Spring

I've never had a flower garden and never worked on the yard. This year we decided to plant some things. So far we have basil, peppers, and lots of flowers. Here are some of the before pictures. I hope to take more tonight. I love watching everything grow!


(Click on this link below)


Gardening

Mannington Heritage Cherry Laminate floors

Here are some pictures of my son's room. I will post some before and after pictures when I have more time.

Laminate wood floors

Laminate versus Wood

We finally have some money to have the floors done in the house. We had one estimate done from Lowe's to have pergo and it was $9600 for the entire house minus the bathroom and kitchen. A guy came out from another place to give us an estimate with Armstrong Grand Illusions put it. He said it was one of the most expensive laminates so I'm getting worried about how much it will be. He said it would cost $7.28 a square foot and that includes installation. I guess we will see. He also said the laminate we picked out was almost as expensive as wood would be. I like wood but worry about water damage and pet damage. If we didn't have pets I would probably go with wood. But if wood is almost the same price I feel like it's best to get it. I'm confused. Has anyone else done their whole house? How much was it? Our house is 1700 square feet but we aren't doing the bathrooms, kitchen, or closets.

2010

I've been away from my blog for some time and thought I would start the new year by updating. We are still slowly working on the house and still need to get the floors done. I'm waiting on my refiance on the house to go through and then we can pay for it. I spent last night looking on flickr for some pictures of other peoples pergo floors. I don't like the look of oak and lean towards cherry or maple. Hopefully I will be posting some pictures of the sample floors soon.

Shopping for living room furniture

We've had our sofa for a really long time so this past weekend we went to a few places around town. The second store we visited was Rooms To Go and we found a sectional called the Bridgeport that we really like. We decided to sleep on it but after hearing some bad reviews from others about the store I am weary about buying it. I really like it and it is a great price but I don't want it to fall apart after just a couple of years. In my opinion a couch should last a long time. I'm really bummed because I was really excited about getting a new one but now I'm on the fence. My husband and I decided to wait a few days and then make our final decision.

A picture of the sectional

Decals for Logan's room

Decals for Logan's room , originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

Haven't posted in this blog in a long time but wanted to share the decals I added to my son's room. I feel that they go well with his quilt that you can see in the picture. I still want to add something to the other wall but haven't decided on that yet. I also need to get him a new valance to match his room. I'm thinking navy or orange but orange may be hard to find.

Veggie beef soup

INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground beef
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
2 cans beef broth
1/4 cup dry onion soup mix
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 can green beans
1 can corn
onion (as much as you like)
1 cup cut baby carrots
2 large potatoes cut into squares




DIRECTIONS
In a large pot over medium high heat, saute the ground beef for about 5 minutes, or until browned. Drain off excess fat.
Add vegetables and potatoes. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes.

Laminate wood floors

My son has pretty severe allergies and after testing him they suggested we get rid of the carpet in the house. We had Lowe's come out and give us quote to do the house (minus the kitchen and baths) and it was around $9000. I have no idea if this is a good price or not but it's a lot of money! I think we may try and get more money from our home equity account. I really wish it wasn't so expensive but the carpet really has to go. We looked at the Pergo laminate wood flooring but haven't decided on any color yet. I wish I could see pictures from people that have done it or hear some customer reviews. We have two cats and a dog so we need something that will last. I feel like there is always some work to be done around the house. After the floors I'd like to have the yard redone. It's bascially weeds right now and I'd like someone to come out and landscape it. *sigh*

I need to make some more money!

Comfort food!

Potato cheese soup (with bacon bits), originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

Potato cheese soup (with bacon bits)
Recipe:

Ingredients
6 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 3/4 lbs.)
1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
42 ounces organic low sodium chicken broth (5 1/4 cups)
1 whole garlic clove, smashed with the back of your knife
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
1 cup fat-free half-and-half (can substitute whipping cream)
1 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese (4 oz.)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (can substitute finely chopped scallions or green onions)
1 cup light sour cream (optional)
4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
additional shredded cheddar cheese


Directions

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a 5-quart slow-cooker.
2. Cover and cook on high for six hours, or low for 8-10 hours--or, cook until potato is tender.
3. Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soup is slightly thickened.
4. Stir in half-n-half, cheese, and chives.
5. In each individual bowl, top with a dallop of sour cream, if desired, and sprinkle with bacon and cheddar cheese before eating.

Tree is up!

"Decorating the tree 2008", originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

We decided to put the tree in the bedroom this year because of the cats and Oscar. I didn't want to yell at them the entire month of December.

This is with the flash off

Winter sheets

Winter sheets, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

Oh how I love flannel sheets.

I finally started painting!

painting Logan's room, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

After taking the wallpaper down I took a long break. I was just so tired of being in this room. Today I started painting and hopefully tomorrow I will finish. My niece volunteered to help me tomorrow so I know it will go much faster. I am so happy to finally have some help. I was almost in tears today because I felt so overwhelmed with it all. I've never painted a room before and really wanted someone with me. Thank goodness for family.

M.

Happy 4th

I hope everyone had a safe and happy day!

July

Summer is in full swing at the house. We are staying up late and sleeping in. I don't know how anyone could get bored being home all day. There is so much to be done!

A picture a day!

No more wallpaper!

IMG_2949, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

I finished taking down the border today. I didn't work on it for a few days because I was feeling so overwhelmed. Today I woke up ready to tackle it and I did! Now I have to patch up the holes which I've never done. It seems pretty straight forward though. I think I will be ready to paint by the weekend. I am so relieved to have the wallpaper off and so proud that I did it alone.

M.

A now the garbage disposal goes out

I saved money by working on this stupid wallpaper myself and now the garbage disposal goes out. How much does something like that cost? Ours was really old and the seal is broken. It leaked under the cabinet and some really nasty stuff came out.

*sigh*

Removing wallpaper border - wall 3

removing wallpaper border - wall 3, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

Still working on this project. I am feeling very overwhelmed today and wish I had a little help. In some spots it took take the texture off but for now all I am worried about it getting this border down. I am on wall three and after I finish the fourth wall I will have to make another pass to get it clean. I did leave some of the white sticky stuff in some spots because I felt it was best to get the main part down first. That way I would feel like I've made progress. Can someone say muscle relaxer? That is what my body needs right about now!

M.

Office area

Office area, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

(Click to see full size)

We decided to move the desk into the spare room tonight. It was midnight and we were moving furniture and rearranging. This is why I love having summers off!

More pictures on my flickr account. I do want to paint but not this week.

M.

Still trying to remove this wallpaper border :/

I worked on this for about an hr today and maybe an hr the other day. It's slowly coming off. It makes me feel good to take pictures to see that I have actually DONE something.

I'm using water and Downy.

A picture a day

Still going strong!

A way to get off the couch this summer?

Texas is so hot that we end up staying indoors most of the summer. I thought about getting a Wii fit but haven't heard many people talking about it. If you have one do you like it? Can you feel some improvement? Since I'm not spending my money on paying that guy to remove the wallpaper I thought I'd treat myself to the Wii fit.

Did I mention how sore my arms are from yesterday? Ouch!

Removing wallpaper border

IMG_2705, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

There are two borders on here so it make take me all summer to finish this job. More pictures as I make progress. My fingers are all sticky right now and the room is a mess so I'm taking a break. I feel like I've been lifting weights!

M.

That guy was insane

The estimate to take down the wallpaper border for the smallest bedroom in the house was $700 bucks! I think the guy must have had a screw loose. There is no way it should cost that much. We told him no thanks. I have decided to try and do it myself. I think I can get the border down but I am more worried about all the holes in the walls. I've never patched up a hole before and don't want it to look like a crappy job. We had heavy shelves up in his room which caused all the holes and also a large bulletin board. I guess that is another thing I will need to look up online. I know people patch up holes all the time but it's not something I've ever done. Maybe I will take pictures later to show the size of the holes.

How much should it cost

We are hiring this guy to take down the baby border down from my son's room and then paint. It has two borders on it now (old one when we bought the house and then the one we added) and the wall is full of holes that need to be patched up. The room is small but I have no clue what to expect he will charge us. I don't want to be suckered but also know it will be a lot of work taking down the border. Any idea on what this should cost? Pictures is below....

Room we are going to redo

Anyway, he will be here later and then we will decide if we want to go with him or not.

Summer time!

I work at a school so I have summer off. Today is my first day to sleep in and enjoy my cup of coffee at home in my pajamas. It feels so wonderful.


I have many projects planned for the house during my time off so more to come later.

Day 1

Day 1, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

Oscar in mid yawn. My goal is to take a picture a day for 365 days. That means I will take a picture a Let's hope I can stick to it!

M.

And I've been reading like crazy. In the last two weeks of May I read:

Time Traveler's Wife
The Road
Handmaid's Tale

Today I started The Mermaid Chair

Memorial Weekend

I finished my book early this morning. I loved it and didn't want it to end. Thankfully I have books on my shelf that have been waiting for me to read them. I started Cormac McCarthy's The Road. I think it will be a quick read.

What I'm listening to - Bright Eyes
Reading - The Road
Thinking - I should be reading
Wanting - new shorts for summer

I dusted the house on Friday. The guy from dish network came out and I was so embarrassed because when he went to check the box there were dust bunnies everywhere. So I dusted the living room and then the bedroom. I swear out house gets so dusty in just one day.

We don't have any other plans for the weekend. Just lounging around and relaxing. Only 7 more days of school! Yippee!

Wasp Catcher

Now that we have Oscar (puppy) we hangout in the backyard more. Every time I'm out there trying to enjoy my sweet tea the bees and wasps try and get my drink! We bought this wasp catcher at Target today. I think it's really pretty even if it doesn't work. We will put sugar water in it tonight and see how well it works. I also want to get some patio furniture so we can sit and relax out there. Right now all we have is four plastic chairs. Maybe we can find some at a garage sale or something next weekend.

This weekend was very relaxing. We went to my twin sister's house for an early going away party for my brother in law and played Pictionary. The girls won! Woo-hoo!

I also read a lot this weekend. I started The Time Traveler's Wife and love it. I don't want to put it down.

Update on me

Currently listening to : A Fine Frenzy

Reading : History of Love

Watching : Nothing

I really don't have time to watch television during the week. Between dinner, cleaning up, playing with the puppy, and downloading all my songs to my ipod I just don't have time!

Saving money

Now that I may half of what I used to we really need to cut costs. One of the things we decided we needed to cut back on was eating out and junk from the grocery store. We used to spend $250 - $280 every two weeks on groceries and that was just too much. Our goal was to spend $150 when we went yesterday and we did pretty good because we spent $172! Instead of throwing anything into the cart we wrote down meal plans and stuck with it. I think our problem before was that we always bought too many snack foods and not enough meals for the week. I feel really proud of us. We also took all our canvas bags to the store and didn't need to waste more plastic bags. Go us!

Playing outside

IMG_2129, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

We are still trying to potty train Oscar but he is doing great so far! He loves being in the tall grass and is such a great joy to have.

The house projects are on hold right now but hopefully the floors will be next.

Oscar again

IMG_1981, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

I just love his little tongue. We took him to the park yesterday and had a great time.

New family member

New dog, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

Meet Oscar!

Good Friday

This is the first Good Friday I think I've ever had off. It felt wonderful to be home. Oliver napped on my bed and the Stinker lost a tooth.

Tomorrow morning we have pancakes with family.