Let There Be Light

Mike has spent much of the last three weeks or so working on the lighting around our house. He is replacing all of the light fixtures, plugs and switches. He even installed a new light at the top of the stairwell, with a switch for it at both the top and bottom of the stairs. I had no idea how dark that stairwell was until the new light was put in. Wow! No more going up the stairs in the dark!

He is also beginning the framing for a wall to make a bedroom downstairs. We are thinking of using French doors so that it will let more light into the bedroom. I hope that will also make it a bedroom/study type room so we don't have to rush into putting in an egress window. I am really looking forward to having a REAL bedroom for the first time since getting married!

Chair Project

I've never done any upholstering, and I suppose this doesn't really qualify, but I had fun. This old chair of Mike's grandmothers, was looking pretty sad. I hated offering it to guests when we needed extra seating because it not only looked old and tired, but it wasn't very comfortable to sit in. So I went to the fabric store and bought some foam, along with batting and new material and recovered it. Nothing fancy but it is a lot more comfortable and blends in with our living room a bit more. I'm happy with the results considering it was my first attempt and I wasn't sure of what I was doing.

Boston Adds Another One

I had to go to Jackson County on Friday to judge a 4-H dog show, so decided to take Boston with me and stay over in Marshall to enter the rally trial there at the AKC show. We were scheduled to be in the ring at 8:00 a.m. but there were some snafus with the judges course, so it got delayed. He had set out a course that was not acceptable by AKC standards. I noticed and told him, and he told me I was wrong, but 15 minutes later the AKC rep came over and told him he had to change it, so we all had to wait while he changed the course. I don't know how the AKC rep found out since I didn't tell him, but apparently someone must have...or possibly he noticed it himself since he was there to observe and the judge was provisional. I only knew because I have been designing courses for a future judging assignment of my own. Anyway after a LONG wait we managed to get in the ring at about 9:30 a.m. It wasn't pretty but Boston qualified and earned her new title of Rally Advanced. Now RA will replace the RN after her name. Next step is the Excellent class. Our next rally trial will be in Idaho at the SCA national Specialty, but I am not convinced I should move her up to Excellent there especially since we will be showing on the grass outside and since I am also going to do Graduate Novice Obedience with her. Two new challenges might be a bit much when you add that to the challenge of an outdoor trial! I am proud of her though. She works her heart out for me and never complains...well almost never. Here is the beautiful rosette they gave her for completing a new title.

Brie and Bill

My adorable niece Briana lives and works in New York City. While the rest of us live the ho hum dull life, Brie has quite the whirlwind of activity. Here she is over the weekend visting with Bill Clinton. Isn't she beautiful? Brie was at a fund raiser for Hillary. Long story, with a sweet ending.