Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Home Improvement

Well, while the hubby's away, the wifey will...redecorate!

Yes, that's what I've been doing since Sunday. I had to keep my initial efforts on the Q-T since hubby was going to make one last trip home Monday to take care of Monday morning staff meeting and a must-keep appointment. But now he's in Leroy for the duration unless an emergency crops up.

Anyhow, he's been lamenting the sad state of our home--it's been in a holding pattern on various projects for many years because our business and our employees require so much maintenance. And by the time hubby has dealt with all of that, he's too tired to tackle much of anything else. Our living room, specifically, needs an overhaul--especially since the kitchen now looks soooo nice.

So I decided to tackle the living room project while the boys are out of the house and as a surprise and part early anniversary (7/19) gift for hubby. You know that show that used to be on HGTV--the one where a room was redecorated for $500 or less?? Well, that's my goal.

I've picked out a color scheme, which conveniently ties into the kitchen. I've removed moldings and washed down the walls. I've moved everything out of the living room I could move by myself. I've removed wall plates. I've removed nails.

I'm just about ready for the next step--getting the front window finished on the inside. I need my father-in-law for that. After that's done, it'll be time to paint! Woo hoo! That's my favorite part of any project. I'll need my FIL again for putting up the new molding, and possibly louvered doors, and possibly shelving.

But whatever I can do by myself, I will, I just don't have the upper body or arm strength to use a power drill or air gun. But hey... my girls do! Believe it or it not, my oldest daughter is quite procient in the use of power tools--a must for any modern woman, no?? ;)

After all of that--and I wish it were going to be as quick and easy as it sounds here--it'll be time to re-hang wall decorations, add a few new plants, and re-arrange the furniture. And wa-la--a brand new living room.

Well, one day, and one task at a time.

I hope he likes it...

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The Camping Life...sorta...

Well, hubby is ensconced in Leroy, Texas once again for the annual fireworks selling binge. This is so that he can pay for what he himself shoots. We may actually see a profit this year--finally. But that isn't the subject of this post.

We have a pop-up trailer with a small pull-out section. It can sleep up to six (un)comfortably. And praise be--we had an A/C installed on the thing when we bought it back in '01. So hubby and son have the pop-up pulled up next to the fireworks stand. Can't leave leave those suckers unattended once you get them stocked.


It's like camping--only more high-tech. We have it hooked up to electricity--you can't run a fireworks stand for ten days in 100 degree plus heat and not have access to cold air--unless you're a masochist. But I digress...

For the past two years hubby has made a daily early-morning trek to the Chevron station for ice to keep the drinking water cold. This year, we bought a small fridge. We now also have wireless Internet access for hubby and xBox 360 for the son to while away the days...not to mention the Nintendo DS (a hand held game) and the new game mom (that's me) was coerced into buying. Well--he offered, without complaint, to stay with dad and help--I thought a little reward wasn't out of line.

So they are there for the duration now, while the girls (the daughters and the canines) and I hold down the fort. We got plans, but I'll mention those in a day or two...

Monday, June 15, 2009

My Birthday, Part II

Well, a lovely day was had moi!

Olive Garden was delish as expected. I was sung to by the happy servers there, too.

I got to open my gifts between courses (such as they were). So my list of goodies is as follows:

1. lovely bouquet of flowers
2. iTunes gift card (there's a new game for my iPod, and some new tunes, of course)
3. a nail care kit and a couple of lovely nail polish colors
4. a laptop bag
5. a new laptop (now I really have to get a real manuscript finished so I can justify this gift...argh!!!)

Anywho, it was relatively inexpensive as laptops go, but it has wireless capability so I can access the Internet and e-mail from home now. Woo hoo! It's about the size of large hard-back book, but much, much lighter weight. (Thanks, Hubby!)

And then yesterday, we spent another lovely day out on the lake/boat. It was beautiful. We found a great spot with shade and a breeze off the water so it didn't feel as hot as it actually was. We had three of my oldest daughter's friends with us, and hubby had a grand old time, 'cause these boys were fearless in the tube.

So...happy birthday to me again!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Yes, today is my birthday.

I found a lovely bouquet of flowers from my husband when I arrived at work today--I honestly thought he forgot 'cause he didn't say anything this morning when he left.

And tonight we're going out to eat at my favorite restaurant...Olive Garden--chocolate raspberry cheesecake anyone??

Happy birthday to me;
Happy birthday to me;
Happy birthday to meeee.....
Happy birthday to me!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

A time to be proud...

My younger daughter graduates high school this evening. Family and friends will be gathering to watch and then celebrate afterwards.

And if just graduating isn't enough, let's add National Honor Society member, National Society of High School Scholars member, and magna cum laude to her list of accomplishments. Not only that, but she mentioned she may be getting some sort of pin to acknowledge that she's graduating with more than the requisite credits.

And really, let's just go all out, she's already got one credit to her name at the community college she'll be attending in the fall.

*And* she's got a job in a field related to her field of study. (She's working at a daycare--she's pursuing elementary education.)

It's a great day at our house!

Monday, June 1, 2009

It's time for fun in the sun...

We took the boat out yesterday and spent a lovely day in the sun and out on the water. We found a small little beach and off-loaded the ice chest and the camping chairs. I spent most of the day on the beach enjoying the warmth and the water lapping my feet. I even got some writing time in.

My daughter finally got the hang of water skiing. She's can't ski for long stretches yet, but she was able to actually get herself up out of the water and cover a short distance. Our son and his friend did a little tubing but mainly frolicked in the water.

It was a glorious day to be on the lake--lots of people thought so. ;) I took care to keep the sun screen on, not to mention a long-sleeved shirt (light-weight) shirt, so I came away from the day no worse for wear. The boys, on the other hand, are pretty red.

But a good time was had by all.