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.