Get the RAID!

My mom and dad were militant roach exterminators. My dad use to hit them with his bare hand. My mom sprayed them with Raid until they were swimming (backstroke) in the stuff. THEN she would put the can on top of them because it (the can) was concave. This gas chamber technique was mainly used to prevent the "enemy" from dragging its Raid soaked body up your leg as you later sat watching TV.

I don't have roaches (or flies). If one does on occasion show up, it isn't long before one of the cats gets it. I only have to watch and make sure they don't leave it for me on my pillow as a gift.

When I woke up this morning I saw sitting on my beautiful wall by my beautiful cork board a hideous roach. I have checked regularly and he has remained there all day. Until recently, while typing this blog, he moved to the picture on my cork board (pictured above....can you see him?) I WILL NOT hit a roach (my weapon is a broom) when it is over my head. Are you kidding me? They fly like like kamikaze and I am always their target. UGH! So I am waiting for my cat's to step up and I hope before bed.

Then this afternoon I got an email from Martha Stewart with a picture attached and the subject "Our Best Spring Party Plans". I like lanterns and I like butterflies. As a matter of fact I ran into a butterfly last week with my car and was REALLY upset about it. But in light of what I have been dealing with today this picture creeps me out. Too many insects in one spot maybe?

How realistic is this decoration in South Texas? June Bugs, Cockroaches, Woolly Worms, Mosquitos now that is what we have down here this time of year. So how funny would it be to make these lanterns and glue fake cockroaches to them?

Come to think of it, not to funny. I would run screaming from that back yard party like a crazy women looking for a broom.

I wish I was like my mom or dad.

Punch List

In the construction biz they have what's called a "punch list". I don't know how I know that, probably HGTV, but the punch list is made up of all the tiny details you have to complete before a house is ready to move in to. My punch list has things on it like: switch plate cover, lamp, plant, metal rings for curtain, etc. I am going to Lowe's today with Anne to buy all the things I need to complete my list. The Closer (pictured below on right) is coming Wednesday after work to make sure I did what I was suppose to do to finish the room. So, even though the project has a few loose ends, I still wanted to put up some after pictures. Isn't it lovely?

The crew: Marsha, Jeri, and Joanne.

Gratuitous cat picture.

The bedding will arrive in increments through the summer.

I made the curtans. And plan to put bamboo shades behind them.

Think Pink

Carcinoma in situ can be translated: cancer in it's place....this spot right here. I remember when the nurse told me. I got the news over the phone. I was stunned and went a little weak in the knees. Although I felt this thing in my breast I never thought cancer, and yet it was.

Cancer affects more than the people who get it; it affects their close community. For me, one of the hardest things was telling people I had breast cancer. My mom, Glory, and Gail....those were the hardest. I was struggling with fear and I knew by speaking the words to my family and friends they too would have to struggle with fear.

Now when I hear someone has breast cancer the fear I know they are dealing with almost bothers me more than the cancer. How can you treat that? One day my friend Susan heard the same words as I did, "carcinoma in situ". So we talked and I tried to tell her everything I could remember about my experience. Eliminating some of the unknown eliminates some of the fear. I made her a pink quilt to take with her in the hospital.

Three years ago at Relay for Life I walked the first lap....the survivor lap. This year Susan did.

Consolidation

I have been prepping the bedroom for this weekends "extreme makeover". Since I only have a one bedroom house (with a two car garage...go figure) I have to put all my sewing/craft supplies in my bedroom.

I was amazed at how many things were in my closet. I tried to throw things out as I was packing but it's hard. I noticed that as the day wore on and I was still dealing with my "stuff" it became much easier to just chunk it.

This picture is of part of the fabric and sewing supplies that came out of my bedroom. I have spent the last couple of hours consolidating the boxes and throwing somethings out. And yet the task ahead of me is daunting. I am determined to stay the course, because if this bedroom is ever going to look like a bedroom I must SIMPLIFY.

If I fail, I will leave all my stuff to my brothers and sisters. None of whom care I'm afraid. At least it will be one last way for me to get on their nerves.

The Closer Strikes Again

Remember when I wrote about me being a starter and my friend Joanne was a finisher? She, like my sister, is the type that likes to close the deal. Me? Not so much. I am known for it, thank you .

The pictures attached are a perfect example of me starting a project and not finishing. More than 5 years ago I painted my bedroom this Hunter Green color. While painting the second coat on the last wall I decided I HATED it and quit. My room has remained unfinished all this time. UGH!

Gratuitous Cat Photo

Notice it doesn't quite go all the way to the ceiling. That was because I was going to put in crown molding. Yea, right.

Since Joanne and I (mostly Joanne) painted my bathroom Romeo Pink I have realized it is the only room in my house or life that has ever been complete. No more finishing touches needed. I think however that my bedroom has been driving Joanne crazy. So out of kindness or compulsion (to me it doesn't matter) Joanne gifted me (birthday and Christmas 2007) with a bedroom redo. She's coming to my house Friday at 4 p.m. and we are spending the weekend "finishing my room". Stay tuned for the "after" pictures because with a "closer" involved there will be some to take.