well as salvage photos and some personal items.  I was heartbroken to learn that all the of the kiddos Christmas presents were wrapped waiting in the garage with only one short week to go before the kids got to open them. 

It is with a heavy heart that I type this.  I am forever grateful that my husband reacted the way he did.  He seems to think he could have done more.  I say, making sure everyone got out was more than anyone could ask for.  He is a hero in my book.  I refuse to think about what could have been. 

(taken within minutes of the fire starting)

Today, I am so grateful that my neighbors are alive and unharmed and for my own husband and children. 

The material things will be replaced and their home rebuilt.  It will be a process.  Right now, they have each other and that is what really matters. 

Happy Thanksgiving

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you,"

that would suffice.  ~Meister Eckhart

 

 

I hope you take time this year to be grateful for the blessings you have received. 

The Master Plan

We are still chugging right along in the dining room and we have patched all the doorways and various holes in the walls and are currently installing the necessary furring strips so that there is something to attach the ceiling planks to.  When we bought our house, we noticed that the ceilings were looking less than stellar.  Reason being, after years of hanging on by nails, it had started to sag.  Not badly, but enough for us to know.  So we decided to install the ceiling planks for two reasons, one simply for aesthetics, I love the look and second because we knew that we could use the furring strips to sort of re-anchor the ceiling drywall to the joists in the ceiling thereby straightening it and improving the overall look, so while the Mister is busy working on that, I have been playing around with various ideas for the rooms overall plan. 

Enter my (attempt at) mood board of sorts. 

I found two awesome industrial fixtures at our local antique mall for a measly 8 bucks each.  I actually ran to the register.  I don’t have a photo of mine as they are currently being rewired.  Can’t be too careful.  You will find I honestly have an electricity phobia, so getting them rewired will allow me to sleep at night.  Next up are those awesome chairs that I have been pining for for quite some time.  I have yet to “add item to cart'”, but am really hoping to just do it.  While I still love my current chairs I think with the small size of the room, they are just too bulky.  Since we have spent only around $150 on the reno so far, I thought I could splurge on a rug and chairs.  Especially with Christmas around the corner, but like I said, we shall see.  And speaking of rugs, how about that baby.  No surprise here, it hails from Pottery Barn and I actually purchased the Bistro Stripe rug and am happy with the quality and the price, so most likely, I will add one to my cart.  Finally, I saved the best for last. 

That beadboard cabinet.  Sigh.  Love!  There is, of course, a story behind those cabinets too.  Yep, I said cabinets. 

I was with the hubs one afternoon about 3 years ago and we happened to stop by a friend’s house.  We have known this friend since high school and had been to his house many many times.  But, I had never been in his (now deceased) stepdad’s shed.  To say this man was a collector is an understatement.  The place was a giant pole barn and it was packed full.  And after much poking around, I saw the cabinets.  I couldn’t help myself…I blurted out, “I have to have those” and he of course, said I could.  Such a true friend.  Well, months later, he still had not made room to haul them out, so one Saturday morning, I called and offered him $100 just to open the door and let my Mister in to pick them up.  Long story short, within an hour they were on a utility trailer on their way home.  Well, into storage anyway and that is where they have sat for the last few years, patiently waiting to be used.  So with the table being technically free and the cabinets only setting me back $100, even if I splurge on the chairs and rug, I’m well under $1,000.  How’s that for designing on a dime?

Wish me luck, I'm going back in to help, well for a few minutes anyway, tonight I have a date with my daughter and her bestie to catch the midnight premiere!

I would love to hear your best bargain or the craziest place you went picking! 

Tear Down This Wall!

It may not be as historic as President Reagan's speech, but I feel like after years of pleading my case, it was almost as much work.  When we moved into our desperately-in-need-of-some-TLC ranch nearly 4 years ago, we actually needed all 5 bedrooms.  The only problem was, the house was originally just your typical rectangular ranch, but an addition in the early 90’s gave it more of a T-shape.  An even bigger problem was the placement of that addition; it was attached right in the middle of the house (thus the T-shape) which required removing the only window in the center bedroom.  Brandon was temporarily housed there until my nephew and oldest daughter flew the coupe.  At that point, we also discovered we were pregnant and scrambled to shift everyone around in order to keep the nursery near our bedroom.  And again, we attempted to use the windowless cave as a bedroom and let me just say, we hated it!  It wasn’t cozy or sweet, it was dark and bordering on creepy.  So, we moved Carson to the guest room and we were left with a windowless storage room. 

But what we needed was a dining room.  You can see from the photo below just how cramped the gianormous table is.  It seemed to stop the flow of the house.  It sat right in the middle, between the front door in the living room and the family room addition.  It felt heavier than heavy.  Insert begging and pleading.  (Please ignore the mess in the photo below…it was snapped moments before the Mister tore that wall down.)

  

 

It is hard to tell from the picture, but the table must be pulled out anytime a person decides to squeeze in on the back side.  Talk about a pain in the rear! 

Despite my begging and pleading, hubs thought it might be a bad idea because we are planning on selling within the next years and he was certain people would want a 5 bedroom.  My rationale is that if they need 5 bedrooms, they need a big table and a room to house said big table.  He wasn’t buying it.  

So, for the last 2 years, it has been a no-go.  That is until this weekend.  I have been becoming increasingly more persistent with my idea.  I even offered a trade-off.  I get my dining room and hubby gets a heated garage.  Maybe he doesn’t realize but it is a win-win for me too.  I get the dining room and a heated garage where I can complete more projects..woot woot!

So on Friday night, we emptied the room and started by removing the closets, as opposed to knocking the wall out, in an effort contain as much dust as possible. 

However, containing daddy’s little helper, proved more challenging.  Carson insisted on helping. 

 

That meant, I wasn’t much help with the demo because I was busy keeping a toddler occupied (his brother and sister were at friends) and Thomas only lasted so long…

 

 

 

We compromised and decided that with resale in mind, we would frame an opening standard size for a set of French doors to let in light, but allow for some privacy.  That way, it could be used as an office.   

It didn’t take long for things to look quite a bit like this. 

 

But seeing it progress was worth every speck of dust. 

 

 

 

I sure wish I had the skills to create one of those floorplan drawings, but I have yet to master that.  (Add it to my ever growing to-do list.)  Then you could see the layout and maybe make better sense of the light blocking addition and how much opening up that wall creates flow and lets the house breathe.  

We still have tons of work to do.  The drywall is up and has the first coat of “mud” on it and the light switches are in place, but I still have a couple days to determine light placement.  (Yes the Mister is permitted to do the electrical work).  I am so thankful that the hubs decided to invest in real estate 15 years ago.  He has gained so much experience working on our rentals.  So for him, this was surprisingly easy.  (Disclaimer:  Unless you or your hubby possess those skills these are definitely jobs I would leave to the pros.)  We were 100% sure the wall was non-load bearing before we started.  That is a whole different ball of wax and despite our combined DIY experience, even we wouldn’t attempt that one!

 

We still need to finish the drywall, prime, paint, replace the floor (where the closet left holes) and install v-groove paneling on the ceiling, similar to here, prime and paint that too.  I still need to have the antique industrial lights I bought for a song rewired and figure out just how to hang them and whether or not I am painting them.  I still haven’t worked out the floor plan exactly, but what I do know is that my gianormous table will be going into storage and we will be using this table instead.  I also finally get to bring some cupboards out of storage and cannot wait to finally have them in the room. 

I am so excited to finally have a real dining room.  But the icing on the cake was having the hubby look at me after the dust settled, (when he wasn’t really sold on the idea) and say, “It was an excellent idea.”