My tulip poplar tree is about to burst in blooms!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Outside 'Tune Ups'
What else have I been up to? I'm glad you asked. I've been doing a lot outside as well. I know when I come back home from China with Ms. Molly I will not have the time or energy to work out in my yard. So I'm trying to get it all together now so it will be beautiful for spring and summer. There is so much to do!
I started the outside "renovations" by adding all weather proof lattice work to my patio area. This area was already partially "roofed" and framed when I bought the house last summer. The old lattice work was rotting so I took it all off last fall. It was time to install some new...
It looks so pretty. As you can see my flower beds are only half done. Last fall I did plant over 100 tulip bulbs in this bed hoping they would appear this spring. I was so happy to see them peeking out earlier this season. I still need to add dirt and pine straw to make it look better. I also have some empty spaces to plant some bigger things. I want to plant some large hydrangea bushes in front of this lattice work. I love the large blooms of a hydrangea!
My tulip poplar tree is about to burst in blooms!
The first sign of spring!
This doesn't look like a big project and it isn't pretty for sure, but this was a major project! I had a thick, overgrown section of monkey grass that had not been trimmed out in many years. I wanted it to be just grass only to look neater so I mowed it all down and then dug it all up to plant grass seed. I then split all of the monkey grass and replanted it all around the house inside the existing flower beds.
My tulip poplar tree is about to burst in blooms!
Bathroom Redo
Molly's Bathroom Re-do 2010
As we all know, once you start a home renovation project...whatever the size, it is not always as easy as it appears! This project went well over all. Surprisingly there were no problems at all. The only flaw is that painting is long, tedious work. I got tired of it quickly! I am happy with the end result though.
I wanted a cozy, cottage-esqe bathroom to go with the rest of my home.
I started with removing the drawers and doors of the old vanity. All of the cabinets in my home are this maple or oak stain from the late 80's. The bathrooms both had gold fixtures and these large framed gold mirrors with molding around them. I wasn't so sure how that mirror would come off...that was the scariest part.
To my surprise the mirror and molding came off easily and left minor wall damage.
The counter tops in both bathrooms are this creamy marble (?) material. I didn't have the money to replace it, so for now I'm keeping it. It is neutral enough to work for now and it's in good shape!
Painting Central...the table turns into a work area and the refrigerator turns into paint storage! No food...just paint! (Did you know this trick? If you need to wait for a coat to dry or have to stop work in the middle of a job you can wrap your brush, roller, or paint tray with saran wrap and put it in the fridge. This will keep enough moisture in it so it won't dry out. Try it!)
Almost finished... The final product
I added paintable beadboard wallpaper to the bottom half of the walls. I've never hung wallpaper before and this was relatively easy. If you look closely there are many flaws, but overall you can't see them. When the chair rail was installed it looked just like real beadboard. The beadboard and trim are painted white and the top half of the bathroom are painted "Cozy Cottage" from here. I think bright colors look really good with white beadboard but in this small space with no natural light I thought the neutral colors looked best. My house is a very creamy/white cottage home with bursts of color coming through fabrics and furniture.
I love white cabinets, but they were really hard to paint. It took many coats of paint. Because they were old and dry they soaked the paint in and I thought I'd never get them to look right. I added cute hardware to dress them up a bit.
The tile around my tub goes higher than the standard shower curtain would "hide" so I needed an extra long length for the shower curtain. Since I had painted everything very neutral I needed to bring in some color also. I looked many places and could not find a shower curtain that would go from floor to ceiling. I decided to use a regular drape/panel for a window and cover the rod with a valance. This worked well. It's not lined, but this bath will only be used for Molly's baths anyway. I have a separate shower in my bathroom if it's needed. I bought the curtains here.
I replaced the square mirror with this one that has pretty detail around it. It was an old gold/dark wood mirror that mom gave me. I took it apart and painted it white. I added the combo magazine rack/toilet paper dispenser to the end of the cabinet so it would be out of the way. I also left the door off of the old medicine cabinet on the wall so I could use it to display things. I also bought an antique white vanity light here to replace the old 80's fixture. You can't see it very well,but it's so cute!
I love my new faucet! No more gold!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
My Political Platform
AMERICA NEEDS A CANDIDATE WITH THIS PLATFORM!!
(I got this in email form today and just love it! You may have read something similar before, but why does congress and EVERY other politician make things so much more difficult than it has to be? I guess b/c it's not "PC" UGGGHH! But since it's just between us, here you go! My favorite ideas are in red font...what is your favorite?)
I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT IN THE YEAR 2012..
HERE IS MY PLATFORM:
(1). Any use of the phrase: 'Press 1 for English' is immediately banned. English is the official language; speak it or wait outside of our borders until you can.
(2). We will immediately go into a two year isolationist attitude in order to straighten out the greedy big business posture in this country. America will allow NO imports, and we'll do no exports. We will use the 'Wal-Mart 's policy, 'If we ain't got it, you don't need it.' We'll make it here and sell it here!
(3). When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it coming in here.
(4). All retired military personnel will be required to man one of the many observation towers located on the southern border of the United States (six month tour). They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.
(5). Social Security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn't put nuttin in, you ain't gettin nuttin out. Neither the President nor any other politician will be able to touch it.
(6). Welfare. -- Checks will be handed out on Fridays, at the end of the 40 hour school week, the successful completion of a urinalysis test for drugs, and passing grades.
(7). Professional Athletes -- Steroids? The FIRST time you check positive you're banned from sports ... for life.
(8). Crime -- We will adopt the Turkish method, i.e.., the first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There is no more 'life sentences'.. If convicted of murder, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for the victim you killed: gun, knife, strangulation, etc.
(9). One export of ours will be allowed: wheat; because the world needs to eat. However, a bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.
(10). All foreign aid, using American taxpayer money, will immediately cease and the saved money will help to pay off the national debt and, ultimately, lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we'll ask The American People if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision as to whether, or not, it's a worthy cause.
(11). The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and every day in Congress.
(12). The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.
My apology is offered if I've stepped on anyone's toes .... nevertheless....
GOD BLESS AMERICA !
Monday, March 22, 2010
Doctor, Doctor give me the news...
Today I spent three hours with some wonderful doctors at the Vanderbilt International Adoption Clinic to review Molly's medical records from China and discuss her health and possible things to look for in China in regards to her health and attachment. First I spoke with a medical doctor who specializes in International Adoption. She was a wealth of information. She had already spoken to a hand surgeon at Vanderbilt to confirm that Molly's hand and foot deformity was caused by Amniotic Band Syndrome. This is what I had originally thought so it was good to have it confirmed by a specialist. It is a rare congenital birth defect that has no known cause and is not a sign of any other underlying health problems. I will contact and meet with the hand and foot surgeon this summer to get a full evaluation of her hands and feet after she has adjusted to home a bit. The doctor also talked about a broad range of things to be aware of such as anemia, scabies, psychosocial behaviors, iodine deficiencies, etc. She will talk to me again by phone before we travel to China and prescribe a few prescriptions for Molly just in case she needs them while in China.
The second person I met with was an Occupational Therapist who was very nice to talk to. She didn't suspect any problems with Molly's hands and feet, but will observe her at least once to just make sure. There is a possibility she may need therapy after surgery, but we'll just have to wait and see.
The third person was Psychologist specializing in the needs of adoptive children. She also gave me a wealth of information and spoke a lot about what life may be like for her in the orphanage and what a dramatic shock it will be like when we finally get her....speaking of shock I'm already in shock quite frankly! ha!
I was really glad to have these lengthy meetings with some professional in person and feel really confident that with the resources available to me we will be able to adjust just fine and get Molly the treatment she will need in order to be her best.
I'm still waiting for TA (travel approval) to come and after that I will have exact travel dates!
When I got home from my hectic day of schedules and meetings I was so overjoyed to have received my first official baby shower gift from a very sweet friend who I've actually never met (thanks Suzy!!!) She is so thoughtful and always does the nicest things for me... like sends me gift cards at the beginning of school for school supplies for the class! She's been a faithful blog reader through the years and is just genuinely a good person I think.
I do have two baby showers coming up soon and I am really excited about that! To be single and childless at 35 years old and never "registered" for anything should be a crime! When I went to Target to register and got the "gun" to scan the items... I did feel a bit strangely empowered by the whole experience! ha! Seriously, it was fun to walk through the aisles and think about what Molly will need when she gets home and I look forward to celebrating with my friends, family, and coworkers in the coming weeks!
Adoption, what a journey!!
The second person I met with was an Occupational Therapist who was very nice to talk to. She didn't suspect any problems with Molly's hands and feet, but will observe her at least once to just make sure. There is a possibility she may need therapy after surgery, but we'll just have to wait and see.
The third person was Psychologist specializing in the needs of adoptive children. She also gave me a wealth of information and spoke a lot about what life may be like for her in the orphanage and what a dramatic shock it will be like when we finally get her....speaking of shock I'm already in shock quite frankly! ha!
I was really glad to have these lengthy meetings with some professional in person and feel really confident that with the resources available to me we will be able to adjust just fine and get Molly the treatment she will need in order to be her best.
I'm still waiting for TA (travel approval) to come and after that I will have exact travel dates!
When I got home from my hectic day of schedules and meetings I was so overjoyed to have received my first official baby shower gift from a very sweet friend who I've actually never met (thanks Suzy!!!) She is so thoughtful and always does the nicest things for me... like sends me gift cards at the beginning of school for school supplies for the class! She's been a faithful blog reader through the years and is just genuinely a good person I think.
I do have two baby showers coming up soon and I am really excited about that! To be single and childless at 35 years old and never "registered" for anything should be a crime! When I went to Target to register and got the "gun" to scan the items... I did feel a bit strangely empowered by the whole experience! ha! Seriously, it was fun to walk through the aisles and think about what Molly will need when she gets home and I look forward to celebrating with my friends, family, and coworkers in the coming weeks!
Adoption, what a journey!!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
spring break?
* painting and cleaning out the garage
* getting the new carpet pad installed (this was actually a disaster and was not installed properly...more work will be done soon!)
* finishing Molly's bathroom...everything is done it's just waiting for one final cleaning. I just couldn't muster the energy to clean it today and post pictures. But it does look really good.
* I have mowed down the overgrown monkey grass in my front yard and have divided it to place around the house. I planted grass seed in places that need to be seeded.
* I have weeded 3/4 of my flower beds! I was being overtaken by weeds and I'm so happy that they are a bit more undercontrol.
* I have purchased gifts for the Chinese officials for the trip.
* I have registered for my 2 upcoming baby showers (one at school and one at church)
* I completed all of our travel documents and sent in our requests for travel VISAS!
I will post some pictures soon of my home improvements. This week I am really excited to consult with three doctors (medical dr., adoption psychologist, and occupational therapist) who work at the Vanderbilt International Adoption Clinic to review Molly's information and put together a tentative plan for treatment for her to begin this summer. I'm sure I will gain a lot of useful information with them.
I hope you are enjoying the first signs of spring wherever you are!
Friday, March 19, 2010
you've got mail!
I thought little Ms. Molly looked like she needed some mail from her momma, so I sent her this little package last week and I hope she is enjoying the pictures!
I sent a little photo album for her to carry with pictures of me, me and "Uncle Eddie" (so she may recognize him since he's traveling with me), me and "Mama Maze", the whole family together at Thanksgiving, Madison and Eddie, and our house. I wonder if she'll recognize any of us? I also sent a camera so the nannies could take a picture of her with her friends there and I send a letter to her and to the nannies. I used Ann at Red Thread China to put this together for me and deliver it.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
what's up with me...
I've been so behind on blogging lately. You can imagine why! I've been consumed with trying to get my home in order for Molly's arrival (you know since the flood of 2010 and the bathroom remodel on a whim!)that I just haven't taken the time to sit down and update here. Things are progressing nicely and I hope to post some great before and after pictures by the end of the week!
We are on Spring Break this week, my saving grace!! In the midst of my bathroom projects and flooring repairs; I've also added painting and organizing the garage, getting the nursery ready, and doing some spring landscaping to my list. It's a lot to do in one week! But I actually think I'll be close to finished by the end of the week.
In the midst of getting LOA/RA I forgot to give props to my wonderful friend, Danielle who designed my new blog with Molly's picture in the header. I just love it! She always knows exactly what to do for me. So if you need a blog makeover or other design needs you should give her a holla! She's the best! Thank you, Danielle!!
Ok, finally last, but not least I have some updated pictures for you to enjoy! About a week after my referral I got updated information on Molly with these 3 pictures. I think they are so funny!
Look at the hair, the facial expressions, and the cheeks! Oh my goodness, I can tell that I am going to have my hands full with this one! I've got much more to share, but I'll save it all for another post. I'm still waiting for TA (travel approval) and shortly after that I will know my exact travel dates. My tentative dates are April 15-30, but they are not official yet.
We are on Spring Break this week, my saving grace!! In the midst of my bathroom projects and flooring repairs; I've also added painting and organizing the garage, getting the nursery ready, and doing some spring landscaping to my list. It's a lot to do in one week! But I actually think I'll be close to finished by the end of the week.
In the midst of getting LOA/RA I forgot to give props to my wonderful friend, Danielle who designed my new blog with Molly's picture in the header. I just love it! She always knows exactly what to do for me. So if you need a blog makeover or other design needs you should give her a holla! She's the best! Thank you, Danielle!!
Ok, finally last, but not least I have some updated pictures for you to enjoy! About a week after my referral I got updated information on Molly with these 3 pictures. I think they are so funny!
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