House Update!

I took some photos of the house last night. Blaine was working (again) and had his helper back from her vacation to Nana & Papa's house.

Lovely Landscaping

Since our move-in date is moving closer and closer, I have been thinking a lot about landscaping. What kind of tree do I want to replace my beloved? What type of gorgeous flowers would set the house off? Yard ornaments...yes or no?
As I was pulling into my driveway last night I decided to take a quick photo of the yard that belongs to Ms. Flake (or better known as Plant Stealer.) I have taken it upon myself to add some comments to this photo. Please feel free to add any comments that you feel appropriate. (Click on the photo for a better view.)

The Story of a Philodendra and a Flake

Taking a break from reporting "house" news, I would like to tell you a story about my philodendra plant - now named Phil. Recently, I returned from vacation to find my plants looking a little weak. I decided to move them outside for some fresh air and rain including a philodendra that I have had for 10 years - it has sentimental value and came from Blaine's father's funeral. It was sitting outside for a few days and then went missing.

I was home by myself and was convinced that Blaine had trashed it since my thumb is anything but green. So I called him while he was working out at the house. He promised and assured me that he had not touched my plant. Still skeptical, I searched the apartment - no Phil. So I called my parents - they had been visiting and it would be like my mom to take my plant to try to save it and return it. She remembered seeing Phil but didn't take it.

As my search continued I suddenly realized that my plant and basket (Phil was sitting in) was now on my neighbors back porch deck. I was shocked. Phil had been removed from the basket and another plant was in it. The crazy lady next door had stolen my plant!! I was upset to say the least. I got as close to her deck as I could and took an evidence photo with my camera phone. I was going to get my plant back.

Well, I guess she saw me and heard me talking on the phone about her and her floppy hats, long skirts, scary children and cats and came outside to stare at me. At first, I glared back. But the chicken I am, I darted back in the apartment. The next morning, I showed Blaine the basket and Phil on her porch and left for work. Sometime after I had gotten to work, Blaine stopped back by the apartment and saw the crazy lady I now call Ms. Flake outside. What a prime opportunity to ask her about Phil....

After speaking to Ms. Flake, Blaine realized that Phil and the basket were now missing - evidentially she had removed all evidence. He asked her if she had seen it and said that maybe some kids accidentally moved it to her house. In Rainman style, she refused knowing anything about it. After getting that phone call at work, I was furious. But what could I do....nothing.

Today, after returning home from a fun-filled weekend at the lake, Phil and the basket were magically sitting back on my front porch. Welcome Home, Phil! I don't know the circumstances or reasoning for his return, but he is back. Ms. Flake still lives next door with her other 35 potted plants outside and is still feeding a stray cat that keeps crawling on my car....but Phil is back and I am outta this joint in 7 weeks.

Parental Guidance is What I Needed

After calling out to Mom & Dad, "HELP!" they came to my rescue over the weekend to help with wall colors, texture do's & dont's, and many other great ideas for the house. I was SO, SO, SO happy to see the black Chevy truck pull in the driveway to rescue me. I needed some guidance and who better can give that than my parents. (I admit that now - but not so much ten years ago.)

The house is coming right along. Mom and I spent the entire day on Monday picking out wallcoverings, paint colors and generally cool ideas. I even acquired a gorgeous new bedspread for my bedroom. (Blaine gave me "that" look of...do we really need that?) Of course, I neeeeeded it, honey! Shania helped too. She managed to pick out every awesome wallpaper book in Sherwin-Williams and has managed to nail my taste - Thanks Nia! We lost Dad somewhere between Jefferson City and Kansas City at a little known town called Boonville. (Dad - the Isle of Capri called and they want their money back!)

Back to my wallpaper...Yes, folks, I said wallpaper. Contrary to what everyone keeps telling me in mid-Missouri, wallpaper is back. And I am loving it. I am not talking about the old style wallpaper - but more of the fabric looking designs. It will become a part of my old world style house, for sure!! Thanks to Mom & Nia...I have picked out the perfect styles for my master bedroom & bath and my half bath. Blaine even loved it!!
(The photo to the left is the most recent photo of our cultured stone completed on the front of the house.)
Since everything seems to be coming along so nicely, we are thinking that we are moving in the last week in July or first week in August. Oh geez...it will be here before I know it!!

Hello Mother, Hello Father...

As most of you know, I rely on momma's advice for a lot. She is an awesome decorator and I call her everyday to say, "Mom....what do I do about the color of this & the color of that?" She always has an answer or at least a suggestion. So I am posting these photos for her...
Now, momma....what do I do?

This first photo is the living room (kind of) glancing over into the kitchen. The fireplace is almost done (minus the grout between the rocks.) Don't be alarmed, the top beam is not black, but simply covered to keep the grout away.

This will give you an idea about how the rock wall and fireplace coordinate.

The photo to the right is a view of the master bedroom and how the ceiling heights work. I want to paint different colors (and remember my chandelier in the middle hanging from the ceiling.) The cone ceiling now has heavy texture - thanks to Blaine and his very strong texturing arm that he is having to rest tonight! :-) He says he is sore from working above his head all night just to get the texture how I want it. I am not picky! :-) Okay fine....I am picky.

Here is the master bath and all of the angles I have been talking about. In that blank spot, I will have my vanity - Blaine's vanity will be on the other side. To the right of my vanity is the shower; to the left is the bathtub. I am wanting to do the whole old world wallpaper style like we saw in the $1 million dollar house in Springfield. Remember Ma? But if I can't get it just perfect, I will settle for paint. For now, the barrel ceiling is flat and the walls and other ceiling are flat textured.

And last, but not least, here is a photo of Blaine doing his texture thing in the dining room/kitchen. The top beam is once again covered with black paper to protect it. Although unusual, I absolutely love my rock wall. I have always wanted to live in a castle and this is about as good as it is gonna get for me.

Until next time....still changing $500!

Back from the Beach...

If hurricane seasons didn't happen (ever), I would consider moving to the sunny shores of the Gulf. What a beautiful sight to wake up each morning to the sounds of waves crashing against the shore, sun glaring down upon you and the feel of white sand between your toes. The Moore Family vacation was a hit again this year. Here are some memories to reflect upon:

• Although I have a gorgeous photo of a dolphin, the "Dolphin Cruise" is not something I want to do again (even if it only cost $12 per person.) We spent 3 hours on a jammed packed boat somewhere in the bay searching for dolphins. We FINALLY got to see one for about 30 seconds - and that was if you didn't blink and didn't get pushed by two little fat kids trying to get a glimpse of the same thing. (Next time I am going to push back!)



• Dad still loves his binoculars.



• When you look under the furniture while vacuuming, you never know what you will find.



• If someone drops a rope from the balcony above, you can tie on a coca-cola can, a package of crackers and a banana and send them back up. But tying on a box of Preparation H will scare them off.



• You will get yelled at by security for 1) feeding the birds, 2) leaving your front door propped open, and 3) hanging your wet towels on the balcony banister. Come on, folks...we are from the Ozarks - what more do you expect from us?



• When the red flag is out as a warning of the rip current, the ocean waves will body slam you to the ocean floor and leave your swimsuit bottoms around your knees and your hair full of sand.



• Jellyfish do sting!!



• Your TomTom navigation WILL get you lost and send you down rural country dirt roads - the kind of roads that may take months or years for someone to find you!



• Your tan does begin to fade after only 3 short days....sad!!

Who is ready to go back? ME!!!

Do you want Chocolate Chips in your pancakes?

Deciding the major things in life (like plain or chocolate chip pancakes) has been the extent of our decisions to make while we are in Gulf Shores. This morning as we look across the ocean, we are planning our day. We are hitting the beach by 10 a.m., getting some sun, avoiding the hundreds of jellyfish that have occupied our waters and heading for the Dolphin Cruise this afternoon. We set out for a late night fishing trip last night and saw a dolphin. Pretty cool. Although my fishing proved pathetic and unsuccessful, Sydni (my niece) caught Miss Puff the Blowfish (you know...from Sponge Bob Square Pants!)

Everyone has been having a blast. As you can see by the photo, I found a two-headed monster on the beach (named Shania-Tiffani Moore), I can't even drag Mom & Dad from the beach and Blaine is "chillin' like a villian". It all makes the 13 hour drive worth it.

Got to go eat my pancakes now - I take mine plain.

I Don't Think They Are in Missouri Anymore...

While I sit here in Jefferson City on a Friday night surrounded by thunderstorms and tornado watches, the Moore family is kickin' up their heels in Gulf Shores. Mom, Dad, Shania, Julie, Tyler & Caleb arrived this morning. I think Ronnie, Angel and the girls should be there shortly. I am jealous - but I will be arriving tomorrow. Blaine and I had to stay behind to get some things done on the house.

Julie just called and said that they couldn't afford both of us, but they needed send a helicopter for Martha (aka Blaine). He is the "chef" in the family and I think that the family is getting hungry. Mom & Julie were at Wal-Mart (hence the photo of Mom in the Wal-Mart check out line.) She is posing in front of Regal Nails - and that is where I happened to get a pedicure last year. I thought it was funny to have a pedicure joint in Wal-Mart - but it worked for me!! Maybe I will venture back this year!



The other photo is a view of the beach from the condo balcony. I cannot WAIT to lie on the beach..... I hear that Shania, Tyler and Caleb are out there now wakeskating. That is a sport/hobby that I am not good at - I kind of do about as well on that board as I do on the mountains snowboarding. Uncoordinated is my middle name! But Tyler really knows how to rock the board.


PEDAL TO THE METAL TOMORROW MORNING.... Hey guys! The green bean (my car - if you didn't know) will be there soon! Make sure you have a margarita waiting for me!!

My Random Thoughts...

I am having many random thoughts about what I should post on the blog today. So here you go, folks - Misti's Randomness...

If I were to get married again (not to someone new, but just again), I would reconsider my choices of bridesmaids. Sometimes friends just grow apart and new ones spring into our lives. I would have to add my friend, Mitch! Who can resist a hot guy in a bridesmaid dress? (Here is a photo of my pal - who will no longer speak to me as soon as he sees this... The dress is mine. He found it while changing from his swimming trunks to his regular clothes. He decided to surprise us - yes, alcohol was involved.)

House update - the brick is on, the cultured stone is going up this week, we now have garage doors and the dry wall is up. I am a little nervous leaving for vacation in a couple of days and leaving our project. But a girl and a guy need a vacation!! The bikini is packed, the sunscreen is screaming "use me!" and the cooler on wheels is ready to roll.

Gulf Shores - Here We Come!!

Here is the whole family at the beach in June 2007. I am now counting the hours until we can relive our memories of Gulf Shores. There will be trips to LuLu's and shopping. Our fishing licenses are packed. Julie is dreaming of finding "the world's largest sea shell." Dad has his binoculars around his neck. And Shania has her Zune fully loaded of great tunes. Sophie is constantly reciting "let's go to da beach." I think it is time - let the fun begin!!

Her First Pedicure

For a few months now, I have promised to take Shania for a pedicure. So to start our weekend off just right (and to mark the beginning of summer), Shania and I headed for the mall in Springfield for a manicure and a pedicure. It was a treat!
(Here is a photo to prove our fun - Shania is lounging in the pedi chair getting a back massage showing off her freshly painted hot pink fingernails.)

Now Shania and I are REALLY ready for the beach!! Bring on the sun!

Life's a Beach

In one week from today, the Moore Family will officially be lounging on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Cue "Sweet Home Alabamba......") The whole family (yes, all 12 of us) are headed for a family gathering. I can't wait!!

(Here is a photo of the condo complex that we stay at...)

I will have to admit - last year, driving 14 hours to Gulf Shores, I began to think....can I really take all of the family for 7 days? Will we hate each other before the trip is over? After Mom layed out the rules...."there are no rules and we expect nothing of anyone," we were set for memories of a lifetime. I had a fabulous time and as soon as my car left the beach, I couldn't wait to plan the next Moore family adventure.

Well, here we are again - getting ready to leave for another week filled full of giggles, snickers and laughter. I hear rumors of Julie, Tyler & Caleb (Tyler's buddy) racing the Dan the Man truckster (including Mom and Shania) all the way to Gulf Shores....we will see who wins that race. Blaine and I are not arriving until a day after Mom & Dad and I think Ronnie, Angel and the girls will be arriving the same day. Although I am going to lose the race to the beach this year, I can guarantee that I will win the Shell Hunting Contest or the Castle Building Contest...bring it on, Julie!!

Last Update on Mom...

She is out of surgery!!
Dad just called and said that Mom came through surgery fine. She is in recovery. He had to leave the hospital to go pick up Shania...
As a daughter, I feel bad for not being there to help out - especially with Nia. Let's pray there is never another surgery....but if there is, I will be there...promise!

*****UPDATE (12:00)*****
I talked to Dad about two hours ago (12:00) and Mom had still not gone into surgery. I am guessing that this could be another long day for the Moore family. Remember when Dad had surgery...we got there like at 6:00 a.m. and he finally got out of surgery at midnight. Let's hope that Mom doesn't have to wait that long. She has to be starving!!

Watch out Cox South Hospital, the Etter may come out of Connie Jo unless you get this thing done!

*****Earlier post....(9:00 a.m.) *****
Today, Mom is having surgery to correct some weird bile duct blockage possibly caused by her gall bladder. She had her gall bladder removed several years ago, but evidently, the doctor didn't snip it all away and it grew back. (Maybe Mom is part starfish - nevermind...she hates the water.)

I will keep you updated on the results. She is going into surgery at 9:45 a.m. Keep her in your prayers!

Ba La La La La La Bamba...

Everyone has their favorite Mexican restaurant. Mine used to be Mexican Villa in Springfield - yummmm...burrito enchilada-style. But since I moved to Jefferson City and with much opposition, I have decided that my new favorite is La Bamba. Anyone that is anyone has their birthday photo finely displayed upon the brightly painted festive walls of La Bamba. Over the past five years, I had been unable to frequent this authentic establishment near my birthday.

My one birthday wish for this year - as lame at it may be - was to have my favorite dish (a steak fajita quesadilla with no sour cream and guacamole on the side with a small order of cheese dip) at La Bamba so my photo, too, could be displayed. Blaine's photo is there at least twice. (Funny, I know.)

Thursday night (and within a week of my birthday), Blaine surprisingly invited some friends of mine (including Becky, Jason and Lora, and a few others that didn't bother to show...cough, cough) to join in the festivities of a small, very random dinner. So here I am....in all my shining glory! Me and my sombrero - finally on the wall of fame!

Follow the (Yellow) Brick Road

I love the Wizard of Oz. And if I had ruby red slippers, I would click my heels and be home - in the new home that is. The building process is something that Blaine loves. Me? I just like it - on some days. Building (and contracting yourselves) is a very rewarding experience.

Someone asked me last week if I thought it was better to hire a general contractor or do it myself. Since she and her husband are looking to build, my response was, "if you like picking everything down to your screw color, contracting yourself is the way to go." On the other hand, if you like to snap your fingers and the house magically appear, call Jason Watts.

The house is coming along nicely though. I love my brick. Most of you know that I don't do too many things in a conventional, normal manner. So Blaine and I chose a larger brick with lots of character. I think that it really adds an old world spirit to the outside...just what I was looking for. I am creating a Ron Hill wannabe home!

Only a small mishap on the brick yesterday could lead Blaine to say to me, "Mis, you are not Ron Hill!" (Now for those that have never heard of Ron Hill - he is my idol, my guide for old world house designing and architecture, a pure genius - his offices are in Ozark, Mo.)

My response to Blaine was much like the Cowardly Lions on the Wizard of Oz: "Put 'em up, put 'em up!... I can fight you with one paw tied behind my back. I can fight you standing on one foot. I can fight you with my eyes closed. Oh, pull an axe on me, eh? Sneaking up on me, eh? Why, I'll... Ruff!"

Okay fine, I will admit - I am no Ron Hill (and neither is Blaine), but our old world style will be a miniature version (if only I could win the lottery!) And we love it.

I am clicking my black patent leather heels now, "there is no place like home, there is no place like home"....but nothing seems to be happening. All in good time, I guess.

Pat Green Concert Photos

My pal, Ryan, sent me some fun photos of my trip to Kansas City recently for the Pat Green concert. I thought I would share...

I am such a good babysitter...maybe I should get one of my own??

I know what you are thinking..."Misti is actually thinking of having a baby?" Well, if my baby could look anything like Jack, I would think about getting one. Today, I spent much of my day babysitting Jack - an 11 week old Pomeranian. A co-worker brought him to work today because he was sick. And instead of watching his sad little face stare at me through the bars of his cage, I took him to my office to play. This little guy was nameless until he began chewing on my carpet and I said, "Hey little jacka$$, quit chewing on my carpet!" Jack stuck and so that is what I will forever call him...Captain Jack to be exact.

Happy Mother's Day on Sunday!

I got an email today from Mom. In the subject line it said, "In Honor of Mother's Day." I get it, Mom - Mother's Day is Sunday. I remember! It is my birthday, too, on Sunday, so this year you are going to have to share! (Tongue sticking out!)
(I am going to be slapped - into next week - for posting this photo from 2002. But I love this photo of us and always have.)
There are many reasons why I love my mom. (And no I am not sucking up to get a better birthday gift - okay, maybe a little. Hee Hee.)

My Mom has the know-how to put me in my place especially when I need it most. (Just this week to be exact!) She also has the ability to know the things that I want even before I know I want them. (Yes, I have turned into my mother!) Connie Jo knows her fashion! And knows how to decorate her house (and mine) to perfection. But most of all, she is genuinely just a great human being. And we know those are far and few between nowadays!

(So I don't get slapped as nearly as hard, here is a more recent photo of Mom & Dad from our Gulf Shores trip last year.)

In her email to me, there were 25 Reasons Why I Owe My Mother. Here are just a few:

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

My mother taught me LOGIC.
' Because I said so, that's why.'

My mother taught me about WEATHER.
'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

My mother taught me WISDOM.
'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

I have literally heard every single one of these phrases come out of her mouth. Thanks for setting us straight! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Finials, Shingles and Front Door

House Update!

We now have finials, shingles and our front door installed. Love it, love it, love it. I took the photo on the right on Sunday. And since then, the roof has been completed and they began bricking this morning.

We went to pick out cabinets on Monday. We had met with Dan the Cabinet Man last week for nearly 3 hours laying out what we wanted. Monday took another 4.5 hours of deciding. And we are not even done yet. A week from today, we head back to to visit Dan the Cabinet Man for one last time (hopefully) to continue on. Here's to winning the lottery before then!

Someone Pass the Hand Warmers...

Let's just say that boating in early May can be a little chilly. But we weathered the cold and still headed to the lake on Saturday for some boating fun. We didn't get the early start that we anticipated, but when we finally arrived, we had quite a shock. Not only was it 50-something degrees outside (see photo), but where was the boat...and more importantly, what was wrong with the boat?

Our boat was stored over winter at Glen Cove Marina. Blaine had called to make sure that the boat would be in the water when we arrived (it's first trip into the water since October.) When the green Ford truck pulled up with all four of us (me, Blaine, Kristina and Shandon) piled inside, the boat mechanic walked over and said, "your boats taking on water so we had to pull it out so it didn't sink!" WHAT? I wanted to scream...but I didn't. I don't think I could - I had already swallowed my heart and it was pounding in my stomach. I looked at Blaine. Pale, blank look he had. I think a few choice words came out, but I can't remember.

After a couple of quick tweaks to the boat (by our rockstar mechanic, Mr. Blaine himself), all problems were fixed and we just crossed our fingers that the boat would float. It did, we hopped on and away we went. My only question at that time was, "why did mr. boat mechanic have to throw in the 'so it didn't sink' portion of his comments?" I am too young to go into cardiac arrest!!

Anyway, we were off - Destination 1 - Horny Toad. Destination 2 - Backwater Jacks. Destination 3 - Shorty Pants. Finally we came to a stop some time several hours after dark had set upon us and we settled in for the night at our boat dock. A bit chilly again. But worth the trip.

Our summer has just begun!

...Bringing Sexy Back!

Awww...the sounds of prom. Cue the Justin Timberlake song...."I'm Bringing Sexy Back..Yow!"

Wait - Rewind. Cue Def Leppard's "Love Bites!" Even better...

My pal's, Shandon and Kristina, are in town this weekend whoopin' it up for the Harbor Hop at the lake. Although the weather is rainy and chilly, I know these two will add some fun to the weekend. (Check out the latest photo of these Illiniosians from 2 weekends ago. I will defend them by saying that they were at a prom party... I won't out them on their ages, but I know they loved 80s music.)

Regardless of what these two do in their free time in Illinois (which is obviously questionable), this weekend kicks off summer for the Preston's. And I am ready. Bring on the sunscreen, bring on the bikini, bring on the weekend fun! Everyone raise your glasses high and say, "Cheers to long days at Cove 18, longer nights at Shorty Pants, smoked wings and mojitos, Mitch's pranks and retarded jokes, Lora's list of accomplishments for the summer and Jason's attempts to get us kicked out of the dock with loud music and engine roaring!" CHEERS....Yay!!!

House Update!

Here are some recent photos of the house. Blaine has been working morning, noon and night. Katie and I have been hanging out when we can - I helped with running cables for phone and internet last night. As Blaine said, "that's another thing I thought I would never see you do." All I need now is a pink toolbelt and hard hat and I would be set for anything!

We now have a fireplace and tubs & showers. The shingles are going up tomorrow - weather allowing! We meet with our wood flooring guy tomorrow as well. Lots going on - that's for sure.

On the boat again...

One of my favorite Willie Nelson songs is "On the Road Again." Okay, I admit - that is the only Willie Nelson song that I like, really, at all. During my country hoedown days (that I still lean towards every now and then), I was an Alabama singing, lighter waving in the air, country type of gal - back when I was four years old. (Now if that ain't a country song, I've never heard one, ya'll.) But every now and then, I still love my country roots.

As I was thinking about my weekend plans, I began singing a more appropriate version of the Willie favorite...."On the boat again. -Just can't wait to get on the boat again. The life I love is making music with my friends. And I can't wait to get on the boat again." Now everybody sing - "OOONNNN the boat again......Just can't wait to get oooonnn the boat agaaaainn. The life we love is making music with our frrrieeennds.....And I can't wait to get oooonn the boat agaaaaain!" Yee-Haw!!

Our lake summer begins May 3. Look out Shorty Pants, here we come!!

Weekend Fun

This weekend I drove to Kansas City for a jammed packed weekend of fun. First, I met up with Ryan & Melissa and Becky & Adam (in photo) on Friday for the Pat Green concert at Crossroads. What a great time! It was a bit frigid - but a great time to chill out with friends. The only thing missing from this great night was Blaine. Unfortunately, he had to stay behind and work on the house. It made me sad to leave him, but I knew that I needed to make sure that my friends behaved while in Kansas City. :-)

Saturday morning, Melissa, Becky & I met up with Mom and Shania at

Bridal Extraordinaire - my friend Danni's mom's bridal shop and where Becky purchased her beautiful wedding gown. Gorgeous...love it!

We didn't get to meet up with Danni at the bridal shop. She was signing autographs for Survivor and Coleman at Cabella's. I couldn't miss the opportunity to just show up hoping to catch a glimpse of Bo - Danni and Casey's 6 month old son. OH MY GOSH - I knew that supermodel Danni and cutie center (for now the Broncos...ugh) Casey would have a most beautiful baby, but geez....he was precious sporting his Carhart overalls and John Deere socks and hat. Such a doll. And I got the opportunity to express my sheer disappointment in Casey's new job. I told him that I will forgive him - eventually!!

After meeting up with Danni, Bo and Casey, we (Mom, Shania and I) hit the streets for some shopping. We meandered about Legends and then headed to the Plaza where we met Ryan and Melissa for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory - my favorite!! Yummy. After a fun-filled day and feeling pure exhausted, we all parted ways. Mom, Dad (who had been out and about all day letting "the girls" shop) and Shania drove back to Springfield. I drove back to Jefferson City.

What a great weekend!!

Windows, Vents and Dormers...Oh My!

Last night, I drove out to the house to meet Blaine. As I turned onto Highland Waye (my street), I could see smoke rolling out of the neighborhood. I nearly choked and cried all at the same time. I could feel my heart pounding thump, thump, thump in my stomach. With my bad luck, I just knew it was my house. BUT as I kept driving, I thankfully realized that it was not our house. (Blaine had seen it too and had the same reaction.) I guess when you put this much time and effort into something, any little thing will make you feel like you are going to throw up.
(Here she is as of April 17)

The house was still there and it is coming right along. It seems like in the past 5 days, it has really began to look like a house...finally. We have a roof over our heads, the windows are in place, the doors are hung (except the infamous front door), we have our dormer built and the copper vents are positioned perfectly (thanks to Blaine's watchful eye.)

The Boy is Back in Town!!

Hallelujah! Blaine is back and assuming his contractor duties rather nicely. I got a phone call today where he told me that our plumber had rolled his bobcat down our backyard. Now if you haven't heard about our backyard....I will just say that I will not even need a sled to go flying down it in the winter. Brice the plumber is fine - but it sure freaked me out just to hear the story!

Thank goodness this happened on Blaine's time....if it would have happened while I was around I would have quit my contractor duties all together!! Ring...Ring..."Is this Jason Watts? What are your doing for the next 3 months?"

(This is Blaine tearing those pesky stickers off of our windows...I will never understand why one little window needs six stickers permanently pressed on to it. Ugh.)

Can Someone Give Me $1800?

I have been looking for a new fabulous piece of door hardwear for our front door. (Yes, I said hard"wear" instead of hardware because if I am going to pay what these places are asking, I better be able to at least wear it like a pair of fine Jimmy Choo shoes.)

I found the perfect one - of course I did. Now take a deep breath.... this beauty (which would look absolutely perfect on my front door) is over $1800. You read it right, folks....$1876....not $18.76. I nearly flipped right out of my blue pleather chair. Now the website says that I can buy the Entry Mortise Lock for $1,876.72 and the Full Dummy for $1,293.24. Let me re-phrase that....I would be the Fool Dummy for paying anything near that....

I guess that I will just chalk this up as another "want" in life that I will never have....Jimmy Choos, a giant Louis Vuitton, the diamonds earrings from Tiffany's, ....the list goes on & on & on....

Burnin' Rubber

Lately, I have been burnin' up the highway between here in Springfield. I am pretty sure that the guy on the side of the road in Lebanon trying to sell pizza's for $5 is tired of seeing this crazy girl go by. The house adventure has steared us South for 3 weekends in a row now. I love Springfield, don't get me wrong, but a girl can only drive down and back in twenty-four hours only so many times.

This time, I made the venture myself. Blaine is in Las Vegas this week working on his tan and I am taking care of all of the manly duties - like loading up some lumber in the pick-up truck and delivering it back to Jeff City.

I drove down Sunday for some shopping time with Mom, Julie and Shania. And I will say that I did find many things that I neeeeed. I swear, I need them. I did purchase some great things so my momma can show me how to make fabulous flower arrangments. (It is perfect time that she is taking flower arranging classes this spring and summer. She has got some skills.)

On Monday, I hopped in the Ford truck and headed to the lumber company. After they loaded my 4 million pounds of lumber and the Ford truck was now on its two back wheels, and after my mom's eyes almost popped out of her head for pure nervousness, we trucked it down the road. I dropped off Mom and headed back to Jeff City.

My manly duties are done for the week. BLAINE - COME BACK HOME SOON!!!!

Oh How Time Flies...

I was searching some photos recently and came across some very funny photos. Since it is springtime and love is in the air - I couldn't resist sharing a1995 prom photo. Oh the memories. Oh the effort we put in to finding the perfect attire.

I wore a dress that I gotten at the evening gown store called Charlie's in Springfield. All of the girls wanted a dress from Charlie's. I knew that I had to have one too. I had never been deprived of dresses (through my pageant days), but I also wanted "THE" dress from Charlie's - black sequined halter with gold trim.

Blaine donned the ever-so-fabulous Mickey Mouse tux. (I am still laughing over that one.) It was awesome back then. It looked great on him, really it did. Friends of Blaine - can you EVER imagine him in a Mickey Mouse tux? Now seriously.

Well folks, here is the photo to prove it all... Laugh all you want, choke on your donut, and spew your morning coffee all over your computer screen...this was our dance at the prom forever printed in our Senior Yearbook - my stunned look and Blaine's Mickey Mouse tux.

Wow - how times flies.....

CONGRATS SHANIA!

So I get a phone call yesterday...actually, let me re-phrase that. I got 10 phone calls, one frantic voicemail and one text message (that read "PLEASE CALL") yesterday from my parent's number. I thought that someone had hurt themselves or that something was major wrong in the family. There was something major going on at the Moore household.

SHANIA WAS PICKED FOR THE SPELLING BEE!! And she was ecstatic when I finally called to see what was so important at the Moore household. Shania was chosen as one of four going to compete at the end of the month in the Spelling Bee. She had to compete in her grade to make it to the next round of competition. GOOD LUCK SHANIA!!! I know you can kick some bumble-butted bees at this competition!!

Here is one for the girls!

My Chicks, My Homegirls, My Peeps - I just recently found a great new website for some hot new looks. It is http://www.hautelook.com/. Each day they feature one brand with items majorily discounted. Today, they are featuring LaROK - and I am dying for a sequined t-shirt on there donning the number 88. I love it. (Blaine's football number was #88 and I have always been partial. Mushy, mushy, I know.)

You have to sign up with this website to view. But in doing so, you get great reminders of what is being sold each day. I love it, love it, love it. Check it out!!

If you do sign up with this site - put my email in the "Sponsor email/code" section. Use this email - mistipreston@hotmail.com. I promise I do not work for this company - but if you do enter my email and make a purchase, they will give me a $10 credit. Not a bad deal!! And I am guessing that I am going to find a lot of things to buy!!!

Grammar Police!

Some people are grammar police....and I am one too - sometimes. I realize working in communications, I should always have perfect grammar - blah, blah, blah. Someone (aka DH) pointed out to me today that I had misspellings on my blog. Darn.

So here are my ground rules: for this blog - whatever goes - this is for fun, isn't it? I will continue to have misspellings, misuse words and use slang. So if you see something that doesn't look just right or is just plain wrong, you can either let me know or live with it. I am willing to live with these grammar imperfections in my life...

Off the soapbox and moving on...

We Almost Have a Roof!!

Blaine and I ventured out to the house yesterday. Hallelujah, we almost have a roof. It was about 80-90% complete. Blaine says that there is no amount of money in the world that would get him to climb that high to roof a house. You cannot tell from this photo, but the backyard is a bit of a drop off. (My momma will hate that!) I guess there will not be too many Christmas lights on the Preston house this year!

Check out the photo of Katie taking a break from her hard day of napping.

Life's Good

Today is a great day. Life's Good. And that is because finally after at least 3 years of wanting, Blaine and I finally bought a new washer and dryer.
We are now owners of an LG washer & dryer in blue. I love the new colors that these appliances are coming in. I would have settled for any color (as long as I got the SteamFresh option.) Blaine wanted gray; I would have settled for red. But we both agreed on blue. They are beauties.
I don't actually get to use these until we have moved in to the new house. But I don't mind - I guess. I want so badly to go home right now and wash something. Who would have ever thought I would become this domesticated? Not me. Soon enough, though, I will be washing away. And soon enough, I will be able to toss out the ole Ropers - who have been troopers over the years.

I am counting the days until the delivery of my new pride and joy - June 27!