tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89323172024-03-07T22:56:59.463-05:00Stitches of VioletMarguerite's personal blog with posts on life, love, family, weather, knitting, and whatever.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.comBlogger1504125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-50512483658775108072015-08-25T20:18:00.000-04:002015-08-25T20:18:40.089-04:00End of the Blogging Season of My LifeMy first blog was called 'Seasons of Violet'. The intent was to write about the different seasons of my life as they happened, like an online diary. <br />
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Then I discovered knitting blogs and started 'Stitches of Violet'. It was wonderful. I 'met' so many like minded, friendly people and enjoyed almost a decade of posting about knitting, dogs, granddaughters, and birds.<br />
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Now I have moved into a new 'Season'. There is little time for knitting, all my dogs are waiting at the Rainbow Bridge, one granddaughter is now an adult, and the birds I enjoyed are left behind for someone else to feed in Paw Paw/Almena, Michigan. <br />
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This is a happy, busy season with my new husband. We have places to go, things to do while we're still able and I have no desire to blog them.<br />
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The blogging 'Season' of my life is over.<br />
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Blessings to everyone who reads this.<br />
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Marguerite Hammond<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYLHYj-uB9D0d9UOH-8J3vwJ2GcaSsZs4Kf31YqPRKL8xSQcIqgM0zq-r2IhhAKy2S2txLvMxgQ4LY7tx_xTbE2D8uPsSJ7YtLwQbxzzbr4xDWZ_kPqOQuTW_wx5qhcyLDXU2/s1600/profile+fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYLHYj-uB9D0d9UOH-8J3vwJ2GcaSsZs4Kf31YqPRKL8xSQcIqgM0zq-r2IhhAKy2S2txLvMxgQ4LY7tx_xTbE2D8uPsSJ7YtLwQbxzzbr4xDWZ_kPqOQuTW_wx5qhcyLDXU2/s320/profile+fishing.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-44664861839698533932015-08-01T20:55:00.001-04:002015-08-01T20:55:37.786-04:00An Experiment<p dir="ltr">As the days go by without writing a blog post, I find myself writing blog posts in my head. I am too busy, which then results in being too tired, to sit at my laptop and do the writing.</p><p dir="ltr">This is being written on my phone. It's an experiment to find out if I can write blog thoughts on my phone and edit them later and add pictures before publishing.</p><p dir="ltr">What kind of picture goes in a post about writing a post?</p><p dir="ltr">How about a picture of Jay, my husband? Because sometimes I act like a teenager in love. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrR3i27-U2W0xZNsnF6qHpipN-wQ-YpPpd7i7ixJ9WXxGFsmrpdpLGNA26oZesjiKDH8NhaiAym3lDbky9Wcb3hz_KengNhZIFqb8AkkBf4Sx20zIbHY8ZPxWabT8xDyNTIaU/s1600/2015-07-10%25252015.24.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrR3i27-U2W0xZNsnF6qHpipN-wQ-YpPpd7i7ixJ9WXxGFsmrpdpLGNA26oZesjiKDH8NhaiAym3lDbky9Wcb3hz_KengNhZIFqb8AkkBf4Sx20zIbHY8ZPxWabT8xDyNTIaU/s640/2015-07-10%25252015.24.29.jpg"> </a> </div>The above picture was loaded in from my phone. Even thought it's a small picture, Blogger has it looking huge. I am not sure how to deal with this.<br />
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Now I'm on my laptop finishing up this experiment, and will add another picture just to make sure it can be done.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGQh81lCHVjVWq1aVtyLyzvdwwNf-HgpMHL1FIeOREt4n4mEDq8UO9qZJ71fQ4t2ryu-x0F33uFFWwaMsjJd3m2IvKEn4MKYIN1jFh3bCU9Jl6DtYtgimLOBB_9gFUKwntnfz/s1600/IMG_3203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGQh81lCHVjVWq1aVtyLyzvdwwNf-HgpMHL1FIeOREt4n4mEDq8UO9qZJ71fQ4t2ryu-x0F33uFFWwaMsjJd3m2IvKEn4MKYIN1jFh3bCU9Jl6DtYtgimLOBB_9gFUKwntnfz/s320/IMG_3203.JPG" /></a></div>That worked much better.<br />
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Nest step: Google ways to add pictures with my phone after looking to see if the picture of Jay's head looks better after I publish. I have no reason to think it will even though he's not at fault.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-1131291477554942672015-07-12T18:48:00.000-04:002015-07-12T18:48:11.132-04:00Empty BoxesThis past week we worked in the basement. Jay did even more than I did. I don't know how he's still standing, because I have crashed and burned. <br />
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But how many people can say they have put away everything in their basement? I know that I have never been able to say that before.<br />
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The picture below is the lineup of EMPTY boxes and containers that we decided to keep.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjPS1-xUVM9GbFBDxADPG19psb8LR64gUez2K9EgTAZgTXlY5hfsJlLJ4OVf6b5tuI1k179UHdkg7wSOhm9f4fM3-qMZfjIcTPCwnGDYlVdOrGRpcnrl-gDDeaYSyJwAoX880/s1600/Blog+Empty+boxes+in+basement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjPS1-xUVM9GbFBDxADPG19psb8LR64gUez2K9EgTAZgTXlY5hfsJlLJ4OVf6b5tuI1k179UHdkg7wSOhm9f4fM3-qMZfjIcTPCwnGDYlVdOrGRpcnrl-gDDeaYSyJwAoX880/s320/Blog+Empty+boxes+in+basement.jpg" /></a></div><br />
These are the boxes that are going to get cut up and recycled.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpitUuEOmCUmfwRZDehGhKevRAkOdaSh0nAV6ndnEbjSs3uC81tEzodyn3dojG-PipvljTIlUg5_wTw-4ezqbSevCXYkFAAxtjR4cJ8YsSWL0OK-e3VeTkxZgPCWHn-aqAGL3/s1600/Blog+Empty+boxes+upstairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpitUuEOmCUmfwRZDehGhKevRAkOdaSh0nAV6ndnEbjSs3uC81tEzodyn3dojG-PipvljTIlUg5_wTw-4ezqbSevCXYkFAAxtjR4cJ8YsSWL0OK-e3VeTkxZgPCWHn-aqAGL3/s320/Blog+Empty+boxes+upstairs.jpg" /></a></div>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-40718015956324662752015-07-05T19:29:00.001-04:002015-07-05T19:29:42.202-04:00We've been Living Together 8 Months Last Tuesday we put together an assemble-it-yourself TV table for our cacti. We put it together backward, inside out, and with great patience and determination as it flopped all over and pieces didn't fit right.<br />
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I admit by mid afternoon I would have happily carried it out to the trash, but Jay insisted he was having fun so we kept dissembling and reassembling until it was functional. We did eventually throw out three major pieces that we're never going to miss.<br />
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The cacti are happy, Jay's happy, and I'm happy that Tuesday is over.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-lGxGYwt9IjWxFe6o2nl3rYNx-v_FuFbDVfjI5gJGIPW5wsP97attFM7WrsjTa4yaDnp95q6vpLDG9p8Ll8feC7D920sdjfIC5ir8KBJYQzw-Yiqw6ezJ3wAjP1MxeP7nL9E/s1600/Blog+Cacti+Table+7+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-lGxGYwt9IjWxFe6o2nl3rYNx-v_FuFbDVfjI5gJGIPW5wsP97attFM7WrsjTa4yaDnp95q6vpLDG9p8Ll8feC7D920sdjfIC5ir8KBJYQzw-Yiqw6ezJ3wAjP1MxeP7nL9E/s320/Blog+Cacti+Table+7+3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
While we were making a mess of the cacti table, the UPS man brought the next day's project - a tall cabinet for the deck.<br />
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This had way better instructions and went together much quicker. We got the entire project done right the first time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeMvQNZwWv1a2diGSfudCTVtpHeV0uNbzALCsRNC2Wx0lWvDRxk2m-q2xZiohsq_WtGSna3SdegOAdjmlX91JSlGe0xg9sD-zzbgHX_LPp15Qfxw6ku58MkA02_Wzm5Hhv-Jj/s1600/Blog+Deck+Cabinet+7+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeMvQNZwWv1a2diGSfudCTVtpHeV0uNbzALCsRNC2Wx0lWvDRxk2m-q2xZiohsq_WtGSna3SdegOAdjmlX91JSlGe0xg9sD-zzbgHX_LPp15Qfxw6ku58MkA02_Wzm5Hhv-Jj/s320/Blog+Deck+Cabinet+7+3.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The sorting and organizing continues.<br />
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Jay is working on tools now. It appears we have a few. This picture only includes tools from the main level. There's a workroom in the basement that also has a few tools to be sorted.<br />
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I didn't bother moving any of my tools from my previous house. That means we can leave out all the discussions about whose to keep and whose to give away. <br />
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For the record, this table of tool stuff was empty in half a day. We're getting very good at sorting and culling.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2RkvuNomc_XK8ceHwHmLRM5GQjB-GHyy3IYi2ya-3JG5lK2NDqBxZh4x_oCtTAlsmjzuQMqaja14KaEQnj0XsX-iafOysDB9HSFhyphenhyphenbhakuWuvpXLxKDL33_WHSE3xNXycdOi/s1600/Blog+screwdrivers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2RkvuNomc_XK8ceHwHmLRM5GQjB-GHyy3IYi2ya-3JG5lK2NDqBxZh4x_oCtTAlsmjzuQMqaja14KaEQnj0XsX-iafOysDB9HSFhyphenhyphenbhakuWuvpXLxKDL33_WHSE3xNXycdOi/s320/Blog+screwdrivers.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Last winter during the months I wasn't blogging, we got shades for our condo. After several false starts with businesses that didn't respond, we went through Costco. (What kind of business that sells window coverings wouldn't be happy to outfit a new condo for non-cranky customers?)<br />
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Costco sent us to a large showroom that has been in business thirty-five years, had an excellent selection, and was a pleasure to do business with. They educated us, answered all our questions, helped us select the right thing, came to the condo and measured, and installed the entire condo in two hours. Plus we got a great Costco discount.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnTOHFPrIf0rd-TNYH3CLD1of3yxYxIaZegYbiTn-S-AeuloJSSdVQgU7RABN3RAJtNPgTEQ5GbKipb6-nZfhkG44Qg2hgVCaq8i28oZHJ73hpZcF8hePronUINodJVL4gJE5/s1600/Blog+New+blinds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnTOHFPrIf0rd-TNYH3CLD1of3yxYxIaZegYbiTn-S-AeuloJSSdVQgU7RABN3RAJtNPgTEQ5GbKipb6-nZfhkG44Qg2hgVCaq8i28oZHJ73hpZcF8hePronUINodJVL4gJE5/s320/Blog+New+blinds.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Last week we got notified that the furniture we bought in Arcola, Illinois from <a href="https://www.countrysideamishfurniture.com/">Countryside Amish Furniture</a> has been built and only needs 7 to 21 days for the finish to cure and the odor to dissipate before delivering. <br />
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This is very exciting and delivery will be a huge step in making our condo into our home.<br />
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The picture below is my current dresser. It ranks a D = better than nothing.<br />
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Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-76701439437566548342015-06-30T12:29:00.001-04:002015-06-30T12:29:28.883-04:00Test Picture PostMy previous program for reducing the size of pictures to make them blog worthy does not work on Windows 8.1. <br />
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Fortunately the updated Canon software I use to edit my photos will reduce their size. Just needed time to play around with it a while and this post is hopefully the proof that I finally got it right.<br />
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As always, readers can double click on blog photos to see more detail.<br />
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Windows 8.1 and I are slowly becoming friends. It's different, for sure. The learning curve has been a time suck, and so have many other things I'm/we're working on getting done.<br />
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My new laptop is much faster and the display screen much sharper, so I can make and correct mistakes quicker. That's nice. The new laptop and I are friends and almost in love.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeItAuyBVGbFcRDBvOYJbt8P46qBeYCsJErau0Ap0pPFLoTcHswZT8upPU7r4BBdlBhOZMUSXpv6PASSy_lSNGMLtRbYusNIJXL2zzIhkFC52B02hbdETWdDPIF4_K8dk2zyN/s1600/blog+desk+top+test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeItAuyBVGbFcRDBvOYJbt8P46qBeYCsJErau0Ap0pPFLoTcHswZT8upPU7r4BBdlBhOZMUSXpv6PASSy_lSNGMLtRbYusNIJXL2zzIhkFC52B02hbdETWdDPIF4_K8dk2zyN/s320/blog+desk+top+test.jpg" /></a></div>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-90039268989870534592015-06-23T16:37:00.000-04:002015-06-23T16:37:16.068-04:00New Laptop Learning CurveA little over a week ago my step-son Jeff arrived with a new laptop for me. <br />
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It was not a surprise. It was purchased with my approval and my money. I so appreciate that he went shopping for me, because he knows what he's doing in a computer store and I don't.<br />
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He helped me with the initial set-up, did all the file transfers, and installed some of the software that I use. I probably could have done this, but he did it much faster and with 100% less muttering and groaning.<br />
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Thank you, Jeff!!<br />
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I now have a touchscreen, Windows 8.1, and a new version of photo managing software. They are all requiring a learning curve when I'm not distracted by personalizing the laptop so I am functional and happy. It's like getting a new puppy - one forgets how much time this takes.<br />
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Also, I need to mention that I have a new car, a new house, and a new marriage which all require a learning curve.<br />
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It's all good, especially the new marriage. I wouldn't give any of it back. I am so glad to be retired so I have time for all this learning. <br />
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Why am I writing this? <ul><li>A diary for me of this time period.</li><li> An excuse for not blogging.</li><li> A declaration that I will be blogging again when I get done figuring out how to do it Windows 8.1 style.</li></ul>P.S. I just spent over an hour trying to add a picture to this blog post. There will be no picture today.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-26647408967859918882015-05-30T16:06:00.000-04:002015-05-30T16:06:34.415-04:00Snapshot of My Life on May 30, 2015<strong>Weather in SW Michigan ...</strong><br />
It's a nice, rainy late spring day. Temperature in the low seventies.<br />
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Tuesday we bought our contribution to the exterior of the condo, two hanging baskets. The rest is and will be maintained by landscapers. I'm still getting used to that, but my body appreciates it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NFaJlRxvy9R4Bcl6wQ_wfYzcPHzBaWobtPIkJMkXWix1ZqIcGhqX94Ane2Co8v1nZ3viEhVLN5NVN3spFQ_bA8Bs_f0K1w5OrW_z8JQxEWLiSLHoRB2JwFrlG5CBvoPwZ6EF/s1600/Blog+Front+porch+May+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NFaJlRxvy9R4Bcl6wQ_wfYzcPHzBaWobtPIkJMkXWix1ZqIcGhqX94Ane2Co8v1nZ3viEhVLN5NVN3spFQ_bA8Bs_f0K1w5OrW_z8JQxEWLiSLHoRB2JwFrlG5CBvoPwZ6EF/s320/Blog+Front+porch+May+2015.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Really? ...</strong><br />
Today I got a text message from son John asking if I'd like to come to Idaho the week before Labor Day to 'babysit' granddaughter Sydney. Haven't bought the plane tickets yet, but I'm pretty sure the answer is YES!!!!<br />
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<strong>What We've Been Doing...</strong><br />
We've been working on merging household stuff, arranging and organizing the condo, buying things we need, and getting rid of things that we don't need and can bear to give up. <br />
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Does that sound like the same thing we were doing six months ago? It is. And it's likely we will be doing it six months in the future. Getting married when you're seventy plus is not like getting married when you're young.<br />
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The encouraging news is that we are happy with what we've done and we work well together.<br />
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<strong>New at Our House ...</strong><br />
We finally hung this beautiful needlepoint stitched by new daughter/Jay's daughter Joni. Her work is meticulous - tiny, perfect stitches. I can feel the love crafted into it, her love for her Heavenly Father and her love for her earthly father.<br />
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It's hanging in the heart of the house. The front hallway is to the right and the great room is to the left and to the front.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGJ56_HX6JNfM0d8iAXaR2yMYh8176Y-qwhY-kaP0AG4EA0dKXiLhXfIGBVY26CewFMPOntntuyJspUfaSiWhzGe2prA9Dme9kda_4jZOD0jy9HDvZwjdb2OQy8CvSO-x7Uig/s1600/Blog+Needlepoint+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGJ56_HX6JNfM0d8iAXaR2yMYh8176Y-qwhY-kaP0AG4EA0dKXiLhXfIGBVY26CewFMPOntntuyJspUfaSiWhzGe2prA9Dme9kda_4jZOD0jy9HDvZwjdb2OQy8CvSO-x7Uig/s320/Blog+Needlepoint+up+close.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>I am procrastinating ...</strong><br />
Buying a new laptop. The one I have is wimpy, which was OK when I bought it and lived in the country with whimy wi-fi. Now it's frustratingly slow and I've been ready to replace it for six months. What I haven't been ready to do is to take the time to set up a new laptop.<br />
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Jay's answer to almost all my problems is a trip, usually to Cincinnati. The middle of June we're going to Cincinnati because they have a Microsoft store there. We will be returning with something new and different - a fast laptop with Windows 8 touchscreen.<br />
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<strong>Seen anything good on Facebook lately? ...</strong><br />
Granddaughter Sydney's new braces.<br />
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<strong>Giving thanks for ...</strong><br />
Having a laundry room near the bedroom and master closet. I have always had laundry in the basement. Now there is hardly a load of wash that happens when I don't mentally appreciate the luxury of same floor laundry.<br />
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<strong>A few plans for the next few days</strong><br />
Sister Doris and her husband John from Virginia will be here Monday for brunch in Kalamazoo and dinner at Schuler's in Marshall. <br />
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Mid week I pick up a new pair of glasses. After that I will no longer be able to pass off pictures of a younger me because the glasses will be out of date.<br />
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<strong>And ...</strong><br />
The new condo they're finishing across the circle from us is going to be in the Parade of Homes starting June 12. It will be interesting to see how much traffic that brings to our quiet court.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-73910737477053182662015-05-23T15:51:00.001-04:002015-05-23T15:51:46.667-04:00My New RideMonday Jay and I picked up my new ride at the Subaru dealership, breaking my thirty-five year tradition of Toyota loyalty.<br />
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She's a 2015 Subaru Legacy all wheel drive sedan in Carbide Gray, a medium dark gray with strong blue overtones. I love the color, and so far I love the car. <br />
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She's not officially named yet, but I'm leaning toward calling her Smokey.<br />
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Smokey replaces a fifteen year old Camry, my Y2K car. <br />
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I loved my old Camry. Until a month ago I planned on replacing her with another Camry and considered that a no-brainer decision.<br />
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In fact, I was just waiting for the 2015 Camry to be available because I didn't like last year's Camry taillights (picture below). They looked like someone chopped a hole in them to insert the 'Camry' name. I figured the hole would get filled in by 2015.<br />
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And the hole did get filled in. I like the 2015 Camry from the rear. But the huge grill they put on the front (picture below) is very much not me.<br />
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The more I tried to appreciate the front of the 2015 Camry (picture above), the more I realized it wasn't going to happen.<br />
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Then my old Camry developed a CLUNK. It was the kind of CLUNK that I knew fixing would cost more money than the car was worth. Car shopping got serious. Since I wasn't over the 2015 Camry grill yet, I did what any woman would do - - I whined to my husband.<br />
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Husband Jay was very helpful. He pointed out that when we open the door from the house to the garage we are staring directly at the front grill of my car. He was too nice to say that he didn't want to hear about that Camry grill every time we opened the door, but I'm sure he was thinking it.<br />
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He also mentioned that I have friends driving Subarus who love them and Subarus have all wheel drive for Michigan winters.<br />
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We took a Subaru Legacy test drive and I was sold.<br />
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The Subaru picture (below) was taken from our doorway to the garage. Every time I go out that door, which is often, I appreciate the wisdom and kindness of my husband.<br />
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Smokey and Porky (Jay's Explorer) are happy together in the garage.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jGHm3tAOE6cRMRUwEhZ44stMGtgCr4Pn_Ctmj_cPd3D-CEXtnkKXCOytLtJzv1R8N8auZt7VL3S1TPLxy8h7-CMJdrYQRezj8NoS4fHIrZ23_gSHy9xFzpWSk_FI-gTVFL9i/s1600/Blog+New+Garage+Buddies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jGHm3tAOE6cRMRUwEhZ44stMGtgCr4Pn_Ctmj_cPd3D-CEXtnkKXCOytLtJzv1R8N8auZt7VL3S1TPLxy8h7-CMJdrYQRezj8NoS4fHIrZ23_gSHy9xFzpWSk_FI-gTVFL9i/s320/Blog+New+Garage+Buddies.jpg" /></a></div>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-38449815322852553092015-05-09T15:44:00.000-04:002015-05-09T15:44:05.493-04:00Monday Was a BIG DayMonday morning I turned in the keys to Mom's apartment. That means it was empty and reasonably clean, one of the biggest tasks I have done in years. Considering all the things I've done in the last few years, that makes it a very big task indeed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyRm1y3vKJ1DH6eGRDaz5RRgQHtUhq5atjBSWJXgyXx0fe1qxhr5mMcyQ-cojz7GCzRbR-ET3lj3mUDYg8tIBhpnFbCXLnltZ4to9Ta5jpeg779FYNQnDH_ZOOSUiRY0wcdwq/s1600/Blog+Thank+you+note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyRm1y3vKJ1DH6eGRDaz5RRgQHtUhq5atjBSWJXgyXx0fe1qxhr5mMcyQ-cojz7GCzRbR-ET3lj3mUDYg8tIBhpnFbCXLnltZ4to9Ta5jpeg779FYNQnDH_ZOOSUiRY0wcdwq/s320/Blog+Thank+you+note.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I did have plenty of help, all of it younger and stronger than me with the exception of Jay who is stronger but not younger. Ultimately the responsibility was mine and there were many days when I wondered how I was ever going to get it done. It's a huge relief to have it finished.<br />
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The timing wasn't planned, but it worked out perfectly that I was ready to do something happy and exciting on Monday afternoon. I bought a 2015 Subaru Legacy all wheel drive sedan to replace my 2000 Camry.<br />
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Before I went to the dealership Monday, I had the exact model, options, and color picked out. The salesman looked up the list of Legacys due to arrive and found an exact match except for one additional option, the remote start. <br />
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It's due to arrive in Kalamazoo the week after next.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5GC2XqSNr2s752EwK_1KJVxKfYi4aVMk-OELWq_4SA8sJXlCjoyk00IeMoI2rImC52qmFnn0AUzg1poah_LoXB1RfpG2vg8CpmYccU3eQDkwkiwX-sr15MjmSdmRyEJyZILT/s1600/Blog+Legacy+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5GC2XqSNr2s752EwK_1KJVxKfYi4aVMk-OELWq_4SA8sJXlCjoyk00IeMoI2rImC52qmFnn0AUzg1poah_LoXB1RfpG2vg8CpmYccU3eQDkwkiwX-sr15MjmSdmRyEJyZILT/s320/Blog+Legacy+Picture.jpg" /></a></div>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-40797307491047718602015-05-02T14:23:00.000-04:002015-05-02T14:23:19.734-04:00Snapshot of My Life on May 2, 2015<strong>Weather in SW Michigan ...</strong><br />
It's springtime! <br />
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The village grass has been mowed for the first time. Not our grass. Our grass is just sprouting. But everyone else's grass looks great.<br />
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A new house/condo is going up across Chuck's Circle. Chuck is our neighbor. He was first to build on this circle and he named the circle after himself. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjDC06T_d2HvokoXCFT4Vazfw8stN2SoAB_11JfH8RjuLC0bqeXVDnDc021qTuLhAlhu-wGK74hjFbD3QtB0k7L7PWPmacAexeaTex4zSwsb_RMyTkqFlk_rpbtCQMDHgd_UE/s1600/Blog+new+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjDC06T_d2HvokoXCFT4Vazfw8stN2SoAB_11JfH8RjuLC0bqeXVDnDc021qTuLhAlhu-wGK74hjFbD3QtB0k7L7PWPmacAexeaTex4zSwsb_RMyTkqFlk_rpbtCQMDHgd_UE/s320/Blog+new+house.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Really? ...</strong><br />
While I was writing this blogpost we had a 4.0 earthquake in Kalamazoo. <br />
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It was my first, and hopefully last, real earthquake. What surprised me most was the noise. Didn't realize earthquakes came with so much noise.<br />
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It was scary and I didn't like it. Now I have new appreciation for the places that get big ones. Yikes.<br />
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<strong>Something from the kitchen ...</strong><br />
We brought some (legally purchased) cacti and succulents back from Arizona. No, we don't know how to care for them but we do have a book. <br />
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Number one rule for the cacti: Don't pick them up bare handed. Those spikes are super strong and they want your body.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQeEoGweZmKAhpXNrZowsJ9GekgRFwZvI7zxF48i5a-1meV8cY2SqeuGpZgJdKf71khvwQpnLw8GDIPhEeBCrm_nQnIqKbe5yHXZfO5yvsDOVYytLIdHwRBhAO_Jl75_n5ClV/s1600/Blog+new+cacti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQeEoGweZmKAhpXNrZowsJ9GekgRFwZvI7zxF48i5a-1meV8cY2SqeuGpZgJdKf71khvwQpnLw8GDIPhEeBCrm_nQnIqKbe5yHXZfO5yvsDOVYytLIdHwRBhAO_Jl75_n5ClV/s320/Blog+new+cacti.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>I am creating...</strong><br />
These socks have been on the needles and ignored for a long, long time. This week I knit on them and they're almost ready to get a heel.<br />
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The yarn is Opal Graffiti. The pattern is my basic sixty stitch sock with k5p1 ribbing, and the socks are for me.<br />
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<strong>I have been procrastinating ...</strong><br />
I've been thinking about buying a new car for the past five years. There has always been a reason it wasn't the perfect time. That, combined with the fact I hate car shopping, have kept my fifteen year old Camry in service. <br />
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The Camry still runs great but the underbody is suffering from fifteen Michigan winters and it has developed a worrisome, clunking noise. I do not want to spend anymore money on this car.<br />
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Yesterday we visited the Subaru dealer and test drove a Legacy sedan. It's possible my thirty-five year Toyota brand loyalty is going to end soon.<br />
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Special thanks to husband Jay who dragged me out to the dealership when I would have been happy to procrastinate a few more days. He keeps me doing what needs to be done and I am grateful.<br />
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<strong>Just want to say ...</strong><br />
Last Sunday after church we stopped for lunch and saw the man who married us, Pastor Bruce. He asked if we are still happy.<br />
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Just in case anyone else is wondering, we are still happy.<br />
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<strong>Something new for me ...</strong><br />
Condo living is amazing. Last week a professional window washer came and washed the windows. They look cleaner than I have ever been able to get a window, and I didn't have to do it.<br />
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The landscapers showed up and put fresh mulch in the garden, and the sprinkler people showed up and set the timing on the sprinkers. We do not mind giving up these tasks.<br />
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<strong>A few plans for the next few days</strong><br />
Next week is going to be the end of cleaning out Mom's apartment and turning in the keys.<br />
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Then I'm going to schedule some lunches with friends I haven't had much time for recently so we can laugh together and catch up.<br />
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And I may possibly buy a new car.<br />
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<strong>Giving thanks for ...</strong><br />
Everything mentioned above and the final item below. Minus the earthquake. Although the earthquake did make Saturday more interesting.<br />
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<strong>And ...</strong><br />
Daughter Heather and long time partner Jason got married yesterday. Jason has been a member of the family for years, but now it's official. He can't get away from us. Love him and I'm very happy about this.<br />
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Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-65596180653158585172015-04-28T19:59:00.000-04:002015-04-28T19:59:52.436-04:00Mom's Ashes and Wedding DressLast week I was so blessed and thankful to have my brother Dave come to Kalamazoo from Oregon to help sort out Mother's personal things.<br />
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Wednesday evening it was cold, windy and snowing. With two outdoor jobs to complete, Dave needed a coat. Our first stop was at the mall. I told him he would never find a winter coat in April, but I was wrong. He found a great, warm $200 coat for $23 in Macy's and it fit.<br />
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Second stop was at Lowes for a torch, fatwood, and some kindling. Then on our way to Marshall, Michigan for some sentimental tasks.<br />
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Mom pre-planned her cremation, but wouldn't give me a wish for the disposition of her ashes. She said we could sprinkle them where ever we felt they should go.<br />
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Dave and I sprinkled Mom's ashes on Dad's grave.<br />
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Next stop was more complicated. We had Mom's wedding dress and a few other very personal things we wanted to burn. But where?<br />
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We ended up at a park along the river. It had everything we needed, especially a screen to put over the flame because it was very windy.<br />
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Dave started the fire with a Bernzomatic Torch, the torch our grandfather, Mom's father, helped design when he was a consultant to the Turner Corporation in 1965.<br />
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One moment I'll never forget is when we realized we needed to stir the flame and separate the layers of the gown. I looked down on the ground and there was a long tongs looking back at me like it had fallen from the sky.<br />
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Dave and I think Mom would have enjoyed the spectacle of us together burning the dress in the cold, wind, and snow.<br />
Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-82855294550415886332015-03-19T21:23:00.000-04:002015-03-19T21:23:03.891-04:00The Good Things <b>** A pictureless, personal blog post. **</b><br />
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I have personal rules about what I will and will not blog about. Most of the past three months falls in the latter category. It was a time of stress, confusion, and horror as we lived through the rapid decline and death of Mom.<br />
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As life begins to return to normal (if leaving for a four week trip out west can be counted as normal) I want to take a few minutes and list some of the good things that happened during that time period.<br />
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<b>Brother Dave and I got to know each other very well.</b> He is a kind, caring man who spent Mom's last month with her while ignoring his business in Oregon. We gathered information and made life and death decisions together. We meditated and prayed together, each respecting the other's spiritual beliefs. We talked for hours and hours, and realized that we like each other very much.<br />
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<b>Husband Jay was my earthly rock.</b> He did all the grocery shopping and ran mundane errands so I didn't need to be concerned about having food or whatever else I needed. He cooked some great comfort food. Twice he did all my laundry. ALL of it. He let me talk about things he didn't want to hear about, and he let me cry in his arms. When we had wintery roads, he gave his 4WD Explorer keys to brother Dave and insisted we take it. And he prayed for us.<br />
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<b>The strength of the Lord carried me through.</b> I could not have done this without my faith, my Bible, and the prayers of my friends. <br />
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<b>After five years, I am now able to visit son John, daughter-in-law Anne, and granddaughter Sydney in Idaho.</b> I am caretaker to no one and dogless. It feels new and strange and I'm still adjusting to the situation. Next Tuesday I leave for Oregon to spend spring break with my Idaho family, then fly to Phoenix to meet Jay and spend some time with his family. Jay is driving us back to Michigan via the Grand Canyon and several other national parks. We're going to do some furniture shopping in Illinois and be home whenever we get there - very strange indeed!Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-41420896272511677142015-02-26T13:42:00.000-05:002015-02-26T14:41:41.857-05:00Margarete Monette 1922 - 2015Mom died February 9, 2015 after four weeks of hospital/hospice stay.<br />
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On her wedding day in February, 1944. <br />
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She would say the happiest days of her life were the births of her four children, but I think it was this day.<br />
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She never managed to look her age, even when she was dying.<br />
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Even though Louise is not on mom's birth certificate as her middle name (or maybe it is, the document is written in German Swiss), she gave it to me as a middle name, I gave it to my daughter (center), and my daughter gave it to her daughter (left). We enjoyed being the four Louises.<br />
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Goodby Mom. We've been together for seventy years and I will miss you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50AgrX3fNF6xarH3DTcvk1miJode9pBCJS_KdJDfu4fJl_mmMe7itCMfF6AGMEDTuI8XHIVm2PjUu9YB3CSA3vIWgYCKe6TaroYgRZ31btmWI6dofA3ioY0lPNAxl-X2jspqq/s1600/Monette+obit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50AgrX3fNF6xarH3DTcvk1miJode9pBCJS_KdJDfu4fJl_mmMe7itCMfF6AGMEDTuI8XHIVm2PjUu9YB3CSA3vIWgYCKe6TaroYgRZ31btmWI6dofA3ioY0lPNAxl-X2jspqq/s320/Monette+obit.jpg" /></a></div>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-56884810004434789352015-01-07T19:39:00.000-05:002015-01-07T19:39:43.774-05:00Getting Settled When UnsettledWe are settled enough to be functional and only occasionally have the need to get into unopened boxes to find something. That's the encouraging news.<br />
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On the other hand we need furniture, we are working on getting files and finances joined and in order to do taxes, and I am distracted by everything involved with my mother's valve replacement next week. <br />
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Also, the weather is not cooperating. Since this is January in Michigan, that is not a surprise. The snow isn't overly deep, but the single digit temperatures (F) we are having keep the road salt from working. The roads are scary.<br />
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Last week we got brave and punched the first hole in our pristine walls to hang Jay's, now our, cuckoo clock. It's sweet to hear it calling out the hour and the half hour again. Love this thing. Putting it up made Oak Haven feel like home. <br />
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Last week we ordered shades for our windows. After several false starts with businesses that didn't work out, we finally ended up getting them through Costco. They referred us to a local business with a large showroom owned by people who have been installing quality shades and blinds for over thirty years. So far it's been a pleasant experience and in a few more weeks we will have window coverings. Finally.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEink6SibVT2yBS5CnPDpJGxARTIE5qm08ZPNdlmpWbnWPGdkL4hERePGaTi430TMC5KfEo7X6wUGiii9PHePk6XHMufHrCmNej2CTAMfQm9JxgFKo1r5YSw-sPeMhLREukWobmX/s1600/Looking+at+shades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEink6SibVT2yBS5CnPDpJGxARTIE5qm08ZPNdlmpWbnWPGdkL4hERePGaTi430TMC5KfEo7X6wUGiii9PHePk6XHMufHrCmNej2CTAMfQm9JxgFKo1r5YSw-sPeMhLREukWobmX/s320/Looking+at+shades.jpg" /></a></div>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-22274303732185553552015-01-01T17:18:00.000-05:002015-01-01T17:18:32.384-05:002014 In ReviewWhat a year! <br />
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Everything in my life changed except I'm still driving the same old car.<br />
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The activity started January 9 when we were talking about our plans for the future (we were going to live separately in the same townhouse community) and Jay proposed. I didn't have to think about my answer. Some decisions are easy. <br />
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Wedding planning began the next day when Jay suggested February 22 as a wedding date. We're too old for long engagements.<br />
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It all fell together perfectly. We got married February 22 at Bravo in a private room. Pastor Bruce from Lighthouse Community Church did the ceremony in front of our families and a few close friends. Daughter Heather stood up with me. Jay's son Jeff stood up with him. The food was wonderful. <br />
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Except for son John not being able to make it, the wedding was as perfect as things can be in this imperfect world.<br />
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We both feel so amazed that love happened when neither one of us was expecting it or even thought it was possible.<br />
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We also never expected to build a new home, but the more we looked for a place to live the more it seemed like the right choice.<br />
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We've been living in our new condo to a little over two months now and we're very happy with that decision. Notice I did not say we are all all unpacked and organized.<br />
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Neither one of us brought much furniture into this marriage. We are looking forward to furnishing the condo in 2015.<br />
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In October, just before we moved into the condo together, I sold my house in Almena Township/Paw Paw. What a relief that was.<br />
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The saddest part of the year was losing Pappy and Sunny. They were my two favorite furbabies ever and it was very painful and sad to see them get old and decline to the point it was obvious I needed to let them go to the Rainbow Bridge and wait for me.<br />
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I plan to stay dogless now.<br />
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In September Jay and I went to Hilton Head for two weeks of relaxing before moving. The timing was a bit strange, but Jay has a timeshare there and those were the weeks that worked.<br />
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It was a wonderful, relaxing two weeks. The relaxed feeling was gone immediately after we got home and the moving and home merging began.<br />
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October/November were the worse months of the year as we moved and merged belongings. Two best words to describe the experience are "exhausted" and "overwhelmed". We did what needed to be done. We remembered that we loved each other and we kept working toward the goal.<br />
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Things are better now. We are laughing and planning and we are able to find 90% of the things we are looking to find. <br />
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<b>Other things to remember about 2014:</b><br />
<ul><li>I left a church that I loved, Lighthouse Community Church, to go to church with Jay at Oakland Drive Christian Church which I also love. In December I officially joined ODCC and resigned my membership at Lighthouse.</li>
<li>I drove my mother to over 100 doctor appointments and Parkinson's exercise classes. </li>
<li>Costco came to Kalamazoo and it is only a few miles from our condo. We have been Costco members, but now we don't have to drive to Grand Rapids to shop. </li>
<li>I got hugged by Paul Anka. </li></ul>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-64312632515615877592014-11-28T15:53:00.000-05:002014-11-28T15:53:17.908-05:00Sunshine (Sunny) Byrne-Hammond, September 2001 - November 26, 2014Thanksgiving Eve I lost my last and most loved dog. <br />
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She was named Sunshine after the song 'You Are My Sunshine' because she lighted up my life. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2r2kBmR92uSDl1cp_R25aeBjImf39zTv4GdLp1t-Xe4DFK0GcZOHX7FjPNBF0Mst6vIwTI5eR3EEf5Hfkxt11ZQ0Hbda-LGub37RK_Uh3iKpIuTM7j-hKb7ad4snfp8VxDpd/s1600/00+sunny+main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2r2kBmR92uSDl1cp_R25aeBjImf39zTv4GdLp1t-Xe4DFK0GcZOHX7FjPNBF0Mst6vIwTI5eR3EEf5Hfkxt11ZQ0Hbda-LGub37RK_Uh3iKpIuTM7j-hKb7ad4snfp8VxDpd/s320/00+sunny+main.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sunny was my first little dog. She was about five weeks old and weighed two pounds when I found her on Petfinder and sent in an application to adopt her. <br />
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Her mother and two siblings had been found abandoned in a ditch. Breed was a total mystery, even in the mother's generation.<br />
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A few weeks later we took a trip to Big Rapids and brought her home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m7uITyZnC9MT2-OZBJL56OkhFNJwEmG8TRworj59N-qZYPEFIFr7GrbInce9-1qoFl_MGHLbbI29gxsKiZlXkaZQSLoN9z7hBMtC3P8EZA74T3NaVVTcWwbKTA_clE-y6SDT/s1600/01+petfinder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m7uITyZnC9MT2-OZBJL56OkhFNJwEmG8TRworj59N-qZYPEFIFr7GrbInce9-1qoFl_MGHLbbI29gxsKiZlXkaZQSLoN9z7hBMtC3P8EZA74T3NaVVTcWwbKTA_clE-y6SDT/s320/01+petfinder.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When she was three months old Sunny and I started doggy school together. She loved obedience from the very beginning and learned quickly. We won the award for best in the class and continued obedience for the next six years until her arthritis got so bad I couldn't let her jump hurdles.<br />
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This is our graduation picture from puppy class.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjScVy-whagtnDntJ2fM_y4nlxgalrscau_MCBCExYTKgnTrQFb_KYJcelGeLo7chMj-MDViaWKBSUr-ivMgR6HewlHq-fZ1an8LJnMGgs5aptBdcj6bjeE_EaA3Mnjl_LwZF/s1600/02+doggy+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjScVy-whagtnDntJ2fM_y4nlxgalrscau_MCBCExYTKgnTrQFb_KYJcelGeLo7chMj-MDViaWKBSUr-ivMgR6HewlHq-fZ1an8LJnMGgs5aptBdcj6bjeE_EaA3Mnjl_LwZF/s320/02+doggy+school.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Whatever her genes, she had a strong kill instinct for her favorite toy, a green rubber turtle. She fetched them and shook them until they were dead. I bought all I could find and kept extras in a drawer for when replacements were needed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rDC3XrCqMHqrH-T-zdVWrUfcXlAP2D4kSMozHx4q8wQMui3DfhA1UMW4in4E6LDfwPtm0_KL5PkvXlbcC4nJgjtH53WBVVXvdnP5mmyaR-yNSZco1le9HtzKa2RDDyfdyqWl/s1600/03+turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rDC3XrCqMHqrH-T-zdVWrUfcXlAP2D4kSMozHx4q8wQMui3DfhA1UMW4in4E6LDfwPtm0_KL5PkvXlbcC4nJgjtH53WBVVXvdnP5mmyaR-yNSZco1le9HtzKa2RDDyfdyqWl/s320/03+turtle.jpg" /></a></div><br />
She loved to sit and bask in the sun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZrbxhOmJMjl5uMBdFvKjaRd1vIigIEFcB_CA5Ffmn_f0Ueg9XV-7GzRIBOP-BQLw8UuhVO_qPDC2iHRs0fcUQ637XF-_ryPBTzVYS7LkNeXv5bCk1aXMmWCvBaQq5YDRtjvl/s1600/04+sun+sitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZrbxhOmJMjl5uMBdFvKjaRd1vIigIEFcB_CA5Ffmn_f0Ueg9XV-7GzRIBOP-BQLw8UuhVO_qPDC2iHRs0fcUQ637XF-_ryPBTzVYS7LkNeXv5bCk1aXMmWCvBaQq5YDRtjvl/s320/04+sun+sitting.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sunny had a strong herding instinct and didn't play well with other dogs. She tried to herd them.<br />
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People would ask what breed she was and sometimes I would tell them 'at least a third generation designer dog.' (That means unrecognizable mutt.) This went over most people's heads, so when I didn't want to explain I would answer 'I don't know but definitely something that herds.'<br />
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Her curly, unruly coat collected ice balls in the snow so she wore a jacket for winter walks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2MNR_RxGTfsicIuhADX2UhJF3TjOIpPHGEMsWHSh5hVXWcakWqOT5EEh7hR0GxLFryHqoSPGjsV2gGJRbfM47Zc5FsKB0fu3m_ZmxoCN1efKuVwJbYssyuKKADOLYb0PlQvl/s1600/05+snow+coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2MNR_RxGTfsicIuhADX2UhJF3TjOIpPHGEMsWHSh5hVXWcakWqOT5EEh7hR0GxLFryHqoSPGjsV2gGJRbfM47Zc5FsKB0fu3m_ZmxoCN1efKuVwJbYssyuKKADOLYb0PlQvl/s320/05+snow+coat.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sunny had many orthopedic problems and got through the muscle spasms and pain taking strong steroids which eventually resulted in serious biochemical problems. She rarely whined and she didn't let her problems get in the way of what she wanted to do. <br />
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About five years ago her long time veterinarian told me, 'She can't walk, but she's a dog and doesn't know she can't walk.'<br />
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Even though she was mostly blind, she moved into our new house, learned her way around, and settled in like she owned it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygft9CGjbPFJR46v2uLTu3QSNwoHN8x0uNBdCy9GY7kKiFzF6XbH47L-H7K6ieW4MpGeuRX71VckBaR5hFepiOsg1KU_71-ZWEmb3qaT_1Hr_bzQhkIAoy-L-WuhGp0m3rdZ2/s1600/07+new+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygft9CGjbPFJR46v2uLTu3QSNwoHN8x0uNBdCy9GY7kKiFzF6XbH47L-H7K6ieW4MpGeuRX71VckBaR5hFepiOsg1KU_71-ZWEmb3qaT_1Hr_bzQhkIAoy-L-WuhGp0m3rdZ2/s320/07+new+house.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Rest in peace Sunny. I'll see you at the Rainbow Bridge and you can herd me in.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh75OHU1KpDDurbqgAtdX5DyBhHlVnJzm-tvaeEA-8ChFTN3i7wKHD_64DtKs2-oXhVMvTwtNuBK6CmTN9TQSmW2yAwZfBKIN2mv957C4bYTIbN6CAVBcljMba2AqCtMgAPNsF/s1600/08+standing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh75OHU1KpDDurbqgAtdX5DyBhHlVnJzm-tvaeEA-8ChFTN3i7wKHD_64DtKs2-oXhVMvTwtNuBK6CmTN9TQSmW2yAwZfBKIN2mv957C4bYTIbN6CAVBcljMba2AqCtMgAPNsF/s320/08+standing.jpg" /></a></div>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-21085647038717547072014-11-18T16:08:00.000-05:002014-11-18T16:08:12.940-05:00Snapshot Of My Life On November 18<strong>Weather in SW Michigan ...</strong><br />
It's winter weather - snow, wind, ice, cold. Schools are closed including the university.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hItYVbfpc-4e4phhAJGmzwx83IG2hcnjgvzg-CT7HejIjZ_tBU3m2HKKK6k77RFRILkfHtAZR6HQ8WDsoiy7z9qXiKqyCCDiqa51mdKvZ7tDn_ENcCxk4lRD1rB4V7m9Kyd2/s1600/Blog+Nov+2014+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hItYVbfpc-4e4phhAJGmzwx83IG2hcnjgvzg-CT7HejIjZ_tBU3m2HKKK6k77RFRILkfHtAZR6HQ8WDsoiy7z9qXiKqyCCDiqa51mdKvZ7tDn_ENcCxk4lRD1rB4V7m9Kyd2/s320/Blog+Nov+2014+snow.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Really? ...</strong><br />
My first snowstorm in Westport Village, a condo community. <br />
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The first snow plowing truck arrived at 5:30 am today. I woke up long enough to be impressed, even though I didn't plan to go anywhere.<br />
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The second snow plowing truck arrived a little before 8:00 am. Yes, there was that much new snow. <br />
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<strong>Something from the kitchen ...</strong><br />
Wow, the kitchen. I love our new kitchen. Haven't had time or energy to cook much in it yet, but plenty of opportunity to use the refrigerator and dishwasher and sink. Jay put a lot of time and research into picking the appliances and sink that suits our lifestyle, and he did a great job.<br />
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We still don't have everything organized and put away. I thought we worked through the duplicates, but we still have way too many of them. <br />
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Combining households is not as easy and simple as one might think.<br />
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<strong>I am creating...</strong><br />
<i><b>We</b></i> are creating a new home for our life together. <br />
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<strong>I am procrastinating ...</strong><br />
Getting window coverings, and we need them.<br />
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Keep thinking we should be more settled and organized before making that decision. That's just an excuse to cover the fact that I am burned out from months and months of making decisions. My brain wants to be indecisive for a few <strike>days</strike> weeks.<br />
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Yesterday Kelli, the amazing lady who helps us know what we want, gave us a place to call that other village residents have used for blinds. I will be calling them soon.<br />
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<strong>Sunny is adjusting ...</strong><br />
She spent the first night in her new house pacing the floor. No one slept very well that night, although we were all exhausted.<br />
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She spent the first week in her new house being nervous and waiting for me to take her back to the house where she had spent her entire thirteen years minus the first seven weeks of her life. It was stressful for all of us.<br />
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Now, after four weeks here, she knows she lives here and is relaxed and doing well. She is not healthy in many ways and I'm sure we have some challenges ahead. For now, all is under control and she is happy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C4koRSK4K6gktqD1jmooex5-_JW0Zw7Vo7WXQfWfLMqRzMmpsWSY33bkA-3mR5JZaqGunBkFGT8ZnKlfyndFQCSH_40W-ENiOb6uSdyeRYebHHq2RONWYJ0OggLDObRM6BA-/s1600/Blog+Sunny+sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C4koRSK4K6gktqD1jmooex5-_JW0Zw7Vo7WXQfWfLMqRzMmpsWSY33bkA-3mR5JZaqGunBkFGT8ZnKlfyndFQCSH_40W-ENiOb6uSdyeRYebHHq2RONWYJ0OggLDObRM6BA-/s320/Blog+Sunny+sleeping.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Something new for me ...</strong><br />
What isn't?<br />
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<strong>A few plans for the next few days</strong><br />
Jay has been sick so we haven't done much the past few days except the basics. Hope to get back to organizing, sorting out, and putting away soon.<br />
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Most of this stuff in the picture below is headed for basement storage. It probably will languish there until someday when our kids have to clean it out, but we have intentions of going through it occasionally and getting rid of the things we're not using. Doesn't everybody?<br />
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Every time I look at this pile I think it looks like something large vomited a pile of junk and boxes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyfLUHnD8hTNg-vmtWWcZl4461gKFluX0z7nfsrMEjyOvg5TiZdBfowyGbFH6E-QUJwxTt2Lglz6oBAjT1u6fyiATu5Fum2T7ICxAIPoAhuLRqKQqIXCg34MMZhFwKH8BNy9S/s1600/Blog+vomit+in+great+room_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyfLUHnD8hTNg-vmtWWcZl4461gKFluX0z7nfsrMEjyOvg5TiZdBfowyGbFH6E-QUJwxTt2Lglz6oBAjT1u6fyiATu5Fum2T7ICxAIPoAhuLRqKQqIXCg34MMZhFwKH8BNy9S/s320/Blog+vomit+in+great+room_blog.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Giving thanks for ...</strong><br />
Two years ago Jay and I were both alone and hadn't seen each other in over ten years.<br />
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One year ago I was just starting to think I might say yes if he asked me to marry him. By the time he got around to it in January, there was no doubt in my mind. His timing was perfect.<br />
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Everyday I give thanks to God for these senior years blessings that I never requested and never expected.<br />
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<strong>And ...</strong><br />
Two weeks ago the landscapers seeded our grass and covered it with straw. It's waiting for spring under the snow.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzoZXaV_LxEw4LHEW6mt8YPhujfAR2Y_iuA-SFQitSEGWk2mKNfIh5OeGztdDMpAOsaNTFeMNAilR2Q1dUfvFOqloSLrf9weAo6K_x8jWrPXCnVWTS9bUBTTFUCkSat_okDbK/s1600/Blog+planting+grass_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzoZXaV_LxEw4LHEW6mt8YPhujfAR2Y_iuA-SFQitSEGWk2mKNfIh5OeGztdDMpAOsaNTFeMNAilR2Q1dUfvFOqloSLrf9weAo6K_x8jWrPXCnVWTS9bUBTTFUCkSat_okDbK/s320/Blog+planting+grass_blog.jpg" /></a></div>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-44514891815787733942014-11-04T17:56:00.000-05:002014-11-04T18:10:14.122-05:00MovingMost of these pictures got posted on Facebook, but some of my dear friends (hi Marsh and Barb) aren't on Facebook. So, here is a brief summary of the past weeks when I've been too tired and busy to post on the blog. <br />
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Memo to myself: You are too old to move again. You may have been too old to move this time.<br />
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October 15 was the day I officially sold my house in Paw Paw. It would have been nice to have time to celebrate this happy day, but Jay and I were both frantically sorting and packing and arranging for movers to come a week later.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRv7HlOBb5aMSnmMIlwyFwqoF-M5QUm6lRpIdlfjus_Pu3kJK-J15la8hyphenhyphenile0e3c0ZE7EDJcdy0uya07mo_X3dE1iwAMEobQHPhBZy6XKZPCrb3EyTbQqW_58BIeZXJ1_Yk3/s1600/09+sold+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRv7HlOBb5aMSnmMIlwyFwqoF-M5QUm6lRpIdlfjus_Pu3kJK-J15la8hyphenhyphenile0e3c0ZE7EDJcdy0uya07mo_X3dE1iwAMEobQHPhBZy6XKZPCrb3EyTbQqW_58BIeZXJ1_Yk3/s320/09+sold+house.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Daughter Heather and Jason came to help me pack. I never would have made it without them. I thought I was organized and ready, but as we packed things kept materializing out of nowhere. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHvPcJCzEdhDkB2Q-wEGI8dFj7q42potPInj2p_IZaxVlNfLKjBFJXzZ_6bkExnFmlGu0LQRy3UsWEBJVDmCdvaUy4NwvcenWw53tsHbI1Ci9pnahHSJRSkks3FBs7P6nBabL/s1600/11+packed_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHvPcJCzEdhDkB2Q-wEGI8dFj7q42potPInj2p_IZaxVlNfLKjBFJXzZ_6bkExnFmlGu0LQRy3UsWEBJVDmCdvaUy4NwvcenWw53tsHbI1Ci9pnahHSJRSkks3FBs7P6nBabL/s320/11+packed_blog.jpg" /></a></div><br />
8:30 Wednesday morning, October 22, our eight month wedding anniversary, three movers arrived at Jay's townhouse and two movers arrived at my house in Paw Paw. We combined household belongings at <a href="http://stitchesofviolet.blogspot.com/p/oak-haven.html">Oak Haven</a> and officially started living together.<br />
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Our new Sleep Number bed was delivered the day before we moved in. <br />
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Sunny's Sleep Number is 35.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzonSKpX5G9zCGdshIifLsFqsWUbILO8qDteeVRfM_0fmgJBl5ImTdScvPz9jUS9beUj5P_cp5E5AaR1w4bpRqxZir2yXzJAEnnS57FYlfOu2fTOfhEOAe8hwOFF2pMOdbQGPG/s1600/15+sunnys+sleep+number_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzonSKpX5G9zCGdshIifLsFqsWUbILO8qDteeVRfM_0fmgJBl5ImTdScvPz9jUS9beUj5P_cp5E5AaR1w4bpRqxZir2yXzJAEnnS57FYlfOu2fTOfhEOAe8hwOFF2pMOdbQGPG/s320/15+sunnys+sleep+number_blog.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Thursday, the day after we moved in, Jay boggled my mind by picking up his vegetable allotment from the <a href="http://www.naturecenter.org/">Kalamazoo Nature Center</a>. He washed them and spread them out to dry on the island in the new kitchen.<br />
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At this point in our moving, we still had not located the silverware and were operating with two spoons. It's amazing what can be done with two spoons. Why do we need forks and knives?<br />
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Last week the landscapers arrived with potted plants. It appears we may even get grass planted yet this fall.<br />
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Yesterday they returned with a large rock for the garden (not shown), and a Red Sunset Maple for the front yard. <br />
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I don't have a good closing for this post. We are still heavy in the process of getting settled, meaning we are far from done. To be continued.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-53798907933572368142014-10-14T16:00:00.000-04:002014-10-14T16:00:17.177-04:00House After Hilton HeadWhen we got home from Hilton Head Island last Friday evening, the first thing we did was drive out to the house to see the progress. There was a lot of progress but not too many photo opportunities. It was evening and the light was not good.<br />
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First thing we noticed as we drove up was the brick on the garage. Now the outside is complete except for the front door and the sidelights.<br />
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We have a house number on the garage.<br />
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Second thing we noticed was our new mailbox. This mailbox is heavy metal, so heavy I have to wonder if it could win a fight with the Almena snow plow. Probably not. Fortunately the Almena snow plow is not expected at <a href="http://stitchesofviolet.blogspot.com/p/oak-haven.html">Oak Haven</a>, so this mailbox should stand all winter.<br />
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Jay and I have both started address changes in anticipation of the move.<br />
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Inside the door, the compass was partially installed. The sign says 'Please do not walk here.' We didn't.<br />
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Above the compass the foyer light fixture was hanging. We only have a few hanging light fixtures in the house and this is the largest. It was exciting to see it up and looking just as beautiful as we hoped it would.<br />
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The hardwood floor is down. So are the tile floors and the floors in the basement. More floor pictures will appear when the light is right.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gm3WfpUzrluvLtq64BVdNderTxIEror9PE8x9jbGCfljTL0XArfRgk-2D-dzOpEf_-fTc1T0usYGb8wLUGrOe6PVqz5ZnmUMsDpsanPqZHAbtWjpSuacAfSDHeth_zKmiHSo/s1600/11+floor+in+progress_blog_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gm3WfpUzrluvLtq64BVdNderTxIEror9PE8x9jbGCfljTL0XArfRgk-2D-dzOpEf_-fTc1T0usYGb8wLUGrOe6PVqz5ZnmUMsDpsanPqZHAbtWjpSuacAfSDHeth_zKmiHSo/s320/11+floor+in+progress_blog_blog.jpg" /></a></div><br />
One of the reasons we are building a house is so Jay can have the refrigerator of his dreams. It was sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor and I think he's in love.<br />
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He asked me to take this picture. I think I may make it his new Facebook header.<br />
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That harvest gold wall color in the refrigerator picture is the result of poor light, not the Hammonds having a regression to the 1960s. The walls are actually a beautiful light sandy brown color.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-70303902826982748042014-09-30T13:24:00.001-04:002014-09-30T13:29:05.758-04:00Painting DoneBlogging this house update from Hilton Head Island. The pictures are six days old.<br />
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It's beautiful and relaxing here, but I do occasionally think about the finishing being done on the house and wish I could see what is happening. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYl4IE4fHzLZWvFAM1D-8Eg7cFrQfEccb1OEvHRVZlCfuPrq4KyMAZrolf64SL7ynFvgvwK3DZdY7OWHKDKtuVqVHH-_N7pz0G6xuNQBqqU5iUuo8y-5ih4j7k9GHNEoVMAuI/s1600/01+driveway+frame_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYl4IE4fHzLZWvFAM1D-8Eg7cFrQfEccb1OEvHRVZlCfuPrq4KyMAZrolf64SL7ynFvgvwK3DZdY7OWHKDKtuVqVHH-_N7pz0G6xuNQBqqU5iUuo8y-5ih4j7k9GHNEoVMAuI/s320/01+driveway+frame_blog.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Driving up last Wednesday we noticed the frame for the driveway and sidewalks.<br />
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Friday morning when we checked on the house one last time before leaving, the cement had been poured and was dry enough to walk on.<br />
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Hard to get an accurate picture of the paint colors. The wall that runs the length of the house, starting at the breakfast room in front and ending with the dining room in the back, is tricolored. <br />
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The top is Pumpkin Spice (an accent color), the chair rail is Soft Chamois (ceiling, trim, and closet color), the bottom is Sandy Brown (the main, default wall color).<br />
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The quartersawn oak cabinets stained chestnut go gorgeous with the Pumpkin Spice upper wall. I have loved these colors my whole life and doubt I'll ever get tired of looking at them together. They're trendy right now and will probably look dated in a few years, but that's what old people do - they stick with what they like.<br />
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When picking paint, I looked at every orange/tangerine/terra cotta chip there was until I was totally crazy looking at colors. Jay put me out of my indecisive misery by selecting the Pumpkin Spice. It's just perfect for us and goes great with the flooring and the slate compass.<br />
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Our other accent color is Kensington Blue, commonly known as a light navy blue. This is how it looks on one bedroom wall. The rest of the bedroom is Sandy Brown. We also have Kensington Blue on the TV wall in the great room, and the short, far wall in the laundry room.<br />
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The four season room painted.<br />
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The closets are all painted Soft Chamois, our trim color. It is a light antique white.<br />
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When we stopped at the house on the way out of town last Friday, the flooring man was there with a truck full of hardwood flooring. He was sanding the subfloor smooth and told us he would be installing flooring this week.<br />
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Looking forward to seeing the flooring, counter tops, and light fixtures when we get back. <br />
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Also looking forward to Wednesday, October 15 for the closing on my house in the wilds of Almena Township. Long time blog readers know I have enjoyed living there for twenty-three years. And now I'm going to enjoy selling it and moving to Oshtemo Township with Jay. Life is good. Very good.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-90536297928694146782014-09-22T22:56:00.000-04:002014-09-22T22:56:39.751-04:00Garage Door Down and Compass AlignmentSaturday we went out to the house and found the garage door down and two painters who were nervous about us touching something. <br />
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The front of the garage that is still unfinished will be bricked before the house is done.<br />
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We didn't touch anything and we didn't stay long. It was not a good place for non-painters to be.<br />
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We did appreciate the excellent job the painters have done and are doing. After seeing a professional paint job, I don't think I can ever paint by myself again and pretend it's a good job.<br />
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On the way home we admired the new Costco store scheduled to open November 1. It is the first Costco in the Kalamazoo area and it's only a few miles from our new home.<br />
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Today, Monday, we were back at the new house for a compass meeting with Craig, the flooring guy. Craig drew the outline of the compass on the floor just where we want it installed. Then Craig and Jay used a real compass to determine north so the slate compass will point true. True north is not straight down the hallway.<br />
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Side note: Jay does not have a missing arm. Have no idea what happened in that picture to make it look like he does.<br />
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Some of the light fixtures have been delivered and are sitting in the garage.<br />
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This is the fixture that is going in the front hall with the compass. The shades are made of shell and are so pretty.<br />
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Three matching pendant lights are going over the kitchen bar.<br />
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Three painters were working today, and where ever we went we seemed to be their way. We did our compass chore and headed home, much to their relief I'm sure.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-73098536549822992372014-09-19T20:56:00.001-04:002014-09-19T22:25:17.821-04:00Garage Door Up and Ceilings PaintedThe trip out to the house Wednesday was exciting. I know that's what I almost always say, but it almost always is.<br />
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First clue that the garage door is up - a sign in the yard.<br />
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Opener and door are visible on the inside of the garage.<br />
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Trying to get a picture of the door, but it's going to have to be down to get a good one.<br />
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Daughter Heather and Granddaughter Kim were with me and I wanted to show them all the cabinets, but the cabinets and windows were all covered with plastic and the painters were busy painting.<br />
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The main level was primed. All the doors were off and in a heap in the middle of the great room. The painters were working and we didn't want to get in the way. Also, we couldn't tell what paint was wet, so we made a quick tour and left.<br />
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Some of the ceilings were spray painted in our trim color of Soft Chamois. They're going to use a roller on the walls and a brush on the trim. <br />
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We're hoping to see some Pumpkin Spice, Kensington Blue, and Sandy Brown when we go out tomorrow/Saturday.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-68854372622007068292014-09-15T21:41:00.000-04:002014-09-15T21:41:54.020-04:00Sunny's First Visit to Oak HavenJay was out of town for a UC Bearcat football game, so I decided it was time to take Sunny out to see her future new home. <br />
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She was very excited and ran around looking the whole place over, inside and outside, like she knew it was something important for her. Or maybe she was looking for the right place to pee. Whatever, she was excited and had a great time.<br />
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We have top soil and it's not too difficult to imagine a driveway and grass growing in the yard.<br />
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There were few new things to get excited about, although it was obvious people had been working to finish up the trim and the get the cabinets in place.<br />
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The lazy susan is enclosed now, but still lacking the final trim. The chair rail is new this trip.<br />
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Chair rail in corner of breakfast room.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-86821767701591462842014-09-11T20:04:00.000-04:002014-09-11T20:04:07.242-04:00Cabinets and More CabinetsThe Wednesday trip to <a href="http://stitchesofviolet.blogspot.com/p/oak-haven.html">Oak Haven</a> was so much fun. The cabinets were in place. No hardware yet and no countertops, but in place. The countertop man is coming from Grand Rapids to measure tomorrow.<br />
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We extended the kitchen cabinets down one wall of the breakfast room. The lower cabinets are only a foot deep, and the upper are normal depth. <br />
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We will probably store our Fiestawear in the glass doors, or maybe not. I have some old dishes I'd love to display. Jay has a totally overcrowded curio cabinet full of interesting things, some of which need to be distributed into alternate display areas so they can be properly admired and enjoyed.<br />
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Deciding where to put things when combining two households is a challenging exercise. <br />
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Looking down the right side of the kitchen, including the breakfast room cabinets.<br />
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Looking down the left side of the kitchen, including Jay's pantry.<br />
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The back side of the kitchen that separates the kitchen from the dining room.<br />
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Time out from cabinets for a minute. The trim is on the arched window in the four season room.<br />
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Laundry room cabinets. There is a base cabinet with a utility sink under the right upper unit. The left upper unit is over the washer and will be open adjustable shelves for our laundry supplies.<br />
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The master bath has knotty alder cabinets. That's a linen cabinet on the right. <br />
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We talked about having knotty alder in the kitchen, but it came with a warning that the knots are unpredictable and might prevent the hardware from being attached symmetrically. My brain could not be happy with door/drawer handles in random positions, so we limited the knotty alder to the master bath. <br />
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Now that I've seen it in a big piece, I'm very glad the whole kitchen isn't done in wood this busy. And the name of our our house is Oak Haven. Not Knotty Alder Haven. We're hiding the knotty alder away in a back room.<br />
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The cove molding is up in the bedroom. <br />
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Somehow I managed to miss getting a picture of the chair rail in the dining room. Maybe next time.Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8932317.post-84645765937379874622014-09-08T22:43:00.000-04:002014-09-09T19:24:02.053-04:00Wednesday Full of WowsBehind in my blogging. Four day weeks like last week should not be allowed when there's as much to do as we need to do. Because we're moving in a little over a month!<br />
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Our trip to <a href="http://stitchesofviolet.blogspot.com/p/oak-haven.html">Oak Haven</a> last Wednesday was supposed to be to meet with Graham, the finish man who is going to build the insides of our closets. We were so distracted by all the exciting things going on in the house it was difficult to concentrate on closets.<br />
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First thing we got excited about was the appliances in the garage. We spotted them before we ever got out of the car - Jay's dream refrigerator, a stove, and a dishwasher.<br />
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Once Jay spotted his pantry, there was no stopping his excitement.<br />
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Beautiful, sturdy shelves that pull out. Lots of storage.<br />
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Happy man.<br />
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Interior doors and trim were up in several places. <br />
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Also trim around some of the windows. Graham, who is doing the closet interiors, is also doing the inside trim. To this non-builder person, it appears he's doing a beautiful job.<br />
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The half wall around the stairwell has been converted into something nice.<br />
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The temporary stairs built for the construction people have been replaced by the base for the oak steps that are going in with the flooring.<br />
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There are now French doors going out to the four season room. <br />
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Not sure why I took another picture of window trim. Overexcited I guess. Everytime we come out to see what's going on it's looking more and more like a place we want to live. And so far there has been no disappointment with our choices of style or color.<br />
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After Graham finished telling us how his ideas for our closets would be better than ours (which we were happy to hear because he knows what he's doing and we don't), we went up to main office to select the grout color for the compass.<br />
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Kelli, the amazing lady who helps us know what we want, had the compass on the conference room table and a selection of grout colors. This was a monumental moment in our building process. Jay found his dream slate mosaic compass on <a href="http://stores.tileproductions.com/compass-style-1/"> an internet site</a> and had it ordered without ever seeing it in person. It's the piece that's going to make our house truly unique and ours, and we've been anxious to make sure it is as beautiful as the internet picture.<br />
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In the picture above, there is still a layer of plastic over a quarter section of the compass, but the colors are stunning and beautiful and we couldn't be happier with it.<br />
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We picked expresso grout, a dark brown. Kelli approved, so we know it's going to look perfect.<br />
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I have observed that technical professionals are either calendar people or map people. Some are both. <br />
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I am a calendar person. When I have a project to do I start drawing boxes to represent days or weeks and sketch out a plan timeline. It almost never works out that way because I don't schedule in the unexpected stuff, but that's another story.<br />
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Jay is a map person. When he worked in the office next to mine his entire bottom file drawer was nothing but maps to anywhere you might want to go. It was an amazing collection. The slate compass in the foyer is in honor of his mapiness. He doesn't know yet that I will be painting a calendar on the breakfast room wall.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevzEr2IjJqm7qRO9wYg3cNFDOtkEcBwowlZ-1xwTvJq27YmpF2ntgO70zAqI_C5VL-76iTvOgvJ95Ywo5mwpR8U20Rsu3pEdBB1kWBSfOwXIBsgSQMZMIlXo8_Z8orJLN0Hiw/s1600/compass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevzEr2IjJqm7qRO9wYg3cNFDOtkEcBwowlZ-1xwTvJq27YmpF2ntgO70zAqI_C5VL-76iTvOgvJ95Ywo5mwpR8U20Rsu3pEdBB1kWBSfOwXIBsgSQMZMIlXo8_Z8orJLN0Hiw/s320/compass.jpg" /></a></div>Margueritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09936026798371276596noreply@blogger.com2