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some male bonding is going on at our house.

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demolition of our closet.
all the plaster and lath had to come out.
and the boys were happy to do it.
this looks like a bad photo…
but they are covered in dust and the air is full of dust too.

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the door on the right is the closet door.
the door on the left is the door to the new bathroom.
the bags in the middle are only half of them just from that closet!
and the blurry man is who i like to call my personal Bob Villa…
or maybe Ty Pennington is more appropriate?
craig seems to enjoy demolition.
no surprise there.
we have officially moved out of our bedroom till this project is done.
you can see why…
a lovely layer of dust on everything.

melissa @ the inspired room - Looks like some fun stuff going on around there!!!

kim in Camas - ScrapToMyLu - oooh, love that brown color…….what is it?
Great photo shoot with that baby! I could just feel the squeezes.

Mallory Heffron - o.k. first of all, I want to come over and help bang on some walls. I am having a bad day and that sound like fun… I love the color on your walls. Do you mind telling me what color it is? There is noting worse than trying to pick out a paint color….it’s just easier to see something and copy……

danelle - oh! i can’t wait to see it when it’s done!!!!

carissa - how great that they are able to tackle it… together! some good ‘ol boy bonding indeed!

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Hmmmmmm… there are many mornings I’d like to pound on the walls with a hammer. 🙂 You guys look really busy… the dust will eventually clear and you’ll be able to relax in a nice new bathtub, right??? Yippee!!!! ~Jill

chris - Looks like fun, oh but the dust , it doesn’t take much disruption to make a ton of dust.

Jennifer P. - Boys + hammers= big grins! SO sweet! My boys had a good time demolitioning when we were in that phase too, but I don’t think knocking holes in drywall is anywhere near as exciting as plaster and lathe! So excited to see how it all turns out!

traci - how exciting!!! Dust everywhere and you have a WHITE comforter..YIKES!!!

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a few days

saturday…

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look what we learned from emily.
she makes everything look like fun.
i get at least one great idea every week.
my kids loved the cooked-on designs.
craig made me a $ sign “cause you’re so money”
hee hee hee

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friday…

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we took the kids for pizza.
does it look gross?
it was.
as they all were going bonkers in the car on the way home
craig said “remind me again why we take them out to eat.”
hmmmm.

thursday….

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annie got to play with friends all morning.
they are such creative little girls.
their moms don’t let them watch much tv…
i wonder if that’s related to how imaginative they are?
(i will pretend i didn’t notice that.)

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we had a beautiful spring evening.
sunset is my favorite time of day.
the glow of the sun just makes everything yellow.
our poor bunny.
annie loves on him more than he would like…
but i think he’s happy to be out of his cage at the same time.

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birthday gifts came in the mail.
craig’s new ties from the tie bar.
(great online source for ties…btw)
he has to wear a suit everyday so he gets excited about this.
then we even had a rare 10 minutes where our daughter was speaking to us.
(and even smiling and being silly)
she asked “how do you tie one of those?”
she got a lesson from a pro.
and had to take a self portrait (1 of 100 that day i’m sure)

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wednesday….

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photo by annie.

melissa @ the inspired room - Wait, you have a bunny? My son wants a bunny. And a gerbil. I don’t care for rodents. But I could love me a bunny. Should we get one?

Chaos-Jamie - Great pic of you two! Annie has talent!

Allikayes Mama - Once again, your photos belong in magazines! You ARE money, girl!!

Jilly - I love the picture of daughter and dad. That is one that should be framed for sure. Just the sweetest. I love all that you do! Thanks for bringing the corners of my lips up today!

Mrs. Fox - 🙂 We made pancakes on Saturday too. Poor bunny makes me think of the old Warner Brother’s cartoon with the Abominable Snowman: “I will hug him and love him and call him George.”

Jennifer P. - Oh Meg–how I’ve missed looking at your blog for the past week. I’ve been kind of wrapped up in learning life lessons and the sort, but as soon as I popped in here and looked at your beautiful photography–everything just seemed happy! Thanks for having the eye you do!

Jill (One Wired Woman) - My favorite photo is dad breaking out the old “Windsor Knot 101” with daughter… That really is a sweet picture. She is a very pretty young lady. ~Jill

emily loria - Thanks for the kudos Meg! That picture of you and your hubby is so nice! Your eyes are glowing!

traci - the picture of you and your husband is adorable. blow that baby up!!! pancakes looks very yummy – what a cute idea to initial them.

traci - OK, I had no idea you had a bunny. what are the negatives about having one? My daughter wants one and I just dont think it is a pratical family pet…am I wrong?
Looks like a fabulous weekend…and you got bonus excitement when your daughter was talking to you..lol. My oldest daughter is approaching that “age” but she isnt there yet. We are still VERY TALKATIVE but rarely says things I find appropriate or amusing..OH FUN.
Great mommy/daddy picture by annie

Crystal - Cuuute!!! You all are so CUTE! Love the look on that little bunny! 🙂 Now I will have to post the daisy eggs we use for breakfast sandwiches… 🙂

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construction

this is the craft room.

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this was the west side before…

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then i cleared it out.

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and covered everything up.

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and the new bathroom construction began.

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we’re spliting the craft room in half.
there will be a wall between the bathroom and craft side.
this room was a sleeping porch (long ago)
so the floor was built sloped – a 4 inch difference.
that’s why we had to take the floor up to even it out.
we had to do the same thing in our kitchen below this room
for the same reason.
(and by WE i mean the contractor…we haven’t done a thing.)

i will try not to over post about this project.
but i am so excited i can almost feel the bubble bath now.
we have yet to pick all the tile and fixtures.
and i am picky.
poor craig.

chris - That is very exciting, can’t wait to see.

Allison - That will be a fun endeavour! Can’t wait to see it finished–knowing your eye for style I wll covet it, I am sure!

traci - how exciting. please post about the construction. i love seeing the progress. plus you have a wonderful style and i get ideas from ya.

Jenny Pocknall - How fun!
And I am insanely jealous you have a craft room! I am alway feeling guilty for taking up most of the dining room table.
Please blog continually about it.

melissa @ the inspired room - I too cannot wait to see it all unfold! Our someday master bathroom (currently a kids bathroom) slopes too! You go downhill when you come in. We will have to remedy it someday. So many things to do ‘someday’.
Big news on my blog today. 🙂
xo

carissa - glorious construction… HA!
it will all be so worth it!
you’re a bathtub… soaking kind of gal i take it?

kristin - i can see it now…you’ll be sewing in the bathtub.
: )

Jenn - Hey I actually get to be the first to comment. I am so excited for you, you will just love having your own bathroom away from the kids. You deserve that after all these years. Can’t wait to see how that old dresser works as a sink base. You come up with such creative ideas. It is good to have a neighbor close by to inspire you. Jenn

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“it’s gonna be a great house”

this amazing house was 2 houses down from the b&b in OK.
it was so beautiful (once)
and so sad at the same time.

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it was tall and grand.
you can’t tell from the picture how big it really was.
i can imagine how it looked when someone was proud to own it.
i wonder who it was.

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there were details and extras on everything.
and everything was overscale.
it’s sad that it is so run down…to the point of no return most likely.
there are holes in the roof which ruined all 3 stories of wood floors.
the gigantic porch lights and columns were FULL of bird nests.
the porch was full of holes and i was worried i may fall through.
and the worst part…when we peeked in the windows…
inside it’s totally stripped of almost all it’s woodwork.

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it’s for sale….
any takers?
you may want to watch the money pit first.
i love that movie…
although sometimes it hits a little too close to home.

Amber - That house is so beautiful it hurts

melissa @ the inspired room - I cannot believe the price of that place! You could NEVER get a house like that in ANY CONDITION for that price in Portland Oregon. That is a real deal. But, then again, I did watch Money Pit. It hits close to home too, so I would think twice. But what a fun project if you had plenty of money!

Liz - That must have been one stunning residence in its heyday.

Liz - Whoa. There are a hundred stories in that old place to be sure. What beautiful pictures, I surely hope no one tears it down. Great post.

Mamazboyz - I just found your site..we’re a lot alike…I love all your scrapbooking pages..Do you do digital or the “real” thing..just curious..What a great idea to display them..I might have to do the same…Instead of looking at books when I’m I’ve lost my creative juices..I think I’ll head to your website..they look GREAT!! Come and visit me…

emily loria - What an interesting old house. I wonder how it got to be in the shape it is in. I bet it would take triple the price of the house to fix it and make it liveable. The details are fun though, It would be fun to get my hands on that house and make it amazing!

traci - wow – it really is a beautiful house. i just love all the details. i went to the realtor site and looked at all the pictures. i would love a house like that.

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Wow… if that house could only talk. I bet it has some really great and some really sad stories… like when its woodwork was be ripped out. Hope someone with a great vision & lots of energy makes the purchase. 🙁 ~Jill

Jenny Pocknall - I looked at the realtor’s site. It seems awfully cheap for a house that size, even if it is really run down…. Or maybe Sydney is one of the most expensive places to live in the world. If you wanted to get anything half way decent in Sydney, you are looking at $600,000 plus. Maybe I will move over there.

jeanetta - oooh i’m in love! if only i had an unlimited supply of money it would make the relationship perfect. its so sad when beautiful houses like that are left.

Allikayes Mama - You are a wonderful photographer!! I always love to just see your pictures – and then as an added bonus- you’re such a great and fun writer too!! That is an amazing house – bittersweet?

Jenny - What a beautiful house, I want to buy it too! … and I’m in Australia!!
PS: I’ll just take the opp to say I love your blog & your sense of style – gorgeous!

Lanny Stanard - Oh my goodness, I love that house. Just think back in the day,when life was happy for it… I’m betting it was a grand house how sad. I wish I had alot of money so I could buy that house, and make it happy again but,sorry no money…
Lanny

chris - What a house , they don’t even come close now days, could you imagine all that detail work, incredible, thank you for sharing it , I am in awe.
It’s a real shame to see something so beautiful in such disrepair,how much are they asking for that place?

traci - ohhhhhh , how I love this place and all places like it!!! Its a crime in my opinion to not care for a place like this. You all should buy it…I bet you could get a great deal and you are fabulous with design!!!

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birthday backwards

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we ended craig’s birthday with strawberry cake at 8:30.
we didn’t eat dinner till 8:00…on a school night!
it was just a busy day.
there are always lots of helpers to blow out candles.

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earlier in the day we took in some sun.
bubble guns are too cool.

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i picked up the kids from grandma’s on monday morning.
poor annie had so much fun she just conked out.
her seat belt doubles as a pillow.

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craig’s birthday gift from me was a weekend alone.
our parents took the kids for the whole weekend!
thank you so much…it was fabulous.
we pretended we were young and cool and kid-less.
we worked on the house, we went out, we cooked grown up food.
i think craig’s birthday weekend was pretty great.
he agrees.

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and these are just a few happy pics of the craft room all cleaned up on saturday.
it doesn’t look like this anymore.
i’ll show you soon what’s going on in there.
now…i MUST get out in that sunshine.

melissa @ the inspired room - Wait, birthday backwards? Does that mean he is not 34 but 43?
Pretending we are young, hip, cool and childless is one of our favorite things to do. We hardly ever get to experience it though. Good times!!
Sounds like a perfect happy birthday!

Crystal - my honey would LOVE that cake…how did you make it? He has a birthday coming up soon and I have been looking for the perfect strawberry cake… 🙂
Have a great day friend!
🙂

Diane - Happy Bday to your hubby.
Gorgeous pictures, my goodness!
As always…drooling over your beautiful home and trying to train my eyes to good decorating.
Have a terrific week.

the-queeens-castle - Hey Meg,
Happy birthday to your hubby.
Passing on some fun…..
YOU’VE BEEN TAGGED….
It’s as easy as 1,2,3!!
1. Pick up the book nearest to you & go to page 123.
2. Find the fifth sentence.
3. Type & post the next three sentences after the fifth one.
Then pass it on!

chris - It always looks so fun at your house, a weekend at home all grown up again ,wow sounds good, the food looks so yummy.
Chris

Mrs. B - Hi! I just discovered your blog. It looks great! I love the pictures from your home and am so jealous of your craft room!

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Wow… what a great idea to have a grown-up weekend!! Those potatoes are making me moan just looking at them! See my latest blog post and you’ll see why. One last observation… when I first caught sight of that ribbon madness, I thought of myself! That is just so me. You’ve inspired me to organize. Happy Birthday Mr. Whatever!! 🙂 ~Jill

candy - That cake looks so YUMMY, not to mention the plate of food. 🙂 Glad ya’ll had a great weekend. You take the best pictures!! They are always so bright and colorful, cheers me up. 🙂

Lee Ann - hooray for Grandparents! Sounds like a fabulous weekend. Strawberry cake is my fave. Love the picture of Talby and the bubbles.

Lisa - Happy Birthday to your husband. I have to let you know I read your blog almost everyday and have come to love (in a blog reader way) your sweet family. Annie has such a laugh out loud character about her. Everytime I see a story or picture with her in it I ususally laugh out loud. Thanks for such a great blog and sharing your family tales with us.
Take Care,
Lisa

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“what’s the birthday boy’s name?”

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happy birthday honey.
you are my best friend.
you are so funny.
you are smart and you are caring…in a manly way.
i am the luckiest girl in the world.

are you embarrassed enough yet?

oh one more thing…
you are HOT!
happy birthday.

Chicago Jen - Happy Belated birthday Craig. Sorry we missed it, I was in Honduras and Dave had the kids all week. If Meg did what I told her to, you probably didn’t miss us. love ya

Chicago Jen - Sorry to have missed your birthday. I was in Honduras and Dave had the kids all week. If Meg did what I told her to do, you probably didn’t miss my birthday wishes.

traci - happy birthday to meg’s man!!!

Craig's mom - Happy 34th! Glad to hear you can still dunk a basketball….such good memories we have of your basketball days and how fun to see Scott developing a love for the game like you did when you were his age. Have a great year!

Shannon - Happy Birthday little brother!! I love you, Shannon

traci - that is a very nice picture and I just noticed you two have the SAME SMILE!!! How funny. Hope you guys have a great birthday celebration!!!

carissa - you are too funny!
Happy Birthday Meg’s honey! 🙂
May this be your best year yet!!! blessings!

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Happy Birthday!! We all love your wife’s blog. You guys make a cute couple. I think my hubby is already a little jealous of my new blog. He thinks I’m spending more time with the keyboard than him. 🙂 ~Jill

mom - Happy Birthday,Craig. Hope your day is terrific.
(what a great picture!)

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that was weird.

we went for a walk
so we could see this.

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it’s hard to see
but half of this great big old tree just blew over in the wind.
it must have been so loud.

we continued on our walk
and came home with this.

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he followed us all the way home.
no one was looking for him.
we gave him a bath and brushed him.
we fed him a hot dog.

all the kids loved on him all evening.
they wanted to keep him so badly.

i called the humane society the next day
and got a call back from the supposed “owner.”

s.o: “i let the dog out and my wife is so worried. is he really really tiny?”
me: “no…he’s small but not tiny”
s.o: “but is he a puppy?”
me: “like a baby? no…he has gray hair all over his back”
s.o: “but is his hair shaved?”
me: “no…he looks like he needs a haircut really bad?”
s.o: “i’ll be right over”

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?????
is it just me or did he just describe a completely different dog?

he showed up at my door a few minutes later.
his car died in my driveway.
he was a big dude.
he said “oh yeah that’s him. that’s jackson! thanks”
he took the dog and left.
just like that…no questions or small talk.
it was over so quick.

i am wondering if he was going to try
the old switcheroo on his wife.
like on ‘meet the parents’ with mr. jinxy.

oh well…it’s not my problem right?
i kept him from getting run over by a car.
and sometimes that’s all you can do.

traci - that’s crazy – either he doesn’t pay very close attention to details or he’s pulling the switcharoo and he’s going to be in big trouble.

Amy Bell - I read your post and laughed so hard…you gave it a hot dog? that is so funny…and the Mr. Jinxy..I was thinking the same thing! Oh poor “jackson”…that story was funny, really funny. I am so wishing he had a tag!

Liz - Sounds very dodgy. Poor “Jackson” and what a pity he didn’t have a dog tag on his collar with his owner’s details.

Blanca - Oh that sounds fishy to me too. How did the dog react to him? By the way he looks like my little Daisy. I sure hope he went to the right home.
Blanca

traci - sounds fishy to me!!!

hipmomofboyz - That sounds a little strange…But I guess anyone that owns a little yorkie is kinda weird….Oh Yea, that me..I have a little 2 pound yorkie, but I think I could describe her better than that…
Jinxy

Jill (One Wired Woman) - Hummmm…. the “Mr. Jinxy Theory”… I think you may be on to something. You did all that you could though. Sounds like the kind of guy you wouldn’t want to argue with. You saved this little yorkie’s life. Kudos to you! Meg, the pet detective… your new moniker!! 🙂 ~Jill

emily loria - That is so strange about that dogs owner, you’d think he would be able to discribe it better than that! Bizarre.
I love your donut shop pictures, I love those old fashioned mom n’ pop shops that have stood the test of time– they are my favorite shops to visit, and those donuts look so yummy. Lucky. Did they give you free samples??
P.S. I hate American Idol too.

julie - Very weird. Poor dog, or poor wife, or poor real owners of dog…

cynthia - be glad…my mom has 2 of those and they are high maintenance!
that did sound a little fishy too.
i still would have been sad.

amy - That is my kind of dog! So cute! I saw Talby and Sean playing with him in front of our house and wondered where he came from. Were you sad to give him back?

danelle - Cute dog! I wanna put him in my pocket.

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