Here are a few photos of the new house. I have a few more, from my camera phone, I will maybe post later-on. I am showing you the front of the house...but not telling where it is located. :o) Also, keep in mind, the stuff in the house all belongs to the current owners...it is a little too "country" for my taste. (Click them for larger views)

Here is the front of the house and a little bit of the backyard. I know it looks like all garage...but there are so many trees in the yard, that it is hard to see the house...which I like. The smallish tree next to the driveway is a cherry tree, I think.I don't know if the fruit will be any good...but I've seen photos of it flowering beautifully in the spring. Also, those bushes under the tree will flower around the same time. Those are woods behind our yard...no houses! It has many large trees on the property...but still gets quite a bit of sun especially in the backyard.

This is our great room. I really like the front window, which you can see a little better in the second picture. The green walls are not too bad for now...but, I think I may get tired of them in the future. Luckily, they should look pretty nice with the furniture we have now (I hope).

A few angles of the kitchen, unfortunately they don't show much of the room. The cabinets are pine and are really nice construction. They have corner cabinets with lazy susans in them, and all the lower cupboards have roll-out shelves! There are stools on the other side of the breakfast bar (top photo), and also plenty of room for a large table. The wallpaper border (middle photo), is a little too cutesy country...I think we will probably take it down...but I hope the wall is painted under there. Because re-painting the kitchen means re-painting the entire living room since they are connected. I love that pantry in the bottom photo! It is so deep...and all the shelves slide out for easy access! They are really sturdy, too!

PINK WALLS! They will be quick to go! I have to figure out what color to paint instead. Hubby doesn't really seem to care...he said he trusted my judgement after I told him I wasn't thinking anything to "wild". :o) Our bedding is dark red and ivory. Any suggestions? There are just too many colors to choose from at the hardware store. I guess I could start by deciding what brand paint to use. Suggestions?

This bedroom I think I will be painting blue. Probably a light blue something really really pale...and maybe kinda grayish. I don't want it too "pretty"...but I have blue bedding and blue fabric for curtains for this room...and I have collected alot of blue decor items like candles and vases over the years, which will probably go in here. Those curtains will be coming down...if the owners don't take them with them.

This bedroom has double glass french doors (which you can see close-up in the 2nd half of the picture). It is almost across the hall from the kitchen, and we will also use it as an office for the time being. I actually like the color of the walls in this room...so no changes needed. Well, except for the fact that this house has no empty corners...and my computer desk is a corner desk with tall shelves above it. So I will have to shop for new office furniture.

Last, but not least, we have the garage. Ok men, good thing you were paying attention up until now...here's the part you've been waiting for. It is a two car attached garage, but it has this extra space behind where the cars go, so you can work out there. I actually think that is quite cool, because then you don't take away from your vehicle space. I also love the shelves built right into the wall. We also plan on building a shed eventually and finishing the basement, which is quite huge...with 10 foot ceilings. I would like to build a deck or patio off the back too...it has a little porch off the back doorwall, but it is very little.

I have a few more shots I can post later on. For now, I hope you enjoyed these.

Just a tip...don't drink 3 beers when you feel a tension headache coming on. IT.WILL.NOT.HELP.

The house passed inspection...no mold this time...so why do i feel like killing him? For some reason, I can feel the anxiety in my brain through my whole body...and I bet my blood pressure is through the roof. It might have to do with the fact that he has worked over 52 hours since monday...and would have worked 8 more (at least) today had he not managed to get the afternoon off. And because of that, everything I say to him or ask him just gets me an attitude...no matter how calm I try to be.

Or it could be me: If you've noticed, there's no celebrating here about the house. (aside from the 3 beers, which are more of an attempt at relaxation than celebration.) I guess thats because I'm just waiting for him to come up with the excuse. Yes, THE excuse. The one I know he will find to walk away from this house. Because he is scared to death to actually go through with it I think. But he won't talk to me. I've been asking gently all afternoon, "are you nervous"? He says no...but his crankiness tells me otherwise. I know we've only been married for 2 months...but dating someone for 5 years lets you get to know when they're stressed and how to tell, regardless. And he's easy to figure out. C-R-A-B-B-Y.

So thats the news...oh that and, my hermit crab is dead. But some of the corals are starting to open up...so maybe they'll live.

I will try to post some pics of the house later or tomorrow...I'm not in the mood right now, sorry.

Most of the invitations went out already...and the rest should be out today. I am hosting a "Southern Living at Home" party. My friend, Sara, has recently gotten into consulting for them...and I promised to help her get started...plus I think it will be really fun. And there are several things from the catalog that I wouldn't mind getting!

The whole catalog isn't available online, but here's a sample of some of my favorite items.

The party is going to be on Thursday, July 27th, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. It will be at our apartment. If you know me personally, and you are in the area, and are interested in coming, feel free! Consider this your invitation...just please call or email me to let me know you are planning on coming (and I can give you directions). If you want to bring a friend, go ahead! You get a prize if you do! There are great specials on some items right now, and you can order (or re-order) any of their magazine subscriptions as well.
Also, if you can't make it to the party, but want to see the catalog, I have a few I can show you. I also have order forms so I can take any orders for items you wish to purchase. Hope to see everyone there!!!

Fluffy kitty photos to brighten my (and your) morning!

Note: These are not my kittens...yet. They belong to a co-worker's in-laws. She is trying to find homes for them. And I want to take one...but it depends on how this deal with the house goes...and if my husband agrees...he is kind of on the fence.

There's only one calico...I think she's my favorite.


It's this picture that got me!


Look at her cute spots!!!


This one's pretty a pretty close second I think...don't know if it is a boy or girl yet.




When chad saw this picture...he exclaimed "Oh he's cool!" So this is his favorite. He is cute in a funny face sort of way. I love the way his blue eyes stand out too!

Labels: cats are space aliens

The good news is...there is some life left in it yet. The hermit crab is alive and seems pretty ok. The nassarius snail is ok...and was sliming all over the tank eating up decaying gunk. Also, Magellan (the brittle starfish) is alive but seems a little "off". If starfish can have brain damage (assuming their simple brains are capable) he seems like he does. He is moving, but he stays mostly crumpled in a pile with his legs all curled in to his body. He has climbed to the top of the tank to perch on the magnet cleaner, though. I hope he pulls through. The zooanthids don't seem completely dead...but they are considerably hoed out...all droopy and not opening much. But I hope they perk up. I did a gallon water change after removing everything dead I could see. Now I can only wait...and try to figure out some way to keep the temp down without having to buy a $200 chiller. We shall see.

Back from a great weekend up north...nice and hot...out on the lake! Details later.

However, the heat wave made our shut up upper apartment 96 degrees F when we returned last night. Now think about the 6 gallon fish tank.

I. cooked. my. fish.

And everything else. It was an accident. I didn't think about that in my hurry to get packed and on the road on friday. Man. What a bummer. I noticed this morning on my way out to work. So by the time I get a chance to do anything about it...anything that may have been saved, will probably be lost. Damn. Keep ya posted.

We have an inspection on a house this friday...we shall see how this one goes. Hopefully there won't be any problems...due to the house only being 9 years old. We'll see.

I redid the theme and appearance of the blog. I had been wanting to do it for a long time, the blogger template was only a temporary thing. It was hard, because I don't know much javascript. I know html...but the java coding was giving me a big headache. That is why I opted to just modify the existing template (as you can probably tell).

There are still some kinks I want to work out, but it is at least functional right now. If you notice any problems, please let me know. I don't have the resources to try it on every browser and at every screen resolution size out there. It will be changing a little more in the next couple weeks as I get around to tweaking it.

*Plea for Help*
If anyone can look at the source code and tell me how to get rid of that space above the header at the top of the page...great amounts of appreciation would be bestowed on you! Also, if you can figure out how to make that dotted line near the top either go all the way across the content, or go away all together...I would love it! Plus, I welcome any and all suggestions on aestetic appearance in general. Thanks...and please someone comment! :o)

Edit:I just discovered another LARGE problem. The page looks completely wrong in Firefox. I really don't know what to do about this. I didn't change the code that much (I thought)...if you want to see how it is *supposed* to look, you have to use internet explorer. (gasp!) Ok, now I REALLY need someone to help me fix this problem, please?

Edit 2:I fixed the mozilla firefox viewing issue (at least i THINK I did) Please let me know if it still looks funny. I figured out what seemed to be the problem, great learning experience, let me tell you.

I was told once by my uncle that I was named after a song called "See Emily Play" by the band Pink Floyd. He said the song influenced my father to choose my name. My parents (especially my dad) did like Pink Floyd alot then. I heard them playing the very bizarre psychedelic rock song on the radio when I was out to lunch today. It was a station that I wouldn't have thought would be playing such obscure classic rock. Then after I heard the song, I found out why. Syd Barrett one of the original members of the band and the writer of many of the band's early songs, died at age 60 of complications from diabetes.

David Bowie did a cover of "See Emily Play" for his "Pin Ups" album. He said Barrett had been a "major inspiration," and "his impact on my thinking was enormous. A major regret is that I never got to know him. A diamond indeed." A joint statement from the band states that "Syd was the guiding light of the early band lineup and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire."
Syd left the band in 1968 due to mental instability, which was made worse by his use of LSD, he was replaced by David Gilmore. Barrett did some solo recordings then went quietly to live back in Cambridge, England. The remaining members of Pink Floyd recorded the album "Wish You Were Here" as a tribute to their troubled bandmate. Even throughout the albums "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall," themes of mental illness can be seen.
Watch the music video for "See Emily Play" here at Google Video.

I am going to re-vamp the look of this site soon...and it was all inspired by this painting by Art Frahm, which I find oh so amusing in so many ways. ;O)

P.S. Lots of posts today...when it rains, it pours!

Just wanted to get some shots up...hadn't gotten around to it before. We went to Saint Martin Island (Sint Marteen) in the French West Indies. I highly recommend it to ANYONE!

Miami from the Plane


The Island


Our resort is in this photo (sorry it's crooked)


Me with flamingos at Cheri's Cafe


Orient Beach


Real street sign, and I thought it was funny.


Tropical rainbow, after a mid-afternoon shower.


Us at "Bamboo Bernie's" (they have sushi!)


The sunset from Bamboo Bernie's


Funny sign on ALOT of busstops there.

Things are looking up a little. My recent breakdown stems from life changes, big decisions, hormones, and a little plain old craziness. I did talk to some good friends and they reassured me that those who speak of "wedded bliss" are big liars for the most part. Lots has been going on in the last week to keep me plenty busy.

Lets see...we got a pool. It is one of those with the inflatable ring and soft walls...but it is 18 feet across and 4 feet deep...so it is big enough to be refreshing. The best part is...our landlord paid for it, and I just had to set it up (which was WAY harder than you would think). Apparently level ground is quite important...don't skip that step. Oh well, it's not leaking, and so far everything's good. I've had a pool almost all my life...but really don't know how to care for one...I have some idea...but my parents always worried about the chemicals...I should be able to handle it though...put my chemistry degree to good use! I haven't had time to be in it yet...but the water needs to warm up a bit more for my taste.

We were invited out on our friends' boat on wednesday, and it was perfect. It was so nice to relax, and enjoy summer and good friends. They have three kids, and I love being around this family...their girls are so great. They really love Chad, cause he plays battleship with the 4 and 5 year olds. The baby is almost two, and she's a handful, but sweet tempered. Alexis, who is 4, fell asleep on my lap later in the evening...and I was cuddled against Chad. It was so nice to be rocked by the soothing motion of the boat and not fighting. Just laying there listening to the boys talk about boating.

Friday, I woke up with a terrible migraine. I showered and took Excedrin, but it didn't help. I just wanted to cry it hurt so bad. So I decided to go back to sleep, and that work could just wait for me. I wrapped my head in a pillow, and when I woke up two hours later...I was feeling a little better. I made it in to work for a few hours to at least finish a report for my boss before the weekend. Later on, I went to the new IKEA store that opened near us last month. I found lots of great items we still needed to set up house...and some I just wanted. But I didn't get the free-standing kitchen cart that I mainly wanted from there...because they were out of stock...I will have to go back for it. Being there made me want to decorate every room of the house I don't have yet. I kept thinking "I can't wait until I have a house, and can get this and that" then I realized that I wouldn't be able to re-decorate everything anyway...Chad will never let me spend the $$$. I got a lightweight comforter for our bed in the summertime, because the one we have is too hot...but we don't like sleeping without it. I picked up several household items (boring, but necessary). I got a beautiful dual stemmed mango and tangerine colored orchid for $12.00! I hope I can keep it alive. Renee and I decided that a martini shaker was a necessity...then we went to the party store and stocked me up on some basic mixers...then we made cosmopolitans! YUM! We also invented a fru-fru pineapple-orange, banana, coconut frozen drink involving triple sec, creme de banana, and parrot bay coconut rum for Chad. Quite tasty I must say. :o) IKEA was a big success and a great waste of at least 4 hours.

I have been REALLY wanting to get a cat. I am so lonely by myself...just bored being alone. I have never liked to be alone. When I was little I couldn't stand to have my bedroom door shut, I felt cut off from everything. At times I like my space, and quiet time...but in general, I don't like being by myself for any length of time. I don't have the attention span for it, and I get bored...which just makes me gloomy. If I had a cat to keep me company, when I felt bored, I could play with the cat...I really think just having another living thing (besides bluefish) would make me much happier. Well, the neighbor across the street (we'll call her J) has a three year old gray short hair named Harriet. She is so sweet and loving, and very vocal. She lives in their garage loft, because they already have two cats and a dog in the house. She had a companion until about a month ago...and now she is lonely. Our landlord agreed to me getting a cat...only if it is that cat, because it would be doing J a favor as well. She is in bad need of brushing...her undercoat is so thick since she doesn't get petted often, that she sheds so bad right now. I went to petco, and bought her a scratching post, a de-shedding comb, and some treats. J and I brought her out into the yard, and brushed her, and played with her, and clipped her claws yesterday. I left the scratching post in the garage, so she will start using it, instead of the spot on the wall she currently uses. J told me I can come visit her anytime, even if they are not home. She also said I can bring her across the street to our place for a little while to see how she does. If I take her, J will give her a bath, and make sure she is caught up on all her shots, and give her a flea treatment (just in case). Chad was a little against the idea at first, but he has seen how badly I want a cat, and he realizes that it will make me happier. He just asked me to wait a little while because....

We may have finally found a good house. I don't want to go into too much detail...because we haven't even been in it yet. We are going tomorrow evening. But it is in one of the first areas we were looking in...which we had kind of gone away from due to not finding anything there. It has alot of features we want, a nice sized yard, with privacy and trees. It is a newer house built in '97. It is something we both feel comfortable with. Peeking in the windows (I know, can we say "restraining order"...and google earth rocks) it looks beautiful! I am trying so hard not to get excited...because I don't want to be heartbroken...but I can't help it. All I can do is wait and see. We are having such a hard time, because we are trying to find a house we will be happy in for at least 10 years...maybe more. We are willing to make sacrifices in the beginning to afford a house slightly nicer than the "starter homes" most people think we should be looking at. But with the market the way it is here, there is no re-sale value in those houses...and I just don't want to deal with that headache.

Today, I am going shopping! YAY! I legitimately need shirts that are suitable to wear to work in the summertime...and jeans. Also, Chad needs some new t-shirts and polos. I love shopping for him, because he hates spending the money on himself. He realy needs them though, and I find things for a good deal, then get to show him...and it just makes me happy. I know that it's really our shared money now...but it still feels like I'm giving him a gift. His birthday is coming up too...in the end of August...I have been working on my gift for him already...so very un-procrastinator of me, i know. I'm not going to say what it is, because he may read this. Probably not though, he knows I keep the blog, but doesn't read it on his own unless I prompt him too...and I mostly don't. After shopping, it's tackle the mess in the bedroom time...we may need more clothes storage...or maybe I can weed out alot of things I don't wear after i get some new things. Ok, this post is getting ridiculously long...and my day is wasting away. Off to shop!

Wedded Bliss, ha!
Married life is not easy. I am not blissfully happy. Far from it. After countless tears shed by myself, I have to get it out. It is very hard to share, because I feel like it’s all wrong…I'm supposed to be so happy, with no problems. I feel alone, like I'm the only one who has a rough time in the beginning. I am afraid to talk to even my closest friends, because I'm afraid they will judge me, and my marriage. I am afraid I won't be able to express what is really bothering me. I am afraid to give anyone the chance to say "I told you so." I am afraid that I could be right in that these feelings are unnatural…that something's wrong with this relationship…that it will never work. I am afraid that we made a big mistake. I just don't want to face it. It is eating away at me everyday as I sit alone in our apartment. Every time someone asks "how's married life?" I automatically give my cheery response of "good." But, IT'S NOT GOOD. I am afraid to ask anyone if it's normal to feel like this…because I'm afraid they will say no. And I'm afraid of what to do then.