New Link

I may be premature in adding this to my blog list - but thanks to @BooMama I just spent half an hour reading recipes! The concept of once a month cooking isn't new - but I needed the reminder - frozen storebought pizza is NOT a balanced meal!

So y'all check out link to http://onceamonthmom.com/ and see what you think! Would be terrific to take a one day cooking day and prepare extras for all those dear folks we each know who need a little nutritional pick me up during any given month! Organization - now THAT would be good on Buhlaland!

Peace to You

We continue to work as strength and finances allow - not moved yet - no date set but we have peace. It is good on Buhlaland and at this time in our lives we see so many deprived of peace - not willing to lay down the stresses of daily life and striving toward goals which are not eternal. Peace HE gives to us - accept it and we'll all rejoice together for eternity. I'll back with my normal silliness over decorating choices, colors and textures - but for today I give you peace.

1 Peter 3:8
[ Suffering for Doing Good ] Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.
1 Peter 3:7-9 (in Context) 1 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)

New Neighbors and update

We went up to try and finish up current painting projects (emphasis on the try word!) Pleasantly surprised to have some neighbors drop by - didn't stay for coffee (we didn't have any to offer so that was a blessing) or a chat but stayed around long enough to let us know they'll be back!

Very calm doe with her twin fawns - the deer were all in our nearest human neighbor's pasture - directly behind our back fence line so we get a nice view.

Might have to get in on the mole hunting competition with CedarPond and Sand Flat Farm after we move in if mole population is that strong. Neighbors across the road have several cats --apparently they like to try to outplay, outwit and outlast a mole (any Survivor fans out there?)

One room is pretty much painted - we are using the same color we have in our bedroom on current Buhlaland - Soothing Celadon (wouldn't it be fun to make up the names for paint?) Going to paint the yuck flat grey trim celadon also - room is small and with 3 doors (closet, entrance and attached bathroom) making the doors different than wall colors seems choppy.

Plenty more to do - we are trying to ration our energy and time - already on the financial ration system! God has given us the nicest place to spend more years here on earth - looking forward to being there full time. It is good on Buhlaland - whether current one or newest version - we are blessed beyond belief.

On the topic of working on our houses - we think we know what we want and need - only the Lord God has the blueprints.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” ― C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Some out - more IN

Today it was clear and sunny --a beautiful day to play in the garden - which is not what we did.

We did - take the carpet which was removed (by us) and put it in garage to be sold on Craigslist or given to someone who wants beige carpet. THEN we unloaded a lot of paint, 39 (yes I counted them - twice) boxes of cork flooring, a new light fixture for the kitchen and about a quart of sweat. I confess this is simply a catching up with small changes post - one big point I'd like to make - look closely at the picture of partially painted room (which will become our office/workout room once we actually move in). See the ugly dark grey tinge to what was apparently a white room? THAT my friends is what happens when you use those "one coat" paints - there is a black pigment added to a perfectly good white paint so indeed it covers most anything else but is NOT white. The white we are using is called Fragrant Jasmine (doesn't that just sound wonderful and relaxing? - still smells like paint but the name is the thing). It goes on the wall in a barely warm white shade not a cold touch of black white shade. It isn't all that noticeable until you begin to paint a real white over it - then the greyness becomes all too obvious. I'm tired - you must excuse my obsession with colors of white.

It is good on Buhlaland - because I have a great big bottle of ibuprofren and a Coke Zero over ice right here next to me. See you soon!

Making Living Space more Live-able

On to living room - obviously adjoins the large kitchen/eating area.

We (royal use of the term since DH did 99.7% of the labor) removed carpet, tack strips, pad and assorted bits attached to concrete flooring.

Our original idea was to clean, stain and seal concrete but would have been a heck of a job given multiple stains and paint slop currently revealed on concrete slab. Glad we decided to go with cork flooring -

Eager to begin painting - will be a color at Home Depot - Behr paint called Fragrant Jasmine (barely creamy white) in eggshell and semi gloss finishes. House seems a little dark so we want to lighten up the walls and put a more reflective finish.

Think we've reached agreement on fireplace - currently sooty looking and dark brick pretty much overwhelms -the room. DH wants to build a mantle. We're going to paint the brick - either same color as we paint walls or a tone or two darker. What do y'all think?

Only one window in living room -

we will be installing an open outward front door to gain almost 3 feet of wall space.

Oh yes - will be putting in a ceiling hugger fan

with no light fixture - current one is a bit

too much.

Last picture just keeping it real - oxygen concentrator in house now so DH can move around attached to his O2 leash - too bad they haven't invented oxygen supply without a cord (yeah right - think about it). Mild case of want to get done - sure it'll intensify but time and money - all we need to git'er done on Buhlaland - and it is all good!

Starting To Change

Not about fall color this year - because with Texas drought only color is dried up brown on the leaves. Wanted to share the adventure (that is called a positive thought process - if I think of our move as an adventure may

be it won't feel so tough - RIGHT????)

Today is pretty much just posting Before pictures - 'cause the afters will come slowly - we have a big house to sell before we can afford major

changes to new place. Suggestions will be enjoyed with the caveat - every thing we will do has the proviso "if we can afford it" - and that is money as well as time/energy in our budget. The move is occurring because we can no longer physically deal with a two story house and almost 10 acres - so we now have a money budget and an energy budget - what we can realistically actually physically get done (enough lys for you?) OK off to the picture files -from the backdoor(which is out of order but taking forever to move pics - so work with me people! LOL)

We currently HOPE and plan to extend back porch and cover it - so we can sit out on porch, have barbecue grill there and generally enjoy the view of neighbor's pretty pastures and dozens of deer! My "lottery" dream is to put a nice two person hot tub/spa out there but that is WAY down reality list.

In back door to long walls - as you come in backdoor to the right is door into garage (which will be DH's woodworking shop and our washer/dryer will be there also). To the left long wall will be place for large black armoire (DH made it years ago and it is marvelous storage as well as sweet reminder). Opposite wall will be future home of pantry shelves - open or with doors still a topic of discussion (I'm thinking open with an assortment of baskets/containers to organize but DH is thinking doors 'cause - well that is how he thinks - more finished but LOTS more work too!)

Then teeny amount of kitchen cabinetry - great hopes to change this but definitely moved to later on - can live with it the way it is. All except color - we have already purchased paint - shinier finish and a wonderful Behr white - Fragrant Jasmine. The floor is a very good grade of linoleum tile - black with a tiny fleck of white and grey. Will definitely be keeping the floor.

Like the arched view into living room (yes it is a smaller house!) and then we'll put our round kitchen table in the corner as dining table. Have a new brushed nickle finished lighting fixture for over table. So that is the first installment - will post pictures of rest of house and what we have definitely already done or decided. Exciting time - I'm better at starting projects (thank goodness I was blessed with a husband who likes to FINISH things completely!) So whatcha think???? It is good on Buhlaland - we are blessed whether original location or newer place - God provides for us in ways we didn't have the sense to ask!

Mabel's Mom is a Published Author!

Mabel's House is proud to announce another new edition (not as cute as Jane but exciting nonetheless) I haven't been including a link to Liz's wonderful blog but have been reading long enough to be a big fan. Enjoy this excerpt from her new book - sure to be as clever and truthful as her blog! Once you are hooked by the excerpt - you can buy her book from Amazon.com - those of you who are Kindled - available there also.

Once one has breathed in the deep pungent aroma of sewage, you never again forget the nose-hair singeing, eye clawing, throat gagging experience. It comes over you slowly. You begin to feel like a character in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as your muscles involuntarily jerk and you run screaming and blowing raspberries. Anything to get away from the mind-numbing stench.

But let me explain.

It was 6:30 a.m. I was standing in my retro pink tiled bathroom trying to open my bleary eyes and ready myself for work. As I stood there, peering into the mirror and wondering what demented nighttime fairy had planted four new wrinkles on my face, I paused and sniffed.

“Matt… what’s that smell?”

Matt staggered from the bedroom in his underwear, eyes half shut. “I don’t smell anything.”

I pointed my nose into the air like a hunting dog. “Seriously? You can’t smell that? Did you go to the bathroom in here earlier? I told you to use the room spray when you do things like that.”

Matt puffed out his bare chest and gathered his pride as best a man can with sleep in his eyes and a small hole in the side of his underwear. “I just woke up!”

I frowned, catching a glimpse of my makeup-less hot-rollers-in-hair state and tried not to think about the fact that I looked fifty instead of twenty-nine. “Well, help me figure this out. Because something smells ripe.”

We sniffed the sink drain and ruled it out as a suspect.

“Is it coming from the toilet?” Matt asked, examining it from top to bottom.

“No, that’s not it,” I snapped. I’m not known for my milk of human kindness in a disaster. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a survivor. I plan on eating my radish like Scarlet and clawing my way out of the nuclear dust while dragging my loved ones with me. But I won’t be doing it with positive phrases and a smile.

“Hon, I just don’t know. We’ll call a plumber after work, maybe it’s coming from under the house.” Matt staggered a little, trying to get past me and out of our tiny bathroom.

“Well, that’s just great,” I moved aside and pulled the shower curtain back so I could perch on the side of the tub and give Matt room to move out the door.

That’s when the full brunt of nastiness filled the air around us, a swirling mix of excrement and acrid stench that would have brought the sewer dwelling Ninja Turtles to their knees. Where the normally slightly-clean-with-a-hint-of-soap-scum bottom of the tub should have been, there sloshed gallons and gallons of brown sewage.

I clutched the front of my sweatshirt and held my breath. Matt began to dry heave.

“Get out and shut the door!” I screamed as we bumbled into the hallway.

“I’ll deal with this,” Matt grabbed my shoulders, trying to talk and hold his breath at the same time.

I could feel my eyes glaze over, the horrors of typhoid and hepatitis in our bathtub filling my mind. But more importantly, I could envision our evaporated savings account. In my mind’s eye I could see the long, gray hallway at the bank. A worker shrouded in a black suit pulled a set of keys from his pocket and unlatched a small locker labeled “Owen Bank Account.” Inside were two small stacks of quarters and a few crumpled dollar bills. It was bleak, not only because the banker with an unimaginative wardrobe gazed at me with an expression that could only be interpreted as “You’re a Big Fat Loser,” but also there was a very definite possibility we wouldn’t be able to pay for a plumber.

I wasn’t necessarily a spend thrift. In fact, I was downright frugal when it came to decorating with thrift store furniture and rewired vintage lamps. But the fact was, we were poor. We were starting out at starter jobs with starter salaries. We were starter adults with a starter bank account.

“Okay,” I nodded numbly, thankful that Matt was taking the lead on such a disastrous biohazard. “But make sure the plumber is super cheap. We don’t have much money!”

I left for work like a wino stumbling through a fog, not really remembering my commute, not really doing any work as I sipped my coffee and stared blankly at the computer screen. A disaster of such gargantuan proportions had previously been unthinkable in my life, and now I found myself attempting to push the image of a vast sea of bathtub poop from my mind. But I was sure of one thing: Anne Shirley never had to get ready for work while breathing raw sewage.