Inside the Walls

Normally, the inspirational item spawns decoration. I just happened to find pillows after I had already incorporated all the colors. How great is that?



I've been thinking about the red kitchen wall since we moved it - it just wasn't working. There's just no way to calm fire hydrant red, especially when it competed with red-toned cherry cabinets. Designer bleh. You might remember...



And now, calm.



Blue is emerging as my preferred color to decorate with. Blues and grays. With a smidge of white. Mmmmmm.

One last one, new art.

The Rut's Easier to Follow

I woke up this morning with a strange jump in my step. It was a beautiful 70 degrees, I hit a new workout goal, I'm down 7 pounds in 2 1/2 weeks, I swiped a killer deal on some stuff for the house at Kirkland's yesterday...the day had unusual promise. For someone who has tipped the pessimistic scales lately, I surprised myself. 2011 has hit my family hard, unforgivingly causing us to ask a lot of "why's". So, you can imagine I was pleased. But now, my day has fizzled. My pizza and painting the kitchen wall party offer to the Mr. wasn't welcomed and I haven't gone to the grocery store. So, I sit, hungry, watching Sex and the City re-runs on E! with Stella. Blah. Someone, please get me out of my Saturday rut!

Finally, A Deep Breath

Bo has finally accomplished man's most primal act and boosted his ego trememdously - he made fire (in a very Tom Hank's Cast Away tone). Success. So, tonight will be a comfortable combination of homemade dinner, a night of TiVo and a warm fire. Ahhh. Much needed after so much endless misery and stress...

Fireplace Failure

Should our house ever burn down from a fire (Lord willing that never happens), it will not be because the fire started in the fireplace. A guy I work with gave me some firewood he had cut down at his house. Perfect! Cozy living room and marshmallows here I come!

The wood was cut into one foot 4-5 inch diameter rounds and hadn't been split, but we thought if we used enough newspaper we could still get it going. The wood was dry and aged, so it would burn good. Not. Bo tried newspaper, cardboard, brown paper bags, and the ultimate no-no, lighter fluid. We could NOT get the fire to stay lit once the starters went out. What a bummer.

So, yesterday I went to the store and grabbed some starter blocks as well as some split firewood to add to the mix. That had to be the ultimate recipe for a successful fire. Bo wasn't home so, being a great wife, I took it upon myself to get the coziness going. The starter block produced quite a fire, yet the wood still isn't taking. Someone please explain to me what we are doing wrong. I can't understand how this is so difficult. And yes, in case you are wondering, I did google how to start a fire.

The Spin Crowd

I am sweating so profusely icicles could form my body, my ass is chapped and sore, my legs feel like noodles, I can't breathe - I wish I was leading your mind into the gutter. Sorry folks. All I can say is one hour of spin class is an ass whooping. I can barely move.

I've tried a couple of the 24 Hour Fitness classes before and they're brutal, but I hadn't braved spin class yet. Let me tell you, this is not a little bike stroll through the fall foliage. I knew I was in for it when we were "warming up", my legs were burning, and the instructor tells all the new folks to soak in the tub and take five aspirin afterwards. And I had 43 minutes to go. Tomorrow's agenda: treadmill or elliptical, if I can walk. Little miss spin instructor is going to have to wait awhile to see me again. As I sit here aching, the only relief is I feel a little better about myself while watching The Biggest Loser.

My Babies Are Growing Up

Since it has been so cold lately, I've battled the dogs over faucet covers - they continuously chew them into pieces. That is, after they challenge the strength of the faucet spout to see if they can pull the entire fixture out of the wall. These things just weren't designed for puppies.

Low and behold - Home Depot started carrying plastic covers with foam insulation rather than just foam covers. Just as I was dreaming up my multi-million dollar business to mass produce dog-proof plastic covers. Someone beat me to it..

Well, this morning I was in my usual rush to get out the door and wouldn't you know it, I left the faucet cover on the spout - disastrous! I fretted a little over it this morning, wishing I had a video camera on that backyard in case a fire hydrant force of water spewed from my back porch. I finally made it home about 7PM and believe it or NOT, the faucet cover was STILL ON the spout. OMG. I couldn't believe it. I'll contribute most of their good behavior to the bitter cold that kept them in their dog house most of the day, but a smidge of credit goes to them. Kudos, my babies, you can have some shredded cheese on your dog food dinner as a reward.

Kristina's One Year Anniversary

I'm a day late, but guess who gets the honor of this post dedication - KRISTINA!

My bestie, you have mistakenly forgotten to post updates on your blog for ONE year now. Your followers have missed out on all cute Reese moments. Not appreciated.

And, before I get a comment on this post to the effect of - "I just don't have time with work, Reese, Nate, the house..."...blah blah blah! We want more Reesey!!!

New Furniture

Assembling new furniture is slightly worse than trying to put out Christmas lights with my spouse. "Some assembly required" still requires you to read instructions and establish an assembler and a helper. Problem is both Bo and I develop alpha-male complexes when doing these kind of projects and we have to argue it out for the first 20 minutes. Not fun.

Despite our personality challenges, we did "minor" assembly of our new TV cabinet and sofa table. The pictures aren't great, but you get the idea. I'll add some more when I get them decorated. For now, it's just a pat of the back that we finished them.

Friday, our new kitchen table and chairs arrive with two handymen to assemble them! I'm learning to pick my battles better.