Clouds

Today is cloud day.  I had a lot of fun with this assignment.  When I woke up this morning it was a bit grey and I didn't think I would get a good picture.  We decided to go up north for the day and visit our property.  The sky began to clear the closer we got.  Here's my first picture:

Then I started to see possibilities from where I was standing:

As we were pulling into our driveway this caught my eye

 It's funny, when you  have a camera around your neck, you start to see things differently.  We were walking on a pier and the differences in the water on each side caught my attention.

A casualty of a windy day.  The bottom was full of water.  There was a box of Little Debbie Cakes on the front by the steering wheel.  I wonder if they meant to leave that behind.

We drove to our property and snapped more interesting photos.  We are planning on putting the property up for sale, but as I was walking through I felt sad at the thought.  It is so quiet and peaceful there, until . . .

 We left and were swarmed by the neighbors dogs.  Then I remembered why we wanted to sell.  

These dogs barked for at least 1/2 hour after we arrived.  And there is a dog kennel at the end of the street.  They usually start up at 9:30 pm and bark until 2 am.  Not our idea of peace and quiet.

It was a relaxing day just walking, looking and driving.  People up north live a different kind of life.  I like it.

Taking pictures. . . or trying to . . .

So, friends and family, here I am again. Blogging. No guarantees on how long it will last.

I was inspired by Mari's post http://www.just-me-and-t.blogspot.com/ and thought I would try to take some photos to improve my, er, lack of ability to take decent pictures. Here's the challenge:

Sounds, fun, eh?

So I decided to start by taking some up close photos of myself yesterday. Without makeup. Without a shower. Risky. Here's the first one . .

Hmmm, not so good. Camera too high. Trying again . . . How about one of those artsy sideways shots?

Oh dear. Camera is a bit too close? Bad lighting? Backing up . .

Oh my. Am I still breathing?

Husband?

Yes?

Can I take a picture of you?

Sure.

*Sigh*

So much for that!

But, today after a shower and some much needed makeup, I tried again. With photoshop. Amazing what that program can do. Here's my headshot:

Not bad!

And here's the next challenge:

Go Cougs!

The Big Storm

I thought ya'll would like to see what has been happening here over the last few days. It's been interesting! I assume you have all heard about the monster storm that was headed our way. Here's a little video clip:

Spring will come, eventually, I hope. I'm headed out to shovel!

Back again!

Well, after an 11 month hiatus, I've decided to blog again.

I guess after kid #4 left home, it seemed our life together here in the mitt was rather blah. All, I could write about was, work, church, hubby, repeat. Didn't seem all that interesting even to me. My kids' lives are WAY more interesting than what I am up to. But perhaps I can find something to share occasionally.

Lately we have been ripping up the house. I have been pressuring DH to do something about the lack of insulation under our entry way floors. When they were built, the lazy contractor couldn't be bothered to do it right. I have been freezing every year since. We finally found someone who was interested enough in the problem to actually come up with a solution.

He is the dad of a piano student. That helps.

The problem? The insulation had to be put under the floor.

The only access? Through the floor.

So, last week I spent many hours tearing up tile so the floor boards could be cut. The guy that put in the tile? He did it right. Unfortuntely for me. Here is a picture of the front entryway with the floor cut out.

We also decided, since we were in demo mode, to add insulation around the perimeter of our house, where the basement walls meet the upper part of the house. Here's a look:

My house looks like a war zone:

To be continued. . . when blogger allows me to upload more photos . . . .

More baby photos

Warning **Grandma gushing** ahead . . .

I know that when you see these pictures you will agree. . .

This is just the cutest baby ever.

I mean, how can you resist this face?

Or this one? . . .

Nothing warms your heart more than daddies with babies:

Too, too cute!

Baby is here!

Our new baby has arrived. And he is so considerate! He waited until the day after I arrived before he made his appearance. And he is the most adorable thing ever, of course. I know most of you read his momma's blog, so I will try to put some pictures in that you haven't seen already. And these also are for the benefit of missionary son, who has been waiting patiently for news.

So here we go . . . on to the hospital, during a contraction.

Six centimeters!

Labor is getting tougher.

Welcome baby!

Look at those long fingers!

Cute baby

Proud papa

Getting ready to go home.

I'll try to post more later. This has been a fun time.

Basement Renovations

I have been itching to redo my basement. Remember the post awhile back where I was choosing tile colors? Well, early August I picked out slate and carpet for the work and now it is finally being put in. I think I watch too much HGTV.

Before they came I had to paint. I hate picking paint colors. It is such a big responsibility. Especially if I don't like it.

Anyway, I did the ceiling first. I know you can tell its different, right? hehe, I know you can't. don't lie.

Then the wall color:

Here is the stove, with a bit of the original wall color in the background.
see our woodpile outside? we are getting ready for winter.

Then . . . the tile guy came, yeah!

I picked out these decorative metal accents. Aren't they cool?


Completed, except for grout. I was drooling. Wall color looks good!

With grout in:

Next . . . carpet! Stairs took a LONG time.

Carpet man, doin' his thing.

I like the color.

Before . . .

After . . .