Time to show off the family!

It's that time of the year again where we order our yearly Holiday (Christmas in my family) cards to send out to our loved ones, wishing them well. But let's be real about this. If you're like us, the card is really just a chance to brag about how cute you think your kid is and you're gonna show the world! Last year was our first year with AC and we couldn't have been more happy to show her off...so we put 3 pictures of her on our card. hehe.

Incidentally, if you're in the market for a great place to get your Holiday Cards, Shutterfly has what you need! The great thing about Shutterfly is that they have a huuuuuuge variety of different types of cards for every occasion, not just Christmas. Their Christmas collection this year is varied and versatile. My personal favorites: Lotta Pics, Vintage, and MidCentury Inspired.

I'm not normally a calendar guy but I think I might be swayed. One of these bad boys will make grandparents or godparents swoon at the sight of their favorite munchkin, doggie, or family. I think I know a couple of people who might be getting one as a stocking stuffer this year.

I hope you guys find what you like on their website, I know I already did!

j

I swear I have been doing stuff...

...just nothing post-worthy. I'm going get the glass cut for the cabinets tomorrow and incidentally, I found this image of what it will look like:

Lolly isn't convinced of knobs on the upper cabinets..but this pic may change that...

Now if my brother buys his new condo this weekend he will COMPLETELY derail my chances of finishing the GD chicken coop. If I don't finish that thing soon my yard will start looking like it belongs to someone who makes meth....erm...or has it already?

[insert whiny blog post title here]

Yeah, it's gonna be one of those. Sorry...no home improvement updates here today. No new projects for me to start and take for.ev.er. to finish. Just some whining. Yep!

I just don't get it. I've got this (supposedly) amazing degree in a progressive design field from one of the top programs in the country. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to do something like what it is I do. Working to create environments for people to live/work/play in sounds great doesn't it? Turns out I hate it. Not just a little, but a LOT. Instead of working on one of our forthcoming deadlines, I'm writing a blog post about how much I hate it.

Out of the entire class, a good number of us are not practicing in LA. Words cannot describe how envious I am of those who are not. Those who can follow their passions to do whatever it is they want. Those who have unbelievable talents (whether cultivated or just inherent in their souls) that they can transform into a career are praise-worthy. That is the type of daily life I long for.

Small problem: i have NO IDEA what it is that I'm good at or what it is that I want to be good at...

I just know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Landscape Architecting is not it. Garden design is not even it. But what is? I like plants. I like people(sometimes). Hell, I even like bar tending. Bar tending does NOT pay the bills though. Maybe I just need a daily grind that doesn't make me want to grind my face off AND provides for my family the way I'd like to. Do I need to be fulfilled at my job? Can fulfillment come from elsewhere? I don't know. I just DON'T. KNOW.

....eh

Cabinets installed...partially

So I've been slacking from blogging, but in my defense work has been whooping my arse big time!

Dad & mom came for the day 2 weeks ago and brought the first round of cabinets. Since this picture was taken I've put hardware on them - 6" tall brushed nickel bars. When the moula is in the olde bank account, I'll have the glass cut for the upper doors. Once the other set of cabinets is in place, I'll buy the under-cabinet lighting as well as lighting for the to doors with the glass fronts. THEN, I'll have lots of pictures for you guys...the before and after is just astounding. I promise I'll post that too. Until then, that's all I got.

Still have moulding & glass...but moulding is SUUUCH a pain...I'll get to it later.

The glass in the center. I love it!

Now I'm off to a pig roast in the country.

j

Cabinets in progress

Just a sample of dad's work thus far. These puppies should be installed in about 2 or 3 weeks!

Tables

A while back I found these cool MCM end tables on craigslist. 2 of the size you see below and one large square one. $60 for the three I thought was a steal. The sides are maple with minor dings here and there that I can repair. The one on the left side of the couch has a little more damage but that can be repaired easily. The best thing about them - Laminate tops so coasters aren't necessary...which is good since AC rarely sees the need for one...

AC enjoying the toddler-appropriate (or inappropriate) height of the table and mommy's English book.

Now we just need to figure out what to do with the square one which is just sitting in the middle of our dining room....

Stalled....

Well lately my projects around the house have stalled. Money and time being the main reasons of course. Aren't they always?

I started the desk several weeks ago and have all but decided to abandon it. It hasn't weathered the elements so well in my crappy shed, so it may go out at the road Thursday evening before I leave town. Defeat. I haz it.

I also started the chicken coop 2 weeks ago. The base and upper frame are in tact. The rest, however, is waiting on more money...so it looks more like an abstract art installation in my back yard. When I get back from DC, I'll get err done.

I did, however get 2 other things done that have been nagging at me. I sanded down the front corner of the house by the steps and primed it yesterday. Success! NO more alligator skin peeling paint...in that area anyway. This will be a gradual process of fixing all of the poorly painted areas of the house. Next up: Over the front porch. I also managed to remove the ailing fire pit/Bebe death trap in the back yard yesterday. Now I just gotta get a lil sod to cover up the hole and we'll be golden. Golden I tell ya.

Dad, being the rock star he is, was ready a couple of weeks ago to start the cabinets b/c he's 'bored.' OK, sure. Why the hell not!?! So he came last weekend and we measured. As of yesterday, the South wall cabinets are built, awaiting hardware and a good primin'. He's building them in his shop so they won't be in the kitchen for a couple more weeks. They ROCK! After that, he'll start work on the wall unit on the North wall. I can't wait for all the storage!

The South Wall!

The North Wall!

Oh, we also finally got our end tables. I'll clean 'em up and post a pic soon!