we're making progress

Remember that graduation party I told you we needed to prepare for? Well, we've started and we're making progress.

The photo above is of the basement area that Lawman ripped the carpet out of. He has since put in new wood flooring, we've had cabinets and a counter installed and we've purchased a new bar which serves as the divider between this area and the tv area where there happens to be a new 50" flat screen hanging on the wall (our Christmas present to each other). I did the painting (and my shoulder hasn't been the same since but that's another story). Carpets have been cleaned. Furniture moved. We've had some framing done and the new art is finally hanging on the wall.

We're not done down here though. There's a gap between the tall pantry cabinet and the wall. We're planning to have a custom wine rack built that will also include an area at the bottom for serving trays. We need new blinds on the window. And, you will probably notice there's the head of an animal hanging on the wall. That's a story in and of itself that I have to share with you.

Our friend, who I will refer to as BS (his initials, honestly) happened to mention weeks ago that he had a wild boar's head that would look great on the wall in the bar area. About 3 weeks ago I asked our neighbor gal, who is helping me with decorating because she's got a natural talent for that, to come by and see what we have accomplished. It had easily been 2 mos. since she was here last so alot had changed. It was also the day the bar arrived and BS knew that. As soon as the neighbor gal got here, I immediately took her downstairs to show her our progress. I flipped on the light, noticed that u.g.l.y. animal hanging on my wall, screamed and hollered for Lawman! I immediately called out BS on the extra decorating that had taken place that day. No wonder he kept calling that evening to see when we were going to be breaking the bar in! Needless to say, my decorator and I were in agreement that Mr. Boar did not add anything positive to the atmosphere. Lawman on the other hand thought it gave the bar a more manly feel....whatever!

I tolerated Mr. Boar until last Saturday. We had that little "break in the bar" party and I sent him home with BS as a nice parting gift. I won!

Between Sisters

As we were leaving this morning for work & school, here's what I heard the youngest say to her big sister.

"I love you. My life would suck without you."

How's that for some sister love?

Magic Corn

Jiffy Pop popcorn is not a staple on my shopping list. However, B3 noticed it on the grocery store shelves a couple of weeks ago and was intrigued by it's unusual packaging. I told her she could throw it in the cart. I thought it might provide a bit of evening fun for us.

Thursday evening I suggested that popcorn would be a good snack while watching a family favorite tv show. I asked B3 if she'd like to make it for us.

B3 got a little nervous at this point. She was sure it would explode. I tried to reassure her that it would be ok but instead she handed her duties off.

Lawman got in on the action as soon as it was ready.

It was a fun activity for B3 but we all agreed that it wasn't quite as tasty as our usual popcorn but most of it disappeared.

(Note to self: This would be great on a camping trip.)

I Love the Innocence

A few nights ago the girls and I were watching a tv show together. I can't remember now what the scene was but one character says to another one, "He stays for the sex." B3 (the 12 year old) says, "The snacks? That's stupid."

I couldn't help but laugh and so did her big sister. She didn't understand so I told her what they had really said. Didn't seem to make much difference in the story line to her. And whether it be snacks or sex, it's all stupid isn't it? Makes me think they could re-write most of the tv scripts and the stories would still be worth watching or heck, probably even better.

I love the innocence of youth.

P.S. Yes, I know that what the character said sounds completely inappropriate for a 12 year old to be seeing/hearing. And yes, it probably was but please don't holler at me.

What Does that Make Me?

I like to dance. No, make that love to dance. Tonight I turned the kitchen floor into a dance floor. I asked B2 to locate a song on-line so she could play it for me. I wanted to see if it was what I thought it was. Sure enough.

She played Starry-Eyed Surprise by Paul Oakenfold. I'd heard it on Diet Coke commercials and I instantly liked it.

Since B2 was playing it, I started dancing. Here's the conversation that followed.

B2 - Is that how you dance?

Me - Kind of, I'm probably exaggerating it.

B2 - Ok. Dance like you really would if others were watching.

Me - Sure.

B2 - Is that really how you'd dance?

Me - Probably.

B2 - Well, you're not such a bad dancer but you look so 80's.

Me - Hello!! When do you think I was dancing in the clubs? Honey, I'm a product of the 80's dance era. What can I say?

No reaction from her but laughter.

Here's my next thought....B2 thinks of the 80's as retro. What does that make me?

Things that Go Bump in the Night

Wasn't that a children's book? Last night it is what was going on in our house rather than me enjoying the REM stage of sleep.

I was exhausted last night. Everyone was in bed and lights out by 9:40. I can't tell you how good my bed felt. I know I was sound asleep within a nano-second. So sound asleep that I didn't even hear the garage door when Lawman came home from work.

Then all that hard work to get to bed early went straight down the toilet.

3:30 Bump in the night ~ Kitty was distraught by another cat on our deck.

4:15 Bump in the night ~ Kitty found Lawman's exercise band and decided to get a little early morning workout in.

4:30 Bump in the night ~ Playtime. Kitty discovered a long, lost, noisy toy.

4:45 Another bump in the night ~ Kitty was pestering Lawman. Lawman hurled him from the bed and said, "We'll be having shish-ka-bobs for dinner tonight." How can he come up with such a funny at this hour? I got the giggles and couldn't hardly get settled down to go back to sleep.

5:15 Yet another bump in the night ~ Not only did kitty exercise but he had a tasty little rubberband snack. Anyone with a cat knows what this leads to.

5:30 Alarm sounds ~ hit snooze.

5:40 Alarm sounds ~ hit snooze. Repeat until 6:10 when I finally had to drag myself from bed.

"When a woman wants to get in your drawers, that's wrong."

The title is a quote from Lawman. Now let me explain as this is a family friendly site.

The drawers he's referring to is dresser drawers.

I asked Lawman if we could clean out his drawers (dresser, y'all!) because they won't shut. He hates it when I ask him about this. Although, I learned long ago not to attempt doing this for him as it got me into a bit of hot water. That's been years ago and I learned my lesson.

He obliged this afternoon but not without a bit of resistance and a request. He said, "Woman, if I'm doing this I need something from you." I wondered what this request would be. Turns out it was simple. A diet Coke. Easy enough.

So, after a long cool drink, he got right to work. And within no more than 15 minutes he had made his way through 5 drawers and he had a pile of items for elimiination. I got the trash bag and cleaned it up. What a feeling of accomplishment. I told Lawman that I was sure he would thank me for this because I would now be happy to put away his clean laundry.

Big Girl Panties and Drama

We live near one of the elementary schools in our community. If you stand at the end of our street and look north you can see it. Literally. It's all of 2 blocks away.

When school starts each year all of the neighborhood kids walk to and from school together. It's new to them again. That lasts until the weather turns cooler and it's no longer fun to walk.

One day a couple of years ago I wasn't going to be able to meet Blonde 3 after school due to an appointment. It was a nice day and I told her she would need to walk home after school. B3's reaction was full of drama. And granted, with 2 girls in the house I should be used to it. Here's our conversation.

Me - I have an appointment this afternoon so I won't be able to pick you up from school. Go ahead and walk home from school and I'll meet you at the house.

B3 - Do I have to?

Me - Yes. It's a nice day.

B3 - I don't want to.

Me - Honey, I won't be back from my appointment in time to pick you up. I will meet you at home.

B3 - Can't you ask someone else to pick me up?

Me- No, you're going to have to put your big girl panties on and deal with it.

B3 - Panties are so over-rated.

Let me just say that I couldn't keep a straight face. I was in stitches and so was her big sister. Oh, the wit!