The Beginning of the End?

So, some of the demo has started on the kitchen floor. I'm very excited, and hope I love my wood that I'm putting down. These are just a couple of pics of what the floor looks like now. I'll be sooooo glad to see that linoleum go, even if it's just covered up. These are the mop boards pulled and waiting for the trash.


On a different note, this picture is the end cap of my bottom cabinets. it's white and ugly and doesn't match anything in my kitchen anymore, and it is going to go away. I Just had this fight with my mom, as she had a part of her old cabinet color in her kitchen, as seen in the pics. Jade and Paul have fixed that however, so it mostly matches the rest.


My floor should be done saturday night sometime...hopefully.
P.S. We have shut our home phone off, after long hours of debate, we just don't use it enough to pay $40 bucks a month for it. Sigh, thats the longest time I've ever had a phone number.

Easter and such

So, off we went to Utah to finish my moms kitchen. But alas, that couldn't happen, because I swear, sometimes there isn't an adult in that house. I wonder sometimes how they survive. They were shy a cabinet, or ordered the wrong size of cabinet, who knows for sure. But this is what most of her kitchen looks like. Jade built the butcher block on the island. Paul and Jade hung the upper cabinets on the wall. I do love moms choice of cabinets!


Also, friday, the day we arrived in Utah my sisters family was having Easter on the flats. So I wandered on down to join the fun. These are all her kids, their spouses and children, and a couple extras. I was the one taking the picture. What an amazing family this is.

I guess I was sick before I left home, but of course it doesn't manifest itself until later, cuz I got sick at moms. Just a cold I think, but still I am sick. SUCKS!
My niece also trimmed my hair and colored it. Mom hated it of course, even went as far as asking me if thats what I wanted. LOL! K does a great job, look how perfectly weaved the color is. I would have done my hair, but I am still sick, which translates into lazy as well. K was a little nervous to do my hair, as the last time she did it, I kind of went postal on her. Sorry. But it is wonderful, and I'm sure when I'm done being sick and do my hair, finally, I'll love it even more than I do now.

Just one last note....We went home through Flaming Gorge and have to pass through Vernal to do so. They have dinosaurs statues all over, and this big fella was all dolled up for Easter. I thought it was funny and cute.

Anyone who is anyone has a deviled egg plate!

Oh, so I know that sometimes I am a freak, well today proved that. I was just browsing through craigslist and came upon a guy selling some stuff. When I clicked open the picture, there it was, my coveted green deviled egg plate. Oh my heck. I haggled a little and bought it for $10. For me, for a deviled egg plate, that is a whole bunch of moolah! Plus I had to drive down to Idaho Falls to get it. It comes with it's original box. How cool is that. I love it so, and it is bigger than my other deviled egg plates. The next one I will buy will be an olive green deviled egg/relish platter. They are very vintage, and I LOVE them. See the pic below.




These are both made by the Indiana Glass Co.

Hidden Lakes

Durango "getting" the piece of ice.



Pepe sitting right in the middle of Crapos Hill on the big dunes.

For those of us who have lived in this area our whole lives we know this place as hidden lakes. It is now a BLM "park". It has rv hook-ups with electricity, or not, tent camp sites etc. It is a very nice little camp ground, that is now called Egin Lakes. It sits at the bottom of Crapos Hill on the big dunes. We cannot get all the way across the dunes, to the sand hills resort, as there is too much snow on the north facing slopes, about 2 more weeks maybe. We took the dogs out there yesterday and let them run.

FAITH

I had a friend die this sunday. Now, I don't believe in much, but this much I know: that our friends and family that pass on, will be welcomed back into our Heavenly Fathers awaiting arms. Those of us left behind grieve for them. They are, I believe, in a better place.
Sharon Hill was rough and hard on the outside, but had a heart of gold. She was stubborn and obnoxious, but would indeed help a friend out. I suppose, if I live to be her age, I will be the same way. I always thought that I would grow into her. LOL! Her husband Don said "What people don't understand is that I didn't just lose my wife, BUT my best friend"! How lucky they were to have found each other, and to have been married for as long as they were, over 50 years. They bickered bad, called each other names, but loved each other deeply. She will be missed very much by many, including myself.

BIG WINNERS!

So, for the 4th year in a row, Misty and I have ruled the pool tournament. Yes we won, and it really shouldn't have been as easy as it was. But we played from the winners side all day, and finally won around 11:30pm. We started at 10am. It is a very long day, cuz when one plays from the winners bracket we actually only play 6 sets. The losers play all day, numerous times.
I have come to believe that it takes great mental fortitude, an unusual amount of patience and stamina, talent, and a huge desire to win, to actually take 1st place in this league, and from both partners, not just one. I also believe that most of the other competitors have the desire, and talent, but nothing else. Saturday is our banquet, thats when we get our money, and FINALLY it will all be over for the year! Right now, i have decided not to play again, except for as a sub, but of course that all can change. WAHOO!

Geneology

Last night was the beginning of our partners pool tournament. Misty and I picked the lucky number 1, and got to play first. Wahoo! It is the first team to win 3 games, and we did. So saturday, we start in the winners bracket, which is always good. Saturday will prove to be a long day after all, as we didn't play enough games to eliminate any partners, but hopefully the day won't run into 1am like it has in the past.
So I went to the link that waina gave me, but I am confused as to whom I am reading about. The pictures that hang on my wall are Abraham Hunsaker, Robert Sweeten Hunsaker, and Francis Hunsaker. I thought these were father, son, and grandson, is that not right? And is the Robert Sweeten Hunsaker the one the link was about? Help me! I don't know where I came from, on my fathers side anyways. LOL!

SO APPARENTLY

My sister in all her kindness (i googled lurp to see if it was really a word) told me that I am in fact irish and scottish. Who knew? She assumed I knew, but I haven't ever read or done research on my dads side, although there is a book or something that I could read, or have a copy of, isn't there? I wore my wig out last night and EVERYONE, and I mean everyone wanted to touch it. I think they must have thought it was my real hair. LOL! It was a fun night.

Happy St. Patricks Day from Irish Annie!

I'm not really irish by the way, I just loved how that sounded. I always wished I was irish though.
I bought this wig a few years back, and had never worn it, but I broke it out today. I LOVE wigs.
Happy St. Pattys day folks.
We are going out on the 4 wheelers just to see how far out we can go. The snow has been slowly disappearing, and Jade is getting that summertime itch. I will keep my wig on for this journey, it will help keep my head warm, as it's only 37 degrees out yet.
Tomorrow evening starts our pool tournament, hopefully we play well. Wish me luck!

I fear, now that I have my end of the kitchen done, it will be another year before I will actually get my floors and back splashes in. The weather is turning warmer, and that means DH will go back to work, and all projects will be put on the back burner until he is laid off again. Also, once the kitchen was completely done, I was going to start on the bathroom. I have this TOTALLY awesome dry sink that I got from my sister, I can't believe she gave it to me, that I was going to use as my vanity. Although truthfully when I first got it home I was having a very hard time even thinking about cutting a hole in it to place a real sink in. I think that I am mostly over that now. It isn't antique or anything, maybe just vintage. It needs a little work on it, but I am up for that. I would like to take my bathroom from lighthouses to rustic cabin? HAHA! We'll see how that works out.

Here is the dry sink waiting to be beautified....
Then looky here, this dry sink looks exactly like the one my sister gave me

Then just a picture of what I'd like one wall in my bathroom, and maybe my living room to look like. a real cabin look with the chinking, logs, and everystuff

We have talked a little about making a "master suite" in our house. This of course would entail knocking out walls and getting rid of one of the bedrooms, ah, but how wonderful to have a master suite!

Pool (Billiards)

The ladies pool season has mostly wound down. This year we have played for 6 months, the longest ever. This week is a "breathing" week before we start our couples tournament. Thursday the 18th of March is the first day of the play offs, then the winners progress to saturday to finish. In the 7 years I have been playing pool on leagues we've never played tournaments in 2 days, we've always played ALL day! Let me tell you, starting at 8am and playing until 1am is a trying day, both mentally and physically. Misty, who is my partner, and I have finished 1st, 6 out of the 7 years we've been partners, and this year it'll be 4 years in a row, if we win. HOWEVER, this year, for some reason, there has been a bounty of new players join the league, and they are mostly really good. So this year, there will be more competition, than in previous years. Every couple is gunning for us this year, more so then in previous years, so it is bound to be a good time. Misty thrives on the challenge, and is the best shot in the womans league. LUCKY FOR ME! Now, with all this being said, this isn't just about a trophy and bragging rights, there is a payoff. Last year it was around $200 bucks a piece, plus there is a payoff for team of the year which my team has won for the last 8 years this year included, and that is $60 bucks a piece. So all together last year my payoff was $260 bucks. It really isn't a lot of money, but considering I get that just for winning pool games, I think it's awesome. Anyways, this year I want to win, because I'm not going to play full time next year.....tooooooo much drama! I will sub though. I am going up to Ashton this week, which is where we start the tournament, to practice with my hubby who is an amazing shot. I will be asking questions of him, and hopefully learning a ton, while in the process learning the table. RACK EM!

Goto www.thevintagepearl.com
they have the cutest jewelry. I want so many pieces they offer. I am going to I.F. today, and will look to see if I can find something similar for a lot cheaper, but LOVE the square names with heart necklace, and the dainty initial hearts necklace, they all have a little pearl or birthstone on them.. LOVE THESE!!!!! Maybe I'll ask for one for my birthday.

It seems I have been working so much lately, but last year I worked twice the hours in two weeks as I worked these last two weeks. Yesterday I didn't have to work and so Jade and I went out snowmobiling. It's been beautiful here, high 40's and sunny. That of course affects the snow.....makes it heavy, sticky, and very hard for me to "learn" how to carve. So my body this moring is hurting all over. I had taken my coat liner out, and helmet off, because I was working so hard. So this picture is for those of you who have seen that picture of me when I was 5? of me trying to open a bag of Doritos, all by myself. I don't remember the picture being taken, but have been told that I wanted to do it all by myself. The concentration on my face, and it being all serious etc. Well if you look closely at my face in this picture, I'm sure you'll find that same face! Even though it doesn't look as if carving is a big deal, and to some people it isn't. But, there is a fine line between having that snowmobile up on one ski, and you being thrown off into the snow because you lost your balance. Now while being thrown off into the snow really isn't a big deal, it kind of hurts the ego, and the trek back to the sled is sometimes arduous. For those of you who have seen Jade carve, or anyone else that good, the sled is completely on it's side, with the one ski clean up in the air. I haven't done that yet, and if I have it's been an accident and was surely bucked off the sled just after. LOL!

I did, however, get the sled stuck, and Jade came to dig me out. This was before we even got up the mountain to play. The snow never really looks as deep as it really is...I was stuck in about 3 feet. Leave it to me. I also tipped it over once but that isn't a big deal.

Anyways back up the mountain today and will probably stay for a few as I think, I think, I have to work til wednesday. I cant wait til spring!

I went and had my nails done, it's just another addiction I have, right?
So I have to work all this weekend. Ick! The pay check will be nice though.LOL! Anyways I sent out some friend requests to some of you from Jades facebook. I don't facebook, I blog! Anyways I guess you can search for him to see his facebook thing. I have a new favorite thing. Hollandaise sauce! It's so good on lots of stuff. Yummy! If you haven't tried it, you don't have to make it, cuz it's a little hard to make it from scratch, believe me...time and effort. You can buy a packet. It's fairly close to the real thing. Put it on your fish, chicken, pork, even on your beef (which I haven't tried), but have served it in the restaurant.
Irvin gets his test results back today, and we'll see what they are going to do for treatment for him. Hopefully it's small, and localized and will be easy to get rid of. Thats why I am working so much now. Then probably the whole month of april while he is gone visiting his family. I pray for his well being. So until next week sometime....Kim have a blast on your cruise! LOVE YOU GUYS!

I finally have a couple days off from work, and have to go get a full set of nails later, am in desperate need. Yes folks getting your nails done, can be an addiction. But I was looking through all my followers and have a few I didn't know, and looked at their blogs. I got both these pics off of "Prim it Up" blog. I LOVED this fabric envelope, I thought what a great idea. The other pic is a candle mat that Hayley made. I have NO sewing gene, at all, and do think all the ladies out there who do are absolutely wonderful. All the things that can be created, WOW! Go visit her blog. www.hayley-primitup.blogspot.com


I don't know how to add links that can be clicked on to take you to sites...........sorry!

I found the canisters I want! But I could never, never, never buy them, as they cost hundreds of dollars. But look how cool they are.




Anyways I am off to work. We had plans to go visit my friends cabin in Kilgore this whole weekend, but I don't work very often, so I decided to be responsible. Jade isn't much of a Valentines Day guy anyways, so I knew there wouldn't be any surprises that will be missed. LOL!
Happy Valentines Day to ya'll, and I hope your DH's are more romantic than mine!

To keep or not to keep...

So, apparently I have the ugliest canisters ever. Really, through all my kitchen remodel, I didn't really seriously think about replacing them. Jade and I received these for a wedding present, and I have loved them ever since. They are Tupperware and will last a lifetime I think. They don't make this particular canister set anymore either. But my sister was to my house, and called my mom to tell her how good? my kitchen was looking, and then told her I had these ugly canisters. So mom starting asking what I would buy to replace them, and what color, and so on and so on. I know they don't "fit" my old world, semi-prim theme, but either do my cabinets for that matter. So, to all my blog followers: Do I keep the canisters I have, or do I replace them with something else? I won't throw the old ones out, I'll keep them, of course. But do I "need" to replace my UGLY old tupperware canisters with new/old looking ones? I did have a fleeting thought once, I guess, about replacing them, but then thought.....what would I get to replace them? So show me ideas! Thanks for your time......

Just a pic of my thrift store finds. I found a couple more crocks, these have their labels on them, and they were indeed cheese crocks. These are actually smaller than the one I bought, how fun for me. I also found some grubby candles, they had a ton of these, as with the crocks, but didn't feel like I could spend anymore money, as I bought a pair of boots also. Then the pineapple bowls. I am keeping 1 of these, but the other 3 are going to my sister. I love productive t.s. finds.

So, I HATE, yes I said HATE being on call for work. Officially I'm not really on call, but not being able to plan anything just in case, is the same thing, right? So, my nature is not to plan anything, just in case they call and need me to work. But I am struggling with that because tomorrow is the superbowl, and there are parties to goto...lots of them, and pot luck food to be eaten! Jade says, since no one has officially asked me to be on call, not to worry about and just make plans, then "if" they call, to tell them that I'm busy, so sorry! Thats okay, right?
But on a happier note, Jade has finally got the perfect pet! Durango loves to ride on the 4 wheeler. So now Jade can take him along while he plows snow. Jade calls him the plow dog.

This is now my favorite wall in the kitchen. It has to do with the rounded corner edges. I am planning to make all my sharp corner edges round. Such a small detail I know, but to me it makes a huge difference. So now all we need to do to finish the kitchen, is the backsplashes and the floor...and finish putting the outlet covers on. I can't believe it's almost finished!

Just a note to all my TS shoppers out there....I am having an infatuation with these little crocks. They are not primitive, or even vintage, I think, but I've seen them in a few different colors, almost always the same size though, about 4" I think, as the space between my cupboards and ceilings is only 6 inches. I love them. I paid a dollar for this one at the D.I., and if you come across any in your browsings, I would appreciate it if you would buy them. I am looking for all colors, but in good condition with no chips or cracks. Originally, I think they held cheese? Candles? From the 80's? I will pay you back, of course.

So my superbowl food is going to include spinach dip with my homemade french bread, little smokies, nacho cheese dip, BBQ ribs, hot wings, and potato skins. What else? Any good ideas?

TAXES

So yesterday I received the last of my W2's, and e-filed our taxes. I had started the night before, and so it was just a matter of entering my info. The very best part of the whole thing, is that we are getting both federal and state refunds, and all the e-filing and preparing was FREE. Yawhooo! They've both been accepted and we will be getting our refunds direct deposited within 2 weeks. Glad all that nonsense is over with.
I painted the trim in the kitchen, and will be painting the ceiling, and doing touch-ups today. Then I can put my kitchen back together. Once Jade decides to put the floor in though, my kitchen will be a wreck again. So, I wanted to do oil rubbed bronze outlet covers. I found all I needed on the e-bay for under $40, with shipping. Smokin' deal. Then I had this idea......ya every once in a while I'm brilliant......I had bronze spray paint left over from making my pot rack, and so I spray painted my old covers. Ha, didn't cost me another dime, and they look just like the real thing.
I got called into work yesterday, last minute of course. That's okay, I was mostly finished with painting the trim. Anyways, this is a picture of a sunset from right beside the lodge a week or so ago. Isn't it beautiful?

Oh, Ya, I order some baking dishes from QVC. I had been watching Rachel Ray, cuz she had some good guests, and LOVED her dishes. I thought they were plastic, but no, they're stoneware. Anyways I went to her website to look for them, and they were spendy. As I was browsing through the comments I noticed one that said these pots were cheaper on QVC. Ha ha, I got all these piecs for almost the same price she wanted for the covered one. I really wanted the red, but it was back ordered, so I went with the yellow, and am really glad I did. I haven't used these yet, but once my kitchen is back together, I plan on it. Also because of how "pretty" they are I plan on showing them throughout my kitchen.