No time...

It has been nearly a week since I have blogged. It certainly isn't because I have nothing to talk about, it's just that I have no time. I have a baby shower to go to this weekend...and even though I knew it was coming, I have run out of time. I actually planned out exactly what I wanted to do for my gifts, with a little last minute idea as well. The shower is the day after my little sister's birthday so I decided to do two similar baskets for my sister and the mommy-to-be. There are also a few homemade items that I am making for the baby...even though I knew what I wanted to do, I didn't actually get started until Sunday night...yikes. I am only a fourth of the way through the baby blanket I am making and because I haven't crocheted in a while it is sort of slow going and my hand keeps cramping. Plus, I can only keep my head bent over for so long. I also have to make the stuff for the baskets, and I have to get my house boxed up. So, for now, I am working for about 2 hours...in which I can only complete about 5 rows (there are about 400 rows in the blanket!) Then I get up and do some house work and boxing for about 2 hours, then back to the blanket. Then last night I had this grand idea to make a stuffed animal (I know...I am insane), so I started on that...now I am stressed because I haven't worked on the blanket, I am only half the way through with the animal....which may have been a complete waste of time because I have NEVER made one before, and I am not so certain how this thing is going to turn out! After dropping Logan off at school today, Landry and I ran to Hobby Lobby for some more yarn, and of course - because it always happens - I found yet another thing I wanted to make for the baby. Bow I have about 20 things to make and about 4 days to get it done! There is no way I can do this...but I am still going to try. I think I will feel better if I can just get one thing accomplished...so I am off to work on the animal and then on the blanket...I am hoping to get the blanket at least half way finished before I go to bed tonight. Plus, I need to get some more of the house boxed up! Yesterday I got all the pictures boxed...it only took 3 boxes! LOL

Okay, I am off! Have a good one!

My Valentine

Yesterday I dropped Logan off at school and Landry and I headed to San Marcos. First, we went to the Social security office, where I changed my name on my SS card from Nelms to Luck. It took less than 10 minutes and I should recieve it with in 10 days. Then we headed over to the DPS. I told you already that I paid $1500 for tickets that I recieved in 2001 and 2002. I called the number to make sure that they had been cleared through the system, which it was so I wanted my driver's license. Anyway, so we get there, fill in the paper work, stand in line...yay - it's my turn. I can't get a license because it has been suspended until Dec. 5 2013...UMMMM - WHAT? Why do I have a two year suspension? Oh, remember that ticket that started this whole process. The ticket for driving with an invalid license...not only did it cost me $139, not it has apparently cost me two years to get my license. I have to pay a $100 re-enstatement fee, wait two years, and apparently I have to carry a special insurance for the next 2 years. So, why do I need to be insured if I can't legally drive??? I have no idea. I do know however that my sister got a DWI (this was like 4 years ago) and her license was suspended for 90 days. So apparently you can drive drunk and get your license back in 3 months...but if you drive with an expired license...it's 2 years! Please someone explain to me how this makes sense. I was on the phone all day yesterday. I have a few more phone calls to make today, in order to find out what I am going to do. I have a couple of opptions...1) I can request a hearing to see if they might lift the suspension or at least lesson in...this means lots of money, a lawyer, and no guarantee. 2) I can apply for an occupational license which will allow me to legally drive while my license is suspended. I have to get a judgement from the county or district court and carry the SR22 insurance (which I have to have anyway). The thing that ticks me off...other than not having a license, and the seemingly ridiculous amount of time for a suspension is that my insurance is going to sky rocket. Ughhh. It seems pretty crazy to give a 2 year suspension to someone who hasn't had a traffic violation since 2002. 10 YEARS without a sppeding ticket...I got pulled over in November because my headlight was out which is how I got the ticket for an expired license. Also...I was NEVER notified of my license suspension. I am really mad about all this. It just doesn't make sense to me.

The appraisal came back for the house and went to the Wells Fargo underwriter. They contacted JR about so more paperwork needed and HOPEFULLY should be getting sent off to USDA underwriter by the end of the week, which means that from the time they get it - it will take 15 days for their response, and then 48 hours before we close...so it looks like we wont close until the week of March 5 - 9. We are just going to go ahead and put everything in storage and stay with my parents, it will be cheaper than pro-rating the house we are in now. SO...that's the plan for now - it will probably change 18 more times.

I picked Logan up from school, he had a whole box full of Valentine's. Apparently they had quite a shindig! He was so sweet telling all his friends goodbye and happy valentine's day! Cutest kid ever! When we got home we went through his box, looked at all the cookies and candy and read all the cards. We is getting better and better at making the letter sounds...I can't wait until he starts reading!

When JR got home, he appeared with a new stuffed puppy for Landry, a heart shaped box of chocolate decorated with baseball stuff, and chocolate covered straberries and a box of truffles for me. I let him and the kids eat the truffles...I am not a fan of them. Then we headed to Garcia's to eat some yummy mexican food and have some much needed Margaritas! When we got home, I laid down and read until I fell asleep! I only had one Margarita, but man it was enough to lull me..not that I neaded much help - I was so sleepy yesterday!

Oh yeah...while I was at the DPS I did update my identification card since mine still had my La Marque address!

busy, relax, busy, relax

Friday night JR and I had the priveledge of watching my cousin's baby, Mark. He just turned 5 months old and his mommy and daddy went out to celebrate their 3 year anniversary. They went to a fancy dinner and then an Andrea Bochelli concert in Austin. I know how hard it is to find some adult time with your spouse once a baby comes along, so I was happy to babysit for them. It has been a long time since I have had a 5 month old to look after, and I am not going to lie, I forgot about a lot of stuff. Mainly, the spit up factor. Man, I was covered! LOL I guess when you aren't doing it every day, you sort of forget how much those little tiny things can erupt! LOL Logan was great, he got a little bit jealous, but really I think it was more the fact that he wanted to sit with Mark than him wanting to sit with me. Landry, really enjoyed having Mark around...as long as I wasn't holding him. She definitely had a jealous streak going on. As long as Mark was in his chair or walker, Landry was all about playing with him. She did get a little upset when I wouldn't let her hold him though! Anyway, It was really fun. It brought back a lot of memories. Later that night JR asked if having him all night made me realize I wanted another baby, or realize that I didn't. Honestly, it didn't change my mind either way. I still think I may want another one...but not for another 5 years or so. Part of me feels a little selfish for not really wanting another one. We have so much going on in our lives right now, and I am really hoping to go to cosmetology school in about a year from now...having another baby would put everything on hold. Plus, I really want to get settled into our house for at least a year before we take anything else on...including school, a new car, or a new baby. Anyway, I was really happy to watch him, and look forward to watching him grow up. As of right now, we only live about 2.5 miles from them, but once we get into the new house we will be less than a mile down the street!

JR has to go to work on Saturday...well actually he had to go into Austin for a re-certification test. He was home by noon and slept until 4 then drove into San Antonio to work. He didn't get home until a little after 9am Sunday morning. On Sunday, he slept until 3 then got up and headed back to San Antonio for work AGAIN. He got home at midnight last night and slept in a little this morning before heading to work in Ausitn at 8:30. Whew! So, while he was working, the kids and I were at home. I seriously woke up this morning thinking it was Wednesday. It was so strange having him gone all weekend, and even when he was here he needed to sleep, so it was like not really having him here. I know I missed him, I know the kids missed him. Part of it was hard...I think the kids get really riled up when they dont have their dad around for a while. JR is kind of their own personal jungle gym. In a way, he is the "fun parent". I am more the disciplinarian. I am the take them to the park, but please dont jump on top of me. My old bones just can't take it. I know..I'm kind of the pooper in the family. Anyway, the weekend was just a back and forth bewteen being busy and relaxing. When I say busy...I really just mean kids running around like hooligans! Ohh and Landry is having a bit of an issue with pooping on the potty...so she took A LOT of baths!!!

Obviously - these are not the floors we will have...instead we will have wood floors. We got a few samples on Thursday and are expecting some more either today or tomorrow. There were two we really liked from the first batch of samples...but they just weren't the WOW!!! that we are looking for, so hopefully we will find what we are looking for soon, because we need to place the order pretty soon. I promise, one of these days I will post pictures of something other than the kitchen...but as for now, it just doesn't look like much. Once we get furniture in and the floors and paint, it will be better to post! We are exactly two weeks from our HOPEFUL closing date! Ahhhh! So excited

Appliances

I have done really good about not going by the house everyday this week. I told myself I wasn't going to do it because in all honesty it was starting to drive me a bit crazy. So I went by on Tuesday and Thursday after dropping Logan off at school and I went by today because I knew the appliances were supposed to arrive.

First let me talk about yesterday. They FINALLY got that one last shutter up, so they will need to do the touch up paint on that and I didn't check it today because I was too excited to see the appliances, but I will check that out next week or have JR check it out. There are also some areas around the garage that I did happen to notice where they caulked that need to be touched up. Also, they FINALLY put the master closet door on. If you remember, they had to order a new one because they put it on wrong to where it opened into the clothes, so you would have to walk in, and close the door to get to the clothes. Halleluya, the new door is on....wait, ummm...HOLY COW BALLS they installed it wrong AGAIN! It isn't a huge deal, but now it opens outward. I will try to explain why this would be annoying (other than the fact that this is not how the blue prints are), but other than actually looking at it, it may be hard to visualize...
~ If you are standing in the bathroom in front of the toilet, you would be facing the linen closet straight ahead. To the right of the linen closet is the Shower, and to the left of the linen closet (across from the shower) is the master closet. So the "new" closet door opens outward into the linen closet, the linen closet door opens outward towards the shower. Basically it would be a very busy area with the doors.
So JR called the contractor, the contractor apologized and said he will get it fixed even if it means he has to do it himself. Seriously - who would have thought a door would cause so many problems???

Anyway, so as I arrived today, the appliance truck was leaving! Our appliances are in! So freaking exciting. The paint guy was there doing more interior touch ups and there was a lady there laying the transition pieces from carpet to tile, yada yada. I don't know if the appraisor has already been there or if he is coming later...I would hope he is coming later, since if he was there earlier that would mean that the appliances weren't in yet! Anyway...I took some photos with my phone...so here ya go...sorry - couldn't wait to share! JR is going to take some better pics with his phone (his camera is better than the one on my phone and his hands dont shake quite as much as mine) and they will be on facebook in a bit!

Stainless - French Door refrigerator, microwave, and stove!!!

In the left corner of the kitchen you can just see the corner of the dishwasher....and if you look at the sink you can just barely make out the water filter faucet that was installed yesterday! YAY It's so nice to have new matching appliances - I mean technically we have matching appliances now, they are all white, but I don't think the term "outdated" really describes them LOL!

Front loader washer and dryer...I looked at them for a minute and decided I am most likely going to have to read the owner's manual for those things!! LOL

So there you have it. It's been a good Friday. Now I have to finish cleaning up the house to get ready for baby Mark tonight. It's been a while since I have had a 5 months old for an entire night! So excited!

Irritating Husband!

I love my husband...I really do, but there are moments when I feel like I could just strangle him. Not to kill him, of course, but just render him unconcious for a bit!

First, I should say that I "FEEL" that he has not been helping me with the house as much as he should. Part of that is because I have worked long and hard on scrubbing the carpet which has turned into a four day affair and I still have to finish the dining room. So, even though this is only one item to check off a list...it has been rough. Also, I have completed 17 loads of laundry. He hasn't loaded, unloaded, folded, or put away a single article of clothing, so again - it may only be one thing (the laundry), it is seriously much more than that...17 loads - seriously. My friend Nikki and her husband are responsible for their own laundry. She does hers and he does his. Since I am a stay at home mom, I do JR's laundry. It isn't that big of a deal, except that I have to do mine and the kids too, and I just ask for a little bit of help. Is it really too much to want him to put his clothes in the dirty laundry basket and not throw his dirty socks on the living room floor every day when he gets home from work? Is it too much to ask that he does a load of laundry on his own every once in a while? Is it too much to want him to at least put his own clothes away? The truth is, if I throw a big enough fit he will put away his clothes...but I dont want or have the energy to throw the fit anymore. I have also done the dishes every night this week. I went through the toys and threw away a large trash sack full. I did the grocery shopping. I cooked the food, put the left overs away and cleaned the kitchen. I feel like I have been cleaning all week, well - I have, and I still have a lot to do.

JR has helped. Yesterday he mowed the lawn, and he did help me pick up the living room on Sunday. Saturday night he cleaned the office where he has been making his sterio coolers. He had to bundle up 8 big black trash bags of trash...but that was of his own making. I have asked for months for him to clean up that room and it only took me buying him a shop vac for him to accomplish it. He also barbequed the chicken last night. I say this to explain not only to you, but to remind myself as well, that he has done stuff around the house. I just feel like he hasn't really been that helpful. After cooking last night, he ate, then sat on the computer designing something for the new house. Other than cleaning the office, he really hasn't done anything major to help me out and its really frustrating. At 9 last night, he went to bed in Logan's room while I was making Logan's class valentines and when I went to ask why we was sleeping in there, he said it was because I had put laundry on his bed. I had finished the last two loads earlier in the night and folded them and left them on the bed. Sure, I should have put them away, but I was really busy and intentded to do it later...but seriously, he knew I was busy and if he was that tired, he could have put the laundry away for me and then gone to bed. UGHHHH

Luckily, I held my tongue, got the laundry put away, and told my husband to go to bed. Today, after listening to him talk about the kids getting on his nerves last night and how tired he was, I very calmly told him that I needed him to help out more. He was on the computer all night, I didn't see how the kids could possibly bother him since he paid them very little attention, and as for being tired, I know he has been working a lot lately but he got off early yesterday, took an hour and a half nap, mowed the grass, barbequed chicken, spent 2.5 hours on the computer then went to bed. I simply stated that that behavior can be tolerated here and there, but not when your wife is slaving away. Taking note of what is going on around him would be greatly appreciated...and at the same time I understand him being tired. I would rather him just discuss this with me, find out what I need help with, and if he needs the extra rest - then communicate.

I have to say, it was much better than the arguing matches that usually occur when I feel like he is being lazy. But seriously, he can't just keep saying hey I cleaned the office, and have it compare to all the work I have done. It isn't a competition, but I just feel like he could have done the dishes, or put the food away. Seriously, either one would have taken less than 5 minutes. Anyway, hopefully he will keep that little talk in mind when he gets home tonight. I honestly dont expect the chores around the house to be equal. I know its part of my job...but I do expect him to help out a little, and he is nearly 29 years old...the man can put his damn clothes in the laundry hamper, I shouldn't have to go behind him and pick his crap up off the floor.

Okay, done venting.

They are finishing up my house today!!! They had a whole crew of workers doing touch ups and finishing every little thing up. The new closet door was there but not installed yet. All the appliance will be delivered and installed tomorrow...washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, and microwave! (the dishwasher is already there). I can't wait to see it all in there. The appraisor comes tomorrow as well. JR says it probably wont be until Monday or Tuesday before he sends the report to the bank, but I am hoping he will send it immediately on Friday so that Wells Fargo can just fax it to the USDA. There may be a few more little things that need to be done after tomorrow, but pretty much after tomorrow we will just be waiting around for two weeks waiting to hear back from USDA and then we will close. Oh, and of course during those two weeks they will fix anything that we find when we do our walk through, and they will get the landscaping done! So 3 more weeks, and then you get to see pictures and read all about the moving, the installing of hardwood floors (which we get our samples of today - we ordered 5 samples of flooring so we still have to pick out our winner), the painting, and the putting together of the house! Aren't you excited??? I know I am! LOL

getting clean...

So, since Monday, I have now scrubbed my entire living room carpet...I know...its a bit drastic, but I feel so much better. I am working on my dining room now, and the rest of the house can just wait until we move out and I get a rug doctor. In all honesty I am kind of just wasting my time, I mean, I am giong to get a rug doctor before we move out, and it will just do what I have been working so hard on for 2.5 days in about an hour...but I am baby sitting my cousin's baby this Friday for their anniversary, and I just dont want someone walking in and looking at my carpet. It is so embarrassing. So I am going to continue to waste my time doing it because it makes me feel better!

There is so much that needs to be done in this house. I started the boxing process on Monday, and quickly stopped. I decided that I needed to get everything clean first, that way it will be easier to organize the boxes. One thing I have learned after moving so much is not to tape up the boxes until the end. It never fails, we always end up with about 3 boxes of miscellaneous objects because I come across a item in which its "family" has already been boxed and taped up. Anyway, the house should be cleaned by today or tomorrow, and I will start boxing on Saturday. Target said that if I call before 8 on Saturday they will set aside some boxes for me...sure beats going to Wal-mart at 3 am!!!

After I took Logan to school yesterday, I went to get my hair cut. I have been wanting a change for a while, but wasn't really sure what to do with it. I have medium, curly/wavy hair, and A LOT of it...so I can't really wear it short because it just goes every where and I look like Bozo...or, I have to straighten it every day...and I just dont have the time or patience for that. Vanessa suggested highlighting it...but again, I dont have the time or patience for the upkeep of something like that. I usually just cut my own hair...I only actually get to enjoy the pleasure of someone else cutting it about once a year...So, I definitely wouldn't be able to go every 6 -8 weeks to get my roots done! Anyway, I ended up getting a little over 6 inches cut off, and some long layers cut all the way around. The front is framed around my face, and actually I wouldn't have mind going a little shorter all the way around and maybe doing some side sweep long bangs...but I like my hair, and if I want to go a little shorter later on I can! I can probably only afford to go about an inch shorter than what I have, otherwise I will get the Bozo look...plus it is imperative that my hair fit in a ponytail!

They installed the carpet yesterday at the new house, and JR spoke to the sales associate and the contractor who both reassured him that the house would be ready for the appraisal on Friday. The closet door should arrive today or tomorrow, touch- ups will be going on today and tomorrow, and appliances arrive on Friday! They put up the fence in the back yard, they got the front door and the garage door painted and all the exterior touch ups finished. They still haven't put on the one shutter...but it should be done by Friday. They put up the mirrors in the bathrooms and this morning the cleaning crew came in to clean the entire house. Basically all that is left is the interior paint touch ups, fixing the closet door, getting the shutter up, and installing the appliances. Of course, I just want it ready for the appraisal (which is Friday), then any other little things can be done between then and closing day! Until then...I have TONS to do here at this house in order to get ready for the move. I can't believe it is less than 3 weeks away!! Ahhh - Can't wait to be a homeowner.

I have paid my $1500 dollars (a week ago) on those pesky speeding tickets from waaaayy back in 2001, and am waiting for them to go through the system (2 weeks or more) So next week I should be able to go get my drivers license. I have decided to take care of changing my last name, so I have to make a trip to the social security office first. Also, if your license has been expired for two years or more you have to re-take the test...YAY! JR says I should by the book to go through before I take the test...just in case. I would hate to fail that thing..LOL! So, at least I will have a new license and I am going to go ahead and put my new address on it (even though we haven't closed...)

So, that's the deal! Happy Hump day everyone! I am off to sign Logan up for T-ball!

uh oh...obsession cleaning

If you are a friend of mine on facebook, or if you have read my blog lately then you know that I have an obsession with pinterest. Something I have become obsessed with lately has been home remedy cleaners. Let me say that I am not part of the Go Green movement. I don't care much about using chemicals - I care more about what works. HOWEVER, if I can find a cleaner that has little or no chemicals that works just as well or better than a cleaner with chemicals...then I will look at the price, and if it costs the same, then I will go with the environment friendly cleaner. So, when I fund a cleaner that consists of ingredients I already have around the house...I dont mind giving it a shot, I mean, what do I have to lose, right?

In saying this, I need to tell you that I have found a miracle! My carpet is basically one big stain. It doesn't bother me as much as it should because you can rarely see my carpet. It is more often than not covered in toys. However; when I do put away all the toys, the first thing I notice is how disgusting my carpet looks. It is beyond embarrassing. When we first moved in I was really careful about cleaning spills and stains, but anyone with carpet knows that once you clean a stain it just seems to attract more dirt over time and you end up cleaning the same spot over and over. (Bare with me, I am going to share the miracle with you...)

Two months ago, I bought this "everything" cleaner. The main reason I bought it was that it literally cleans everything...including stains on your carpet. So, last night after JR picked up the living room and tested out the awesomeness of the shop vac....I stared at the stain that is my carpet. I decided to get out my nifty $40 cleaner and start on a stain. An hour later I had cleaned a section of carpet (about a 6x4 in space). The carpet in this small area looks amazing. The reason it took so long is because I had to put 1/2 a capfull of the cleaner into a spray bottle, then fill it will water. Then I had to spray the mixture onto the carpet, saturating the stain. The spraying not only killed my hand and forced me to take breaks, but it was just time consuming. I remembered that I had seen a home remedy on pinterest and decided to give it a try.

Here is the miracle...

again, I apologize for picture quality, they were taken with my phone so that I could upload them quickly in the even that it worked....

Here is the stain I was working with....not sure what was spilled, but there ya go... Step 1 - vacuum the area of the stain

Step 2 - Sprinkle baking soda over stain and let sit for 10 minutes

Step 3 - Vacuum the area once again

Step 4 - In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 tablespoon dawn dish soap ( I have heard you can use either the blue, or the clear...I chose clear, just in case and because I already had it at home), and 2 cups warm water. With a white rag (not sure that it really matters if it is white, but again, seemed like the right choice....I would hate to use a green rag and have the color bleed into the carpet!) dip into the vinegar, soap, and water mixture and scrub stain....some people say to blot it...I say scrub!

The "recipe" says that you should then use cold water to go over the area, but I skipped this step with this stain, and used it with another that I did, and there was no difference, so it is up to you.

Step 5 - use a dry white cloth to sponge the area...basically soaking up excess water...(didn't take a picture of this step)

Voila - the stain is removed, and according to the post on pinterest, due to the lack of chemicals, it wont pick up or attract dirt as easily...I can't say for certain, as I just did this two hours ago...but so far it's holding up well! LOL you can run your vacuum over it again if you want but it isn't necessary.

So can you guess what I am doing today...yup, I am attempting to clean my entire living room carpet. The great news too is that this was the same size of the area I spent cleaning last night...if you remember, it took me an hour. This stain took less than 15 minutes (10 of it waiting for the baking soda..not sure why you have to wait ten minutes...but whatever!)

So I challenge you to try this...I will say that I have some red juice stains that it has lightened but not removed completely...anyway, the challenge is to try it and let me know what you think! If you havae the time for some before and after photos...I want to see them.

p.s. DO NOT WORRY about the vinegar smell. It is a small amount and the dish soap completely covers it...instead of smelling vinegary, it smells great!

New toys!

In preperation for moving into the new house, JR and I made a list of things we would need to buy. On that list was tools. Since we are laying wood flooring as soon as we move in, we new we were going to need tools that we didn't have. HOWEVER, I didn't realize how much! And of course it all had to be craftsman...oh geez. We now have a reciprocating saw, a sawzaw(I don't know how to spell that), a circular saw, a new drill, a shop vac, an handy dandy flashlight (the thing is huge), some other type of saw, and something else. Anyway, my hubby is really excited with his new tools. He was so excited that he actually cleaned the office Saturday night. I honestly wish I had a picture of this room....it is the room he has used to build his coolers, so there were boxes and foam, and all kinds of crap EVERYWHERE...You literally could not walk in there. Now it is all cleaned up!. Then yesterday he was giddy with excitement to show me how well the shop vac worked so he helped me pick up toys, and he cleaned the living room, all so he could vacuum it! LOL THEN I got stuck staring at a stain on my carpet...which is pretty hard, because the entire thing is stained...so only concentrating on one is like an optical illusion. Anywho, I went and got my awesome carpet cleaner and started taking the stain out. An hour later and I had a whole section of carpet cleaned...that's what happens when one stain runs into another. After I finished with that, I remembered there was a home recipe for carpet cleaners that I found on pinterest. luckily I had every thing but the clear dish soap, so I ran up to the dollar store to get some...I needed more whiter vinegar anyway! So I am going to test out this carpet cleaning method and let you know how it goes. I also completed 6 loads of laundry yesterday exceeding my goal of getting 4 done! Now that the toys are picked up, I am determined to go through them and throw some away.

Goal today - go through toys, work on cleaning more carpet, do at least 3 loads of laundry, unload dishwasher!

On Saturday night I met up with Vanessa and my mom in New Braunfels. We watched "One For the Money" then went to dinner. Does it make sense to say that a movie was good but disappointing at the same time? I wont give anything away...but this movie is based off a novel by Janet Evanovich. I was really curious how they would do the movie, because the series has like 20 books in it. Obviously its a romantic comedy, so there are several places that you laugh...but if you have read the book (ME) then you know what is about to happen, so you sit in a theater laughing at what is to come...which makes people stare at you. Also, they incorporated things from later books in the series into the movie, and some of the scenes weren't quite right. Also, the character interaction between the main character and a supporting charachter was really off, which was really annoying because he is vital to the novels. And lastly, the first book(S) were written mid-nineties. Part of the humor of the book is the attention to detail in the wardrobes of the characters. They are all from Jersey and the clothes in the book make you bend at the waist laughing. The movie...not so much. Even still, it was a good movie. I would just recommend that you see the movie and then read the book, I think you would like it better that way...but you should really read the book because the series is hysterical.

toilets! YAY

The plumbers came yesterday so we now have toilets in all the bathrooms. They also installed the dishwasher! YAY! It looks really good, but the dishwasher is so small to me. It is definitely smaller than the dishwasher we have now, but JR thinks it may have something to do with being energy efficient. It would seem to me like they would be larger if they wanted to reduce energy because then you can get more dishes done in one load...eh - oh well! All the faucets are done and the shower heads...One thing that JR and I really want to replace in the future are the faucets. They aren't bad, and we will use them for a bit, but they are a little old school, we just didn't have money in the budget to do it from the beginning. The sink in the kitchen is AWESOME. And I love the faucet in there...the only thing is that we paid extra money for a water filtration system, and it isn't there...which really pisses me off. I mean, sure, we will probably never use it since we will most likely get water from the refrigerator...side note...I am so excited to have a n ice maker again!!!....but anyway, we paid for it. However, I dont know how they are going to fix it because they will have to drill a hole in the granite...and ummm....I would just rather they not. When the granite was installed it already had the hole for the faucet, it should have come with a second hole. Ughhhh

I find myself getting really stressed out about this house, I really need to relax, but I can't help it. I am also getting pissed when I drive by the house and no one is working. Both Thursday and Friday there were workers out there for less than 3 hours. It's supposed to be finished on Friday...so...uhh..finish the damn thing. I know they still have 5 days...but with all the mistakes I have I found, how do they plan to finish, when I KNOW they will screw something else up. By the way, they had to order a new door for the master closet since they put it on backwards..so GREAT, we get to wait on that...AND oh wait for it...they are going to have to rewire the lighting, because once they fix the door, the light switch will be behind it, meaning you will have to walk in to the closet, shut the door and THEN turn the light on. Sorry, know there are construction mistakes all the time...HELLO...I am living it, but seriously how hard is it to read a damn blue print, and besides that, just using common sense.

I seriously don't know what we are going to do about the water filtration thingy...I mean we spent $200 plus another $189 just to have it match the rest of the sink. But I dont want them to mess anything up, and I am scared to death they will do something stupid. Maybe we just stay quiet, but then we lose almost $400. I guess we will just have to wait and see. JR says that they can still work on the house after the appraisor comes and that basically they WILL still be working on the house doing the touch ups and what not...this is a little surprising to me considering I thought they would be DONE on Friday the 10th. I mean, that is what they have been saying over and over. I just want them to hurry up and my anxiety is getting the best of me...Guess I should focus that tension on getting my house cleaned and organized and boxed up for the day that we finally do get to move!

Oh, stop complaining!

Two points of view...

#1, I should really stop complaining and just be happy. My biggest complaints (this year) have been about the house and the fact that it isn't going fast enough. Of course a lot of this is just excitement, and some of it is anxiety about closing on the house before Feb. 29...but really, so much has been done, and we really are at the end, so I should stop complaining.

#2, Everytime I complain and I get to the end of my rope...This is usually when I say, "If they aren't there tomorrow, I am calling Robert (the contractor)"...they show up! LOL

So basically, I am at war with whether to complain or not...I am a little superstitious, so I figure if the complaining is working...I should continue to do so. But I am also realistic, so I know that my complaining isn't actually doing anything...its more like these workers have schedules, and they go to a new place each day...oh well, I will probably just keep complaiining, because I am not sure if I could actually stop. LOL

Yesterday the bathroom sinks finally showed up. Unfortunately the toilets didn't....I figured since the sinks and toilets both have to be hooked up to water lines (this may be incorrect...I don't actually know what they have to be hooked up to, but I know it involves a plumber), the plumbers would come out and do them both at the same time. I figured wrong...again. However, Robert (the contractor) happened to be at the house next door, and let me know that the plumbers and toilets would be there today! YAY. They also put the glass doors on the master and guest shower. I guess I am just concerned because I really want to close on the house before the end of the month, and time is running out - stupid February with its short month...J/K. There is still a lot to do on the house, I really hope it is finished by Friday, or I am going to be one mad lady.

I have gotten overwhelmed with my house. I haven't actually cleaned in several weeks, so there are toys everywhere. I haven't vacuumed, or mopped and the laundry is really piling up. Then on Monday I started going through the house and kind of making piles of stuff...it seemed like a good idea at the time...stuff to move, stuff to throw away, stuff to take to goodwill. The problem is that now the kids have gone through those piles and scattered them...EVERYWHERE! So Wednesday night I made a goal to clean the kitchen before going to bed....I ended up doing the dishes, and taking out the trash....So I still have lots to clean in there. On Thursday my goal was to take down the Christmas tree and decorations (I mean...it is February and all) and to go through all the toys and organize...I only got the tree and decorations down. So now I have decided that I am going to continue to make goals each day, but OBVIOUSLY they need to be on a smaller scale. Sooooo..today I am going through the toys, with 2 trash sacks (no more piles for me) On sack will hold toys to go in the trash, and the other sack for toys to donate...and the toys we keep will go IN the toy box. I would also like to get at least 2 loads of laundry done, but it may not happen. Going through toys is going to be rough with the kids around. I am going to try to get them to help with the toys to donate...but seriously, it will probably be easier to just put them all in the bucket and take them to the back of the house where I can go through them with out the kids watching me. So we will see. All I know is I was wanting to start boxing on Monday...and so far the only boxes I have full are the Christmas boxes! LOL

Happy Friday everyone

The only prescription is more cowbell...

FEVER!!!

I always associate the word fever with cowbell..Thank you Christopher Walken and Saturday Night Live.

Last night Landry fell asleep on the couch pretty early. Since we didn't get much sleep the night before, I wasn't surprised. I let her sleep for about 30 minutes before waking her up. It was 5:30 so I was afraid that if she slept too long then she would wake up and be up all night. When I woke her up, she was burning up. At first, I figured it was just because she had her blanket over her and she fell asleep on leather, which accounted for the sweat. After an hour, she wasn't moving around much, so I gave her a big hug and found her to still be really hot. She was in the kitchen with me while I was cooking, and I thought...maybe it's just because it is so hot in here...BUT - my mom brain was working so I took her temperature because the heat plus the fact that she wasn't acting like her usual self didn't add up. So, 101.3...oh my poor baby. I finish cooking, we all eat, but Landry. I finally got her to eat some dry Cheerios, but she didn't want to drink anything. I gave her some tylenol and waited. She just sat in my lap unmoving. After a couple of hours I was sweating as well. I felt like I was sitting under an electric blanket in the middle of summer. So, I took her temperature again at 10. It was up to 102.6. It had been nearly 4 hours, so I gave her some more tylenol and we went to bed. She was in and out of sleep. I could hear her whimper and it was terrible. I felt so bad for her. Every 15 minutes she would wake up crying. I would rock her for 5 minutes until she settled down. This went on and on. At 2, I could barely hold my eyes open. I checked her temperature which had spiked even higher at 103.4! I woke up pretty quickly at that number and decided that with my sleepy brain perhaps I read it wrong, so I took it again...yep - still 103.4! I gave her more tylenol and went to wake JR. My stupid brain wasn't working right as I tried to remember at what temperature you should go to the ER. Please don't judge me...be at that point I REALLY didn't want to go to the ER. I hadn't gotten any sleep the night before, and still hadn't slept all night. Of course I was really worried about my baby and yes, no matter how tired I was I would have taken her to the hospital. JR got online and started looking up my answer while I rocked and soothed my baby girl. Then he called up to the hospital and was told to take her temperature again in an hour and we needed to give the tylenol time to work...ummm...she just had her 3rd dose and it WASN'T working. So now my mommy brain is angry at the hospital for dismissing my baby as if she is just fine..SHE IS NOT FINE. I was ready to take her to the hospital right then and there. I know - this is confusing because it totally contrasts what I just said. So, I wait the hour, and surprisingly Landry is asleep and hasn't woken up during the entire torturous hour. Finally, it was time to check her. It was back down to 102.7...still too high for my liking, but at least it was going down. I set my alarm and fell asleep. An hour later, she was still asleep and I took her temperature again....102.1, still going down. At that point I fell asleep. I got up this morning and checked her temperature first thing, it was 100.6. Still a fever but at least it wasn't so high. We took Logan to school and so far she has been sleeping, but she is still at 100.6 Poor baby girl. Hopefully she will feel better soon.

House Fever!

Today is Thursday and the plumbers have still not come to install the sink/countertops in the kids bathroom and guest bathroom. This is highly annoying. in fact, not much has been done at the house this week. Sure, they got the granite countertops and sink put in the kitchen. Yesterday they did the tile backsplash. They put the linoleum floor in the kitchen and entryway (not that it matters since that is all being replaced with wood as soon as we close!) They got the front part of the fence put up (but not the back), they FINALLY put on our master closet door (except they did it backwards so the door swings into the clothes, so that has to be fixed...ughhhhh), they finally got Landry's door, closet door, and the trim done in her room, and they put up the shutters on the outside of the house (except for ONE window). This may sound like a lot, but really they are minor little jobs that take a small amount of time to do...and seriously what is up with only doing part of a job??? Anyway, the kitchen is looking really good, here are a few photos I took this morning with my phone...sorry about the quality, I could have taken them with my awesome new camera, but I wanted to upload them quickly, and since my computer sucks, my camera phone was my fastest option.