Do-It-Yerselfing....

We've been doing a lot of work on the house since we got the keys and admittedly since moving in progress has slowed. Working during the day and coming home to dust is not fun, but we've been trying to keep at it and although things move slowly, we're getting there. Our first project was to replace the baseboards and door/window trim in the master bedroom. The old baseboards were beat up and falling off and the window trim was caked with most likely 64 years of paint. We pulled everything off and repaired holes in the walls. We've been doing all the work ourselves and I have to say...I'm incredibly impressed with Chris' ability to work a miter saw and my own skills using wood filler to hide nail holes.  Take a look.

Before 

(dog not included in the sale)

After

The next project was the bathroom. When we first saw the house we figured that within a month we would be able to completely gut the bathroom and redo it ourselves. Then as we started in on the master bedroom we got a big dose of reality. Not only the reality of how time consuming DIY home improvement is, but also how each trip to Lowe's was adding up. We've decided to wait on the complete gutting of the bathroom until early next year, but since the original tub was beige/pink and reeeally gross, the sink ugly, dirty and corroding and the paint color a lovely shade of neon salmon, something needed to be done. So I re-glazed the tub myself, Chris and his dad installed a new sink top and faucet, and we painted the vanity and walls. Survey says?

Next on the list is new baseboards, trim and paint in the living room and then a mini facelift on the kitchen until we can completely gut that sucker too. More photos to come I'm sure. Happy Wednesday!

Venting...and why group lunches are a "no go".

I just returned from a going away lunch for a coworker that has left me beyond irritated. An expensive restaurant was suggested for the large lunch and I, of course, decided to join the group but kept my meal on the cheap end. I ordered a cup of soup,  split an appetizer with a friend and kept with the free water. Other people ordered full entrees that average at this restaurant around $15-18. Other people ordered cokes...or MARGARITAS! It was only after the meal that I was told "everyone owes $17.50". I said, "are you joking????". I even tried to object, but was completely ignored. I am so pissed off. That extra $7 or $8 is a whole other meal...and it's even more than the money...it's the principle of the thing. This is a group where half of us are being told we are out of a job soon...and then this....sprung on me by people with job security who are probably paid a significant amount more than I am. Not to mention I paid more than I owed and other people paid less and had more. I AM SO LIVID. happy friday.

Happy Birthday, Captain Bones.

Indy,

Today (as far as we know) you turn two. When we first met you, you weighed 25lbs...

...and today you clock in at almost 90 big ones...quite frankly we did not expect that!

You've come along way...but your incessant whining this morning and digging in my flower bed indicates we've still got plenty more puppyhood to come. Just please don't chew on the brand new dining table when it arrives....

Also....I don't apologize for this....just wait til next year. You'd make a terrific penguin...

The best Christmas present...

I've been pretty remiss in posting lately...and while I don't have any specific reason I do think I find it harder to write about something while it's happening...and despite lots of activity what with all the holiday cheer and whatnot...I have been postponing posting about the one thing that's been occupying most of my time and brainwaves because of some strange feeling that putting it all into words will make it disappear in one big cosmic "j/k". 

So here it is intranets... our very first house. 

We got the keys today...on the very last day of the year...at 3:36pm and I don't think it's quite sunk in. Tomorrow will not only be the start of a new year, but also the start of all our projects....one room at a time.

Yay!!!



We are off to a New Years party....more on that debauchery and house goodies later.


Happy 2009 everyone!!!

Yes We Can!

On this November 5th, 2008 I am prouder to be an American than I have been in the last 26 years of my life. Last night I was witness to history being made. America has spoken and has demanded change and I couldn't be happier.

As I watched McCain's concession speech I couldn't help feel a little sorry for him. I watched as the old McCain made a brief appearance. He was classy and eloquent. He spoke from his heart and his admiration and respect for Obama seemed genuine. It was the first time in many many months McCain seemed Presidential. If he had resisted the urge to pander to the extreme right of the Republican party and had shown this level of integrity during his campaign he may have actually had a chance of winning. Instead he stooped to the level of many of his supporters with mean spirited ads that played fast and loose with the truth and created only a more divided America. Those supporters were the ones booing when McCain mentioned his respect for Barack Obama. They booed and even in the shadow of defeat McCain couldn't bring himself to stand his ground and ask the crowd to be quite and show the President Elect the respect he very much deserves. And that, is a big reason McCain lost (big time) last night. But that's where my sympathies for that old coot end. He made a big mistake in Sarah Palin and I am glad this country dodged that bullet.

We are a better country today than we were yesterday and I firmly believe we've begun the healing process both Nationally and Globally. I didn't vote for Barack Obama just because of his tax plans or his ideas about universal healthcare, but also because he has plugged into what this country needs: hope and inspiration. It's time for a President that can bring tears to the eyes of jaded 20 somethings. It's time for a President that says things like "I will listen to you ESPECIALLY when we disagree". It's time for a President who can form coherent sentences and doesn't stumble clumsily through every day of his weasely little life....sorry...I digress.

Today is a bittersweet sweet day though. As happy as I am about being able to call Barack Obama our new President I am disappointed with the current results for Proposition 8. I wanted to keep this post positive and hopeful, but I can't help but feel deeply wounded that so many Californians voted for a constitutional change to EXCLUDE a minority. This is not what I would have wished, but we cannot lose hope that the remaining votes still to be tabulated will change the ultimate outcome or that the Supreme Court will one more time overturn what clearly is a discriminatory ban on gay marriage. One day we will all truly see each other as equals....one day...I don't think it will be within my lifetime, but I will do everything within my power to make sure my children will see that day. If this election proves anything it is that we are making progress....yes we can. 

Barack and Roll!

I realized last night as I was brushing my teeth (I do some of my best thinking while brushing...) that I had a knot in my stomach. A nervous, excited knot. I felt the same way I did when I was a kid on Christmas Eve. All the anticipation and potential. I believed when I was little that I would wake up in the morning and there would be a horse with a red bow on its head standing in our living room. I really firmly believed it was possible. I'd begged and pleaded for a horse and that night before Christmas my little body could barely contain the excitement at the mere possibility that my parents may have decided that it would be a good idea to bring a large farm animal into our small house in the middle of the suburbs. I felt the same way last night in anticipation of today's election. All the possibility. The possibility that something amazing could happen today. Except this time it's much more of a reality than a horse in my living room. Seriously, what would I have done with the horse? Ride him and love him and name him Artex, that's what. 

I waiting for almost two hours this morning to vote and while it was slightly irritating (mostly just due to the poor organization of the polling place)  I was excited to see so many people coming out to make their voice heard. Young, old, black, white, Prada and Kmart all coming together to make their mark on American history. I've never waited in line to vote. Not even for a few minutes...and like many other Americans I've seen on the news, I couldn't have been happier to do it. This election marks a change in American history....we will either elect our first African American President (fingers crossed) or the first female Vice President (lord save us). I am excited at the idea that the American people are about to stand up to the last 8 years and give Bush the collective middle finger. Let's get us out of Iraq, let's get our economy back on track and let's regain the respect of the world at large. The time has come.

Obama 08.

Oooh spppoooooky....

Indy was Halloween's star at my office Friday when he showed up (I had no idea!) in his Indiana Jones costume!

"It belongs in a museum mommy!!!"

Chillin....chewing his bone...completely content in his ridiculous little outfit.

Speaking of ridiculous outfits....... we had a little office party on Friday in honor of the holiday.

Why are you wearing that stupid human suit?

The cool kids....clearly....

Well...that was halloween. We didn't do much....stayed home Friday night and went to Dan's halloween party on Saturday...I showed up in a McCain/Palin Tshirt, with a black eye and a backwards B on my face....if you don't get it you need to watch the news more. 

Otherwise not a terrible lot going on here....more to come tomorrow I'm sure....

Happy Halloween and don't forget to vote!