NOTHING IS MISSING

Wow. Where has the time gone? Where to begin...a quick flashback: First I was sick in the hospital, closed on my house, spent a month working on it while packing, moved, unpacked, and I'm ALMOST settled in my new place. I have so much to share. Here are a few pics...I'll spare you the grim before pics!

Here is Kdawg's room- although it's a lot brighter in the pic. I love the color and she's adding things to the wall that tone it down a bit. She loves it, that's all that matters.

This is the living room DURING renovation, of course as you can see it has no rug yet. It looks a gazillion times better now! And it's HUGE!! I love the fireplace. Can't wait...oh, nevermind. I love summer! ; )

My bedroom, my sanctuary. The color is called Solitude. I am VERY happy (the best in the house) with the way this color came out! I love laying in my bed...wait, I always loved my bed!


This is my 2nd favorite room in the house, the kitchen. I LOVE to cook and I love that peapod delivers! Tonight I made *the* best Chicken Alfredo pasta on the planet, my sauce from scratch. (not kidding)

There really are no after pics. I mean, I spent a ton of time (along with help from my Dad and Godfather) peeling, painting, hammering, welding baseboard pipes, etc. that after I got in and spent 2 1/2 weeks unpacking, I did not want to hang a single thing on the wall. THEN, when I tried, I realized it was concrete plaster and I wasn't getting a 12 inch drill thru them there walls. My father has come by and managed to get me a clock and ONE pic up in my living room! I told him since he worked so hard he could have a few months off. ;)

I am now waiting for my homeowner's credit (high five, Obama!) to come in from the IRS so I can put a driveway and some stockade up. This way my dog can run around the yard liesurely. Right now we tie her to a cable and as soon as we are out of sight she squeals like a bitch! She needs to run! I am in love with my house...

Right around the time I got sick, I got a friend request from an old friend from school. I've known him since 7th grade, and if I had to describe him off the top of my head I'd say (back then) caring, compassionate, never had a girlfriend that I knew of, just goes with the flow, happy go lucky, always hugging the girls like they were sisters and he truly cared about his friends and is close to his family as well. I can't say he's changed much. He's still very geniune, caring and thoughtful. He's compassionate and friendly and happy and fun and funny....well, you get it. I can't get enough of him...he's mine!

I think I'll keep him! Kdawg said I should, too. In fact, I asked what she thought and she said, "he seems really nice, you should give him a chance." And she hasn't stopped asking about him since.

I spent two weeks in a row for Kdawg's bday. Long story, don't ask...but I'll tell you. Basically all her friends couldn't come one weekend (2 sisters-the ones she REALLY wanted to make it) to six flags and we had tickets for 14.99 each that day. So we took 3 of her friends and I and his friend and my brothers both went with their wives and my nephew. Everyone got in on 3 of our season passes with 14.99 coupons from the season pass book. THEN the following weekend (see photos) she had a sleepover with the 2 sisters and another girl and the 2 sisters ended up going to the july 4 speedway demo derby with us, my sweetheart and my bro and sil. TONS of fun!!

After those two weekends we went to Albany to stay with the best of his friends, one ANOTHER guy I graduted high school with I hadn't seen in 17 (almost) years! It was SO nice to kick back and relax after the two weekends I'd had of chaos and tweeny girls. I got to meet all the important people in his life and I love them all. We had tons of fun and I learned the game of disc golf. Hell, I not only learned, I won...and I'm hooked. Here's a few pics from Albany.





I am totally falling...and I don't mind a bit!

MOVING DAY

I am moving this weekend and things have been/will be hectic for awhile. I will be lucky to find anything...oh, and where did I pack Kdawg's replacement ears? Cuz the ones she's got ain't worken!

Anyhow, I've met just about all of my neighbors except one behind my house. Last night the fireman across the street came over and chatted with me for about an hour. He was awfully nice. He's quite cute and very single, too. He works for the town and knows my dad somewhat- just different departments. He came thru and saw the house, had helped family clean out the house before I moved in. I guess he said he was related. Anyhow, he has an identical twin brother, like my Dad...so keep him AWAY from me! LOL

I have put in an amendment for my $8,000.00 homebuyers credit with the IRS. I hope to get that within the next 2 months or so. I finally got paid from work today the two weeks they owed me for when I was out sick. What a pain that was. So, with it I have to pay off my appliances that were delivered this week. All gone.

Yesterday I took the day off to pack. I didn't get much done cuz I had to wait for the appliances then had a bunch of running around to do, so today I took 1/2 day. The rugs were installed today and they look prrrrty! Better have for a grand. I've gotten a lot done today, but if I sit too long I'm screwed. I have a few before and after pics for you but I'm not ready to share yet, cuz it's only partially "after". Once I get them all together and my internet is back up, I will sort thru them and find some good ones to post. The house is beautiful and I am so grateful!

Until next week folks, I'll be internet and t.v.-less! Thank God I have enough to do to keep me occupied!!!

Cheers!

"IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME"

Moving sucks, but I'm trying to see the big picture! It's MY OWN home. I am excited to get it all over with, but I know UNpacking is misery! *sigh* It just seems that I pack for what seems like forever and there is just STILL so much stuff that I haven't touched. There is so much more room in the new house, cellar and attic space and a bigger living space, my living room is gi-NORM-ous! However it's still a great time to re/freecycle. I am passing on 3 big bags of clothes and a bedding set of my daughters. Since she has a new bedroom set waiting and it's full size, she will no longer need the twin sheets or bedding she has, so I'm passing them along, too. I have an entire bedroom set, size twin, including a dresser and bureau in wonderful condition for a little girls (or boys) room that I plan on selling as well. I will also end up with a microwave, stove, and perhaps a gas dryer up for grabs as well. It's good cuz I can use the money. My new appliances cost $2,000.00. Yikes!

Painting is still going on, although the living room and my bedroom look BEAUTIFUL! I'm so very happy with the color, although I do have an extra can of paint that I did not like in my living room that cost $35.00! Ouch. Perhaps I will use it in the guest room? I dunno. We shall see. It was supposed to be a taupe color and ended up the color of a brown paper bag. Yuk! Kdawg's room is primed and ready to go as well as the living room. It's tedious work cuz there are so many friggin door/window frames to paint in every room and 6 in the hallway alone!! ugh!

Ok, so who's good at colors? I painted my room lavendar, I know it sounds funny but it really looks SO good- nicest room in the house thus far. It looks SO nice with the tan/beige door/window frames. The floors in the bedrooms are hardwood and the living room is going to be rug, and that room is antique white with the same doorframes. Kdawgs room is going to be a light teal color, and now I'm stuck. What color should I paint my spare room? I have that ugly brown paper bag gallon of paint that will do it, LOL! I am putting (albeit temporarily) a futon that is that ugly color with a black frame, and a computer desk thus far. Perhaps a bookshelf, at this point none of them matching! So, someone give me an idea. I thought a soft blue would be nice? Or perhaps a light foresty green color? Then I thought well it connects to the kitchen so I could make it a dining room at some point. Perhaps I could paint it a sunny or pale yellow?

HELP!?

Other than that, life is just rolling along. Kdawg has her FIRST dance tomorrow night. She confessed today that she now has this boyfriend that she's been really good friends with for all of the school year. She has a few friends that are boys and I have no problem with it. Mostly they just hang out in school or do stuff in the neighborhood, but now she's asked if they could exchange rides to and from the dance with this one. Yowzers! So, I told her if his mom called and talked to me I would consider. And that she did.

The dance is put on by the school so I trust she'll be where she says she's going to be. His mom asked if Kdawg wanted to come to their house off the bus and have dinner, and she would drop them off at the dance. We talked for over an hour and I've met her before. She promised they would be supervised and she was talking about a board game with his brother who is 8 and little sister. Right now, at the age she's at, I do trust her. If she was 13 or 14 I'd think she was willing to compromise anything to get away with just a little something she wasnt' supposed to do, as it comes with the age. But she worked very hard with me around the house today and I think she deserves a little slack on the leash. LOL
Someone please explain to me why I have to justify this to myself...

Ahhh, my baby girl is getting older. :(

*cries*

TAKIN' OFF

I'm off to CT for the weekend, staying in a cabin, sorta like camping because you have to go above and beyond to find things to fill the empty spaces of time when you're not off gallavanting, when sleeping seems to do the trick MOST of the time, but when there's no t.v. it's just not enough. Yeah, camping. It'll be fun though we have a few interesting things planned. It was a bad weekend to go with all the house stuff going on (painting and such) but I planned this trip when I was closing on May 14th, so I didn't have to worry about this weekend. Then things changed. No biggie.

All the wallpaper is off and the walls have been washed and wet sanded, along with the ceilings. The ceilings and some of the window sills have already been painted because that was *the* only thing chipping. They look so great! Thanks to my father and Godfather or I'd never be where I am as far as the renovations go. It looks like we'll be completing it all just in time to move. *fingers crossed*

Today I went and searched countertops for the third time, this time at a different store. I finally without a doubt found the one I want. It's very attractive, in fact...take a look for yourself here. I'm so excited. My dishwasher is coming tomorrow and the tile flooring will start next week. I'll be taking a few days off from work, as monday was my scheduled back to work date. Countertops will be in in about 2 weeks, the guy came out to measure today. I can't believe it's all coming into place. It gets more and more fun every day!

The only room I haven't picked out a color for yet was the kitchen. I decided against the yellow because the gorgeous cabinets are too close to the "yellow" family- birch. So, I am thinking the only thing I can do to get away from that "family" is to do either blue/gray (not) or a red/rust color. I am leaning toward that...suggestions?

NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE.

My last week of school is next week and I turned in my final early. I am proud of myself and I think I'll be maintaining my 4.0 GPA. woowoo! So far, so good.

My landlord is showing the house today and tomorrow. It seems that alot of people want to move out of the city and into the country. He put a sign outside and about 7 people called him in only two days. In fact, a girl I know from High School showed up today to see it and we chatted it up a bit. Last time I saw her and hung out she had no kids, (4 years ago) now she has 2.

I have nothing much more to add. I will have before pics coming soon enough. Be sure to let me know, for those of you who haven't already, via email that you are still reading so I can send you a password once I go PRIIIIVATTE! Yep, and I got so much to share. Hee hee.

This is something to ponder when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. So remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing, and cares less, tries to make your life miserable. They are always the ones who end up miserable in the end. That's right, they're only hurting themselves, you'd think they were hurting enough already...if not for anyone else but myself I have learned by observing others that being a positive person makes things in my life more positive in the end. Expect no less than the best and you will get more than what you've asked for in the end. In doing that toward others, you are that much a better person.

(Thanks Arlene)

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded:

'Rome ? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome . So, how are you getting there?'

'We're taking Continental,' was the reply. 'We got a great rate!'

'Continental?' exclaimed the hairdresser. ' That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome ?'

'We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome 's Tiber River called Teste.'

'Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a
dump, the worst hotel in the city! The rooms are small, the service is surly,and they're overpriced.

So, whatcha' doing when you get there?'

'We're going to go to see the Vatican and we hope to see the Pope.'

'That's rich,' laughed the hairdresser. 'You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant.

Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it.'

A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome .

'It was wonderful,' explained the woman, 'not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot.

And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!'

'Well,' muttered the hairdresser, 'that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope.'

'Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me.

Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me.'

'Oh, really! What'd he say ?'

He said: 'Where'd you get the shitty Hairdo?'

THIS IS WHERE I GLEAM WITH PRIDE

I closed on my house today. Yaaaayeee!

*claps hands*

I took a lot of before pics then started ripping down wallpaper. The bathroom (because of moisture I can only assume) came off in huge one piece sheets. The bedrooms and living room is little bitty scraps one at a time. It's crazy. I went to the store and bought spray and tried it, it helped a little but I'm open to suggestions.

Anyhow, I also went and picked out kitchen floor tile that is absolutely fabulous. It's coming in on Monday or Tuesday. I also eyeballed some kitchen appliances that I liked- not sure if I'm going with black or stainless steel...and saw some countertops I liked. Mostly all of these things still work or are in good shape- in fact the entire house is- but it's just outdated. I am excited to get it all done.

I have another potential roommate. This person has lived with me before so I know we will get along great. She's a great friend, too and when I told my daughter about her potentially staying for awhile- she squealed with delight and almost hit the ceiling.

I am scheduled to move towards the last week of the month, but I'm taking things out little by little. Once the wallpaper is peeled we will breeze thru the painting of the ceiling and walls. The WHOLE house is being painted and Kdawg helped me pick out colors, only I took it upon myself to change her color to a lighter more neutral color. Hot pink and black weren't going to cut it, neither was teal blue or lime green or chocolate! LOL I have before pics and will post them next to my after pics when I'm all done...that is, once I go private.

I am excited. This is a huge accomplishment for me. It's bittersweet and I'm doing it all on my own. I am really, really proud of myself. Oh, and I met my neighbor today...yeah, he was very smiley and impressed that I was living on my own- and he was quite hot. But he had a nice shiny gold band ring on his finger. hehehe. At least he has 2 young kids Kdawg can hang out with, I met them, too, playing basketball in the yard.

*smiles* Be happy. I am!

TRYING TO MAKE PROGRESS THRU THE PAIN

Friday I took a trip to my Dr. because I had laryngitis and a serious sinus infection. She prescribed Biaxin to kill the infection, b/c I am allergic to all the good stuff and I've had Zithromax too many times for it to work properly. By Saturday I wanted to die.

On Monday I went to the ER with some abdominal pain only to be admitted and diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis. I am not NEARLY a heavy drinker, in fact I haven't had a drink in over a month and when I do drink, albeit socially, it's once in a great while, not accessive.

They determined there are 3 possible reasons I could have gotten Pancreatitis. 1/ a stone could have passed/formed in the duct that connected to my gallbladder- which was removed, leaving only the duct. 2/ Biaxin could've caused it or 3/ certain types of birth control-- which I started just a few months back with Nuvaring (one of the side effects being Pancreatitis).

While I was in the hospital, my roommate decided to inform me he was dying to move in with his gf and was moving in August instead of next jan/feb. This puts a huge damper on my house fixing plans because I had so much time to save money before he moved and now I'll be in a crunch because my budget is cut so I can put some aside for emergency mortgage payments. Yuk!

I was discharged Thursday, the bitch Dr. refused to fill out my paperwork for work but then my Dr.- whom I saw Friday- agreed to do it. It's just been a bunch of headaches, but guess what?

I'm closing THIS WEEK! Yaaaayeee! Be happy for me! I've got such a great kid and I'm grateful to have her with me every single day. Life could only get a tad bit better than this. BRING ON THE DEMOLITION!! Stay tuned for before and after pics! Hopefully I will feel a bit up to things SOON!

I'm still on a liquid diet, which consists of apple juice, water, chicken broth, jello, etc. The only good thing that's come of this is that I am losing weight like a sonofabitch, but other than that, it bites! Every time I try to introduce bland foods, I find myself going overboard and paying for it with pain later- then I end up right back on liquids again. That's also what I read about it on most of the message boards and what not, and that it is mostly reoccuring! This is not the "time off from work" that I'd hoped for.

One last note, months and months ago I talked about going private. Well, I've decided that I have way too much to say that I don't want vindictive jealous bitches reading and for the sake of privacy and my pictures and stories, I'm just gonna go private. LOL.

That being said, please email me at shellibells at yahoo dot com and I will hook you up when the time comes.

Peace, love and hair grease!