Making Progress!

A few posts back I declared this as the Year of Serious Home Improvement. :)

Well, hopefully...

Anyway, we are off to a good start.

I've made a list of projects to complete this week AND next week. Fortunately they are projects that I can work on while Brandon is at work (assuming Riley cooperates!) and then he can help me with "his part" in the evenings.

Today I purchased a TV stand from Walmart...
I had seen it online and it seemed to be just what we needed. According to the website, they don't carry it in the store so we knew we would have to order it.
On a random trip down the furniture aisle today, Riley and I happened upon the TV stand we saw online!
I bought it. I brought it home. I assembled it... Brandon had to help me with some of it. :)

I'm normally quite good at following directions and assembling furniture, but I had some problems with this one.
In my defense, the directions were stupid! Only pictures. No words. NONE.

Once I figured out what I did wrong, it was a pretty simple fix... it just required an extra set of hands.

It started out like this... yes, I assembled it AROUND the toys on the floor!

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The finished product.

It now houses the Wii... that means the Wii is out of my living room!

I'm shopping around for some small baskets or plastic bins to hold the Wii accessories.

This may not seem like a serious home improvement project to some people, but it's something we've just been putting off and now I can check it off of my "to-do list"!! :)

Yesterday, Brandon cut another shelf for the bathroom closet... we've only been saying we would do that since October 2005.

On list list to work on the rest of the week:
*Moulding in the guest room
*A window treatment in the guest room

I'll take pictures when it's done.

I know. I know. My guest room was supposed to be finished by Labor Day. Then I told you it would be done before Christmas... BUT... I decided on a few other things I wanted to add to the original list so HOPEFULLY it will be done this week. :)

Monday Mumblings: Injuries and whatnot

1. My tooth is "less loose" today.

2. I grind my teeth at night so I'm kind of surprised it didn't fall out over night!

3. I had to take Brandon to the eye doctor this morning.

4. He had a "cornea abrasion"... the culprit? Riley.
After my post yesterday, are you really very surprised?

5. This is his 2nd cornea abrasion in 5 years!
The first one was courtesy of Chandler at 7 months old... babies have SHARP fingernails!

6. Currently he's laying in the bed attempting to sleep.

7. I asked him if I could lay in the bed all day if I had a cornea abrasion. :)

8. He threatened to give me one! :)

9. I had a leftover cupcake (from Chandler's party) for breakfast this morning... that's been the highpoint of the day so far!

10. I finally printed my pictures from Australia. They are going into a fun photo album today... I bought it at Target back in October.

*sigh* Here's to hoping that this day gets better from here!

*sigh*

This has just been one of THOSE days.

I'm not even really sure why... it just has.

We got off to a rocky start this morning. There was a cup of coffee, a small child and a brand new off white turtle neck shirt all involved... just as we were walking out the door to church. *sigh*

Church.
Lunch at Cracker Barrel with Brian & Trish.

Home to clean...
We all helped clean the girls' room... it was a disaster!

I sat down for a minute to help Chandler with a Mario Kart race course (Mario Kart for the Wii was her birthday gift from me and Brandon)... in the midst of helping Chandler, Riley was wiggling all over my lap... screaming... she popped up and hit my chin with her head... the result? I now have a loose bottom front tooth and a tiny chip in my top front tooth. *sigh*

Worked in the kitchen... Washed the top of the fridge. :) Cleaned the counters. Washed them down with disinfectant wipes.

Washed 4 loads of laundry and still have atleast 2 more to do. *sigh*

Brandon put a frozen pizza in the oven for dinner.

Riley refused to eat her pizza. Instead, she ate the cheese out of my salad.

Apparently she's still hungry... this is what I just found...

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Please ignore my nasty floor... it's time to mop!

Riley carried her stool into the kitchen and helped herself to several handfuls of Hershey's Kisses. *sigh*

Is it bedtime yet?

Bowling...

Today we had Chandler's birthday party at the bowling alley... is it just me, or does it seem like Chandler's birthday has lasted for FOREVER!?!?!?

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She got a birthday bowling pin. :)
All of her friends signed it at the end of the party.

Here are just a few of my favorites from the day...

Doesn't she look so grown up... leaning against the wall with that smirky little smile. :)

Riley eating her pizza... literally right off of the plate!

It was a lot of fun.
I think all of the kids enjoyed themselves.
I KNOW Chan and Riley did. :)

Success!

Rumors

Rumor has it that Delta Airlines will soon be offering a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Sydney.

I get inside info because Cousin Brett works at the airport in Atlanta AND his dad, my Uncle Mike, works for Delta. :)

Delta just merged with Northwest Airlines and this flight will be something new starting in June... but like I said, rumor has it.

So, if any of my lovely Australian blogging buddies are considering a trip to the east coast of the United States... I'm only 2.5 hours from Atlanta AND we have a guest room!

I'm excited because maybe this means a return trip to Sydney isn't 10+ years away like I was afraid it might be! :)

Anyone up for a trip?


***Edited to add: Cousin Brett has just informed me that the flight will NOT be non-stop from Atlanta to Sydney, but they will have an L.A. to Sydney flight beginning July 1st. That's still happy news!

Where you can find me...

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I was inspired by Jaime's picture on January 2nd.

So, there's a lot to learn from this picture... you ready?

Let's start with my phone... laying in front of the keyboard.
*I LOVE MY NEW PHONE! It's red... that alone makes me love it, but it's cool too! :)

My hands...
*I always type with my fingers on the correct keys... Thank you ole' what's-her-name that taught my 6th grade keyboard class. :)

My arm...
*I LOVE MY NEW PJS!!! I got them this week at Target. They are bright pink with white piping and have little gingerbread men on them. I saw them back before Christmas and REALLY wanted them, but I resisted... until this past Wednesday. :) Got them for 50% off!! YAY ME!

To the left of my arm...
*Scrapbook resources and supplies. The books, binders and magazines are all ideas for fantastic pages that are just WAITING for me! The white plastic organizer holds all sorts of fun scrapbook supplies... stickers, embellishments, notecards with more ideas on them, etc...

In the middle of the picture, behind the keyboard...
*My miniature Eiffel Tower bought all the way from Paris by non other than... Cousin Brett. :) Brett's brother, Bobby, is in the AirForce and is currently stationed at a base in Ramstein, Germany. Brett and his parents (Aunt Karen and Uncle Mike) went to visit Bobby this past year and I requested this little Eiffel Tower...
One day, I'll see the real thing... up close and personal. :)

On my computer monitor...
*Simplify. One of my many goals for myself. In so many different areas of life. This little rub on serves as a daily reminder.



Tonight, Melanie sent me a text message with an offer to meet her at the theatre for a girl's night out... Brandon gave me the "go ahead" and I was off!
We saw, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"... I really enjoyed it, but I cried... a lot. :)
*It has renewed my love for Brad Pitt (who honestly, was becoming less and less attractive me as of late). His New Orleans accent (in my opinion) was spot on and VERY charming!
*Cate Blanchett was STUNNING! Her skin is gorgeous!
*It made me want to take ballet lessons!


On a much more serious note...
Please pray for my high school friend, Kim.
Kim and her husband, Neill, are expecting twins. They had a bit of a scare today... I'm not 100% sure how far along she is, but she's far enough for the girls (identical twin girls) to be born next week... They are measuring about 5 lbs each... I've heard that's a good weight for twins.
There is some concern about gallstones in Baby A and Baby B has some calcification on her chest and in the placenta.
Kim was sent for tests this evening. Once the results are back, they will make a decision about delivery.
Kim is worried (what mom wouldn't be?!?!), but she has faith in her doctor and has been encouraged by how pro-active the doctor has been. NICU has already been briefed on Kim's pregnancy and they are ready for the girls when the time comes.

I have faith in God and He knows exactly what He's doing.

So please say a prayer for Kim, Neill and their families. They need peace, wisdom and comfort right now.

'Nother one stolen....

Stole this from Kristy... again. :)

It's helping me get motivated to finish my 30 things to do before I'm 30 list.

Things I have done in my life (in bold):

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (I guess marching band counts, right?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (scrapbooking)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (well technically I just helped Brandon!)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (I'm actually going to start training for a 1/2 marathon... pray for me!)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (I think my mom actually did more of the selling part!)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (no, but I've had chicken hearts!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square (maybe this year???)
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (only fractures)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (I rode with my dad when I was little... I don't know if it was a speeding motorcycle or not!)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club (It starts on Jan. 15!!)
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Wow... I haven't done much. :)

A little prayer...

Say a quick prayer for my friend,Emily. I just heard that she's headed to the hospital to deliver a sweet, new baby boy... this will be her 3rd child. :)

Can't wait to meet him!

Ah the Birthday Crown!

So, I know you are just DYING to hear.... Did Chandler get to wear the Birthday Crown?

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Yes. Yes she did!

I dropped Chandler off at school this morning and then headed home to get Riley and myself ready for the day.
I dropped Riley off at Becky's house and headed back to Chandler's school.

I got there just as her class was walking to the cafeteria.

We sat together at lunch. I watched her interact with her classmates... priceless! They are too funny!
Have you ever had lunch with 20 kindergarten students?? It's an experience EVERY parent should have! :)

We passed out the cupcakes. Some of the kids were SO polite! I was very impressed... "Thank you for the cupcakes Chandler's mom." :)

I went back to her class for about an hour... I was very interested to see what she actually does in her class. It was very insightful... she knows a whole lot more than she lets on at home! Sneaky kid!

I left her as her class was lining up to go to the computer lab.

It was a great day!

**Tomorrow the nice guy from Lowe's is coming to measure for our new front door!! WOO HOO!

So all in all it wasn't too bad...

Chandler ended up having a nice birthday.

She thanks you all for your lovely thoughts and wishes for a happy day!

She had phone calls from friends and family in addition to your comments, e-mails, and Facebook messages.

First there was a call from Evan. If you ask Chandler about it, she will tell you, "he called ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA!"

Followed by calls from Grammy & Squire, Gran & Chief, and Aunt Erin (sorry we didn't call you back Erin!)

We went to the post office to pick up a packaged and she informed me that this was, "the biggest package EVER!"
Thanks Gran... your timing was PERFECT!

We came home and she unwrapped all of the treasures inside the "biggest package ever".

At church tonight she got a gift of CASH from a friend of ours and she even found a CROWN to wear!

So she was a happy camper as she climbed into bed tonight (in her new PJs from Gran)... especially after she remembered that tomorrow we are having lunch together and cupcakes with her class!

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I just can't believe that she's 6 years old!