My aunt is making some progress. She’s still not fully recovered, and at this point she’s been told she should look into finally filing for disability (she has had major back trouble for years prior to her recent illness). That’s a big blow for her. She honestly enjoys her work as ER Director. I’m sure it’s hard to accept, especially since she’s already lost so much of her independence, but we all (with the exception of a couple of people) think this could be the best thing for her. I do and I don’t, and I say I don’t simply because I know she doesn’t enjoy not being able to do much – being holed up all day.

I’m still playing catch up on my work. I’ve made a huge dent, thankfully.

There’s been a lot of progress on the renovation of my new house. I can’t remember if I ever gave any details about the house. It’s a brick house with 4 bedrooms (one will be the office, one master, one guest room and a bedroom for my nephews when they visit) and 2 baths. It has a separate dining room off of the small kitchen (and when I say small, I mean itsy bitsy). It also has a beautiful living room with a wood burning fire place. With the exception of the kitchen, bathrooms and east side hallway, the floors are the original hardwood. They recently put down laminate wood floors in the kitchen and down the east side hallway. I would love to eventually do this through the entire house, with the exception of the bathrooms which I’d love to re-tile.

The only room that is currently lacking is the pink bathroom, which I’ve now dubbed the pepto powder room. I really love the character of older homes, and things like the older style tiles but the pink is nauseating. So many different shades on the wall and the floor. Without gutting the entire thing, I have no ideas to tone that room down. Aside from using a white shower curtain. Any suggestions? You can see it if you scroll down through the photos below – you can’t miss it! They’re still working on it, and since the photo was taken they’ve put in a new toilet. There is still painting to do (I asked for them to paint the walls above the tile white). The only thing I can think of is checking to see if I can paint over the tile.

They’re also working on the exterior this week. They’ve power washed it, put up the new shutters and primed the front door. All that’s left is to put new screens on the windows, touch up the trim work, finish painting the front door and touch up the iron rail around the front porch. I’m going to do my own landscaping. I already have some ideas and Tam’s nephew Nathan is going to help – suppose to help I should say.

I’m planning on painting the kitchen some shade of blue or green, or blue-green/teal/aqua. The office will be teal, and the master bedroom will be a light blue since it will be all shabby-chicish. These changes will be made before I move in so I’ll share updated photos when I have them.

So, here are a few photos I took about a week ago. Excuse any and all messes you’ll see in some of the photos. I took this while they were still doing a lot of the renovations. Also want to say that I love the chandelier my mom bought for me!

The pepto makes me sad.

PS.. I’m not checking for typos. Too tired and still have work to do tonight. Sorry!

Life.. on a whim?

My youngest sister phoned me yesterday morning and informed me that she needed a favor. I thought it would have something to do with feeding the cats or dog, since they were on vacation on Tybee Island. Nope. She needed extra money. This resulted in me having to drive almost two hours to deliver it to her.

The day just flew right on by. I had to rush over and let the dog out to “potty” and then had to make sure the dog and cats all had food. Checked the house for “accidents” and found one, from the dog, and cleaned it up. Made sure the doors were locked and off I was.. almost. I then had to get gas, since I was nearly on empty. After getting gas I had to make my way to the bank for the money.

I decided after all of the hard work I should stay. I was already tired by this time and didn’t want to drive another 2 hours. Anyway. They were on the beach, so I stayed down at the beach with them for a bit. They wanted some pictures of the boys playing in the ocean, so I took a few.

And a lonely seagull, before they ran up behind it and made it fly off.

I enjoyed what little time I spent with them on their vacation, but I’m glad to be home. It was so rushed, and so last minute.. but worth it.

Now I’m trying to get caught up on some work and emails.

By the way, don’t forget today is the last day to enter for a chance to win a gorgeous apron by Bella Bee Designs.

OK, I think I need to bathe in some aloe. Shame on me for not putting on sunscreen (something I always do since I’m so fair skinned). Oops.

OK, Christmas in it’s entirety isn’t nerve-wracking, just things like; shopping for gifts, not really knowing what to buy someone, planning parties and cleaning up the aftermath of those parties.

I have only just started my Christmas shopping and we’re down to less than 2 weeks?? Ouch! I did manage to order Nikki’s (youngest sister) oldest boys their comforters. Tyler is really into skateboarding & skulls, so I found a bedding set that will be perfect for his room in their new house (pictured below, on the left). Landon wanted a beach & surf theme for his room. Since he loves “Surf’s Up” (movie), we went with that (pictured below, on the right).

I have no idea what else to buy for these boys, and Trent (their younger brother). I usually have it a little more together this time of year! I had originally planned on buying them each a set of pajamas. My mom beat me to it. I do have wall-decals picked out, but my mom is acting like she’ll be buying those too! I asked the boys to make out a Christmas “wish list” a few weeks ago, but they insisted on mailing it off to “Santa” that very afternoon. Unfortunately Aunt Teesa (what they call me) isn’t one of those lucky folks with the photographic memories — AT ALL. The only thing I can remember from the entire list are these few things; Jonas Brothers (Landon), Rock Band Country (and my sister has already gotten this) and, a million dollars — the best impossible gift ever!

For everyone else, I’m clueless. My parents both swear they would rather us not buy them anything because they have everything. I really should write out a list of who I still need to buy for and possible ideas. Actually, I should have done this last month. I’m getting a headache thinking about this stuff!

Speaking of my nephews though; Landon had to write sentences using specific words in each one a few days ago. I chuckled a bit at #11!!

I really should stop procrastinating now though. I have a design I need to finish troubleshooting and we’re having a Christmas party this evening that I should probably pretty up for!