Thursday, September 27, 2012

To Do list

So it's 12:29am and I finished cleaning and then decided I just wanted to sit for a bit so I watched Castle on the laptop and now I'm blogging. I'm trying to get back in the habit of it so that while we're in England I can update everybody (all two of you who read this) on our experiences and life in general. 

I knew that September 30th was coming, I just can't believe how fast it got here! It's hitting me I only have a few days left to get everything on my "to do" list done. Let's be honest, most of it isn't really necessary for us to go, I would just feel better leaving things nice for my brother. 

You know how every once in a while things in life don't go the way you plan and so you do something to have some kind of control? Well, that's what I did about two weeks ago. I called a talented neighborhood friend of mine and asked her if she would help me re-do my bedroom. What I initially intended to be a four day, finish that weekend project, has now become a not even started, but now has to finish in three days or it sits undone for two months, project and just one more thing on my to do list before we go...however, if this particular one doesn't get done, it's not like not having time to mop the floor or clean the bathroom, it's like your brother and sister in-law having to sleep in a mattress on the floor, exposed planking and random colors of paint splattered all over your bedroom kind of mess, and then having to come home and finish it all anyway. 

So, tomorrow (I guess it's today) my friend and her husband are coming over to measure and put up the boards in my room, and then originally my plan was to have somebody come in and paint so I didn't have to deal with the headache of taping and multiple coats, etc. The first guy I called told me he could do it for $450 (!!!!) Outraged, and feeling like I was being taken advantage of, I called a second guy who quoted me $600!!!!!!!!!! Triple outraged, I decided I'd save myself at least $400 and just do it myself. Good Grief. 

So here's my plan, Clean the house (done). 

Thursday: Move all of my bedroom furniture out of my bedroom and into the spare bedroom. Throw out my bed frame. (it's broken and being held up by a tupperware container). Clean my car. Mail a package to my brother and sister. Visit a friend who had a baby. Sort through my clothes and set aside what I'm going to be using/bringing to England and pack whatever is left in my dresser, closet and bathroom up in a massive container and store it downstairs then help put up the boards, spackel and sand the planking and get it ready to paint. Go out to dinner with the family. Tape the baseboards in my room, and begin painting. 

Friday: Finish painting and do second coat in my bedroom. Pack up Maddie's room.  Clean bathrooms, pack carry on bags for kids, drive up the canyon with kids to see leaves. Clean Boston's room. 

Saturday: Move furniture back into bedroom, clean bathrooms, vacuum house, laundry, finish packing completely with exception of Pj's and what ever we'll be wearing to the airport.  Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving point. 

Sunday: One last load of laundry, throw those clothes into luggage, change sheets on beds, walk Brother and sister-in-law through the house and show them how things work, head to the Airport. 

Wow, just writing that down made it easier to sort through. I know that was completely boring for you, but very therapeutic for me. 

On a side note, I found this amazing quilt at Gardners Village and I can't stop thinking about it. That means you're supposed to get it right? You know, so you don't regret not getting it later on...? 
Seriously, it's exactly what I want in my new bedroom! And it's on sale from $200 to $139...So I would be saving $60...I may have to go get it before we go...


I'm even considering using my photography money which is saying a lot. 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

best. family. ever.

Alright Friends (all 5 of you who read this) I have been horrible about blogging, but I'm determined to be better at it, especially as we begin our new adventure across the pond!
As I have never been out of the country for more than a few hours I'm pretty sure I'm going to experience culture shock and I plan on documenting all of that here. We are ready...mostly...It feels like everything to do is last minute since it's mostly stuff we use on a daily basis that we will be bringing.
I used the excuse of "clothes are more expensive over there" and went on a shopping spree for my kids. I now have all of there fall/winter clothes set and ready to pack, I just need to pack them. I deep cleaned every room in my house...with the exception of the downstairs bathroom as it's the grossest and I've been avoiding it like the plague. You would to if you saw the state that it's in. I'll get to it before we turn the house over to my brother and sister-in-law. 
This Thursday we're going to DisneyLand and we are probably more excited than the kids. We ARE more excited than the kids. We turn in to little kids just thinking about it! We thought it would be a good test run for the kids on an airplane. We'll see!! 

I've been wanting to get our family pictures done, and our favorite photographer moved to Nevada, so I had to find someone new. I was so excited when I saw Heather Telford's photography I knew she would be a perfect replacement for Dayna (who you should really check out here). 










 I think this one is my favorite! 


 I love Boston's face on this one! It's totally him. 





Heather did an incredible job! It even looks like my kids were happy and cooperative the whole time! 

Forever!!!