Tuesday, December 9, 2008

We're still working......


ok, not us exactly. We're warm and dry in the house while the construction guys battle the elements.

The linear pond - not finished, still waiting for the right temperature - probably won't see these guys back until May. Looks like a horse trough! Just what I wanted.

And here comes the garden shed - although I think it needs a couple of horses looking out.





Pennings guys finally getting some relief from the cold.

Framing up the deck

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Monday, November 10, 2008

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Sweetie pie!

Back to landscaping

We're trying to get some landscaping done before winter hits. Like last year, there are some better days than others to work outside. The boys are making hay while the sun shines.


Eventually this will tie into the area where the pool will be, there's just such a steep slope that there's a lot to do to make it easy to walk around the house. I'm looking forward to being out of the dirt and weeds.

More landscaping

The pond is going in











That's where we are so far....if the weather holds, they'll be back on Monday to apply the Gunnite.

Look what finally came home!


Arno's a happy guy!



Will he ever come back?

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

thank you people

it is amazing after the last eight years - here we are. And 232 years for blacks to have equality. Oh my god. I'm in shock. Now to move forward to help heal this country.

Let's go out and do this!

Don't forget to vote!

Voting Day!!

It's here, finally after years of campaigning we can caste our vote to elect the president of the United States. Our biggest and best way to tell our politicians how we feel about the last 8 years. It's the most important thing you can do today, forget everything else, this is your opportunity to be a part of the process.

I voted this morning, taking only a half an hour. Andrea went early; she was at the polls at 6:15am and there were people already in line. She was the third person to vote and when she left, the line stretched around the church.

A few things to remember: bring ID, be patient, and it is your right to vote. Don't take no for an answer, if they question your identity, you can sign an affidavit, at the least you should ask for a provisional ballet.

I hope the interest in this election renews the political process. I'm so happy to have the opportunty to vote.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

One more thing

I know I'm behind on political posting. Mostly because the weather has been so great and all I want to do is be outside. Or maybe because I've found joy in pottery again, and my mind and hands are busy with clay. But one thing really rankled me during the VP debate. Sarah Palin was passionate about patriotism and paying taxes. She doesn't believe paying taxes is patriotic? I thought that's how this country worked. We pay taxes for roads and schools, libraries and fire stations. Arno & I pay a lot of taxes and I'm always proud of doing my part to keep our country strong. What I'm not happy about is paying for a war that was lied about, for bridges to nowhere, for bail outs to wall street (yes, even when I know has to happen). I think this country and our political parties have to figure out that we can't run without money. And we can't borrow forever. Maybe this financial mess is the best thing that could have happened to us. Eventually we'll get back on our feet and learn from all this - and paying taxes will be patriotic again.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Fall

This is what we see out our windows.....


Arno and I took a class on planting natives in your yard to have a healthy ecosystem. We've always been on the path, but even more so now. It really makes me appreciate my natives - Shumack and Sassafrass.


Not so native!


This would be my favorite time of year - if I didn't know what was coming!



I managed to plant over 300 bulbs this week, so there should be a lot of color this spring.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

We love our baby!

We've been lucky enough to have a few weekends in a row with Gretchen and Jay - and Alexis!






Gretchen was in her second Susan G Komen breast cancer walk. 60 miles in three days; she's tough! We're so proud of her - they raised 7.2 million dollars on this walk alone.

These are part of the motorcycle clubs that stay with the walkers, giving encouragement and helping with traffic.

Reunited!