Love for the lake

So, lucky me I am typing this post from the covered porch of my in-laws lakehouse up in Tennessee. It is honestly one of my favorite places. As long as I have known Michael his family has had this house. Some families have Thanksgiving, Christmas or even Easter as their annual get togethers, but the Vances have the Fourth of July. Most every year we gather up here over the weekend of the Fourth. The little town close by has a really big Bluegrass festival that we love to go to, plus a 5K and Fun Run that Michael and Zack usually run in.

We have also been lucky enough to entertain friends up here at the lakehouse. Sometimes it is a family and I also get to have my annual girls weekend with all of my high school buddies. It is a highlight of my year. Even though I grew up going to the lake and my parents even had a house on the lake two separate times, it is this house that has helped me really love the lake. There is nothing better to me then spending the day on the water enjoying the sun and watching my boys play!

So, yesterday was looking good. We where going to have ALL day to spend on the water. We went down to the dock to get in the boat and Michael felt the need to check things out in the engine well. When he opened it up he saw that it was full of gas and after further inspection, so was the ski well. This was not good. To make a very very long story short we ended up renting a pontoon for the day.

After the day was over and talking to Michael's parents and the mechanic I think it began to sink in how lucky we where. That boat was covered in gas. If Michael had not checked the engine well and just started it up, we could have very well started a nasty fire that could have had tragic results. I can't tell you the emotions that overwhelmed me last night. I was so taken back by the thought of what really could have happened. Today might not have happened for my family.

I told Michael last night through tears, on how very very blessed I feel. Not just to have escaped that accident, but for everything. So many times over and over God has blessed my little family. I want to be truly grateful and give God the credit. How in my life can I show others how grateful I am for God's grace and mercy??? And will I be able to remember this when something tragic does happen in my life.

I just had to share this, because it meant a lot to me. On a side note, Michael's parents' boat is kaput. Zack has truly been sad. When we went to go clean it out of all of it's stuff he was almost in tears. We have loved that boat and it provided many good times and many good memories...

NUTS!!!!

This is how I feel right now and how my summer has been...let me recap for you.

Before school even gets out we go "camping" with Michael's mom and her husband. The next weekend we are at the lake for Memorial Day. The next two weekends are taken up by are AWESOME trip to Disney. Then the next weekend we go "camping" again with Michael's mom. Finally, Father's Day weekend we are going to REST, but I get a call from some family in Ohio that are coming to visit for 5 days. This weekend my mom has her grand opening of her booth and we are going to a local lake on Sunday and then leave on Wed. or Thurs. for the lakehouse in TN. Phew. I feel like I am going NUTS!!!! We hopefully have two more lake trips in July and I start student teaching on August 3rd with a possible trip to N'ville for a wedding the following weekend.

But all of this has been good. Really good. The last time I had a summer with no school was 2006 and Carter was three and well, enough said. I still have so much I want to do and I just don't know where I will find the time. For some reason I am getting the itch to do things to my house. I gave Michael the year 2013 as the year that we are going to move. He, of course, rolls his eyes at me, but I know from a very reliable source that he knows that if I stick my mind to something I usually get my way. I'm not stubborn very often, but when I am it pays off.



So two rooms I really want to work on is first my family room. It is a really big room because it has an attached sunroom. I have almost moved all of the boys toys out of the sunroom. When we first moved in it was a playroom, but I have moved all of the junk upstairs. All I have left to move out is an air-hockey table and their train stuff and blocks. I have a lawyer bookcase that we will move in there.

But the den is SOOOOOOOO boring. It has judges paneling, which I love, and we have some historical prints on the wall, which I love. What I HATE HATE is my furniture. We bought it in our old house and it is dull. It is that micro fiber fabric which works well for the like the first two years. But when you have two little boys and a dog, it can only stay good looking for so long. Anyway, I feel like between the wood walls and the brown furniture, that room is really dark. I would like a sofa and chairs that look a little more alive. There are these chairs that are at this store here in Atlanta called Outrageous Interiors (they used to be called Outrageous Bargains, but there where no bargains to be found) and I go visit them occasionally. They both rock AND swivel and they appear to have slipcovers. I. just. love. them.

So here is a picture of one of the chairs I picked up at the thrift store. There are three of them and they where $5 a piece. I don't know why I bought all three other than they where only $5 a piece!!! The picture makes it look wood, but they are painted red.

I have NO WHERE for them to go and have no idea what to do with them. I was thinking about doing some kind of distressing treatment that would have green on top and let the red show through a little bit so that I don't have to strip them. ugh. I was going to look for some cool fabric to put on them. And then what? I have no idea. Thoughts??? Ideas???

I also want to do my bedroom. Our furniture is not very exciting either. But it is in good shape and new furniture is EXPENSIVE!! So, if I do a decent job on the chairs, maybe Michael will let me paint our bedroom furniture. It his parents old furniture and it was "updated" in the 90s with lots of brass.

Maybe if I do a few cosmetic changes I can push my year to 2014. Haha.

Start of Summer

Well, summer is officially here. After a weekend camping, a week of fun activities at school and then a fun weekend at the lake, Zack had the NERVE to ask me Tuesday morning if we could do something FUN that day! Not to mention we leave for Disney for a week on Saturday. I hated to be the one to tell him that he was in for a very boring week with me getting us ready for our big trip!

So after we get back I think I am going to have to detox my kids from constant motion and entertainment. After having been in a first grade classroom this semester I know that their days are jam packed. Even in preschool they are on the go all day long. Well, here at home, we are not.

This is my first summer not in school in two years. Here is what I want to accomplish:

• TV on less
• Video games on less
• Eat fresher food
• Less fighting between brothers
• Work on fine motor skills with Zack
• Read with the kids more
• More library trips
• LOTS of time at the pool
• More calm

I think those are all attainable goals...

I feel like sometimes our life is go go go and there are days that I just want it to stop. I don't want to have a "to-do" list or a packing list that needs to be attended to. I just want to be. I want to sit on my back porch GUILT FREE and read a book. I want to watch my kids run around in the yard under a sprinkler and not worry about the "water police" ticketing me.

So, as I write this it is near the end of the day. The boys have been fighting a lot today, but I am hoping this is part of the detox process. The TV has been on less and they are building vehicles out of Lego's. This is what it is all about...right here. Not how many camps or vacations we can plan or friends we can have over to occupy our time, but the time that they are forced to be calm and be creative. So what that they are building vehicles to "bomb" each other, the TV is NOT on!!! Small miracles, small miracles.

So ask me at the end of the summer if I reached my goals, I hope for my sanity and that of my family we will!!!

Happy Summer!!!!

I'm Here! I'm Here!!

I promise I am here...I just noticed that it has been well over a month since my last post...

Lots has happened, but I am taking a big deep breat before lots more happens!! Michael and I figured out that our next "off" weekend is in 5 weeks! We are going camping this week, the lake the next, Disney for a week the next, camping again!!! We are crazy!

First and foremost I finished my semester!! It was awesome! I loved being in the classroom fulltime and was reminded that yes, I really do want to teach when I grow up!

The boys started their respective sports...Zack, baseball, Carter, soccer...

They are over now and I guess I have to start making dinner again!

I also went a fabulous vacation (wink, wink) with my WHOLE family...sisters, parent, niece, nephews, kiddos and no hubbies to the great state of Ohio! My 93 year old grandmother lives there and we went for a visit. It was wonderful to see her and she is an amazing woman. She lived through things and did things that I cannot even imagine. But she is as humble as they come. I remind myself over and over when I go through something just a little tough, that I have a little Agnes in me and I need to buck up!!

Grama paid for us to stay in a hotel (I can't imagine why she didn't want 11 people staying in her house). It had an indoor pool and places for the kids to run around. I'm not sure it was a good thing, but the hotel staff knew Carter by name.

Here are me, Molly and Megan with the girl cousins from my mom's side...I don't like standing next to them because they are all tall and skinny. Plus they run for fun rather than because some mad man is chasing them down...
Carter at the indoor pool!! He took the life jacket off soon after this and realized he could SWIM!!!

And here is Carter and my sweet Grama. Isn't she beautiful...I hope I age as well as she has. Carter was really sweet to her and was sure to love on her!! She ate it up!!

We had a family reunion of sorts while we where there...the Metzger side and the Kelley side. It was great to see my cousins, but so many people that I had no idea who they where!

I have also been busy helping my mom get a little business going. She was "forced" to retire at the end of last year and now she is starting a business to cushion their income and to continue to support their ministries. Go check it out... http://www.mykittywhampus.blogspot.com/

So summer is about to start...just two weeks left until school is out for the kids. I have grand plans for the summer. In between all of our travels I plan to be at the pool reading. So if you know of any good reads, let me know!!

Bad Hair Day

Why does it seem that sometimes the simplest things in life seem the hardest to actually DO????

I am stressed, I mean stressed. This is a huge semester for me. I am doing what at KSU we call TOSS, some call their methods, others call practicum, it is STRESSFUL. I have had since the beginning of January, 2 days a week at KSU and then 1 day a week at a public school. The work has been plentiful, but doable. But now I'm headed into the big stuff. 5 full days a week at the public school (which I am SO excited about) and then I have a 5 lesson unit that I actually have to write on paper rather than just have up in my head!!

I knew this was coming, I could look at my calendar and see the stress from a mile away. But here I am ready to be swallowed whole by my school work.

When I am stressed two major things happen...I eat too much and my hair breaks. Fat and bad hair...not pretty. And if you ask my kids they will probably say I have a short fuse!

But you know what I notice that if I put every action and thought through God first, I seem to manage. I seem more productive, less anxious and my hair looks a lot better. This is not new to me...this has been this way my whole life.

If I want to get through the next five weeks in one piece I MUST leave it all at the feet of the cross. But not just the next five weeks...everyday, all year. How blessed I know I am because God continues to pick me up and dust me off. I just wish I could remember this and not get so consumed by my stress.

You ask...He gives

So Michael and I are not great about going to church. We have been attending this one church for a couple of years, but we are not regulars. It is a great church, the music is awesome and the preaching is unbelievable. But we have let life get away from us. We have given the excuse lately that because it is so crowded we just don't feel like fooling with trying to get there early and get a seat, etc. etc. Plus, I hate to admit it, I have loved my Sunday mornings sleeping in...

But this past week I told God if you need me to be in church then I need a loud message because I love my Sunday mornings, and I need it to be loud. Well, I got it.

I got home from Nashville on Monday and we decided to be lazy and go to Stevie Bs pizza for dinner. There was this man in there and I swear he looked like a singer from Third Day, my favorite contemporary Christian band. But I was not going to ask him. But my ever so sweet husband asked him on our way out.

He laughed and said that no he wasn't but they where some of his friends. He then asked where we went to church. He said he was the creative arts director at West Cobb Church. He could not have been any nicer or kinder.

So I went home and said "okay, God, I get it. You have a place for us. I hear you...loud and clear." So I emailed the guy we met to let him know we will be there this Sunday.

UPDATE: So I was talking to my sweet mama about this today and she said "Well, just so you know, your Daddy and I where on our knees praying for all of our children by name Sunday night." When you ask God to reveal Himself, he always does.

Monumental

So that's what yesterday was for many Americans. Hopefully, no matter their political affiliation they saw the HUGENESS in yesterday. I, for one, did not support Barack Obama, but will support this administration now. I've noticed over the past two days that the people that where ignorant and said they didn't watch the inauguration, or didn't want to be a part of anything are truly sad people. These people, in my personal opinion, are the ones who make statements without research, who are stubborn and unwilling to listen to other people.

That being said... I still disagree with the policies he said he would implement during his campaign. I am a true conservative. I want less federal government and more control given to state and local governments. And the big idea for Democrats is to have bigger central government. I digress...

As I listened to his speech I was struck by how many times he said "hard work". I really really really really hope that we ALL will put in the hard work it is going to take to turn this ship around.

But here are the two points that I find myself still frustrated on:
First, the media and Liberals keep blaming George W. Bush and his administration for the problems our country is facing. Do we really think that all of these problems can lay firmly on the shoulders of one man? Really??? I don't. I think many people are to blame. People who are selfish and greedy. Everywhere from the big business man who was more interested in cushioning his books down to the ill-informed home buyer that bought a bigger house than they could afford. We are all to blame. I hope that when things really get "shook" out that Bush will come out better than he is right now.
Second, I really liked Obama's speech. I thought that it was what we all wanted to hear that day. That the United States is still strong and viable, just some hard work will get us back on track. And then Rev. Lowery came out. I was so excited to see him there. What a moment for him. So many times this man had worked tirelessly to help America achieve "the dream". He sacrificied so much. And in this moment he was able to say a prayer for our President and our country. I was so ready to applaud...and then...he said...
"And White will do what is right"... What? Did I just hear that right? Did he just make a racist statement while praying. Okay, I've heard it all before and I believe it. The white race has dominated American history. He first hand saw the suffering that racism has caused. But why here? Why now? Why did he have to bring up race?? I am a white woman that was raised in a home where racism was not tolerated, I raise my children in a home that does not distinguish people by the color of their skin. What am I doing that is so wrong that I must be prayed for because of the color of my skin. Reverend Lowery please tell me!!
Okay, I'm done.
On to another subject...are the Obama girls not the cutest things ever?? I will love watching them grow up!

Back at It!!!

I love the New Year. I love getting rid of stuff, putting the Christmas stuff away and starting NEW, FRESH!!! So I am back at life. Back to school, back to the every day tasks and back to losing weight!!!

I had success with Weight Watchers. I lost 20lbs. from March to June and kept it off!! Even through the holidays!!! But I'm ready to keep going. So I am putting it out there to be accountable. I am starting a very stressful semester and I am a stress eater!!!

Happy New Beginnings!!!

FIVE!!!

So rather than using the words Michael uses, I will use my words and I would describe myself as a little emotional over the past week. I always always get emotional around my kiddos' birthdays and yesterday was no exception!

CARTER TURNED 5!!!!

It was one of the absolute BEST birthdays I have ever shared with my children. If you asked him his favorite part he might say sharing his birthday with his school friends and having mommy and Kitty bring in a special treat to school, or going to see Santa, making an animal at Build a Bear, or having his daddy make spaghetti and meatballs AND macaroni and cheese.

But if you ask me, I will say something totally different. My favorite part was the one hour we had alone yesterday afternoon. We played a couple of games and sat on the sofa and snuggled and talked. I mean, life just does not get any better than that!

Carter can be a handful when he wants, but he surely knows how to turn the charm on.

Facebook Get Behind Thee!!!!

I am addicted. I love facebook. I am a social girl by nature and that I can socialize with that many people is a whole lot of fun. But through this election facebook became my soapbox and I am not normally one to get on a soapbox.

I got in more "discussions" with my Obama Mama friends and they turned pretty heated, pretty quick.

I really really really want to be excited about the historical significance of yesterday, but I just can't. I am going to admit here and now...I am not a moderate like I have said many times over. I am a conservative and I am proud of that. I will not waiver. I did not come to my political ideologies by listening to some talking head on TV or radio. It has been through prayer, research and reading my Bible.

I will not support a party, but rather people within a party that I feel like I can better align myself with, that represents me and my morals. And our new President and I do not share many values. I will respect the "Office" in which he holds and I will respect him as a man as long as he is honorable, but do not have to respect his policies.

When "W" was elected I was 25. No kids and a different person than I am now. I have not had to be a "political activist", but I might have to be now. No more excuses, no more trying to be "PC" but I will not be "in your face" about it either. There is a time and place for everything.

So facebook caused me to become more solid in my beliefs because I had to stand up for myself because no one else will!!! Should I thank it or just keep making wall posts???

This is for you Laura

Okay, Laura I revisited my blog and I will try to work on posting JUST FOR YOU!!!! As long as you keep lovin' on those sweet babies for me!!

I will not bore ALL of my readers (Laura) with the details of my life for the past two months. But here is the jist...school, school, baseball, Auburn football, PTA, you get the idea.

So here is what is going on in my brain today...I'm over it. I mean for real. I am so over this whole college thing. Here is what pushed me over today:
I am "TOSSing" next semester, in other words it is my method classes. Pretty intense, lots of work, etc. Well, I missed my 9:30 class this morning because I HAD to get to the dr. because I was sure I had a UTI (and boy did I!!). Anyway, I had heard that an advisor came down to talk to our class about TOSS. So I went to see her and see what info. I could pick up. So she pretty much bit my head off and said she didn't have time to answer my questions.
I was so pissed...I am not an average college student, I am 33, two kids and I am serious about this!! I don't skip class and I am diligent with my work. But I had to go to the dr., my husband was out of town to be there for his step-mother's surgery and his step father had his galbladder out, I found out that my oldest nephew got a concussion at his last football game and did I MENTION THAT I HAVE AN UTI!!!!!!!!

But let me put this in to perspective so that I will remember my blessings...I can get antibiotics easily and be CURED, my step father in law's surgery went really well and he can hope to be pain free soon, my step mother in laws surgery found VERY EARLY stage lung cancer, so she was "surgically cured" and my nephew just has to take it really easy for the next few days. And, I am going to be a teacher. I am doing what God has asked of me. He never said it would be easy and He never said I would always like it, but I am doing God's will everytime I step into a classroom, everytime I take a test, do a project or get chewed out by an advisor. How very blessed I am.

But...my heart is very heavy for my "step" mother in law. I'm so glad she was proactive and we are not staring at a different set of circumstances a year later. But I just want to be near her and tell her how much I love her and am so proud of her. She has all of her children, sister and husband near her, but I want to be there too...but I have to keep the fort down here. I will see her at Thanksgiving and I will call her and tell her these things over and over until she tells me to hush.

So there is my entry after TWO MONTHS...love me or visit me on facebook!!!
xoxox

Mourning my Mornings

Everyone told me my time would come, but I was so busy rushing those boys to grow up I didn't pay any attention to them. But my time is here. I miss my boys being little and staying home full time with them.

Zack is in First Grade and Carter is in Pre-K full time and I miss them. I miss being in charge, deciding what time they should wake up and what we will do all day. I drove by what is lovingingly referred to as the "McNasty" on Whitlock and I yearned for all of the playdates after preschool. It seemed like at the time that I felt controled by my circumstances, but now that I look back on them, my circumstances where my freedom.

Now I am regulated by all of our schools. What time I can drop someone off, pick them up, when I need to go to class. And I have signed on for this for the REST OF MY LIFE. I know I am headed where God needs me to be, but sometimes I just feel lonely for motherhood. I have loved being a mother and I know my job is far from over. I will mother those boys the rest of my life.

Carter has been giving me a hard time in the mornings. The school he is going to is completely new to both of us. And they do many things different from our old school. Michael said "Michelle, no school except for Weekday will ever live up to your standards." and I think he is right. I feel so blessed that for so long I had my children in an environment that was nuturing, loving and of course educational. They are now in the "public" setting. I am the biggest supporter of public education, but the loss of control I feel is a little unsettling.

But God didn't give me these boys to control. He gave them to me to raise and to teach them how to be independent men of God. I need God to help me let go of them, but cherish the stage in life they are in. I need to look forward to the next stages in life...baseball, boy scouts, reading, writing, friends, etc. etc.

Thank you God for giving me two precious boys to love and to honor You by raising them the way you have commanded me.

Do you hear that? Me neither!

My house is so quiet. Both the boys are at school today. You would think I would be excited, but I do NOT like being alone!! I start classes a week from today and I'm sure I will be wishing for a week like this. I have some very exciting things lined up:

• clean my closet
• clean the dining room (also known as the catch all room)
• put away laundry
• clean out my car then go have it cleaned, because it needs a professionals attention
• and if I do all my "chores" maybe I'll treat myself to a pedicure!!!

So here are some pictures from our last few days of summer and then of course the first day of school!!!!

This is a picture of the boys with our neighbor "Mr. Alan". He spent the summer throwing my boys high into the air and every now and then convinced his friends to get in on the action!! Thanks "Mr. Alan"!!!

UP UP AND AWAY!!!

Friday night Michael and I had a date at our usual stomping grounds, Taco Mac. And this was a VERY special occasion because I made it to 125 beers!! That means I am an official Passport Member!! I get to drink out of the "big mug" and my name will be on the wall plaque...my mother will be so proud!!! Yes, those are our bartenders, Bob and Annette, and yes I buy them a Christmas present.

We spent some time Saturday on Marietta Square...it was a beautiful day!
And back to school...

Carter wouldn't let me take his picture. He feels about like his mommy does about waking up!!! All on our own time!!!

Okay, so it's not even 10:30 am and I am already avoiding my chores...I better get to it!!!

Conquering fear

I have been relatively quiet on my blog not only because of the business of life, but we have had a roadblock come up in our happy little family. I don't feel comfortable putting it out there for the world to read because I need to protect my family. But let me say this I was given a HUGE wake up call when it comes to the safety of my children. I no longer am taking for granted that there are always nice people around to help me protect my children. So because of what happened I have been deeply upset and unable to sit still. Well, all of the things I have had going on are over and it is time for me to face the music. God really does need me to be still and listen.

I have had amazing support, between my sweet precious husband who only wants to see his family heal, to my sisters, parents, in-laws and my dear precious friends. But even with all of this love and support the fear that has sat inside of me has almost consumed me. The feeling that I failed as a mother, protector has taken root and won't let go. So my options have been plow through or go get professional help.

So stay with me here...
We have been taking our boys to the lake since they where little bitty. This is Zack's 4th summer getting behind a boat in some fashion. But at the beginning of the summer something clicked in his little head and he decided he could not do this right now. We never pushed him, just gently reminded him how much fun he had in the past on the tube and asked everytime we where out on the water if he wanted to try, he would say "no".
Well, this past weekend he decided he was going to do it. I looked over and his little hands where shaking he was so nervous. My heart was beating wildly. I know the fear that he had and I wanted him to break free of it and go back to enjoying the tube. Whatever had taken hold of him, I wanted it to let go! He rode that tube, it was slow, but he did it. I was so extremely proud of him that I just burst into tears. Then not only did he ride that tube, he started acting goofy and having a great time. He's not riding wild around the lake yet, but he will get there.

So back to me...
Last night after almost a week and a half away from home, away from the problems that surrounded me, away from the fear that had taken root, I heard God tell me to be quiet and listen. This always makes me anxious, because when God has to tell me loudly to listen He has something major to tell me. I have also learned that when God asks me to do something and I am obedient, I am always blessed.

I started my prayers last night and begged God to take this fear. I do not want to live a life in fear anymore. Last night as I sat in the quiet, I meditated on my children. These two wonderful blessings that God gave me. I heard clearly God tell me to pray with my children. That's all I heard, for me to pray with my children. I told God that I would obey and I fell asleep quickly and hard. When I woke up I remembered what God asked me to do. So later that day I got Zack alone in my room and we talked about how courageous he was to get on that tube. I told him that I wanted to be courageous too and that I would like for us to pray and ask God to take the fear away from me. And my sweet little boy sat there and prayed with me and held my hands and together we asked God to give us courage.

Over the past few weeks I have not been able to go alone in public with just my children. I have always needed someone with me. But today I did it. I went to Publix and Target, just me and my boys. And it felt good. God took my fear and He gave me freedom. Trust and obey.

"I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."
Psalm 34:4

Time for a Little Quiet

It has been almost a month since my last post!! Life has been crazy...

I have finished the semester, I think this one will go down in history as the most annoying semester EVER!!! We went to the beach for a week (awesome), I worked on and attended my 15 year high school reunion, I recovered from my 15 year reunion, stared at my dearest friend Laura that is pregnant with twins, I have discovered Facebook (I know I am a late bloomer), traveled to Nashville to meet my new baby nephew (yum) and now I am here at the lake.

I have to admit I'm ready for some quiet. We have a week until Monday that the kiddos go back to school (ugh) and then a week after that I go back. I'd love to fantasize about what this coming week is going to be like. Trips to the pool, reading a book, but I know that is not going to happen. I know God needs me to be quiet. He is having a hard time getting through to me with all of the busy signals.

Just so you know...

we are enjoying our new hardwood floors!!!!!!

I'm an Adult, Right??

Being in college again makes me feel like I am 20 again...sometimes. But every now and then, I need to remind myself, I'm an adult, I make my own choices and I deal with my own consequences.

We are headed to the beach on Saturday for a week with my whole family. This is a big trip to celebrate my parents 40th Anniversary! We planned this trip last year knowing that I was going to be in school, but it was honestly the best time to take this trip. I will be missing a week of school, but I have made arrangements and it seems like things will be good.

But I have this one professor that thinks it is wrong for me to be gone and questioned my judgement on taking classes this summer knowing that I would take off a week. I really let her comment get to me until I talked to my sister Megan and she reminded me that I am an adult, not 20. I made the best decision for my family and I will deal with whatever consequences come my way... Plus I have been in this class for over a month now and after what I have seen of her lectures, I won't really be missing much :)

FaceLogic

Some good friends of my sister Megan's, Doug and Michelle Christian are opening up a new business in Kennesaw. For all of you West Cobb folks I think this is going to be a real treat!! They are scheduled to open July 12th.

Check 'em out...
http://facelogic.wordpress.com/

Before and After

Well, I have the morning off from two of my classes and rather than working on school work I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share what we have been doing in the house. We have lived here for a little over 3 years and when we bought the house Michael and I loved the layout but there was not a lot that had been done to it. The people who owned it before us where British and had no children living with them. The house was immaculate except for the 15 Glad plug ins we took out when we moved in! We are still trying to get the Orchard Blossom smell out of our house! We have painted almost every room, replaced light fixtures, hardware on cabinets. Michael has renovated the front and back yards (that's a post for another day), replaced the spindles on the deck, stained the deck, tile in the bathrooms, hardwood floors, we have replaced both heating and air units and I think we will be looking at painting the house in the next couple of years!

I have been waiting to do this until I knew my house would be clean, but that never happened, so you will have to see my house dirt and all. But I like the saying that says "If you came to see me, come on over. If you came to see my house, make an appointment!" All of the "before" pictures where taken when we did the inspection of the house.

So here is the kitchen. We love our kitchen. It is big and bright and open. We love to entertain and people seem to congregate in the kitchen. We did a lot in the kitchen. It had wallpaper, which we took down and had the kitchen painted. We had new countertops and backsplash, new appliances and new floors!

So here is before:

and after:

The "formal" living room is used as our home office. I have thought about moving it upstairs into the bonus room many times, but since Michael and I spend a lot of time in here on the computer it is nice that we are on the main level with the kids. Plus a formal living room is such a waste of space for our family!! The paint color in here was awful. During the day it was the color of urine and at night it turned into a pea green color. Michael really fought for this blue color and I in turn fought back, but I gave up and he won. Now that it is painted I really love it. We are actually going to paint our bedroom the same color because it is such a peaceful color!! This is one of the rooms that we definitely live in the most. We have our desk, which is where I study, do reunion stuff, blog, talk on the phone, etc. and Zack has his easel, and the boys will read in the red chair. So it is well used, so excuse the mess!!!
So here is before:

And after:

Here is our dining room. We never use our dining room except on special occasions and even then I prefer to eat in the kitchen. So I use it as "catch all" room. If I'm not sure of what to do with something I put it there until I'm ready to deal with it!!

Before:
And after:

This is one of my favorite rooms. The boys bathroom. All of our bathrooms had carpet in them when we bought the house. That made Michael almost not want to buy the house. Since then, all three bathrooms have been tiled and he is much happier. I think if Michael could scour the whole house in bleach that would make him happy!!!

So here is before: (not a very good shot)

and after:
And even though all we did to the boys room was paint it, it shows you the difference in how the previous owners lived and us! The boys share a room. I said as soon as Carter was old enough they would. They are too young and small to take up two whole rooms in my house. I'm not sure how much they like it, but they don't complain! The room is so big that we not only use it for their bedroom it is their playroom as well. So I have to just get over that it doesn't stay clean!
Before:

and after:

We still have lots we want to do. We are getting new carpet in the den/sunroom sometime this summer. Hopefully in the winter we are going to replace the wood spindles on our staircase with iron ones. We still have some painting to do, but we hopefully have many more years in this house!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Catfish!!! UGH!!

So I am posting from Smithville, Tennessee in the comfort of my in-laws beautfiul lakehome overlooking Center Hill Lake. We had a great day on the lake, playing, skiing, tubing and EATING!!!

For someone who is on Weight Watchers this is NOT the place to be. I have had more fried food in the past two days than I have had in the last 2 months!! I had catfish for dinner last night, lunch today and dinner tonight. I'm not kidding. I feel like I am about to EXPLODE!!!

And to make matters worse we are headed to a family reunion in Kentucky tomorrow and you know there won't be anything that will keep the weight off.

But Monday is a new day and that's what I love about Weight Watchers. I haven't been really strict with myself in the last month, but I'm still losing a little bit of weight. Not much, but at least I'm not gaining!! I really love having this 20 pounds off and I have gone down a size, so I know if I work hard I will see results.

Well, me and all the catfish are headed to bed. We have to be up bright and early to head to KY. Hopefully, they won't be serving catfish!!!