The holidays...

We did our part this year to keep the economy going. Lots of great, fun gifts for the kids. Around October, I decided to try and make a few 'heirloom quality' toys for Maris. She had really wanted crib and high chair for her dolls and the stuff in the stores was grade A crap. I spent a couple hours over the last two weekends putting some stuff together that I'm really proud of. It still needs a once over sanding and some poly, but take a look.



We also adopted a family of four through the United Christmas Service. This year we have a single hispanic mom with three boys (2, 6, and 9). We were able to get them coats, hats, gloves, bedding, cookware, towels, toys, books and more. I think it was the first time I every went to Walmart and had two heaping carts of goods. I anticipate we'll deliver this stuff next week and am really looking forward to seeing their faces when we pull up with a van full of gear. Admittedly, we probably over did it on them - but Kris and I are hopeful that we can make this the best Christmas the boys have ever had.

oh yeah.

what about maris' bed...yeah, it's done.

keep in mind, her room is currently a wreck because the crib is still in there and we haven't yet found a comforter, but you get the idea.

oh snap.

I must be getting lazy...another 7 days between posts.

Here's the quick update. My mom and dad are now moved into their new home on the NE side of Indy. It's great to have them so close and we were able to have dinner with them last night at Shapiro's Deli. They came by tonight to pick up their most prized possession, Macy. Macy has been a regular house guest for the past three weeks but it was becoming painfully obvious that she missed her mom, dad and queen sized bed.

Maris has a little bug today (probably too much corned beef). Fortunately - it seems to spared Kristin, Eli and myself of its wrath. Hopefully she'll get a good night's sleep and fee better in the morning.

We had a hell of a storm this past weekend. More than 35,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the Indianapolis area. We had very little wind to speak of, but lots and lots of rain. As a matter of fact, we collected more than 50 gallons of water in our rain barrel on it's maiden voyage. As a precaution, we spent most of Friday night in the basement.

I have my monthly blood draw this week...just a CBC I think. Next month I have my big test (PCR) as well as a more thorough blood work-up. The less I go in, the less I think about my cancer and have been feeling a lot better this week.

I been thinking that I seldom share pictures of the kiddos in my blog...so here you go. Until next time...


Maris cheesin'


Eli in the pool.

Dresser: UPDATE

I think I mentioned that Kris and I found a cool, old Mid-Century modern bedroom set last week. Well, I spent most of last night updating it to Millenium-Modern and you can check it out...right...here...right...now!



If you're curious what it looked like before, you can see the unfinished taller version in the background of the picture. I stripped the old veneer off, veneered the drawer fronts with maple and painted the entire cabinet with a zero VOC organic paint (nothing too good for my daughter).There is still some work to do, but I'm really happy with the way it has turned out.

Coming soon: a pair of big girl beds.