Painting, a Motorcycle, a Car Show, and Sunburns

Another fun-filled weekend in Texas.

Friday I spent the day painting Avery's closet. I forgot to mention earlier that before I could paint it, I had to "unload" it. Since we started the adoption process we have accumulated an unreal amount of clothes, toys, accessories, etc...that we have been storing in this closet. I can't even imagine how much stuff we will have we she actually comes home. At one point Paul came in the room, looked at everything I had stacked to one side and asked "Did all that really come out of the closet" I assured him that it had and we were together when most of it was purchased. Not to mention the things we have received from family and friends. You don't have to have a crystal ball to know this will be one very spoiled little girl!!

Saturday we spent at my nephew's basketball game, lunching with my mother in-law, and putting the finishing touches on the closet (baseboards, door, etc). Later in the evening I went up to my parent's house and spent some time visiting with them. My parents were watching my nephews for the evening and after a trip to Wal-Mart with papaw, K#2 (he doesn't want me to use him name)came back to the house with a razor motorcycle. It is a battery operated motorcycle that goes up to 15 miles per hour. Guess who was nominated to put it together? That's right, me. I love doing that kind of stuff and am pretty handy with a hammer and screwdriver. It was dark by the time we got it put together but that did not stop the boys from testing it out. There we were, standing in the driveway with a spotlight aimed at the yard, while they took turns riding. Country livin' at it's best!!!

Sunday we volunteered to work at a car show being held as a fundraiser for Morgan's (our best friend's daughter)cheerleading team. Her team competed in February and earned a bid to the "Final Destination" competition to be held in Baltimore next month. They have done several fundraisers to earn money for the trip. Today's fundraiser was a car, truck, and motorcycle show. I had never been to one of these before and I learned that people put a lot of time and money into these cars (old and new) just to take them all over the country showing them off. It was a beautiful day in Texas with the sun shining brightly. Brightly enough that after spending all day outside we are sporting some pretty good sunburns. I guess we just got an early start on our summer tans.

I have included a picture of the team performing one of their stunts. You will have to excuse the adults standing around them acting as "spotters". The girls usually perform on spring-loaded floors and the fact that we had them performing the stunts on concrete, 4 weeks before this major competition, made everyone a little nervous.



Hope everyone had a great weekend. I will post a couple of times during the week and then next weekend is the beginning of the great "room makeover". Send all your creative vibes this way!!

Painting and the end of the cone...

We took Rowdy to the vet today to get his stitches removed. Once he had the stitches out he would no longer have to wear the "cone" around his head. As we were leaving I told Paul I wanted to take one last picture of him with the cone on, here he is.....

Once I took this picture and started to post it on my blog I noticed the wall Paul was standing in front of, I figured that would bring lots of "where is he?" thoughts. So I thought I would explain. Last spring I decided I was going to redo our guest room, I wanted something bright and fun. Those who know me were not suprised by the end result. I love this room and it has recently been transformed into half guest room, half office. When the social worker came for our home study last fall the only comment she had about the entire house was "This room might be a little over-stimulating for the baby." I just laughed. I am tapping into my creativity again for Avery's room. I promise you it will not be quite as bright.



Speaking of Avery's room I started painting today. Don't get too excited because I started with the closet. I know most people probably wouldn't go so far as to paint the inside of the closet but I wanted everything to be fresh and new. After painting for a couple of hours I can tell you there is nothing fun and creative about painting white. With that said let me asure you that when we start to paint the walls of the room (probably next weekend) none of them will be white.

I am off to do a second coat, Happy Friday everyone!!!

90 down.....10 to go

I have been collecting quilt squares for Avery's 100 Good Wishes Quilt since December. Instead of Christmas cards this years I sent letters to all our friends and family informing them of our plans to adopt and inviting them to participate in our quilt. I also joined two quilt square exchanges with other adoptive parents.

I am proud to announce that our friends, family, coworkers, and the other "exchangers" have come through with flying colors. We now have 90 squares!!!

I spent some time this evening washing, ironing, and cutting the squares to a unilateral measurement. I never dreamed I had so many.

I recently sent out a "last call" to our family and friends who keep telling us they want to participate but haven't done so yet. I have no doubt we will exceed the 100 square mark.

To all of those who have sent in their square THANK YOU!!!! To those that have yet to do it but want to contribute May 1 is the deadline.

I am looking forward to letting my creative juices flow as my mom and I create a unique pattern for Avery's quilt. Special thanks also goes out to Paul's grandmother who will be doing the actual quilting for us.

I am a visual person.....

I read a ton of blogs (I have already admitted I am an addict). When reading the blogs of people I have not met I always get a picture in my head of what I think they look like. Needless to say, if and when they do post pictures of themselves, my vision rarely matches the reality. So in that spirit I will post a picture of Paul and I so that those of you who have not met us can "see" us.



I think I am finally feeling motivated to start Avery's room. I have alot of plans and know that this may be a long process. I have started the necessities tonight by cleaning out the room that is to be hers. I know it is just a baby step but IT IS progress. I have the next 4 days off from work and don't have any major plans so I intend to use this time wisely by doing things around the house. I will try to udate my progress so you can how it is going. Wish me luck!!!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week.

Wanna talk about me (Part 2).......

I know you have been on the edge of your seat awaiting the next 50 facts about me so without further adue here goes:

49. I don't like putting up laundry (I don't mind washing, drying, and folding..it's just the putting up..go figure)
48. One of my first jobs was working at a bonsai store.
47. All of the presents under my Christmas tree have to be wrapped in coordinating paper.
46. I look like my mom.
45. I act like my dad.
44. I have to have ketchup on my steak. (Yes, even a $25 steak at Salt Grass)
43. I do not like tomatoes (unless they are used in ketchup)
42. My favorite beverage is a glass of ice cold sweet tea.
41. When I was 21 I was involved in a very serious car accident and spent 11 months in a wheelchair.
40. I love to have candles burning in my house.
39. I love to read fiction and true crime books.
38. My guest room is painted neon orange, neon green, and neon pink (too cute!!)
37. My idea of a great summer afternoon is floating around in the pool on an air mattress and reading a good book.
36. I have no aversion to the "swimdress". (see #37)
35. I don't like bumper stickers on cars.
34. It irritates me when people drive the speed limit (or below)in the fast lane.
33. I can cook....but I don't like to.
32. The first record album I ever owned was Michael Jackson "Thriller"
31. I have a bad habit of leaving socks all over the house.
30. Petite and thin are two words that will never describe me.
29. I lose my keys alot.
28. I know more about football than most guys.
27. It takes me forever to pick out a greeting card. I have to read 10-20 before I find the "perfect" one.
26. I love to host wedding and baby showers.
25. I don't like to proofread (as evidenced by some of my posts)
24. I like to chew gum and blow big bubbles.
23. I have an amazing memory for dates.
22. I don't like long car trips.
21. I have had my own checking account since I was 16 (and never bounced a check).
20. I like to help others plan their trip to Walt Disney World.
19. I do not recycle.
18. I believe in God, heaven, and hell (and everything else a good southern baptist girl should)
17. I need to be more disciplined about attending church.
16. I have worn glasses since I was 16.
15. Lasik scares me, I don't like the thought of someone jacking with my eyes.
14. I have a metal rod that is inside my right femur (as a result of #41)
13. It doesn't go off at the airport, but did once go off at Universal Studios after 9/11.
12. One of my nursing school rotations was at a state mental hospital.
11. Another one was at a prison.
10. I have no tolerance for whining.
9. I have a very high pain tolerance.
8. My mom's favorite saying is "everything happens for a reason"
7. I make notes and to-do lists all the time.
6. I sleep with a box fan on, for the noise.
5. I have already started my packing list for China.
4. I believe first impressions are very important.
3. I can burp words (I know mom and dad are proud about this one) :)
2. I can sing the books of the new testament of the bible.
1. I am who I am flaws and all.

So there you have it..100 random facts about me.

Hope you enjoyed the list!!