Thursday, October 27, 2011

Home Projects

We are very lucky to be related to or have friends who are painters, masons, plumbers, electricians, welders, or just general handymen.   Because of this we have crossed a lot of our "House To-Do" list.  So much it's worth a post!  As we plan for projects and prepare financially for each one, the new job was a good reason to kick off several.  Additionally, bartering has been proven helpful.  You know, where the cobbler exchanged services with the tailor or the baker swapped goods with the blacksmith.  I exchanged Red Sox Tickets with a mason and got this!



I also exchanged a pedicure with my electrical/lighting savy friend and had our chandelier fixed.  Now all five light bulbs work and the candle sticks are back to normal!  We also borrowed my Dad's trailer to make several dump runs of yard brush and dead flowers.  It's hard to cut down the peonies, hostas, and hydrangeas but knowing spring is right around the corner is helpful.  My brother the painter also snuck by one day and painted a portion of the front side, which was a result of this.    We definitely were the "cool" house on the block.  Other small projects (really can't believe this hasn't been done sooner) was drilling nice hooks on the back of the bathroom door and adding door stoppers to all the doors.  

Next big project?  Replacing four old wooden windows on the bottom floor.  Last year, two layers of plastic barely kept the draft in.  We've moved the roof replacement to the spring and hope it holds out.  Although, our chimney sweeper mentioned there were a few soft spots while he was on the roof.  Cross your fingers peeps!  Stop by and you might see our mason (brother's-girlfriend-BIL), painter (brother), roofer (other brother) ripping shingles off our roof in the spring. :-)

The chimney is swept for nice fires; a cord of wood cut, split, loaded, unloaded and stacked; boiler cleaned for fall/winter warmth; chandelier ready for daylight savings time, walkway installed for easy shoveling; and gardens almost laid to rest for their winter sleep.

Although never complete, the To-Do list is a bit shorter these days....

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Dear future boyfried,

I love chocolate covered strawberries.  If you know what's good for you, shower me with these regularly!










Love,
Abby

Monday, October 24, 2011

Studio Pictures

I love, love, love having Abby's pictures taken by someone with a nice camera.  She happens to photograph pretty well if you ask me :-)  Her birthday pictures last year were taken by Tess J. Photography and you could sit mesmerized by her pictures on her site.  Unfortunately, there's a price that comes along with it. So, when Living Social, a daily deal discount website, offered a $12.00 Picture People deal, I couldn't resist.

Here are some shots from Abby's session on Saturday night.










Note:  They mentioned there is another deal coming very soon for $10 for three sheets.  Just in time for the holidays! AND, if you three of your friends buy a deal from your referral code, your Deal is FREE!  (hint, hint)

So, while Picture People might not be a super, duper professional studio with a $3 million dollar camera (okay, not that much) they did a nice job.  I'll keep using those daily deals so I can save my pennies to have Tess take pictures again!


Saturday, October 22, 2011

Forget one week, in one month....

ABBY WILL BE TWO!   Waaa waaaa

When did our little newborn turn into a walking, talking, inquisitive, independent, crazy, fun, lovable two year old??? When did she move from hanging out in her bouncer to dancing circles in the kitchen?  When did she once giggle at colors on a block to coloring flowers at her art table?  When did she move from enjoying the sounds of her rattle to "reading" books, completing puzzles, and loving an episode of Curious George, Clifford, Cat in the Hat or Thomas the Train??

At this very moment she is grooving to the closing tune of Thomas, giggling, pointing to the TV and just mesmerized.  Full disclosure, I'm blogging and enjoying a cup of coffee.  I've heard this second (and third) year can be doozies  so I'm enjoying the quiet while I can. 

Yes, that TV part was something we said we wouldn't do...oh, how parenting changes on a dime.  It's hard to imagine not having Abigail Jean in our lives and we celebrate her every day.  I can't believe we're going to celebrate the end of her second year in less than a month.  (Hey, Tim!  We made it!!! We kept her alive and well!!)


Friday, October 21, 2011

One Week Down

I'm happy to report I'm still alive after week one.  Starting a new job combined with Tim's business trip made for a very busy week.  I'm also getting ready for a craft fair on the 29th so every spare moment has been devoted to the sewing machine.  Crazy busy. 

As for the job, just fabulous. It's amazing how life puts you on a path you didn't know where it was going.  And, then, you end up right where you're suppose to be.  It's that good.  Who knew??

 These two rock my world and make it all worth it.



One week down and lots more fun ones to follow.  Boy, am I one lucky gal. 


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Forts Rock!

We've been jumping and playing on cushions and finally got around to making a fort with blankets and chairs.  Certainly not as elaborate as when I was a kid, but we have plenty of time for the real deal.  


Cushions, blankets, chairs and tables...


....make a cozy place for a tea party. Elmo and Teddy drank lots of water. 



All this building and entertaining makes for a well deserved cup of tea, which by the way was water.  She's been asking for a "big girl" cup and doing fairly well with the two handed, open, 1/4 filled cup. 

Sunday, October 16, 2011

one of my faves....



Looking through some pics from this year...taken in June.  I may have already posted it.  Worth another post, if you ask me :-)