My BFA&F arrives today!

This is Stephanie... This picture was made the last time we were together - I visited her at her home in Virginia. Autumn in Virginia is beautiful! (We don't have those autumn colors here in Texas.)

Stephanie and I met on the first day of 9th grade. Yep, that means we've been friends for a really long time! We rode the same bus and were the two "new kids" in a very, very small private school which meant "blending in" was not possible. Maybe we became friends out of that desperate situation. (Hey, it was high school and we were girls - that makes it a desperate situation!) Or, maybe it was because we just truly liked each other. Either way, I believe God intended for the paths of our lives to cross and we've been best friends ever since. Together we've been through high school, college, boyfriends, break ups, engagements and weddings, trying to have babies, having babies, raising families... and all the highs and lows of life. We know each other intimately and love each other deeply. We started using the acronym "YBFA&F" (Your Best Friend Always & Forever) somewhere along the way in high school and still use it even now to close letters and emails. It's even been engraved on jewelry.

This is Stephanie with her hubby, Sam. He's a great guy! He encouraged her to make this trip to visit me here in Texas. Gotta love him for that!

Steph and I talk on the phone several times a week. Sometimes several times a day. But, we haven't seen each other in person in more than two years. Did I mention she arrives today?! And, she'll be here for a whole week! I'll tell you all about the fun details and post some pictures next week.

"The Project" is FINISHED!

Finally! (No drapes yet in the family room... another project for another time.)

P.S. - Very important company arrives tomorrow at our Bed & Breakfast! Details later...

To our helpful friends...

May I tell you what fabulous friends we have? Yes, we had friends who actually did show up for the dusting party… and then some!

A huge thank you to my dear friend Anita for arriving early yesterday morning, armed and ready to help fight the dust storm that had overtaken our home. She worked tirelessly for hours to clean each and every slat on the numerous sets of plantation blinds we have. From there she moved on to dusting the bathroom, laundry room, shaking out and rehanging drapes. The words “What do you want me to do now?” flowed from her lips more times than I can count. Then, she helped me compile my shopping list of all the felt pads I needed to buy for the furniture that would now be sitting on the new hardwood floors. Ah, it’s so nice to have a companion in list-making!

Then there’s Brenda. Thank you! This sweet friend showed up with coffee both mornings during the demo phase of The Project. She even brought breakfast tacos one morning. I’d like to think it’s because she cares for me and knows how much I love a morning cup of coffee. But, deep down I know she visited those days because she truly loves the demolition. (She needs help!) But, she didn’t stop there! Knowing that our family had survived almost a week with no kitchen, eating cereal bars and fast food for meals, she and her family arrived last night with a home-cooked dinner and insisted on helping us move the heavy furniture back into their proper places. Thank you, too, Barry – I know you didn’t ask to be a part of this remodel!

Ed, you sure picked the right/wrong time to return Bud's lawn edger! We appreciate the fact that you walked in during the moving of the really big pieces and didn't turn around and walk right back out on us. Your extra muscle was a huge help with the wall unit pieces and the china cabinet!

And, last but not least, is my friend and the best next-door neighbor ever, Tammi. She was available, at the expense of her own family and schedule, to come over and babysit the workers when I needed to run out to pick up/drop off/transport the kiddos. Thank you for your willingness to always say "yes" when I need something!

“I always thank my God when I pray for you, (friend), because I (know) about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given (us) much joy and comfort, my (friend), for your kindness has often refreshed (our) hearts.” (Philemon 1:4-7 New Living Translation... Dawn's version!)

P.S. – The Completed Project pictures will be posted tomorrow! (Update: Pictures will be posted Sunday... maybe Monday... or Tuesday... we're still cleaning...)

Under Construction!

The demolition was in full swing around here yesterday. This is NOT my favorite part of a project. Ideally, I'd like to make the plans and then not be involved again until the “make it pretty” stage. The in between, messy stage is hard on my orderly/list-making/can-you-turn-that-noise-down personality.

And the dust. Oh, my. You just can’t imagine! It ranges from a light, fine coating in the upstairs rooms (even after keeping doors closed and completely turning off the HVAC system) to actual “piles” of dust on the downstairs door frames, mouldings, and on everything in the kitchen and hall bathroom. As excited as I am about what’s happening here, I must confess that I went to bed last night with that little voice in the back of my head saying, “Have you lost your mind?!” (I hear that a lot.) Well, actually... that’s the gist of what Dad said when he called from Ohio after seeing the pictures I posted yesterday. Apparently, he really liked my old carpet and tile.

Then I woke up this morning, still slightly tired from the work of the last several days but with a renewed vision and the drive to get this project finished! The major work will be finished today (hallelujah!) with just some touch up work and a little paint left for tomorrow. We should be able to move the furniture back in on Thursday.

Progress. Love it!

P.S. - I'm still taking RSVP's for the dusting party. Please? Anyone??

It really was a lovely house...

This is what the house looked like the day we moved in. The landscaping is much more mature now, of course. We’ve enjoyed living here for five years. The house was exactly what we were looking for when we moved to Texas.

I especially love it decorated for the holidays.

But I truly love everything about my home even when it's not decked out for a special occasion.

Well, almost.

We began to notice a few things that could be changed. Just a few, minor things.

So, that's how we got started with "The Project."

Curious? The finished project pictures will be posted in two days. Or, maybe three. You know how projects go.

P.S. - Anyone available for a dusting party on Thursday? Don't know what that is? Stop by and I'll show you!

The end of drumline season...

Burrito's high school drumline recently competed in the TCGC Indoor Drumline State Competition in Houston. They had been bumped up into a new division just one week earlier as a result of their high scores all season. That's good, on one hand. On the other, it was a bit daunting to enter the final state competition in a new, advanced level. They placed third with only .6 of point difference between them and the 2nd place team. You guys ROCK!

FYI... Burrito is in the "pit" - the section of the drumline that does not move. He plays the timpani (5 kettle drums) and stands in the back right of the group, in front of the first white door when the pit area is in the video. (Kind of hard to see!)

Thank you to Kat for making this video of their performance! This was her first attempt at making a "real" video with her new digital camera. Her camera makes great pictures but poor quality video. But it does have surprisingly good audio.

The show is called "Doors" and you'll see why. Enjoy!

Bluebonnets are here!

We traveled to Houston a few Saturdays ago to watch Burrito’s high school drumline perform in the TCGC indoor drumline state competition. (I hope to be able to post a video of their performance very soon.) The further east we drove, the more we saw - fields and fields of bluebonnets. A sure sign that spring is here to stay in Central Texas. We stopped to make a few photos on both legs of the trip. I wish I had a better camera, as my photos don’t do the flowers (or the kiddos!) any justice. (Yes, Bud – that would be a blatant hint!) I’m also including a picture of Burrito and Kat on Easter Sunday morning.

Kat and her new friends.