Tackle It Tuesday


It's been a while.  I am not going to tackle these things today, but am posting the pics as a reminder of a couple of the bigger projects I want to tackle this Spring/Summer.

What are your favorite do it yourself landscape and garden sites?  This space has so much potential to be a retreat where we can read a book, sip a smoothie,  etc.

Another view of the swing area.

This bench was in our front yard, but the extra stroke of trim paint from the windows in addition to the need for TLC just got on my nerves.  It's probably going to happen before the swing retreat area.

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My actual tackle list for today is much more mundane, for the most part:

1) wash, dry and put away dishes in the sink

2) take a shower

3) wash the sheets from Bear's bed and the guest bed

4) sweep and "shark" the floor- kitchen and downstairs, at least

5) the big one- fill out paperwork for Bear's Kindergarten registration and go to the open house tonight.

And apparently little mister who just sat on the potty but did nothing has now done something in his diaper.  Oh, joy.  So changing diapers is still on my tackle list.

still dreaming/drooling/praying :)

Ok, so I am SO obsessed with one neighborhood that I took the map of the lots  that was given to me and wrote an S on the ones that are sold as listed online, and made notes on the ones I am curious about.  I even labelled the lots that border the 100 year flood plain.  Ha!  I think I will e-mail the sales rep and ask for a link to the CC&R's.  I did see someone with a garden in their back yard.... not just containers, a real garden.

I REALLY want a place that is big enough for family to come visit and not have to stay in a motel/hotel/campsite/the driveway.  It doesn't have to be huge, just have enough rooms to work with, you know? 

Of course, technically hubby has not done a lot of actual work with his new job yet, and technically we don't like the commute, so we should technically probably wait to jump into home ownership again. (and the only way the commute would be better is to move to an entirely different metro area.)  Thanksgiving at Caslon's made me itch for breathing room, well, outside at least.  We were kind of crowded inside, but that's just cozy when you are with the people you love.   And honestly, they have ample space for daytime, it's just sleeping that gets tricky when all of us invade.

so now I am praying for wisdom... when, where, etc...  that tax rebate is sounding mighty attractive.  I am loving quaint things about the town we have currently chosen for now.  Perhaps we SHOULD drive around and consider other areas, but I am itching to feel settled.

However, the good news is that hubby will be home with us on Tuesday.  Tech Mom and Dad are coming tonight, and we'll drive down to where hubby is tomorrow.  Graduation is Monday.  Yahoo!  I am so proud of him and ready to have him home! 

"Dream Building"

So, a few years ago, when we were first married, we were conned, I mean lured, I mean naive enough to get into an MLM company that was big into "dream building."   The problem with the particular company was that it was all about recruitment, sales of their products were secondary to recruitment.  Um, sorry, but ya gotta have a customer base to be able to earn those commissions, etc...

ANYWAY, one of the things we liked to do was walk through various homes in neighborhoods that were way out of our price range.  We were living with my in-laws at the time, and the dream of more space (although our space really was adequate and the savings we made by living with them while hubby finished his degree was priceless), well, it was fun.

One of our pastimes is still looking at homes, moreso now that we are in an apartment and I am getting stir crazy.

The problem?  The ones that are built to our desires for quality and space are either way too pricey or in the wrong school zone.  But we found one yesterday that had a perfect big yard with plenty of room for the kiddos to roam... the high school it is zoned to is the best in the county, the elementary and middle schools are not.  :( The floor plan is not perfect, but would be workable, and it's in a small neighborhood on a beautiful cul-de-sac, FLAT lot.  CLICK HERE to drool.

Other good points?  5-10 minutes from the interstate AND our pediatricians and grocery shopping.
Immaculately built, lots of extras included, like extra shelving in the master closet, tile backsplash in kitchen and master bath.... family run company that according to the State website of business registration has been around since '63, and the realtor we met was also the VP of the company/builder. 

So then there was another neighborhood, not far from this one, a little bit further down a countrier road.  Another regional builder, similar style homes and lots, significantly lower price point... but when we looked up that company, even though the sales rep said he had been around for a while, according to the state this particular business entity must have restructured because the date listed was much "younger."  However, that being said, this company actually offers homes in our preferred price range. 

Hubby looked in the attics of both builders' homes..... looked well constructed compared to the ones we looked in in Woodstock last month.

We're not in a rush, per se, but after walking through spacious homes I feel a bit stir crazy and cramped in my cozy apartment.

The family and friends Alaska cruise with Mark Schultz, Bebo Norman, and Joy Williams would be a good 11th anniversary trip... of course, we also want to try to get up to the Cape to see my relatives since I haven't been there in 15+ years....

i've got sling lust...



It's reversible, black on the other side. And it's on SALE! I only used the snugli a handful of times with DD... it was too darn awkward to get her in and out of. Some mamas on my babycenter birth board recommended this brand... I like that it is not as bulky looking as some of the other slings I have seen. Anyway, click here or here to see what I am drooling over... I have to confess, the price of the one pictured makes it especially appealing.

I really need to go to sleep now. I tried reading to Bear in our bed, but after a few minutes of squirming and asking to go potty, she left the bathroom and walked to her bed. She fell asleep almost immediately. (Don't shoot me, Sam or Steph, or crt!!!) It's just not the same when DH is out of town.

As much as I am enjoying kindermusik with Bear, I think I'll be glad when it's over and can accompany him when he works near tech mom and dad.

I really, really, really really wish I had itunes right now. But I don't even have an ipod.

Someone I knew in college, well, two someones if you count one of his musicians in the band, too, have their first release....

The Daniel Doss Band

The album doesn't come out until Feb. I need to get their independent albumbefore then. I supposed I could join this century and download the EP, too.

Pillowcase Dress Instructions

I googled "Pillowcase Dress" because I had never heard of such a thing. The first site I clicked on showed some adorable dresses, rompers and pantsets that reminded me of Strasburg Children's Casual Line. Not QUITE as expensive, but out of my price range.

The 2nd link that I clicked on was something that might come in handy some day, if I ever decide to learn to sew. Step by step instructions for making your own pillowcase dress. I wonder if Hancock Fabrics' going out of business sale is still going on, and if they have anything left....

Anyway, I'm enclosing the link for my friends who do actually sew!

Here's another reason i should get a sewing machine and learn to sew!

i found my dream home

When we can afford it, we can afford a housekeeper.
Or we'll have enough kids who are old enough to do the chores.