Before & After

Perhaps some of you remember when we were just starting to finish our basement. That was about 7 months ago and this is what it looked like.

This was our idea of a "finished" basement for quite some time!

Here is what it looked like after the work had just barely started.

Now, this is what our basement looks like today. We are really pleased with the way it turned out and are anxious to start putting stuff in the new space. However, we have not passed our inspection yet (hopefully tomorrow), so we can't do that just yet. This will be our new family room and will have our TV and sectional.

These are Kelly's sconces that he has been looking forward to having for months now. I think it looks nice, but am not as enthused as Kelly.

We even have another bathroom to clean Ü

It has been a long time coming, but we are thrilled with our basement. Now, we just need some kids to fill up our new bedrooms!!

The Secret Garden & The Homeless Girl

Kelly and I spent a night at the Anniversary Inn on Veteran's Day. We got to stay in the Secret Garden room and it was really nice. We had never stayed there before and we are thinking that it won't be the last time we go there. They provided us with lots of yummy food to eat (which I liked) and the room was really nice (which Kelly liked). This was our fancy bed and I liked to look down to the other end and see the stone archway.

Once you got through the archway, you found this fancy room with a jetted tub. We always try to stay in places that have a jetted tub. We got to eat cheese and crackers, drink cider, and eat cheesecake while we had a bath. That is what I call getting spoiled! Kelly made arrangement for us to have rose petals spread all over the room too. The best part was that Kelly packed for me and we just met at a park and ride after work. It was definitely a relaxing getaway, which was just what we needed.

Oh, and remember how I said that Kelly packed for me. . . .well, he packed some things for me. Apparently, he thinks that the best look for me in the middle of November is going topless. He packed my skirt, my boots, my slip, my socks, but no shirt of any kind. Hence, I looked like a homeless woman the next day at work because I wore his shirt and sweater from the day before. He was sure I needed to go and buy a shirt that matched, but I assured him that it would be okay.

No one said a word about how I was dressed which means that either I always look homeless or they were too embarassed to mention it. Oh well, that is why I love Kelly - because I never know what to expect Ü

It was a nice getaway and hopefully we will be able to go again some day, but I will be sure to pack next time.

Memories...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Remembering Grandma

I have always felt very close to my Grandma, from the time I was four and walking to her back yard calling out her name until she heard me she even responded in the hospital a few days ago when I called out her name. Grandma and I were always close; she treated me like a friend rather than just a grandchild. I felt like I could always go to Grandma with a problem and she would offer her advice, which I may or may not have taken; but she would allow me to use her as a sounding board to help me figure things out. I have a lot of good memories of doing things with Grandma, just going out to eat or shopping for something or just hanging out at her house talking about whatever topic seemed to interest us at the moment.

Grandma always seemed so concerned about how my life was going, giving me advice: from how to woo the pretty girls, to what I should be studying in school, to where I should be working. I know she was relieved when I finally met Melanie and I told her that I was going to be married. I know Grandma loved Melanie too and I am sure she felt less concern over me now that there was another woman in my life to give me all that free advice, which I still may or may not take.

There were times that Grandma and I didn’t necessarily get along 100%. Sometimes when she would call me at six in the morning to come and work in her yard, I was a little annoyed. And of course I am sure she was annoyed the day we finished laying carpet on the patio only to have me dump half a gallon of paint on the new carpet! We somehow managed to overlook these things and still would do anything for the other at any time. I would come up and help her and she helped me to replace the freshly painted carpet with a smile on her face.

I remember Grandma used to say that she didn’t have any favorites, that she loved all of her grandkids equally. I believe this is true, even though my cousins would tell me that Grandma loved me more. I just think that we shared a special bond that kept us so close.


I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for allowing me to be associated with such a great woman. I love you Grandma and I will miss you. And I would still come over at six in the morning for you.