March Madness updated

I'm feverishly working on trying to get my March list accomplished. But it is difficult to do without a supportive husband. I mean, honestly, who wouldn't want to organize a garage when you have this to play with? 

But instead we continue to be unable to park our one car in the three-car garage. 

But I have no doubt that having to do this:

will light a fire in his belly. At least I'm hoping.

Also, I know I wasn't going to talk about the missionaries but I have to say - yesterday, before class started some of my students were asking about it and lo and behold, one student raised her hand and said, "Is one of them Elder ________?" I just about died. I tried to pretend that it wasn't - but she didn't believe me. Oy vey!

who doesn't want a monster green garage wall?

Not only did we host an amazing and very surprising birthday party for my parents on Saturday night (pics to come) but we also managed to squeeze in time to paint the garage wall.  With the month of March speeding by - I have to make sure that I get all those things done on that list!

Here it is - in its green monster glory:

What you don't see is the garage mess-fest we have now created:

One thing at a time. In the meantime, we'll continue to not be able to park our one car in the three-car garage.

before and after

Today - I'm grateful that there are people out there that know how to take this:

And turn it into this:

It almost makes me want to have a bbq. Almost.

i may have made a huge mistake

I didn't tell the Workhorse about this recent "home improvement" idea because I had a feeling that it probably wouldn't go over so well.

I took this perfectly fine rug:

And through a few steps:

It is now this:

I'm the first to admit that it is bright - but I kind of like it. And with our kitchen table on top of it - I think it will look cool. The key word in that sentence being "think."

Poor Rosscat - while he doesn't always see the vision (and still may not) he at least will help me in the execution. But see how it now "pops" against the tile - I mean it is a definite conversation piece.

the remodel continues

So we are finished painting the kitchen/family room. Except for touch-ups (of which there are a few). I have a few observations:

1) It looks really boring right now - this is where accessories are in order - lay off us - we're working on it.

2) Instead of cleaning up all the painting mess . . . I found Greg doing this (of course watching the weather):

3) We purchased a fence for our backyard yesterday. You know, to block the cows (to be installed this Spring). Vinyl fences are overrated. However, to keep up with the Jones's we went for it. Although, after paying for it we can't help but think we should have just gone with this:

Chain link and barbed wire = functional yet fancy. And I guarantee that the cows will not be able to climb over that puppy.

I had a resolution . . .

So for this year, one of my resolution's is/was to do a "be creative" challenge every week. You know - do something creative-like - maybe even crafty (maybe). However, because our kitchen/family room currently looks like this:

I am giving myself a "pass" for the week. Or I could count "painting the ceiling white" as my "be creative" accomplishment for the week. I was hoping to do something a little bit more . . . I don't know . . . fun. But I guess I'll count it.

New Project

I'm feeling so confident from the successful bathroom remodel, that I've decided it's time to take it to the next level. Actually to the next galaxy. I have had my eye on this awesomely awesome project for months. Now that I have the official plans, my dream of a y-wing fighter guest bedroom will become a reality. Can you believe there is a twin bed up there? Fantastic. This will totally make up for yet another birthday/Christmas/valentines day/anniversary where I didn't receive the Chewbacca backpack I deserve. What do you think?

Check out more pictures of our future guest room here. This is going to be SO cool . . .

A blogging break

I've kind of been on a self-imposed blogging hiatus. In fact, I shouldn't even be writing this now. Instead I should be studying. I should be studying 24-7. But, in all actuality, I'm kind of sick of it. Seriously. According to my study books people are often transferring property to some person and then transferring it again to someone else. When does this ever happen in real life? Also according to my bar study books, there are a lot of murders, a lot of conspiracies, and really state and local governments are constantly passing discriminatory laws. Constantly. Anyway. So to take a break I thought I would provide you with what I do when I can't handle the fact that that once again someone trespassed on someone's property and caused a whole lot of damage.




So here goes:


We had this visitor. She (and her brother and her mom, Haylee) were our first overnight guests. We tried to show them a good time by providing high heels for the Miss Charlotte to walk around in (she does a better job than I). We also provided sock monkey sheets for her bed where she proceeded to jump up and down on it and sing "no more monkeys jumping on the bed." I wish they could have stayed longer. I also wish I was on vacation with them and pretty much everyone else right now in St. George. Stupid bar. I'm not bitter. Just kind of.

I also thought, in the interest of full disclosure, that I should provide you some pictures of how our remodeling/ move is going. Well it's going very well. Just take a look at these pics of the master bedroom and bathroom:

Um yeah. Maybe by 2011. Maybe. Also that cookie monster is left over from the visitors. Although I think that Ross wants to keep it. I'm still hopeful to be in our bedroom/bathroom by month's end but well - Ross is off on a canoe trip (again I'm desperate for a vacation - anywhere!) and I'm no help right now.

Okay back to it. Or maybe I'll go work on folding that mountain of clean clothes that haven't been put away. Oh dear - that's how much I'm tired of studying - I'd rather go fold laundry.

Welcome to the Jungle

We have a lot of projects going on at the ranch. One that I did not really anticipate was keeping up with the weeds in the flowerbeds. We don't have a lot of landscaping (yet), but we did plant some petunias at the front of our house to give it that "lived-in" feel. KT already chronicled the demise of our potted plant attempt - and unlike that failure, the petunias are thriving. Unfortunately, the weeds are also benefiting from the periodic Miracle Grow feedings. I've always been aware of weeding, but does it have to start resembling a jungle so quickly? Luckily I retrieved my mission-issued machete from my parents' house on Sunday. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. So, who's up for a weed pulling party at my house - tonight!

mirror mirror (leaned up) on the wall

So Ross took matters into his own hands and leaned the mirror we purchased for another bathroom against the wall in this temporary bathroom we are using. Yes, it's still in the box, yes those are two lights that don't have bulbs in them and yes this is my definition of camping. But hey - he seems to enjoy it. Here - he's giving himself "the fonz" look. Nice. Very nice. And yes, I don't know why these pictures are fuzzy - but oh well.

Summer of fun #3

Because Martha Stewart says that everyone should know how to fold a fitted sheet. And because we recently washed every sheet in the house due to some "remodeling" issues and they were all sitting there piled up in the laundry room - today's the day. We learned (well actually Ross did - it still kind of mystifies me) how to fold a fitted sheet. According to our tutorial, "There are few things in life more frustrating than trying to fold a fitted sheet." To that I say, "Wow, lady - you really haven't lived." But if you're interested in learning and have longer arms than I - go ahead - learn how to do it. Or just trick your significant other into thinking that it is "fun." Fun thing #3 - check.

Excuse the delay

We haven't been posting as much lately. I think you all deserve an explanation (and of course, by "you all" I mean our posterity who I'm sure will be reading this blog 100 years from now thinking that we are awesome). We have been busy working on a few home improvement projects.

1) New cabinet handles. You know just to fix things up.
2) New ceiling fan - this took a couple of trips to Home Depot and the fan really isn't our first choice in ceiling fans but it does keep things cool and looks a jillion times better than the brass jobber we inherited.
3) The SILVER pipes. If you don't really notice the silver pipes then we did our job. Some person with a discerning eye for color previously had painted them peach - we finally decided to set the record straight and painted them silver. They seriously look awesome - who knew peach pipes were so distracting?
4) Our SubZero fridge is now running like a champ. We didn't really have to do anything besides call someone and pay 3x as much as what my wedding ring cost to fix it - but um now everything "freezes beautifully."

It takes a village . . .

We could blog about how our three-day weekend was full of excitement, adventure and bbq's. But instead, the best part of our weekend is the fact that after more than six months (ten months for some areas) we have finally finished changing out the outlets in our house. No longer is our home a fire/child hazard. So if you haven't come over for fear that your child would zap themselves (yes, you Kristal) - rest easy - it's now safe.
(You know that by "we" I mean Ross but I am the kind of wife that doesn't like to play the "blame game").

Amish No More

I don't want to into all the particulars, but I'm happy to announce that electricity has been restored to Chateau Carlklef. In a related note, I discovered that I am not what you would call an "intuitive" electrician. However, thanks to the Irish electrician who helped me out today, I will be able to finish up the project. I also learned that I should look up some of the details for home improvement BEFORE just trying an "expereyment." KT will be relieved to know that I am also more aware of when I am out of my league with home improvement. In the meantime - the lights are on and we don't have to pretend to be green or Amish - at least until I try again . . .