My wife instructed me that I have not updated my blog in quite a while. It's true! It's been 10 days! However, I have been way too busy to update it lately and if I haven't been too busy, I've just been way too tired!
I have been working on updating our bathrooms, mainly our 1/2 bath downstairs. I am hoping to have that completed by this weekend. As soon as I get it done I will post before and after pictures so everyone can see what I've done. I know it's only a 1/2 bath and why in the world would it take me so long to update a 1/2 bath right? Remember, I have a 3 yr. old and a 5 yr. old that DEMAND my attention at all times! Also, Megan has been working overtime every night this week so I haven't had much time to get in there and finish it up! I will be extremely happy when it is done and can't wait to share the before and after pictures with you.
And for some reason, I have been extremely tired this week, too. By the time Megan gets home from work and the boys have been bathed and put to bed, all I want to do is sit down, relax and watch a little American Idol (Go Syesha Mercado!), or my favorite, LOST! Which by the way, last night's episode, as all of them are, was very good! The writers for LOST have to be the best writers out there! My wife and I love watching it and then talking about how much more confused we are afterwards. Each week they answer so many questions, but they leave you with just as many unanswered. It really is a great show! If you watch it and want to share thoughts on it, please send me an e-mail. If you don't watch it, you should go to http://www.abc.com/ and watch all the episodes from the beginning and catch up!
So, this weekend I'm going to try and finish the 1/2 bath and move on to the master bath or the boy's bathroom. I'll let you know how it goes! Oh, and by the way, I still have 2 leaky P-Traps!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
P Trap Frustrations
You'll all be glad to know that I have not ran off to join the circus (as of today). In fact, my intrigue over the circus has diminished significantly over the last week. I'm sure it will not resurface again until next time they are in town. So with the circus having left town, what have I been doing? Well, I have been working on giving our 2 1/2 baths a facelift. We have replaced the "Old Yeller" formica laminate countertops from the 80's in each of the bathrooms with a cultured marble top. We have also replaced all of the chrome faucets with brushed nickel faucets. I must say that the new countertops and faucets have brought our bathrooms from the 1980's to the 1990's. All I have left to do in each bathroom is replace the brass light fixtures, find new mirrors, get new toilets, and paint over the 1980's paint on the walls and the cabinets. That should bring us "close" to being up to date! I can't wait to share with you my before and after pictures! We are very excited to be updating our bathrooms! I think you'll be amazed. If not, at least Megan and I will be!
However, I have had a major problem with installing the plumbing for the new faucets. You might have noticed that I entitled this post "P Trap Frustrations". What in the world is a "P Trap"? That's what some of you might be saying and that's what I was saying a week ago. A "P Trap" is the PVC piping that connects the drain pipe coming down from the sink to the sewage pipe going into your wall underneath your cabinets.
It's a pretty nifty setup. It keeps the gas smell from the sewer from coming into your home and stinking up your house. Anyway, I had to install new "P Traps" with each new faucet. Well, 3 out of the 4 are leaking. I spent 6 unsuccessful hours last Friday trying to figure out how to stop the leaks. So, I had to call my friend Brian, who happens to be a Jack of All Trades, on Saturday to help out. He spent an hour on them and they had all stopped leaking (or so we thought). Sunday morning before I left for church, I realized that the 3 began leaking again. To say the least, I am very frustrated and am ready to go Rambo in my bathrooms and throw a stick of dynamite underneath my brand new coutnertops and blow up the "P Traps" and everything else around them. Any suggestions on these leaks will be greatly appreciated! In fact, you are more than welcome to come on over and FIX THEM ALL!
However, I have had a major problem with installing the plumbing for the new faucets. You might have noticed that I entitled this post "P Trap Frustrations". What in the world is a "P Trap"? That's what some of you might be saying and that's what I was saying a week ago. A "P Trap" is the PVC piping that connects the drain pipe coming down from the sink to the sewage pipe going into your wall underneath your cabinets.
It's a pretty nifty setup. It keeps the gas smell from the sewer from coming into your home and stinking up your house. Anyway, I had to install new "P Traps" with each new faucet. Well, 3 out of the 4 are leaking. I spent 6 unsuccessful hours last Friday trying to figure out how to stop the leaks. So, I had to call my friend Brian, who happens to be a Jack of All Trades, on Saturday to help out. He spent an hour on them and they had all stopped leaking (or so we thought). Sunday morning before I left for church, I realized that the 3 began leaking again. To say the least, I am very frustrated and am ready to go Rambo in my bathrooms and throw a stick of dynamite underneath my brand new coutnertops and blow up the "P Traps" and everything else around them. Any suggestions on these leaks will be greatly appreciated! In fact, you are more than welcome to come on over and FIX THEM ALL!
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Greatest Show on Earth
This past Friday, Megan and I chaperoned Ryan's class to The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it! I guess it reminded me of being a kid and just being awe struck at what the performers were doing with their individual talents. Nothing's changed. At 35, I was still awe struck at what these performers were able to do. It was amazing to watch! It was also quite nerve racking! I think the aerialist make me the most nervous. Not the trapeze artist (because they perform with a net), but the girls that perform in the set of rings high above the ground, the high wire motorcycle guy that thinks it's cool to stand on top of the seat at the highest point of the arena and start spinning around and upside down while a girl is hanging onto a bar on the other side of the bike, and this one guy that was walking upside down on the arena ceiling with his feet going in and out of these small loops. They all do this with no net! I think I would actually enjoy the show more if they used nets. Anytime the aerialist were performing, my palms just became soaking wet with sweat! I'm not kidding! I almost felt sick in my stomach while watching them, but for some reason I still could not take my eyes off of their performance. Anyway, I really did enjoy the show and have since become interested in the circus life! I have Googled the circus several times this weekend just trying to find out more about the history of it and anything else that I can find out about it. No, I am not going to go off and join the circus (keep your jokes to yourself), but the life that these folks lead and that talent that they have just simply amazes me!
So, since I have been to the circus twice this weekend (I took Tyler on Sunday because I liked it so much the first time), I have gone through this self-evaluation and asked myself - What are my talents and what am I doing with them? Most importantly, am I using them to glorify God? I would ask the same of you. What are your talents and are you using them to glorify God?
One more last thing about The Greatest Show on Earth. The Ringling Brothers might have the market on that for now, but one day, when Christ returns for His church, that will be The Greatest Show on Earth! I hope that you are not just watching it, but that each of you are actually a part of it!
So, since I have been to the circus twice this weekend (I took Tyler on Sunday because I liked it so much the first time), I have gone through this self-evaluation and asked myself - What are my talents and what am I doing with them? Most importantly, am I using them to glorify God? I would ask the same of you. What are your talents and are you using them to glorify God?
One more last thing about The Greatest Show on Earth. The Ringling Brothers might have the market on that for now, but one day, when Christ returns for His church, that will be The Greatest Show on Earth! I hope that you are not just watching it, but that each of you are actually a part of it!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Long Time No Hear From
So, I was hoping to post again before now, but things have been a little crazy this week. Megan had to have surgery this week (I won't post the details) and has been trying to recover from that. I have been trying to do my best to take care of her and to tend to the boys. I'm not quite sure how I'm doing. I will say that taking care of Megan has been easier than taking care of the boys. They have been in rare form this week. Anyway, Megan is doing really well considering what she went through. Other than having cabin fever, she is in really good spirits!
Also, my parents went away for the weekend to a cabin in Black Mountain to get a little R & R. I was glad to see them get away and finally go somewhere just the two of them without any grandkids. They love to be with their grandkids, but they needed some time alone, too. Well, to make a long story short, I got a call late yesterday afternoon that my mom had fallen down the steps at the cabin and broke her leg. So much for the R & R. So, they came home late last night and I met them at the house and helped to get her inside. I just spoke to my Dad and he said that she did not sleep well from being in pain and from not being able to get comfortable. She will undergo surgery on Wednesday of this week.
So, the two most important women in my life are down and out right now.
If you will, please pray for them both as they are recovering and pray for the men in their lives (me and my Dad) as we try to take care of them!
Also, my parents went away for the weekend to a cabin in Black Mountain to get a little R & R. I was glad to see them get away and finally go somewhere just the two of them without any grandkids. They love to be with their grandkids, but they needed some time alone, too. Well, to make a long story short, I got a call late yesterday afternoon that my mom had fallen down the steps at the cabin and broke her leg. So much for the R & R. So, they came home late last night and I met them at the house and helped to get her inside. I just spoke to my Dad and he said that she did not sleep well from being in pain and from not being able to get comfortable. She will undergo surgery on Wednesday of this week.
So, the two most important women in my life are down and out right now.
If you will, please pray for them both as they are recovering and pray for the men in their lives (me and my Dad) as we try to take care of them!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Under Construction
OK, so here I am about to blog for the very first time. Why? I really have no idea. I know a couple of people who blog and I do admit to reading their blogs quite often. I don't really understand why they do it. So, I guess in a way, that is why I am blogging now [to see what it's all about]. This blog may last a day. It may last a week. It would surprise me if it last for longer than a month. Either way, here it goes .....
First, let me explain why I chose to name by blog "Under Construction". First and foremost, I am "Under Construction" (spiritually speaking). I'm not perfect (I'm close - JK). I definitely started out as a lump of clay. As a teenager and a young adult, I know that God was trying to make something of me for the longest time, but I refused to let him have his way with me. As I get older, I am learning things about God that I was too blind to see when I was younger. I sometimes wonder why it only took Him a week to make the moon and the stars and everything else that we see and are blessed with on this planet, but for some reason, after 35 years, he's still working on me. Thank God that he hasn't quit working on me. Hopefully, one day I will be who he wants me to be and do what he wants me to do. If not here on earth, I know that one day when I face him that I will no longer be "Under Construction". I will be made complete in every way. Until then, I'll do my best to give him what he deserves. I know I won't always succeed at doing that, but that's where you guys come in. Keep me accountable!
Also, there are several other things in my life that are "Under Construction". Let me go ahead and say that being "Under Construction" is not a bad thing. It only means that you are on your way to building a masterpiece just like God does with us. So here they are:
First, let me explain why I chose to name by blog "Under Construction". First and foremost, I am "Under Construction" (spiritually speaking). I'm not perfect (I'm close - JK). I definitely started out as a lump of clay. As a teenager and a young adult, I know that God was trying to make something of me for the longest time, but I refused to let him have his way with me. As I get older, I am learning things about God that I was too blind to see when I was younger. I sometimes wonder why it only took Him a week to make the moon and the stars and everything else that we see and are blessed with on this planet, but for some reason, after 35 years, he's still working on me. Thank God that he hasn't quit working on me. Hopefully, one day I will be who he wants me to be and do what he wants me to do. If not here on earth, I know that one day when I face him that I will no longer be "Under Construction". I will be made complete in every way. Until then, I'll do my best to give him what he deserves. I know I won't always succeed at doing that, but that's where you guys come in. Keep me accountable!
Also, there are several other things in my life that are "Under Construction". Let me go ahead and say that being "Under Construction" is not a bad thing. It only means that you are on your way to building a masterpiece just like God does with us. So here they are:
- My marriage: I have a great marriage, but I want to make sure that I am always working on it! Boo, thanks for your patience! Love ya!
- My kids: Whose kids aren't "Under Construction"? Hopefully, we do our best to teach them the ways of the Lord and they will grow up to be great Christian men of God that love the Lord with all their heart. That's all that matters!
- My house: OK, my wife and our best-good friends (props to Forest Gump) think I'm crazy, but I am going to remodel our kitchen, our 2 1/2 baths and our bonus room. I will be sharing photos of the projects so stay tuned. Hopefully, it won't take me as long as it will take B & J to find a lot and build their new house. We'll see.
- I'm sure there are other things in my life that are "Under Construction" ... like my closet, my drawers, my garage (ugh!), my yard, etc. - the list goes on!
Now for why I chose "Ralphie" as my display name. Let's just say that I had a "You'll shoot your eye out" experience not too long ago. Maybe I'll blog about that one day. Quite embarrassing!
So, I think I have blogged enough for the first day. I can't say that I got this great sensation by doing so, but I will attempt to give this another try on another day. Take care and God bless!
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