Today I finished up one of my projects, a built-in television cabinet. A coworker of mine and her husband had done something similar in their house. Since seeing a picture of their creation I've wanted to do the same in our living room.
I worked on the project over the holidays since I had a lot of time off. I knew it wouldn't be that difficult since the boards I used for the shelves were sold at Home Depot in the exact size I needed. All I really needed to do was to design it, cut a few boards for support/dividers, and trim the face of it. Things went really well even though I caught my middle finger on the underside of the circular saw. It split wide open but not deep enough to do any damage. In a few more days you won't even be able to tell something happened.
I've included before and after pictures. Can you tell what's different? The decorations are essentially the same but I've made some significant improvements to the space. I dare say it's starting to feel a little more like a home. If you like these you'll like pictures of my next project because they will also include a trimmed out fireplace.
It was a great Christmas this year. The night before we received a few inches of snow, making it a rare White Christmas. The kids woke up, had breakfast and then started in on the presents. We were able to take turns, meaning they got to enjoy opening each gift and playing with it for a little bit while I took a lot of pictures and videos. They were both very happy, but Jonathan expressed it more than Julia did. You could tell it was his first real Christmas.
They both received a few toys and some clothes. Jonathan loved his new Cars and Thomas pajamas, but he seemed to like his first set of underwear, Thomas themed, the most. We know that because he insisted on putting on all seven pairs of underwear over his pajamas. Julia loved her clothes but also her princess Barbie and cash register. Everyone seemed to like the Legos, because, well, they are just plain fun.
It was a pretty special first Christmas with both of the kids. We took our time and made our own memories before getting ready for the day and round two at my parent's house. The kids wanted to stay dressed in their new pajamas or clothes and slippers for the trip over.
Michelle picked out a hilariously cute crew pit mechanics costume for Jonathan. We spent lunch and the afternoon at their house, but Jonathan couldn't make it the entire day. The excitement was too much and he crashed on the floor at about five o'clock. Unfortunately we had to wake him up to leave, which resulted in a fussy boy and a messy car seat on the way home. Regardless of the craziness, it was a pretty great day.
Christmas Eve service with kids...Jonathan growling at a scary painting of Jesus, the little girl next to me unknowingly playing with my arm and then spilling grape juice all over her mom, and Julia asking why they served "snacks" during the service. Classic stuff.
My name is finally in lights...well, at least the fluorescent ones in the office above my cubicle. I was able to avenge last year's loss in the championship game and capture my first fantasy crown ever. Although I've never actually won before, the last four years that I've played at work I've been the top one or two teams/seeds in three of those four years. Fantasy football is one of those funny games where the best team doesn't always win, so it's not surprising this is my first title.
I don't think anyone else really cares about this, but it was worth making a post strictly based on the amount of time I spent watching football and keeping up with the latest news to field the best team possible. It's not like I had anything else to do at night after the kids went down for bed. I actually find the game really entertaining and I know everyone out there has their own personalized ways they waste time. I must like it because it's a cross between analysis, sports, and trading stocks while at the same time a game.
When all was said and done I took home $135 over the course of the season for the $20 I had to put in up front. Not bad. My team was pretty balanced. Although I was an active manager and tried my best to strengthen my bench, I drafted the majority of my best players. I survived any major injuries, won my division, and was technically tied for the best record in the regular season. In the championship game I had my second best week of the year and handed my opponent his worst defeat of the season. Not a bad way to go out. Although the score was close for awhile, I always had the upper hand because most of my players were playing in the later games, meaning I had plenty of points still to earn. The title was never in doubt.
So, what's my lasting legacy? My name is now on the pizza box lid trophy and I've continued the streak where a manager whose name starts with the letter A wins.
As if Stacey needed one more little creature messing with her sleep... I took these pictures at 3:54 in the morning. For some reason I woke up in the middle of the night and this is what I saw when I rolled over. I grabbed my phone on the nightstand to document what most nights are like on Stacey's pillow. That is, Stacey on the edge or on a corner and kitty sprawled out across the majority of the pillow. If kitty doesn't sleep on the pillow or Stacey's head, she's under the covers completely. Sometimes Stacey's wakes up because kitty starts playing and biting her hair.
I know she's cold, but this is pretty over the top. At least she doesn't shed much.
Not bad for a $20 Groupon, even if we had to drive up to Park Meadows. We have a few extra 5x7s, 4x6s, and wallets of the far right pictures on the bottom two rows. However, let me know if you'd like to buy any others.
