Hello dear family!
Well, two days ago our new roof trusses were delivered, we have cleared out the entire kitchen except for the things we will need to eat/cook on and will tear down the upper cabinets next week. We will set up room for working on them in Larry's shop where the stripping and sanding will take place. Now at this point we must stop and wait for better weather to continue the roof project. Meanwhile I am back in the studio working on "The Soldiers Wife"...an art collage honoring our mothers years as an Army wife. I got "Our American Hero" done for our father last week. When Moms peice is done I will do one honoring Larry and my life together and then another military peice for all the Military men in this family for which I need 'stuff' to create this peice out of. The stuff of which I speak is anything military. I go to antiques fairs to find old memorabilia, etc. Once I have gathered enough 'stuff' then I can get to work on the art. Lin, hold onto that uniform of Eriks.....Cin, grab anything of Reeses that you can once he gets back...k? I will let everyone see what I have done when all four are finished.
Hope Reece has a safe trip home...Know you must be dizzy with joy and anticipation! Kiss him for all of us....he is a sweetheart!
Lin, I hope Peter gets better soon. Larry had a bad cold too but is better now. He hates being sick! Weather is in the 70s today, grass is green, trees are budding and everything is coming back to life!!! Yayeeee!!! I feel so much better now that spring has sprung...I have more energy and feel happier.
So, on that note I have another poem for you guys. Hope you like it...I do. Will write again soon. Love you all, Aunt Rose

Take the World as it is!
by Charles Swain

Take the world as it is
with its smiles and its sorrow,
Its love and its friendship-
its falsehood and truth-
Its scheme's that depend on
the breath of tomorrow!
Its hopes which pass by
like the dreams of our youth-
Yet, oh, whilst the light of
affection may shine,
The heart in itself hath
a fountain of bliss!
In the worst there's some
spark of a nature devine,
And the wisest and best
take the world as it is.

Im still here....

Hello family, sorry I havent written in a while, seems there is no time for anything lately. We are settled into the house as much as we will be until Kelly and Maya go back home to Virginia with Reese. As it stands right now, he will be home on Wednesday, May 23rd and will fly into Nashville that night. We will pick him up and then hang round Kentucky so he can soak up some baby, wife, mom and dad love before we all caravan back to Virginia. That way Maya will be in an environment she is used to they will have time on Thursday and Friday while Ed and I are at work. We are going to all wear a welcome home helium balloon tied to our wrists and make a banner for the airport. He has promised to wear his dress whites. We are excited at his return, only 28 days to go. Then the baby gets ripped from my arms.......haha just kidding, Im preparing for it. It will be difficult, but it will happen and I am preparing. I already said that, didnt I.

As for the house, we found a couch and loveseat for the living room at a great price. Sorry about that Lin, but we got it very cheap and found out to get your two would have costed more then we figured. We do appreciate the thought though. Right now our new ones are covered in plastic and blankets and turned around the wrong way, we dont want the animals having a good time on them. Once the house is empty and all the baby stuff is in Virginia, Ed and I will organize and finish decorating. For now it looks like baby central everywhere....haha

Ed has a problem with his ears again that cause him to feel off balance and that has made him irritable somewhat. Its finally getting better but it is something that they cant do anything for. We know that because he has been to the doctor twice and an ear, nose and throat specialist. Its crystal things that dislodge and cause the unbalance. Its been rough for him but he is tough and still plugs along. was grumpy.....but doing better. It is something that keeps coming back and very common per the specialist. He has had it before but it never lasted this long.

Otherwise, we have had rain for two days which makes our back yard a muddy freakin mess because our grass is not in yet because the fense is still not done!!! The builder is on it though and it will come along soon.

Well, thats about it. sorry this is so long but i had to fill you in....hahah now dont you wish you wouldnt have said its been a while. I love you all dearly and personally love this blog. i read it daily. keep the updates and all coming everyone. I miss and love you, cindy

Just Hello

Hi All,

It is 70 degrees here in Napa and Peter is in bed with a cold. I just wanted to write and say hi. Cin, haven't heard from you in a while, do write. Kathy, where are you? Ing, we need new pictures in your blog. Es, congratulations on the boys games and do write and let me know about dates for summer camp.

Love, Linda

Hockey tournament

Well we just returned from the Ring of Fire tournament in Farmington Hills big winners. Both boys teams made it to their championship games today. Devin's team took runner up, didnt play well and Devin was pulled for two goals on his first two shots. The little girl back up goalie was put in and though she allowed three goals, she did well but we lost 5 to 1. Reese's team was better, winning all three of their games and the championship. Their goalie had two shutouts and they won the championship 3-0. He is on a very good team, will need to pick up his game alittle if he wants to make this team in the fall, but did well. It is nice to see him win for a change, his team over the winter stank up the place......ha ha. All in all it was a great weekend with lots of hockey. Lin and Peter, great to see you both. Love to all, Es.

Well, we got home around midnight. Hit some delays in Chicago. Thank you for a great time everyone. Loved just sitting around with you guys and catching up. It is raining here and looking very wet and dreary, ughhhhhhhhhhhhh. Head home tomorrow sometime, if the weather is ok.

Love Linda

The mourning after.....

Hi all!
Just wanted to let Linda and Peter know how much we enjoyed their visit out here last week. The guys seemed to have a good time doing their wine "stuff" in Petoskey and we girls just sat for three days and talked, talked, talked! The first nite the Snowdens arrived we dove right into the Rombauer which led to two more bottles of wine while we all reconnected. By the time midnight rolled around we could hardly focus our eyes so Larry and I went home. The next day we could barely get out of bed! Now that we are getting old we cannot take those rough nites like we used to. But we all had fun with eachother and I hated to see them leave.
All is well here with us. Larry and I bought our new kitchen floor last night. It was on sale at home depot....solid oak, light, beautiful. We looked at counter tops but dont need to worry about that till we get the roof torn off and repaired. Will let you know as things progress.
Hope you are all well and happy. I love you every one!
Aunt Rose

Ingrid's House

I finally got a photo of the house off Mark's camera... isn't she lovely? (click to enlarge). We are trying to decide what colors to repaint it... the beige is okay but the faded rotton peach trim color has got to go.

Of course, first we need to pull out the cabinets where the fridge is supposed to be, it's too low for our fridge; we need to re-do the floor in the kitchen; we need to patch up the hole in the shower doorframe if not reno that bathroom; we need to get a gardener; we need to organize the garage; we need to do something about my room........

:) Ing