Ugh...my house

Whose idea was it to move anyway? Why did I find a house I loved so much more than mine that I wanted to put me and my family through chaos for the last two months? I have asked myself those questions everyday for the last two months.
We weren't even looking to move. We were happily finishing our basement and I was one weekend away from a trip to IKEA to furnish the basement, when I found the house online. Since that day, our basement has been on hold. New ceramic tile was laid in my entry way and 1/2 bath downstairs, new carpeting in my bed room.
This is the new tile and the view is entry way going into our 1/2 bath..I really like the design in the doorway...
I spent two weeks sanding and repainting the kitchen cabinet doors to try and make them look better than they did thanks to the lady who lived here before us and painted them in ONE DAY. Oh yes, we also replaced our ugly kitchen counter tops, which look amazing now.
Here is the old counter top, which had a pink undertone to it, and wasn't attractive.
This is what we found when we took the old counter tops off...the ugly wall paper that used to be all over my kitchen...it was my first project when we moved here...
These are the new counter tops, which don't cover the ugly wallpaper, so we are putting up some tile for the backsplash...
We have had two couples come through who "loved the house, but hated the back deck." I guess everyone but me knew my back deck was about to fall apart. The last couple that came through wanted to get an estimate on the deck, and then would "subtract that from the amount of their offer." That was last Thursday and we haven't heard anything. So, Mike and I decided that since he is off this week, we would replace the back deck too.
I have been really pumped and high some days (not literally, although, that may be an option) and low many days. And I am now wondering what in the world are we doing? No, it doesn't make me want to stay in this house even though we have done so much to it. It makes me want to enjoy the big family room in the other place, get a new dining room table to look awesome in an actual dining room, and watch my kids get to ride their bikes in the street at the end of a cul-de-sac. But, that is not up to me.
So, for now, I will enjoy that my husband is outside doing all sorts of handy man things, (I bet he isn't enjoying it) replacing the back deck while on the phone to our friend Robbie asking what part needs to be done next. Mike isn't exactly the handy man type, but I am proud of him for all he is doing to help us get into the new house.
Here is my handy man hard at work...
Yikes...and I am afraid of heights...
And here is the view from our back deck...we are probably crazy to leave...but that nice big yard back there...it goes straight down hill and is only good for snow, which we apparently don't get in TN anymore...

An Ode to Pennie...

Last week I somehow got talked into playing soccer with my son's coaches (other) soccer team. Donnie, his coach, has three teams. His oldest, 13-16 year old co-ed team, went undefeated this season and only allowed one goal. So, they challenged the parents to a game. My friend Caroline bullied me into playing. (just kidding, Caroline)
So, at noon today, us "old folks" ran for four 20 minute quarters against these young kids. I sat out the first quarter along with another mom, whose son plays on the co-ed team. We got to talking and she asked me if I homeschooled. When I said yes, she said, "do you have two darling little girls, and do you teach gymnastics?" "Yes," I say, "you sure know a lot about me" She said " I read your blog!" and she also let me know she is not, indeed a stalker. I told her how I think in blogs, but I don't always get around to typing them. When it came our turn to take the field, I began blogging in my head. She said "I'm reading it right now."
Playing soccer was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. It has been quite a few years since I have played, and I am talking P.E., not organized soccer. So, the first time the ball came to me and they are all shouting "Come on Donna," I backed away from the ball a bit and told Caroline "I'm scared!" But, soon I got in the game and had a great time playing, even getting down to shoot a goal. (which I missed) I played two quarters back to back, which is 40 minutes on legs that really hate running.
And let me tell you about my team mates. As Caleb said "Miss Caroline sure is a good kicker." She was my hero by being brave enough to play in the first quarter, and I give her more kudos for the graceful fall she had, and bounced right back up, without us having to "take a knee." And Pennie... She sure knows how to grab an opposing player and put their arms behind their back to get the ball away from them. A bit illegal, I know, but hey, it looked good. She also had some good kicks, one of them flying overhead.
And then there is Mike. I have to say, I think he was the star player of our team. While he didn't score a goal he was always there to shoot at the goal, and was so good at passing. I give him the team MVP award, but I am biased...
And so, this blog is for Pennie. My new stalker, blog lurking friend, who I found out has two sons who are very talkented on the guitar and mandolin. And for Caroline, who talked me into playing, and whose legs I hope are real tired. I actually got all this down for you today Pennie and Caorline, I hope you enjoy....It was fun playing soccer with you today, even if I now feel my legs may fall off...
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Comments
Nov. 10, 2007 - Thanks for the Shout Out!
Posted by Stalker/Illegal Grabber
Hey! I was telling my boys about our encounter. I went to show them your blog....and there was my Shout Out! I knew I could count on you....and you even spelled my name correctly! Now that I'm out of the closet, perhaps I will have to give up some of my solitaire/e-mail/phone time & get my own blog....Nahhh, it's more fun to just lurk. :) Your family is just as sweet in real life as it is in virtual world. I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and may God Bless your family. Pennie
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Nov. 22, 2007 - I hope noone I know...
Posted by QueenoftheHill
...ever discovers my blog! (Outside my homeschool buddies.) What if I'm saying something nasty about them? Although, any lurker/stalker of yours, Partyoffive, is welcome to lurk/stalk at my site, too. ;-)

10-20-30 meme...

Hanging on to Smallworlds coat tails, I thought I would also post a meme, although as she says "you don't get to do a `40 years ago`" :)
10 years ago (1997 age 23) Mike and I had just celebrated our 2nd Wedding anniversary. We just moved out of our first apartment in Bremerton, WA, and moved into a duplex owned by one of the merchants I worked with. (It ended up being a huge mistake, except that we always had deer in our yard. I worked for Seafirst Bank as a Merchant Teller, and also taught Step Aerobics. My first niece, Rachel, had just been born and I started getting the desire to have a baby. My sister lived two hours north from us, so we spent a lot of weekends up in Sedro Wooley, WA.
20 years ago (1987 age 13) I was in the eighth grade at St. Charles School in Orlando, Fl. I had my second boyfriend whose name was Eddie Pita. He broke up with me because I was scared to kiss him. I was also competing in gymnastics. This year I went on to the State competition and quailfied for Regionals, although I wasn't allowed to go, because it was the same day as my eighth grade graduation. I also helped teach gymnastics to the younger kids to pay for my tuition...My best friend was Lori Sherlock and we loved listening to the Monkees, and had just seen them in concert. I also remember listening to Richard Marx, and Debbie Gibson, oh, yes, and Tiffany too.
30 years ago (1977 age 3) I am not one of those people who can remember the day I was born, or even really when I was three, but here is what I know. My family had just moved from Nashville, TN, back to my parents hometown, Evansville, IN. It was the year of a huge snowstorm and we lived on a big hill. And mom always says about the day we moved back to E'ville, "that's the day Elvis died."
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Nov. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SmallWorld
I remember the day Elvis died! I bought my oldest brother a Tiger Beat magazine because he had been a big Elvis fan and I thought he would appreciate it! (He was in his late 20s. I'm sure he really enjoyed reading Tiger Beat!)

The Fall...

I love the fall. I love the smell of fall, the feel of fall, and putting on my jeans after a long summer, well, that is, when they fit! Anyway, Mike and I were married in the fall because it is my favorite time of year. While I don't have a poem or any beautiful words about it, I just have to say I love the fall, or autumn, as Caleb would rather me say.
This past week has once again been a whirlwind for me, and now my days go by so fast, I don't think I am enjoying them. From showing our house, to teaching gymnastics, Monday fun, swimming, this, that, and the other, I pretty much melted down last week wondering why I do what I do. And I don't mean being home with my kids, it's all that other stuff. So, this week, I am trying to let go of some of my other responsibilities. And breathe. And be a nicer mommy. And enjoy the fall.
So, today is Halloween, and we have already been to three pumpkin carving parties, and have dressed up twice already....so he are my little ones. Dorothy, Scarecrow, and of course, my Munchkin....

And here are a few from our Fall Festival, where each of my kids got to perform their gymnastics and dance...
There's Caleb and I....he really isn't that hard to spot (contrary to the look on my face)
And here are my ballerinas...
Elisa is also on the preschool showteam...
And the three of them in their bridge's...
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Oct. 31, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SmallWorld
Those Halloween pics...there is no WAY they could be any cuter! And, by the way, you should never lump OUR party in with other measly "pumpkin-carving" parties. Ours is THE pumpkin party! (Careful, or you may fall off the invite list....)
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Nov. 2, 2007 - Just browsing this morning...
Posted by TraciJoy
and found your blog. I love it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts & beautiful family. Bless your day! Traci :-)
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Nov. 8, 2007 - see
Posted by onfire
I love your shoes ... and I am in need of a great black pair today, for a funeral. this town does not know shoes. actually, there are only two places I could even purchase a pair, and one of those places is called the Bargain Shop. need I say more? (I did try on every black pair of shoes in town. no word of a lie) most of them a size 7, which I am not. so, I go to the funeral in heels, which are obviously NOT fall wear, and the heel will likely get stuck in the grass at the interment, much to my irritation and Neal's amusement ... but at least I will have made my shoe point. hopefully. I know Neal read Sarah's shoe post ...
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In case you are interested...

My weekend with my family did go better than I thought. That is, when I got "the call." Two days passed before my sister called me, and when she did I was at the Fall Festival. (which Smallworld wrote so nicely about.) I wasn't just there having fun, I had to work. I teach gymnastics and we had shows there all day. So when the call came to " see what you were up to today," I said that my girls were getting ready to perform. To my complete surprise, my whole family, brother and all, (who I didn't know was here) came and watched my girls dance.
I got to spend time with everyone again the next day at my niece's baptism. Here was my favorite part, but first I have to put out a note that, I am not a Catholic basher, it is what my whole family is...I just thought this situation and comment were....well, interesting?? A priest came to sit next to me and my dad, and, after my dad introduced my sister Amy and then was reminded that, he did indeed have two more children, he was introduced to my brother and I. I said, "that's OK, we are just the step children." ( we really aren't, just feeling like it..) So, he asks my son, "Do you remember your baptism?" I was curious how Caleb would react because this is something we have talked a lot about lately at my house. Caleb just shrugged and the priest says, "well you should remember , you were there." To which Caleb looks at me and says, "was I baptized as a baby?" I looked at the priest and said, "We go to First Christian Church. Caleb was dedicated as an in fant, and has not been baptized." To which the priest says, "I like to think we are the first Christian church." End of conversation.
So...what else is there to say? The time I got with my family was nice, I got to have lunch with them the next day, and a little shopping for another niece who just turned 10. My sister said to me as she was leaving, "don't make yourself a stranger." Not sure what she meant since I am the one that has to do the calling... but oh well....just glad to have gotten through a family get together without tears!

Here is the whole family, minus Amy's 3 kids that stayed home in WA.

Comments
Oct. 17, 2007 - I do have to say...
Posted by fyftn
... that was the most pleasant family reunion I can remember in quite some time. The "Catholic moments" were very humorous. I particularily enjoyed the fact that the priest, although sitting right next to you for the whole baptism, never said another word or gave another look in your direction. I don't think he was very comfortable. We made it, you and I, with no tears. I'd say that's a positive step.
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Oct. 18, 2007 - thank goodness!
Posted by the other mom
I thought about you all weekend and wondered how things were going. I'm glad to hear they weren't as bad as you had thought they might be. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
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Oct. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by LaDonna C.
I'm so glad it went better than you could have hoped. I prayed that you could have something positive come out of it. I've been having family issues of my own, so I feel for ya, Sista!!!
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Oct. 23, 2007 - LOVE!
Posted by onfire
the look on your daughter's face ... it's like she is saying "um ... daddy ... are YOU a part of this family, too?" looking for reassurance or something. cracked me up. and you look peaceful and beautiful in spite of it all.

Making my way back...

So, it's been way too long since I have sat at my computer and even checked blogs, let alone posted one myself. About three weeks back, on our way home from church, my husband and I drove by a house we thought was pretty when we saw it on the internet. Well, we ended up falling in love with it, and, in the next few days, we put ours on the market, put an offer on the other house, and Mike received a phone call about a job he applied for 6 weeks earlier and really wants.
That's the short of it. The long is all the packing, cleaning, fixing, painting I have done over the last two weeks. And so, I have been too pooped to turn on the computer, let alone, sit down and type!! We havne't had anyone look at our house yet, which by the way looks so awesome, but we are trying to be optimistic about the sale of it so we can buy the new house. And, yes, I know it is a bad market.
Last week, after getting the house in shape, we took three days to go down to Chattanooga and get away. It was a lot of fun, and very relaxing. We saw the TN aquarium, the Children's Discovery Musuem, a bit of Lookout Mountain, and the TN River. It was pretty much the most school my kids had had in two weeks ;) So, here are some of the 500 pictures I took while I was there...I know ,it is a sickness...and hopefully I will be back in the full blogging swing of things...please pray for us!

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Oct. 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Suzanne
Great photos!!!! Wish I'd known you were here! (I live about 15 miles - give or take - from the aquarium.)
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Oct. 9, 2007 - Welcome Back!!!
Posted by LaDonna
I've missed you blogging!!! And I missed you at the Mom's night out last night! GREAT PHOTOS!!! I hope you hear something about the house, it would be awful to be in limbo. But hey, enjoy your clean, organized house!!!!
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Oct. 10, 2007 - Last time I moved...
Posted by QueenoftheHill
...I said I'd never move again. It's a nightmare keeping the place show-worthy for every tire-kicker! You have THE best family photos. Love the new one at the top of the page.
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Oct. 10, 2007 - I almost thought
Posted by onfire
I was going to have to leave you a begging for another post comment. but you proved me wrong. what an excellent reason to be too busy to post. your pictures are delightful ahh ... if only I were packing for Tennessee
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Oct. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jenmcintyre
This last picture looks natural except Caleb looks a little on the stiff side. It is so sweet though. I wish my kids were so good natured about having their picture taken.

A lesson on birds...

So, we are studying birds in science right now. Yesterday was ducks....here is what Bekah is learning...
We talked about ducks and drakes, and if our family were ducks would mommy be a duck or a drake...daddy? Caleb? etc. So, after the duck/ drake game, I asked Bekah, what do you call a male duck? "Hmmm...I don't know." "OK, Bekah, it starts with a drrrrr" And she says, "a drunk!" I'm thinking that is what I may end up being!!
Today, we talked about birds of prey. This was fun because we made up a song about vultures and condors being scavengers...allow me, if you will, and you will have to place it to the tune of "The Pirates who don't do Anything":
We are the scavengers who don't kill anything. We just find dead animals and eat them up. And if you ask us to kill anything, we'll just tell you, we don't kill anything.
So Bekah says afterwards..."so, if a car runs over a dead animal, a vulture would look around to see if another car was coming. And, if one wasn't coming, he would swoop down and eat the dead animal."
She also knows how many years are in a century!!!
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Sep. 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SmallWorld
You are CRACKING me up!
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Sep. 5, 2007 - Lovin' all over the Party-O-5
Posted by Dad2Three
Bekah is officially my new hero. You must explain to Bekah that, while vultures first look for cars before swooping out of the sky on dead prey, drunk ducks have a tendency to swoop down without looking - and get squished on a regular basis. R(Y)
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Sep. 7, 2007 - see
Posted by onfire
not only do you have things to blog about after all, but they also make me laugh out loud that is hilarious. today I entered a single stem of sedum into the Petrolia fair, among some other pathetic flowers of mine. A friend came by to see my entries and Jonam proceeded to point out that the sedum was in a shot glass, which I defended by saying that I do not drink and Neal uses it for his coffee, to which Evan replied, "or sometimes he drinks whiskey. He has had the same kind in the cupboard for more than 3 years." silence
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Oct. 4, 2007 - Hey!
Posted by QueenoftheHill
You got the grosser-than-gross tag! You're it! (See my blog or Smallworld's or Tia's for details...)
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Oct. 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TNMOMTOMANYBLESSINGS
Aren't they cute!!!! : ) Blessings, Maria ps - you should update. It's been a while : )