OMG Sniffer...that's what I'm talking about...the first photo you posted of the fireplace....that is beautiful! That is what I want. Where they placed the fireplace in my living room...is a bad place, can't re-arrange anything to fit nicely. Ours is made of just brick with a piece of wood for a mantel (ok, they did put molding around it to make it look somewhat classy LOL). I don't like that brick, it was painted over!
...don't understand why folks paint brick or molding in the rooms!!! I want to bring the wood back into this house and how you have that shelving area to the right...well, I want my shelving all around, but with more shelves for knick-knacks, photos, DVD's, etc. Hubby finished 3 of the living room window framings and I love what he did. I want him to incorporate that into fireplace and shelving. And I love those stair railings too...we have those 60's iron railings and I DISPISE them so much. I want wood railings, but what you have is really nice too...I may go for a look like that.
You do beautiful work!
We sure do have a rounded work group here!!
Ron is a Professional Printer and has been for over 35 years. He's won many an award for the companies he's worked for over the years (some we have now in our home as they gave them to him, those PIVA things). He is an Assit Scoutmaster, an avid fisherman and diver (when time permits, but work has been keeping him busy of late), loves working with his hands (if I can get him off the couch!!!).
Ann (that's me
)....I retired from the US Navy in 1995. I was a Yeoman my first two years (Civilian: Secretary
) and then became an Illustrator Draftsman. I loved it! Advancement however, really "shuckers"
...I retired as a Second Class Petty Officer (not an E-5)...those affiliated with the Navy will understand that meaning! I am by far NOT ashamed to have retired as a Second Class. I am very proud of my achievements and the awards and medals I received and all that GOLD I wore on my left sleeve (and my pension every month)!!! I met many folks, travelled many places, seen things I only dreamt of....I had an adventure and I had excitement!!! I served on 3 ships (ok, two were Destroyer Tenders and one was a Sub-Tender...and my male counterparts would tell me..."those aren't ships..." Grrrrr
)...but I am a Plankowner of my first ship, the USS Shenandoah (AD-44) (has been decommissioned since Sept 1993 ... Clinton's Cut-Backs). She only served 13.1 years!!!! Fine ship that now rests in the James River Fleet Reserve, to be sold for scrap, and never to sail the seas again!
. I also served on the USS Puget Sound (AD-38) (also decom'd) and the USS Emory S. Land (AS-36)...I hated that ship....!!!
I have had various jobs since retiring from the Navy....worked for the Virginian Pilot Newspaper in Advertising for several years, worked for a Real Estate Co (hated that), worked for a hotel, and then travelled with a furniture liquidation company working my way up to Office Manager...but being from home 5-6 months at a time and working 12-14 hour days takes a toll on ones body. Came home and now work part time for a grocery store. I'm a CSR Mgr and they are trying to make me go for Front End Mgr...I don't want that...I want part time, just a few hours a week (which is bet 38-40 hours anyways...UGH)...that's what you get for being DEPENDABLE as they tell me! LOL...I'm also a Domestic Engineer and have been since 1985! However, I've tried that Stay at Home Mommy thing...and I love my kids, but you can only clean your house so much and re-arrange furntiure so often and doing laundry and cooking and sweeping and...well....I love working outside the house!!! (and I need someone to talk too other than SPONGEBOB, BLUE CLUES, BIG BEAR, CARE BEARS, etc...)
However, with recent events happening with my son's school (he's middle school)....I am conteplating reducing my work hours and begin homeschooling! Already have all the required material needed (as I was going to do this when my mom got sick with Cancer...took care of her first until she passed) and my "Letter of Intent" has just been completed....now it's just trying to figure the best way to work all this out so everyone comes out happy and smart!!
I'm a former Webelos Den Leader and now a Committee Member and starting to work on my training for Assist Scoutmaster! We are very involved in Scouting and takes up a good part of our time, but it gets these boys OUTSIDE and OFF THE COMPUTER!!!!!!
We love Metal Detecting whenever we can...winter time we rarely do any...but come Spring
. We are looking forward to the 4 day Pipsico Hunt in March!!!
I am an avid Genealogist....I live it and breathe it....and I am currently working on a book of the PEOPLE OF THE HAMPTON ROADS AREA...the largest family tree of any city!!! When my website is completed (updating it)...I'll post the link and ya'll can see what I do
...it aint' much, but I love it!
Trying to get my sons' in a Tech High School....they want to be GAME DESIGNERS and PROGRAMERS...great programs here and working with my oldest boy and teaching him some of the graphic programs and showing him how to design webpages. He needs 3 of 8 projects for his Electronic Portfolio to add to his application for one of the Tech Academies here...we have until the end of Jan (2009) to complete these projects and get him up to par on the programs! We can do it....CAN'T is NOT in my volcabulary!!!
Other than that...we just survive!!!
I'm sorry for being so long winded....it's my nature!! Usually, I'm just a quite, shy girl, but get me started on a subject that I love and forget it.....I'm a MOTOR MOUTH!!! LOL.
Ya'll have an awesome week and HH,
Annmarie
