Renovations and Restorations

The wallpaper is practically all off and would be completely off if my computer wasn't sitting on the breakfast bar and slingo and other things weren't so addicting.

I've got a few small bits to take off and then the serious sanding begins. I have decided (yes I know I haven't done the very best of jobs at keeping you all up to date) to renovate "parts" of the kitchen. i.e. getting rid of that crappy "welcome to the pink fantasies of the previous owner" wallpaper, replacing the (you got it) pink faux granite countertops, and (maybe) putting on new cupboard handles. Also, that ugly, industrial style, white-did I mention huge?- vanity in the bathroom will also go. I am going to get something smaller and quainter. Did I mention how quaint (i.e. small) my house is? I'm sure I have.

I just want it all done yesterday. I want to be moved, and the monster pain of selling a house in a buyer's market is scaring the heck out of me. I'm an appraiser so I'm pretty familiar (and even willing to tell you if you're looking to sell) with what one should to to showcase one's house. Yes, all my majors (roof, windows, floors, furnace, C/A,) are done. The only other 2 majors are these two: bath and kitchen. But one does not want one's home to become super adequate. Trying to explain to James that we don't need to drywall the basement is a tough one. He grows more like his daddy each day. Sigh... Anyone looking to live in a 50's plat neighborhood in a 1200-ish sq.ft. brick ranch within walking distance to a lake side park? Anyone? Anyone?

No idea where I am in Tenessee really...

Master Bath
Front bedroom
Great Room... HUGE...
Kitchen---with a ton of cookie/dumpling rolling out space for me and James
View from the living room into the formal dining room...god, I would love for this to work out. We fit here...

I do know that I am just outside of Graceland because I mean to take Mr. James there tomorrow. We just couldn't find a hotel, so had to get onto the freeway (i-240...i think?) and go a bit. Everything was full so we are now in a suite. Don't get all excited for me because James isn't really happy because it's not up to his "standards". It is a bit rough around the edges but not a slum.

The new car has been running really well. We did quite a bit of running around in it in Houston (Klein/Spring) to be exact. I think I have found the house I want. A close out new construction, 2500 s.f., granite counters 3,2.5, 3 car garage, with a study and a gameroom. I became friends with the saleswoman because she fell in love with James off the bat and brought her girls out to a showing to meet him. I am just hoping to get a good cash deal and a quick sale of my house and then maybe... well, we'll see.

While there, we went to Old Town Spring. I just love that area. You can really picture how it must have looked when it was a horse and buggy place. Most of the buildings are original and there are just a ton of shops and a few cute little eateries. I bought S, my cousin/friend/beloved person who puts up with me - a knockoff Coach. I bought one for myself as well and, as I type this, it is already falling apart. I still like it though. It's the patchwork one with the belt. The belt loops are falling off willy nilly... nothing a little super glue can't fix...ahem... so... if you see me walking around with it, yes, it's totally, completely and possibly noticeable fake. ;) But it's pretty.

We'll see if we make it home tomorrow night or not. If not do-able I'm pulling in a heck of a lot earlier than I did tonight/this morning.

Good night Elizabeth...

Someone Else just for today

James says hi...
An incredible sunset.


I can pretend I am someone else, just for today. In fact, I will pretend I am someone else...just for today. I can do that here in Texas. James is having a decent time. We looked at model homes yesterday and he found one that he likes. All he requires is a "Lego room". A lego room is what most people would call a study and/or 4th bedroom option/game room option. I have gotten much good advice from many people and am still going to go with new construction. I am, after all, an appraiser and I know what it is I am looking at in terms of quality. Today I am in free falling, *this is how it must feel to be on LSD* mode. I can't help it. But I will go through the day. A special shout out here to Ronni... you have been on my mind all week and I hope you are making it too.

Today, I am not me.

Somewhere in Texas

A woman and her son finally pulled off the highway-realizing that they weren't going to make it to Houston that night. Well, technically, they could have but that wouldn't be very nice to her hosts. They would have shown up at the door after midnight, not bearing gifts and that's just not thoughtful...no matter how much her hosts doth protest.

So here we are...in Corsicana, TX. We'll finish the last tiniest leg tomorrow. I'm pissed at myself for not keeping on schedule, and thus having it cost me.

G'night all...

A Misguided Meme

Shannon, over at Tales of a Misguided Mommy, has tagged me for a meme. Seeing as I have nothing to say for myself these days...thanks Shannon! I think I will take you up on that. Here goes:

The rules:

1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks you possess.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.



Here's the quirks:

1. I cut my own hair
2. That's not to say I do that spectacular of a job of it. I do have a license which allows me to be this stupid.
3. I can spend an entire day doing nothing but playing time management games. Kind of an oxymoron there...
4. I am a master of the 10 minute meal.
5. I usually read a book in 2 days max.
6. I do better on 4 hours of sleep than I do on 8.

I can't think of anyone to tag so, if you want, have at it. Thanks Shannon! :)

Here's something exciting in Laura land, I have bought a new car. I finally traded the Yukon in and got a Saturn Outlook. So far, so good. I did not realize how hard it would be to drive away from the Yukon. Leonard loved that truck. The new car is Black Cherry. Almost black, but a little bit of red mixed in when the sun is shining. I bought a few of the "bells" (heated leather seats) and a couple of "whistles" (2nd row sliding seats, fancy rims) and was off. I was going to get the Vue but the Outlook called to me from the next spot over.

Tomorrow I run away, yet again, to Texas. I need to. No, scratch that, I have to.

Plans

I've made some decisions since we've last talked. One, I realized I cannot be here in this house for that week, so I am going to Texas on the 22nd. We will stay there for the week and then return home. Because Leonard made me promise that we (I thought, at the time, it would be all of us) would go to DisneyWorld, we are going in September. Classes be damned I guess. I will just grab James' schoolwork and help him with it.

Why do I feel like I am sitting here typing an itinerary? I guess because it's a "going through the motions", waiting for the next knot to save me, week.

I am also going to sell this house and most likely move to Texas, where there are no memories, I have a few friends, and can start something new. While I don't want to I don't really have a choice. And, on the plus side, maybe one more of us will turn Texas blue. Now I feel as if I've reached the blabbling, not making much sense part of this post.

James had a nice birthday. The bike I bought him was too big and I have to return it. We went to Hu Hot for dinner and I slammed my finger in the car door but all is well. No breaks...just a big purple mess for a few days.

Nik has orientation for Wayne in a few days. She wasn't looking forward to it until she went for her math placement exam and got a taste of walking around campus. There is a still a part of me that wishes she had gone for dorm life because I think it would be good for her. Trying to jump start someone who doesn't want to be is exhausting.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Baby James

How could 10 years have gone by so fast? It was only yesterday, after all, that I was willing you to hang tight. Really, only yesterday. It was then that I was so stunned that I couldn't hear you crying (such a low little voice) and Daddy had to assure me that you were fine. It was then that he combed your little bit of hair and lulled you to quiet. How can that be?

You are such a fine boy. Sometimes given to fits of temper; but ,more often than not, you are quickly sorry. You are handsome and look just like Daddy did when we were your age. You are caring and so much fun for Mama. And you always try your hardest. Always.

But...

Don't try too hard. Don't take the weight of the world on your shoulders...don't feel responsible for everyone. Just be a boy, like you are. Just a boy.

And you're still my baby, especially when you're sleeping.


Sweet Baby James
James Taylor

There is a young cowboy he lives on the range
His horse and his cattle are his only companions
He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons
Waiting for summer, his pastures to change
And as the moon rises he sits by his fire
Thinking about women and glasses of beer
And closing his eyes as the doggies retire
He sings out a song which is soft but its clear
As if maybe someone could hear
Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby james
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose
Wont you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby james
Now the first of december was covered with snow
And so was the turnpike from stockbridge to boston
Lord, the berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to goT
heres a song that they sing when they take to the highway
A song that they sing when they take to the sea
A song that they sing of their home in the sky
Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep
But singing works just fine for me