Now I'm just bragging

Can I brag about my husband for a minute?  Ok, good.

He is good at many things.  He won't tell you that, but I will.  Without him I would be technologically illiterate instead of just mildly dumbfounded.  If he wasn't around I'd never know where my keys, phone, slippers, camera, sanity or children* are.  Not to mention his ability to make me smile even when I just. don't. want. to.

Before we married I knew he was handy.  He could rip down walls and ceilings (without my knowledge) and change furnace filters without searching for where it goes for 15 minutes first and he knew the difference between a reciprocating and circular saw.  (I do now too but I wouldn't if it wasn't for him.)

Our previous house was so small that we just didn't need a ton of furniture and what he and I had before we moved in together filled most of the house.  The one room, a family room in the basement, that we finished/redecorated we purchased inexpensive matching furniture for.

Now that we are in larger home and we intend to stay in for a much (if not indefinite) longer time we want to furnish rooms the way we want them instead of (what Kevin lovingly refers to our former style) dorm-room-shabby-chic.

The budget hasn't changed though.

In the last year, however, he has really impressed me with his woodworking. First there was the frame for our bed.

And now I give you, Madeline's book shelf.




Isn't it lovely?



Ooo, even better with her books on it, ey?




The bead board backing was my only contribution to this piece.  I thought it would add some interest in dimension.  I love the clean lines, the solid frame and he was able to build it so that even her tallest book, Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans would fit without a fuss.



See it there on the bottom left?  A perfect fit.

It is solid as a rock.  Painted beautifuly AND it cost us less than half of what an almost identical book shelf at a upscale retailer would have charged.

So yeah.  I'm bragging.

__________
*Just kidding about that children part.

Adios Sugar Maple

Note: I have no idea why but I can't get the captions to format near the pictures so I apologize in advance.

Way back in the day, otherwise known as early March, our house was caught in a pretty strong wind storm that took out a large portion of a large maple tree in our back yard. After consulting with a few tree guys it was determined that it would be best if the tree was removed. We hated to see it go, but without yearly maintenance it was unsafe to leave up. It fell on the play set in March and the parts left were the ones that would have fallen on either the house/deck, or our cars. We got lucky the first time and we didn't want to tempt fate. The tree removal was a multi-day process and kept the girlies more entertained than I would have imagined.

We knew the tree was big but it wasn't until the stump was exposed that we realized just HOW large it was.

Once the tree came down Madeline asked me how old it was. When I told her I didn't know she told me we needed to go out side and count its annual rings. I had no idea she even knew about the rings on a tree so I was impressed. Kids really are sponges and take in way more information that we give them credit for. Poppy was kind enough to help us count them. Our estimation was about 85 years old!






























































































We are sad to see it go. It provided way more shade and wind protection than we realized. We have plans to plant another tree but in a different spot. Any suggestions? I want it big, Kevin isn't so sure... any thoughts?

Where I reitterate: home ownership isn't for the weak hearted

What a week we've had.

Sunday night a potentially tornado forming storm we woke the squirrels up from their oh so important beauty sleep to hang out in our basement. I told them it was a fun adventure. I lied.

After getting them back into bed Kevin discovered that the 70+ mph winds felled 1/3 of the silver maple in our back yard. Falling on the play set in our back yard and revealing the severe amount of rot in the tree.

The play set will be ok. It wasn't smashed, just knocked severely out of whack. Fingers crossed it is easy to rectify. The slide however is toast. (Which reminds me, what in the hell are plastic slides so expensive?!?!? We priced a new one, thinking it would be between $5-=$75 bucks. Nope, $160! It makes me sick to even think about it. I digress.)

The tree is not so lucky however. Although we don't want to get rid of the tree (and we especially don't want to pay for removal) based on the amount of rot in the tree it is just a matter of time before more of the tree comes down and we may not be as lucky (if you count falling on the play set lucky) next time. We'd hate to have the tree come down on the deck, or the house, or the cars. So it is coming down.

What a miserable start to our week.

Then today. Oh today. At 2pm the water main broke on our street. We have been without water since. It is now 8 hours later and there is still NO SIGN OF THE WATER COMPANY!!!!!!!!!!! They told us when we called this afternoon that the water would be back on within 8 hours. That is 10pm. So when we called them back at 8pm to find out what was going on they told us it would be back on within 8 hours.

So who knows when we will have water service back. Oh, what a week.

Cleanse

What is it about this time of year that makes me want to clean out my closets and eat nothing but flax seed and quinoa?

It's like a life cleanse both inside and out. Was that TMI? No? Good.

Last Saturday Kev and I overhauled our second floor. I cleaned out Lydia's closet. I put away all of my laundry (which hadn't been done since at least Thanksgiving) and all of Madeline's clothes. I organized my closet and finally put away my maternity clothes. No worries I haven't actually worn them in over a year... ok, most of them. Kev deep cleaned the bathroom (what a man I have!) cleaned up the office/guest bedroom and cleaned/rearranged the furniture in our bedroom.

It is cathartic to clean out the proverbial and occasionally real cob webs.

But I want more. The master room closet, known as 'the junk room' is full of, well, junk. Problem is, when I enter the closet I have two little shadows that follow me in. There is hardly room for me. I'd take a photo, but I am afraid of showing the word my really dirty little secret. Then there is the kitchen. No matter how often I clean the kitchen it is the center of life and it gets messy in a heartbeat. Let me stress it isn't unsanitary it is just messy. Those flat surfaces accumulate a massive amount of "stuff" over the course of a day. The hall closets are a mess and not being used in the best way. The basement, oh don't even get me started on the basement!

The real dilemma?

These two lovies. (and what a cute two they are...)

In the wise words of Phyllis Diller, "Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." (Phyllis Diller's House Keeping Hints, 1966)

Now I'm not asking for an immaculate home. Long before we had kiddos our home was far from immaculate but when I got fed up, like I so often do at this time of year, I could take the time to do something about it without having to line up a full day of babysitting.

So where do I find balance? I know this is a common feeling for mothers but I feel like I am the only one who doesn't have this figured out. I know that reality is more likely that I have it more figured out than most.

Which to me, is a very scary thought...

A tight fit

Although we moved into this house almost a year ago I am still trying to get parts of it settled. I will probably being doing this for years.

I tackled the cookbook shelves in the kitchen.

Madeline helped.

Man, I love that girl.

Now the after:

mg

Already?

It's Saturday already? Kevin had the last three days off. It has been glorious, busy, relaxing, jam packed and productive. How can three days be all of those things? Well, with a 2 year old, a 3 month old, a crazy cat and two tired adults anything can happen.

Groceries were purchased, errands were run, three trips to the hardware store were made, beans were played with and our dinning room was painted. (That should be its own post don't you think?) It was a great three days. I only wish (and I KNOW Kevin does) that we had three more.

Oh and I have to tell you about my house husband. :) Friday morning Kevin took both girls down stairs in the morning so I slept for AN EXTRA HOUR!!!! For the FIRST TIME IN THREE MONTHS!!!! And while I slept, he fed them breakfast, cleaned the living room, dining room, play room and kitchen, AND made banana bread... from scratch. I think I may have won the husband jackpot. I don't even get that much stuff done in an entire day at home. I think he should have three days off in a row more often. (As long as he keeps churning out that banana bread...)

Off to bed!

mg

There's no day like a snow day

I love it.

We got several inches of snow overnight.

Kevin already had the day off work.

I sent Kevin out into the snow with Madeline to play.

I didn't change out of my pajamas all day long.

It was awesome.

Breakfast:

Snowman pancakes of course.
With dried mango top hats and raisin faces!

Waiting as patiently as she can to head out into the cold.
Those pants are from last winter and are a size 18m so that is why they look short. I had her in two long sleeve shirts, tights, regular pants, snow pants, and a coat that has an inside and an outside layer. Not to mention socks on her hands under her mittens and her hat and hood. She was plenty toasty out in the snow. I also want to note that they spent most of the time in the back yard, out of the wind so it wasn't as cold without the wind chill.

Lydia hung out inside in the warm house with her momma!
(Do you see those wrist rolls?!? Love it!)

My little angel .

Kevin makes the best snow angels. They are always perfect and make me smile. Yep, I'm schmoopy* like that.

Both girls took great afternoon naps so Kevin and I watched AN ENTIRE MOVIE!!!! (Angels and Demons, was good but not as good as DaVinci Code) We finished the evening with baked chicken, tater tots and peas for dinner and of course hot chocolate.

Other than that I got nothing done today. I count it as a success.

*Schmoopy: adj. meaning totally sickiningly sweet and lovely dovey about my honey.

mg

Fall, part I

Fall is my favorite season. I used to think it was the weather and the colors, but as I have gotten older I realize that it isn't so much about the big things, but the smaller things that make fall so special for me.

As a kid, Fall was all about family. We spent a lot of time with my dad's parents because all of our birthdays fell in the fall. We'd go apple picking, and make Apple crisp or pie. We'd carve pumpkins for Halloween, build a fire in the back yard (or fire place) and break out our cozy sweaters and sweatpants.

Although the weather is still a little warm around here I am looking forward to the fall. I know this fall will be different then in the past. I AM only 4 or 5 weeks away from our due date and Madeline has been so much fun the last few weeks. I can't wait to do all the traditional stuff with her/them. So much so that we have already gotten underway!


After spending most of the summer in flip flops I always look forward to putting on my comfy sneakers in the fall. Of course I couldn't let the season come without getting Madeline her very own pair.

I mean really, are those not the cutest shoes EVER?!?! I am in love and honestly, I want a pair for myself! (I have a blue pair, but aren't the red awesome?!?)

When we bought our new house, in January, we had no idea what our yard would look like. Most everything was dead. But as the spring came and summer continued we quickly realized we were going to have our very own apple tree! We haven't been able to actually identify the apples, but we think they are either a very tart golden delicious, or Granny Smiths.

Regardless of what they are, they make a very tasty apple crisp. If you are in the neighborhood and need some apples come on by. We have thousands on our tree. Madeline has been enjoying picking them, but there are only so many apples three people can eat! We have already had picking parties with Madeline's friends Leo and Max and Granny and Poppy. There are plenty more to go around so come on over and bring a big bag!

mg

Lightening strike

Yesterday Kev and I went to the ball game with my brother and sister in law. (thanks for taking us guys! We had a great time.). There were two rain delays and two massive but short lived storms. When we returned home we found the Christmas lights on our deck had exploded and 7 or 8 breakers in the house had been tripped AND our phone line was out. This includes our modem (which Kev thinks is fried) so I may be scarce (ok, more scarce) this week. I'll let you know how things are going the week if I have the chance. Please keep your fingers crossed that the damage isn't more extensive than we currently think. We suspect a lightening strike... Argh. Sometimes I hate nature.

mg

27 weeks*

*Updated: I should really look at my calendar before I post these sorts of things... I am actually 27 weeks, not 26! Opps!


Tomorrow marks my 27th week of pregnancy. Which means I am officially into my 3rd trimester. I can hardly believe it. Most people know that the common idea of pregnancy is 9 months, but of course doctors count them by weeks. 40 of them to be exact. Which if you are even remotely good at simple addition, subtraction and more specifically division you know is actually 10 months. (40 weeks / 4 weeks per month = 10 months!) Doctors can be so cruel. So I have 14 weeks remaining, or 3 months!

Why do I even mention this now? Because I am starting to FREAK OUT! Why am I freaking out?!?!

#1- I am about to have two kids and that is sort of frightening to me. Madeline and I have our routines and now we are going to have to change them to accommodate this new little guy (or gal). I know this is in no way the end of the world, but I am just starting to realize that life is going to be complicated for a while. Life got complicated when Madeline was born and I don't know that it has ever really recovered and I am afraid of what #2 will do to the delicate balance that is my juggling act at the moment.

#2- The room we are planning to use as the baby's room is fithy. There are soda stains on the walls, and dog hair stuck in the base boards. (fyi...We have never drank soda up stairs, nor do we own a dog.) Which also means it isn't painted and I have no idea what color to paint it this time!!! Blue? (but that is what the old nursery was painted and I wasn't a huge fan of the color) Green? (but the room right next door is green and so were 50 percent of the rooms at the old house b/c when we can't aggree on a color we always aggreed on green.) Yellow? (now that seems really predictable and the hall is painted yellow and isn't that over kill?) I think I need therapy. Color therapy.

#3- I havn't had time to worry about #3, so when am I going to have time to care for a newborn?!?! ARGH!!

I have no idea why I was making that face, or grabing my belly...humm?

Ok... I know I will be fine. I just need to take some deep breaths and call Aunt B to come choose a color for me. (Bridget, you want to choose a paint color for me... you are the best at those things!)

One day at a time!

mg

Getting it together

Look what I did!





I am not generally a very organized person. That is why these four labeled bins are so exciting to me.

I hope to get the rest of the toys on the shelves into bins at some point. They aren't as easily contained as blocks and little people. Any ideas out there? These are just bins from Walmart and I like them because you can see into them, so the toys are not hidden AND because Madeline can get them open herself. The latches are tight enough to hold them shut but not tight enough to stop her from opening them.

mg

Around the House, part 2

The blog-o-fest-topia continues! Day 6 people... blog on!

So I did this almost a year ago and with a new house I think it about time I did it again. (I must admit it was not my original idea last year. Just giving credit, where it is due.)

It took me years to love our last house. To get little places in our house that I love. There are a few that I have re-created here in the new house... but there are a few more that are new. Stuff that I had but wasn't displayed in a great way.



The new kitchen has display shelves on either side of the sink and this pig sits on one of those shelves. This little pig is one of my favorite items in the entire house. It is a water pitcher that I got has a wedding gift from my Aunt Kate (I think). It is very old and has cracks in the bottom so I can't use it, but it simply makes me happy. I think you'd be crazy not to love a white pig, with pink cheeks in a bow tie.

When I was a kid my Grandma Opal had this doll in her china cabinet. It was a very special honor to be allowed to hold it. To be honest it is totally not my style. She is wearing more lace then I would otherwise have in my home. BUT the memories that I have with my Granny and this doll are some of my favorites. It makes me smile all the time.

One of my favorite wedding photos and our Lego cake topper. I didn't mean to make an entire shelf our wedding shelf. Although now that I think of it there is a ton more wedding rick-rack that I could throw up here and then maybe you wouldn't see those pesky HD antenna cables in the background. And maybe some candles like a wedding shrine... what do you think? (I am totally kidding I am NOT one of those!) I do however love that photo and that cake topper.

Some day, I'll feel settled in our new house. Until then there are these little places that make me smile and I know I just have to create more of them!

We are off to the DMB concert tonight. Have you heard the new album? If you haven't you should. We are venturing out onto the lawn again although I said we never would. I guess that teaches me never say never... either that or get used to a substantially lighter wallet. Ticket prices are outrageous. I'll let you know how it goes and whether I swear off lawn seats once and for all.

mg

Sunday motivation

With a new house comes new responsibility. With so much more responsibility we all have to pitch in and do our share. Madeline doesn't really like household chores but she is more than happy to be outside. So her main responsibility is the yard. Madeline takes great pride in her lawn.

Giving her mower a tune up.

If only she could find a way to get rid of all those weeds and dandelions. They are so pesky. She may have to get with Paw Paw to start on her own lawn "PLAN."

mg

Oh Olive

Today Kevin and I organized the junk we had piled in the basement during our move. This was a task I was not looking forward to. Needless to say it is done and Kevin and I are no worse for the wear. Although I think both of us want to hand our sweet kitty over to someone who doesn't have cardboard, or plastic or carpet in their home. Maybe a home made entirely out of concrete and granite?
A photo to remind me how cute she is, despite the mess we cleaned up this afternoon.

And for all you people who think dogs are the way to go because of this post, read this... Gina I feel your pain and I don't think either one of us are winners in the pet department today!

mg

So Much Better

More photos from our time outside last night.


Music: "So Much Better" performed by Rockapella

Today Madeline and I went to the park with some friends and had a fantastic time walking and playing around the lake there. I expected her to crash in the car but she talked to me the whole way home about how much fun she had at the park and our trip to the airport to drop off my Grandma (aka. Ma) this morning. She has been so much fun lately! She is such a doll. We got home ate lunch and now she is napping, and so should I! Off I go!

mg

Dear __________,

Dear Godly Trash Company*,

Since you began our cities trash service a little under a year ago we have been impressed with the courteousness of your drivers, we love the curb-side pick up of all recycling goods and your employees are some of the strongest people on the planet. (They have to be to pick up some of our more recent yard waste cans!) We thank you for all of that.

At the old house you picked up our trash at a reasonable 11am. On the nose, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. We only moved 8 blocks away. Why, OH WHY, must you pick up our trash at 7:15am?!?!?!? With every roar of the trucks engine and every squeak of the compactors crunch our entire household... including our currently sleep deprived ME and our little 2 year old girl... are awoken from our much needed rest. Those 30 to 45 minutes of sleep are important to me.

Please consider us as you plan your next change of route? Please? And PLEASE don't get any earlier! I don't think we (I) can take it!

Sincerely,

Maureen


* our actual trash company only serves a few cities in our area. Hence I am not sharing the name so that if there are any creeps out there they can't track us down. This is the same reason I don't EVER tell you what we are doing before we've done it, use last names, give street names or even our school district. I share a lot on here... but you have to protect what you can right?

mg

Dogwood

All of the blossoms have fallen from our red dogwood. Although I hate my spring allergies, it is always sad to leave the beauty behind. I miss the daffodils and tulips already.

As you can tell Madeline is not fazed by the passing of spring and is ready for the pool to open. Only four more weeks!

yard work

Madeline helped her daddy with the yard work last week. She marked the trash can with sidewalk chalk so we'd know it was ours. I think it says, 'hear ye, hear ye. This olde yard waste used to belong to my daddy. Please remove but leave the can for further yard wastage!'

I'm in kinda a goofy mood. Can you tell?

ps. you have to click on the photo to make it bigger and look at how totally scrumptious those cheeks are.... I mean really!

mg

The Tour

Olive here. Ready to give you the tour of our new digs. These photos were taken before our big move in day, so there is very little furniture, but it is about the house this time... decor later...


This is the family room. It is about the size of our former house. Just kidding....

Facing the front of the house.

Facing the rear of the house. (I love those doors and so does Maddy.) there is a full bath to the right there... but no photo sorry.

The view from the family room into the kitchen.

From the kitchen into the dinning room.


From the dining room to the front door.


Our awesome kitchen.

50% of the reason Kev and Mo bought this house.

Make that 60%.

From the kitchen into the master bed room.


This is a horrible photo of the master. You get the idea right?


The hallway to the master bathroom (on left) and closet (on right).


The closet. You see Maureen's clothes hung up... and that is all of them. They filled two closets at the old house. Now she feels like she needs to do some serious shopping.


The master shower with spa tub.


Back to the front of the house the steps are the first thing inside the front door.

The upstairs bathroom.


There are only two rooms in the house that were painted before moving in. Maureen and Kevin's room, before:


And After:
Madeline's room before:


And after:


This is the third and smallest bedroom upstairs. Madeline has declared it "Olive's room" As you see I won't complain.


The hallway upstairs is pretty big. The former owners used it as a tv/computer area for their kids.


Finally, the office. The stripes have stayed for now...


I hope you have enjoyed this tour of our new house. Maybe someday, when it isn't raining, I will convice Maureen to take a photo of the OUTSIDE of the house...

Love, Olive