Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Apartment Update

Hey there. I'm still around, believe it or not. If you're not friends with me on Facebook you might have thought I had disappeared or something. At any rate, now that my apartment is mostly put together (I still need to get two more dining chairs, three or four bar stools, an arm char, and a nightstand), I thought I'd put some pictures up. You'll have to forgive the picture quality - I took all of the pictures on my phone.

I also did not clean up specifically for these pictures. I've apparently turned into a neat-freak.

Dining Room - view when you walk in the door.

The Living Room - the couch in the bottom of the frame
is in the left of the frame of the first picture. The bookcases
are new as of tonight.

Arguably the most important part of the entire apartment.

Kitchen - this picture is from opposite the first picture.

Bedroom - Just a bed. What else did you expect? The door to
the bedroom is off to the left of the picture right above this.

I guess some decorations on the walls might go a long way, too. I'll get around to that once I figure out what all the light switches are for. I was hoping some would be tied to some outlets, but so far the only light switch that I have figured out that doesn't control a ceiling light was tied to the A/C compressor. Odd, you say? I would agree.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!

Our house was party-central to celebrate Mother's Day yesterday. The men all got together and made lunch for the moms: grilled burgers and dogs and assorted sides. 

Jared stood in the pouring rain to grill, while Luke and Patrick couldn't resist a perfectly good rainstorm to get soggy-wet and do a little puddle splashing. After all, they did wear their wellies to church in the morning.

I enjoyed having my family with me on this special day. I also enjoyed the greens and whites of the gardenias gracing the center of the table. I'm so glad that gardenias bloom in May!

A few days after Mother's Day I got a special Mother's Day card from Luke and Patrick. They had given their answers to the following fill-in-the-blank statements:
My Nana is 22 years old.
My Nana weighs 2,000 pounds.
My Nana's favorite color is green (P); orange (L).
My Nana's favorite food is cake.
My Nana always says "Do a project".
My Nana cooks the best cake.
My Nana's job is to unload the dishwasher and work at church.
My Nana and I like to ride in Nana's car (P); play hide in secret (L).
I LOVE my Nana because she does fun stuff. 

And I LOVE my two grandsons because they are the sweetest, best boys in the world! 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Last Graduate

David graduated this morning: Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science in Information Security and Assurance. The 72 BS majors joined the 415 Business school majors for the first of four ceremonies on campus this week. 

The graduates in Convocation Center
Heather and the boys joined us for the ceremony. Luke spent the entire time gazing through the binoculars, which was a good thing because he was happy and quiet.
 David's comments on Facebook today about his accomplishments:
 "So, in four years I got my Bachelor of Science in Information Security and Assurance while working full time in the industry, worked two jobs and/or 75+ hours a week for almost two of those years, had my name published in a book in the acknowledgements section, got my CISSP on the first attempt, and in order to stay sane and do something fun, got my pilot's license. Next up? Hmmm, turn 23? Go to the beach? Watch a movie? I don't know what to do now. Any ideas?"

We're so proud of you, David!

With Mom and Dad

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Big Changes

I {Greta} bought a kiln a couple weeks ago! Yes, one of those dryer sized things that fires clay at temperatures starting at 1800 degrees. I also was offered a wheel two days ago, I just have to arrange for the pick up of said wheel. No, the kiln is not replacing either the heater or the oven in our apartment; nor is the wheel becoming a new side table. Daniel's parents have kindly offered to house both items for us.

Which brings us to the other big change. In August, I am leaving my art teaching job of three years to go into business on my own as a "real" artist! The bowl in the picture is one of the things I will be making to sell {and for the record: no subliminal message about nesting or adding a third little bird to our nest}. I will be selling online, at craft shows, and {if some networking works} at some retail stores! I am so excited!