Just Call Me Bob Vila

A couple weeks before we moved to LR I decided to take on the task of stripping and refinishing an old hand-me-down dresser for the new bedroom. It was much cheaper than buying a new one and I tend to enjoy those kind of projects anyway. Well, it took a week and a half as well as some minor chemical burns and dead brain cells from toxic fume inhalation, but I'm pretty pleased with the end product. It's certainly not perfect, but for my first try at wood refinishing I think I did okay. Here are the before and after shots:

Before:















After:














I've also been spending lots of time the past few days during my vacatioin doing little projects around the new house. Yesterday I made some valances for my bedroom windows. Blue thought it was weird that they weren't gathered, but I'm going for a modern, minimalistic like feel in the room so I think I like the way that they turned out. What's your verdict?

Babies are like tequila shots: They seem fun and exciting, but then you realize you've got yourself into way more than you bargained for.

Much of my time at the lodge was spent playing with and taking care of my new twin cousins, Josh and Kyle. They're six months old and incredibly cute. They are so cute that they almost fooled me into thinking that maybe I'd like to have one in a few years. Don't worry though. After a couple days I came to my senses.

How adorable are they? I'm holding Kyle and Jillian is holding Josh (aka wittle Joshy).














This is by far the best picture of the trip.















I had to include this picture of one of our canoe trips just to show off how pretty the lake is. Also check out the blue sky with the puffy white clouds. We just don't get those kind of clouds down here. Up there that is what the sky looks like everyday!









Another thing that I've never seen down here are water lillies. They're gorgeous and the lake was covered in them.

One viral cold, several choice purchases, and 6,000 familial arguments later....

I'm Back! I had a nice time on my recent trip up North to visit my Mom's family and celebrate my Grandfather's 70th birthday. It was quite relaxing spending several days at the family "lodge." We spent lots of time outdoors canoeing, swimming, etc. and I don't think I got one mosquito bite (they tend not to like me).

This is the lodge:














We also spent two days in Minneapolis doing some serious shopping. Though the Mall of America may seem ostentatious, it is quite impressive once you're in it. It's like Las Vegas for gamblers...nothing compares.

Last but not least, we spent copious amounts of time playing with and taking care of my new twin cousins. They're six months old and cute as buttons. My sister has hijacked the camera that has all of the pictures of them on it so I'll try and post some tomorrow.

And Finally, I want to do some hanging out this week...dollar draft night, margaritas and cheese dip, happy hour, anything! Whose down?

Northern Bound

Well, I know I just started blogging again, but for the next five days you may not hear much out of me because bright and early tomorrow morning I fly up to the great state of Minnesota. I'm going up there to visit my Mom's side of the family. My grandfather is turning 70 and they're having a big party this weekend at the family lake house in western Wisconsin. It's a pretty cool place. I refer to it as the "lodge." I'll be sure and bring back photos. We'll also be spending a few days in the twin cities, which I'm so excited about. Watch out mosquitoes...here I come!

Back, Back, Back Again

It's a miracle! We FINALLY have internet in the house. Thank the lord!

It's been a whirlwind weekend. Friday and Saturday during the day were spent getting ready for the housewarming/welcome home party, which turned out to be a smashing success if I do say so myself. I had a great time and I think everyone else did too. Almost all of the food got eaten which is always a good sign.

On a funny note, I did take some pictures but they don't include any people...just food. I'm sure others will post some people pics on their blogs.

Here's what we ate:














Cheese Ravioli in Marinara















Marinated Cheese















Honeydew Melon wrapped in Proscuitto















Italian Meatballs















A Fruit Plate (made by Brooke)















Seven-Layer Italian Dip















Bruschetta (Blue made this...what a guy!)















Roasted Cherry Tomatoes stuffed with Pesto




















Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
Grapes, Figs, and Chocolate covered Strawberries
Ginger Star Cookies















Buttermilk Cake with chocolate and strawbery filling iced in Almond buttercream and topped with chocolate covered strawberries

Yum-ola! I had a blast putting it all together and I can't wait to do it again.

Comcast must Die!!

So, we're on our fourth appointment with Comcast trying to get our cable and broadband turned on. Major Arrgh! I won't go into the details because it's boring and frustrating, so just cross your fingers that they show up on Friday between the hours of 2 and 5.

On a more fun note, the housewarming/welcome home Chandle is fast approaching. If I know you and you live in LR (or are visiting this weekend) you are invited even if you didn't get one of the evites. I have limited e-mails, so I didn't get it out to everyone. It's on Saturday at 7. Call me or any of our friends for more detail. Yea for having good reasons to party!! See you there.

Wired!

If everything goes smoothly, we should be online in the new house tomorrow. Yea!

Oh, and I just sent out the e-vites for the housewarming to all you LR people. I think it worked alright, but if you didn't get one let me know and I'll see if I can fix it. Any of you out of towners who will be here on July 29th are certainly invited too!

At Last!

We are in the new house!! Unfort. we do not have internet yet. Comcast = Arrgh! Just wanted to let you know I'm alive. Hopefully I'll be back online soon. More to come!

Rampant Inefficiency / See You on the Other Side!

I am so MAD! So I get a call today at 2:30 from U-haul. They tell me that I'm going to have to pick up the truck I reserved for the move in Clinton, AR. Are you kidding me??? That's like an hour outside of Conway. I argued with them for a while and got no where, so I said screw you and Blue and I spent the next hour on the phone calling everyone in the phone book trying to find a truck for tomorrow. Luckily, we found one. We have to go to Little Rock to pick it up, but, hey, it's better than going to Clinton. Oh, and stay away from U-haul. They're on my black list for sure.

On a lighter note, tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!! (Cue angelic voices singing "Ahhhhhh"). I've got my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly. I'm feeling slightly stressed because we move on thursday and then I leave for my annual Minnesota trip on Saturday. I'm just gonna have to find a way to deal with not being able to unpack everything before the trip. Due to all of thismoving and stuff I'm probably gonna be without internet service for a few weeks, but I'll update as often as I'm able. The next time you hear from me I'll officially be a home owner. Saa-weet!

Oh, and have a fabulous Fourth of July! Don't forget to practice proper firework safety!!!

Movin' on UP...

Let the moving madness begin...

This use to be our living room. I'm proud to say that 95% of the house is packed and ready to go (and we still have two more days!). I am slightly perturbed with the fact that our landlord called today and told us we have to shampoo the carpets or he's gonna take $100 out of our deposit. We didn't even get them dirty. He says it's his policy. Whatever jack-@&& ! Oh, and that kid pooped in his pants AGAIN! I'm not kidding. I talked with the director and they are going to talk to his parent. It's got to stop!

What is that smell?? (times 2)

Ah, the joys of working with kindergarteners...

So two days ago we were having free-time in the classroom and some of the kids started yelling about a bad smell. I didn't pay much attention because we have a few boys who have yet to mature enough to be embarassed when they pass gas, so they usually just let it fly. After a minute or two passed I started to smell something too. I noticed one of the boys sitting alone so I went over to check things out, and lo and behold there was a toxic cloud of stinkiness surrounding him. That's right folks...he had pooped his pants! I won't go into detail because I'm sure you can imagine just how much fun I had dealing with the situation.

But wait...it gets better.

The next day, at around the same time for goodness sake, I started smelling a familiar foul odor. I looked around the room and the same little boy was off by himself with a grim look on his face. Yes, indeed. He had pooped his pants...AGAIN! I was shocked, flabergasted, and horrified at the prospect of having to go through the clean up ordeal two days in a row. Blehhh!

Luckily, we made it through today without any accidents. Lets just say that this is affirming my desire not to have children anytime soon.

Hiatus/Take your nappy!

Um, yeah, so unbeknowst to me, my blog decided to go on a two week cruise to the Bahamas. It had a great time, and now that it is back, I'll be able to update more frequently.

Summer day camp is going pretty well so far. I have a pretty good group of kindergarteners this year. I've noticed that I tend to loose my patience around 11am, but thankfully nap time starts at 12:30pm. It is my refuge...but don't worry. I don't rub paste all over my face and do tribal dances like the kindergarten teacher in Billy Madison. I usually just read a book.

I'm totally hating the getting up at 5:30am so I can drive to LR and be at work by 7am, but there are only seven more days of that bull-shizz left because I will officially be on vacation starting the 29th. I will also officially be moving that day too. Hooray!

Speaking of the new house, I have an important announcement. A date has been tentatively determined for the Housewarming/Welcome home Chandle/etc./etc. (we have a lot to celebrate) BASH! Pencil it in on your calendars for the evening of July 29th (a Sat.). More details to follow as the date approaches.

I'll leave you with a portrait of me that one of my kindergarteners handed me the other day...

I'm not quite sure what it says, but I'm excited that I'll apparently never need collagen injections. Ha!

Endings, Beginnings, Endings, Beginnings...

Yea! School is officially over, complete, done (until fall)! I finished accounting with flying colors, and now that I have completed ALL the necessary requirements, I will officially, to the most certain degree, be attending UAMS this fall. Sweet!

I've also completed my last day of baking at the restaurant. I'll miss it, but I won't miss the crazy old woman that I shared baking duties with. What a loon! The owner asked me what it would take to get me to stay...I said raise my salary to $25 an hour with benefits and buy a brand new oven ( to replace the P.O.S that they have right now). He rejected that offer. I was kind of kidding but not really cause, heck, I'm worth it!

Tomorrow morning, bright and early at 7am, I begin taking care of a kindergarten classroom (all by my lonesome!) at Camp Falcon (Christ Lutheran School's summer day camp). I'm excited to meet all of my kiddos this summer. Hopefully I'll have some cool ones. I've got lots of plans for our class this summer, which I'm sure I'll describe in a later post.

I have a feeling that this summer is gonna go by very quickly, but I also have a feeling that it's gonna be tons of fun! Let's hope so.

**!!!!!24 days till the Little Rock exodus!!!!!** Yahoo!

Sushi and a Euro Mullet!

Tonight my brother and I are going out for Sushi and to see The Da Vinci Code. I'm really looking forward to a break from the accounting madness that has taken over my weekdays. It really hasn't been that hard. I've aced my first two tests (that's right...we've had two test within eight days of class...and we have two more to take during the last 6 days!). It's just fast paced and you have to do work everyday. Poor me! (insert sarcasm here)

Anyhoo, I'll let you know how the movie is. I'm definitely excited, but also worried that it's not gonna be as good as the book. We'll see...

The Slow Days of Summer

It felt like summer officially started this weekend. It was just hot enough to be uncomfortable outside. It totally makes me want to go swimming.

The weekend was a pretty slow one. I made it to Brooke's "Last night in Little Rock" get together at Vino's on Saturday. It was good to see the two of them off. It is also good that they are only moving to Batesville...not too far away. Other than that it's just been the usual--homework, cleaning, packing, blah, blah, blah.

I only have two more weeks of summer class left, which also means only two more weeks of baking at the restaurant left. This ALSO means that in only six short weeks I will be moving! Have I mentioned how ready I am to move into the new house?......Yes?......Okay, just making sure.

Oy!

So, all of a sudden I've become insanely busy!! I've started my summer class (principles of accounting) and it's conceptually easy but quite tedious, and since the class only last three weeks we're moving at quite an accelerated pace. I started on Monday and we've already had two quizzes, seven homework assignments and we have our first test tomorrow morning. Sheesh!

This was all preceeded by a very busy weekend too. Friday was Brooke's graduation. Saturday was Eric and Emily's shower and then having some girl time with Kristen and Annie at the Rose. Both evenings were quite fun. Sunday was mother's day, and throw into the mix working at Stoby's filling almost 40 dessert orders for the holiday. Anyway, I made brunch for the fam on mother's day. Check out the deliciousness below.
I served Tortellini Pasta Salad with Chicken and Sun Dried Tomatoes, fresh fruit, a green salad, and Shitake Mushroom and Corn Quiche.

For dessert we had Chocolate Berry Truffle Cake.

One last thing....

For those who have been curious about the Mozart, here he is in all his beaver fighting glory. Really though, he's doing much better. We're just waiting for the wounds to heal and then he'll be completely back to normal.

Snip-its

-Um, yeah, so did the endless storm last night keep anyone else up? I didn't get out of bed until 10AM because my sleep had been so interrupted. Also, this giant piece of tree fell on our house. Luckily it didn't do any serious damage.

-Yea! My grades are in and my acceptance to Pharm school still stands. I came out with a B in organic (which I was quite surprised with...after the final I was totally expecting/praying for a C) and Calculus, and, the mother of all shocks, I came out with an A in physics. Don't ask me how...I still don't even remember taking the final.

-Double Yea! My little brother comes home today for the summer from Wash U in St. Lou. He's finally decided on a major...it's a double too...bio-medical engineering and German. Good for him. (He's the one of us five kids who got the super-brain.)

-I've picked up a couple more hours of baking at the restaurant and have also given them notice. My last day there will be June 3rd. I've applied to work at Christ Lutheran Summer Day Camp for the rest of the summer. It pays quite well and I've worked there before and have always enjoyed. (They pay you to go lay out at the pool twice a week for goodness sake!)

-Mozart is getting better everyday. He's mobile now and has even managed to scratch out one of the staples. We're having to watch him constantly to keep him away from the wounds. We're also thinking of changing his name to Uzi (warning-grossness ahead!) because the wounds the vet left open are still quite drippy (in a good clean way, not an infected way...but we still don't want it on the carpet). Mo thanks you all for your support.

-Super Triple Quadruple Fantastic Yea! I move to LR in a short 7 1/2 weeks! Like a nut, I've already started packing. Blue thinks I'm crazy, but I'm just so excited that I couldn't resist. Also, I've started to go a little interior design crazy. I'm picking out new furniture, finishes, accessories, window treatment, outdoor furniture, landscaping ideas...yeah, I can't really afford any of it at the moment. It's kind of like going to the dress department as a teenager and trying on expensive gowns even though you don't need one...a girl can dream (and I've started a savings plan).

Note to self: Wrestling with a beaver is never a good idea!

So, we're pretty sure Mozart was attacked by a beaver Friday night. Blue had taken him out to the UCA nature preserve for a run that night. Mozart diappeared into the woods as usual. Blue called for him when it was time to walk home but got no response. After quite some time Mozart appeared at the edge of the woods and just stopped. Blue had to call him repeatedly to get him moving and when he finally made it to where Blue was he collapsed. Blue noticed big gashes all over one side of his body. He knew they weren't gonna make the walk home, so he called me to come and pick them up. Mozart hobbled to my car and we drove home. Once we got home he was in so much pain that he wouldn't get out of the car. He ended up spending the night in my back seat. Blue took him to the vet the next morning and he now has four rows of staples on his body to close up the big wounds and several other open cuts that the doctor left alone. This all includes big patches of shaved fur on one side of this body. He was in pretty bad shape right after he got home from the vet. He was dopey from the drugs that they had given him but we managed to lift him out of the car and onto his bed that we had brought into the garage with only a few yelps. He didn't move until around 7pm that evening when we finally got him to stand up and go to the bathroom out in the yard. He's doing much better today. He's more mobile and is eating and drinking now. He's got at least a month long recovery ahead of him before he's back to normal. We're pretty sure it was a beaver attack because we've seen and heard beavers in the creek next to the nature preserve where Mozart likes to swim. We also read that beavers try to drown their victims and Mozart was completely wet including his head when Blue first saw him. Other than this, it's been a good weekend, but man is it hard to see him in such bad shape. He could use any little doggie prayers you've got. Thank goodness he's gonna be okay.

Sweet Relief! (almost)

Yahoo! I'm done with finals. Now I just have to wait on my grades (I'm a little worried about Organic II...I just have to get a C to hold my acceptance into Pharm school). I feel weird because I don't have anything to study for now. I don't know what to do with myself. I'm sure in a day or two I'll start to finally relax. I'll probably get another job for the summer so I can save up some money to buy furniture for the new house. I'm so glad school is finally done!! Time to par-tay!

Is that all of us?

I think we've all finally turned the big two-five (hopefully I'm not forgetting anyone!).
Anyhoo,
I'd like to wish a Fabulous Happy Birthday to Kat!!
















You're spectacular and I hope you have a great day (despite the scary torrential downpour outside!)! We must party soon. :)

Happy Birthday Chandelous!!!

We miss you!! You must come home SOON. We have lots to celebrate!

I Still Don't Believe Its Really True!

I know I'm supposed to be studying for finals, but I just couldn't wait to share the good news! I found a house!! It's in the Cardinal Heights/Briarwood area near Christ Lutheran School and its spectacular. Our offer was excepted, we're under contract, and barring any catastrophic findings during the inspection, I will officially be a home owner on June 29th! Housewarming party anyone??















The new house!















Two views of the living room




























Two views of the dining room

































The Kitchen















Two views of the backyard














By the way, have you noticed the fabulouso custom built covered patio in the backyard? Perfect for entertaining!















I'm quadruple excited! I don't know how I'm going make it through the next two months. I want to move in yesterday! Once again, I must practic the patience...

Finals = Brain Meltdown!

I'll be back in a few days...hopefully with some spectacular news and accompanying photos!

On another note:

Happy Birthday to one of the coolest kids I know, Blake Matheny!

Uh...Say That Again??

So, get this. I called my mom on Friday when I got my acceptance letter to tell her the good news. She was excited and everything and then she said, "I've decided that I'm going to buy you a house." !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sat there with my mouth hanging open for a second and then said, "What! Are you serious?" because this is totally not my parents style. Don't get me wrong. They've been good to me over the years and everything, but a house? I still don't really believe it. (BTW, Blue and I will pay rent to cover the mortgage. I'm not that spoiled! :) ) Anyhoo, we looked at several properties last weekend, but didn't find "the one" yet. We're going out on the search again this weekend. There are two promising homes on the list. One is in Hillcrest close to where Brooke and I lived and the other is in the Christ Lutheran area kind of near Kat, Karl, Eliz., and Annie's respective houses (Yea! We'd be neighbors!). I am totally over the moon with excitement. It's craziness I tell you, absolute craziness!!!! I'll be able to have dinner parties, redecorate the whole house whenever I want, have a garden, do landscaping...oh, and did I mention have dinner parties? I don't even have words to express my excited anticipation!!! Yahoo!

Get ready to start calling me Doctor!

Two-Fiver

Happy Birthday to my best pal Brooke!

I officially welcome you to the quarter century club.

Hotter than ___________! (insert expletive here)

Is it just me, or is it way too hot? I'm not supposed to sweat until at least the middle of May! Anyone who doesn't believe in global warming is looney. The evidence is right in front of our faces. What stinks is that even if we completely stop green house gas emissions today, the effects of what we've already produced will carry on for years to come. Uggghhh! We're doomed!
All this environmentalism has made me think of something new that I saw recently that I want to own one day...
Toyota has developed a Camry hybrid for 2007!

For those of you who don't know, I drive a handy dandy super reliable Camry and I heart Toyota to the max. They last forever! One day I would like to own this hybrid. They start out at 25 g's, which isn't that bad...not compared to my real dream car anyway...

The BMW 6 series convertible!
I try not to covet very many things, but this car is my weakness. It is gorgeous (and it goes really fast too!). If I'm ever able I might just treat myself to it (yeah right, they start at 96 g's...buy my first house or buy a car, hmmmm). I can dream though can't I? When I ran into one in person I honestly followed the car around for a while because I was so captivated. It's got a hold on me! :) (Here's another picture for you to drool over.)

Screw the tenth commandment. I'm covetting!

Easter = sugar overload

Easter was good with lots of good food. We had a laid back lunch at my parent's house in LR. I made three desserts and some bread. Check them out below (I only managed to take pics of two things, so I cheated...the last two images are from cookbooks, but my end products were strikingly similar so just pretend I made them).















Strawberry tarts
















Challah (a type of Jewish bread)
















Lemon Blueberry Cream Pie (this was extraordinarily delicious)






















Coconut Cake with Coconut Custard filling