Looooong over due

Uh...yeah. Really? I haven't posted since February? How can that be? It isn't like we've been doing anything. Oh wait, we've been a little busy. Which is no excuse for not posting, but is a good reason to post now. We finally did some much needed updates to the house. We got rid of the carpeting and put in some wood flooring. Really makes a difference in the house, and Sean is a happy guy to not have the carpet any more. I'm not going to post "before" shots of the carpeting, because yes, it was that bad. But the "after" pictures are pretty cool. I still need to get pictures after the molding was put up, becuase it looks even better. But these are what I have now, and I don't want another delay in posting.

We also put in a new patio out back. Our old patio wasn't much of anything, so we are loving the new space in the yard. Elmo and Mari lounge on it any chance they get. We've had a decent spring, so they have had some good opportunities.

BEFORE

AFTER

Don't worry, we are going to replace the awning some time this week or next, depending on the weather. The sliding door and garage door are next on the hit list. Then the windows...then painting the exterior...does it ever end?

We've also been sprucing up the yard a bit...springtime will do that to you in Oregon. We still have a ways to go, but we're getting there.

BEFORE

MID - (Not quite AFTER yet)

Of course we managed to fit in a camping trip to Prineville Reservoir a few weeks ago, and are heading out again soon to the Deschutes River. It's always a gamble to see if the weather will cooperate, but at some point, you just have to bite the bullet and go for it. It does help to have good friends, some games and lots of drinks on hand when you have inclimate weather though!!

Additional yard pictures and some from camping (the Painted Hills in Oregon are pretty freaking cool!!) can be seen on our photo website http://www.pbase.com/chandradeva/2009

And that's all I have to say about that.

keeping busy

I've been reminded recently that I've been neglectful of my blog. I apologize. However, we've been doing things, so I it isn't like I was just sitting around. What things you ask? Well, to begin with, I alphabetized our spices (I can see you smiling from here Joe). I believe that we were the last in the family to get our spices up to code, but we are so there now. I was astonished that we had no less than 115 little vessels containing spices. A handful were actually from a set I received as a gift in 1992. Don't worry...they were never even opened, and are now in a very aromatic landfill somewhere. Other interesting items include three unopened bottles of tabasco, (we never use tabasco), some whole spices from Granada given to me by a woman I worked with almost 7 years ago, a bag of Hawaiin Iced Tea mix and a large bag of mystery spices. Not sure where we got them, or why. There are a lot of other things that I'm not sure we'll ever use, but they got to stay this time. I'm not sure if organized spices make a difference in bringing the universe into harmony, but it is one less thing for us to grumble about when we're cooking.

We did actually leave the house recently We went to the Portland Auto show last weekend. I wasn't sure what to expect, but we actually saw quite a few cars that would make a nice addition to our family. Unfortunately, the Lamborghini booth wasn't giving away free samples, so we'll stick with something a little less flashy when we're ready to get a new ride. Sean liked one that was quite a sporty looking thing for a Hyundai.

We've started our summer camping plans already too. We have three trips scheduled, and a few more in the works, but since it is only February, we figure we have a little time. We're hoping to head out to a great little campground right along the Columbia River and about a mile from a great little winery within the next few weekends. We just need some good weather and no obligations. Wine tasting and camping...what could be better? Not much...except for some tasty beef knuckles (if you are a dog). Elmo didn't like me getting very close to him...he can be a tough old coot.

Until next time...

Ahhhhh 2009.

And...done. 2008 is over, and we're on to something new. 11 days in so far, and doing pretty well on resolutions...most of them anyway. The decorations are taken down, boxed up and put back in the attic. I think our favorite after Christmas activity is getting that 6'8" itchy artificial tree up there. Thank goodness we only have to do that once a year. I didn't know Sean knew so many bad words!!! We like to do the tree stuffing with the garage closed, partly because of Sean's vocabulary, but mostly because the stoarge bag we use makes it look like we are hauling around a body or two. Our nosy neighbors would call us in so fast...oh wait...do you think the cops would help us lift it up the ladder once they knew we weren't committing a felony? Maybe next year we'll rethink this!!

Aside from tree wrestling, we aren't really doing anything all that exciting. I KNOW!!! Shocking. We're starting to plan activities, think about summer, maybe get some camping dates on the calendar. We are making a list of all the home projects, and figuring out which one to tackle first. I had no idea how much stuff we need to do around here. It's a wonder this place is still standing with a list as long as ours. Probably the moss keeping it all glued together. That and squirrel spit. I think we've decided to attack the little bathroom. It is in sad shape. It was the first thing we "remodeled" as homeowners, and it really shows how much we didn't know. Can you say peel and stick tiles? Blech. But...luckily we have Lowes, Home Depot and IKEA within reach, and friends and family nearby that can help us with designing something not as horrible as it is now. I think we'll do okay this next time. Well, we also have a firm grasp on what not to do. Fun stuff!!

Anyway, nothing much to say, just wanted to put up the first official post of the new year, and throw in a few pictures from the past month or so.

We got quite a bit of snow that lasted for a week at the end of December. Fun at first, then really, really frustrating. I think I prefer the good old fashioned liquid sunshine we're used to. The dogs liked it until it iced over and made their yard difficult to navigate. Especially for short little Elmo.

I went out and took some pictures one chilly Saturday. I thought this little guy looked like he was rapelling away from that pod thingy. No, I wasn't drinking.

This one was my favorite of the bunch from the frozen morning.

Oh yeah, baby...housebound by snow, but not without knitting needles and yarn!!

Elmo breaking in the new doggie cot we got for Olive and Reese. He is also breaking in the scarf that I made for Brady.

Hope 2009 is starting out well for everyone!