Summer Projects!

Saturday, my mom came and helped me paint the bedroom a color called "sea adventure". It was the darkest color either of us have ever painted with, so we were a little nervous about it. My goal with this color was the match it to an odd Italian painting we have over the bed. This color matches perfectly!


I didn't take a before picture, so this is kinda what it looked like. (This is the hobby/junk room)

Saturday morning, we painted the wall behind the bed where the picture is. It looked great.

Just one wall painted

My mom and I waited anxiously for Paul to get home from work to see if he would like it. That's one of the reasons why we just did one wall. We didn't want it to be too dark. So.. Paul gets home.. and loves it, but he wants to paint the whole room in it. So.. my mom and Jojo went back to Aiken and Paul and I stayed up till 3AM painting the rest of the room. Sunday, we were in a whole lot of pain. lol! I think it looks good.

All the walls painted: Where's Friskie?

Better picture of the painting

Monday, I decided to paint the bathroom.

Bathroom Before

I painted the bathroom a clear turquoise. It took me all day Monday and Tuesday to get it done. I am going to get a fierily-orange and purple sunset poster to put over the white cabinets.

After: I am still deciding on the flowers to use: Pink Roses or Tropical orange and purple?

Honey checking it out

I think they like it. :)

That has been the project this week. Next week, I start back to school. I'm pretty excited about it.

Back Garden

Today, I worked out in the rain which was heavy at times to clean up the back graden. Even though it was raining, it was a nice relief from the 100 degree weather I worked on the front yard with. I didn't use stones this time.. just to save some money. Maybe next year, I will line it with stones like the front yard.






I had to use the camera on my cell for these photos because I was watching the cats roam around outside. Honey didn't like the wet grass, but Friskie didn't mind.

Here are the elephant ears! They are huge! We have some water drainage problems on the side of the house, so they absorb a lot of the water. I wonder if they will come back bigger next year?



Friskie likes to hide out in there when he goes outside.



Next jobs, cleaning the garage and painting a few rooms!

August

I start classes in a few weeks: two education classes (graduate level), one math class, and one javascript (computer class). On Friday, we had some friends over for a cookout and they are into the computer and software systems at school. They said I could get a software and information master's degree in one year. All I would need to take is 2 more computer courses and I should get into the program. I have had a few computer classes in college already, so that helps. I'm looking forward to it. :) So far, I plan to finish my graduate certificate in middle grades education and then start on the one year software and information tech degree next fall. Sounds like something you can work from home with as well.

Before my friends came over for the cookout on Friday, I had lunch with my neighbor and we went out to get some rocks for our gardens. That was a lot of fun. She is about my age. We just have never really gotten to know each other before. So.. yesterday evening, Paul and I edged the bushes with the stones we got. It looks really good. I'm going to have to post some photos. I need to get some mulch first and maybe plant a few perrenial -fall colored flowers; if they are out now. I just don't know what's a good flower and what's not. I'll find something.

Also, the little church we've found is great. We are thinking about joining. They have a membership class starting in September.

Yes, this was a rambly blog...I will post some photos soon. It's just REALLY hot outside right now.

Hello Blog!

Yes, I know. I haven't blogged in awhile.. I had the summer off too! It's just been a busy, yet fun summer.

Here are some things I've done this summer:

Went Parasaling in Clearwater, FL (800 ft)




Fed some Giraffes at Busch Gardens

Celebrated the 4th of July with family


Played Crocquet for the first time


Shot of fireworks


Went fishing with my brother


Caught some catfish


Busted my lip open on the side of the boat while jumping out into Mt. Island Lake. I was worried that I would be eaten by human size catfish...



Went hiking up Crowder's Mt. Again..

Went to Swinoujscie, Poland to see my sister

Saw my nieces

Ate lots of sausage and

drank lots of beer

Watched people dance in a German bunker

Wore a German Helmet in a German bunker



Stopped by Ahlbeck, Germany for some ice cream..



used clean stool sample containers for my contacts because I forgot my contact case...


Got attacked by ladybugs




and stung by a Polish BEE!




Stepped into the Baltic Sea (It was cold!- I did get in and swim one day..)

This week, I have been working on the front yard.. putting some edging down around the bushes. Having a cookout tonight with some friends from school. I will have to blog more later this week... but I figured this would work for awhile. ;)

Raptor Center and New Patio Set

Last weekend, we decided to go to the Carolina Raptor Center.

"Raptor" - birds that eat meat, not dinosaurs as I first thought.

Birds we saw: I do not not know what all of them are called, but raptor is what I will call them..

A Cool Bridge

My best bird face...

The Bald Eagles....

This is what fell out of the trees as we walked. I'm sure the birds enjoyed that!

Random: Give cats a ladder, and they will climb it.

The ladder was brought into the house to change our hanging light over the staircase. It's been out awhile. However, it seems to be impossible to change the bulbs... because it's too high to reach.

We got a grill and a new patio set.

Paul was able to put the grill together in about 3 hours. Then, we ate at 10:30PM. :) It was fun and the burgers were much better than our little charcoal grill ever cooked them. They were not stark red and acidic tasting. Plus, the little red charcoal grill was now pink from excessive sun exposure and from lack of us. It was time for a new one. Also, I had the tendency to pour half a can of lighter fluid on the thing because the coals would never heat up. It was not good.. Paul has now taken over as the grill master for our new grill. I think this is wise.

Patio in the day light!