Thursday, May 31, 2012

Here We Come!!



Getting ready for the best weekend of the year!!!!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day~


Yesterday my husband and I drove through Greenacres cemetery to look at the display of flags they put up for Memorial Day. You can drive all through it, where there are hundreds of flags waving gently in the breeze. Each flag is in honor of a veteran and has a small plaque on the pole in memory of the soldier.

 It's a sight to behold.




Today, in honor of Memorial Day, we went back, with our friend Tami , to participate in the festivities.



A black hawk helicopter landed with a veteran who was serving at Pearl Harbor during the attack.



He was 92 or 94 and cute as can be! He brought a flag with him that was raised at the ceremony. That's my friend Megan in the background!


There is something about the pomp and circumstance of the military that I love. Maybe it's because my dad served in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, but I love the precision and respect in all of the little details.


The flag was raised and then lowered to half staff.

There were speakers and singers and a tribute to the veterans who had been buried at this memorial cemetery this year. I was surprised at the number, nearly a hundred. It seemed like a lot for this small community which isn't near any military base. Many older, but a few young as well.

I'm so thankful for all those who so willingly serve our country and protect our freedoms. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones while doing this difficult job. It was so nice to take time out to reflect on this great nation and those who serve and protect us each and every day. Special thanks to Sam, Tami's son, who is serving in the Army.

We are blessed.

Monday, May 21, 2012

We like to change things up!

We just can't leave things alone around here....always coming up with something new. I like to come up with a plan, present it to Brian and wait for him to agree with me!!!! This time it only took a year or two!!!

We have a small, about 9 x 11 room upstairs that we really didn't use for anything. Small window, no closet. We used it to hold bookshelves, a filing cabinet and an old desk. We would retrieve things from there, but never actually use the room! Oh, and it had a little jut out where the old fireplace pipe went up through the wall. We put a bed in there during Christmas for guests so it was a little crowed!



 Funky little wall and teen, tiny window!

The guy who makes my vision a reality!

He decided to tackle this while I had my leg in a cast, so I was NO help what-so-ever!

The ugly, green carpeting that I am slowly, but surely replacing!

Carpet gone!




 Funky wall and pipe gone!


Window doubled in size! Look at the difference in the view!  I have to hand it to Brian for doing this all himself! He cut it out, put in the header and replaced the window. I just shouted encouragement from downstairs! He also did all the wallboard, mudding and spackling, wiring and trim work. I painted the green, but he spayed the room and all the trim. He's quite nice to have around! I miss him!

I LOVE having the bigger window! It makes such a difference! You don't have to walk right up to the window to see out....much, much better!

I was able to help a bit with the wood floor. Picking pieces and laying them out, but again, Brian did most of the work!

I've had the color picked out for a couple of years, just waiting to use it somewhere! It's kind of a granny smith green.

We had two old, oak bookshelves that fit the wall pretty well. Brian took all the facing off and then worked at raising them up and trimming them out.

 
 Here's what they looked like after, with some primer on them.

We liked the board and batten that we did before in Ashleigh's room that we decided to do it again. I use the term "we" loosely!!


The finished product!!!


Filled with books, magazines on the bottom shelves...need a label system..., photo boxes on the top and some fun goodies to fill it out!

A cute little desk, stolen from my daughter's room!


And a new filing cabinet from Home Decorators. 

I've added some pictures and a few other things, but this is pretty much it!

A big improvement and a room that we actually use now, even if it is just to sit in and admire the view!!!

Friday, May 18, 2012

It's Official...

My husband and I have separated.

He got a job!!!! Yeah!!!! Unfortunately it's an hour and a half away so it means being apart during the week. You didn't think I was talking the other kind did you???

He's excited and enjoying having a new challenge. And I'm happy that I don't have to support the family...as if!!!!

We're so thankful for all the prayers that have been lifted up on our behalf....bless you all!!!

Just a simple post today...this is what I've been up to today, after working this morning!

Canning chicken. 32 pints and the smell is heavenly!!!!


Having two pressure cookers really helps and the double one makes things go so quickly!!


Laundry on the line, and the scent is divine!!!! I LOVE hanging clothes on the line...a little bit of bliss!

But let's be honest. It's really about the red apron and the aqua sweater!!!! (Please ignore the bathroom!!)

A perfect day of domestic loveliness!!