Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Windows and Doors and Molding... Oh My!

My quest for salvaged home items has begun! I am looking for antique entry doors, preferably Craftsman style, screen doors, and molding. We have salvaged a few items from Kelly's grandmother's store, which we are in the process of demolishing. Among those items are three doors, one of which will definitely be used as our laundry room door. I would also like to use one for the half bath downstairs. I am really excited about adding these "vintage" touches to our new house. I also think it will be a special element for Kelly, having pieces of the store that was a big part of his family's life for so many years incorporated into our home.

I am a sucker for old houses and buildings--anything with history is preferable to "new and shiny" in my opinion. Hence, Kelly has battled my aversion to a new house from the outset. I will say he is being pretty open-minded about the possibility of adding "old stuff" in with our look.

We are also keeping our eyes peeled for scrapped wood to use as hardwood flooring in the future. We will be able to save some wood from the store, but probably not enough to use for flooring. I have several wedding projects in mind, which could later be used in our house for decor. I sure am glad I am marrying a handyman!

We are also planning to use the front steps of "Ruby's" as our back steps. They are simply stacked granite slabs. We plan to use other granite slabs salvaged from the foundation to make a patio. We are open to any other thoughts, so if y'all have good renovation ideas, please share!!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Soundtrack of Our Lives

"Play the fast song, Daddy, please?" Adriana asks sweetly.

"Hast song! Hast song! Puulllaaayse!!!" Maebrynn chants loudly.

This is how our first, third, and (on lucky months) fifth weekends always begin. For a few days each month, our family is complete, and we soak up every moment. Our classic love story -- single dad of toddler daughter meets single mom of infant daughter -- is much more convoluted than it seems, but we try to provide as much stability for our babies as possible. As of today, March 22, 2012, Kelly and I have been "together" for 21 months, engaged for three. We are in the throws of wedding plans and house-building plans. This is the story of two people who fell in love... Three times. But so far it is true what they say! Third time's a charm!

Adriana turned three in November, and Maebrynn will be two in April. They are your typical sisters, fighting one minute, kissing each other the next. Adriana began referring to Mae as "sister" last weekend, something that thrills me to no end. Maebrynn cries, fiercely demanding to know where Adriana is every Sunday when she is dropped off at her grandmother's. I know she thinks Kelly and I stash Adri somewhere because her little mind does not understand yet how things work. Adriana herself has a difficult time understanding, and that is one of the most painful things to know. It is not an easy path that we take, but we do alright making things work. 

Kelly is a welder who rarely gets to weld. Construction is his blanket field. Regardless, he is a hard worker and very talented. I could not be prouder of the man I have chosen to marry.

I am a Library Assistant at the University of Georgia. I do other things as well, including writing a small blurb for our county newspaper about the community in which we live and filling in some Saturdays at the Robert Toombs House, an historic site in Washington, Georgia. I doubt I will ever be monetarily rich, but I really enjoy my jobs!

That is the quick and easy description of our family. I plan to post about progress we make with our DIY wedding, our house, and who knows what else may pop up in between the two. I feel that this may be the best way to share our updates with family and friends, and who knows? I may entertain or teach y'all something!

By the way, the "fast song" is country artist Chris Young's "Lost." It is highly appealing to the toddler/preschool crowd. This is a Public Service Announcement (warning).