I am thankful...

...that David and I (and Bailey and Rascal) have one another during all of this chaos!

...that my teachers are letting me take my exams a week early so that I can go to St. John with the family!

...that we have some furniture!  (Pictures below!)

...that both of our families are coming in one week to spend Thanksgiving with us!

All of that being said, I think that I am going a little crazy!  I would like for the house to be somewhat organized before everyone gets here.  And I would like to be able to put out some of the fall decorations that I love so much.  And I would like to have all of my school work done so that I can focus on having fun with everyone.  But more than anything else, I am remembering to be thankful for each day!

I have had several requests for pictures of what has been going on so here are a few.  With most of the big stuff done, things seem to moving a little slower.  The best thing right now is that David installed the kitchen cabinets and appliances.  So that we have a working kitchen!!

On to the pictures:

Coming Together

Paint is on the walls and tile in the bathroom!  And we have some furniture being delivered tomorrow and Monday!  I am heading to Dallas this weekend to see some friends and pick up the things that we have left at our parents' houses.  David will be here in Galveston taking the annual Orthopaedics-in-Training Exam!  So wish him luck!

Here are some pictures of the progress:

Wishing everyone well!

Bailey's Tough Life

While David and I (and numerous family members) were in Galveston working to restore things to normal, Bailey was being graciously hosted by my parents.  My mom sent these photos so that everyone could see how hard things have been on Bailey as well!

Now that she is back in Galveston, things are quite as cozy as they were in Rockwall.  But she does have a new dog bed that she loves!

Hangin' Tough

Sunday I went to the New Kids on the Block concert with Lisa-Kay, Kaila, and Veronica.  We had a blast!  The concert goers were probably 98% female and most were late 20s-early 30s.  The day was mine to do what I pleased.  So, I slept in, got a manicure and pedicure, put on make-up and heels, and started to feel like Shannon again!

Here are some pictures from the evening:

Veronica and I during dinner at Uptown Grill & Bar.

New Kids on the stage for the first time.

Kaila and Lisa-Kay

Kaila, Lisa-Kay, and I  (Thanks for taking the pic, V!)

The concert is coming to a close.

One of a handful of seemingly straight guys getting into the concert!

Things are looking up!

(I wrote this on Sunday but had trouble uploading the photos.  Just got back around to blogging.  Hope that all is well!)

This weekend David and I met in Dallas.  He finished his interviews in Denver yesterday and flew in and I drove up late last night.  I am looking forward to the concert tonight with the girls.  David is going to meet some friends for dinner.  Just like things are normal, right?

Before I left, the guys that I hired finished taping the seams of the drywall and textured the entire house.  When we get back, it will be time to prime and paint.  We have had several inspectors and engineers from FEMA to stop by the house to do various things, but each of them have been amazed at the amount of work that has been accomplished.  We are clearly farther along than most.  And while I have been exhausted for the past few weeks, it makes me happy to know that things are moving along.  Oh, and some of our new appliances came in!!

Rebuilding...

Walls are going back up!

It's 5 o'clock!

Sunroom 

David's Office
 

 Sarah and Troy did a fine job putting up the insulation!

  

The pod finally arrived and now the house is a little less chaotic!

 

Living room walls are back on!

 

We have had great weather for sitting outdoors

Unbelievable!

This was so unbelievable that we had to get a picture of it!  (And no there wasn't any photoshopping involved!)

Richard was truly a huge help even though he is continually down playing the amount of work he has done.

Rascal!!!

So, one day in June this little kitten came to the house and looked so sad.  What could I do but feed the poor thing??  And then he became our cat, Rascal.  I didn't have the means to evacuate him with me.  David told me numerous times that he would be okay if I left him.  So, I did and felt so guilty that I cried every time someone mentioned him.  David came by the house right after the hurricane and there he was.  Since Bailey hasn't been here, Rascal has taken to coming into the house as he pleases.  I guess we'll just see what happens when Bailey makes her return!

David's Office

Sunroom

Through the bathroom

More "Things to Keep"

Living Area

Guest Bedroom

David's office

Lopez, who took up all of the hardwood floors in a matter of hours

Here is the corroded pipe that we found when we opened up the wall.

The sunroom and some of the "Things to Keep"