The After Picture-Almost

Here's our house with new vinyl siding, painted eaves, new rain gutters, and a new and taller garage door.

I never thought we would ever get rid of that baby-poo orange paint we had on our house the last two-and-a-half years. This may still look like an old house to bystanders but it feels more like it should've looked all along. More importantly, our house fits in with the neighborhood finally and it will require less maintenance.

Now for the hard part. We installed all the basics. Now it's time to add some personality. I was considering taking off the storm door and installing a wood-looking door with dark stain and three square windows at the top of the door. We definitely plan on buying a house number plaque to go near the door. Scott and I are still debating on the shutters. If you have any suggestions, I'll take them. If we did install shutters, they would be for the two bedroom windows only.

I've heard some vote for black or brown shutters. I've heard others say white. I've also received reccommendations on no shutters. If you have any ideas on how we can add a small dose of personality to the house, let me know.

P.S. the before picture, in case you were lucky enough to have never seen it in it's previous condition.

My Best Fwend (Friend)

Kate is in love with everything these days. She prays for her toys and exclaims what a nice day it is. In the picture above she is embracing her Bear, Puppy, and Lamby.

Kate is always talking about who her best "fwends" are. Often, Kate will take Scott or me by the hand and say, "You're my best fwend."

Getting Kate ready for bed and setting all her special "fwends" around her is a treat. Horton takes his place above her head on her right, Turtle to Horton's left and then Kate will hold puppy with "other puppy" and "wammy" to her sides. Then, her playmate of the day, usually a figurine like "pink sleeping beauty" and "blue sleeping beauty" as the case was with this night, will take the cherished spot in her hand(s). Of course they all shuffle around in sleep but I love that moment when all you can see is her sweet little face popping out from among her many stuffed friends.

Scott and I love the little conversations we have with Kate. We always end up laughing and wondering what we ever did for fun without her.

Mural

Last night, my sister, Jill, and I put the finishing touches on our first commissioned mural. It was my job but I was scared to death to go it alone. I hope the three-year-old boy we painted it for keeps loving it as much as he did when we showed it to him.

I painted a street-post on another wall to adhere two Disney Cars posters on to make it look like a street sign advertising the race. I'm not sure how it translates, but that was what I intended.

A Breather

We've been spending many weekends at Scott's family's cabin this Summer.

On Sunday, Scott's whole family took a breather.

My favorite part of the evening was Jason's motion to send the ever dutiful Kathy out on a ride with Gary and all the Grandchildren while the adult children stayed back at the cabin to clean up from dinner.

Cleaning up can be a battle. Everyone wants to see Kathy rest because we all know how hard she works to prepare for our gettogethers. We also know that she can't rest when there's work to be done.

Thanks to Jason, we were finally able to clean up and give her a break. I'm sure we put things away incorrectly, but I hope it was still a much anticipated and hopefully duplicated break for an assiduous, benevolent caregiver.

The three "littles"- Ashlee, Hailey, and Katie

Kathy was reluctant to leave all the dishes undone for her children and in-law children to do, but she seemed to enjoy it.

Here's Whitney between Grandma and Grandpa. She didn't make the first picture--she was creating a wildflower bouquet with Jessica.

And Zac, Jessica, and Todd on the wheeler.

Independence Day Fun!

On July 3rd, to get things moving, Scott, Kate, Jill, James, and I walked/rolled in the Children's parade.

We had a blast. People along the parade route sat in their front yards and watched the children all decorated in red, white, and blue roll by on their scooters, bikes, strollers etc. as their parents walked with them to the park for a Popsicle.

After the parade, we walked to Marcus and Jill's house for some fun, games, and food before the fireworks began right next to their house at the elementary school.

Scott and I decided our reserved parking space and seat make this spot a perfect annual 3rd of July tradition.

Taylor, Kate, Me, and Brooke.
We were doing ring-around-the-rosie in the wading pool.

Kate wanted to go on the slip-n-slide but she didn't understand the run and slide concept. I took her down a few times and then she decided going with someone was more fun so she got Jeni and Daddy to take her for a ride down too.

Then, on the 4th, we enjoyed our city parade--taking advantage of our reserved parking spot at Jill's house just a minute from a prime location on the parade route. Jeni, Cameron, and Sam already had a spot staked out for us with chairs and blankets. The weather was perfect for everything we did and it was easy to appreciate the way we live and the many people who made our life of leisure and pleasure possible.

Sam, Kate, and James

Kate was so fun to watch and Scott and I put this holiday a lot higher on our list of favorites now that Kate is old enough to see the magic in it. She really loved all the fireworks and parade fun. She prayed for the "towns" (clowns) at the "pah-wade" (parade) for a few days and talked about "-pendence day,"our "fwee-dum," the "fi-uh-wurks" in the sky, all the colors, and all the loud noises.

A Summer's Day

"Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language." Henry James

Welcome Home--Computer

I can't believe how awful life is without a computer. During the past two weeks, our computer was in getting a tune-up. I never realized how much I have relied on it for everyday things. The good news is--our computer was thoroughly cleansed of it's viral infection and it's home safe and sound.

I do not doubt a conspiracy exists among the many viruses and the anti virus companies and a couple weeks ago I would have embarked on a holy tirade on the subject--but today the energy has left me. The fire is gone. And so it should be. All that I have left is a grand "Thank Heavens" for a healthy computer.

More good news--our house received it's first coat of paint on the eaves and trim, we have a new garage door, and in a few weeks the new siding will be in place. I can't wait to post my after pictures.

I don't really have much else to say. I'm so out of the habit of spilling my guts that it may take a while for me to know what is noteworthy.