6 days and counting

More snow...school is closed again today. This is our 6th day of weather related school closures. We now have make-up days that will extend our school year through June 28th! It's unlike me to say this, but could I PLEASE go to work tomorrow?!??! I don't want to be in school in July!

The Owner's Suite

A home remodeler's job is never done...but, sometimes there are successes along the way. Our "Owner's Suite" (I use this term because, believe it or not, experience has taught me the that term "M*ster Bath" will be filtered out by various programs. I guess it is a little too close to another naughty term) is finally finished.

This is the smallest room we've remodeled and arguably the most elaborate project. Keith and I did all the work ourselves, except the tile work. Of course, the tile IS the highlight of the bathroom, but Keith and I certainly put in our time on this project. Our work included demolition and expanding the size of the shower, electrical and lighting, installing a pocket door, painting, installing toilet, sink, and vanity, and all the finishing work and trim. It's been hard work and a long process, but we are very pleased with the results. You can see the before, during, and after photos above (hopefully you can figure out which is which).

As I bask in the glow of our completed "Suite", the remodeling projects continue. As I write, I'm sitting in my dining room surrounded by the contents of my kitchen which has been emptied in preparation of our countertop installation and cabinet refacing which is being done this week. We've also ripped apart our main bathroom.

The fun continues....

"If you squint really hard the sand looks like snow" or, Christmas in the Southwest, part II

More Christmas in Tucson...

TUESDAY (12/26) -- Pima Air Museum, dinner and a show at the Gaslight Theatre, hot buttered rums at Kathy and Tom's house

WEDNESDAY (12/27)-- Tour of Saguaro East, Margaret and Keith hike in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains.

THURSDAY (12/28)--Shopping, visiting with Sue and Al, and Italian dinner at Gavi's

FRIDAY (12/29)-- Fly home to Seattle.

My eight days in Tucson over Christmas were wonderful. It was such a joy to spend the holiday with my family and I love my parent's new home.

Here are the Best and Worst of Christmas '06

Best Meal: Christmas dinner of rib-roast with red wine gravy, carmelized onion tart with feta cheese, wild rice with mushrooms, green beans with orange zest, route kraut, and warm rolls
Best Meal Out: tie-- Poco Coso and Gavi's
Best Cookie: Nanaimo Bars
Best Cookie (a second opinion): Almond Creams
Best Quote: "Get off the gas stove Grandpa, you're too old to be riding the range."
Second Best Quote: "Donut Wheel isn't as good as LaFeen's, but...It's eighteen hudreed miles closer!"
Best New Game: Sequence
Best Entertainment: Gaslight Theatre's production of "Christmas in the Big Apple" (It's gonna be great, I just know it!)
Best Perk: Sunshine
Best Hosts: Jack and Sharon Garner

Worst place to sleep on Christmas Eve: the Aero Bed
Worst use of a satellite dish: continuous Oaters on Encore's Western Movie Channel
Worst side-effect of a wonderful holiday: needing to diet
Worst Christmas Gift: the broken coffee cup (thanks a lot TSA!)
Worst Experience: Coming home to the wind, rain and cold weather

Can't wait for 2007! THANKS everyone.