The Fruits of Our Labor. Or Something.

One of our major projects over the last month has been home-improvement. DIF gel, anyone? Okay, so I understand wallpaper was once popular. I really do, I mean, what's better than gaudy and intricate designs pasted almost irrevocably onto the walls of an otherwise perfectly good home? False. Wallpaper is nonsense. If you have wallpaper, I am sorry for saying this. If you actually applied wallpaper, I am sorry for the person who next moves into your house. I hate to alert wallpaper-lovers to this fact, but wallpaper is out. Seriously, HomeDepot no longer sells wallpaper. Got that? You have to really work to get the insidious wall-destroyer.

But, really, I don't hate wallpaper. I hate removing it. When a person's new house is laden with gilded pastel early-80s style paper and border, a person is left with no choice. But, we did it, with butter knives, our own nails, coasters, anything we could find to tear the cloying bubbled-up paper from its firm position on our walls. (I won't even go into the brutal transformation from ancient tan sculpted carpet to the floors you see below.) But, here is what we've got.

Yes, It has been weeks.

So, here I am. It has been officially the busiest month of my life so far, quite possibly. I have started back to school, teaching a particularly needy crew of middle schoolers. I am getting married in 4 1/2 days. And, of course, with that there have been innumerable parties that have required our attendance. Not to mention the new house, kitten, dogg-o, and Redskins season that all require proper attention. And, immediately after the wedding, we are headed to Spain (and, in addition to planning, packing, etc., that requires my meeting and planning with a long-term sub). Finally, let's not forget that I decided to take on a 300 page editing project (professional psychology book) over the last week, in addition to the massive amount of grading I still have to do, given that progress reports are due at school by Wednesday. So, how could I write when I haven't had a single moment to feel?

But, please enjoy some pictures of Miles and Jeffri prepping for the Redskins (and, for the fun of it, one of me looking punchy).

Party Time!

Thank you to all of you who replied to my thought that my blog was a "downer". But, even you who appreciate and cry for our pain will be happy to see a blog with some delightful news!!!

This month is a very exciting one for me.

In exactly three weeks and 42 minutes I will be walking down the aisle.

In two weeks, six days and 42 minutes, I will be rehearsing for the big day.

In two weeks and 19 hours, Bill will be celebrating the last minutes of his bachelorhood, and the first Redskins sunday, while I will hopefully be enjoying Annie or Nick's birthdays with one or both of them .

In one week and 20 hours, I will be formally showered in all my bridal glory.

In six days and two hours, I will be bowling for Charlotte's birthday.

In two hours and 10 minutes, I will be picked up for my own bachelorette party!

Woo Hoo! Pictures and updates to come! :O)

Bill & I are about to be married!!!

Get ready for pets.

Fact.

Green-eye in pets is caused by their retinas, which reflect green light.

It.

Tracy Chapman always says it best. Always...

She was the only one
of my flesh and blood
now I have no calling
I can do no wordly good
I sit silent
I sit all mourning
I sit listless all the day
I've mostly lost the voice to speak
and any words to say except
does heaven have enough angels yet?
I've gone hard
and I've gone cold
I can't make the pieces
of this cracked life fit
please forgive me
for wanting to know
does heaven have enough angels yet?
Together oh together
no there'll be no more of that
but I would not dare for myself to ask
does heaven have enough angels yet?
She was the only one
of my own flesh and blood
sometimes I hear her calling
straight from the house of god

Wow. Tracy Chapman rocks. And my blog is downer.