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?