Small Yard Project....not so much!

A few weeks back I mentioned AT&T was going to be digging up my yard again any day to remove the box and utility easement in our front yard. Well, kids we are on the utility company's time line, which means it didn't start until 3 weeks later, or so. Here is their artwork thus far in our front yard. I went upstairs and got an aerial shot for you! As you can see they have dug a hole about 8 feet long by 4 feet wide and it is also at least 6 feet deep. When they are down in there you can't see them. When I took the pictures they were at lunch. They have 3 umbrellas they put in there as well as fans they hook up to a generator to keep them cool. It is really quite an operation! They have to wear these little hard hats, all due to Ochoa regulations so I'm told, that they really don't care for. I went to get the mail on Wednesday and peered down in the hole at them. I then made the comment that they looked like the miners on T.V. with their little hats on. They said, "Oh, don't say that!" I then asked if they were doing ok and if they needed something to drink, hoping they would take me up on it so I could get their picture of them drinking lemonade in the front yard as suggested in the previous post. Plus the last thing I need is for one of the AT&T men to collapse in my front yard! They responded with, "Oh no, we're fine. We've just been worried about you in there in all that cool air conditioning." I must admit, they are funny!

This is the 5th time they have dug up our yard! I have evidently created a reputation down at the AT&T office. The foreman came on the job site Tuesday and said, "Oh hi there, I've been hearing nothing but good things about you all day." My response was, "Well, I aim to please." Evidently, the people down at the main office told the foreman that I would help him with the other neighbors and be nice to him at the same time. I can imagine that is not a usual response when they dig burial sites in most peoples' yards like we have at the present. They are projecting this to take another week or so until they start putting the yard back together again. It could always be worse, and it's just less Johnny has to mow right now! However, this is a lesson as to why one should always get a survey! You will never know you have a utility easement unless you get one or until you find AT&T six feet under when you get home one day!

Exciting Times!

We have officially broken ground! This is the backhoe digging our footers for the foundation! The lot was cleared last week, and this week they started digging. It is so exciting seeing progress. We should be moving in sometime in March. We are planning on putting our house on the market within the next month once our yard project is complete, stay tuned to the upcoming post to appreciate this comment! I have been meeting with contracters and trying to stay within the budgets I have been given. All of which makes me very nervous, because I don't handle budgets too well.

Concerns.....

Last Tuesday, August 7th, Catherine was 6 months old. Can you believe it? People always told us time would fly by once we had children, and now I truly understand what they meant. So, it was time to go to the pediatrician for another well check-up for shots etc.... In the days leading up to the visit, I noticed Catherine holding her ears. I thought for sure she was getting an ear infection. She will hold them while I am feeding her. On her 6 month birthday we went to the doctor. Dr. Westbrook is so much fun! I look forward to going to the visits much more so than Catherine! As she checked her she requested another doctor in the group to come listed to Catherine's heart. They found a heart murmur. We have an appointment at Children's Hospital with a Pediatric Cardiologist for him to run some tests on the 23rd of this month. Me being the typical "high spirited" personality that I am, I remained calm. Yes, I was just as surprised as you are. I didn't really get too upset until I spoke with the cardiology clinic to get directions to Children's Hospital. The pediatrician reassured me that 95% of the patients she sends grow out of the condition or just need medication and monitoring. More than likely it is nothing to worry about, but it is still a concern right now for us. Please pray for her little heart!

Oh, and no she doesn't have an ear infection. They are just another body part she has discovered and are therefore a toy during feedings! It is quiet funny to watch her open her mouth while holding her ears!

Angels!

It's official, I have an angel sleeping down the hall! Catherine has started taking her naps in her bed this week! Finally! I was beginning to wonder what we were going to do when she outgrew the swing? She was taking all of her naps in the swing everyday. Sunday night was baby dedication at church and Catherine has now been all kinds of dedicated. She was a little fussy in the hall, but really good once inside the sanctuary. She liked all the sounds and lights, and was very interested in everything going on around her so she was quiet!

All of my closings are just that, closed! Hooray! Things can quieten down for a little while. I do have showings this weekend, so I don't know how long the quiet time will last, but the next few days will be nice. The thought of moving is starting to set in. I think it is always good for me to put myself in the position of my clients so I am better able to empathize. Boy am I starting to feel the pressure and we haven't even broken ground. I have to keep reminding myself "deep breathes". All will be ok, if I will stop worrying about things that haven't taken place yet, which I have a bad habit of doing!

Something that is taking place is the telephone company digging up our front yard again! I need to go take pictures of them, wouldn't they love that! What if I gave them all some lemonade and had them pose? Our front yard has a utility easement and is "luckily" the telephone hub for the entire neighborhood development!!! So, anytime they add another phase to the subdivision or someone moves in or anything changes, they come and tweak the box or dig in the yard. I have visited with 3 guys so far this morning and they are going to be digging for the next 4-6 weeks! But, after they are through, the box and easement will be moved permanently, and there will be no more digging ever!!!!! That is such good news for the new people who will live here after us! Congratulations to them!!!!!

Deep Thoughts, Not Really

Wow it has been a busy week! We finalized the plans for the new house! I would post them, but I don't know how? The system keeps telling me I've made an error. It is an adobe file, so if any of you have suggestions please let me know!

However, I think I have successfully posted the link to Catherine's baby dedication pictures? Dedication Pictures Take a look at how much she is changing! The dress she is wearing was made by my mother. It is so hard choosing pictures of your own child. Without fail, I want to get one of all the proofs of Catherine by herself. Then when I'm in the picture I'm definitely more selective and don't have the urge to buy them all. Maybe I should be in more pictures so I won't buy as many?

Work has been extremely busy! I have had 2 closings in the last week and one has now been moved to Monday. The closing set for the 31st will now be moved up to next Friday! I'm really looking forward to next weekend so I can breathe.

Johnny's high school class reunion is tomorrow night at Cajun's Wharf. I must admit I'm quit excited about going. I am not looking forward to seeing anyone in particular, but I'm very pumped about the food! I could eat seafood all day long, everyday! I am the senior class president of my high school class, so it will be a good learning experience for me to see what we might want to do or not do. Catherine is going to be staying overnight with my mom for the occasion. I'm a little nervous, but really looking forward to a little break. I went to Elle the other day for their sidewalk sale and found the best jacket! Don't you just love finding something you feel good in? It is like the magic jacket. I can put that thing on and feel completely different about how I look. Needless to say, I'm wearing it tomorrow night! I called Johnny when I got it and here's how the conversation went.

Me - Hey I just got the most precious jacket!!!!!!
Johnny - How much was the jacket?
Me - I got it at the sidewalk sale and it was a good deal for a jacket. It was $...... (not important)
Johnny - uuugggghhh. So, I guess that means you now have to buy stuff to go with the jacket?
Me - No, I think I'll just wear heals, jeans and a tank with it.
Johnny - Ok, good. Then I think it's a precious jacket too!

You can tell I'm married to a financial man! I'm so lucky! Because of Johnny, I will be able to retire one day. If I were in charge of the finances, then we'd probably have to work till we're 90! That's it for deep thoughts from Claire today! Have a great weekend!

Here are some of the pictures of Catherine we have taken lately. There is bathtime, the beach, and the pool. Enjoy!

Calling All Opinions!

Well, this week has been soooo busy! God has blessed me with 4 closings this month! Who said the market was slow? So, I've been going back and forth between feedings, to appointments, to taking care of my dad etc.... I think it has all been overwhelming and now I'm getting a cold. I have decided that it is time to turn in on the whole breastfeeding thing. I'm becoming too stressed in order to make it beneficial as a mother. It took a long time for me to be comfortable with that fact. One more thing that people don't tell you about is the physical pain of the whole process! Oh well, what choice do I have? I can't be the dairy forever!

Ok, so I went and got my hair cut and colored yesterday and I'm not too sure about it. I had it done for the first time about 3 months ago and didn't really like the color then either? Sunday a friend that I hadn't seen in a while came up to me and said, "Oh Claire, I didn't recognize you with dark hair." That sealed it, something had to change fast! I told my hairdresser this, but I don't think it sunk in? I look like a tiger! I have dark hair with these gold highlights that don't match. I'm completely open to all suggestions on cut, color and more importantly stylists! I'm shopping for a new guy or gal now, just to audition them. Let me know your thoughts please!

Catherine is starting to teeth a little. I can't see any nubs yet, but she loves to chew. We have started adding fruits to her cereal and so far she is only fond of bananas. It is so fun watching her eat! She gags with applesauce and peaches and makes a sour face, but attacks the bananas. She has started rolling over all the time now, but still not crawling. This week she has also discovered her voice and loves to scream and squeal now. It is hysterical!

For the 4th we went and hung out with Aunt Sunnee and Paw Paw Nic. Catherine had her first swim in the pool. Paw Paw Nic consulted our neighbor ER Doc., and heated the pool to 94 degrees! It was a giant bath tub.

The house is coming along slowly but surely. We should finalize our plans within the next week and construction will start in late August/early September. I'm going to try to post the plans if I can figure that out? I'm usually doing good to post pictures, can't you tell?

That's pretty much all the excitement in our house. I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend between appointments.