CARNIVAL!

Sometimes work can be fun. A few weeks ago my work had an afternoon carnival. I was in charge of the cotton candy machine. For some reason the cotton candy did not want to stay where it was supposed to. By the end of the day I was completely covered in it! It was in my hair, my eye lashes, and even inside my shirt! As you can tell from this picture, my hand was coated in it! Just like a glove! Is this every kid's dream or what? Even though I LOVE cotton candy, by the end of the day, I couldn't stomach a single bite. Ahhh, adventures working at TEC.

Doin' Projects With Dave

So, for the past three weeks, Natalie and I have been slaving away, trying to avoid potential lawsuits by guests to our home who become disoriented in our kitchen, fall to the ground, and seriously injure themselves as the result of the "busy" (understatement of the year!) wallpaper in our kitchen. Below is a nice "before" picture of the kitchen.

This is another "before" picture of the kitchen, just to give you an idea of the magnitude of the wallpaper problem we were dealing with! Some people were convinced that if they stared at the right part of the wall for a long enough period of time, a 3-D unicorn would appear . . . fact or fiction . . . I guess we'll never know.

And here's a "before" picture of Natalie . . . doesn't she look excited to be finally taking down the wallpaper? She is just really risk-averse. If it weren't for all the potential liability arising from the wallpaper, I'm pretty sure she would have kept it up there.

Unfortunately, after about four hours of scoring (and I'm not talking about soccer on Saturday morning), steaming, scraping, and sweating; we had removed the panel of wallpaper that you can see below. Please refer to the first two pictures above to get some perspective on how our collective spirit must have been at this point in the project.

So, we decided to repair the damage that we had done with some spackling, and just paint over the wallpaper. Now, I know what you're thinking, but before you shun us for copping out on our project, I would encourage you to read "Home Improvement 1-2-3," an authoritative home improvement resource manual, which will assure you that this is what the professionals do.

After getting all the spackling done, we decided we needed a break (a week-long break). Here is Natalie preparing a celebratory feast (courtesy of Papa John's)!

After spackling every conceivable part of the wall, it was time to tape, tape, tape! As a side note, I will give a little home improvement advice. Never tape! And certainly, never tape, tape, tape! Inevitably, the tape will cover what you want to paint, and fail to cover that which you don't want to paint. Get one of those roller gadgets from Home Depot (or Lowe's) to do your edgework. Moving on . . .

At this point, I must say that the hardest part of the entire project was working around the skylights, which look really nice, except when you are looking up at them after having just taken a tumble (with a razor blade in hand) from one of the swiveling kitchen chairs that you were trying to balance on top of while taping one of the hard to reach corners. I reiterate my earlier advice . . . never tape!

After we got all the tape up, we started priming the walls. Honestly, even the primer was such an improvement over the old wallpaper, that we almost decided to just stop after we got a coat of primer on the walls, but that really would have been copping out. However, we did take another week-long break after priming the walls. We just wanted to give the primer a chance to dry.

Finally, after we felt that the primer had sufficiently dried . . . we began the process of painting the kitchen "Cake Stand Blue" (I'm not joking, that's actually the name of the color). Only Martha Stewart could get away with giving such a ridiculous name to a paint color. Throw her back in jail! But, I must say, this was by far the most rewarding part of the project!

And so, after three arduous weeks of de-wallpapering (one panel), spackling, sanding, taping, priming, and painting; the kitchen is done (for now).

25...A quarter of a century!

Well, as many of you know today is my birthday. YAY! I turned 25 today! Can you believe it? I am starting to feel a old already! I mean 25 is a quarter of a century. But anyways...I decided that I needed a boost (because things have been hectic, rough, and sometimes down right depressing at work lately). At first I thought about shaving my head. I have always wanted to, but someone advised me that my head might not be shaped best for it. And once you do it, there is no going back! Something also tells me I wouldn't look nearly as hot as Natalie Portman did when she shaved hers. So...I was trying to think of something else to lift my spirits. Give me a boost. Make me smile. So a friend gave me the idea to come up with a list of 25 things that I love and am thankful for. So here it is in no particular order:

1) David. I have the most wonderful and amazing husband. He is so smart, funny, and takes very good care of me. You are an amazing lawyer and very crafty too :). I love spending time with you. I love you!

2) Being healthy. I am always grateful when I don't pass out after our morning run!

3) My church. It keeps me grounded, lifts my spirit, and guides me to live a happier life.

4) My friends. To old friends - my get em girls, soccer friends - tea parties, and new church friends in the boro!

5) Food - tacos, burritos, guac, pan fried dumplings, corn dogs, rice crispies, fried rice, pasta, and more!

6) Michelle - my amazing tap dancing sister. The best white girl tapper around! Every time I see you dance you get better and better. You make me proud girl! I love you!

7) Donovan - I am amazed at what a sweet boy you are even though you are going through your teen years. You are too cute and I know that is why you are such a ladies man. I love you!

8) Mom - You are so caring and spoil us all! And an amazing choreographer. What would we do without you? I love you!

9) Dad - What can I say? Worlds best women's soccer coach or what? I love you and what you are doing for soccer. You make me so proud and I love throwing your name around. Yes you are still famous!

10) The Nani - aka my grandmother. What an amazing artist! I love telling people that every painting in our house is done by my Nani. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

11) Hannah banana! Who knew I would start liking dogs when my family broke down and got one. She always greets me with a wagging tail and smile and cheers me right up. I love playing with you Hannah!

12) Pick up soccer on Saturdays. Fun with friends and very entertaining. You never know what is about to go down.

13) My primary class. I love teaching my 6 year olds! They are so cute and smart. I love to get their take on gospel issues and it is amazing how much they are growing and learning.

14) Babies! Since I don't have my own yet I get to spoil and play with those around me. Clara, Shaelyn, Addie, Max, and Gabriella. You always amaze me and make me smile!

15) Tap Dancing! I love driving back to Chapel Thrill to take a tap class every now and then. It always makes me happy to take class from Gene and see Aimee and E. So much fun!

16) Watching the Tar Heels play. Whether it is soccer, basketball, or even baseball. Gotta love my heels.

17) TV! I know I know. I watch way too much. But my shows make me happy! Lost (thanks to the Aagards), 24, The Office, SYTYCDDR, Greys, Amazing Race, CSI, Criminal Minds, Boston Legal, American Idol, and even Big Brother!

18) Picnics. I love going on a picnic with David in the park.

19) House projects. Not. But I do love my house! And I am usually very happy after we finish a project, just not while we are doing it. Luckily David is a go getter otherwise nothing would ever get done!

20) The Beach! Our family beach week is the best vacation ever. We go to topsail island and hang out, play golf, and pick up soccer on the beach. I look forward to it every year.

21) Massages! Especially when I win them by beating David in a game of Russian Bank! Ha ha ha. But seriously he gives good massages.

22) Someone playing with, washing, and massaging my head. I know it sounds strange, but I love going to get my hair cut! They do a good job too.

23) Pedicures! I have only had a few in my lifetime, but each one I get spoils me to the core! And it is just fun to have pink toenails. I know...a bit girly even for me.

24) Taking a tap class from my sister. I love when she comes down for the NC tap festival and teaches so I can take from her. She is amazing and I can barely keep up!

25) Music! It has been the only thing to get me through these rough weeks at work. I just put on my headphones and get into the zone. A song can completely change my mood. Just like that. And kudos to Michelle for my awesome and wide variety of music.

Wow 25 already? That went fast. Okay I am definitely in a better mood now. And just in time for my birthday! But seriously I truly am blessed and I am so grateful for the amazing things and people in my life. God Bless you all!