I'm On A Roll!!!

Finally a house update.

There really isn't too much to show right now or tell.

Myron installed ceiling fans in the bedrooms and living room.

The girls got the same fan.

Master bedroom fan

Living Room fan

Myron took down the rest of the laminate that was covering the walls. We are trying to put in new counter tops but decided it might be nice to replace the base cabinets. I have been trying to get quotes for the last week. We have one, and are getting another one tonight.

See the flower pot, that will be the wall color.

I know the kitchen is messy. We were grilling out that night when I decided to take the pictures. I haven't taken any in awhile especially of the kitchen.

We decided to go with bead board for the wall covering and then have the 4 inch Corian back splash. This gives you an idea of what it will look like. I am trying to decided if I want to leave the bead board white or paint it my wall color. There really isn't a lot of wall space in the kitchen and the cabinets are going to be white. It just seems like a lot of white in there. I think we will wait until the walls are painted to decided.

Kitten Drama: What was I thinking?

A few weeks ago, Bethany discovered a mama cat and kitten underneath the shed of the neighbors. Every day the girls would go out and sit on our side of the fence and try to play with the kitten. For some reason, the kitten was very, very shy. Every time they tried to touch the kitten, it would run back under the shed. After about a week of perseverance and patience (of which, Bethany has very little), the girls were finally able to sneak in touches and pets. We even bought little toys to entice the kitten to play and food for the mama cat. Now the mama cat we have been seeing since we moved here, but she runs every time. She will not have anything to do with us.

The girls trying to see the kitten.

Here is the kitten poking its head out from underneath the shed.

On Tuesday, I went out to water the ferns on the front porch. As I approached the steps, I saw movement under the azaleas. It was the mama catd kitten. So I crouched down to see if the kitten would come to me. It really acted like it wanted to but kept a distance. The mama cat eventually ran off and left the kitten. I was very surprised by this.

The girls came out because they had never seen the kitten except through the fence. I finally enticed the kitten to the edge of the flowerbed where I was able to grab it. It hissed at me one time but then settled down and let us pet it. What a mistake that was!!!!

We took the kitten to the backyard trying to figure out what to do. The mama cat tried to come back but then ran off again if she saw us. Of course, the girls would not put the kitten down afraid it would run off. Myron finally talked them into putting it down in case it had to go to the bathroom. They wanted to keep it so bad.

I'm not sure what happened but it eventually started to run, and it ran back through the fence and under the shed. That is when the drama started. Bethany was devastated. We tried to reassure her that the kitten would be there the next day. That is where it has been living for weeks now. Well .... it wasn't. So now it is Wednesday and no sign of the kitten or mama cat. I was somewhat relieved. How do you contain a cat anyway especially if it is going to be an outside cat?

After dinner, I talked the family into a walk around the neighborhood. When we walked to the sidewalk, our neighbor, Billy, across the street yells "Hey, you want a kitten?" Curiously we crossed the street. He had been given a grown cat, beautiful, from his Mom blah blah blah .... anyway, we talked a little about all the cats we have seen and told him about the kitten we had caught the day before. All of a sudden I look at the girl (not young ... 20's maybe?) who is sitting on the porch and realize she is holding the kitten in her lap. Bethany got so excited. The mama cat was off in the side yard.

Anyway, long story short, we got the kitten back. Billy didn't want any of the cats except the one he has always had. Of course, the girl thought differently. She didn't want to give the kitten up at all but she did.

We put her in the garage with food, water and a liter box.

This morning (Thursday), the girls were up before 7 a.m. and outside checking on the kitten. They didn't even take the time to change their clothes.

We are still debating a name. At one time they had chosen Tiger. This morning they are saying Skittles.

LONG Overdue Update

There are so many things I need to tell everyone about and just not enough time to do it right now. I find that I keep my facebook stuff more update to date and forget about blogger. My apologies. Then I have someone tell me they are reading it and I feel very guilty for NOT keeping it updated. Again, my apologies. The girls get out of school in 2 1/2 days. Hopefully, I will find the time over the Summer to keep my posts more frequent.

We started on the kitchen over the weekend. We finally have somewhat of a design plan for the back splash and the counter tops. Then we started thinking about replacing the base cabinets which has made us take a step back. I am on a quest to find the best deal now. Myron started sanding down the walls and prepping them for paint. At least the walls will be ALL one color once that is done. We have decided to put bead board as the back splash. I think that really will keep the "country" feel we are going for in the kitchen. I have pictures but haven't downloaded them yet. Another thing on my list of things to do.

It is a bittersweet moment to mention the girls will be out of school in 2 1/2 days. Although I look forward to not having to get them up early every morning, I also have to remember they will be together the whole day, every day ... UGH!!!! I have already told them they are going to have chores every week they will have to complete: folding laundry, cleaning out the dishwasher, etc. Nothing major but things they can do. And if they start fighting, they will be cleaning bathrooms with their OWN toothbrushes .... at least, that is the threat. Plus, they have math workbooks they have to complete over the Summer, violin and reading. So hopefully I can keep them busy enough they won't fight ... yeah right!!!

I am off to get my hair cut. I guess I better go so I won't be late. I will post again when I can put pictures on here. I really do want to keep everyone updated with the house. We just haven't done a whole lot worth mentioning.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Frustration

My life is a "ball" of frustration. Everything and everyone is getting on my nerves ... drives me "nuts".

I am aggravated with the Realtors trying to sell our NC house because they don't communicate. When I try to reach them by phone or e-mail, I feel ignored. AND they have Blackberries. I am not frustrated at them because the house is not selling; I am frustrated because of the lack of communication.

I am aggravated at my kids. They don't listen to me. Blah, blah, blah.....

I am aggravated at my husband for SO many reasons I am not going to even go there.

I am aggravated at this house. Ever since we moved in, nothing has gotten done except the bedrooms painted. Of course, that is taking it to an extreme. I do have a screen door on the back door and the grass is getting cut on a weekly basis. We had issues with heat last month; now the A/C is acting up.

I am aggravated with my van. I have had it over a year and now I am having problems with it. And it all has to do with sensors. This is the 2nd KIA I have owned. Second time I have had problems after the yearly mark.

I am most aggravated with myself. I am not a self-motivator. I find it very hard to make myself do things especially projects. I barely get the daily things done. Then when I get overwhelmed with too much, I shut down and do nothing. That is what is going on now.

I am just aggravated and frustrated and every negative thing you can think of right now.

Today, I am sitting here waiting for the A/C repairman to grace me with his presence so that we can find out what is wrong with the unit. Which I know what he is going to say... "Ma'am, it is an OLD unit. It really needs to be replaced." And all I will hear is, "Wah wah Wah wah Wah wah ... Blah blah blah!!!!" Oh and "cha-ching cha-ching!" in the background as he rubs his hands together thinking "oh, this is a big one. I feel my wallet growing now!"
WHATEVER!!!! Just fix the unit so we can sleep in cooler temperatures at night during our heat-wave weekend.

I know I need to find a thankful note about right now. My heart feels hardened. It is very hard to find thankfulness. Maybe tomorrow......

Sarah's First Communion

Sarah celebrated her First Communion on Saturday, April 24th. It was a beautiful service. Her teacher, Mrs. Farley, had the children so prepared for this important occasion. We were able to sit right where we could see Sarah kneel and receive the Body and Blood of her Savior for the very first time.

We were fortunate that both sets of Grandparents were able to be with us to celebrate. (I can't believe I posted that picture of myself ... but I have to remember: It is NOT about ME!!!)

Sarah with her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Farley.

Sarah with Monsignor Brovey.

Some snapshots I took of Sarah outside the house.

Sarah and her cake.

Sarah wanted Bar-b-que for lunch that day. After leaving the church, we went by to pick-up some yummy BBQ from Mutt's. We then had a slice of this most delicious cake from Strossner's. It just melted in the mouth .... Mmmmm!!!!

Although it rained most of the day, it was still such a beautiful day.

Easter Pictures

Lots and lots of pictures from Easter weekend.
Here the girls show off their dyed Easter eggs.

What did the Bunny bring this year?
Zhu Zhu pets? Wow!!!

Sarah with her basket of goodies.

Bethany with her basket of goodies.

Dressed and ready for church. I guess I should have moved the garden hose.

Family Shot!!!

We decided to have our own Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard. We filled the eggs with goodies and Myron hid them in the yard. He was told, by the girls, to hide them very well ... not easy.

They had to be given clues. I don't think they found a one without a little assistance.

What was in those eggs? LEGOS!!!! Whoo-hoo!

Bethany's made an airplane.

Sarah's made a dump truck.

Beauty Abounds

There is so much coming to life in the yard here at the little house in South Carolina.
We have been enjoying this bush for a few weeks now. It made a lovely backdrop for Easter pictures.

I think Bethany took this picture. I think this is phlox growing somewhere in the yard. There is no rhyme or reason to the plantings here.

A beautiful, huge Bradford Pear that was loaded with blooms this year.

We also have tons and tons of tulips in the yard sporadically placed. These are some I caught in bloom.

A purple vine of some sort growing everywhere.

Some more tulips.

The azaleas have busted out all of a sudden this week. They have been just beautiful and vibrant with color.

We have all colors in this yard.

They surround the house.

I tried to get a picture of Sarah in her pink dress in front of the pink azaleas. I told her she needed to be about 6 inches shorter ... hee hee!!!