Queenies Little Kingdom

It's breezy here this morning…so my faithful dog girls and I are outside enjoying it. One more cool snap is on its way and I'm happy for it. We've had to use a/c all weekend and I found myself feeling all snoot-ee pa-tooty about it.

Call me a heat snob…I suppose!

Yesterday was an adventure!  I needed a few items from the store and since my youngest drives my car to school (she's taking summer Geometry)  I had to wait for her to come home. I was in a hurry because I needed to put the chicken in the crockpot for tacos but I was missing a key ingredient to do it–hence he store run.

Out to the car we run when Geometry girl says, "Oh your car is running funny!".  I crank up and put it in gear…..and push the gas only it drags along as if a body is trapped underneath.  I stop and jump out to make sure nothing is under there (seriously it sounded that awful).  I see nothing there and it looks totally normal. Tried once more.  Still more grinding.  I check the 4wd…turn it on and off.  I backed up…and pulled forward. Nothing stopped it.

So I did what all chicks do and called my hubby.  He asked all the 4wd questions and I told him I had tried all that. He said I'll be right there.  Whew…in case you didn't know-I live in a world that is positively convinced DAD (aka my hubby) can take care of everything.  I use this time to slap on some makeup because now I feel like it was a sign to pretty up before "running" to the store.

I notice hubby fooling with the car and came outside to see what's the what…he hops in and says I'll drive it you just take mine.  I ask what was wrong with mine….and he smiled and said—the EMERGENCY BRAKE was on!

HUH? WHAT? Who uses that thing?

Did I mention my girl drove to and from school that morning? Yeah with the brake pressed down. Who knew my son had set the brake on Sunday when he drove it last?  Not us-that's who!!

I like how my hubby handled it with our boy.  He said,  "ALWAYS LEAVE ANY & ALL VEHICLES READY TO GO FOR THE WOMEN IN THIS FAMILY!"

I couldn't agree more.  Thanks, SUPERDAD! 

I'm so excited about all that's happening around my house. Right this moment it's quiet and lazy….but over the weekend, work work work! My son told me that this is the summer his dad is trying to end it all. As in, kick off & hand over his life insurance. Every single weekend he has a hot & tiring project to work on that nearly does him in. I think he's making up for all the time he lazed around and ignored stuff.

He's buzzing with ideas and I love it!  I just have to remind him to "pace yourself" or else!

The big project that was pressing this weekend, the hot tub lid. We've been trying to find a replacement for the last year. Everywhere we've looked it was either crazy expensive or too complicated to get in our area. After calling the original spa seller in the next town over and finding out it would be at minimum $500 to replace–we decided to MAKE OUR OWN, dangit!

I'm not ashamed to admit….I was skeptical! I know how the ADHD brain works and I also know how exciting it is to start a project that fizzles out and ends up a costly mess in your yard & garage. My biggest fear was that this was totally going to look like a white trash version of a hillbilly (no offense, hillbilly friends) spa lid and that it wouldn't last. After exhausting all other avenues and cringing at the $500….I said, "Let's do this!".

It doesn't hurt to have the world's greatest workers around. Ally has been working full-time hours at the bank and jumping in on whatever project her dad is buried under when she comes home. He loves working with her and she loves helping her dad too. They think a lot alike and end up having a great time (remember the Father's Day plumbing problem?).

I'm impressed! I'm also grateful that while it wasn't cheap to create our own lid it was much more affordable. It looks great! Thanks Honey & Ally!

This is the end result minus the final covering for weatherproofing.  Looks great, huh?

On Sunday, because building a new hot tub lid until midnight on Saturday night wasn't enough manual labor….hubby decided to get busy building a new stairway up to our backyard with some new blocks we purchased from a neighbor. Like, 273 of them!  After catching the fever to keep the yard beautification process going….he came up with another plan to update what was torn up several years ago by ANOTHER plumbing problem. The one in which we had to replace our entire downstairs of our house problem.

This job will take a bit more time than an afternoon.  Even with several helpers.  Sit tight though, I'll be posting finished product photo's as soon as the gig is up!  I  can't wait!  

Stay tuned.

This is my new favorite way to blog. I can’t believe how beautiful it is this morning. God must have orchestrated it just for me.

I’ve used it’s loveliness to read and pray… And to just sit quietly and listen. What a long time it has been since I lavished myself with such a privilege.

I’m finding the more I get into my summer break–the more INTENTIONAL I am living my everyday life. Instead of merely surviving, I’m doing and accomplishing things that matter to me.

This morning, I’m thanking God for loving me and showing me just how important it is to enjoy what He’s given me!

It’s a glorious morning here–how’s life where you are?