playing PA

Drew thought he might have perforated his ear drum so he asked Megan to come over and take a look. Here are the pictures of the PA and the patient. The ear drums did not look the same,
but neither one of us saw a perforation.

Biking week two.

Well, the verdict from Megan is that I am getting faster. I asked her today if my legs would ever quit burning. She assured me that they would. I will be glad of that. We got a little rain this afternoon, so it was actually cooler when I rode home than when I went to work. WOO HOO! I'm driving my car tomorrow, as we are leaving right after work to go to Roswell for the weekend, and I don't want to have to come home and shower before we leave. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

Gifts.

I have received many wonderful gifts from my friends and family. This birthday was no exception. Robert surprised me with tickets to the quilt market in October, with him going along as my business manager, adviser person. Woo Hoo! Beth and Don gave my a picture that says "live love laugh". It matches the colors of my kitchen perfectly and fit above the kitchen window and covered the place on the wall that wasn't perfect. Last night at small group I was surprised with a peanut butter ice cream cake (mmm mmm) and a beautiful candle. I received lots of emails, several snail mail cards, a text message and a couple of phone calls, one complete with a crazy rendition of the happy birthday song. Megan and Drew gave me a picture album made on shutterfly. It was a wonderful gift that brought laughter and tears. There has been a lot of that mixture lately, laughter and tears.
Here is the link to view it. If it does work as a hyperlink copy and paste it into the address line.
You do not have to sign in, just click on the view photo book button.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0FaMm7di3YuOA

Thank you all for all of your thoughtfulness. I am overwhelmed by your love.

Thankful.

Today is my 45th birthday and I have spent some time the last couple of days just trying to be thankful. That has been my theme when I am walking the dogs in the morning. Just telling God what I am thankful for. To be a person that is humbly grateful, not grumbly hateful. So, I thought I would try to give you 45 things I am thankful for. In no particular order.

1. Robert-I take him for granted. It isn't every husband that would quit his job and move to another city and work tirelessly on an old building, so that his wife could pursue her dream.
2. Megan-That she loves me and enjoys spending time with me.
3. Drew- He is a great kid who sometimes gets a bad rap.
4. My home, it is almost finished.
5. Walking my dogs in the quiet of the morning.
6. Being creative with quilting.
7. Riding my motorcycle with Robert.
8. The new church we now are members of.
9. Good health, and being able to ride my bicycle to and from work.
10. My friends who love me and support me, even when it means moving away.
11. Grace.........where would I be without that.
12. Airconditioning.
13. Bubble baths.
14. Sitting on my porch, and seeing people we know and waving.
15. My faithful dog at her master's feet.
16. Sharing the same birthday as my Dad and my friend Bliss.
17. Working in pediatrics last week and this week.
18. Prayer, talking with the Creator of the Universe and quietly listening for His voice.
19. My Bible and what is divinly written in its pages. And the things that I written in it to remind me of people and events and things I have learned.
20. Laughter.
21. My hands and feet.
22. Songs. Sometimes I wake up with a song in my heart.
23. My extended family.
24. Strong arms and legs. Even though they sometimes ache.
25. Rain. We have had a little the last couple of days.
26. Helmets and people who see me when I am on my bike.
27. Books.
28. Books on tape.
29. Old and new quilts.
30. Fabric.
31. Old hyms with new music.
32. A good cup of coffee.
33. A cold beer on a hot day.
34. My eyes, even though they need some help from glasses.
35. Hearing.
36. The beautiful sunset we had last night.
37. Seeing the sun come up.
38. Sleeping in on Saturday.
39. Color.
40. The breeze that blows everyday on my way home.
41. Truth.
42. Freedom.
43. Mercy.
44. Love.
45. Celebrating.

So, what are you thankful for?
Let me know I would love to hear from you.

The napping house.

At some point over the weekend this is where you will find one or more of us. Napping at the napping house. Today however, we went to church, and Robert and I got a motorcycle ride in. But, it was so hot by the time we got back we collasped and napped. Then I managed to get some quilting in. Now, if I could just find my thread box I could continue with the applique daisies I started. (Yes Debbie I said applique.) Go figure "Miss loves to piece" is working on an applique wall quilt.

Fabric Therapy.

Today I cleaned up the quilting corner of our bedroom. I unpacked three boxes and set up a bookcase for rulers, books, magazines, and fabric. I still have more boxes downstairs to unpack, but at least I got the ones in our bedroom unpacked. I also spent some time working on a quilt. It really feels good to be working on a quilt. I truly enjoyed the process of quilt making. So, after this one is done, I think I will "shop" in one of the many boxes of fabric that I have in the "store" downstairs and start another one.

PA school class of 2009.

Here is Megan's class. She is in the first row white shirt and black pants. I liked the silly picture instead of the formal-ish one. Another tough semester has begun, Which makes me glad to be biking to work with Megan. I get to see her more than if we didn't. I can actually talk to her the whole time we are Telfair which is seven blocks, then we hit the hill on 12th street and I lag behind and road in busier and we can't ride side by side anyway.

But we have good conversation for seven blocks anyway.

Dog tired.

I did it, I biked to and from work all week. I'm proud of myself and looking forward to next week, though I am glad that I have two days off! Like Tallulah I am dog tired.

I couldn't wait any longer.

I know that I said I wouldn't have kitchen pictures until it was done, but I couldn't wait any longer. It's painted, the window is framed, and all the the trim is on and painted. All I have left to do is to paint the pantry doors and order the ceiling tiles so we can get those up. Beth and Don gave me the sign above the window for my birthday. I still need to tweak it a little and get a curtain hung.........but from where we were when we moved in, it is FABULOUS!!



Amazing, considering what it was like when we bought the place! If you don't remember take a look in the First look sections of the blog. You will be impressed.
Woo Hoo!
Way to go Robert!

Biking day two.

So, I wasn't sore this morning and I felt like I kept up a little better. However, getting back on my bike at the end of the day took some convincing. I thought about calling Robert to come and pick me up, but I got on the bike and started peddling. Slow and steady is my mantra slow and steady. I'm really glad that I don't have to bike to 3rd street where Megan lives, because I think that those last two blocks may have done me in. I left my work shoes in my locker, so I am commited to riding again tomorrow. Hopefully soon it will not be as hard.

Biking to work.

Nothing like a picture of yourself around a table of food to motivate you to really realize that you have gained back all the weight you lost this year. So, I made the commitment to really bike to work, even though my thermometer read 80 degrees when I left the house this morning and 102 degrees when I got home. It is fun and a little corny to be riding my bike with Megan. She showed me the route, where to park my bike, and where the lockers are. Kinda like me being the kid on my first day of school. (I thought I was too young for this kind of role reversal.) Anyway we had fun and Megan only had to coast a couple of times waiting for me to catch up. I'm pretty sure my prayer of desperation is the reason we caught the last two lights as red lights though. I will say that even though I was hot hot hot and sweaty sweaty sweaty on both legs of the journey. I feel pretty good. I will keep you posted on how I feel tomorrow.

August birthdays in Augusta.

This weekend Beth and Don came down to celebrate August birthdays, since Robert, Don and I all have birthdays in August. It was a nice weekend, one where we all got to hang out and play cards, watch movies and eat Mexican food without having to work on the house. We got to use some of our new dishes that the IT department gave Robert as a going away gift. We really enjoyed it. It was also great to take them to The Well. The downtown church we have been visiting. It was good to worship next to them again. As, always the visits are bittersweet, because it is just for the weekend and they had to drive back to Roswell. When they left, I wished we had just one more day to spend together, which is a good way to end a visit.

Mornings.

Today I didn't want to get out of bed when the alarm went off. In fact I stayed in it for almost 40 minutes. That really throws things behind. It was much lighter out when I walked the dogs this a.m. Walking the dogs in the morning is a good time to pray. I see a few people out at this time of the day. There is a man who sits on his porch and yells out to my "dawgs". I wave, and pray. I always walk to Megan's block, though there is never a light on in her house that early. I pray for her and my family. Our friends the Hoover's have a new baby and so I always look for a light on in their window. Marit and I were on the same schedule for awhile, but the last two mornings the light hasn't been on. I'm sure Ellen is thankful for some more sleep. Another opportunity to pray. I am thankful for this walk most mornings. Even on days I drag my feet getting out of bed. So, tonight I am going to bed early so I can be up on time.

Not to be out done by a haircut.

Not to be out done by Tallulah, Sabueso donned a tie and posed for a picture.

This picture tells the real truth. I'd say it wasn't his idea of a fun picture for his blog obsessed owner.

Traffic Report.

Heard on the way to work this a.m. Time saver traffic. Washington Road "Busy as expected no delays", Walton Way "running smoothly". That made me smile. I must say I do not miss being on GA 400 with 30,000 of my closest friends.

The roller coaster of emotions.

Well, I don't have to commute to Atlanta anymore. Again that is good and bad. I left a job I love, and people I love for a new job. I'm trying to remind myself that it is a stepping stone to opening a quilt shop, and hopefully another job I will love. I left the surgery center with laughter and tears. I made myself a going away quilt of Children's t-shirts that I had my friends sign, so it is like a hug when I nap under it. I was surprised with a scrapbook that they made of the people and things of Meridian Mark Surgery Center, it me laugh and cry all over again. It was a good thing that Drew was with me on the way home and could drive. :-)
I am getting to know people at my new job a little better which is nice. There are a couple of ladies that go out of their way to help me and be kind. That has made a difference this week.
There is so much change in our lives right now, that this weekend I painted my kitchen.......RED which will be the third red kitchen that we have had. I do love a red kitchen! It helped to make it feel like home. Still no pictures though until it is all done. Maybe next weekend. One minute I am happy and content and the next sad and lonely. I will be glad when I level out some. I still think that this is the right move for us. The lesson I think I am learning once again is, that even though it is right, doesn't mean it will be easy. (thanks Don and Cara for reiterating that to me) Yes, LORD I listening!

The "tail" of a bad haircut.

So, it's been really really hot here, and we thought that fluffy Tallulah needed a summer do. Because after we go for walks she pants like she is about to have heat stroke. Sooo off to Petsmart we go.
This is Tallulah before.

After. Big head and ears, little body.

Drew wouldn't take her for a walk with the bows in her hair.

Now at least when she is laying on the tile she can feel the coolness! And instead of a fuzzy bum she looks like she has chicken legs.

Don't worry it will grow back.

Places we frequent.

I thought that I would show you some of the places that we frequent. Places we are trying to become "regulars" at.














This is the Whistle Stop Cafe. It's just a couple of blocks from the house. We walk here Saturday mornings. Robert usually gets the breakfast special, with two eggs. He mixes them with his grits, like a true southerner. My Dad would be proud.






This is Nacho Mama's. It is on the main drag of Broad St. It is a little different take on Mexican.


Only two tables outside, so you have to get there early to stake one out. We have yet to be able to eat outside.




The Book Tavern a great used and new bookstore. One block over from Nacho Mama's. We can spend hours in here.
















The Pizza Joint, our Sunday night hangout. However it has been too hot to walk there lately.
Barbeque chicken pizza and a beer. mmm mmm good.








Last, but not least I wanted you to see how much we are paying for gas in North Augusta, S.C. which is right across the river from us. This gas station is convienently located right next to a fire works store. I will admit that makes me a little nervous, but also gives me a chuckle every time we pass it.

The entry way.

Here is a first look at the entry. You walked right into the "kitchen". Funny, now I don't remember what the floor was and it's hard to tell in this picture. Robert reminded me it was plywood that slanted down toward the door to the living room.

This is the beginning of tearing out the floor in front of the entry. For awhile it was a little nerve racking to walk "the plank" because they did not feel sturdy. The door frame is there, but there is not a wall between the frame and the entry door.

Drew starting the framing.

We have the makings of an entry way.

The hallway painted courtesy of Beth and Katelyn.

The beginning of the cement board for the tile.

Getting closer. Poor Robert had to lay this in sections as this is the only entry into the house and we needed to be able to get in and out without stepping on the tile. Never a dull moment at the Mullis house.

Looking in from the front door. We opted to paint the trim and baseboards a shade darker green for a change of pace.

Michael said " it makes it feel even more finished as you are not stepping right into construction."

The entry way. Complete with a little closet.

WOO HOO! Thanks Robert!

Some pictures of rooms that are mostly done.

Robert has been working really hard, while I have been back in Atlanta for my last couple of weeks of work.

Drew's room. Hopefully we will get curtains and get them up soon, so we can take down the brown paper.

Perfect room for a teenage boy. More like a cave. He loves that it is a dark room.

Final shot of Drew's bathroom. Complete with mirror, towel racks and a rug!

This is the coolest (temperature wise) room in the house. I have been tempted to take a page out of Tallulah and my friend Gail's book, and lay on the cold tile to cool down. As our thermometer read 112 degrees today! Welcome to Hot-gusta.