Work is halted for one, work in progress for the other

...and this is the picture of Ryan's leg on Monday after the injury. Talk about grossly distorted. You should see it now...it's all swelled up and black and blue. Still waiting about the call about the MRI. I just got a call from the Road Commission and it appears that his 40hr/ week $10/hr. job will not be held for him due to this knee injury. I don't even want to tell him right now. This was the money he planned to live on for the next year. ugh. I feel sick.

The studio is looking so much better than the "before" pictures. Amazing what a few coats of paint can do to the look of a room.
They need to take the For Sale sign out of the window.

There's another half to this week!

I'm trying to optimistic here since, admittedly, this hasn't been the greatest week. So with Pollyanna rose-colored glasses on...this girl trudges along...looking forward to what good things lie ahead.

We're waiting for the results of the MRI today. Surgery should be scheduled this week or Monday. Ryan has two exams on Thursday and two on Friday so if he had his way, it would be on Friday after exams. We'll see how this plays out.

I think today is a good day to do some cleaning...in a cathartic kind of way. I'm really sick of dirt; turmoil, indecision, drama, demands, attitudes, bickering, excuses, control freaks, lack of control, etc. Yes...the physical aspect of cleaning is symbolic of eradicating all the other "dirt" in my life that I am sick of. (literally and figuratively)

Gonna bust out the Pine Sol and pray like heck that God cleans up the other stuff.

Wipe out

Ryan, Jen, and Jordy hanging out...back in the younger days. *sigh* where have those years gone?

I am wiped out today. Mentally, physically, and financially. Gosh I can't wait for payday on Wednesday. It's been a rough week.

I took Ryan over to get an x-ray today. It appears he's broken the head off his fibula and all the ligaments need to be reattached. Yes, this means major surgery. It's quite a flukey injury and the surgeon admitted he hasn't seen many like this. ugh. I guess they have to screw the head back on the bone and suture the ligaments back on or something. Of course, this is just speculation since they haven't done the MRI yet. Hopefully they can get him in tomorrow.

In the meantime, this is finals week and Ryan contacted his Neuropsychology professor to get an extention on his exam. The surgery will be scheduled for next week when the swelling has gone down. It doesn't look too promising for his full time summer job. I have no idea what he's going to do. I'm just praying that God is going to be flinging open windows since so many doors have been closed. The doctor told him this will probably be the end of his sports career. You should have seen his face. It broke my heart.

I know there are so many things to be thankful for. I mean, really. Ryan is a healthy kid and he will rebound from this injury. Jen is excited to start her business. She wanted me to help her paint today but I had to take Ryan to his appointments. So her and Jordy went and painted this afternoon. Before they left, Jordanne wanted me to go to David's Bridal to order her dress since they had a sale and today was the last day. (10% off is a big savings.) So folks, it's official. The downpayment on the hall has been made, and now the dress is ordered. The bride-to-be was elated. No turning back.

Josh sent me a text message from school telling me to check out his grades. All A's, a B+, and a B. He just took two tests today and got an A+ on both tests. I've known all along that he was capable of grades like that but he finally figured it out on his own. Now he's getting grades like Jacob. Like I said, I've got so much to be thankful for... The girls had a ball painting at the studio...when they heard about Ryan's bad news, they brought him over a slurpee to cheer him up and hung out with him. Wow...23, 22, and almost 21 yr. old siblings hanging out together. How cool is that?

hmmm...where to start?

Josh and Jill (went up the hill...) Looking good!
Josh and Nick flashing their bling.
Josh and Jill, Victoria and Nick.
strike a pose!

Josh showing off his newly acquired Football State Championship ring.

Ryan waiting for the doctor to come check out his left knee.

As you see, I missed posting yesterday. It was such a busy day with it being prom weekend and all. I did Jill's hair at noon and things were going well until we got a phonecall from Ryan. He had a rugby match in Grand Rapids against Grand Valley. He knew going into the game it was going to be a very hard fought battle...but he just had a feeling he couldn't shake. The game was going great- Ryan was blowing by everyone...having the game of his life. Until the hit. It seems his body went one way and his knee went the other way. Searing pain tore through his body and he was down. This was in the first 15 minutes of the game. The athletic trainer told him it was torn ligaments in his knee and he needed to see a specialist as soon as possible. Only problem is, the guys he rode with were still playing the game and he was 2 1/2 hours away. It made no sense for us to drive there and back so he waited until the game was over and had them drive him back home. Thank goodness Ryan has a very high pain threshold (like me). Someone gave him Tylenol with codeine and it helped until he got home.

In the meantime, Jen called Patrick's dad (who happens to be an orthopedic surgeon) and he said he'd come over and take a look at him. (hello, Marcus Welby, MD!) He said his LCL was torn and we went over to his office (closed on Saturdays) to fit him with a knee brace. The athletic trainer from Ryan's college football team was there to fit him with a brace. (Jen babysits for his 2 yr. old son.) Gosh it pays to know the right people. He walked out with a prescription for vicodin, crutches, and a knee brace and never had to sit in a waiting room. It would have been a long weekend of waiting in pain until he could get in to see a specialist otherwise.

The worst thing is this week is finals and Ryan has exams to study for under the influence of narcotics. He was supposed to take a drug test for his new job on Monday...I have no clue how he will drive his tractor or his car since his left foot is his clutch foot. Everything is up in the air until we find out the extent of the damages and if he has to have surgery to reattach anything. He needs this job at the road commission to pay his bills and save for classes. ugh.

So this was all going on while Josh was getting ready for prom. Jen went over to take pictures for me since I needed to be here when the doctor came. Jake had to go and coach a hockey game and I had to run him up to the rink. Jordy's fiance brought him home. There was some major "prom-a" (prom drama) going on... won't go into details but it wasn't exactly an "enchanted evening"... Josh said he made it a good time for himself. Famous quote from Josh?

"the best part about prom was me"...

Glad he had fun for as much money as we dropped on Prom. Mmmboy, he sure looked good.

In full bloom

I just had to take a picture of these beautiful tangerine colored roses that Patrick got Jennifer this past weekend. I'm so glad she is sharing them with us all. The color is perfect in my living room.

Jen's studio pictures

... french doors to the back changing room, office, and bathroom.
Um... this is not proper body mechanics, Jennifer. No wonder you have a bad back at 23. Ya gotta love "The Duke" in the foreground. He was a little bored.

... an air conditioner in the middle of the wall? Just as lovely as Jen in all her goofiness.
...scrub that pukey baby food squash- colored trim so we can prime it already....work in progress.
The front door and one of the window seat areas.
...the other window seat.

Wouldn't you know it...my memory card was full so I only got the "before" pictures when we were cleaning.

After encountering the paint ladies from hell at both Home Depot and Walmart, (how on earth can you be that crabby on the job at 10:30 am is beyond me)... we picked up some lunch, a 12 pk of diet pepsi and headed to the studio to begin some serious work. If you click on these pictures you will see that the walls in the front "showroom" part of the studio are stucco. What a major paint in the arse to paint these walls. We literally had to scrub the paint into the craters. (and yes, we did use Purdy rollers for rough surfaces) I wanted to cry after a half hour of painting. After an hour, I wanted to go home, put on an apron and bake cookies...but Jen is a slave driver. We worked for 12 hours. We had a mission to accomplish. We got all the walls in the front area painted, edged, and primed all the trim and doors. She went back today to do some more work before she had to go to the rink. (her other job) I can't wait to get back there to help but it's Prom weekend and I've got some "prom-dos" to create. Will keep you updated.

Work day planned

Today after my morning walk, Jennifer and I are driving out to her new Studio to start working. We're packing the painting clothes, supplies, snacks and beverages. Gotta remember a radio and of course, the camera. It should be a fun mother/daughter day. Will post pictures when I get back.

You're never too old to learn

(Click on image to read.)

Well, I was busy learning a few lessons in life yesterday.

Life lesson #1

I guess sometimes you have to just sit back and allow your kids the room to grow...as painful as that can be for all involved. Let's just say things didn't turn out favorable for Ryan yesterday. He never explained to me the details of his meeting but basically told me the outcome was that he has to pay back a portion of his football scholarship money. As outraged as I am at the way this was handled, I must just step back and concede defeat. It's his money, his life and his decision to give up the fight. College football does not seem to consider the fact that college is the main focus, not football. Am I bitter? Perhaps.

The sad thing is we are going through this already with Josh. The football coaches are calling and sending recruiting letters and visions of glory are dancing in his head. Ugh. I don't want to toss a wet blanket on his dreams but after seeing what Ryan went through, I'm very leery on going through this all over again.

Not to say Ryan hasn't grown as a young man throughout this experience. Face it- It's not something everyone can say they've done. He spent 4 years of his life on a D2 College football team...he played in a few games, survived the rigorous training camps and practices, actually worked out and played with a few NFL football players! He's made so many friendships and has learned so much about himself through the process. How can I discourage Josh from having the same opportunities?

There just comes a time when you have to decide where your priorities and focus lie...and Ryan decided that he needed to spend his energies on his future career instead of sports. The decision to walk away was probably one of the most difficult decisions he's made thus far. It's time to move forward and not look back.

Life lesson #2

So another thing I learned yesterday is that no matter how old your kids are, they still need you. Even if it's mainly a financial need, or a roof over your head need, or a feed my hungry belly need, face it- NEED is NEED- whether you're an infant or 23 yrs. old...hell, I still need my mom for that matter! I don't know what I'd do without her. Sometimes when you're at wit's end, frustrated, excited, nervous, elated...you just need to talk to your mom because she has that certain element you just can't get from anyone.

Life lesson #3

When you're tired, hungry, or overwhelmed, it's best to just keep your mouth shut and go to bed. Mom always said, "if you don't have anything nice to say...say nothing at all".

Life lesson #4

Mom is always right.

Feeling a little better

No sooner did I post my stressed about money post I skipped over to another blog ( http://featheringnest.blogspot.com/ )and found this little reminder:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God , which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Phew, I'm feeling better already.
So then I started to dig around on worry: "The Antidote to Anxiety" (great article)
http://www.unionchurch.com/archive/032501.html

(an excerpt from this site)

Chuck Swindoll calls worry the "universal addiction". Paul understood the natural tendency to become anxious. He knew that anxiety is one of the greatest thieves of joy.

So why is worry wrong? Jesus gives us several reasons. First, It puts the focus on the wrong issues. Jesus said, "Is not life more important than food?" When we worry our perspective gets skewed. We begin to focus on things that are secondary and in the process lose sight of what is really important.

Let me give you some examples:

~you are so worried about a graduation party that you miss the joy that comes from the accomplishment of graduating.

~you worry so much about the shopping that you don't enjoy the Christmas holiday with family.

~you worry so much about looking good that you find you are so absorbed with yourself you can't enjoy the people you are with.

~you are so worried about not having enough money that you don't enjoy the journey of life.

...Wow, I'm humbled beyond words. I'm missing out on so much by wasted worry.

Waiting for the money tree to bloom

I got a call from Josh while I was on my morning walk requesting that I go to the school to pay $250 for his high school football state championship ring. (I already paid a $75 deposit) While I was there, I plunked down a chunk of change for a tuition payment as well. When I got home Jen asked me to help her win something on ebay that she needed for her photography business. ($180 light meter). I was asked to put it on my paypal account and she'd pay me later this week. No sooner did that happen, Jordy called in tears needing us to help her with a $500 deposit required to hold the date on her reception hall. Still waiting for Ryan to call with the verdict on a dispute he has with the University. Since he quit the football team, they are trying to say he owes $950 back in scholarship money for the winter (not even the full amount?)...only problem is...he never received his football scholarship for the winter, so how can they make him pay it back? I'm hoping that they can get this settled because he can't even register for fall or summer classes until this is taken care of. Oy vay. If they can prove he got it, then we will have to help him pay it back asap. Thank goodness Jake doesn't need anything. I'm still waiting for that money tree to bloom. Should be any day now?

An hour and a half to myself?

I just did this above our dining room table. You can click on any pic to enlarge.
The cool picture I got from Aunt Carol. She
found it at a garage sale and knew it would be perfect.

Can you tell we love coffee? I have quite a collection of coffee/teapots. (I should have cleaned off my counters before taking this picture.)
More red fiestaware/bakeware. Uh...do you happen to see the crown moulding to the right that still needs to be put up above my cabinets? Anyone know a good carpenter? Pat said "It'll be a cold day in hell" before he puts it up.

How did this happen? An hour and a half to myself?

On a Sunday? This is insane! I don't even know what to do with myself! Pat and the boys are at the hockey party, Jen, Jordanne and Dustin are at church. It's just me and the Duke hanging around the house. I don't even have to make dinner if I don't want to since it's just me. I'm not sayin' I'm bored because I've never been bored a day in my life, but... with so many options...I'm at a loss.

It's kind of one of those lazy Sundays anyways...and I'm perfectly content putzing around folding laundry and watching re-runs of "Clean House". (Hey, if I'm too lazy to clean my own house, at least let me be inspired by watching someone else doin' the work.) It's a rare moment in my day and I thought it would be blogworthy.

Attitude adjustment

...Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. - Charles Swindoll

Wow. pretty powerful thinker, that Chuck Swindoll.

It makes me want to work on my attitude and how I react to situations.

I had a revelation the other morning while coming home from dropping my boys off at school. I'm listening to this beautiful Christian song on the radio (and yes, I was singing along) and a lady pulls out in front of me, totally disregarding the stop sign. This, of course, caused me to tap on my brakes to slow down and not hit her. I let out a torrent of bleepity bleeps that would have made Alfie's mom wash my mouth out with soap. (from a Christmas Story) Now mind you, this was not a slamming my foot on the brakes, near collision...this was an impatient mom pulling out in front of a slow moving vehicle that was totally under control at all times. I had to tap my foot on the brake to drop my speed a notch, but I did not fear for my life or even my vehicle. I was pissed to think, "the nerve of that woman!" Who the heck does she think she is to just blow past the stop sign and pull out into traffic? I was snapped back to reality when I heard the Christian lyrics and was humbled.to.death. at my un-Christian attitude. Ahem. I was singing? (I wish to heck I could remember the song that was playing.) So as Mr. Swindoll's inspirational quote suggests...I'm in charge of my attitude and I'd better make an attempt to keep it in check.

Happy Birthday Patrick!

Hard to believe we've celebrated every birthday together since you turned 18. Maybe a few grey hairs and wrinkles later (I like to think of them as "laugh lines") but nevertheless, it's been fun growing old with you. I know I don't say it enough how much I appreciate what you do for our family, how you make me feel cherished and loved, what a wonderful husband, father, friend, provider, coach, etc. that you are...But today is your lucky day. I'm telling you that I would be lost without you and your crazy toilet paper stories...seeing life through your eyes makes me laugh even when I'm having a bad day. Thanks for being you... Happy birthday you crazy man.

New haircut

I woke up this morning aggravated with my hair and I decided "today is the day". I called Shapers and made an appointment. For most people the decision to get your hair cut is a no-brainer...but for me, it's an agonizing decision that usually works better if it's spontaneous. I don't know why I've had such crappy luck with haircuts but let me just say, the experiences set me off on a 15 yr. hiatus. I put on my big girl panties and went in to see "Lisa" a new girl who has never cut my hair before.

I'm pleased to report the experience was pleasant and I came home happy with the look. I did not even have to change a thing. (which is never). We went out for a few beers to celebrate Pat's 46th birthday (a day early) and he said I look like my girls now.

It's a New Day

I don't know what time of the morning this took place (and I'm still not quite convinced it actually happened or if I dreamt it) but in the wee hours of the morning, I heard a bird singing outside my window. I lay there in my comatose state, suspended between dream world and real world, listening to that melodious sound...trying to visualize what kind of bird gets up that early whistling a happy tune? I decided it had to be a robin who was grateful to have migrated back to Michigan, thankful that spring has finally arrived and warm weather is promised to be here soon. It was a hopeful and optimistic moment...actually an epiphany moment for me...because somewhere in my cycle of the seasons comes a time that I actually enjoy waking up and embrace the "new day." It's analagous to the mother bear coming out of hibernation. One day I just realize that I look forward to waking up, lacing up my sneakers, and taking a brisk morning walk to clear the cobwebs. It energizes me, refreshes me, propels me. So I decided that I'm going try to be like that little robin...waking up in the wee hours of the morning whistling a happy tune. If it works for mother robin, it can work for me.

TAX DAY

Yes, folks. That dreaded tax day is here. And I am relieved to report that I made it through another year of getting the taxes done, doing FAFSA's, and hounding kids about scholarship application deadlines. No wonder I hate the first quarter of every year.

Now I'm back to just worrying about my kids and paying the bills and keeping the cobwebs down to a minimum. Phew. What a relief. Give me the simple life.

The entire day seems like a blur. To add a little extra stress to the mix, I agreed to work the Bingo tonight at our church...as if I don't already feel like a short order cook at home, I go and work in the kitchen making burgers, grilled cheese, french fries and chicken strips for a bunch of cheapskate folks who think a hot dog basket with chips and a pickle is too expensive at $2.25. (yet they think nothing of dropping $50 to play Bingo every week.) Now I'm frugal and I would much rather drop $2.25 on a hot dog basket than waste $50 on a weekly gambling habit, but I digress.

I smelled like a greasy diner when I got out of there and had achy legs from standing on the concrete floor. Nothing a little shower and a soak in the hot tub couldn't cure. Ahhhh, now that's the simple life I longed for.

I'm actually looking forward to a fresh start of a new day.

Ugh. Taxes.

Ugh. Tax day is here tomorrow. Nothing worse than the day before tax day. Oh yeah there is... a Monday being that day. and getting your period...all wrapped up in the same day. I want to rip someone's head off right now. Just because. It's one of those days. How I could go from feeling all warm and fuzzy last night to wanting to rip someone's head off only proves why mother bunnies will eat their young. HORMONES.
Face it: Mondays, hormones and taxes don't mix.
Just call me crabby.

Pondering my many blessings

Nearly finished laundry room.





Some vintage prints and magazine ads.


My enamelware collection.






The washboard was in bad shape so I painted
and distressed it. Gotta have some fresh flowers
in an old coffee pot to make me enjoy the scenery.


Perhaps I'm feeling a bit melancholy. Blame it on PMS. Blame it on a funeral. Blame it on a lack of sleep. I dunno... but I'm feeling so blessed.
I'm thankful for my health, the fact that I have 5 healthy kids, and a healthy husband. I'm thankful that my kids all go to church, that they listen to us when we care enough to discipline and correct them. I'm thankful that we could all meet at Timber's after 5:30 mass for pizzas and burgers and laugh together, enjoying each other's company. What a cool, crazy bunch we are and what a gift-laughter. I could blather on and on about how my heart swells with pride when we all get together, but I won't. Because they know it. they feel it. they live it.

So I stayed up until 4:00 am finishing the final coat of paint and putting the laundry room back together. It looks great. I couldn't wait to get Jordy in there to take some pics. (Even though it still has some final things that need to be done. Like finishing my curtains.) Now to get her to post the pics for all blogland to see. Then I can feel like I'm really blogging. Such a novice blogger I am.

I don't know what is wrong with me...why I can't sleep without turning on the tv. I just talked to my mom tonight and she has the same problem and she said it started around my age. Is this hormone related? (I hardly doubt my mom is having hormonal issues at 65. ) I know I'm exhausted but the minute I lay in bed my mind starts racing. ugh.

Mary Lou called and left a message on my cell that she wants to start walking tomorrow morning. Wow, she's amazing considering they just buried her husband on Friday. I know I sure need to walk, I bet she feels the same way after the past few weeks she's had.

Maybe it's a good day to stop for a cappuccino.

no time for chit-chat

I guess I was productive yesterday...so productive that I didn't even get on the computer to make a post.

I cracked open the paint cans first thing yesterday morning. I painted until around 11:30. This is taking forever because of all the edging around cupboards, ceiling, window, doorway, countertops, pulling out the washer and dryer, etc. Not only am I a pokey painter, I'm a picky, pokey painter.

At 11:30, I jumped in the shower, ran over to pay my water bill, then drove out to Auburn to pick up a St. Francis statue do drop off at the funeral home. I was home an hour later, back in my paint clothes and worked until it was time to pick up the boys. So many interruptions. If I had to wait for an entire day free, I'd never get anything accomplished. So this is my life interrupted. No wonder I have such random thoughts.

I was fearful that Pat was going to get stranded in Texas another day with the American Airlines wiring problems and all the flight cancellations. I guess they ended switching flights through another airline and he made it home safely last night. It's so nice to have him back home.

So... I'm trying to get life back to a state of normalcy around here. I'm tired of having my ironing board in the kitchen and bins of laundry room stuff in my bedroom. I swear I can still see spots of primer through the coats of paint. Gee, I hope I have enough paint... I'm hoping to finish it up this afternoon. After the funeral, the luncheon, my 2:00 haircut appointment, and picking up my boys up from school at 3:00. Then I'll paint. (taking a break of course to whip up some dinner.) *mental note to go pull something out of the freezer.

Ya gotta love my life.

Stayed up late, got up early

Sheesh, can't a girl get any sleep around here? The first night dh was in Mexico, I slept on the loveseat.all.night... Well, actually I woke up at 3 am to go crawl in bed but my son Ryan was sleeping there, so I shuffled back onto the loveseat. (why didn't I flop on the couch?) He was too tired to drive home so he figured since I wasn't using it...

So last night I stayed up until around 2:30 am finishing the primer in my laundry room. Afterwards took a soak in the hot tub to rest my achy joints and slipped into my cozy bed at 3 am. I could not fall asleep, so I cracked open the murder mystery I've been too busy to finish. Instant sleep aid. My eyes couldn't stay focused much after the first page.

My alarm buzzed off 3 hours later at 6 am, 6:30, then 7:00. I finally woke the boys up for school and crawled back in bed once I heard the shower running. I got up 20 minutes later to give them some lunch money and made sure they left the house at 7:30. Then the phone rang. Apparently dh won't be coming home until tomorrow now because of landing gear problems at American Airlines. Maybe I can get the laundry room finished and put back together before then. Time for a cup of coffee. Sleep is overrated.

Uh...Sidetracked again?

Well today is the day. Well, at least this time I hope it's the day... I got sidetracked again yesterday and I got as far as putting the paint and primer cans in the laundry room- that's it. I'm so ashamed to admit how easily I allow myself to get sidetracked. I can proudly profess that I am a "S.H.E." (sidetracked home executive.)

In all seriousness, my mind was a million miles away yesterday because my very dear friend and walking partner, Mary Lou, just lost her husband. Rob was only 45. Life just baffles me sometimes. 43 is too young to be a widow and 45 is too young to die. My heart hurts for her and her children and I feel helpless. I cannot imagine wearing her shoes. I felt sick to my stomach all day. It just makes you cherish your own life in all its craziness.
In the big scheme of things...how important is it really to paint my laundry room?
When it gets done, it gets done.

Jumping in with both feet

Sheesh. You'd think I was agonizing over something big, not just painting my silly little laundry room. You have to realize I've been thinking about doing this room for over a year. I mean, actually had the paint and the vision for what I wanted it to look like. Easy for me to say I've had roadblocks along the way...but the bottom line is that I'm a major procrastinator. My kids come by it honestly.
So this morning my husband boarded a plane for Mexico (work related) and I'm going to crack open the paint can and JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET! (not literally, silly!)
I haven't figured out how to take a picture off the camera and load it on here yet...I will have to get one of my dd's (dear daughters) to assist me since they are both photography majors. I just haven't gotten around to getting my own digital camera yet. (do ya hear me kids? Mother's Day is coming up soon?)
Yeah, so anyway...
I'm having my cup of coffee right now (how I procrastinate the morning away) and then I'm waking dd Jen up to go for my morning walk... Then it's gonna happen. The moment I've been waiting for. Doggone it if I don't have hair appointments coming at 3:30 today! This is the story of my life. I get going on something and I have to stop and cook dinner, or do a haircut, or run to pick up a kid. And they think SAHM's have a boring life? There's never enough dull moments around here.

Committed

This is the area above the doorway that dh patched and sanded.


Laundry sink and basket storage.



This was one of the best things we added in here to hang
clothes out of the dryer.


Laundry room devoid of all it's character.
This didn't look as bad as it does now.

Well, I did it. I emptied out the laundry room and washed down the walls. Then dh decided he needed to sand those recently mudded drywall areas. (after he just told me to sponge the high spots and it would be fine.) Oh.my.God. What a mess. He comes out of the laundry room and proudly declares, "It's all ready for you to wash down the walls!"
But- wait a minute! (didn't I just do that?) Well, needless to say I spent the next hour washing down everything all over again, sweeping and vacuuming the finest drywall dust off every square foot of that 6x14 laundry room. (with a vaulted ceiling.)
By that time, I was too crabby and tired to tape and prep, not to mention mentally unprepared to prime and paint. So I planned on getting up early this morning to start the process but dh is sick in bed with a bad case of the "ughs".
I know I should be taking care of his needs, like making a typical Sunday morning breakfast with a pot of freshly percolated coffee. Sigh. I somehow knew this was going to happen. (Not him getting sick, but me getting sidetracked.) It's my middle name.
I'll be sure to take a before and after photo and load it on here if I can figure it out.

Well, it's about time!

The day after I started my long awaited blog, I get a notice saying my blog was flagged as a possible spam blog and it was going to be "under review" for a few days. Sheesh. I finally get to play in the big sandbox only to discover there was cat poop in it !

So after all my patient waiting, I'm thinking I would have many days worth of "stuff" to blog about. Um...that would be a resounding NO. I just can't think of a thing noteworthy to mention.

(wracking my brain)...Okay...here's something:
I just found out last night that dh is going to Mexico (for sure) on Tuesday. I guess it's going to be for a couple of days. I'm hoping that we can get that laundry room painted this weekend. We were on such a roll with our little weekend projects. Maybe while he's gone I'll get really productive and surprise him with an accomplished task. Hmm...what can I do start to finish in 3 days?