Whatcha eatin' there sport?

So, since it's taking between 4-6 months to build our house, Chad and I were lucky enough to have parents that love us and are willing to take us in for a couple months a piece so we aren't wasting money on rent in the interim. We moved in with Chad's parents first, and so far, so good!

Everyone has asked me on a daily basis, "So...ummm... how is living with your IN-LAWS?!" like it is a fate worse than death. Certainly I can imagine that being the case for many people, but we're blessed that we both get along really well with each others parents (complete with calling them mom/dad, saying "I love yous," etc.) But I'm sure a few weeks in, it will be a little strained only because Chad and I are used to it just being the two of us.

But for now - I am loving it. For one, my m-i-l has had dinner made for us every night we've come home from work. Homecooked dinner... on the table... and I didn't have to do any of it. Do you know how AWESOME that is? The best part is, Chad's mom I think is purposely making some of our favorite things - just because she's sweet like that. On Monday, she made pan-friend pork chops which is one of Chad's great loves - me and swine.

But last night -ohhhhh last night- she made one of MY favorites.

Two words: Apple Salad.

I have no clue what sort of hallucinogens she puts in that stuff, but it is like crack to me. I could eat a large mixing bowl of it. My m-i-l knows it is my weakness. I think I caught a little sparkle in her eye when she was listing what was for dinner last night... "We're having pot roast, potatoes, collards and... *twinkle* apple salad."

For some reason unknown to me- Chad is not a big fan of apple salad. Freak. But it's just fine by me because that means I don't have to share -and that whenver his mom makes it, it is because it is a treat for me -not him. Remember, we're competitive when it comes to parents. So on this Friday afternoon, I'm happily eating nothing but apple salad for lunch. My heart is happy.

A time of transition

Sigh. It just dawned on me. I think I'm getting...

...well...

old.

I just realized I haven't bought, or even LOOKED for, a new pair of designer jeans in at LEAST 8 months. That used to be a seasonal treat for myself. I haven't checked BlueFly, Nordy's, Neiman or JCrew in probably two months. Maybe longer.

ME. I don't even know who I am anymore.

Six months ago it wasn't a rare thing for me to send Chaddy weekly emails saying, I want ______ (fill in picture of new pair of jeans, leather handbag, cute blazer, etc.) This just hit me because I sent him an email saying, I want...

and...

Instead of seeing what's the hot new coat for the fall, I'm looking at plates... and... FLATWARE.

I google plantation shutters. Going to a light fixture store is the highlight of my coming weekend. I've been grouchy the last few days not because I haven't been able to go out to have martinis with the girls, but because I haven't been able to cook a homemade meal in 2 weeks.

Waaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I'm hoping this is temporary since nesting is on the brain. Or else, next thing you know I'll be wearing frumpy mom jeans and seasonal brooches.

Vote for Doc Hendley as CNN's Hero of the Year

I was lucky enough to get to write an article for the university about a family friend and fellow graduate for his awesome work - which has gotten him recognized as one of CNN's Top 10 Heroes. Here it is (in part):

Hero Turns Water to Wine

Doc Hendley, a 2004 graduate of North Carolina State University, has been named a CNN Hero for tapping into his bartending experience “to save thousands of lives on the other side of the world.” He is founder and executive director of Wine to Water, an international faith-based organization in Boone that installs running water and sanitation systems in the neediest parts of the world.

Wine to Water raises funds by hosting benefit wine events, such as tastings, to support water projects around the world. To date, Hendley's group has worked in five developing countries, including India, bringing safe drinking water to more than 25,000 individuals in refugee camps, orphanages, schools, hospitals and a leper colony, as well as directly into hundreds of homes through the installation of bio-sand filters. Wine to Water is also building two training centers in northern Uganda to teach locals how to access clean water without having to rely on foreign aid.

This is CNN’s third global search for ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary deeds. Hendley was chosen as one of the top 10 heroes of 2009 from among 3,700 nominations by a panel of world leaders and luminaries recognized for their own dedication to public service – including Gen. Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg and Sir Elton John . People can vote for CNN’s Hero of the Year on their Web site from now, until Thursday, Nov, 19.

CNN will announce the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year and honor the Top 10 CNN Heroes in a star-studded gala celebration, "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" on Thanksgiving, November 26, from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

So please, please, please vote for Doc as often as you can!

Click here to vote for Doc!

Custom Mantle and Fireplace Voting

As part of our package, our builders will make a custom mantle for the house. We just have to find them a picture of what we want (within reason), and they'll build it. However, I don't make a habit out of checking out mantles... though I've been trying to thumb through some magazines like Traditional Home, Southern Living and Country Living for ideas.

If you find any neat custom mantles, please share them with me! I could use the help.

For now, here are some ones that our builder has done before. Vote and let me know which ones you prefer.

Mantle #1:

Mantle #2:

Mantle #3:

Mantle #4:
Sorry the picture quality isn't the greatest - but try clicking on the photos to make them a bit bigger (if that helps).

Voting is now open! Thanks for helping, friends.

Porch and Patio Ceilings Voting Has Ended

Voting has closed! It looks like white beadboard barely edged out dark-stained...

will keep you posted!

Hardwoods

Don't think there is much of a need to vote on this one - since I think we're pretty set on the hardwoods we're going for. So thought I'd share pictures.

Our hardwoods are going to be very natural - with some darker and lighter wood. Not all one flat, stained color.

Take a peak:

Fill 'Er Up

While sitting in the car yesterday while Chad filled up my tank at the gas station (remember, I don't pump my own gas. Boy job.), I remembered that two of my little pet peeves have to do with gas stations.

1) People that only put like a dollar and fifty cent's worth of gas in their car. Are you KIDDING me? Being that pumping my own gas is like dying a second death to me, I can not possibly comprehend why someone would want to put so little gas in their car that they'd likely have to stop a mere couple hours later to put more gas in. If someone has a logical explanation of why you'd only put a couple dollar's worth of gas into your car, please enlighten me. For now, I just assume those are the same people that smoke cigarettes while pumping gas or hold golf clubs up in the air in open fields during lightning storms.

2) People who insist on adding more gas to their car after it has already popped to indicate its full so that they can stop on an even amount - WHEN THEY ARE USING A CREDIT CARD. I can maybe understand this when you're paying cash and you want to make it easy on yourself. But even then, in how many other situations when you're paying cash for something do you pay a even amount like $5 or $25? Hardly ever. But it just kills me when people want to make sure they stop on an event amount like $19, and I ask why they do that and they respond "It's easier to balance my account." Does that mean when you go grocery shopping, pick up your prescription at the pharmacy, go out to grab dinner, etc. that you make sure to calculate your taxes ahead of time so that you're paying an even dollar amount with no change? I don't think so. Don't be a change hater.

I'm done.