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[TNMiniMama]

yeah Skillet! So glad you are ok

[miniola]

Originally Posted by skillet

You and your smilies Oh how I miss you guys. What's everyone been up to? I've been to busy to keep up in this thread... Just thought I'd stop by and razz you all.

Oh Miniola, I did receive your e-mail and checked it out. At this point I'm just gonna forgo and let everything take it's course

I love smilies.

Now where's that "Tee Hee" one?

Hey Gem- I have both red and white right now. The red is the '05 and the white is the '08. I need to sell the '05 though. Sorry my wig scares you... sometimes it's a necessary evil.

UhOh- Doing lots of work! I like seeing your pics. Love the sloping floor. But... I thought you have to go away? Do you know anything else yet? Where you're headed to next? Or is that "classified". It sucks to put that much work into something and then leave it behind. On Saturday we went to the Sarasota Architectural Salvage place again and bought some wide plank Pecky Cypress from the John Ringling Towers building. It was torn down at some point after we moved here. Anyway, we're going to make a beam from it. For anyone that doesn't know what Pecky Cypress is... it's wood that has holes in it. It's from a fungus that gets into the Cypress trees... looks like termite damage but it's not. I can't remember, but I think the trees are usually 100+ years old. I'm thinking 200-500 years but don't quote me. The building that these pieces of wood came from was built in the 20's... 1926 or 1928? The Ringling's were the big settler's here in Sarasota.

RJ- You'd be amazed at what you can do once you have a Home Depot book.

Cab- I think you should be the "Clubbie Caboose"! Not that Gem isn't an excellent driver.

TNMM- I'm just a girl with a hint of craziness. BTW- I've been seeing lots more "Redneck Trucks" these days. Maybe since gas prices are lower... they're using that extra money to jack everything up? Too bad they're too big to get out of their own way. I keep thinking about the look on their faces when I was beside them. Funny...

Hope everyone else is doing better so far this week.

And if MINI-IZED thinks I've forgotten... well... guess again. Still on the naughty list. Probably never even had a "mullet" anyway.

[cabwy]

Originally Posted by miniola

And so the story goes... or something like that anyway.

Awww, Ola, I have really missed those smilies and your wit.... thanks for making me laugh!!

[cabwy]

Ola (and Gem) I am starting to agree, I am not sure that my hubby and I are "built" to fit in the back of the MINI Cabrio?? And the MA has assured us that we would welcome as the "caboose"

[cabwy]

And if I haven't mentioned it lately--- I really have missed ALL of you and sorry I haven't been on as much,,, I think the clouds are lifting again and I may have some free time to play again!!

[HalAC]

Originally Posted by miniola

....On Saturday we went to the Sarasota Architectural Salvage place again and bought some wide plank Pecky Cypress from the John Ringling Towers building. It was torn down at some point after we moved here. Anyway, we're going to make a beam from it. For anyone that doesn't know what Pecky Cypress is... it's wood that has holes in it. It's from a fungus that gets into the Cypress trees... looks like termite damage but it's not. I can't remember, but I think the trees are usually 100+ years old. I'm thinking 200-500 years but don't quote me. The building that these pieces of wood came from was built in the 20's... 1926 or 1928? The Ringling's were the big settler's here in Sarasota.....

I know a place in St. Pete that can supply you with rough cut lumber. Most of it is pine grown in Pinellas county. They anything from #1 prime grade to stuff with all kinds of neat worm holes. We even found a tree that had been used for target practice about 60 years ago. Found .45 cal slugs deeply embedded in the trunk of the tree.

[gemgirlpa]

Originally Posted by cabwy

Can you just believe that the weekend is almost over???
We had a really nice relaxing one and boy oh boy did I ever NEED a relaxing one. Gem,, Holly just left a short while ago,, and we had a nice visit. Atomic17 picked up his MINI!!
I also signed up for the April 11th Philly Mini event at Ottos so I will finally get to meet you!!

Ok, one more client is coming over at 7:30 so everyone please have a wonderful Sunday evening ... uhoh,, your commercial sounds adorable I will have to watch for it... when I was in Colorado we had a tea party everyday. It was hysterical good fun....

FANTASTIC, WE WILL FINALLY MEET!!! back seat is all yours if you are still interested!!! looks like a great turnout.
I will be sending in my yearly membership tomorrow!!!

EDIT: I WROTE THIS BEFORE READING THE REST OF THE THREAD... we will leave the offer open...

[gemgirlpa]

Hello freebees... just stoping in to say hi. boy it is tough not being at home all day doing what i want...

OLA, thanks for the smileys!!! as said, that made my night..

Skillet, welcome back, don't make it so long next time...

*yawn* I think I go to bed earlier and earlier every night....

[RJKimbell]

Originally Posted by miniola

RJ- You'd be amazed at what you can do once you have a Home Depot book.

We do 'Ola...Hubby just doesn't have the same "perfectionistic" (is this even a word??) traits that I do, nor any patience. And I don't have the patience for his im-patience!!

Don't get me wrong, I was repainting the inside of the house the week we moved in, I don't let Hubby Paint...it ain't pretty!!

We've done a Minor Guest Bath Remodel, laid New Vinyl Tile, Painted Walls, New Toilet, New Vanity and Sink Fixtures, but what I'd like to have done in this bath is the walls torn down (lots of un-necessary paint), there's a story that goes along with this though...the previous owner's Divorced, hence the Sale of the House. The Wife knew the Husband hated Blue (any hue), so she proceded to paint every room BLUE, I think she meant to do that!! The Tub Enclosure needs to be ripped out and a tub with a Tile Surround in its place, all current fixtures would go back in once complete.

Our house was built in 1978, so picture Dark Brown Butcher Block Laminent, luckily the kitchen counter was redone, but in a Vanilla Color. The Kitchen is the worst part, it needs to be gutted, the only thing to keep would be the Convection/Microwave we had installed mid-year last year. The previous owner did a number on the Master Bath Remodel he had done. When we 1st saw the house it wasn't even complete, we had to have our Realtor find contractors to finish it before we moved in, deducted from the previous owners profits of course. I want it re-done as well the space wasn't utilized well enough.

All of the flooring needs to be replaced, the bedrooms have the same carpet, but that's different than the LR, FDR and Hall, the FR has a different carpet all together, and we'd like to maybe lay down some Bamboo. I was hoping to have the florring done by the end of this year, but with the economy the way it is, it will have to wait. I'll poke the money away somehow, it just won't get done as quickly as I would like.

And that's pretty much it, we've had the house re-sided with Cedar Planks, and painted, we've had a New Front Door installed, a Beautiful Craftsman Style with 2 Sides Lights, solid wood so we had to have it stained.

We just had the Front and Back yards thatched and the front yard aireated (sp). It's just little projects one after the other, not that I want a Magic Wand or anything, I enjoy knowing that I've done all the decorating in the house.

Hubby and I have an 'agreement' we have to agree on the items we bring into the house, furniture, fixtures, paint color, drapes, etc. I picked out some drapes for the FR (Hubby's Man Cave) and he hated them at the store, but agreed to try them...once they got hung up...He LOVES them!!!

I've got a Punch Home Design program that I have alot of my ideas already worked out it is that darn Money Tree that I can't seem to grow fast enough!!!

[x uh oh x]

Originally Posted by RJKimbell

We do 'Ola...Hubby just doesn't have the same "perfectionistic" (is this even a word??) traits that I do, nor any patience. And I don't have the patience for his im-patience!!

....I'll poke the money away somehow, it just won't get done as quickly as I would like.

....We just had the Front and Back yards thatched and the front yard aireated (sp). It's just little projects one after the other, not that I want a Magic Wand or anything, I enjoy knowing that I've done all the decorating in the house.

....I have alot of my ideas already worked out it is that darn Money Tree that I can't seem to grow fast enough!!!

I am 100,000,000% with you, RJ!! Hubband generally drives me completely bonkers (not that it was a very long trip) because he has NO attention to detail what-SO-ever. And for a "professional logistician" he can be downright idiotic about the machinations of getting things done sometimes. I'm begining to wonder if it's testosterone poisioning! (sorry, boys, but the evidence is stacking up here...) Sounds like you're slowly but surely making it your castle! My parents, when dad retired from the Marine Corps, bought an 1820s farmhouse and had NO clue about renovating...nor how much "love" that house really needed. They've been there over 20 years now, and the official name of the house is: Little by Little - based on some poem mom found once that has this bit in it, "Little by little, the castle was built." Nice! Too bad they waited until I was out of the house to give my old room a bigger CLOSET.

Yes, 'Ola, we're still slated to move before next year, but no, don't know to where yet. I'm still working on hubband to stay here one more year - not just for ME and MY sake (i.e. my attempt at getting a logistics masters degree), but OUR sake (don't want to go back into the deployment cycle again so soon), and our INVESTMENT's sake (the house.) We have GOT to get the utility bills down to something manageable for non-DINKs, not to mention to get this ground floor renovated for the separate apartment. *sigh* I don't really want to move - I love our house. Unfortunately, that fine print of the contract kills me every time. *sigh* But I may have a plan... if we go where hubband WANTs to go next, I may be able to sneak in the NEXT old house! (I have it mapped out... heheh eheheheh.)

[skillet]

Originally Posted by x uh oh x

HE LIVES!!! SKILLET LIVES!!!! Welcome home, kiddo!

Thanks. It's nice to peek back in here and see everyone's still having fun. It was kind of like that loud party down the dorm hallway and I just had to swing in and say "Hi"

Originally Posted by cabwy

Uhmm,,, hysterical ---in a creepy sort of way....

And it is definitely a deja vu sort of feeling.....

And Hey Skillet!! How the heck are you???? Do you and your wife still have your MINI??

We're doing great. Getting by. Still haven't sold our house nor purchased a new one. We've still got the MINI, and I do believe we'll be keeping it for a while longer. I think I've finally convinced her to keep it, as here in a little over a year, it'll be paid off Our son is now a little over 7 months old, and getting bigger and brighter everyday. Doesn't surprise me after knowing the brain power his mother has (we remind me of Pinky and the Brain ).

Originally Posted by TNMiniMama

yeah Skillet! So glad you are ok

Thanks. I don't have the strength and energy to focus on such a ..... I've got more important things and a life that keeps me busy enough up here. Like I said, in the end, she'll get what she's got coming to her... That's not for me to decide though.

[cabwy]

Skillet, I am so pleased to hear that you still have your MINI!! Yeah!! And I am doubly glad that you can let all that krap go and move on... The smartest way, actually. And yes, Karma is a b**ch,, I have been on both ends of that system!! haha

Uhoh-- I am completely amazed and humbled by the photos of your reno's you are a gutsy woman,, very very impressed...!! I am actually debating sanding down our kitchen cabinets and painting them,,,, not sure they are worth the effort though..... will keep you posted...

I am surprised that your home was built on ly in the 70's,, I figured your home was at least a 1950's home!!

[x uh oh x]

Originally Posted by cabwy

Skillet, I am so pleased to hear that you still have your MINI!! Yeah!! And I am doubly glad that you can let all that krap go and move on... The smartest way, actually. And yes, Karma is a b**ch,, I have been on both ends of that system!! haha

Uhoh-- I am completely amazed and humbled by the photos of your reno's you are a gutsy woman,, very very impressed...!! I am actually debating sanding down our kitchen cabinets and painting them,,,, not sure they are worth the effort though..... will keep you posted...

I am surprised that your home was built on ly in the 70's,, I figured your home was at least a 1950's home!!

Silly cab, darling...the 1970s home is RJ's. Mine was built 1918. Although, now that you mention it, RJ - maybe it would help alleviate your renovation frustration by sharing pics??? Nothing really gutsy about it - it's just dirt and work...and mom & dad's house was MUCH more of a challenge. And cab - if it bugs you (the cabinets), you should DO it! It couldn't hurt, right? Might help boost home value? (Even if you're not selling, home value for insurance purposes and possible 2nd mortgages, etc. is still important...right?)

[cabwy]

Originally Posted by x uh oh x

Silly cab, darling...the 1970s home is RJ's. Mine was built 1918. Although, now that you mention it, RJ - maybe it would help alleviate your renovation frustration by sharing pics??? Nothing really gutsy about it - it's just dirt and work...and mom & dad's house was MUCH more of a challenge. And cab - if it bugs you (the cabinets), you should DO it! It couldn't hurt, right? Might help boost home value? (Even if you're not selling, home value for insurance purposes and possible 2nd mortgages, etc. is still important...right?)

LOL,, I REALLY need to stop this speed reading, it definitely isn't working for me!!
And you are right, I have nothing to lose and tons to gain!! I actually think it could be a fun long weekend project!!

[RJKimbell]

I'll post some pics. to my PhotoBucket Account, then you guys can take a look, it may have to wait 'til the weekend, but I'll let you know when I'm done.

[miniola]

Hi.
Good night.

[x uh oh x]

Hullo Freebies. Nothing special to report today. Yet. Oh, wait, I lied...I'm flying up to NH to meet my mom (she's driving up from Ohio starting yesterday.) Gotta go see maternal grandmother who's ailing. I"m pretty sure both of my grandmothers will outlast US, but they're limping along. This one doesn't know me or most of the family members anymore - she knows me from STORIES she's passed around and told about me (i'm the oldest grandchild = can do no wrong, of course), but she doesn't know who the physical presence is (no mental link association.) She also speaks "Pat speak" - her own language; if you're not familiar with her life, you'll be lost, as most of the words are links/references to something in her life (brother = an obscure relative's name who died in WWII.) I'm going more for mom's (ha!) mental support than grandmothers. And, seeing how yesterday's phone conversation with mom went, she's already been sucking down the goofy gas! Ah, the things we do for those we love. And that statement is SO true: "You can pick your friends, you can't pick your family."

[miniola]

Have fun! So does she have something like Alzheimer's or is the "Pat Speak" just her own form of craziness? I'm sure your mom will appreciate that you are there.

[x uh oh x]

I'm not really sure what she's got beyond a hereditary senile dementia. She IS a nutcase though and always has been (oh JOY, things to look forward to!) Her mom had something similar, and SHE was an unholy hellion from what I'm told. I feel slightly disloyal or maybe I'm just a cold fish, but I'm not overly emotionally involved in this. I've always been the "analytical/clinically-minded" one in the family, but my grandmother and mom's side of the family has caused us some seriously messed up heartache over the years; has made me REALLY glad we didn't live anywhere near them. Let's just say, I often thought that if they spoke with hillbilly accents instead of the boston twang, we'd end up on the Jerry Springer show. For REAL. *sigh.* Ya, you're right. Mom will appreciate having me up there. If I don't throttle her in the process. She appreciates me more when there's more distance.

[miniola]

So Hal- did you buy the slug ridden wood? We bought the Pecky Cypress due to the fact that it came from a historic building... otherwise we'd have no use for a "beam". Supposedly, back in the day... chimps and trapeeze artists entertained guests at this hotel and it was quite the place to be.

Skillet- I had wondered if you'd ever gotten the last email with the special info. Did you hand it over to anyone? Authorities? I was figuring that someone would appreciate it. She is stupid though. I haven't searched for anything else on her... just stuff that could help you out. But I don't blame you for not pursuing anything else... just let the chips fall where they may.

Hey Cab- the cabinets are probably a good place to get your creative juices flowing. I think there is a product that you can "paint" on your cabinets so that you don't have to sand them... (and no, it's not primer). It's at Lowe's or Home Depot. I've thought of using it but we have lots of cabinets and I'm not ready to tackle that project yet. Maybe you can try it and let us know how it goes?

Gem- I don't know about you, but I am really glad to have the old school style Cabrio. I really love those high chrome roll bars... they perfectly frame everything in my rear view. I know people have complained about visibility but... I find that having the top up is what actually causes the problem. With the top down, I see everything I need to see! I also feel "safer" with those bars. It provides a bit of separation and I feel enclosed in my little Cabrio cocoon. PLUS... without those, I wouldn't be able to stabilize my Christmas Tree and everything else I bring home in the car.

RJ- Sounds like you've done lots of stuff. I agree 100% about the husband part though. Sorry. And with the economy the way it is... it IS tough to come up with the cash to do reno' projects. I think you should post your before and after pics. I have some from our 1st old house that we reno'd... but we didn't throw lots of money into it because it was going to be a rental. All my pics are in a box (or boxes) somewhere. I just have some "after pics". It got the white picket fence AFTER we lived there (dressing it up to sell). Unfortunately, the people that bought it from the person that bought it from us have just let it all go to sht. Oh well... at least we know what it LOOKED like at some point.

[TNMiniMama]

You get major Karma points for this... And I know about mom's and that goofy gas (altho in some cases it's more of a clear liquid found in a cabinet or a special store...).
Oh, and along with your statement: "You can pick your friends, you can't pick your family," remember this one: "You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose"

Hope that makes you feel better! (or seals the deal with Jerry Springer!)

XOX -

Originally Posted by x uh oh x

Hullo Freebies. Nothing special to report today. Yet. Oh, wait, I lied...I'm flying up to NH to meet my mom (she's driving up from Ohio starting yesterday.) Gotta go see maternal grandmother who's ailing. I"m pretty sure both of my grandmothers will outlast US, but they're limping along. This one doesn't know me or most of the family members anymore - she knows me from STORIES she's passed around and told about me (i'm the oldest grandchild = can do no wrong, of course), but she doesn't know who the physical presence is (no mental link association.) She also speaks "Pat speak" - her own language; if you're not familiar with her life, you'll be lost, as most of the words are links/references to something in her life (brother = an obscure relative's name who died in WWII.) I'm going more for mom's (ha!) mental support than grandmothers. And, seeing how yesterday's phone conversation with mom went, she's already been sucking down the goofy gas! Ah, the things we do for those we love. And that statement is SO true: "You can pick your friends, you can't pick your family."

[x uh oh x]

((( Hugs Vivi ))) Thanks.

Hey, where's Kiki been lately????

[cabwy]

Happy Wednesday, Freebies!! Ola, I know the stuff that you are referring to... I have debated "experimenting" with it, maybe on the old cabinet in the basemet bathroom before tackling all of the kitchen cabs....
Will keep you posted.

I am bummed, I just took time to heat and eat a Weight Watchers dinner and am in my work clothes. Of course I now have tomatoe sauce smeared on my shirt... I know better to watch TV, eat and read the computer all at once.....

[miniola]

Originally Posted by x uh oh x

I'm not really sure what she's got beyond a hereditary senile dementia. She IS a nutcase though and always has been (oh JOY, things to look forward to!) Her mom had something similar, and SHE was an unholy hellion from what I'm told. I feel slightly disloyal or maybe I'm just a cold fish, but I'm not overly emotionally involved in this. I've always been the "analytical/clinically-minded" one in the family, but my grandmother and mom's side of the family has caused us some seriously messed up heartache over the years; has made me REALLY glad we didn't live anywhere near them. Let's just say, I often thought that if they spoke with hillbilly accents instead of the boston twang, we'd end up on the Jerry Springer show. For REAL. *sigh.* Ya, you're right. Mom will appreciate having me up there. If I don't throttle her in the process. She appreciates me more when there's more distance.

Ha Ha! Preachin' to the choir! Do you remember the "Gordon Elliot" show? (I think that was the name) It was before Springer. I had this disgusting guy cousin (through marriage) that I saw on that show. I remember watching it and when I saw it I just about died. The husband (boyfriend at the time) had just come in and I was trying to tell him that this dufus was my cousin "Chris". Well, the husband didn't believe me... and then the title under his mug showed "Chris". I recorded it on a video tape that I think I still have somewhere. I thought of doing a low tech recording of it from my camera but there'd be no way that I could do it without laughing. He's such a moron. Anyway, it wasn't too long after the show aired that my Great Grandmother died and at her funeral he was acting like he was a movie star. Ahhh... the memories. Sure am glad I got myself away from those people.

[x uh oh x]

Originally Posted by cabwy

Happy Wednesday, Freebies!! Ola, I know the stuff that you are referring to... I have debated "experimenting" with it, maybe on the old cabinet in the basemet bathroom before tackling all of the kitchen cabs....
Will keep you posted.

I am bummed, I just took time to heat and eat a Weight Watchers dinner and am in my work clothes. Of course I now have tomatoe sauce smeared on my shirt... I know better to watch TV, eat and read the computer all at once.....

What have we discussed about that whole walking-while-chewing-gum thing, sweetie...? tsk tsk tsk. That's ok, act like it's normal and nobody will notice.