Welcome back Kotter!

I do suppose it has formally “beenawhile” since we last spoke. Since my last post, circa 2008, the weather was still in the 80’s, I was swamped with perpetual grading, and the economy reeked of an impending socialist regime. Well, it looks as though not much has changed. Today I find myself sporting the flip-flops, adding to my “must be graded asap” piles (yes that’s plural) and just read that Citibank stock has dropped to less than the cost of a pack of gum. In my modest efforts to play catch-up here’s a summary of that latter part of 2008.

James and I scored this mammoth-sized hunk of desk for a mere 25 bones. After hours and hours of sanding and a new stain it now serves as our "clutter holder" and could presumably double as a bomb shelter.

Not truly eventful, but I was home alone one night (or so I thought), and came across this sucker on the wall. I left it be and ventured over to my brother/sister-in law’s place to wait it out. It has yet to resurface…

Perhaps that's what prompted this: a little house of our very own! After months and months of offers and searching, we found the match made in heaven! We were so fortunate to work with some remarkable and uber patient realtors and lenders during our 8 month home pursuit. We still have some work to do, but I’ll be sure and post some more exciting pics later.

It came complete with red stains on the carpet IN EVERY ROOM (we're thinking either kool-aid or wine), crayon on the wall, and weeds for a backyard. We painted the kitched red, compliments of the "Oops" paint section at Lowes!

One of the bedrooms was painted in a hue of pink that can only be described as Lisa Frank meets Liberace doused in pepto-bismol. It was horrendous. Now it's taupe, not too exciting, but at least we can still maintain our sanity.
One of our least favorite home-owner duties.

We bid adeu to our floral couches.

James brought me beautiful flowers for no apparent reason. I think my existence is reason enough, don't you?

Jared returned from his mission in Virginia. My mom hasn't had a decent night's sleep since.

James built a ladder one day. What a handy-man! The verdict is still out on the perfect place for it...

I got to make the pies for Thanksgiving. They turned out, no one died, and I didn't take any leftovers home. Can we deem that a success?

We ended the year with a family-fun-filled trip to Mexico. (I bet some of us could add a few more "f words" to that title). Our trip to Mexico was nothing short of unforgettable. I'll leave you with the abridged version for now: planes, buses, and automobiles, fresh tacos, gay beaches, Pizza Hut and tow trucks.

Until next time...