I Figured It Out...

I have really been procrastinating on putting the Dining Room together and I finally figured out why.  The crystal from the Zoo.

You see way back when I was an intern at the Zoo, I was in charge of cleaning the "Crystal Cabinet" in the Zoo.  It was a curio cabinet that was full of all these Swarovski silver crystal figurine that were donated to the Zoo to be on display and after 10 years, they could be sold off and the money then would be used for conservation efforts.

Once a month, or two if I could put it off, I would head down to the Amphibian and Reptile building and clean out the dead flies and dust off all the crystal.  It was a not so fun job.  Then when I hired on full time, it was also  in my job description (along with everything else in the world). Most of the time, I would have one of the interns come help me because it was better as a team job.  Not so overwhelming.

Then the worst thing happened, someone broke into the cabinet and stole pieces.  In order for us to determine what was taken, we had to take everything out and put it in the containers. It was a two day job even with help from the interns and my friend Melissa.  I was down to the last few pieces and went to take one out that was really stuck down and the glass shelf fell and crystal went flying all over the A&R building.  It was like a bad dream.

I stood there with my hands holding the shelf just staring for a minute.  After I came too, I broke 7 pieces of crystal.  It just so happened that the Zoo's insurance covered it all and I replaced it with the Zoo's money of course.  But I still harbor nightmares of the crystal cabinet.

For Christmas one year, I received a  Swarovski crystal rhino with a broken tail from my boss. What a joker. I can laugh about it now, 8 years later but it still must have caused traumatic damage since I don't want to deal with the china cabinet OR I just might be putting it off so we can watch TV while we eat dinner. You be the judge.

'Til the next adventure...

Finally...

Took some pictures of the house decor that we have been working on.  It has taken longer this time because we painted most of the rooms before the moving and unpacking.  We have no intention of redoing the downstairs bathroom and I ran out of time to get the Master Bath done but hope to get that done before my mom visits in June. But who know what life has in store for us...

 The Living Room.  This is right across from the fireplace and focuses on my quilt that I received from my awesome boss when I left the Zoo and the coolest part is that is was hand made for me by my friends and coworkers, Anita, Bridget and Paula. It even has rhinos quilted in it. 

 My reading nook. It looks out unto the covered porch in the back yard.

 The desk.  I love it.  This is my little special place across from the reading nook.  You can see the color better.  It is really orange.  I love it. Garrett picked it out before we knew we were going to put the quilt out since it was in a box.

The fireplace and TV.  These windows look out over the covered patio in the front yard. We have a fan that still needs to be switched out. I have a picture picked out that I want to buy to go over the fireplace.  Just waiting for the money to come from the money tree I planted in the back yard.  With all the rain we have received, it should bloom any day.

The downstairs bathroom.  This is the one room that I am not going to paint.  It works so why mess with it. I do really like the sink and vanity.  It has a lot of room for storing extra supplies so it is good.

 The entry hallway. This color didn't change too drastic but it has more of a gray undertone and is in the same color family as our bedroom brown.  This is the spot I picked for Garrett's drop spot.  He likes to come in and have a place for wallet and phone, mail and crap. I don't want it in my kitchen so I came up with this solution.  It seems to work. 

 My teal kitchen.  I love my kitchen.  The only downside is the lack of work space for cooking but I hope to get an island or something.  I am making it work and it keeps the clutter away because there is just no room for it.  The Bugs have issue because I won't cook until dishes are done from the meal before but we are working on it.  The Bugs had sandwiches for diner three days in a row before it kicked in that I was serious.

My kitchen view.  When that money tree blooms, we are going to get a small table to eat breakfast and things on or do homework while I am cooking.  But part of me really likes the open space.

So that is the first three rooms.  I hope to take pictures of the upstairs soon and then there is the the Dining Room. Well, that is still in boxes.  Maybe tomorrow or I think I need to mow...

'Til the next adventure...

It's Been A Long Time...

With the move and everything going on, I haven't taken the time for my blog.  The sad part is that I really love to write it and it relaxes me so you can guess that I have been a bit stressed but handling it better then normal.  I have been late on a few things but that is also pretty normal.  I did want to share a few random things with you that I find funny.

My very first diaper cake,  Sarah, my trainer friend, helped me make it for Ms. Traci and baby Everett.  Baby Everett came on April 4.  He is a cute little guy. Traci played soccer in high school and her husband and baby-daddy works at the train yard doing something with crappy hours.  So we had to have a few of those things.

My sparkly green nail polish for St. Patrick's Day and my cute little toe ring. You have to have fun so why not with nail polish. 

 My very own butterfly hair clip.  I know it is nothing special but the standout thing on this that I find funny is that it was the first time in a long time, like 12 years that I went into an accessory shop and bought something for me and nothing for my Bugs.  Really.

This is no ordinary laundry, it is the first of the towels and swimsuits from the outdoor pool. Yes, it was the first of April and this shows up.  I find it funny that we go swimming in early April. 

I wanted to do something fun for my nieces since their birthdays are in April so I figured that I could make them hair bows.  After some tutorials from YouTube, this is what I came up with but, not in time for them to be mailed in packages.  Little Bug lucked out and got some for school and...  

 For soccer.  I will make some for the nieces later.  Maybe Christmas or just for fun!

Saved the best for last... This is my find of the year, so far.  It is a light bulb lamp that I fell in love with at a local artist shop. I got it for $15.  Not bad. I love it and it makes me smile every time I see it.  I put it in a fun place in the new house!

'Til the next adventure...