Master Closet Renovation

So over the last few weeks I have been working on our Master Bedroom closet. David has helped me take down the closet maid system that existed previously and install the new stuff we created. I painted, put everything together and loaded everything in. So, since I forgot to take a "before" picture, I included a picture of what it looked like when we bought the house. We only took down the peg board and had clothes along the back wall.

We still have to put up the new light fixture, but other than that it's done and we love it! I'm amazed by how much extra space we have. We're planning no buying mirror doors for each of the shelving units, but they weren't on sale so we didn't get them. For now it looks very tidy to have our pants folded on them so we're totally ok with it.

Before pictures (previous owners stuff)
Closet - holes are patched, before the paintWith the new silver-grey paintEverything moved back in - love it!

A weekend with friends

This past weekend our dear friends Cory & Courtney came down for a visit along with their 2 kids...Addi is almost 4 and Gage will be 1 in June. They are friends from Norfolk who now live in Greenville, SC and while we only see them a few times a year, when we do get together it's like no time has lapsed. It was so great to get to spend some time with them. We didn't do anything special, just hang out. We did get in some Wii time in while the kids were sleeping.

Gage in his Johnny Jump Up - he loves this thing!Cory & Courtney - I love this picture!Playing tug of war with the cat toyMore tug of warThe clear winner...Addi - she's so photogenic!Addi wanted to do "cirque di sole" where she climbs up no Cory's back, then gets to a standing position while he gets up on his knees with no hands or help - very impressive!Taking their much deserved bow - "tank" you very much, she said...to cute!Flip time! Daddy & his boyWhere Martin spends his weekends when little ones are in the house...

Sunday we decided to head out to Church of the Redeemer where our friend Ewan (who was our pastor in Norfolk - he was the one who led us through our pre-marital counseling) is now the head pastor. Despite the downpour of rain, we made it on time and after getting Gage settled in the nursery, we decided sit in the row behind Ewan. It was pretty funny when at one point he turned around and there was a row of Norfolk people sitting behind him. ;0) Halfway through the service, it started to snow really hard. After the service we collected the kids and visited with Ewan & Heather a bit before Cory & Court decided to go ahead and head out early.

We had planned to eat out, so we decided to head to Fuddruckers with the Kennedy family as well as a few couples from their church. While we wanted for them to wrap up their Sunday morning duties, David & their 3 boys (Calvin, their oldest son who is now 12 was our ring bearer - how time flies!) got into a major snowball fight. They were all wet before we piled into the cars to head over to the restaurant. It was so nice to get to visit with them. They've been here for just over a year and we haven't had nearly enough time to get together. One thing I can say is how comfortable it is to be with them. I think part of it is that Ewan knows David & I individually & as a couple, he's probably the only person on this planet who knows us so well. It was such an enjoyable time. It's been a long time since we heard Ewan preach and spending time with them and chatting & catching up with Heather was just awesome. It was a fantastic weekend!

Our annual Church Retreat

February 20-22, 2008 we headed up to Rome, GA for our annual church retreat. It is always alot of fun and relaxing with lots of bonding time with our church family. David & I always splurge on the nice King Size suites up at the Winshape Retreat Center where we enjoy good quality sleep so we don't come home exhausted - which is always nice. ;0)

My leg had been bothering me so I chilled most of the weekend and enjoyed lots of girly time with some of the ladies I don't know so well at church. After hanging out with them, I am looking forward to more of that in the days to come! I also got to spend alot of time chatting with Leigh-Ann (she is the wife in the couple that lived with us 2 summers ago) which was also really nice. It was great to catch up without the husbands.

David spent most of his time playing sports with the guys and youth and did the rock climbing wall on Saturday afternoon. Since I was in full gab mode at that point I didn't venture over to watch, but from what I heard everyone had a great time. Saturday night a full on game of Bunco ensued led by Leigh-Ann & Anthony...I took pictures of all the fun. Here's just a few highlights for you to enjoy from the weekend.

Family Worship TimeLydia CrabbJim, our fearless leader?...maybe

our Friend & Pastor...definitelyMy friend Elizabeth (and Jim's wife ;0) - I love this picture of her!Leigh-Ann & IDavid playing Bunco

The theme of the weekend was Faith, Hope & Love. Our speaker was Mark Taylor and he did a great job of teaching us about our relationships, both with the Lord & each other. On Saturday he gave us a chart with 5 circles similar to this one I (very roughly) recreated:

We were to categorize our relationships from people we had connected with over the last week or so into the appropriate circle. The outer circle was for strangers, and moving towards the center: acquaintances, friendship, personal & finally intimate in the center. After we had completed that portion, he posed this question: "Would the people on your chart put you into the same categories?" That was easy to answer for the most part, but there were several friends that I had to carefully examine.

Last week was particularly difficult as I struggled through this task. I have consistently been classified by my friends as giving and caring. I try to be a good friend and I carefully (probably more so than I actually should) select those I welcome into my personal circle. I have been burned alot over my lifetime by broken trust, so it takes me a while to move a friendship into a more personal realm. I hate to say it like this, but I start with small things and work my way up testing to make sure I can trust them. It can take a long time for someone to move into my "inner circle". What pains me is when someone moves out, often without my knowing, into an "outer circle". It is really hard for me to see relationships change that I long to keep. I can see the friendship slipping away and the distance growing, but I'm helpless to stop it. The coffin was closed on one such relationship last week and I had a hard time letting go. I don't begrudge someone the opportunity to move on, but it doesn't make it any less difficult when they choose to go and you have to let them.

So that was me last week. I'm still working through the hurt and disappointment, but it will pass as time goes on.

American Idol

So 4 seasons ago, David & I started watching the rejects on American Idol and I got hooked on this guy - Constantine Maroulis. What was it that endeared me to him exactly? I'm not sure. He wasn't a fabulous singer, he was often pitchy, and he wasn't a flawless performer, but there was something about him that I liked.

Perhaps it was the way he made love to the camera with his eyes...Perhaps it was his rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody...

(check out the eyes - that's LOVE baby!)

Or perhaps it was the slight gap in his front teeth that reminded me of my beloved...I'm not sure. For whatever reason I was hooked on this cat and I actually voted for him. He was the first (and only I might add!) person I have voted for and when he got the boot, I was pissed.

Fast forward to today. Let me first say that I hate reality TV, well real reality TV anyway. I love the Ashton Kutcher spoofs and especially the WB's Superstar USA, but that's about it. In general I prefer sitcoms like How I met your Mother & Big Bang theory, or dramas like Grey's Anatomy & Ugly Betty.

All that said, it must be time to fess up - David called me on it so there's no more hiding from the truth. I guess after 4 years of "off and on viewing" and getting somewhat sucked in by the rejects, I have to admit it: "My name is Red, and I watch American Idol." It's embarrassing, I know. Dare I divulge that I, *gasp* DVR it? Yes, I know it's rigged... Yes, I know they cattle call the auditions and miss SO much great talent... Yes I know that they diversify/equal opportunity the winners... but I'll watch it as it unfolds.

So, now that that's out in the open, can I just say how THRILLED I was with the results last night? The top 3 were exactly who I would have chosen! I was afraid they'd put through Tatiana for the dramatic value (I guess they're saving her for the wild card show - milk it Fox!) but they didn't and I am pleasantly surprised. I love Michael, but Danny is by far my favorite. He hasn't done anything I haven't loved yet and the a cappella group song during Hollywood week - rocked! Yes, I know going into this that it's impossible for a white male to win 2 years in a row, but hopefully he'll make it to the top 4 or so. Who knows I may even vote!

So there. It's official. Judge me if you must.

Potential Job Op - The results

I had my meeting with Gretchen of Pathfinders today. It went really well. She was a hoot and we had a great time chatting. My test results came back fabulously and she said she just wanted to see me highlight the admin responsibilities I've had over the last few years more on my resume to make it more obvious why I'd be such a good executive admin.

Why an executive admin? Well, one benefit of living in the metropolis of Atlanta is there are alot of big companies, and big companies pay big money for good people. I'm a good person, so I just need to get in the door and show them how great I can be. I've basically been doing admin for my entire career in one form or another, so why not utilize those skills in this exceptionally tough market and see what comes up. I enjoy the detail oriented, analytical, "type A" parts of being an admin and I've worked closely with my last 2 bosses in a capacity complimentary to that of an executive assistants role to her boss. Plus, I'm looking for a job that won't become me and that I can quit at the end of the day. This may be the perfect fit for me. Finally, this company has 3 job openings right now within the immediate vicinity of David's office - which is the reason I called them. If we can go back to carpooling, that just rocks. And since David can be flexible with the hours he works that is a definite probability.

So now we wait. As always I'll keep you posted.

Oh, and for those family out there that haven't seen them yet...Maggie had her 6 months photos taken recently and here is the online album - enjoy!

Potential Job Opportunity

Friday at 1pm I have a meeting with a staffing agency that places permanent full-time executive assistants. I have applied there on 2 separate occasions and decided to call today to see what their process was (do they keep resumes and filter them into the appropriate positions, is it best for me to re-apply for each position, etc.). They have several open executive assistant positions available in Dunwoody (where David works) and if I'm going to pick where I work that would be the place I'd pick for carpool purposes. Who knows it anything will come of it, but if the money works and if the hours are flexible, then it could be a great fit. I definitely have the administration abilities and it's an area where my gifts get used well. =)

There are a series of tests I have to complete between now and then that are timed and test my clerical abilities and MS office knowledge. Say a prayer and I'll keep you posted on the results of Friday's meeting!

Babies & Facebook Announcements

Facebook is a funny thing. We found out that Deborah is having a boy and the latest addition to our family is a nephew on facebook. She had a crazy day and before she got to call us, Blayne posted "it's a boy" as his status. We of course called and harassed her stating for our clarification & understanding that in the hierarchy of importance it went: Parents, Sister, World/Facebook, then Us. =) Of course, I must say here that Blayne was traveling and didn't know she hadn't talked to us yet, but it was still pretty funny to find out about our new addition on facebook.

Then today my BFF Lacey announced to the world by changing her status to state that she's pregnant with #4 - she's 9 weeks along and due just before David's birthday! I am so glad the secret is out because I have been excited about this news for weeks and I've had to bite my tongue on more than one occasion to keep this a secret! I'm just glad to know that her Honda Odyssey (minivan) will be full of little Trumbos to love.

Anyway, is always so fun to read the comments about new babies coming to the ones you love on facebook. Friends from all over their life weigh in and express their congratulations. It's good stuff and I can't wait to meet all these new babies for 2009 - and of course beyond... =0)

IBC - Inflammatory Breast Cancer

My friend Bethany sent this along to me in an email and I thought it was worth posting here. My maternal grandmother is a breast cancer survivor, so I have been doing self exams since I was 16 and have had 2 mammograms already in my lifetime.

I had never heard of IBC (and neither had Bethany), so I'm assuming that many other women I know haven't either. Take the 6 minutes and watch this video, it's very informative.

Scotty's Big Adventure

So last night when we came home, the front door didn't latch close and the boys got out. David ran to the grocery store to pick up a few things and when he got back home a half our later he noticed the door was ajar. He caught Martin in the yard and saw Scotty on the porch so he went to get Marty and put him in the house. Scotty got spooked or something and jumped off the edge of the porch closest to the garage - nearly a story high! He ran away and we couldn't find him.

David grabbed a flashlight and was walking through the woods while I was shaking his food bowls and his treats and calling his name on the front and back porches. Paul & Bethany came over and we locked up Marty in the bedroom with me so the door to the house could be left open in case he decided to come back while they were searching. It was so frustrating and we were very worried that he could have hurt himself in the jump and that he would freeze, it was only 28 degrees outside...

After an hour or so of canvassing the neighborhood and not finding him, they came back in and David put his bed on the porch. After they left Marty kept going downstairs and each time David would follow him, open the door and call for Scotty. Finally at around 11:30 David when to check for the last time and Scotty was on the porch! I was so excited. He came upstairs and cuddled with us on the bed and went right to sleep. It was a very hard night and we're so glad he's home safely!

Commercial Fun

After enjoying a relaxing weekend, we headed over to the Drehers Sunday night for the Superbowl. I was hoping for a much better game than 2 years ago when the Steelers played and didn't deserve the win (in my opinion). They played well and the calls were good until the end of the game when I wished there was a red card system for Football. What the f#@k was up with the poor sportsmanship? They were up, they were winning...why did those 2 guys feel the need to beat up on those Cardinal players? I didn't understand it and it made me mad. When the game turned around and they lost the lead, I was more than ok with it. In my opinion (and it's my blog, so I'll state it =) it was very sad to see them behave so poorly. In the end I think the Cardinals brought it and it was mostly a great game to watch.

Of course, the "real reason" to watch the Superbowl is the commercials. We all agreed there were several favorites and the rest were boring. Here were the standouts:

Budweiser hands down had the best commercials:

• Bud Light - Office Meeting
• Budweiser - Fetch
• Budweiser Clydesdale Generations
• Budweiser - Horse Love ...I kept singing Ain't no Mountain after this one!

Doritos's was 2nd with 2 great ones:

• Free Doritos!
• Doritos - Bus

Bridgestone had this funny spot: Bridgestone - Mr. Potato Head

And of course there was the e-trade baby...with a friend! E-Trade - Babies

And the award for MOST ANNOYING commercial was hands down:
Career Builder - Hate Work I lost a minute of my life I'll never get back...

Hope you enjoyed the commercials (and the game)!