Here's Miss Lucy Toots at the scene of the renovation.
Here's Finn enjoying his first real Mid-Western thunder shower. Wanted out bad.
One down, nine to go.
Here's T. Handyman grouting the tile. "I'm handy with love and I'm no fool..."
7.25.2007
7.23.2007
Slowly But Surely
1 industrial strength sander+ 2 rental days = 8 rooms' floors sanded bare
Underneath the dog-smelly carpet was sticky vinyl tiles. Using a small heat gun and scraper, we pulled each tile up individually. Underneath those tiles, the big reveal: wood floors! Then, some adhesive remover and razor scraping and it was time to sand.
Finn got his kicks by helping me pull nails out of the kitchen floor. I said, "Good job!" each time we got one. Sometimes he jumped the gun and yelled, "Good job!" before we even got the nail out. That is tar paper over wood.
T. Schuller here putting cement on the bathroom floor, in preparation to lay tile. I had already picked out white hexagonal tiles for the new floor, when Travis discovered the original floors were the same hexagonal tile! I must be in tune with this house! We still put new hex tiles in because the old ones weren't in good shape.
The old cabinets were gross, so we decided to do a budget kitchen makeover. Budget = Ikea, so here is the assembly in action.
1 industrial strength sander+ 2 rental days = 8 rooms' floors sanded bare
Underneath the dog-smelly carpet was sticky vinyl tiles. Using a small heat gun and scraper, we pulled each tile up individually. Underneath those tiles, the big reveal: wood floors! Then, some adhesive remover and razor scraping and it was time to sand.
Finn got his kicks by helping me pull nails out of the kitchen floor. I said, "Good job!" each time we got one. Sometimes he jumped the gun and yelled, "Good job!" before we even got the nail out. That is tar paper over wood.
T. Schuller here putting cement on the bathroom floor, in preparation to lay tile. I had already picked out white hexagonal tiles for the new floor, when Travis discovered the original floors were the same hexagonal tile! I must be in tune with this house! We still put new hex tiles in because the old ones weren't in good shape.
The old cabinets were gross, so we decided to do a budget kitchen makeover. Budget = Ikea, so here is the assembly in action.I will post more pictures. When all of this is done, I will post before and after pictures. It's so fun but so exhausting at the same time!
7.05.2007
Happy Fourth of July Everybody!
The Fredin Family (including Pa-Pa Duh and his fabulous wife) watched the fireworks blitz at the Town Hall Center by the bandstand in New Lenox, IL. It was classic: pops band playing all the patriotic songs in Rogers and Hammerstein fashion. I rocked Lucy in my arms as the fireworks lit up the sky above us and Finn sat with Grog (Grandma) Fredin. Since our trek out East, Finn has taken to Justin and his dad very well, just like he does most men and boys. He tackled some 5 and 6 year olds tonight that were three times his size. He gets it from his uncle Andrew.
If you're wondering what I've been up to, go HERE.
And P.S.: Whit and I had the most enjoyable 3-hour tour of Ikea today. I fell in love. It was an apron-front sink. Sorry Mr. Tarantula.
The Fredin Family (including Pa-Pa Duh and his fabulous wife) watched the fireworks blitz at the Town Hall Center by the bandstand in New Lenox, IL. It was classic: pops band playing all the patriotic songs in Rogers and Hammerstein fashion. I rocked Lucy in my arms as the fireworks lit up the sky above us and Finn sat with Grog (Grandma) Fredin. Since our trek out East, Finn has taken to Justin and his dad very well, just like he does most men and boys. He tackled some 5 and 6 year olds tonight that were three times his size. He gets it from his uncle Andrew.
If you're wondering what I've been up to, go HERE.
And P.S.: Whit and I had the most enjoyable 3-hour tour of Ikea today. I fell in love. It was an apron-front sink. Sorry Mr. Tarantula.
6.21.2007
Backtrack to Sunday...
...when it was Travis' birthday! Happy Belated Birthday! To the hardest working guy I know and the only one who can tell me to chill out.
We met in Fall 2003 at a CES Fireside. I had just gotten back from living in Boston and I had sworn off single's wards. I asked Michelle Spurgeon about the guy who sat by us at the fireside and she said he played the guitar. Bingo! My ticket: so I told him my sister Emily and I were getting together to play guitar and sing afterwards (We are? Emily said right in front of him).
Anyways, it turns out we ended up dating for several months and got married April 24th, 2004 in the Columbia River Temple. I couldn't have picked a better match for me.
Time and time again, he his patience and humility have inspired me. He doesn't fuss over the small stuff, though he pays attention to details when he needs to (like when he's restringing his guitar, for example). He can fix anything. He knows when I need my space or when I need to just get out of the house.
...when it was Travis' birthday! Happy Belated Birthday! To the hardest working guy I know and the only one who can tell me to chill out.
We met in Fall 2003 at a CES Fireside. I had just gotten back from living in Boston and I had sworn off single's wards. I asked Michelle Spurgeon about the guy who sat by us at the fireside and she said he played the guitar. Bingo! My ticket: so I told him my sister Emily and I were getting together to play guitar and sing afterwards (We are? Emily said right in front of him).Anyways, it turns out we ended up dating for several months and got married April 24th, 2004 in the Columbia River Temple. I couldn't have picked a better match for me.
Time and time again, he his patience and humility have inspired me. He doesn't fuss over the small stuff, though he pays attention to details when he needs to (like when he's restringing his guitar, for example). He can fix anything. He knows when I need my space or when I need to just get out of the house.
To my favorite running buddy: Happy Belated Birthday!
(Orange font? His favorite color, of course!)
Cookies Are Gross
Finn threw up tonight for no apparent reason.
I am a little concerned as he tends to loose his cookies about once or twice a week. Usually, as in the case of yesterday, he takes too big a bite and that triggers the gag reflex. Yesterday, as I was packing, he stuffed one too many Reece's peanut butter cups into his mouth, and- poof!- up came the upchuck.
I'm not sure what the second puking of yesterday was all about.
All I know is it concerns me and I'm sick of smelling the sick smell of sickiness.
And, furthermore, I'm sick of washing laundry.
Now that I'm done complaining, I will just say that packing is among the top of my To-Do List and will remain there until this place is neatly boxed up and ready to ship out (i.e. next Thursday morning).
Goodnight. Cookies and milk. Cookie monster.
No upchucking the cookies though.
6.16.2007
Get Me To the Church On Time
Although I don't have shots of the actual reception, I can show you what was hanging from the trees as guests walked down the sidewalk at the Swanberg's house. The real flowers were on the tables.
This filled the planter. Sisters Shoemake and Andelin, among others, were working the whole day, doing everything from ironing tablecloths to grilling taco meat. Spectacular! I am grateful the day went so well and I'm happy for Lauren and Sergio!
Although I don't have shots of the actual reception, I can show you what was hanging from the trees as guests walked down the sidewalk at the Swanberg's house. The real flowers were on the tables.
This filled the planter. Sisters Shoemake and Andelin, among others, were working the whole day, doing everything from ironing tablecloths to grilling taco meat. Spectacular! I am grateful the day went so well and I'm happy for Lauren and Sergio!6.13.2007
Oh, They Say When You Marry in June...
This is me, after the pins have come out of my hair. I was trying to sport a new 'do for Lauren's wedding and it turns out I looked like Amelia Earhart (probably after her capture by the Japanese).
This is Finn getting his hair cut. He actually likes the clippers and buzzing on his head.
It takes two to make a good haircut. Little Finn Bob was being patient. Now that pincurls are out of the question for me, what kind of hair should I wear? Right now my "social" 'do is a mix between Barbara Walters and most new anchors across America.
This is me, after the pins have come out of my hair. I was trying to sport a new 'do for Lauren's wedding and it turns out I looked like Amelia Earhart (probably after her capture by the Japanese).
This is Finn getting his hair cut. He actually likes the clippers and buzzing on his head.
It takes two to make a good haircut. Little Finn Bob was being patient. Now that pincurls are out of the question for me, what kind of hair should I wear? Right now my "social" 'do is a mix between Barbara Walters and most new anchors across America.6.08.2007
Hey there, Tiger!
The two ruffians are watching TV together in this shot. I tell you, I feel like I've been cooped up in "The Coop" all week long. It's not necessarily bad. I have been packing and it's been rewarding watching calculatedly decorated wall arrangements disassemble into compact taped boxes in a matter of seconds. My stuff is reduced to what I can safely take across the country in a Penske truck. DVD's and videocassettes: check. Glass containers and rarely-used dinnerware: packed. Winter coats and children's gloves and hats: yup, got it. My living room is now a big heap of boxes and bags waiting to be thrown into the back of a 26 foot moving truck.
Another bonus of moving is trying to use up your food storage. You know, those bags of peas that you stocked up on, thinking you would make soups in the winter. And, frozen chicken has now become the signature ingredient of the week. Tonight I made chicken fettucine. Last night was something with chicken (I can't remember what). Anyways, I enjoy using stuff up and this is a good time to do it.
Lest this post become user unfriendly (not enough subtitles and pictures), I will end. Travis and I have been running together in the morning and that has been a highlight of my day. We've been married three years and I think have only run together once until now. It's great.
The two ruffians are watching TV together in this shot. I tell you, I feel like I've been cooped up in "The Coop" all week long. It's not necessarily bad. I have been packing and it's been rewarding watching calculatedly decorated wall arrangements disassemble into compact taped boxes in a matter of seconds. My stuff is reduced to what I can safely take across the country in a Penske truck. DVD's and videocassettes: check. Glass containers and rarely-used dinnerware: packed. Winter coats and children's gloves and hats: yup, got it. My living room is now a big heap of boxes and bags waiting to be thrown into the back of a 26 foot moving truck.Another bonus of moving is trying to use up your food storage. You know, those bags of peas that you stocked up on, thinking you would make soups in the winter. And, frozen chicken has now become the signature ingredient of the week. Tonight I made chicken fettucine. Last night was something with chicken (I can't remember what). Anyways, I enjoy using stuff up and this is a good time to do it.
Lest this post become user unfriendly (not enough subtitles and pictures), I will end. Travis and I have been running together in the morning and that has been a highlight of my day. We've been married three years and I think have only run together once until now. It's great.
Happy blogging and clogging (if you like that sort of thing)!
6.02.2007
5.30.2007
Does this count?
Is it just me or does nobody have time to post on their blogs anymore? I appreciate those who write daily and also those who have updated daily.
I, frankly, don't have a darn thing to write about.
So, for the meantime, while my brain is on "standby," just know that I'm a faithful reader yet and that my prayers are that I will soon have a good idea to blog about.
And, (I just thought of something to write besides the lame post above)...
We finally caught the mouse!
Traditional mouse traps are bunko. You've got to use the ones with ethanol and glue.
And, yes, Finn wanted to kiss the mouse.
Gross!
5.24.2007
What is it with rodents?
I just looked out my window to see a squirrel foraging in my front yard. But, that's not the grossest thing. Yesterday, as I was talking to my mother-in-law in my kitchen, a little field mouse came running out from under the fridge! Gross! I screamed like a 5-year-old on a rollercoaster. We put out two mousetraps last night and we still haven't caught the little bugger! I have to wear shoes now around the house, just in case little mousie decides to come out of nowhere like yesterday!
I just looked out my window to see a squirrel foraging in my front yard. But, that's not the grossest thing. Yesterday, as I was talking to my mother-in-law in my kitchen, a little field mouse came running out from under the fridge! Gross! I screamed like a 5-year-old on a rollercoaster. We put out two mousetraps last night and we still haven't caught the little bugger! I have to wear shoes now around the house, just in case little mousie decides to come out of nowhere like yesterday!
5.23.2007
I've Been Tagged!
Karen, bless her blogging heart, tagged me and I'm it!
Move 'em all up, take off the first, add yours to the bottom.
1)Eve, 2) Melissa, 3) 4 B's In A Pod, 4) Life According to the PRP, 5) Life at the Chicken Coop.
I'm officially tagging:
The Fredin Family
Foxy Nuggets are Golden
Kate Taylor Chapman
J*A*M*S*
What were you doing ten years ago?
I had just turned 17 and I was going to CBC as a Running Start student with my best friends, Ashley and Michelle.
What were you doing one year ago?
Five Snacks You Enjoy:
1. Yogurt-covered pretzels
2. Pitas and hummus
3. Chocolate scotcheroos (peanut butter Rice Krispy treats with a chocolate/butterscotch chip coating on top)
4. Carrots and peanut butter
5. Strawberry yogurt with GoLean Crunch! cereal
Five Songs You Know All The Words To:
Five Things You Would Do If You Were A Millionaire:
Five Bad Habits:
1. iPod
2. Kitchenaid stand mixer
3. Cell phone
4. Double jogging stroller
5. Digital camera
Karen, bless her blogging heart, tagged me and I'm it!
Move 'em all up, take off the first, add yours to the bottom.
1)Eve, 2) Melissa, 3) 4 B's In A Pod, 4) Life According to the PRP, 5) Life at the Chicken Coop.
I'm officially tagging:
The Fredin Family
Foxy Nuggets are Golden
Kate Taylor Chapman
J*A*M*S*
What were you doing ten years ago?
I had just turned 17 and I was going to CBC as a Running Start student with my best friends, Ashley and Michelle.
What were you doing one year ago?
I was training (read: running like mad) for the Sawtooth Relay and, unbeknownst to me, I was pregnant with Lucy. I'm so glad I'm not pregnant this Summer!
Five Snacks You Enjoy:
1. Yogurt-covered pretzels
2. Pitas and hummus
3. Chocolate scotcheroos (peanut butter Rice Krispy treats with a chocolate/butterscotch chip coating on top)
4. Carrots and peanut butter
5. Strawberry yogurt with GoLean Crunch! cereal
Five Songs You Know All The Words To:
1. any Indigo Girls song
2. most James Taylor songs
3. most early Joni Mitchell songs
4. most Yanni (just kidding)
5. most any Beatles song (but who doesn't?)
Five Things You Would Do If You Were A Millionaire:
1. Build my dream home in a remote location like Helena, Montana.
2. Send Finn and Lucy to Switzerland for a year.
3. Go to some fancy cooking school in Paris.
4. Shop at Yoke's.
5. Hire a personal trainer.
Five Bad Habits:
1. Tooting around my family.
2. Jumping to conclusions about people when I don't even know them.
3. "Spitting is a dirty habit..." "I know a worse one." Who knows what movie that's from?
4. Obsessing about my home design/decor.
5. Not making dinner sometimes.
1. Running in the morning.
2. Reading the scriptures sometime during the day.
3. Working with my husband.
4. Singing/playing guitar with my husband.
5. Trying new recipes.
Five Things You Would Never Wear Again:1. Ankle biters
2. Biker shorts as school apparel
3. Clips in my hair to hold slicked-back, gelled hair.
4. Turtleneck sweaters.
5. Shoes with ankle straps (my calves are too stocky according to Stacey London)
1. iPod
2. Kitchenaid stand mixer
3. Cell phone
4. Double jogging stroller
5. Digital camera
5.22.2007
Just a little note before I slip into dreamland...
I am enjoying those last few minutes of alertness before my body drifts off into sleep. I enjoy the hour or so after both kids are in bed and I can be on my own schedule doing random things. I did manage to watch 2 full hours of TV before moving my toosh over to the computer.
That's a record for this gal!
Tonight, my adventure in Internet surfing was to find affordable dining room chairs. Yeah, I know, I wrote about this earlier (see post about chairs below). But, it's so much fun staying on a budget and trying to find the best deal for the coolest chair.
So far, Ikea is the winner on price, but I'm still not sure on the quality... In my surfing, I did read that Ikea wants to expand, building more stores in America this year.
Who knows, maybe one'll pop up in Southeastern Washington
(or Northern Ohio, for that matter)!
5.21.2007
5.17.2007
Crying Over Spilled Milk
So last Friday I bought this train set that had been partially glued together. That was what I cried about when I got home and realized it was a waste of money. Well.....ta-da! All the pieces were actually there and we were able to make it into this little Martha Stewart-inspired playboard. Finn likes it, which is nice because it buys me some uninterupted me-time. I'm hungry!
So last Friday I bought this train set that had been partially glued together. That was what I cried about when I got home and realized it was a waste of money. Well.....ta-da! All the pieces were actually there and we were able to make it into this little Martha Stewart-inspired playboard. Finn likes it, which is nice because it buys me some uninterupted me-time. I'm hungry!
5.16.2007
Birthday Presents
I love Mykalyn Nelson. She called me this morning at 8:08 to wish me Happy Birthday and see if she could come play with Finn and Lucy so I could get stuff done. What an angel! Doesn't she look like Finn's cousin? I really appreciate her and the many others who have wished me well today and have done nice things for me. Like Karen and Amelia and Mary, who made a delicious Indian lunch for me, and Travis, who is over the smoky stove cooking some bacon for a soup for me. I am truly blessed to have such sweet, sincere friends and family! Thanks everybody!
I love Mykalyn Nelson. She called me this morning at 8:08 to wish me Happy Birthday and see if she could come play with Finn and Lucy so I could get stuff done. What an angel! Doesn't she look like Finn's cousin? I really appreciate her and the many others who have wished me well today and have done nice things for me. Like Karen and Amelia and Mary, who made a delicious Indian lunch for me, and Travis, who is over the smoky stove cooking some bacon for a soup for me. I am truly blessed to have such sweet, sincere friends and family! Thanks everybody!5.15.2007
5.14.2007
Goonie Blues
Right now I'm crying and I have never written a post and cried, so this is a new experience for me. I'm crying because I just read an e-mail my mom sent to the family (she does this every Sunday and has done this for the past umpteen years). In it, she talked about how my brother Ben is getting married (which I knew) and for the reception in Pasco, the family would stay here at my house (the Chicken Coop) or at a hotel. Then, I realized I'm not going to be here when the family stays here. Boohoohooo, the tears started streaming! I am such a baby. I am so sad about leaving this house. I will miss my family, Travis' family and all of the memories we've made here. It was the first house we have lived in since we've been married and it holds so many experiences for me. I'll name a few and then be on with my sad feelings, hopefully.
The month before we got married, Travis and his Grandpa Schuller (now passed away) worked long days, 6 days a week, gutting the inside of this house and redoing it to make it a home for us. I would bring food to them sometimes and when I came, Travis was usually underneath the house, along with the spiders and who knows what else, replumbing the pipes underneath the bathroom. He laid all the flooring, patched drywall and got rid of a huge mold infestation. That man can do anything! Everytime I draw the shower curtain open or closed on our custom-welded shower rod that Bob Schuller made for us, I am thankful for such a skillful and caring man. 
The other reason I'm sad about leaving is that we've lived 1.25 miles away from my parents for the past three years. I will miss our evening walks over to "Bam-bah's" house and eating meals together either here or there. I will miss Andrew and McKenzie dropping by at 10 PM, full of energy and teenage-boy enthusiasm when I'm ready to call it a day. I am crying thinking about Finn and Lucy not being able to see thier grandparents on a daily basis. 
I will miss the get-together's at the George's house on the river and visits from Robby and Sharyn when they want to give Finn the Harley Davidson pajamas they saw and just had to get him. 
I am sad about leaving Leslie and Ira and the many times we've spent together, eating, laughing, talking and listening to the strumming of guitars. I love watching Finn interact with his Grandma Gigi and how he lights up when he sees her red "vroom vroom" car. 
I'm sure our new house holds lots of opportunity for fun and laughter, but right now, I think I am going to miss this place. I don't have anything profound to tell myself, but I think it's all gonna turn out allright (to quote my loveable Grandma Bruneel).
Right now I'm crying and I have never written a post and cried, so this is a new experience for me. I'm crying because I just read an e-mail my mom sent to the family (she does this every Sunday and has done this for the past umpteen years). In it, she talked about how my brother Ben is getting married (which I knew) and for the reception in Pasco, the family would stay here at my house (the Chicken Coop) or at a hotel. Then, I realized I'm not going to be here when the family stays here. Boohoohooo, the tears started streaming! I am such a baby. I am so sad about leaving this house. I will miss my family, Travis' family and all of the memories we've made here. It was the first house we have lived in since we've been married and it holds so many experiences for me. I'll name a few and then be on with my sad feelings, hopefully.
The month before we got married, Travis and his Grandpa Schuller (now passed away) worked long days, 6 days a week, gutting the inside of this house and redoing it to make it a home for us. I would bring food to them sometimes and when I came, Travis was usually underneath the house, along with the spiders and who knows what else, replumbing the pipes underneath the bathroom. He laid all the flooring, patched drywall and got rid of a huge mold infestation. That man can do anything! Everytime I draw the shower curtain open or closed on our custom-welded shower rod that Bob Schuller made for us, I am thankful for such a skillful and caring man. The other reason I'm sad about leaving is that we've lived 1.25 miles away from my parents for the past three years. I will miss our evening walks over to "Bam-bah's" house and eating meals together either here or there. I will miss Andrew and McKenzie dropping by at 10 PM, full of energy and teenage-boy enthusiasm when I'm ready to call it a day. I am crying thinking about Finn and Lucy not being able to see thier grandparents on a daily basis. I will miss the get-together's at the George's house on the river and visits from Robby and Sharyn when they want to give Finn the Harley Davidson pajamas they saw and just had to get him. I am sad about leaving Leslie and Ira and the many times we've spent together, eating, laughing, talking and listening to the strumming of guitars. I love watching Finn interact with his Grandma Gigi and how he lights up when he sees her red "vroom vroom" car. I'm sure our new house holds lots of opportunity for fun and laughter, but right now, I think I am going to miss this place. I don't have anything profound to tell myself, but I think it's all gonna turn out allright (to quote my loveable Grandma Bruneel)."Out with the old, in with the new."
5.12.2007
Holding My Horses
It's 7:59 AM, Saturday morning, and I'm sitting here, holding myself back from going out and yardsaling. I know there's tons of them today, even some just down the street, but NOPE, I say to myself: #1, you're moving and #2, yesterday you went yardsaling and came home with a train set that according to Travis, was worthless. (It does turn out that we were able to put the train set together and get it in working order. I'm so embarrassed about the purchase that I don't want to comment further). But, alas, my mind starts churning and I start thinking of all the great stuff I could be buying right now. Maybe the things I would buy would change my life and make me happier. And the thoughts escalate into visions of having a perfectly organized home, with lots of cool stuff on display. Then, reality hits and I see myself dragging bags of stuff home for Travis to say, "You wasted our money." So, no, I am holding myself back. I will not go yardsaling today. Boohoo!
It's 7:59 AM, Saturday morning, and I'm sitting here, holding myself back from going out and yardsaling. I know there's tons of them today, even some just down the street, but NOPE, I say to myself: #1, you're moving and #2, yesterday you went yardsaling and came home with a train set that according to Travis, was worthless. (It does turn out that we were able to put the train set together and get it in working order. I'm so embarrassed about the purchase that I don't want to comment further). But, alas, my mind starts churning and I start thinking of all the great stuff I could be buying right now. Maybe the things I would buy would change my life and make me happier. And the thoughts escalate into visions of having a perfectly organized home, with lots of cool stuff on display. Then, reality hits and I see myself dragging bags of stuff home for Travis to say, "You wasted our money." So, no, I am holding myself back. I will not go yardsaling today. Boohoo!5.10.2007
Sink Bubbles
This is what Finn and I did this morning after I cleaned out my sink and got that stinky tuna smell out of my house. There's something about scooting the step stool up to the sink that fuels a 21-month-old's sense of freedom and curiosity.
P.S. Can anyone tell me how to make a collage of pictures on here? (Like 9 in box shape?) Does that make sense?
This is what Finn and I did this morning after I cleaned out my sink and got that stinky tuna smell out of my house. There's something about scooting the step stool up to the sink that fuels a 21-month-old's sense of freedom and curiosity. P.S. Can anyone tell me how to make a collage of pictures on here? (Like 9 in box shape?) Does that make sense?
5.09.2007
Tricky Trick
I got a housecleaning tip from a friend of mine. She has a teenage son and whenever she wants to really make sure his bathroom gets clean, she takes off the toilet seat (you only need a screwdriver to do it!) and cleans the whole thing, seat and underneath. Well, I tried it the other night and I felt like I had just cleaned out the wax in my ears. All that gunk gone and clean. I hope it doesn't gross you out to know that I put the toilet seat in the dishwasher to get it super clean.
Thanks to those who responded to my paint color dilemma question posted previously. I really appreciated the feedback. I think I'm gonna go with something silvery sage, we'll see. So, now I have another design question. I HATE THE WAY THESE COMPUTERS LOOK! Is it just me, or are 95% of electronics ugly? How do I spruce this wire-jarbled-techy-black mess into something I enjoy seeing? I know the folding table is not the prettiest. I think we need a new desk.
I got a housecleaning tip from a friend of mine. She has a teenage son and whenever she wants to really make sure his bathroom gets clean, she takes off the toilet seat (you only need a screwdriver to do it!) and cleans the whole thing, seat and underneath. Well, I tried it the other night and I felt like I had just cleaned out the wax in my ears. All that gunk gone and clean. I hope it doesn't gross you out to know that I put the toilet seat in the dishwasher to get it super clean.
Thanks to those who responded to my paint color dilemma question posted previously. I really appreciated the feedback. I think I'm gonna go with something silvery sage, we'll see. So, now I have another design question. I HATE THE WAY THESE COMPUTERS LOOK! Is it just me, or are 95% of electronics ugly? How do I spruce this wire-jarbled-techy-black mess into something I enjoy seeing? I know the folding table is not the prettiest. I think we need a new desk. Any suggestions on camoflouging computers?
5.07.2007
Choices
So I'm trying to find some affordable, sleek dining room chairs that won't break the bank. I found this one at Anthropologie (not in my budget, but I still liked it). Mr. Tarantula is convinced we don't need new ones, but I don't think the hodge podge of thrift store chairs scattered around the house count as dining chairs. Whenever we have guests over, we have to scoot the computer chairs and piano bench around the dining table. ENOUGH! It's time for a change, I say.
Okay, so now I have a dilemma. What color do I paint the master bedroom of our new house? This (above) is what it looks like right now, and (ahem) it has to go. The landlord said I could choose any color in the neutral range. Yikes. I'm not afraid of color on a wall, but I'm scared since I don't own the place.
So I'm trying to find some affordable, sleek dining room chairs that won't break the bank. I found this one at Anthropologie (not in my budget, but I still liked it). Mr. Tarantula is convinced we don't need new ones, but I don't think the hodge podge of thrift store chairs scattered around the house count as dining chairs. Whenever we have guests over, we have to scoot the computer chairs and piano bench around the dining table. ENOUGH! It's time for a change, I say.
Okay, so now I have a dilemma. What color do I paint the master bedroom of our new house? This (above) is what it looks like right now, and (ahem) it has to go. The landlord said I could choose any color in the neutral range. Yikes. I'm not afraid of color on a wall, but I'm scared since I don't own the place. What color would you paint the room (keep in mind the floors are wood)?
5.05.2007
And The Winner Is...
Yay! I found a place for us to live in C-town! This charming little place will be my home for the next four years (right side). It has a great fenced-in back yard (which was a major selling point for me) and a sun room on the side for the kids to play in. It has three bedrooms (one will be Mr. Tarantula's office), and a small kitchen, but hey, at least the landlord will pay for some improvements that I want (like a new kitchen floor). So, I get the best of both worlds: an affordable place (albeit small) and some room to practice my interior design passion. The house is a stone's throw to the library, too, and is the only duplex on the street (the rest are single-family homes, not rented, but owned= nicer street). Anyways, I am so happy to know where I'll be transporting my little birdies to in two months. Blessings, blessings, blessings...
This is little Miss L. Tarantula (3 months old) and her friend, also Miss L., but Miss L. S (6 months). They were like two peas in a pod. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. S. for hosting me and Lucy. We took over their living room, partook of their fabulous dinners, and best of all, will probably get to live next door to each other at the duplex (see above). I think Heavenly Father has a way of showing us that we need each other and we can't always do it alone, like we sometimes think we can. I just love these two little angel-girls.
And, last, but not least, a classic picture of the Bruneel kids trying to get it together for some of Grandma's pictures. My mom has great brothers and sisters. This is outside the Stake Center next to the Idaho Falls Temple. My cousin, T. Papworth, got married there yesterday. I have to give props to Uncle Frank, who, out of the kindness of his heart, sat by Finn almost the entire way home and entertained him. I couldn't have done a better job. We are glad to be home, safe and sound, back at the chicken coop, for two more months of packing, cleaning, eating and playing, before we head back to the Land of Oz, to the Emerald City.
Yay! I found a place for us to live in C-town! This charming little place will be my home for the next four years (right side). It has a great fenced-in back yard (which was a major selling point for me) and a sun room on the side for the kids to play in. It has three bedrooms (one will be Mr. Tarantula's office), and a small kitchen, but hey, at least the landlord will pay for some improvements that I want (like a new kitchen floor). So, I get the best of both worlds: an affordable place (albeit small) and some room to practice my interior design passion. The house is a stone's throw to the library, too, and is the only duplex on the street (the rest are single-family homes, not rented, but owned= nicer street). Anyways, I am so happy to know where I'll be transporting my little birdies to in two months. Blessings, blessings, blessings...
This is little Miss L. Tarantula (3 months old) and her friend, also Miss L., but Miss L. S (6 months). They were like two peas in a pod. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. S. for hosting me and Lucy. We took over their living room, partook of their fabulous dinners, and best of all, will probably get to live next door to each other at the duplex (see above). I think Heavenly Father has a way of showing us that we need each other and we can't always do it alone, like we sometimes think we can. I just love these two little angel-girls.
And, last, but not least, a classic picture of the Bruneel kids trying to get it together for some of Grandma's pictures. My mom has great brothers and sisters. This is outside the Stake Center next to the Idaho Falls Temple. My cousin, T. Papworth, got married there yesterday. I have to give props to Uncle Frank, who, out of the kindness of his heart, sat by Finn almost the entire way home and entertained him. I couldn't have done a better job. We are glad to be home, safe and sound, back at the chicken coop, for two more months of packing, cleaning, eating and playing, before we head back to the Land of Oz, to the Emerald City."Give me my roses while I'm alive."
-- Grandma Nugen, (7-6-1915 to 4-24-2007)
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