I love Halloween, and more and more it seems people are afraid of it, saying it's devilish and anti-Christian.  I understand this point of view as it does focus on witches, ghosts and scary things, but in all honesty I think most people are looking for an excuse to have a little fun.  I seriously doubt that people are really thinking about channeling the devil or other evil things on Halloween - I know I'm not nor is anyone I've ever met.

And for parents of children, we all know Halloween is simply about candy.  Getting candy. Lots of candy.  And getting to dress up is a bonus.  I recently went to my son's kindergarden 'Fall Party' (oh the horror of actually calling it a halloween party!), and the kids were dressed up as superheroes, princesses, movie characters and dream jobs like an airline pilot or a fireman.  It is a day where children can pretend and rejoice in their imagination all while getting nearly unlimited free treats!  My daughter loves the opportunity to get a princess dress, shoes and sparkly hair spray.  The whole thing is completely sweet and innocent and totally fun.  And not once does the mere thought of the devil or anything evil cross my kids' minds.

And, it makes me sad that every year we go trick-or-treating it seems that there are less and less houses with lights on as this is another great way to interact with one's neighborhood.  I will continue to trick-or-treat with my kids, and leave my light on so the little ones can have a fun-filled night of candy collecting in their dream outfits!  I think Jerry Seinfeld pretty much sums it up below (this is from his stand-up show that was on dvd - so, so funny!):

The Houston area has succumb to the worst mosquito problem I have ever seen in my whole life.  This summer marked the worst drought in Texas history, and about the only good thing about it was that there were not many mosquitoes.  A few weeks ago we were pleasantly surprised by an ENTIRE DAY of rain that we desperately needed.  Apparently, so did the mosquitoes.

And, the end of last week it seems that billions of little mosquito eggs that were just waiting for the right time finally hatched.  Mosquitoes were everywhere.  And I mean everywhere.  Sunday afternoon we decided to go to lunch.  We headed outside to get in the car, and the baby got distracted by a bigwheel.  I spent about 30 seconds locking the door, then walked toward the car to find my little girl sitting on the big wheel swarmed by probably 20 mosquitoes.  She was swatting like crazy, and I swooped her up as fast as I could and put her in the car.  The several bites she already had were swelling up (both girls get extra-huge welts) to the size of quarters and I frantically sprayed 'Off' on everyone.  But then the car was filling with fumes so I had to open the windows.  Luckily they can't enter a vehicle too well if it's in motion.  

The swarm was oozing into the car and the kids were yelling.  I have a bug electrocuter that looks like a tennis racket and I'm sure I looked like a crazy person waving it all around the car.  The carcasses were falling all over the floor and the kids were banging on the windows and seats trying to kill all the little blood suckers before they bit them.  

When we returned and pulled into the driveway, we could see them swarming the car before we even got out, bouncing on and off the windshield as though they could already smell our blood.  We unbuckled everyone, counted down from three and ran in the house as fast as possible.  Of course a few always get into the house when we open the door and quietly tortured everyone as we watched the Texans game.  Then a lady came to the house to pick up something I was selling on craigslist.  I opened the door and the poor girl was surrounded and was swatting them away like crazy.  I pulled her in the house as fast as I could.  Later I went to five stores, and every single one of them was out of every single mosquito-killing product that exists.  This sucks.

It's been about a week of the infestation, and every child I've seen looks like they've got a bad case of chicken-pox.  Mine are definitely full of scabs from head to toe.  And just in time for picture week of course.  I got at least one bite on my leg just typing this.  The city finally sprayed, I think, and it seems to be getting a little better, but every gentle wisp of wind that crosses my skin causes me to frantically swat and check for something trying to land on me.  A cold front is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.  I hope it wreaks havoc on those blood-sucking devil creatures and that they die a slow, miserable dea

Mosquitoes suck.  

Butler's Pantry before and after, and kitchen backsplash that we designed.  The backsplash is split face limestone with a split-face deco border with a stone engraved mural.

We received permission to move back into our kitchen!!  YAY!!!  Let the rejoicing begin!  The biggest accomplishment was getting our microwave/oven combo (GE Advantium) working properly after the appliance installers blew it out because the electric wiring was incorrect and they didn't check it.  They also installed the gas regulator on the stove top backwards, didn't properly re-install the dishwasher, and cracked the oven cabinet.  Needless to say we are not happy with the appliance guys, and plan to say something to our contractor.  All her other guys were awesome and did great jobs!

So, they have to fix the cabinet and do a couple other small things that don't require an empty kitchen.  So, here's what we changed in our remodel:

1.  The house did not have a microwave, so we replaced our double oven with the advantium oven (functions as a microwave and an oven and has something called speedcook technology - still learning, but love it so far!) and a regular oven.

2.  Replaced cabinets, countertops and backsplash.  The old ones were all a dull tan color and the whole kitchen looked blah and blended in together.  We added some cool things like built in garbage cans and pull-out spice racks that will utilize the space much better.

3.  Re-painted to a lighter tan color.  We have some wainscoting that was a baby-barf kind of tan, and we painted that green - it's awesome!

3.  Our laundry room was off the kitchen with a small entryway to a door that goes outside.  We took the door off the laundry room and closed off the little entry way to create a mud room.  This way we can let the cat in, and have a space for a dog if someday we ever get one (all children must be able to clean up their poop before I add another pooper to the house!).  Plus, the laundry room seems alot bigger without the door there.

4.  We painted our butler's pantry green rather than replacing the cabinets, and got new countertop, backsplash and pulls to match the new cabinets.

5.  We added some light to the kitchen as the old light was essentially useless.  We got new fixtures and added 2 pendant lights above the breakfast bar area.  

6.  We added an butcher block top island, but we haven't moved it in quite yet.  My husband is adding some oil to the top for waterproofing.  Will be in soon.  Also, we haven't taken the protective blankets off the kitchen table just yet.  I'll probably do it this week.

Our kitchen is open to the living room, so we basically spend most of our time in that area.  The new kitchen gives the whole house a new feel, and it matches the wood in our furniture and the rest of the house much better.  The previous owner was trying to flip the house for a profit and I'm really not sure what he was thinking with the kitchen and the construction was not good, and the cabinets weren't all the same color, although subtly different.  

In the end, we love it and are so sick and tired of eating out that we plan to spend A LOT of time in the kitchen in coming weeks!

Kitchen before and after:

The baby has yet another ear infection.  She started getting wheezy a couple nights ago, so I didn't waste any time and took her to see the doctor right away.  Sure enough - her left ear is infected, or maybe it just never healed from before.  Who knows.  About a week ago she finished her 20 day round of antibiotics and prior to that she did 10 days of medicine, so it really feels like the never-ending story.

Our regular pediatrician, Dr. E, is on vacation so we saw a different doctor, who seemed fine.  But, she gave us several options, antibiotics (AB), shot + AB, or just a series of three AB shots.  I asked her what she would recommend based on the baby's history, and she was kind of wishy washy about it, which was irritating.  She's the professional, and as such she should tell me what the best plan is.  We were going to do shot + AB, but after some more discussion she admitted she thought the shots were a better idea.  I don't know if she was just covering herself, or if parents are against shots (which definitely suck), but seriously, this is the FIFTH ear infection in about 9 months (and some of those lasted for several weeks).  I expect a doctor to provide the best advice so that my daughter will get well, not what she thinks I want to hear.  

So, we did one shot yesterday, which was AWFUL.  She had to do it slowly, and just the thought of it makes me a bit queasy now.  The baby's leg was SO sore she wouldn't even walk out of the office.  We have to go back today to check her ear and get possibly another shot and again tomorrow for the same thing.  I'm just anxious for Dr. E to get back so we can discuss the possibility of putting tubes in because this is just too much.   Plus, she doesn't get too fussy when she gets the ear infections, and having them too much or for too long can cause hearing loss.  

If it's not one thing around here, it's something else!  I'll update on the kitchen saga in a little bit!

Because we have three kids, we have a lot of stuff.  Our house generally looks like a small tornado ripped through no matter what I try to do.  One of the biggest problems I have are all the loose papers that are scattered around, many of which are important.  These might include extra-curricular information, school forms, receipts, letters, etc.  that are not needed most of the time, but should be kept for future uses.  

My solution for this is to assign everyone their own binder.  Anything that needs to be kept for that person such as kindergarden lists, mailers, forms for my son will go in his binder.  Papers that need filing, receipts, bills, etc. go in my husband and my binder.  I keep the binders easily accessible so I can access them anytime I need them.  

When I go through the mail and school backpacks, I easily put everything away where they should be - the garbage, the bill pile, the bulletin board or a binder.  I know where all the loose papers are and don't have to worry that someone will throw them away by accident.  You can also color code them if you have a color code system in your family.  

This works well for us, and if you have a loose paper problem it is an inexpensive way to keep them organized!

My Mom gave me a sewing machine for Christmas last year because I had been wanting one.  The problem is that the last time I sewed anything was in junior high.  But, I really want to be able to sew.  It would be nice to be able to hem my own pants instead of paying $10 or $15 (I'm 5'4" which means petites are too short and regulars are too long), make halloween costumes and other simple things for my kids.  I have always wanted to make a quilt, and so I need to know how to sew.

Last spring, my job, family and house kept me so busy I didn't even have time to think about learning to use my machine.  Then summer came and the kids were home and we left on vacation for over a month.  Finally, the kids started school, I quit my job, and so I've had more time.  Between the re-model and the sick baby, it's taken me a couple months, but I finally took a class to learn my sewing machine.  My prior sewing experience came back, a little, and so it's not like learning about the machine was TOTALLY brand new.  

That was last week.  I bought a few things, but had to leave in a hurry to get the kids.  I intended to go back the next day, but I was dealing with kitchen guys and I did some tutoring.  So, I still need to go back and buy the simple pattern the teacher suggested as well as a few additional supplies.  I'm really looking forward to it!

I bought this book from amazon and it seems to be a really good introduction to supplies and all things sewing.  I hope to take a class sometime when I have time, but plan to practice on my own in the mean time. 


Some people might think sewing is a skill for old ladies and 1950's homemakers, but learning more skills means having more power as a woman.  The more a girl can do for herself, the better off she is.  And, it saves some $$ in the long run - especially in the clothing/fabric repair department.  And, maybe I can make some of those cute (but very simple looking) boutique dresses for my girls for less than the crazy $50 pricetag!  First things first, though, I need a little practice!

 

I am from Nebraska, and I call sugary carbonated beverages 'Pop'.  I live in Texas where people call it 'Coke', regardless if it's Root Beer or Sprite or Pepsi.  West-coasters tend to call it 'Soda'.  And, because I live in Texas, I get teased often for 'pop', but I refuse to conform to the ways of Texas.  But, in the end I know people are obviously jealous that they aren't from such an awesome state as Nebraska, and that's why they tease me!  A friend at my wedding actually said that Omaha was like 'The Shire' with it's lovely rolling hills, kind people, and pleasant weather.

Anyway, I found a map plotting what everyone says and posted it below.  I also found a cool website dissecting what everyone says with a big map and charts breaking it down by state.  You can even input your data according to your hometown!

I also refer to the shopping vehicle in which you store your items until you check out as a 'shopping cart', but it seems everyone around here refers to it as a 'basket'.  I refer to the tiny container you grab if you need just 3 or 4 small items as a 'basket'.  So, it must be a regional thing.  What do you call it?  Cart or Basket?  And where do you live?

The other day the electrician said that sometimes it's quicker to build a new house than to do a remodel.  I've never had a house built, and this is my first remodel experience, but he's got to be right.  We were supposed to be done this Friday, but like they say, shit happens.

Things haven't gone 100% smooth, but all the problems have been fixable.  Apparently 2 of our walls are a little bowed and uneven, creating some major headaches for the cabinet installers.  But, the cabinets were able to be leveled and were looking awesome.  Then the granite guys came and had to remove one cabinet because it was lower in the front than against the wall and there wasn't room for the granite to fit.  So, the cabinet guy came back and fixed it.  Then, the uneven-ness of the wall caused the backsplash to be slightly uneven, and of course only I noticed.  But, it was going to really bother me and for as much as we are paying, it better be perfect.  So the tile guys fixed it.  Then a drawer wouldn't open so the granite people had to adjust the granite to sit about a 1/2 cm higher.  

Then, the light guys discovered the transformer on our fixture was broken, so we are waiting for a new from so that we can have our track lighting (we have other lights, so it's not that big of a deal).  Then the plumbers came to install the disposal and gas cooktop and seemingly did it well until Husband noticed a huge crack in the granite by the cooktop!!!  It probably happened when they installed the cooktop - probably weak because of the adjustment they previously made.  This SUCKS!  I hope they don't ruin the backsplash or cabinets in the process.  Oh we were so close to being done . . .

Then the appliance people came to re-install our dishwasher and install the 2 new ovens.  Something is wrong with the dishwasher door (hoping easy fix) and when they turned on the top oven, there was a loud pop and smoke came out of it!  Repair man came and said it was wired correctly, but upon further notice the wires were mislabeled.  UGH!  So, the electrician has to come back out and we are waiting for a new electronic board in our brand new oven.  

So, instead of being done this week, we are waiting for the electrician, granite guys and cabinet guys to come out and all do fixes.  The upside is that we have a working sink, garbage disposal and one working oven.  

The lesson to be learned when remodeling is that nothing goes as planned, everything with cost more than expected and it will last longer than expected.  I just can't wait to be done with this version of essentially fancy-camping in our house!

MD Anderson Cancer Center is a hospital in Houston, and they have a really cool program called the Children's Art Project.  Children battling cancer create drawings and art that are made into cards, ornaments, blankets, paper pads, shirts, umbrellas, and so much more.  The proceeds benefit MD Anderson and make excellent gifts!  

You can create custom photo or regular christmas cards for your family or business, and the art is really good!  Many of their items make excellent gifts for any occasion.  I hope you'll check it out, and maybe you can cross a few gifts or making your Christmas card off your list!

The following card was created by Marvin from Houston and is just one example of the awesome products they sell!