Kitchen Re-Do

We have lived in our house almost nine years, and although we have replaced the flooring and did a little painting soon after we moved in, it was in desperate need of an update. I was tired of the country plaid and sunflowers.
I started tearing off the wallpaper two weeks ago and it was all gone in a few days with Madelyn and Ryan's assistance. One day while I was at work Madelyn spent fours hours tearing wallpaper off the wall. Thank goodness she has her dad's drive and initiative and not mine. Ryan then plastered and sanded the walls and put on two fresh coats of paint. He then removed all the cupboards and drawers and refinished them. While Ryan was busting his rear getting the kitchen done, I had fun shopping for new decorations and such for the kitchen.

new canisters


new decorations



new watchamacallits



new rugs


new light


new wood blinds


NEW KITCHEN





Ryan says it looks like mustard all over our walls, but I LOVE IT!!

Rolling..Rolling...Rolling

Saturday night we thought we would try something new and headed to the Roller Derby with the Terrys'. It was an interesting experience to say the least. I enjoyed watching the skating but was hoping for some punching or something. There was an elbow jab here and there but as soon as an elbow was thrown they were sent to the penalty box. But, it was pretty impressive how the girls could move on those skates. I doubt we will ever go to watch the Roller Derby again but it was a nice change of pace. The biggest downfall of the whole thing was the lack of air conditioning at the rink. We were all pitting by the time we headed to Old Town for a couple beers before heading home.



The fish net stockings were a personal favorite!

There was a skater down so the rest of the skaters were on their knees until the injured skater was up and ready to skate.


Sorry for the picture quality, there was a bit of an operator malfunction.

4th Celebration

We started our 4th celebration on the 3rd at an adults only 80s party. Everyone was supposed to dress the part, but of course Ryan was the fun ruiner and didn't play along. However, I was game on! I made me some nice acid wash, ripped up jean shorts and had big hair just for the occasion. When Madelyn gave me a crazy look and said I looked horrible I explained to her that what I was wearing was in style when I was growing up. She asked, "were you poor?" It is quite unfortunate that I didn't get a photo of myself. However, I did get a picture of my friend, Lisa, who was not a fun ruiner. She had on some nice leggings underneath her short shorts. She was styling!




The hostesses did not disappoint. They had three margarita/daquiri machines, jello shots, alcohol injected capri suns and all the beer you could drink. There were snippits of 80s movies being projected up on a tipped over trampoline. We enjoyed the tunes of the 80s for the evening and even a little bit of karaoke. The best part we were only a 1/2 mile from our house.

On the actual 4th we worked around the house and Ryan got a lot done on our kitchen project. We headed over to our friends' house after that evening to chow down on smoked pork and beef. Then we we went over to the lease to shoot off fireworks and watch the city fireworks.

Sweet child of mine prefers to go shirtless every chance she gets. Hmmm... I wonder where she gets that from?















It was a great 4th but most importantly I'm thankful for the men and women that have fought and continue to fight for our freedom.

Weekend Fun and Summer Projects Begun

Friday evening Ryan, Madelyn and I decided to head to a movie since it was too hot to do anything else. We went to see Night at the Museum 2, we were all pleasantly surpised at how good of a movie it was. Saturday morning Jen and Garrett arrived and after lunch the five us headed to the YMCA water park in Andover. After 3 1/2 hours of fun in the sun we went out for dinner and then back home where the kids decided they needed more pool time. After a trip to DQ for an evening snack we all crashed early.











Jen and Garrett headed out early and then Madelyn and I went to Church and then for our usual lunch date at the Dillons Market Place. As soon as we got home we started our projects.

First...We gave Jack a much needed bath, trimmed his toe nails, and covered him with fly spray (his poor ears have been devoured by flies). He is now welcome back in our home from time to time.


Then Madelyn and I started stripping the kitchen wallpaper. That has proven to not be a small task but hopefully by the end of summer we will have our kitchen completely repainted and the cupboards restained.

This is the wallpaper we are getting rid of:


Madelyn was great help, she bounced from helping me inside and outside helping Ryan. She loves to work, unlike her mother.


Ryan worked on replacing several pieces of siding and will probably finish that up this week. Once he starts a project he about kills himself trying to get it done.


Fun and productive usually those aren't two words I EVER put together but it wasn't too terribly bad to be productive. I guess. My right arm is already saying that productivty is definitely overrated! Have I ever said that I despise physical labor? Well that sure hasn't changed.

T-Ball Time

Madelyn finished out her third and final season of t-ball Wednesday night. Although Madelyn could continue to play t-ball next year because of her age (t-ball is for 4-7 year olds in the Augusta League), we are moving her up to coach pitch. We feel she is more than ready to move up and be done with the T after three years of it.

It was a sweltering 102 degrees at the 6:00pm game time. I was hoping the game would be postponed and was disappointed when I discovered that t-ball does not have a heat schedule. Darn the luck!

My parents braved the heat and came to watch Madelyn play at her last game. It was sure nice of them to sweat along with us.







Coach Jason handing out medals.

Team picture (Madelyn is in the middle and one of the tallest on the team)

All players get a $.75 credit in the snack shack that they spend after each game.