Updating the Yard

Our front yard needed some attention.  The weed look just isn’t that appealing so it was time to add to what we had already done.

Before we could do that, we had to undo . . . the landscape fabric.  We ripped it out!

And then we (meaning I) hunted for some new shrubs to fight off the weeds . . .

and then it was a matter of finding time to install them . . .

and lay another layer of bark.

It was exciting to have it look nice, but the big question. . . will they survive the winter?

Closing Out the Year

Allie had some spare moments before she left for school.  She tested out David’s gift to her . . .

We tried out a new-to-us recipe using our leftover mashed potatoes. 

And we played one of Allie’s new card games. 

And then she left us to celebrate the end of the year on our own.  Apparently it’s more fun to bring in the new year with other college students and NOT your own parents.  We agree with her assessment since staying up that late is not at all appealing!

The BEST Part

All my preparations for the Christmas holiday were pretty much done.  I really wanted to be in this position so I could enjoy myself.
And the fun began with picking Allie up from the airport!  We stopped to hunt down some dressy winter shoes for her. . .


Fun as they were for her to try one, we didn’t pick those ones out.  We left with a more understated pair.
We met up with Paul at Texas Roadhouse.  (Allie had never been there before.)

How I’ve missed having her around.
I tried to get her to decorate the tree. . .

with no luck.  It’s okay. . . I’ve still missed her.
We went shopping. . .
and she tried on clothes. . .

we went shopping for baby clothes, but she got distracted. . .

She played games. . .


and shared YouTube finds. .

and she even helped me grocery shop. . . it’s been a long time since I’ve had company.

As much *fun* as Allie may have been having, I’m sure she was tired of being the only “child” at home.  But for me, it was the beginning of the BEST part.  I absolutely love and adore my family.  I miss my children but I know they are where they need to be.

Rejuvenation

I rarely go into the “kid’s” bathroom.  Why should I?  We have a perfectly fine one off our bedroom and it has always been cleaner than the other one.  (I admit, I have been scared to go in, with good reason.)  The kids were always responsible for cleaning it.  We forgot to assign anyone to check it.  Oops.
I finally went in one day and was appalled.  I’m not sure how Paul (who is not scared to use it)  did not notice how horrible the floor was. . .

This was NOT alright with me. 
Lucky for us, we know someone that can work magic with the right supplies and a check from us.  He told us what to get and we stocked up on tile. . .

It’s always good to document the *before,* right?

Let the work commence!

Ack. . . water damage AND black mold.  No bueno!


With the right supplies, it was no problem.  (It would have been for us, because we don’t know much about things like that.)

And the tiling began!

I cannot begin to tell you how much longer it would have taken us to do it on our own. (hint, it would still not be completed.)


While the tiles set, my job was to buy and paint new baseboards.  Sorry, no pictures, but I mastered the painting.  It needs to be said.

Grouting in complete and drying.

The toilet was hiding in the tub!

And voila!  Job complete.  (Don’t forget to take note of the baseboards.)  I did not get stressed out due to Paul trying to do it himself.  (It’s always better if I’m not home when he does this.)
It looks so much better.  The mold is gone and it was complete before our company arrived.  Looks good, doesn’t it?
Next job, repainting it which is STILL not done.  *sigh*