Our New Years Weekend Projects

Alex and I spent our New Years Eve sick with colds...cuddled up on the couch ringing in the New Year. On New Years Day we watched the Rose Parade (my favorite part of the day) and just RELAXED! What a blessing it is to spend a day not being busy with the day-to-day challenges of life and just enjoy each other's company!

Friday was spent at Lowe's and Home Depot (we ended up getting more help at Home Depot for our purchases, though). Saturday was our project day...The timer for our porch light "died", so I installed a light switch instead.

The "Door Viewer" (peep hole) needed to replaced, so with a little drilling to make the hole bigger, we now have one we can actually see through.

I replaced the old Thermostat with a Digital/Programable Thermostat.

The timer in the garage that turns on the lights outside above the garage also "died", so I replaced it with a new timer.

Finally, I have been trying to figure out why our sprinkers won't turn on anymore with our timer (the timer works, I replaced the caps to the wires and the solenoids) but I'm stuck on this one...

Together, Alex and I unscrewed the three bottom built-in cabinets from each other, the counter, and wall in our loft. We thought this would be simple, but we encountered a few problems. A few of the screws were in so tight we couldn't get them out, the counter top was heavy, and the cabinets were even heavier! We did manage to get them out and they are now in the garage!

My 28th Birthday

My 28th Birthday was so much fun this year! Alex and I drove up to Mt. High to go snowboarding because I got in free (since it was my birthday). It's been a couple of years since we had been, but we picked it up pretty well. That night we went to my parent's house for dinner. Mom made lasagna, salad, and garlic bread (my request). And for dessert..a soy mud pie! It was so special to be with my husband, my parents, grandma, and brother! Presents? Alex got me a Humidifer (yeah! I can breathe at night now), I got a label maker (watch out ... I'm already labeling things around the house), and a Drill (yes...I'm very excited about tools now that I'm a homeowner).

Alex Graduates From Pepperdine!

On Saturday, December 6, 2008, Alex graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management! I am just so proud of my husband! He began taking classes as Saddleback College while he was still in the marines and transfered to Pepperdine when he completed his assignment. Alex worked full time and went to school at night, and still was such a wonderful husband! I was blessed to live at home when I went to college, so I wanted to make his college time easy...so I too on the chores, all of the cleaning, and any other tasks that would otherwise add to his workload. Boy did it pay off! He is enjoying this week being able to come home after work and not having to stress about homework, projects, or tests. I decorated the house as you will see in the pictures for the reception we held at our home that afternoon!

Thanksgiving

This year we went to Alex' parents house in West Hills (Los Angeles) for Thanksgiving. We had such a wonderful time with his parents and sister enjoying a turkey seasoned with rosemary, mexican cornbread stuffing (gluten free for Alex), mashed potatoes (my specialty), yams, cranberry sauce, and green beans. I made gluten free brownies for dessert (from Trader Joes) and they were a huge hit!

Around the House...Part II

I've moved upstairs is my cleaning/fixing frenzy. There is a cute 1/2 bath at the bottom of our stairs. Dad showed me how to replace the parts inside the tank and I was able to replace the parts in our master bathroom toilet.

About a week ago, I decided we needed a toilet paper holder, hand towel rack, and towel rack in our master bathroom. I installed all three! I used a drill (and a level)! Then, since that project went well, I thought replacing the entire shower head (yes even the pipe screwed into the wall), the tub faucet, the overplate head, and drain were next on my list. I think the guys that work at Home Depot seemed surprised by my purchases, but it was quite easy when all you have to do is follow the directions on the package. I learned how to use plumbing tape, plumber putty, and caulking.

Upstairs to the left we have a loft that had built-in cabinets (which are now in the garage on a wall, thanks to my father-in-law) and a built-in desk (which will also move to the garage). Alex plans on using this space as his office, but until then, he is using the bedroom over the garage (which will turn into a guestroom).

Going straight from the stairs is the master bedroom. We have a beautiful bay window (that I just love) a walk in closet that already had built-in storage, two sinks, and a huge tub!

Finally, to the right from the stairs is a full bathroom and two bedrooms at the end of the hall. The one Alex is using as his office is on the right (over the garage), and the one I am using as a craft room (which will be the nursery someday :o) ) is on the left.

Around The House...Part I

It's my week off from school and I've decided the home projects are very exciting! On Saturday, I took out all the dead plants (rose bushes and sega palms) in the front yard (one more to go...but I need my man to help me!)

Yesterday I trimmed back the bushes on the side yard and took out 2 dead ones next to our broken gate. I also planted our "Star Jasmine" next to my slider door going out to our backyard. So far, it's the only plant I have managed to keep alive (I've had it since the summer).

I did manage to wash all the windows downsatirs (inside and out), took off the baby proofing in our kitchen, clean the oven/microwave, cleaned the fireplace (this morning), took down 3 oak shelves that were in our dining room, and installed a door stop on the door to the garage. We don't have overhead lighting in our dining room, so I'm playing with the placement of these floorlamps.

Lastly, as far as the downstairs is concerned, I did add two more floor lamps in the living room and have begun to accessorize. It's coming along...but I can't wait to PAINT!