Construction continues

Here they are destroying the float (thin layer of cement on top of foundation) and then the float is applied. We were not allowed to walk on it for 24 hours. So...we came in the front door, walked through the kitchen to go out the back door, then into the door to our bedroom. That is how we had to get in and out of our bedroom. Good thing the weather cooperated.

Deployed

Some of you know that I have a step-brother, Brian, who is in the Army, 82nd Airborne to be exact. He is 33 years old and lives in North Carolina with his wife, Suzanne, his step-daughter, Reagan, and his little girl, Phoebe. Today I received a letter from Suzanne stating that Brian was deployed to Iraq, the beginning of January. He is supposed to be there for at least 6 months and could be there until December 31st.

I have not seen Brian or his family since around 2001. I know that Phoebe was little. (I am looking at her picture now and she is wearing 'swimmies' at Grammy's camper. What a great family photo.) So, to say the least, it has been about 6 years since I have seen him. We do have a little bit of contact via email. Nothing elaborate, just a 'hey, how are you?' every now and then.

But when I received that letter, my heart sank and my stomach flipped. I started to cry. Knowing that my little brother is over there fighting for his life, for our country, for us. He is a wonderful person and a great Dad. And all I can think of, are those times he and I used to get each other into trouble, but were there for each other through thick and thin.

Please place Brian in your prayers to have him come home safely and quickly. Not only for me, but for his daughters and his wife.

Lil' brother...if you see this...I love you and I miss you. Please be safe and come home soon.

AMAZING WHAT PAINT CAN DO

Here is the one bedroom that used to be a raspberry/blueberry color. Now it is a nice neutral. What an improvement.

New Cabinets

Our new cabinets have arrived. Woo Hoo. No countertops, no sink, no appliances.

RENOVATIONS BEGIN

Here is the wall oven and microwave sitting in the middle of the kitchen, where the island and stove top used to be.





The new kitchen ceiling!!! YAY!!!!


This is the front bedroom with the sink and vanity from the bathroom.


We now have NO kitchen. The upstairs vanities and commode are out and the place looks a mess. The guys took the rest of the cabinets out and will soon start painting. We still have to pick wallpaper for the kitchen, powder room, and bathroom. We picked the carpets and the linoleum. We are going to change it up a bit with the colors, but nothing drastic. We have all the stuff that was in the cabinets bagged and boxed up and placed it in the garage and on the dining room table. I am NOT looking forward to the clean up. I just hope State Farm comes through with a good cleaning service. There is fine white dust everywhere. Incase you are keeping track...this fiasco started OCTOBER 27th. Yes, folks, OCTOBER 27th. Friday will be 14 weeks!!

SNOW IN TEXAS!!! PART TWO

WHY IS IT SNOWING IN TEXAS?!?!? I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS. WE WERE HIT BY AN ICE STORM ON MONDAY AND NOW THIS MORNING, I WOKE UP TO SNOW ON THE GROUND. HERE IS WHAT IS LEFT AT 3 THIS AFTERNOON.

Hope you like the new look. :-)

Let me know your thoughts.