The Kitchen Facelift

We've been in our house for three years, and every single day I have loathed my kitchen. The first week in the house my sister and I painted the cabinets black, and that was awesome (and something i'll never do again). But the kitchen desperately needed a facelift in the form on new countertops and a sink. Well, about six months ago our oven died. The stove top still worked, and that was clutch. (And yes you can live without a stove bc toster ovens are just small stoves.) However, upon realizing that our oven was a 'drop in' my replacement was halted (as drop ins are strangely expensive for how outdated they look)and it took me months of research (in between changing jobs and juggling the twins) to find a suitable replacement. I knew I didnt want anything super fancy in this house on either the oven or the facelift. So, I waited until the big box stores were having a big sale, I think it was over Columbus day weekend, and got the stove. Then after a referral from my amazing handy man, Eric, I went to Counter Dimensions in Pelham for the counter tops. I chose a laminate counter top with a beveled edge that gives it the look of granite. The sink was another story. I bought one from home depot online at an awesome price, but since I waited until the last minute to do so, had to pay a arm and a leg for expedited shipping. Even with the outrageous shipping fee, I wasnt convinced it was going to arrive on time, so I went to Ferguson Bath and Lighting near Dr Pepper place. I told them my predicament, and that I had already bought a sink, and since they were very kind, they matched that price and promised it there by the next day. Since that was very kind of them, I got my faucet from them as well (and im in love with both the sink and the faucet). SO, the tear out and install went as planned and very smoothly. Three days later, I had a like-new kitchen and couldnt have been happier. The first sink did actually ship, but if you dont open it and refuse the package to UPS or Fed Ex, then they refund everything, even shipping. Very good to know. And here are the pics. Before

After!

(new post below)

One Year Photo Shoot

Thanks to sweet Olivia and her amazing work with a camera for these priceless shots. I cant believe these boys are one!

Merry Christmas 2012!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

im here...

I just uploaded a bunch of photos from my phone, so i'll be back soon with first birthday and other year old fun stuff. And im working on a great "photos of 280" post, so prepare yourself for that. Till then a sneak peak from liv's amazing one year pics in mom's hand sewn whale jumpers.

Baby Elephants

The boy's first Halloween was so fun. It brought back all those childhood memories of excitement and anticipation for this holiday. Although we only trick or treated in umbrella strollers to three houses, it was still a great time. My parent's neighbors/friends loved seeing the boys and each gave them goldfish snacks for treats. My mother bought these Alabama Elephant mascot outfits when I was still pregnant with the boys (she takes planning to another level). 

Happy Halloween and Roll Tide!

Who are you voting for? Be specific.

It seems like this election mania will never end. 6 more days... I try to stay informed, but mostly I get annoyed. Lucky for me, Saturday Night Live has been on its game this season, and does not disappoint. This might be my fav commercial spoof thus far. Much like these characters, I feel as though age as disenchanted me to the politcal process. I also feel like South Park got it right a few years ago (episode 8 of season 8 if anyone cares) when they aired their election episode. The elementary school was forced by PETA to change the school's mascot from a cow, so the kids had to choose between a giant douche and a turd sandwich. Realizing that neither was a likable mascot, they rebelled against voting altogether. By the end of the episode (after an appearance by P-diddy in a literal Vote or Die campaign) a PETA guy ended saying to them "Kids, every election is between a giant douche and a turd sandwich" I hate to say it, but I think South Park might have nailed it. Although the cow did get reinstated as the mascot in the end (even though the giant douche technically won...)

I LOVED politics as a kid. I even took notes during the Dole/Clinton debates in 96. True story. Another true story is that I met Bob Dole outside the his Majority Leader office in DC while on my family vacation. He invited us to finish the danishes in his office and apologized for not shaking our hand for he had a cold (and a maimed hand). I told him I was born in Kansas, and he gave me a grin. (He represented Kansas at the time) Ok, this is getting nerdier by the minute. In conclusion: age has taken away my fervor and love for the democratic process. Dont get me wrong, I will vote, and I will follow coverage of this election like a hawk all day next Tuesday. But gone are the days of my inspired political youth. Hopefully the boys will get into it. Family vacation to tour all the monuments and museums in DC? yes please!

I am Jeris Burns, and I approve this blog post. 

Husband's Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Actually it's my third favorite. Let's do a quick list:

1) Thanksgiving- soly bc of my grandmother's cooking, and also its close to my bday and the iron bowl.

2) Christmas: do I have to explain?

3) Halloween!

I love dressing up, and I try to make it authentic when I do (ie: double spray tan for snookie in 2010, personal fav) However, I cant say the same for the hubs. As long as ive known him, Halloween has been J's least favorite holiday. Getting dressed up in goofy costumes and parading around all night is just not his idea of a good time. So, every year he goes to parties in either something lame we threw together in 10 minutes, or no costume at all. One year he showed up at a party where they took the holiday super seriously, and when he walked through the door a girl in a referee outfit threw a yellow flag and blew a whistle. Meaning he had to find a costume somehow, or leave. So this year, since we have the boys who will def be dressed up (as little Alabama elephants, of course) I figured he needed a heads up to get into the Halloween spirit.

The logical idea was Nick Saban  because he has tons of Alabama gear, and the boys will have bama stuff on too. But, maybe that was too obvious, but he threw it out. Then, keeping with the head coach/football theme we thought about Derrick Dooley. Mainly because of those bright orange pants. Which he found. Then, it morphed into Gene Chizik because everyone loves a good train wreck. But how do you do Chizik? A headset, a white short sleeve auburn windbreaker, chewing gum... ? Insert J's creative mind. He decided if he went as Gene, as an added bonus to his outfit, he would hand out "Gene's resume" to the party guests. So, about an hour after we have this conversation, this arrives in my inbox: (Auburn fans, you will most likely be at least slightly offended, and clearly he doesn't care)

Gene “Ole Toothless” Chizik

251 South Donahue Drive • Auburn, Alabama 36849 • suckmyballsnicksatan@gmail.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________

WORK EXPERIENCE

·      Head Coach,  Auburn University Football Team, Auburn, Alabama, 2009-present

o   Currently working as the head honcho of the Auburn Tigers football team.

o   Relationship Status: It’s Complicated

o   My day to day activities include:

§  Checking in with Coach Dye

§  Calling on various high school athletes and their parents and explaining the benefits of new home ownership

§  Watching game film

§  Conducting research (reading list includes Quarterback Development for Dummies, How to Tackle Good and Do Other Defense Good Too, and Modern Defense: Passivity + Good Offense = Winning)

o   Played a significant part in the winning of 2010 BCS National Championship (uncredited)

o   Expert in blame redirection (References: Tommy Tuberville)

o   Other references from this position:

§  Cam Newton

§  Pat Dye

§  Jay Jacobs

·      Head Coach, Iowa State, Aimes, Iowa, 2007-2009

o   In an innovative turn, I converted the “rope-a-dope” strategy from boxing to the football field, with the long term goal of taking enough “punches” from our opponents that in the long term they might let their guard down, allowing us the opportunity to strike.  Unfortunately, I was not in this position long enough to reap the rewards from such a strategy, but can assure you we had them right where we wanted them. 

o   Overall Record: Available upon request

o   Was not fired from this position

·      Previous work (Summary)

o   Defensive Coordinator for national champion Texas Longhorns (2005) (Notable performance: Held USC offense to 38 points in Rose Bowl)

o   Broyles Award Recipient, 2004 (References: Frank Broyles)

o   Served as inspiration for classic video game character (except for the teeth LOL!):

  

EDUCATION

·         High School

·         College

·         School of Hard Knocks

ACTIVITIES and INTERESTS

·         Thwarting energy vampires

·         Narcissism (References: God)

·         Gumming strangers

_________________________________________________________________________________

100 points for husband. Happy early Halloween!