Short Films by Anna Zane

It's been AGES since I uploaded videos. Please, oh please, accept my apologies! But at last, here's some Anna Zane cuteness to start off your weekend on a happy note.

For Sale AGAIN!

I might as well open a store . . . teehee.

We have a Serta Perfect Sleeper Cushion Firm Eurotop, Fairmont, queen mattress and box springs for sale. It's only about 3 years old. When we moved back into our house, we purchased a new bedroom suite so we don't need this mattress set anymore. We're asking $200 OBO.

Adoption and More Adoption: Writing Up a Storm

Yesterday, my second post went live on Fort Worth Moms Blog: http://fortworthmomsblog.com/2013/06/12/dfw-adoption-agencies-the-fab-four/. 

It's all about the four main adoption agencies in the metroplex. While our area boasts MANY agencies and lawyers who can make adoption a reality, these four are the oldest and most well established in the area.

I also covered some of the questions most helpful to the hubs and me when we were considering which adoption agency to choose.

And along adoption lines, I happened across this fantastic post from a father whose educating the masses on what is not okay to say to an adoptive family: http://www.danoah.com/2010/09/how-much-did-your-kid-cost.html. If only I had written this . . . haha.

JHF Construction

Forever and ever (well, as long as the hubs and I are alive), 2012 will always be remembered as (drum roll, please) the year of the remodel.

From January when the architect plans were delivered to the move out in June until December when we moved back, there was nary a moment when our minds--heck, our lives--weren't consumed with the remodel. We added a second story, gutted the kitchen, changed so much. There wasn't a room in the house that didn't succumb to the hammer or paint brush. Pick this. Choose that. Rethink. Redo. Renovate.

Now, you might expect this to be the part where I whine about how long it took or explain the depths of insanity I experienced. But that is not the case, my friends.

Honestly, we have our architects (more on those delightful gents in another post) and the wonderful crew from JHF Construction to thank for the smooth process. People have asked and asked about our contractor, so here's a blog post for the curious.

Why do we ADORE JHF Construction? It's like this:

• Attention to detail. From the first meeting, Mark Hickman (the on-site supervisor) provided a professional, thorough bid for our project. This detail-oriented focus carried on during the length of the project.
• On-site supervision. Many of the other companies who bid our project did not provide an on-site supervisor. This was a big deal to us. Mark was there day in, day out overseeing all the sub-contractors and the progress. That kept the project on track and kept mistakes to a minimum.
• Integrity. Never once did we feel slighted or cheated or overcharged. And never once did we feel the quality of work was less than excellent, detailed, and thoughtful of our wishes and vision. Y'all that's worth every penny we paid.
• On time. On budget. Do I need to say anything else?
• Experienced. Becky Hickman (the owner) and Mark know their stuff. They are not just administrators; they know how to do the work so that makes them above-par bosses. They know when something isn't done correctly. They can instruct others on the best way to approach something. Over and over again, I saw Mark redirect the subs to a better, more sound, more efficient way to tackle a problem. Friends, that made us feel so confident in the work being done. (Not to mention, Mark does the trim and tile work himself--and a few other jobs. His resume of management, higher degrees, and lumber training in Alaska [yes, you read that right] and carpentry training in New England impressed us soooo much.)
• Available. As stated before, Mark was on-site, meaning he was here when we had questions or needed something. He and Becky searched and searched for the best deals on many fixtures and materials. Becky traveled with me all over the metroplex picking out tiles and counters and tubs. Both quickly returned calls and emails. And both were gracious and forgiving when I had a "small" breakdown over the crown molding and baseboards (completely my fault. so embarrassing).
• Genuine. Mark and Becky are genuine and kind-hearted. 
• Rangers. The both cheer for the Texas Rangers. I mean, what else could you ask for in a contractor?

When we dove into the process, I totally expected to hate it. I'd heard all the horror stories; in fact, I have a few of my own from previous, smaller construction jobs we've done. I was so surprised--and pleasantly so--to find a group of people committed to making our house a home as much as we were. 

So, if you are itching to tear up your house--whether one wall, one room, or the whole dern thing--call JHF. (They do projects of all sizes.) You will not be sorry. I can't recommend them enough.

Here's the number for JHF Construction: 817-366-5518. 

The Lytles Are Moving . . . to Peru!

One of my sweetest, dearest, bestest, specialest (yes, I'm using those "words") is moving from her family's work in Indonesia to Peru in only a few months (like two to be exact).

She and her husband believe deeply in the benefits of education and have committed to working in international schools to equip the youth of the world with knowledge both intellectually and spiritually.

Here's a great YouTube clip that shares their passion: [click here]

While they receive a small salary from the school, they must raise funds to supplement their income to sustain their family. The transition from Indonesia to Peru will be "interesting" with one of those "interesting" aspects being finances. The cost of living is considerable higher in Peru. Please consider giving any sized donation to my sweet Lytle friends.

Anna-isms #3

While busily packing for our trip to Nashville, I came upon Anna at the top of the stairs, laying at the landing with a blanket over her. She was holding two CD cases, which she isn't supposed to have (a la no-touching-the-CDs-on-the-bookshelf rule).

I ask: What are you doing?

I could tell she was deep in thought. She sat up and showed me the Kelly Clarkson CD. She pointed to Kelly and said: This is Mama.

Then she showed me the other CD with Mariah Carey's face planted on the front and said: This is Anna.

We were coloring today with our new fancy smancy, straight from the yard sale colored pencils. (She thought these were the best things EVER.) She had a paper. I had a paper. As I started drawing the ever faithful flower, Anna said: Good job, Mom. For the next few minutes for every teeny tiny mark I made, I heard: Good job, Mom. Melt my heart. What a sweetie, right? 

Tonight I asked: Who will help me clean up? (I meant toys.) The next thing I know Anna comes out of the laundry room with the broom. The mop. The duster. She proceeds to clean, which ended 15 minutes later in her knocking a glass of water off the table. Bryan cleaned it up.

Anna's been doing some swimming at Ms. Lisa's house:

And here's one from today after our garden picking and walk:

These days, Anna loves:

• Polka dots
• Doc McStuffins
• Applesauce
• Choo choo trains
• Bubbles
• Playing "surprise" and hide-and-seek
• Cheese
• Watering plants

Another Book Project: Legendary Locals of Fort Worth!!!!

Hip, hip, hurray! How exciting to announce to you, dear readers, that I will be writing another book, along with my stellar co-author Joan! This one is about Fort Worth's finest folks, featuring more than 100 of Cowtown's exemplary citizens. The remainder of this year will find Joan and me researching, writing, and securing photos. So much to do before the November deadline. (If I look frazzled and covered in paper cuts when you see me next, now you'll know why.)

So proud to be an Arcadia author!