Now how did you know I was in the mood for yellow cake with chocolate frosting?*laughz

Are you going to serve some french vanilla ice cream or do we need to supply our own? If so I'll send my wife to the store now.

Are you celebrating something or just in a mood to be kind? Either way. Thanks very much. You're sweet for thinking about us.

Let them eat....

....cake.

Save a slice for me. Hey Sonny, how 'bout drop me a scoop of the French Vanilla on the side. Thanks. Yum! YUM! *laughz* ;o)

Yeah, I don't have any ice cream. I had some of that Ben and Jerry's Karamel Sutra - which was doggone awesome! but it is gone now.

I forgot I got the chocolate icing with the chocolate chips in. What an unexpected treat!! :D

But no Sonny, no special occasion, it happens sometimes ;) I usually do dinner and my fella does breakfast, but last night he was planning on doing some chicken fried steak, so my cooking impulse turned to cake :)

Luckeeee!

If you don't mind me asking. Where do you live. I don't mean town or city, just state.

When you said chicken fried steak, my mouth started watering. I was born and raised (until I was 16) in North Carolina.

I grew up on chicken fried steak, catfish, pinto beans, hush puppies, and collard greens.

Live in the NE now (to be near grand children) but sure miss that southern cooking. Wife's a northern city girl.*Grinz.

Sorry Cat. Didn't mean to put you on the spot.

Should not have even said state.

Are you from the southern part of the U.S. Hope I got it right this time.*laughz.

I would say click my name and read my mod profile cos I did put my heart into it, but I have no idea if they work or if mine is even there anymore. Don't fret for asking Sonny. I've known you forever and I'm kinda astounded that we never chatted personal before!

I am a New Orleanian, been in Atlanta these 7 years. Came here to get my Master's and a job, never planned on staying but I just bought a house, so I guess I am??

For all I know and crave cajun cookin, crawfish and crabs I also lived in Tuscalosa, Al for 8 years getting my undergrad (and a lot of partying) out of the way and Dad's a FL panhandle man, fisherman stock, so I know all about beans and collards and fried catfish, tho my all time favorite fish is a lightly battered fried crisp speckled trout! I can make a mean fish stew or dish up red beans and rice like you've never tasted, but I am also in love with my crock pot and can make a pot roast that melts in your mouth :)

Dang, I sound awesome!!

:P

Yes you do. Think a lot of the profiles got wiped out but I'll check.

I remember seeing some of the discussions between you and dragonfly (great guy) and I knew you where buying a house. Congrats. You won't regret it when you're my age and it's paid for and you don't have to worry about the rent*grinz.

After getting out of the Army, I moved to the Washington D.C. area and worked for a local County Fire Department for 30 years. We moved to PA. after I retired to be close to our children and grand children. And man I hate the cold (24 degrees here today).

I also love Cajun cooking. Spent some time at Fort Polk. Just love the Big Easy. Well the old Big Easy anyway. Was there in the mid 60's. Man am I telling my age or what?

Only problem with that great southern cookin. My waist!!!

Enjoyed talking with you. Hope I was not a bore. Have a great evening. Getting ready to take my wife to the movies.

You are never a bore and I love a good conversation! :)

My mom is from Brooklyn, so I've had my share of those northern winters. Heck, I think Atlanta is too cold when it gets cold! Cold being below 50 ;) I know the tug of family, I plan on figuring a way to retire down where mine is... but right now it is all fantasy :P I came to my career and a savings very late in life (like, 3 years ago!!) so I have a lot of catching up to do. We hope this house is step 1 in the property ladder, but my fella is a great project starter and not so good a finisher :P

I miss NO like crazy, and I have every intention of popping back every year or so for a week or 2 just to feed that part of me. It's home, but my family isn't there anymore. A lot of my people are scattered from Katrina, but NO is still NO. You should maybe go back for a visit. The decadence has ebbed but the spirit remains. Go for Jazz Fest, and have a crawfish bread for me :)

What movie did you go see? The fella and I saw Juno this weekend and laughed our heads off. I think cos we are that age (Jennifer Garner/Jason Bateman) and he's met my students. It might be a miss for you, unless you have some brazen brilliant edgy teens in your life, then by all means :) I thought of Dragonfly more than once at her parent's lines ;) *ducks for cover*

Thanks. I think. *laughz* It's hard to deal with teens, especially the female ones. I'm about ready to strap them in irons and chastity belts. As for the boys....

....get the rope. ;o)

Billy, I loved this movie so much I went online searching for a screener to keep. I can send you a copy :)

We went to see 'No Country For Old Men.

My wife's a big Tommy Lee Jones fan. Even though I'm not a fan of Tommy Lee, it was a good movie.

I'm a fan of Billy Bob Thornton. 'Sling Blade' was one of my favorite moves.

Billy, you can say that again. When all 3 of my girls were living a home, I don't think a day went by where someone wasn't crying, screaming or slamming doors. My son's would look at me, shake their heads and head for the arcade.

My sister was raving about that movie. Did you think it was *that* good?

On a personal note, Johnny finally got a job!! AutoZone, part time and paying him pennies, but if I can throw the majority of it at the credit cards, we will be able to start the next round of remodeling in no time :)

Yea, it was pretty good. I mean it had everything, hitman, bounty hunter, Mexican gang members, and at times it was hard to keep up with who was after who. I'm not sure it was $18.00 good ($9.00 per ticket), plus Chinese take out on the way home.*grinz

Glad you guy got a job. Part time and pennies is better then no income, it will get better.

Sweet! I have a friend that works at Auto Zone. She started there completely green about 3 years ago and now she is runing the store. They give great advancement and bennies come after the 'trial' period, but pay is always going to be a bit lacking. She isn't making as much as she should with the responsibility that she has, but if her or one of her family needs a doc, it's covered in a big way. She gets 2 weeks a year paid vacation and they are always sending her to these seminars and trade shows and they pick up the tab for all expenses for that too. her and her hubby if he can go with her. He runs a body shop and can't always go when she has to and all that, but they get several nice little get-aways a year on the company, so it all kind of works out.

Sonny, all three of the females in the house have had their cycles line up and it coinsides with the full moon at that. So I have 2 weeks of normal hell, then 2 weeks of hormonal hell. It's a rough existance to be sure. *laughz* ;o)

Know exactly where you're coming from. Used to make me look forward to the months that had 5 weeks,*Grinz.

But on the other hand. I have 3 really great daughters. Don't know what we would do without them. They are always there for us.

Cat, the way Billy talks, this Auto Zone may turn out to be a good thing. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I pray for them now dude! Sometimes daily! *laughz* Yeah, I couldn't do without either of them either.

The older one is a bit of an airhead and has little to do with Daddy since she's got her own job and money now. *laughz* She still ain't paying rent or gas money, so her little 25-30 hours a week SEEMS like a lot of jack to her. Little does she know. One day, she will and I don't want to be there for the fall.

Now the baby is Daddy's Girl, up and down. She plays it off like she's not, but if you watch, she is the one always asking me if I need anything, of if I want her to do something nd stuff like that. She us a wiseass beyond compare and EXACTLY like me at that age in every aspect except for gender. Now THAT scares me! She is 'lil Ms. Badass to everyone except for me, even though she does try to play the toough guy act. Thankfully, I can see through it because she is me and I know what to look for because I WAS her. *laughz* Bit of an odd concept, but it's the best way I know to explain it. Catahoula met her briefly, but I think she could see the resemblence. *laughz*

It seems that the chain store workers CAN eventually make it up the ladder to the top and the key is longevity. If you can tollerate the job long enough to outlast everyone ahead of you for the position, you got it made. That's what she did and now she has her own store, in just 3 years or so at that. It seems that if you just show company loyalty, they hook you up. Even she will admit that when she took over the store, she was practically clueless. They should have brought in a manager from somewhere else, but they gave her the shot and now she's got it going on. While not a great salary comes from it, it is an excellent second income, especially when you look at the percs. I mean you have good percs through the School District, having another set almost as good will cover just about everything. What one doesn't cover, the other one will. I hope that it all works out. That will kick phase 2 in the butt bigtime, then all that's left is a little spit and polish. Oh yeah, and the decorating. ;o)

all that's left is a little spit and polish. Oh yeah, and the decorating. ;o)

Now??? are you high?

We need to replace all the windows, do the floors, finish primering the walls and paint them all, paint the outside, do the back of the roof, tile the bathroom, build cabinets for the kitchen, do the counter there, and finish the sheetrock! The shelves he's built are all unfinished too, I'm sure I could list a few more things inside and we haven't even got to the outside yet!! and the decorating? His mom and mine are trying to dump all the unwanted furniture on us, which sounds sweet until you think about the fact that its used and generally not our style *faints with the thought of how much the bedroom and living room we saw at IKEA cost*

He wants to brace the wall separating the bedrooms and take down the studs... make it all one huge bedroom. I freaked a bit on that as unloading a 1/1 house would be twice as hard as unloading a 2/1 house, but I had a dream that the front porch was extended across the whole front of the house and the living room and bedroom windows were replaced with french doors. The awnings were taken down and there was a lot of light in the bedroom... there was a comfy sitting area there, and it gave me a good feeling. I also got the feeling that there were New Orleans style shutters on the house too, which is cool cos we can shutter the house with the windows open and still have complete privacy.

He is still convinced we are adding a master suite onto the back and his shop will be under it as a fat garage. If this happens, it will be like... phase 8 :P

We did just get the tax forms for 2008, they say the house and land is worth 130k. We corrected that to 70k and I'm guessing we will have a nice fight on our hands with the county. I'm also guessing we will finally have to dish out some money on an appraisal.

After the credit cards are paid off or at least down to $20 minimums, I had thought we would look at what a home equity line would cost us. The preliminary research had me looking at about what we are paying out now, but I guess it *would* be easier to have one fat bill than a big one and 5 little ones :P

As for the AutoZone, I am very excited for him and his 20% discount on parts!!!!!! He can't see how good he has it right now, which kinda burns my butt, but I am hopeful that after the resentment of having to go back to work after a year off wears off he will notice that he has it made in the shade :P I will tell him your friend's story, Dragonfly :)

He works today 5 till close and then Saturday day, I think.

Yes, now that you mention it, but that's not the point! You left out the first half of that sentence, "That will kick phase 2 in the butt bigtime, then". That changes the meaning just a bit. *laughz* Okay, that may be a bit premature as well, but not as bad as phase 1.

He's just gotten used to the no-boss scheduling, now he's back on hte clock. I know how that feels too, hopefully he'll get over that quickly enough. ;o)

Sonny, if you don't mind me asking, what part of NC are you from? The reason I ask is that I was born in Lumberton and I have a lot of family scattered from Wilmington, to Whiteville, to Raleigh, to Cherokee, and all points beyond. *laughz*

I remembered that our birthdays are close(mine is 11/26), then saw here that you were born and raised in NC, and I thought that it would really be trippy if our stompin' grounds turn out the same. It's just wild that you meet someone so many miles away, only to later realize that you may have been neighbors at a different point in time.

For example, my wife is from Butler PA, and we moved up there for a brief period in the late 90's. The lady that we rented a place from actually babysat me when I was tiny. She used to live across the street from my Mom and Dad, but after HS, she got married and moved away and ended up in Saxonburg, PA.

Another: I met a guy in Houston, TX that lived on the same road that I live on now, but he moved away some 15 years before I was born.

Just goes to show you how small the world really is. ;o)

Benson N.C. well about half way between Benson and another little town named Coats.

My sister reminded me last night that I was 14 not 16 when we moved. (She's like the walking encyclopedia of our family)so I guess I screwed that up.(don't you just hate know-it-all's)*grinz

We still have cousin's scattered around that area.

You're right it is a small world. You would think we could fix it and make things right for every body. Oh well.

Cat, I know that this is not going to help one bit with all the work you guys have ahead of you, but maybe it might make you feel a little better.

There is going to come a time (it won't be long, but it will seem so)that all of these things are going to be done, and you guys are going to have a beautiful house (No I mean Home), that is the way you want it and the fact that you're doing it yourselves, together, is going to make it even better.

Then the two of you are going to sit back and laugh about the splinters, spilled paint, and aching muscles.

And not to rain on your parade, but you're right, be prepared for a fight over the assessment.

"You would think we could fix it and make things right for every body."

Truer words have never been spoken, but there is one single thing that prevents it from happening. Greed.

Hey Billy, I need a favor. I could light the candles and try to focus positive energy maybe, but we really need a bit of skill right now and I am scattered.

I just called and left a message at the house (I hope). Could you call me and I can call you back? I'll cross post this into the cafe, just to make sure I have the best chance reaching you tonight.

Blessed pure white energy for you dear. I hope that it does what you need it to.

We've turned a corner. Thank you Billy ♥ Now, best of best for you and your healing!!

Sweeet! Corners are good. Much better than dead ends to be sure. I'm just happy that it worked and something came of it. I am so glad that you got to me BEFORE I had surgery yesterday morning. Which went fine by the way.

Any time that you need me, do not hesitate to call. I am home 75% of the time anyway and will be here 98.6% of the time for the next 6 weeks if my Doc has her way. The girls have been informed that if you beep in to say goodbye to their little friends and answer it. During the day, I am usually here by myself so someone to talk to other than George and Diego helps pass the time sometimes. If I miss you, I will call back, I promise. ♥U ;o)

I'm glad to hear the surgery went well and to see you are in good spirits :)

All is well here, he worked 5-9 Friday and today it is 9-5. I just dropped him off at work so I can run the first of the month errands. I get to bring him lunch :) He is literally right around the corner. Even I can walk that distance and not get all tore up!

He gets paid on the 1st and 15th. The 15th won't be a pile of money and right off the top he is going to buy a fuel pump for the truck, but it should help us keep it together till we both get paid again on the first ;)

Life is good, and he's seeing that. Thank you for the assist! Now lets focus on you and get that healing done right :D

That's great! I told you that I thought he would probably like the job once he got used to it. That's the first step anyway. The double edge that come with part time can actually cut in yout direction this time. When he's not working, he can piddle with the house on smaller projects that will get done faster. This way he's got something to show for a day or two's work AND a paycheck to boot. You know what I mean? Like the shelving that's not finished, he could sand and paint that in an afternoon and it would really look like a lot got done. Stuff like that. Then the 2 of you can tackle the bigger projects together on the weekends. Provided that he is off those days anyway. Either way, it sounds good on paper. *laughz*

Since he works at the store, he should get a discount on the fuel pump. If it is the factory engine in the old truck, it has a mechanical fuel pump and they are a lot less expensive than the electric ones. Nick bought one for his small block Chevy back in around Thanksgiving and I think he said that it was like $40.00 for it. If his is the same type, then it won't hurt too bad. Once you get a few of his paydays behind you, things will level out. I've been there before and it will take a month or two to get into the swing of things, but once you do, it's great.

Life is good for me too right now. I really like the good side of Karmic Retribution. *grinz*

Thanks muchly for the well wishes. I feel pretty good over all. The incision sites smart pretty good, but it is worth it for the pain that it relieves in my lumbar, butt, and legs. You know, the basic sciatica areas. It is amazing how well it does work.

If we can't get any relief on the other blown discs, she can go back in and add more electrodes to other areas up to 64 sets of leads. We can also set up to 256 different programs for different areas spine. That is some kind of cool if you ask me.

Thanks again Sweetheart, I hope that everything continues on a level road for you guys. ♥U ;o)

He's got a 20% discount on parts, but only for his vehicles. If he is caught using the discount for other people, he can be fired. We talked about it briefly, about him using the discount to rebuild the cars, starting with the 64 malibu he's hauling off his dad's place in April :) That's the first step... and yes! about the projects. we talked about that too :)

All is well. Much love to you even tho my brain got a little swirly at the thought of all those electrodes o,o

There are 4 paired sets of electrodes(leads) in place now with 4 "basic" function programming sets just to get me used to the feeling. I go in next week and we will walk together through the particulars of setting up different programs for the most relief in different positions and/or situations. I swear that the incision site hurts worse than when they fused my spine together. Once I am in a position, I'm pretty much okay, it is just getting from one position to the other that is the pain in the back.

Yeah, they are really funny about the discounts from what I hear. Apparantly they have been taken down that road before. I cvan't say as i blame them though. You get a couple of shadetree's at a single location and that could put a nice dent in the profit margin. However, ther is nothing to say that you can't buy a vehicle, fix it up, and then sell it either.

That's what Tommy does. He'll buy an old clunker with a decent body and take 6-8 months to rebuild the mechanical stuff, then have Fran's husband throw a coat of paint on it and then sell it. Her store get's the sales, eventhough it is discounted, it's still part of the sales, her husband gets the job painting it, and Tommy makes a nice profit to boot.

So yeah, Johnny could fix up everything that he owns, then start a rebuild when all of y'all's stuff is fixed. For someone that likes to tinker, that is a fairly lucritive hobby. That is AFTER the house projects get done though. We do have to prioritize ya know. *grinz*

I think that it's going to be good for him mentally as well. He'll now feel like he is contributing his part, and he won't be just hanging out with his buddies as much either. Their negative influences will be lessened a bit as well. It won't take long for him to realize who his real friends are once he stops dropping everything and running to their aid at the drop of a hat. *laughz* I'm serious, when he can't come running because he has to work, they will find someone else to come running that doesn't have responsibilities. The real friends will continue to hang around. This I can promise. ;o)

there is nothing to say that you can't buy a vehicle, fix it up, and then sell it either.

That's the plan, starting with the Malibu. Hopefully a chunk of the sales on that will be tossed at the bills or start the next house project, but money from that sale will also go to the next clunker. That is the plan anyway :)

What we talked about was working a job and on the house and a car, all pretty much at the same time. That way, he has plenty of options and if he gets frustrated with any one project, he can work on another project and visualize what needs to happen with another project :)

With the demo on the house and all the projects he's started so far, I can clearly see who his friends are - and that would be nobody. He had one friend help with the demo, but despite the fact that he lives on the exact busline that stops right in front of the house, he only came over when Johnny picked him up.

I am hoping he makes a friend or 2 at work, that way his friends will be on this side of town and willing to work at something, else they would not have been buying a part at the AutoZone :P

The shopping center parking lot that the AutoZone is in was jam packet yesterday, it was like this gigantic tailgating party! There is a strip mall that has a tire/rim/stereo place on one end and people all had the hoods up and were working on cars on that end of the mall, a grocery store in the middle with a nail and hair place and a bad Chinese food place and a ghetto clothes place on the other end. Driving thru there at 530 yesterday was c-r-a-z-y.

He's going over to the ahole friend's place today to get the tools he needs to get the harley battery out, take that up to the shop and charge it... that bike tag costs $300 and that's on top of insurance!! I haven't been able to get a quote online and I just can't seem to remember to get it done on the phone... not that we have that kind of money to throw around right now.

We decided to give the bike till May to see if we still want to sell it or if we can afford to keep it. He's getting the Malibu in April. He wants to grade the lawns as the next big project... and fix the driveway. I'm still of the opinion that kitchen cabinets and a counter that I can clean/not get splinters from is the next priority :P

Now that I am out from under about $400.00 a month, I can finally breath easily again. I have been caught up in the finance comapny thing for severeal years now and no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to get out from under them, ya know what I mean? As soon as you get them just about paid off, a minor disaster comes along and hits you in the pocket for $300.00-$400.00, so you have to go refinance it to save your butt at the moment, and so on and so forth forever and ever and ever again. I am finally FREE of them and hopefully, the disasters are over for this year and I can stay free from them.

Other than the mortgage and utilities, I only have one outside debt now and that is $44.00 a month from the rental place for a washer and dryer that we have another 6-8 months on and it will be paid off. I plan to keep it that way too.

You get a whole lot of DIY guys int he parts stores on the weekends and those guys are generally the Jack of all Trades kind of guys, ya know. Maybe he can hook up with a slightly better class of losers that will actually give him a hand now and again. With him returning the favor of course.

Around here, you see a lot of people working on their cars right there in the parking lots. Advance and Auto-Zone both will loan you tools(with a fully refundable deposit of course) to do your repairs, and a lot of folks don't have a nice flat slab to work on, ya know. So they just do it there. They have a nice flat work surface and if htey need a part that they did not anticipate, then the store is right there. A lot of people will change alternators and starters in the parking lot because of the core charge.

I'm going to try and save up enough money to get a short block for the truck since I have good heads and all that. That way I can retire Old Blue. I told the boy that he could have her if he could promise me that he wouldn't roughhouse with her and he couldn't. *laughz* At least he was honest about it.

Once I get over this surgery, maybe I can pack up my tools and come down and help him on the house for a weekend. You will not believe the time that nail guns and air tools can save. And I have everything needed from a big framing gun to a small brad gun for nailing trim. I have a brand new radial arm saw too. 2 Skil Saws, Sawzall, Jigsaw, Chopsaw, Table Saw, 2 Routers, Bandsaw, Portaband Saw, and more. I got the tools to build a house and then some. Then he can come up here one weekend and help me. *laughz* I have a couple of small jobs that need doing around here too. Didn't you say that he was good with tile work? *grinz* I could use some on the girls bathroom floor. ;o)

That's the one thing he doesn't know, tile. We got some slate from his parents just enough for the bathroom, and its just sitting there... I'm going to have to get him a book. But hey, after he does it he will know how to do it, so that will be good news for you :)

So... am I to understand from you post that you are offering to come down here and help him build the kitchen?? Gods, that would be so awesome.

That and anything else that we can get done in 3-4 days. Remember, I'm retired, I can take long weekends if I wanna.

I've help build at least 50 houses, over 100 townhouses/condos, and my Dad and Grandpa were 2 of the most well known cabinet makers in the area. And I have all of the tools too, so that's a bonus. I have also put formica on literally hundreds of video game cabinets sides and a few countertops to boot.

I always wanted to be a pilot, but when that blew upin my face, I decided that a tech's position would keep food on the table and have a little fun to boot, so I went that way instead of the way of the carpenter/cabinet maker, but that does not mean that I can't do both.

I can also do hardwood flooring and parquet tiles. *grinz* I told you that I was quite handy, I'm just slower than I used to be.

Just keep in mind that I can't bend, twist, lift anything over 5 lbs, or drive for the next 6 weeks, so it will have to be after that. If you keep him busy finishing smaller tasks like painting the bookshelves and finishing your desk/TV/AV area until I get over this, then I can come down and help. I can even bring the boy for a free back and extremely good painter. He was taught to paint right by a perfectionist, so that's a bonus too. We can stick him outside painting trim or something until we need a back. *laughz* I always need a back to tote things for me. Not to mention that he has been around enough to know some basic stuff like reading a tape measure and cutting boards. He is an asset to any crew if he weren't so smart-mouthed. He doesn't do that to me too much since he has had to pick up his glasses from across the yard for pulling an attitude.

So just keep Johnny working and piddling around the house and as soon as I can, I'll load up and go help with the kitchen and maybe even the floors. A good sanding and a coupe of coats of poly will make that look sweet. Unless you like the tile/carpet look. And I can show him how to lay carpet. I know how to do it, I just can't do it anymore. Knee Kickers and that sort of stuff are totally too much work for this worn out old man.

Like I said, keep him piddling and I will help him out on the bigger projects. In fact, you omay want to make up a little flowchart of what needs done, the time it takes to do said task, and whether either of us has the ability to do it. ♥U

No carpet and no poly either. I want a natural wood floor that I clean with Murphy's oil! We are either going to have to replace the kitchen floor or tile it, I think it is beyond recovery but the majority of the floors look like they can be brought back, with just a bit of repair.

On the bitterest nights we talked about putting a fireplace into the window where the tv is now... we'd been talking about putting the entertainment center in the kitchen corner, but if we do the fireplace then the wires for the comp are going to be a fat hassle.

Honest, there is no money so there is no rush. Its gonna be a few months before I can pay the cards down enough to start anything. I do appreciate yo offering to help tho, that is so awesome :)

How are you feeling?

I'm pretty good actually. The incision sites are sill giveing me a fit, but the thing works like a drean. When I have it on, I can't even feel the sciatica lines anymore, none whatsoever, which is a very good thing.

I wish that she had put in another 2 paired sets at 3 and 4 tiers above than the highest set. That is where my newest explosions are and my biggest source of pain at the moment. It gives me new hope that pain CAN be made tollerable. And my Doc is a doll. She flew back from CA JUST to do my surgery and followup on 3 more patients that have already had these things implanted. She only has 4 patients that are in this program, any more than that, and she can't handle it all AND work on her device and the patents and all of the legal mumbo jumbo to keep people from reverse engineering her device and all that rot. She is great and I cannot say too many good things about her.

Oh yeah, she is also one of the countries leading advocates on the complete legalization of marijuana for medical use. She has done 2 studies on the relationships between marijuana and Fibromalgia Syndrome. One of them found out that female potheads rarely show ANY symptoms of Fibromalgia. Ever. It also showed that 1 out of 3 women(with the syndrome) who NEVER smoke pot has Fibromalgia to the point of debillitation. Occasional users show some signs of the syndrome even though it is nowhere near as bad as the non-users in the studies.

It really is amazing. There is a lot of stuff published by and about her on hte web. I'll have to ask if she's okay with me giving out the URL's, since some of it is fairly personal and with the government's newest run of Privacy Act and it's affect on Doctor/Patient relationships.

She only gave me access to part of it, but you know me. When I get nosey, I still have a trick or two up my sleeve. *grinz* There is some good stuff in there, if you get into that sort of thing. You know, Medical Studies and such. There is a mountain of stuff just on cause and effect by itself. I'll let you know what she says, and give you the URL if it's okay and all that.

"Honest, there is no money so there is no rush." There may be a reason for that. Maybe, just maybe something is trying to tell you to slow down and take a little time to finish up the pending stuff, BEFORE jumping face first into a huge money eating project(like a fireplace) that he won't finish for months. *laughz* Or something like that. Just my thoughts. ;o)

yeah, but... starting a fireplace in the Spring makes so much sense now that I know how he works :P

I want new windows for next fall at the latest, sitting here and feeling the draft made me soooooo mad!

Glad you are doing well and don't bother with the studies. It's common sense from this end ;)

I have a fireplace and it is just an insert fastened to the floor with a wooden framework around it and a paneling face with a small pine mantel. Those inserts are less than $500.00 and you can enclose it any way you want, where it be wood, sheetrock, wood paneling, Z-brick, or even real brick, but of course you know that the prices will vary considerably from one of these materials to the next.

Keep your eyes on the sales papers from Lowes, Home Depot, 84 Lumber and places likle that. Sometimes they have a closeout on certain discontinued paterns of that Z-brick and you can get it at a deal.

My uncle enclosed a Buck Stove in his den with a flagstone pattern and matched everythig up on the corners and all and if you don't get down and look close you will think that it is real flagstone. I sat on the hearth of the thing for 20 minutes before realizing that it wasn't real stone.

Anything like that that you are going to need, you can always buy it in advance if the price is better, ya know. I've kind of helped several young couples with their first fixer upper's mostly by accident. *laughz* Seriously, read those sales papers religiously, you won't believe what you can save just by catching closeouts and sales.

The kitchen floor can be saved, but it will probably mean removing the flooring from a closet or the bathroom(You said something about slate tiles there) to make it match up. You can still get that size flooring, but age has changed the woods natural color so the only way to make it match perfectly is to use flooring of the same age. You are going to have to lay plywood down so that the tiles can be set on a smooth surface, rather than all the gaps in the origional flooring. So If you are going to have to plywood it anyway, why not cut it out and use it to fix the kitchen floor? Makes sense to me. You can take out a few of the existing boards and place the others right into the pattern and it will never be noticed. I've scavaged flooring on many houses before. In fact on practically every remodel that I have ever worked on. It's a royal pain in the butt, but it is so worth it when you stand back and look at it all nice and shiney(from about 10 coats of poly with a nice 0000 steel wool rub in between coats) and can't even tell where everything was spliced together.

That's when it's worth it. ;o)

ok, I'll look at the fireplace insert situation. I really miss the fireplace at my old cottage. it was so cozy!! Build a fire so long and hot that the heat radiates from the brick for hours as the fire smolders.

But Billy, I am serious!! You have got to stop with the poly! There will not be poly on my floor!

I don't think there is much wood worth salvaging from the bathroom, or anywhere else for that matter, but I will remember this suggestion :) Thanks babe :)

Why not? Poly is indestructable. *laughz* Okay, Okay, we'll do a nice sanding job and coat it with Tung Oil. That will penetrate and protect, but you will have to deal with a satinish finish. It's not flat flat, but it doesn't have a whole lot of sheen to it. Unless you want to do the whole waxing thing. That will make it shine like new money but it is a chore that you don't really want, trust me. A daily dusting and Murphy's once a week will keep it sweet, once a month if you're lazy like me. *laughz*

My reasoning for pushing poly is that I live on the coast which has high humidity of course. When dry it is an impenetratable coating that is very easy to take care of. The poly will give you a super nice shine if you want the high gloss look or a soft satin finish if you prefer. The real beauty is that you can keep it shining with a dustmop every few days and a wet mop every 2 or 3 months, more depending on the 'dirt tracked in' factor multiplied by the 'type of dirt' factor divided by 'the helpful hubby cleans it up as soon as it happened' interger.

A daily dusting and Murphy's once a week will keep it sweet, once a month if you're lazy like me.

is that the wax, the oil or the poly? I just want a natural floor.

The images for parquet floors are awesome, but it won't look stupid to have parquet but up against the straight lats?

As for the counter, I have picked a laminate that I like just fine. Its dark grey with little water bead looking dots of darker and lighter grey. We would use a silver trim piece. I fell in love with this look at IKEA (NUMERÄR brown/black). The black has a woodgrain feel to it, but I can't match that at the HomeDepot or Lowes and we haven't figured yet the prices for the countertop so I don't know if the IKEA one would be just as reasonable.

I know I don't want bullnose. I understand it is the thing to do now, but I want an edge I can crack an egg on no matter where I am standing :P Besides, I honestly cannot tell you if I ever lost an egg or other tragic breakable rolling off the counter in my lifetime due to a straight edge counter :P

Its a 1951 house, I am trying to keep that decade's flavor in my design choices. Crazy maybe, but its my house :P

After the bills are paid down a bit I will start looking around at things again. Right now I can't buy anything so I am not looking. I do plan on going to the warehouses and discount remnant places before we buy anything... the house is so small compared tot the monstrosities they are building now, I probably can do whole rooms in someone's cheapass leftovers :D

A daily dusting and Murphy's once a week will keep it sweet, once a month if you're lazy like me.

That's the Tung Oil. It has a nice satin-ish finish and the Murphy's adds that oil as it dries out. And you have to or it will get flat looking where you walk at. There are a ton of other oils and stains that you can use. These are just the ones that I am familar with personally. Just talk to your helpful hardware man for more options.

50'eh? Then how about the plain old black and white checkerboard linoleum in the kitchen. You know that thick heavy stuff like they use in resturants and grocery stores. That is classic 50's and practically indestructable. A damp mop now and again keeps it pretty good, you may have to bleach the white ones now and again, but I am talking about years here. Then add red/white café curtains, and you're in there. That would looks sweet with a black countertop too. Meh, just more suggestions.

No black and white, Johnny already had that in the house he lost. I am trying to keep him from dwelling on that fiasco.

Maybe he is bi-polar and it just arcs over an entire year?

He did finally apologize for the breaking of the things... that was nice.

I forget which oil he said, but I am pretty sure it was oil, not wax. Not having a clue what was used on the floors in the back of the old cottage, nor my great little place in Tuscaloosa, I am kinda at the whim of my labor :P All I know is I want to feel the grain of my floor when I walk barefoot on it.

A lot of folks use Linseed oil as well. That tends to make the wood a few shades darker than it is naturally, if you like the floors darker, then that will work just as good as the Tung Oil. The Tung Oil just leaves the wood basically the same color, maybe a shade darker but nothing extreme. The thing with the oils is preservation, they soak deep into the bare wood and will last a lot of years if you throw the Murphy's Oil soap to it on a fairly regular basis.

On a lot of new construction and remodeling with new materials, if he owner wants the floors oiled instead of stained or polyed, the flooring guys usually put a heavy coat of oil on the backsides as well as the tongue and groove edges and a light coat on the top before they lay it. That way, all they do is a light sanding to level any imperfections and another coat of oil on top to finish it off.

With remodels using the existing flooring depend a lot on the way it has be finished and refinished over the years. You have to remember, there is almost 60 years of who knows what on the floor now. *laughz* You definitely are going to have to rent a floor sander and go down to the wood to start with. You can do it with belt and radial sanders but that takes ages and more ages. Rent one for the weekend and it can get done, but somebody is going to be working and working hard. Those things are a beast and youhave to hold it level, because if you twist it any at all, it can gnaw a divit in a heartbeat. I found that out the hard way. Then I had to pull up 7-8 pieces of flooring to replace the 1 piece I messed up.

I can dig it on the checkerboard not being the best idea under the circumstances. The dude has enough problems, you don't need that to add to the stack. I still think that the parquet would look killer. I know at least 3 people who have that combo and trust me, it looks sweet. It keeps the whole wood floor thing going on so you have that continuity going on, but the design in the parquet gives the kitchen a degree of seperation, even though it's wide open with the dining area. Just like the counter with overhead cabinets seperate the kitchen from the living area, but the open space between them allows that open feel to continue through that area as well.

It's as if that entire side of the house is one big room, but it is also three rooms, seperated only by a counter and some flooring. You see what I'm saying? It all has to flow together or it will look messed up. Like painting the living room walls blue, the dining room pink, the kitchen yellow, and have chartruse countertops. It would certainly seperate the rooms but would also be the height of tackiness. *laughz* You have to be subtle with the seperation technique, ya know?

Do you ever watch those remodeling shows on HGTV? If not, you may want to start. You can get some really good ideas from those shows. I know I have got a ton of ideas for my house, but I won't do anything like that until it's sitting on it's own piece of dirt, ya know. Watch "Flip This House" and similar shows and you can get some really good ways to fix things and fix them right while staying on budget. They can also show you how to cover up some serious cosmetic flaws on a budget as well. Some of the stuff that tehy come up with is so simple(and cheap) that you just want to slap your forhead for not thinking of it yourself. *laughz* Good stuff. For real. ;o)

I think its a no go on the parquet. Johnny was told last weekend that there should only be 2 kinds of floor in a house, so now he's even hesitant to use the free slate because there isn't enough for the kitchen as well. I said I'd like wood in the kitchen, but I didn't think those floors could be salvaged, so I started thinking tile. We have enough for the bathroom, could he please just finish something...

Another thing! He's gotten to thinking about wanting to buy the house next to our neighbor on the left, its been empty longer than ours was. I asked him if he was gonna do that in his name and he said yes. But he can't he can't even get a checking account at BofA :P Anyway, when he said this this morning driving me to work, I said Honey, could we get our house livable before you start another huge project? I said, I just want to like the house I live in, be able to invite people over and not be embarrassed. He pitched a snit this morning but today he's all talking about maxing out the Lowe's card and framing up the cabinets and getting the counter ready to put the laminate on.

I told him you weren't anywhere near healed enough to help with the cabinets yet, and he persisted saying that framing would make him feel better about the project.

O, and he's getting wheels for all the big furniture. he put the w/f on wheels and that made a lot of sense at the time, so he's gonna wheel up the big pieces so I can push them around while he uses the rented sander to finish the floors.

I guess I lit a fire under his ass, and here I was worried that I would send him into another depressive funk. Goes to show you what I know :P

I like the parquet tho, however I do plan on having walls like rainbow sherbet exploded in the house so maybe just having that be the one eye popping element is a better plan ;)

I'm going to do 3 walls the same and the 4th to tie into the next room. Light green in the living room, with the book case wall being the color on the kitchen window wall, which will be a light orange. Light yellow on the dining room and kitchen door walls.

The bath and hall will be light purples, similar to the house colors (light purple, with dark purple soffit. I think the brick at the bottom will be shades of purple too, but I am not positive on the layout yet. I need to see my colors laid out big like that before I decide. Johnny is talkign getting the kills primer tinted my color and just painting the house with that... he;'s also certain he's taking down the cedar shake and putting up hardy planks.

The bedrooms will be light blue and a light pinky purple, I think. I might have to change that a bit as he is going to tear down the wall separating the bedrooms and make it one huge room, with a sitting area where our bedroom is now. That works great if I am allowed to do the things on the outside that I want... full french doors instead of windows in the living and bedroom, and the porch extended all the way across the house... full NO style shutters on the outside, so we can enjoy the breeze without the whole world seeing in :P

I was just thinking last night that it would be great to have another sitting room... that I hated to come up front to have a smoke when I was reading, that it broke my concentration. I am so lazy :P But I hate the thought of a smoky smelling bedroom... we are doing well here I think, it smells more of dog and dirt than it does smoke :P

He's already talking of how he will put the divider wall back up when we build the master addition, I'm staying out of his way now... he's on a roll :)

Yor color scheme is making me hungry. *laughz* My ice cream addiction is growing. I'm serious, I have eaten a half gallon carton of Rocky Road in a day recently. *laughz* Although it has got my weight back up to 160 where my cardiologist wants it though, so at least one person is happy about me putting weight back on. *laughz*

Stand back and just let him go if it is theraputic somehow. The more he does now, the less we will have to do later. *laughz* A good finish carpenter can hide a lot of flaws with moulding and trim.

Just remember, that center wall is a load bearing wall. You can take it out, but there has to be something put there to shore it up while you remove the wall. Then a post or column may have to be placed in the middle there, just to keep the roof from collapsing. That is something that you don't want to be sure. It is better not to demo the wall until you are ready to do that project. That way you still have plenty of structural support while you are doing other things.

The wheels on the furniture is a double edged sword. Sure, it makes it easy to move when you want to, but what about when you don't want it to? I mean, I can just one of you just flopping down on the sofa and it go flying backwards crashing through the sheetrock. *laughz*

How about your cabinet doors, what are you going to do there? I made some killer doors for Rick and Jackie out of ordinary plywood. I used the router and put a nice double roll edge all the way around, then simply cut 8 lines(2 on each side about an inch apart and about 3/4" from the edge) about 1/8" deep. They painted the doors white and then put a nice Royal Blue in the grooves that I had cut. 2 1/2 sheets of birch plywood did their whole kitchen. I did somehting similar yet different in the bathroom where I used up the left over 1/2 sheet.

I think your upper cabinet doors should either be open with hardware cloth or have glass set into them. I just see "seeing" dishes there. Either through hardware cloth or glass, but clearly visible nonetheless.

He hasn't unloaded the car with the wood yet, but I'm certain I saw some 2x4. That's what he used to make the shelves next to the w/d. I'm hoping he got some of the wood he used for the bookshelves... The bathroom shelves are kinda ugly... bulky as a 2x4. There *has to* be some trim there, or maybe some fancy engraving from a template or something? I pretty much hate the bathroom shelves as they are, and since I am just reusing the rubbermaid tubs I had in the hall closet, they are not very user friendly :(

You saw the bookshelves... he's going to remove the backing there and swing the shelves out so we can paint the wall to match the kitchen wall. I am thinking that we will leave the cabinets openfaced for now. I like to see my stuff too and I got really used to the open shelves in my cottage. Maybe have the shelves be yellow like the dining room walls... yeah. That sounds good :) a yellow and orange kitchen :D

I guess the backing for the book shelves can be reused in the kitchen or bath?

I am wanting the 2x4 spaces in the bathroom wall by the mirror to be built in shallow shelves and the over the toilet rack area will be 3 floating shelves. We are leaving the phone box, so on the bathroom side of that wall there is a space for a cubby above it... and a few good rectangles around the medicine cabinet. I am thinking we will still have a medicine cabinet, so if we don't have anything useful to put in the cubbies, we can always just have a pretty do dad in them :P

I am trying to convince him to just have the wall tile in the shower, not have to bring it all the way out to the light switch... maybe just put a nice piece of wainscoting there, to give the room a break and a foundation for my colors ;)

The wheels are temporary, and for the dressers and such. The sofas are easy to move :P He's gonna take off the legs and screw in a plank with wheels on, then when we are done wheeling, he will take off the planks, put the legs back on and take the planks down to the basement. He plans to do all the saning in one day. The planks he can use to lay on and roll himself under a vehicle I'm guessing :P

He's already been in the attic to figure what he needs to do to brace that wall, I'm clueless and even I know it is load bearing :P He's gonna have to do the same thing above the kitchen, to create the pass thru there. We have already talked about the cabinets I want up there, 1 ft doesn't look right (too short) and 2 ft is too long, so it's gonna be 1.5 ft and since it is going to be hard to get to, I am thinking I will put my Harkerware up there, the stuff I don't use everyday like the divided vegetable dish (what a score that was!! I have never seen another one :D), the little coffee cups and saucers... Since it will be a pita to get up there, it will be mostly for show :P

Before I die I plan on completing my Harkerware collection... ( http://tinyurl.com/3xjxlc )so if you see any plain "shell pink" with grey undersides at a junk show, please call me ;) There is another version that is pink and grey but it has white doily stuff on it and that is granny ugly :P

I want salad/lunch plates, bread and butter plates, fruit bowls, that casserole dish!!! There's also a standard lid casserole dish ( http://tinyurl.com/2tkyw3 ) and that oval serving bowl...

I think I am going to just send my people the links to this stuff for birthday and yule... so we all can get joy out of the gifts :) I mean, seriously, they can spend as little as a lunch plate and I would be happier getting that than whatever it is they end up getting me.

That's why I hate gift giving holidays. Nobody gets what they want and the givers are resentful cos they wasted money on ungrateful wretches :P

How did I spin off onto this tangent? wow o,o

ooo Oh! I asked him about the doggie door on the kitchen door and he said he wants to wait till he makes the front closet into the stairs going to the basement, put the fake grass down there and put the doggie door in the basement door. That way they wipe their feet before they come inside! I said Honey, that's brilliant!

He said some stuff about bays too, and having a bike bay and a car bay, I'm going to have to ask him if he's changed his mind again about the addition and the shop. I think he is talking now about taking the back wall off the basement altogether and making it all a garage.

Which would be really cool :)

I know he is down there digging...and bringing the dirt out and tamping it down into a slope. He bought a tamper (gods! 2k guesstimate on tools at least!!). I know he plans on having a bit of a grow room down there, whether it is just a nursery for the things I buy to get them established before planting or an actual vegetable garden or whatever... that's his space. I'm sure he has a plan :P Anytime I buy a plant I also buy a full spectrum grow light, so whatever he ends up doing down there I am sure it will help us survive Armageddon, in one way or another :P

He bought a tamper? That was probably 1/2 of your tool expenses right there. Sheeesh, that's one of those things that you rent for the weekend or something. I understand him wanting a good solid foundation, but come on, that's not a handyman or DIY tool. You don't normally buy one unless you are in the business. Ah well, it's a little late to return it now. I just hope that he has a lot of ground to tamp so that it will at least partially pay for itself.

I've always liked thelittle shadowbox shelves like you are talking about. I always use 1x4 for stuff like that since it is 3/4" think and 3 1/2" wide, it looks neat yet still has the same width of a 2x4. I'd probably use 1x8(7 1/2" wide) for the shelving above the toilet personally. That way they are a bit bigger and still have that neat look that will match the others perfectly. Just be sure to leave PLENTY of ROOM around the toilet, just in case it ever needs repair. There is nothing worse than working on a bathroom with a lot of 'built-ins' around the toilet and tub. You usually end up tearing some of it out or damaging it in the process, so it is better to design AROUND these issues to begin with. Another thing, do NOT enclose your sink plumbing either. Talk about a pain, especilly when it gets a tiny leak that by the time you find it, everything is rotted away. Leave it where you can see and reach it. Trust me, you will thank me at some point in time for that one. I almost guarantee it. *laughz* In fact, in the bathrooms, I always like a very open 'feel' to it all. I like a small lavatory(wall mount or pedestal) with a small curtain(that matches the window/shower curtains) hiding the pipework over a full scale vanity countertop and all that junk. Just like the Shower, I prefer a curtain to an enclosed unit unless it is a simple standup shower, then a door is just as good. *laughz* Those old freestanding tubs at the killer in my opinion. I love the way they look and I also like the duel curtains and exposed shower pluming. Especially in brass, but that's another dream. *laughz*

I do like the idea of the doggy door in the basement too. That eliminates that cold draft at your feet in the kitchen. *laughz* I've seen and installed some very nice and very expensive ones over the years and they all have a bit of a draft, even the so-called draftless ones have some. I mean you got a big-assed hole in the door to let the critters in and out, there isn't much way to stop it all and still allow free access, ya know.

I got a ton of other stuff to say, but I feel like crap right now and I also feel the need to lie back down. I'm surprised that I lasted this long. Don't worry, it's just one of "those" days. I have 3 variables on my days now, good, okay, and bad. This has been a bad one that actually started mid-day yesterday. They are much fewer in frequency these days, but I still have them. I think that this heavy brace is a lot of the problem. I have 3 blown discs inthe middle of my back(above what they did here) that tend to hurt extremely bad when I can not stretch and decompress them. There 4 vertibrae slammed together and absolutely nothing that I can do about it. I'n not allowed to lift my arms above the shoulder and no reaching at all for 6 weeks! I may be dead by then. Not really, but you know what I mean. ♥U Sweetie. ;o)

o honey!! I am sorry you are hurting!! Are they going to be able to go back in and do this bionic thing for the rest of the disks later on? I will send some good thoughts your way, I hope they help :)

Johnny got me out the door this morning and worked on the house till about 3 then he had to go to work... He cleaned the floors with the ShopVac and moved the kitchen (all of it!!) into the dining room and the kitchen side of the living room... I can't hardly find anything I need :P I went to make a meatloaf, and I ended up laughing becuse he was so funny about what he put where :P

He also unhooked the sink from the drain and turned off the water there... (dunno why) and lowered the counter a bit and framed out the bit of counter to the place you wanted to be a column. It's not gonna be a column. I can't really see anything else he did but when I dropped him off dinner he was all: DID YOU SEE WHAT I DID IN THE KITCHEN?! and I was all: yes baby, it looks awesome! :P

I am praying that he bought other wood than 2x4 ... I don't see any slimmer pieces to make the shelves.

Thanks for the advice and cautionary tales in the bathroom! He is planning on making the sink plumbing there as flush/low visibility as possible. I saw the turn off valve he bought, it is TINY! We are going to buy a pedestal sink and a new toilet (for grownups!!), but that is the next wave... we will make due with this stuff till there is money :P I'm certain he won't do anything stupid in there tho, he's had to go behind a lot of idiots ;)

He's also talking about finishing getting the bathroom (shower mostly) ready for tile... as much as I want to do the tile ourselves, I have a feeling we are just going to get someone who knows what they are doing... and it isn't going to be one of his good for nothing friends!! I think the reason he's dragging his feet in the bathroom is because he knows he can't finish the job... not to mention there is no money to buy the shower tile :P

He's cute tho, he's got the shelf cut at the back of the tub, so I can sit and shave my legs!! and he got the bright idea to put another shower head above that... so we can shower together and not have to do the trading places to rinse dance :P

it's times like this that I fall in love with him all over again... and forget he's occasionally the biggest ahole I know :P

Get to feeling better. I love you ♥

o!! and the tamper... its just a square piece of metal on a stick. You sound like there is a mechanized one! if so, thank the gods for small mercies ;)

Oh crud, I haven't seen a tamper like that since I was a kid. I think grandpa may have had one. *laughz* Yes dear, I was talking about a machine. I didn't know that they even still made actual back powered tampers anymore. It has a gas engine on top of this huge weighted foot and an offset flywheel to make it vibrate. You see them using htem at every beachside hotel to try and pack down the parking lots to prevent asphalt/concrete from settling and/or cracking. Little do they know, but you can't pack sand. *laughz*

Well, sorry to hear about your kitchen, but apparantly he's got a brainstorm happening, so I guess just stand back and see what becomes of it. *laughz* It is hard to 'see' what's been done if you weren't actualy there to witness it. I mean if he lowered the counter, then the whole top had to come off, cut everything down, then put it all back. That could easily take the better part of a day and not really noticable without really inspecting everything, ya know? It sounds like he has something going on anyway, which is better than nothing.

You know, you are talking about a new toilet and lavatory in phase 2 of this mess, so why don't you saved some time and money and just put in a shower insert/wall surround. They come in all shapes sizes colors and flavors. *laughz* When compared to ceramic tile, they are cheap. That way, he can just frame up the shower walls, install the insert/wall surround, and you are done. I have installed them in a day by myself, demo and all. Of course, that was also a few years ago when I was worth a damn. Anyhoo, you can do a quick, inexpensive, and very nice looking fix for now and save the tile for the next big project. Worry about your kitchen/dining/living area for now. That's enough project for anyone for a little while right now, ya know?

This unit that I have in me now has the capibility of 32 matched pairs of leads, meaning that it can be added to and modified in an almost endless amount of ways. In other words, they can add 28 more seperate locations with the unit that I have. However, I will have to get a different remote. The one I have now and only control 4 sets of leads and she only has two of them in use right now. There is one set in L1/L2 joint and the other in in the L5/S1. This covers the lumbar and the sciatica regions. I have 4 different programs set up and I can change them as I like. I have one that is all in the upper part, one that is in the sciatic/legs area alone and two that are back and legs with different frenquencies and magnitudes for each. I have one for sitting and one for standing. You can also adjust the magintude at any time with simple up and down buttons. This one also has a safety feature that no matter how high you have it running, if the unit is turned off and back on, it resets the magnitude to a minimum to keep you from getting too much of a jolt. At high frequency and magnitudes, you can paralyze yourself. Trust me, I know. *laughz* It's funny now, but it wasn't so much at the moment. Nowutimeen?

I still feel like crap, but thanks for the good thoughts. It is nice to know that someone really cares. Not too many people do, or don't seem to anyway. Bleh, just one of them days dearie, just one of them days. ♥U ;o)

We aren't putting in a surround for the same reason we are oiling the floors and not using poly :P I want what I want and its my house, so I will get what I wand :P

He told me a little about the kitchen plans before I fell out at 1030... an hour past my bedtime for my meds, so I am groggy as hell this morning. He is going to do the cabinet frame out under the counter first and then frame out the upper cabinets. He's talking drawers that pull all the way out instead of cabinet doors... and I just hope and pray that he's heard my only real request in the kitchen, which it that I get a floor to ceiling pantry in the corner by the back door (where the dog food sits next to the oven).

I am letting him roll with it and trying not to micro manage. We both work 8-4 today and I have a feeling that I will be dragging all day, ready to flop and pass out when I get home. If he gets the sink hooked back up today that will be fine by me. I cannot tell you how many times I have almost dumped liquid down the sink since yesterday evening :P Catching myself and getting to the bathroom with it :P

I don't have much to spare today, but what I have is yours. Get better. I love you.

Actually, it has been several of them days in a row now. I just can't shake this depression. I don't usually fall into the self pity mode, but I m in it deep now and I don't really know why. I mean my pain levels are lower than they have been in months, yet I can not get out of this funk. I usually don't give a rat's ass about what anyone thinks/feels about me, but lately, I have been disturbed by lack of sympathy, no, wrong word, caring that my family especially has been showing, or not showing as the case may be. No one calls to see if I'm even alive anymore. You, Lisa, Sonny, and my Mom are the only ones who act like you care at all if I live or die. I hate this feeling and I hate the reasoning behind the feeling even more. I guess it's cabin fever more than anything. I am not allowed to drive at all, and I am not 'supposed' to even be riding that much. I can go for a week and never leave the house and it won't bother me, but when I am NOT allowed to, then it becomes a horse of a different color. When they tell me that I can't do something, the redneck in me takes over and wants to do it then or bust hell wide open, ya know what I mean? *sigh* I can't believe that I have gotten this pathetic in such a short time over something so meaningless. *heavy sigh* ♥U

Lethargy is a hard one... so is inertia. Hang in there and heal, you will get your life back!

You have my love and my support, I am sure your family loves you too, but it is hard dealing with someone when they are not acting like the someone they know. Gods know I know this.

Focus on healing. The negative energy you are spinning around won't get you what you want. Love ♥

I know this more than anyone Sweetie, trust me. If I knew how to stop it, I would. Some better this morning,but still not where I need to be. I'll get through it, it's just never really got me this bad that I can ever remember. I have to go to the doc this afternoon and maybe getting out and seeing something other than the walls will push me over the hump. Maybe. ♥U ;o)

this is why people do drugs... :P

Listen to me my good friend.

I know this won't help, but you need to know that this will pass and things will get better. Please trust me on this.

I remember after my heart by-pass surgery, I went into a funk like I'd never experienced before. I remember getting upset with my family because it seemed like they stopped waiting on me and asking how I felt, etc. I remember looking at the scars on my chest and getting mad at God for doing this to me (although it was me who smoked for 40 years and had steak 3-4 times a week)and just was really feeling sorry for myself.

And then one day, I woke up and said to my self, enough is enough. I need to get on with my life and enjoy it and deal with the other crap the best way I can.

I know from our communications that you are a strong man, both physically and mentally and you have what it takes to get over it. So just hang in there big guy and it will get better.

Just know that while I'm not an overly religious man, you my friend are in my prayers and those of my family.

Get better.

I know Sonny, I've been through smaller bouts of this before, just never this magnitude. Cat's been around long enough to have seen it at least once before, but mine only normally lasts a day or two at the most. This round has been going on for over a week and that's not cool. Well, not to me anyway. I swear that there are people out there that are not happy unless they are miserable, but that's not me.

I feel a lot better this morning. I got for awhile yesterday afternoon, went to the Docs, and a few other places. Seeing something besides my walls helped a lot. Thanks guys, y'all do make me feel better, ya know. Not physically of course, but the mental aspect is more important. To me anyway. As soon as I can get Vanessa up for school, I'm going back to bed. I haven't slept well in like 25 years, but I can't keep my eyes open now. *laughz* Go figure, I need to be somewhat alert, but I am sitting here closing my eyes involuntarily. Watch now, I'll get her out the door and won't be able to sleep then. That's my luck.

You better be sleeping right now. Dreaming the dreams of the just... or the terribly naughty, whichever you prefer :)

I didn't dream that I remember, but I slept until 11:30 when my Mom called me to remind me of Vanessa's doctor's appointment. I still feel like I need some more and it is 5 in the evening. *laughz* That's the way I roll. A little or no sleep for days, then I crash and burn. I do feel a lot better today than yesterday so it's finally letting up some and I am glad of it. I hate being depressed, it depresses me.

You know I understand that :) Sleep and heal, is what your body is wanting, so give it what it wants! Seriously, its not like you are craving pork rinds and Velveeta shells and cheese, which would kill you :P

House update... he put in a header for the kitchen wall and cut out the 5 studs to make the pass thru. He left the last 2 studs in the corner and build a mostly triangular shaped shelf for the TV and took it off the plywood frame its been sitting on in front of the window. The tv is now at the height of the kitchen counter.

Since he moved the tv into the corner, we had to rearrange the sofas, so we took the sofa off the wall and moved it out of the way since we both prefer to sit on the loveseat and watch tv together. So the loveseat is sitting at a diagonal - so it faces the tv! over in the corner by the door right in front of the lamp thre.

So, what to do with the sofa? Its got 2 recliners in, but we never could figure out wtf with them, but he cut out the middle section and now we have a 2 recliner loveseat!! and all he has to do is repair the spring out function, these had cords to pull and they are both broken.

So, with this setup, 2 loveseats on the diagonal in the living room, we have now decided we aren't going to have a bar on the living room side. The coffee table hasn't found its place yet and there are still 2 pretty impressive end tables to find a place for :P There just isn't room!

Isn't it amazing how a room can go from wow ti is big in here to wow, I don't have room for anything just by moving one thing to another place??

Anyway, so. Today is raise the tv 3 inches higher, put my workstation below it, since we do a lot of 2nd monitor stuff that makes a lot of sense. The surround sound tuner is going to be above the tv (yes, he plans to do the surround sound today too) and he is talking a window seat where the (tv) window is (with cubbys instead of the seat being a box lid) and the printer and game consoles will have the first cubby underneath it. On the other side of the window seat, where I am currently typing!! will be one of his GINORMOUS Kenmore speakers and the other one will be built into the 1st kitchen counter cabinet, which doesn't need much depth because it can be the manuals drawer, junk drawer, whatever shallow drawers instead of all the way back shelves.

He has stopped with the building of the cabinets altogether :P I'm guessing that would be the NEXT next project. He showed me the plans he drew out, and I LOVE the kitchen! He drew doors on everything, but I told him I wanted open shelves up top, except for the pantry (which is in the corner by the stove and back door, where the dog food bin is). There is nothing I hate more about a new house than having to open every freaking cabinet just to find a cup :P and besides, I have some nice stuff to show off ;)

My Harkerware Golden Dawn salad plates arrived!! with cups, saucers, fruit bowls and dinner plates being on the way!!! I told him the yellow on the plates was just a couple shades darker than the yellow I wanted in the dining room, with the kitchen window wall being a very light cantaloupe color, that I was pretty sure I just wanted white cabinets and that I wanted the back of the cabinets to match the wall.

For the under the cabinet drawers, pretty sure he is making everything drawers (that's his thing, roll out drawers instead of plain shelves like my thing is the open faced cabinets and the colors showing thru), the drawers would be white too, with the cantaloupe color on them somehow.

Anyway, we are in full on nesting mode, I am looking at furniture again

- this is the loveseat I *want* (2 of them!!) http://tinyurl.com/35qqyz

- and buying china http://tinyurl.com/388xvt

And I think I just decided sitting here that the living room will not be a light green, but to just go ahead and make these 3 rooms yellow and orange... the front and back of the house walls yellow and the book case wall and kitchen window wall be cantaloupe. ? I still like the thought of light green tho, but not for the bedroom... *sigh* I was so certain of the colors too.

Anyway! Sleep and heal. And think good thoughts for us that we don't fight all day because we can't understand what the other one is wanting :P

Love.

Watch now, I'll get her out the door and won't be able to sleep then. That's my luck.

Sounds just like me. Maybe I'll run into you around the site at 3-4 in the mornings. It's not very active at those hours. shocking, ain't it? I haven't had a bout of depression in a several years (except after Katrina), but I remember what it's like. You're in my prayers, D'fly. I hope if I'm here at 3am tomorrow morning, I don't see you because you're sleeping soundly. But if you're not, you know at least one person who might be around GT.

Catahoula, I'm so happy for you... and a tad envious. You're describing all that and I couldn't help but think of my house sitting out there not getting finished. Well that's enough self-pity for one day. It's really great that you're getting so much done.

Oh, D'fly, there's a post in Spirituality I think you might want to respond to. It's spaceman's farewell. For someone nobody agreed with, he's gotten great responses.

Cat, sounds like he's on a rool. Let him go as much as he can without burning out. Then he won't want to get up and go to work. *laughz* I kid, but try to help him keep the pace steady, but not wide open. Sounds great about the [teevee], he had mentioned that to me when I went to pick up the boy, and I'm like cool. I love windowboxes. We have one that is movable and we keep it under the window closest to the front door and that's where all of the shoes end up. Meh, it looks nice and it works, who can argue with that.

'mom, I've been an insomniac for at least 25 years, so I'm used to it. Like I said, go for awhile on catnaps, then the ole crash-n-burn for at least 24-36 hours, then I am good for a week and it's back to the not sleeping again.

I used to chat a lot with spaceman99, he's a great guy and I don't think his number is up quite yet. He still has a few more arguements left in him I think. Even if it is the end, he has had a long prosperous life and is strong in his faith so he should cross quickly and without any regret. I wish him a quick peaceful passing when ever it comes about.

Well, good morning sunshine :) How are you feeling?

Johnny set the alarm for 7am, but he was supposed to be at work for 630! on a Sunday!!! and they don't open till 9am!!!! so we rolled out of bed in a mad panic and got him there for 20 after. Guiltily I tell you that I crawled back into bed and didn't wake up till just after 9.

I have to get dog food and a couple things at the grocery, but today I plan on mostly laying in bed and reading. I am wore out! I know he has to be too.

We got the surround sound up, but not wired and he still has a shelf to build above the tv for the surround sound tuner and VCR... I have no idea where the xbox, and Playstation will go, let alone the 360 he needs to replace and the Wii we both want!! Meh, it will happen when it happens.

And that's the attitude you should be having mom! It will happen when it happens. Life needs to be lived and some stuff just *has to* go on the back burner. My mom is jealous a