Kitchen Update

Our home needs a little renovating...well, to say a little would be an understatement. The home is an older home that was built in 1982. Mom bought the house in 2001 and from the looks of it, has not had much work done on it since. Mom never got a chance to do the things she wanted with it so we are now renovating it slowly. We decided to start with the kitchen because that wall paper was so awful!! 

Is that not the loveliest wallpaper you have ever seen? lol

Artie turned out to be quite the handyman!! We began with tearing down this wallpaper which turned out to be an adventure in itself. I peeled the wallpaper off, thinking what was the big deal?! It peeled off rather easily and I was thinking I was making good time when Artie comes in and looks around. 

Artie: "Babe, you have gone with me to Lowe's right?"

Me: "Yes, why?"

Artie: "What color is sheetrock?"

Me: "Grayish white"

Artie: "So, you still think you've hit sheetrock?"

Me: "Damnit!! lol"

Sure enough, not one, not two, but THREE wallpaper layers awaited me!! It was not fun at all and a lot of work but in the end, we did it!! 

During the process...Isn't my honey handsome?! :-)

We were torn on selecting a good color because the cabinets and the countertops are not being done just yet, so we needed to find a color that would match our blue-ish gray countertops and our current cabinets. We went with a gray color with some blue undertones. Initially, I thought perhaps the blue "theme" was being overdone but it ended looking very nice. Artie and I were both pleased with our choice. 

We also love the bead board look so we added that to the bottom half of the kitchen to add a little extra to it. There is a wooden table in one of the pictures that technically is not in the kitchen but we had a little get-together at the house so disregard that table at the moment lol. This is what our finished product, for now, looks like <3 Hats off to my amazing boyfriend and brother for their help and dedication on this project. 

I also did some work and this is my evidence shot ;-) 

Eventually, the cabinets will be redone by either being replaced or refinishing them. We shall see where the wind blows me on that one. :-) Good night world!!

Be blessed!! 

Family and El Paso in June

Off to El Paso is where we were headed off to in early June. After 5 nights of working straight, my honey was a tad on the tired side. He knocked out so fast at the airport waiting that I could not resist to snap a shot :-) 

High school graduation is a big deal for us all so when we received notice of Artie's cousin graduating in El Paso, we immediately made plans to attend. Any reason to visit home an extra time is always a plus!! Aaron graduated from El Paso High School and boy was that one beautiful campus!! "The Lady on the Hill" is what they refer to it as...and she was a beauty!! 

Cousin Barbara, Aaron's mom, was a one proud and glowing momma for sure!! Her baby boy is all grown up, well almost ;-) 

Proud mom!!

This is Artie's parents and ourselves with the graduate!! 

Proud of you Aaron!!

Now living in Houston all my life, I realized it is a crime to be a Houstonian, attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and to this day, not own a pair of boots!! Well, while in El Paso, we also changed that!! Artie and I bought ourselves our very own first pair of boots! I can not wait to wear these bad boys!! Absolutely LOVE these!! 

His & Hers 

Artie also has a godson out in El Paso who we try to visit every time we are out there. His name is Evan and will be 3 in August. He is so precious and cute!! We met him and his mom, Maria, at Chuck-E-Cheese for a good time but little did we know that Evan was not a fan of Chuck-E. The minute he took one glance at him coming our way, he held onto his mommy for dear life!! Now as a child myself, that thing terrified my sister and I to our very cores. Something about being two and a stuffed animal looking thing coming at you that did not sit well with us lol 

Chuck-E for those who do not know...

It took some coaxing and convincing that Chuck-E would not come back out before Evan decided to have some fun! Artie and him had a blast!! 

Evan and his nino <3

Back on the home front, we decided to plant some fruit trees that my dad bought us as a house warming present. Deciding where to plant these trees was our first challenge because we plan to uproot most of what is in our backyard and do some landscaping but we managed to find the perfect spots. With some recommendations on soil conditioners and fruit tree food, we began the hard work...well, I say we, but it was all my amazing handsome man! :-)

"What have I gotten myself into?"

"It's ok baby! I got this!!"  

My silly man!! lol

First of two orange trees 

Words can not amount how much I love him!! <3

Lemon and Lime tree

Last orange tree

Next up, time for our annual river float trip!! I shall save that for another entry! :-) Be blessed world!!