This Full House Archive

Tag: new jersey mom bloggers

Bathroom/Library Redo, Done, For Real (I Think!)

So, remember how I decided to redo the bathroom/library a few days before hosting a houseful on Thanksgiving?

Aaaaand, then I was just sitting there, minding my own business and preparing a mental list of things to forget….GASP!!!!

When I realized that, after taking the poor beat up old pantry (up there) out to the garage….I mean….storage area….there was absolutely nothing to lean on while, you know, thinking.

Then, my husband Garth (NHRN) had a brilliant idea.

"Why don't you just take the door off and put those basket thingies in it?!?"

[blink, blink, blink]

BRILLIANT!!!

So, on Thanksgiving Eve, I repainted it (pistachio) then sponged it (golden rod) for good measure. Now we have a place to lean on AND store our unmentionables and stuff.

Although, someone swiped my brand new magazines and cut 'em all up to make a collage for a last-minute art project [cough-cough-Holly-cough-cough] DAGNABIT!

So, I "borrowed" two baskets from someone's cubby (thanks, Holls!) because, parenting IS all about give and take, you know?

NOW…I feel content in officially calling the bathroom/library redo…done (I think!) and you're welcome.

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

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November 29, 2011
The Big-ish Reveal

12 cups of coffee, 6 trips to Home Depot and way too many potty stops I'd care to mention, at the moment (you're welcome!)

Before: last Thursday, when the wallpaper fell on my head and I vowed, before the bathroom gods and my neighbors, "NO MORE WALLPAPER, EVUH!"

Having spent most of Friday, Saturday and today working on it, I am proud to confirm that my spontaneous bathroom makeover is indeed FINISHED. ON BUDGET. AAAAND, ON SCHEDULE.

Wanna see? To quote my friend Busy Mom, it's time to "move that bus!"

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November 20, 2011
Under the Wire (Alternate Title: Nearly Forgot to #NaBloPoMo)

Well, my spontaneous bathroom makeover is finished (mostly) and I keep suprising the heck out of myself, by achieving a whole new level of tired, from when I first started this project 3 days ago.

This morning, I posted a sneak peek on Facebook. The color is actually a lot less yellow in person and looks more like lightly toasted, um, toast.

Here's the really cool part: being pressed for time, I came up with a way to cover up all the imperfections (i.e. wallpapering over sheetrock is NOT a good idea) I texturized (yes, it's a word!) the wall to make it look like stone.

In fact, my husband Garth (NHRN) was SO impressed (okay, more like shocked) that he treated me to a new light fixture.

BONUS!

Quite frankly, I am very proud of myself. Not only did I actually finish a home project (for once) it looks REAL gosh-darned good, too.

Also, I'm considering submitting my name to the Guinness Book of World Records for person with the most paint stuck, in places a person shouldn't have paint stuck.

Slightly related: My youngest daughter has a friend sleeping over tonight who, during dinner, seemed a bit alarmed at the amount of paint still splattered on the back of my hands.

"Is it going to stay like that forever?!?"

Yes, I will be forever classic taupe.

"I'll just connect the dots and tell people it's a Henna tattoo."

[sound of crickets, chirping]

BURRRRRRRRP!

"Good one, Mom."

Parenting Tip #29,188,299: When all else fails, burp REAL LOUD!

What?!? Pictures?!? Oh, yeah, I'm going to post the AFTER pictures tomorrow, when Garth (NHRN) promised to mount my prettiful new light fixture.

Heaven knows I could do with some more blog fodder: stupid #NaBloPoMo!

Until then, I remain forever yours,

I.M. Tired

P.S. I said mount (HAH!)

[Progress Report: having nearly painted myself into a coronary on Friday (stupid #NaBloPoMo) it's the big-ish reveal!!]

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

^{Feed me, see more!}

November 19, 2011
Painting Myself Into a Coronary

Yesterday, I spontaneously started de-constructing our bathroom and, even though we've used other people's half-bathrooms that were WAY BIGGER (hrmph) when it comes to prepping walls for paint, size does NOT matter.

Every part of my body, even the parts that I forgot I even had, hurts.

About halfway through I was all, like, what was I thinking?!? I should of used a little Elmer's glue, some duct tape, perhaps sprinkled a little holy water and called it a day.

Look, it's Frankenshower!

Playing with painter's tape, however, IS AWESOME!!! In fact, I may or may not have been a little overzealous with taping the shower.

3 cups of coffee, 2 coats of primer (ceiling and walls, each) and 4 trips to the OTHER bathroom later, I've spent a total of 8 hours on this last minute project and was totally excited about being "this close" to being finished.

Until, all those little imperfections previously ignored (ahem) started bleeding through.

I have until this weekend to get this finished and seeing as I've pretty much painted myself into a corner (bah-dum-bum) a 3rd trip to Home Depot (today) and I'm pretty sure I've come up with a solution.

Tomorrow, we paint (and by we, I mean me) and, hopefully, I'll be able to show you the results in a lovely side-by-side, before-and-after shot, with my next post.

Only if it, you know, comes out good, of course.

In the meantime, if anyone needs me, I'll be upstairs, avoiding HGTV, the DYI Channel and fending off a coronary.

Stupid old house, dumbass wallpaper.

[Progress Report: coming just under the wire, late Saturday night (stupid #NaBloPoMo) my spontaneous bathroom makeover is complete!!]

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

^{Feed me, see more!}

November 18, 2011
NO MORE WALLPAPER, EVUH!!!

So, there I was, just sitting, reading the latest issue of Cottage Living and minding my own (ahem) business, when, all of the sudden, RRRRRRRRIIIIIIPPPPP.

Aaaaaand, at about 10:30 this morning, something snapped and I went all Mommy Dearest, right there, in the middle of, well, you know.

Really?!? As if the crumpling ceiling and leaky walls in the living room, not to mention the mysterious black hole, forming on the ceiling above the washer and dryer, as we speak, weren't enough (stupid Irene) then again, who the heck wallpapers a bathroom, right?!?

Riiiiiiight.

4 hours, 2 cups of coffee and 3 trips to the OTHER bathroom, later.

A good day's work, eh? Tomorrow, we prime (and by we, I mean me) and I hope to be able to wrap up my extreme bathroom makeover by this weekend.

Why, yes, of course I remember that Thanksgiving is only, like, 7 sleeps away. Because, we're hosting an intimate dinner for 12 (so far) and, although the rest of the house maybe a shambles (stupid Irene) the bathroom/library is going to look mah-vuh-luss, dagnabit.

Oh and NO MORE WALLPAPER, EVUH!!!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go and find Garth (NHRN) because, I seem to have lost my ass somewhere in between the hallway and dinner.

Stupid wallpaper, dumbass Irene.

[Progress Report: having nearly painted myself into a coronary on Friday and then coming under the wire, late Saturday night (stupid #NaBloPoMo) my spontaneous bathroom makeover is complete!!]

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

^{Feed me, see more!}

November 17, 2011
Mom’s Thinking Place

We've inherited several pieces of furniture over the years (okay, mostly ALL of it) and I often times find myself describing our home as being decorated in Early American Garage Sale.

Most recently, 2 overstuffed recliners that belonged to my parents.

Because of their declining mobility, they've chosen to downsize their livingroom, which, means we've upgraded to new-ish furniture.

But, this chair, right here, is what my youngest likes to call Mom's Thinking Place.

Besides the bathroom, it is my favorite place to regroup, relax and reconnect with myself.

Especially, in the early morning hours, while my mind is still quiet and I enjoy the nothingness that exists between sleep-encrusted eyes.

No, it's not the trendiest or even prettiest of chairs, I know.

Still, even the dog seems to sense its specialness (above all the other pieces of furniture he's otherwise quick to claim, as his own) and, well, I just love that, you know?

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

^{Feed me, see more!!}

November 15, 2011
Keeping Our Options Open, Since 1993
We took our 18 year-old to an open house at one of the local colleges here in Jersey, this afternoon.

Key words, rocking my world at the moment, in that last sentence being: 18 year-old and college.

Yesterday, I became a mother of an 18 year-old woh…woh…WHOA!…man, sorry, but I cannot seem to wrap my head around the fact that my oldest baby girl is 18.

Today, we visited with college representatives = fuel to the fire for an especially emotionally-gifted person, like me.

Thankfully, I had other things on my mind like:
- Wow, look at ALL these expensive cars!
- Wonder if she would mind driving a minivan to school?
- Oh, look at ALL the pretty trees!
- Are there enough lights in this parking lot?
- Uh-oh, where's the bathroom again?
Okay, that last one? Too much coffee. Not enough sleep. Enough said.

"What course of study would you recommend we follow?"

Aaaaand, by we, of course I meant, our kid (fyi: when talking about your kid, as long as we have, it's sort of hard NOT to speak in the first person) however, long story, short (you're welcome) that bridge, you know, the one we said we would cross when we came to it?

Not only is RIGHT HERE in front of us.

"Well, taking into consideration the present economy, I recommend all students keep their options open."

That sucker just got way BIGGER.

"Oh, look, let's check out the student center!"

All things considered, we are way excited for her.

"Oh, look, THIS would be the perfect place to sit, have coffee, talk and, you know, maybe even save the world!"

[blank stare]

"Or, maybe that's just me?"

[grin]

"Hey, maybe we could take some classes, together?"

Would you believe: her words, not mine?

"Trust me, you wouldn't want me hanging around for long."

Because, in a less than perfect world, we ARE…that is to say…I am a force to be reckoned with.

Or, maybe she was just humoring me.

"Well, obviously, NOT together, in the same room, or anything, Mom."

Aaaaand, I figured that out without a college degree AND everything.

Stupid economy, dumbass bridge.

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

^{Feed me, see more!!}
November 13, 2011
Whoa, man, she’s 18!

It's official, as of 4:30 this morning, I am the mother of an 18 year-old, as in, you know, a fully grown adult female.

Lump, meet throat.

Although, my husband Garth (NHRN) and I knew this day would come way, way too fast (we were right, dammit) aaaaaand, now that is here, well, DAMMIT!

I'm still getting used to the idea of Holly as a teenager (sort of) but, you know what? I don't mind it so much. Not that I have a choice, or anything.

Beeeecause, no matter how hard I try and will my baby girl back (to about hip level) there is no use denying it, my oldest HAS grown into a beautiful woh, woh, woh, D'OH!!!

Whoa, man, I swear, I got this.

[clears throat]

18 years to prepare for this VERY moment and, still, I've managed to muck it all up with silly, overly-cliché sentiments, like, MAH BAY-BEE GIRL IS ALL GROWED-UP AND EVERYTHING!

Then again, now that she IS an adult (SOB!) being an embarrassment to a grown up child just isn't as much fun, anymore.

HowEVER, seeing as I am ALSO celebrating my 18th Motherversary, I feel it safe to say that it's just too gosh-darned late to worry about propriety, at this point, really.

Because, I seemed to have raised myself a new best friend, for life and, you know what else, I'm okay with that, too, you know?!?

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

^{Feed me, see more!!}

November 12, 2011
Honoring ALL Who Served & Uncle Bud

Glen and his Uncle Bud: Deployment of the Troops Ceremonies, 2004

Funny, light-hearted and totally lovable, Steve is an amazing person. Not long after this photo was taken, my twin brother lost a kidney to cancer (the bitch!)

Still, you'd never know it.

He's the sort of person who, after only a few minutes of conversation, you can't help but like the man and then, amazingly, come away feeling a little lighter in spirit.

Trust me, I know. Steve is a constant inspiration to the troops he's trained, the men and women who serve alongside him and, most especially, their families, who sacrifice a little piece of their hearts, every day.

Not ONLY because it is his job, it's how he rolls.

With love and appreciation to all who served: most especially, thank you, Uncle Bud!

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

^{Feed me, see more!!}

November 11, 2011
We Could Write a Bad Romance

10 days into NaBloPoMo and, well, NOW I remember why I have never NaBloPoMo-ed before.

This blogging every day thing is hard, man (for me, anyways) however, it's been a great writing exercise (so far) especially, this time of year, when my head could always do with a good, you know, brain dump-ing.

You're welcome!

Aaaaaanyway, the cool thing about NaBloPoMo-ing is that there are daily prompts to help get my blogging juices going.

Today's prompt is:

What is your secret (or not-so-secret) passion?

[blushing]

Okay, I've got one and would you believe that it's NEVER been blogged either?!?

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November 10, 2011