Slack blogger repents

Sorry for the lack of postings as of late. Here's a bit of what's been happening.
I have been working on getting the home office organized. We finally got the window treatments mounted that I made like a year ago! And I sweet-talked my friend and coworker Judy into helping me make table skirts for the office AND a bed skirt for the guest room (I've only had the fabric for about 3 years now -- no joke). I really need to take some more sewing classes, but until then thank goodness I have talented friends. Dave and I went to Lowes and picked out some wood for a desk top for the office and some great lamps with adjustable task lighting for the desk area and craft areas. When its all said and done we'll have over 12 feet of desk space back there!

We also are planning to replace the ceiling fan, install a closet organizer (which I've learned to do all on my own), paint the ceiling, put in new carpet (one day) and maybe install some crown molding. I had hoped to scrape off the popcorn ceilings throughout the house to have a smooth finish until I did some research and found out that almost all houses built prior to 1970 have asbestos in the popcorn finish material which means disturbing them can put all of us at risk for future lung problems. So I'm stuck with popcorn. It's still going to look great, though.

We've also planned to repaint the hall bath and make a new window treatment and shower curtain with yet more fabric that I've been hoarding. And we picked out a new paint color for the guest room to go with the new bed skirt. I love to paint! Its been about a year and half since I've painted a room in the house so its about time, right?

Getting some of the house projects completed is very important to me because my whole life seems in order when the house is clean and organized. I get so much more done all around. Not to mention I'm much happier. And when I'm happy, Dave's happy! Home improvement and decorating are two of my favorite past times so I spend a lot of time dreaming and searching the internet. Just wait 'til we win the lottery!

Last weekend Mom and I made lunch to take to Melissa, Elliott and Olivia. I finally hold Olivia. She's such a pretty girl, but I just don't know who she looks like. We had a nice visit with them and with Granddaddy and Grandmother Askins. Melissa is such a natural. She's doing a great job with everything, especially breastfeeding. She and Anitra agree that it's amazing how much time and attention a tiny, little baby commands! I forgot my camera just like I did when I went to see Anitra and Abby. But thankfully Melissa's been doing really well updating her blog with lots of pictures.

Dave and I took an afternoon last week and went four-wheeling down in Cameron again. I did my first wheelies! Dave was thoroughly impressed because as he said he thought I would be "too square" to try wheelies. Dave is getting pretty good at doing wheelies himself. He's been practicing. He's really loving his new toy and his new hobby. We both had a great time riding and playing. And the weather was perfect - overcast and cool. I'm really looking forward to riding when the weather gets cooler. I planned to post a few photos but I'm having trouble with that feature today.

Another interesting part of our adventure: watching a banana spider that had built a web on the porch of the pond house. I'm pretty sure I'd never seen one. I'm pretty sure I'd remember (they're very distinctive in size and appearance as I'd hoped you'd be able to see from the photo which won't load). I knocked down a few strands of her web so that we could watch her remodeling efforts. Watching her maneuver around and make repairs was impressive. I am, however, pretty afraid of spiders so I watched her cautiously and from a safe distance. I've had more than my share of nightmares about spiders (I'm sure there's some hidden meaning). I did a little research on the internet and found out that these spiders will bite if provoked, but supposedly the bite feels milder than a bee sting and the welt goes away within a few days. Unless you have an allergic reaction to the bite, that is. Nonetheless, you won't find me keeping ANY kind of spiders around for pets, but I don't bother them if they are safe distance from the inside of my house. Ewww!

Something Dave and I have started doing lately is meeting up with Mom and Aunt Linda to have dinner and play our new favorite card game, Hand and Foot. We've had a blast the past two times. It's a great time for visiting and catching up on the latest news. As Dave says, "It's always a blast to spend time with great people. You've really got some great family and friends." I couldn't agree more!

I found out recently that Jennifer L., my childhood friend and college suitemate got engaged a few weekends back. Congratulations to her and her intended, Lawton! I am looking forward to meeting him and hearing more about their wedding plans.

That's all for now.