Before and After

Before

After

I'm only showing a small part of the kitchen. The counter top continues to the left, and in that same direction is the refrigerator. In order for me to show the other half of the kitchen I have to do that "stitch assist" with my camera and I'm really no good at it. If you continue to the right, you would find my new (yay!) dishwasher. Also, as you can see I had to put plastic wraps over my kitchen utensils, toaster, and mixer since at the time that these pics were taken, we were still working on minor loose ends. I didn't want anything getting inside someplace it wasn't suppose to.

Finally, I leave you with a pic of THE most ferocious beast of the west coast. He was fed this evening in a paper plate because his bowl was untidy and the poor thing was very hungry.



Be careful! Don't get too close to your screens. He's off his leash and ANYTHING can happen!:0)

More Trouble for Mel

Did you know that Mel Gibson and girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva split up earlier this year? They both have a daughter together who was born on October 30th of 2009.

It was on April of 2009 that Gibson and his wife of thirty years filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences for their break-up. Shortly thereafter, Mel Gibson's relationship with Oksana Grigorieva became public. Today, several media outlets report that Gibson has filed a restraining order against Oksana Grigorieva.

I'm not sure what to think of Mel Gibson anymore. He once gave me the impression that he was trying to be more Catholic than the Pope by rejecting both Papal authority as well as the reforms of Vatican II (let's not even talk about his father). Now I see him caught up in divorce and fathering a child with someone he has absolutely no intention of marrying.

Was it all just talk, Mel, this Catholic fire and brimstone exhortation? I'm not judging you. We're all sinners.

For the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I know. I'm late.)

I must apologize for my untimely observation, but I wanted to post this for the feast day of The Immaculate Heart of Mary. Unfortunately the feast day passed without my contribution. This is the Salve Regina by my current favorite composer Arvo Part.

Important: Please ignore the absurd commentary/ imagery of this video. Just stay focused on the music. I'm going to try to look for a different video that offers this same piece of music. Pause Music Player to the right of the blog before continuing

Murderer x 2

I hope this bastard gets whatever is coming to him.



His father is deceased, so he doesn't have the free legal advice this time around.

Two More Go Up

Two more windows went up today with still a few more to go. I'm also going to paint the house on the outside, so we're in the process of prepping the exterior for the paint.

This whole revamping experience has been a Nightmare on Elm Street.

Also, is anybody interested in a small dog who is in cahoots with the forces of evil?

Yes, the landscaping in the first pic above will also be overhauled. I'm just not sure whether I should put in new grass or desert landscaping.

Again, if you are interested in an (evil) pup, please let me know.

I Wasn't Kidding

The floors are done, but the house still is a mess. I have a long way to go before all the furniture is put back where is belongs. Speaking of furniture, the one you are seeing in this pic, is on its way out. There is the option of refurbishing those bumps and grinds that occur over the course of time. It can save me a pretty penny if I take that route. I'm still, for the most part, undecided.

The new kitchen. Pardon my dust. As you can see, I have to clean it from all the dust generated by the removal of the old counter top. There is even a screw driver on it from all the activity happening to the right of it.

New energy efficient windows (is that the correct term?)

These are new as well. The patch-up you see on the wall is the result of a new kitchen sink and plumbing that I'm putting on the other side. It will, of course, be fixed properly and meticulously. But that is for the outside renovation, I'm still working on the inside.


Out with the old, in with the new. The old counter top has been dumped. In it's place will be a granite surface with new sink.


My pool. Next to it is the sofa that will join the sink and the carpet. On top of the sofa are clothes I had to remove from a closet somewhat abruptly. They'll probably not go back in there again. And yes, the pool deck I have to mend as well. Here in Vegas, and I suppose in many other places as well, their is subtle seismic activity that over time creates cracks in the decking. That and the unforgiving heat. In the background, you can see that my neighbor is doing his share or renovations as well.

Prayers for Toby. Busy.

I'm in the process of getting my house painted, and at the same time, in another part that is already painted, I'm putting in tiles on the floor (bye, bye carpet!). This is the second week that I spend time working on this and there is much more to go.

I took Toby to get groomed this morning (as EVERYTHING else was taking place) when I got a call from the groomer telling me he could not be shaved. Apparently, he was being very combative, so they put a muzzle on him that also covered his eyes. The groomer then told me he might have had a seizure, since he stiffened up and his tongue turned blue. I rushed him to the vet where he is in the process of getting check out as I write this (BTW, they couldn't draw blood because he fought both the doctor and the technicians. Subsequently, they had to sedate him to run the tests).

I'm being selfish, but if you can, could you say a prayer for Toby and for a peaceful solution the phenomenal mess I'm in right now? Thank you and God bless!

PS
I meant to visit the blogs of some of my dear blogger pals, but as described above, EVERYTHING is hitting at once (other stuff I'm not mentioning).

UPDATE

I brought Toby back from the vet yesterday afternoon, after being sedated so the doctor could perform blood work on him. Toby, before sedation, was very unruly and combative with the medical team, so he had to be asleep for the procedure. Tomorrow (Monday) I may have the full results of the blood work.

This afternoon, he vomited just as I was about to give him his chow. The doctor instructed me to give him just a spoonful of food, and see how he reacts. If all is well after a short while, I can give him a little more.

All ways something, isn't it? That's life, however.

THANK YOU for keeping us in your prayers! Remember us, please, next time you pray.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL :0)

Fallen

I was just reading in the news that the son of the late actress Dana Plato, Tyler Lambert, committed suicide on May 6th of this year. Almost 11 years to the day in which his mother died of a drug overdose. He was only 25 years old. This got me thinking about the multiple tragedies that characterize the lives of crestfallen celebrities. Many child stars, like Dana Plato, begin their careers at an age when most children are thinking about school and playmates, not contracts and maintaining a public image. When their careers begin to plateau, that's when the trouble starts. In Plato's case, she had reduced herself to committing armed robbery, engaged in drug abuse, and starred in softcore pornographic films.

The deaths of Dana Plato and her son Tyler Lambert, are analogous to the tragic deaths of Anna Nicole Smith and her son Daniel Smith. Both situations (Plato/ Lambert; Smith/Smith) involved individuals who wanted more than what life could give them, and all of the individuals involved died young, some while possessed by addiction.


As a child, I remember watching Different Strokes, and thinking to myself just how beautiful Dana Plato was. Those big, dazzling eyes, freckled cheeks, and a mouth that seemed to smile even when serious were just some of the things this puberty-bound boy became enamored with when her image appeared on my television set. How undeserving of any human being to spiral to an early grave the way she did.

For the Ones Who Died by Suicide

God, lover of souls, You hold dear what You have made and spare all things, for they are Yours. Look gently upon those who have taken their own lives, and by the Blood of the cross, forgive their sins and failings. Remember the faith of those who mourn and satisfy their longing for that day when all will be made new again in Christ, our risen Lord, who lives and reigns with You forever and ever. Amen.

Betty White on SNL (For Adults Only)

The venerable Betty White (88 years old) shows that older folks can make younger audiences laugh till they bust a gut.

This is the link to the video on Hulu.com

Happy Mother's Day

A Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there who have patiently, and through very difficult times, given us your unconditional love. God bless you immensely!

And a BIG Happy Mother's Day to the most beautiful and sweetest supermom I know...MY mom!

God bless all the moms everyday of the year!