Another Project - Done!

"Life is so constructed that an event does not, cannot, will not, match the expectation".~ Charlotte Bronte

Ethan and Megan ~tiling finally begins!

 We started remodeling our master bathroom last summer, a project that got circumvented with Ray's health and then once again by a drip behind the wall in the guest bathroom.  With the whole family coming for Christmas, we decided we couldn't be down to 1 1/2 baths for 28 people . . . so Ray decided a bathroom remodel would only take us the week-end . . . Thanksgiving week-end no less . . . so Brittany and Cory, and Ethan and Megan all came down to help with this "little project."

 The guys spent a whole day plus just redoing the plumbing.  We have a very interesting house - one that always surprises when you get behind the walls. . . and our projects have to get creative to fix the builders interesting and often baffling construction techniques. . . "and where was the building inspector?"  Then the guys worked hard on getting everything else ready to go.  Ethan and Megan came again the next week-end to help us tile~ it was starting to look feasible!

Ray and I worked on this little "week-end project" every night after work ~ sometimes until the wee hours of the morning, then up we would get in a few hours to go to work.   We chose a lovely Bellagio Clay from Contempo Tile. topped with a double bull nose border around Diamond Mix Tumble, for the shower.  WE added glass shower doors to open up and lighten up the area.

 Cabinet and mirror from Home Depot - which entailed a few more creative"fixes" to make it all work.

 The Essence Forest floor tiles are set "on point" with a border. We got this far on the project and we were both exhausted trying to work full time and lay tile at night . . . we had some dear friends come in the week before Christmas and helped Ray finish the plumbing for the sink, put up the mirror, cabinet and lighting.  Tiffany flew in to help decorate for Christmas and she helped a lot on the final touches for the bathroom and had dinner ready for us when we got home from work, as well! (we really did not want to give her back to Brett). It was finished just in the nick of time~ December 23. 

The fun Southwest towels pull all the colors together well and create a warm welcome for our guests.  Voila! Our week-end project was done ~ a month later! Thank you so much to all of you who helped ~ we can't begin to tell you how grateful we are and how much we love you.

Joy in the Journey

"Family is not an important thing, it's everything." Michael J. Fox

Mason

 We were delighted to have Damien, Danielle and their children here for a short stay.  Mason has grown up so much~ he reminds us a lot of Jacob, yet he is his own unique person as well.  He is such a sweet, affectionate child.  He would hold his arms up, to let me know he wanted to be held and he would snuggle right in and give the sweetest hugs.  He chatters and I could understand some of what he was saying, he was telling me something important, then he looked me in the eye and said what sounded like, "Don't you think so?".

Kourtni and Alli, drawing pictures

Kourni and Ally were delightful - they played so well together and on their own.  We made a bead bracelet for Ally and a purple bunny key chain for Kourtni. They helped me cook and we watched movies. They enjoy the Barbies and played for quite a while , but then when I came back upstairs, they had picked everything up and put it away, without even being asked. We so enjoyed having them here!

Sandy, Ashton, Cory, Ethan and Megan

Goooooo, Grizzzzlies! We had a delightful time at the Grizzly Hockey game against Ontario, Monday night!Thanks, John!

Looking Back - A Short Week-end Get Away ~ in October 2011

"You can never get to peace and inner security without first acknowledging all of the good things in your life. If you're forever wanting and longing for more without first appreciating things the way they are, you'll stay in discord." ~Doc Childre and Howard Martin, HeartMath Solution

With all the doctor appointments, biopsies, surgeries, more doctors visits and at least 20 trips to the lab for blood work, we both felt a little stressed and needed a break away last week-end.  We were going down to Enoch for Charlie and James' Primary Program, so we decided to go a day early and enjoy the mountains there. Ray will be starting his cancer treatments soon, so we decided we should "run away" for the week-end, as it will be some time before we have the opportunity to go again.

 Ray found a lovely condo down at Brian Head, at Cedar Breaks Lodge, so we went down Saturday afternoon and spent a very relaxing and peace-filled afternoon and evening there.

  Swimming in their beautiful pool was in the plans. . . but we both fell asleep and had a nap instead . . . but we
definitely plan to go back and enjoy that lovely pool.

It is beautiful there in the mountains, so lovely, peaceful and quiet as it is between seasons for them. We toured the small village, a few shops and went back to our room to enjoy a lovely steak dinner (still on the low-iodine diet) and a movie. 

Ray at Cedar Breaks Lodge

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I am so grateful for this good man in my life.  He is lots of fun and as a friend said, "has a demented sort of sense of humor."  He is really "punny, " and quick witted.  He is kind and gentle, thoughtful and always looking for ways to help others.  I love him dearly. He is such a blessing and gift

Sandy - getting some ideas for our bathroom remodel.

 of goodness in my life.