I is for I Still Do!!!

Fifteen years ago, I stood in front of more than 100 friends and family to commit to forever with the love of my life!  Fifteen!!  How can that be possible?  Wasn't it just recently that I was getting shooed out of the mall for loitering?  We just went to that Vanilla Ice concert!  I still get carded...how can I be closer to 50 than I am to 21???  I can remember our wedding as if it were yesterday...the flowers, the singing, the babies (that are all grown up now!)

Fifteen years in and I still get little butterflies when I watch Jay coach volleyball.  I still find comfort in the sound of his car pulling up outside.  I look for him in crowded parties and always know when he's close by.  I instinctively put my hand in the crook of his arm when we're walking. He has already anticipated my move and his arm is ready.  It still feels new to introduce "My husband, Jay."  With a look across a room, we can speak volumes.

We absolutely did not know what we were saying 'I do' to fifteen years ago.  I did not think I would ever say things like, "No, you can't poop in your brother's pocket!".  Or, who knew we were saying 'I do' to a lifetime of home improvements??  Never ending laundry? 

Some things we've encountered would have torn apart a weaker bond.  But, we have drawn even closer to each other through difficult times, and we're better for it...together. Jay loves to teach couples (and I love to encourage him to teach other couples) how to be stronger together.  It's sounds so simple, but yet is so powerful.  We meet each others emotional needs.  Anyone can learn how to do it, too!  It's made us better spouses, better parents, and better friends. 

So, after all these years, I still do.

 July 24, 1999

July 4, 2014

H is for HOLE

To be more precise, H is for the gaping hole in the ceiling of our entryway for the past few years.  Years, people!!  A few years ago, during a rainy season, Jay and I heard a drip, drip, driiiipppp and discovered that the ceiling was leaking a tremendous amount of water.  We had to tear down some seriously damaged chunks of the ceiling to assess the damage inside and let it dry out.  Jay fixed the roof...except not really.  After we did a poor patch job on the ceiling, it leaked...again!!  Jay fixed the roof, again...but, fo reelz this time.  But, to be safe, we left the hole there to really let it dry out and make sure it was done leaking.

Here's the funny part of the story...probably 9 out 10 people that came into our home never even saw the hole as they walked in.  If we pointed it out, well then, how could you NOT see it...I mean, the insulation, the metal beam, crumbling drywall...gorgeous!!

Over time, the patch-the-ceiling project moved down our list of things to do.  After all, I think I was the only one bothered by it and we had more important things to tend to.  A few people had volunteered to fix it on their time and dime, but life gets busy and it just didn't happen.  We were really close to getting the job done with the last volunteer, but it just couldn't come together.  But now I had a vision in my mind of having this job done.  So, I decided I would do it myself.  My brother-in-law lovingly told me that I couldn't do it myself...not in a condescending, you're a girl, kinda way. But, more like in a realistic, you've never hung dry wall before kinda way.  He was right, of course, but telling me I can't do something is pretty much the same as telling me to run and do it immediately.

As with any project that I take on, I become like the pig in the story If You Give a Pig a Pancake...if I'm going to fix the ceiling, then I'm going to want a new light fixture.  If I want a new fixture, I'm going to want to move it 2 feet to the left (or right depending on where you're standing).  If I'm adding a new fixture, the walls should get a fresh coat of paint.  If I paint the walls, I'm going to have to paint the baseboards and doors, too.  While I'm painting the closet door, I should fix the latch that prevents it from closing the whole way...and so on....

With the helpful advice of my father-in-law, I finished the project!!!  Hip hop hooray!!!  I love it so much!  It's like breathing new life into our home!!!  And I learned a bunch of new skills...using a drywall bit, wiring, using a reciprocating saw!!!  I love it all!

I added molding to cover the seam of the new dry wall.

See how the closet door is a wee bit open? Made me crazy!!!

I was laying on the floor looking up for this view point.  The smaller hole is where the old light fixture hung.

It's so clean...and the closet door shuts!!

 This project cost less than $50, by the way.  All I had to purchase was a sheet of drywall and 3 8' lengths of molding.  I had the light fixture, (and I pat myself on the back for knowing that it would hang lower than the original, Miami Vice looking, brass and beveled glass fixture that had been there and opening the front door would be problematic).  I also had the joint compound, water putty, primer and paint.  Done and done!!  What's going to be my next project???

G is for Gratitude!!!

This past week has been quite a whirlwind in many ways, and the word that keeps coming to mind is GRATITUDE!! We are grateful to those who donated to our Trey's Trip to Disney fund.  Grateful to those who shared the link.  Grateful to those who read the link and said a quick prayer.  It is amazing and humbling to be surrounded by such a supportive community (that spans the globe).  I can't adequately put it to words, but it does this momma's heart good to experience the overwhelming good in this world.  I thank you and am grateful for you.

"F" is for...

Well, "F" could be for a lot of things... Feelings, Faith, Fall, (Kids! Avert your eyes, quick!!) F*&% Cancer.  But, for today, I will use this "F" for Flashback.

Take a walk down memory lane with me since it is the season of all things pumpkin...

http://rachelmitlo.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-ruin-roasted-pumpkin-seedstwice.html

"D" is for Delighted!

Well, color me tickled...errrr, delighted!!  (I'm totally twisting this to fit my alphabet list of blog posts)

My friend, Katy, has included lil' ol' me in her list of nominees for a Liebster award.  What the what???  First of all, how Katy finds time to blog, let alone recognize other bloggers is impressive to me.  Katy is a full time mom, wife and writer (and knitter, volunteer, friend...not in that particular order).  Her blog is honest, raw, vulnerable and funny all at the same time.  She'd be a perfect guest blogger for Courtney's Show Your Real series.  Katy has some real and is not afraid to show it.

Secondly, what's a Liebster??  Oh, it's a thing, people!  A Liebster award is a way to give recognition to other small bloggers (200 or fewer followers).

So, thank you to Katy for the recognition!  I wish I blogged more often, but it still feels good to have a friend give ya a pat on the back.

When you’re nominated for a Liebster, here’s what you do:
1.    Thank the Liebster Blog presenter who nominated you and link back to their blog.
2.    Nominate 11 blogs who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen.
3.    Answer the 11 questions you were asked and create 11 questions for your nominees.
4.    Display the Liebster Award logo.
5.    No tag backs, meaning you can’t just re-nominate the person who nominated you.

Here are the 11 questions I was given:
1. What sort of milk do you prefer to drink?  Ummmm, I do not drink any milk ever...not cow, coconut or almond kinds.  If I had to, I would pick 2% for cereal purposes only...or baking.  You use milk for baking, right?
2. Do you prefer baths or showers and why?  Showers, absolutely!  I hate baths!  I feel like I'm sitting in a pool of my own filth in a tub. Or worse, someone else's filth.  Plus, I'd have to stand up, turn the shower on to wash my hair...I'm too lazy for all that.
3.  What percentage cocoa do you prefer your chocolate to contain?  Ummm, I had to read this a few times to understand it.  Never have I ever paid a lick of attention to percentage of chocolate.  So, my answer is, however much is in a Caramello Bar.
4. What is your about-to-begin-the-workday ritual?  Since my job is a full time Momma and every day is different, coffee is really my only ritual.  Oh yeah, and feeding children, getting them dressed etc.  If we have to be somewhere, I'll use the time they are eating to get myself put together.
5. Describe your perfect lunch meal.  The perfect lunch is one that someone else has prepared.
6. What are your thoughts on flavored dental floss?  I'm not against flavored floss (I heart cinnamon), but someone that I live with, possibly married to, has very specific requirements for his floss.  Jay...Mr. Mitlo...rats!  That guy I'm married to cannot have any type that shreds or conflicts with other flavors or makes a noise.  Since he's the more dedicated flosser, he gets to pick the brand.
7.  What is the most important thing about a dwelling? (Bonus: does your dwelling succeed at this thing?)  The most important thing about a dwelling to me is that it feels safe.  Not so much from a security stand point, though that's important, but I mean that someone could come into our home and feel free to be comfortable, share thoughts and feelings, feel like they have been cared for.  Our children sleep in peace, without fear, talk openly with us, and we always look forward to coming home after having been gone.  So, yes, I think our house succeeds in this.
8. Do you really untie your shoes before you remove them? Every time?  Never.
9. What is your goal in blogging?  I think my goal for blogging now is to get memories/thoughts/stories/snippets of time out of my head and somewhere permanent. At one time, I would have said my goal was to inspire and challenge (and maybe impress), but then real life came down hard and I can't seem to find the right words ever to encompass all that.  So, I'm fine with sharing anecdotes.
10. What part(s) of your current life is/are the way you imagined when you were in middle school?  Exactly zero parts.  I was a bad kid, a bully really, and couldn't see past to the end of a day, let alone years ahead.  My days were consumed with trying to figure out how to be a bad ass.  (Hint:  If you have to think about it, you're not)  I guess if I look back and think real hard I maybe wanted to live in a big city and be a news anchor. Instead, I've lived in exactly 2 houses, both planted squarely in suburbs, and am a SAHM.  It's a close call, really.
11. What would you say to your young self if you encountered her on her first day of college?  I would say, "Hang in there, kid.  Things are going to unfold in ways that you can't imagine.  Quit trying to control everything, for cryin' in a bucket!  Remember, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  (Jeremiah 29:11)"

So, now for my nominees.  This was interesting to me because I realized how few blogs I read regularly.   Katy's being one of them and I can't tag her back!  Almost all the blogs that I follow are written by real life friends.  Some of them may have more than 200 followers.   After all, some of them may have been featured in a major magazine!  Please take no offense to my nomination...just have fun with it!

1.Bowdenisms
2. She's a Crafty Pumpkin
3. agentorange
4. Happy and Co.
5. Just a Glimpse...

That's my list...I can add to it once other bloggers get blogging and update their blogs.  Blog.

My 11 questions for my nominees are:
1. In what type of car did you take your drivers test? (and, did you pass the first time?)
2. Where would like to spend your retirement years?  Hometown? Exotic location?
3. What's your favorite vacation memory?
4. Who was your favorite teacher (any level of education)?
5. What's your least favorite household chore and why?
6. If you could go back to high school, would you do things the same or vastly different?
7. What sports did you play?
8. What's your beverage of choice?  Pop, tea, coffee?
9. Music or talk radio?
10. How many shows are saved on your DVR right now? (or Netflix queue or whatever space age contraption you use)
11. What's one movie that you have to stop and watch if you see it while scrolling through?

"C" is for....

C is for cleaning, cabinet, change and celebration! 

The kids recently finished a week of Vacation Bible School at our church (Hey! There's a "c").  Did you ever go to VBS as a kid?  Did you like it?  I never, ever went...didn't even really know it existed.  But, that's beside the point.  While the kids were singing, playing and praying their hearts out, I had 3 hours of kid-free time for 5 days!  This is THE only time of year that this happens.  So, of course, I took a long nap, painted my nails, watched any (non animated) movie made in the last 5 years...oh, wait!  No, I didn't do any of those things!

Are you ready?  I cleaned our windows!  Maybe you're thinking to yourself that that doesn't sound like such a big deal.  Who cares?  I wash my windows 3 times a week!  To which I would reply, blah, blah, blah, pffffffttttt.  My nephews were doing some odd jobs around the outside of our house, so the ladders were out, the sun was shining and, believe me, the windows needed it.  We've lived here for almost 15 years and I've cleaned the outside of the windows exactly zero times.  How's that for "showing your real"???  My 17 year old nephew had to show me how to take the screens out.  What?!?!  In my own weak, barely reasonable, defense, the screens were supposed to be able to be taken out from inside the house.  But, whoever put them in, did it from the outside.  Our neighbors pay a measly $25 to have their windows professionally cleaned, so we could have gone that route...but, we just never did.  But, from now on, since I put the screens back in correctly, those windows will be sparkling clean year 'round.  How often do you clean your windows?  Or do you have a service?  Or do you just like to think that it's always slightly cloudy?

I, also, used that precious VBS time to paint another cabinet for the dining room.

Somehow, between all the painting and cleaning, Trey ended up making some big changes.   Maybe only big to this Mommy, but still...We switched Trey from a toddler bed to a twin sized bed (he went from looking like a giant to looking like a peanut), and put away all the baby gates.  And, Trey upgraded from a 5 point harness car seat to a big kid booster seat!  Lots of changes!!

We also sneaked in a few celebrations!  Somebody (okay, me) had a birthday, there was the 4th of July, and we had a picnic here to celebrate over 20 years of friendship!!

What should I do for the letter "D"???

B is for Bella!!!

I suppose I could have waited for the letter "I" to write about Isabella, but she just finished her first dance recital and I couldn't wait that long!  I'll just have to blog about ice or igloos or itchy iguanas...

Bella has been taking a hip hop class every week since September and they started practicing their recital routine in earnest in January.  Bella's dance history is not very long...a few summer classes, but that's it.  She has been so excited for this recital since day one!  Every detail made her happy..the practice, the costume, the rehearsal, everything!  She definitely takes after her father when it comes to dance.  All I can do is embarrass those standing around me with my "humpty leg" and "running man".  If you're lucky enough to have been friends with me for the last 20 plus years, you've seen my own creation "the big rig".  It's a classic.

Bella has already told me that (in addition to taking up the cello) she will be taking ballet, hip hop, tap and jazz.  Ummmm, baby guuurl better get J.O.B. Those costumes are no joke.  Though, I love her enthusiasm and excitement for dance.  I never got to take any kind of class as a kid, so it feels good to be able to give that to Bella and watch her grow in it.

During the rehearsal and two performances, the audience cheered during the routine and Bella's face absolutely lit up.  She loved the attention and it energized her. 

Here's some pics I snapped...

I took over 350 pictures, so this truly is a small sampling!  Now, is there a way we can make the recitals LESS than 3 1/2 hours long?  Please?

Art!!

I felt a bit of blogging inspiration after reading another blog that is going through the ABC's.  Cute, right?  Start with A and work my way right on through...no time frame and I can think of whatever topic I want for each letter.  I might be able to handle that.  Maybe.  At first, I got all hung up an the letter A.  I can't take the pressure!  Not a great start.  But then I landed on "art".

What kind of art do you have hanging in your home?  What's your style?  Abstract?  Modern?  Photography?  Kid art?  In my mind, I love all hand made art pieces created by Pinterest ideas.  In reality, though, I lean waaaaaayyyy towards traditionally framed art or things that I think are significant (maybe only to me, but still)

Since painting the dining room, I've had a heck of a time filling the empty wall space.  Since my budget is somewhere between $0 - $10, I felt stuck. I've pinned a few ideas, but then chicken out when it comes to actually making something for fear that it would turn out badly.   But, I pinned one idea that I thought would be perfect if the kids made it!  Genius!  That way, I'll get what I want and if it's not perfect, who's gonna say??  It's way more abstract than I would ever, ever pick...like Jackson Pollock kinda abstract.  But, I love it, too!

Here's some pics of my more traditional pieces...

 The paintings above hang over the sofa and the fireplace...the same place for15years.  And, I'm pretty sure for the next 15 years,too.  It takes a lot for me to change...

This piece hangs in our bedroom...for the past 15 years.  Did I mention that I used to work for an art shop before getting married?  I stocked up on framed art, my friends.

Each kid got a canvas and a variety of cups filled with food colored bubble liquid.  They had at it and there's the results.  I love that each kid has one, they are each different and special.  I think they'll be hanging there for more than 15 years!