before the parade passes by
So today's the day. Today is the day that all Parade of Homes houses are judged. Today's the day that all our work on them had to be finished. The guys finished up last night. That means that we can go back to normal around here. There's a part of me that likes the build-up to the Parade. Builders always want to try something new, which means I have to run random errands to suppliers we've never worked with in order to track down whatever the new detail-of-the-year is. This year I had to go to a stained glass shop in Knightdale in search of an amber-colored, seeded glass. While I was there, I got to see the windows that they were building: huge stained glass church windows. It's kind of sad that more churches aren't doing them any more. They really are beautiful.
If you want to see our Parade house, it's Lot 64 Brighton Forest (that's a new subdivision off of Johnson Pond Road). It'll be open for the next four Saturdays. Sorry I don't have any pictures of it to post...but this is a house we did last year. The Parade house is this style - but in a cinnamon stain (like my cabinets at home).
You get the idea...
Labels: work
mini monorail
It's the latest craze. I expect all houses will have them in the next year or so...
And lest we all forget:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN-JUAN!!!
Labels: critters, holiday
Christmas list
I've found what Hannah can get me for Christmas. It's perfect for those unfortunate times that we have to share a bed:Labels: friends, fun, holiday
nostalgia
Hey everybody who grew up on Park Springs Road:
LOOK WHAT I MADE LAST NIGHT!
Aunt Omie would be so proud! Mine didn't turn out as perfect as hers, but they're OK for a first attempt. More importantly, they TASTE the same! John and I ate a couple last night...and after I ate them, I had the urge to run back down the hill and see if Pa-Pa had caught a rabbit. OK - for the rest of you (who are completely confused right now), those are Peanut Butter Balls. My great Aunt Omie used to make them and keep them in her refrigerator. As soon as we got to Me-Ma and Pa-Pa's house, John and I always wanted to run up the hill (and two doors down) to see Aunt Omie. Shirley would never make them - she maintained that they were too much work - so that was the only time we ever got them. And I haven't had one in YEARS. Until last night. They really weren't that bad to make. I'll have to do it again.There's a huge container of them in my fridge, waiting for tonight.
My self-control is REALLY being tested...
Labels: family
cool
What a beautiful day! There really is something about fall that makes me want to buy school supplies. I even shivered a little when I went outside this morning. There's nothing more comfortable than wearing jeans and flip flops. I must confess, I'm having trouble sitting at my desk and watching the breeze blow through the trees outside. Soon the leaves will turn colors (I hope...with the drought they may just stay brown), then it will be time for long sleeves, the State Fair, Thanksgiving, and STEW!Mmmm....stew....
Labels: random
oh oh it's Magic
Erin and Andrew have a new kitty! Well...Magic's kind of new...to their house. He used to live with Andrew's parents. I'm told that he's a nocturnal, vampiric kitty. That REALLY makes me want to come visit...or maybe just bring some garlic with me when I do come. Hmmm...I wonder if Magic is any good at removing wallpaper... that would certainly help him earn his keep. Anybody want to take a bet on how long Erin's four budgies will last???Oh...sorry about the title. I just thought I'd keep up with Lydia and her lyric descriptions...
Labels: critters, family
busy day
What a busy weekend! I helped with my first yard sale. For the record, I DID get up around 5:45 that morning. I also learned that I'm not a good pricer. To me, a pile of crap is a pile of crap. I kept wanting to slap nickel and dime prices on stuff that (they tell me) was worth more. I guess it's just a difference in perceived value.
I left Lydia's house around 9:30 and raced home to get ready to go to the family reunion in lovely Providence, NC. The Carroll family reunion is the one place on earth that my name is spelled correctly. According to the 2nd and 3rd cousins I see once every 3 years, I really look like Shirley. I've always thought I favored Fred more. It was good to see everybody...but I mainly went to see my aunt Kay, who (I'm embarrassed to say) I hadn't seen since Christmas.
Part 3 of the Saturday adventures took us to Mythos, a Greek restaurant we discovered as Rachael was sneakily driving towards Fiesta Mexicana. We all had the urge to throw plates against the wall. I ate until I popped and feta cheese oozed out. We'll have to go back.As far as football goes, the only redeeming thing this weekend was that Carolina got beat. Other than that, there will be no football discussions today.
Labels: family, football, friends
breaking up
The pool table is no more. After much back-and-forth all afternoon, we decided not to mess with getting it to Lydia's for the yard sale. John got a ratchet, a crowbar, and a sledgehammer...and it came apart a lot easier than I thought it would. We loaded up the pieces, and unceremoniously pitched them off at the dump. To tell the truth...I'm kinda glad that it's gone and I don't have to worry about it any more. If you want the balls and sticks, they'll be at the yard sale tomorrow. As will I. At 7:00 in the morning.
...talk about getting out of my comfort zone (and by "comfort zone," I mean "bed")...
Labels: random
no news
Nothing new going on today. I've spent the morning paying bills and working on the books. I had to call our plywood supplier and fuss at him for raising the price on the 5/8" melamine, then attempting to charge us double for a delivery. He won't be trying that again. We went to see Hairspray on Monday. It was great. I liked it a lot better than Dreamgirls. Two thumbs up. I think I'm gonna make sausage balls for ladies' group tonight. I've kinda got a hankerin'. If you need something at the grocery store, let me know. I'm going after work. In other news...there's uh....well...no other news. So...OK then...
Labels: random
