life as of late

Well, we finally got the washer and dryer moved into the laundry room. Sure, the laundry room still needs a light and we've got to figure out exactly where the machines are going to live [this is a tiny, tiny room]...but I can wash clothes at my own house! Can I get an "amen"?!  (: If we washed clothes at your house over the past 6 months please know that we greatly appreciate the use of your facilities!

We also got a driveway! We opted for crushed rock / gravel. While my heals still sink down into the gravel and I'm sure this will eventually ruin all of my work shoes, it is nice not to track mud into the house every.time.we.go.outside.

We've also been trying to get some of the odds and ends around the house finished. I've touched up the wall paint in the den, now all that's left is the trim. Wanna help?! (: Oh yea, and some furniture / decorations. I also primed the front bedroom door this weekend. It was a treat to get to wipe off the tobacco stains--yes, it literally had nicotine dripping down the door from how much smoke it was exposed to. [I'm sure this is very bad for our health...don't remind us.] The last "big" thing that's been done is the caulking of the nook. Now that that's finished, thanks to Papa, we can get the windows trimmed and prime it! Hallelujah - it's the last room that'll need to be painted! Yipppee!

book reviews

Man, my reading came to a screeching halt in February for whatever reason, and has been slow to start again. I have managed to finish 2 books this month - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these books and can't wait to pick up Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

JK Rowling

Most of you have probably read or seen the Harry Potter movies, so I won't go into too much detail. However, if you're like me and are 100 years late jumping on this bandwagon -- go ahead and do it! It took me about half-way through the book to really start enjoying it. The history, and Harry's current life situation were a little boring and depressing. I'm hoping over the next 6 books to get more of Harry's history [which I'm sure I won't be disappointed] in a more in depth, entertaining fashion. You find out early on that Harry has been orphaned from a tragic incident and is dropped off on his muggle aunt and uncle's doorstep. These muggles have done their best to extinguish any wizardry from Harry's life, even to the point of never talking about his parents. But, on his 11th birthday, odd things start happening that the Dursley's [his aunt, uncle, and cousin] can no longer hide. Harry gets an invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and things begin to change for him. Trust me, it's about time this poor kid gets a break! He is assigned to the Gryffindor House, begins to make friends, makes the Quidditch team as the youngest seeker ever, and "saves the day" in a big way. Trust me, if you've never read this book and want a quick, fun, easy read -- pick it up!

Bossy Pants

Tina Fey

Bossy Pants is our March book club book. It is hysterical. I usually have a really weird [or sometimes I say crappy] sense of humor...and this book made me laugh, a lot! I also don't watch SNL or 30 Rock, but I really enjoyed learning about both of these from her point of view. She basically takes you through her life, from her awkward girl / teenage years, to college, to her time improvising with the Second City in Chicago, to her time at SNL and now at 30 rock, to her life as a working mom. I loved her blunt straightforwardness and the obvious humor that's etched in every page. You'll have to excuse her language in some places, but I'd definitely recommend this book!

happiest 25th birthday to my mikey!

Mikey just celebrated his 25th birthday!

We celebrated Friday night with dear friends at our favorite local gaunt, Stella's and partied on on Saturday with dinner at Mike's 'rent's house! Such a fun treat and great "excuse" to get everyone together.

Mikey, I hope you're 25th year is a blast! I can't wait to see what the next 365 days hold! (:

Update on 12 Tyler Street

It's been a while since I've posted any pictures of updates from around the house...because not much has been worked on in a very.long.time. BUT, last weekend [on Mike's 25th birthday actually] we took a trip to our favorite local salvage shop, The Front Porch, and brought home some wood to work on window boxes shelves. Here was my inspiration:

via

salvage finds for the window shelves.

step one: install corbels.

sweet DP helpin' us out!

one window finished.

all that's left: drill the rest of the holes & plant flowers! 

Grace CE Training Trip Photo Dump

Mike & I just got back late Wednesday night from our first mission trip since we've been married and our first trip with Grace Church. This was the first Culturally Engaged Training Trip that they've ever done and we were so blessed to be a part of this group. We were challenged in ways that we haven't been in a while - in ways that just don't happen at home, we laughed, we enjoyed great fellowship and worship, and we were educated / informed on the Culturally Engaged program at Grace. I tried to stay in Eleuthera, but alas, here I am - back in good ole SC. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip ... enjoy! (:

Thanks MFI!

co-pilot mike

seal team 4 [plus tracy] on dish duty

welcome to our home for the week!

shells

big shell, little mikey

me and my buddy Jerves

the cheering tigers! tracy & i were fortunate to have the all girls group!

until next time...