Toolbelt Diva...Demolition Chick....Remodel Gal.....


Whatever you want to call it....my name should follow it today! I surprised a girlfriend this morning, who was visiting for coffee, with, " Are you feeling strong today?". I had gotten a call from the guy doing my bathroom tile. He could fit us in today, instead of Friday and it would work best for him to come over in 1 to 2 hours! After living in the chaos we have been for 5 weeks, I desperately said yes! ( Why the chaos? I haven't written about it yet...but I will! I have some great pics of the "goings on" in our house!) This meant that I needed to tear out the bathroom vanity, sink and counter tile and backsplash, right NOW, by myself! I actually was quite excited. I love a challenge, to see what I really am capable of. But I had the kids, and needed a bit more muscle. So I dragged in my girlfriend as my partner in crime!! I gathered the crowbar, hammer, wrenches, utility knife, screwdriver and pliers, and made my plan. It took a lot of work, and sweat (wait, women don't sweat, they perspire :p ) , one blister, one scratch and one pipe bonk to my mouth and its finished!! We hauled it out and I am feeling quite powerful and accomplished right now! The gentlemen are in there laying the tile now! I did leave several holes in the drywall that my husband will be just thrilled to see, but there just wasn't any way around it. He already has a lot of patching he was going to be doing anyway, so what's a couple more... :) ? As we finished hauling out the last piece, my friend says, "you are amazing you know!". Thanks..... I like that, I'll take the compliment. But I'm just capable in this area. We also concluded that I should start classes or a web site for women on simple home repair. I know there are a few out there. 'Toolbelt Diva' is a current TV show on DIY network. I just love the concept. My husband isn't a "Mr. Fix-it", so I've just learned to do most home repairs and remodel type work...oh yeah, and I'm not too shabby with cars either! I think it would be quite fun to teach some classes to women on how to do basic things like, plumbing, and appliance maintenance. I've been asking my sister in law, who is a seamtress and also works with leather, to make me a hot pink tool belt for the last couple of years. Maybe this year for Christmas I can get one. I dunno, should I have her put my initials on it too, in rhinestones ?! :)

Happy Mom's day to me!!



Celebrated these cuties yesterday!! Although I have my "moments" :
I love these kids more than I could ever imagine, and cherish the joys they have brought into my life!!

Have you seen this commercial??


[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=KSECUIKi5cM]



If you have had a baby boy, than this will ring true for you!!

Maddy and I saw this on TV, and we were cracking up!! I just loved it. Watch the guys facial expressions! It totally reminds me of my brother! This type of scenario has happened many a time here in my neck of the woods!

WARNING: Some serious bragging ahead!!


My husband totally spoiled me for my birthday this year!
He called me Saturday afternoon on his way home from work, and said, " I'm at a store trying to pick out something for you to wear on your birthday tomorrow, and its too hard. Pack up the kids and get ready, I'm taking you shopping!" Welllll, twist my arm! ( Basically what that translates to: he envisioned my crying in my closet while I was trying to find something to wear for my birthday date with him. As he knows I am suffering with the baby weight that is not finding its way off very easily! Like a very wise, old married man, he knew the quickest and smartest way to avoid that scenario!!! And I'm proud of him for it! :p) We had fun picking out clothes together ( well, except for the noisy, needy children that is!) After finding the perfect "weight disguising" sundress, he told me were picking out shoes to match! YEAH, again, twist my arm! Then we accessorized with earrings and necklace!!!! SO romantic ! ( again despite the fact that we have the kids, at a mall, at 7:30 at night!) He put the kids to bed, so I could paint my nails. What a man!!
Sunday morning I awoke to major spoiling, and I'd take it again any day!!! Waiting for me was a raspberry mocha from Starbucks, a peach jamba juice and a "healthy" cookie, 2 mylar baloons, and a gigantic and gorgeous flower bouquet!!! A funny card, a serious card, and a card from the kids!! Whoa, are you getting all this? Like I said, serious bragging here, because this guy is making some major points here! I went off to take a shower and get ready, since he had just informed me that we had reservations for brunch, while my dad watches the kids, YEA!
We then headed out to the countryside on a fabulously sunny day and made our way to King Estate Winery for brunch!!!!!! If you have read my blog post about 'why I should live in Europe', you'd know that this was the perfect way for me to spend my birthday! I felt like we were transported to Europe. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, the breeze was blowing, the hillsides were breathtaking! King Estates has the most incredible restaurant, and they treat you well! The food was amazing, and that's an understatement! We had a wonderful and relaxing time together. The only thing that would have completed the day more, is a hammock among the grape fields for a nap in the sun. TOTAL PEACE , and I really needed that. I love my husband, he knows me well, and knows how to treat a lady right, don't you think?! So, yes, I'm totally bragging, but I think he deserves it..... he made some serious points!!

There is a time for everything... sometimes,unfortunately

I'm feeling very reflective on life itself today. A very sad thing has happened to a family friend this week and it has left me with many different feelings. I had such a beautiful and truly happy week. I was refreshed and felt more of a zest for life after a great trip with a close friend. I came home wanting to tackle some new things, challenge myself in others. I was met with a devastating story about someone I care about. I went to my Bible this morning, and decided to post this today, as I reflect on the many ups and downs of life itself as we know it on this earth.

"There is a time for everything, and everything has its special season.

There is a time to be born, and a time to die.

There is a time to plant and a time to pull up plants.

There is a time to kill, and a time to heal.

There is a time to destroy, and a time to build.

There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh.

There is a time to be sad, and a time to dance.

There is a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather them.

There is a time to hug, and a time not to hug.

There is a time to look for something, and a time to stop looking for it.

There is a time to keep things, and a time to throw things away.

There is a time to tear apart, and a time to sew together.

There is a time to be silent, and a time to speak.

There is a time to love, and a time to hate.

There is a time for war, and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8