Here we go...again...

Hey Everyone...
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I think I heard an echo.
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.I definitely hear crickets.

I knew it, there isn't anyone here.
That's alright. It's my fault. I haven't been here in a long time anyway.
I'm still going to post an update anyway.

So...this is ME!
It's been awhile but I pretty much look the same!


The kids are getting much bigger and we have been super busy with sports. Devyn is currently playing flag football for his elementary school. All of the surrounding elementary schools have started getting the kids involved in sports at an earlier age.

Here's Devyn. He's pretty awesome!

My baby girl Miah!

Now, I know you never really expected to see Dom looking like THIS!

Especially with all the past posts with his PURPLE HAIR and his BLACK JACKET but check him out!

I've been keeping myself busy staying active in my kid's lives. Here I am, just call me Coach Hernandez. I now work until 2 or 2:30 each day and coach 3-5th grade girls volleyball for Miah's school. This picture only has a few of the girl on the team but now I currently have 19 girls and the school decided to make 2 teams for me.

We're at one of the scrimmage games.

This past weekend my girls had were in a tournament. We started at 11 am. We won that game and continued to win the next 5 or 6 games in a row (I lost count) and were finally defeated at the end giving us 2nd place overall in the tourney. We didn't finish until 7 PM and the girls were WORN OUT!

It was one of the best days....ever!


Here is a part of a video of one of the games. My team is on the opposite side of the net and Miah is the one serving.



ANYHOO...there's an update on our "activities".

I'm about to go outside and start putting up my halloween decorations.

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!

I'm all about the free candy.

No one really knows that it's the reason I have 3 kids. I needed to increase my army of "candy getters" and attack their bags as soon as they get home and pour all the candy out on my bed.

I roll in it sometimes....

...just kidding.....

...well, maybe just a couple of rolls.

Here's Last year's HALLOWEEN POST. Check it out

I'll be back, let me know what's going on with you guys!

PROUD MAMA!

There has been a change in our household. A change that I was hoping for but wasn't really holding out for.

I know you are all curious as to what it is...so I won't keep you in suspense.

THE CHANGE IS....

DOM (my oldest) IS ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN A SPORT!

I know what you are thinking..."WHAT?!?!...SAY IT ISN'T SO...COULD IT BE TRUE?"

Yes, people..it's true.

My big boy has voluntarily decided he wanted to join the summer track team.
(this is after seeing his sister and brother's first track practice and learned that they will be doing the pole vault)

I was pleasantly surprised when he asked me if he thinks the coach will allow him to join. The coach said YES and I got the info to fill out. Just hearing that he wanted to participate made me excited to go shopping for gear for HIM.

I've spent a lot of time shopping for Miah and Devyn for their sports gear and apparel that I felt guilty not buying Dom these same things.

WELL...NOT ANYMORE! WE WENT SHOPPING!

I took off to Academy and got him some gear. (don't get me wrong, I still had to shop for 3 kids but we came away with their necessities).

Here are a few pics (you know they were coming) of the kids at their practice.

Here are all of the kids waiting for practice to start.

Devyn has turned out to be a true runner. I know he ran cross country for his school this year and he's run in a couple of relays but running everyday is AWESOME (sure wish I could run).

He's been running along side the distance runners until he gets to his point and then he cuts across back to the track. I believe he runs for 15 mins and it's about a mile or a mile and a half.

Regardless, I don't want to be running for 15 mins non-stop.

Here is Devyn on his run. It's called the Texas Lap. I tried to follow him in the truck but he was WAAAY out there. He's in the center of the pic and the rest of the group is ahead of him. He's the only 8 yr old running this. There are two 12 yrs old boys and the rest are high school kids. The high school kids run a longer lap but he keeps up with them during his run/distance.

(if you click on the pic, you may get a better look)


This is Dom's second day and he's looking a little pooped! Poor guy. He's gonna make it though! I think he was actually feeling a little sick (common cold) so he could only run so much that day but he still participated in the exercises and running the bleachers.

Miah started crying her first time (the first day) around the track. I think she made it 1/4 of the way around and then walked most of the way. She did one lap and then came straight to me and cried. She needed encouragement to continue but she did. I told her that running takes some getting used to and she will build up her endurance as she continues. She's now on day 4 and she hasn't cried anymore and I can see the changes in her already.


I gotta tell you guys. I'm super proud. All of my kids are involved in the same sport and I get to be at one place throughout! Their first meet is this Friday! I'm anxious to see how this all turns out!

Decisions...Decisions...

So, this weekend Angel has to go to his Dr's appointment in Corpus.

He asked me if I wanted to meet him up there.

What would we do up there?

Go fishing?

It IS closer to the water and can make a quick trip to the beach but that would mean getting a motel room and we don't want to have to pay for a room again.

My co-worker said that if we don't go to Corpus maybe we could make a quick trip to Mexico for some liquor bottles.

Hmmmm...

I do love a trip to Mexico.

So..let's see........

Mexico....sleep at home....cheap liquor....cheaper all the way around

OR

Corpus...Angel is already driving his truck...I would have to drive up there in my truck WITH the kids resulting in 2 vehicles needing gas...renting a room....spending more and more money PLUS having to put gas in both vehicles for the ride home.......NO THANKS.

I think I prefer to stay home and relax and maybe have a small get-together.

I like staying home. It helps with my anxiety. For some reason, I've been having a lot of it.

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On another note, it isn't looking very good for Dom as far as being able to attend Med Tech.

Since I've placed him in this school for him to be able to work at his own pace, he seems to have chosen a slow pace. He has these packets he's supposed to have completed to be able to graduate into the 9th grade and he is behind on his Language Arts packets by 3. He doesn't have enough time this week to complete and test on these packets in order to finish this school year and make it into the 9th grade.

This means he will have to stay in this same school next year as an 8th grader until he completes those packets and tests on them then he will be considered a 9th grader.

BUT....

I believe Med Tech will only allow students to attend coming into the school as a 9th grader once school starts.

I'm a little disappointed and really just frustrated with Dom for letting himself just slack off the way he did.

Of course, if you have read any of this blog from the beginning then you will know that this is the story of my life.

This is what we go through every year.

It's nerve racking.

What really gets me is that he may be missing out on an opportunity and he blew it. Whether he knew he wanted to go to Med Tech before or if it's something new he wanted to do...he should have kept up with his work.

Whatever the outcome...it will be a lesson learned.

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Another reason for my anxiety is that Angel may be leaving in a few months with the company to go work in either Dallas or New Orleans.

For how long?

I don't know. But I know it will be until the job finishes. And if anyone has ever worked in construction or knows of anyone who works in construction, then you know that deadlines are never met and work takes longer than anticipated.

It could be years.

This sucks.

Just when I need him most with my kids changing and growing and needing a father around them.

What do I do? How do I manage this by myself? I know I used to do it before but they were much younger then and idle threats were major components in discipline back then.

It used to work.

Now they are just shrugged off.

I guess we will see what happens and if you guys will see me on some talk show cause Devyn has become lead pimp in the neighborhood or Miah is head of the local gang...then....

Send help.....Please.

(UPDATE) The Birds and the Bees + Wireless Internet =

What do you do when it comes time to have "The Talk" with your kids?

Do you have to plan a time to sit and do it?
Is there a certain age that's appropriate for it?
How do you know it's time for it?
Do you know exactly what you are going to say?
Is it rehearsed?
Are you prepared to answer questions?

I wasn't thinking ANYTHING about this or what I would do/say when it came time to have "The Talk". I mean, c'mon..who is actually prepared for these things?

No one.

BUT... (dammit) I think it's time.

We all know Dom, right?

Well, just recently, we sent the kids to bed and since he's been in trouble I make sure to take away the phone and any of the electronics because I don't want him up at night texting people or playing games when he should be sleeping.

So, I went to his room to get the phone and the door was locked.

I knocked and asked why it was locked and he said because he was changing.

Yeah...

So anyway, I get the phone and take it to my room. I check the texts (cause that's what mommies do) and I came across a few texts between Dom and his girl cousin.

One texts said, "I downloaded p-0-r-n my PSP."

Now, I was like...What? No way...

So I went back (because I totally forgot that he even had a PSP) and asked him for the PSP.

This was the look I got...



With that...I knew something was up.

I told him that I read the text that said he downloaded the p-0-r-n and I wanted the PSP. He handed it over and I took it to my room to figure out how to work the damn thing. I finally found the power button and still had trouble figuring out where to go.

After a short time....I found it.

There was like 55 min of hard-core on there!!!

I was like...HOLY CRAP how in the hell did he download it on his PSP? I have been locking up the computer so he hasn't had access to it.

Then I remembered...Dear Uncle Bobby gave me that wireless router for my anniversary.

Instant Access!! Thanks Bro.

No wonder Dom didn't care if he got sent to his room.

So...of course, like Mommies do...we wake up our husbands to point out our findings and just like unfazed Daddies do......he remained...unfazed.

I went back to Dom's room...with a belt...and whooped his ass.

Dom is 14, he didn't shed a tear.

He's almost taller than I am for goodness sake.

I didn't spank him because of the flick (I don't think) I whooped his ass because I'm pretty sure he was trying to get his girl cousin involved (no..not in sex.. just to show her). She's got enough to deal with in her teenage life and she doesn't need my son to be running around showing her this stuff.

Anyway, this is the milestone in Dom's life.

I think.

He's interested/curious about sex so whooping his ass him isn't going to do it anymore.

So...now....guess who has to sit Dom down and give him the talk?


I sure hope Angel is ready for this...

UPDATE:
So I communicated with Capricorn about this situation and he called me a "SPAZ" cause "p0rn and masterbation is normal" <--- his words.

Yeah, I know and...maybe so.

I may have jumped the gun on spanking Dom and now I feel guilty because I panicked. I know spanking him shouldn't have been the answer but...

DUDE....I PANICKED!!
First child...First "sex" experience. Not what mommy wants to see or know just yet.

I know it's normal. I'm not going to stick Dom in a monestary...just yet.
(kidding)

Still....
Can we wait a little while longer before we have to do all of this?
I mean, I'm still having to deal with telling him to put "bigger" clothes on and stop letting his ass show cause his pants keep hanging. (watch out Dominique. I'm going to pull them down sometime if you keep wearing them like that)

Ughhh...that's what I get for not expecting the unexpected.

And just so you know...Dom is fine. We still carry on the way we always have...just without the p0rn on the PSP

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On a better note...I am taking Dom out of that Charter school he is going to because I had a talk with his Doctor and he suggested enrolling him into Med Tech.

This is a small discription of it...

A dynamic partnership between:
Schools
Colleges and Universities
Medical Facilities
Together we address the need for medical workers that are highly skilled in advanced technologies.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 19 percent of all new jobs created between 2006 and 2016 will be in health services—3.6 million jobs. Through the integration of academics, medical, technological and vocational opportunities our goal is to become a new kind of medical high school that produces medical leaders for the 21st century.
Med Tech allows you to apply your academic and medical skills to real world settings. You will have an opportunity to explore the broad fields of medicine and advanced technology to help you make career decisions.

Now see, this is awesome!!

I called and they receptionist told me that there were still 30 spots available for enrollment and that I could enroll online.

So...I did.

Check out their four year course sequence:




I don't know...I know my baby is smart but I told him, "There's CALCULUS on there. I don't know calculus".

I won't be able to help him.

Then he got into this...."How do you not know calculus?? Didn't you have to know it to get through high school??"

NOPE.

Not many, many moons ago when I was in High School.

Anyway, It's in another city about an hour or so away so he will be bussed. Hopefully, this will be a big enough challenge for him!!!

I'm excited.

He's excited.

This is going to be AWESOME!

My parenting style

In light of my recent post.


I was wondering about some of the parenting styles of my readers.

Let me tell you a little more about myself.


If you have been reading my blog from the beginning, you will know that I am a strict parent.
I feel that I have to be. I need to be.


I can't stand for my children to be running all over the place as if they don't have any sense or like they don't know any better.


No, you won't see my kids climbing on chairs or tables or running rampant in restaurants.


No, you won't hear my kids yelling at the top of their lungs or throwing tantrums in public places looking like they need a good spanking.


No, you will not hear my kids talking back to me. (At least not without a super-quick glare from hell from Mommie Dearest.)


Yes, you will get proper introductions from each of them upon meeting them, and then again each time afterward. Um hmm, even if that action does require prompting..I will happily prompt in order for them to learn respect.


Yes, you will hear them say "Please", "Thank You", "Yes Ma'am", "No Sir"...etc. as part of their everyday vocabulary. That's just how we roll.


Now, when it comes to Dominique, he thinks he's grown already.
14 does not make him grown. What makes him "grown" (to me) is the respect he should have for himself and other people.


He's not old enough to care for himself properly so I am here to make sure that he gets just about everything he needs (this goes for all of my children but I am just focusing on Dom right now because we are in this situation).


Our life as a whole could be worse. Right now, we are at the best we have ever been (financially) so we are able to provide for our children in a very humble but respectable manner.

But still, that doesn't mean the we can get a big head and act like we are all that.

I don't allow that. I prefer to remain humble and remind my kids that we need to be grateful that we have what little we DO have. Also the fact that we are able to keep what he have.


As a child, I grew up knowing we didn't have much but thinking we at least had some neat stuff.
Then that neat stuff started to disappear and we would get more neat stuff and then that would disappear.
Little did we know that the pawn shops were the latest hot spots.
They had all of our coolest crap.


Anyway.....


For the longest time, my brother bought the game consoles for Dom as he was growing up. I don't know what happened but somewhere along the way he lost sight of appreciation.

Oh yeah, did I mention that he has an IQ of 140? Yeah, he's trying to master the art manipulation. He thinks he can get away with things with me but he's quickly learning that I am the "Master" and he is the "Grasshopper".


Dom starts getting to these points throughout time where he gets around people who subconsciously remind him that he's waaay smarter than they are. So, he slowly starts to climb up on this pedestal and it's hard for someone to knock him down. He will say things in condescending ways and I pick up on it immediately.

Right then and there I have to make him aware of it in order for him to humble himself and realize that he isn't better than everyone else.


These "adjustments" are the way I do it.


I used to spank* my kids but I'm way past that now.

Is it wrong to want your children to be respectful? To utilize the manners you have taught them?


I don't think so and I stick by what I think.



So, for any one of you guys who are wondering how Dom is taking his transformation.....you know, with his hair cut off and all.....

What do you think?

You think he looks sad? Or depressed? Or like his life is ending because he can't dress how he wants to right now?


Nope.


He knows that it was a consequence he was going to have to pay and he is fine paying it.
Besides, his hair will grow back and his clothes are in my closet. When he changes his attitude...he will get them back.


He's growing up to be a great young man. He tells me everyday that he loves me (He just told me a few minutes ago).


So...Now, I know I'm doing the right thing.

How do you adjust an attitude???

I'll let you know later on in this post.


First, let me quickly tell you about my Mother's Day.

Actually, I'm going to show you with pictures just what I got.


After a few stern looks from me....Angel got me Lillies

and...a canopy chair. Now I won't have to worry about sizzling under the sun at Devyn's games. I swear. I have no business out there, exposed like that. I can honestly smell myself cooking. Slowly baking. BBQ everywhere I go. Now....I'll be safe and comfortable.


Thank You, Baby!!



I came home from work and saw this on my door. Miah made if for me. She's such a sweetie!!

She was also working on a card. Not an ordinary sized card. She used a file. I don't know where she got it from but it's cool. She was also using glitter. Now, I don't know about you but I panic when I see glitter. Once someone breaks out the glitter, get ready to start wiping it from your ass.

No, for real....it gets into EVERYTHING.

Devyn comes and gives me his homemade card. They are such cuties!

All in all, I had a pretty good Mother's Day. I spent most of it in my room, in my bed, watching my DVR'd shows. That's how I like to celebrate!

We did go to Angel's Grandmother's house to visit her and see my MIL for a bit and Angel BBQ'd. Then we came back home and I was back in my bed doing what I do best. (That's watching TV for you dirty minded people.)

Now, about that adjustment.

I bet you can guess who I'm going to be talking about.

YUP.

I pick up Dom from school yesterday thinking that he's been doing great in school (with the exception of still needed a few packets to complete these next 3 weeks of school) and his teacher walks to the car with him.



I'm thinking she's coming over to talk to me and tell me how great he's been and what a pleasure he is to have in class.


Instead, she tells me that he's been acting up and talking back and disrupting class. She also tells me that from 12:30 to 2:00 that he doesn't do anything. He just sits there acting up. She is requesting that I pick him up at 12:30 everyday from now until the end of school.


All because of his attitude.


Now, I knew that his attitude was becoming a problem at home BUT I didn't know it was causing problems at THIS school.


Does anyone remember that agreement Dom and I have? You know, about how all he needs to do is keep his grades up and his attitude in check and he can dress however he likes and have his hair as long as he wants.


He obviously forgot about that agreement.


His grades are still pretty good. His attitude...not so much.

It's a package deal. Once that deal is broken...all bets are off.

I mean it when I say it.




All it takes is a turn of a dial....

VOILA......attitude adjusted!

I took away all of the other clothes because he started changing and becoming more and more disrespectful. All he cared about was his hair and he was mouthing off to everyone.

Soooo...It's all put away until he gets his act together. We bought him new clothes for now.

Yeah, nobody likes a welsher. Gotta start keeping your word, buddy.

This is how I took him to school this morning. I talked to his teacher and told her that He shouldn't give her any more problems.


Check out the nice boots Angel picked up for him. Angel is actually jealous because he never got Polo boots like these when he was growing up.

Miah was sitting there in one of the chairs and I took a good look at her hair. It was in desperate need of something.

A shampoo....

and cut later....

she's happy in this heat with her new cut!!

Devyn wanted a cut too but as you can see...not quite time.

How was your Mother's Day??

My very own!!

When I take the kids to school every morning, Dom is the last one to get dropped off. He kept brushing his hair and brushing his hair and telling me how he flat-ironed it, but only in the front...etc.

I couldn't help but keep looking at him because he reminded me of something and I just couldn't pinpoint what it was.
The way he looked, his hair...the color...the purpleness of it...it smelled of grape (still).

What is it?..........



What is it?..........


A-HA!!!

(He's gonna be mad when he reads this.)


You guys remember Strawberry Shortcake, right???

Well, when I was little, I never had a strawberry shortcake doll (or any of those friggin dolls for that matter).
I know I've always wanted one and all of my friends either had THE Strawberry Shortcake doll or one of the chick's friends.

Don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't like Strawberry Shortcake, I do.
I'm just a little resentful of the fact that I never got a stupid doll OR one of her friends.
Whenever my mom would take us somewhere and if they had a little girl. I just knew she had a doll.
I could smell it on her.
And then they'd break out this whole collection of Strawberry Shortcake crap.
And none of them would let you be the one who actually plays with the Strawberry Shortcake doll itself cause...you know..."It's theirs, so they get to be Strawberry Shortcake!" So then, before you leave, you get a little bit of satisfaction when you sneak the doll and drop it in the toilet hoping it doesn't EVER smell like strawberry anymore (cause they will forever smell like damn strawberries!!).

Whateva! I'm not bitter.

Uh......Anyhoo...back to Dom...

My point is...as I was looking at Dom, I felt a slight calm, an overall feeling of relief.
As if something, deep inside, has been fulfilled.

I know what it is people.

I have my very own doll.
No, really.

His name is Plum Pudding! I found him on this site.




I finally have my own Strawberry Shortcake friend doll!!
Of course, I have to feed him and clothe him and get after him to do his homework but at least he's mine!!!

Now, if only I could get him to wear a similar hat.

Have you guys checked out Dom's blog lately?

Some minor changes...

Dominique took his math TAKS test and got a commended performance on it. It basically means he got a 90 or above.

As his reward, I decided to go ahead and let Dom lighten his hair as much as he could and then I would re-dye his hair purple.


I told him that we would do it this week ( I had actually told him that we would do it this past weekend but things came up).


No sooner had I gotten home from work yesterday did Dom start badgering me to start. He sounded like those seagulls from Finding Nemo...mine, mine, mine, mine......now, now, now, now....


So we got to it.


This is what his hair looked like before we started. I know it's not a pretty good pic because Dom took it with his cell, but it'll do.

Here, we're getting ready to wash out the dye. We have to do it outside or our shower will be dyed purple.

He's a nut. Look at how he's holding the hose. OOPS, I LIED.

I found another pic of his "orange" hair color...and really check out the pic. This is why I say he's a "nut".

We're outside on the cement furniture because that's where we washed the dye out last time. I don't care if the furniture is purple, it fades anyway.

HERE...

We have the end result. I don't know what's up with the poses. It wasn't my idea.

What WAS my idea was keeping the pic ABOVE the nipple line. We are not posting porn here!

Can you see the purple?

I like it. I think it looks closer to his natural hair color this way..which is JET BLACK!

Well, now that that's done, for now, I won't be bugged about anything for awhile (I hope).

Today and Tomorrow he's taking 2 more tests.

I wish him luck (even though I know he will ace it).
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This stupid Swine Flu has really put a damper on things, huh?

Schools cancelled (not my kid's, not yet).

Devyn was scheduled to have a Baseball tourney this weekend but the city cancelled all practices and the tourney because of the flu.

Dammit! I need to develop my athlete!!

Well, I guess we could always start *gag* running and training for track. Not saying anything about runners...I just hate running, sprinting, jogging, hurrying, and even skipping unless I have to go to the bathroom.

That's it. I'm going to work. Hopefully, none of my patients are sick because then I will be looking at them all funny and slathering on hand sanitizer.

I'm looking into having a jet pack size one so I can just have it strapped to my back and it'll spray out like Ghost busters.

Have a good one you guys!

I'M OUT!

BASEBALL and BIRTHDAYS

So, It's baseball season for Devyn now and you know what that means?

I finally had to crack down and go out and buy Devyn the necessities for baseball. It was pretty rough seeing him at practice and he was completely lost. I had to explain to the coach that he has NEVER played on a team before BUT he knows how to throw, catch and hit.

Or so I thought...

First game came and he was psyched!!!

Here's a play-by-play for ya:

Devyn is up to bat. The pitch is thrown. He swings. He hits. He runs. He's headed to first, the opponents pick up the ball and throws it to first. First baseman doesn't catch...doesn't matter...Devyn isn't watching the ball anyway. He's past first and on to second. The opponents are scrambling to get the ball and throw it to second. Doesn't matter...Devyn is coming up to second and he's there...............wait................he's passing second. Devyn still isn't concerned about where the ball is...he passes second and is headed to third. The opponents have gotten control of the ball and are chasing Devyn. He's oblivious. He's headed to third and there's NO STOPPING HIM. The opponents have tagged him out before he get's to third. He doesn't care...he's headed home......regardless.

Yeah...that's how it pretty much went. Devyn had no idea that the ball was still in play after you hit it. I assume he thought it was about how fast you can round the bases after you hit the ball...

We have some work to do.

Guess what we like about baseball season?

RASPAS!!

What?

What are Raspas???

Oh...let me say it in a language we can all understand...

SNOW CONES!!!

There. Is that better?

We have them cheap here. I mean...super cheap!!

Check it out...

I don't know if you all know this but Dom is going to be 14 on the 4th of April.
And just for him...(an early birthday present) I am posting this pic for all of you to see JUST WHAT A SOON TO BE 14 YR OLD LOOKS LIKE...

Actually, he was sitting in the truck with me while we were waiting for our raspas/snow cones and he kept saying "mine, mine, mine...". I didn't know what he was talking about so when I looked over...that's what I saw.

I've already ordered his present.
Now, for you Rockers out there...I don't want to hear any smack about this being a cheap guitar and cheap equipment because I have no idea what I'm supposed to buy.
If it's cheap....consider it "beginner".

Angel's cousin helped me and Dom pick it out because we are clueless. (Thanks Freddy!!)

Dom is a little bit down because he says he can't use his microphones because he doesn't have a PA system.

Sorry Charlie. Gonna have to wait until we hit the lotto for that one.

Miah and Devyn are some funny kids.

They jump at the chance to do things (well, Miah is getting wiser in her increasing age and is learning to resist) but here's the latest activity that was performed without having to twist any one's arm.

I simply said, "I need to wash my car(s)".

They JUMPED UP and said, "I'LL DO IT!!"

And...VOILA!!


We are getting some work done in and around the house before my brother comes. Here's a sample of what we've been doing..

We also bought some furniture to make this place look more "lived in".

More pictures when it's completed.....Promise.

(I know, I know...no one asked for pictures but...TOUGH TITTIES!!! YOU'RE GONNA GET 'EM ANYWAY).