Vacation with the Barlows, Popes and Elmores x 2
Vacation! "K"!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Maria and Brandon cooked an incredible Pork Tenderloin, Orzo and roasted Green Beans
Tom and I cooked a Greek meal of Grilled Chicken, Tsadziki Sauce and Roasted Green Beans.
Okay... Tom really did all the grilling
Thursday, June 25, 2009
We are having an awesome vacation with family and friends.
This is Rudy making homemade Pizza dough and we enjoyed his delicious pizzas. Yay Rudy!
"When the moon hits you eye like a big Pizza pie"
Bon Appitito
Monday, June 22, 2009
Hey friends,
We are packing the last few things before heading to the beach today for a week of sand, sun and surf. My sister Maria and her family are joining us from Dallas Texas, our best friends Lisa and Rudy with the daughter (our god-daughter) Mallory and then our kids are popping down for the weekend.
I'll try to post a few pictures while we are away.
We're planning a week of Wii tennis tournaments, Canasta and a Boccie Ball on the Beach.
Meanwhile the renovations will continue in our absence and the team will be completing the bathrooms and putting in some hardwood floors. Woo Hoo!
Happy Summer Vacation Friends
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Here we today. The stairwell before and during.
At this very moment this small opening is now being widen to accommodate a new cabinet in the Master Bath.
Here's the Master Bath before and during.
At this very moment this small opening is now being widen to accommodate a new cabinet in the Master Bath.
Here's the Master Bath before and during.
I can't wait to show you the large hole in the wall.
See you later friends, I'm off to choose tile and toilet tissue holders.
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hey friends,
The great bathroom renovation continues and the Master Bath now has holes in the wall and only half a floor (pictures tomorrow).
It seems the builder of our 26 year old home did not install the proper sub flooring in that bathroom and now the workers are busy adding the necessary and proper floor supports.
Greaaaaaaaaaaaat!
It's been exciting to arrive home at the end of each day to see the progress made by professionals who care to do their very best. Ray, Brian and Matt not only know what they are doing, they do what they know with excellence, all day, every day. They go to great lengths to care for our home and our belongings as if they were their own. They clean their work area each day so well, one can hardly tell they were ever in our home (except for the plastic on the floors, and tools in the extra bedroom).
I'm confident the end result will be well worth every minute of inconvenience, and every pound of dust. Yes, I said pound of dust. Ripping out tiles, walls and floors makes a mess. Thank heavens for a shop vac. Hey, maybe that would be a good Father's Day gift for Tom... guess I should ask him if he would like that.
Anyway, I'm off to a church meeting. I'll post some photos tomorrow.
PS I found more of that evil wallpaper hiding behind the toilet on the Master Bath.
I'm thinking of keeping it as a reminder of the dangers of hidden evil.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
For those of you who LOVE your wallpaper, let me just say You can have it!
As far as I'm concerned...Wallpaper is evil!
I spent the better part of the weekend steaming and scraping, scraping and steaming wallpaper from our powder room and the hall bath.
If that weren't bad enough, I was only able to remove 1 of the 3 layers of paper from the powder bath and most of the paper from the hall bath.
I've had little bits of wallpaper and backing stuck in my hair,
on my arms and on my rear bumper for 2 days.
I'm sorry you missed it, I looked so attractive arriving at my friends big birthday bash Saturday night with tiny pieces of wallpaper hanging from my pretty, pretty princess shoe.
Sorry, I digress. Because of that evil wallpaper I've now had to hire professionals to remove the remaining layers, patch and repair the walls (so much for staying on budget... I've completely forsaken my goal of finishing under budget).
I know you're going to ask and yes the walls were primed before that evil wallpaper was put up.
Evil, I say. Wallpaper is evil!
I wish I had some great spiritual metaphor for the layers of evil stuff that hides in our lives only to covered up my more stuff but I'm too exhausted and I can't find my brain today.
I just noticed I arrived at the office with chipped nail polish and my shoes and accessories don't match my outfit. Are you kidding me? What was I thinking?
I obviously did NOT look in the mirror before leaving the house.
Trying to get showered and dressed each morning using a different sink, tub and toilet in three different bathrooms before the workers arive doesn't leave time to coordinate ones clothes and accessories.
Poor Tom, this morning he had to do squats while trying to shave.
The mirror we're currently using in the hall bath is at navel level instead of eye level.
You go sweetie, squeeze those buns if steel!
Okay, enough of the whining and complaining .
But I still think wallpaper is evil!
As far as I'm concerned...Wallpaper is evil!
I spent the better part of the weekend steaming and scraping, scraping and steaming wallpaper from our powder room and the hall bath.
If that weren't bad enough, I was only able to remove 1 of the 3 layers of paper from the powder bath and most of the paper from the hall bath.
I've had little bits of wallpaper and backing stuck in my hair,
on my arms and on my rear bumper for 2 days.
I'm sorry you missed it, I looked so attractive arriving at my friends big birthday bash Saturday night with tiny pieces of wallpaper hanging from my pretty, pretty princess shoe.
Sorry, I digress. Because of that evil wallpaper I've now had to hire professionals to remove the remaining layers, patch and repair the walls (so much for staying on budget... I've completely forsaken my goal of finishing under budget).
I know you're going to ask and yes the walls were primed before that evil wallpaper was put up.
Evil, I say. Wallpaper is evil!
I wish I had some great spiritual metaphor for the layers of evil stuff that hides in our lives only to covered up my more stuff but I'm too exhausted and I can't find my brain today.
I just noticed I arrived at the office with chipped nail polish and my shoes and accessories don't match my outfit. Are you kidding me? What was I thinking?
I obviously did NOT look in the mirror before leaving the house.
Trying to get showered and dressed each morning using a different sink, tub and toilet in three different bathrooms before the workers arive doesn't leave time to coordinate ones clothes and accessories.
Poor Tom, this morning he had to do squats while trying to shave.
The mirror we're currently using in the hall bath is at navel level instead of eye level.
You go sweetie, squeeze those buns if steel!
Okay, enough of the whining and complaining .
But I still think wallpaper is evil!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Here's a look at some of the "befores and durings" of the hall bath renovation. 
Ray and his team are just great!
Not only are they skilled and talented workers,
they also clean up so well at the end of each day you can hardly tell
they have even been in our home.
The new tile is in the tub and on the floors. Yay!
They are grouting things today and I'll post more pictures later.
I'll be stripping what's left of the wall paper this weekend
and getting ready for the master bath renovation that begins on Monday.
Did I mention they are breaking through a wall in
my tiny "master" bath to add some badly needed storage?
It's going to be fabulous!!!
I'm going to feel as if I'm at the "Spa" everyday.
I will be enjoying a "staycation" everyday in my new bath.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Colossians 2:6-7
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”
To realize The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone Who doesn't have one.
To realize The value of ten years:
Ask a newly Divorced couple.
To realize The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize The value of one year:
Ask a student who Has failed a final exam.
To realize The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize The value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby....
To realize The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize The value of one minute:
Ask a person Who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize The value of one-second:
Ask a person Who has survived an accident.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.
This weekend Tom and I had the opportunity to share some time with our friends and new family members Debbie and Gary.
Debbie is Kelsey's biological mom, she and her husband Gary are incredible believers, strong and mature in their faith and walk with the Lord.
We knew their 20 year old son Adam had died three years ago as a result of a car wreck, but we had never heard the entire story.
They graciously told us the details and their heart ache from having their son leave this world to dance with Jesus.
Their words stayed with me all day long and even this morning as I write this post I am weeping at the thought of their tremendous loss.
With their story in mind today I am humbled beyond words as I remember all of the blessings the Lord has showered upon me and my family.
A Psalm of Gratitude
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness,
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting.
And His truth endures to all generations.
~Psalm 100~
Are you grateful for what you have and where you are today?
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”
To realize The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone Who doesn't have one.
To realize The value of ten years:
Ask a newly Divorced couple.
To realize The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize The value of one year:
Ask a student who Has failed a final exam.
To realize The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize The value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby....
To realize The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize The value of one minute:
Ask a person Who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize The value of one-second:
Ask a person Who has survived an accident.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.
This weekend Tom and I had the opportunity to share some time with our friends and new family members Debbie and Gary.
Debbie is Kelsey's biological mom, she and her husband Gary are incredible believers, strong and mature in their faith and walk with the Lord.
We knew their 20 year old son Adam had died three years ago as a result of a car wreck, but we had never heard the entire story.
They graciously told us the details and their heart ache from having their son leave this world to dance with Jesus.
Their words stayed with me all day long and even this morning as I write this post I am weeping at the thought of their tremendous loss.
With their story in mind today I am humbled beyond words as I remember all of the blessings the Lord has showered upon me and my family.
A Psalm of Gratitude
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness,
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting.
And His truth endures to all generations.
~Psalm 100~
Are you grateful for what you have and where you are today?
Friday, June 5, 2009
Hey friends,
I thought this was so cute and a great reminder to look at our lives from a different perspective.
What aren't you seeing in your life right now?
I thought this was so cute and a great reminder to look at our lives from a different perspective.
What aren't you seeing in your life right now?
Happy Weekend
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Okay friends, I've spent the better part of the last week searching and hunting for
everything for the bathroom remodel.
You know how I LOVE a bargain and to reach my goal of
finishing the project under budget.
Yesterday after work I went to a tile and stone company because they advertise
good prices on remnant pieces of stone.
As I walked through the area where they keep
the remnant pieces I found a few I thought would work.
The nice lady helping me patiently measured each piece to ensure
there would be enough product for the job.
We went back to the showroom where
she proceeded to "work the numbers" for a ballpark idea of price.
Evidently the owner makes the final decision on price but can I say
I'm praying the owner is in a really generous mood when he "works the numbers"
because the ballpark number she gave me was WAY out of my ballpark.
In fact the number she quoted me is only about $1.00 a square foot less
than stock material.
I thought remnant prices were supposed to be a lot lower than stock prices.
Where are the $100.00 granite counter tops I see in HGTV?
Where are these people shopping and can I shop there?
If you have any ideas I'd love to hear them.
everything for the bathroom remodel.
You know how I LOVE a bargain and to reach my goal of
finishing the project under budget.
Yesterday after work I went to a tile and stone company because they advertise
good prices on remnant pieces of stone.
As I walked through the area where they keep
the remnant pieces I found a few I thought would work.
The nice lady helping me patiently measured each piece to ensure
there would be enough product for the job.
We went back to the showroom where
she proceeded to "work the numbers" for a ballpark idea of price.
Evidently the owner makes the final decision on price but can I say
I'm praying the owner is in a really generous mood when he "works the numbers"
because the ballpark number she gave me was WAY out of my ballpark.
In fact the number she quoted me is only about $1.00 a square foot less
than stock material.
I thought remnant prices were supposed to be a lot lower than stock prices.
Where are the $100.00 granite counter tops I see in HGTV?
Where are these people shopping and can I shop there?
If you have any ideas I'd love to hear them.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Hi friends,
Now that the wedding and our anniversary are behind us we begin our next project...
Starting next Monday and for the next 10 weeks we will be having our 2 1/2 bathrooms
remodeled.
Our home is more than 20 years old and our bathrooms are way passed their prime.
I've painted and papered them numerous times but we can no longer hide the fact that they all need a complete overhaul.
The grout is falling out, tiles are chipped and cracked, the cabinetry is in desperate need of a good paint job and I don't even want to talk about the lack of space and storage in the "master" bath. Our "master" bath is so small, you have to walk out of the room if you want to change your mind LOL (not kidding)! I think you'd have to be the size of an ant to consider this a "master" bath.
I spent the entire day yesterday searching out deals on toilets, tiles and tubs and I'm off again today to continue to search.
While I continue the search for the necessary items for the remodel I plan on searching my own heart for the areas that need a remodel of their own.
What area(s) is your heart and life could use a little remodeling?
Now that the wedding and our anniversary are behind us we begin our next project...
Starting next Monday and for the next 10 weeks we will be having our 2 1/2 bathrooms
remodeled.
Our home is more than 20 years old and our bathrooms are way passed their prime.
I've painted and papered them numerous times but we can no longer hide the fact that they all need a complete overhaul.
The grout is falling out, tiles are chipped and cracked, the cabinetry is in desperate need of a good paint job and I don't even want to talk about the lack of space and storage in the "master" bath. Our "master" bath is so small, you have to walk out of the room if you want to change your mind LOL (not kidding)! I think you'd have to be the size of an ant to consider this a "master" bath.
I spent the entire day yesterday searching out deals on toilets, tiles and tubs and I'm off again today to continue to search.
While I continue the search for the necessary items for the remodel I plan on searching my own heart for the areas that need a remodel of their own.
What area(s) is your heart and life could use a little remodeling?
