Kitchen Update

I tried to post this yesterday, but experienced some "Blogger Problems". So here is the Kitchen update (the pictures are not in the correct order - I have to remember to upload them backwards to tell the story).

Here I am "mudding" the torn drywall spots

Here I am scrapping the last of the wallpaper off the Kitchen light.

Here I am soaking the wallpaper above the cupboards.

Here I am scoring the wallpaper above the cupboards.

With all the wallpaper off the walls, the torn spots repaired, Princess (who became the event photographer which is why she is missing from all the photos) and I cleaned all the crown molding, chair rails and baseboards removing all the fabric softener residue. We both smelled "mountain fresh" as the package stated. We cleaned up all the "stuff" from the cupboards, and invited friends to come over and shop through the tins, plants, and dispensers that had been on top of the cupboards. I am happy to report, we got rid of, er were happy to share quite a few of these items with friends.

We've gotten a verbal quote and are waiting for a written quote to texture the wall. We hope to have it textured by next week, then the painting can begin. Yee-HAW! We're excited about the fact that the walls are going to be whole again, something that hasn't been there for quite a while.

Once this project is completed, we're going to remove the wallpaper from the entry way and the Master bath - maybe even the guest bath as well. We'll see how that goes. As it warms up, we're going to clean the house trim, prep it and then paint it. I'm just a little excited about all these "little" projects!

Busy

Yesterday, Princess was under the weather and we both stayed home from Church. I got bored, and started a project that has been six months in the making. Removing the kitchen wallpaper. I posted some pictures below to show the progress I've made, and the work yet to be done.

Kitchen part, wallpaper yet to be removed.

Windows looking to the backyard

Area above kitchen door, in progress at this point

Same shot, showing the "bigger picture".

I will be getting more fabric softener today, finishing the wall next to the fridge, and then moving all the "stuff" from the top of the kitchen cupboards, removing that paper, and sanding and floating the wall so that I can texture. Then comes painting, then comes putting it all back! Yeesh!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Princess and I have had a wonderful Christmas Morning, and we hope you have too. We've exchanged gifts, listened to Christmas Carols, and had Grandma Ruthie's Breakfast Brunch Casserole for breakfast.

Yesterday morning we celebrated Christmas morning with one of our Texas "families" that have adopted us. We spent the morning watching Ava, Sydnee, Todd, and Lindsey exchange presents. We watched as the girls discovered their treasure trove from Santa, new Barbies, new books, new Princess dresses with crowns, and slippers. There were fairy wings, tutus, and little cat and dog toys to play with. We then had a glorious feast of Breakfast Brunch, OJ, Cranberry Juice, bacon, cinnamon rolls, and sausage biscuit/rolls. It was a wonderful time and tears filled my eyes many times as the girls would let out squeals at their new clothes (that's what adopted Aunts and Uncles buy little girls). We had a great time (Lindsey, this is a better Christmas memory than any musical, dinner at a restaurant, or movie - just so you know), then we went out and did some last minute shopping/errands.

Last night we had soup buffet at the Jacobsen's (we've adopted each other here in Texas), with Elaine and the four Elders. There was Chili, Taco Soup, Elaine's Spicy Chicken Cheese Soup, and Cori's Chicken Chowder. We had Panera bread bowls, and a wonderful cranberry punch. Dessert consisted of Rocky Road Crock pot cake and Brownie Trifle with milk on the side. Each of the kids did at least one special musical number on the piano, then Parker did a trumpet solo, and Kylee and Morgan did a flute duet with Cori on the piano. Mark humbled me into singing a solo, the Elders sang, and then we all sang Christmas Carols and had a good time.

Later we played the "Turley Candy Bar" game (with a lot less candy and more trinkets to collect). Morgan was the winner with the most amount of loot, while the "Mater" truck kept Haylee's attention until she got it on the last roll. We watched a Christmas video, and were held in suspense while the kids opened their Christmas Pajamas (Kylee takes waaaaay toooo long in opening her gifts!

Princess is working on place makers for our Christmas Dinner at the Mock's. The Lackmeyers, us and the Mocks are all going to be there and it should be chaotic fun.

Missing family this year is hard. It's the first year without Mom and we didn't go home. Dad seems to be doing well and sounded chipper on the phone this morning. Princess did get me some sugared orange slices to remind me of Mom and continue a Christmas tradition she started when we were kids.

Wishing you the Merriest of Christmas Days, and Praying that you receive Heavenly Father's choicest blessings.

Jim & Princess

As promised, here are the photos of the Price household "decked" out for the holidays

This is the Willow Tree Nativity

This is the Precious Moments Nativity

Vista of the decorated tree, mantel and the top of 

one book case

Here's the house lit up

Here is the decorated house during the day

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas 

from our house to yours

Jim, Princess, Sadie and Sasha

Where?

Where have we been?  That's the question I keep getting from every reader of this blog.  Well, we have been uber busy!

While I have been trotting the globe, Princess has been holding down the fort.  We decorated the tree and finished putting up the Christmas decorations (photos to come, I promise).  Then she readied all the preparations for our annual Christmas Ornament Party.  We did that last Saturday and had a blast (although, some of our usual suspects were not able to attend).  Princess has also been performing the job of Christmas present buying!  She has been a real trooper.

I know, I know, quit nagging, more pictures to come soon.

Tonight's our Ward Christmas Party (we're going cause Princess got guilted into roasting a turkey a la Martha Stewart's recipe - we don't usually go, lots of kids running and screaming, cold food - you get the picture, not that there is anything wrong with kids, but I'm getting older) but we are - so look for us there with bells on!

Jim

Done Prepping

I don't have photos to show it, but the Price household is done prepping for Christmas.  We have the tree up and decorated.  We have the wreath above the fireplace.  We have the mantel set with nativities, and the Willow tree and Precious Moments nativities are in their proper place.

The tops of the book cases are done, and it is the least amount of decorating we have done in decades (I can say that cause see we've been married 21 years, hence "decades").   But, I'm not complaining.  We decorated for us, and for the Ornament party that we'll be having, but we didn't go all out (or as I like to say "Christmas Threw Up at our house").  We contemplated going to Vegas for Christmas, whether driving or flying, but decided to forgo it in favor of some much needed R&R at the homestead.

I'll take some photos and post them later.  We're having cold weather (yeah) except it is raining and windy and we had a bit of sleet.  Compare that yesterday to a high of 70+ and that was at 9:00 PM!  Tonight it is 34!

Be safe - keep warm, snuggle with the one you love.

Jim

Prepping

The Price household is busy prepping for Christmas.  I was in California all week, came home to Thanksgiving still up and decorated, got up and was at work by 6:15 this morning and reminded Princess we had a lot to do to get ready for Christmas.  

Princess brought me lunch at work, and then bee lined it home to get surprise me.  This is what I walked into after work today.

She had hung all the garland and bows by herself.  No easy feat by yourself, but she was speaking to Cori on the phone the whole time!

This is a close up of the tree skirt around our tree.  My Mom made it for us for our first Christmas.  The skirt is all hand quilted and tied with variegated yarn.  The little white blocks are Aida cloth that Mom cross stitched 16 of Princesses favorite Precious Moments figurines on and then quilted them into the design.  That little couple is in a gift box and the wording says "First Christmas together 1987".  When I think of the hours that Mom spent cross stitching those designs just for Princess, my heart is truly full from the love that she gave.

And lastly, here is the tree.  It is an artificial green tree that has been "flocked" with snow.  We have had it for 14 years - a true bargain from the day after Christmas sale at Ralph Jones Display in Vegas.  It is time for a new one - I just have to figure out how to buy one without breaking the bank!  Princesses family always had a white tree with multi colored lights.  This has been our tradition for the past 21+ years.  We're working on this right now, and hopefully, I'll have some pictures to post of the "finished" room tomorrow.

Jim

Turkey Day

We had a really great Thanksgiving.  Lynn was here from Michigan, we had some cool weather blow in and we kept everything pretty laid back.

The Flowers that Bill and Linda sent

Princess and Lynn working hard in the kitchen - notice the smiles - I told you laid back!

The table fully loaded with turkey, potatoes, gravy, cream corn, jell-o, asparagus casserole, green bean casserole, sweet potato souffle, rolls, and sparkling white grape juice - in my opinion, the gravy was the bomb!

Princess using the china, and the place cards that she made using her FABULOUS Stampin Up skills!  Totally adorable.

And for some reason, I could not get the table set without the food as the first picture.  All in all, we had and have a lot to be thankful for.  Freedom.  Jobs.  Health.  Friendship.  Families (both blood and adopted).  The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Being with Loved Ones.

This was the first Thanksgiving without Mom.  Princess made a comment on Sunday after, and said how proud she was of me during the holiday and how worried she was of me.  I love this woman.  She rocks.  I thought of Mom.  Happy thoughts of Mom.  Made me smile, and made me laugh, tears came to my eyes, but I was able to keep them there.

We are now debating driving home for Christmas.  It is such a long drive, 1350 miles, 24 hours long, and even though gas has come down, it is still a bit of a burden.  We'll see though, it would be nice to be home with Dad, Bill, Linda and the rest of the family.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures (Lynn - you need to get a camera!).

Jim

Time

Time is just flying by. Here I sit, almost one week post Thanksgiving, in Sacramento, CA for the night. I have spent since Monday working in Modesto, and tonight I'm catching some winks in Sacramento before the day long travel trip home.

I cannot believe how fast time is flying by, 22 days until Christmas!!!! What?! I better get my behind in gear and get some shopping done. Princess is working on handmade Christmas cards, so hopefully those will get out sometime this weekend. We still have to set up the tree, garland, and all the other "stuff" that goes with making our house into the Christmas Spirit.

I have pictures of turkey day, but you'll have to wait until I get home to download them from the camera.

Be safe everyone and keep whistling, humming, or singing those wonderful Christmas carols.

Jim

Enjoying

Here it is the day before the big feast.  I did absolutely nothing today.  Nada, zip, zilch, zero!  I was having a lazy day.  Partly because I was recovering from yesterday.  Yesterday, I climbed up in the attic, got down the reindeers, the lights, the wreaths, and began the task of Holiday cheering up the house.

I worked on the lights all day long.  I had some help from our friend who is staying with us, Lynn, but then she left and I continued.  I managed to get all the lights and wreaths and reindeer's up without falling off the roof.  No cussing, no smashed fingers, and yes, I like you am totally surprised and astonished myself that this has come off without a hitch.

We just returned from our trip to the Vance's for annual pie night.  It was great!  Lot's of pie and other deserts to sample, good recipes, good company and good visiting.  The only thing that got my goat was how people were blatantly saying that I am High Maintenance.  I was flabbergasted at this.  I am NOT high maintenance.  I am however, OCD, anal retentive and any other organized adjective you can through at me (BTW, Princess is high maintenance and she knows it, accepts it, and openly acknowledges it).  So I had a long, very long drawn out conversation about how my quirks are not HM, but AR or OCD.  It was quite comical, and anyone who knows me, knows that I am definitely Anal retentive or OCD, not High Maintenance!  

Wiktionary lists HM as " 1 - a system which requires a high degree of maintenance to ensure proper functioning, 2 - (figuratively) a person who requires a lot of attention"

Wiktionary lists AR as " 1 - preoccupied with achieving order and control and with collecting, possessing, and retaining objects, 2 - overly obsessive concerning small details"

Wiktionary lists OCD as "1 (medicine) A form of anxiety characterised by an obsessive compulsion to repeatedly perform trivial or meaningless actions".

So, based on this picture I've painted dear readers, which do you think I am, HM, AR, or OCD (the answer better be AR or OCD or a combination thereof)! :->  Let me know.

Jim

Porcelain

Funny title eh? Well, since Saturday night, I have become best friends with the porcelain throne in our house. Don't know what happened, stomach felt funny about sixish on Saturday, Princess got home from scrap book retreat, and by Sunday early morning, I couldn't leave the bathroom.

Princess taught my Sunday School lesson, when she got home, she came in took my temp - a little over 100, piled on some more blankets and let me sleep. I got up, drank some water, and about 10 minutes later spent the better part of 30 or so minutes puking into my best buddy.

Here it is today, still feel achy and feverish, but way less nauseated. Only woke up to answer my work phone, and decided to post.

Thanks Princess for covering my backside with the Sunday School lesson.

Jim

Firsts

I had a doctor's appointment today.  It was kind of like a well baby exam, I wasn't sick, I needed some blood work done for the insurance, and I needed a flu shot.  I also needed to discuss my constant acid reflux.

The appointment went well.  Princess was supposed to be there to hold my hand while they took blood, but she was called into work at the last minute.  I didn't faint, I told them ahead of time that I do faint, so they laid me down on a bed, talked to me the whole time, and all went well.  this was a first for me.  First time at the doctor to draw blood, and no one there to hold my hand.

Then it dawned on me, that the next eight months will be firsts for me also.  First birthday without Mom, first turkey day, etc.  You get the picture.  No, I'm not all sad and sappy, just thinking about the changes that have happened in my family's and my life.  I also joined Facebook, so I could post to my family.  It's kind of cool.  I even uploaded a pic of myself for a profile, something I don't like to do since I am camera shy.

Anyway, today is Halloween, or better for my native Nevadans, Admissions day.  Yep, on October 31, 1864, Nevada entered into the Union as a free state, desired for it's silver and gold deposits, and the thirty-sixth state of these united states.   It's a state holiday, no work, no banking, no post office, a great three day weekend for everyone there.

So, Happy Halloween!  Happy Admissions Day Nevada!

Jim

Colors

I really couldn't start my post with Fall, otherwise BJ would've killed me. So, last week, I was at our corporate office for the week, enjoying their lovely fall colors and cool weather. It was a grueling week, lots of meetings, lots of work to get done. I actually got to spend two nights at home, then back on the road.

I'm currently in Boston, MA for work. The colors are spectacular! The reds and golds are so vibrant, and today it was overcast with some rain and then a beautiful, light wind. Street curbs are filled with leaves of all colors, fabulous harvest/Halloween decor, it is awesome. Makes me long for being at home and how much I loved fall as a kid. The decorations, the fun, the excitement about the costumes and the collecting of candy! It's kind of poetic justice that I now work for a candy company for the past 22 plus years.

I travel home tomorrow. Then I'm off to western Texas for an audit and on Friday, taking Halloween off!

Jim

Fall II

Yep - it is fall, my favorite time of the year. I know I've posted before about fall, but today I'm really feeling it.

I'm in the Seattle area for work and the colors are gorgeous. The temp outside is a wonderful 52 F, and I'm in heaven. Wearing a short sleeve polo shirt and having the cool Northwest breeze blow against my white skinned arms feels great. Everyone is in flannel shirts with vests or jackets. I'm Loving IT!

Back home tomorrow evening, literally not home until after 5:00 PM, and then "single" (I couldn't get blogger to spell out baching it) until Saturday Night while Princess is out at the ADA convention in San Antonio.

I can't wait for fall to hit Texas - I'm ready, able, and willing to experience it. Come on buddy let the cool times roll!!

Safe travels - Jim

Through It

To clarify from my earlier post, I was born on October 10, 1964.  My Mom had a habit of getting my birthday a little off.

Last night, Princess and I used our gift certificate from Lynn to eat at "The Range" in Salado.  It was a fabulous meal.  I had pork loin roast with corn pudding and baby carrots, while Princess had Surf and Turf with Mashers and asparagus.  I had a wonderful Caesar salad while Princess had the cream of Broccoli & Asparagus soup.  I had a Valhrona molten chocolate cake with homemade roasted banana ice cream and Princess had creme brulee with biscottis.  We had a great time eating and talking, spending some alone time together.

This week has been full of dinner dates.  On Wednesday, Princess ate with the Martinsen's at Shogun (Shotgun for Molly).  On Thursday, we had the OG with the Blackhurst's and then B&R ice cream cake at our house after, and tonight, we had Margarita chicken, salad, mixed fruit, Spanish rice, and some more of the B&R ice cream cake with the Mock's and the Lackmeyers.  We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives.  Makes Texas feel so much more like home.

The well wishing came from home also, birthday cards, phone messages, and text messages.  It was great to feel the love.

I thought this would be harder for me.  Princess wept at dinner last night, she's been worried that I would get all depressed as this would be my first birthday without Mom.  I didn't, and I'm not depressed.  I think our friends and family sensed this, or were inspired to really go the extra mile with the effort.  For this I will be eternally grateful, just like I am for a wife who was so worried, she cried at dinner.

Thank you all for the wonderful messages of Happy Birthday - and no, I will not be dishing out shin kicks tomorrow.  :-)

Jim

In The Dark

I was keeping all of you dear readers in the dark about something.  That is until my sister Christina blew my cover with her comment.  Yes, tomorrow is my birthday.  Taking the day off - relaxing around the house and we have reservations at the RANGE restaurant in Salado for dinner.

Now - a funny anecdotal story about my Mom.  Since Princess and I have been married, and our birthdays are so close together, Mom always messed my birthday date up.  She got it off by one month, another time by a couple of days.  This does bring me to my story.

My Mom had written many important dates about her life, her parent's life, and the birth dates of her children.  Christina did the eulogy for Mom.  As she was talking about each child, starting with Audrey the oldest, she recited each birth date.  When she got to me, number three, Christina stated that I was born on October 12, 1964 - I had been zoning for a minute, missed it and when my vision came back into focus, all my siblings were staring at me, including Christina - then Rich said "Hey, you were born on the 10th, not the 12th, right?" and I said yes, and then we all started laughing.

So this year, being my first birthday without Mom here physically, when people say to me "Hey it's your birthday on Friday" or some such nonsense, I say back to them "nope, my Mom said I was born on the 12th, so it's gotta be Sunday just to mess with their heads"!  It's a riot. 

Thanks Mom, for another wonderful birthday tradition that I will smile about for the rest of my life.  I love you.

As for everyone else, wishing me a Happy Birthday, will get you kicked in your shins (just kidding)!  Have a great one.

Jim

A little Early

Tomorrow I will be headed out again - yes, the story of my life.  The sad fact is that I will not be here on Wednesday for a special event...Princesses Birthday.

Princess came into this world XX years ago ( I figured I would be safer not telling you the actual number of years), in a small strange part of the galaxy (Roswell, New Mexico).

Princess was and still is a military brat.  She has lived in New Mexico, Utah, Guam, Utah, Australia, Utah, then to Nevada.  While I am not in the military, she has had some opportunities to travel because of my job.  She has visited Hawaii, New Zealand, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Michigan.

Princess is extremely talented, she cross stitches, she toll paints, and now she is into stamping and some scrap booking.  She cooks - and do I have the stomach and chins to show for it.  She is giving, more giving than anyone I know.  She is patient, kind, and thoughtful.  She can be strong and feisty when her back is up against a wall.  She loves beauty.  She loves music - although we don't always share the same music tastes, she loves it nonetheless.  She is a hopeless romantic.   She cries at movies, TV shows, and commercials.

She has unparalleled beauty.  Skin that just won't quit.  Gorgeous green eyes, and a talent for putting on makeup - trust me, 21 years I have been watching and it just amazes me.

She loves the Lord.  She loves her Church.  She has a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  She is a good Mom to our girls.  She is loving and tolerant of my rantings.  She loves to put on a party, to entertain and be surrounded by friends.

For all these reasons, and just one more, she chose me, I love her and wish her the Happiest Birthday of all.

All my Love Sweetheart - Jim

Travel

So this week, I was at the plant and also travelled.  I had to do an audit in a city called Rosario, in Sinaloa, Mexico.  Luckily for me, it the closest airport is Mazatlan!  Yes, lucky for me, I got to visist a resort city in Mexico and stay on the beach for one night.

After work, our contact brought us from Rosario to Mazatlan to our hotel, the Fiesta Inn.  Great hotel, I had an ocean view, at it was pretty inexpensive.  I tried to boot up and connect to the internet, but no such luck, so I changed into some shorts and took a bare foot walk up the beach, then down the beach, then I changed into my swim suit and walked up and down the beach again, this time getting wet (of course, I kept a t-shirt on - wouldn't want to wound the locals! :-)

Yesterday, my flight didn't leave until 1:00 PM, so I put on the suit, walked the beach, up and down, then ditched the shirt, and swam for about an hour in the warmest water in the world.   It was high tide, the waves were pretty big and this was a first time for a desert rat to be in the ocean past his knees (we went one time to San Clemente, but the water was FRIGID!).  So it was a fun experience, but you know what, I forgot the stickin camera at home!!!!  Who does that!  Any how, here is a link to the hotel and pictures including their pool.  Here is a picture of the beach I found on Yahoo search.

Anyhow - slept in today - ran errands - came home and mowed, but first tried to fix the mower rear wheel drive - couldn't, need a new part, but I didn't have a fit and break anything else - I must be maturing!

Have a great one - Jim

Pictures

Thought I would post some pictures of our trip to Michigan

Beautiful Wooden boat on Lake Charlevoix, MI

Princess & Lynn on the steps of the Terrace Inn, Petsosky, MI

View of the Inn with Princess and Lynn on the front steps

The Three Muskateers on Lake Charlevoix, MI

We had a great time in Michigan - Love & Miss you Lynn

Jim

Fall?

So my last rant was about Fall and how this is my favorite season.  The temperatures were in the low 80's, the nights were in the mid 50's, and life was wonderful.

Today was the autumnal equinox.  The first day of Fall.  Today's High was 90 freaking degrees!  What happened?  I'll tell you what, good old Mother Nature - rearing her pretty head decided that we needed some more heat in September to keep up appreciating what is around the corner.  I tell ya, I'm sick and tired of it.  I want Fall back!  And Now! (yeah, get off your soapbox)

Yesterday at Church, I asked that Princess be released from our joint calling.  She has hated it for the past year and several months.  She likes teaching kids, primary kids, and not adults.  It is also hard for us if we want to take a weekend off and go somewhere, we have to get a substitute.  Hopefully Princess will get a better calling in R.S., or Primary, or Young Women's (Hah, that last one was mean)!

Anywho, we are doing good.   I'm off to Mexico this week, and have a long day ahead tomorrow, I'm covering for a shift manager in the afternoon, so it's going to be a long day, 7 to 7.  I'm really going to need a vacation soon.

Jim