S'up with the Sullivans

Happy Pumpkins!

2010-11-21T21:49:00.003-06:00

I have been hunting for some new fall decor, but everytime I walk into a store, it seems there are Halloween costumes on clearance and Christmas decorations oozing out the aisles. What happened to Thanksgiving people?

Anyway, I went to Garden Ridge to look for art for the new bathroom and ran into these fab ceramic pumpkins - for 50% off! The large ones were a whopping $3.50. The others ranged from 1-2 bucks. I grabbed the super little ones at Dollar Tree last year for a buck each. Now if I can only find some fall leaves to fill in the blanks! P.S. - please excuse my dirty mirror.

Master Bathroom REDO!

2010-11-20T19:46:00.008-06:00

Master Bathroom Re-do!

While Matt was gone to Milwaulkee last week, I decided to keep myself busy. I had been pondering doing something different with this space long before he left. I would just sit in the bathtub and think about how much I hated the way it looked. When we first bought the house three years ago, our main priority was slapping a quick coat of paint on EVERYTHING due to the fact that the walls were filthy. We ended up buying mass quantities of almost the exact same color which resulted in a very monotone (but clean!) look.

I do not have blue anywhere else in the house and it turned out to be a nice change of pace. We were blessed (ha) with blue tile in this room. Our original plan was to rip out the blue and replace with a more natural tile. We bought the tile, grout, etc., but after retiling two other rooms in the house, our bathroom was not top on the list of things to do. I decided to make the most of the blue tile since we are planning on selling within the next year or so.

There were several things that really dated the bathoom in my opinion. One of them being the popcorn ceiling which I scraped, sanded, and re-painted. We also have an old heat lamp and hvac grill. The colors were mixmatched and had begun to show wear of being in a steamy bathroom for 25+ years. Instant fix: I had a can of hammered metal spray paint in the garage. No money spent and now they both match and coordinate with the rest of the bath accessories.

Check out the FABULOUS knobs I found at Hobby Lobby. They make me so happy. I love to see them sparkle when I walk in.

Below: Once we pulled the old toliet out, we realized the back tank was cracked. Darn - had to get a new one! I've never been so excited about a toliet in my life! I love the shape of the tank. Very classy. Yes, I just called my toliet classy.

Below: I found this canvas print at Garden Ridge. I intially walked away from it and continued walking around the store. I couldn't stop thinking about it and eventually ended up buying it. I'm not sure why I like it so much, it is kind of random. I like the fact that it looks like she has peacock feathers in her HUGE hat and looks like she is going to kiss a bird. I know, random.

So now for the before and afters:

Below: When we first moved in

Below: After a quick slap of paint

Below: New blinds, added beadboard, chair rail, new base boards, added crown molding, popcorn removed. It is so much more relaxing in this room!

Below: Shower when we first moved in.

Below: I was definately going through a red phase.

Below: The final result.

Below: Our vanity when we first moved in.

Below: After some paint.

Below: New light fixture, new sink, new color on cabinets. I really want to frame this mirror out and paint it with the hammered metal spray paint.

Flashback Friday

2009-09-18T09:26:00.002-05:00

Timewarp Tuesday??

2009-09-15T13:42:00.002-05:00

Back to the Real World

2009-08-11T10:04:00.007-05:00

Well, today is the first "official" day back to work since our Galveston Getaway with the McGinnis Family. We had a great time!

They drove in from Norman on Thursday night. On Friday, we arrived in Galveston and went STRAIGHT to the beach. Alex loved it. Her favorite part was getting to pee in the ocean. We went swimming, built sandcastles, and flew a kite. The dogs also got to take part in the fun. Rosie was the welcome wagon, saying hello to everyone she came across.

Billie and Alex fishing in the canal

Showering off after returning from the beach

Someone had made some awesome sand sculptures right by where we sat.

Billie helping Alex skim board

Contemplating how she was going to do it!

Mad dash on the skim board

Got it!

Pretty Rosie Girl

Peanut, looking mighty dirty

Tazer just scavenged the beach and ate a lot of sand.

The McGinnis Fam - Definately one to frame

Alex and her shells

Uncle Matt and Alex at La Kings, the old fashioned ice cream store he took her to.

Galveston, Here We Come!!

2009-08-06T09:55:00.004-05:00

Tonight, my sister Candace, brother-in-law Billie, and neice Alex are making the long drive to Austin from Norman. Tomorrow morning we are getting up bright and early and driving to Galveston for a getaway!

They have not been to the Texas Coast, so I am pretty excited for them. We are so very lucky that Matt's Grandparents, Mimi and Papa, are letting us stay in their beach house located right on the canal.

Here are some pics of where we will be staying:

The House

Views from patio

Flashback Friday

2009-06-26T15:19:00.002-05:00

Flashback Friday.....a day early!

2009-06-18T10:44:00.002-05:00

Since we are heading to Galveston tomorrow for a little R and R, I thought I would go ahead and post my Friday Flashback.....on Thursday!!

This picture is from the first time Matt visited Oklahoma. Gotta love my drugstore cowboys.

My Models

2009-06-15T15:09:00.003-05:00

Here are some of my favorite shots taken over Memorial Day Weekend of my niece Alex and my little brother Will.

Thunderstorms!!

2009-06-15T14:42:00.003-05:00

While living in San Diego, I always said how much I missed thunderstorms......well, I'm over it now!! This past week, we have had two nights of severe weather. The storms don't really bother me all that much, it is the 90 lbs of pure panic that attempts to crawl inside someones body cavity. On the bright side, we will never have to invest in a weather radio. We have our very own "Weather Buddy". She senses the storms miles away!

A shot of the lightening storm

Sad, wet party pavillion lights. The girls had to leave and race home before the hail hit.

As most of you know, our little Peanut had surgery last week as well. He had a small "tumor" on his face which we so lovingly called the "goiter". He did well during the procedure and got his teeth cleaned in the process. I almost cried when I picked him up because he was very loopy and the incision looked a lot worse that it was! Now, we just call him Scarface.

Peanut, after I brought him home.

Wordless Wednesday!

2009-06-10T14:19:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday!

2009-05-20T16:33:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I might have to put words with this one. This is from last memorial day, and luckily, Alex agreed to hand me a beverage. We do not encourage underage drinking at our holidays!!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!!!

2009-05-11T11:08:00.002-05:00

Saturday night, we scored 6 free tickets to the Round Rock Express game through work. Luckily, they were playing the OKC Redhawks! It was a lot of fun, eventhough I didn't really care which team won!

Blue Book GC Showcase - Dallas/Forth Worth

2009-05-07T10:11:00.003-05:00

Some how I have become one of the official Blue Book Showcase people. I actually really enjoy going to them. It is an opportunity for us to meet and qualify new Subcontractors for our database. Out of hundreds and hundreds of people, you might find two or three good ones. Worth the time and effort? Maybe not, but what are you going to do.

This time, the showcase was in Arlington for the DFW area. We had no idea that it would actually be held at Ranger Stadium until we got there. It was a very cool venue.

Our First Set Up (before I talked the guys into packing it up and moving it to the better location)

The Better location!

Me, Fred and Albert. They are estimators out of our San Antonio office and picked me up in Austin on the drive up. Ignore the fact that I am a hot mess in this picture. It was very humid.

So I can say I've been there now.....

The ballpark is right across from the new Texas Stadium were the Cowboys will play. It was incredible! So big.

Make Over America with Clinton Kelly

2009-05-07T09:26:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday, Claudia and I heard that Clinton Kelly (from TLC's What Not to Wear fame) was going to be at Macy's at the Domain (our own little Austin version of Fashion Valley). He is doing a tour across America where they select 15 local women and completely change their look for the better. There were some pretty amazing transformations. Below is a picture of the fashion show. We got there right before it started so we were close to the back. And at this point, I had forgotten my beloved camera so the quality of the pictures is not so good.

After the fashion show, Clinton was going to be doing a book signing. Claudia and I had anticipated just buying the book for him to sign----but of course, Macy's had a catch. You had to purchase $100 worth of merchandise and they gave you a book. With that said, I jumped out of line, grabbed a pair of $150.00 jeans and got my book. Then promptly returned the jeans in the housewares department. Sneaky me.

Claudia and me with our contraband books, waiting in line to meet Clinton and get them signed.

Me and my terrible excuse of a picture with Clinton Kelly. I swear that is my butt and that is him. The Macy's employees insisted on taking the photos for you, so this is what you get when she tried to use my phone. As we were walking out to the car, guess what I found in my purse................MY CAMERA!!! I was beyond mad. Anyway, Clinton told me my top was a wonderful color!

My FREE Book I ripped off Macy's for. (valued at $25 on the back!)

And the signature on the inside!

A Night of Dancing!!

2009-05-04T13:56:00.005-05:00

Saturday was Dancing Night!!! The next day we remembered why we don't stay out until 2 in the morning anymore. We are way too old.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-04-27T10:08:00.004-05:00

Had to brag, I'm fancy now. Matt got me an IPhone yesterday and I LOVE IT!

Let me know of any cool apps I should get. The case is a red metallic, very cool.

Because I'm Not Very Exciting?

2009-04-27T09:39:00.009-05:00

So apparently, all we do it work in the yard, because it seems that is all I ever have to post about. This Sunday, we worked on putting some more perennials in the front of the house to build up our permanent landscape. We put some daylillies in that should really fill out in a year or so and some other smaller plants. I know it doesn't look like much more, Matt says it is an act of congress getting me to actually decide on something to buy.

Front of the House

My Bougainvilleas, they will be beautiful midsummer

The cutest trellis' I picked up at Hobby Lobby last year. Which reminds me, need to go check out their garden goodies this year.

Front Porch, with the hanging basket planted. Notice the sad puppy eyes in the door.

Found this awesome door mat while shopping with Claudia this weekend at the Outlet Mall in San Marcos. Picked it up at Kirkland's if anyone is interested.

"This is just too much for me to handle"

2009-04-22T13:49:00.005-05:00

On our trip to Pasadena last weekend, we were greeted by rain that had been falling for two straight days. We only thought it was bad on the way there with the windshield wipers going full speed. We we came up to our exit to Matt's parents house, this is what we found:

Yes, that is a street. If you click and make the picture big, you can actually see a car stuck in the middle of it. It goes down in the top ten craziest things I've ever seen in my life.

You'll have to excuse my photography here, I was trying not to wet my pants and we were boating in Matt's truck.

Landscaping Fun!

2009-04-22T13:10:00.005-05:00

As you know, we have been re-doing the front flower bed of the house. After much planning, this is what we have so far. I am the proud owner of 5 winter gem boxwood shrubs (courtesy of Hines Nursery - thank you for distributing them to Home Depot for me Lauren) and two topiary shrubs. The name escapes me of what variety they are. I am working on getting a permanent landscape down that will grow and mature more each year. Look for more updates as we will be filling in the front with some colorful perennials and annuals.

I also planted two Hosta's in our shady wet area where nothing grows. Cross your fingers on these little guys.

This is my herb garden I have started after realizing fresh herbs are much too expensive to buy at the grocery store. I have Bob the Basil, Pam the Parsley, and Clive the Chive. Hopefully they will thrive!

Abuelo's Patron Tequila Dinner

2009-04-17T11:30:00.008-05:00

Last night, we went to Abuelo's restaurant for a special Patron sponsored Tequila Dinner. For $25/person, we got a four course meal and 4 patron drinks:

Watermelon Martini with our appetisers of Tuna, Quesadillas, and some kind of cheesy thing

Cosmopolitan with our salads

Margarita with dinner of Beef Tenderloin and Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Chocolate Martini with desert of flan, margarita pie, and tres leches cake.

During dinner, patron got up and spoke and gave a presentation of how the tequila is made. It was very interesting.

Matt embarrassed about his drink.
Janet and I

Girls with the Patron Reps

Blue Book Showcase

2009-04-15T09:51:00.002-05:00

Nothing too exciting here, just went to the Blue Book Showcase last night for Meet Your General Contractor. We had a booth and there were a ton of people there. My face hurt from talking so much.

Easter Sunday

2009-04-13T10:56:00.006-05:00

We were pretty worn out Easter Sunday, but we managed to make it over to Claudia and Jennifer's place with a fresh fruit salad in hand. They were wonderful hosts of a mimosa brunch, even though Matt and I passed on the mimosas due to the wine the night before. Crissy came and friends Tina and Frank drove in from San Antonio.

"Brie Garcia" with her quiche

Matt and Tina

Sleepy Eyes

Then everyone took a nap. It was a nice Easter!

1st Anniversary

2009-04-13T10:01:00.010-05:00

Our 1 Year Anniversary was this past Sunday, April 12th. With the 12th being Easter Sunday, we decided to celebrate on Saturday night. We had reservations for dinner at Sullivan's Steakhouse (thought the name was appropriate).

As we pulled up to the valet, Matt pulled out a small gift sack from his center console.... We were a tad early for our reservations so we sat in the bar and had a couple of drinks. Matt then let me open it!

It was a really pretty charm bracelet from James Avery with seashells on it. Matt said he got it because it reminded him off all the good times we have shared at the beach over the years. I was totally surprised and loved it.

We had:

For Starters: Oysters on the half shell and crab cakes

Dinner: Fillet Mignon and Lobster Tail with a side of some scalloped potatoes and a wedge salad

Desert: Chocolate Chip soufflé with a sparkler for Matt to hold

And here is a flashback from a year ago at our wedding and celebration dinner at Paris is Vegas.

Round Rock Express Season Opener

2009-04-10T09:28:00.005-05:00

Last night was the season opener for our AAA baseball team, the Round Rock Express. A group of friends rented the party deck which included all of the hot dogs and hamburgers you could eat as well as a keg of beer. It was well worth it, we had a great time.

View From our seats
Carolyn, Janet, and Me.

Matt being the "fun guy" that he is, actually got the mascot to come up to our private deck. Turns out, they went to high school together and this guy took over the UT mascot job from Brian back in the day. Matt quickly arose to hero status in the eyes of the kids there.

Lauren will be so Impressed!

2009-04-06T16:34:00.002-05:00

After much research, here is my garden plan. Yes, I am a nerd and put it all out to scale. I'm compulsive like that.

Weekend Warriers.....yet again

2009-04-06T12:39:00.005-05:00

We have been in the process of tearing out the old planter in the front of our house for a couple of weeks now. Nothing would grow in it and it was full of bugs. We were able to knock most the the brick out with a sledge hammer, only to find a concrete slab on the bottom. Matt rented a jack hammer this weekend and pulled it all up. Now we just need to figure out what kind of plants to plant!!!'

BTW - Matt said the jackhammer rental was the best $50 he has ever spent.

Before: Matt working it:
Ta-Dah, use your imagination.....picture shrubs and pretty flowers!

NAWIC Bowling Fundraiser

2009-04-06T12:30:00.007-05:00

On Friday night, we attended the NAWIC Bowling Fundraiser. Our team did okay, but we weren't even close to winning! Here are some pics from the night:

Whoa!!
Ball Buster

Construction Today Article

2009-04-01T10:42:00.004-05:00

We were recently asked to be in an article for Construction Today Magazine. We have been working with them for about a month and finally have a finished product. Here are our pages from the April 2009 issue. Let me know if you want an email version you can actually read!

Yes, I took all of those photos! Go me!

It must just be terrible to be this happy ALL the time.

2009-03-30T13:53:00.002-05:00

Weekend Warriors......Again....

2009-03-30T09:20:00.009-05:00

We had quite the project this past weekend. I have been jonesing for a new retaining wall in the backyard, and after much begging, finally got the go ahead. We bought 2-tons of drystack limestone at our new favorite store, Whittlesely Landscape (http://www.989rock.com/). They delivered it to our driveway on Saturday morning. Claudia and Jennifer were awesome to come help, eventhough I don't think they would have if they would have known what they were getting into!

The first course was definately the most difficult and frustrating. Matt was the first to say "screw this" and left to go get more dirt. Jennifer was the next to take a break and go let their dogs out. Claudia and I stayed and leveled and placed the first course - which took FOREVER. We had a great system down though. Matt attests Claudia and I being able to work together so well because we are both left handed and do things the weird way. Once we were ready to stack, Matt and Jenn came back refreshed and carried 2-tons of rock from the driveway to the backyard. It went pretty quickly after that. I must say, I was quite impressed with our handy work. We're not members of NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) for nothing!

If you need help with your retaining wall, please call 1-800-KICKASS.

Here are some photos progressing the journey to our fabulous wall:

Before, when we moved in, November 2006

What it has looked for 2 years after we pulled the termite ridden timbers out.

Claudia helping dig it out.

Working Women.

Our finished product

Looking proud, rough and tough.

Flashback Friday!

2009-03-27T11:41:00.010-05:00

Here are some baby pictures of me. My sister is in the process of making all of our old family photos digital. I have been sending them to Matt as he has never seen any baby picutes of me. His response was that I was a "dudely" baby. How sweet. Curious to see if anyone agrees.

When I asked if he thought it looked like me, he said "your eyebrows look the same". Guess they have never grown in.....

Me and my sister Candace in this one...

Wondering when I got in my time machine and went back to the late 70's early 80's?

I didn't, that's my mom when she was close to my age. Please insert your creeped out comments below.

Topping Out Finally Scheduled!

2009-03-27T09:14:00.006-05:00

As most of you know, my project is getting ready to "Top Out". For all of you non-construction nerds, this means that the highest point of the building has been placed. It is a tradition to sign the final beam (which in this case will be a fake since our building is concrete), put an evergreen tree on it, and fly it with the tower crane to the top of the building. The tree orginated way back in the day and was thought to protect the building from evil spirits. We will have a party for the jobsite catered by the Four Seasons (yum) and city officials and media are encouraged to attend. It should be a great time, other than the fact that I have to plan the whole thing.

All of that said, the date is scheduled for............Friday, May 29th! Only problem? I have a flight scheduled that morning to go to Oklahoma for my niece's dance recital. Looks like I may have to reschedule and fly into OKC that evening instead. I am definately not missing the recital!

Here are some photos of the project when we had just poured the 28th floor. We will have 32 when we get to the top! Also included a pic of our team.

First Blog

2009-03-26T14:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, my sister Candace has been after me for several months now to create a blog. I enjoy reading hers daily, so I thought I'd return the favor. We do seem to always have something crazy going on! Now I just have to figure everything out!