Ughhhh...

So we went to the house tonight to see if anything else has been done and I went right to the fireplace and....they installed the wrong mantel.  I just wanted to turn around and walk out and pretend I didn't see it...
I know this is going to involve a fight, I just know it.  The builder has made several mistakes already as well as *assumptions* on what I wanted rather than consulting me and this is one example.  It looks NOTHING like what we discussed..absolutely nothing and I'm so frustrated right now...I get so frustrated with our builder because they don't EVER ask how to make it right or apologize for making a mistake.  They just say things like ,"Tough deal with it" We have had to literally fight tooth and nail to get everything fixed that was wrong with this house.  They have never once been customer service oriented-never once and that's why I'm dreading this tomorrow...
Darryl could sense I was so done. .He told me to find a picture of what we discussed, email it to him and he'll deal with it.  He thrives on this kindof stuff-I absolutely hate it and am not looking forward to what tomorrow brings with this situation.
Good thing I had some ice cream in the freezer...

It's getting there...

Here is the house as of last Saturday.  The hardwoods were beginning to get installed and check out the new fireplace-doesn't it look great!  Much, much better than the last one they installed. ( If your curious what the last one looks like it's on some previous posts about the house.)  It did require them to take all the brick out and rebuild it all but it was so worth it.  This one fits the scale of the room so much better.  I'm so glad Darryl fought for this because it really looks 100x better.

And part of our kitchen with the MICROWAVE finally some peace with the microwave(and yes it's Kenmore Elite just as I wanted-I didn't back down)  We are still waiting on the island quartz because the island cabinets had to be rebuilt.  I'll spare you the details because really I don't want to relive it...

I can't wait to move in!!!!

What do you think?

I've been thinking about this for several weeks and I still can't come up with an answer, so I'm asking you dear reader for some help...
You see, I'm thinking of starting to sell Avon.  Why you ask?
Well, for several years I was using mineral makeup from the main company that markets mineral makeup(you know who I'm talking about).  It was fine, It did it's job but it's really expensive.  So, I started researching other companies and looking at reviews(I love to read reviews) and Avon kept coming up.  Whoa..wait a minute.  You mean Avon..like the Avon where the ladies come to your door with their little catalog and hound you, Avon?  No thanks...
So, I kept researching and got some books from the library called, Don't Go to the Cosmetic Counter Without Me hoping I could find some professional reviews about makeup products that were more frugal economical. I, out of curiosity, turned to her section on Avon and she had great things to say about most of the products sold by Avon.  So, I thought I would give it another look.  I contacted a local representative, scored a catalog, and went online to look at their website.  I loved that they had a review feature on their products(I told you I love personal reviews) and ordered several products thinking that they were cheap economical enough that I felt like if I didn't like them well..I wouldn't be losing to much and it would be a lesson learned.  Well, I received them and I loved them!!  Dare I say..more than the other expensive company I've been shelling out my money to for several years.  So, I got more and I've loved everything I've received.  I mean seriously, I bought lipstick for $2.99!  Yes, I probably could get it cheaper if I did the CVS crazy coupon thing and spent hours and hours trying trying to maximize my coupons, ECB and things in stock.  And even so, I do believe the quality of the Avon was of the same caliber of my expensive products.
So, I'm thinking of signing up to sell Avon.  I like there products and I wouldn't mind a little jingle in my pocket.  I'm really good at picking colors and hairstyles for people seeing as that was my profession for many years(and I still dabble in it).   Here's my issue though...
Don't those people drive you crazy?  You know the ones I'm talking about.  The friends that have a home based business and are always trying to sell you something.  The ones were your heart starts fluttering and you start sweating when they start coming your way because you don't know if they are just coming to talk or they want to urge you to host a party at your home...you know what I'm talking about, don't you dear reader?
I DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT.  I can't do that and I won't.  What I do like is that people can order through a website I can set up through Avon so their is no pressure there.  But, I'm nervous to even tell my friends that I sell because I'm scared they are going to think I'm going to turn into some crazy person...
So, what do I do?  How do I do this and let people know in a non-confrontational way but make them aware if they want to order something or want a catalog or want advice, great but in no way do I assume they 1. want this product and 2. that I won't be hounding them and they can rest assure that I will still want to be their friend it they don't purchase anything, ever..
Help, please dear reader...should I even do this?

My Mother's Day

My Mother's Day was so great this year.  It really is every year because I'm really so grateful to be a mother to my amazing, loving, funny, thoughtful children and feel blessed that God has entrusted me to raising these boys....  First,  I woke up to hugs and kisses and cuddles(my favorite way to wake up).  

                  Then I read these:

Then Darryl bought me a sweet present.  We have this really neat Antique Collectable store that just opened near us and I have frequented it numerous times already(you'll see some furniture we purchased from there when we move).  Anyway, I've been eyeing this painting for several weeks and brought Darryl to look at it.  He didn't like it so I didn't buy it....well..he bought it me for Mother's Day.  I love it!!

Meet Bessie...

Then after church we drove to Hickory, NC(which is the capitol of furniture making in the U.S.) for their  semi-annual after market sale.  We are in the market for a new sofa and loveseat for the living room and I thought this would be a great place to start.  We went to a HUGE furniture mall that was quite frankly overwhelming.  We didn't get there until around 4pm and the mart was closing at 6pm so I was racing around like a chicken with my head cut off.  One of the receptionists mentioned that they were having a drawing for prizes and we should enter seeing as though it was only 1/2 hour from the drawing so we figured we should.

WELL...I WON!!!.

A brand new Hitachi hybrid dvd camcorder!  I screamed I was so excited!  We have been wanting one of these for quite awhile seeing that we have been lugging around a huge, older camcorder.  We also won 4 tickets to Carowinds so the boys were really excited about that as well. 

Our day was busy but so much fun.  First, taking time to worship our Lord in a new place that I really felt God's presence.  Then, to recieve these special gifts made with children's hands and love.  And then to win something that has been on my mind for several months-God is so good!

It was a great day!

Strawberry Fields

We hit the strawberry fields yesterday with some friends for our annual strawberry pickin' trip.  The boys had a great time, mostly playing with their friends.  Matthew was great at staying consisent with pickin' but Nick..well..he was mostly interested in eating the strawberries, not picking...

Note Matthew's pants and fingers..he was covered in strawberries.  (I was worried because I didn't pretreat any of the stains on his shorts but I washed them today and all the stains came out-my homemade laundry detergent rocks!)








Check out Mr. Sporty...he was over this 5 minutes after we got there.  He just wanted to play with his friends but he kept on for mommy (-:



We only picked 2 gallons because..well..because I was to busy socializing to pick myself.  So, we may go back next week and pick some more so I can make some freezer jam.  The farm we visited was a new stop for all of us and it was very close to where we live so it's no big deal to run out there. We just finished  our last jar of strawberry jam  from last spring and it was soooo good I have to make it again.  There is nothing like having the taste of summer on your toast in the middle of winter.

Email

If you have a question for me or need to email me for any reason, I've put my email address on the sidebar.
But..I've included it here as well (-:
i-choosejoy@hotmail.com

I'm still alive..

Just so busy lately.  I feel like I have so much to do and so little time.  The clock is ticking on the house and should(FINGERS-CROSSED) be finished by the end of this month.  We are finishing up our school year hopefully by the middle to end of this month(we school year round but very loosely in the summer).  But, I'm hoping to take about a month off of schooling totally(except math, Bible and reading) so that we can move and get adjusted...
Will update more later...