The End of A Journey

This has been a LONG road for our family.  For those of you that have followed us throughout this seemingly endless journey, it has finally reached it's end. We have moved into our home at Stone's Hollow. Can you believe it?! I, myself am still taking it all in!

So much blood, sweat and tears....literally, have gone into making this dream of ours happen. I am so excited that I am able to finally write this long awaited blog entry. The completion of Stone's Hollow, complete with before and after pictures! The good, the bad, the ugly! And of course, the awesome! I have waited so long for this! I don't even know where to begin!

I guess I will begin with the heart of the home. The kitchen:

Remember this?

Transformed. Whoa! Can you believe that is the same kitchen?!

And OMG, do you remember that?! I'd rather not!

Gives me the goosebumps!

I like this kitchen MUCH better.

Oh, yeah....much, much better!

And on to the dining room....

BEFORE

AFTER

The Living Room....

BEFORE

 AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

The rest of the house....

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

You'll have to forgive me for not having a "before" picture of this bathroom. Before the power was hooked up, this bathroom was so dark because it is in the hallway. So I do not have a "before." But just take it from me....it was nasty! It's pretty now though ;)

Maddie's Room....BEFORE.

AFTER

Dylan's room....BEFORE.

AFTER

Our bedroom, now. Sorry, no "before" of this one either!

I also am waiting to post the "before" and "after" pictures of the Master Bathroom because it is not complete yet. It'll just give you another reason to come back to visit us ;)

This completes our tour.....of the inside of our home. We will have to cover the outside another day. There is still much work to be done outside and this girl is exhausted! I have to say, I am so happy to finally have made it here, and it was well worth the wait. I also must say, I NEVER, EVER want to move EVER again! 

I am right where I want to be.....

HOME.

Stone's Hollow Update....and a Very Special Quasi Redneck Family Update

Hello, everyone. It's me. I'm still alive! I am truly sorry that I have not posted in over a month! I do have good reason though. I'll get to that in a minute. I just wanted to give a quick update on the happenings at Stone's Hollow. 

The most major happening is that the power company has completed our power lines! Yaaayyy! 

I am so excited! The installation of power was the biggest, most expensive part of this endeavour. And it is DONE!

While awaiting the installation of the power, my hardworking hubby has been kickin' butt on the inside of the house. Painting, flooring, installing base boards, etc.

Dylan's room is completed. And of course, Maddie already wants to spend more time in his room than in her own!

Princess Maddie's room is also complete.

Our room is getting there. I didn't photograph much of this room because at the moment, this room holds all the tools and junk. It's kinda messy.

Look at that! Opposed to......

That!

I think Gordon is doing a fantastic job!

I feel bad that I haven't been much help.....

....because of THAT!

Surprise!

The Quasi Redneck Family is growing by 2 more feet!!

Coming July 2013.

Farewell to Our Furry (Best) Friend

This past week has been a long, traumatic one for our family. Our beloved Blue Heeler of eight years, Blue got very sick. I am going to spare you all of the sad details and just leave it at the fact that he is no longer in pain and is now chasing kitty cats in Heaven.

 Losing Blue truly has devastated our family. It may sound silly to some, being so upset about losing an animal. But the truest fact is, he was not just an animal. Blue was very much a part of this family. A friend, a BEST friend to our son. A protector, to our daughter. A furry child to me. A constant companion to my husband.

Blue the Best Friend

I have always referred to Blue and Dylan as "Timmy and Lassie." Everywhere Dylan went, Blue was at his side. Literally. When the children in our neighborhood would play hide-n-seek, poor Dylan could never hide! If Dylan climbed a tree, Blue was at the bottom, looking up at him. So much for hiding! Blue was also a dear friend to many in our neighborhood. Especially the children. They loved him. He was always welcome in a game of basketball, or running with the boys and their toy guns playing "Army."  Whatever it was, Blue always played too.

Blue the Protector

Many in our neighborhood would tell you that Blue was the best guard dog around. He was recognized by all by his "alarm" like bark. If someone was approaching this yard, we knew. Blue made sure of that. He made us feel safe. I also know that when Blue played with all the children, he would never let anything happen to a single one of them if he could help it. And our daughter Maddie, the baby, if she fell, Blue was right there to make sure she was alright. He loved us and would have given his life for this family.

Blue, My Furry Child

He was just that. "My baby boy." I found Blue on the streets eight years ago. I took him in, fed him, showed him love and he never left me. He knew I was his Mama. If another dog came near, or a person that he did not know, he always would stand in front of me, blocking me, protecting me and letting the other dog or person know that I was his.

Blue, A Constant Companion

Whether it be fishing, yard work or grilling, Blue was at his "Daddy's" side. (When he wasn't running with the kids!) Gordon and I always believed that wherever Blue did come from so many years ago, his previous owner definitely took him fishing. Blue knew all about fishing. He would get so excited when Gordon would begin reeling in the fishing pole. His tail would wag, and he would bark or pant loudly with excitement. He truly was "Man's Best Friend."  We will never know why Blue turned up on the streets but I am sure glad that we found him.....or that he found us.

We LOVE you with ALL of our hearts FOREVER, Blue.

You are gone now, but I can promise, you will NEVER be forgotten.

"You're my boy, Blue!"

Rest In Peace, old man.