Progress on the renovations...

You can see lots more of the "before" photos in my previous post. Now see the new shingles and replacement windows. Woot! Woot!

BEFORE


AFTER





And did you notice the pretty new door with craftsman style window and the lovely new exterior light fixture?

BEFORE



AFTER



There will be a full-view storm door and the outside trim work will be wrapped in white vinyl. I think I will paint the door black to match the shutters.

Check out the progress in the back:

BEFORE


AFTER




And want to see something TOTALLY gross? Look at the build up of dust and grime inside our old, original 1960 ductwork that has been ripped out:



Makes me start hacking just to look at it!

Oh, and as for the pink bathroom...I have decided to go with black and white and chrome and maybe do sort of a "retro" type of style in there. At Lowe's tonight I found a nifty $100 brushed chrome 4-light fixture for the fabulous clearance price of $20!! That will go on the wall over the vanity. I am thinking of painting the walls (what little there is above all that pink tile) with black and white stripes...either wide, or varying widths.

Care to see just a portion of the massive amount of duct work they have torn out from under my house? The heating guy said I had more duct work running under my house than the local community college!


And to close things up, here is what my hallway looked like today. Eek! Between the carpenters and the electricians and the heating and air guys, my house is filthy!

Home makeover on a TIGHT budget.

I have been wanting to blog for over a month about all the changes going on around here, but as always, life has been so hectic that my internet time has been virtually nonexistent.

Our family was very fortunate to qualify for a special community rehab program in our area. It provides grants and interest-free loans to home-owners to help with property maintenance and upgrades. The idea is to help owners keep their properties in good condition and as a result the entire community benefits. Improvements are being made to insure structural integrity, bring electrical and plumbing up to code, and to make our house more energy efficient.

At the end of May, we moved out of our 5 bedroom house into a very small 3 bedroom apartment. All of our possessions, including the stuff stored in our attic had to be moved out. Let me tell you, that was a major undertaking in itself. 9 people in one house for over 11 years creates a lot of accumulated STUFF. I spent weeks just sorting and tossing and agonizing over what to keep, store, or toss. Everything that would not fit in the apartment is being stored in a mobile unit parked at the end of our sidewalk:


And here is the lovely view that our poor neighbors across the street have to face every day. You can see our ugly roof peeking out from behind the storage unit, otherwise known affectionately as "The Big Blue Monster."


Presenting the front of our house before any work was started. Please note that before I took this photo, we had already moved any potted plants or outdoor furniture from around our house. It really is a bit more charming and much less spartan with those added touches than what you see here:


And here is what our house looked like after the workers came and removed the lead paint that was on the exterior. It looks like a condemned property:


This is a shot of the back of our house. There is an addition that was built in the 70's with an ugly flat roof that had a tendency to leak. People always comment that our house is much larger than it appears...this addition is part of the reason. It has two small bedrooms, a small den/study and a compact bathroom with a shower in it.


The framing going up to tie the back roof into the front and make it drain better (and look better too!)


A pile of trash...it's like cleaning out closets...things always get worse looking before they get better. My poor neighbors really have a mess to look at these days.



This gives a little taste of what my life has been like lately. I have lots more photos to share. There is work going on in the interior as well. And the budget was limited, so there is cosmetic work that I am doing myself, stripping wallpaper, painting, etc., etc. In fact, before I end this post, I will share one project that I would love some ideas and opinions on...our main bathroom.



Yes, that is pink. Very, VERY pink. Even the floor is pink! This is the bathroom that is on our main hall. Unlike modern houses, we do not have a "powder room," so this is the bathroom used by guests as well as my daughters. I plan to replace and move the light fixture a bit higher up the wall and put a larger mirror over the vanity. But I am stymied about color. I just don't know what to do with the pink. Do I go bright and funky? Maybe Caribbean colors? You know, bright blue, lime green, etc. Or shall I do a brown and pink scheme? That seems popular right now. Then there is the option of black, white and pink. I really need help! Here is a shot after I stripped down the wallpaper and removed the dinky, industrial-style medicine cabinet.



Tell me what you think! Any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated!

Chaos to calm in just 15 minutes...

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all that clutter and mess that surrounds you, but just don't have the time to clean it all up? ME TOO! So, I am tackling my messies 15 minutes at a time. I literally set my timer for 15 minutes and do all I can in that little block of time. It is amazing how much can actually be accomplished in 15 minutes.

Since I just love make-overs with before and after shots, I am going to share the good, the bad, and the ugly with you all.

I would like to clarify here that I am not a messy person. I hate messiness and chaos. I love, love, love to organize. However, there just does not seem to be enough time in the day to get it all done, and so in my hurry, I drop things at the nearest spot and run on to the next activity. Before I know it, the clutter has grown and spread like some sort of fungus.

Here is what I see every time I walk in my bedroom. There is a beautiful antique vanity carefully hidden under all that stuff.







Here is a pile of "give-away" clothes as well as my athletic shoes hiding behind my door.



My sneakers are probably there because here is what the floor of my closet looks like. (((sigh)))



So, I set my timer.


And then I clean and tidy like crazy. Here is what I accomplished in just 15 minutes!







I even managed to work in the area behind my door!



I can now smile when I walk in my room.

Next, I tackle the office. EEK!

On the hook...

What could it be?

Perhaps this will help a little.

Or this? Amazing how eyes add personality!

Any guesses?

My apologies to you parents out there who have been subjected to countless hours of the PBS show "Zoboomafoo" and are now humming in your head "Who could it be? This animal that I did see? Can you guess this mystery?"

What true love looks like.

Would you like to see a picture of love and sacrifice?

Or, as the Pillsbury Dough Boy says, "Nothing says lovin' like something from the oven."


Why yes, that would be homemade-from-scratch lassagne! And yes, I did make it with my own two hands even though I feel majorly crummy.

Oh, and did I mention the homemade-from-scratch chicken pot pie that I cooked yesterday, even though death was knocking at my door? And when I say from scratch, I mean from scratch. No canned soup, no Bisquick, no processed chicken.

Okay, so maybe I was feeling just a little guilty about the frozen pizza we had for Sunday dinner.

Keepin' It Real

Do you get discouraged when you visit a blog where the photos are perfect, the house is tidy, the family is always doing wonderful, creative things, the mother is together, patient, and she sews all their clothes as well as bakes and cooks everything from scratch?? It seems too good to be true and you feel like a failure. Well, there has been a movement in the blogosphere towards "Keepin' It Real." Here, here and here are some examples.

I must admit, there are some blogs that I look at regularly because of their loveliness. I go to be inspired and I am not at all ruffled by their perfection. Let's be frank. If I want to see a sink full of dirty dishes, I don't have to go to the internet.

Surely, no one reading my blog would get the illusion that I have it all together. However, just in case, the previous post about being sick is my effort at "Keepin' It Real." Just so you know that even though my children are incredibly intelligent, good looking and talented, we are not perfect.

Do I LOOK like Wonder Woman???

I am sick. It is like a scene from Little Women. While one of my children soothes my fevered brow, another is fluffing my pillow. Yet another asks if there is anything he can do or get for me. My daughter brings me a warm, comforting drink. The older ones remind the younger ones that Mother Dear is ill and they must be quiet so that she can get her rest.

Well, at least that is how it goes in my fantasy world!

In the real world, I am laying on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, looking like death warmed over, hacking and sniffling, and my children are moving about as quiet as a herd of buffalo. I don't think it takes any supernatural powers of observation to deduct by my appearance (and the 100 used tissues that surround me) that perhaps I may be just a tad under the weather. But somehow, in my house I have to announce it.

"Mom, are we doing anything today?

"No. I am sick!"

"Mom, can you take us to the mall?"

"No. I am sick!"

"Mom, will you make me French toast?"

"No. I am sick!"

"Mom, what is for dinner tonight?"

"I am not sure, but let me get up and drag myself into the kitchen to prepare your meal. Oh, and if I should happen to pass out, and you find me laid out on the floor, please be kind and throw a little cold water on my face to rouse me."

I don't know. I would like to think that I have raised kind, compassionate, thoughtful children. However, I have failed. It is either failure, or they have somehow gotten in their minds that I am Wonder Woman, totally impervious to all infections and viruses.

Serves me right!

So, I guess I shouldn't have talked about the nice weather here. I should have thanked my lucky stars and kept my big mouth shut! Guess what happened this weekend...cold and rainy. Ick! Ick! Just thought I'd let you know so that those of you in colder environs can enjoy my come-uppance! And if misery truly loves company, you shall be even more pleased to know that I stood out in that cold rain to watch my 17 year old son participate in his first ever criterion bike races on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Do you know how hard it is to get good photos of someone bike racing?? Sheesh! Those fellows are FAST! Here are some examples of my failures:

This one isn't too bad, just a bit blurry.


I got several like this one, where I snapped either too early or too late and so he is just entering the photo or leaving the photo.


Oh, and this one was GREAT...except that an important part seems to be missing!


And here are a few better ones:

At the starting line.


Oh, and I like this one because he is in focus, but the scenery is a bit of a blur. To me it shows movement.


You can't see it as well in this smaller format, but this photo captured how hard he was working. His head was down not only to avoid the rain, but because he was really pushing himself to the max. It just shows his grit and determination.



And for the icing on the cake??? I now have a miserable head cold! Blech!

When did "normal" become the exception??

My daughter asked me what we had to do today? Do? Do??? I found myself irritated by the question. As if the day is not complete unless we do something other than the ordinary, mundane things that get done in a day.

How did it happen? When did a "normal" day become the exception rather than the rule around here?

You may ask, "What is a normal day?" Well, for me, a normal day would be a day when we get up, have breakfast, home school, do housework, cook meals, eat, play, etc. It would be a day with no outside obligations, appointments, lessons, etc. No running around. No major interruptions.

Right now, a week of "normal" days almost sounds nicer to me than a week's vacation!!

Some shots with my new toy...

I hate to do this to all you folks still stuck in the snow, but yesterday was gorgeous here in the South! My kids sunned themselves on a blanket in the yard and I played around with my zoom. These were taken from about 30-40 feet away. Don't be blinded by the pale, winter skin!



Meanwhile, exhausted 17 year old tried to nap inside.


I call these "Rumpled Laundry on Table."



I am working on cataloging all my stash at Ravelry...here are some yarn goodies:

Finally!! A new camera!

Well, I did it. I dug deep and spent the $$$ on a new camera!

May I introduce to you my new Canon PowerShot SX100 IS?




You can read about it here: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082004canonsx100is.asp

Once I learn how to use this baby, I hope to post some photos and do a bit more blogging. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Things that inspire...

Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong country. Much of American "fashion" does not appeal to me. However, I just love the things made by this designer! Gudrun Sjoden I get so excited when a catalog shows up in the mail. I also like that there is variety in her designs. Sadly, the prices are beyond me, but I can look, can't I? I am hoping to spend some time sewing for myself some day...and I hope to make a comfortable wardrobe that is an expression of me.

If you should take some time to browse around her site, you may even see the 66 year old designer wearing some of her clothes. I loved her Autumn 2007 collection. You can glimpse a bit of it if you mouse over the "Right Now" tab at the top and click on the "Gundrun's Favorites."

Still Searching for a Camera...

I apologize for my prolonged absence. I realize that the blogs I enjoy have lovely pictures to accompany the text. I have not been blogging much because I don't have a working camera, and therefore my blog is now just bland black type on bland white background. My photography skills are not great, but everyone likes pictures, right?

Well, I am going to be looking for a camera in earnest this coming month. I do not have a lot of money to spend. I have been told the newer cameras come out in March, so I am hoping to find a good deal on "last year's" when the new ones come out.

Any equipment recommendations would be most welcome! I am also looking for a good book that will help me learn to be a better photographer. Those of you who are more experienced behind the lens, please, share your tips with me! (Ahem! Lil, Kim, are you reading this??)

Just a note to Liliana...

Liliana, you're a hoot!!

Too Many Choices!!!

Am I the only person who is feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices that abound these days??? I find it in almost any area of my life...go to the grocery store and just look at one section, like the number of salad dressings. Good grief! I think I'll just make my own!

I remember back in the good old days of home schooling. You know, the days when people looked at me in amazement and asked me, "Is that LEGAL?" Back then, we stayed home. We read books. We struggled to find good curriculum and we only knew a select few other people who were doing the same thing. Now, there is such a large quantity curriculum out there geared towards home schoolers that I can not even possibly investigate it all. And the options for extracurricular activities?? Well, in my community, there are so many sports, clubs, co-ops and social engagements arranged for home schoolers that my head is spinning! Most of it is good or profitable, but REALLY! We are supposed to be HOME schooling. How can we do that if we are never HOME!?

We don't have cable or satellite TV, but I pity the people who do. It must be hard to settle on something and watch. It seems a lot of folk just use the remote and go from channel to channel to channel. Ha! Remember the stone age when there were only 3 major networks and no DVD or video tapes? Remember how exciting it was when The Wizard of Oz came on once a year? It seemed so special then! These days it seems there is nothing special about TV or movies. (Okay, I admit that lately we have been greatly enjoying the Jane Austin pieces on Masterpiece.) The choices are vast and mostly mediocre. You can rent or own a movie and watch it any time you want and as many times as you want. Ho, hum.

I just feel like I am faced with too many decisions all around me. Recently, I joined Ravelry, an online knitting and crochet community. I am amazed! Astounded! It is an awesome place to be. There are some wonderful tools provided so that I can inventory my yarns and needlework tools and books. There are forums and groups. hundreds, nay thousands of different groups and forums. There are all sorts of interesting people who like to knit and crochet and spin. These people write all sorts of informative and witty things. All this to choose from, and Ravelry is just teensy tiny speck of dust in the vast internet world. Due to the recent popularity in knitting and crochet, there are so many more interesting blogs and books to read on the subject. Volumes of patterns calling my name. Web merchant upon web merchant offering a plethora of lovely yarn. How can one person possibly wade through it all and find her cozy little corner in the middle of all this?

Don't get me wrong, variety and choices can be a very good thing. I am thankful for all that is available to me. But can it have a downside? I begin to wonder if it is adding to the disease of stress that plagues our nation. Was man meant to make so many choices every day? Just think of all the available options for what to have for breakfast, what to wear, what to read, what to do, what to listen to, what to watch...By the end of the day I find myself exhausted by the large number of decisions that have to be made. The variety and selection in almost any area of life is ever increasing in American society, but contentment and satisfaction are not. Why is that?

This is something I have been pondering lately. It is one of the reasons I am hoping to make steps towards simplifying my life and home. But I will save that topic for another post.

Just Ignore This...

I have a LOT of topics rumbling around in my head lately that I want to blog about. This is just a list so that when I actually get time to write I can remember what it is I wanted to write about! I hope to actually write something with content eventually. Sorry, nothing here worth looking at!

--Simplifying/purposeful living
--Organizing
--Too many choices
--7 people, 2 cars, 2 accidents, 2 blocks
--Holy stash! Batman!
--Death and losing a parent
--Searching for a camera

I Really NEED a New Camera!

I really, really need a new camera. But when I start looking around, I get totally overwhelmed. Help! What do you use, and how do you like it?

Oh, and a little suggestion...do you post photos on your blog? Then how about telling the world what camera you use, either in your side bar or in your "about me" section? It is nice when I see photos I like, to know what camera was used. For instance, this person shimandsons.typepad.com was kind enough to mention in her "about" section that she uses a Sony Cybershot. Unfortunately, she doesn't give the exact model number, but I'll take what info I can get. It is nice to know that the camera is capable of producing photos like the ones I see on her site. Not necessarily sayin' that I could take such nice photos, but I would like to get a camera that is able to do so! Then I won't be able to blame my lousy pics on the equipment.