Kitchen Update

We finally got one of the two appliances that we really need.  Two weeks ago we stopped in to where I worked in high school, Slyman Brothers.  I knew Bob and Bobby would be there working on a Saturday and they priced out a stove for me before so I knew the prices were better than Lowe's. 

We were in and out and purchased a new microwave from them in about 25 minutes.  Only thing was we had to wait for it to come in from GE.  So we waited and I picked it up Saturday.  I have to admit it looks very nice in the kitchen and brightens the room up a bit more than the old black one did.  I'm so excited to use the "5" button today at lunch!

Trees

After last years tornado that hit a couple blocks from our house, we've  decided that it was time to continue the un-ghetto-ing by getting the trees trimmed.  Scott did cut down huge branch that hung over the driveway the week after the tornado.  The things you do when there is no television and all the neighbors are outside.  But just taking down that branch wasn't enough. 

After having a tree guy come out and show me all the dead branches and areas that needed to be cleaned up I was surprised with how bad the trees needed to get cleaned up.  I didn't want a branch to fall on the new roof or the neighbor's roof.  So a random Friday afternoon I get a call at work and they are on their way out to trim the trees.

I got home Friday after work and was pleasantly surprised with the massive improvement.  I only wished I had before pictures to show the HUGE improvement this made.  But you'll have to settle for the after shots.

Missouri Botanical Gardens

Since we are now members of the Garden we took advantage of the wonderful 90 degree heat on April 1st and hit the garden.  It was beautiful!  I haven't been there in a while and everything was in full bloom!  We brought the good camera and took a ton of pictures.  I was amazed with the large amount of tulips that were fully bloomed.  I guess we can thank this really warm winter for getting people out.

Here are a few picture from the day:















These are just a few of the pictures we took.  There are so beautiful flowers to see.  Can't wait to go back.

Fast Eddies

It's that time of year again.  Time to hit the Great River Road and go to Fast Eddies for the afternoon.  This year I decided not to hop on the party bus and drive over with Scott and Kristin.  It was a better option.  We arrived before everyone did and had time to get in the food line, avoid the cougars that were on the prowl and get some great food.



By the time the party bus arrived, we were still trying to find a table to sit.  Kristin made friends with a table and found out it would be ours in an hour.  It wasn't too bad, Scott held my shrimp while I peeled and ate them.  I hear it didn't smell too good, but they tasted great!



We hung out for a few hours and people watched.  We even ran into the Boland's there!  Two years in a row I've seen someone I knew there.



The best part about leaving was that we left with enough time to go home, let Reily out and make to the Birch's for Mathew's birthday party!

Un-Ghettoing

We spent yesterday cleaning up the outside of the house.  Since it's been crazy warm most of winter and already into spring the grass was growing really fast as well as some weeds.  The front of the house needed some up keeping.  We trimmed the bushes in the front and then raked out the leaves and added some mulch to give it some color. 

We had planned on planting some flowers, however, the guy at the nursery said we are still just a bit too early for that.  Maybe in a few weeks we can get some color added to the front. 



We spent a little time at Lowe's this weekend and found a great patio table and chairs that actually fits the patio.  We talked a little flooring and looked at some bathroom paint as well. 



After finishing the front, Scott tried to trim the trees at the top of the hill.  That worked for a while, until the black jacks started to swarm the area.  So about half the trees have been trimmed but it still looks so much better.

CR-V

My little CR-V had quite the milestone today.  After 11 years, 4 months the CR-V has hit 170,000 miles.  Pretty impressive feat for a car these days. 

It's fun to think about how much that little car has seen.  Round trip to Orlando and back to San Antonio.  Round trips to Houston and Dallas many times.  A drive to Lincoln from St. Louis, up to Chicago and back to St. Louis.  Even the drive from San Antonio to St. Louis when I moved. 

Thanks CR-V for all the trips you've taken me on and might make for another month or so.

Spring Cleaning

Scott had to work this weekend so I decided that it was time to do some major Spring cleaning.  Not to mention, I hadn't planned to go down to Dogtown for any for the St. Patrick's Day festivities so I had the time.  I started with just cleaning the kitchen and 4 hours later the kitchen was mostly done. 

I really think I have inherited my parents crazy cleaning tatics so it was really much better that Scott was at the office working while I did my cleaning.  I had my music playing, Reily sleeping on the floor and it was a busy day.  I only brought the new espresso pot while putting it back on the counter.  The espresso cups knocked it off the stand and glass everywhere.  Good thing we still had the old coffee maker in the basement. 

I only took a couple breaks to watch the storms roll in and hang out with a very nervous dog. 

By Sunday, I still need to finish cleaning the house and cleaning out drawers of rarely used clothes.  Sunday was a little more relaxed.  While organizing the pantry I decided to try out the new camera.  Reily was subjected to an impromtu photo shoot.  She did surprisingly well and we got a few decent pictures. 





It's a nice feeling know how clean the kitchen is considering the amount of time I spent cleaning it and the house.