I want a new camera

I need help convincing John that I need a new camera. Mine doesn't work well enough to make me happy. It doesn't do well in low light and zooming is terrible. SO.......if you talk to John (feel free to email him) tell him, subtly, that his wife needs a new camera. Our anniversary is coming up. 17 years!! I have put up with him for a long, long time. I deserve a new car and all I'm asking for is a camera. And don't let him tell you I'm getting a new house. That does NOT count!

And what am I getting John for our anniversary, you ask. I don't know yet. I was thinking about a new truck. What do ya think?

As long as you don't go inside

.....it looks all done. There is not much left. Carpet. Finishing the hardwoods. Shelving in the closets. Tile around the master bathtub. And that's it. Good grief, we may actually move in this month. So, if you live in Virginia start lifting weights in prep for helping with the big move! Although, I am thinking of tossing everything out and starting over.

I got to help someone do some interior painting today. I love to paint. It got me all excited about painting my CEILINGS, and all the rooms. So, again, if you're a friend in Virginia, you've got that to look forward to also. And I'm guessing if you're a friend in Virginia, you will no longer be taking calls from the Thompsons.

I need to take a minute to brag on Ethan. His school is taking him and several other students out to eat on Monday because they made a PERFECT score on the SOL (Standards of Learning) test last May. And I don't know why they chose to call it the SOL test. Beyond me! Way to go Ethan!! After dinner they will return to the school for an awards ceremony.

While I'm bragging on Ethan, I should just take a quick moment to tell you all what wonderful parents John and I are. We had parent/teacher conferences this week. John, Ethan, and Emily are doing quite well academically. All of the teachers took an extra moment to express their gratitude to John and I for having such wonderful children. So, to the world, I say.....you're welcome, we'll keep up the good work.

Flashback Not Quite Friday

It's hard to believe they used to be so little. Aren't they cute?? This is December 2003 right before John went to Iraq. This was a very good Christmas. I even got jewelry!

Is progress in the toilet?

Yes, actually, it is!!! We have plumbing!

Dishwasher!! I have been without one for a long time and I still know what one looks like. I wonder if I will remember how to operate one?? Maybe the kids will.

Emily wants everyone to know we have running water.

I love to stand in the laundry room. It is the most done of all the rooms. I can pretend that the house is finished and I am waiting for my handsome delivery man to deliver my washer and dryer.

Let there be light...

We may actually be able to move in sometime soon. We are looking at closing the middle of October. Really! Yeehaw!! It's good to see some of the final work getting done. It just makes me feel so good!

The Paint

Well, here it is. I know it doesn't look that bad, but ceilings ARE supposed to be WHITE!! It does look better now that some of the trim is painted white, but I haven't been able to bring myself to take any more pictures. AND there's not really anything new besides the trim. Are they moving too slowly or does painting really take that long. They will not be finished by the end of September.

Emily started dance this week. Very exciting! She is taking ballet and jazz. Loves it! Ethan's teacher quit this week. Today is her last day. He is not very happy. She is the teacher that he hoped he would get. It was a hard day for him when he found out. Hopefully, his new teacher will be just as lovely.

Alright, I am going to try to go back to sleep. I woke up at 3 and couldn't go back to sleep. I will be grouchy today and jittery from too many sodas. But I get to sleep in tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it.

Alright, I am over feeling sorry for myself and ready to sociable again. A few things happened last week that just got the best of me. John was almost activated and sent to Baghdad. Some things went horribly wrong with the house that I can't fix until we move in. For one, in some GREAT misunderstanding the ceiling got painted the same color as the walls. Kind of an off white color. Cost to fix $2000. In the budget? No! &%#@%$#!!!!! Very frustrating! And a couple of other minor little things. It was just one thing after another. BUT, things are going well this week. John is not going back to Iraq. The house is getting finished, however slowly. And I will paint the ceilings as soon as we close.