I wrote this on September 5, but had problems posting it then. I'm actually posting it on September 26.
Two years of marriage under our belts...we've got this thing totally figured out. :) Okay, anything but, but it's been an amazing two years. I am so grateful for the gift God has given me in Pete and I pray I never take it for granted.
I think we'd both agree that the second year of marriage was more difficult than the first - not in a bad way, but I think we've reached a higher comfort level with each other, and more of our "stuff" comes to the surface. But we're able to work through it and, in the process, learn more about ourselves and each other. It's been very helpful to be married to someone who has worked in a theraputic setting for 6 years!
Anyway, we celebrated this weekend by heading to Detroit. Not the typical romantic destination and yet, it was perfectly wonderful.
We took in two Tiger games - one Saturday night (rainy, cold, Tigers lost) and one Sunday night (much nicer weather, Tigers lost). It's a blast to go to their games, even when they do lose. Comerica Park is beautiful, the game of baseball is fascinating and people are so excited to be there. It's especially fun to watch the kids (and the big kids who still get a kick out of going to a Major League game). We caught batting practice on Sunday night and sat near the bullpen so we could see the various pitchers warming up. Fun times.
Sunday, we drove around metro Detroit and visited the greatest store on earth (right up there with Target!), IKEA. Inexpensive furniture and any and everything you'd want for your home. It was packed with everyone in southeast Michigan, so it was tough to take everything in, but I got some great ideas. Pete tolerated it very well - I don't think he would consider IKEA the greatest store on earth (that might be Best Buy for him) but he faked it pretty well. We didn't buy anything major - just cheap batteries and Swedish sparkling juice for us, light bulbs for my parents. I wonder what their sales volume is in just a day - it's amazing.
But more than Tiger games and IKEA and everything else, it was special to simply spend precious time together.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
life goes on
August has been a busy month...here's an update on what the Andersons have been doing:
- Side entryway is now devoid of any and all wallpaper. Awaiting coats of primer and whatever color we finally decide on.
- Pete just returned from camping in the UP with his kids (and other staff). A good time was had by all, but he was grateful to return to a shower, a toilet and a bed.
- Work has been super busy for me as we are full force into the Christmas season. That means loooong days (arrive before 7 a.m., leave after 8:00 p.m. - made easier by the fact that Pete was gone last week. Not sure how to balance that this week). But fun things too: I got to meet Phil Vischer, the co-creator of VeggieTales, last week. And I got to interview Pat Summerall, which was nerve-wracking. I mean, he's really famous! I'm always afraid of sounding like an idiot when I interview, especially over the phone. Anyway, here's the finished result: www.familychristian.com/summerall
- We celebrated Tori Anderson's 11th birthday on Friday. Happy birthday, Tori! I've only known her 2.5 years and I already can't believe she's 11. Pictures from that forthcoming.
- We think skunks have taken up residence under our deck. Calls have been made to Critter Control. The fun never ends!
- Currently reading: Pete's been reading Lloyd Alexander's series (can't remember the name right now). I've been reading The Summer of the Great-Grandmother by Madeleine L'Engle, book 2 in her Crosswicks Journals series. Highly recommended.
- And remember Whitney Cerak, the girl involved in the accident and misidentification of Taylor students? She's back at Taylor today to begin her sophomore year. God is so good. Read more: www.whitneycerak.blogspot.com
- Side entryway is now devoid of any and all wallpaper. Awaiting coats of primer and whatever color we finally decide on.
- Pete just returned from camping in the UP with his kids (and other staff). A good time was had by all, but he was grateful to return to a shower, a toilet and a bed.
- Work has been super busy for me as we are full force into the Christmas season. That means loooong days (arrive before 7 a.m., leave after 8:00 p.m. - made easier by the fact that Pete was gone last week. Not sure how to balance that this week). But fun things too: I got to meet Phil Vischer, the co-creator of VeggieTales, last week. And I got to interview Pat Summerall, which was nerve-wracking. I mean, he's really famous! I'm always afraid of sounding like an idiot when I interview, especially over the phone. Anyway, here's the finished result: www.familychristian.com/summerall
- We celebrated Tori Anderson's 11th birthday on Friday. Happy birthday, Tori! I've only known her 2.5 years and I already can't believe she's 11. Pictures from that forthcoming.
- We think skunks have taken up residence under our deck. Calls have been made to Critter Control. The fun never ends!
- Currently reading: Pete's been reading Lloyd Alexander's series (can't remember the name right now). I've been reading The Summer of the Great-Grandmother by Madeleine L'Engle, book 2 in her Crosswicks Journals series. Highly recommended.
- And remember Whitney Cerak, the girl involved in the accident and misidentification of Taylor students? She's back at Taylor today to begin her sophomore year. God is so good. Read more: www.whitneycerak.blogspot.com
Sunday, July 30, 2006
it's been a long time!
And there went the month of July!
It's been way too long since either of us has posted. I can't say anything terribly exciting has happened between the last post and now...new carpet in the basement, moved the office upstairs, very hot weather, bought a window air conditioner so we could at least survive the nights, work is both busy and fulfilling for both of us, weekends have been busy (we went to a Tigers game last weekend with my parents and grandparents - fun!!), work on our entryway and yard continue (when it's not too hot), etc.
For me, I've started work on the Christmas 1 catalog at FCS. We publish 3 Christmas catalogs so the next month to month and a half will be very intense. Fall 1 will go out the door tomorrow (it was supposed to go to the printer Friday, but we had a ton of last minute changes). We had our first proof of the Fall 2 catalog last Thursday. And we begin planning for our Christmas 2 catalog Tuesday. Crazy! It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit, especially when the temperature outside is 95, and listening to Christmas music just doesn't appeal to me right now. I love the summer and I don't want to wish it away! With all of this busyness, I have to remember to take one day at a time. I tend to get overwhelmed by the imensity of the task ahead of me instead of taking it in small chunks. But so far, so good. I pray that it continues this way!
Pete's spent a few weeks in June/July filling in as the activity therapist on his unit and had a ball. It's an area he's truly gifted in and that he really enjoys. He has a great relationship with Mark, the unit's AT, and they'll conduct a training session together for other Wedgwood ATs soon. For his work, Pete received a letter of commendation this week - what a guy! He also replaced my parents' hard drive, which decided to die last weekend. He spent a good amount of time at their house on Monday and Tuesday getting that figured out and replaced. As an added bonus, he also bought us a new hard drive, which he installed with glee this week (along with some new computer fans that have a blue glow - they make a nice night light). He's also taking down the painted-over layer of wallpaper in our entryway. Thanks for your dedication, honey!
In the next couple of weeks, we hope to replace the threshholds in both of our entryways (they're wood and crumbling) and have some work done on the doorframe of our front entryway. There's some water damage there that has caused the wood to rot (need gutters!) but I also have a feeling that is also where our friendly neighborhood carpenter ants have set up shop. Yikes. That may also warrant a call to an exterminator. They're everywhere and that seems to be the place they like to scurry to. I love living in an old, wood-sided house. Really I do! :)
Okay, another long post and no pictures. We'll try to get some pictures up soon.
It's been way too long since either of us has posted. I can't say anything terribly exciting has happened between the last post and now...new carpet in the basement, moved the office upstairs, very hot weather, bought a window air conditioner so we could at least survive the nights, work is both busy and fulfilling for both of us, weekends have been busy (we went to a Tigers game last weekend with my parents and grandparents - fun!!), work on our entryway and yard continue (when it's not too hot), etc.
For me, I've started work on the Christmas 1 catalog at FCS. We publish 3 Christmas catalogs so the next month to month and a half will be very intense. Fall 1 will go out the door tomorrow (it was supposed to go to the printer Friday, but we had a ton of last minute changes). We had our first proof of the Fall 2 catalog last Thursday. And we begin planning for our Christmas 2 catalog Tuesday. Crazy! It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit, especially when the temperature outside is 95, and listening to Christmas music just doesn't appeal to me right now. I love the summer and I don't want to wish it away! With all of this busyness, I have to remember to take one day at a time. I tend to get overwhelmed by the imensity of the task ahead of me instead of taking it in small chunks. But so far, so good. I pray that it continues this way!
Pete's spent a few weeks in June/July filling in as the activity therapist on his unit and had a ball. It's an area he's truly gifted in and that he really enjoys. He has a great relationship with Mark, the unit's AT, and they'll conduct a training session together for other Wedgwood ATs soon. For his work, Pete received a letter of commendation this week - what a guy! He also replaced my parents' hard drive, which decided to die last weekend. He spent a good amount of time at their house on Monday and Tuesday getting that figured out and replaced. As an added bonus, he also bought us a new hard drive, which he installed with glee this week (along with some new computer fans that have a blue glow - they make a nice night light). He's also taking down the painted-over layer of wallpaper in our entryway. Thanks for your dedication, honey!
In the next couple of weeks, we hope to replace the threshholds in both of our entryways (they're wood and crumbling) and have some work done on the doorframe of our front entryway. There's some water damage there that has caused the wood to rot (need gutters!) but I also have a feeling that is also where our friendly neighborhood carpenter ants have set up shop. Yikes. That may also warrant a call to an exterminator. They're everywhere and that seems to be the place they like to scurry to. I love living in an old, wood-sided house. Really I do! :)
Okay, another long post and no pictures. We'll try to get some pictures up soon.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
a week ago tonight...
I came home to a quiet house after a long day of work. Pete was working , so my plan was to accomplish a few little projects around the house after I ate dinner. Things like calling a college friend. Maybe doing a little cleaning. Perhaps finishing up The Gifts of the Jews. Or maybe all three.
My plans were dramatically altered when, after dinner, newspaper and too much Seventh Heaven on the ABC Family channel (why does that show suck me in? It's so silly!), I got up from the couch and stepped out into our basement hallway to go upstairs. Squish went the carpet under my feet. I had a glass of water in my hand...maybe I tipped it and spilled some? Another step. Squish. By then, I'm in front of the door to our laundry room and panic quickly sets in. Shoes are floating around the bottom of our freezer. A few items that are normally upright have been knocked over and lying in a pool of water - not a puddle but a pool. A pool that covers the entire laundry room and under my feet.
My heart pounding and my mind racing ("I'm alone. What will I do? Will insurance cover this? Is our basement ruined? We don't have the money for this! AHHHHHHH!!!!) I know the culprit so I go upstairs and sure enough, the toilet on our second floor is running. And running. And running. It has been this way for more than an hour. And it's coming up through the drain in our basement. It's happened once before, but we caught it in time (and figured out the problem after an hour of baling water and a call to the city). Just days before, we'd even talked about how we needed to call a plumber to come look at the basement drain. It was on the to-do list...
I know Pete's completely out-of-pocket (Tuesday night is ropes course night for his kids) so I leave a desperate and somewhat tearful message for my dad. And then another tearful message for Pete. And I start rescuing items from our basement floor in our carpeted rec room. Things like the computer. The PlayStation. The surround sound system speakers. Water is seeping under the wall from the laundry room and soaking the carpet. I think I'm on the verge of hyperventilating. I know our neighbor, Bob, is home. Would he be able to help if I can't get ahold of my dad? I call my dad again and reach him. Dad to the rescue! We harness the power of our shop vacs and suck up water - lots and lots of it. My dad is a saint, especially when he's emptying gallons of water outside in the rain.
Pete comes home around 10:30 and continues to clean until about 2:00 a.m. He is a rock (and he should be - that's his name, right?) I appreciate his calm demeanor, even when I want him to freak out along with me. :)
Long story short: we apparently have tree roots in our drain out to the sewer. The kind man from Penning Plumbing took care of them on Wednesday, but said it will probably continue to be a problem - a hazard of living in an older neighborhood with mature trees and old pipes (that aren't PVC). We've ripped out all of the carpet from the basement - and discovered what we think is mold on the back. So perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. We've also discovered signs that this may have happened before, perhaps in the last several years. Funny the things people don't mention when they're selling a house. And no, NONE of this is covered by our insurance (apparently you need a provision for floods caused by drain back-ups. We don't have that provision. Grrr...) But we've found an inexpensive option for carpet replacement, the paneling seems fine, and we wanted to put vinyl at the bottom of the stairs anyway. So we'll do a nice little remodel - a little earlier than planned, but the results will be worth it.
I'll end this very long post with a few pictures of June 6 and its aftermath...some of them turned out blurry and I don't have the photographic finesse to capture the "magnitude" of the water.
My plans were dramatically altered when, after dinner, newspaper and too much Seventh Heaven on the ABC Family channel (why does that show suck me in? It's so silly!), I got up from the couch and stepped out into our basement hallway to go upstairs. Squish went the carpet under my feet. I had a glass of water in my hand...maybe I tipped it and spilled some? Another step. Squish. By then, I'm in front of the door to our laundry room and panic quickly sets in. Shoes are floating around the bottom of our freezer. A few items that are normally upright have been knocked over and lying in a pool of water - not a puddle but a pool. A pool that covers the entire laundry room and under my feet.
My heart pounding and my mind racing ("I'm alone. What will I do? Will insurance cover this? Is our basement ruined? We don't have the money for this! AHHHHHHH!!!!) I know the culprit so I go upstairs and sure enough, the toilet on our second floor is running. And running. And running. It has been this way for more than an hour. And it's coming up through the drain in our basement. It's happened once before, but we caught it in time (and figured out the problem after an hour of baling water and a call to the city). Just days before, we'd even talked about how we needed to call a plumber to come look at the basement drain. It was on the to-do list...
I know Pete's completely out-of-pocket (Tuesday night is ropes course night for his kids) so I leave a desperate and somewhat tearful message for my dad. And then another tearful message for Pete. And I start rescuing items from our basement floor in our carpeted rec room. Things like the computer. The PlayStation. The surround sound system speakers. Water is seeping under the wall from the laundry room and soaking the carpet. I think I'm on the verge of hyperventilating. I know our neighbor, Bob, is home. Would he be able to help if I can't get ahold of my dad? I call my dad again and reach him. Dad to the rescue! We harness the power of our shop vacs and suck up water - lots and lots of it. My dad is a saint, especially when he's emptying gallons of water outside in the rain.
Pete comes home around 10:30 and continues to clean until about 2:00 a.m. He is a rock (and he should be - that's his name, right?) I appreciate his calm demeanor, even when I want him to freak out along with me. :)
Long story short: we apparently have tree roots in our drain out to the sewer. The kind man from Penning Plumbing took care of them on Wednesday, but said it will probably continue to be a problem - a hazard of living in an older neighborhood with mature trees and old pipes (that aren't PVC). We've ripped out all of the carpet from the basement - and discovered what we think is mold on the back. So perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. We've also discovered signs that this may have happened before, perhaps in the last several years. Funny the things people don't mention when they're selling a house. And no, NONE of this is covered by our insurance (apparently you need a provision for floods caused by drain back-ups. We don't have that provision. Grrr...) But we've found an inexpensive option for carpet replacement, the paneling seems fine, and we wanted to put vinyl at the bottom of the stairs anyway. So we'll do a nice little remodel - a little earlier than planned, but the results will be worth it.
I'll end this very long post with a few pictures of June 6 and its aftermath...some of them turned out blurry and I don't have the photographic finesse to capture the "magnitude" of the water.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
God is on the move
Several weeks ago, I posted a request for prayer for Taylor University. On April 26, four students and a staff member were killed in a tragic car accident on I-69 as they were returning to the Upland campus. According to reports, a young woman from Caledonia had been seriously injured. Ever since, I had been following her progress on a blog her sister continually updated. There are several people at work close to the VanRyn family, and although I don't know them, those connections, as well as the TU connection, brought them close to my heart.
As I'm sure you've heard, there was a stunning announcement this week that there had been a misidentification of students at the scene of the accident and, in fact, Laura VanRyn had died and it was Whitney Cerak the VanRyns had been caring for during the last month. It's made national (and in some cases, international) headlines since Wednesday when this discovery was revealed.
There aren't words that adequately express the sorrow and the joy these two families are experiencing. One of my co-workers, whose daughter was a close friend of Laura, said it best: "God is on the move." And He is. This story has touched hearts around the country and God is using it to bring people to Him. The blog address has been published nationwide, and it's been incredible to see the comments on it from people praying for these families - from alumni to complete strangers. Some have indicated that it's prompted them to open a Bible, return to church, seek Jesus. God is truly on the move.
As a Taylor alum, these events have touched me deeply - Taylor truly is a family and while I don't know these girls, I've experienced much of what they've experienced on campus (Whitney Cerak lived in the same dorm I did). It's made me realize - again - how blessed I am to have gone there and to call myself a member of that family.
Here's where you can read more:
www.lauravanryn.blogspot.com
www.chronicle-tribune.com (Marion (Indiana) Chronicle-Tribune - they've had great coverage of the events, from the night of the accident until now)
www.taylor.edu
As I'm sure you've heard, there was a stunning announcement this week that there had been a misidentification of students at the scene of the accident and, in fact, Laura VanRyn had died and it was Whitney Cerak the VanRyns had been caring for during the last month. It's made national (and in some cases, international) headlines since Wednesday when this discovery was revealed.
There aren't words that adequately express the sorrow and the joy these two families are experiencing. One of my co-workers, whose daughter was a close friend of Laura, said it best: "God is on the move." And He is. This story has touched hearts around the country and God is using it to bring people to Him. The blog address has been published nationwide, and it's been incredible to see the comments on it from people praying for these families - from alumni to complete strangers. Some have indicated that it's prompted them to open a Bible, return to church, seek Jesus. God is truly on the move.
As a Taylor alum, these events have touched me deeply - Taylor truly is a family and while I don't know these girls, I've experienced much of what they've experienced on campus (Whitney Cerak lived in the same dorm I did). It's made me realize - again - how blessed I am to have gone there and to call myself a member of that family.
Here's where you can read more:
www.lauravanryn.blogspot.com
www.chronicle-tribune.com (Marion (Indiana) Chronicle-Tribune - they've had great coverage of the events, from the night of the accident until now)
www.taylor.edu
Sunday, May 14, 2006
done!
The cold, rainy weather derailed our plans to work outside yesterday, so we took advantage of inside time to organize the basement and to finish ripping down wallpaper. I'm pleased to report that our side entry is now devoid of wallpaper! Some pictures:
Before: Pink striped wallpaper with a lovely birdhouse border
The "after" pictures are rather boring. Up next, sanding down the seams from the wallpaper underneath (on the advice of Pete's mom, we won't be taking off that layer - don't want to damage the plaster underneath), priming and then paint!
We've been working on some other household projects lately. A few weeks ago, we removed our yucky shower doors - and they were yucky. Here's what Pete found underneath:
The mildew cleaned up very easily - Pete saved some of the clean up for me since he knew what satisfaction I'd receive from it. And I did - it felt good!
And a few more pictures for good measure:
The Anderson Easter Egg Hunt in our backyard
Pete and the nieces dancing
Gavin helping my mom open her birthday presents
My dad and sleepy Gavin (at their house - I think we were celebrating Kevin's birthday)
Sunday, May 07, 2006
new life
Mars Hill had a baptism celebration today - I love these services. I'd go to all three services if I could just to hear all of the incredible stories. We basically have a hot tub on the stage (with a camera projecting the tub and its occupants up on the screen so everyone can see what's going on). Those being baptized line up, climbing into the water with the baptizing pastors, as well as friends or family members who will take part in this beautiful thing with them. Parents help baptize their children. Friends help baptize their friends. A few teens had their d-group leaders in the tub with them. A newlywed couple was baptized together as one way to bind their new life together (both had been baptized as infants). And while they are being baptized, someone reads their testimony. It's moving and joyful and wonderful. There are tears and smiles and cheers.
I was baptized as a baby in the Reformed church, and I know that it's something I need to do now as an adult. I just need to get past the whole "in front of everyone" thing that scares me off from doing it, which is just silly. So maybe next time we have a baptism celebration at church, I'll be there in my shorts and T-shirt, carrying a towel up on the stage and awaiting my turn to make a public proclamation of my love for and faith in Jesus, and the way He continually moves in my life.
We had a fun adventure in home ownership yesterday. I came downstairs to continue laundry and noticed water on the floor - more than usual when I do laundry. Our washing machine empties into a drain in the floor, except it wasn't draining. I turned off the washing machine, but the puddle was turning into a small lake. Pete and I began bailing water to avoid a major catastrophe - between the two of us, we carrried what seemed like gallons and gallons of water out the door. We called the city and they promised to send someone out to check things out. On a bailing break, I went upstairs and discovered the toilet running. I jiggled the handle like you should and it stopped. And in the basement, the water began to recede. Very strange. The sewer guy came and checked the water lines just to be sure there was no problem. And our crisis ended. I had been envisioning a crazy emergency plumbing bill and who knows what else (I tend to immediately think of the worse case scenario for every situation), but it ended with no problem.
I've now successfully avoided the work I was trying to do (transcribing an interview for our Summer 1 catalog - I hate transcribing). More to come soon...
I was baptized as a baby in the Reformed church, and I know that it's something I need to do now as an adult. I just need to get past the whole "in front of everyone" thing that scares me off from doing it, which is just silly. So maybe next time we have a baptism celebration at church, I'll be there in my shorts and T-shirt, carrying a towel up on the stage and awaiting my turn to make a public proclamation of my love for and faith in Jesus, and the way He continually moves in my life.
We had a fun adventure in home ownership yesterday. I came downstairs to continue laundry and noticed water on the floor - more than usual when I do laundry. Our washing machine empties into a drain in the floor, except it wasn't draining. I turned off the washing machine, but the puddle was turning into a small lake. Pete and I began bailing water to avoid a major catastrophe - between the two of us, we carrried what seemed like gallons and gallons of water out the door. We called the city and they promised to send someone out to check things out. On a bailing break, I went upstairs and discovered the toilet running. I jiggled the handle like you should and it stopped. And in the basement, the water began to recede. Very strange. The sewer guy came and checked the water lines just to be sure there was no problem. And our crisis ended. I had been envisioning a crazy emergency plumbing bill and who knows what else (I tend to immediately think of the worse case scenario for every situation), but it ended with no problem.
I've now successfully avoided the work I was trying to do (transcribing an interview for our Summer 1 catalog - I hate transcribing). More to come soon...
Friday, April 28, 2006
please pray for Taylor University
Four students and one staff member from Taylor University, my alma mater, were killed in a terrible car accident Wednesday evening. They were traveling back to the Upland campus from Fort Wayne when a semi crossed the median and hit the van they were in. Several other students and staff members were injured, some critically. One of the critically injured is from Caledonia. Ironically, Taylor's new president is scheduled to be inagurated today.
The TU community is extremely close-knit (the campus is small/the student body is around 1900 students) and this has deeply impacted students and alumni. It has been amazing to read the thoughts and prayers of people all over the world on Taylor's message board - the body of Christ is a beautiful thing.
Here's a link to news about the accident:
http://www.taylor.edu/community/news/accident_04-26-06.htm
The TU community is extremely close-knit (the campus is small/the student body is around 1900 students) and this has deeply impacted students and alumni. It has been amazing to read the thoughts and prayers of people all over the world on Taylor's message board - the body of Christ is a beautiful thing.
Here's a link to news about the accident:
http://www.taylor.edu/community/news/accident_04-26-06.htm
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
random thoughts
No pictures yet....I can't figure out how to download them from the camera (Pete showed me once, but it was awhile ago and my attempts aren't working). Soon, I promise.
I had the privilege of attending Pete's Employee of the Month celebration today. It's really a neat thing that they do - there were some representatives from HR there and Pete's co-workers had the opportunity to share the qualities they admire in him. And Pete works with a fantastic team of people - I'm so glad he does. I can provide him with support up to a point - I don't ever truly know what he experiences on a day-to-day basis, but they do and they are a great support for each other. I'm very proud of him and the work he does - God has truly blessed me with an amazing husband.
We have our first non-cosmetic house update tomorrow: an electrical service upgrade. We're getting a new breaker box (ours is a Federated Pacific brand - not known for its safety) and breaking off some rooms to new circuits. Currently, it seems like half the house is on one circuit and we blow one in particular fairly regularly - it affects the basement, the kitchen, breakfast nook and living room. After tomorrow, we'll have a safer house. :) And it paves the way for a new furnace (also needed - our current one is about 37 years old and on its last legs) and possibly air conditioning.
As I write this, I'm watching "Children of the Shoah" on PBS, a documentary about the Holocaust. There really aren't words to describe it - it's both riveting and disturbing and so important to be reminded of.
Once again, pictures coming soon!
I had the privilege of attending Pete's Employee of the Month celebration today. It's really a neat thing that they do - there were some representatives from HR there and Pete's co-workers had the opportunity to share the qualities they admire in him. And Pete works with a fantastic team of people - I'm so glad he does. I can provide him with support up to a point - I don't ever truly know what he experiences on a day-to-day basis, but they do and they are a great support for each other. I'm very proud of him and the work he does - God has truly blessed me with an amazing husband.
We have our first non-cosmetic house update tomorrow: an electrical service upgrade. We're getting a new breaker box (ours is a Federated Pacific brand - not known for its safety) and breaking off some rooms to new circuits. Currently, it seems like half the house is on one circuit and we blow one in particular fairly regularly - it affects the basement, the kitchen, breakfast nook and living room. After tomorrow, we'll have a safer house. :) And it paves the way for a new furnace (also needed - our current one is about 37 years old and on its last legs) and possibly air conditioning.
As I write this, I'm watching "Children of the Shoah" on PBS, a documentary about the Holocaust. There really aren't words to describe it - it's both riveting and disturbing and so important to be reminded of.
Once again, pictures coming soon!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Long time, no blog
We are terrible at this blogging thing!
No pictures to post this time (and sometimes blogs can get boring without them), but just a few general updates for all 3 people who read this. (Hi Rachel!) :)
To brag a little on my husband, he was named Wedgwood's Employee of the Month for April. While he doesn't get a prime parking spot or something like that, he does get some (I think) well-deserved recognition for his work with hurting kids.
The nicer weather has stalled work on removing our wallpaper. It's much more fun to be outside working on the yard instead of tearing down wallpaper. I hope to get to a little more of that this weekend. Pete is of the opinion that we take down the primed-over layer of wallpaper that's under what we're currently taking down. While it doesn't thrill me, I think he's right. Maybe we'll be done by the time fall rolls around.
I don't want to make any empty promises, but maybe we'll soon post pictures of our weekend: Pete's family is coming to celebrate his birthday on Saturday, we'll be at my grandparents' house on Sunday and taking in a Detroit Tigers game on Monday. Fun!
No pictures to post this time (and sometimes blogs can get boring without them), but just a few general updates for all 3 people who read this. (Hi Rachel!) :)
To brag a little on my husband, he was named Wedgwood's Employee of the Month for April. While he doesn't get a prime parking spot or something like that, he does get some (I think) well-deserved recognition for his work with hurting kids.
The nicer weather has stalled work on removing our wallpaper. It's much more fun to be outside working on the yard instead of tearing down wallpaper. I hope to get to a little more of that this weekend. Pete is of the opinion that we take down the primed-over layer of wallpaper that's under what we're currently taking down. While it doesn't thrill me, I think he's right. Maybe we'll be done by the time fall rolls around.
I don't want to make any empty promises, but maybe we'll soon post pictures of our weekend: Pete's family is coming to celebrate his birthday on Saturday, we'll be at my grandparents' house on Sunday and taking in a Detroit Tigers game on Monday. Fun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
