Kiss the Duck

I got to have Felicity for the whole day today. It was tons of fun. We sat on the floor and played most of the day. I tried to get pictures but she doesn't sit still very much to get a good one. We have this little duck that when you put your finger in his mouth, he quacks and moves his wings. Every time that I would turn it on, she would come crawling as fast as she could and put her mouth on his beak. I don't know what she thought she was going to do, but it was hilarious. I kept doing it over and over just to see her come speeding over. It sure kept me entertained. Maybe it was her way of getting it to stop quacking. It didn't stop though, it quacked and flapped even when she had it in her mouth. I should have taken a video, then maybe you would be laughing as hard as I did when this was really happening. Maybe this was a HTBT moment. (had to be there) I am even giggling as I type this and she isn't even here. Ok, next time I will video so you can laugh too. I will stop rambling now, have a good day.

From Old to New

A few months ago while doing some painting and upkeep at our church, we came across this piano. It was in the basement, totally unloved. Pastor asked me if we could get it out of there and haul it to the garbage. The garbage! I immediately said I would take it off his hands. I have been looking for one for a long time, with no luck. But it didn't look like this when I got it. It was so old the finish was black and sticky, not very attrative. Brian is the antique lover in our home but this was my baby. We took it to a friend of ours who refinishes furniture. It only took her a week or so and it was finished. She didn't stain it, this is the actual color of the wood. Now it has a brand new life for another 100 years or so. The keys need to be redone. The plastic covers on them are broken and yucky. I have been meaning to get at that project. I am just not sure how to do it. Has anyone ever done this before? And of course the last thing......I would like to learn to play it. Lessons anyone?

The chairs on either side of the piano are from a military base long ago. I am not sure of the year. They have also been refinished. I know some of you are screaming at me for refinishing this old furniture. I love the architecture of old furniture, not the yucky finishes. Sorry.

Side note: I really need to replace that shiny white tile. Who puts in shiny white tile? I guess me. 12 years ago when we built this house. Boy how one's tastes change.

There are old pictures on top of the piano. I love old pictures of family. Here is a picture of Brian's Dad. Quite a dapper young man!

And here is my favorite picture of Brian as a little boy. I think it is totally adorable.

Ewwwww!

Brian saw this on the window and just had to take a picture. I think it is gross. He wanted me to see if anyone knows what kind of spider this is.

His answer: a dead one.

Isn't This Weird?

Since I am on the rookie end of a camera I decided to play around with some of the features. Even reading the manual confuses me. I don't know the lingo so I have to wing it. All I have ever taken pictures of was people. I am finding out it is quite interesting when you start looking at "things" as subjects for a picture. This is an afghan that sits on my sofa.

This looks like hairy chocolate. I guess that is the only kind of chocolate I will get for the next month. Since our cruise if fast approaching I am trying a different approach to losing the last 10 pounds. (Aren't those always the hardest?) My Diet 4 Idiots worked for the last year and I have been able to keep the 30 pounds off, but I am stuck here. Tracy started Weight Watchers a couple of weeks ago and already has much success. I am starting that journey today. The counting points thing can't be that bad, right? I think I can, I think I can.

Friends and a Movie

Saturday night we had a few friends over to watch Fireproof. We saw this in the theatre a few months ago but had to get the DVD. I think this is a great movie that we can all learn a few life lessons from. I didn't get many pictures. We were too busy eating before the movie and too busy watching during the movie. Brian grabbed my camera and took a couple shots. I guess Marie was on guard and caught him with the camera while Patti and I were totally into the movie.

Tim and Char couldn't help but see the camera in their face. They were probably blinded as the room was pretty dark at the time.

This was after the movie was done. I was going to take a picture of Tim and got Marie's face in it. I actually like this picture, hopefully Marie does too.?

And the last picture I got before everyone left was one of smiling Chris. I didn't even get a picture of everyone that was here. It sure took a lot of pictures, and deleting of pictures, to get one of someone actually smiling at the camera. Next time I will have to get better about this.

Grandpa's Love

With the sun shining in the window, Felicity and Grandpa spend time together. There are so many of these moments with her it is impossible to capture them all. She is 7 months old now and has tooth number two. Being grandparents is a small taste of heaven.

Lifehouse Everything Drama

A couple months ago a friend of ours, John, showed us this website: http://www.tangle.com/ It used to be called Godtube. I find myself watching many videos on it. I enjoy it because you can watch videos and not come across some of the "junk" you find on other video websites. One day I came across the video posted below. I don't know why it got to me like it did, but I ended up sobbing by the time it was done. God must have thought I needed to see it. Now I am sharing it with you. I hope you enjoy it too. Let me know how, or if, it affected you.

Lifehouse Everything Drama

Growing Up Like Sisters

Kylee and Felicity are growing closer every day. Felicity smiles so big when she sees Kylee. Kylee loves to have a playmate around. She has to keep her smaller toys away from her, which is a full time job for Kylee. This summer should be fun for them with Felicity walking, and getting into everything. I know they will be like sisters. Kylee already calls her "my little sister." I love how they snuggle their faces together, it is pricelss.

David after Dentist

Snow Snow Go Away

I know I know, I live in Wisconsin and snow doesn't go away for a couple more months. I can wish can't I? I am not made for this state. Once it hits 50 and stays there or below, I start my hibernation. I hear about all the things people do outside for fun, but I just don't see it. Cold is cold, no matter how I dress or what I do. Over the years Brian has tried to help me with this issue. He has bought me these boots and those boots, these gloves and those gloves. Nothing ever works. I get cold. I even had the battery operated socks one time, no luck. Heaters in my $200 boots. No luck. I give up. I would move somewhere that stays warm if all my family and friends would move with me. I could never leave them. I guess hibernation is the price I pay for love. That's ok, you are all worth it. I will just hear your winter fun stories and wait for spring. Although, I do love a snowman. That is the kind that stay inside. I have quite a few hanging out around my house. I haven't had the heart to pack them away yet. After all, there is still much winter to be had yet.

For you winter lovers, enjoy it while it's here. Spring is coming..........that means sun and flowers!!

Something to Make You Smile

I don't have much to say about these pictures. This is Felicity's new gig. She sits at the patio and watches the dogs outside. They make her laugh. I remember getting scolded on the bus when we were kids for playing with the frost on the inside of the windows. I guess they didn't like to clean them, that is a lot of windows. But I sure don't mind on my patio door. These kids are only little for such a short time. It is well worth the fun she has licking on this window. Since our kids are grown we haven't had the fingerprints for a long time, I will take the prints anyday.

Valentine Roses

Brian got me a dozen roses for Valentines Day. They are beautiful. I decided I would try to take some pictures of them. As you know from reading my blog, I usually just take pictures of people. I thought I would give this a shot. I think they turned out pretty cool. Now to play with them in Photoshop. The problem is I don't have a clue where to go or what to do in that program. I tried to play with it the other day and ended up just closing it out. I need a hands on lesson for this one. (hint hint Connie)

More of the Melting Mess

Cole just couldn't resist playing in the ditch. He said he was trying to push the water through the culvert to the other side. He did succeed in doing that a little. He did this for 2 hours yesterday. I can't believe that wheeler kept going. When it freezes again we will have an ice skating pond. Too bad it is right by the highway.

February Thaw

When it gets to 40 degrees in February in Wisconsin, it is sometimes not a good thing. The snow melts fast and has no where to go, but into the basement.

Can you see how close the water is to going into this window?

Kylee loved it. She got to put her rubber boots on and play in the water. She was pretty wet by the time we went in the house.

First Brian tried to move the snow and water with the tractor. That moved the slushy stuff but not the water so good.

Then along cam the truck with the snow plow. That worked great. It was kind of weird to see him plowing the back yard.

I don't know if you can see it very well on this picture but check out the water he is pushing in front of the plow!

And another sweep through. He did this for about an hour. We now have a small lake on the edge of the lawn. That's ok, it is far away from the house.

Then Cole had to get in on the action with his wheeler. I think he enjoyed this mess. He stayed out and pushed water around for a couple hours after Brian was done. So............anyone out there had to do such a thing before or does this just show you what "Wisconsonites" have to put up with?

Can't Resist Posting This One

Felicity's January pictures

Best Friends

One of my best friends, (Melanie) wrote a post about Brian & I. It really got me thinking about all the friends we have. I found a few quotes about best friends and wanted to share them with you.

Yesterday brought the beginning, tomorrow brings the end, and somewhere in the middle we became the best of friends.

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked.

A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.

A friend accepts us as we are yet helps us to be what we should.

Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.

We have been friends together. In sunshine and in shade.

The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of deareer stuff than the one who stays away.

Friendship is one mind in two bodies.

Shared joy is a double joy: shared sorrow is half a sorrow.

No road is long with good company.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.