5/30/11 - I Heart Art

I'm recycling a few paintings I had previously painted in my apartment to A) save money and B) get some original new artwork up on the walls. I spray painted these today with Gesso paint to redo into some cool ideas. I redid the four petal squares in different colors and those are already hanging up in the house. Looks way cool! I love sharing my creativity with Domingo especially since he seems to enjoy it a lot too.

5/29/11 - Bed Fit for a King (and Queen)

We put together the new bed and frame today and it looks beyond amazing if I do say so myself. The bed is HUGE but very comfortable! The new comforter turns out to please everyone (which was a huge relief as well) and matches with the whole house too! This bed is definitely fit for this King and Queen!

5/28/11 - Lazy Daisy

I cleaned the whole house today, top to bottom. I even mopped the floors!! I feel like a true homeowner - and a very tired out one too. Domingo did an awesome job yesterday cutting the grass and it looks really really good. Our little home is coming together quite nicely and we are so happy!!

5/27/11 - Rip-Off Wannabe's

This nice little display stopped me in my tracks at a casual trip to Walmart. Not only was this a poor attempt to reproduce an awesome product called Scentsy, it was really tempting to not buy one too. After smelling a few scents (and realizing that they really don't smell all that great), Domingo grabbed my arm and pulled me away. I got the hint (after trying to convince him that we need one for the house) and we left. I still couldn't believe that someone out there is trying to copy. Shame, shame.

5/26/11 - Mint My-Way

Two best things on this Earth combined together: chocolate and mint. Not only that but it's Fannie May Mint Meltaway ice cream. I really couldn't put this thing down. It was unbelievable!!!

5/25/11 - Boo-ican Idol

Scotty won American Idol. No one cares. Hurry up and come out with an album, Lauren - that way you can show Mr. Awful Pants that he wasn't supposed to win. I promise, I am not the least bit bitter. Mr. Scary up above is because I didn't have it in me to take a photo of the tv.

5/24/11 - Go Away Rain

For some reason, the weather here has been bonkers. This morning it poured buckets of rain. Probably the worst I have ever had to drive in too. It was 7am and we were already under a tornado watch. I totally thought I had left all this in Tejas, but from the looks of it, looks like I'm still in Kansas, Toto.

5/23/11 - Going to the Mattresses

A good friend of ours was able to help get us a new king size mattress!!!!! We are so excited to have a big-people bed!! We now have to (of course) spend more money in buying the bed-frame, but it will be so worth it in the end. I'm excited to have this and finally use the new comforter I bought a while back. Now I won't push someone to the edge of the bed anymore........unintentionally that is :-)

5/22/11 - Engagement Chicken

Before you freak out: Yes, Domingo does know about this. Unfortunately someone out there told him all about it so he was quite the smart guesser and knew exactly what I was doing here.

A few weeks back, an accomplice of mine e-mailed me this article and recipe for Engagement Chicken. You are supposed to make this chicken and it is supposed to help entice your significant other in proposing. Although it did not work (yet!) we did have a lovely chicken to eat and I now know I can make a whole chicken!! (I have plenty of leftovers for whoever wants to come over and try it too!!!)

5/21/11 - Hoe Down

My cute little gardner is hard at work here. But is he in our garden? Nope. He's being quite the favorite son and helping out his dad. I had to capture the moment in hopes of reminding us to get out and begin working in our own yard. I'd like to blame the weather, but sadly even though it says it will rain, we should still put in a few hours of TLC into our yard. ::sigh:: I really don't want to though...

5/20/11 - Hang Man

Ah, curtains. They seem so flawless when hung properly, yet they aren't the easiest things to hang. After battling how to iron these suckers (took a good 2 hours to do so), I jumped on the computer at one point to Google, "How to Hang Curtains with a Valance." When we thought we had figured it out, I shut the Lapple only to finish with this masterpiece! VIOLA! Needless to say, yes - it does still look like this....until we can get Domingo's mom over and have her add her touch to it. Something looks wrong, doesn't it?

5/19/11 - Chefette In-Training

I can't help but take yet another photo of my awesome kitchen!! I have definitely spent a lot of time in here lately and with good reason. Just look at it!!! I've made quite a bit of food so far and I hope to keep it up. I feel empowered to just continue to work on my cooking abilities. First, we must eat leftovers in the fridge....and then I'll keep practicing!

5/18/11 - Feels Like Home

Things are starting to feel like home. Granted, we still have boxes everywhere and there's still a lot to do, but our little home is coming together quite nicely. It's weird having a roommate now, but he's actually quite nice to have around (unless when he catches you and tickles you to death - and no one can save me)!!

5/17/11 - Channeling the Geek Squad

Apparently I have been dubbed the "Geek Squad" at work. As you can see I get thrown those heaping gadgety metal objects that tend to suck and quit working so that I can reassemble and work my magical fingers to get them to work again. Too bad I failed at my mission. Guess there is always tomorrow....wonder when I get the cool Geek Bug to drive around, haha!

5/16/11 - Food for Thought

The time with my dad has come to an end for this time around. I took him to Weber Grill (his absolute Chicago favorite) to thank him for everything he has done for us and we had a great meal! We reminisced on all the amazing food we had while he was here and talked about the house a bit. Poor guy has worked so hard that he was looking forward to warmer weather (yeah, sorry about that) and sleep!!! Don't blame ya, dad....I understand! Thank you again for everything you did for us. We could not have ever finished so much without you! I'm so so blessed I got to share this with you and have you there for my very first closing! You are truly amazing and I love you very very very very very very very much!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and our zoo misses you already :-)

5/15/11 - Bathroom Oasis

The bathroom is finally completed!!! Feast your eyes on the process I have been trying to keep you all intensely waiting for:

The Before-ish

The Middle-ish

The Pretty Tile

And finally the Oasis

We still have a few things left to do, but it couldn't have been done without the amazing people who put their blood, sweat, and tears into this thing (literally). This bathroom is so relaxing and a dream. It is hard to believe it is ours, too!

5/14/11 - Day with Dad

Dad and I took a much needed day off from the house and did a little retail therapy in the city!! If only the weather could have been just a smidge better. The spitty rain and freezing cold temperatures caused us to run around like little wet ducks throughout the city.

It didn't stop us from finding a yogurt place and keeping up with dad's back-at-home Saturday tradition. SO YUMMY!! I even tried Mochi for the first time (little pink marshmallow guys in my cup)!

5/13/11 - Moving Day!!!

The gang is all here...helping us move that is! Domingo called on his helpers and between them and a 16' truck, they got all the furniture over to the house. Please excuse the mess as we have straightened up since then....it's just a work in progress.

So excited to be living here!!! Even Sponge was excited to be out of the box and back onto his throne :-)

5/12/11 - Three Saved Mice

To my wonderful coworkers.....missing anything? Muahahaha my genius self strikes again!!! So much for holding them "hostage" from me. Doesn't really work very well when I have master keys to everything in the office....just sayin'.

5/11/11 - Another Moldy Discovery

As I was emptying out my den closet, I found yet another bullet point to add to my list. I am beyond cursed in this apartment. Thank goodness we have a house (fully equipped with my very own personal handy-man and spider killer)!

5/10/11 - Little by Little

My dad has really been a tremendous help while he has been here! This wall used to be stacked from floor to ceiling with boxes and little by little he's loaded up the car and then proceeded to unload it at the house. Only a few more days until we'll be living at the house for good!! Getting excited!

5/9/11 - Exhaustion

Exhaustion has permanently sunk in for good. After work today, Domingo & I scrubbed grout off of the bathroom tile. We put any and all man power we had left after a long day of work and still were unsuccessful.

I feel like I could sleep for 8 days....anyone know of a cozy, quiet cave I can use??

5/8/11 - Mother's Day

The flowers were in full bloom today in honor of all moms. Although I was not close to mine today, I hope she had an amazing day and that she knows I love her so very much!!! I'm so blessed to have her as my mommy and I appreciate everything she does for me near and far!!!

It was also my sister's first mother's day as well. May they both be blessed to have such wonderful children who love them dearly enough to cause multiple gray hairs...haha I'm kidding. I love you guys!!

5/7/11 - Finishing the Puzzle

We finally finished tiling the shower today!!! It was quite a celebration and we made sure to document with photos. My dad is awesome for coming to help and doing such an incredible job so far. We are going to have the most beautiful bathroom thanks to everyone and their craftsmanship!

5/6/11 - Playing House

I started to clean and unpack the kitchen today since we finished the new wall and could push back our ginormo fridge. It looks so good and although it will not stay that way with all that is going on, it felt so fun to be in the kitchen deciding where to put everything. Everyone else was beginning to tile the shower (HOORAY!!!) and it looks awesome.

After the kitchen I escaped to the guest bedroom to play with photos:

5/5/11 - The Shining

We finally changed out the kitchen/breakfast area lights and they look awesome. I had my doubts, but my amazing interior decorator (Domingo) ended up getting an A++ on his selection. While I still say the others were not bad at all, these totally match the decor and colors throughout the house SO much better. Two thumbs way up!

5/4/11 - Gas Soaring High

Gas prices have been ridiculous lately. It's nearly impossible to save any money since we all depend on our vehicles so much. Gas soared up to $4.45, but dropped down a bit before I could take a photo. There's talks about it going down $1.00 soon. I really hope something happens because this is getting insane. I had no idea I would have to spend nearly my entire paycheck just to fill up my car!!!!

5/3/11 - Pretty Painter

Ahhh the painting is finally coming to an end!! While we had a ton of help and everyone worked amazingly hard, it is so nice to see it finished. The colors have turned out awesome. Domingo and I are really pleased with how it all looks. Now....to finish the bathroom!!!

5/2/11 - Yummy in my Tummy

I've been having a ton of pain lately in my back, but it was a nice treat to come home to some home cooked food made by my dad. It's also very nice to have him in town so that my fridge also gets fed (see above - yes, this is A LOT of food for me to ever have in my fridge). So many choices!! I'll totally be the envy at lunch this week at work! :0)

5/1/11 - Wrong Pipes

Meet problem #87,193. This little guy is different and doesn't fit onto the new little guy. We are so lucky to have so many different little guys that create big, big headaches. Anyone know where I can find the DIY Bath Crashers crew? They could really come in handy right now. We are all past the point of exhaustion....

4/30/11 - Injected

I went to go see a pain doctor today who took a good look at my MRIs for my back and ultimately decided to give me to cortisone shots in my back. I have a herniated disc in my lower back that is pressing up against a nerve and causing this dreadful sciatica as well. It hurt like a beast and my back continued to bother me all day. Here's to really really hoping this works!

House Update: Chimney and furnace cleaned, fridge delivered, fridge did not fit, dad tore down wall in kitchen to make fridge fit, bathroom help came, bathroom help did an AWESOME job in installing our plumbing (GO DOMINGO'S UNCLE!!!!) and he installed the tub, Domingo's mom turned into a painting machine and almost finished the entire thing....all while I painted one area, ran to the hardware store, and laid around. It's all coming together!