where does it end?

it started with getting some new floors.
But before the floors were installed we wanted to
paint.
With new paint, we might as well change the mouldings.
With the kitchen floor removed, and leaking appliances,
we need new appliances.
With an old home the space constraints left me with
few options for a new fridge. We ended up with the
stainless steel. I have lots of pictures on
my "wall of shame" a.k.a. fridge.
Now I Need a new place for the wall of shame.
The stainless steel appliances will require me to
change out the gold hardware on my cabinets and
drawers to brushed nickel.
The new paint and floors will make my
lighting look like what it is . . . .dated.
So, new fixtures will be picked out.
This is why we don't do "updates" on the
house, it is a never-ending project.
I wish we were finished.

It's that time of year. . . . .

What are you doing to get in shape?
Do you even care?
I don't. This is the year I give up.
No more caring.
I will, however, keep shaving my legs
and under arms.
I will look for fun sandals.
I will keep applying the fake tanning lotion.

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.

Abraham Lincoln

Today is Mother's Day.
Growing up I loved my mom.
It was later, after I left home, that I gained a real appreciation for my Mom.

Later still, as I became a Mom, this appreciation grew to a huge sense of obligation I felt toward my Mom.

Not obligated in that I felt I needed to pay her back for my youthful selfish actions.

But, that I had an obligation to be as good a Mom to my own children.

I didn't what them to have the "cheap imitation" of a Mom.

But, alas it was not to be, I couldn't be the

Mom to my children that my Mom was to me.

So, I tried to be a different kind of Mom.

There were times I felt the shadow of my Mom in my

actions, and words, a hint of her humor when

I would laugh a big belly-laugh at my families antics.

There were even times that a recipe I tried

tasted nearly as good as hers.

I always have my toenails painted, as does my Mom.

I pick various colors for myself, Mom has always

wore RED polish on her toes. Once I

asked her "why always red Mom?"

She answered:

"It's the wicked in me."

I always laugh when I think of that.

There is nothing wicked about her. . . . .ever.

I'm grateful to have such a great Mom. I've always believed

in myself, because Mom told me she believed in me.

What a blessing she has been to me and continues to be.

I love you Mom

Ahh. . . . . he showed

Yeah for me. The floor guy showed yesterday afternoon. He actually called Boyd to make the arrangements. He wanted to come early (I think to avoid me) and Boyd told him I wanted to be there. They arranged for a 4:00 time. Boyd called me to tell me the time, so I made sure I was at the house at 3:40. . . . the time he pulled up! Ha! He had to face me. I was very kind, he was very young! He left me a sample - that was all I needed for now. (so I could pick out some paint!!) I'm tired of the mess already. I know why people go stay in a hotel while this kind of stuff is going on. I have Harmony's dog and cat staying at my home, they are "freaked out" to say the least. Boyd has been working hes but off. . . .I love him. I'm always wishing my life away one event at a time. So, here I am wishing that I were 3 weeks in the future!!

Hey Floor Guy. . . . .

Dear Floor Guy,
Last December you and my husband
came to an agreement on a trade issue.
You would trade labor hours. He would
paint your home-labor free. You would
install hardwood floors in my home, labor free.
My husband showed up at your home
when he said he would. He came every single
day, with his helper, until the job was complete.
You live in Spanish Fork, it was a bit of a drive.
He worked long hard hours to finish so your wife
could decorate for Christmas.
Now it's my turn!!
I called you on Monday. . . April 18th.
10 days ago!
You have said you would show up and didn't.
You have had many excuses.
My homes is a disaster.
Carpets are pulled.
Mop boards are pulled.
I'm living in chaos.
You've assured me this morning that
you will "for sure" show up tomorrow!!
I will call you EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. until
you get the job done.

signed-Frustrated in Sandy!

PROJECT

I mentioned in a previous post that we are having
hardwood floors installed. So, Boyd was home
on Friday and started pulling carpets.

This is a closet in the hall that we are using part of it in the bedroom (another
project) so this half we are keeping accessible from the hallway as a
linen closet. He will also be texturing the walls
and getting them painted. . . pictures to follow in another
future post.

This is the front room with the carpet pulled, before he had the pad
pulled. The pad is gone now. . . no picture.

This is the kitchen floor before demo man started.
I've always liked the classic black and white tile.
Boyd laid the tile about 15 years ago.
But tile is very unforgiving on you back if you are
standing for any length of time. It is also
unforgiving on anything that drops on it.
The grout was never sealed properly so it looked
a little grungy. It was really cold in the winter
too. After all that, I have mixed feelings about
replacing it. . . go figure.

Demo man started chipping up the tile and the cement board
beneath it. He got to the vinyl that we had put down about 27
years ago (we had to cover up some lovely green and gold
indoor/outdoor carpeting.) This is a wet spot under the dishwasher. . .
that's never a good sign. Water damage!!

This is after the dishwasher was removed, the tile, cement board,
vinyl, sub floor and original plywood.

SIDENOTE. . . . .
Harmony and I had been out to a
great sale at Macy's, where we purchased
some fun new spring clothing and the ever
important new "foundations" in the
intimate apparel department.
We left Macy's to go to Costco
(I call it the two-hundred dollar store,
because you can NEVER get out of there
for under $200.00)
We were in the Costco parking lot getting ready to go home
when Boyd called and told Harmony to warn me that
I would need to go shopping for a new dishwasher
AND
refrigerator. Both were leaking.
ARGGGGGGGGGGGG
I wasn't about to take anything I got at Macy's back
and we have to eat, so the Costco purchases
couldn't go back!!

This is Boyd, a.k.a. Demo Man chipping away the tile.

He's actually sort of smiling here. I'm amazed at how much work
this guy can do by himself. He is freakishly strong and has
unbelievable stamina, and mostly he goes thru
life happy. What a blessing he is.

He was able to get all the tile chipped up.
Harmony started laughing when she saw this
vinyl underneath the tile. She started to remember the
wallpaper that was up when the vinyl was put down.
We had a little stroll
down memory lane.
There was no trace of
the indoor outdoor carpeting that was there before
the vinyl. It's weird that I'm excavating my own home,
going thru layers of our life.

Here's demo man stretched out in his red chair.
He deserves a break. My back is having sympathy pains for him.
After my Macy's and Costco purchases. Harmony and I went
and picked out a new dishwasher, fridge and since my microwave
is being a bit persnickety, I picked out a new one of those too.
I was being all Pollyanna-ish and positive and scheduled them to
be installed on May 7th. (keep you fingers crossed for me)
More to come as the work progresses.

Decision. . . . . settled

Mr. Boyd did some work in "trade" last December. He painted the home of a gentleman who installs wood floors. So, now it's time for me to get my new floors. I've decided I want walnut. I've been informed that it shows up dust and other "debris" better, but I so love the look.

But, our neighbor had some hickory installed (likeness above). It is harder and cheaper than the walnut. I went to see if I liked it. It was beautiful . . . . but not what I wanted.

So here is a look at some Walnut floors. I think I will have variable widths placed and a flat/no shine finish. As I was vacuuming my stairs last weekend, I was thinking to myself, I won't have to do this much longer. Along with new flooring, Boyd will be texturing my walls, rounding out the corners, painting and placing new baseboards. . . . . .yeah for me.