Pseudo Fini

So this is the point in a project where things can come to a standstill if you don’t push on.  You know…when something is almost finished…finished enough to be liveable, but the details aren’t all in?

Well, that’s where we are in the deck project.  All that’s left is the top railing, and the “something-to-block-off-underneath” work.  Can I just tell you how much I LOVE it already???!!!! 

We have already spent a ton of time on it, and we christened it on Sunday with dinner with the neighbors.  Mister Baby Boy loves it because he can run around like a crazy man without being told “no” and bounce the basketball to his heart’s content.  He loves laying on the decking looking up into the tree…his newest trick is laying on his back, throwing a beach ball up and catching it…he laughs hysterically when he misses and it hits him in the face…he thinks that’s pretty hilarious for some reason.  *shakes*head* 

So I present to you the almost finished, totally lived on and enjoyed, deck.

Here’s my favorite spot…we have two of these…we had to move one under the front porch in case of rain…I accidentally bought the wrong sized cover for one.  *sigh*  Like I really wanted another reason to go to Lowe’s for the hundredth time! 

So, we obviously have a TONTONTONTON of cleanup to do…and real steps to build…and a railing to finish…and a bit more decorating to do…and a new grill to purchase…and a few flowers to make it colorful…but I am already in love!

And then it’s onto the next project.  The front porch.  DUN DUN DUNH!!!!!!!!

A Light in the Dark

Who needs fireworks?

God provided the entertainment tonight at my house.

 

Happy Fourth of July!!!

I wish you all a fabulous Fourth!  Enjoy your families and friends, and eat and drink well!  And while you’re at it, say a prayer in your hearts and drink a toast (or two, or three….) to those who made, and continue to make, our Independence Days possible.  May God Bless America…Heaven knows we need all the help we can get.

And for all you thirty somethings out there, a little step back in time.

The Irascible Professor

I’m adding The Irascible Professor to my blogroll.  Although I haven’t read all the articles posted there, I am a fan of Peter Berger (Poor Elijah) and found this site while searching for a particular article written by him.  I thought some of you, especially the educators in the house, might find some of the commentary thought provoking.  I believe that if you have taught for any length of time, you must have scratched your head at one point or another over the direction our education system is heading.  And although you will have already noticed that I attempt to avoid political commentary, I have to say that I am mighty tired of so-called “educational experts” and politicians deciding what needs to be done in our schools with our children, when they haven’t stepped foot in one since they graduated from high school. 

This collection of articles takes a hard look at the state of our education system, and points out some of the absurdities contained therein. 

This article in particular caught my attention since I had read this article the other day and was so irritated  I couldn’t think straight for an hour.

Hancock

It’s been a long time since I’ve looked forward to a movie!  Finally!

Coming Along

Stormy Weather

Sunday was a great sky day.  We had storms brewing all around us, but never actually go rained on. 

What’s that green streak in the last photo?  Anyone have any insight?

Hey, wait…is that MY photo?!

Shrew did her magic on Magpie and Merlin.  I had to share!  I LOVE the softness of the horse!  Doesn’t he look sweet?  The bugger!  He’s actually quite the nasty, but he’s such a dandy he’s forgiven!  Now, Magpie on the other hand is as sweet as she looks.  Thanks Shrew!

A Rambling We Will Go…

So, my internet’s working again!!!  Hip Hip Hooray!!!  I cannot believe how paralyzed I felt for days without it.  Sad really. 

But things were hectic last week, so I’m not sure I would’ve been able to update anyway.  Big Girl scraped her ankle at a pool party on Tuesday (a boy/girl pool party by the way…oh, boy.)  Next day we spent at the lake.  Next day, that scrape wasn’t looking so normal.  To make a long story short, she developed cellulitis and is now mending (thank God) with the assistance of an antibiotic.  The doctor’s casual mention of the possibility of MRSSA scared the hay out of me, but she is recuperating, so I’m not as worried as I was initially.

At the same time Mr. Baby Boy developed a HORRIBLE diaper rash….his very first in his 16 months on the planet.  To make another long story short, after several back and forths with the doctor during the week, he is being treated for a yeast infection, as well as a bacterial infection.  Yikes!!  He is FINALLY responding to treatment, and no longer screams like one being tortured when he pees.  Additionally, he had to go through some blood work to check for allergies to soy, milk, wheat, corn, and something else which was on the sheet but my overspent mind cannot remember.  Can I just tell you that holding down a screaming, kicking baby while they draw five vials of blood will test the emotional endurance of the most even tempered parent?  Forget the parent who is at the end of her frazzled nerves!  I really think they should hand out Valium to the parents at the check-in desk at the hospital lab.  Although I survived the experience with little more than watery eyes, I had all I could do to keep myself from opening a bottle of wine when I came home…I knew it was 5:00 somewhere, but since it was only 10:00am here, I thought I’d better just suck it up.  I’m not sure how I will feed the child if he proves allergic to all, but it may give us some clues into the rash issues, his lack of weight gain, as well as his unpredictable sleep patterns.  Ah, well, no one ever said parenting was easy! 

On a positive note, we spent Saturday visiting friends who live a few hours from us.  They throw a yearly picnic at their home for several of their friends, and it is a wonderful chance to relax and get all the families together.  Below are a few photos from theirs and a neighboring property.  Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

And their adorable little Jack Russell….she was a very tired girl after swimming with the kids all afternoon!