Kitchen Remodel

I love my nearly 70 year old house.  I love the structure and the details of this house.  I love that it is larger than it appears but it is so cozy.  However, I hate the decor.  

After reading numerous DIY blogs and watching hundreds of YouTube videos, I was eager to start my kitchen remodeling.

I decided that I will begin with three changes.

1. Remove the wallpaper and paint.
2. Remove and update the flooring.
3. Update the countertops.

I started removing wallpaper only to discover multiple layers of wallpaper covering the lathe and plaster walls.  I began scoring the paper and spraying a solution of fabric softener and water on the walls and letting the solution set for 10 minutes and then scraping the wallpaper off with a putty knife.  This was messy but it worked well.  The upside was that my kitchen smelled great.

My friend, Leslie, told me that vinegar and water work great, too and is much easier to clean so I switched and realized it is cheaper, too.  The vinegar solution may even work a little better because the acid breaks down the glue.  

I have not really set a time table for completion but hopefully will be able to have the kitchen painted by December 7.

Anessa

I am a grandmother for the second time!  Sweet little Anessa joined her cousin, Gabriel, as the lights of my life.  She is perfect and I am ecstatic to have a granddaughter.

Our family has not welcomed a girl for nearly nineteen years and we are "little boy" strong - five of them between the ages of 5 and 13 - so her arrival has been highly anticipated.

Mollie is delighted to have a niece.  Mitchell is thrilled to have acquired the the title of Uncle.  My mother thinks that she is perfect and my sister visited the hospital 3 different times.

Gabe seems to adore her.  As they left the hospital, he told his dad, "That baby just melted my heart." and that melted this grandmother's heart.

Her parents, Tim and Meg, are now adjusting to life as parents.  I am so pleased to see my sons as fathers.  They are loving and doting and have exceeded my expectations for them as parents.  Gabriel and Anessa are lucky to be so loved.

Enjoying the View

This is a scenic landmark a few miles from my home.  My kids loved hiking here and this past summer, I realized that my grandson had never been here.  It was too hot to hike up and through the desert this summer but Saturday was the perfect day so Gabe and I made the drive.  This photo was taken just as we began our climb.

Here is Gabe on the backside of Balanced Rock.  Not really a good perspective of what the area looks like and definitely not the normal view of the landmark.

Gabe looking out at the valley and checking out how far from the car he had climbed.

Gabe took my camera and took this picture.  I hadn't realized that he had taken the photo until I uploaded the pictures.  We continued climbing through the high desert above the rock.  Gabe was convinced and disappointed that we didn't see any rattlesnakes.  Actually, this is the perfect time of year to make this hike due to the lack of rattlesnakes.

We spent a couple of hours outdoors enjoying and gorgeous October day and soaking up the sun.  Too hard to stay indoors when we know that this temperatures won't last long.  

21st Birthday

Well, my little darling turned 21.  What a milestone!  I drove to her college town so that I could be the designated driver.  Hard to imagine that my baby is now legal to drink and a myriad of other things.  Well, it was pretty tame and I am just thankful that she was tolerant of me tagging along for her safety.

College kids today are so much smarter than my friends and I were at that age.  The take cabs, they look for designated drivers, they stay home.  I am thankful that they are not willing to risk their lives or the lives of others. 

Notre Dame

Tim's godparents, Sam and Laurie got us tickets to the Notre Dame-BYU game this past weekend.  What a thrill, Tim is a lifetime Notre Dame fan, so Tim, Megan and I flew to Chicago and then drove to South Bend.

An experience that none of us will forget.  Just walking across the campus was a thrill and entering the stadium nearly took my breath away.  I cannot describe the feeling....like I had imagined only infinitely better.  The game was great!  The Irish won 17-14.  After the game, I was heading for the exit and Tim grabbed my hand and asked me why I was in such a hurry.  "Enjoy the moment, Mom!  Take it all in."  He was so right, I just stood in awe!

Sunday we toured the campus.  The Basilica, the Golden Dome, the Grotto were awe inspiring.  I have always admired those places but to actually see them....what a thrill!

Thank you, Sam and Laurie.  One weekend and a lifetime of memories!

Go Irish!

The 5 of us after the game

Tim and Lou Holtz

The Grotto

The Golden Dome

Coaching Volleyball

Coaching kids is one of the great joys of my life and I have been coaching volleyball again this year.  I only have 6 girls but they are so much fun....well, at least most of the time!  I coach the C team which is predominately freshman.  We practice each night after I get home from work for an hour and a half. 

 The good news is that I never have to substitute.  The bad news is practicing with 6 is not easy!  They are having a great season.  I love these girls! 

After a tournament!

Outdoor Shower

I love my outdoor shower, especially during the dog days of August..  When I work outdoors and am hot, sweaty and tired, I am grateful for the cool water.  It is a great way to rinse off and cool off before bed!  Amazing how much more restfully I sleep.