Oh yeah...I'm gonna look for those pics tonight and try to figure out how to post them. FYI...I've done just about everything that can be done to a house...quite good at it...cuz I don't like paying contractors and with 20 houses...that's alot of $$$ saved...also most contractors s*ck! They want to hussle you right out of your money and the work is at best shabby!

Marble, laminate flooring, sub-flooring, built-in shelving, cabinet resurfacing, crown molding, plumbing both rough and fixtures, minor electrical, sheetrock, backerboard, installing vinyl siding, levelling floors...the list goes on...I've done it all...self taught...I've put 20-30K in equity in some of my homes, resold them and nobody would ever guess I did the work.

Not to "toot my own horn"...but I say this cuz I'm a chick just like you...and I'm self taught...just like you...and perhaps I really can save you some of the mistakes that I made when I was first starting out!

It's funny for me though...cuz in this biz I'm in (real estate/rehabbing), it's such a MAN's world...and I just play into their ignorance...dudes come in and want to know who did my work...I just laugh and say a guy from out of town!!! That places more value on my property when a prospective buyer feels that I laid out an arm and a leg for the work...and also they see excellent work..if they knew I did it...they would somehow find a way to de-value it!!! Isn't that crazy...but true girl! Best of luck with the rest of your projects...and don't be afraid of the marble...when you lay the first floor (which will be a breeze...walls & counters are much harder)...you'll love the luxurious look soooo much...you'll have to stop yourself from trying to do every damn room!!! Joyce

Hi All: I managed to do the grocery shopping but didn't have the umph for Bobypump. Feeling pretty sick. I agree with Joyce on the white ceilings thing. I keep mine white even when the walls are painted other colors.

It is sometimes tricky picking colors. I chose what I thought was a nice green to accent two walls in my living room and when it dried it was a hideous shade of avecado. I had to repaint it. Same with the family room. Wanted one contrast wall and chose a deep maroon but ended up hating it. The walls are so high due to the vaulted ceilings that I put up with it for a year (because using an extension ladder is such a hassle) and then painted over it.

I do know that it is harder to get clean even coverage when you are using dark colored paint. Even with a primer. Lord. The number of coats of paint needed can be daunting and patience (something I often lack) is needed to ensure that each coat actually is fully dry before you move onto the next.

Crabby: Your new picture is cute! I am sending powerful mojo your way on the job thing.

ox
SC

Aud - NOT AT ALL!! Here's a quicky method for installing a built-in bookshelf (this is considering that you don't want custom size)...
You can buy book cases from Home Depot, Lowes, Marshalls, or TJMax. Make sure it's the book cases pre-built with a lip around the entire face. You will need a reciprocating saw (dewalt makes a good one) or saw zaw, stud finder, sheet rock scowler (sp???), a few screws (2 for top, 2 for sides and 2 for bottom, and caulk). The instructions are really easy as it involves measuring, use of a power tool to cut the wood stud behind the sheetrock (don't worry..the house won't fall down)...pre-fabricated shelves, screws and caulk. PM me if you decide to attempt it...I'll walk you through...the power tool will probably be the most intimidating thing about the job (if you've never used one before), but don't be scared..read the instructions on how to install blade, etc...get comfortable with it first...and after a while...the sh*t is quite empowering...YEAH BABY!!!! Joyce

the shop in hoppin' I told hubby he had to work alone today, I was taking an extra day off.

Lets see whats new........I printed 100's of t's and coasters this past week, I over indulged in the chocolate and wine last night........and LIFE if FREAKIN' GREAT!!

I dont know if I had posted about this before or not, but I had caught some sort of funky bug a few weeks ago. Since then I have had only 2 sips of coffee(the second sip was only out of habit) Thats it!!!!!! I was a hard core coffee drinker!! Bought only the good stuff, had it freshly ground, then used a french press to have my coffee, with wonderful seasonings! OMG it was good. But after my 2 sips, I dont even crave it anymore. I dont want anything in the mornings at all, no tea, no hot lemon, nothing!

Ive also noticed my stress level has gotten so much better. I did some research and found many articles about coffee, stress and weight gain. Interesting stuff.

Alright, well, I havent been eating 100%, well, yes I have but only inbetween the cadbury mini eggs oh, and the large amount of wine last night

I should be getting back to posting and eating properly on monday. Im on holidays this weekend

Yay! Haven't heard from Robin in awhile!!! Cadbury Mini Eggs are my DD's favorite. The storm is almost upon us. It has gotten very dark out and the wind is picking up. We are expecting 60-70 MPH winds. I hope we don't have any trees fall on the house. There is a 100' redwood 4 feet behind the back of the sunroom. If it goes it would take out the sunroom, the living room and leave a hole in the family room. That would suck.

I am sitting here stressing about both work and the storm. I will probably get on the bike in a little while and see if I can get rid of some of this angst.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

SC

Joyce, I did paint the kitchen ceiling completely white. It didn't even look dirty until it got a fresh coat of paint. Now against the living room ceiling there is a huge difference. Oh well, I plan to start painting the living room maybe tomorrow.

I am so tired this evening. 9 hours and at least 50 dresses later, my DD finally picked out a prom dress. We went to every dress shop and mall within a 50 mile radius. My feet hurt from walking so much. My arms hurt from all the painting (especially the ceiling) that I did yesterday. Bad news is my SD didn't pick out her prom dress today so I have at least one more full day of full-fledged teenage horror prom dress shopping. By the time we came home tonite , I was ready to wring the girls' necks.

SC, hope you fare better in the storm than the last one where we lost most of our shingles. It is freezing cold here now with freezing rain coming down. Forecasted for lots of ice.

Robin, I admire your ability to cut back on the coffee. It's 10PM and I'm headed to make a pot of coffee now. I drink it all the time.

Aud, good luck with the bookcases. I'm wanting new pantry shelves cause I took down the ones DH made (they were ugly). I think I'll build some myself one of these weeks while he's at work.

Wow Lily! I remember those back breaking days of home remodelling! Boy...your sure gonna sleep great tonight...even with the coffee...which btw I lived on when I was doing all that stuff. There's your workout! And believe you me..you'll be feeling it for days to come! Be careful though...pace yourself with the ceilings, cuz I think I pinched a nerve in my neck last time I did ceilings for too long! But really...WOW...talk about you enjalay woman (remember...i can bring home the bacon...dada da da...fry it up in a pan...dada da da...and never let you forget your a man!!!!!) okay..okay..I'm again...giving up my age! I tell you...girls..girls...girls..there so much damn work...us mom's with girls...it's such a thankless job! But we have hope...that they too will have little girls of their own!!!

SIC - stay safe in the midst of this storm your having...

Robin - Great job with the coffee...I'm impressed...I don't think I could be that strong. Two things I can't live without...coffee and diet soda! But I have cut back though...best I can do...more power to ya!
Joyce

Joyce, I have noticed that my neck is sure stiff today.

Oh IMHO, teenage girls are much harder to raise than teenage boys. These girls are rowdy, sassy, moody , PMsing little creatures. I hope they have a houseful of smart-mouthed teenagers themselves somedays. I give myself credit every day of my life for not boxing one of these girls, LOL. In fact, today I was especially a saint after the 2 girls cursed in the mall (Shelbey said the F-word and Lacy called her a B--ch).

Don't think ANY of my bookcases have "lips." All are flat faced.

Insurmountable problem bambi?

I'm getting flashbacks of when dsd lived here during ddMolly's high school years lily.

They aren't good flashbacks either . . . dsd is 2 years older than Molly and led her down some paths I'm not sure she would have travelled otherwise.

Alls well that ended well but this time period coincided with my hair turning several shades of gray at the time! Hang in there with the shopping!

TONS of stuff to do today and glad that I'm feeling well enuf to tackle. Fitting the Y into the mix as well . . . ttyal!

Hello, I'm having a fun weekend, but not very healthy. Ate out Friday, but I managed to resist all but one bite of really good pizza and ate salad. Last night we went to a play. My food was good, but I had a couple of drinks and, that lead to a couple more. I should know better. Now we're on our way to the movies! It's a pretty fun weekend! I should be working out now, but I don't want to drive to the gym. I have a list of excuses for not working out, but I won't bother listing them since basically, I just don't feel like working out.
I'm actually a little jealous of the home improvement projects. Nothing like a good project on a cool winter day. But I guess I don't want to do one bad enough to actually do one. There's lots of improvement I could be doing in my home- always.
Joyce, hope you feel better. Don't spend so much energy getting "ripped" that you get sick.
We've been lucky with the illnesses. Hope that keeps up. Well I guess I should get something done before the movies. At least the breakfast dishes!!

Wow Lynnar - Well now...you've just been having waaay too much fun these days!!! Having a few drinks and then maybe a few more...isn't the end of the world though...glad to hear you made good food choices and enjoyed yourself (it makes for a healthy heart!)...sometimes people forget to just have fun!!! I'm feeling alot better and the exercise has actually helped loosen that yucky stuff off of my lungs. Gonna hit the gym (home gym) hard tomorrow with my weight training! Wish me luck!

P.S. Remember...the little cheats will not kill your diet...it's consistency that really counts...bounce back into your regular regimen...hit the gym at least 3-4 times this week...and any and all of the ill effects of the weekend will be gone..gone...gone!!! Joyce

Well..I don't know what happened to me this weekend, but I have not been feeling right - not really sick but tired. Friday night, I went to bed around 8pm and slept until 5am. Normally, I would consider getting up at 5am on weekend as "early", but with 9 hours sleep - I can't really complain. I was up late(r) last night but had to drag myself out of bed at 8am. And now it's 7:30pm and I'm already debating how early is "too early" to turn in for the night. Dinner is still in the oven, so I am forced to stay up or go to bed hungry

Maybe it was the lousy weather this weekend; maybe I am coming down with something...

I thought I was handy around the house...but you ladies put me to shame! Hope you all had a GREAT weekend!

Laura - If your tired like that...then your body probably needs the rest for one reason or the next (TOM coming...getting sick- hope not, etc.). Why not just cut up a few pieces of cheese with some deli turkey, if you have or something quick and get the rest you need. Remember, we burn most of our stored fat while asleep! I think I started something here w/this flu thing...I didn't know you could really spread a "virus" online!!! LOL!

Well folks...no workout today...decided to take a rest day...TOM (2nd day) and I worked out 6 days this week! I want to start tomorrow strong with my weight training (totally stoked about this!). Daughter's back home from spending a few days with her Dad...and I'm helping her finish up the final touches on her science project due tomorrow (which, of course, I didn't find out was due until last thursday!) But...together...we hammered it out!
Oh yeah...I made (Linda's Low Carb Recipes) the crab cakes...ooohhh yum! w/some asparagus and tomatoe, olive oil, butter and garlic salt (my own recipe...) and I'm stuffed. I don't know, but these days I really can't eat too much...only had one crabcake and small portion of asparagus (which I love). I think is cuz I'm sooo busy these days...I have to remind myself to eat...also I'm taking those "Ripped System" supplements 3 times a day...and they seem to totally kill my appetite!

Anyways...I'll check in tomorrow...hope you ladies all are safe, sound, getting over your sickness', tucking your kids in...and relaxing tonight! Tata!

It's not too early for this weeks Thread is it?

ok good . . . . . . brb

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135309