Monday, June 24, 2013

Moving is HARD WORK!

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Welcome to my Entry Hall today.  Soooooooooo many of you have wanted to know about the move & see some photos.  So, I thought I’d start the tour.  WE ARE FAR FROM DONE!  But, I’m done for now.  We started this “journey” back in January.  Hubby had never adapted to the smaller lot that our last house was on.  We had down sized yard when we moved out of Arlington 14 years ago.  Thinking we wanted less yard to care for.  He just never adjusted.  You know what they say… You can take the boy out of the country but, you can’t take the country out of the boy.
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Here is the entry on the day we looked at the house in January.  That’s our Realtor's little girl running through.
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We didn’t like the “honey” colored wood on the stairs or any of the cabinets.  And we really hated the pink tile floors with wide dirty grout!!!! 
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That is all gone now.  We had beautiful neutral colored tile put down (I wanted Travertine but, I didn’t want the up keep of it).  The front door was repainted on the inside.  Down the road it will be replaced.  There is no decor on the sideboard but, hey…. I’m working on it.  A promise I made myself is to not rush & do things I’m not happy with.
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We painted the entire house.  Upstairs & down.  All the walls & all the trim.  3 hard workers for 7 days!
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We wanted to rip the dirty carpet off the stairs & put wood on them.  But, as you made the bend at the landing… the stairs became very narrow & were dangerous.  I knew we didn’t need stairs that you couldn’t place your entire foot on as that was waiting for someone to fall down them.  There were 4 contractors called in & each had what they thought they could do.  But, contractor #4 had the right answer.  The stairs had to be rebuilt (the others wanted to place wood on top but, we feared when you stepped on the edge it would break).    So they were ripped out, rebuilt with solid hardwood & stained.  Our painter was able to sand & stain the ugly “honey” colored banister.
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And now they are beautiful!!! And safe!!!  There have been soooooooooooooo many projects.  Not one room is left as we found it.  We still have boxes everywhere & hunt/seek is our favorite game (well, maybe not).  But, it’s a process.  I told my friend Laurie when she was telling us her moving woe's “Enjoy the process”.  Well, that’s bit me in the backside when I sang my woe’s to her.  She reminded me to ENJOY THE PROCESS!  And I am.  We’re making it ours.  We still have a long way to go but, I wanted to share the progress.
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Above is a dirty little Ms Elle telling each of you to come back for more tales of the move.   I miss all of you my bloggy friends.
HUGS!   Charlene

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Where Does Time Go?

Mandy's Wedding Photo
In the middle of a HUGE move & remodel (as well as the selling of our home) what could make us take a week & go back to California?  That beautiful Green Eyed Princess above!  She’s had me wrapped (& her uncle too) from the minute I saw her.  We had boys & I soooooooo wanted a girl but, blue we had in fold.  So, when my friend Cindy had Amanda I walked in the hospital room, picked her up & said “thank you for having her for me”.  I loved & spoiled this beautiful girl for MANY years & when the invitation came last year we said YES!!!
Mandy & Aunt Charlene
This is me (yes, I KNOW the glasses are horrible but, that was then…) & my baby girl!  I bought her that little pink outfit & many other things through the years…  When I saw the sign below I knew I had to get that for her too…
Sign I Gave Mandy
When I saw her Engagement Photos… I KNEW this was the one for her.  He was a smart man as they’ve been friends since High School.  He’s seen her through MANY broken hearts & relationships.  Always the friend who had a shoulder to cry on… And then they grew up & they KNEW!  Young love is such a beautiful thing.
Engagement photo Collage
We flew into Orange County Airport & were whisked away by our dear friend Vickie.  That night she & her precious hubby Ray went with us to Downtown Disney to have dinner with the wedding couple.
Vickie & Ray Legoland
We had such a fun time with everyone & were amazed at the Legoland store.  My Hubby hammed it up with The Hulk!
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Look what they can do with Lego’s!   The first one is the Beast from Beauty & The Beast.  HUGE!!!!! And look at Aladdin, the magic carpet with the kids on it… Hanging from the ceiling.  The detail in the carpet was astounding.
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The dragon on the roof over the front door!  LOVE IT!!!! All Lego’s!
Beach Collage
We had time to enjoy eating hamburgers at Ruby’s on the pier in Huntington Beach.  Seeing the surfers is always a trip & just loving the beach.  Vickie & Ray know all the great spots!
Fireplace Collage
The wedding was held at The Disney Grand Hotel.  We loved the beautiful beams, fireplace & decor in this hotel.  “Baby Girl” chose well!
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Her Momma helped with her dress & her Daddy walked her down the isle.  Exchanging the rings & sealed with a kiss.
Wedding Couple
They look so happy!
First Dance Collage
First Dance…
Cake Collage
Cake!  She tried to make his face a mess & he just couldn’t do the same to her but, with one dip/kiss…. She was covered in cake too.  I LOVE that they can laugh & play with each other.  That makes marriage a LOT easier don’t you think?
Cars Collage
At 4:00 sharp Mandy made the announcement that the wedding reception was over & the bride/groom with their guests would now go to Disneyland.  We changed into casual clothes & away we went.  Above we were in Cars Land & on the CARS ride. 
Color Show Collage
Wonderful World of Color Light/Water show ended the night.   What a perfect day!  A tired but, happy newlywed couple.  Thank you Mandy & Aaron for creating such a magical day for everyone.  I wish you all the love your hearts can hold.  Love is a dream your hearts makes.
Disney Bride & Groom
I wanted to thank Tammy Love Photography, Mandy & all her friends & families that helped provide photos for this journey of memories for me to share with you.  Now, your Auntie is back to work with the move.  Check back soon to see our progress.  Note:  MOVING IS HARD WORK!
Hugs!  Charlene
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