It's Beginning to LOOK a Lot Like Christmas!!

I was debating whether or not to get a Christmas tree this year... I love getting Christmas trees, but I wasn't sure if I had the energy to get one up and decorated. Since my mom and sister are coming to town, I thought the place really did need one.

So Eric and I ventured out on Saturday to the tree lots and returned with nothing. The tree lots were expensive and it was cold that day, so no tree. Then on Sunday afternoon, Eric surprised me with this monster! I was thinking a simple 4-6 ft tree (which is what I had a stand for) but I got an enormous tree instead!! The biggest tree ever. And we had to search for a new tree stand at 7pm last Sunday because the one I had was too small!!
So far I have gotten some lights on it, but it still needs ornaments. Hopefully my mom will help me when she gets here TOMORROW! The tree makes the house fell so festive. If only I could figure out what to do with the furniture...

And since the last post was just about Sadie, here are some cute Maggie pics. She loves this blue bed. There is one spot in particular that is almost worn through because she digs at it all the time. I have no idea why... Eric thinks it is because she pooped on it her first night in Colorado!

This morning, I was in my office working and heard Maggie grunting around. Well, the smart little dog moved her bed across the living room and plopped it down right in the line of the sun from the dining room window. She loves to lay in the sunny spots, but who knew she was smart enough to bring her bed over there too!
One week until Christmas, and I would guess I am about 15% done with my shopping. Thank goodness for a "mandatory" 2 week work shut down. I can get some last minute power shopping in!

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas!!

This post has nothing to do with my house... Well except for that one sentence!

I am getting really excited for Christmas. I got the best news today - my mom AND my sister will both be staying in my house on Christmas Eve! I can't remember the last time we spent Christmas morning together - it could have been 12 years ago!

And in honor of Christmas, and the renaming of the blog (ok two sentences) indicating the completion of the remodel, here are some shots a coworker took of me and Sadie 2 years ago for Christmas cards. (I never sent them, but it's the thought that counts, right?)


I'm lucky to have such a beautiful dog. She is all I can see in these pictures!!
Doesn't she look happy?? I have no idea what life would be like without her...

And this last one is just hillarious!

Now all I need is a Christmas tree... Hmmm, that sounds a lot like work...

Dogs, New Car, Happy Thanksgiving!!

I sometimes wonder if people out there are sad that my remodel is basically done... That means I really don't have too much to talk about and the blog is certainly more boring...

So, I'll start with Maggie. I swear she is cuter every day. Lately, she has been such a little snuggler and hops in my lap anytime I sit on the couch. Here she is with Sadie - sharing a bed:

That picture was from a few weeks ago and here is one from tonight. I know this sounds weird, but her nose is turning pink! This picture doesn't really do it justice, but the tip really is pink and seems to be getting lighter. Any idea why that would happen? Maybe her collar is rubbing off on it?And here are a couple of pictures of the guest room downstairs. The paint came out really nicely and the room, while small, feels quite cozy. It even fit the couch piece that didn't fit in the downstairs living room.

And here is a picture of the bed. Only a foot or 2 on each side, but it is workable.

And, I finally got mt new company car! Check out this sweet ride! This is much better than the "mommy missile" I was driving around. The only tricky part is finding a comfy place for Sadie to sit. I think she will be fine for short rides:

And another angle. I wonder if I will be able to keep it clean?

There are also lots of bells and whistles, like Satellite radio and a navigation system. I like driving it a lot - much peppier than my old car and perfect for crossing busy neighborhood streets ;) Here is my view. Don't worry, the light was red when I took this picture!
That's about all that is new! Check out the latest in the Bronco pool. Four of us crazies are just one game away from being out of it!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Since it has been a while, two posts in a day!

Since I am on a role and enjoying the break from "intellectual work", here are some house pics that I have been meaning to share!

The word "DONE" can now be officially used! There is still a (growing) list of things I need the contractors to touch up, but they will come back in January to do everything on the list and then they will come back again before my 2 year warranty expires at least once for touch ups! What a nice feeling to have a 2 year warranty. But the best part is this:
Looks like an ordinary back door, right? Well it is much more than that for me. This is where the lock box once was!! And it is GONE! That means no one can come in my house at 7am on a Tuesday without letting me know ahead of time!!! This was the best part of last week and what I had been waiting for to use the "d" word.

And now I have rugs, which makes the place feel a lot more like home! The wood floors are great, but a rug is a must, especially with the weather getting cooler! I couldn't even get this one unrolled before Sadie wanted to lay on it! She apparently agrees on the importance of rugs!


Here it is in the bed room. I wish the doorway was bigger, but it gives you an idea...

And a rug for the living room:

And a matching runner:

Here is another shot that was a long time in the making! Parking in the garage! I can do it now whenever I want! It still isn't a habit yet because my car barely fits, but I will get used to it soon! Especially when my new, smaller, company car gets here.

Here is a shot of the stairs in the basement. They make the place feel a lot more finished.

One bedroom and a wall have been painted so far, soon hopefully the whole area will be painted!There is still a ton to do - including outside, where the toilet still sits! I asked the contractors to remove this with their trash, but apparently they thought it was too pretty to take away! Haha, well maybe it is growing on me...

A Belated Happy Halloween!

Halloween on a Friday - that is a recipe for trouble!! Lucky for us, the trouble didn't come, but lots of friends did! Here are all the pictures that were in my camera. If anyone else has pics, send them my way and I will post them!!

Here are the hippie dogs!!Justin Timberlake (er, Chip) made an appearance in his famous costume for a famous SNL song. Name that tune!

And the boy scout (John) had to get a closer look. Don't get too close - it might bite!

And the skinny girls rocked the spandex this year! Jill is an 80's aerobics girl and Gwen is a high school wrestler - she even had a robe thingy. And notice baby Dave in the background, with a "bottle" of Jack.Perfect Jane Fonda form!!! I'd totally buy this exercise video!

I caught the cowgirl, without her Indian (hehe) and Anne, er Wanda was a hot tourist, complete with a fanny pack!

And all the hippies together for a group photo. What are the dogs looking at?!?

It was a great party! Thanks to everyone who came - there were some hilarious costumes, I just wish I had taken more pictures. That's why we needed Drea to be our photographer!! Next time I will do better - I have a blog to think about after all!!

Almost There!!

I should be writting about how nice it is to finally be in my home... Well, I am almost done with contractors - perhaps next week and we can take the lock box off the door and settle up with the payments. So, 6 months after we started and we can almost call this place DONE.

Here are some overdue pics. I hired a great guy to install new garage doors. When I get my new company car next week (yep, the Mercedes) it will have a nice home! The Almond color couldn't have been more perfect and I was super lucky to have such a great installer that even worked through a Bronco game!
What a pretty garage, no? Just needs a bit of touch up paint and we are all set.
Here is what the new openers look like. I have really missed having a garage these last 6 months so I can't wait to start parking in here.
Just a few last things to get outa here before it can be a real garage. When I moved in, the garage was FULL of my stuff, so this picture makes me feel like unpacking progress has occured! There was also a pile of hardwood flooring that I was waiting to remove...
Now that the stairs are built, I can return all the unused wood and get it out of my garage! On Saturday morning (yes Saturday) the floor finishers will be here. They come again on Sunday and then the stairs should be done! This is the last major task to complete!! Oh, and I am having new carpet installed downstairs tomorrow. I painted the ceiling, but so far I haven't had the energy to paint the walls. Oh well, I can use drop clothes :)

There is still a lot of stuff that needs to get done around here - but most of it is my work. Here is my office... Think I can get a lot done here??
Lucky for me, I have work helpers:
I am lucky enough to have 2 helpers!!

Don't they just look so helpful? At least I am not alone when I am working!
Speaking of working, I took a few fun pics of my most recent, and hopefully last, trip to Albuquerque. I happened to time my trip during Balloon Fiesta. I have to say, it was amazing. All those dots in the sky are hot air balloons. Not the greatest pictures while driving...
Here is a closer view of a few balloons:

And when I first saw this car, the dog was facing forward and I thought there was a deer in the car!! Nope, just a huge dog!!

So the adventure continues, but I am in my new place and the last pieces are coming together. That's why I am having the Halloween Party!! I hope you all can make it!! Thanks for hanging in there with me. Once we are DONE, I will start posting before and after pics and then this blog will start to be about boring things like Bronco games and funny dog stories.

Introducing the Ewert's, My Neighbors!

This weekend, almost all of my friends were together for the most beautiful wedding I have ever attended! Here are just a few snapshots from the camera that we need to share!

Here's the happy couple, the Ewert's!!
The first dance... So perfect!
And the father - daughter dance:
And the mother - son dance:
Here is a picture of Mikey in one of his last moments as a single guy!

And one of the first moments as a MARRIED guy! Much better!

All of the friends gathered and danced and danced... I wish there were more pictures of this part - I'm sure there are lots out there!

How many years from now will this picture of a father - daughter dance look way different??
The best man and his beautiful wife Jill!

And Jill as my date:
And the ever dancing Tanya!

Eric, Jen and Fritz having a great time:

And the Kendall's! (Happy 1 year anniversary btw)

And Adam and Jennine:

And of course, one more of the happy couple, congrats you too! Thanks for inviting me to your wedding. I love you both and can't wait to see what the next 50 years bring for you!!!