A Little Bit of Everything

This post could probably be called post casserole, because it has all sorts of unrelated things that have no business being together. Speaking of casserole, I have vowed a vow to never make casserole for my family...unless they're really bad. I also do not eat much pasta. I consider it the stuff that holds the other food hostage inside the casserole so that it can't escape.

Tonight, I was desperate and made a pasta/casserole hybrid. The only thing that kept it from qualifying as a casserole was the fact that I didn't put it in a baking dish and sprinkle cheese on top of it. Jacob is still sitting at the table right now, not eating it and complaining--- to which I have been responding that he's never tasted it, so he doesn't know that he doesn't like it.


The reason I made pasta was because I was not able to fix what I had planned on account of my young son pocketing a sucker in the grocery store when I told him he couldn't have it. I discovered it once we were home, and that necessitated the second trip to the store and back.

As for the rest of what has been going on, I've been working like mad on my mother-in-law's birthday gift today, trying to get it done before we go see her tomorrow. It's been a challenge doing it with the children trying to participate, but I'm getting through it and I think I may have it done tonight. I won't post a picture yet because I don't want to spoil the surprise for her.

Yesterday David and I spent the afternoon tiling the countertop in the kitchen. I'm so excited to be that much closer to being able to use the kitchen again! Hooray!

Birthday Boy

I can hardly believe that Jacob is 4. Honestly, where does the time go? In any case, he had a great birthday. We went bowling, and just had some fun family time.

Thank you Aunt Jenais and Uncle Mark for the chance to do battle with Grandma.

Bridget "sharing" Jacob's gifts.

The cake that was supposed to be a truck. (It's a good thing he's 4 and has a good imagination.)

Untouchables

In response to Molly's question if I could cut up David's roadkill T-shirt, the answer is no. There are some things in every man's life that are very important to him and must not be messed with, let alone cut up.

For example:

My Dad's purple shirts and wide mission ties.

David's purple pants (which finally had so many rips that I couldn't repair them, and they had to be retired.)

So what are the untouchables in your life, or the life of someone you love?

T-shirt dress

David had some T-shirts that he didn't like that I had bought him on clearance some time ago. Bridget was in desperate need of some dresses, so I went online and found instructions for this little T-shirt dress. It was so easy and simple, the hardest thing about it was sewing on the buttons and rosettes at the bottom. Hurray for not spending any more money or running into town!

If you're interested, the website is here.

Cabinets in

We've been working like crazy on the kitchen the last several days. We finally got the primer and paint on, and part of the cabinets up. I'm so excited to get my dishes back into drawers and cupboards instead of the office, utility room, and front room. I still have to use the bathroom tub to do the dishes, but I'm so happy to have things a little more centralized I really don't care today.

We still have a lot of work to do, which includes hanging the rest of the cabinets, tiling the countertop and backsplash, tiling the oven backsplash, and painting the laundry room which adjoins the kitchen. It's so worth it though. By the time we're done our house is going to actually be a nice place to live, as opposed to what is was. A smoke-filled run-down old house.

Boogie Oogie Oogie

Jacob has always loved music, and frequently sings and dances throughout the day. As a colicky infant, he would only quiet down when I bounced him up and down to Riverdance, so I'm not surprised when I see moves like this.

(Sorry it doesn't have sound, our camera is an older one)

Yes, really.

So the new hospital opened it's doors to the public yesterday with a little gala. We didn't attend. 1) Because David was working, and 2) Because the price per plate on our invitation was $1000. No I didn't mistype, that's ONE THOUSAND dollars. I filed that invitation in the garbage as soon as I saw that price. But that's not the end, it gets better.

In talking to other people in the community, I found out that their price was different than ours. Their price was $50 a plate. Our CEO is such a weasel.

Drywall

You may be wondering why there are so many mudded screws on that wall. We had to really reinforce it since the construction was so shoddy. We also used the green drywall which is used for places with moisture. Probably a good idea for a kitchen.

Remiss in my duties

I just realized that I haven't posted any pictures of the kids in quite a while. Here's some glimpses of every day...oh yeah, and the latest on the kitchen remodel.




The kids were playing Christmas Day a couple of days ago. The blue blanket is the Christmas tree, and the other blankets are the presents. They each have a toy in them that Jacob wrapped up. He acted so surprised and happy every time he opened one up, it was really funny.

Ceiling up and lighting in.

Venting duct for oven hood in place.