Come along for the ride, and pity (please?) the fact that we have to scrape off multiple layers of paint-covered wallpaper from Every Single Wall In The House. Everysinglewall. multiple layers. COVERED WITH PAINT.

The first day was exciting; the second day, not so much (the romance had worn off), except for the fact that we were surrounded by good, incredibly helpful company. Mom, Dad, Debbie, and Ashley the magnificent, who kept an eagle eye on the boys. *THANK YOU FRIENDS*

While not a complete disaster, the kitchen just will not work for us. Knotty Pine cabinets (which are actually lovely, if you are a knotty pine type of person), electric blue paint, and fake brick. Not just any fake brick (as in, comes in a sheet or brick wallpaper or some such), but separate fake bricks actually mortared onto the wall with some type of tar substance.

The only redeeming quality of the kitchen (in my estimation) are the hardwood floors. Unfortunately the hardwood ends in the kitchen, and we have to replace the rest of the carpet throughout the house. It’s gonna take us a long time, folks! As much as I wanted the majority of the house finished before we moved in, I have decided that as soon as the plumbing is fixed and the floors are down, we are there. Marathon weekends just aren’t gonna cut it anytime soon!

*Before Kitchen*

First day excitement! (There are still two layers to go…)

In other areas, Debbie got after the garden and weeded like a madwoman. Dad trimmed the hedges…it was quite a job! There is also a picture of the lilac bush (one of many, turns out…Oh, and we have an apple tree, too!) I don’t have any *after* pictures, but will post soon (they really worked hard despite the black flies and skeeters, and it looks fabulous now).

We’ve just begun! That’s an exciting and exhausting thought…

Well, I have oodles to write about, but it’s been a drama filled couple of days. Nonnie’s sick, Ry is sick, Jack is on his way to being sick, and I’m just *praying* that I have developed a super-human immune system that will laugh in the face of flu bugs. Probably not, but there is hope.

I have wanted to post about my latest fun, though, so I’ll get to it then sign off and write again asap!

I recently sat contemplating my Frappucino bottle and the fact that I think the shape is awesome, and what a shame it is that I’ve probably sent hundreds to the redemption center. Then voila! Inspiration struck in the form of etching and glass paint! Tell me what you think. It’s my first bottle, and I’ve grown a little fond of it. Took me about 3 uninterrupted hours of time while the boys were away at Gram’s to finish it. At first I bemoaned the fact that the “taste by” date is unerasable, but quickly decided that it actually adds to the charm in a quirky way. Ok! Ok! Here are the pics…

I completely realize it’s not everyone’s taste, but I figured if I liked it, then someone else out there might like it too. I have quite a few designs in mind, and am in need of more bottles, so I had Erick bring me home a large Frap last night (all in the name of design, mind you…)

Any thoughts?

Yesterday when Ryan woke up, my mom told him that Daddy and Papa would be at home because of the weather, and that we would make waffles for fun. Ryan replies (with nary a breath inbetween):

“Maybe Papa will make me a really really really really big waffle and so I’ll need a really really really really big blog of syrup but then it will run out so we’ll have to go to the store. But not the little store, the big store. I want to go to Walmart and go through the big doors on my own. Nonnie? Can I drive myself?”

He is such a chatterbox lately!

…………………

I also wanted to share with you my momentous little moment. Yesterday I listed a few items to my new store, and literally, within minutes, I made a sale. Not just fabric, which is so awesome to sale, but a little painting. I think I grinned the rest of the day. Nothing like knowing that someone out there likes what you do! So goodbye, funky mod frond. I’ll miss you, and I bid you well as you travel across the states. You’ve been good to me!

Things that I would love to learn/accomplish/become incredibly adept at:

1. Playing the Piano. I dropped out of lessons in second grade, much to my current chagrin.

2. Take a ceramics class and learn to throw pots with the best of them. I think I would specialize in bowls and cake stands.

3. Become an incredible seamstress. Sew up lots and lots of pretty things.

4. Learn a language-possibly Italian.

5. Take a ballroom dancing class with Erick. (He’s up for this too, which is very good).

6. Delve into the digital arts. There is nothing more satisfying to me than holding a good ol’ paintbrush, but I am a bit fascinated by pixels.

7. Take painting lessons. I’d like to learn a few new techniques-right now my pictures are simple as simple can get.

8. Take drawing lessons. I can draw from a picture, but if I have an idea in my head, I’m not good enough to get it down on paper.

9. Learn to cook amazing things (and enjoy it).

10. Go to sleep every night with a clean bedroom. (HA!)

Anyone else have a list of their own?

First off, my grandmother has started a blog of her own. It’s lovely, and she is one funny lady! Yay for you, grandma! I love you.

Well, I’ve been painting a bit this weekend and sewing here and there. I’ve also been discovering different, wonderful sites, thanks to Sarah and her StumbleUpon suggestions. I haven’t signed up, but I’ve gleaned much from her faves and reviews. Thanks chic!

Ooh, some of my fabric pictures were included in this blog, which is actually really inspiring. Great for newbies to sewing, like myself.

I’ve also come to the realization that it is time for the Murray’s to find a nest of their own. (Well, I’ve known that awhile, but it’s been very apparent lately). It’s no secret to family or friends that we will have been with my parents for (gulp) *3 years* this May! That was not in the plan! (Haha, I know. Plan? When does a plan ever pan out like you want it to?) I’m not in a frantic rush to get out, because in reality, it’s been an amazing few years. I love my parents, and so does Erick, and the fact that Jack and Ryan are so close to their Papa and Nonnie is very, very cool. The space factor is a biggie though. We are just plain running out of room. Our bedroom is ghastly. A conglomeration of everything that would normally be spread out in an entire house. My parents have dreams of turning their currently-occupied guest bedrooms into work studios, and I would love for them to be able to get to it. My precious younguns’ are also making their mark on various furniture and flooring…you normally shouldn’t have to worry about things like that when your kids are grown and gone, right? Wrong! If your grandkids live with you, that is!

Anyhow, I’m ready to nest. It’s time to spread out, even if it is in a tiny house. Up until this current school year, Erick was only subbing, so moving out wasn’t an option. This year, though…with the full time paycheck and everything, it’s time to go. So far nothing do-able has come up, but hopefully this Next Big Adventure is right around the corner.

Well, Erick took the boys to his school this evening to watch the Super Bowl (we don’t have cable here), so I need to get myself busy and do things I normally can’t with 2 children underfoot! Yay for a little Me time!