Construction Day 2

So, here is yeasterday's work. As you can see we got a new water heater. Our old 40 gallon one had a bad thermostat and was 14 years old so we upgraded to a 50 gallon new one. Not the most glam change but I love it cuz I love to soak in the tub with really hot water. This is one thing where bigger really is better, in my opinion.
We also replaced a couple of valves and water lines below a sink in our bathroom but I didn't put pics cuz everyone knows what that looks like. If you don't then go take a look under your own sink and that will give you a pretty good idea.

We also got a new door put on the pantry. Yes, this is to replace the door that had a doggie entrance in it. Allowing animals into the panty is about the most disgusting idea anyone has ever had. I just don't get it. Talk about unsanitary. If you can think of something more gross please leave me a comment about it.

And last but not least, we had a new front door put on the house. I have to admit, I was not on board with the new front door. I thought the old one was fine but Brian really wanted a door with glass to let in a bit of light. So, I thought that I would humor him since he humors me all the time when I request he do odd things for me that he sees no logic in doing. I, also, have to admit, that I really like the new door with the light coming in. And it will look even better once I paint it red. I am adamant about having a red door. Just something that Brian gets to humor me with. Here, I also included some during pictures for your viewing enjoyment. There is a view from the inside and the outside.

Construction Day 1

So, we are under construction. In case you haven't noticed, fixing up the house, I should say contiuing to fix up the house, is one of my goals for 2008. (Look at the side for the rest of Becky's Goals 2008). We have contracted with a man to do various things around the house. Usually, we would do the work ourselves but I am a little occupied right now with James and Brian is in the middle of busy season at work. Sometime I will do a post about all the work that we have done of the house till now but today I will post about Tuesday's work (Construction Day 1) and Wednesday's work (Construction Day 2).

Here are the pictures from Tuesday. These are the back of the house before and after. I, obviously, have not painted yet. I will.

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We had the back door replaced. It was rotting out of it's frame because of bad water drainage. We had this repaired by having gutters put on the house a couple of weeks ago. I know, I think it is weird too, that houses don't come with gutters but in Texas they really know how to build 'em cheap. I mean who doesn't want to walk out of their house during a Texas rainstorm and take a shower with the water spewing off the roof? I know I do!

We replaced some siding, the piece with the exterior doggie door. Now you see it. Now you don't.

We had some 1x6 put up along the bottom to cover some water damage, gutters would have come in handy here as well, on the rest of the back siding. Thank you Stephanie Johnson for the idea. It is way cheaper than replacing all the back siding and doesn't it look nice? (I am so glad most of my house is low maintenance brick).

We had a window box with termite damage fixed. Yes, we had termites and now we don't. Apparently termites infect virtually all homes in Texas after 15 years. Our is 19 years old. Unless you preemptively treat them. Now, we know that. If we ever buy a house older than 5 years again we will insist on termite treatment NO MATTER WHAT! We will also get gutters immediately. I guess we live and learn.

I would have posted these pictures yeasterday but while I was putting this post together the phone company came and decided it would be a good idea to cut my cable line. Idiots! Seriously, now I know why I have VOIP besides it being way cheaper. (I pay $200 for a year with free long distance and all the other features).

Fess Up Friday

Well, here it is. I lost 0.4 pounds. It is not much but it is in the right direction. My grand total is 3.8 pounds. I am at least happy that I am going down but I will admit that I would have liked to have seen a bigger number. Oh well, on to next week. This week I am going to focus on exercise becasue I haven't been doing any since it is so cold out and James sleeps better in his crib than anywhere else. I do have some Firm videos that I will pull out this week. I really liked them in the past. I am sure that I will like them now and I will dream of warmer weather in the meantime. Check back next week to see how my exercise goes.

You Snooze. You Lose.

So here it is. The official prize that you all missed out on cuz you didn't respond to my "pay it forward" post in time. They are rag bags. I made them myself and I am proud of the fact that I recycled Brian's old jeans and shirts to do it. So I have killed two birds with one stone here. I paid it forward and I recycled! And I have kept myself busy while James sleeps the days away. You three lucky ones who get these bags, it is your turn to pay it forward. Just so you know, Stephanie's is the one in the front (right) then Wu's is in the middle and Crystal's is the one in the back (left). Enjoy! And everyone else eat your heart out! Let me know when you have paid it forward. Everyone else, well check back often in case there are other prizes offered on the blog. You never know...Oh yea, and I thought James was just so cute the other day after his bath that I had to take a picture. Unfortunately, he got really mad waiting 30 seconds for me to find the camera and take the picture so this is what I got instead of a happy, smiling baby. Oh well. Next time, I will have the camera ready. He really does like his baths. I promise.

Fess Up Friday

Good news! I lost some more. Not as much as last week but after "Desert Divas" last night I am lucky that I didn't gain. I lost 0.8 lb. And that makes a total of 3.4 pounds in 2 weeks. That isn't too shabby. By the way, Desert Divas is a monthly activity with our Relief Society where we all get together at a restaurant for desert. Last night it was catered at someone's home and we got to try 4 different deserts including this really great chocolate thing that was so rich and I am sure super loaded with fat and calories and "points".

Well, I promised my fat picture and here it is. It was taken in January 2006, about 5 days before I started Weight Watchers the first time. If you can't tell, I am the fat one. The rest of the people are my mom, dad and baby sister "Wu". People who knew me in Atlanta and before know this Becky. This picture is really great motivation for me. I never want to look that way again. That is why I keep it around. Well, I can't wait to see what comes off this week. I will let you know next time. Keep cheering for me! Anyone have any good, fast recipes?

Don't Blink

Ahhhhhhhhhh! I can't believe it! I have survived two months with these two crazy people. All day long they make the most annoying sounds in the world. Honestly, I don't know how you people can stand each other when you make those noises. If they think I'm smiling to show contentment, they're dead wrong. The way I see it, I have two choices, give 'em what they want, or just flat out laugh my butt off because of how ridiculous they look trying to get me smile. Admittedly, I do find it humorous. I can't blame them though, it's not like they speak my language, and I certainly don't understand their jibberish yet.
So, just to win you over a little bit, here is the cutest smile I have given yet. Don't go getting the idea, though, that trippling your efforts to make me smile is going to yield anything better. I refuse to encourage such behavior. Really Dad, what would your coworkers think if they heard you making that noise? You people are so insatiable. I could probably smile all day long, and you wouldn't be able to get enough of me. I like the attention though, it makes me feel very happy.

Now that I have captured your attention, we can get down to business. My parents say that they are participating in the 'Biggest Loser' program, but I don't see what the fuss is all about. I have gotten more handsome with every pound I have put on. While everyone fusses over their weight, I bask in the glow of their happiness as I put on every juicy little ounce. As a side note, Doc says I am a cool 14 lbs 10.5 oz today. Not to mention, I am growing taller by the minute. I started at 22 inches and am now 23.25 inches long. Just look at me, I'm growing into a little man.

Fess Up Friday

Well, here it is. I promised to write about my successes (or failures) at weight loss. Today I weighed in at Weight Watchers and...
I lost 2.6 pounds this week!
That is great for me. It puts me that much closer to my goal weight. I am sure that I can't expect those kinds of numbers each week, this isn't the biggest loser after all. As long as it is a loss I am happy. I think that the weight loss has something to do with James but I could be wrong. I have started making "healthy" smoothies every day for breakfast with my new Vitamix so maybe that is helping as well. I promised to post my origial fat picture and I have it but I don't know how to get it online so I will have to wait for some help from Brian. I will post it soon enough. I will for sure have it up for next Friday's Fess Up. Keep cheering for me.

8 Weeks...Already?

I can't believe how fast time flies. James was just born and yet it has already been 8 weeks. James has been learning all sorts of new things, like how to put his fist and thumb in his mouth. He smiles all the time but for some reason he won't give a big grin to the camera yet. Don't worry I will get one eventually. Oh yeah, and last night he slept from 8:45 pm till 5:45 am. Yes, that is 9 whole hours. I kept waking up thinking that any moment he would wake up screaming to be fed. It just never happened. He is growing up so fast already. Stay tuned on Tuesday when he Turns 2 months old and gets weighed in at the doctors office. Enjoy the photos taken during this last week.

Pay It Forward

So, last month, my cousin, Val, sent me a great, little, blue bag. I would post a picture but it was comandeered by my niece before I got a chance to take one. Maybe when I visit my sister in a couple of weeks I can get it from her long enough to take a picture. How can you say no to a two year old? Especially one this cute?Anyway, I was charged with "paying it forward" by my cousin. (Better late than never.) So here's how it's going to work. The first 3 people to comment on this post will receive a special gift from me! I am not sure what it will be but rest assured that it will be great. I promise to get it out within 2 weeks. Now, the catch, if you are one of the super lucky few to win, you will also have to pay it forward. Don't worry, it will definitely be worth it!

Back In The Saddle...Again.

So, I just wanted to let everyone know that today I have officially rejoined Weight Watchers. For those of you who don't know, I was on Weight Watchers before I got pregnant with James. I had lost 50 pounds in 1 year. Yeah for me! Well, now I am back on again. I will not share my start weight at this time. I will do so when I reach my goal weight. I will, however, let you know each week how much I have lost (or gained). Just so you know, I want to lose another 40 to 45 pounds before I am done. I will post my before picture with next Friday's post. Be sure to check back weekly to see my progress. I welcome all encouragement and good recipes that you have to offer. Also, if anyone is thinking of joining just let me know. I would love your company, even if you live far away. Statistics don't lie. People who join Weight Watchers and go to the meetings weekly, lose 3 times as much weight as those who diet on their own. And they keep it off longer.

Christmas in Utah

We had so much fun in Utah for Christmas. We all got everything that we wanted. Well, except for a new Dooney for Becky. Hint, hint, Brian. James met all his aunts, uncles, cousins and his "Edpa". (Becky's dad refuses to be called Grandpa.)James was blessed on Jan. 28th by Brian. He barely fit into his 0-3 month suit. We couldn't button the top button or the sleeves. He looked so handsome anyway. It was a great night!
I took this photo tonight. James is 7 weeks today and I thougtht he looked extra snuggly cute. Don't you agree?