Small World

We have lived in our house for about 7 years and every year we re-do a room. So far we've redone the living room, kitchen, formal dining, 3 bathrooms, Ryan's and Patrick's room and part of our bedroom. I wish I could take the credit myself but I can't. My friend Christy has a great eye for design and color and without her, my home would be quite ugly!

Since our house is older, there are some things that are in desperate need of change. Like for instance my "70's bar" in my living room. Seriously, did wives really stir up martinis and have it waiting on their husbands when they got home from work? That definitely doesn't happen at my house. Our bar ends up being a "catch all" and it's got to go!!!

The sweet couple that sold us their home also converted the patio into a den, which we use as a play-game room for the boys. It's really a great space however, they left the windows in. It really doesn't look bad but I have to admit...it's a little strange having curtains up and looking out the window to two boys playing video games.

So....let me get to the point of my blog. Christy ran into this guy about a month ago while at Home Depot. She just walked up to him and asked if he knew anything about paint and he gladly gave her some pointers. He gave her his card and he ended up having his own contrating business. When I told her that I needed to find someone, sge gave me the name and number of this contractor. He came out to the house Saturday to give us some quotes.

I kept looking at him (I'm sure he thought I was crazy) and thinking "I know him from somewhere".......and it turns out I did!

He graduated from the same highschool (Richardson Highschool) and the same year (1983) as I did. We knew the same people and he even hung out on my block with my neighborhood friends. He was all gray and looked much older than me....HA! I just thought what a small world to run into him after all these years and I wouldn't have if Christy hadn't asked him about paint.

We are awaiting the quotes...hey, maybe he'll give me a discount!!!

My 44th Birthday

I turned 44 last week.

When I was a kid, I considered anyone in their 40's a fossil.....now that I'm in my 40's...it doesn't sound so old anymore.



I consider myself pretty lucky as I don't get sick much, but when I do.....LOOK OUT!!!



I was actually looking forward to my birthday. My family was going to take me out to dinner last Friday and then my parents were going to have a nice birthday dinner for my husband and I Saturday night. (Jeff's birthday was Monday...he turned 45). So when Friday rolled around I was kind of pumped to spend time with family.



My birthday had gone pretty well. My co-workers took me to lunch, I finished up my work earlier than usual....it was pretty nice so far. However, my trip from work to pick up Ryan and Patrick from school was starting to worry me, my stomach started doing summersaults. I shrugged it off thinking I must have had too much to eat at lunch....HA!



I got home and ended up in bed with a virus that royally kicked my butt! I was in bed for 2 days and when I wasn't in bed, I was on the sofa barely moving. The thought of food made me shiver....



Needless to say...I didn't get either of my birthday dinners. I'm still trying to introduce food back into my system...and it's been a WEEK!

The older I get, the more time it takes me to get over any illness...I guess that is just one of the many wonderful things about getting old isn't it!?

Grammy

I didn't have any idea what I was going to write on my blog this evening until I saw my mom at my sons' school this afternoon.

I have the priviledge of being able to pick my sons up from school everyday. Some may think "why is that a priviledge"?

I am a working mom and have been ever since my boys were born. My mom "Grammy" hates the fact that I have to work and she swears that "when" she and my dad when the lottery, I can quit my job and be a stay at home mom. Since I haven't gotten that call from my mom yet, I've decided not to turn in my resignation just yet.

I've been extremely fortunate to have parents that have always supported me in each little venture in my life. My mom hated the thought of Ryan and Patrick going to daycare and insisted that they take care of them 2-3 times a week until they started school. For you moms out there, you know the huge cost of daycare and what a huge savings that ended up being for us.

My mom was always there when Ryan or Patrick was sick, doctor visits, picking up from school....the list could go on and on. Or when either one was in trouble they always wanted Grammy..of course! She worries constantly about them. Just yesterday she called me at work because she was worried about Patrick's stuffy nose.

It reminds me of a line from my all time favorite movie "Steel Magnolias". Shelby (Julie Roberts) and her mother (Sally Field) are talking and Shelby tells her mom "Momma, I don't worry about anything anymore because you do enough worrying for the both of us"......

Today I was waiting in the parking lot for my slow poke sons to get out of school and low and behold I see my mom standing in the parking lot looking all around for them. I thought, why is she here? Did I ask her to pick them up and forgot? As I was sitting in my car racking my brain, I see the boys walking out of school and they instantly see her. They rush to her and greet her with kisses and hugs... and then they finally see me (big whoop, huh?) They walk to the car and I ask her "What are you doing here"? and she said that she was driving by and just thought she would stop and see the boys. Just driving by huh......?

I thought to myself, how lucky we are to have such a wonderful mom and Grammy in our lives. There is nothing she wouldn't do for my family. What a wonderful feeling to know you are so loved.

The Family Zoo

My husband refers to our home as the "family zoo". The reason for this is because we have five animals (yes I said five).

It began......

The day Jeff and I got married we came home and found a sweet little kitty at our front door. He ended up liking us and so we decided to keep him. We named him Melosh....don't ask me where that name came from.

Several years later, we took in another stray kitty named Mittens. He is big and fat and loveable.

We then decided that the boys needed a dog. We then found a little beagle and named him Bailey. He's not so little anymore....

About a year and a half ago, we lost Melosh, he was 18 years old and we were crushed. We thought that in order to help us and Mittens cope with his loss we would adopt another kitty. We named her Daisy. Mittens didn't like her too much in the beginning but now they are fast friends.

You would think that three animals is plenty right? WRONG!

Several years ago a friend of mine had to give her dog away. I thought my parents would enjoy a companion. (Thought I was going to take her didn't ya). Penny is her name and my mom and dad fell in love with her.

Last year, my father underwent heart surgery and while in the hospital he had a stroke. My mom worried about Penny being alone since she was with my dad in the hospital and rehab for days and weeks. So she asked us to take Penny until my dad came home. By the grace of God, my dad has slowly rehabiliated but is still a little unstable when he walks. Penny constantly has to be by your side and for fear of my dad tripping and falling, Penny has remained with us until further notice. My parents miss her but we take her for visits quite often.

Okay now...the count is now at 4 pets. We should have stopped right there...right? WRONG!

My friend's dog had 4 of the cutest little puppies you have ever seen this past September. Guess who got sucked in.....that's right...ME!

I knew that Jeff would never agree for me to bring a puppy home, so I kind of told a little white lie. I told him that we were babysitting a 6 week old puppy for my friend who was moving. Now my friend did in fact move...but it was the weekend before, not the actual weekend I brought the puppy home.

I know, I know...I just down right lied about it, but she was so cute! Eventually Jeff figured it out after 2 weeks of babysitting. Jeff fell head of heals in love with Sammy...she's been a wonderful addition to our family!

So....count them...five animals...Mittens, Daisy, Penny, Bailey and Sammy.

Now do you understand why Jeff calls our home a "family zoo"?!

My Very First Blog Entry

I'm kind of new at this blog thing. The first time I heard of blogging was from my good friend Kathy. She started her blog several months ago and I really got a kick out of it. I'd get excited when she would tell me she wrote a new blog...I'd race to my computer and read it.

It got to be so much fun that I dove in a little deeper and read other blogs and found a whole underworld of bloggers....I was so impressed!

The funny thing about reading other blogs is that I don't know most of the people, yet they feel like new friends as I follow the stories of their lives.

I've gotten great recipes and decorating tips...you can't beat that!

But the most amazing thing I've seen is the overwhelming amount of support for each other. When you need a prayer, these wonderful people give of themselves from all around.

That is truely a wonderful thing.

I think I'm gonna like this blog thing....until next time!