Happy Spring Break Sunday!

Teachers and administrators across WS/FCS can REJOICE!  It's SPRING BREAK 2014!  I hope that you all are taking some time off for yourselves, because well, we all deserve it.  With all of the random snow days that have hit this year, our students' behavior has been off.the.chain.  Getting out of routines seem to have caused quite a stir among the masses, and I am glad that this last long break will *hopefully* be the end all-be all of the ridic weather of early 2014.

In efforts to utilize ALL of the time off I can, we plan to continue to move forward to get moved into our new home!  Next on the agenda is priming and painting all 400+ porch spindles.  Yes, over 400 of these jokers await me and my newly purchased paint gun.  I REALLY hope that we are able to get majority of these guys primed this week and continue to get them totally painted by the end of the month.  I LOVE the whimsical design that we chose, but man if it isn't a pain to get inside that curly-Q with a brush!  So, with that said, any of ya'll who aren't afraid of gettin' a little Rustoleum on your hands, come on out ;)

Here's a pic of these jokers:

In addition to outside updates, we are working hard inside as well.  Here's a literal DUMP of room-to-room pics.  My disclaimer: ignore the messes, they'll be picked up soon enough =)

Washer/Dryer finally installed on their pedestals

Master Bedroom

Our glorified soaking tub.  There's lights and music on this beauty.  #winning

Our Master Bathroom vanity/storage

 

Upstairs Guest Bathroom

The Kitchen...PS our fridge made ice yesterday and I jumped for joy..it's the litte things =)

Guest Bed downstairs.  The turkey will NOT be here. Just sayin'

 

 

So here's to a week off from our jobs, my teacher and admin friends.  I hope that you enjoy your week doing whatever it is that you choose to do.  I can't wait to see how much we can get done!

Happy Birthday!

This post is dedicated to the most amazing man in my life.  My hubby-to-be, my rock, my bebe…Cruz.

He’s a strong willed, supportive person with the ability to persevere when the times get tough.  He can let go and have fun when life throws him a happy curve ball. The smile on his face can brighten up a room, and his laugh is absolutely contagious. When he has his mind made up, there’s not a snowball’s chance it’ll change.  He stands up for what he believes in, and is the kindest soul to our pups.  Cruz is known for putting his family first, and being a very loyal friend. 

His job provides him ample opportunities to travel to either end of the USA, and he appreciates it with every ounce of his being.   Cruz uses his “fame” (if you will) for the good, taking his time to raise money for PSFP, and never complains. If you see him constantly on his cell, he’s more than likely on Twitter, promoting the next PSFP event.  Most people in his position could blow the “fame” out of the water, but not Cruz.   I have a feeling he believes that everyone puts their pants on the same each morning, not one person is better than the next.   He uses his networking for a positive way, and I am so very thankful for his alliances with folks from all over the US.  It makes for a well-rounded guy.

 This man spends his “free” time working on our new home, planning for our new home and getting our new home ready for a September wedding.  I’ve watched him research, learn and create beautiful products with his hands.  I envy his knack for measuring things ever so precisely and having the self-confidence that he can make the right cut on a piece of 45 degree trim the very first time.  I love his sense of self-fulfillment and getting a text with a picture attached that asks if I like what he’s done at the house.  I only wish I had the mind to see these works of art before they are created!  We will soon being the process of cleaning up our reception site and sewing grass in our front yard.  I am sure that he will have a brilliant plan in mind to get that complete and just in time for us to get ready for the wedding.

Cruz has seen me at my worst, and has still offered a helping hand, a warm embrace or a thoughtful text or phone call.  He’s seen me at my best, and has supported through my Master’s degree, assisting in paying for most of it.  (Lord knows I couldn’t have afforded that myself!)  He congratulated me when I won Teacher of the Year and beamed when I walked across that stage for the second time, illuminated hat, and all!  I can only imagine the look I will get the day he sees me dressed in my wedding gown.  I truly cannot imagine my life without this amazing man.

So here’s my short snippit to you, my bebe.  Happy 31^st birthday. I love you!

 

Patience

Here's a rhetorical question for you...Have you ever really wanted something?

I mean, like REALLY? That something could be tangible. Perhaps it's a million bucks in your checking account. Maaaybe you'd like to have met Abraham Lincoln or Marie Curie to discuss the inner workings of their brains. You could want the chance to a dream job. You've worked and earned the right credentials, but the perfect opportunity hasn't presented itself just quite yet.

No matter what it is, I'm sure most of us have REALLY wanted something in our lives. I, too feel that way. Right now, I want to.be.in.our.house. Daily, I am asked, "How much more to go?!?" or "Wow, you are on the uphill climb!" On Mondays after a weekend, caring people that I work with stop by my office and say, "How's that house coming along?" On the outside, I share the latest updates. I talk about the trim we added, or the dishes I put away, or the inspection that passed/failed/failed/passed. But on the inside I'm screaming, "I WISH FORSYTH COUNTY WOULD LET US SURVIVE WITHOUT HOT RUNNING WATER, FULL HEAT OR POWER BECAUSE I WANT IN!"

You see, we started this miraculous journey almost three years ago. And although I know I am VERY fortunate to have experienced such a thing, I also know I have been VERY patient throughout the entire time. We've had our shares of ups and downs. There have been some tough times, and there have been some victorious times. The people who we thought would be there for us to help, sometimes haven't showed. The people who we would never expect to have the time to help out, have driven up with smiles on their faces and tools in hand to loan. Cruz and I have learned to work through disagreements, through disappointments and through financial hardships. We have learned to work our asses off in the sweltering heat, in the freezing cold and have lived to tell about it. We've shared beers over paint-stained hoodies, Bojangles' chicken and biscuits over cardboard boxes and flashlights and tears the morning we got engaged.

Now, I want to make memories within the house, while living there! We are indeed, very close. Doing something ourselves with minimal professional help was a choice that we made at the beginning. There are times that I wished we could have afforded painters, floorers or plumbers. There are times that I've woken up, feeling defeated because we didn't pass an inspection. There are times that I have driven away, cussing that I will never EVER do this again. At this point, all we need is some hot water, some heat and a little power, and I'd be the happiest person on the face of this planet. But alas, I will have to continue to wait.

So for those who are asking...we're almost there.

Here's to hoping it happens. And soon.