I guess my previous blog on this subject didn't make someone happy. I believe it was the "renovation nightmare" comment that thrust him into action because it's just over a month later and things are really looking up!
For one, the backyard is looking mighty nice! Here are some shots from this afternoon...
Secondly, the bathroom is just about done. We've been using it for over a month and I love it. Just needs some final touch ups (tile saddle for the doorway, a cover for the baseboard heater, and molding for the door) that will probably take us forever since the holidays are coming. But I'm okay with that since I can shower, dry my hair, brush my teeth, do my makeup all before coming out of the bathroom! And - the bedroom is much less messy since I don't spend so much time getting ready in the morning in the bedroom. I'll work on getting some up to date pictures soon. Just need to clean it as Livvy just took an hour long bath in there and it's a wet mess.
Lastly, we also worked on some additional upgrades. Livvy's room now has a big-girl bed and new furniture, we have a new dining room table with 6 (yes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) chairs (we only had 2 before), and we have new sheets, lamps and a comforter in the bedroom.
Still some more to go but things are obviously looking much better than September thanks to my open minded husband who has embraced change like it was his best friend. Alright, enough kissing his @$$. I'll post more pictures when we have a chance... but here's a cute one of Livvy and cousin Immanuel on Halloween...
-s
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Backyard Makeover Part 2
How to Make Meatballs
I know it's been quite a while - over a month since I've posted last. If I actually had followers of my blog I'm sure someone would have cared! However, since no one noticed... lets move on shall we? :)
Today was a busy day. I ran a 5k this morning - 2nd annual Run for the Warriors. Unfortunately my time was more than desired. I think it was 30:20 but I can't remember as I was running too fast and thinking about how I didn't beat my last time. Sucks... I know! Well, it could be the time I had to take off of training due to plantars fasciitis or could have been just out of shape. Not sure, probably both caused the slip in time. I'll work on it. Trying to get to the Long Island 1/2 Marathon on May 2, 2010. I think it will happen.
Well enough of that.. on to the meatballs. Tonight J and I decided to make a few meals for the week. We don't prepare so nicely this often because we typically don't have much time to do it but today, we found the time. One of the meals we prepared was my mom's meatballs. The recipe is on her blog here. I've made my own meatballs before and they've been really good but to tell you the truth, none of them compare to my mom's meatballs. We followed the recipe exactly (didn't stray at all) and voila! Perfect Meatballs! Best part is that we have enough to freeze for later and they heat up in about 1 minute in the microwave. How awesome is that?! Anyway, I thought I'd share this info with my loyal followers... if there are any. I'm going to eat now... see ya!
-s
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Backyard Makeover
Another renovation nightmare - our backyard has been 'under construction' since the spring. J and I both entered in the 97.5 Walk FM backyard makeover and won a chance at the $50,000 makeover but of course, we didn't win! So, here's the story just in case there is someone out there that will feel so bad for us that they'll give us a free backyard makeover. :)
Before:
Looks good, but underneath is a leaky, dangerously located in-ground pool, no access to our yard, 3 different gradients, a rock "garden" of weeds, a collapsing awning and a rotting fence.
What we did so far...
- We replaced the fence with a new white vinyl fence
- We filled in the pool because it was going to cost the same amount as getting a new one just to fix it
- We leveled the yard so that we don't have 3 different gradients with rock, grass and cement with no apparent organization of such.
- We created two retaining walls to hold dirt in place so that we could still have a back entrance into our garage and a side yard with a different gradient.
- We spread 6 yards of top soil by hand (and shovel) and then spread grass seed and watered religiously just to come up with a yard full of crab grass and crazy weeds.
- We replaced the car-port awning with a custom made awning that is higher and can withstand hurricane force winds (just in case)
So, what are our next steps? Not a clue. Well actually we have a slight clue but it's impossible to decide on what to do with our new yard. We'd like to extend the deck with pavers, create more outdoor seating and entertaining area, barbecue area, maybe a fire pit and room for a future hot tub. Definitely a shed for the lawn mower and gardening tools and a swing set with slide for Livvy. Lots to do... anyone have any suggestions? Please send in your comments!!!
It takes 9 months to make a …
Bathroom.
Yea, not what you expected right? Well in my house, it has taken over 9 months to renovate our 5X8 bathroom. It’s nothing big – just a simple tub with shower, vanity/sink and toilet but for us, we really like to think these things through. When we bought the house in 2006 we realized that the bathroom really needed an overhaul. It was promised to be done before the baby was born in 2007 and then again in 2008 we started the planning but never got around to it. However, in January 2009, we went for it. Demolition took only 3 days and we purchased all the parts and pieces immediately after. But to put those pieces together it has taken over 9 months. Now, at the end of September 2009, it’s almost done. I think we need a bathroom warming party… no, this is not an innuendo for farting in the bathroom. What I mean is like a house warming where everyone comes over to see your new house but this time it will be to see our new bathroom. However, before I start planning the party, I think we’ll try to actually finish the bathroom. So, for now, here are a few shots of the renovation from start to semi-finish…
Before:
Wonderful wood paneling on the walls, blue and pink flowers on the floor and vinyl blue and gold walls in the shower. My favorite were the two gold mirrored medicine cabinets and the globe ball light fixture with multi-sized light bulbs.
After:
- Tile - We started out with Rialto Noce 12X12 Tile but then decided on a lighter color as the Noce was quite dark and had an orange undertone. So we picked up the Rialto Beige from Lowes. Grout isn't complete yet...
- Shower Fixtures - Moen Caldwell 82496CBN
Monday, September 21, 2009
Long Distance Parenting
While I was away, I was able to see Livvy through the webcam. We used Skype and it worked pretty well after I finally figured out how to not have interference between the two speakers on my laptop. Livvy thought I was really there. She would tickle me and expect me to laugh and if I told her to do something she would do it as if I was there. J was able to go take a shower a few days while I watched Livvy through the computer. It was pretty cool. Here's a picture of Livvy giving me a kiss.
Party at School
Here's a picture of Livvy's birthday party at school. She was kind of shocked that all the attention was on her but the rest of her friends had a great time munching on cupcakes.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Running on Stumps
As Jen and I arrived I was all pumped to run the 10k instead of the 5k; thinking that it wouldn't be a problem I signed up and waited around for the start of the race. Line up began and I walked all the way to the back of the pack hoping not to get in any ones way. The runners for the 10 and 5 were starting at the same point and splitting somewhere along the way. As I looked around at every ones "tag" I noticed that all the slow folks in the back with me were only doing the 10k walk or 5k run/walk. I guess that should have been a good indication that I was out of my league but as the gun went off and I began running my confidence took over. I was very excited that the beginning of the race was down hill. A bitty two year old boy was running next to me with his dad. It was very cute. As I rounded the corner I almost ran smack into a wall... no, it wasn't a wall it was a HILL. A huge incline, almost vertical.
The original confidence was lost at that point. The little boy stopped and ran back the other way. I should have done the same but instead I kept trucking... up the long, vertical hill.
After the hill I was huffing and puffing so much that I thought I would stop but I kept going with the idea that there could never be another hill that big. Well.. as you can imagine I was wrong. 13 hills, 6 flights of stairs, 1 bush walk and 20 people directing me where to go later, I finished the race in 1:08:33. I was very proud of my self even though I had to stop and walk up a few of the ridiculous hills. During the race I made a few friends with the folks that were attempting to run as well. We had a good time making fun of ourselves and talking to the people directing the race.
Then Jen tempted me to walk some more as my feet felt like they were going to fall off by telling me that we should go get ice cream. Even though I felt like i was going to walk on stumps soon we kept going. An hour of walking later we finally found real ice cream. Not gelato or shakes or stupid cup cakes. People in Australia really don't know that gelato and ice cream are different! They're crazy. I practically run to the ice cream counter to order.
When ordering, the guy asked me if I wanted low fat, low sugar or regular. I answered that I wanted full fat and full sugar please. We ate the ice cream that supposedly was organic and came from New Zealand and then bought the best juice drinks that we've ever had. Leaving the place my feet felt like they were alive again but I was still thinking to hail a cab. We get a cab, he decides he doesn't want to take credit card (even though he has the swipe machine for credit cards). So, like a clown car, the two of us get in and then right out again on the street. We're about a mile from the train station so what do we do? Yes, we walk again.
When we finally get back to the hotel I get to my room, put up my feet on 3 pillows and vow never to walk/run on stumps again.
A fun day but exhausting.
-s
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Happy Birthday Livvy/ Sydney Update
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Another AM Run - this time upside down
I decided to be daring and venture out of the gym this morning to do a run in the park near by my hotel. Well first things first, I can't see the park from the hotel so I look it up and it seems pretty close by. I'm wearing shorts and a tank top... it's about 50 degrees this morning. What a shock to the body! I run up the street, it's a major road so I make sure to look right instead of left (don't want to be hit by any more cars this trip). After a tremendous hill, I'm wondering what I was thinking and then see the sign for Lane Cove National Park. Looks like a nice place so I run across a 6 lane highway (they call it motorway here) and enter the park unscathed.
As I'm running it seems pretty down hill... good news, but not for the trip back I think. I begin to follow this other runner that just lapped me probably twice as I'm trying to read signs. It's cold!! I then find the trail and begin a normal pace to come face to face with a hill that looks like a 90 degree incline! What the heck! So, jogging I make it up the hill going slower than walking backwards.
Then the run begins to get fun. I see a few people on bikes that say "g'day". I make it to a turn and end up right back on that 6 lane highway... but across the street again! Wait a minute... I don't remember crossing any street or going under/over any bridges. Some how, I've miraculously done a loop right across a 6 lane highway and missed it. Well, I'm doubting that I'm across the highway so I keep running and what do you know... I end up at my hotel. Very odd. I guess that shows me to try to run in OZ!
-s