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Checking out architects in Phoenix

Libby, a dear friend of mine is checking out architects in Phoenix and has been telling me about the plans she has for remodeling and adding on to her home. She really likes the contemporary style and I have to admit, from what I have seen about some of the ideas she wants to put into action her home is going to be beautiful when the building and landscaping is completed. She has waited a very long time for this change and needed help with her plans, so she has been really putting a great deal of time into finding the right builders to make her visions and dreams come into an actual reality.

Phoenix architecture firms know the area, the land and also the best way to construct a building for the needs of the clients along with knowing what they are looking to build and how they want it built also if it is able to be done in the type of environment the land is surrounded by. This makes for maximum durability and function. Also from what I have seen, they can indeed turn a dream into a living space that is perfect for their clients. This is a major plus, considering Libby is very set in what she would like.

After I browsed through a site I had been told me about, I was totally amazed at the work and beauty of some of the homes that were designed and the craftsmanship of the smallest detail. Everything is considered when using these Phoenix architects and it shows in the photographs. I just wish I could see the work in progress once it starts. Of course I’ll visit and see the finished home inside and out as this is my friends dream house and everything is going to be unique and exactly what she wants, combined with the expertise of the architects.

 

 

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Seed catalogs are arriving

It seems the seed companies are getting a jump on spring planting, since I now am getting their catalogs in the mail nearly every day. I had forgotten how many I order from, in search of new and interesting seeds to grow.

It seems strange to wade out in knee deep snow to the post box and find the spring seed catalogs waiting for me. Some with seed packets in them, which in these temperatures which are way below freezing I seriously doubt will grow but I’ll plant them and hope.

I have been planning my gardens since last fall so of course I enjoy getting the catalogs, but it just makes me antsy to start planting and growing now. Wonder if that ground hog is going to see his shadow or not…

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Covering a hardwood floor

As much as I hate to do it, I’ve decided to look at carpet for the living room floor, which is tongue and groove hardwood.  My house is very old and despite of the insulation in the crawl space, the floor in that room tends to make walking on it even with socks on, a chilly experience. I find myself hopping from area rug to area rug which I’m getting a bit too old to do. Besides I look like an idiot doing  this. Slippers are not an option as I have to take them off to put boots on when I take the dogs out. It’s a hassle. Especially when the dogs want outside at that very minute they have to do their business.

I was thinking about a Berber type carpet for high traffic areas, but I would like to look at other options. I love the hardwood floors so perhaps a rug that covers a good deal of the floor would be the way to go for that room. I could always roll it up in the spring and then put down smaller area rugs that I have. It would definitely save money.

At any rate, I’m up for some kind of change and warmer feet in the winter. There is a carpet outlet in the city I live near, but also I’ve been looking on line for other ideas and floor covering sites that may have delivery since I do know how to lay carpet and flooring. (Thank you Dad, for this knowledge!)

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Shopping for PTAC Units

Last summer when we had exceedingly hot weather and a drought, our air condition unit decided it didn’t want to keep us cool anymore and the motor basically exploded. It was an old unit and we are fortunate it didn’t start a fire, but this has led us to do some early shopping for various ptac units, that we can afford. When I was younger, the heat didn’t bother me at all, but I have found for the last few years, I get overheated and of course without the air conditioner, it gets so hot and stuffy in the house that even the dog would rather be outside under a tree where he may get a hint of a breeze. My family gets miserable, and then I have to hear the complaints. I’m not going to go through that again this year.

While shopping, I looked at Amana ptac units and from what I was told by the expert helping me, they would save money and also work well in my home. In the long run this would be less expensive than running just plain fans, and would regulate the air in the house and keep it at a cool temperature that we all could handle. Not to mention, we wouldn’t just be stirring the hot air around like floor and ceiling fans do.

I’ve also talked my mom into checking out these ptac units, since she has a two story house and I stay in the upper part while I am there on most weekends. To say it gets hot up there, is an understatement. Despite the fact that she indeed has central air conditioning, her unit isn’t large or heavy duty enough, to cool the upstairs, due to the size of the rooms I have up there. To even try to cool the upstairs is so expensive, I’ve been depending on fans and a cross breeze with the windows open. A new until would not only save her money, but also make it comfortable enough to actually get a good night’s sleep!

 

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Flip flops and T-shirts to heavy duty winter coats

One extreme than another. Yesterday while I was wandering garden sections in stores, wearing flip flops and a french cut shirt with jeans, made me feel like I NEEDED to plant something, do a spring project. I felt literally released from the winter blues. Then… Whamo! The temps dropped, it rained and froze and then out came the long johns and Carhearts again.”We will survive…” and all that.

With little “bugs” that make one miserable hanging on and on, this needs some watching and attention. I have been hit twice, so please have those so called colds checked out.  I just got a taste of spring though, so now Ladies and Gents, it’s time to start making plans for your yard, home and garden! I’m so exited for spring to begin, but in the mean time, I’m glad for my long johns and big time heavy duty coats!

I don’t know what I would do without the snow gear type coats and leggings, also full suits. I hate the cold and snow. At least I’m somewhat warm enough for me to venture out, so it says it all. Ya’ll keep warm and safe.

 

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Wanting to be independent

Title is exactly what my dear friend Lindsay and I are going though with our daughters. They will be leaving very early in the morning. My daughter’s flight is at 6:00 am, but it’s a two hour drive to the airport. Lindsay’s daughter’s flight is about the same time and it takes her two hours to get to the airport if not a bit longer.

Our daughters want to be independent yet we get two or more calls a day. I cherish those calls as it means that she misses me and misses being home. But going so darn far away really messes me up. Almost every blogging pal or “real life” friends  know that I want my kids close. I don’t consider this being over protective. I think one day that we are going to have to depend on  family and close friends sticking together because we will need to .

I wish both of our young ladies a dream come true, a prosperous life to come and  also the knowledge they will always have a home to come home to.

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Quality time for New Years eve and day

For the next few days, I’m going to be spending some quality time with my children until they have to go back to doing what they do, and going to where they now are living. Welcoming in the New Year is a quiet time for my family. No one wants to party unless it is at home, with just a few of their very close friends here, and usually I try to stay up until “the ball drops”, but to no avail for the most part. But I do try!  I’ll let ya’ll know about this year, in a soon to come post.

Today I’m going to try some of recipes for snacks and finger food that my friend Elaine has given me. There are some awesome ideas for goodies to be made in the crock pot, and to bake up, or mix together! We are going to have our annual two day feast of cold cuts, and other yummy foods.

I’m so fortunate to have friends who are so domestically inclined in all areas. I’m learning from them slowly but surely. I wish they, would blog more about them, so I would have a handy reference. We all however  have decided to “spice” up our blogs with some tasty concoctions in this coming new year. But for now, I’m wishing everyone a very safe and happy New Years Eve. I’ll catch you next year!!

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Happy Christmas Eve

Though my kids are either in their middle to late teens and two are adults now, each year as tradition, I “track Santa” for them. I’ve been doing this since they were old enough to talk and ask me to do this special thing. To this day, I still find a television station or a radio station that will tell where Santa is at each given hour. Now with internet, it’s much easier to do, if not for them to find a smile or memory in, but for me. My oldest daughter has taken the tradition over with her children, even though my grand kids are older also.

Right now, Santa is dropping off gifts to the people in a country I can’t begin to pronounce let alone spell. I know I’m more excited about this than the kids, but I’ve noticed them paying attention to where Santa is when I holler it out so they can hear me in their rooms. The house echos with, “That’s cool, Mom”, or a “He has a long way to go, Mom”, along with other acknowledgements, from various rooms. I’m loving having them all together for Christmas.

So, to your house from ours, we wish you a very Happy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

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And the shopping crunch begins

With only four (actually less) days left to finish my shopping, as I look at my lists it seems rather hopeless. I wonder why I do this to myself. But I know it’s the procrastinating nature I have, yet I must say I do work well under pressure.

Each year, I make a vow that I am going to start my shopping at the beginning of the year and be all “together” by Christmas eve to enjoy the holiday. And each year, something comes up where the money is needed elsewhere. We don’t get my husband’s bonus pay until about a week before Christmas, which we depend on for gifts and the holiday trimmings. We’re fortunate to have this extra money.

As usual, this coming year I’m going to once again try and pick up the little gifts and also am planing on using my crafty ideas as gifts too. I would much rather have a gift someone made than one that is bought in a store, and it seems like as prices soar and money matters take a knocking, this is the way to go.

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Great Movies this Year for the Holidays

Going to the movie theater is something that I seem to have gotten away from and today I just realized how much I miss it. There is nothing like watching a movie in a big, dark theater with a hundred other people enjoying the action of the big screen with Dolby surround sound. I think it is cool to hear others gasp in surprise or laugh at the funny scenes. It adds to the viewing experience.

This year there are a lot of movies that sound really good scheduled for release in December. I guess they want to get people who are home from college and out of school for the holidays to spend some of their free time and money in the movie theaters. The one that I really want to see is the new James Bond movie, “Skyfall.” And of course I want to see “The Hobbit.”

If we don’t have a lot of bad weather this year I hope to make the trip to town a few times just for fun and watching movies. I won’t risk wrecking the car on snow and ice covered roads, but if the roads are clear I feel a big urge to get out of the house this winter and be around people and having fun. The movies are a great way to get me motivated and if I skip the popcorn and over priced sodas, I can budget for a couple of new release films and maybe invite a girlfriend or neighbor to come along with me.