Week #1

Well I've officially spent one full week in PR...yay me!  Things are coming along albeit much more slowly than I would have liked...obviously.  Here are the highlights:

• I cooked!  Yep, more than once - it was epic.  I used the crock pot, chopped things...amazeballs.  I made a veggie lasagna (decent), potato leek soup (semi-fail but better the next day), legit split pea soup as in used ham hocks and everything (delish), chicken and dumplings...I think some other stuff but it's escaping me.

• We started reno on the downstairs bedroom and bathroom!  We're turning the weiner small bedroom into a weiner small "gym" with a Murphy Bed.  So far we removed the carpet and carpet pad and scraped-off  the ugly popcorn ceiling.  We also bought the paint and hardwood flooring so we're ready to rock.  Here are a few "before" photos: 

I know what you're thinking, "Why would they want to remove such beautiful carpet?"

It's actually worse in person if you can believe it.

• As for the bathroom, I stupidly didn't take any before photos but I assure you, it was disgusting.  This project will take some more time as we need to do some actual construction.  We need to take out the vanity/counter top, remove the sauna (yes, I wrote sauna,) put in a jetted tub, new shower, tile, and pedestal sink.  You know, just a few things.  My humble beginning yesterday was to take down the sweet floral/metallic stripe wallpaper.

•  Mark channeled his inner lumberjack and started trimming trees in the yard.  He cleared away some pine tree branches that were interfering with my clothesline [see #4] as well as beginning to take down the random tree in the middle of our yard.  I was hesitant at first because I'm not generally an advocate of taking down perfectly good trees, but I have to say, our view of the lake is much improved.  Mark also agreed to plant 2 trees for every 1 he takes down.  I have a not-so-secret desire to have a mini apple orchard lining both sides of our property...we'll see how that goes ;)

• I hung laundry on a clothesline...outside...with clothespins!!!  Yep, I was all LHOP (Little House on the Prairie) it was awesome.  My sheets really did have that "dried-in-nature" smell!  And here I thought that was just a marketing gimmick...

• As I mentioned in a FB post I let Bijoux play outside by herself for awhile.  She came back soaking wet and smelling like dead....something....maybe fish?  It was gross.  So I had to take matters into my own hands and give her a bath.  I like to leave this task to the professionals but it was mandatory.  Of course she rolled in something else dead two days later so I had to give her another bath...gross.  Needless to say Bijoux loves it here and is certainly a country dog at heart.  Of course I had to take some photos of bathtime because it's hilarious...and sad...but mostly hilarious.

She looks like she has a mullet...she'll fit right in at Wal-Mart!

Rubbing her head in her towel.  This is part of her Crazy Dance.  I'm trying to upload a video of this...it's hilare.

 

• Oh, I also haven't yet mentioned that we totally live in a dog neighborhood...yay!!!  My favorite is Cooper - the sweetest Golden Mix I've ever met...I love him.  He is super mellow, loves affection, and puts up with Bijoux's neurosis.  I think he can tell when I'm up and saunters over into the yard to say hello.  I've also met two German Shepherds (unsure of the names) and I've seen Cooper's sister Nia.  Nia is a Yorkie and definitely gives Bijoux a run for her money when it comes to barking.  Unlike Bijoux she seems to hate people as well as dogs so I haven't been able to get close to her yet...I'll wear her down I'm sure :)  Here are a couple of pics of Coop, my new buddy:

• Lastly, I wanted to post some photos of the neighborhood.  I have to say, it's pretty cool that I get to spend a good chunk of my day outside in all of this beauty - it's gorgeous up here!