My Living Room Makeover - Part 2

Wow, so many people eager to know what happened next! Well, Ryan came home and of course noticed right away. I stood there by the door in eager anticipation, along with a look on my face that pretty much said look!-I-rearranged-the-living-room-and-I-know you-don't-like-it-but tell-me-you-love-it-anyway-and-mean-it. I didn't get the response I wanted, only the one I knew was coming. *sigh* His first words......'no!'. And that was literally seconds after he walked through the door. *double sigh*

I explained my reasons, but they were only met with criticism. My argument was that we could not sit on the couch and watch tv (it was too far away, and it was!). His argument is that only one person can sit on the couch and watch tv from the current angle (this is true, but he's comfortable laying on the floor watching tv and I'm not. so I'd be the one on the couch, no change there!). Ryan also does not like the couch in the middle of the room. Well, I do. It helps break up the cavern.

In Ryan's defense, he did tell me later than night that when we had time we could talk about the options for moving things around. At this point we are leaning toward moving the cabinet to the right of the fire place, but that is only if the cable cord will reach that far. I was tempted to clear out the cabinet today and pull out the car jack with wheels so I could move it to a new position, but I restrained myself (ok, so I took a nap instead). I'll wait until Ryan can help me - or- until he's gone on a trip and try again! hahahaha

We did want to watch a movie last night and the couch in its current position wasn't going to work. So what did we do??? We moved the couch around and watched our movie! The pictures below will show you what we've done for the time being, it also shows how the kids are now watching tv (for those who asked). I'm tellin' ya, I need some of those hefty and handy men that they have on those redesign shows......you know, the ones that come in and move the furniture in and out of the rooms? Yeah, those ones, that's what I need to solve this living room delima....that and a few dollars to purchase the just-right furniture!














Mae looks quite happy under the bench, don'tcha think?!

See What Cable Television Has Done???

It's no secret. I've been watching a lot of HGTV lately. A lot. And I am a stay at home mother who needs a creative outlet. Put those two things together and you've got a girl who needs to redo her house!

Enter my living room.

It is HUGE and we have like 3 sticks of furniture to fill it up put in it. The last few people that have stopped by to purchase things I've listed on Craigs List have all said pretty much the same thing, 'did you just move here?'. Now, why would all these people say this? Well, because we have the cavernous living room with three sticks of furniture, that's why.

Enter cable TV.

So, we got cable tv a couple weeks ago and I love watching HGTV, namely the design shows. I love seeing the before and after shots as well as the crafty ways they make things or put things together. Now, we are renting so I can't exactly buy paint, and we are also saving for a down payment so I can't go out and buy furniture to fill the space either. Nor do I really want to, this is a rental and I'm not into investing money in something that doesn't belong to us.

Enter the need to do something!!!!

I had an idea on how to rearrange a couple of our sticks to make the living room feel less cavernous. The problem is that Ryan does not like it when I do this. Being the designer that he is, he needs to have a purpose as to why I would move something. For some odd reason I can't just move stuff around just for the sake of moving it around. This is something I don't understand. At all. But he is my husband and for the sake of keeping the peace I restrain myself. But I can't take it anymore! So, I did it. I moved the couch, coffee table and rocking chair. That's it. And really, they were in that position, for the most part, when we first moved in. We moved things around when we got the cabinet the tv is now on. My current issue with this, aside from having a cavernous feel to our living room, is that to be best comfortable watching tv, we lay on the floor in front of it. And you know what? My neck hurts. Enough I say!

Enter the before and after pics.

Before
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view from the front door entry

view from hallway (just left, or straight ahead of the front door)

view from the 'dining room'

After

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I'm pretty sure I'm going to get in trouble for this when Ryan comes home, but at this point it's worth the risk. I do have a smaller rug in another room that will work better in front of the couch, but I won't move it unless I get approval first. And I think the tv cabinet can be moved a little farther down the wall toward the windows, as well as move the tv itself to make watching it a little easier. I also have my moms old hope chest that I can move to the half wall once it is repaired a bit. Again, I'm not going to make anymore changes until Ryan ok's what I've done so far. But what do you think?

**if there are no more posts after this, then be aware that I will have lost all tv and computer privileges until further notice.

A Kind Note

Yesterday I received a nice little note from my dentist's office. Here is what it said: Deanne, It was a pleasure having you in our office. signed Dentist and Team

Lies.

A big fat lie I tell ya! I know there was no way that I was a pleasure to have in their office the other day. Remember the tears? Hello?!?! You know what this means, don't you? They are teeth-scraping, face-sucking, tooth-pulling maniacs that enjoy wielding scary objects of torture! Just another reason for me to stay away. Right?

I Want It!

I saw this on someone's blog today and I totally want one! I'm not one who likes to cook let alone deal with meal planning, so this is right up my alley. The only thing is.....I have a birthday coming up and as much as it would be a great gift idea I don't think I want to wait that long! I know, I live in an instant society and I've totally been assimilated.....so where's my new family meal planning cookbook already???

Dental Update

Well, my dreaded morning came and went. It's over, but not really, just prolonged. Things went fine, so they tell me. But I beg to differ. I have a small cavity forming under a filling and some bonding is needed at the base of the same tooth to cover/protect the exposed nerve. In addition to all that fun stuff I also have to have a deep cleaning. See? Fun stuff I tell ya.

So, I left the office with yet another appointment. I had a feeling that would happen. The dentist doesn't like people to leave without getting a commitment of some kind for a return trip.

The good news is that the bad news isn't terrible news. And all that needs to be done can be done in one visit that will endure take an hour.

Overall I suppose my time in the torture dental office wasn't so bad. But a visit, for me, is never complete with out at least two tissues and a good cry in front of people I've never met. Now I have another four weeks to gear up for the next one. Yeah. Can't wait.

Pray for Me!!!

I have a dental appointment tomorrow. Ugh. It's just a cleaning appointment, but still, I haven't been to the dentist in little over a year. This will be a first time appointment at this dentist so I will get the 'new client' treatment, which I am sure will include (but not limited to) x-rays, cleaning, flossing, scraping, and the dreaded suck-your-face-off straw suction thingy, as well as a lecture about my brushing and flossing habits blah blah blah.

I'm really looking forward to it. Can you tell?

My prayer and hope is that I've done at least an adequate job with my dental hygiene in the past year that I will be able to leave the office without having to make a follow-up appointment. Oh, and that I won't cry and/or have a panic attack while waiting, sitting, waiting, and enduring.

So, think of me (and pray) tomorrow between 9:30 to11:00 (they tell me it will take that long...stinkin' lousy!). In preparation, I will line my pockets with tissues so I can easily pull one out to dry my tears, as well as practice easy breathing techniques (who knew labor would come in handy later on?!). And I'll do my very bestest to be a big girl and to act like one too.

This Is Only a Test....

85%How Addicted to Blogging Are You? -

I'm not surprised, are you?

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Deanne -- [noun]: A hermit living in the big city 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

This one does surprise me....how do they do that anyway, is someone watching me???

La Fiesta!

Yesterday we went to a real fiesta! One of Ryan's co-workers is Hispanic and his family was celebrating their two daughter's birthdays (age 5 and 1). Ryan was invited, so we all went. This famliy went all out man! The fiesta was at a park and had an inflatable jump house and was fully catered with authentic mexican food that also included delicious shaved ice (no wonder Ryan wanted to go!). Of course no fiesta would be complete without a ginormous Hello Kitty pinata!

I was not looking forward to going, but really I did not have a choice. It would have been perceived as rude if I did not attend with Ryan and the kids, and in our culture it would have rude as well. So I grudgingly went. Phooey on me for being such a poop. I didn't talk to many people, as I suspected would happen, but it turned out better than I thought it would be. The entire family was so hospitable and friendly (and the food wasn't so bad either!).

The kids had a blast jumping in the Hello Kitty jump house, as well as taking their turn whacking the pinata. Ok, I have to admit that my kids, being a bit older than most of the others in attendance, were pretty wimpy when it came to the pinata. Ryan and I were amazed at the force with which the other kids whacked at it. The only conclusion I can come to is that they are used to doing this. They are seasoned pros, no doubt.

We left the fiesta three and half hours after we arrived. I am a little surprised that only one of our kids fell asleep on the way home. They played so hard (but maybe not hard enough?). However they did go to sleep rather quickly last night! The food was so good and plentiful that I didn't have to cook dinner. Sweet! All in all it was a fun party, oops, fiesta, and I'm glad that Ryan drug me there. *big grin*

Ewe! Bugs!

I've come across four spiders over the course of this day, and one of them almost touched me! That's not good for this bug-a-phobe and I'm freakin' out over here. In fact, I have a good case of the heebie geebies! Every little unexpected wisp of air or a stray hair on my arm sets me into a fit of arm and hand flailing just to make sure no creepy crawly is on me. I'm also watching my steps as I walk down the hall or around the house. The bug juice has come in pretty handy today, let me tell ya! The bugs really have no chance of survival. They either cross the perimeter and perish, or drown in a pool of juice that I spray on them until they stop moving. See? No chance.

I hate bugs. I really really do.

Passport Please

Do you remember the movie "While You Were Sleeping"? Lucy was a wanna-be traveler and had her heart set on getting a stamp in her passport, among other things. Well, today I became a 'Lucy'. I am now a proud owner of a passport and have dreams of filling it up, or at least getting one stamp.

Next summer Ryan and I hope to travel together to Spain when he does his yearly research trip. We have lots of details to figure out before then but getting my passport was essential. Now that I have it, I know I am one step closer to a trip away with my husband (no kids allowed!). Like I said, there are plenty of details, but for now I am dreaming of that solitary stamp in a very specific location!

So Stinkin' Hot!

I'm not sure what to write about today. All I want to do is whine about how miserable it is here with the heat and humidity. But no one wants to read that. And I certainly don't want to think about it anymore either.

Yesterday we didn't have many options for escaping the heat so we did what any So. Cal. people can do.....we went to the beach! It was either that or stay home and run up the electric bill.

We got to the beach town in time for lunch, then walked down to the beach with all our gear (stroller and all!). What sweet relief was had once we finally got to the water! It was soooo nice, to say the least. The breeze was just right and the water was perfect, a little cool when you first get in but always refreshing. We stayed for 3 hours! Typically when we go to the beach we will stay for maybe an hour, but this time we were there under different circumstances.

Now all I have is the sweet memory of the cool water and playing with the kids in the waves. That, and I have a nice show of red on my face from all the sun. Today is supposed to be cooler and tomorrow even more so. If I can make it through today then I will have survived this heat wave. Ugh. I'm ready for winter.

August Movie Review

August was a busy month for us. We did some traveling and Ryan worked a lot too and was too tired some nights to watch a movie. So, for those reasons we did not watch too many movies last month. Here is what we did watch:

1. Wives and Daughters (This is a BBC miniseries that we had seen years ago, but I felt it was time to watch it again. It takes place in the early 1800's in a small English village and is about a coming of age young woman as she deals with change in her life as her widower father remarries. I like her character a great deal and I enjoyed seeing the movie again. I highly recommend it if you like Jane Austen-type movies.)

2. Hulk (Slow and terrible. And to that I add.....oh please don't let them make a sequel!!!)

3. Bridge to Terabithia (yet another family movie night. Good family flick, would recommend)

4.Gandhi (I somewhat enjoyed the film. I thought it interesting from a historical standpoint. To be honest I did not know much about Gandhi and what he did (and what I did know, or thought I knew, was waaaaay off!). If the movie was good at portraying who Gandhi was, and what he did, then I agree that he was a great man and he did great things for the people of India. From a spiritual perspective, however, it sad how 'good' a man can be, yet still be lost.)

5. The Devil Wears Prada (Ryan and I saw this at the theater last summer when we were in Tahoe for our 10th anniversary. But when my mom was visiting the other week she mentioned she had not seen it and would like to. So we rented it and watched it together. It was a fine movie and fun to see a second time.)

6. The Fountain (Weird. That's all I can really say. Just, weird. When I was a teen, my dad would let my brother go out on a Friday night to pick out a movie rental for the family and he would tell my brother "don't come back with anything weird". Well, this is exactly the kind of movie my dad would have been talking about, and I'm pretty sure my brother would like it -or at least rent it. How's that for a cryptic movie review?!)

Crazy Post Office Lady -or- Wild and Crazy vs. Sleek and Sophisticated

I went to the post office this morning. It was just Isabel and I as Caleb was playing at a friends house. When I walked up to the counter, the first thing the post office lady said was 'she (Isabel) has hair just like you!'.

Um, wha...???!!

My hair looks nothing like Isabel's! For one, I do not have a mullet (she is currently sporting the baby mullet look). Secondly, and most obvious, we do not have the same hair color! And thirdly, mine has style.

What is that lady smokin'? I see no resemblance, do you?

You Are Cordially Invited

When I was engaged I had several bridal showers, and of course I got tons of household things that we needed to start off our new life together. When I was at one of those showers, I remember a family friend saying she wished that she could have a shower every ten years or so. The only thing I remember thinking at the time was that she was a bit silly. I mean come on, a shower for married ladies?! *pahshaw!*

Well, now that I've been married for 11 years and my everyday dishes are no longer a complete set, the kitchen towels aren't as absorbent as they once were (if they even still exist in my house at all!), the sheets aren't used anymore since we upgraded to a queen sized bed years ago (still thankful to the Lord for that provision!!!) and our bath towels are fraying like crazy and look terrible, I now understand the woman's comment. I am still amazed that I even still have kitchen towels that have lasted this long. But I must admit that my being cheap has a lot to do with that fact more than anything. We received quite a bit of stuff at my showers and at the wedding. I don't think we had to buy much after that. But like I said, that was 11 years ago.

I've gotten rid of a few kitchen towels through the years, but I've also received a few as gifts too. However, it is time to get new ones and purge the old. I know this. Maybe I'll do that during my next outing to Target.

It's funny, I didn't quite notice the true condition of the bath towels until I started having regular guests. Suddenly I see that the towels look pretty bad, even to the point of being embarrassed to put them in the bathroom! I have recently remedied that situation.

A few weeks ago, when I was last in Modesto, I saw a great sale on towels and knew I had to take advantage of it! My mother was traveling back with us when we returned home and some new towels would be greatly appreciated in the guest bathroom, for sure! I found some FABULOUS towels at an even more fabulous price (nothing says 'fabulous' like 50% off!). These towels are big, and soooo incredibly soft (it feels like one of those super soft and cozy teddy bears!). So I snatched up a pair and took them home to be mine! I had no idea that such luxury could be had in bath towel. Now I do. I only hope that it doesn't take another 11 years to get some more.

Maybe we should start having anniversary showers? I think they'd be a big hit! So, I'll just print off the invitations......don't forget to RSVP!

A Bragger No More

We used to be able to baffle sales people that tried to sell us any form of extra tv (ie. Dish, cable, etc...). We used to. But not anymore. All because of a door-to-door salesmen. Really, who does that anymore? Well, AT&T does, they came by last week, and Ryan answered the door. Now we have broadband 'cable' (at least I think it's cable. whatever it is it gives us way more channels that we've ever had in our lives!).

I used to enjoy telling sales people that we had no form of cable and had no desire for one. It was a real conversation stopper (that and when Ryan was unemployed, telling sales-callers from mortgage companies that my husband was jobless....no one wanted to re-fi with us. shocking!). I also liked telling people (friends and acquaintances) the same thing. It was a prideful thing, I suppose. But I can no longer be so boastful.

We are now proud of being able to watch The History Channel and design shows on HGTV!

Why, you ask? Well, Ryan was totally prepared to tell the guy 'no thank you' when the he told Ryan that he could have internet access at airports with his laptop from work. Ryan does travel quite a bit, and being able to get on the internet while waiting to board the next flight must be an irresistible thing. We had talked about getting some kind of 'extra' tv so we could watch our favorite show (So You Think You Can Dance) but it was never enough to make us go out and subscribe. If the sales people only knew of Ryan's insatiable desire to connect while traveling, we would've been able to watch this last season of the show! Oh well, maybe next season. But for now I can enjoy the pleasures of design shows and who knows what else!

Look What I Did!!!

I saw this post on Amanda's blog and it looked like too much fun to pass up! All I did was follow the directions here and I'm in! I will be paired up with another person and we will each shop for each other and get little nifty things, then we'll swap! There is always a color theme and this time the color is RED, my most favorite color in the whole wide world!

There's still time if you'd like to do this too! The deadline is the 28th. So go sign up, but don't forget to tell me if you do....it would be fun to share this experience with you!


**no blog required to take part in this share-fest of red!

Big Ol' First Grader

Today was Mae's first day of school. Yep, she's in first grade this year. Seriously, where did the time go? This only means that it will speed up from here on out (right on out of the house....into college, marriage...ok, I'll stop right there, I've gone too far!).

Anyway, so today we made a little family outing of Mae going to school. We walked with her to her new classroom and found where her desk is. Of course I took pictures! What self-respecting mother would I be if I didn't? I think I even managed to do it with out embarrassing her. I won't expect that to last much longer though. I'll take 'em as long as I can!

This year Mae will take the bus to and from school. We took her to school this morning so she'd know where her classroom is, but tomorrow she'll be on the bus in the morning. I was there this afternoon, waiting for her when the bus pulled up to the stop. Yes, I had my camera with me, again. I felt a little silly taking pictures of her as she got off and walked home, but I'm more glad to have the pictures and record of this milestone in her life....being in first grade and riding the bus.


My first baby is in first grade. I'm really not too sure what to think of that. I don't feel old, but should I? But this does mean that graduation is only 11 years away. Sheesh! That'll be next month by the way the time is flyin'! I'll be pushing 'old' by then for sure!

** click the pictures to enlarge...and check out Mae's new hair cut and outfit! By the way, while you're looking at the enlarged pics....don't you think that backpack it way too big for her?? For sure to fit in a month or so, right?

So Long Summer, Hello School!

My summer fun is now at an end. All trips have been traveled, people have been visited and guests have all returned home. It was a good summer and it turned out better than I thought it would.

What marks the end of summer, you ask? The start of another school year of course! Mae will go back tomorrow, but this time it will be as a great big first grader. *sigh* Where did the time go? I know, I know, we've all heard this and said it many a time, but still.......I could've sworn she was just a babe the other day!

This year will be a little different than last year. For one, Mae will be in school longer (yes!), and she will also ride the bus. She is quite excited about it too. Mae has informed me that she already knows how to ride the bus, for she rode it twice last year for field trips. Well then, ok, that's settled. I suppose I won't have to go over the bus riding rules with her.

Tonight after dinner I'll take Mae to get her hair cut (her request) then we'll head over to Target to pick out a new back to school outfit. We are all excited about tomorrow! I'll be sure to be a dutiful parent and take pictures of my little girl as she begins yet another milestone in her childhood career. Then I'll be sure to post them so ya'll can see!

I'm pretty sure I can make it through this day. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..........

Seattle Recap

I'm back from our fabulous weekend trip to Seattle. It was grrreat! The best part, you ask? Well time with my hubs while my fabulous parents watched the kids, of course! It was a win-win for everyone. Here are a few highlights from our trip: (sorry, no pictures, as I remembered to pack the camera I did, however, forget to bring the flash card. doh!)

* flying solo (the screaming, hyper kids on the plane did not belong to me! score!)
* meeting my husband in the airport for a weekend away (this was my favorite part!)
* spending time with Ryan's family as we drove around Seattle, had dinner and attended a wedding
* seeing our friend Rob, whom we haven't seen in 3 years, and his newly purchased house (congrats again Rob!!!)
* taking the ferry to downtown Seattle (I've taken the ferry a few times before, but I think it's fun every time!)
* dinner at The Spaghetti Factory (I had the spinach and cheese ravioli.....mmmmm!)
* our hotel was very nice (Ryan called it 'pimpy', meaning it was sleek and modern), I loved our bed (so comfy!)
* the wedding was fun. It was the most fun wedding I've ever been too! The couple are both part of improv clubs and one of the groups did some improv stuff before the roast began, they were hilarious!!! I wish there could have been more improv stuff!
* after the wedding Ryan and I went back to the hotel where we spent some alone time together at the hotel restaurant and talked over appetizers, wine, and a mocha! (we hadn't been alone all weekend, not complaining, as our travel companions are fabulous and we never get to see them!)

Now I'm back at my parents house. I have one more day before the kids and I head back home. This time we'll have a travel companion as my mother will be joining us! She will stay with us for a few days before returning back to Modesto. We plan to take her to the beach. So far no complaints have been heard.

YouTube Tuesday - Beauty is Nothing without Brains

Hilarious commercial!!!