New Ceiling - Well just a part

Today we are getting a "new" ceiling in the dining room area.  I say area, cause the dining room is really just an area between the kitchen and living room.  Why new, because somebody decided a fun way to section off the dining room area would be with a different texture on the ceiling.  Different from the kitchen and living room. 

Stupid as that is, the texture is really just a big bunch of extra mud, it looks like stalactites.  They did it in our bedroom too, but because that is a separate room, I can deal with it.  Here's a close up....

We (me mostly) obsessed about it and came up with the grand idea to remove all of the ceiling drywall in the "room" and have new installed.  We (mostly Bill) knew we couldn't put up the drywall, but we (all me) knew we could remove it.  Unfortunately we have blown in insulation and just had the roof replaced, so the junk that would have fell on our head (me and Bill!!!) would have been gross.

So I call a drywall guy (how do you find a drywall guy in a new community...just look at the trucks as they drive by...so the Drywall Dr got my call) and ask him to provide a quote on how much it would cost to put up new.

He says don't do that, let us scrap and remud.  We (mostly Bill) bought it, so I went along.  He (Rick, the Drywall Dr. )insured us it would be cheaper than replacing the drywall.  So here is the before.....

And then here is the middle.  This poor soul (not Rick, the Drywall Dr, but the guy who works for him, Scott) hand scraped the high points or tips.  and then Rick came in and put up one coat of mud.  I am already happy.  

These are the best Flip flops I own

I bought a Groupon for a half price dinner at a restaurant in Ka'anapali (just sound out all of the vowels), so a couple of weeks ago, we decided to use it.  Actually it was a sort of celebration on refinancing our house.

I wore a dress, did my hair and put on actual makeup.  Bill put on a Nat Nast Shirt and shorts...it's still Maui after all.  When we were walking to the car, I said, you are wearing flip flops.  His response was...but these are the best flip flops I own.  There you have it. Can't ask for more than the best!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We had a very fun Christmas.  Christmas Eve was with Jamie and Sandy (Maggie's parents) Maggie, Grace and Noa.  Mira and Jazzy were with their mom and Richard had to work.  But Christmas morning we went over to Richard and Maggie's (Richard got off at 7) and it was a blast.  Children opening presents is the best. 

Then we went to the beach.  Swimming on Christmas day is unreal.

For New Year's Bill and I went to dinner at Buzz's Wharf.  They had a "game" where you uploaded a picture to facebook and then they pulled names.  Whatever.  Dinner was great.  We went to the early seating and were asleep by 10:30.  What can I say! 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

WHO STARTED CHRISTMAS?

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two
children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after
hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally
made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming
pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that
perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card
list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into
the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't
take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and
shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified
him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed,
purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

-- Author Unknown

Until the whole world hears!

A Penny from Daddy

It started because I wanted something.  A crock pot.  We didn't think we would use ours here, so we left it (either put it in storage or sold it at the yard sale, I have no idea).

I occasionally take our saved change to the Green Coin Star and get an Amazon gift card, I know, I feel ghetto doing it, but I have to do something with all that change Bill leaves on the dresser.

So on Saturday, I drag Bill with me to Foodland, and dump my coins in the slot.  Have you ever used one of these, its a coin counter ...  super loud.  Any way the coins clink their way down and the screen shows a tally.  (btw I guesstimated $38.00 and Bill guessed $50.00...we got $50.06).  If you get a gift certificate, there is no charge, but if you select cash money (you know to buy cigarettes and booze) the machine takes 8%.

Sometimes a coin is defective so it goes in the reject slot.  I always try these coins a second time and usually they make it through the second time.  So, while standing there in front of the green machine, I empty the reject slot maybe twice.  We got our total, but then noticed a lone penny sitting in the reject slot.  I put it in the hopper again.  It slowly, noisily made its way back to the reject slot.  Again I put it in the hopper, and then it hit me!  Wait!   I listened, and clink out into the reject slot a final time.

A message from Grandmom.  I turn the penny over, a wheat penny.  Nope, Daddy saying Hello!

If you Wanna Laugh...Go Here...

Bad Santa Photos

Baby Thomas

He is so sweet.  If  I could give him one bit of advice.  Let Mommy sleep more!  He is so sweet.  The little shirt he is wearing has a C-130 on it (Alex's airplane). 

Lauren and Alex really seems to have this whole parenting thing down, Lauren especially.  She was by herself for nearly 3 weeks with a month old baby.  Alex come home just a day before we left, and it was great to see him in action too. 

I remember holding my babies for the first time.  It was awesome, even if I was worn out.  But seeing your own children hold their children.  It's extra special.