oh what to do...

I love my husband more than anything in the entire world. He knows that. I understand his heart and soul completely. So why the heck can I not think of anything to get him for Valentine's Day? We've never done anything big. So all the gift guides that tell my to buy him a iPod, or a GPS system don't do me any good (plus he already has most of the items on those lists.) I've looked everywhere. I want to badly to be this person for him.

And to look like this person for him.

Both I'm sad to say are not happening in the next 3 weeks. I'm disgusted wiht myself. I'm usually so good at these things.

An apology.

Dear Mr. Construction Worker,

Hello, my name is Sarah Bendel. I owe you an apology. Sit down, because I don't do this often. I'm very sorry that I wrote such nasty things about you last week, I was wrong. Because as it turns out you came the very next day! And my hopeful concrete slab turned in just a week and a half into a home, of course there are no interior walls, no electricity, and only half of the siding is up. But I am so thankful for that little (I guess it's not so little anymore) beackon of hope everything I look out the window. It's beautiful. Thank you so much for the gorgeous front door, with those pretty windows on either side I asked you for. Boy did you deliver mister! Who knew that something as simple as a front door could be so beautiful. OOh, and you put in my windows too, they're so nice. I have to confess that I may or may not have gone back there and opened one of the windows, just to day I did it. It made me very happy. I can't wait to see the roofing company come next week and for the rest of the siding to be put up. Then the fun starts. Working on the interior, and even though Chance want's to do that on his own, I'm pretty sure that you'll only be a phone call away if I need you. Please accept my sincere apology for writing such nasty things about you, and saying even nastier things. I'm so sorry. Maybe I'll bake you some cookies to show my appreciation, eh maybe not.

My sincerest apologies,
Mrs. Bendel

Should have known.. part 2

Of course, the contractor and his employees never showed.

So we {and by we I mean Chance} called to find out where they were.

No answer.

Never returned our call.

I'm angry to say the least.

How can you run a business like that?

The same contractor did work on our neighbor's house and they didn't have any problems. But with our house he has done nothing but drag his feet.

Already, they have procrastinated over a month. They were supposed to start in November; we see where that got us.

Should have known.

11:39 am and no utility trucks in our driveway. I thought something might be off yesterday when a local lumber company {who was supposed to deliver all the supplies} only left the glue and nails - no lumber. That being said, it's raining. The contractor has backed out everytime when it has rained. He's never called and told us they wouldn't be coming, just didn't show {frustrating to say the least.} Maybe he's made of sugar and will melt if he gets wet, maybe. I don't think I've ever endured something as aggravating as this process has been. I can't imagine taking a deposit {a rather large deposit I might add} from someone, telling them you would report for work on certain days, not showing, and not keeping them in the loop. As if it's not stressful enough living with Chance's parents during this process, but getting the run-around from the contractor just adds insult to injury. So for now I have one very expensive concrete slab. Oh, and 65 tons of red gravel.

I'm soooo excited!!

They're starting construction tomorrow!
We spoke with the contractor this morning.
They're dropping off the supplies this afternoon.


I'm so excited. Words cannot express how anxious I am to be able to decorate my own place. I've been tinkering with my mother-in-laws, moving her things around almost daily. But nothing replaces making something completely your own. I've been searching the web for months now gathering ideas an color schemes. I thought I'd share some of my favorites.

Many thanks to the Nester for all of her wonderful ideas. (Many of the photos came from her blog.)

Da Da Dum...

The ever feared, anticipated, planned for, maybe prepared for BRIDAL CHRISTMAS is upon us. To clarify for you we at the shop define bridal christmas as: the first quarter of the year when ridiculously huge masses of girls get engaged over the holidays and then they {and by they I mean their consultant - me} try to get their wedding planned by the pending date of her choice, usually May or June. That all sounds great right? Loads of people to sell wedding gowns to, but there's a catch; sometimes it takes up to 8 or 10 or 15 or even 30 weeks to get dresses in and we get 5 months to prepare the bride for the big day. It's interesting. So the dreadful bridal christmas is here, it starts today actually. I know I'll handle it just fine {I've done it for a couple of years.} what I'm concerned about is the 3 constultants that we have who've never seen a busy day. Pray for us.. pray for ME!!

In other news, I hear that beautiful sound again. More gravel. Yay for driveways!!

The most beautiful sound in the world.

And it's right outside my window RIGHT now. It's the sound of progress, gigantic trucks with only God knows how many pounds of rock coming to lay the foundation of our driveway. They've already dug the perimeter and are now laying the red gravel {they'll then lay the white gravel on top of that, followed by the black top.} We discussed for the gazillionth time last night how we're going to layout the laundry room, we've yet to completely agree. I'm pretty sure since I'm the one that will be doing the laundry- I'll be the one to win. We do however agree on one thing- the closet. I'm super excited about my closet, it's going to be huge. Actual construction should restart on Monday weather permitting. We shall see.

Happy, Happy

New Year!!

Bendel Family Portrait - Nov. 2008

Although the Bendel New Year was not all that I had hoped for {Nik was my midnight kiss, Chance was in the garage} I'm sure that 2009 is going to be much, much better than 2008. Hey, it'd be hard pressed to get much worse. We enjoyed the wonderful company of our dear friend John, he is so close to our hearts {someday he'll be the god-father of our children}.

2008 was a tough year for us. It was our first full calendar year of marriage. It was also the first full calendar year without my sweet Pawpaw. We nursed a dog {Ty} through a broken leg and parvo, AT THE SAME TIME. We moved- three times. We got a new kitten, Oliver who we lovingly nicknamed "Little One". My Gran moved 6 hours away. Chance lost his job. I became closer than I thought possible with my Mother-in-law. We began construction on our new home. Not just one, but two of our cousins got engaged! I turned 21 {also not quite what I had hoped for.} Chance turned a quarter of a century. We also celebrated Nik's 2nd brithday & Ty and Baylei's 1st. We threw a huge "Mad Hatter Tea Party" for my cousin and sister. Chad {Brother-in-law} and Michelle got married. --It was an eventful year to say the least, with lots of twists along the way- more to come I'm sure of it.

We have lots of exciting things to look forward to this year. Chance finding a new job, or going back to the old one. Our 2nd wedding anniversary. Lindsay's high school graduation. Mavyn's wedding. Being completely 100% out of debt. Completion of our home. Moving again. A trip to New Orleans. 22nd and 26th birthdays. I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

So here's to a happy and oh so prosperous New Year to us and everyone out there.