Kitchen of Mine

I thought that on my last post I would have a functioning Kitchen -
Hah - I posted on 2/4 that I would have my appliances. No. Was told by the company who was to deliver/Set Up on 2/4, after scheduling the appt on the phone. Was told who ever said you were to receive them on 2/4, must have screwed up, We have never had you on for a delivery and or set up ...Would you like to Schedule an Appointment ??. NICE. YES I WOULD ....... well that day came on 2/10

I had my appliances put in on 2/10 and had them Hooked up this Friday which was the 13th!!
YAY omg. I cooked on my stove, I washed clothing ....and Dried them ..And it twas a Wonderful Experience.
I have a working order Refrigerator... and a Dishwasher.
I finally have a dining room floor that is open and I as well washed it. I will have to take more pics and post.

Getting Better Every Day ......................

Lights, camera, faucet Action !

OH I have a faucet, and lights, and I took Pictures with my Camera.
Finally! I had my faucet in my kitchen installed yesterday. I am so used to making coffee from the Bathroom Sink ... I did it this morning too. I stopped half way and Said What Am I doing? You have a working Kitchen Sink :)
Now all I have to wait for is my New Appliances to be installed .......... TOMORROW !!!

I love Jesus - Gladys in Austin Tx

My Baby

These are older photo's that I found - and Just want to Share
My Beautiful Daughter ...even though she drives a Car now and is about to finish High School this year
She will always be my Baby " Lolly"

Snow

I wish it would stop snowing

Back splash thoughts splashing in my head

Today I thought that My End was near for my Painters. They left yesterday at 96% finished, stating they would be back this morning to finish the edging and clean up the trim in the Kitchen/Dining area ..due to there are several areas that are left " Unfinished" and are very noticeable and look like crap. No Show, No Call, I called left message, No Call Back ... no response. Called the Plumber/Electrician this morning @ 9 am to set up our Time for him to come and finish what he is to do. Left Message... no call back, no response. I am batting a thousand ..it seems. I got a call yesterday that there is a Able Qualified Contractor willing to Come in and take over and finish my house. I may just Call him tomorrow. Because I am Done.

Tile, Tile, Tile

I have been on a mission and I hope I have come to the end of my journey - within Back splash tiles.

I have been through more tile websites than I ever want to again. I have found some very beautiful incredible tiles - but they are not suited for my kitchen. That's the Nutshell of it all. I have to go within my Colors.
I am so Confused .... I love these tiles
I found this Wonderful site today and it is photography on tiles. The photos are AWE and beautiful. Two I am so in Love with. They would look lovely on my new counters on stands I think. And or on my dining room table or buffet. Or within My Back Splash ... I do so loves these .......You Can Smell them, practically.
I love love Peony's.


These beautiful tiles are from this Website: http://www.juneharrison.com
June has a Great Eye omy omy


I still love the Cat tiles from Sligo Creek but the colors do not mesh... Pete is calling still though. Pete the Kitty.

I found today another tile site SoMi Tileworks. Which has adorable, unique tiles and I emailed them with some questions. The site is:www.somitileworks.com. They offer many glazes that are within my color range. They allow you to pick and choose the glaze on the Art of the tile as well as the background. That is wonderful. I must be careful with the reds I choose. I have a white tile field tile picked out - for the back ground. I have been searching for tiles to put in randomly to create a look that I will enjoy for years to come.
Here are some of the ones I like

SPRING Please

I am a bored little Puppy and My Legs are too short to go into the Snow ... and All I want is SPRING

and All My Mamma Wants is Her House Back ... Its Monday and No Painters Again ... Promise Tuesday .. Yay aaaa eeee

Ever want to Run Away from Home ?

My problem I think is ..that SOME of my contractors think because I am of female origin that I am deemed or labeled Bitch from the onset and that I have FALSE expectations that I want things done with a whip... hah ..that I can be walked over and walked upon within my house due to they have contracts. I am speechless and am so disappointed that its actually eating me from Mind,body not to mention check book. Not their concern .. I am and have had the patience of Ten People throughout this and I have never ever ever ASKED or Expected Anything But what they Promised to do .. within what I am to pay for in the end.

I really want to know when this Renovation became the board game " CLUE"
LJ if your reading this - your not involved at all.

All I want is my House back. That is pretty damn selfish of ME isnt it
To have things as running water, stove, dishwasher .. I know I am being a bitch ..but its been since Sept/Oct .. and thank god LJ gave me a microwave installed 5 wks ago .. to Heat Food ... I was getting tired of eating carry out .. um foods that I had no choice but to eat .. I do have issues like others with Food .. digestive issues. Sorry again I was asking too much. Not their problem. I can hump along for months as my guts, gums and body falls apart. I don't need a stove or water in my kitchen .. I really enjoy living out of my bathroom ..bathing and washing dishes, making my Coffee in the same sink.. ??? puke I guess ??? in the same place ???? like living out of a porta jane .. but sigh .. I am asking too much. I am expecting too Much ... because I am a Woman and I am deemed a Bitch and its been since September 08 that this all started and its Jan 09 and its what it is.
Mmmkay... Baby is NOT Happy ... Mmmkay

I am going to be a Big Dreamer and expect what I was told yesterday - that My House will be finally Done by the latest Wednesday - January 21st. I padded it by one day. For LUCK. My Dime stops January 2oth. Period. If it's not done by Jan 20th ... OH well. I am done. That's My Peace.
I know I am a Dreamer. If I didn't have dreams, I would not exist - Right............Right



As everyone Flips I can too and add

Mick, Keith and Jimi ....... Three that will always Be ..no matter if they sign off ..



I am not what others think via my Looks .. and Never have Been but what I was is now gone and I am grateful ~ Me now - I prefer boots over high heels and jeans over skirts...it is because I wore suits and nylons for over ten years of my life .. with heels breaking my body .. for retail and corporate image... never again. NO.

For now this is My time



by the way If you can't figure it out by now ... I have a thing for Mick... long time running.

the telephone

My Life standing still ............due to Contractors can not figure out how to use it



yip yip yip... mooooo .... Me AOW .... Oooooo Chicken Yip Yip ... Yow ooooo

What was Is not any longer ~ Its 2009

I was born in 1966 ..and unfortunately/gracefully have the memory of an Elephant ... I remember things that were of my years when I was 2 or younger. I remember smells, tastes, textures and colors .. way too much for my brain to decipher. I have another Elephant within my life and that is what was taught and ingrained. The Elephant that is becoming extinct within Humanity as a whole as I see it.

When I was a child I was taught right from wrong, I was taught by My Dad how to respect and love Animals and How to connect with them beyond a " pet" level, If anyone knows Me .. animals have always been my life center.

My Grandfather gave me the gifts of how to find pride within my tasks and always encouraged me ~ that My life was of endless possibilities.

My Grandma she indirectly taught me Compassion and " Do today what is necessary to Help Others" and Maybe they are not strong enough to Ask for Help - But You may be the only One who offers or hears their silent cries.
You take care of those who are in Need. No thank you's are truly expected at that point. Don't offer to others because you want Self Gratification. Don't offer it so you can Brag "I did this" for this misfortunate other. That is not giving from the heart. With Brotherhood/sisterhood you do it because its the right thing.

Proud people who find pain and suffering require respect, and will respect you back ~ and then they can respond with a Hug..smile and maybe tears.. and its enough. One day they will do the same for another. Its a chain of Karma. Forever alive with Rules of No One but of what is within.

Things are not so much that way in Today's times. Everyone feels they are Owed because they Show up. Or because they feel "they need it" or because " they Deserve it" just because ...they should have it. Tantrums. Perfect example yet was from a Movie long ago is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory .. Character Veruca Salk.



No Concept what so ever ..Yet that's how the majority has been living for the last 15 yrs in the USA and why we are now - within our Self Made Economy

Nevermore Nevermore

If I had no ears

My Contractors ... talking On the Cell ..what I never hear .. between the Hammers, Nails and ???



and none of them speak spanish ............. De Stress De Stress ......... Some one Rescue me

Back splash

If I ever calm down enough while writing this - My Next venture is a back splash

I found this tile - which I feel will work



Its a 12x12 sheet of glued - 2x2 tiles - that are all different in texture .. not one tile is level - matte white
they have a mexican tile front .. all are with bevels and levels within each
Each can be placed separate and or within sheets of 12x12 inches -

My plan is to use this tile and then place ART tile within the back splash - which this tile work is going to be quite large.
To grout this and then put an Art tile ( within placement that makes sense) that is very unique and hand crafted is my plan. If I could have the tools and such to create such tiles .. I know I could. But at this time and mention I must rely on my artistic craftsman in the outside world.

I found this site that I am really excited about - after searching hmmm hours endless for Art tiles - I came to find www.sligocreek.com



This Beautiful CAT tile was created by Sligo Creek - and this CAT has a Name " Pete".

He is both my Timmy and Dewey within One face -I saw this tile and I stopped looking. Yet within their site they make another tile which I am so In LOVE with - Friends .. which represents my Fur Sons ... I love all their Cat tiles ..they capture the real essence of Kitty.
I have seen many CAT tiles that are just figure formed and yet no capture the true CAT within the art. Cat's are what they are .. unconditional and never conformity ....as all Cat Mamma's and Daddy's know.

This tile represents Dewey my Nemesis the Tall One and my Big Daddy laying low - With All their Love touching in their Tails .. I saw this tile and I almost cried. So Beautiful.

I really love the tiles from this site - I think it has to be .. that the person creating these tiles is a true Cat parent.

Cabinets & Counters

I never thought that having my Cabinets & Counter Tops were to be the " Trist" of my Renovation. Seems to be what one would find as .. the biggest Triumph of all within 5 months and countless hours .. hands on by my two man crew. I never knew what a trip it would be, nor the consequences would be just to have cabs/counter tops .. It has been a huge trial and the lack there of communication with the supplier's there of - has put me into a place ..that I never ever ever want to venture into again.

My Cabinets were ordered in Early Oct and delivered in late November. One Cabinet was damaged beyond at the time of delivery - IN November. I have made countless calls to the cabinet supplier and have never ever been given a concrete date of the replacement cabinet .. and flip have been told WELL we are not going to pay for a truck from Canada for one cabinet Sheree.. then have been told it would take 4 days from November that was mid DEC by Sheree .. and on and on and on .. and then got a call WE have a Delivery DATE - Why because Someone Else wanted CABINETS and were willing to pay for your cabinet now to be delivered. Mean while my Contractors have been biting the Bullet and screwed around - HMMMM Its January and I finally have my replacement CABINET - Is that not that Beautiful. I live in Michigan, Michigan is close to Canada. I do not live in Russia. :) Because of that ONE cabinet never being able to surface I have been told I could not have my Counter-tops .. which were Templated first wk of December. :)
Every time I called I kept getting the run around and no answers - UM NO sorry no .. NO and NO and NO. NOPE. Our Counter guy is on a very very Important job and he cannot offer you a date for installation. Another excuse It's Christmas and I can't get a hold of him and he is off so .. I will have to get back with you.

Here is my Bitch of the entire situation - I have never ever ever been given a Straight Answer since I gave them a down payment on my Cabinets, which were custom. I have been jerked around and then some. I was given counter samples that were 5 yrs out of distribution, that ONE I picked ..and they found a remnant of it for my vanity bath - and want to charge me Today's price. 2nd I think my initial sales guy David either quit or was fired - who was ON my job in October ..never have heard a word from him. Ask for him and he is always OUT.

3rd the Counter's came and were installed and I asked the two young men who were finishing up the Job.. Is Kevin coming? They both said Who is Kevin? I said he is your Boss or has been in charge of My Counters since I ordered them. They both looked at me Stone Struck and said - We don't know sorry. They never gave me a dime of paperwork and or gave me anything to sign .. I finally have What I have been dreaming of - since OCT .. Cabinets with Counter tops.

WOW ...... Hey if this is what Custom is ... Having Custom Work done via a UPSCALE Custom Company .. I really would have prob dropped dead by now .. if it were to be anything less.

I am smiling I am really

2009 Year of Sister

I have always be Waiting for This and I finally have found it.

Its been a long time coming. This is about living in peace within One self's. The BLING era which I never could possibly understand ... and its never been a personal interest ever .. I am and never will be a Bling Bean. I am the Cotton Bean. I am not the glitz, I am not the Tech, I am the Old School being. I like what is what was once.
I have heard so many young girls in all my years of working in Skin Care as an Esthetician ...complain at the age of 19 of crow's feet ..can't figure out why they have Crow's feet at 19..Just their Imagination ~ at 19 they have been looking at Seventeen Magazine for 10 yrs .. air brushed 12 yr olds. That really is misunderstood in so many ways.

I am wishing for My friends to find true meaning of Self within 2009. Its not that its needed, It will be a necessity in 2009 ~ Getting back to self
Nature, Nurture is Key

Primer Goddess ~ I dub me self

OH MY WORD .... you remember the saying if I knew then what I do now ... or what ever the heck it is.... hah

I do have a retrospective post to write for 2009 New Years ...that will be my next one.

Right now I am reflective with this morning and this day. I woke up this morning at 7 am to my Dewey ( my nemesis Kitty Son) rubbing his head all over my face ...drooling relentlessly and my & 7 month old Puppy (DinaBoBina) walking up and down my chest and rib cage, smacking me with her front paw. Who needs an Alarm Clock ...

My mission today was to go and purchase a new vacuum because mine died a few days ago. Which really bothers me, because she was just fine before the last few months of debris from the renovation ~ and is less than 2 yrs old. I was at Home Depot with "One" in mind to purchase 3 days ago... Um, out of stock, but we will have 7 tomorrow. The story of my life ... YAY. I am living in the House of plaster dust, wood saw shavings and UGGH .. and I can take it no more. I feel as though I can taste it in my coffee ... BLEH :P

And I know my Fur kids are breathing it cuz their noses are so low to the floor ~ and Not one of them ever eats out of their Bowls. They are all mental and take the food out of the bowl and eat it off the floor. WHY?
Must taste better that way.

I do not know if the Moon is changing or what is up with Today's Earth Energy but all my Animals have been obsessive compulsive to have my direct attention. More so than normal, and they have all been full of energy against each other. Challenging each other all day long. I feel like a preschool teacher today. Stop that, don't, quit touching him, leave her alone .......OMG

I left the abode and went to two stores today. The store where everyone knows my face. Pet Supply :) Had to get Puppy, Cat, Goldfish, bird, squirrel fud. I have been having a hard time with Puppy because she just won't eat Puppy food. She loves loves CAT Food. Which I know is a huge no no. I talked to this Gal who was prob in her late 60's or so ... A Darling Woman and we chatted about brands. She said she just lost her Dog who was elderly who had digestive disorders and has spent a ton of hours on the net researching Dog/Puppy food. She was a great Help. She pointed me to a brand called Innova. I know most of the holistic brands, yet had never heard of this one. It is costly but I want my pets to eat real nutrition, and not chemically engineered junk. Better for them to eat right and not to suffer with health ailments. My Goldfish Hoho " Harley" is 10 yrs old for a reason. I make sure he gets all kinds of Nutrients and not just flakes. He eats, flake, Koi pellets and he gets fresh frozen plants,algae, blood worms and all kinds of stuff. He loves Oranges when there fresh. The Koi pellets come in all sorts of sizes, but they are key ..they flush out his digestive system. Clean out his track - Just like I should hmmm.

My Dewey though will eat only one thing, I call it Cat Crack, Whiska's pouch food. I have tried and tried everything with him. He won't eat anything but the Purple pouch. He will not even touch Human foods. Nada, nothing, Not even Tuna. If he had to survive on something else he would starve to death. Everyone says no he wouldn't - I know him, yes he would. He is almost 9 years old and he wont touch anything but Cat Crack.

So I bought dry Innova Puppy, and Low Fat Cat ~ Timmy I try to keep him on Low fat food. He only eats dry food. He is mama's big boy. I am so impressed with Innova - Timmy ate it. He is incredibly picky even though he is a FAT Boy. And guess what Dinabobina actually ATE her DRY FOOD. I did buy two can of another Holistic food that I never really noticed until this Gal and I talked. It's called Merrick. I bought the canned which is called Mediterranean which is lamb, spinach, brown rice, golden apples .. and TurkenDuck which is turkey, duck, brown rice, sweet potatoes, green beans ( yet to be tasted) I almost passed out. I bought her Nutro - NO Likey, I was told by the Vet to give her Science diet - NO Likey. She has been eating and has grown out of Paul Newman Puppy lamb and rice in the can. She was on Canned Nurto food when I first got her. She wont eat that either. But she does love to sneak CAT Crack from Uncle Dewey and Turkey hair ball treats from Timmy. I have been feeding her organic turkey as a supplement in between her eating strikes. She is not underweight, she is not overweight by any means. She ate the Innovo Dry food, I was wanted to get on my knees and BOW thank YOU for making this food. Yes I had put in some of the Mediterranean wet food with it, and she ate the wet food ( the wet food was on the side not mixed in with the dry)... and left the dry food. But KEY is she went back and Ate all the Dry food on her own. I have been so worried with all the stress in this house of renovation ... for her diet. She is just a baby. She lost a tooth last night and I found it ..because she was trying to chew on it ..rolling it around in her mouth. Timmy I am so proud he ate the food too. He is so picky about his dry food too. He smelled it and he ate it. That is a Miracle within itself.
I bought both the Boys stuffed Catnip Banana's and put them in the Basement...so they could get out their Energy ..without Deenie trying to interfere. Deenie does not know how to get down stairs yet. They played with their Banana's for about an hour...sounded like a Roller Rink for a while .. :) It was needed, trust Me.

I ventured after the Pet Food Supply to a foreign place that I rarely go to called " Best Buy" because I researched on the Net for a hand held Vacuum that would pick up cat hair. It was the only place locally that carried it in store. I as well needed a stick vacuum for my new laminate wood/tile floors. They had one that was highly rated, and its cordless ...hmpph. The Bissell hand vac, I was pleasantly surprised it is sponsored by " Pet finders". That made me feel good to see their approval. I read endless opinions by purchasers online ..and saw so many One stars of all brands .. and complaints galore - It's Pretty but it does not work" .. OMG is a vacuum to be Pretty or is it to SUCK UP DIRT ..hello .. I found this one by Bissell though to have Rave Reviews. I am praying once I find my furniture that is now buried in one room - for this VAC to remove all the plaster dust and cat hair that has collected since late September when this Renovation started. I found my vacuum's and then MY Education started. WOW what an experience. Just to say, I have never owned a true stereo of any sort. I have and use the Clock/Radio/Alarm made by Radio Shack from when I was 9 yrs old. Omg its 33 yrs old. But it WORKS. You never have to replace it till it breaks ..right. I bet it cost back then 12.00 .. and it will never ever be made again in the quality .. never again.

I wanted a Radio for my New Kitchen. One that had a clock and was small and could just Sit. NO. No such thing. I guess Boom Boxes are no longer too. Everything I found has a IPOD dock attached to it. A MP3 player attached. Or even a DVD player or some cosmic crap attached. I was at a total loss. I felt like Donald Duck ... WAAH WAAH ...



HOLY CRAP I found a small radio with a CD player within it. Its made by Sony. Its as big as the top of a small Coffee Can ..and stands upright. ARE YOU Kidding Me it was 89.00 Bucks. I was thinking WHAT the heck happened to simple technology. They had small bedroom am/fm clock radios for 20 dollars less - that I knew were CRAP.
O Man am I out of the tech world or What ??? I think I am at a loss for words. Since I only own 5 Cd's. I bought One to play in my new CD/HIGH TECH Radio. Of course they didn't have the One I wanted. Mick Jagger " She's the Boss". So I opted for Kid Rock's new CD. Rock N Roll Jesus. Which I have to say Its very Good. Its a mix of Rockabilly and Gospel, not one song is a disappointment.

I did however come home from my Shopping adventure, feed the babies, and PAINT - I did

Trying to paint around cabinets that are so high up - you can't physically SEE above them ...using a pole and roller with two cats and a puppy squirreling around your feet is not fun. Deenie kept running in and around my feet ... I lost my balance with my pole " god forbid if I were to step on her, her's is so tiny ..and MOM " Me" got the roller ... right along my face after it rolled off the top of my head ....... Deep Pink Primer Hair I have still as I write. It's actually funny now. Because I put a barrette in my bangs so I could see - to put them away from my face. I never wear them. The Barrette is now paint dried to my head.

BUT ALAS - FINALLY THE PRIMER IS DONE - ITS ALL DONE - YAY ........THANK YOU GOD
Because Tomorrow I can finally put on over the Primer a Repeat of the REAL Finish Paint ... Please Please give me the Girl Power to make it come out Finished with ONE Coat of End color! And not have to do many Coats to get it right ... I think I will have a break down if the final finish coat does not take ... IN One overlay.

After I paint the finish coat, I want to CLEAN ... CLEAN... CLEAN and VACUUM and REMOVE all the BS and find my HOUSE within MY UPSTAIRS ...Or I may just sit in the corner and never come out. Finally I was given a DATE for ONCE ... HUGE SIGH .. that I will have my counters installed this Friday. They kept telling me weeks after my Cabinets were set in NOVEMBER ... OH Counter GUY has and is working on a BIG JOB, IMPORTANT JOB ... How many times I have been told that ....... I think I should be bald by now. I guess I am not important enough. BUT I AM NOW in JANUARY ............. YAY .......have not had a Kitchen sink in a God's age. I can't wait. Now that I am on the list of Important jobs.

Sorry this Video below may only make sense to One person - and that is Kaila, My Daughter ..........she will get it.
If I have to Paint more than one coat, If I do not get my Counters as I have been promised, If I do not have a GAS line as I have been promised, If I do not have electricity as I have been Promised ...


On that Note - I will continue On to my New Years Post.

Primer Blues

I have finished the Ceiling and all the trim ...with Primer .... I did accomplish. The primer is a what it is a primer that is tinted ...and its a deep pink raspberry color. I am somewhat bummed though. The ceiling came out with tons of roller marks. I tried my best to do it right. Yet still it dried funky.
The Paint I chose for final finish is Ben Moore " Night Flower" Its a deep beautiful magenta.



I had to go back to the store and get yet another gallon of primer since the ceiling soaked up over 1/2 a gallon. I first tried the roller with a roller tray...than went for the 5 gallon bucket and the roller grate. It seemed to work much better with the bucket. Yet ... my roller started falling apart. It was driving me crazy..it kept inching its way off the actual roller holder ... and then it got all weird.



I am short and was using a Pole attached to my roller that was not quite TALL Enough - so I have a bit of whip lash tonight. I went and purchased a longer pole and new rollers .... Take That Dammit... You Ceiling you. It was hard and very tedious to get the primer up on the ceiling. Not to mention I ran my left foot into my couch by mishap ... I thought when I did it ..I may have broke my baby toe. I think not. Tonight I think I broke the toe next to my baby toe. I have broken my left foot when I was 17 .. one of my bones in my foot. I broke a toe on my right foot a few years back. Shattered the what would be called joint ..of my toe next to my baby toe. Sorta feeling it tonight. Yet my left foot. It hurts when I stand, and I had shoes on all day ...the pain started after I removed the heat/shoe ... Hmmmph. When you have had broken bones in One's feet, you get to know the exact pain that comes with it. YAY
On a better note .....
I found a new contraption though today at the Hardware store. Its a Collapsible Step Stool. I am so excited. It was 12.00 and I thought OMG this is the Best Invention Ever. It folds up and its no bigger than a large metal lunch box. Coolest thing ever.

So I as I painted with my primer this am, I read on the net that I should use a GRAY primer. Well Benji Moore says to use a primer with tint that is just below the actual color ... Hmmph. I guess I will find out wont I.

Today we had Sun and I had finished the ceiling and my entire room had a glow of saturated deep Pink ... I really Like it. It felt good. I have to keep painting ... I am sure that it will come out to be Beautious. I hate going through the steps to get it there ..but I think when its done it will be "Me".

I found this fab site online tonight - Very Unique. http://mysticdreamsshoppe.com
Which is dear to my heart since I worked for Mystique for almost 5 yrs.

Some of the Gals Painting for sale that I am thinking to add to my New Abode

I must I must - Perceive

And Increase my Bust...hah hah ..no. I must gather myself and start concentrating on what is next. I have to PAINT ...sigh. I used to love to paint. I thought it was so FUN ...now I see it as Ugh. Maybe because my hands are not as precise or steady as they used to be, my eyesight is no where near what it used to be.
I guess its all in perception. Speaking of Perception ..that all ties in with the New Year up and coming.

Perception is the Key to all that will either sink or float. It's all what we Perceive. Very Simple yet so complex. I am trying to make a list of what will be of me in 2009. I am not making any deals with myself that I know are too far from my grasp. I am going to start at square. Square is hard enough.

I just added new music to my blog. I captured all the songs I could find of my childhood .. that I was able to find. So many not available. The songs that I have added have special meaning to me. Song's that were part of my life growing up.

I had my first record player when I was 4 yrs old. I have few records that were just mine. I had two 45's that I played over and over and over ... One was " Sly and Family Stone" Dance to the Music, and the other was " The Dixie Cups" Going to the Chapel ... I played them till they died. Then I got my first real album and it was Cher. I so loved her. I watched the Sonny and Cher Show every week. I thought she was the most beautiful woman on earth. I loved her so because not only was she beautiful she was funny. Laverne. I loved her as Laverne. She is so talented beyond ......... I love her to this day.



Some songs may have no importance to the ears that hear ...but that's ok. They make sense to me.
The last 4 song's are for my Dad. He loves Music. The one song he used to sing when I was little .. If you want to happy for the rest of your life... Hah. I always thought the song was funny. Its now a Classic to me. Its so true in life as it is. Where you be a Man or Woman.
The Last Song ~When I was little My Dad would sing " Big Rock Candy Mountain". I hope my Dad hears it ... its for him. I love You DAD.

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve I was invited to go visit with family. I was not in the spirit since I was not to see my Daughter. I found the temps outside rising quickly during the day....so again I had to shovel. All my walks a slushy mess and driveway as well. I tried to remove as much as I could. Knowing that the temps would dive into the 20's later in the night. I didn't want a skating rink for a front yard.
I did a load of laundry and then got ready to leave. Going to get my clothes from the dryer .... to my Shock.. My Utter shock. My basement was flooding. Over 4 inches of water sitting in my laundry room. My brand new floor, my brand new drywall, my brand new baseboards ... water over the tops of them. I found the water coming out of my furnace room......pooling. I grabbed the plunger and attempted to plunge the drain. Grabbed the phone and called Rolfi. He said that its because there is just toooooooooo much snow melting and the sewers can't pump it out fast enough. He said he would be here first thing in the morning. I attempted to gather what was left of my sanity and got dressed and grabbed my Dog and left .....to go celebrate " Christmas Eve".

I went to my cousins house and was able to see all her nieces, nephews and her grandsons. They were my Saving Grace. To see the children playing and running around ...all getting along ..and talking about Santa Coming. Each and everyone one of them beautiful, healthy and sweet as can be. That was a great unexpected Gift. I spent the night at my cousins...came home in the morning... All the Water is Gone. So I called Rolfi and told him please do not come... Stay Home and Enjoy your Family.

Now I am off again to go see my Pops. We will have fun. We always do.
Merry Christmas

Mine House

I have lived in so many apartments .. in so many cities that .. My mind spins when I go back to think ..of how many times I have moved. I have moved and moved so many times as a child before. I have lived in 32 places deemed where the boxes hit the floor ... in my LIFE.
I have this now Abode and its in such a state that it's overwhelming to me. I feel as though through all this time that I am feeling very lost. I feel as though its going to be next spring before it will finally be what I want it to be. Which is fine. I had such expectations though within the last 2 weeks (plans and positives I have held up for).. and I have found none to be of what I expected. This has been a trial at best, and has been a huge conquest and I am not feeling so great about it. I have found that it's not all what it seems in too many ways.

As I thought throughout this renovation I would feel more connected to my House.... and I feel right now my house is a total mess. It has no beginning and no end. All I wanted was to have a place that I could finally rest and call Home. I really don't know what HOME means.

Christmas Cards to My Contractors

I have spent many a days with my Contractors

LJ who has been the Lead since day one. He has been adopted. He is my Brother. He has been and done more than I could ever imagine. He uses his comedy to get thru the tedious tasks that NO One wants to do within a Job. He has been complete. He has always done what he said he would do. He has taken on my crooked house and made it somewhat straight. All the times I thought he was going to lose his ever loving mind ... He still kept it cool. And he has my Greatest Appreciation!
I add this vid just for LJ - because He is always Positive .......... even when he does not feel it :)


Tommie is the 2nd Man on the Job ~ He is quick with Quips and Moans and Groans A Lot~ but he does say so with a Melody within himself. He Always is Just Tommie, Kind, Quiet and Does his Work and wants it done right.
This is For Tommie ~ The Man of Many lifes and then some



Rolf was on base through the first of the challenges within My Abode he has been a Miss for quite some time now. I do not know what to think at all. I guess My Abode is no longer his priority. Let me down big time. I should could a would of but never did a. Sure enough.



Mmmkay .... Sister ..Had to put that in or it would not make sense.

Yellow is not Mellow

Well I painted a part of my kitchen ..with Yellow.
Hmmm. No. Not it. I am going to be very dangerous and use a deep red pink ...
I am off to go buy it now. I have it on the sample boards and I think it just may work

Night Flower .... We will See.

Yesterday was not so great. My appliances came yet could not be installed. Due to lack there of counters and NO Gas line in my kitchen. I am not pleased right now :(
The Waiting game is getting old.

K - Update. I bought the paint called Night Flower and I was so exhausted ..after running errands and all..got home at 5pm. I came home and just looked at all the space and said ... It's Christmas Eve tomorrow ..I am giving myself the night off. Not only that but I found again I have issues with my Wiper on my Car. ARRRR. I had it fixed just 2 weeks ago. My passenger wiper is um dead. It was fine all day and then POOF it went again. Not so Fun when its snowing and your in a Mini Cooper. ;( Can't see a DANG THING and that is very STRESSful

Paint Paint Paint and More Paint
I think this paint will work though. I had to get a deep toned primer that has to go on first YAY ... woo woo hee ah. I have tons of sunlight within my windows during the day.. and high floor boards that will be white ... all trim will be white. I have to say this is going to be a Risk with this color ..but I am willing to do it. Why not huh? I will paint over the Yellow first ... thats for sure. This entire renovation has been a risk .... I will continue onward ..

Paint Drama Trauma OH Momma

I have racked my brain for over two days now. I have to pick a paint color for my New Kitchen and Dining room.
I am adding some photos to give you an Idea of what I am trying to create. I need to buy Paint today and I am not sure if I can get out of my Driveway ... We really have had a lot of snow in the last day and a half and it's currently ...looking not so swell outside my window. The Wind is Howling and the Snow is going every which way. I may just paint the wall with the off white paint I have. I have to paint something behind the Refrigerator - It is to be delivered tomorrow ...finger's crossed. This Weather May postpone my appliances.


2 Photo's standing in the kitchen looking at the dining area - All one space

Picture of the Kitchen - This was taken before I had my new floors put in. But its a good pic for viewing.


** One of the biggest issues is ... The main wall that has 3 windows and contains the majority of my cabinets ...is a wall that continues all the way into the landing to the basement. The other issue is I have not yet started re-doing the living room which is through the archway. I have no color scheme at all chosen. What ever I pick for the dining room and kitchen has to flow within the living room.

You can see in this photo how the dining room can be seen Thru the new Arch when standing in the living room. The Yellow orange paint was discovered under the wallpaper.




My cabinets are not Red. They look red, but truly they have a purple base within the color.


I have looked at Taupes and I think not. I do not want off whites. I have looked at plums, gray purples, shades of chocolate .... all leave me with a rock in my gut. I know that those colors will not make me happy. So Dull and boring. I even contemplated tones of mauve ...um no. Blues make it look too Country and or even Confederate arrrh. No Blue. Greens just do not go period. I looked at Aqua's and Oranges too. No Go.

I am thinking Yellow. But it has to be the " right" shade of yellow. I have beautiful thick and High Baseboards. ( which I would like to remain White) Tons of sunlight during the day within the kitchen and dining room. My furniture is shabby chic. I am putting in a photo of the Picture that will hang on the wall between the kitchen and dining area. I painted this card weeks ago. I know the lighter one is BM Butter. The other is I believe BM arrrh Gold. I can't think of it. I don't like it so I guess it does not matter :)

If Anyone has a favorite Yellow for a Kitchen and Dining Area - Pretty Please let me know the Color

The spot above the island is where my Painting will hang. Again you can see the yellow orange paint ...from yesteryear ...



Baseboards

The painting that will hang in the center of the room - the wall of the kitchen Island.



My Dining Room Set. My table is 4 feet long so its a Perfect fit :)

My Buffet which is along the small side as well :)

Not my Exact Chairs but a photo " My Chairs are still Wrapped in Bubble Wrap "
No Two are Alike. Mine have lots of Red, Orange, Yellow, Turquoise,Purple,


This is the Countertop LG Kohala and the sink is white Satin - It is all one piece. The sink is part of the counter.
This is the pic of the Finished stairs going into the landing - Good Pic of the new Floor
Pic of New Fridge which I pray I get tomorrow ... Its snowing like Crazy Today~ all my appliances are going to be Black



Ms. Deenabobina ...grumbling at Mommy because she is scared of Stairs. She can go up them. She can't figure out for the life of her ...How to get Down them ;)

New Basement Floor YAY Installed - Daddy " TT" took it upon himself to Inspect ... He likes it Very Much.

Before and Afters

I have many Before and After Photos to share

I am starting with the easiest ~ The Stairs from the Kitchen to the Landing ....to the Basement

I have a pic of the original Carpet~ It is what one would call Traditional Scotch Tape


pic was taken when walls were being ripped out - covered with plaster dust YUM ... I have found though Plaster Dust is not an essential vitamin .... mineral ;)

Under the Scotch Tape Loverly Carpet


I told my Carpenter that I probably could rip those stairs up and sell them as ART on Ebay - Hah

Stairs Stripped stage 3



Kitchen Before and Afters in Progress



This is the photo of How my Fridge was Built In to the Wall. I am 5'4 and I could see the top of the fridge.



The Alcove that Once held my Fridge ...... Arrrgh ~ Soon I will have a REAL size Fridge ..
What else would a Girl Want :)

Happy Feet and Tiny Toe Nails

On a Happier Note .......... I GOT MY KITCHEN FLOOR INSTALLED TODAY .... YAY

Its not quite finished ..the trim and such is not finished. My Elf's broke their Knees and Lungs today.
HOLY Crap this floor smells to high heaven when its cut with a saw. ( Another long Story)
I am adding photos :)

Kitchen Counters Hmmmmph

The Kitchen Cabs are now in and I chose to go back to the Kitchen and Bath place this morning to Look at all the countertop colors. Me thinking the one I picked out originally is not quite right (( Now that I see the Big Beet Red Picture ))

So I went and Ms Sherre helped me. I picked out 3 new options. One is a Corian Product " Sonora" which I have disqualified. I was able to go up to Home Depot and they had a kitchen made up of the color - Me No Likey.
Back to the LG solid surfaces. I picked out TWO that were quite possible contenders.

** In the above photo I added a black gloss tile ...because my appliances are all Black. There is a 2nd tile that I am considering for my back splash. Its a purple hued stone color.
The One Countertop is softer it is Called " METIS" the other obviously Darker is called " Kohala" you can see they both have red within them.

Well My choice has been narrowed down to Kohala because I called " LG" tonight. I tried to find " Metis" online to view installed in a Kitchen. All I could come up with is sites in the UK or Greece ...HMPH.
I called LG and spoke to Veronica and Ms Veronica told me " I am so Sorry" " Metis is a discontinued Color and has been Discontinued for a few years now " ........ HMPPH!

Kohala pic is more than likely the ONE ....

My Kitchen My Kitchen

Taking a Mental break ...looking at my Birdies outside




Pics of Today and MY Kitchen

Monday Paint and Tuesday's Bathroom to Be

My Beautious new Vanity ~ again nothing is near finished. The floors are still coated with powder dust and the bath is no where near finished ...... but in order to get my counter and sink ..Had to install the vanity. All a Process. Yes yes Sigh. The Vanity was installed today so the counter guy could come out and Template ..and in ten days or so ... I will have as counter and sink YAY


The pic's showing color No no no no ... the color is in between each of them. My Monitor as I see the color shows not the actual color on my wall. I know because my Fingernails are Dipped in it from this morning. Hhhhhhh. It looks wonderful to me .. :)



Same Wall - taken last night and this morning and neither is the actual color of the wall - Ouch



Yesterday's AACK Paint - Ick EEWE so Uck

My Tile

Tuesday Cabinet Tweeking

Finally the DAY has come, I have all my cabinets installed. Except One. It will be in the photos but it is a victim of Delivery. It was smashed during its journey to my Abode " long story". LJ and Tommie faced with the remaining cabinets to be installed and they Conquered all of them YAY. They "my Carpenters" worked their Tushies off today. Rolfie came and helped too. He helped with the Bathroom Vanity installation. Which was a challenge - uneven floor .. All 3 of them installed that one. She is a Heavy Vanity. Beautiful too.
Tommie was the King of My Day - He was the named the TWEEKER Today. He spent at times over an hour trying to adjust the cabinet doors to perfection. I kept watching his facial expressions, he at times was in Pain :(.
He is the Master though, if it was not level, he would not be able to leave it alone. Thank Gods a Person who Cares about his Workmanship.

I attempted to " FAUX " paint the Bathroom yesterday. I spent many hours doing so. The color however dried to be a very dull ucky ode stale hospital green ... NOT good. I found myself at the local hardware store * at 6:00 pm* which is ancient inside. They did have paint though. I was not impressed at all with the color that I created. So I got yet another color to use with Glaze and a bit of white and Orange. I purchased a Martin Senour color that was a bright Caribbean blue... sorry too lazy to go to the basement to get the exact color. I found this web blog by this man on how to tone down painted interiors. DUH I smacked my head while reading his words. He was spot on. I am going to add his Link for those who run into Paint issues. I should have gone back to my own education with cosmetics and hair color ~ because he states exactly what I already knew. I just did not even think that it would work with latex paint.

http://dundean.com/tips_how_to_fix_color.shtml

I thought how can I dull down this bright Caribbean blue and when I read his article it made total sense. ADD Orange. And I am a orange paint freak, I have 2 different oranges in gallons right now. I did just that and it came out Marvelous. I had to play with it for a few but the color came out perfect. Mind you I have many tools. I have real sea sponges on a roller ( two sponges separated on one roller) and I have the greatest paint brush in the world. (( A huge Box of Clean White Rags)) and tons of clear glaze. The paint brush is a Must Have, I got it at Lowes and its my fave brush so far. Its only about 4 inches long. It cost maybe 5.00. The greatest thing of this Miracle brush is it has a very long flexible brush and its handle is short and stubby and RUBBER ...It Bends. Lots of Wrist Action with this Brush. It bends and flex's - and I love IT.

I have a few photos to add of the Ugly Hospital Green Mintish AGGG Gag and then the much brighter turquoise of last night - I had to go over it again this morning to even it up a bit. It is not finished yet. I Had to however get the Base down on the wall ....so the Vanity could be installed. Its a Vanity that is free floating. It had to be screwed into the back wall ..then it has " fake" legs attached in the front. So it appears to be more so like a dresser.

The Gag Colors which do not get me wrong are quite nice. I did paint a Board first and thought the colors would be SWELL ...Hah. The colors were Bayou and Ophite by Pratt & Lambert. NO go with the Turquoise tile within my shower. Paint Saga ~ I took my tired self to the basement and found the color by Martin Senour its called " Catalina Island". I mixed it with Pratt & Lambert " Faded Rose" tons of clear glaze and water .... I have no idea at this moment how I came to the finish color. It was more so like a fury of no thought and I just did it. It was very late last night ...after a very long day.
That is when you are the most creative I think...when thought is eliminated. " Just do it" :
The bathroom walls are not yet finished .. I have a huge amount of my personal Mix in a sealed container - I am not worried .. I did use my brain, just left off the fear quotient. Fear of Color omg run run ... I love Color. I am just afraid of the WRONG color. My Father has always said since I was a kid when he does not want to do something - he says I rather a paint a ceiling. ME too.

Photo's of Kitchen Today with My Elfs ~ L.J. Tommie & Rolfie

Ah Cabinets .......

Had some issues today, so not all the cabinets are QUITE in (( not My Guys Fault ~ Twas the House)) ... but still I am so encited. I have many pics to show. The cab color is if you stare at it long enough ..the same color of an old fashioned Candy Cane " red". Maybe its just because its December hah. Then if you look at them in the natural light they look more like " BEET" or a " "Radish" ~nature's red. They are not a warm red, yet a cool deep red. You can see within tones of deep reddish purple and hints of blue red. The Ice Wash is very white and you can see in the photos how it enhances the cabinet faces. As My Contractor says " Dear we are putting a lot into a little space" and he is so correct on that. I have to go and pick out a back splash " tile". I ordered the counter without the back splash. The counter will be flush with the cabinets. Nothing going up the wall so to say. I have to pick out the dreaded paint color.

Camera ate the batteries

No new photos for today. I have to get more batteries for the Camera.
The Drywall crew just left ...all is now skim coated. The Yellow Marigold paint is forever gone.
They will come tomorrow and sand and prime ....Yay....... now I have to pick more paint colors.
I just picked up the Pratt & Lambert Paint deck today. Not sure which way to go.
The Cabinets are Merlot with a white ice wash..so they look a bit distressed. Muted a bit.
The counter top has shards of mulberry, navy and cream within its cocoa taupe stone don't really what color to call the base.
This is a photo of my Dining Room set " Which I adore" Thanks to my Dear Friend " Brooke" who lives in Virgina.
She has a wonderful wonderful site that I purchased many Loverly pieces from.
If you have a moment to check out her site ~ Please Do. www.treschicboutiqueonline.com
If you would like to see HER Beautiful HOUSE this is her Blog ~ http://www.bellarosecottage.typepad.com/
Brooke lives in the Biggest Pinkest House I believe known to Woman.

I will be changing the seat covers~ Ms. Brooke knows I am not pink frilly Girl ~ But that's ok. I Love Love Love my Dining Room Set ! and all that I have from Brooke's talented hands.

My Kids that keep Me

I have been blessed with Two Fur Sons. One is nicknamed Daddy. He is the silent King of the House. He is my eldest fur kid ... I have a Finned Kid who just turned TEN he is the White Goldfish on my Blog " HoHo". I have a Human child too ...Hers has lots of nicknames too, LaLa, Lolly, Rabbit she is going to be 18.
Pic of Daddy SnooZing
His real Name is TT this is Him and My Daughter Bumpin Kisses

2nd Fur Child Nickname is Nemesis. Aunt Bonnie calls him Stick, Cow and Zen ..he is my challenge daily.
The DewDew, Dewmiser, Dewey

I have a 6 month old Puppy who is indescribably adorable beyond words ... Hers is a Chiweenie. Yep. She is part Chihuahua & Dachshund. Most people think she is a Min Pin when they see her face. UM .. Her EARS however are a Dead givaway .. Her EARS are HUGE and Stand STRAIGHT up ... I laugh at times of HOW big they really are ...compared to her face and body.

I took this pic a few days ago ~ she is wearing her " Fleas Navidad" neck scarf
Her little Post Card for Christmas


Just 3 wks ago I had a pair of Ears attached to a Puppy :)

Her formal name is Deenie ...she is called 99% of the time "DinaboBina" :)

I wont have a Christmas Tree

No Wheres to Put One .... I still believe in SANTA CLAUS
Smiling is my Favorite ~~~~~~~~ SANTAH I Know HIM ~ Elf Culture ;)




And for the Love of Clark Griswald ....


I Know how Clark Feels .... as he Dreams of the Swimming Pool .. I dream of my Kitchen
Love this Vid - excuse the boobage ...

Basement to be Painted Color???.

My abode came with a basement that Needed a Ton of TLC etc.

Sand Tile is bathroom floor, Vanity wood and Shower tile - Yum looks wonderful ..Need to pick Paint

It has been given a new life with all new ceilings and drywall
Now its up to me to Pick the Paint colors Aarrrr

I got some Drywall I got some Drywall

I am yet to figure out " Blogger" and how to set this up. Pic's of new floor, cabs and counter ..after 3 months of searching for what was Me ...for my new loverly Kitchen.















In the last three days My Kitchen has gone from floor and ceiling to No Floor and Ceiling to NEW Ceiling and New sub-floor. It has been a challenge to keep the Pets out of zee Kitchen.

You can see the Loverly Golden Paint underneath the Wallpaper ~ I am sure its " leaded". I added some Christmas Lights to Ring in the Month of December ;)
One of my cabinets have been installed .........see the Beautiful " Merlot Ice" color ..It is FAB.

Love Feel Add Humor Laugh out LOUD

One of my Fave all time characters from TV is Ms SWAN ~ this Video says it all ~ sorta ;0

Dark lady

My first love of Music ~ Cher

Rabbit

What a Difference a day makes

Color is my First Love
I yam a crayola Kid .... my favorite colors when I was growing up were Cornflower Blue and raw sienna, goldenrod and indian red ............hmph.
I remember the paste that smelled like wintergreen and there was always one kid that ate it from the wooden stick ....ewe. I personally rather have a Goldfish

transistion pics

from near to far

The Kitchen to Become

The kitchen that once stood was so small that if more than Me and my CAT were in it - Ah was an issue. So had a Wall taken out ...so I could stand within the space with my 2 cats and my sweet puppy ... Yet the wall removed is actually a gaping wound within the floor - open slats that are 2 inches wide in gap ..that I worry one of my babies may lose a leg ...This entire house has been a nightmare of Knob N Tube and issues of electric ..that are ...shakin my head ...

Old ugly stripped

Kitchen that was ... is gone ...torn out

As of today it exists as .... Wood and electrical wiring Wide Open Uck

Abode in transition

If I live thru this .....

The changes within have been extreme to say the least ...last changes were more than likely in early 50's.

This kitchen was created less than 3 yrs ago via the homeowner prior - yet A Hah ...many A hah Moments with this kitchen. It was re-done yes. But BUT all of integrity of this kitchen had to be RE-DONE. This kitchen had more safety issues, ventilation lack there of, electrical, Not one drop of insulation, omg the list could go on forever ... omgawd

My Dream of Renovation

I own a house that was born in 1925, I am the 3rd owner...

I am in the midst of renovation to bring back the life ......within this Abode.

I have found the basement that was once was a dark dreary stinky ... to become a new space
All new drywall and Walls and Hallways and even a HUGE beautiful Bathroom with a hand tiled shower ...

I am 42 yrs old and have worked all my life, since I was 17. Sometimes two or more jobs at one time. Never ever thought in a million years that I would be able to OWN or BUY a house. I have rented for the last 20 yrs. I am not in inquiry of the mortgage failure - thank god.

I have this Humble Abode that I am slowly but surely attempting to re-renovate -

Its not a Castle, Its not a Huge Home, its pretty much a home that is just what is it.