Kitchen Mini Reno, part 1

FYI - my computer has been wigged out for uploading pictures so I have had no pictures to blog and what is a blog without pictures? OK, still a blog, but not as fun. But Steve got me going again. Thanks Steve!

Just think...a week from Sunday we will be hosting Easter Dinner.

Right now I am not so sure...

Tall breakfast bar. Dislike. It feels like a cubical. Things get knocked off and spilled all the time.

I practically have to lift Kate over my head to put her in her "rocket seat."

I dislike not being able see all the way into the family room. And this is the ledge where everyone piles their...crap.
(And that faucet is all kinds of broken. And so is the dishwasher.)

Steve and I decided to finally do something about all this - if we were replacing dishwashers and faucets, we may as well do all that has bothered us. We could change the levels but new counters would now be required to do this. I got 2 bids for laminate. Both around $1400. A friend suggested a granite fabricator that had a great reputation and their price was right. The bid for fabrication and installation was $1500. The two stone slabs would be another $450-$800. (In a certain price range - it could be way more if I had way expensive taste but I stuck to this price range to keep a reasonable budget.) This seemed like a no-brainer to us - go with the natural stone.

I looked several times over a few weeks and this is what I finally chose - Santa Cecelia. Warm tones of black, brown, cream and amber, but not too yellow. (this picture does it no justice.) Honestly, I love dark dark counters but we are so dusty here, being surrounded by a fair amount of farm land, I just couldn't deal with dark polished stone showing every speck of dust.

This one is closer. But still not accurate.

Months ago I found these bar stools at Goodwill (anticipating that some day we would do the kitchen) that were pretty close to what I wanted for the new bar height. For $15 bucks each I snatched them up and stored them in the garage. Our old bar stools were left here by the precious owner 8 years ago!!

Wednesday I started to rip up counters and Glen, our neighbor and a contractor, would come later that afternoon to cut down the bar and pony wall in preparation for the granite installation Friday. (which turned into a bigger job than anyone anticipated but more on that later.)

Glen comes over to help do the real job of cutting it down.

Turns out there is some unexpected plumbing in the part of the wall that is going bye bye and some weird electrical stuff. (This ends up getting fixed Friday night but causes more problems.)

That afternoon/evening I call the granite fabricator so I can confirm the time on Friday and so I can schedule my plumber.

"Oh, didn't I call you? We had some machinery break down in the shop and we are 2 days behind schedule. Did you make plans for Friday?"

"Yes, because that is the day you scheduled the installation. But, it is a good thing because we found some things that need extra tweaking during my demo. A later install day will be fine."

Glen agrees to jerry-rig the sink so I can keep it working for what looks to be another 6 days.

This left me Wednesday night with a kitchen that looks like this.

Which looks like this during a spring break day with friends over. But at least I have a sink and dishwasher!! I threw a piece of scrap wood over the top of the peninsula to give me a little prep space.

But then Friday night something goes terribly wrong. Turns out my faucet, which we knew was "all kinds of broken" really busted on us during the process of fixing the vent pipe on the reverse side and I had water everywhere.

Which meant Steve got sent to Home Depot for some parts and we had to temporarily install my new faucet on the old jerry rigged sink. With a fan trying to help dry it all out. I have a fair amount of water damage under there - turns out said crummy faucet has been leaking underneath for years and we didn't know. But look, it is such a pretty faucet. And it works properly which is more than I can say about my old one.


Here is the faucet. Final install will be with a stainless under mount 60/40 sink.
Delta
Leland Collection
Brilliance Stainless
I was having a hard time deciding which faucet I wanted but saw this one in Leslie's kitchen renovation and loved it.

Tomorrow we hope to start on a board and batten wainscot/paneling to wrap around the bar and peninsula, paint it, (and the cabinets too) and I hope to continue the panel treatment into the kitchen nook. Who knows...it may keep going and going. But for now we do the bar.

Here's to the new and improved kitchen!!! We spend a lot of time in there, it may as well function how we want!

Daddy Loves Chachi

(You know, if he's good enough for Joanie...)

Mondays make me bonkers. Getting everyone going in the morning and starting a new week after a weekend of fun and then... there is after school from 3 until bedtime. We move non-stop. Snacks. Homework. Gymnastics. Dance class. Dinner. FHE. Oh, and getting to bed by a reasonable hour.

But there are some parts of Monday that are quite sweet. from 6-7pm, Caroline is my little helper while Lindsay is still at gymnastics. She helps me prepare dinner, picks up the family room, and plays with Kate. For this hour, she is the only big sister in the house and I love watching her shine and rise to the occasion. We have a little of this on Wednesdays too. These are special moments I get to carve out with Caroline and I love it.

Kate - demonstrating how to properly enjoy FHE treats. Red Vines and Homemade Oreos

The other part of Monday that I look forward to is Family Home Evening. Sometimes we have a structured prepared lesson, sometimes it is more "free form" but we almost never miss FHE. It is actually the one weekday night we can count on Steve not having to work late and of course there no mutual/Young Women activities for me, no PTO meetings, nothing. My testimony of Monday night FHE is strengthened every week as I realize that our family is getting bigger and busier and Mondays are often the one night we have everyone at home.

For FHE Monday night, we had a heart attack. I got out pink, red, and white cardstock and Caroline helped my organize the art supplies so we could heart attack our kitchen. Everyone was to take several cut out hearts and write things they love on the hearts and then we would put them up all over our kitchen so we can spend Valentine's season celebrating what we love. First everyone went with the obvious -

I love Mommy, I love my sisters, I love my family, Mommy loves Daddy

Then things got a little more creative.

I love ice cream, I love to read, I love Taylor Swift, I love me, Daddy loves Chachi

Yup, that is right. Daddy loves Chachi. I guess if he's good enough for Joanie, he's good enough for Steve! This was so funny - Steve was stumped after making a few hearts so his creativity got the best of him.

Thanks Caroline - excellent work!

And if Daddy gets to love Chachi, I get to love my boots I got at a thrift store Thursday!

The kiddo's Valentine's - get the scoop here!



And not to be outdone by her sisters...

Nana Bean (not really our Nana but a great family friend) made this sweater for a newborn Lindsay. Simpson girl #3 continues to work it!

5th Annual London's Run - and I ran it!!

I ran my first race today, I am super excited, and you get to hear all about it. I have been telling everyone I know that I was planning to run the London's Run this weekend. I was really pumped to try something new but I think I secretly didn't want to chicken out and all these people knowing made me more accountable! Building up to a 10K distance, 6.2 miles, was not easy for me but I did it. I remember the first week of November, emailing Jeannie like I do several times a day, and telling her I had done "just over a mile" and was thrilled. At the end of November I decided I needed a goal to push my running and found that the time-line for this race was perfect. Dear friends (Maddy, Aubry, all the bootcampers, countless others) reassured me I could do it. I have never done anything like this so their love and support helped a ton. Jeannie has been my long distance email cheerleader from the get go and I couldn't do it without her. She is working towards her own first race and I am so proud of her! I have actually been sick since last Saturday, missing boot camp, staying in bed/on couch, not wanting to do anything especially since I couldn't breathe. Steve convinced me that I needed to rest and not push to work out (come on, I said, I can do it - just give me more drugs!) but in the end, he was right. I needed the rest so that I would be better by Saturday.

Yesterday Maddy and I drove out to Queen Creek to pick up our number bibs, race chips, and swag bags. I was getting excited and nervous - probably all the pomp and circumstance of having never been in a race event before. Last night Steve and I went out for a little date night - Pei Wei, frozen yogurt, and a new hot pink Under Armour. Cuz you gotta look good. Thanks Steve!!

This morning we left bright and early and drove into the most gorgeous sunrise.

It was a bit cool (OK, almost cold) and windy when we arrived. I was able to meet up with a couple of friends before the race. We had not planned a meeting place and there were 1000+ runners and their families so it was crazy to say the least.

Me and Sarah - she decided yesterday to register for the run and run with me. She was a bit faster but that is OK - she has been running longer than I have. Sarah, I loved knowing you were there, even a bit ahead of me.

I miss seeing Rebecca - she moved to QC after being in our ward. But I see her every once in a while since her dad is our Bishop. She and Sarah were both part of a group that was sent the wrong direction and probably ran an extra mile.

Several children and their families were introduced before the race began. Since this race started 5 years ago as a way to benefit the family of London while she was fighting cancer, several more kids and their families have been able to benefit from the money raised by this huge event.

The girls loved seeing the Rodeo princesses bring in the flags for the national anthem.

Pre-race family picture. Kate, who sleeps until 10am every morning lately, was not enjoying being up so early. My family was all so supportive - I love them so much!

Soon it was time for the half-marathoners to leave and for the 10K to line up. Then I had a pee emergency. Seriously, I had 5 minutes to run to the j-john's and wait in line with probably 40 other people having the same emergency! I got done with business and ran back to the start where Sarah and Rebecca were waiting. My jacket was wonky. My iPod wasn't prepped. I didn't get a chance to set my watch. And then we were off!

This race was set up on a farm, Schneph Farms, to be exact. This meant it was a mostly unpaved raceway on farm access roads. It wasn't bad to run on dirt- I actually kind of liked it. But we had a mess of rain last week and there was still a lot of mud to dodge. I think this mud prompted the last minute route change that ended up being a problem for some runners. Good thing I was kinda slow - I didn't get caught in the groups going the wrong direction!

It was a fantastic run! I will say I did walk the few feet at the 2 water stations when I was handed water and then to the trash boxes. But that was just a few steps. Turns out I was not so skilled at the being handed a cup and drinking and running thing. The rest of the time I just plowed thru one foot in front of the other. I saw people pass me. I saw people stop to walk. I just kept thinking "slow and steady wins the race." Except I didn't win. Of course. But I was steady and consistent. I had some great music to keep me company so that really helped. Also, along the route there were signs with photos of the kids who we were running for - them with their little bald heads, smiling, hugging friends and family, in hospital beds, but always smiling. The signs had motivational phrases like "Run harder!" and "You can do it!" It made me start to cry several times and made me realize that being tired or sore or having a side cramp was nothing compared to what these kids were going through.

As I started to see the balloon arch from a distance and know I was coming to the last mile, I punched it up a bit and I was so anxious to cross the finish and have one of those "family cheering you on from the sides and scooping you up in their arms at the finish line" moments but it didn't happen this way. I didn't know exactly what to tell Steve as far as my running time and when to expect me - I thought about an 1 hour 20 min. (I had never run this distance so I didn't know what to expect and I had not timed long distances for me enough to have a really good idea - I was expecting to be really at the back of the pack.) But with the race starting a bit sooner than expected and me running 10 minute miles, they missed me! Plus, there was a huge bottle neck under the balloons as we finished because of the messed up route - the faster runners would have finished sooner had they not been mis-directed. It was clogged up, turning in race tags and handing out ribbons. But I found my family eventually and there were for sure hugs all around!

Post race reunion with my favorite little critter! I guess I am the same color as my pink shirt.

Me and Maddy - her first half marathon and I am so proud of her!!!

I will get the official race results when they are on the web tonight but according to my looking at the clock as I crossed the line, it was about 1 hour 12 min. 27 sec. Later I realized I was supposed to subtract 10 minutes because the half was on the same clock and started 10 minutes before us. Thus, I think my time was about 62 min. 27 sec, a 10 minute mile pace. However we all wore chips that will track our official time.

So what did the family do while I was running through the mud and the "scenic" fields of Schnepf Farms? This is a very family friendly event - a $5 pancake breakfast, several bouncers, face painting, reptiles from the AZ Herpetological Society with all sorts of snakes to look at and a giant lizard, turtle, and alligator "petting zoo," several vendors selling boutique items raising money for the cause, a mechanical bull, and a Mesa Police Helicopter to check out and even sit in.




Thanks, Steve, for being so supportive of me and this big new adventure of running! It seems like such a simple sport - go outside and run. You don't need a gym. You don't need special equipment. But I do need time. I can only manage to run first thing in the morning before the rest of the day makes it impossible so he supports me trying to go to bed earlier so I can leave while it is still dark to go and run or go to boot camp, not questioning why new running shoes cost a bloody fortune, new running clothes (more $$), tweaking my iPod playlist for me while I was in bed, and my new whims about being exited for future running events. I was so happy to see everyone but especially Steve when I was finished. He has been so great to me through all of this.

My family (with our bonus daughter Ellie) "crossing" the finish line. I love you guys!! Thanks for supporting me and London's Run!

Ho Ho Ho, who wouldn't go...(I know...it is Jan. 25th)

...to South Carolina to spend 9 days with family during Christmas break? We have been extremely blessed and lucky to get to spend so much time in the east with Steve's family. Our kids look forward to trips like more than Christmas itself, I think. Case in point - in November they made a countdown chain, not to December 25th but December 26th, the morning we would fly to South Carolina and see everyone. I save a couple links of that chain in our Christmas scrapbook.

We got off to a bit of a rough start, forgetting the critter's blanket. This did not make for easy flights at all. Not to mention that around one and a half is the worst age to fly. Poor thing can't be reasoned with and doesn't understand time or why she can't run down the aisle or put her hands in everyone's drinks or that it is OK to fall asleep in someone's arms. (She NEVER does that anymore so she doesn't really know how.) But we managed. The big girls looked like little college kids flying home with Lindsay and her guitar in a gig bag on her back and Caroline with her skateboard and helmet strapped to her backpack.

The big cousin reunion in the Columbia SC Airport, or CAE as we like to call it.

Grandma and Grandpa Simpson are always such gracious hosts and we all have a wonderful time eating and celebrating and playing and eating some more with the occasional group family outing or adventure.

Some highlights of our recent trip:

The kids

Even bigger children

We had a family portrait sitting during this trip - we had all 21 members of Steve's family there for the first time in a couple of years. The last few get togethers someone was always missing. Not this time. A few quick shots while in the lobby of the studio.

Don't you love a good snapshot? Kate was playing with the bronze turtle in the lobby and I think this is just so sweet!

We ate. A lot. I don't know why Pizza take out night is the only picture I have but every dinner was followed by dessert. And I don't mean a single dessert. A dessert buffet. Fudge. Cookies. Pie(s). Italian Cream Cake. Coconut Cake. Chocolate Sheath Cake. I am sure I am missing lots. But Shirley has a system and schedule down for preparing the desserts for all of us. And we are ever so thankful. What would a night be without a slice of coconut cake and fudge, I ask?

The kids played Playstation. The front room/den was the kids domain. In here they played video games, watched movies, and planned and schemed and imagined together for 9 days straight. Everyone happens to be actually dressed in this picture but I dare say this is rare as PJ's all day was pretty much the norm!

One day I caught this. I had to take a picture. It didn't last long.

A few of the kids decorated gingerbread cookies - Caroline loved getting to spend time with Mary, the other kindergarten cousin - we just adore her!


We managed to find a blankie at Target similar to the one left at home - thank goodness because there is a reason we call it her happy blankie - it makes (and keeps) the girl happy! Cozette was a fun little companion and Kate enjoyed keeping up with her and trading pacifiers.

State Museum - this is a fantastic museum that has so many entertaining elements - touring exhibits (this time featuring dinosaurs) Civil War history, Science, and this time we were also able to see a traveling exhibit from the Holocaust Museum in DC. The exhibit featured the "science" of the superior race theory, Eugenics, that the Nazi Germany perpetuated. It was horrifying to say the least, especially when I saw a photograph of a child being examined by a physician - a child with misshapen feet much like Kate's. It was documented that this child had been euthanized because of this "deformity." All I could do is stand there and cry realizing what a miracle it was that Kate's feet are essentially corrected after a year of medical care and so many children as well as adults were killed because of things like this. My heart was broken.

Anyway, mostly it was a lot of fun!


On another day, we paid a visit to Eddie at the Edventure Children's Museum. Hard to tell from this picture (his wrist watch is the size of a large wall clock) but Eddie is big. You can climb up inside of his head, his brains, his sinuses, and slide down to the bottom. I am sure you pass other inside guts along the way; I have never been all the way in!



The Piggly Wiggly is always a good time for the kids.



A little outpatient procedure by Chief Surgeons Bobby and Caroline.

We spent all week trying to get Kate to let Bill hold her. This was the first time she would let him touch even her hand. Grandpa Bill is the sweetest most gentle and tender man...and of course Kate kept her distance. She eventually came around!

"Make your own Soda" pseudo science.

I think this crew thinks they are the most famous bunch of cousins on the planet!


Our New Year's Eve bash hosted by the Simpson Cousins included a talent show, scavenger hunt, dancing and of course lots of tasty treats!

This is Steve and his laptop doing I don't know what and Jeannie trying to decide what to eat first. And second. And third. Don't worry - I was right there with Jeannie. 'cept this time I was holding the camera.

Friday and Saturday left everyone wanting to get out of the house and play! I asked if there were places to hike or fun nature walks and Bill suggested this walk (he said this is where all the "trendy runners" go!) - a lake with a walking path and gorgeous views all around. The dam was 1.7 miles across and we parked at one end, did the walk, played near the lake with the kids and walked back. It was cold. It was windy. And it was fantastic. Jeannie and I each tried to make it a real workout and ran portions of it, sometimes by ourselves, sometimes with the kids, and for a while, I had a kid on my back. We all earned a trip to Hudson's BBQ on the way home!

Saturday we divided and conquered. One group (Steve and Caroline were part of this group) went to a National Forest area with a cold weather walk to see the swamp area of the Congaree River. I hear it was a great walk and definitely a fun but chilly time.

The other group (which was Me, Lindsay, Kate, Jeannie, & Kayleigh went out to lunch and shopping at the mall. We found a great sandwich shop - Which Wich - I highly recommend. Lindsay says it is "even better than Subway!" (her favorite.)I think most anything is better than Subway.

Eventually this trip had to come to an end. We spent 9 days staying up late and sleeping in, playing all day, eating and eating again, sharing family stories, playing games (Mostly Apples to Apples) and having just the best time with the whole family.

Thank you Bill and Shirley for making this trip possible! We love and adore you! I do have this last thing to say - Jeannie had the epiphany of the week - when considering all the trips to the grocery store to buy not only real staples but the junk food requested by the grandkids, Jeannie said that Bill loves to buy the kids all the yummy fun stuff because he gets to eat it for a week too! I must say, it is a pretty liberal food policy when we ask the kids how many Popsicles they have eaten for the day and we try our best to limit them to 3 or 4!!

At the airport, Kate let Grandpa Bill hold her for a moment. Victory!

And this just might be my favorite picture from the whole trip.