Merry Christmas to all! And to all good knitting.

I decided to knit a last minute Christmas present. I am sure not many of you are surprised. In order to get this Christmas present done I decided to knit on the bus from my car to the hospital in the mornings and evenings. For all of you knitters out there you need to knit in public because the looks you get are priceless! People on the bus were trying not to stare but seemed not to be able to help themselves. One woman would stare at my knitting and then when I would look at her she would quickly try to make it look like she wasn't staring. It all made me giggle as I knitted away.

Speaking of Christmas I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas. May it be filled with good memories, love, and a sparkle of hope. I also want to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Thanksgiving and Turkey Trot

Sorry for the late post. We don't have internet at home so I haven't been able to post in a timely fashion. Mike and I went to NY for Thanksgiving. We had a good time hanging out with the Johnville and Ellis clan. Kathy and I also ran another race. (Yup we are a bit nuts!) Kathy had her best time to date even with hurting her ankle. We even took a trip to the ER but no broken ankle for Kathy but a very bad strain. I had an OK time for not running in awhile. While we were in NY we went to the museum with Jacob and Evan, helped Kathy get a Christmas tree, and saw Jenny and the kids. All in all a good visit.

Home Sweet Home

We brought Zoomer over to our new house on Wednesday night. He is exploring but isn't too vocal (at least for Zoomer). Bringing Zooomer over meant that we finally stayed over night at our house. Hurray! We still have a bit of stuff at the in-laws house but hope to have everything at our place by the end of the weekend. Now if only everything could find its place... Mary Poppins style...

More After Pictures

New shower curtain in the bathroom

The Master bedroom after painting and putting together some IKEA pieces.

The Master Bedroom after painting

Furniture in the Master bedroom

Another view.

Mike's new deak all set up.

The new lighting in the Office.

Wallpaper Glue

Wallpaper glue has been my nemesis for the past week. The wallpaper in the master bedroom came off quick and easy. I can't say that much about the glue. How many layers of glue do you need anyway!? So in my attempt to get the walls prepared for the paint I learned a thing or two about getting the glue of the wall.

1. Do NOT do big sections at a time. You can't work fast enough (unless you are the Flash) to get it off before it dries.
2. Scraping the glue off isn't always the best. We got a wallpaper scrapper that I tried to use to get the glue off... I may have gotten the glue off (with a lot of struggle) but I also left a lot of holes for Mike to putty.
3. Scrub brush and putty knife work the best!

Here is what I found that worked the best if you have to take stubborn wallpaper glue off your walls:
* Dissolve TSP (Trisodium Phosphate Cleaner) in HOT water (according to the directions).
* Using a sponge apply the TSP solution to a small section of wall.
* Take your scrub brush and scrub in circular motion on the wall. (You will notice the glue coming up.)
* Now you can do one or both of these things:
1. Take the sponge and wipe off the glue and continue to use the scrub brush till it is all off OR
2. Take a putty knife to the scrubbed area to take the glue off the wall.
* When finished wipe the walls with a clean sponge and warm water.

Note: This will not be hard work but tedious work! Also dipping the scrub brush in the TSP solution works well too.

After Photos of the Spare Room

After Photos of Living Room

Before Pictures

Backyard

Deck

Basement

Master Bedroom

Spare Bedroom and Office (I know they look alike)

Bathroom (We also have a full bathroom in the basement)

Kitchen (view from living room)

Living room fireplace

Our Home

Here is a picture of our new house. More pictures to come...

More Running

This Sunday I took on the Big House Big Heart 5K. We finished on the 50 yard line in the Big House (University of Michigan Football Stadium). It was an amazing atmosphere. I also got a new personal best time: 33 minutes and 24 seconds. I keep improving and am really excited about it. Kathy came in and ran the race with me. She paced me and gave me encouragement throughout the whole race.
Thanks Kath!

In other news we should be closing on our house on Friday. More details and pictures will come after we close.

Here are some pictures of the race

Short sale approved!

Finally the house we have had a bid on for about 100 days received short sale approval. We are now on to inspections and securing a mortgage. Let's pray it all goes well.

Luau and Running

Parties are always fun but my family always knows how to throw a good one. Over the weekend Mike and I drove to NY to attend Craig and Sandi's annual Luau. I made a dress for it and we found a great shirt for Mike at Walmart. His was much cheaper (of course!). We had a good time on Saturday night and it was great to finally be close enough to come to fun family stuff.

Kathy and I ran a 5K that morning. Kathy did a great job and I shaved off about 4 minutes from my best 5K time. Woo hoo! I was very excited and didn't believe Kathy when she told me my time. It is official I ran the Heritage 5K in 33:41.

Now it is time to shoot for 30 minutes on the next one.

5th Anniversary and July 4th

On July 3rd Mike and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. We remembered what a great day it was by hitting almost all the spots we did on that day. We ate dinner at Alpen Rose (where had our reception), drinks at New Holland Brewery, and drinks at the Curragh. We also spent the night at the new hotel in Holland, MI: City Flats. A truly good anniversary.

We stayed in Holland at the Bona family cottage for the July 4th holiday. We had fun hanging out on the beach, going to Michigan Adventure, and spending time with the Bona family.

Here are some pictures from our week there.

Flirt with Dirt

I finished my first trail run on June 13th. It was harder than I thought and we ended the race by running up a hill. Fun right? Kathy was there waiting for me at the bottom of the hill and ran with me up to the finish. Thanks Kathy!! I looked at the official race time and I ran the 5K in 41:16. This is not my best 5K time but I am proud that I was able to run it and finish.

Kathy and my mom came out to cheer me on. We had a good weekend and I was able to show them around some of Ann Arbor. I took them to Zingerman's (of course) for lunch, went to Kerrytown, and then walked down main street. It was a good day and I felt good even though I ran.

Here are some of the pictures from the Flirt with Dirt

Before the run

The Beginning


The hill at the end.

Finished! (and don't look too tired)

Nope

I received an e-mail yesterday to inform me that our offer was not accepted and that someone else's was. So the great house search continues. Mike and I are both a bit bummed. Here is hoping we find something soon.

Offer

We put in an offer on a house last night. We are hoping to hear if it is accepted within the week here. I will keep you updated. We are very excited and of course nervous.

Flirting

I have now committed to running a 5K race in June. It is called "Flirt with the Dirt."

Here is the link: http://www.runflirt.com

My sister Kathy is planning to come in and run it with me. Although I think she will get a better time since she has always been the athletic one. I also know that this is a really hard course so I think we will have some bragging rights when we finish!!

I am slowly training for the race. Last year I hurt my foot in a 5K race at Epcot in Orlando, FL, so I am excited to be able to run again. The weather has been great for running outside so I have really been enjoying it. I am hoping to be more aware of my foot (and the rest of me) in order to avoid any more injuries this time.

The race is on June 13th so wish us luck!

Loss and Life

Today is six years my father has been gone. It is amazing to think that he has been dead that long. In light of today I would like to share a poem I found.

Tis a Fearful Thing

It is a fearful thing

to love what death can touch.

A fearful thing

to love, hope, and dream:

to be--

to be,

And! to lose.

A thing for fools, this,

and

a holy thing,

a holy thing

to love.

For your life has lived in me,

your laugh once lifted me,

your word was gift to me.

To remember this brings painful joy.

'Tis a human thing, love,

a holy thing,

to love

what death has touched.

-- Anonymous

Short Goodbyes

Edith Ellis was my grandmother. She was a vibrant lady who loved her family, cards, and in her own words she "never met a man she didn't like." Last friday I officiated her funeral. She had a short two month struggle with colon cancer. I was able to spend some time with her before she was transferred to hospice care and say my goodbyes. My grandmother asked me to prayer for her which brought me to tears. When I asked her what we should pray for she said "for peace and comfort." Now that is my prayer for my family and myself. We have had a long six years and have seen a lot of loss.

If I have learned anything from my grandmother is to live life to the fullest on your own terms and cherish family and friends. I will miss my grandma... and I am so glad that Webster Comfort Care ( webstercomfortcare.org ) took such good care of her.

St. Paddy's and Melting Pot

Mike and I headed to Chicago for St. Paddy's Day weekend (see pics that follow). We had a great time as always. We took the train from Ann Arbor to Chicago. I have to say that riding on the train was a lot less stressful than driving and had more leg room then flying. I was able to finish my hat for the Shamrocking weekend and start one for Liz (which I finish the next day).

Like the hat? I do! And I already have an order to make another (which yes is on the needles). We took the trolley that Jon's mom rented from place to place and she even made song books. I know it sounds a bit silly but it was a lot of fun. We all sang Irish songs (or at least tried) with Jon leading the singing.

Here is Liz and Jon at the first place...

Mike and I...

On the trolley... picture from where I was sitting.

The girls at the last place.

Liz and I in our new hats!

It was great to spend more time with Jon and Liz on Sunday and just hang out. We got back home on Monday. On St. Patrick's Day we went to the Red Wings game. (GO RED WINGS!) The Red Wings won but it was not the best game I've seen. Mike and I really enjoyed the crowd and the energy at the Joe. (Joe Louis Arena) Maybe one day we will be able to have season tickets.

On my birthday we went to the Melting Pot with my in-laws. www.meltingpot.com

We had "the Big Night Out." I love fondue! Who doesn't like dipping delicious food in cheese, oil, or chocolate.

I also want to thank everyone for the cards and facebook birthday wishes. It was great to hear from everyone even though I am far from a lot of you. I think that is the scoop for now.