I am throwing up the white flag...I surrender. You WIN!
Thank you for letting me have my moment ~ hopefully it helps!
Here's a clever idea ~ from Pinterest! Because it has changed my life, remember?
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| Chicy Creations |
6/30/11
Disappointment
I am taking a brief moment here to let you know that I am tired, oh so tired, of only feeling disappointment this month. Each day I wake up hopeful that ONE thing will go the way I expect/want it to. I don't know that I can remain hopeful any longer.
I am throwing up the white flag...I surrender. You WIN!
Thank you for letting me have my moment ~ hopefully it helps!
Here's a clever idea ~ from Pinterest! Because it has changed my life, remember?
I am throwing up the white flag...I surrender. You WIN!
Thank you for letting me have my moment ~ hopefully it helps!
Here's a clever idea ~ from Pinterest! Because it has changed my life, remember?
If you haven't, then you have been missing out!! Especially, if you are a lover of browsing the internet for great ideas...Like I AM! I admit it. I could easily live without television, but the minute you take away my ability to browse the internet, I will have to enter extensive rehab!
The WWW is where I go when I need an idea or inspiration for a project or a party. I USED to have my bookmarks clogged with sites that I wanted to remember...some of them bookmarked just for one thing. And my hard drive was getting bogged down with images I had saved, but then couldn't remember where I saved them from.
has changed ALL that!
Now I just "pin" an image to one of my boards and Pinterest automatically connects the picture with the website it came from. So now when I have something to share with you on the good ol' blog, I can! Because Pinterest will tell me where the source is!! YAY for better blogging!
Here's a screen shot of one of my boards, "Favorite Places and Spaces."
If you look closely, you will see that I even have 2 tabs of Pinterest going! I LOVE it that much!
You do need to have an invitation to join. I don't know why, but I would be MORE than ecstatic to send you one. Just leave me a comment with your email address and I will get you on your way to your own Pinterest addiction.
All of my boards can be found on My Pinterest page. Click the link and see what fun I have been having! If you join Pinterest, you can even become a follower of my boards and see all the new things I pin...and I pin Daily!!
6/23/11
4384 U Street
Well, we officially have a new address...even though we won't actually live there for quite awhile yet.
It's one of my goals {okay, more like one of the things that keeps me up at night} to document the whole process of building a house. Here's the background on how we choose the spot we did. This is going to give you a real glimpse into how big of tight-wads we are...I like to think of it as practical. Also, how much I value history and what "used" to be.
The first picture is from way down south looking north towards where the house will be. The house will sit roughly where the arrow is pointing.
Well now that you have taken a little photo tour of the "site" here's a little additional background into the thought process of choosing a sight. You might have noticed above that I mentioned the original homestead to the ranch used to be on this same hill. That's a selling point to me...it really doesn't mean a whole lot to Jeremy. There are things I wish I knew more about...like what this house looked like in it's "prime" and what life was like back then. Why did they move? Where did they go?
On to Jeremy's reasons for choosing this place. There is already electricity, as well as a water well, both within a matter of yards. This will mean major cost savings in the long run. Not having to run electric or water lines for miles will mean more money for the house...which also means that I saw the value of this location. Ultimately, this will mean more money to spend on fun things like light fixtures and cabinet hardware...BONUS!
We had our final meeting with our builder just to finalize all the details of the plan. I wasn't expecting to make many changes...we have been over this plan for MONTHS!! But, we did manage to find a few things to think about. Little things like where to place the doorway to the hall that leads to the upstairs bedrooms, where to place the toilet in the upstairs bathroom, whether or not to put a column in the dining room, and a few other things as well. The good news is that we can wait until framing to make most of these decisions since the visual will help. Kelsey even told us that it was good that we were expecting to wait to make some of these changes and that we are know there might be more.
Now that we are SO close to the whole process starting I am getting really anxious! It seems like we have been planning this house for a really LONG time. It has been 9 months and you women out there know how long that can SEEM!!
With that being said, I am trying not to get too overly optimistic about actuallly seeing progress when we have been told we will. I have already realized that nothing goes as you expect it to and for the most part you just have to sit back and ride the ride. I will be honest, this is not one of my strengths, and I find it very difficult to just hang back and wait for things to happen. LOTS of time in prayer has already been spent, with much more to come I have no doubt!
On a more positive note, we have gotten our first major decision made. Due to the recent tornado in Joplin the price of roof shingles is going to increase dramatically. With that knowledge we were advised to go ahead and place our order, even though we won't actually need them for weeks. We ended up going with TAMKO, Rustic Redwood.
The hope is that it coordinates with the color we "think" we want on the siding! I have faith that we made the right decision, but I would say that Jeremy was less sure. We narrowed it down to two very, VERY close choices. So close, in fact that I really wouldn't have cared which one we got.
Here's a little reminder of the original house plan. A couple things will look different.
1. No dormers.
2. South side of the garage {the side opposite the house} will slope down. It's kind of hard to describe.
3. The garage will be wider and longer.
4. There a couple of other small things, but it is hard to see them from this little picture, so I won't try to describe them.
If you are curious, here is the original floorplan. You guessed it, it has also been modified, but I am not going to go into all the changes there! {I think if you click on the picture it will get bigger}. The major thing is that we will have a basement underneath. That was not part of the original plan, so we had to sketch that out on our own. I will have to scan that in so you can see it...but that's a chore for another post!
It's one of my goals {okay, more like one of the things that keeps me up at night} to document the whole process of building a house. Here's the background on how we choose the spot we did. This is going to give you a real glimpse into how big of tight-wads we are...I like to think of it as practical. Also, how much I value history and what "used" to be.
The first picture is from way down south looking north towards where the house will be. The house will sit roughly where the arrow is pointing.
Well now that you have taken a little photo tour of the "site" here's a little additional background into the thought process of choosing a sight. You might have noticed above that I mentioned the original homestead to the ranch used to be on this same hill. That's a selling point to me...it really doesn't mean a whole lot to Jeremy. There are things I wish I knew more about...like what this house looked like in it's "prime" and what life was like back then. Why did they move? Where did they go?
On to Jeremy's reasons for choosing this place. There is already electricity, as well as a water well, both within a matter of yards. This will mean major cost savings in the long run. Not having to run electric or water lines for miles will mean more money for the house...which also means that I saw the value of this location. Ultimately, this will mean more money to spend on fun things like light fixtures and cabinet hardware...BONUS!
We had our final meeting with our builder just to finalize all the details of the plan. I wasn't expecting to make many changes...we have been over this plan for MONTHS!! But, we did manage to find a few things to think about. Little things like where to place the doorway to the hall that leads to the upstairs bedrooms, where to place the toilet in the upstairs bathroom, whether or not to put a column in the dining room, and a few other things as well. The good news is that we can wait until framing to make most of these decisions since the visual will help. Kelsey even told us that it was good that we were expecting to wait to make some of these changes and that we are know there might be more.
Now that we are SO close to the whole process starting I am getting really anxious! It seems like we have been planning this house for a really LONG time. It has been 9 months and you women out there know how long that can SEEM!!
With that being said, I am trying not to get too overly optimistic about actuallly seeing progress when we have been told we will. I have already realized that nothing goes as you expect it to and for the most part you just have to sit back and ride the ride. I will be honest, this is not one of my strengths, and I find it very difficult to just hang back and wait for things to happen. LOTS of time in prayer has already been spent, with much more to come I have no doubt!
On a more positive note, we have gotten our first major decision made. Due to the recent tornado in Joplin the price of roof shingles is going to increase dramatically. With that knowledge we were advised to go ahead and place our order, even though we won't actually need them for weeks. We ended up going with TAMKO, Rustic Redwood.
Here's a little reminder of the original house plan. A couple things will look different.
2. South side of the garage {the side opposite the house} will slope down. It's kind of hard to describe.
3. The garage will be wider and longer.
4. There a couple of other small things, but it is hard to see them from this little picture, so I won't try to describe them.
If you are curious, here is the original floorplan. You guessed it, it has also been modified, but I am not going to go into all the changes there! {I think if you click on the picture it will get bigger}. The major thing is that we will have a basement underneath. That was not part of the original plan, so we had to sketch that out on our own. I will have to scan that in so you can see it...but that's a chore for another post!
{*Edited: I removed the floorplan. My senses got the best of me and I decided that having our specific floorplan out there for everyone to see might not be the wisest idea. I'll invite you over when it is finished and you can see it for yourself!}
Well, there you have it! The first post in a whole series I am tagging "4384". Look for more in the coming weeks {HOPEFULLY!}
6/14/11
6/9/11
The Graduate
On Cambree Jane's last day of Pre-K this year her teacher, Mrs. Hoffman, held a Parent's Day. It was a lot of fun to see the kids in action.
They read a story to us...
...in which all the kids participated with words and actions! ADORABLE!
Then they divided into groups and did a sort of Poem/Story for each of the seasons. Cambree was in the little turkey's group...appropriate don't ya think?
See her gobbler?
They counted together as a class to 100...IMPRESSIVE!!
They also did a lummy stick performance. Do any of you remember doing this with Mrs. Deewall in vocal class? I do...even this same routine. WOW!
After that exhausting exercise, we all moved to the school aduitorium where we did a craft...well we got to "watch" the craft queen put hers together, because she definitely did NOT need our help!
THEN we had ice cream sundaes. YUMM-O!
{well shoot, somewhere I have a picture of C eating her ice cream with a friend, but it must not have uploaded to my Flickr account. Well, it was GOOD!}
Finally, all the kiddos got up on the stage to receive their Preschool Diplomas from Mrs. Hoffman before being dismissed an hour earlier than all the other kids. BONUS!
NOW, this next photo is out of sequence. I know that. It should have went up in the part about moving to the auditorium, but it needed to be all alone. It is that sort of picture. One of those that probably means nothing to most of you, but one that makes this mother's heart just melt.
First of all you have to know Cambree and understand that she absolutely worships the ground that her grandparents walk on...ALL of them! Call me crazy, but I think each of them is just as crazy about her. She is a little love bug. Always holding someone's hand, tending to their needs, filling their hearts with joy; that's who she is. So, I guess I shouldn't really have been that suprised when I looked up and saw this walking up the ramp to the auditorium...
There you have it! Cambree Jane is all 'graduated' and ready to head to the other end of the building for the big, exciting world of Kindergarten. I think SHE is ready, but I am not sure I am ready to have 2 full time students. That just makes me that much older; and I am finding out {from Preston}that much 'less' wise.
She will thrive. She will wiggle her way into the hearts of her teachers. She will learn to read, write in cursive, add, subtract...and so many other things.
My heart will continue to swell with love and pride for this little jewel. CONGRATULATIONS Cambree Jane! You are going to ROCK kindergarten next year!
They read a story to us...
...in which all the kids participated with words and actions! ADORABLE!
Then they divided into groups and did a sort of Poem/Story for each of the seasons. Cambree was in the little turkey's group...appropriate don't ya think?
See her gobbler?
They counted together as a class to 100...IMPRESSIVE!!
They also did a lummy stick performance. Do any of you remember doing this with Mrs. Deewall in vocal class? I do...even this same routine. WOW!
After that exhausting exercise, we all moved to the school aduitorium where we did a craft...well we got to "watch" the craft queen put hers together, because she definitely did NOT need our help!
THEN we had ice cream sundaes. YUMM-O!
{well shoot, somewhere I have a picture of C eating her ice cream with a friend, but it must not have uploaded to my Flickr account. Well, it was GOOD!}
Finally, all the kiddos got up on the stage to receive their Preschool Diplomas from Mrs. Hoffman before being dismissed an hour earlier than all the other kids. BONUS!
NOW, this next photo is out of sequence. I know that. It should have went up in the part about moving to the auditorium, but it needed to be all alone. It is that sort of picture. One of those that probably means nothing to most of you, but one that makes this mother's heart just melt.
First of all you have to know Cambree and understand that she absolutely worships the ground that her grandparents walk on...ALL of them! Call me crazy, but I think each of them is just as crazy about her. She is a little love bug. Always holding someone's hand, tending to their needs, filling their hearts with joy; that's who she is. So, I guess I shouldn't really have been that suprised when I looked up and saw this walking up the ramp to the auditorium...
There you have it! Cambree Jane is all 'graduated' and ready to head to the other end of the building for the big, exciting world of Kindergarten. I think SHE is ready, but I am not sure I am ready to have 2 full time students. That just makes me that much older; and I am finding out {from Preston}that much 'less' wise.
She will thrive. She will wiggle her way into the hearts of her teachers. She will learn to read, write in cursive, add, subtract...and so many other things.
My heart will continue to swell with love and pride for this little jewel. CONGRATULATIONS Cambree Jane! You are going to ROCK kindergarten next year!
6/3/11
I turned 3-0!!
Betcha can't tell which one of these lovely ladies is me? My mom looks just as young as I am...or I look just as old as she is. Hmmm, wonder which it is?
She helped me throw a fantastic 30th party for a few friends. We had the big shindig at her house and it was SO MUCH FUN!
Here are a few pictures of the decorations...which were kept to a minimum, because we had an "Accessory Swap" and I wanted all the accessories to take center stage.
A Taco Bar was the meal for the evening and I think it was a BIG hit will all those who attended!
After we ate, we started our "Swap"! Here's how it worked:
Each attendee brought with them accessories from their closet that they no longer liked or wore. Preferrably something that was still in style and still functional. Then we all drew numbers to see which order we would shop in. As each number was up, that person would go in and "shop" for their new piece and then bring it out on the deck to show us...where they got a lot of Ohhh's and Ahhh's and applause. IT WAS THE MOST FUN!!
We ended up going three full rounds and then just let everyone pick from what was left...if there was something they wanted they took it, if they had all they wanted they just left what was there. We really didn't have much left when it was all said and done.
One of the rules that I forgot to mention was that they were not allowed to "shop" from my mom's house. Here Lindsay tried to "swap" my mom's current bag...I MIGHT have been in on it too, but it was pretty funny to see mom's face when Mom saw what she had "picked"!!!
After shopping we had the most delicious pink cupcakes with black edible glitter...Happy Birthday to ME!!
This party was one of the most fun I have ever been to {and it has nothing to do with the fact that it was FOR me!}. I heard lots of great things from the ladies who attended as well. It was deemed a huge success! My favorite comment of the night came from April who said, "This is the best party! It's not even my birthday and I am going home with stuff!" That right there made my whole night.
I guess I should have taken a picture of all the things I got from the swap, but I guess you will just have to settle for me telling you. I got a necklace, a scarf, a pin/hair accessory, and a purple beaded bracelet. I LOVE IT ALL!
A huge thank you to my mother, who I couldn't have done this party without! She cleaned her entire house and helped me get ready for it! Plus she "hosted" the whole evening and I just got to enjoy being with my friends.
Another HUGE thank you to this man. Jene busted his rear getting the roof put on the deck so we would have some shade to enjoy during the evening. He also wired and hung that FAB.U.LOUS chandelier above the picnic table outside. I really wish I would have taken a picture of it lit up...before all the bugs crawled in it!
YOU GUYS ROCK!!
This party was a few weeks before my "actual" birthday. Last weekend we went to Ardmore to spend the weekend at the lake with my dad and Jennifer. I will do another post about that!
In the meantime, 30 has STUNK!! Allergies have bothered me, bout with a stomach bug, and now a ROTTEN summer cold. What I wouldn't give to go back to my 20's!! LOL!!
She helped me throw a fantastic 30th party for a few friends. We had the big shindig at her house and it was SO MUCH FUN!
Here are a few pictures of the decorations...which were kept to a minimum, because we had an "Accessory Swap" and I wanted all the accessories to take center stage.
A Taco Bar was the meal for the evening and I think it was a BIG hit will all those who attended!
After we ate, we started our "Swap"! Here's how it worked:
Each attendee brought with them accessories from their closet that they no longer liked or wore. Preferrably something that was still in style and still functional. Then we all drew numbers to see which order we would shop in. As each number was up, that person would go in and "shop" for their new piece and then bring it out on the deck to show us...where they got a lot of Ohhh's and Ahhh's and applause. IT WAS THE MOST FUN!!
We ended up going three full rounds and then just let everyone pick from what was left...if there was something they wanted they took it, if they had all they wanted they just left what was there. We really didn't have much left when it was all said and done.
One of the rules that I forgot to mention was that they were not allowed to "shop" from my mom's house. Here Lindsay tried to "swap" my mom's current bag...I MIGHT have been in on it too, but it was pretty funny to see mom's face when Mom saw what she had "picked"!!!
After shopping we had the most delicious pink cupcakes with black edible glitter...Happy Birthday to ME!!
This party was one of the most fun I have ever been to {and it has nothing to do with the fact that it was FOR me!}. I heard lots of great things from the ladies who attended as well. It was deemed a huge success! My favorite comment of the night came from April who said, "This is the best party! It's not even my birthday and I am going home with stuff!" That right there made my whole night.
I guess I should have taken a picture of all the things I got from the swap, but I guess you will just have to settle for me telling you. I got a necklace, a scarf, a pin/hair accessory, and a purple beaded bracelet. I LOVE IT ALL!
A huge thank you to my mother, who I couldn't have done this party without! She cleaned her entire house and helped me get ready for it! Plus she "hosted" the whole evening and I just got to enjoy being with my friends.
Another HUGE thank you to this man. Jene busted his rear getting the roof put on the deck so we would have some shade to enjoy during the evening. He also wired and hung that FAB.U.LOUS chandelier above the picnic table outside. I really wish I would have taken a picture of it lit up...before all the bugs crawled in it!
YOU GUYS ROCK!!
This party was a few weeks before my "actual" birthday. Last weekend we went to Ardmore to spend the weekend at the lake with my dad and Jennifer. I will do another post about that!
In the meantime, 30 has STUNK!! Allergies have bothered me, bout with a stomach bug, and now a ROTTEN summer cold. What I wouldn't give to go back to my 20's!! LOL!!
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