Opening a new door...

See this happy little boy in the window? He's so excited (and his momma too) that he finally has a new front, storm door to look at and howl at neighbors a little too close to his curb! We would like to thank Chase for the hard work, a few beverages and hours of frustration to get that thing up! I've been asking for a replacement for 5 years, after Hurricane Ivan inconveniently thought we didn't need one any longer!

Hallelujah, sunlight reigns in our hallway again!

Ronald 'Ron' Thompson: EARTHQUAKE! Nick Szalinski: No, worse...LAWNMOWER!

The weekend came and left like a flash of lightening! We married off two great friends on Saturday! Congrats to Adam & Shane!


When Chase and I arrived home (still with only one car, but a few prospects of a new driveway mate for Rhonda the Honda) our yard looked like it could be the set of "Honey I Shrunk the Kids!" The grass in our yard hasn't been cut in OVER a week, and went up past my ankles. Chase pulled out the not so trusty lawnmower yesterday evening and got about half of our yard done and then the mower pretty much kicked the bucket. This now leaves us with one car, one lawnmower short and a half mowed back yard.

As Chase was scanning Home Depot's website last night for a deal on a mower, we ran across a "Robo Mower" that mows your yard all on it's own! For $1500, you can have your yard mowed by something that resembles a Rumba!

I became slightly fascinated with this contraption and I asked Chase to search it on YouTube, because I needed to see this thing in action! It was quite the comedy, though I'm not really sure whether or not I'm completely sold on this newest invention!



As our grass keeps growing, I think I'll stay out of the heat and watch Rick Moranis try and zap his kids back to normal size!

Tada! No more "Wine n' Dine!"

For the past few weeks I have been completely consumed by a roller and paint brush! Our house is slowly but surely, getting a well deserved makeover! I'm sure my neighbor Rachel has become quite concerned that I don't wear anything but my paint clothes around the house everyday! (She and Ali have been making frequent and very welcomed stops in the afternoons to say hi!) In an effort to not tire myself too much (since we're never home one weekends to paint and I work 7-4) I have only worked a few hours in an evening! (Except for last night when I worked late to finish sewing my window treatments!) So far, the front hallway and our dining room have been transformed. After a 1 week hiatus, we will return home from the beach (Chase and I both have bachelor and bachelorette parties at the beach next weekend!) we will finish the grand-daddy of the em' all....the family room. Enjoy the before and after pictures!

PS. The hallway pictures will be posted with the family room!

Caldwell-Allen Family Ties

I have been feeling extremely inspired to continue making my house a "home" to come home to. My newest venture in the next few months will be FINALLY painting the front hallway and living room.

Last week, Chase and I assembled our BEAUTIFUL and quite grown up looking wall unit! Thank you to my sweet in-laws for the WONDERFUL Christmas present. It has inspired me to continue on with my quests.

Family Gallery: the newest project. I have started collecting old family pictures as well as some new pictures of mine and Chase's "roots" to start a gallery in our front hallway. Over the years, I hope to add to the wall. As a child, I was brought up knowing my family's rich history, and it is my wish that my children know their heritage as well. This past Saturday, I bought my first 3 frames to start framing and getting things in order. I thought I would share some of the first photos I plan to include on this fantastic and exciting project!




My great-granfather "Daddy Bugs" a former bootlegger, 2nd from the left with a pistol in his pants. Classic!



"Flash and Floss" - My maternal grandparents, lovingly known as "Nunna" and "Poppy", not long after they were married.




My first hometown and a place that I hold in a very special part of my heart. Mammoth Cave National Park.