Ok, so one picture. I’m working on a few things for the house, and this project has been pretty fun. I’ve searched antique markets from here to the coast, picked up old bottles, and painted the insides. The higher priced paint (red, turquoise, and darker green) leaves them fairly opaque…the cheap stuff leaves them pretty translucent. I’m gonna work with the cheaper stuff again, see what I can do. Although I do like the see through effect…just not the blotchiness.

I’m working on a painting, too…not completely satisfied with it yet. Will post someday.

In the meantime, Maine State Housing is sending an appraiser by next week to see if we have accomplished everything that they want us to accomplish. It’s probably in the small print somewhere (in that huge pile of paperwork that you sign at closing) but we just didn’t realize we were on such a tight deadline. Luckily Erick’s last day of work is today, so for the next few days we will be living/eating/breathing home stuff. It’s stressful, but good motivation, I guess. Gotta look on the bright side, ya know. But prayers that we could accomplish everything to their satisfaction, ON time, would be a great thing. One thing we know? If we could go back, we would SO NOT go with the state housing program. It really bites the big one.

Saturday morning Erick and I rolled out of bed early and spent the morning at Lowes, Home Depot, Winslow Supply, Target…watched our money trickle away on all of the “unfun” things that homeowners have to buy (aka pipes, heating elements, putty knives, etc…)

*Oh for Home Decor!*

To make up for all of the necessities, I ordered this from etsy seller Handgrown Pottery (had to have a little fun, you know). I have such an obsession with bowls. We have no pots or pans, no silverware, no utensils, but we do have bowls!!

Saturday afternoon we spent the day with Ashley who generously helped us scrape more wallpaper. And I have found the answer to this business! A steamer, water, and vinegar. We borrowed my parent’s small steamer, and I felt like breaking into the Hallelujah chorus! It was like wallpaper remover’s bliss! And then it busted…. We heard this terrific pop and somehow the pressure got to the steamer and it is sadly with us no more. (grrrrrrr) However, as long as we keep the paper really soggy with a half and half mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, it does the job pretty well. Just not as well as if we had that steamer back!

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Sunday after church we loaded everyone up (the boys, Papa and Nonnie) and we struck out for the house once again. The only big annoyance of this business is that we only have the weekends to work, and it’s so much easier if the boys aren’t around, but 2 days in a row of not seeing my kids is AWFUL!! So along with us they came! Fortunately, Grammie and our new friends came to our rescue and we had an amazing afternoon. Work is so much easier with a fun group! It certainly breaks up the monotony of it all. We are happy to report than Andrew and Erick got our plumbing up to par, so we now have use of the bathroom (no more runs to the store for potty breaks!) Next on the agenda is getting our heating pipes replaced, and Erick has become a master with sauter. He has completed the repairing of breaks in the living room and is almost wrapped up with the kitchen.

Dad took the cabinets down in the kitchen so I can release my design angst on the fake brick. Time to see it go!

While we were hard at work, the G kids kept Ry and Jack entertained. They had SO MUCH FUN. The previous owners of our house had an above ground swimming pool, so there is this gigantic sand pit in our back yard. At first glance I was horrified, but then I realized it was a blessing in disguise! What kid wouldn’t give and arm and a leg for a gigantic sand pit?! Eventually I’d like to line it with ocean rocks from our travels and put a fire pit in the center. But it will always remain a great place for the kiddos to get down and dirty. And get down and dirty they did. We had on and off again showers (which they LOVED), so of course the sand turned into mud (which was great for making sand castles and cities). But there is nothing like watching kids at play. It makes my heart so glad! Next time I’ll remember to bring the boys a change of clothes.

Hard at Play

Dancing with Glee on our ghetto porch (I love that we have a porch, but I can’t wait to change it from screen to glass!)

The scrapin’ ladies

Dad tearing down the cabinets…

Today we are ordering our new flooring (yipee!) As soon as it’s down (click and lock…shouldn’t take a terrifically long time), the bathroom tiled, and the heating pipes fixed, we’ll move in and finish while we are there. I’m hoping by the end of the month?

Have a great Monday!

Well…I have a new favorite Etsy artist, and wanted to spread the word! Aren’t these paintings cheery? Click on over to Holly’s shop to see what other goodies she has.

And Happy Friday!

I walk, therefore I swish. Because this belly is full of coffee! All on account of the fact that the boys decided to wake their momma up before the clock had struck 5am. And that requires multiple cups of caffeine for this lady.

I am going to finally reveal to you the projects I have been spending my spare (ha!) time on lately; I’m really enjoying them! I’m plumb out of the white fabric, so I can go no further until a re-order. Here they are, in no particular order:

I’m going to upload them to Etsy soon…only so many things you can accomplish in a day!

Let me share with you!

Delightful Thing #1?

I am sipping on an incredible iced coffee that I just threw together. Replete with whipped cream on top.

Delightful Thing #2?

The Carnival for Modern Home Dwelling has begun! Go here for the first installment, and prepare to be terrifically inspired. Thank you Sarah, for this fantastic idea!! We are in for a super week!

Delightful Thing #3?

Have you ever made a blog friend, only to be saddened that you couldn’t pop over for a face to face conversation because you lived too far away? That happens to me all. the. time. I’ve even made blog buddies here in Maine, but because of my lack of transportation (we are a one car family), getting together would be a mite difficult.

Well now. God decided to turn that trend on it’s head, because not only did He introduce the lovely Debbie into my life, but turns out she is just down the road a piece. A very minuscule piece. And she hails from Texas originally, so we were neighbors earlier on in life, too! And she has a newly formed website, which you will fall head over heels in love with, entitled The Romantic Mom. It’s chock full of super ideas and inspiration. She’s in the midst of writing a book, which I’m going to be the first to buy! We are getting together with her family very soon for a Tex-Mex feast. I’m thrilled. And you will be too, even if you won’t have the priveledge of meeting her face to face. Her site will draw you right in!

Well, nap time has begun! Time to get to work finishing my pillow covers so I can HOPEFULLY pop them up here for you to see very soon!

A lovely IDT member from Etsy included me in a treasury! My first treasury debut! (The etched bottles). It expires on Tuesday; go take a look!

I’m semi-famous

One of those fabulous days, that is.

Yesterday was super. The weather was better than we expected, so around 10:00 am we walked down the street to Reny’s and bought a bottle of Bubbles (aka bubble juice) for the boys. What joy 69 cents will bring! I finally broke out my camera to take some pictures-I’m so bad about not taking advantage of my camera. I took a plethora; here are a few:

Picnic!

Giving the tulips a “shower”, according to Ry. Check out how Jack is holding his watering can.

When the boys went down for their nap, I started making some pillow covers for my Etsy shop. I’ve wanted to do this forever, and I’m having SO MUCH FUN! I plan on completing a few today, then I’ll post pictures. Yay!

When Erick arrived home from school, we took the boys to Pizza Hut, then meandered along a back road to the soon-to-be Murray Residence. Let the kids wander around the yard, and E and I dreamed a bit. And guess what? I have a big, fat lilac bush in my front yard! Woohoo!

We then decided to drive around town a bit, and ended up at the Lakeside Restaurant, which was BURSTING with people. It was such a festive atmosphere! Most of the people were dining inside, but we decided to get some softserve and go to the playground. It’s behind the restaurant, and right on the lake…so peaceful. Jack chased the seagulls and Ryan went down the slide over and over again. I think we have a new family tradition! I wish I would have taken the camera…

The great thing? I have been particularly, in no uncertain terms, VERY much against moving to this town. I’ve never really cared for it, even though it was where Erick and I met and were married. I told God “No Way” would we ever move here. Haha! Now, you know, it’s really starting to grow on me. Funny how that happens.

Time to get to work! I can’t wait to share my new creations with you!

So, unfortunately RME doesn’t let me know who signed up, but I have received money from referrals, so thanks to whoever is helping a gal out! And I hope you enjoy your bucks, too!

Latest House News…an electrician is scoping out the place today, and another pro is checking out the house Monday (gulp. talk about cutting it close. seeing as though closing is wednesday). I’ve decided not to stress…for the minute, anyway.

The boys are sleeping, so I’m going to get to crafting. I have some new ideas that I just can’t wait to begin. Here’s to a long nap time!

When I stumbled onto Etsy last year, one of the first artists I ran across was John W. Golden…and I’ve been smitten ever since. If we actually do end up with a house someday, I want his art to grace my walls! My introduction into his work was his “By the Order of the Management” series; it is one of my favorite series, and believe me, it’s hard to pick a “best” with his work. So without further ado, take a peek! And then click on the link above to view (so much) more.

Yeah, well…we have no idea. Still no word.

I’m just tired. It’s been a weepy kind of day, and weepy days always make me sleepy. However, with the weepy-ness comes a peacefulness, because God has never let us down. Even through trials, He has always revealed His glory. This house or no, it’s gonna be ok.

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On a completely different note, here are a few new goodies I worked on this weekend:

These are actually mini canvases on mini easels. I love the mini factor!

Had this paper lying around for awhile, and decided to turn it into magnets…

And my first dishtowel attempt! I’ve wanted to make one for a long time, so I hemmed up some fabric, added a ribbon to hang, and appliquéd the fabric.

Well, off to bed. Tomorrow is a new day, and it will be a good one!