More Kitchen pics - I couldn't get it all in one post

What they wanted me to be happy with. I don't think so :)

Different view. You will see we did change the ceiling and added can lights.

What I wanted. I think it was well worth the money. If you can't tell we removed the cabinet (pantry) Now we have more space for the fridge and really we didn't need 2 pantries. We don't "food store" we "Derek store" and that turn around is days not months.

Different view, from the living area.

So we are slowly getting there. I did buy cabinets, as the ones I thought I could live with turned not so livable. I did go with good old fashion stock cabinets from Lowe's, so I didn't go all fancy and saved a few dollars.

Kitchen

So not everyone thought my ideas for the kitchen were the best, I however did. Here are pictures of the before kitchen.

Where we need to put the fridge to have room to open the wall.

Before Kitchen ceiling.

Wall of pantries and cabinets, not very pretty.

Before Kitchen, not to bad but small and closed off.

Okay............

So not planned was the week long delay in the closing due to the bank. That was a week from hell. Finally we closed on 9/9/11. Now the real fun begins.
My dad changed the locks on the house on Sat., due to the strange people seen leaving the house on Friday evening when I drove up. Yeah, that was a real treat. I think I may have spent to much money on some fancy named locks that oh yeah self lock, so here's to hoping I can remember to make sure the doors are unlocked. I do have a valid reason for the fancy locks. As you know I am a REALTOR an with that lovely jobs comes re-keys. Well, the fancy locks take a good 30 to 60 mins. for the guys to get in. The lower end locks take oh.....5 seconds. I decided to go fancy and yes, that comes with a nice price tag. You should have heard my father, "Does Derek know how much of HIS money you are spending on locks?" "Well, it's in my account so I guess it's mine to spend." Insert evil laugh by me.

Better after picture to follow.

We have popcorn coming down tomorrow and hopefully some paint colors and baseboards picked out before the end of the week. I did buy a nice "ugly" rug as my dad called it. I would love some advice on paint colors. So far Derek wants about 5 different colors of gray.....yes gray is his new neutral.

Hello..............long time no blogging

Well I let life get in the way again, or just my slow computer that takes 20 mins. to warm up, so I just keep it off. The news this time is I am signing papers on the old/new to me house tomorrow. There will be lots of work to do. I will be posting before and afters of the rooms that I pay someone to re-do for me. See I want to be handy however I find that its better if I pay someone who is handy. What I do need are ideas on where to get good deals and inspiration for ideas. I need a nice modern mantel, updated kitchen, flooring ideas and paint ideas. I also need to know from Andrea and Lacey if they think wallpaper is out. There are some cool new patterns I am thinking I want to do as accent walls or a chair railing with wallpaper. Is that not a good idea?? Well I will post more when I know more. Bids come in this week for some items I know will need to be done ASAP ex. landscaping in 110 weather sounds better when you know you will be paying someone. Oh yeah, I also need Brien to test the soil in the planters for a garden I might do............see I am trying to fit in with my sisters.

Another reason why there has been no post my home computer wouldn't post last night.....grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

So today I signed!!! Closing tomorrow!

Hello

Here are some highlights of my past year. I was able to visit New Orleans for the first time and ate some great food and had a fun time with my office. I went to Chicago with some friends for the Braves - Cubs games. I enjoyed spending time with Derek on that trip and making new memories with him and our friends. I went to Utah for a cousins wedding. I also was able to go to San Francisco for the first time with a good friend Ann. As you can see I enjoy traveling. I almost forget to mention the cruise I went on in April with my office to Cabo. I'm glad I get along with those I work with as Max and Jenni were on 3 of the trips with me.

I am still enjoying my job as a Realtor and the market we are in is growing on me. I couldn't ask for a more supportive and loving husband. He is the greatest blessing in my life and puts up with me working late nights and weekends.

I will put an effort into blogging more and maybe I'll post some pictures of my travels in a few days.

Randomness

My life is wonderful yet it is far from perfection and without worry.

Saturday I spent the afternoon at Red Rock with my sister Lacey, Lilah and my Eden. We went on a hike that turned out to be a little long for the two girls. Over all it was fun to talk to Eden and chase Lilah up and down the trail.

Today I went to dinner with Derek, We met his friend Jay and his fiance Danielle at the restaurant. It was a fun time for all. We have a trip planned together in August and I think it will be fun to get to know them both better.

I have a lot of worries at this time however I have a few vacations coming up to look forward to. I also have a few vacations/weekend getaways to add to the list.

After Ann gets better from all that she is going through we will be adding a trip to California. At times like these I am reminded of the great support I have around me and the support I can be for others. I wish Ann the best of luck with her surgery and recovery.

I have the greatest people around me and am so grateful for all that I have.

What to do..........

A close friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 3 Uterine Cancer last Friday. I have no idea what she is going through, yet she calls me for comfort. Today as we spoke and she mentioned getting the paperwork together for what to do with her daughter in case something bad happens, I was speechless. I have never been through the pain of having cancer, only of knowing the person. I changed the subject quickly as I saw her eyes fill with tears as she spoke of her living will. I am unable to imange the thoughts in her head and the emotional pain she is suffering late at night and during the quiet times. I hope she realizes how much I care and want to help comfort her. I do not know how to handle this issue and am learning day by day how hard it is to have someone so close to me be the one suffering.

I called in some favors from Nancy and feel like Ann will have the best of care during her surgery. That is what I know I can do.

Tonight is the first time I am crying about it. Tonight it has hit me that my close friend is suffering and I can not stop it or ease it.

Out of Balance

One of my goals this year is to get my life into balance. I heard a speaker last week discuss that his life has been out of balance the last 10 months and he is trying to find the balance between work and his personal life. He is also in real estate so I could definitely relate. Part of getting my life into balance was to make time for working out. So this week I started my workouts at the Henderson Rec Center. I did Boot camp Tuesday and Thursday as well as Boxing Tuesday and Thursday. I'm cutting Boxing to just Thursdays as to get home at a decent hour on Tuesday to spend time with Derek since he is off on that day. I also have a class on Saturdays. I am completely sore from head to toe and LOVE it!! I miss the "pain" you get from a good hard workout. I have noticed that I have had more energy and feel better throughout the day. I also went to Red Rock Canyon and did some hiking with some girlfriends this past weekend. We have a goal to go every Saturday, so let me know if you would like to come as well. I can already see the benefits from making time to do this for myself.

Why do we get so tied up in things we put ourself to the side?

I have a lot more to do to get my life in balance, but I think this is a good step in the right direction.

How are you with the balance in your life?

Things I did with some very cute ladies!!

The Blake girls came by and made Christmas cookies and crafts at my house.
(Note to the world you to may come by my house and make cookies, it's not that far!)

Eden decorating her cookie.

Lilah adding some sprinkles to her cookie.

Eden posing with some of the cookies

Chowing down on cookies and donuts Derek brought home.

Some goofy girls with the crafts that they made

The crafts.

I had a great time as always with the Blake girls. I appreciate that their driver/baker is willing to travel the 30 minutes to my house and we can make some memories together.

Christmas pictures with the family.

So I get frustrated doing picture blogs so the order this uploaded is the order you get. It is a little backwards.

Eden in the dress Derek and I gave her for Christmas.

Zarina with her baby doll. This was on our second walk of Christmas day.

Zarina with the Hat and scarf Grandma Harvey made her. (Andrea eat your heart out)



Lacey and Andrea's father in all the plaid he owns. ( He did pose as he turned the lights on his hat on for the picture)

Derek , Carolyn and Zarina the cutest non-family ever!!

Cousins A, Z, and K hanging out.

Jack staring down little jack.

Three cute girls and a stray.


Christmas Eve at my parents house.


Katelynn with her Great Aunt.


Brien and Derek.

I know I may have misspelled a few names, but at least you made it on the post.

I hope everyone one made great memories this past year and had as much fun around the Holidays as I did. Happy late New Year!!

Christmas with the Svilars

Lacey pointed out I needed to do a post with my Christmas pictures so here you go.

Derek decorating our tree. (Please do not tell him you saw this as I will be killed)

Carolyn (me) decorating the tree.

The tree and Derek's new Elvis stoking.

Derek's family take a picture with every gift. I only posted a few.
Carolyn with the 4 seasons of How I met Your Mother.

Derek with the complete series of The Sopranos

That was our Christmas Eve Christmas.

Yes........I am a snob.

Here are a few items I would never pay discount for. Inspired by a billboard I saw stating

"All Fillings $100"



1. Dental work - I would never go to a discount dentist. I can't even bare to go to the dentist on my health plan after my own dentist said they use cheap products.



2. Plastic surgery - If I am going to transform my body I am going to the best.



3. Lasik - I would like to be able to see afterwards and will pay top dollar, thank you.



4. Sushi - I am somewhat of a snob when it comes to the raw fish I eat. I will not eat grocery store sushi at buffets or all you can eat places. They gross me out and I feel as though it's not quality fish.



5. Diapers - When I was a nanny and Nancy once bought the cheap diapers I about died at the explosions that came with them. Never again I tell you.



Those are my top 5 and I am okay with being a snob about a few things.



What are yours?

Sick.......

Today I am sick. I sat around and watched TV all day and rested. Hopefully I will be better for work tomorrow.

P.S. I hate being a girl.

Okay let's do this....

I keep telling Tim (my boss) if he comes to work and works longer days ( ex 5 hrs) we would get more done. He told me to hire an assistant. I was determined I can do it without an assistant. I now may be changing my mind. If I had someone for a few hours a day ( ex 2 to 3) to do the website and other items I have fallen behind on I may be able to get more listings and not feel behind all the time. Tim is useless on the computer aspects of the job and if I am driving around none of my work is being done. He also is not very good at taking the photos and reporting back to me on the properties. I think I can do it when I get caught up on the weekends, then I fall behind again when we get more work from the banks. I'm new to this work stuff and am not sure we produce enough right now to make it worth what we would be paying someone. Commissions are down however the inventory is up.

At what point do you hire someone?

When does the happy ever after start?

Married for 2 years one month and 8 days and I am still waiting for the happy ever after. Does it come with having children? Does it come with the goodnight kisses? Does it come when you wake up and see him there asleep and peaceful? All my life I have been told there is a happy ever after. I have a job I love, a husband I love more then I could ever imagine and a family that somewhat supports me. Am I at my happy ever after? Am I at the point where there can be no better joy then now? I don't know what the future holds for me and my world. I do know it scares me to think that there is something out there that can break my happiness and I have no control over it. I have no contorl over if I will have a long and happy life with those I love today or if this is it. I better make the best of it so I have the least amout of regret possible.

Am I crazy or is this your reality too?

I drive down the freeway and try to memorize the license plate in front of me and the car to go with it. Just in case I need to report it.

I wonder what death is like, but want to live to remember it.

I went to a High School and was scared by the students. Kids look a lot different now days.

I wish to die last for fear my husband would never re-marry.

I would like to know what a moment of fame is like.

I enjoy a good cry whether it is a sad one or happy one.

I wish to know what it's like to be a mother but do not want to have a child.

I want to go white water rafting , but not get wet.

I think if i was a boy life would be much easier.

If I won the lottery I would like to still work to keep me busy.

I stress over not being stressed out.

I want to do better then the person before me.

I try to hide my past.

So are you having a baby?

If you think that's a question asked to me you're wrong. It was a statement made by a tenant today during an inspection. She asked if I was having a baby. I replied no. She quickly said oh the dress you are wearing looks like a maternity dress, not you.

I came home and ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes.

So in a way thank you but no thank you.

Anyone want a DKNY black dress I have one you can have.

What a wondrful week.........

My Vacation wrap up.

Sunday - Wednesday morning was with Derek. We went to San Diego for a Cubs games. The Cubs may have lost both games and won the one we didn't go to; however we had a blast. Derek who states he has no friends had 3 couples there to share our time with. One I had meet before and two new ones. One of the new ones Dennis and his girlfriend Natalie were really a lot of fun. We will see them in town now that we know we like each other.

Wednesday morning Derek dropped me off at the Surf and Sand in Laguna to hang out with Jenni for two days. That was awesome. We sat on the beach for two days and read and talk. We had a lot of fun doing nothing but listening to the ocean. We may have also gone shopping.

Friday we met Jenni's family and Brian ( my co-worker) at Disneyland. Disney with the Zurflueh's is an experience that I think EVERYONE should have. They know that park like no one I've ever seen and they go from ride to ride and from Disney to California. Lots of laughs, tears and a few fights, totally fun though.

Saturday was "Legally Blonde the Musical" day. We saw the show at the Pantages Theatre. The show was very good and really funny. I enjoyed the theatre as well, it reminded me of New York City. That was also dinner at Knott's Berry Farm night. Jenni LOVES the chicken dinner, which is all Iryland will let you order.

Sunday was a short day at Disney and the drive back to Las Vegas.

I honestly had a wonderful week. It was filled with so many different items and people it made is a lot of fun. Weeks like this remind me I love my husband and the life we have. I love my job and the people I work with. I am truly blessed to have such great people and good people in my life.

I am a lucky girl, who works hard and plays harder.

Wow....

I logged in to blog and I have nothing to blog about. There's a first for me. I guess I can mention the heavy humidity we are having and how my side of town has not had any rain.

Ummmmm......I left my cell at work and feel very lost without it :(

We are in the process of hiring another front desk person.

I am excited to be seeing baby Z in a few weeks. :) Oh and Andrea & Brien.

Max booked the hotel Jenni and I will be staying at in Laguna and it is very pricey and on the beach, I'm excited!!

Derek wants to go to New York City in November to see Bruce Springsten.

I ate my left overs from lunch yesterday for dinner.

I guess that's all I have for now. I'll be back with better stuff next time.

Sooooo am I crazy........

I came home from work and had a bowl of cereal for dinner. Not crazy you say. Well, I had to open a new box because the thought of eating what was open grossed me out. ( FYI - I have 3 newly opened boxes)

Another time - Milk was in the fridge not used or moved for 3 days and I had to throw it out. Was it expired you ask? Not at all just the though of drinking it made me gage and I threw it out?

Leftovers are my worst nightmare and certain things should never be eaten the next day. I will box at a restaurant as not to look wasteful and throw away as soon as I get home.

Another time - Fruit & vegetables which I believe can last longer then 4 to 6 days I throw out after 6 days in the fridge. Why you ask? I HAVE NO CLUE!!!

Why am I like this? How do I change my wasteful ways? I know what I am doing is wrong and I still do it. I have tried to eat it or use a product and I get sick to my stomach and can't. Please I need help and I need it before I waste more $$.

Side note - You will be happy to know Derek will drink the milk, gage, after the expiration date and has done it a few times and has gotten mad at me when I've thrown it out. The fruit not so much. I have learned to buy less and to go to the store twice in a week for more fruit as to waste less. I just don't know why I am like this or where it came from. How do I change my mindset?