Category: life in general

{in our garden} the big dig…and move, and build, and fill, and plant

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Last week we had a big project done at our house.

It all started about 3 years ago after we moved into this house. We loved the yard, but knew that there were changes that we would eventually like to make. We had a landscape architect draw up a plan and it hid in a closet for over 2 years.

At our house we are always trying to figure out which project needs to take priority. You see, when we moved in to this house we knew we would have some upgrades to make, but we were working with a “clean slate”. By this I mean that there had been little to NO upgrades made in this house since it was built about 20 years ago. Slowly, but surely we have made some changes. Some paint here and there, new appliances, new furnace, new water heater, and new carpet. Unfortunately, most of these things were replaced because they stopped working and we had to replace them!

So, this spring we decided that we should bite the bullet and finally make a big project happen around here.

We got multiple bids from contractors. We made site visits to some of their work. And, eventually chose one that was referred by a painter who we got a quote from.

We gave him our plans, he made a few changes and suggestions, and we agreed on the work that would be done. Then we waited…through the summer…until the work could be done.

Last week, it was done.

Realistically, it couldn’t be better timing. It’s a great time to plant, we can let everything settle in over the winter, and we can see what we want to add in the spring!

So, here are some progress photos…

Day One…

Day Two…

Day Three…

Day Four…

I will try to find some “before” photos as we forgot to take some. In a separate post I will show the final product and detail some of the changes that were made.

By the way, I am headed outside right now to plant some more things with the kids. Nothing like a sunny mid-October 70 degree day in the Pacific Northwest!

home is…making big changes.

{100 things about me} the first twenty-five

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  1. I was born in Boulder, Colorado.
  2. I had my appendix removed.
  3. I had my tonsils removed.
  4. I absolutely love football.
  5. I played field hockey in high school.
  6. I started skiing when I was four.
  7. I lived in Colorado for 30 years.
  8. My husband and I moved to Portland almost six years ago. He had never been here and I had only been once for a wedding.
  9. I have a BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado.
  10. I went there because it was what all of my family had done and what all my friends were doing. I am so thankful I did!
  11. I was in a sorority in college, Pi Beta Phi.
  12. I went back to school for my Interior Design degree one month before I got married at age 25.
  13. My favorite flower is the sunflower.
  14. I need 8 hours (or more) of sleep…always have.
  15. I have never liked wearing lipstick.
  16. I wish I had never sold my 1993 Jeep Wrangler…worst decision ever.
  17. I wish I had taken some time off after college to be a “ski bum”.
  18. I love school supplies.
  19. My summer job in high school was a lifeguard…best summer job ever!
  20. My first car was a school bus yellow 1983 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. My mom drove it for years, it was given to me for my 16th birthday, and my sister and I shared until my sophmore year in college.
  21. My favorite show is Gilmore Girls. I own all seven seasons on DVD and watch at least one episode {almost} everyday.
  22. My favorite movies all star Meg Ryan.
  23. Or, Brad Pitt.
  24. I move furniture when I am frustrated.
  25. I like designer jeans, but always get a hole in the right knee…so frustrating!
Oh, wow…100 is going to take a while.
What do you want to know?!

so much

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“Oh, there’s so much,” a former boss used to say before she would start off a story.

That’s how I feel right now.

So much.

So much I need to do.

So much I want to do.

So much I have to do.

So much I don’t want to do.

Not enough time for any of it.

So, I will make time for what is important, fun, and keeps me sane.

The rest will have to wait.

My list making is not even keeping up with my thoughts at this point in time.

Oh well.

We have made a HUGE dent in our Summer List.

In fact, the last few things that are left are things that I put on there as the long stretches…meaning, they may be too much for this summer and might have to wait until next or ever a few years from now.

I am proud and happy with what we have accomplished. It has been fun.

And, yes, father-in-law, I know I owe you photos.

I also owe the entire family our photo album from 2010.

And, need to finish painting the little guys room.

And, finish hanging up art in baby girls room.

And, need to paint our bedroom.

And, need to do the laundry.

And, need to finish my craft closet.

And, need to redesign Ryan’s office.

And, want to take a photography class.

And, want to learn to sew.

And…well, that’s all I can remember right now.

home is…there is always so much.

the blahs

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I’ve got to be honest.

Today I have a major case of the blahs.

It’s a gorgeous day outside.

The sun is shining.

The sky is blue.

There is a slight breeze.

We should be outside.

I can’t motivate.

It’s just the blahs.

You know, the feeling you get after a much anticipated event is over.

My parents came out for a visit.

We spent 4 nights at the Oregon Coast.

We celebrated the 4th of July.

We celebrated the little guys 4th birthday.

My parents left last night.

Ryan got up at 4 am to fly to Chicago.

And, the kids and I are left alone.

I don’t know when we will see my parents again.

I don’t know when we will go on a “relaxing” vacation again.

And all of those thoughts just make me feel…blah.

I know if I motivate to get outside I will feel better, but I just can’t get moving.

So, I just thought I would let you all know how I feel.

The little guy just suggested that we have a picnic lunch outside…he’s full of good ideas.

I’m off to put some real clothes on and get back to reality.

Also, check back later for my link up for Summer in Snapshots…

home is…sometimes having a case of the blahs.

boys will be boys

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Last night I was getting the bath ready for the kids.

The little guy was running around and baby girl was following and laughing.

At the same time I heard the little guy run into our room and crash into the window I also heard glass break.

Thankfully it was not our bedroom window.

Both kiddos were OK, so I ran downstairs.

Our neighbors have three boys.

Their boys all play sports.

They put a sport court in their backyard last summer.

This spring the two oldest boys are playing lacrosse.

The lacrosse ball slipped past the 5+ ft net that rises above our fence and hit the only window that it could.

The outer pane of the double pane window was shattered.

I waited for the doorbell to ring as I knew they would be over to tell me the news.

Their oldest came over and I answered the door.

He just looked at me…with 14 year old puppy dog eyes.

I said, “I know. I heard it. It’s OK.”

He said, “I’m soooo sorry.”

They came over and cleaned up the glass.

Their mom and dad are making them pay for the window.

Their mom texted me last night and said they also owe us free babysitting!

I went to the front door today after their mom sent me a text that she had left something at our front door.

There was a bottle of white wine and some chocolate chip cookies.

She said it was to make up for her boys.

I told her that they are good boys because they ARE.

They are just boys.

I am sure I will be making up for my boy at some point in the future, too.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

home is…boys being boys and good neighbors

bummer

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There is no direct way to fly to Rochester, New York from Portland, Oregon.

And, Ryan’s parents have had to take a very indirect route for the second time.

They are stuck in Chicago.

There are worse places to be stuck.

We got stuck in Chicago flying home from Rochester to Denver one year.

We ended up just making a mini-vacation out of it…stayed at Hotel Monaco, went shopping on Michigan Avenue, explored the museums.

Unless you have the time, money and desire to do it how we did it it is not fun to be stuck.

You have it in your mind that you are going to get to sleep in your own bed.

You make (or had already made) plans for what you will want and need to get done upon your return home.

And then it all needs to be reworked.

While I am at home feeding, bathing, and putting the kids to bed alone (Ryan left town this afternoon, too) at least I am at HOME.

I am sorry that they are stuck.

Hopefully they can get home tomorrow.

And, if not, hopefully they can make the best of it and explore Chicago a little bit (the train from the airport to downtown is so easy)!

I intend to finish my posts from their visit this week.

There are a lot of photos to go through.

home is…being home and wishing others were able to get home, too.