Home Projects

For now at least, the trips to Home Depot have slowed to a near standstill. I swear they know me in there. I stopped saving my receipts when I found out that the transactions from the last 90 days are still in the computer so you can just whip out your credit card and they can look it up for you.

It used to be so difficult for me to navigate that store, but now I feel like I know it like the back of my hand, wrinkles and all. Interested in a new handle for your screen door or those little felt thingys that go on the bottom of furniture? They are in Door Hardware - Isle 10, left hand side. Plumbing, specifically toilet wax rings, the extended ones for tile installation? Isle 41 or maybe it's 39... I can't keep this one straight. And for the love of God the flood protection flexible supply pipe is overkill for what you need. The basic one is much cheaper and hanging on the hooks about 1/2 way up from the floor. Lumber for your deck or the dog seat you're building... it's in the back left corner of the store, and the really young good looking guy will cut and load it in your car for you. Duct tape, liquid nails and caulk for the baseboards? In the paint section. Of course that's where they keep the duct tape! Bit of advice: Don't ask the new chick (shoulder-length black hair, usually working the self check-out) where to find door stoppers... she will pull out her handy one-page directory and even then won't find them on the list. Do, however, stop to see Pam in Custom Blinds. She is super helpful and might even refer her brother-in-law to lay tile for you.

So if you're local and you need a tour of the Home Depot, just give me a call. I think I'm well-suited for the job.

New Family Member

Not one under this roof, but my sister just had her 3rd baby... a sweet little girl named Sydney. Being the proud Aunt that I am, I must post a picture of this cutie here to share.



That's the second time since I started this blog that she and her husband have reproduced. With her first two kids, she went back to work full time after a few weeks of maternity leave. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the working parents, but I'm looking forward to hearing about my sister's experience this time. She is planning to stay at home for about a year with this one. I think she's as much nervous about it as excited to be full-time Mommy. I'm anxious to hear how she compares the two experiences.

After announcing the news to the kids of their new cousin, Priya wanted to know some details. She rambled, "What does she look like? Is she blonde? I guess so, because Nora is." Sanjay sounded surprised... "Nora's blonde?". Priya said, "Yeah her hair is light". Sanjay was like, "Oh, I thought you meant she couldn't see". Priya and I had a good chuckle at that one.

The Spider Thief

While driving in the car this weekend, Sanjay says, "Daddy, when we get home or sometime soon can you get rid of that spider web in the window?". I knew which one he was talking about because he mentioned it today when I was cleaning all the sawdust off the walls. He meant the one in the window that's about 10 feet off the floor. This one:



My immediate thought is that spider is not really invading Sanjay's space much, so why is he bothered by it? I told Sanjay, "He lives up really high so you don't have to worry about him" to which Sanjay replied, "Yeah, he came down on his web and took the gum from my watch". He was talking about the toy gum-filled watch that he earned from the prize box at piano class last week. Curious, I asked him "How do you know that?". "Priya told me", he said. This boy believes EVERYTHING Priya says... he often turns to her when he doesn't think my answer is correct. I only wish I had seen Priya's face when he shared with us the amazing feat of this lowly house spider. I'm sure it said... B-U-S-T-E-D. She's sneaky, that one.

Priya was promptly made to tell Sanjay the truth about where his gum ended up and then she apologized. Lesson learned? I doubt it. :)

Before and After - Family and Dining Room

We spent our 11th wedding anniversary (Saturday) and Mother's Day (Sunday) laying laminate floor. What better way to celebrate your love for each other than to bicker about whether to put a short piece next to a long, or should we just put a medium one in there?! :) These home projects are definitely some of the more trying times in our marriage. But, we made it through and celebrated with a bottle of wine last night. Bartee claims that he's finished with big projects for a long while, and I don't blame him.





The floors look great and we're left with just a few finishing touches. Here is the final set of Before and After photos... what do you think?

BEFORE






AFTER