After we got back from our trip to Utah (Yes, that's where I've been. It's taking me a while to get back into a groove.), Oma took the boys to the beach. Of course, their fair-skinned faces came back sunburned. Florida sun is brutal. I was checking out Ryan's red skin the next day.
Ryan says, "Jesus shouldn't have made sunburns be red. . . .
"He should have made them be green!"
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Overheard
Ryan: Every day he eats peanuts.
Todd: No.
Ryan: Yes.
Todd. Nuh-uh.
Ryan: You're not the boss of my Bionicle.
Todd: No.
Ryan: Yes.
Todd. Nuh-uh.
Ryan: You're not the boss of my Bionicle.
Friday, June 26, 2009
This Year's Big Project
Last year, Brett spent a huge amount of time remodeling the rental home we purchased. When it was finally done Brett was exhausted and ready for a break.
However, when my three-week trip to Germany started to become a reality Brett said, "You know, that's probably a good time to redo the kitchen." And so, it began. "It" being a huge undertaking that consumes all of Brett's spare time.
We have talked about remodeling the kitchen for years--really, since we first moved in. Who doesn't start talking about improvements you would make to a home when you first get in there? We have made a number of improvements to our home already, but I felt like the kitchen would always be "a few years down the road."
Brett is going to be doing all the work himself, including building the cabinets. He has had to start work now so that the cabinets are ready to be installed when I leave in September. That is when he will rip out all of the old cabinets, walls, and tiles, and replace everything.
Before he began the actual labor, Brett spent a great deal of time researching materials, drawing designs, ordering supplies, etc. We started with some drawings my sister Jen gave us. She gave us the vision, then we started tweaking things here and there. I mapped out where I wanted everything to be in the kitchen (I can tell you where everything is going from the saran wrap to the flashlights to the punchbowl to the small drinking glasses to...you name it.) and Brett made the designs for every shelf. You might not think of Brett as being highly organized or meticulous or mathematical (he is the biologist, after all, and I'm the math major), but his natural talent for doing woodworking and making the plans to go with it amazes me.
He also used a computer program which helps you plan out your cuts on each piece of plywood. That has proven to be a huge help for him. He was able to print out labels to keep track of the thirty or so pieces of plywood he was using for the cabinet boxes.
The wood was delivered last week and I am proud to announce that the cabinet boxes are completed--and being stored in my dining room!
This afternoon he started on the face frames. He started with (and finished) the smallest cabinet. [The small drinking glasses will be on the second shelf from the bottom, in case you were wondering.]
I am so proud of Brett for all that he has done so far. But, there is still much (oh, so much) left to do. And the interior of my house and amount of sawdust on the floors will only get worse as the project continues. But, Boy! Will it be worth it!
However, when my three-week trip to Germany started to become a reality Brett said, "You know, that's probably a good time to redo the kitchen." And so, it began. "It" being a huge undertaking that consumes all of Brett's spare time.
We have talked about remodeling the kitchen for years--really, since we first moved in. Who doesn't start talking about improvements you would make to a home when you first get in there? We have made a number of improvements to our home already, but I felt like the kitchen would always be "a few years down the road."
Brett is going to be doing all the work himself, including building the cabinets. He has had to start work now so that the cabinets are ready to be installed when I leave in September. That is when he will rip out all of the old cabinets, walls, and tiles, and replace everything.
Before he began the actual labor, Brett spent a great deal of time researching materials, drawing designs, ordering supplies, etc. We started with some drawings my sister Jen gave us. She gave us the vision, then we started tweaking things here and there. I mapped out where I wanted everything to be in the kitchen (I can tell you where everything is going from the saran wrap to the flashlights to the punchbowl to the small drinking glasses to...you name it.) and Brett made the designs for every shelf. You might not think of Brett as being highly organized or meticulous or mathematical (he is the biologist, after all, and I'm the math major), but his natural talent for doing woodworking and making the plans to go with it amazes me.
He also used a computer program which helps you plan out your cuts on each piece of plywood. That has proven to be a huge help for him. He was able to print out labels to keep track of the thirty or so pieces of plywood he was using for the cabinet boxes.
The wood was delivered last week and I am proud to announce that the cabinet boxes are completed--and being stored in my dining room!
This afternoon he started on the face frames. He started with (and finished) the smallest cabinet. [The small drinking glasses will be on the second shelf from the bottom, in case you were wondering.]
I am so proud of Brett for all that he has done so far. But, there is still much (oh, so much) left to do. And the interior of my house and amount of sawdust on the floors will only get worse as the project continues. But, Boy! Will it be worth it!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Someday
A few years ago when Sigrid came to visit I told her, "Someday, I would love to visit Germany. I have always wanted to see Europe." Sigrid answered, saying that I was welcome any time to come and stay with her.
The following year, when Sigrid came to visit again she told me that I really should come. I said that it was definitely in my future. But the boys were still young....
Yet again, Sigrid asked when I thought I might visit Germany. "Oh, I don't know. I really want to. Someday, I will."
Finally, Sigrid said something to the effect of, "Rebecca, 'someday' will never come unless you make it happen. So, when is it going to be?"
She was right.
And so it was that last year I start planning for someday. It turns out that someday is really September 9, 2009.
I can't believe that I am really going to Germany. I have Sigrid to thank for making it possible--taking care of accommodations, acting as my translator and tour guide, and inspiring me to make it happen.
I'm sure that I will have lots of photos when I come home. Let's hope that I share them. In the meantime, here is a little taste of where I am going.
The following year, when Sigrid came to visit again she told me that I really should come. I said that it was definitely in my future. But the boys were still young....
Yet again, Sigrid asked when I thought I might visit Germany. "Oh, I don't know. I really want to. Someday, I will."
Finally, Sigrid said something to the effect of, "Rebecca, 'someday' will never come unless you make it happen. So, when is it going to be?"
She was right.
And so it was that last year I start planning for someday. It turns out that someday is really September 9, 2009.
I can't believe that I am really going to Germany. I have Sigrid to thank for making it possible--taking care of accommodations, acting as my translator and tour guide, and inspiring me to make it happen.
I'm sure that I will have lots of photos when I come home. Let's hope that I share them. In the meantime, here is a little taste of where I am going.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
More Silly Faces
Todd asked if he could take some pictures with my camera this morning. What followed was a little modeling shoot with Ryan. Ryan was making a very serious face-bordering on a scowl. Todd directed him to make a silly face. Ryan asked, "What's the matter with this face?" In the end, Ryan gave Todd what he wanted: silly faces worth shooting.
Todd also managed to capture the reason why the dogs aren't so crazy about Ryan.
Todd also managed to capture the reason why the dogs aren't so crazy about Ryan.
Goldens are a great breed, but even they have their limits. Ginger is staying with us for a few days. While she loves the boys (and they love her), I don't think she fully appreciates the head-lock Ryan has her in.
I have also noticed lately that Copper has become a little less tolerant of Ryan. In that way Copper has reminded me more and more of his momma, Sandy. I have tried to teach Ryan the proper way to show attention to dogs. But Ryan prefers to pat rather than pet; he likes to hug the dogs; he gets in their face a little quickly and loudly when they are resting (sometimes in cramped spaces). I can't say that he is extremely rough or hurtful to the dogs. But he is just rough enough and erratic enough to make Copper not trust him completely. Perhaps Ginger is more tolerant of Ryan because she doesn't have to live with him every day.
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