Before...

We were supposed to get the keys to our new house on October 22. We had everything planned out; we invited our family over to see the house for the first time that evening, we were going to power wash the garage and paint the floor the next day. We were going to pull out all of the carpet and start laying the new flooring. The pool fence was going up the first thing.

Yeah, right.

We ended up NOT getting the keys until October 25. Three days later doesn't sound like much, but when you've taken days off according to your plan and now can't take anymore... well, it can become a big deal.

We ended up moving everything over into the garage, pulled up the carpet in the bedroom and office and set the furniture up on the concrete. Slowly but surely we've been working on it and now Dan is flooring the last room. We have no baseboards up. Every square inch of wall needs to be painted. I'm not even thinking yet about what to do with the ceilings.

So we're making progress and the most important thing is how comfortable we are in this home. My SIL commented to me at Thanksgiving that "it feels like you've lived here for years". Now, that's a positive, encouraging remark! Thank you, Kelly! I literally felt myself relax when she said it.

It will take time. But I can just picture how it's going to look and feel when we're done with the updating.

In the meantime, here's some "before" photos:

The "dining room" 

The "living room"

The den

The den

Pantry

Kitchen

Breakfast nook

Kitchen/Nook

Family room 

Hall to bedrooms

Half bath

Laundry room

Guest room

Office

Master bedroom

SSMT #23

Here we are - December 1st! If you weren't already caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season you surely will be now. This year is way more hustle-y and bustle-y than I am used to with our move into a new (to us) house in late October. As we tackle our list of projects and cross one chore off we discover five more chores that need to be done! It is daunting at this point. I try to encourage Dan, and myself, when we start to feel overwhelmed... I guess that's why this verse appeals to me. Find someone you can encourage today - it will make a world of difference.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today as we gather with family and friends, or serve meals to those less fortunate, or spend a quiet day alone, let's reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. Wishing you and yours a most blessed Thanksgiving Day!

I Remember

On Friday, November 22, 1963 I was seven years old and in the 2nd grade at Skyline Elementary School in Roeland Park, Kansas. After lunch we were taking our practice spelling test when our school day came to an abrupt end. We were told that President Kennedy had been shot and that we all had to go home.

When I got home, my mom was ironing and watching the TV. She explained to me that the President had been shot and had died. I remember feeling sad, but mostly I remember feeling scared. I knew that Caroline Kennedy was a year younger than me and I couldn't imagine what it must be like to have your dad die.

I remember watching the TV coverage over the next several days, but this many years later I'm not sure how much of it I actually remember and how much I remember from seeing it replayed in the years since then. I definitely remember seeing Lee Harvey Oswald being shot on live TV. Another scary event for a seven year old.

When "The Death of a President" by William Manchester was published in 1967, my folks bought the book. It was the thickest book I had ever read up to that point in my life.

In the years since I've read many books on President Kennedy and on the Kennedy family in general. Although I was so young, I will always remember looking up from my practice spelling test to be told that we were going home.

Fifty years! I can't believe it's been that long...

I Think I Can...

My DIL Janel attended a stitching retreat for the first time this past weekend. This is something that I think I'd like to do. I'm just not sure I'm brave enough. Janel had a terrific time and received lots of free goodies. The retreat was held at a beautiful location and meals were provided. She is seriously thinking of attending another one in the Spring.

I'm trying to work up the nerve to think about attending with her. It is hard for me to go places where I don't know anyone, but I've gotten better at it as I've aged. The real concern for me is: what if I'm not as accomplished a stitcher as every one else? My daughter Jessica said her fear in going is: what if I'm the slowest stitcher there? Haha! I can laugh at her fear, but I can't laugh at mine; how silly is that?!

Have you ever attended a stitching retreat? Was your experience negative or positive? I'd love to hear your stories.

SSMT #22

I picked today's verse not because I have trouble in my life, but because I'm celebrating the fact that God is indeed my refuge and my strength!

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

SSMT #21

Psalm 116:2 NIV

Because he turned his ear to me,
   I will call on him as long as I live.

I've been absent from the blog lately because we're in the middle of moving. Why is it that no matter how well planned a move is, it never turns out that way?! Anyway, I'll be back soon and will share the details of our new home. What a blessing this is to us. I chose this verse as a reminder that God is always available to listen to us. No matter the circumstance. No matter the praise. No matter the request. No matter the need. He always turns His ear to me when I call on Him.