Happy Birthday Grace!

June 29, 2010

Ten years ago today, this crazy kid was born.  She is truly unique.
I laugh at her and yell at her in equal measure. She's adorable and sweet when she is not being sassy.
She is very creative and funnier than the rest of our entire family put together.  I can't wait to see where her life leads her.  She's bound to do interesting things that I would never have the courage or spirit to think of, let alone try.  I love her like crazy.
Happy 10th Birthday Grace aka Gracie Goose, Dean, or Gigi.

here are some of my favorite Gigi pictures over the years...
The lamb in the church Christmas play

T-ball, love the big smile on her face

Crazy dress up days

She's got her mother's holiday-itis.  Here on 4th of July with Alex

And again with Alex, my all-time favorite picture of them

Talking to a statue in Boston

Another example or two of our crazy kid:

Love this one of Grace loving her lemon ice cream in Lopez Island one summer

Kathy got this amazing shot of the soccer All-star in action

Christmas morning 2009

Rockette for the Hopi Variety Show 2010

You are amazing Grace! I love you.

Karen

Pictures from Camp

June 28, 2010

The report: camp was fun, but not as much fun as anticipated.  Grace enjoyed herself but would not like to repeat the experience.  Hmmm.
Here are some pictures she took before the camera battery died (on day 2 of camp).  Unprepared mom didn't send her the charger.  Her friend is Alex.

They built this "structure" 

Cabin mates (they look so much older)

Grace's bunk, so neat.

Grace & Alex 

Friendship bracelets

"purse" Grace made in textiles (sewing)

Hamming it up in the Mess Hall

Wood crafts

More Hams!

Tile Joy!

June 24, 2010,

Who knew tile could make me so happy?
Look at the shower today!

Yippee!  

Karen

Progress

June 24, 2010

Yesterday the shower got its new floor and walls.

Can't wait for the subway tile...

Karen

 

Letter from Camp!

June 23, 2010

I got a letter from Grace today!  I can't figure out how to scan with this mac (grrr), but here it is.  It says (unedited):
Dear Family,
It's 6:50 in the morning.  We're all awake playing games.  I miss you guys a lot.  I don't like what they had for lunch.  Ham and Turkey sandwitch (ewwwww)  How the weather?  It was freezing last night! I love love love love love the cool stuff you send.  Everybody's jelous! (?)  I made a poster but my beds by a window so I ahve to put across from my bed.  We made friendship bracelets. (I made two). We also made smoothies and cookies.  We did yoga and fibers (sewing) and we're going to take a hike.
Love,
Grace Halter.
Yes, she signed her full name. See...

And check out the stamp she used to mail it.  I'm glad the postman sent it (it's a return address label).

Only 2 more days till I pick her up.  Yea!

My Very Own Remodel Before & After

June 22, 2010

So last Christmas, Tom "gave" me a bathroom remodel.  For all my talk about wanting to change this and that in my house, when I finally got the green light, I was surprisingly hesitant to start work.

I have a look in my head...it doesn't match with the budget in my bank account.

This is pretty much what I vision when I dream of bathrooms, except add the white hexagon floor tiles and a shower tiled in white subway tile.  Ahhh.

Here's what I have to work with:  

Sorry I didn't pick up & make it pretty for the pictures, but at least I put the lid down!

Wall 'o mirrors, so there was NO way I could not be in the picture.

And here is the thing that has bothered me from day one of living with the bathroom.  You can't see it too well, but whomever designed this ridiculous counter top and GINORMOUS shower left just enough space between the two so you could never, ever, no matter what scrubby tool you used, reach in to get that little area clean.  It was ICKY beyond belief.  Believe me I tried wedging myself in there...no go.

Today Eric the handyman came to start work.  He demo'd all day.  Now look what we have:

Shower a-wating a facelift with white subway tiles and frameless glass doors.  I am thrilled to lose the silver shower-door tracks that just collect gunk.

I'm putting a new white on white vanity (way smaller than the PB one above, but the same general look) on this wall (where the wall 'o mirrors was).  The previous remodeler had a sense of humor and drew that smiley face.  Maybe they were laughing because they knew I'd never get that little space clean.

Here's the one bummer so far.  The corner is not a right angle like I was hoping it would be when we removed the wall 'o mirrors.  I just hope this won't make it look totally weird because the vanity is going on the wall in the above picture (which is to the right of this corner area).  

I'm getting excited.  Next job I have is to pick out the right shade of blue paint, which as some of you know, is a challenge for me.

Karen

How much longer until Friday?

June 21, 2010 part 2

I am just dying to talk to Grace.  I really miss my baby.

Karen

Summer Camp

June 21, 2010

I took Grace to her first sleep away camp on Sunday.  She's gone until Friday.  It's Girl Scout camp in Prescott.

Before we left, I was pretty anxious about how she will handle it.  She is generally self-sufficient except for  going to sleep on her own.  The counselors do NOT sleep in the cabins with them, so that is my biggest worry.  The camp director explained that the counselors do sit with them for a while after lights out and are very nearby.  I hope it's like a big sleepover because she seems to do ok with those.

Drop off went well.  No tears from either of us.  She didn't look back as she skipped off to her group.  That's a good sign, right?

I hope she eats.  She's pretty picky.  She may end up making meals from the candy at the Trading Post.

She is excited to make crafts, sing songs, do skits, archery, campfires, and take showers (huh?).

I've already sent the first two of three care packages.  Tommy thinks that is too many.

I wonder if she will write home.  Tommy never did.  : (  Aunt Kackery gave her some cute stationary that might just inspire her to write.  (Thanks Kathy!).  If she does, I'll share her report.

Now what will I do with all my free time?  SATC2 anyone?  Pedicure?  Gym?  Yea, right on that last one.


Karen

Happy Birthday Blog!

June 20, 2010

One year ago today I posted my first blog entry.  Now go back and see what it was by clicking on that link.

Some blogs do give-aways on their anniversaries.  I have a whopping three regular readers, maybe four, so if you all comment TODAY, I'll send you four a surprise.  Maybe there are others out there I don't know of.  Ha!!

I still enjoy it.  I wish I had more time and more ideas.  I usually end up spending too much time reading other crafty  and design blogs.  Since I'm not that crafty or design-y, you can expect none of that here.  I am also not techy enough to link you to these blogs in a convenient manner.  It's amazing how huge the blog world is.   I'm happy to make my small contribution.  I hope you enjoy it.

Have a happy June 20!!

Karen

Lost and Not Found

June 20, 2010

I have lost just about everything and anything lately: debit card, work badge, sunglasses, stamps, camp physical forms (already completed so I had to take it to the doctor to do it again!), iphone, keys, books.  Most of these things turn up eventually, some are still MIA.  Seriously, I have been so forgetful lately, it's maddening.  I'm hoping it's because I have a lot going on at the moment, but really I have no more than usual.  Got any other excuses I can use?
I am too young to be this absent-minded.  Help!

karen

Happy Birthday Cathy!

June 19, 2010

Happy Birthday Cathy!
Cathy is my friend and neighbor.  She has the best parties, plans the best vacations (seriously she should do it for a living), reads (mostly) the same good books I like and, even better, likes to talk about them, is super-crafty like Martha, a great cook, and an even better friend.

I'm so grateful she's come into my life the past couple years.
Plus she reads my blog!  Yea Cathy.


Here we are on our ski trip this past March.

Last year's trip - here with her husband, Matt.

Our Surf Diva trip to La Jolla last year (she's third from left).

Surf Divas (Cathy is second from right)

She planned all these amazing trips!  Not to mention the houseboat trip we missed out on this year, which I don't want to discuss because it looked like the best vacation EVER!!

Happy Birthday Cathy!  

Cheers!

Karen

My Fish

June 16, 2010

Apparently our pool is the PERFECT temperature right now.  Not cold and not bathwater.  I wouldn't know because I have yet to get in above my ankles.  Maybe soon.
Grace, on the other hand, is always in the pool.
Here she is last Saturday . . .

Getting ready to flip over the float. . .

I like that I got both her backside and Ollie's too...

And flip.

Happy Summer.
Karen