It's DONE!!!

We finally finished the hallway shortly after celebrating the New Year. New Year...newly painted hallway.

Et....VOILA!

The biggest job of Rob's life!

The saga of the hallway continues. This past weekend, Rob continued on with the project while I worked. Thank god for husbands or this hallway would continue to be a disaster!!


Here is Rob on Day One of painting - also known as priming. Folks, it took two coats of primer to look decent! Thank god for patient husbands!



Once again, renovation cat decided to try and help....in his own special way.... Finally, on day two, the colour went up. The fabulous colour I chose was called Camelback White. Fancy eh?
Rob called it Mushroom Soup. What do YOU think?

Now for touch ups and trim. I hope to have this project done by.....2010?

The Biggest Job of My Life

No. Not becoming a mother. Rather, I stupidly decided to repaint the hallway in the house. Simply put, I think I lost my mind.

Rob and I thought that we would be able to take down the wallpaper and paint it all in one weekend. We were sorely mistaken. The weekend has now passed and the painting has yet to begin!

But first - you must check out the before pictures.....as you can see, change was sorely needed.




Step One: Take down old wallpaper. Jake particularly enjoyed this part as it provided plenty of toys (and by toys I mean random pieces of wallpaper) for him to wrestle with, chase and chew on.

The process was slow and painful. It took us 11 hours.

But finally it was done! Im not sure what the heck happened in this hundred year old house - but I call the look "wartime chique".


Before proceeding to step two - Rob and I decided to stock up and I much needed resource. Coffee. In the process - I made a shrine to honor this weekend of renovation joy.

Once again - Renovation Cat Jake was there to share with our joy and emersement into step two - filling all the holes in the wall.



In the process we discovered wallpaper circa 1962!

More when the house actually gets painted!!!!!

Im a Camel

Thats right....Im a camel. And I will say it loud and proud - I AM A CAMEL!!!

Now you may think I say this as a result of some talent go without any kind of beverage for a long period of time. You are incorrect. Im always drinking something (not just alcohol!) and am running to the bathroom when it decides to exit.

Nope, I am a camel for the following reasons:

1. At one time, I too had a hump on my back. Sure, dear Dr. Chan drained said hump (after noting that it was 'cool') but a hump was there. I neglected to get pictures of it though - mainly because it was on my lower back a.k.a. near my butt.
2. I have a nasty disposition. Most days I feel like hissing and biting irritating people. In fact every day.
3. When cranky I make obnoxious noises. And when Im woken up too early. Its true! Ask Rob!

4. I dont like to be petted. Nope. I find it condescending. Kinda like the camel.


5. Finally, and most importantly....I, like the camel, keep deposits of fatty tissue.

Note that all photos came from my recent trip to Kuwait!

Once a Halloweenie, always a Halloweenie

Who likes Halloween more than I do?

Karen thats who!

Staying true to previous years - I dressed as super anti corruption girl. Rob and Nilla, however, were a tad more creative.

I present - Nilla the pumpkin...



And Rob - Mr. Dirty Laundry!

Unfortunately, Rob did not win his costume contest at work. So plans are already in the works to kick A$$ next year!

Selective Intelligence

Me or the dog? You decide.

Oprah Influences Me Again...

I have watched Oprah since I was a pre-teen. That is a long time - 20 years or so! And the woman has been known to influence me in that time. Though I never went on a liquid diet, I have been known to buy the books she recommends. Pillars of the Earth anyone?

Well, yesterday she did it again. I watched her show titled How We Treat the Animals We Eat. Things I learned....

• Pigs are raised their entire lives in cages where they cant turn around. Only shuffle back and forth, lay down, and stand.
• Cows for veal are raised with numerous health problems including anemia to ensure the meat is tender.

The GUILT! THE GUILT!!! I love animals. Most of them anyways. So I have decided to not eat any meat that isnt raised free range. As you can imagine, hubby is just oh so thrilled.

Authors Note: The exception is chickens. I hate chickens. But they taste good. But they have brains the size of peanuts and they are one of the mammals that rape. I kid you not. Read Temple Grandins book Thinking in Pictures