Onward and Upward

Moving on up, to the SWside (like .4 miles from one house to the other, atleast by the way the crow flies). Ja and I are closing on our new home in 2 days. It's been a very crazy month. We put an offer on the house 2/27, it was accepted 2/28, we put our house on the market 3/1, and got an offer, while in Cancun, on 3/3. Both houses close 3/30. Needless to say, it has been a crazy month of inspecting, fixing, packing, budgeting, and plain freaking out. But, it will all be worth it when we move in this weekend. The new house is much bigger, with lots of room to grow. We hope to have this house for years and years and have many plans for it (such as expanding the kitchen and finishing the basement... and ofcourse, there's the hot tub). It's 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathes, with us living upstairs in our own master suite. One of the best parts is the huge walk-in closet. It's bigger than my current bedroom. And the closet I use right now is soooooo small. Ever since I moved out of home, 10 years ago, I have been storing summer clothes, then the winter clothes. Every season, switching them out. Finally, I can keep all of my clothes out... and buy lots more! But first, we need to buy more furniture, work on the house, oh, the fun never ends!! It's funny. We finally got the High Drive home where we wanted it and now we're moving. Ja sometimes, okay, lots of times, thinks we're crazy. But with the new house, we'll be able to stay and enjoy our changes for many years to come. Pictures to come after we move in. -em

Dine the Folks 2006

Well, we did it again! Dine the Folks 2006 was a success! This was the 3rd annual get-together. The first year we bought the house and were engaged, we had both sets of parents over to be wined and dined. Last year we were married and had fun using the new wedding gifts. This year, nothing much to celebrate, just good company. Everyone had a good time as the tradition continued. Thanks, moms and dads, for being great parents and a joy to know as an adult. Love, Em and Ja

Thanksgiving 2006

Post-surgery

The little light in your soul

I went to pick up the boys from the animal clinic. We treated them to a "spa package" for their 6-month birthday. It included loosing their balls and claws (okay, so a little self-interested!!). Well, poor little Hunter apparently didn't drop a ball, so they had to shave him up and cut in to find it in his abdomen. But the plot thickens. Because Hunter would not leave the new incision alone, they put the cone around his little head. And, you see, Brooks, his brother, weighing in at 7lb. 7oz., is the faster, swifter, more athletic, cuter, generally sweeter, motor-boat-lovin' stallion of the two. And now, the one who did not have to be shaved and cut open. And also the one who will not have anything to do with his brother, b/c he looks a little funny with his "cone head" e-collar. But, our love is so 50/50 for the two of them. It's incredible how compassionate you can feel for a little creature when they trust in you completely, unconditionally. I really feel for our little "off" guy. His brother's bailed on him, his belly is stitched up with no hair, no balls, no claws, and now tunnel vision. He runs into everything and can't clean his body (he's very into being clean.) I cried some as he and I tried to cuddle around the cone head. I felt sorry for him when he struggled to get up to the bed; he simply cannot see anything past a small viewing hole. He walks backwards, thinking maybe he's just gotten himself caught. He's always been the one to struggle with the jumping (he's butt just grew much bigger than him--- he's presently weighing in at 8lb. 14oz.), he struggles with figuring out cuddling and loving. But it doesn't make him any less worthy of our love and attention. He spent most of the first night hiding behind the couch in embarrassment, but once I shared my love with him, for him, he seemed to begin to be okay. It's so important that we love everyone, despite appearances. Usually they need it the most. – em

Just don't understand

I'm really at a loss here. I really try to tend to the garden, but I must just really suck at it. The weekend before last I planted 72 plants (annual flowers). I was out there Friday, Saturday, Sunday working on different areas. And now, this week, I go around inspecting, and there almost all gone! Ripped out of the ground, or just plain dead. What am I doing wrong? In the front, the petunas are missing (is it the rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, the neighbors....??); in the back, I planted an entire flat of impatiens, and now, maybe a dozen, if that, are noticable. The weeds, these are doing great... taking over. And I'm gonna leave them, just so then there is some color!! And the roses, that was a big mistake. I think they're almost dead. Planted sunflower seeds... should I be seeing those yet? And the lavendar seeds, guess they were duds too. What a disappointment my garden has become. At least Ja got a new mower over the weekend, so the grass will look good. -em

So good at what he does

Ja did it! After only 1 year of teaching, Mr. Morris has been promoted to 7th grade lead teacher for the 2006-2007 school year at Derrick Thomas Academy! GOOOO JA! Whip those kids into shape, and get them thinking critically... these children are America's future!! -em