Well.... I might get to take a shower tonight. I'm crossing my fingers, anyway. Projects in this house always take longer than anyone expects. (Perhaps we should rethink tearing up the flooring in the kitchen next week.) Anyway, they're mostly just finishing off the trim right now. It should be finished soon, and if things go well, I'll be painting tomorrow.
The sink and toilet are working now, which is a happy thing. They shuffled some things around, and although you feel slightly cramped on the toilet, I have a bigger-but-shallower vanity, which gave me more counter space and more room to stand in there. This is, indeed, a happy thing.
Last night I picked up a new shower curtain, and now I have to debate whether to paint the room a light aqua or a soft tan suede color. I love the aqua, but am leaning toward suede - because eventually I'll have to replace the shower curtain, and I'm confident that by then the aqua that is now all the rage will be about as cool as the harvest gold of the 70s. I figure tan is versatile enough. . . right?
In other matters, I have a wedding to attend tonight. It's another one of "our kids" - from our youth ministry days. Seems so odd that they are all getting married now. This particular wedding should be interesting - Zack is one of those march-to-the-beat-of-his-own drum types. They chose today for a wedding because it's Leap Day. Gotta love 'em for it!
One more thing - I've started Weight Watchers. Again. If you can handle the monotony (or are just tired of counting sheep), check out my weight loss blog.
And on that note - good day!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Day Three
Almost done... I think.
They thought the bathroom would be finished yesterday, but ran into a bit of a plumbing problem. Surprise, surprise. Since the bathroom is tiny, they can't put in the other items until the tub is installed, and naturally, the tub is the source of the problem.
The good news is that I am getting a wider vanity, brighter light fixture, an OUTLET (yes, my bathroom was without an outlet - except for the one that was built into the previous light fixture that was falling off the wall, and you could only use it if the light was turned on, which meant that my curling iron would never heat b/c I'm in such a habit of turning the lights OFF), a new toilet, and new linoleum. Jeff & I will also be repainting it. I still like the purple sponged look, but it's outdated and I can't find towels to match anymore. Soon it will be a nice neutral shade of taupe, which will allow me all sorts of color options for towels. We'll probably install new towel racks while we're at it.
It's supposed to be finished today. All the smaller items are assembled and ready to install, pending correction of the plumbing problem.
I am seriously looking forward to a nice long shower!
They thought the bathroom would be finished yesterday, but ran into a bit of a plumbing problem. Surprise, surprise. Since the bathroom is tiny, they can't put in the other items until the tub is installed, and naturally, the tub is the source of the problem.
The good news is that I am getting a wider vanity, brighter light fixture, an OUTLET (yes, my bathroom was without an outlet - except for the one that was built into the previous light fixture that was falling off the wall, and you could only use it if the light was turned on, which meant that my curling iron would never heat b/c I'm in such a habit of turning the lights OFF), a new toilet, and new linoleum. Jeff & I will also be repainting it. I still like the purple sponged look, but it's outdated and I can't find towels to match anymore. Soon it will be a nice neutral shade of taupe, which will allow me all sorts of color options for towels. We'll probably install new towel racks while we're at it.
It's supposed to be finished today. All the smaller items are assembled and ready to install, pending correction of the plumbing problem.
I am seriously looking forward to a nice long shower!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Big Mess
It's a fact: old houses are scary, particularly when you begin to fix what you think is a Small Problem.
There is no such thing.
As I type, I can hear squeaks, thuds, and splintering wood coming from the bathroom across the house. We had a leak, you see - and it was so bad the floor was caving in. Apparently it invited small furry creatures, as well - we had cats and mice (living together?) underneath the tub. Unrelated to the tub was a sink problem - the pipes were so old that when Jeff tried to declog a few months ago, the pipe just distinegrated. In the meantime, the seal on the toilet broke when the floor began to warp.
Yup. No such thing as a "little" problem.
This is a good thing, as long as the smell from the rotted wood doesn't make me sick. I am looking forward to putting down new flooring, and we will probably repaint. Granted, the purple looked pretty cool (and still does), but I'm ready for a new look. We'll be getting a new sink/vanity, toilet, and fixtures. The tub will find its way back into place, because there's actually nothing wrong with it.
How long this will take, I couldn't begin to tell you. I showered this morning (rather than at night as is my habit) in anticipation of a potentially long wait for the opportunity to get clean again.
Who knows? I might even sneak in there and snap a picture for prosperity's sake!
There is no such thing.
As I type, I can hear squeaks, thuds, and splintering wood coming from the bathroom across the house. We had a leak, you see - and it was so bad the floor was caving in. Apparently it invited small furry creatures, as well - we had cats and mice (living together?) underneath the tub. Unrelated to the tub was a sink problem - the pipes were so old that when Jeff tried to declog a few months ago, the pipe just distinegrated. In the meantime, the seal on the toilet broke when the floor began to warp.
Yup. No such thing as a "little" problem.
This is a good thing, as long as the smell from the rotted wood doesn't make me sick. I am looking forward to putting down new flooring, and we will probably repaint. Granted, the purple looked pretty cool (and still does), but I'm ready for a new look. We'll be getting a new sink/vanity, toilet, and fixtures. The tub will find its way back into place, because there's actually nothing wrong with it.
How long this will take, I couldn't begin to tell you. I showered this morning (rather than at night as is my habit) in anticipation of a potentially long wait for the opportunity to get clean again.
Who knows? I might even sneak in there and snap a picture for prosperity's sake!
Monday, February 25, 2008
From the Mouths of Babes...
Believe me when I say I am not pregnant, nor I am I trying to become pregnant. Apparently, my son has convinced himself otherwise. This is a conversation between him and Grannie. It started while they were watching a cartoon of a dinosaur with an imaginary friend:
“Do you have an imaginary friend?"
“No, but Mommy’s gonna get me a baby tomorrow.”
“Oh! Is it going to be a boy or girl?”
“It’s a boy.”
“So you’re getting a baby brother?”
“Well, you can’t go to the store and buy them!”
“Where do they come from if you don’t buy them from the store?”
“Well, they come from heaven.”
Now how sweet is that???
“Do you have an imaginary friend?"
“No, but Mommy’s gonna get me a baby tomorrow.”
“Oh! Is it going to be a boy or girl?”
“It’s a boy.”
“So you’re getting a baby brother?”
“Well, you can’t go to the store and buy them!”
“Where do they come from if you don’t buy them from the store?”
“Well, they come from heaven.”
Now how sweet is that???
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Coolness (or the Lack Thereof)
Sometimes Braeden says things that leave me scratching my head, wondering where in the world he heard that.
Case in point: Jeff was watching some music videos on YouTube, and this irritated Braeden to no end, because he wanted to watch "train pictures." Jeff told him that the music was cool, to which Bebo smoothly responded:
"No, Daddy. You're just not that cool."
Case in point: Jeff was watching some music videos on YouTube, and this irritated Braeden to no end, because he wanted to watch "train pictures." Jeff told him that the music was cool, to which Bebo smoothly responded:
"No, Daddy. You're just not that cool."
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Wherefore Art Thou, O Spring?
Guess I'm getting spoiled - spring usually begins in January here is Southeast Tennessee. It would seem that, at least in my little corner of the world, the groundhog was right this year - we've in for a few more weeks of winter. The strange thing is that I love winter. But all we've had is cold and rain, and winter is no fun without snow. I'd rather it just warm up a teeny bit, so Bebo & I can traipse around outside in happy spring silliness.
My personal measure of spring are the daffodils that sit in the flower bed in front of my house. (side note - if they weren't perennials, and didn't grow beautifully without me ever touching them, I wouldn't have flowers. My thumb is completely black.) They have sprouted lovely shoots of green, but still no yellow flowers - not so much as a hint of the blooms. When the daffodils bloom, then I consider spring to have officially arrived.
For right now, I will continue my steady watch, and you will be the first to know when Spring has arrived.
My personal measure of spring are the daffodils that sit in the flower bed in front of my house. (side note - if they weren't perennials, and didn't grow beautifully without me ever touching them, I wouldn't have flowers. My thumb is completely black.) They have sprouted lovely shoots of green, but still no yellow flowers - not so much as a hint of the blooms. When the daffodils bloom, then I consider spring to have officially arrived.
For right now, I will continue my steady watch, and you will be the first to know when Spring has arrived.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
Incidentally, this is not my favorite holiday. In fact, I usually feel a great sense of hatred toward it. I was so excited coming into this one, because Jeff has been so sweet lately, but guess what? He has a test tonight! I'd like to let the nursing department at CSTCC know exactly what I think of that!
So maybe next week I'll get to celebrate. In the meantime, it's going to fall into "just another day" status, and hopefully I won't spend this holiday ralphing my guts out like I did a few years ago. :)
So maybe next week I'll get to celebrate. In the meantime, it's going to fall into "just another day" status, and hopefully I won't spend this holiday ralphing my guts out like I did a few years ago. :)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Waxing Elephants
Ever heard the phrase "waxing eloquent?" It's a lovely, if somewhat antiquated, phrase.
Leave it to me & Jeff to mess it up. :)
Somehow, somewhere along the line, "waxing eloquent" became "waxing elephants." We typically use it as a form of gentle teasing when the other becomes philosophical. Sunday morning, I was waxing some big elephants, and I've decided to share my thoughts with you.
As we were rushing around, trying to get ready for Sunday school, Jeff asked me what I thought about singing. It was a rather open-ended question, and I didn't have much of an opinion until he asked me. At that point I was able to article something I've felt for a long time.
You have to understand that I have a background in music, and a deep love and appreciation for it. Because of my love for scrapbooking and photography, I really get and appreciate visual art as well. In fact, the two are often inseparable for me. They are two sides to the same coin, falling under the greater heading of Art.
Have you ever noticed what a beautiful Earth God created for us? Stop and look and listen. If there was never a musical instrument created, the world would still make music. The waves would continue to crash into the shore, wind would still rush through the trees, and birds will forever sing their own unique choruses. If no paintbrush ever touched a canvas, God would still paint colors across the evening sky and splash color across a field of wildflowers.
You know what else is intriguiging? God created us in His image. When you look at this piece of Art we call home, you can see that God must have great appreciation for beauty. Since we are made in His image, it's easy to understand why there have been so many countless artists and musicians throughout history.
Singing is simply our artistic expression of our love for God. Music by its nature evokes emotion. It doesn't matter if it's a cappella or instrumental or both. The composer created it as an expression of a feeling, often one that can't be put into words.
Maybe the words from this Stephen Curtis Chapman song explain it best:
Leave it to me & Jeff to mess it up. :)
Somehow, somewhere along the line, "waxing eloquent" became "waxing elephants." We typically use it as a form of gentle teasing when the other becomes philosophical. Sunday morning, I was waxing some big elephants, and I've decided to share my thoughts with you.
As we were rushing around, trying to get ready for Sunday school, Jeff asked me what I thought about singing. It was a rather open-ended question, and I didn't have much of an opinion until he asked me. At that point I was able to article something I've felt for a long time.
You have to understand that I have a background in music, and a deep love and appreciation for it. Because of my love for scrapbooking and photography, I really get and appreciate visual art as well. In fact, the two are often inseparable for me. They are two sides to the same coin, falling under the greater heading of Art.
Have you ever noticed what a beautiful Earth God created for us? Stop and look and listen. If there was never a musical instrument created, the world would still make music. The waves would continue to crash into the shore, wind would still rush through the trees, and birds will forever sing their own unique choruses. If no paintbrush ever touched a canvas, God would still paint colors across the evening sky and splash color across a field of wildflowers.
You know what else is intriguiging? God created us in His image. When you look at this piece of Art we call home, you can see that God must have great appreciation for beauty. Since we are made in His image, it's easy to understand why there have been so many countless artists and musicians throughout history.
Singing is simply our artistic expression of our love for God. Music by its nature evokes emotion. It doesn't matter if it's a cappella or instrumental or both. The composer created it as an expression of a feeling, often one that can't be put into words.
Maybe the words from this Stephen Curtis Chapman song explain it best:
Listen to Our Hearts
How do you explain, how do you describe
a love that goes from east to west
and is as deep as it is wide?
You know all our hopes, Lord you know all our fears
and words can express the love we feel
but we long for you to hear.
Listen to our hearts, and hear us sing
a song of praise that flows from those you have redeemed.
We will use the words we know
to tell you what an awesome God you are,
but words are not enough to tell you of our love
so listen to our hearts.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Family Resemblance
I finally figured out that I don't have to scan my old pictures - I can take a picture of a picture. This will keep me satisfied until I can replace my broken-down printer/scanner. Digging through some old photos, I found some wonderful pictures of me with Nanny. I also had a pic of Mom with Braeden out on my desk for scrapping, and I am just amazed at the similarities in the two pictures. Mom and Nanny favor each other, and I had to laugh at how much Braeden looks like I did at his age. I see so much of my personality in him; it's really fun to see that physical resemblance, too.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Ugh...
I hate being sick.
Worse, I hate being sick when I'm exhausted. I can't get any sleep at night - too wired and too congested - so I'm just beat all day. It's been a while since I had a real knock-me-down head and chest cold, and I can definitely feel it coming on now.
Say a little prayer for me? I'm taking pictures this weekend at a youth rally and it's going to be a looooooong day.
Worse, I hate being sick when I'm exhausted. I can't get any sleep at night - too wired and too congested - so I'm just beat all day. It's been a while since I had a real knock-me-down head and chest cold, and I can definitely feel it coming on now.
Say a little prayer for me? I'm taking pictures this weekend at a youth rally and it's going to be a looooooong day.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Irony
I realize this is an unremarkable picture, but it strikes such a chord of irony in me. You see, this is my four-year-old son, sitting on a hundred-year-old family stool, helping himself to streaming videos on YouTube. How utterly strange this is to me! It tickles me to no end to see this old stool still being used (and loved) after all these years - and it also amuses me to see my little boy confidently navigating his way around the laptop. When I was his age, I sat on that stool at Nanny & Pa's and sculpted homemade play-do or dabbed in paint-by-numbers. Talk about a generation gap! The whole scene just makes me smile.
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