Twas the Week Before Christmas

Winter has arrived! I could not believe it would be an overnight sensation. One day the yard was brown and ugly and the next day we had 14.6 inches of snow. I guess that old phrase really is true,"What a Difference a Day Makes!"
We had a snow day that I had assured my students would not happen! "The storm is arriving too early, it will be all plowed out prior to the beginning of school." I was delighted to be incorrect! For the first time that I can remember, school was cancelled the night before. The following day after, we had a late start. I could get used to this!

It did take is 2.5 hours to dig out. We helped the neighbors also but it was difficult even with a snowblower. The yard is beautiful, now I just need to get into the spirit of the season.

Autumn

I can't tell you Autumn is my favorite season because I love them all but the beauty of the fall colors is breathtaking.
Our trip to Eagle River was a week too soon. We saw colors but this is in our yard and the park. Eagle River was worth the trip, the Cranberry Festival is a must and the deep greens of the pines blended with trees changing for the winter was awesome.

The gardens are diminishing but there is still a tad of color, perenniels that won't surrender to the frost.

Penninsula State Park-Door County

This is one of our favorite get-aways besides Mackinac Island! We often drive up to Penninsula State Park, Door County. Fish Creek is a quaint little town and a stop at Hideside is always interesting.
We take our bikes, grill, and a picnic lunch. Lighthouse Point is a gem, it has a shelter, facilities, and privacy. We secure a parking place on the cul-d-sac and to the left of us it is totally private. The view is great, the only visitor we had this year was one lonely chipmunk-no seagulls.
The view is panoramic and the bike ride is spectacular. We watched people on the beach and wandered aimlessly through Fish Creek. It was windy but warm, relaxing and stress free! No, we didn't get to Wilsons for ice cream but maybe another time!

Rain

Rain! Yes! It has been almost a month with no rain-good thing we have a sprinkler system. I am so fortunate that Tony simply knows how to do everything. It took two years and sore knees but it has been wonderful not to drag hoses around to water flowers and the lawn. It saves money and water too. I can't believe it has been 9 years since we trenched the lawn -such a relaxing effect too as the sprinklers pop up and sprinkle, soothing water movement.
Tony never forgets to say-"I guess I'll water your flowers now!" Sometimes life is such that one needs all the soothing effects available. Even the hawks like to shower in the water!

Bricks, Bricks,and More Bricks

The project was overdue, the grass never grew and in the spring we had to deal with a flooded area that made access to the shed impossible. The grill buried in the ground looked out of place though necessary for s'mores, conversation, relaxed laughter, and the disposal of spring twigs.The project was much more complicated than we thought, it took many hours of digging, hauling and leveling gravel, and finally laying the bricks. Tony ordered extra bricks so we would not have to deal with a second delivery charge if we ran short. You can purchase several different sizes of circle brick kits to accommodate the fire ring we were constructing for the grill. This will not be finished until next Saturday if the weather holds, no rain for 24 hours. We had enough bricks to do a brick walkway by the pergola which was shaded, devoid of grass, and always a muddy mess when it rained. We filled in with black dirt, planted the grass, transplanted flowers by the walkway; only the application of sand by the grill remains to be done! Labor Day weekend should be free of labor!

Condo Renovation-The Rest of the Story

The beginning: Chris and Barry took out 4.5 tons of garbage; carpet, cupboards, dated plastic and neon ceiling light fixtures and let me tell you, it was greatly appreciated by mom and dad. Barry and Brian ripped trim for all the doors and windows and installed it in a day. The boys were really a big help. All the ceilings were painted white and we used creme on the walls even though it appears yellow. (Just the amateur photography.) This is a shot of the old and the new bathroom. Brian spent many minutes putting up all the finishing touches such as the new picture frame mirror, towel bars, towel ring, shower apparatus, and venetian blinds. I never would have been able to hang the mirror, it took an engineer!
The living room looked 100% better after the carpet was installed. We sanded the deck railing, stained it, and carpeted the deck. Our unit is on the agenda to be painted so that will improve the exterior appearance. I cleaned up the gas fireplace, stained it, and gave it two coats of varnish, I get the easy jobs. I'm glad we did not paint the woodwork by the fireplace, the tile was dark and it looks rich stained and varnished. We learned much from this project but not sure we want to attempt another project of this magnitude. It would be awesome to get it rented and finally have some good luck with our experiences as landlords.

Utah Vacation?

Yes, I am questioning the word vacation. Tony promised we would renovate the condo until 1 or 2 every day and then play. There was NO time for the play part of the schedule! We took out one part of the wall on the left to extend the kitchen and all the old neon lights to update it. I never knew how heavy sinks were, without Barry's strength, we would have been in trouble. He set it by himself and I could not even lift the box with Tony. It is handy to have handymen in your life!

We spent much time and money at Home Depot, I think it was worth it. We worked daily and the boys all helped, without their help, we would still be there. We finished at 12:45 the day we left for WI. It was grueling but necessary and the place looks great. Now if we can just get it rented.

Finished Projects

One for me, one for Tony!
I love the earring and necklace feature of my new lingerie chest!
Tony waited a long time for his new bureau as well. It has much more room in it than the old bureau that we got from his mom's aunt in Gary when we were first married.
I think when you wait for something it means so much more, especially when hand crafted. There are many things in life much more important than new furniture. We had so much fun when the kids were growing up. You can always get furniture but the youth of your children is precious. Enjoy every minute, let furniture be your low priority.

New Member of the Family, Eli

We left for Utah and the trip out was time consuming but uneventful, just a long time on the road but much to see and quiet reflection time.(27 hrs. worth:)

We arrived safely and were most comfortable with Barry and Margaret in their home. Their hospitality was tremendous and CJ was fun to play with. His numerous "What are you doing Grandpa?" were humorous. We enjoyed dinners with all the kids and especially enjoyed spending time with grand kids. It is true; Had I known grand kids were so much fun, I would have had them first! Harry and Ella were a blast swimming with us in the pool at the condo and at Craig and Gretchen's home.(Margaret's parents) Andy was so involved and interesting to talk to, his mind goes a mile a minute. We were fortunate to visit with Ben three times and we do miss him very much. It was wonderful when he called us on the way back to Wisconsin, a nice surprise. We miss them all and have not even been home for a week.


Fortunately, all went well with the birth of our new grandson, Eli, and his mom is doing well. His arrival certainly was the highlight of our trip.

Benjamin

Friday was the first full day off from school. It was glorious. At the end of the year everybody is ready to move on. The students and teachers are sad and excited. I met with friends for breakfast and we talked and laughed for 2 hours. That's what friends are for, never forget family and friends.

Speaking of family: We got a letter fom Ben-what a nice surprise. It is our first letter ever from him and we hope to get many.
Writing is such a good way to reflect, too bad more people don't get into that instead of texting! I know, my age is showing:)

Tony brought home a Nero/backup with 18,000 songs on it from a DJ. We snacked on shrimp and listened to songs for almost 3 hours! It was a trip down memory lane for sure. This is unusual behavior for us because we can drive all the way to Utah and we seldom listen to XM radio!

Woodworking Season Never Ends

These are just two of the many projects that Tony designs and builds for the kids. It takes a considerable amount of time for construction. After all, you do have to plant the acorn.


Tony loves the orders and the hobby is fun for him so it is not like work.

He currently has a special order from Andy for bunk beds just like Harry and Ella. CJ inherited Andy's fire engine bed so now he needs a bed. (If CJ wants a bed he should order it this summer and then Grampa Tony could make two at once.) The kids select their wood and stain and then they wait. The wood and craftsmanship are complimentary and the joy by the craftsman is unable to be measured.

Utah

There are many reasons to visit Utah, one of the most important is to visit kids and grandkids!
The scenery is fantastic, animals abound, and the weather is warm. Well, hot, when we travel out there in summer. We spend much time in Craig and Gretchen's pool and outside anyway. Who dares to let the weather rule their life?

These pictures reflect some of the best reasons though to visit that state.
It seems there are always helpers no matter what chore you are attempting and they work relatively cheap.
A quick trip to Baskin Robbins for ice cream usually is a great motivator.


Custer State Park has so many animals.

Ben always gets hyper when he actually sees them roaming all over the place.

Come to think of it, so do I! Bison, goats, donkeys, bears, you name it, Custer State Park or Yellowstone has it!

Flowers and More Flowers

This is a rhododendron bush, it only blooms in the spring. Early spring, but it is beautiful while it lasts. The crab apple tree is in full bloom, glorious pink right now so very awesome and fragrant in the back yard.
Wow, unexpected bouquets from Blake and Tea, accent the e to pronounce. I don't know how to do that! Thanks again for your thoughtfulness, it is nice to be remembered.

Happy Mother's Day

Sunday, Mother's Day, cold and and rainy, a typical spring day for May in Wisconsin, 57 degrees will be the high if we are fortunate. That's OK, I need a break from gardening! I have been planting my planters and splitting perennials all week. I will hold off on the tomatoes and green peppers until May 20th.(Bob's advice)
This is the plant from Barry, Margaret, and CJ. What a beauty! I think I will leave it on the screen porch so it doesn't freeze. Thank you very much! I had a beautiful card from Penny and a phone call from Brian. Thanks for thinking of me, all are appreciated. Doug and Melissa are coming for dinner with their children, it will be fun. Tony is grilling, it is not a day to go out for breakfast or dinner, far too busy.

Bubbles Galore

Friday was 83 degrees, we went golfing! Saturday was a rude awakening-Tony had a scratchy throat, sore muscles, he was fatigued! It was rainy and cold, winter was threatening to return, a mere 40 degrees and rain, wind, rain, wind, rain.....
Time for a bubble bath in a Koehler Whirlpool tub to dissolve those aches and pains, no, this is not Tony!
Did you think I would put him on the blog covered with bubbles?
The grandkids love the six foot Koehler whirlpool, it makes bubbles long after you don't want any bubbles and you can stretch out and really get comfortable. Just ask Ben, he fell asleep once and there were bubbles everywhere! It's a great way to relax and fix those achy muscles. Not as pricy as the spa and just as soothing.

Privacy Fence and Pergola

What a day to begin, the sun was shining and the temperature was in the seventies. An awesome day granted by God.
We have a train, a garden train. We live by a park and we needed to keep our backyard private. This is just another designed by "Tony" project.

The posts were the first to be set and then the fence appeared piece by piece and sections.
This was quite a project!
Benjamin assisted with the staining of the lattice which proved to be a time consuming and back breaking job. He worked hard, very hard and I wish I could put some pictures of him on this post but alas, we did not take any. We grilled steaks, sweet white corn, and mashed potatoes as a reward for his labor. The entire project took six weeks to complete but was well worth it. Much of the staining and cutting of the boards was done prior to the actual construction stage.
One month for the staining alone. Three gallons of stain and lots of sweat by Ben and me. We took a vacation break halfway through construction. This is the finished project! Success, it provides privacy and is absolutely beautiful.