Saturday, November 29, 2008

Real progress...

As I sat on my bum most of yesterday, my husband and my son worked steadily throughout the day and now I have a good portion of my new kitchen floor installed. And boy does it look different from the plywood!

I'll try to get a picture taken to show it off, but no promises--I'll have to scrounge up a camera.

I hope you all had a relaxing Thanksgiving, as I did. I hope the food was good and the company enjoyable. It was just the five of us sitting around the living room watching the tail end of the parade and then some football. We read, surfed the 'Net, and napped. And as far as I know, my hubby didn't do a lick of work, which is a feat, let me tell ya.

Well, let me go enjoy what remains of peace in my house before everyone else wakes up. Plus, I actualy have to start painting molding today.

I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving weekend--

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Almost there... and other topics.

We're getting closer...

the kitchen ceiling is done. And boy does it look nice. The trim around the light fixture is painted, too. The only wall left is the skinny sections above the cabinets. But that will take maybe thirty minutes from start to finish, including prep and cleanup.

Then I'll be in a holding pattern until DH can purchase and cut the baseboard, chair rail, and crown molding. His grand plan was to take half a day off work to do that, but it's turned into one of those days...

I did finally buy some new dishes so that I could dump my Ivy-patterned Corelle dishes. I was very excited--at first. Then, as I was unpacking the pieces, I discovered the serving bowl was broken. And I'm 99.99% sure *I* didn't break it. Bummer. Then as I washed each piece before putting it away, I discovered it really was a cheap set. But rather than be overly upset over either event (the broken bowl or the cheapness) I figured I could use them for now until I get something nice and with some quality, and then I can use this set as a backup if I ever have sooo many people eating at my house that that the good set just won't accomodate.

I also did some Christmas shopping this morning. Gotta get those gifts bought so I can get them mailed before we leave. I've got less than a month now, as we leave 12/22.

Well, gotta get back to work...


Monday, November 24, 2008

Back to the Kitchen

Well, my dear hubby has gotten motivated to get the kitchen done--completely. Finally.

I have a bit of painting left to do: a second coat on the ceiling, and a little bit of wall left, and then the moldings and door casings, and my part is finished.

We bought the flooring on Saturday so it could sit in our home and acclimate for several days.


Today, I'll have to buy more paint--the ceiling was super dry and sucked up a lot of paint. Floor installation starts Friday.

It'll be so nice to have my kitchen. I have a lot of patience as evidenced by the fact that it's been *three* years since we discovered the leak that started this project in the first place. But I am severely close to my breaking point. I want my house to look like a house, and I want it to look clean when it is clean--hard to do with plywood floors.

My house-cleaning system is working like a champ, although I'm not working the system like I should. However, it *is* Thanksgiving week and the kids are out of school, and hubby is on his home improvement jag--so I'll claim those things as excuses for not following the program 100%.

Happy Thanksgiving--my favorite part of the feast is pumpkin cake--what's yours?

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A Time to Clean, Eat...

I'm getting a jump start on my spring cleaning--I've come across an interesting system that I'm going to try. Something to help me not feel so overwhelmed by all the tasks in the house. This system covers everything from daily chores to seasonal tasks like cleaning windows. It gives a free day so you don't feel like you're always cleaning, and it allows for skipping tasks (or switching days if something comes up). It even accommodates working outside the home, too. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanksgiving snuck up on me--is it really next week? And not only that, we're not going anywhere so I have to cook! No one told me until this morning. The kids are out of school all next week, too... So now I have to plan Thanksgiving dinner and then cook it, too. Oh, joy. In my 15 years of marriage, I have only had to cook Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner a handful of times. How cool is that? I suppose though, that once my kids grow up and get married (and have kids of their own) the dinners will transition to my house--at least more often.

And Christmas and my trip to Nebraska are right around the corner, as well. I *have* started Christmas shopping as I'll have to ship my presents ahead--no room in our Scion xB for five of us *and* the gifts for sixteen people.

What are your Thanksgiving plans & menu?

Monday, November 17, 2008

When's the lull?

Been blowing and going for quite some time now. And with the holidays right around the corner, there'll be more to do--including a six-day trip to Nebraska (five of us packed in a Toyota Scion xB, how's that for fun?).

What happened to normal? Life used to be... how shall I put it... predictable? easy? Um... quiet?

Not quite any of these, but mostly.

My life went a certain way. I could count on it. Now there's no telling what a day will hold, and I gotta say, I don't like it. Not one little bit. I like routine. I like knowing what's going to happen on any given day (within reason, of course).

I hate chaos and yet home and work seem to be nothing but. Week in and week out, there's always some kind of drama going on.

Try as I might to force order in my world, I'm surrounded by people who are freer than me. Some who are spontaneous. Some who are young and oblivious to it.

Arghh... Calgon take me away!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Online Writing Class

I'm taking an online writing class over the course of the next couple of weeks called 'Challenging Couples in Love' presented by Laurie Schnebly Campbell.

Our second assignment was to describe our hero & heroine in 75 words or less. Thankfully, Laurie included an example. However, as I was trying to do my homework and describe my happy couple (and the story), I suddenly realized that I didn't know their individual goals, motivations, and conflicts. Yikes! That must be why I hit a snag in the writing. I had been going great guns, but now I'm at a loss... Could it be because I really don't know what my hero and heroine want and why they want it? You betcha!

This part is always hardest for me--so back to the plotting board.

But now, when I sit down to plot the third story in this little trilogy, I'll know where I need to start.

When beginning a new story, what's the hardest part for you?

Monday, November 10, 2008

Writers Retreat

What a wonderful weekend I had out at Deer Lake Cabins in eastern Texas. My local RWA chapter held their annual Writers Roundup there.

The weather was gorgeous--70s during the day with cooler morning and evening temps, and crisp over-night temps.

These cabins, which are not cabins at all, but houses on a small lake, were stocked with all the basics but food.

The leaves were all sorts of rich fabulous fall colors, the company was fantabulous, the workshops fun and informative.

I came home reinvigorated to write. I even tried something new--our presenter Candy Havens called it a Treasure Map, but most would call it a collage. So I created a treasure map for my book--I was limited though because the bulk of my story takes place in 1942. There was only one magazine that had anythings whatsoever to do with the 1940s. I'll have to add a few more things now that I'm home with access to a PC and the Internet.

Overall a wonderful break.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Back to Israel... Last one I promise--at least for now!

All right, the last two posts where a lead in to this one. Basically, based on the Scripture from the first post (Genesis 3: 12) and to the second post (the reasons why Israel's land is Israel's land) comes this: What happens to those who try to take away the land given to the Jews by Almighty God. Well, since the Nation of Israel's creation in 1948, there have been a handful of wars--all of them won by Israel--or if they weren't actually won, the conflict ended decidedly in Israel's favor. Now you've got to understand, Israel is a nation the size of New Jersey, and her military started off pretty small--undermanned and out-gunned. But she stood and prevailed against some of the world's evilest regimes. These days, Israel has a unique military system in place, but that's not what I'm here to tell you.

Back to the Scripture and its ramifications for the US... (Just a refresher--Genesis 12: 3: And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse)

We're not going to go all the way back to 1948. We'll start with 1991-1992 during the administration of President George H. W. Bush...

On October 18, 1991, the US announced an upcoming Madrid peace conference with the USSR, Israel, some Arab nations, and the Palestinians ~ ~ On October 20, 1991 the Oakland (CA) Firestorm began; it was the greatest fire and loss of life since 1906 in the US.

October 30 & November 1, 1991 was the Madrid Middle East peace conference ~ ~ October 30 & November 1, 9991, the worst storm in 100 years covered the east coast--damaging President Bush's ocean front home in Kennebunkport, ME

August 24, 1992, Round 6 of peace talks resume in Washington, DC; Israel came with with autonomy plan for the Palestinians ~ ~ August 23-24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew smashed into southern Florida--it was the worst natural disaster in the US to date

Okay, onto 1993-1995, the first administration of President William J. Clinton...

February 18-25, 1993, US Secretary of State, Warren Christopher visited Israel and 7 Arab nations to restart peace process ~ ~ February 26, 1993, World Trade Center bombing--the US's first major international terrorist attack

March 10, 1993, Secretary Christopher hold a press conference on Israel; March 15-17, 1993, Israel's Prime Minister Rabin met with President Clinton and others ~ ~ March 12-15, 1993, the storm of the century hit the eastern seaboard, including tonadoes, hurricanes, heavy rains, and snow; The storm affected 26 states, and 100 million people

January 16, 1994, President Clinton and Syrian President al-Assad made statements about supporting the Oslo agreement as a first step to peace ~ ~ January 17, 1994, the Northridge (CA) Earthquake is the 2nd most destructive natural disaster in US history; also ground zero of porn industry in the US

October 17, 1994, Israeli Prime Minister Rabin and Jardanian Prime Minister Majali sign peace agreement with President Clinton present ~ ~ October 17-21, 1994, Texas flooding-17 dead, worst flooding on record in Texas

September 28, 1995, In Wasnington, DC, Israel and the PLO sign interim agreement regarding the the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; President Clinton hosts a summit with King Hussein of Jordan, Egyptian Preseident Mubarik, and Israeli Prime Minister Rabin; On September 29, 1995 Secretary Christopher, Foreign Minister Peres, and Chairman Arafat convene first US/Israeli/Palistinian Trilateral Committee ~ ~ September 27-October 5, 1995, Hurrican Opal, the strongest hurricane ever to hit Pensacola, FL since 1900; also hit 1000 miles of US Gulf coast, leaving 27 dead and $3billion in damage

And that's just his first administration. During Clinton's second adminstration, there were 19 such connected events, including four hurricanes, several tornado outbreaks, severe/extreme weather in various US regions, and the Monica Lewinsky issue.

During President George W. Bush's first administration there 24 connected events, including 9-11, of course. Other catastrophes include eight hurricanes, several major tornado ourbreaks, severe/extreme weather, the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy, and other misc. terrorst activities.

God ain't foolin' around. Somebody better wake up!

Every time someone tries to convince Israel to give up it's land in trade for peace, things go wonky. If everyone would leave them alone--there would be peace!!!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Well...

We'll return to my scheduled topic tomorrow...

So, I can't say I'm happy about the election. I don't think Obama is the right man for the job of running our nation.

He's not what we need, but he's probably what we, as a nation, deserve.

It's a crying shame that much of the population was drawn in by the color of his skin. I can't tell you how many people I heard say, "I'm voting for him because he's black." Great.

But onward and upward. I know that God is on His throne and that no matter what happens, He is ultimately in control.