A Quiet Saturday Afternoon

It all started when I woke up this morning, donned a white sweatsuit, and headed downstairs for my morning pot of coffee. A cup of joe in my hand, Poppa returned from his early morning trip to Lowes. He asked me if I would like to run with him in Mitch's Ford Pickup to put air in the tires and gas it up, when he sweetened the pot with a Starbucks I put on sunglasses and headed for the door.

Air in the tires and my "grande triple skinny vanilla latte" in hand we were headed back to the house when I looked at the missing heater knob and asked if we could stop at an auto parts store for a replacement. Poppa said why not go to the wrecking yard, so off to U Auto Pull It we went. To save three bucks I went out into the yard alone when I pass familiar non broken tail lights. A perfect rear end to a Seabring Convertible a 99 to boot! I ran for the knob and went to the cashier. I told Poppa I was going back for the tail lights (purple convertible is in backyard with both broken out) he bit the bullet paid the three bucks for his pass and came out with me. I now have 2 one year passes to the yard.

We went to the car that I could only see the rear of and who would have guessed it! The whole front end was in great shape and all there! I quickly disconnected the rear lights while wishing I had more tools with me other than my Leatherman and Maglight (thanks Chris!). I looked at Poppa and said I need tools and something other than white to wear. We ran back to the house tail lights in hand (a quick stop at Sears for a new 19.2 driver/drill Craftsman with lots and lots of bits) charged the new drill and packed my small toolbox full of everything I could think of needed to tear apart a front end.

Panicking wondering if I did not hustle back I would return to a hulk missing all of my needed parts we ran back to the U Auto Pull It yard.







An hour and a half later we have a front bumper, both front fenders (my silver car has minor dings on the passenger fender so we grabbed it for the new car) both headlights, tail lights and brackets, tons of wheel well plastic bits that exploded on impact on the old car, a new battery tray, new visors for the new car (the existing ones were sun faded) and tons of other misc bits and pieces.

I am still very sad I do not own a oxy acetylene torch, if I did the rear quarter panel would be mine! Well I guess you can't have everything.

I spent the entire night with my dad detailing out our new cars and putting on the new visors and such. We got a headlight polishing kit as both of our headlights were very yellowed. After about an hour polishing with the new drill they are in great shape! That kit is my new favorite toy.

The visitor's curse continues, we have been running from morning until night working on everything we can think of. The new back door is ordered, the yard is getting better all of the time and all of the new cars look great! My poor dad is going to be very happy to get to Arizona for a break.

A PAINTED JEFF

Jeff went to a Bossier basketball game tonight with all of the guys. Mitchel and Monica painted him up, the green paint was made with white acrylic paint mixed with food coloring. Green food coloring. They didn't know that it is not washable. I fully expect to have a green Jeff for the next week.




I really hope that Jeff makes the yearbook after all of his hard work and sacrifices for the cause.
Mitch and Monica did a great job painting Jeff regardless of the permanency of the color.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

FRIDAY MORNING SCHEDULE

5am Roll out of bed
5:15 make coffee while yawning
5:30 Groggily pour coffee, top flies off carafe spilling coffee onto counter and floor
5:45 clean up counter and floor
6:00 drive to Southern Maid for donuts
6:30 all boys happily munching donuts before school, 2nd pot of coffee brewed and having 1 st cup of the day

the rest of the days events are to be continued;



Excuse the scrumbly hair, seriously just out of bed and threw on clothes to run for breakfast;


There is no better way to start off the morning than with the donuts that Elvis made famous. Down in the deep south they are more revered than the acclaimed Krispy Creme. They are handmade and hand dipped and have a much yeastier taste than the KC. Anyway with all of the company my morning included a 6 am emergency donut delivery.

Tucker was in 7th heaven over the breakfast selection this morning.

NEW CAR(S)?

Well, Poppa had a wonderful time driving my new Seabring across Texas. Who knew he had such a great time? While driving in town around and about we spied another silver vehicle. We stopped, checked it out, asked the price and drove away. When he spoke with Oma later in the evening she reiterated the long list of vehicles they already own and politely declined another new car purchase.

My Seabring Convertible;



Funny enough this morning oma called with the news that one of her friends were selling their winter home in Arizona. Ok so it is a tin house, could be on wheels. Well really it is a one bedroom mobile home in a five star mobile home park in Arizona. In its defense it is a gated community with all of the resort bells and whistles, pools, hot tubs, fitness center, walking trails, lots of shopping and cafes and such all around. It sounds great (they never do anything cheesy).I believe the choice may have something to do with the eight feet of snow they received in the Northwest this winter. Just maybe.

Anyhow, Poppa listened to her and said sure, buy it. Now mind you this is the second home Oma has purchased when Poppa is on vacation and has not had the honor of seeing before the contract is in. At least he knew the price of this one at the outset. The last one he had no clue what the price would be and neither did she (forgot to ask just said "we'll but it!") We love Oma and she never steers anyone wrong, she has impeccable taste. So at the end of the conversation he asked "so can I buy the car for the new home now?" and she graciously conceded.

Oma and Poppas new Seabring Convertible;


So, my Seabring has had a little baby Seabring. The latest edition to the fleet is a 2002 Seabring Convertible, Silver, with a black top (sound familiar?). Here are the cars in the driveway. We had no idea when we woke up this morning that Oma and Poppa would be the proud owners of a vacation home and a new car, but you can never tell how the day is going to end up can you?



Both of the Seabring Convertibles together before they part ways to the different ends of the country;



I like mine better though! Much more curvy.


Mitch came home tonight while I was gone in my car and said tell mom to move her car out of my parking spot! Poppa looked at him and smiled as he said that's my Seabring. Mitch just shakes his head and laughs at us. He brings one from California and finds the other down the road from my house. Who knew?

The major bonus to the recent developments is that Oma is coming in just a few days so she can drive with Poppa to the new casa in Arizona. I cannot wait for her to get in! I must say I miss family being down here, so any excuse for more visits is a welcome sight to me.

AHHHH THE NEW CAR ARRIVES!

So we all remember the traumatic events on the night of December 29 2008. The wreckage of my much beloved seabring convertible that brought me sooo much joy driving for so many years (sniff). The insurance company declared it a total loss and has branded my lovely (well once lovely) car with the distinction of a salvage title.


The night of the unfortunate event;



The day after in the driveway;







Poppa was ready for a road trip (as the north is burried in snow) at about the same time my uncle in California was liquidating his vehicles to purchase a Chrysler 300. So even though I am not particularly fond of silver (I love color) I am very fortunate to have had this car delivered to my house yesterday as an early birthday present.

The car handles beautifully, and is is great shape. It is the same all black leather interior and great stereo system and is a blast to drive.

The new car after a bath, a wax, rainex on the winsheild and such.


Just me and my car. It may not be purple, but the top goes down and it feels just like "my" car. I am sooo very thankful to have my car back. I am just not a truck driving kind of person. Mitch is also very glad to have his truck back and all to himself.


Poppa brought me this license plate holder for the new car, although I am not one for sayings on your vehicle I thought this one was very very funny, so on it went.





The Ford (Mitchels truck) is pouring oil onto the driveway so after a scrub brush and a half gallon of degreaser Poppa and I came up with this idea. Mitch thought we are very funny.



Luckily it is written in chalk so the hose will take it off but if you cant have a little fun whats the use?

House Photos Part 2

Ok so I lose the award for speed on posting the home remodel pictures. I finally sent photos to Oma who has been patiently waiting for months for the after pics. Since I finally got them to her, I figured I might get on the ball and post them. I included the before pictures so you can have a clue just how far the house has come since the initial purchase. It is finally starting to look as I knew it could when I first saw the house.


House Entryway before;



The Entry way after;



Upstairs bath before:



Upstairs bath After;



Jeffs room before;



Jeffs room after;



Guest Room before:



Guest room after;



Master Bath Before;



Master Bath after;



Master bedroom before facing master bath:




Master bedroom after facing master bath:




Master bedroom before facing wall of timber:


Master bedroom after facing wall of timber:



Living Room Before;



The Living Room After;







Tuckers room before;



Tuckers room after;





Dining room before;



The dining room after the remodel;









My office before;



My Office after;

Weekend Events

Friday we went to an out of town wrestling tournament in Zachary Louisiana. We went overnight and had a great time. Jeff was over on his weight so he was not able to compete this meet. I need to remember this is not football and quit sending his with so much food for the trip. He kept track of all the brackets and we got to cheer on Courtney which was really great.

It was nice to go somewhere else for a mini vacation. I need to remember to do this more often.

Courtney winning his match, he had to wrestle all big obese guys who would squish him if they got on top. He did really well and took fourth place overall. Way to go
Courtney!




Courtney working so hard to pin this guy, they are almost impossible to turn over due to their immense size!

Courtney, myself and, Jeff at the tournament between matches. Tucker took this photo and I have to get the kid his own camera, he did a great job!


Mitchel and I Mitch is being his own silly self as usual.


Jeff helping to coach one of the other players.


Tucker and I, Tuck was glued to my side the whole day. It was nice since the boys are all getting older and very independent.


Mitch hanging out.


Mitchel and Monica. Monica was able to come with us to Baton Rouge.


Yes the elusive Piggley Wiggleys do exist. They are grocery stores. Who knew? This one was outside of Baton Rouge.


Sunday afternoon I took a concealed weapon certification course. This is the target I qualified with. We had to shoot 36 rounds to qualify as well as learning the law.
By the way in Louisiana you can not only shoot someone who breaks into your home, you can also shoot through the door if they are attempting to break in. I love deep south gun laws! I had a great time, and the boys are so good for my ego, when I got home Coty was here, grabbed my target and ran it up to all the boys saying I am knocking from now on when coming into the house! Jeff and Mitch think it is really great, although they know I am a little "different" for the hobbies I have, I think they love it though.

Here is my I love me moment. The target is now hanging on the wall in my office for a little while, a very redneck thing to do, hang your target next to your law degree, but this is who I am. Who knew?