So nuch to do, so Few Resources

Economics was defined to me as how to allocate scarce resources to the consumption or creation of goods and services.

I have plenty of goods I would like to consume, but not enough resources (defined for me as time and money).

An economics lesson sounds kind of odd for a post, but the topic is: home improvement

I have a massive list of things I would like to do to the house to update it and, in some instances, upgrade it. Mostly, though, it's updating which is unfortunately a necessity in order to maintain market value. I always have one foot out the door and want to make sure I can maximize my return of equity if I had to sell my house due to some catastrophic or unexpected event.

My list:

1. Replace 6 windows and a sliding door.
2. Add some more insulation to the attic.
3. Outside A/C compressor (I'm the kind of guy who would spend $4,000 to save $50 a month)
4. Replace carpet with wood or laminate flooring.
5. Replace the Living Room ceiling fan.
6. Purchase and install fans in the dining (soon to be study/den), master bathroom, and kitchen.
   
7. Closet organization for master closet
8. Paint: kitchen, living, breakfast, hallway, master bath, and Wm's room
9. Add skylights to the living room. It doesn't get any direct light.
10. Replace smooth front doors with 6 panel
11. Paint all the door trim white instead of definitely-dated-woody-brown.
12. Crown moulding
13. Captain's beds with built in drawers for the kids (not so much a home improvement as a furniture improvement)
14. Re-stain cabinets in kids bath, master bath, and kitchen
15. Texture walls in kitchen and master bath

I think that covers most of it. I'm probably missing some, but my wallet hurts already after typing that list. My number 1 is probably doing the door trim and painting rooms. That, more than any other, will make the most difference in the feel of the house.

So, what are some of everyone else's highest desire/priority projects around the house?
Of my list, what would anybody recommend I do first? (Tara, if you read this you can't answer since you're already telling me these things :) )

Another shameless advertisement....

I am selling some of my pre-fold cloth diapers and covers in the hopes I can raise enough capital to switch to Fuzzi Bunz for Mr. William. If you know anyone in the market please send them my way! Right now I have everything listed on Baby Cotton Bottoms Bargain Basement.

Ad Titles are:

"Huge lot of DSQ White Pre-folds"
"Bumkins Diaper Covers"
"Alexis Feather-lite Pull-Ons"
"6 Small Snugglebottoms"

Sadly, I have been using disposable full-time since September because prefolds were just too hard to use with 6 kiddos running around. Plus, they just don't make clothes that fit over bulky diapers anymore. I am feeling guilty about all the diapers I am putting in the trash!

I'm so excited! Justin took me to Barnes and Noble for my birthday, where I promptly searched out the knitting and crochet sections and picked out the above. I am in love with this book! And since I don't have any babies to make gifts for, my first project from this book will be an awesome cardigan for ME!!!

I think Kayleigh has watched The Little Mermaid a little too much...she's in the other room coloring and singing "Part of that World". It's cute.

Shameless Advertising

If anybody knows someone looking to buy a nice used dining set and hutch, or a coffee table and end table send me a note and I'll give you details.

Michelle came up with a new arrangement for our couch and loveseat that makes it a little better for conversating when all seats are taken up and for also watching tv from all seats. But, the caveat is that our rectangular-ish coffee table doesn't work so well. She wants a round ottoman for putting tired feet up for maximum comfort. She also doesn't like the current table because her legs are too short to reach. I, on the other hand, have no problems :)

The dining set we just don't use. I have persuaded Michelle of the merits of having an office/billpaying/study/schoolwork/me work from home space in the house. I personally hate formal dining rooms. With several exceptions, I believe it is a waste of space. Very few people really utilize the space enough to justify it's existence. So Michelle agreed that we can convert it. So we're trying to sell the furniture pieces to raise capital for the conversion.

I already have a reasonable computer hutch from Ikea that I plan to reuse, but it'll be nice to get some shelves, maybe a nice chair and lamp, and a ceiling fan. She likes the idea of shelves to have a library. If I could afford it, she would have me build her wall to wall shelves and fill it with books in a heartbeat. Her long-term goal, when the bulk of child-rearing is done, is to get a master's in Library Sciences and become a librarian. I'm ok with that, because then I'll have my own hot little librarian to brag about!

Well, time to finish cleaning house so I don't have it hanging over my head on my day off for MLK. My aim this whole day has been to do the domestic stuff so Michelle was able to have a lazy birthday. I think I did ok, but I know it could have been better.

Today is a movie day....the kids just seem to be in a bad mood, so I'm giving them some rest time while they watch Jonah. Maybe I'm the one in a bad mood and that just makes the kids seem worse; either way, I'm giving myself a break right now.

Today I feel tired. Just plain tired. Tired of being a mom, of being a wife, of watching other people's children, of going to school, of housework ( not that I do a whole lot, Justin helps me bunches in this department). I'm not depressed, it's probably just hormonal. What I really want is a vacation by myself....is that a bad thing? Just a couple days to just be by myself...to read a good book, work on some crochet projects, focus on Christ without time constraints or interruptions. I still haven't figured out how to juggle the whole being a wife, mother and pursuer of Christ dynamic. It seems earthly things fill up my time leaving no room for the spiritual. Of course this is probably why I feel tired...no spiritual food, or at least very little of it.

Last night I took a step to put more spiritual food into my soul. I went to a Bible study for the first time in three years. Justin and I do attend a minichurch, but they are all in the same boat we are...too much to do, with too little time to do it in...so we do not usually do indepth Bible studies, which is totally fine. This Bible Study is a women's group and we are going through James! I'm the youngest by about 10-15 years; in fact, I'm the age of most of the other women's children. I think my job this Spring will be just to sit back and take in all the wisdom I can from these women. I am so excited!

Well, I need to pay attention to my very busy, into everything, opening doors already son!

What Justin did with his time off...along with painting the playroom and staining cabinets to install in there for storage (my Christmas present)! I can't wait to store all the toys and craft stuff in one place.

I bought him this for his birthday, I'm such an awesome wife!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Playing in the Leaves!

Blogging has been on the back burner for a little while. I had a paper to write...I loathe writing papers unless I am actually interested in the topic. I also started a blog dedicated to my crochet habit/addiction...Yarn is My Addiction. That is where you can find pics of the my finished projects. Warning....if you are a friend of mine having a baby, you might see pics of your shower gift...just act surprised when you get it! I am not quite to the point of developing my own patterns, but maybe in the future you'll find some original creations there.

Thought this was too cute not to share!

It's official, my name is Michelle and I am a Ravelry addict!

Ravelry is like mySpace for knitters and crocheters, and it's AWESOME! I will probably now spend way too much time looking for new patterns to try out. My goal this next year it to learn to knit so I can have tons more patterns to choose from! Right now the site is still in beta form, so if you are interested in joining you have to get on their waiting list. I put my name on about a month ago and received my invite over the weekend, so it doesn't take long to become a member and it is so worth the wait!

I just finished a blanket for a new baby and am starting another for yet another new baby coming! Women I know need to stop having babies so I can work on the afghan I started for Kayleigh two years ago. I love having an excuse to try out a new pattern, so I really don't mind all the little ones on the way.

Kiddos are great! William is climbing on anything you can think of, including using the chairs to get on top of the breakfast room table. Kayleigh is amazing us with her ability to memorize just about anything Stars Wars related.

Little Elmo

Little Princess

Papa teaching the Little Princess how to putt!

Isn't he handsome!

This picture is for you, Ame! Thought you would like to see the little nature girl in action. She found this caterpillar and literally laid on the deck for 10 minutes trying to get it on her finger. She was so proud of herself when she finally succeeded!

Aaaarrrrggggh!

Ever have those days at work where you just want to say "to heck with it all" and give up? And, knowing where we ultimately end up, realizing that everything here really doesn't matter so why bother. But then coming full circle and realizing it would be really dumb because even though our time here is short, we're still here. And we still have to survive. And, in my case, provide for 3 others. Funny how as I get older (dare I say more mature) I recognize that, in the Divine scheme of things, people and relationships will be more valuable than making sure I have a comfortable retirement. Don't get me wrong, I believe it's wise to save and prepare for not being able to work or not wanting to work all the time, but really all I need is enough to pay the bills and maybe have some left over. That thought is refreshing.