Never Forget Where You Came From

My grandma is 94. Almost 2 years ago, she suffered from a bad stroke leaving the left side of her body paralyzed. She is ready to go to heaven, but for some reason, God is keeping her here. She is a strong woman, and someone I hope to be like someday. Everyone who knows her, loves her. We cherish our times with her now, even if they are short. I had the privelage of visiting with her again this past Saturday, and sharing her with my children. She will be leaving an awesome legacy someday.

Summer Fun!!!

Believe it or not, we did do other activities this summer besides decorating! The kids and I spent countless hours at the pool, and I watched Elle turn into a little swimmer and Jack, well, you just have to be there to understand. The child does backward and frontward sommersaults in the water, perfectly round. He "swims like Michael Phelps" (so I'm told) as he propels himself 6 feet across flayling his arms all over as though he were doing the front crawl. And then there is the countless "hand stands" (again, so I'm told). The pool was warm and great fun. It closes on Friday. It's a very sad thing.

The pics you see here were taken at the sprinkler park. Gramps B took them there while I was at the dentist. Enjoy!!! I love summer.

The New TreeHouse Fireplace!!!

Eat your heart out, Trading Spaces!! Welcome to the new and improved great room at the treehouse!!

For your viewing enjoyment, please notice the first picture is of the new fireplace, followed by 3 BEFORE pictures, followed by all the wonderful AFTER pictures. Please notice the new carpet, the take down of the walls that separate the kitchen and living room, the stone half walls that replaced them, and the new paint colors in both rooms. Also, there is no longer an ugly white and brass ceiling fan, and the brass can lights have been painted black. The last picture of Elle showcases the fireplace insert.

Dean is making the first fire tonite. I can hardly wait.

Comments welcome :o)

Did you know...........?????

.....that when you rip up carpet, you not only rip up the carpet and padding, but EVERY.SINGLE.STAPLE needs to be pulled up as well????????

I didn't know that. Now I know.

It's finally OUR house!

I apologize if you are sick of reading blogs about the renovations to my house, but since it's my blog filled with stories from my life, I guess you must just deal with it.

Truthfully, house projects are all that's been happening in my life lately...so read on.

Yes, it is finally feeling like my house. How can that be, you may wonder?? It's true, I've been painting rooms of the house all year long...whittling away at the pink, mauve, peach, navy, more pink, darker mauve and even the IrishSpring Green walls that greeted us here when we moved in. BUT our main living area (kitchen and fireplace room) have remained pink (i.e. UGLY) until now. With the take down of some walls, the gutting of a fireplace, and now new paint in all the rooms, I can finally feel at home in my kitchen and new great room! I literally spent all weekend painting the kitchen, and it was so worth it. It's definately not a "Joel line" across the ceiling, but I don't know if anyone can ever match that. It still looks good enough for me, and I'm the one that lives here :o)

SO...this is my last housing post until the big post coming August 12...Befores and Afters of the whole shootin' match! You seriously won't believe it's the same house!!!!

Construction Update, Part II

I've been getting a lot of questions about when I'm going to blog OUR NEW FIREPLACE :o) Yes, that's right. It's finished!! Along with the new half walls. All real stone looking quite tuscan/european. I can't wait to show it all to you....BUT...I'm waiting patiently for the new carpet to go in on August 11! In the meantime, I have already painted the new living room and am currently dreading the kitchen that is looming in front of me. By August 11, everything should be painted, new carpet, new light fixtures...everything but new furniture. Then I will show you. I promise!!! Until then...paint on.

(Joel...I need you!!!!)