The Eleventh Annual Anniversary Trip

Twelve years of marriage, already? My how time flies (hush up Rob).

Tomorrow we are embarking on the annual Savannah Anniversary Trip. Five weeks early due to work commitments for each of us. I've been looking forward to it all year. Books, clothes, shoes, window shopping, dinner, time alone.... bliss.

This is me...

setting about a Spring-time reboot. Freeze that image in your mind. By the time I'm done:

* Painting the den, hallway, stairway, guest bathroom AND the kitchen wall that J.T. splattered green den paint all over

* finishing up stage 1 of the "me" project of 2010

* steam clean the carpet

* organize swim lessons and guitar practice

* play hostess at a wedding shower

* host a Graduation party for my niece

* work on Mother's (did we decide if that was Mother's or Mothers'?) Day festivities

and

worst of all

cringe at just the thought of it

* go bathing suit shopping

THAT FACE won't be nearly that serene!

Hodge Podge

Here's your update Aunty Evil! We've met with the mortgage person at the bank, and have decided after much number crunching, that we'd be better off saving up the money for our project. Which means dream delayed. But it is really important to us to be smart about our finances, as our local economy is expected to take a big hit this year. The good news is that Rob's careful financial planning and attention to detail resulting in us getting the best possible rate on our mortgage in the beginning.

This next bit is very dark ages--mid-1990s at least. We are still on dial-up! I know!! We live in the boonies and it has only just now become available in our section of the countryside. So of course, upgrading is HIGH PRIORITY! Remember the sound of the PC dialing in? Yeah. It's not so unfamiliar for us. That means I'll be posting more pictures and zooming through the web at lightning speed. I figure I can get the whole internet done in a few months.

My brother's birthday was the 9th of April. He would have been 46. Every year, my parents, siblings and I gather together and remember how lucky we were to have him in our lives and share our memories. This year, we spotted a big brown owl watching us carefully as we walked. He/She hooted and clicked at us, tilting its head to get a better view. We paused and watched the owl just as carefully. On our way out, we discovered the reason for his care.

Dream a Little Dream

On Wednesday I have an appointment to meet with someone at the bank. We plan to discuss the feasability of turning our unfinished upstairs into a finished space. It's all a big fat "if" for now.

BUT. If it is easily within the realm of our finances, we plan to go ahead with it. The 'easily' is emphasized because we are cautious with our money. It would not do for either of us to live under the stress of worrying over making payments, stretching dollars for something that is not essential. I don't mean to sound as if we are cheap, or that we tuck away our dollars and cents for the future, without enjoying the present. We each purchase little bits of happy: books, a new dress, lovely sandals, movies, dinners out, etc.

"It" will be a place for Rob to display his large collection of toys, er, "collectible action figures" and comic books. I will have a retreat space where I can read and write and think in peace.

Even though it is still in idea phase... I've begun to dream a little. Don't you think this would look nice on clean, white walls? A bit of whimsy here and there? Perhaps a cushy chair or chaise for reading and daydreaming. A desk for writing, blogging and emailing. Notecards tucked in one drawer, scribbled ideas on so many fragments of paper nestled away in another... Books on shelves, piled high in corners, the window open to let in the light and fresh air.... sigh...