It's over .... so sad!!!

I love Christmas. I don't really love getting ready for it. But I love to watch people open their presents. Especially when they haven't really asked for anything (like Steve) and I get them something really cool. Case in point.... I got Steve a hemp/leather wooden cross necklace. He's wanted one for a couple of months, but I think he gave up find one like he really wanted. And although this one isn't exactly what he is looking for, I think he loves it. And he looks pretty sexy in it!!

So, here a few pictures of "Santa" gifts for Emilee.

I know she looked at it and thought, hey that's not much, but ..... she also got a new bed and desk for her room. So she really racked up (as usual)! She got the Wii, DVD player (for her room), iPod Touch, North Face Jacket, make-up, clothes, and lamp & chair for room

I got my bow .... although I got it mid-November. But Steve brought it up Christmas morning ...

I also got a new North Face jacket in a pretty winter white. Yea, I sooooo needed a "casual" type of coat to wear with jeans. All I have is a dress coat and a leather jacket.

Here are a few moore Christmas pictures.

This is Emilee at Nana's with her iPod Touch

And here's our tree for this year.

It's almost here ....... last day of work & Christmas

So, I'm off Dec 22 thru Jan 5 ........ I'm not sure if I can contain myself. How great will it be to sleep past 5:15am! I won't get to sleep too late in the morning though, cause DH is still working and he'll be in around 8:30 - that is if he's working. He's really hurt his neck at work and finally went to Occupational Health Services today. He really didn't want to turn it in as Workers Comp, but he hurt it working, so I think they should take care of it. Plus if is insurance even thinks it's work related, they won't pay it! So, maybe (I shouldn't say this) they'll tell him to stay home next week ... although he'll drive me crazy! But it would be nice to spend a week with him and Emilee doing nothing (except cleaning).

I'm still shooting my bow. No pictures yet (maybe next week). I'm getting okay. I'm really trying to work on my form so I'm changing things a lot, causing me to not always hit my target. I shot for about 30 min last night. My arm's not to sore, so I'm getting use to it. My elbow still hurts some, but not as much as it did and every once in a while my shoulder will hurt, but I can live with both. There was a period of about 3 weeks where I thought I was going to have to cut my elbow off. Tennis elbow really hurts.

Christmas is almost here and I feel bad. By the time I get Emilee finished and get all the stuff I need to do parties, Christmas dinner and food for the house, I'm out of money to really get Steve something nice. He's getting 3 wrapped presents and $100 cash. I think I ended up spending about $230 counting his cash. I know he spent more on me, but I'm all he spends his X-mas saving on. I use mine on all of Emilee's presents, plus mom & dad and the few "others" I have to do. He's okay with it though it seems. But I feel bad. Every year I vow not to use my credit cards for any Christmas presents. Last year we did a little, but it was interest free and we paid it off within the year. I think I might have to break that vow and get Steve a little something else - although I'm not sure what! Something hunting related? Clothes? He really needs a nice Titans t-shirt & sweatshirt ... maybe?

I'm almost ready to leave work. Gotta run to the CU and bookstore, meet Dean W to give him a present and then off to get Em at school. Then gotta take back a present to exchange for the right size (bought a pair of shoes in 2 different sizes and didn't know it)

I pray that everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll post pictures after Christmas, as our family is getting suprise this year that only a few of us know about. My dad doesn't know and he's going to be sooooo suprised!

Christy .... out!

Beautiful paper crafts and more

I have to admit, today I've been trying to catch up on some blogs that I didn't read (don't have bookmarked at home.) I can slip in and read one blog before anyone even knows at work, except when my boss sneaks up on me deep in the middle of Melody Ross's blog .. oops! Anyhoo, stumbled across Tim Holtz's blog, which I don't read everyday, but occasionally. I'm not a stamper. Never claimed to be. I think it intimidates, plus it requires a lot of stuff and I already have a lot of stuff wrapped up in scrapbooking, don't need anymore. Back to Tim. He has this really pretty tag on his blog I'd love to recreate, can I? Probably not! #1 I don't have the stuff ... #2 Don't have the time.... #3 Wouldn't know what to do with it if I did make it! Here it is .... 12 Tags of Christmas

If you are smarter than me and we all know you are ... you can do this. He gives you step by step instructions.

Blog ya more later.... gotta run work a little!

All I want for Christmas

I have to admit, I want EVERYTHING!!!!! But I know, I won't get it all ......

I've already gotten my Christmas gift from DH..... a completely outfitted bow. So, he's finished with me, cause he's got about $500 wrapped up in it!

But I still want:

• Gift Certificate to Bass Pro (to get stuff to hunt with, especially safety harness which is about $150.00)
• Clothes
• Antique library cabinet (dad is getting this for me!)
• New dishes (already picked them out)
• New Silverware (mom & dad already got this)
• iTunes card
• New towels
• Knives for kitchen

I'm sure there is more stuff, but that's about the jest of it. As you can see I'm already getting some of it. The library cabinet my parents are getting a steal on. The place where I got Em's bed has it and the lady said I could have it for like $150.00. But now I'm "selling" her Em's headboard and footboard and she's giving me the cabinet for $100. So worth it with all the storage I can get from it .... stamping storage! And the top of it will make a perfect stamping spot! I can't wait to get it and at least get it cleaned up.

Christmas shopping is almost done for me. After getting Em's clothes this coming Friday (taking a day off to shop with Nana) I'll be finished with her (other than stocking stuffers) and I'm almost finished with Steve - just a few more things for him. Then my parents are all I'll have left.

We put up our tree last night. I need to take a pictures and post it. It really needs more ornaments on it, but I really want all clear or white ornaments and just need a few more boxes of glass balls to finish it off.

Gotta go get Em at cheer practice. More later!

Nothing exciting happening in my world.....

Em and I cleaned her room alittle Saturday getting ready for the day bed. Right now she's sleeping on a mattress in her floor. She's pretty excited about the bed and painting her room. I think we've decided on a turquoise/aqua color with this duvet:

It's from dELiAs.com. Pretty cool girly stuff.

I'm excited because it has a lot of colors to work with ....... alittle black, white, yellow, orange, pink.... I think it's going to be a great room!!!! What I'd really love to do is replace the flooring in her room after we paint and before it's considered finished, not sure if that will happen or not! Not enough money in the old budget to do it all at once.


My bow is in and I've bought a release. I've been practicing pulling it back, which has resulted in a sore arm and hand. It'll get better though!

More later .............

New bedroom & haircut

Disclaimer: no pictures yet!

Em has wanted a daybed for a couple of months now. Just to give her more floor space in her room. See, we have a small house. Back when it was built, probably average, but now it's just small. The bedrooms are the worse. Em spends a lot of time in her room goofing off and watching TV. So, I've been kinda looking for a black-iron daybed. I told my friend Sharon B what I was looking for because she works weekends at an antique store. Well, Thursday I told her and she called me that night telling me they had just gotten one in. WHAT luck!. So, Em and I went out there to see it. PERFECT! It even comes with a trundle. And on top of that, Sharon has a white desk that will work in her room too!!!! So, we came home Saturday, cleaned up the room some, took the old bed down and for now she's just sleeping on a mattress on her floor. She already likes it cause she says she had more room.

AND while we were in Mt Juliet, we had a wild hair to get Em a hair cut. She wanted it cut mid-neck. SO, off came about 5 inches of her hair. She likes it, but not as much as I think she thought she would. I think it looks cute. And it was so easy and quick to style. The only problem is pulling it up for cheerleading. Oh well, as long as she likes it.

Oh yea, she has a boyfriend too. And she is very excited. This little boy (Jeb) really seems to like her and he is very nice to her. Which I try to stress that it better to have someone that is nice to you and treats you good than someone who is great looking. Anyways, the fun is only beginning .....

What to get a kid who has everything?

So, I'm not sure what Santa will bring Emilee this year..... of course Em wants everything expensive. A Wii, an iPod touch, Vera Bradley stuff, American Girl stuff... the list goes on and on. But as I've told her year after year, mom and dad have to pay Santa for the toys, so be thoughtful with the list.

She's asked several times about Santa being real. My answer, which I believe, is that as long as you believe you will receive! So, that's my answer and I'm sticking to it.

Back to the question at hand. WHAT DO I TELL SANTA TO GET HER? And what do I get her? DH says no to the Wii, cause he thinks she won't use play with it after a couple of months. I think she'll play with it more in the winter than summer. When it's warm enough, she wants to be outside... which reminds me of getting her a new Razor scooter. She really needs a new one. That will be good. Mom & Dad might get that one! Score one for me!!!

What else? Leave suggestions. She's 11 years old.

A couple of things.............

My bow is bought!!! Yea! I can't wait to get it, get it set up and start shooting it. I really want to learn how to do this. I want to make my husband proud of me. You know hunting is really his thing, but I like that it's something that we can do together. I mean can you see him scrapbooking?!?!? I don't think so, but I can picture myself hunting!

Speaking of scrapbooking, I'm going to a crop tomorrow night. FUN! Just a chance to work on Emilee's albums for a little while and probably do a lot of talking! :-)

I'm almost finished with the 4th Twilight book.. Breaking Dawn. It's really good. I should finish it up today while my boss is in ALL DAY meetings!

Thats all I have for now!

Blog ya later!

One more thing .... you know the hunting thing?

Well, DH is suppose to buy me a bow so I can bow hunt with him next year. He doesn't have time to help teach me now since he leaves in a few weeks for his hunting trip, but by next year I should be an eagle eye ...... yea right, I can't see out of my contacts sitting at my computer desk, how am I suppose to kill a deer. Lucky for me my right is usually my "good" eye and it's also dominant eye. So, if you can recommend a good bow... I'm up for it. My draw is 26" and 40 lbs (right now).

Thats all.

OMG - it's been so long

Sorry ..... not much really happening that needed to be said. Just regular life stuff.

We went on vacation in July, school started in Aug, football & cheerleading, my job was deleted end of July, got another job (same place), started new job Oct 1, DD danced with Titans - was on the stage!, school football is over, cheerleading for basketball is around the corner, Titans are 7 - 0, DD is going to be Dorothy from Wizard of Oz for Halloween, and it's almost halloween.So that pretty much sums it up!

So, now for some pictures:

Vacation picture Myrtle Beach, SC = family shot. The wind was blowing like crazy. Mine and Em's hair was crazy............... (this picture has been edited in PSE)

Another shot of the three of us.

The whole crew. Grandaddy, Me, Steve, Nana and Em. Not sure why the picture isn't all that great. Probably could use Nana's loving touch in Photoshop.

I've been in my new job about a month now. Not much different than any other administrative assistant job I've ever had. Just a different boss. Although this time I'm dabbling in the publishing world - that's new. Which is weird considering our business is publishing. I work with the Young Adult Curriculum, which I'm no longer considered a Young Adult, now I'm just an Adult! :-)

Titans ......... what about them Titans 7-0.... beat the Colt! YEA! Here's some pictures when Em danced! It was The Sept 28th game against the Vikings.

Before the game. We have to be at the games when she dances at 8:30. Which means she has to get up around 6:30. She doesn't do mornings well. She really didn't want me to take this and it was chilly.

Here she is dancing. Such a natural. She was on the 10 yard line, front row. She did sooooo good.

Here she is right in middle of the stage .... she was one of 6 girls picked to dance on the stage at the end of the routine. This is the Titans 10 yr anniversary in TN so the theme this year was Past, Present & Future. They had all the cheerleaders dance from the past 10 years plus about 200 little (future) girls. It was really neat, but a lot to watch. I think Em felt a little slighted till she got to be on the stage, because she knew everyone would be watching the "big" girls. She really loves to do this.

After she cheered, we went and picked her up. She talked Daddy into a new jersey ($70!!) . Then we went back to our seats with Beth Watson and her crew. This picture is of Em and Erica. Erica is 18 and is Em's role model!

Family shot after the game. Em was so tired and hot, but she looked really cute in her jersey, fancy earings and little cheerleading skirt!

We also went to Gatlinburg a couple weeks ago to take Em to her first UT game. Yes, they won the game we went to, so that was nice. We had a good time. Here are a few pictures:

Em's birthday

So, I'm a little late on reporting on the 11th birthday of one very loved little girl. She got the blue iPod Nano - 8g ...... wow, she's already went through like 35.00 on iTunes. She gots lots of clothes and $200 cash that she's saving for vacation (what will she do with that??????). Here's a couple of picture .... kinda over exposed, but you get the idea.



Wonderful cake from Sweet & Sassy. Isn't it pretty. They make the best cakes. I can't say it taste better than any other cake. But for some reason, their icing is the BEST and they never fail to impress me with their creativity.

Then, me and Em. Isnt' she cute. This was taken at Kubuto, where she tried Sushi for the first time! She liked it okay .. we might try something different when we go to the beach in a couple of weeks.

Okay, just wnat to say

that I'm such a nut .... I'm loving Days of Our Lives right now! How about EJ & Sami? I really like them together!



Well, just to recap NSD. I got about 12 pages done ...... not completed because they still need titles and journaling. But the bulk of the layout is finished. I actually finished up an Easter layout last night from a couple years ago ... again, no titles, just general layout. I was scheduled to go on a scrapbooking retreat May 30 - June 1, but it's been cancelled because its just a busy crazy time right now.



Em's b-day is next week and all I have her is clothes. She wants another iPod, a larger one in blue. I guess that's what she'll get. And probably the accessories to go with it. I'll probably get it at Walmart since it's close and easy. We aren't having a party - probably celebrate it with friends at a cookout and then probably just have dinner with Nana & Grandaddy on May 21.

The crazy bug that has us all in an up roar!

So, one of the guys on my floor showed me this blog this morning. It's a crazy LARGE bug that the homeowners found while pruning a tree. So, all morning it's been the topic of crazy converstation.

http://carriehayes.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/what-is-this/

We have recently found out that it's not real! THANK GOODNESS! Now tell me, would you want this as decoration in your yard?

Grass cutting - if you know anyone in Middle TN area

So, my DH is mowing yards. Haven't offically started a business, but we have two mowers, a backpack blower, weedeater and new trailer. We're talking commerical stuff. Not your ordinary yard stuff. The zero-turn is 61 inches, the walk-behind is 48 inches and the blower will blow your ears off. He's got about 5/6 accounts and the goal is 10. He's just doing this for extra spending money (he's got expensive hobbies). Once we pay off the mower/trailer (our goal 24 months tops) he'll be able to take those lovely hunting trips and maybe take along me! :-). Anyhoo, if you know someone who needs their yard cut weekly at a reasonable price, he's your man ----- if you're in the target area which is west & north/west of the city (basically take a map, draw a line diagonal from Madison to Bellevue and that's target area) . He offers multi-neighborhood discounts and senior discounts. My only caution, he loves when a yard looks lush & full, thus meaning he won't scalp your yard and he doesn't cut when it's too wet. He's pretty anal about our yard, but hey whatever, it's pretty and almost all green (we're still trying to get rid of crab grass). His email is seclawncare@comcast.net

E- Mealz.com - check it out

I read about this on Heather's blog and decided it sounded like something I might like. I hate, hate, hate the question .... whats for dinner and when I tell them, that don't act excited. Usually thats because it's the same old stuff. I don't have time to make up a meal plan and grocery list, coordinate and all that stuff, so I usually just pick up the same stuff every week at the store. So when I read about e-mealz, I thought I can do this. So, I signed up for 3 months, which is $15.00 - only $5.00 per month or $.125 per week ..... for someone else to make up my weekend dinner menu and my grocery list. Every Friday I download my WW Points designed menu and my grocery list for Walmart and shop. Last night was my first meal, since we went to the store this weekend. AND it was really good. Country Chicken with potatoes & carrots and steamed broccoli. Yummy. Pear salad was included, but I was the only one that ate that. Everyone liked the chicken, it had a great flavor. Tonight is a quick night, so probably pizza casserole for tonight. IF DH thaws out the gound meat. Check it out ... it's pretty cool!

No Hunting - but lots of cleaning ......

I slipped out of work a little early Friday. I had lots to do this weekend and work was holding me back. First, I needed to make 4 Death by Cream Cheese danishes for an anniversary party. Not only does that take time, but I only have two 9x12 bakers, so I could only make 2 at a time and they have to cool enough to slice and take out the danish pieces. So, I made two Friday night and put in the frig overnight. While that was baking, I made spaghetti, cleaned the kitchen, swept and cleaned the hardwoods and dusted. Saturday I made the other two danishes, did laundry, picked up stuff around the house, cleaned up the kitchen mess again, made DD do homework then got ready for the anniversary party. We were out till about 1:00 am Sunday morning ..... what!!!! Yes, we missed church Sunday morning cause I slept late. Then got up and made breakfast, went Walmart grocery shopping with DH & DD, cleaned hardwoods again, vaccumed the basement floors and picked up the bonus room. Mom andDad came up for supper to celebrate Mom's birthday. Yummy food! Then DD had to finish homework, which took me and Nana helping her! So it was a busy, fun weekend. I like it when the family can spend time together.

May 2 & 3, I'm scrapbooking for the weekend. Friday night crop to kick off NSD and then all day crop on May 3. Sounds like LOTS and LOTS of fun and hopefully I can get lots accomplished. I'm going to start planning pages NOW!!! And figuring out how to pack everything I need/want to take. My guess is TB, CM and I will be a table together. So, space will be somewhat limited with three people at a 6 foot table (lets hope thats not the case!)

More later ...........

Video

I'm not sure this will work. It's a Quicktime movie. My DH took our neighbor turkey hunting this past Sunday and Mike got himself a nice bird. DH took his digital camera to take pictures (this is why Santa brought him this camera) and what he saw in the woods warranted him taping a couple of minutes. It's lousy taping because, well, DH is trying to watch the action and tape at the same time using a small camera. But you get the gist. This is actual footage of two turkey's fighting in the wild. They are Toms (adult male turkeys) and they are probably fighting over a hen or terrority. The commentary is great. My husband whistles at them, then when they finally break apart tells Mike to shoot about 4 times. Mike is frozen. This is his first bird and both are keepers. He finally shoots. Good stuff! DH is quite the guide!!!!

I'll post a couple pictures of his bird too!

MY TURKEY!!!!!

So this past Saturday (April 5) I went turkey hunting again with DH. There was four of us hunting, me being the only woman. We got up at 4:30 am (crazy, I know, but you gotta beat those turkey up you know) and was in the woods by 6:30. Steve and our friend James called, Mike and I (the turkey killing virgins - meaning we hadn't killed yet) were just waiting for the birds to show up. The turkey were all around us when they flew off roost, but as soon as they hit the ground, they were quite. We had two hens come upon us, but scampered off. Then we had two Jakes' (adolescent male turkeys) but they came up so quitely that we almost didn't see them till it was too late. I didn't even have my gun up and ready because my fingers had gotten so cold waiting. I finally got my gun up shot ..... WOW ..... I killed my first turkey!!! I was SOOOO excited. I laid the gun down, jumped up saying, "I killed a turkey", "I killed a turkey". I couldn't believe it. It was AWESOME! I'm totally hooked. We left my turkey where I killed it and went off to another spot to try and get Mike a bird. It didn't happen for him Saturday, but it got a HUGE bird Sunday. My bird was a Jake with about a 3 inc beard, nubby spurs and weighed between 16 - 18 lbs. DH says now I can "trophy" hunt. Meaning I got the first kill out of the way now I can get down to business and get a good turkey. My first turkey fan is getting mounted and added to the wall of fame in the basement.

Here are a couple of pictures:

Pictures of my hubby

Okay, so my husband went on his first "dream" hunt this past November. He paid for the whole thing himself, saving all his extra overtime money and cutting back on a few things to have some extra money. At the same time he was planning this trip, we were remodeling the kitchen and he was a bit stressed about both the trip and finishing up the kitchen so Em and I would have a complete kitchen to live in while he was gone (not sure why that was so important to him, but I'm glad it was!) Anyways, he killed a HUGE deer in IL. He was so excited the morning he called me to tell me. I KNEW the minute the phone rang it was him and that he had killed something because the whole week he was gone he hadn't called before we left for work, just at night. Here are the pictures

It was an 11 pt buck, don't know how much he weighed, but it was a BIG deer! A lot bigger than these pictures look. Isn't he a cute hunter? LOVE HIM!!!

By the way, I'm hunting with him this weekend ... turkey! Wish me luck!!!

Snow pictures

I finally have some snow pictures:

Em and Addy

Em hitting the bottom of the hill

The girls being pulled by the 4-wheeler

The adults enjoying some snow time .... this is the life, letting the 4-wheeler get you UP the hill!

Just quickly checking in and scrapbooking

I don't have any "great" pictures to share today and I hate that. I really like to share pictures, but since I haven't brought any to work lately.. nothing to share thats new.

I do want to say I'm rocking at Scapbooking right now. Since cheering is over for the moment for Em, I acutally have extra time on my hands! Especially this week since it's Springbreak! NO HOMEWORK!!!! She really has a lot of homework during school and it's hard on her. She is just so social and active that after sitting in class all day, it's a lot to ask her to sit for another couple hours after school. But, its all worth it for a good education. Something I can say I didn't get. Hopefully all this work now will pay off when she start college. From what I understand, that's what private schools do, prepare you for college. I know it's preparing me for a monthly school payment! Whew! Only 9 more years to go till no more school payment! (that only includes 3 yrs of college!)

So, here's something to share:

The first two are Christmas Eve, Em and Dad, Em and Me.

This picture was Christmas morning .... her "big" gift. A 32" Flatscreen TV for her room. It's mounted and has the satelite hooked up to it now. Nice for a 10 yr old huh?

Thats all for now!

MORE SNOW!!!!!!

We got great snow Saturday (March 8). In our area we got about 4-5" and by 10:00 it was perfect for sledding, which we did ALL DAY! Our friends, the Holmes', came over with their two girls and we had at least 5 sleds to use and eventually brought out another one later in the day. The grown-ups even had fun. We had a Four-wheeler that we used to bring us back up the hill, which I think helped us sled longer. Plus after the sun came out, it was pretty comfortable if you weren't wet. I'll post pictures soon, promise.

The only thing is I didn't get to go to my crop Friday night because the weather was headed in and DH said if I went he wasn't coming out to get me if I got stuck. So I opted to stay home and you know what, I only got 1 double page spread started ... not even finished. Of course, Friday night I didn't do anything but watch TV. I love "Bones" and for some reason, I rarely get to watch it. Then I watched "Ghost Whisper" and then flipped the channels, looking for something - but really didn't find much after 9:00 pm. Then Saturday sledding all day. Em had a friend over Saturday night, so I did start the layout, but ended up reprinting all the pictures to make them work in the sketch I wanted to use. So I did a little Saturday, did a little Sunday and even sat down and put the starting of the title on the page last night. Maybe I get it finished tomrrow .... how terrible is that. 5 days to do one double page layout, using a sketch no less!!!

By the way, I love Becky Flakes sketch ...... great ideas!!!!


What about Day's of Our Lives. I can't believe that Bo is leaving - he is right? I think I read that on the front of Soap Opera digest. Why would he be leaving - maybe that is totally wrong!! I would hate it! Anyways, gotta run!

Blogy ya later - hopefully with pictures!

SNOW day! YEA

We finally had a snow day yesterday. We got just enough snow that the roads up where we live were pretty yucky, so no school for Em and no work for me. I actually got to sleep till 7:30, cook lunch & dinner and scrapbooked about 3 pages. It was so very nice!!! I even got the house swept and some clothes washed.

We went sledding for a little while, before the snow melted. I was the camera-man for a time and then I gave the camera over to Steve, so he could take pictures of Em and I sledding together. Then we had a little photo shoot. I really love snow pictures. I don't have the pictures downloaded to a disk yet, but I'll post some of them soon.

Have a great day!

I'm going..........

to a crop next week!!!! YEA! I can't wait. I have two weeks to get my pages preplanned and get in a creative mood. Really, I'm pretty much there. Cheerleading is over, remodeling is over and scrapbooking is on the horizon!!! I stopped by MIB this weekend and picked up a couple of magazines. One was the March CK magazine ... it's okay. I enjoy looking at the ads since I've been out of the loop for several months. Then I bought this special issue. I really like it. I've gotten several pages marked with good ideas. I basically print in 4x6, occasionally in 3.5x5

I've also printed off several layout off the internet. Megan Hall is one of my favorites, because she does multi-picture layouts. I usually have more than one picture to include on a layout, at least one of two pages will have several pictures on it, so her layouts are really close to my style.

Anyone else you enjoy for multi-picture layouts? Let me know!

Christy

DAYS of OUR Lives

If you've read any of my past posts, you'll know I'm a DOOL fan. Have been since I was about 6 yrs old, staying with my grandmother, who watched all the channel 4 soaps. I've never been into the other channels, just channel 4. DOOL, Another World, Santa Barbara.... I loved watching those, especially DOOL and Another World. Of course, there was a period when I didn't watch (work gets in the way of everything!). Now, I don't watch but I read and every chance I get, I watch. Soap Net has it on at 10:00 CT, but I'm usually heading to bed at time. So, if you watch it, I understand (from my reading) that there are some pretty intense scene's coming up on the airplane....... Bo has cancer? WOW! And the plane is going to crash! Kayla and Steve are pregnant and I get Hope is too ..... Shawn, Belle and Claire are on the plane and I read someplace they are leaving the show, so I wonder if they will decide to go live someplace else to get away from Philip, who is trying to get over Belle and scooping on Chloe. AND John, poor guy. How many times can you get your memory erased? And Marlena is getting lots of play time, she turning into a regular DIVA! Anyways, love the show and currently I'm reading the day before's at http://www.salemspectator.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=58. Love knowing what's going to happen the day before!!!!

So, a thread about ktichens got me thinking ......

What's your style? Since I haven't scrapbooked in about 9 months, this is about your house. Do you have a style? Up till we started the kitchen remodel, DH and I had never bought a "new" couch/chair or appliances for that matter. Our downstairs couch was bought from the couple across the street that was barely used. It is a burgendy leather sectional. Other than TV's, we really haven't purchased anything for ourselves. We moved into our house fully furnished, so we just kept it till we could do something else. So even though the kitchen remodel was little stressful, it was totally fun. Learning so much about countertops, tile, flooring options, making decisions that where sooooo hard at the time. Looking back, it was very worth it. BUT our "style" changed a bit during this process. I LOVE antiques and as you can tell my kitchen table (my beloved antique table) I like it pretty natural. BUT, we decided to go more classic/traditional in our furniture. I think eventually I'll sprinkle more antiques in as I can, but I like our "netural" style........... what's your style?

Christy

New LIVING ROOM to go with New KITCHEN

See blogs below for kitchen pictures and the story about our house. Here's pictures of the new hardwood floors, new living room furniture and my 100 yr old farmhouse kitchen table.

I bought these pieces at a unfinished furniture store that was going out of business. I knew I wanted black distressed but couldn't find exactly what I wanted. So this worked. It took me about 3 days/nights to paint and distress. I still need to seal it, but I'm not not really in any hurry. I have one more piece to paint and distress that will go by the recliner when it's bought.

I have a photobuckett account that has all the pictures in it. Before, during and after. Plus pictures of the 40 yrds of concrete we had poured during this remodeling project. Take a peek if you have some time to spare.http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee293/CABurch/

So do you want to hear the ktichen story?

Our house is 18 yrs old. My grandparents built it. Nothing fancy, about 1200 sq feet, open floor plan, full basement, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths. If I had built the house, I might have picked the same floor plan and if I would have picked it, I would have bumped up the sq ft for larger rooms, probably adding about 500 sq ft to the total design. I'd love to have a larger master bedroom/bath and a seperate laundry area, since it's at the end of my kitchen.

So, the story. We were kinda ashamed of our house. We invited very few people over. Emilee had just a few friends that I'd allow to come over because our house was kinda yuck. Not dirty yuck, just worn out yuck. Since my grandparents paid cash for it, they went with very builder quality stuff and probably really didn't think anything about it. They knew they wouldn't be in it forever. The carpet was a great color but the quality wasn't there and after 18 yrs it needed to replaced BAD. The linolum in the dining room/kitchen was okay, but kinda blah. My cabinets were the only thing that I though were of any quality and having a closet pantry allowed me to use all my cabinets to store dishes, cookare, etc. We finally decided we need to update our "common" living areas of the house. Either that or buy another house. Remodeling was a lot cheaper!!!

It wasn't any easy project and it was a tad bit stressful. DH was great and did what he could himself. We ended up paying for all the tile work and hardwood work that we did in the dining room/living room since our deadline was Thanksgiving. Needless to say, we met a Christmas deadline!!!

Here's BEFORE pictures. The next post as AFTER pictures!

AFTER pictures of the kitchen

New countertops: Granite - Verde Butterfly

Faucet: Delta Saxony

Sink: Stainless Steel (10"deep bowl, 8" deep bowl) Ferguson brand

Frig: Maytag

Dishwasher: Frigidaire

Stove: Frigidaire Duel Fuel

Washer/Dryer: GE front loads with Pedastals

Floors: Ocre 12x12 italian tile (Happy Floors); 2x2 floral dot accent piece

Backsplash: Golden Sienna 6x6 mexican travertine tile; 2x2 floral dot accent piece

Only things left to do:

1 pesky plug plate

cabinets over the washer/dryer

We also updated our hall bathroom with new tile, new paint, new faucet, new accessories and new toliet! WOW!