New Kitchen

Let's start from the beginning, shall we?

We drove up to Montgomery (secret mission style) about a month ago in search of a rental house.

Time was of the essence... as we needed a place to live within about 3 weeks.

We knew we wanted to live in Old Cloverdale... it reminded us of Homewood... and it just seemed like a good fit.

So, our friends Taylor and Liz (best friend from college and her wonderful fiance) kindly offered to drive us around in search of a rental.

We drove...

and drove...

and drove...

but nothing was for rent.

Well, actually there was one house, but by the time we called on Monday it was gone.

This is when fear set in.

Liz and Taylor remembered that one of their friends owned a rental property --

and we soon found out that it would be available May 1st.

Perfect!

However,

I was rather nervous to rent a house that I'd never been in... but, as time went by, it was looking like I didn't have much of a choice.

This is the house:

Super cute, right?

Here is the kitchen:

Super Scary, right?

Lord. I almost started to cry.

*See Reed in background... wondering what to do about this "situation," while I'm freaking out (and of course) snapping away with my camera in order to hold back tears...

Anyways - Moving on.

Red cabinets, brown linoleum and wall paper? Oh my.

I decided I would have to call in my mother and her best friend, Nina Campbell, for reinforcements. In case you didn't know-- they are pros. PROS. They can do anything, and somehow I didn't inherit the talent that these two possess.

The day we moved in, the team got to work immediately.

I have so many before and afters it will knock your socks off.

It was like Extreme Home Makeover up in this joint.

I'll take you through the kitchen, first.

Here is After:

First, we primed and sealed the wallpaper with Kils.

Then, it was onto the cabinets. Mom and I stayed up most of the night painting these bad boys. I chose a shade of Valspar's Mark Twain Historic Olive, in a glossy oil. If anyone's interested, I can look at the top of the paint can to get the correct info. I absolutely love the color.

We replaced the hardware with simple (cheap) knobs and pulls from Lowes.

Next, we painted over the primed walls.

That in itself was a hugeeee improvement.

Reed hung our stainless pot holder/hanger (is that what it's called? I'm losin' it lately).

Next, we decided the washer and dryer had to be on the same wall. They were originally on opposite ends of the kitchen due to plumbing issues. So we called a plumber.

I mean-- come on!

One's washer and dryer shouldn't be in the kitchen to begin with... but if there's no way around it, let's at least have them next to each other, K?

Then we moved the fridge.

Good stuff.

About the skirted counter: Mom and Nina headed over to Wally World and purchased a 20 dolla paisley sheet set by Better Homes and Gardens.

I whipped out my sewing machine and used the fitted sheet to create a skirt. The elastic was perfect for a gathered effect. I hemmed up the sides and bottom-- and wala! You will see very soon where the rest of the paisley sheet set ended up...

*Just FYI, our butcher table will be next to the skirted end of the counter as soon as I get a chance to pick it up from the beach. Reedo was forced to leave it behind since the truck filled up a little earlier than anticipated. Boo.

I think it will be a perfect little space to play on the computer and take care of other important Biz-Nas.

Next Before/After project coming soon!

Please excuse my mess on the counters, btw. I have a toddler.

I know I've been gone...

But, if anyone still reads this, I have the mack daddy of all before/after posts hours away from making its debut.

You have no idea.

So now you know, we actually made it to Montgomery! Let's just say the rental needed a little work...

More on that later...

Stop by later if you want to see!

Oyster 1 & Oyster 2

Today we decided to take a break from boxes, tape and packing.

We headed over to Acme Oyster House at Baytowne Wharf for a delightful little family lunch.

I ordered an oyster po-boy...

...a personal favorite

My first bite was delicious, until I crunched down on this:

Minutes later, my second bite was just as tasty... until...

Is this good luck?

Let's hope so!

Remember...

When I told you about The Cove?

This is what it's all about...

Somethin' on my nose??

MIA

I think I've checked out. Mentally, that is.

All I've done for days is pack, pack, pack.

Yesterday I went to the UPS store to get some more peanuts and bubble wrap.

When it was time to pay, I handed the clerk my entire Hobo wallet. It's a pretty big wallet.

And yes, she thought I was crazy.

It's April 14th-- 15 days till moving day.

You might as well subtract 6 days from that because we're going out of town this weekend and the next...

But I can't complain-- we are SO excited!

This weekend we're headed up to Lake Martin for Reed's annual Iron Bowl Cup golf tourney.

It should be a lot of fun... however, I'm gonna have to throw back the cocktails to forget about all of the packing I have to do.

But...

I am very proud to report that the entire kitchen is packed up! In my opinion, that's the worst part!

Reed's last day is tomorrow...

:)

A few from Fe's Wedding

I am still waiting on Ferrill's professional photogs (the incredibly talented Cooks of Cook Images) to post pictures from the wedding on their blog.

But until that happens, I hacked a few pictures off of one of my other best pals, (Mary Carolyn)'s new blog.

Her blog is called Petals, Pearls, Panache - and features many of her personal "do it yourself" home projects.

Did I mention she works for Flower Magazine? Yup, she's good with flowers, too.

The girl is talented.

She can do anything.

Although I can't help but quiver at the thought of that girl with a drill.

I bring it up often, but she has driven into my car at least 4 times... while waving hello...

I'm having a little trouble...

with blogging lately. I feel like I am so busy and never have time to do it the "right" way.

My posts are rushed. Writing's getting sloppy.

I'm in a rut.

Sorry for that.

Anywho,

just to document a little bit of what's going on around these parts...

My sister came in town on Monday afternoon to spend a few days with us before returning to Atlanta.

Last night we headed over to Baytowne for dinner. Both of us were craving sushi so we decided on a Japanese place - I think it's called Sushi Rocks.

Chappell wasn't really in the mood for eating out I suppose, and was pretty restless throughout the meal. Reed offered to take her to the playground while Smith and I waited for the check.

After we paid... Smith and I sauntered towards the park to find Reed and Chaps.

It didn't take long to find them. Reed was sitting with C on a bench close to the restaurant looking like he'd seen a ghost. At first glance, nothing was noticeably wrong with my baby... but when she removed her fingers from her mouth - I was horrified.

Blood!

Apparently, Chappell tripped and took a bite out of a park bench.

So, yesterday's milestone: first bloody lip.

Ahhh! I wanted to cry.

A side note... I'm a certifiable FREAK. I couldn't help myself from asking some of the other moms if they thought it would scar or not. Much to my relief, they all said no - and quite sympathetically I might add. Ahhhhh the mom bond. Ha!

------

On the moving front, I think things are starting to come together.

We found a rental and we are pretty sure we have a renter. Reed doesn't get excited about this sort of thing until it's in writing, but the renter was supposed to sign her lease last night.

I should probably check on this.

The big move will take place the weekend of May 1st.

I haven't packed a single thing.

I am supposed to go find boxes today. One of my many errands for today...

Wish us luck!

Fe's Wedding and Easter 2K10

This weekend one of my bestest friends got married. Her name is Ferrill.

And lemme tell ya, the wedding was absolutely spectacular. This came as no surprise.

After attending her sister Jane's wedding (only 6 months ago), I expected nothing less than pure fabulos-ity!

The McMahons know how to throw one heck of a wedding, that's for sure.

The wedding weekend kicked off with a Fish Fry on Thursday evening at the Carr's beach house. I ate my weight in mullet, grouper & hush puppies. The dinner was catered by Chet's and they did not disappoint. I don't know if you are a fan of The Food Network... but Andrew Zimmern did a segment on Pensacola about a year ago and featured Chet's. It's pretty goooode.

Friday I ran around like a chicken (sans head) to get ready for the wedding. You know... the important things... haircut & a nail appointment... and who could forget, a nEked (nEked = naked) spray tan. I think I'm addicted.

The rehearsal dinner was at the Lee House. The Lee House is a new B&B in downtown Pcola.

It was gorgeous-- and the weather was perfect all weekend. I threw back a few cocktails and successfully (sort of) read my speech. I got laughs on 2 for 3 jokes. But jeeze Louise... I heard crickets on that one...

Saturday was the main event. I am super proud to announce that Chappy made it down the isle all by herself!

In case you didn't know, Chappell was one of Ferrill's flower girls.

I still can't believe it -- she MADE IT!

Phew-- that was a load off.

She also got her groove on at the reception... that kid loves to dance. I can't wait to see the pictures.

All in all-- it was a perfect weekend.

I just want to say, sorry this is so brief (and rushed)-- I am waiting on my sister to finish getting ready... and we are headed to Louis Louis (the new sister restaurant to The Red Bar) for a drank!

Enjoy our Easter pictures-- more on the move later!

Just a little excited to play with tissue paper...

Where is Chappell??

She doesn't stop running these days...