We started this weekend on our floor renovation by ripping up the carpet on our stairs. The underside of the carpet looked like someone had peed on every step. Probably just an effect of all of the carpet cleaning we’ve done in the past four years, although I do remember a few potty training incidents. . . . We’re using the same wood that’s been under the stairs but because of the inferior grade and the gaps between the stringer and the actual steps, we have a lot of work to do.  After puttying over screws, sanding, and priming, putting expanding foam in the gaps and then caulking, our plan is to paint the risers white and the runners a deep brown that will look nice with our new floors. And all of this needs to be done by the time Kate’s wedding rolls around. It’s hard work and it looks pretty bad right now but yesterday I kept on being reminded of the great outcome. On an HGTV commercial I saw Vern Yip sitting on a staircase with the same aesthetic I’m hoping to achieve. Later I did a little bit of research on this type of project and came across this website that had great pictures and advice. It was nice to be able to encourage Alan with those pictures. Sometimes he has a difficult time visualizing and can be a little afraid of the end result. Being inspired by the website we found, we decided to take pictures too. I’m sure those and the other 300 pictures on our camera right now (including balloon pictures from Freedom Weekend Aloft) will be uploaded at some point in the future. No guarantees.

It’s been almost a week since I set my alarm. It worked one morning and then it hit me that setting my alarm invariably makes my day seem ten times longer. And about 20 times crappier. On Thursday, I got up after I finished feeding Bea. I figured I was already awake at 5:45, I might as well go for it. I had breakfast, showered, read my little devotion. And spent some time with Alan talking about what each other’s day was going to look like. And then Lucy, sensing there was someone up and about got up. Not so bad. I mean, I was READY for the kids. I had a kind of “bring it on” bravado coursing through my veins. I might have had coffee that morning too. Yeah, I did. I remember having to run to the bathroom just about every 10 minutes. Max got up. Everyone ate at the table instead of munching on cereal as they watched TV. I was feeling good about myself. It’s those small victories. And because I was ready, I was able to leave the house to go to Wal-Mart at 8:30! Wow. I’m still impressed by it. I needed to pick up a few items for a dinner I was taking a friend who just had a baby. I got back from Wal-Mart around 9:30 or 10. The kids watched a show. Bea went down for her nap. Around 11, I got a call from Alan saying he managed to lose his car keys. Just his car keys. So I needed to go to his office and give him my set. I figured since we were doing okay on money we’d leave as soon as Bea got up and drive the thirty minutes over to Taylors and pick up lunch on the way, planning on eating at Alan’s office. All went according to plan. We visited for a few minutes. I looked for the keys. And I went home. Of course, the kids are zonked and all three fall asleep in the car. Which meant that when we actually get home and I’m bushed, no one wanted to take more than a 30 minute nap. Which meant that I’m a little crabby. On top of all of this. I forgot to pick up my Zoloft refill and I’d skipped a day. And come to find out, I was PMSing (This link is of an SNL Commercial and is rated PG-13). Anyway, I was one cranky mother. Oh. I didn’t mention that I put the dinner in the crock pot and by the time I got home from Alan’s office, it had majorly overflowed. Later, when I needed to finish the rest of the sides for dinner, my kids were tired and cranky from not having napped. I just wanted to leave and go far far away. I ended up going by myself to drop off dinner and stayed longer than would most in the same situation. I remarked to my friend, “I wish I could eat here. I don’t want to go home.”

Bottom Line: Things started out great and then went to POT! It also made me realize what I want for Christmas–a Keurig hot beverage maker or whatever. It’s expensive but would be really nice to have around. And I wouldn’t have to waste so much coffee or have the hassle of cleaning up! I also realized that if I was guaranteed a nap, waking up early would be a great lifestyle change.