Guess What?!

Nope.

Guess again.

Uh, NO!

Come on people!

Alright, I'll tell you.

I AM A HOME OWNER!!!

It was made official Friday at 1650 and I couldn't be more excited.

I can't believe it though. I just can't believe that I finally own my own home and I don't have to worry about answering to someone about what I do to it or when I leave, etc......

It's going to take me a while to wrap my brain around home ownership.

My goal is to be in MY HOUSE the 31st - my birthday. Can't think of a better gift.

Happy Birthday to me! :)

Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement through one of the most difficult processes I have ever been through.

Fought the "Big Bad Wolf" and won!

I'll post my before and after pics once the home improvements are finished.

AKM

Reality check

Had a sobering moment today watching the news. Brought me to tears quite frankly.

The story was out of Iraq. The first thing I saw was a disabled man in a wheelchair with a huge smile on his face because he was able to buy a block of ice for $2.00. That was it. Victory over a block of ice smaller than his lap.

It's 130 degrees in Iraq. In this particular city there is no electricity and no running water. What remains are children that have heat rashes and water that makes them sick.

There was one shot in the new story where a sweet five year old boy snuck a little piece of ice while his mother's back was turned. Sneaking ice....not money out of the wallet or a fist full of cookies....just frozen water.

Story just stopped me in my tracks. What do I have to complain about? What?! NOTHING. I can go buy 10 bags of ice right now, sit in my air conditioned home, lay back in a tub full of water to relax, drink water out of the tap without getting sick, turn on my lights...

I will not make a political statement on the war in Iraq and will quite frankly delete any comment posted that may be political. All I know is that there are people suffering, children who don't know what it's like to have a fun day playing in the water, running in the house for a popscicle.

Let's take it one step further. We have soldiers that are covered in gear standing in 130 degrees, separated from their families, day in and day out. All of that for you and me.

So, what were you going to complain about today? Me? Nothing now. I plan on giving thanks and praying for those sweet babies in Iraq and our dear soldiers.

AKM

Deadliest Catch Chick...

Anyone watch Deadliest Catch on the Discovery channel? I love that show for some reason. Here is what I seriously wonder..... I wonder if I could do that job for one day. ??? I would love to try. I think it would scare to stuffing out of me, but I love the idea of pushing myself past all perceived limits and see how far I get.

They don't let you try that job out for a day, I know, but I sure would like to try it! Anyone feel the same?

AKM

Happy Glazes are here again!

I'm excited! I enrolled in my pottery class after taking a break for a while and I can't wait for it to start.

There is something about working with clay.....anyone who has done it will tell you. For me, it's stress relieving, therapuetic, something that brings me great joy.......I knew the first time I "played with clay" that it would change my life.

It's definitely one of my passions. Everyone should have a passion....an outlet. You don't have to be great at something. No one else has to understand. Just follow your bliss.

Assuming I get to move into my new home, I want to tear down the shed in my backyard and remove the garage storage room. In place of all of that I would like to get a large storage building that has a loft and windows to do all my art stuff in. It will happen one day - what a great day that will be. (Of course, I'll probably buy the storage shed at Lowe's!)

I'll post pics of my creations from this new class once I have something to show. Class starts August 27th.

AKM

Lowe's vs. Home Depot

Everyone's got a favorite, right? Today I heard someone talking about how wonderful Home Depot was and I just had to set the record straight!

Let's get right to the heart of the matter..........I vote for LOWE'S!

First, let's just talk colors......ORANGE? Really! Not a real classy color in my opinion - makes me want to hurt myself.. Blue - soothing AND classy. (It's a chick thing, guys)

Moving on to points with more substance. Know what happens when I go to Home Depot?

I walk in and yell, "Yoooo Hoooo"..."Helllllloooooooo"..."Anyone home?"...uh-umm,
"Could I get some help over here anytime this century?"

Eventually I find someone - they are usually very grumpy and put out that they have to help me. Why? I think I'm nice, patient, usually have a legitimate need AND money. It doesn't matter though.......they're scary mean - like they would rather be having chemo. (I think it's because they have to wear an orange smock, but then that's just my opinion)

I usually leave Home Depot feeling like a stupid female and that makes me grumpy.

However, Lowe's is a different situation. It's crawling with help and I've never gotten help from anyone who wasn't kind and patient with me. Why write a blog about it? Don't know really....I guess it's because I've lived at Lowe's the last few months. I've been there so much I'm almost embarassed. I worry that the staff at Lowe's is going to sigh and say "Her AGAIN?!" the next time they see me walking down the aisle. Hasn't happened yet though.

So, go to Lowe's. Tell Home Depot to stuff it. Best Lowe's location? (And trust me, I've been to all of them) McAlester Lowe's........great, kind people. A few, I wish were my friends as psychotic as that sounds. (I know, I need to get out more often)

Thank you Lowe's for making my first home buying/improvement project (which has been a NIGHTMARE) tolerable.

IF I get into my house, I will post before and after pics of my house. Everything you will see is from Lowe's.

I think they should hire me in marketing, what do you think? I'd wear a blue smock anyday!

AKM