My 400th post, our 3 year house-iversary, and other misc stuff.

So this is my 400th post.  Woo hoo!  The scary part of that is that I participated in blog 365, and managed to blog almost the whole time.  That means the time before was scarce.  Yuck.

Today was our 3 year house-iversary.  When we moved into this house three years ago, we agreed that we celebrate our house every year.  We chose our first home-cooked meal to be one that we could enjoy every year.  Steak, some shrimp, mushrooms, mashed potatoes and corn.  We thank God for our house, for the blessings we've been given.  It was a little bittersweet with Bug and Daddy not here, but we enjoyed our good food, and talked about the great house we live in. 

I received my swaparooni box yesterday, and I love the items in it.  I'm killing the bottle of dishwashin soap, and we used the sparkler candles on the little cake we had tonight.

I usually don't watch much TV, and I don't think I've ever seen an episode of the office before.  But the part where they were in CPR Class had me rolling.  I teach First Aid/CPR at work, and we use the Staying Alive and Another One Bites The Dust songs to help people find the rythm. 

I'm getting a massage tomorrow.  I can't wait...my shoulders and neck have been so stiff, and I'm in need of a little TLC.

That's all folks.  Those are also my 5 grace items :)

Home Sweet Home

I missed my home and I'm so happy to be back to sleep in my bed. I'll post this week about our adventures.

No electric

Right before I posted that last night...the electric went out. Thank goodness for auto save. Unfortunately, once power came on, I forgot to come back and actually publish it, so there it is for you now.

Since there wasn't much else I could do, I went out on the front porch and enjoyed the night. It wasn't quite full dark yet, but it was late enough that most people were in for the night. The temperature was in the low 70's and a slight breeze was blowing. It was beautiful. Very little sounds, no artificial light...perfect. We sit out on our porch or in our hammock many nights during nice weather. Our front yard draws you in, makes you comfortable. It has a very cozy cottage feel to it. When the power came on after 15-20 minutes, I was amazed at how much artificial light there was. Each house has a small yard post light that is hardwired and comes on in the dark automatically. It bathes the development in nice light, better than large security or roadside lights, and provides some security against thieves. But it is still artificial light. Sitting there in the oncoming darkness, I felt peaceful. I thanked God for my beautiful house, my (relatively) healthy children, my wonderful home, and my many blessings.

Then I came in and turned on Hell's Kitchen. It annoys me, but I have to see who gets voted off every week because I really can't stand any of them.

A house is made of Walls and Beams;

A home is made with love and dreams.

Walls. That's the topic Jan from the Prytz Family Blog has assigned us for this Fun Monday post.

My walls are starting to talk about our family. They tell people that we love color. Someday, I hope they tell the story of the things we enjoy by the items we hang. Unfortunately, until there is color, I am not inspired to hang. And I'm very picky about what I hang, so they are scarce at this moment.

My dining room is granny smith apple green. I love this color...it looks so clean with the wood and white trim. My kitchen is a pale orange...very tuscan feeling. It was so hard to find a color that looked good with the light wood cabinets and dark green counter top. The cabinet and counters were updated just a few years before we bought the house, so we've left it for now. It's grown on me once we got the color on the walls. My hallway is still white, but will be mocha soon, and my living room is still white, but it will be Deep red eventually. Those walls have to be sanded before they can be painted...and I'm not ready for that mess yet.

Upstairs, my daughters room really reflect them. Bugs is Bikini Bottom Blue and Atomic Vomit Green. Sounds bad, but it sure does work with her hawaiin monkey decor. Posters adorn her walls. PBs room is half pink (think just a touch brighter than pepto bismol) and turquoise. She would prefer some green now, but I'm not ready to paint again in there. Her bedding is in bright colors with butterflies, and shelves and pictures adorn her walls all around. The Monsters room was already done in gray with a nascar border, but will be getting redone in the near future. At this time, he says he wants an Army room...we'll see. And my room..it's a beautiful blue with a darker blue stripe at the top. It's very relaxing. There isn't much hanging, but those are coming...I have projects in my mind to finish it off.

What do your walls say?

The ants go marching

We have ants. We've had ants since the first spring we lived in this house. In the scheme of pests and bugs, ants are low on the ick factor. I get that. But they really become a nuisance fast.

The first spring, DDS and I tried everything we could think of and buy to get rid of those ants. We finally called an exterminator, and although we were $100 poorer, there were no more ants. It was good. I've happily doled out that $100 every 3 months since if it meant no more ants. However, this year is a bumper crop year for them. The spray didn't work. The poor district manager probably sees my phone number(s) and screams. They are everywhere. For a while, they were in our room. We finally got rid of them from there, then they were in our den. They left there and went to our kitchen. WWIII has broken out now. The DM is at my house at least once a week, placing organic powder around my kitchen, and non-organic spray in our yard. Anything to make these things go away. I've scrubbed my cabinets and my appliances, and I'm done with it. They need to go. The other night I watched the ants traipse through the poison, and I chanted "die, die little ants, die" at them. I have nightmares about ants now. Every little whisper across my skin makes me shiver and look for ants to push off. I'm tired of them.

I made it!

Karisma is our wonderful Fun Monday Host this week, and she has a long task for us...

I think the title pretty much says it all, but for those of you who may still be wondering, I would like to see or hear about things you have made with your own two hands (or feet, Im not fussy!) We all have different talents and abilities, maybe you like to sew or knit, chisel or sculpt, draw or paint? Whatever your talent is, please share it with us this week.
Da Rules.....
Well there are not any really! But you know, we all know that you made your kids so lets NOT choose them this time. (After all you did not make them with your hands or feet did you?)
And for those of you who are freaking out because you make "everything" with your hands, how about you just choose a few of your favourites!)
Those of you who are freaking out because "You never make things with your hands". Get off your lazy butt and make something! You have four days.....now get to it! (You could always bake a cake!) The possibilities are endless!

I've posted some items that I've made before. I'm always making things. I have a top secret item that I've just begun. I'm actually thinking about getting some items together in the next few weeks and starting an Etsy store. If I sell stuff, I can buy more craft stuff and make more things.

This weekend I "made" some flower arrangements on my porch.

Small post with flowers

My Mom made the potty seat. It was my idea to make it a flower pot though.

I'll have pictures in a few days o my newest creation. That's all I ca say about it right now.

Go visit all the Fun Monday participants.