Yes Bryan, I have been busy!

Fine, give me grief, I have been busy. Three days of Hallmark meetings, The Third's dentist escapade, the kitchen, and whatever else comes across my plate during the course of a day. See how much time you have to Blog.

First, let me start with GRATITUDE. Months ago I decided I was going to do a better job of letting people help me, you know, like when I am in a crunch and someone offers to take the babies, run an errand, whatever. So in the latest crunch I decided I was going to take help no matter how it came to us. It is overwhelming. Last week an amazing friend of ours made an incredible dinner for us and even brought a really good apple pie (nope, she did not forget the ice cream either) I am not sure there is any way I could put into words how thoughtful and nice that was. The thing is, it was probably not a burden for her to do and I am sure she felt like she was really helping. My point is, GRATITUDE is a two way street. We were warmed by her generosity and she felt accomplished for having done something. The next time someone asks you if you need help, tell them yes, it will make you both feel grateful.

What an Amazing day

So today Husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary by sharing a 15 minute lunch together. It was just one of those days where his travels took him in one direction and mine in another. It was so nice and so simple. Crazy to think where the time has gone, seems like it was a couple of years ago, certainly not that many as the calendar really says. I am sure I will say the same 15 years from now.

So Mom, what's for dinner

So as you can see from the photo, the kitchen is now mold free! The actual damage was worse than what we had hoped for but the countertop survived the removal. The funniest part of the day came from SBB and his reaction to the change. He wanted to know why our stove was in the family room and the sink was by the fireplace, after all he said, "Those things are supposed to be in our kitchen!" Yes son, you are right. The fun is just beginning as tomorrow we meet with the contractor and I found a wonderful kitchen designer to help map out the new floorplan. We are just trying to figure out if there are some parts of the project we can do ourselves vs. having someone else complete the work. We realize time is important as just tonight I found myself headed to the kitchen sink three different times. I am sure I will get used to washing dishes in the garage sink soon enough.

It is all in how you look at things..

Honestly, it has taken me a few days to get to this point, all right, maybe a week if you are really counting, but it is just a matter of how you keep things in perspective. First, we found the leak before it got any worse. Secondly, we found good people to make the repairs. Finally, it is all a plan, I am not sure what I am supposed to learn from this or how this will make me a stronger person, but it is a plan. Maybe it is that now I know what EVERYONE is getting from us for Christmas-a water alarm! I need to focus on the bright side which is that we are going to make some exciting improvements to the heart of our home. Someday if we decide to sell we can boast of an updated kitchen with state of the art amenities vs. a dated kitchen that might hold us back from commanding top dollar. I had to get over the fact that I did not have a new kitchen mapped out in my head down to every last detail and focus on the challenges this project will bring. After all, who would not want to move onto the next phase which is planning the "Kitchen Warming" party when it is all finished!

Five weeks starts tomorrow..

So tomorrow is the day the clock officially starts to tick as the first sledge hammers swing in the kitchen demo project. After talking to the contractor today it is pretty likely that the counter top is going to crack so I need to get out there and see what the trends in kitchen decor is right now. I just laugh, last week at this time I was worried about whether or not I could choose a paint color for the family room, oh to only let that be my worry. I sat down tonight and tried to make a list of dinners I could make via the grill, microwave and crock pot. I think we will learn to appreciate a home cooked family meal. It is so nice of the "extended family" to offer their kitchens, dishwashers, and even their homes. I just wish there was someone out there who could just take over and magically transform the kitchen into exactly what I picture it to be. Watch the blog over the next few weeks, I will post progress photos as we go.

My dream kitchen...

So I am sitting here surrounded by construction estimates, remodeling magazines and a kitchen in disarray trying to calculate our next move. Demolition needs to start right away and regardless of the path we take, these damaged cabinets and sheet rock have to come out. The real question is do we remodel the entire kitchen or just do what needs to be done to get us past this small obstacle. So far the outlook is not good that this will be a little project. Contractor thinks that the counter top is going to break upon removal and need to be re fabricated and that the wallpaper against the back splash is for sure doomed. Of course our house is 10 years old so trying to match what we have and what has 10 years of use on it is next to impossible. Realistically I think we are looking at several weeks without a functioning kitchen because after all, the sink is attached to the counter top that is going to have to be removed. We are not the "take out" kind of family so this will be an adjustment. I was trying to figure out how I could cook all weekend and freeze dinners in disposable pans so that we could at least eat somewhat healthy a few times during the process.

One tiny drop of water...

Unbelievable the amount of damage several of these little guys can do when they get together. Especially if you do not know that they are ALL collaborating under your cabinets, in your drywall, under your flooring-you get the idea. Now picture it all happening IN MY KITCHEN and probably for MONTHS! Tomorrow will hopefully bring answers from Water Restoration Experts but honestly it does not look good. Especially if our insurance determines it was normal wear and tear and we are responsible for the entire replacement. I am not the one who even likes to use the dishwasher so imagine what would have happened if I ran the silly box daily. Please tell me this will have a happy ending or I may not ever drink, bathe, or swim again! Right now, h2o is not my friend!

The Number You Have Reached

So there is something to be said about not having home telephone service for most of the week-it was extremely nice to know that anyone who needed to reach you could, via cell phone of course, and anyone wanting to know if you needed your carpets cleaned could not. As the repair man left today, (did you know they make calls on Sunday?) I stood in the doorway with some sadness, my first thought was to go inside and unplug it.

From the mouth of Babes...

So today, like everyday, while on the way to school, we had our family political discussion. Today was spirited because I asked The Third and SBB to watch a few minutes of Senator McCain's speech last night. Today I asked, "If you could vote in the election, who would you vote for and why?" The Third's response was certainly Barack Obama because she thinks he can count really high. She has heard him say numbers like fifty thousand and two hundred million (which is her favorite number). SBB said he would vote for John McCain because he has a cute girlfriend (I hope he is referring to his wife Cindy and not the next scandal from the campaign) Both agreed that Barack had to be at least 15 years old and that McCain was probably as old as Grandpa. Sorry Dad, Seriously.

SERIOUSLY!

Seriously! Today I tried to count how many times I say that word but lost track by 10am and somewhere over 20. It was one of those days. Seriously.

So if you have been over you will see I am trying for the final time to fit my family into our beloved little house. As Rick says "You can put a dress on a pig, but you still have a pig" My pig is the owner of more tried on dresses. Now, I have rearranged every possible room, not only within their rooms, but moving furniture from room to room. Some places it works, others, it does not. Ryder said "Mom, will you leave things the way they are in my room" That should tell you alot.

I spent the day with my Mom and her dear friend and neighbor. It was wonderful. We stopped at this great little croissant shop that I had not been to in years (actually, it was where the girls wanted to wait while I put gas in the car, guess sitting in a car at 105 degrees was not appealing) I had forgotten how wonderful those filled treasures are. Tanya, if you are reading, you will remember. New ownership makes the place even more enjoyable.

Both kids had great days at school. The Third (so I call her because I do not know who is blogstalking me) is having a tough time right now with friends at school. This too shall pass. Everyday we kiss good bye and I tell her to go make new friends. I think it is working because the stories at dinner now include names I have not heard before. Sweet Baby Boy (SBB) loves his teacher. She is so amazing. I wish The Third could have had her for her last year at DS.

It has been a really great day. Seriously.

Rolling in the Dough!

Not what you think...
Today I decided to tackle my ongoing fear of using yeast-I know, stupid as it sounds, I was afraid. The truth is, I just never really had anything I wanted to try. Cinnamon rolls are what pushed me to try. Cautiously optimistic I googled for a recipe and set out to inventory my ingredients. The recipe I found made 4 dozen! Lucky are my neighbors! 7 hours later I am proud to say I conquered my fear. Bring on homemade bread.