07.20.2010 What will be.....

Instead of looking at this bathroom as stark naked - i choose to think of the possibilities.

Instead of thinking - wow it looks Orange....i choose to remember my lovely guest bedroom that is this pumpkin/terracotta color - yet is called "Peace of Mind". A lovely paint color indeed.

I choose to imagine a beautiful Java colored vanity with a stone top and double bowl sinks.

I imagine a toilet, so no longer waiting in line upstairs for the priviledge to "go".

It may be a while, but a girl can dream of what will be...right???



Plus, we got THIS far, which is saying ALOT. There is tile. We have a toilet in a box just waiting to be installed. I'm in a happy place just imagining!!! Won't you join me here? The happy place that is - i think the bathroom might get a bit crowded. =)

07.19.2010 Tile, Tile Tile!

So much progress over the past 3 days. I would love to show you - but i have (once again) misplaced my camera battery charger and the camera is dead. *Edited 7/19 10pm to incl photos*

Grandpa got here on Friday night (we all know that means stuff is gonna GET DONE!) and the boys got busy organizing and getting ready. Basically here is what we have left to do in the basement:

Flooring (laminate) in classroom (optional)
Carpet installed in Bedroom
Tile bathroom
Outlets and switches installed/hooked up
Tile in hallway
Tile Landing
Tile Mudroom
Move washer/dryer & hookup in Mudroom
Purchase utility sink & install in Mudroom (optional)
Hang shower curtain in Mud room
Trim in Basement Bathroom
Purchase/Install Vanity in Bathroom
Install Toilet
Travertine in Master Bath
Purchase & Install Master Bath Toilet {out of stock =( }
Trim in upstairs Bathroom
Install ceiling fan in Living Room
Paint & install fans in bedrooms
Hang roll shade in Sis room

This is just what i would LIKE to have done by Friday.

Oh, and a million more things. Did i mention, D's best friend from school (with wife and daughter) are coming into town this coming weekend? Oh ya, and with his wife's parents as well. Five extra people in my one tiny bathroom house. Oh please Lord let me be able to finish the downstairs bath. Only problem currently is the Vanity. We wanted a 72" but too expensive. Actually 60" is too expensive also thus the problem! I did buy the countertop/sinks yesterday. We returned a bunch of stuff we didn't need or bought too much of and i used store credit and the cash to get other things. The vanity was too expensive- so worst case we can throw up some 4x4 base for now so people can wash & brush their teeth! I found a nice one that will do at Lowes, but we are lacking the $550 bucks to get it. I still have 5 days so we will pray extra hard for one of his clients to pay! Worst case we can throw a 3 ft square of tile in our master and put a toilet there so we have at least one more toilet - but the one we NEED (extra flush power like my sister Kelly's) is currently out of stock.

The great news is the hallway tile and 95% of the landing are tiled. By this evening we should be able to grout...except they need to finish the rest of the tile (partial hallway to Mudroom and Mudroom). So if today (Monday) the tile could get finished - we can grout Tuesday night. Then i can get the cabinets out of storage for the landing and move the extra fridge there. So Wednesday is cabinets, and hopefully moving/capping plumbing and hooking up Washer Dryer in Mudroom. Man will my world be SO much better. Plus it will finally be coming together downstairs.

We still haven't found anyone to come & install the bedroom carpet. Who wants to do just 1 room?! Oh ya, and we dont have a BED for them to sleep on - so there is another financial problem that can only be cured by one of hubby's clients miraculously paying their bill.

We also have no doors on order for down there. Who needs doors or window coverings? That's overrated! We live in the middle of nowhere so no one is going to see anyone anyway! Ha! At least that is hubby's train of thought!

I am sure it will all come together - but for now it is a tad overwhelming trying to rush all this stuff to happen with no funds! LOL! I am still hopeful and excited about the progress thus far! It was a productive weekend.

Now i am off to the garage to scrounge up some more stuff that can be taken back in hopes of having some funds for some window coverings - or at least cheap roll shades to get us by!

Have a great Monday and I'll update with pics soon!



Ah, the landing of my stairs (view from upstairs to bottom of basement stairs)



Woo-hoo the 1st hallway done (grout to come)

Not sure why pics turned out so yellow? Must be reflection of flash on walls? Tile is beige/tan in color!


And a picture of Mr. Remodel himself finishing the North hallway that leads to the Mudroom. (That's Dad or "Grandpa" as we affectionately call him-looking on).

07.16.2010 Missing Princess!

I was only half joking when i told Karen she could leave one of her pups here so as not to have the trouble of TWO pups all the time. You see, princess and I kind of bonded. She's my buddy. She's a Beagle/Jack Russell Terrorist mix and all sorts of scrumptious. She's a yapper, but i don't hold that against her. In my heart i tell myself i could break her of that.

I don't even like small dogs. But she stole a piece of my heart.

If our property were any bigger seriously we could consider having a petting zoo with all the animals i currently have - which my hubby reminds me often that we have too many. I can't help it. I love to love on my animals. I don't need TV or outside entertainment when i am surrounded by the love of my furr children. I am sure many of you can relate. Though i doubt to the having of 6 critters like me.

Man i could have made it 7 in a heartbeat!

The cutest thing is she ran onto my bed and gave me a goodbye kiss. She was excited to get on the road (just like her sister) but i thought it especially endearing that she came to say goodbye.

We will miss you all! But this momma will miss Princess most of all. Ok, no maybe Karen MOST, but Princess most of the furry ones.


Bailey and Princess relaxing on the top of the couch.

So farewell for now Princess. I hope to see you soon. You and your family are welcome to visit anytime. I'm just a phone call away if you are ever lonely or you real momma goes on vacation or something. =) xoxoxo

07.15.2010 The Van of Shame

I am so NOT a "Mini-Van Mom"! 8 years ago my husband traded in our Honda Odyssey mini van (loaded...leather, pop-down dvd and all) after a year bcuz i just couldn't do mini-van as hard as i tried.

In my defense, we only had a 10yr old and a newborn and weren't at the stage where it was the quinticential part of our family or anything.

For Mothers Day that year i got a BMW 735. Not a bad trade. (oh the glory days when we both made a 6 figure income)

But i digress. Last year, while at an auction to get my hubby a work trailer, it happened. He couldn't bear that someone was not buying this "sweet" ford mini van that was all beautiful inside with new studded tires. It looked like a kid had never set foot in it (props to the detail people as that was not the case.. we would find out later that a teacher at my daughters school was actually the previous owner-and she had 6 kids) and it was the only car we have ever paid cash for. Seriously. Who could pass that up? Apparently not HIM bcuz he bid and won it for a great price and we became mini van owners once again.

It was a new car to us, and completely paid for. No payments. A concept that the 2 of us had never shared together in our nine years of togetherness. It sealed the deal and in honor of our newfound attempt at living debt free i agreed (begrudgingly) to drive it.

Thus began my saga of a driver of the "grocery getter" and unbelievably the "coolest" car (in my kids minds). It was painful for me you see. Plus we already owned 3 cars so why in the heck did we need it? Who knew then that it would become my daily driving vehicle.

I shouldn't whine...lots of people LOVE mini vans. Heck, there are families that only have 1 car and would love this to be it (if that is the case - leave me a comment, i could surely part with it) It is just not for ME. SUV yes, Crossover (i.e. "station wagon" with a cool name) okay, 4 door sedan yep, but Mini van? Nope.

In it's defense it's been a great vehicle. It holds soooo much stuff. It runs great. The air blows mighty cold and the heater actually warms you (unlike my '09 Toyota Camry that for some reason neither heats nor cools well) The kids have their own doors, reading lights, and room to stretch out or be far away from each other bcuz the 2nd row has bucket seats instead of a bench. It gets great gas mileage. `

I just have always preferred to roll in style. I guess it stems from my 1st car i was forced to drive being a Pinto station wagon with avocado green interior. It scarred me people. From then on my sights were always set on sunroofs, leather interiors and good interior/exterior styling. A car snob. I fully admit it.

I ran across this today and it made me laugh so hard. Plus, it was rather stylish..
(DONT 4GET TO GO TO THE BOTTOM & PAUSE MY MUSIC FIRST)



That Swagger Wagon is something i could definately see myself driving, LOL. Do you think i could get it for a couple thousand? If so, I'll rethink my negativity associated with mini-vans.

07.14.2010 Karen's Visit Part II

We have been having a very nice time around these parts. Much relaxing mixed with barking (LOL, kidding Karen, we love them pups!) and hurting ourselves by biting off more than our old bodies can take with the 3.5 mile multi-terrain walk that nearly killed us both. We went out TWO nights in a row arriving home after 1am. We left on Weds night about the time i am usually settling in for a good movie and some sleep. Needless to say my body slept until noon as i am just not accustomed to going out, drinking, playing pool when i should be sleeping, nor casino/bar hopping. But we did.



It's a real cool thing (to "out of towners") that we have casinos on every block (literally) as gambling is legal here. You only have to be 18 even. So it's a tourist draw. Funny thing is in 6 1/2 years i have stepped foot in a casino/bar a whopping sum total of 3 times. I don't drink except on extra special occasions, and it's usually a sip or one glass of something. Heck, the last time i drank an entire Margarita - - the good Lord decided to smite me with leperacy (at least in my mind...as i broke out with about 15 fever blister/cold sores all over my upper lip and couldn't show my face for 2 weeks). I told myself never again.

Never say never.

Karen and I go Waaaaaaaay back people. To my single ladies days and experimenting with bar hopping and all flavors and varieties of cocktails. We were young, skinny and gorgeous. MY WORD how times have changed for me! Plus my recent vacation escapades have left me looking once again like I'm about 6-7 months pregnant. Why on earth can't i gain it EVERYWHERE like normal folk? Nope, just in my stomach and thighs-lucky me. Thankfully the near 40yr old curse hit Karen some too, so we can comiserate together and look back fondly on the days of sizes only 6th grade girls should wear!

Anyhow, i digress. It was my duty to show her a good time no matter how unaccustomed to that i am. I tried my bestest.

My dear hubby watched the children on night ONE we played video poker and some caveman keno, i drank multiple flavors of cocktails, made a late night Taco Bell run, and played some more pool (which i suck at btw). We had a great time.



Night number TWO there were 5 of us all together and it was some Karaoke (again i suck at any bar related activities), more pool, Taco Bell runs, and this night only 1 flavor of cocktail that is apparently one of Karen's favorites. Which would be a new favorite of mine should i ever decide to drink again which is not likely.

I have awakened with the fever blister/cold sores from Hell. So far only 3. We shall see as the week progresses. There was a little tingling like i had one coming on after night one, but as of today there is a full blown war of blisters on my lip. Why is it that i feel like i can't have fun in a bar without adding alcohol? Hubby does it. 2 Cokes was all he had. So nice he could play pool, laugh at the 3 girls, and drive us home just a shakin' his head the whole time.

Karen has all the good pics on her camera, and Don might have some video of some really bad karaoke on his phone. Evidence the likes of which you will never see. Unless you are my "friend" on Facebook or Karens. Likely she has the whole darn 2 day deal already up for people to laugh at!

Long story short, my days of partying it up till the wee hours are officially over. Unless of course you come to Montana and ask me to show you a good time. I might have to oblige and thus more incriminating photos may appear. But i need some fair warning first, so that i can kill myself with some 30day shred and thus not look like a very pregnant woman drinking and whooping it up!