Sunday, January 18, 2009

You Should Have Listened. . . .

I like stuff. All kinds of stuff. In fact, I have been told more than once that I have too much stuff. I like old sentimental stuff and new stuff and unique stuff and made-by-the-kids stuff. And I don't just collect stuff, I display it. As much of it as I possibly can.







I married a man that does not share my enthusiasm for stuff. He would be perfectly happy to live in a house with smooth beige walls (free of the blemishes of stuff), a couch and TV (with cable), a toilet (with TP) and a refrigerator and microwave. All the other stuff just takes up space and costs money.







I remember years ago when he moved into a house I had been living in for several years and decided he wanted to update the worn paint throughout the house. He took everything off the walls and patched all the holes like a professional. We picked out new paint colors and he took his time painting to be sure the job was done right. The fresh paint rejuvenated our tired old house and it looked great. I was excited about the change until. . .







A few days had passed since the painting was completed and I began to wonder why none of my picture frames, wall decorations and shelves (full of stuff) had been hung back on the walls. I assumed it was because Robby wanted to make sure he hung things where I wanted them and since he had patched all the holes he had nothing to go by--I was wrong. I asked him after work one evening if he was ready to start hanging things and his response was quick-"You want to hang all that STUFF back up?" And he wasn't joking. He had no intention of hanging ANY of it back on his perfectly smooth and blemish free walls. Of course, after I reminded him of the unspoken rules of relationships he reluctantly hung most of my stuff on the smallest nails I'd ever seen.



Over the years Robby has learned that it's best just to suck it up and hang my stuff. He realized that it would be less work if he just did it rather than watching me put numerous (and sometimes large) holes in our old plaster walls. I never have been skilled with a hammer, which is why my Dad used to call me "lightning". . . never strikes twice in the same place.







One of my favorite collections of stuff is my Willow Tree figurines. My husband and children usually get me one (or more!) for Mother's Day and before our fire they were displayed on a corner hutch in our dining room. We didn't replace the hutch so my Willow Tree figurines haven't had a home for awhile. I decided "I" wanted to put shelves up in the dining room to display them on. Our dining room is pretty narrow so I wanted them to be up towards the ceiling to keep them out of the way, but easily visible to all who visit my home. I held the recently purchased shelves up against the wall so Robby could see my vision, but to no avail. We spent a few minutes discussing the shelves and where they should be placed and in the end compromised and measured to place them halfway between where I wanted them and where Robby wanted them. We spent a good hour measuring and calculating to get the spacing between the five shelves perfect. This was a big deal. I picked out bracketless shelves that require two screws with anchors and three drywall screws to hang securely. With five shelves at five holes apiece that meant putting 25 holes in an otherwise unblemished wall. ( I know. My math skills are impressive.) Measuring and remeasuring was key to maintain Robby's sanity. The girls and I patiently held the tape measure while he marked each spot with a pencil. Then I held the laser level while he reluctantly drilled each of the holes. In the end I have 5 perfect shelves on which to display my prized collection.







But there is one small problem. One small problem that would have been avoided had my husband just listened to me and hung the shelves where I requested. Instead we have four functional shelves and one shelf that interferes with the normal operation of our sun room door. . . in short-the shelf is too low! This, my friends is why men should listen to their wives. We know these things.







In all fairness, I never once thought about the clearance the door would require. But the fact remains-the location I picked for the shelves would have easily met this need AND looked good.







So if you see Robby with a tear in his eye, don't fret. He is simply mourning the loss of his untarnished wall and contemplating a future of hole-patching and wall painting.



Saturday, January 17, 2009

Recent Happenings

Just a few snapshots of our recent activities. . .


Lindsay wanted her hair cut and I guess I have always had this secret desire to be a hairdresser so I decided to cut it myself feeling safe in the knowledge that Jess could bail me out if I messed it up too bad. :) I think it turned out pretty cute. . .



Before

After


Lindsay finally got the approval from Grandma Helen to get her ears pierced on December 18th. She was so excited she hardly slept the night before and thought it was great that she got to pick out her own earrings. She was a tough chick and didn't even cry!

I made my first diaper cake for a good friend who has since delivered a beautiful and healthy baby girl. It was fun to make once I got it going and turned out much better than I expected. Congratulations to the new parents and siblings-I hope the diapers come in handy!



Garrett's school basketball team won their first game of the season (1-1) this Friday evening. It was a hard fought win and the team had to pull together to make it happen.


Garrett is #2 in white

Lindsay and Kristina (Garrett's girlfriend) cheering the team on

Time to celebrate! The final score was 14-12.




The kids are participating in basketball and cheerleading at Ormsby Heights Baptist Church this year. Their program puts Garrett and Kimberly in the same age group and they were assigned to different teams (which is definitely a good thing!) Their teams played each other today in an exciting game. In the end Kimberly's team won, but Garrett was just happy to get to be on the court with his big sister. (Kimberly is Green #52 and Garrett is Orange #13)






Lindsay absolutely LOVES cheering. She practices constantly and even gets the other kids in trouble with her stomping (Robby thinks it's Garrett or Kimberly bouncing the basketball in the house again). The cheerleaders all cheer for both teams and all cheers are positive. Most of the girls in Lindsay's squad are still learning coordination, but they are all so cute!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Together Forever (Again)

My mother-in-law (re)married her first true love today. After 32 years of marriage followed by 30 years apart they realized their hearts belong together. They took their vows in a family filled personal service officiated by one of our favorite ministers of all time. What an awesome reminder that love conquers all!





The newlyweds with Robby's family






Ricky, Helen, Norman and Robby (parents and sons)




Ricky, Norman and Robby (father and sons)



Mr. and MRS. Bates


Thursday, January 1, 2009

Family Times



Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh. Robby so looks forward to getting to wear the official turkey carving apron. . .





Lindsay was playing photographer. . .




Me and my sister-in-law Jeni My little sister, Karman

Aunt Linda
Cynthia (what a face!)
Uncle Mike












I wasn't really excited about having a birthday this year. But I guess considering the alternative it's not that bad! My husband got up early and baked me a birthday cake and my family took me to O'Charley's for my birthday lunch.










My Mom watched the kids so Robby and I could go on a "dinner date" for our anniversary.










After our traditional New Year's Day dinner of baked pork loin, cabbage, and black-eyed peas (which I like to call "dirt beans" because I'd rather eat dirt!) my Mom decided to use her artistic talents on the leftovers. . .





And we got to spend some time with my niece Sophie while her parents recovered from their New Year's Eve party. She is so cute. . .




Friday, December 26, 2008

The Christmas Tree

Of course we went to our usual site for Christmas tree hunting this year and of course we brought home the biggest tree ever. We can't imagine going anywhere else for the tree that will grace our home from December to February (seriously. We leave it up that long). But their selection of appropriately sized trees gets smaller each year. When we picked this one out we knew it was big. That's why Robby left so much in the ground when he cut it down. He still had to cut more off after we got it home to get it to fit in the house though!









The traditional picture in front of the tree we selected. Kristina, Lindsay, Cynthia, Ryan and Garrett (who had just gotten in trouble for playing on the semi-frozen lake and getting his shoes and pants all wet!)








Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween

McCain and Obama enjoyed watching the Cards beat USF last Saturday


Halloween came early for this cheerleader too. . . . . She gives new meaning to making your eyes look bigger with makeup!

Lindsay was Gabriella from High School Musical, Garrett was Brock Bollen and Cynthia was Brian Brohm (we finally got her in the right colors!!!!!!). Kimberly is way too cool to dress up-she went to a party instead.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Garrett's First UofL Football Game

Robby gave Garrett his ticket to the UofL football game against Middle Tennessee State for his birthday. Garrett wasn't sure it was a real ticket at first and Robby wasn't real excited about giving up his seat, but in the end everyone had a smile on their face. When I asked them to pose for this pic I wasn't sure Robby wasn't going to snatch the ticket and run!






Me and Garrett just being goofy









This hand-off made it all the way to the end zone for a touchdown. Garrett was cheering extra loud for Brock Bollen since he was wearing his number on the jersey he got for his birthday.


Garrett was excited about staying after the game to high-five the players. He couldn't believe they all actually walked around the whole field to greet fans and accept congratulations.




This was a day Garrett won't soon forget. I think he might have actually forgot about the electric guitar he asked for and didn't get for his birthday!