Problem Solved

We are riddled with bed issues.  Each night is a problem of musical beds.  With so many little people all needing the same size bed, needing to change beds to make room for the next little person, rooms too small to accomodate big beds or too many beds, we were having problems.  We needed to streamline.  So we officially moved Audrey out of the nursery and in with Clara to create a girls' room.

(I just had to add this one because little Audrey is so peaceful.)

Then I got online to find some toddler-size bunkbeds for the little boys.  No such thing, don't know why.  It seems like such a great idea.  So I put together a pattern and made some.  Michael jumped in on his day off and helped with the precision work (you know, having things level and flush, and making joints strong and garbage like that that nobody even cares about!).  We are happy with the outcome.

Below are the little ones, loving their new bed (security rail removed at the moment for playing purposes).  Any good ideas for a finish? 

Isaac likes that it made the whole room smell like a pine forest versus... "you know, what it smelled like before."  And I like that people have a place to lay their sweet little heads with no more griping at night.  What do you think, Madre?  Problem solved!

Hall Bath

Now that our camera is back in action, here are some befores and afters from one of our many summer projects:  The Bathroom.  It is our only full bath.  Sunday mornings get a little crazy in here, but some day we'll have a master bath completed [insert wistful sigh].  Until then, I have been supremely enjoying using this one since it's been done.

 Isaac enjoyed teasing everybody when we took out the little original commode to work on the floor.  He ran up the stairs holding his pants, spotted the toilet in the hallway and exclaimed, "Oh, I need that!"  Then acted like he was going to use it as we all screamed NOOO!

First thing to go:  Carpet (capitalized because it was a living thing).  Second thing to go: weird little towel holder with swiveling prongs that I nearly poked my eye out with several times.  Third thing to go: wallpaper.  Then towel bars, knobs, fixtures and faucets, and on and on.  How satisfying it was to dismantle this bathroom after years of cringing whenever I walked in to it.  I'm especially fond of the floor: industrial cream and charcoal variegated tiles, which are totally indestructable.

Only thing left is to touch up the existing doors and woodwork, but that's nothing.  I found this vintage Colgate & Co. advertisment in an old magazine at an antique store.  It reminds us that "Beauty, of course, begins with cleanliness; and by its gentle, thorough cleansing, Cashmere Bouquet Soap will do as much for beauty as any soap can do.  But along with cleanliness, dainty women appreciate the luxury and delight of fragrance... a fragrance that seems to be the natural perfume of a clean and radiant skin.  This is what Cashmere Bouquet Soap brings to you... a purity and mildness that are unsurpassed... a perfume that is rare and infinitely alluring."

... And besides, he'll want to kiss your hand because of it.

Gift

You know when you find that dynamite gift that has real universal appeal, so you pick up a half dozen of them to give to the next six lucky friends who have a special occasion?  So, whose birthday is coming up next?  I have something YOU will love!

(Dad and Mom, you could be headed to a real fortune if you put those nags of your's to good use!)

Another Hill

Since Anna broke from her typically comical and fun blog posting to share a more thought invoking poem called Gethsemane, I thought I'd do the same.  This poem was shared over the pulpit, and it really resonated with me, partly because I really enjoy hiking whatever mountains are around, but mostly for its content. 

Another Hill

Another story to be told,
another verse to rhyme,
another truth to ponder,
another hill to climb.
Sometimes when I feel restless,
I grab my hiking pack.
I stuff inside my tent and gear
and strap it on my back.
I search my map for some new path
that leads to higher ground,
to somewhere I’ve not been before
where I can hear the sound
of water as it falls past rocks
to pools in canyon streams,
and fill my mind with images
for future poems and dreams:
a field of summer blossoms,
a sun-drenched mountain peak,
a stand of noble conifers,
fish swimming in a creek.
A feast awaits my senses
high in the alpine air,
but it requires effort;
it’s work to get them there.
Sometimes my route is level
and shaded by the trees,
but most the time the way is steep
and hurts my back and knees.
Sometimes the trail is yielding,
made soft by leaves or peat,
but often it is strewn with rocks
that pound and bruise my feet.
The toil and strain of hiking
is not the only way
to view an alpine sunrise
or canyons on display.
Roads lead to other landscapes
as wondrous, fine, and fair;
but half my source of pleasure
is the toil that gets me there.
For if my destinations
I reach without some pain,
the end without the journey
would hardly be the same.
I prize the satisfaction
from each challenge faced and met.
The feeling on each summit
is worth the price, and yet
no matter how fulfilling,
no matter how sublime,
there always looms before me
another hill to climb:
another lesson to be learned,
another one to teach;
a youngster to inspire,
another one to reach;
another error to make right,
a fault to overcome;
another chance to recommence
a labor left undone;
a weakness yet to conquer;
a talent to improve;
another sin to cast away;
a sorrow yet to sooth;
another gift to offer;
another cause for prayer;
another hour on my knees;
another cross to bear;
another glimpse of beauty;
another friend to make;
a chance to prove obedient;
a sacred vow to take.
Ascending makes me stronger.
I cherish every time
my God imparts His blessing of
another hill to climb.
Another story to be told,
another verse to rhyme,
another truth to ponder,
another hill to climb.

                 Kevin Krogh

Misunderstanding

We were cleaning up the house yesterday and our neighbor was over visiting so she could hold Audrey.  Isaac came out with Michael's Mexican bull whip and said, "Don't worry, Mom.  I've got everything under control," then he pretended he was going to whip anyone not doing their jobs.
"Isaac.  That's not necessary, nice try though.  Go put that away." 

"I don't know where it goes.  Jake got it out."

"It goes in my closet."

My neighbor's eyebrows flew up and she said, "Oh! Well!  That's one I'll just have to keep to myself."

We had a good laugh about it.