Sarah's Birthday

Sarah's party for her 13th birthday was Sunday at Steven and Kim's. We all used SPF-40 as the day was VERY sunny but not too hot.

The pool was COLD as you can see from the grimace on my face.

Henry liked "swimming" although he did not want to free-float or go in the water deeper than his ribs. He enjoyed riding on the noodle floats, which was fine with me as it kept me moving so I was less likely to get hypothermia.

The Body Glove "Hulk" suit looks adorable on him.

When he would ask to get out of the pool, he would run around for 30 seconds and then come right back, demanding to swim again. After a half hour I was cold, tired, and hungry. Fortunately the grill was cranking out dogs and burgers!

As we are passing 95 degrees today, I would love to be in that pool right now.

My teeth are chattering

Natalie, Michelle, and Sarah

Muscle man

Kim driving the fire truck while Henry waits for his turn

Attack of the Killer Whale

A little gringon, Natalie, Sarah, Kim

Ice cream cake AND regular cake!!

Jake and Henry chair-share

I'm in trouble . . . again

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I posted these photos in a larger format. Let me know if it causes download problems for you dial-up readers and I will go back to the smaller size.

For future reference, the last pic is almost exactly 7 months pregnant for Joni. We have an ultrasound scan scheduled for this Friday. We have an appointment July 11th with the Children's Vascular Anomalies center.

Looking good for baby ________'s arrival August 14th!!

Diane's Glasses

As today is Diane's birthday we have a special posting. We know you miss your glasses, Di, but we all miss you!

These were taken last Saturday while we were shopping for a love seat and chair. The glasses photos were taken at the Jordan's Furniture in Reading.

The couch photos were at the Sofa Shoppe in Peabody.













About your sunglasses, Diane - anytime you need them they are in the glasses holder in the Mitsu. Just stop by and pick 'em up.

Kitchening - Part XIII

These are photos from the 14th day of work on the new kitchen (Tuesday 6/19).

Tile is grouted, pendant lights appear, the range is alive, and more!

Still waiting on the granite people to do the counters and island. Then we can have a sink. I REALLY miss having a sink.

I also noticed the piping had been run in the basement for the toe-kick heater. The heater unit is still in the garage. I guess it will be installed when the rest of the plumbing tasks are complete (sink, disposal, dishwasher, ice maker, outside faucet). The heater was necessary to make up for the loss of the radiator that was in the base of the [former] wall between the kitchen and dining area.

The pendant lights.

The pendant lights take a special bulb (a G-16.5 up to 60W) that I pick up the next day.

Grouted and sealed.

This is the simple fixture we picked to replace the entry light.

The pendants are centered between the cooking area and where the counter top will be.

Ibid.

This was a surprise- the range is ALIVE. I set the time.

In the sink cabinet we have the blower unit for the down-draft vent on the range waiting to be installed. Also the new 1HP garbage disposal.

You can see some of the original kitchen in this old posting.

Stay tuned for Kitchening - Part XIV: Countered?

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Expect to hear from the attorney soon regarding the Purchase and Sale agreement for Ashland. I checked the intent to purchase and the closing date is marked at July 26th.

Sarah's 13th birthday (I was wrong) party was yesterday. Pictures to come including Henry in his Body Glove Hulk-style swim suit.

We picked out a love seat (from the Sofa Shoppe) and leather club chair (from Jordan's) for the dining area. We can pick up the chair on Wednesday and the couch will be delivered in 4 to 6 weeks. We also need to get stools for the counter.

Kitchening - Part XII

These are photos from the 13th day of work (Friday 6/15) on the new kitchen.

Tile, lighting effects, re-paint, and a good look at my shoe are the big features for this day.

We are waiting on the granite people to do the counters and island. Then we can have a sink. I REALLY miss having a sink.

New tile in the entryway. Soon to be home to salt, snow, sand, and mud. Note the tile spacers that Henry likes to pluck out. The grout goes in on the next work day.

Dining room wall repainted after patching the chair rail area.

The other side of the dining room and a nice shot of the flooring.

Still no pendant lights above the island...

The art wall.

STILL no pendant lights.

Another cool cabinet. The lower shelf pulls out for easy access to pots and pans. This one is in the island, next to the range.

Playing with the mood lighting on the art wall.

Contrast of shoe and flooring.

Again, but without the flash, highlighted only by the art spot light.

You can see some of the original kitchen in this old posting.

Stay tuned for Kitchening - Part XIII: Pendant Fever

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Working on the sale of the Ashland house. We went into re-negotiations after the buyers completed the home inspection and mold survey. We reached what I hope will be the final agreement last night. I have lined up our attorney and we are now anticipating the first draft of the P&S.

Sarah's birthday is tomorrow. I think she will be 12. If she will be 13 then I'm in trouble! The party is Sunday.

We hope to spend most of Saturday on domestic stuff. Laundry, cleaning, yard work, trip to the park...

Kitchening - Part XI

These are photos from the 12th day of work (Thursday) on the new kitchen.

Special guests, a look a storage options, the chair rail do-over, and BONUS videos!

"All systems nominal. Captain, what's that gaping opening! Its... Its... The Doomsday Machine! AHHHH!!!

The island support wall is in place. Brackets will go over the top to support the granite counter top. Seating for 3, no waiting.

Tile will be in this spot tomorrow.

Ah, the ugly light. Must go soon.

So the contractor claimed there were spots he could see on the finished wall where the chair rail had been. So he sanded, patched, and primed again.

The other side.

The wicked cool drawer for holding spices and oils right next to the cook top.

Dining Room.

Looking in from the living room. Pendant lights still needed.

Nicely organized cutlery drawer. But wait! There's more...

Omigosh!

Watch the cool no-slam auto-closing mechanism in action (15 megs).

The trash bin where you need it - right next to the sink.

I am attacked.

Attack repelled.

Beautiful artwork against the wall highlighted by the swivel spot.

Special video of the camera hog {16 meg).

You can see some of the original kitchen in this old posting.

Stay tuned for Kitchening - Part XII: Final Friday?

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Ran into the mold guy at the house in Ashland. I had stopped at Sears to buy their most powerful (and quiet) garbage disposal and a fancy thermostat that comes with a CD ROM that I think has interactive training videos to teach you how to use it. When I swung by Ashland to pick up the mail, he was in the driveway. No one else showed while I was there.

Henry is with Nannie and Bubbie as as Joni works today.