Update

I have been away from this journal for a little while because we haven't been working on any home repairs for now. Still saving up to get the siding done and I've been busy looking for a new job. I really want a job that allows me more time at home.

I'm crossing my fingers that everything works out.

More new lighting

We finally changed out the light above the kitchen table. We also bought a new dome light to replace this hideous florescent box but that hasn't been put up yet.

This is the light above the table before





And this is our new one






This shows the ugly box that we need to still take down. I really don't know why anyone would want florescent lighting in their kitchen. It's so harsh and ugly. It reminds me of the movie Joe Versus the Volcano when Tom Hanks is stuck at that really bad job.

I'm so ready to take this one down...



Our next small project will be to replace the blinds in the house. One of the first ones we need to replace is the kitchen. As you can see from these pictures we have a really old mini blind hanging and I'm thinking about a roller shade instead. I also need some ideas on how to use the wasted space on the windowsill. It's so big and right now it's not being used. Ideas? I thought about putting some baskets there but it may look too junky. Another idea would be to have it covered and padded.

Siding - what options are out there

So now I'm curious what the best way to go is with siding. We received one quote already for vinyl siding that was almost $9000 but we really don't know what other options are out there. I want something that will last and won't rot as easily. I also wonder what most people have. I did add Blue Vinyl to my list of movies to watch in Netflix and I'm sure it will have many bad things to say about vinyl siding just as Super Size Me made me never want to eat fast food again. *sigh*

Decisions, decisions. Of course we won't have the money for this until October so I have plenty of time to think about this.

EDIT: I think I like the hardiplanks so we'll try and have them requote

Vinyl siding - how much should it cost?

The third place is at the house now taking measurments for a vinyl siding estimate. Two others came out last week and we are still waiting to hear back on the quote. I have no earthly clue what to expect as far as the cost goes and I'm very anxious to hear the estimates.

Has anyone done this before? Any suggestions of tips? If you don't mind saying, how much did it cost you if you did this. We have a one story home and want a really light sage colored put on. I've heard good and bad things about vinyl but mostly good.

I'll cross my fingers that the amount will be something we can afford.

We also need a new roof and need estimates on that. Hmm, another thing to worry about the cost.

3 suggestions - Watch, Read, Listen

Watch - Planet Earth on the Discovery channel

Read - The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Listen - Dustin Kensrue

The BBQ was a hit!

pasta bowls, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

We had a wonderful weekend and it made me feel really proud of our home. There are tons of pictures of the house on my flickr account if anyone is interested. You can view them on the first few pages.

I also bought these beautiful pasta bowls and serving bowl with the rest of my birthday money. I can't wait to use them! My sisters will be coming over this Saturday to have an early Easter lunch. I really look forward to it.

We decided that our next home project will be the siding and trim on the house. I need to start looking at pictures of vinly siding and investigate the pros and cons. I also have no idea how much something like that will cost. I have three different companies coming over to give us an estimate. Wish us luck!

His New Grill

new grill, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

We went to Lowes last night and bought his new grill. This picture was taken before it was completely put together but it has a tray on one side and a burner on the other. Of course it took around four hour to put together but now it's done. I look forward to many family BBQ's and lots of fun.

We also bought a new bench for the front patio to sit outside and read or watch the Stinker play outside. We don't like him to be outside alone and I never had anywhere to sit when he rode his skateboard or scooter. This is perfect.

(Took this last night)

We have dinner guests arriving!

First off I had a wonderful birthday. We went to dinner with the family at the County Line as we do ever year. We've been going there for the past 18 years! TRADITION! After dinner we headed over to my mom's for cake and then went home to rest up before hitting the town. We stayed at the Hilton downtown and stopped off at a few bars before calling it a night. It was really fun and I also got some really great presents this year. Here is the list of things I received:

Vintage looking pearl and sterling earring
A watch (because I am always asking for the time)
Two magazine subscriptions
A book
Some pj's
Salt and pepper shakers
MONEY!
Barnes and Noble gift card
Some makeup

Wow, lots of good stuff!

This coming weekend we will have my family over for dinner. Our one year anniversary is coming up so I decided on getting him a grill early so we can use it for hamburgers and sausage. I like having people over but we rarely do so hopefully we can do this more often. It's sometimes hard planning on guests when you are in the middle of home renovations or when you don't have your house just like you want it but I guess if you waited for that day nobody would ever be over! Ha!

The reason we chose to grill is because remember...we still don't have an oven! Saving up for the one we really want because I don't believe in buying one that we won't be happy with only to buy another one in a few tears. Best to wait until we can get what we want.

Any ideas on what else to server with our burgers and sausage? Maybe some corn on the cob and a good salad.

Maybe not wiser but definately older

My birthday is Sunday. It's hard to believe because it honestly feels like I just had one. Time seems to go by faster and faster as you age. I'm feel a little down about my birthday this year. I know we will have a lot of fun and have many things planned but I just don't feel 32 and I sure as hell hope I don't look it! Ha! I am proud of the things I have accomplished in my life so far but I guess a lot of people start feeling this way around their big day. Blowing out those candles just don't bring you the same joy as it did when you were sixteen. Hey, at least I get to share my day with someone else and so the celebrating is twice as fun!

I'm sure I'll have much to report on Monday and many photos to share. Until then...

Missy

Kitchen is painted!

Paint, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

It's drying! I'm still not used it it but hopefully it grows on me. Of course it's better then the old wallpaper. Now we need to get new lighting, paint cabinets, change harware. countertops, sinks. and appliances, ha!

The remodeling never ever ever ends....

PS. The rest of the kitchen photos are on my flickr account.

The hideous country style wallpaper is gone!

We have texture and all the wallpaper is gone. It was an ordeal keeping Johhnie Cat our of the kitchen last night and before the texture tried he got his paw prints on the all near the window. We fixed it as best we could and once he paints with primer today and then our light yellow I don't think you will be able to see the kitty prints. These are the time I wish we had outside cats!

A few shots for now and tonight I'll show one painted.

Before with wallpaper



With texture

Some kitchen pictures from this afternoon

Of course we would love to remodel the kitchen all at one time but the funds won't allow it so we plan to do one thing at a time. First we will take off the wallpaper and paint and next we will buy the new stove, fridge, and dishwasher. After those things are completed we can work on the cabinets, counter tops, and floors. I know most people would do the cabinets first but we will probably keep these for a little while and maybe paint them before we purchase new ones. I figure with paint and new hardware they will be greatly improved.

I created a set in my flickr account for the kitchen. You can view it here:

Kitchen pictures

And the ugly wallpaper is gone!

I am happy to report that Martin called us back and started on removing the ugly fruit wallpaper today. After he got started he found some even uglier and older wallpaper underneath. Why do people do that?? Don't they realize how much work it will take once you decide to remove it? GAH! Anyway, he is trying to get most of it off but he said he will have to just put primer over some area and then texture over that. I'll post some before pictures later tonight. He won't be able to come back until Monday to paint but just seeing some progress being made makes me happy. He hope to have the wallpaper removed today and have the walls textured.

We will paint the kitchen a pale yellow. Something that isn't overbearing since the kitchen is busy enough!

I can't stand the kitchen

Today is March which means this is the month that we will finally paint the kitchen. I'm so excited to see that ugly wallpaper gone and have a nice soothing color instead. Our kitchen currently looks so "busy" and cluttered because of the patterns on the wallpaper and top border. It has fruit all over it and they are not small. Why would anyone ever want something so busy looking in the kitchen? The kitchen is already busy enough!

I've been working really hard on trying to pay off some of our bills and man is it stressful! I'm currently working on getting my husband's student loan paid off. With the way he has it set up now we'd be almost 50 before it was paid off! YIKES! And most of that would be interest. That is just ridiculous. I've been online all week seeing what can be done about it. Hopefully we get it resolved soon. I love marking another thing off of my to do list. I also set up almost all of our bills online to be automatically deducted from our account when they are due which saves me a lot of time and money. I wish every company allowed you to do it that way.

I locked myself out of the house

Our weekend was pretty low key which is usually the way I like it. The Stinker won his first soccer game on Saturday so we went out for ice cream after. The weather was so nice outside that I'm a little worried about how hot this summer will be. If it's already eighty we will see those triple digits much sooner then I'm happy with.

On Saturday night we went out to dinner and had a few drinks and then came home to watch a movie. If you haven't seen The Black Dahlia, don't waste your time. It was very slow and boring.

Sunday we lounged around the house and I almost finished my book. It's a really easy read so I'm happy that I have her followup book that I can start right away. When it got dark outside the Stinker and I decided to go outside and look at the stars through the telescope. When we decided to come back in the door was locked. Somehow we locked it and didn't have a key outside or proper clothing! We had gone out in pajams and flip flops and it was starting to get cold.

Lesson learned! Next time we go outside...bring a cellphone and keys. *sigh*

My thoughts on having a twin sister

On my way into work this morning I listened to the radio as they were discussed what it must be like to have a twin. They had several callers give their opinions on what it's like having someone look like you. For me, I've always really loved it because we are special. I consider my sister my best friend and even though we had to endure many stupid questions over the years it's still really cool to share a birthday with someone.

A sample of dumb questions

If I hit your sister will you feel it?
Why don't you have glasses since your sisters does (I do now)
Do you have the same birthday (DUH!)
Are you the same age?
Do you play tricks on people all the time

I'll never know what it's like not to share a birthday and we have celebrated all of them together. The big 32 is next month and I know we will spend it together having fun and toasting our day.

Weekend recap and ideas on fixing up the kitchen

I think I've made a decision on what to do in the kitchen for now. Of course I would love to get all new cabinets and counter tops but we can't afford that right now so for now we will have the wallpaper removed, paint the walls a very light yellow, and then maybe paint the cabinets. I've read about painting cabinets a lot online but I am a little nervous about it. Of course the paint and new hardware would make a huge improvement on what's there now. Our kitchen looks so 80ish and drab. I still love the 80's music but not the styles that were in back then. How did our mom ever let us walk out of the house in parachute pants? EEK!

Anyway, that's my plan. I'm hoping we can have it painted before my birthday so we can have a party again this year.

Conan's pizza and Amy's ice cream = heaven

Conans pizza, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

Last night we spent our evening having one of the best slices of pizza and then ice cream for dessert. If you have never been to Conan's pizza you are totally missing out. Oh, and Amy's ice cream is the best ice cream ever. I always stick with the coffee with walnuts.

Valentines was spent with my two favorite guys and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Weekend highs and lows

Highs

Having dinner at the Roaring Fork on Saturday night. The tuna was to die for. I can't wait to go again.

Seeing my son play his first soccer game. He said, "I think I did GREAT for my first time playing." He really did and I am so proud.

Finally buying a toaster oven. We tried it out last night and it seems to work well for what we need it for.

Starting a new book. (See left side bar)

Lows

Seeing my bank account statment on Monday morning.

Burning the hell outta the roof of my mouth on a slice of cheese pizza. It still hurts!

Dinner

This was our dinner last Friday night. Of course now that the oven is broken our dinner this Friday will not be as scrumptious. We will have to be creative with the stovetop meals and microwave dishes. I'm trying to decide if purchasing a toaster oven is worth it. Do you use one for pizzas, tater tots and other kid friendly dishes in your home? Logan wanted a hot dog last night with tater tots but he had to settle for mac and cheese with the hot dogs since we can make that on the stove. I'm guessing that we should be able to buy a new oven in a week or so but I wonder how long it will take to arrive and install. Hopefully not too long because I want more Salmon on paper plates...

Lots of things planned for this weekend so I'm sure I will have many pictures to share on Sunday. Tonight we are going out with my sister and brother in law to see some bands play and then probably get some dinner. Tomorrow night we plan to celebrate Valentine's Day early. We don't exchange gifts but we do like to have a special dinner and spend time alone.

PS. My sister says that salmon looks gross but I ♥ it and my husband is great at cooking it just like I like! I don't eat red meat, seafood, or chicken but I will have salmon, boars head turkey deli meat (only boars head), and tuna. I guess you could say I'm picky.