Archive for » October, 2006 «

First Steps…first teeth…

Our little Fulton took his first unassisted step today!  Could he be that old already?  The better question is, when did he start growing up?  We were at Adam’s eye appointment playing in the play area.  Fulton was holding onto some blocks and a stool.  Totally without thinking he let go of the stool and his feet started moving!   What a blessing to see my children take their first steps!

 Fulton’s bottom front teeth have also started peeping through.  Soon enough there will be some sparkley whites adorning his goofy, heart-melting grin.

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Tiling: Day 3

As my lovely bride mentioned, I took the day off work to continue with the project. St. Joesph was with me the whole day making the right measurements and cuts. I also called on St. Don Bosco — another master craftsman — for assistance too. At 8pm, I think “the crew” decided to call it a day. Frustration was setting in with 10 sq. ft. yet to cover and all daylight vanquished. Sharon, God love her, was doing all she could to hold a flashlight for me but there were just too many complex cuts remaining and I’m sure her arm would have given out. Day 4 will have to wait until the weekend.

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St. Joseph’s worker

Perhaps the only eyes that will know how hard Adam is working our mine and our children.  From dawn to bedtime, Adam has given so much of his time and energy to get the floor done.  It looks so awesome!  If my simple human heart and mind sits in admiration of Adam, then surely St. Joseph is probably smiling down on my sweet husband so proud of the work, the care, the excellence that he has put into completing this home project. 

Adam took a day off from his paying job to finish, but alas still has one more corner to set. 

Tiling: Day 2

Still going at it alone, and still not quite finished. The family took in an early morning mass so I could get another full day working on the floor.

It is a very safe assumption to say that tiling a floor by yourself will take you 3 to 4 times longer then if you have someone to help. You find yourself switching from measuring and cutting to setting that your constantly getting up and down that it completely drains you by days end.

I have about a third of the floor to set, afterwards I can begin grouting. I’m hoping that the grout can be done in one long evening as I won’t have to measure and cut anymore; not to mention clean up a good many tools afterwards.

Tiling: Day 1

It was decided that the dining room carpet must go. Food falls to the floor quite more often when kiddos are seated around the table and the carpet certainly had something to show for it.

We had a few remaining tiles left by the previous owner from when she tiled the kitchen and bathroom. Seeing as there weren’t enough to finish the dining room and the brand of tile was no longer carried by any supplier, we would have to go with something different. We decided on the tiles below with the idea to cut the old tiles and lay them out as “dots” in a diagonal pattern.

Tile Package

The carpet is up on Friday night.

Dining Room with no carpet

On Saturday morning Ryan and his friend Justin came out to help get me started. Justin loaned me his wet saw and gave some great pointers which is outstanding. With the three of us working we made great progress cleaning up the floor, squaring the room, marking the pattern, and laying down some tile. Unfortunately, they had to leave early afternoon so I was on my lonesome to continue the task.

Adam Tiling

I hadn’t gotten as far as I hoped, but it’s looking great.

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In the Garage

You know a garage is a garage, when it has one of these:

Tool chest

My toolset had outgrown the bookshelf and it was time to get it in a safer location from grabby little fingers. I found this guy on Craigslist from a mechanic in need of an upgrade himself. Yes Dad, it is a Craftsman.

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Dirty Jobs

So “someone” peed on the floor and who does my honey call to clean it up…ME!!!!!!  What’s up with that? 

I was pleasantly surprised to see Danielle Bean‘s recent post about a mother’s job.  And her link to the show, Dirty Jobs was too funny not to pass along.  (If you go to the Dirty Jobs’ website, make sure you look at the video–the song’s hilarious! Enjoy.)

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MPG

It’s been almost a year since we brought the xB home and as you may recall one of the reasons we went with the Scion was the mileage. So, how are we doing after a years worth of driving?

2006 Scion xB MPG

It appears we’re hovering around the high 20s/low 30s with an average of 30.4. The estimated mileage for the ’06 xB was 30/34 so we seem to be right where we expected.

Butternut Apple Soup

Here’s another squash recipe (from cooks.com) to add to your fall meals!

Ingredients: 

  • 4 1/2 lbs. Butternut squash (3 sm.)
  • 4 1/2 lbs. Jonathan or Granny Smith apples (9 lg.)
  • 9 c. water
  • 2 tbsp. sugar
  • 1/8 tsp. cloves
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
  • White pepper (optional)
  • 2 tsp. curry powder (optional)
  • 3 c. half & half (optional)

Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and fiber. Cut in half again, lengthwise, and pare off the outside shell. Cut the squash into cubes. Quarter, core, and pare the apples. Cut them into cubes also. Place the squash, apples, water, sugar, cloves, salt, and pepper (add curry later) in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30 to 45 minutes or until the squash and apples are extremely soft and beginning to form a puree.
Puree the mixture (including the water) in a food processor or blender. The soup may be stored in the refrigerator at this point. Before serving, stir together the squash-apple mixture, curry powder, and cream in a saucepan. Bring slowly to a simmer and taste for seasoning. Should the soup be too thick, add a little water.
 

**I put “(optional)” by a few things that I didn’t use.  I made a simple batch that was absolutely yummy without the extra sodium or fat. I also made half the recipe and used the same about of cloves.

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Celebration of Marriage

The reading from the Gospel of Mark (chapter 10) at today’s Mass included these words of our Lord Jesus Christ in regard to marriage, “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together,no human being must separate.”

This weekend we had many opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage.  We had two sets of friends who were married yesterday, Devin and Katie Rose, and James and Shana Nicholson.  As Devin and Katie were married in New Mexico, we went to James and Shana’s wedding here in town.  It is such a blessing to see the Sacrament of Marriage celebrated by two faithful Christians who embrace the Church. Congratulation to you!

Given today’s Gospel reading we also made a marriage cake.  “What’s that?” you ask.  Well, let me tell you.  Start with a two layer round cake.  Each layer represents one of the spouses.  The white icing in between is God in our marriage through the sacrament…and the two become one!  The icing around the cake is God’s grace.   The cake is great, and the icing is the best part!  The same is true in marriage.  We as individuals are great, but God and His grace are the best part–it’s what’s makes marriage so sweet. 

 

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