Merry Christmas!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...!
We are planning to spend Christmas afternoon & evening with our friends, Aaron & Stacey. We'll be feasting on our traditional King Crab, with the addition of shrimp, scallops and bunches more! Somehow I'm getting out of most of the cooking. I think that may mean I'll be in on more of the cleaning. Ah, well. It's really a day to focus on the life that God gave us through our Savior, Jesus. We hope all our friends and family far away have a very Merry Christmas. We love you all and we'll see some of you again soon!

Bathroom Redo, pt.1

The bathroom tile had been redone, but very poorly. There are several cracked tiles, and the grout was sloppily slapped in. The grout is also white and unsealed, which made for some yucky spots! There is absolutely no storage in the bathroom, which someday we will remedy.

After 7 hours of excruciating labor, I finished staining the grout. It took so long because I had to literally paint it in a straight line as much as possible since the grout itself was splattered all over and very uneven. Let's say that I had a very lively chiropractic visit the next Monday.

I spent some time today trying to configure some short-term storage and decor for the bathroom. I've decided that a runner is perfect, and this one even has the right blue in it! Thanks, Linda! We would actually like to use this rug in the hallway, but for now, it's needed more here. Sheet and drape-covered "shelves" will serve until we find those perfect pieces!

Bedroom redo, so far...

Here is the bedroom with the lovely pistachio green color. One cannot fully comprehend the offensiveness of this color unless completely surrounded by it. I think the previous owners thought it would be a bright color to make the room big and open. It was nauseously bright!

We now have a nice warm, dark, cozy den of a bedroom! I still don't have all the bedding or window treatments (haven't decided which color for sure). It is very rich and comfortable, especially with our new down comforter!

King Salmon Platform

Pat went out the other day to the King Salmon platform. I don't think this is that one, but they all look similar, so...! He said it is very much like the drill ship that he was on in Dutch Harbor, only stationary. It didn't feel too stationary, however, when the tide moves. The tide in the Cook Inlet is one of the fastest moving tides in the world, so it really makes it feel interesting. Pat said it was going pretty well, and even had a lobster-tail lunch when he first got there (there was a going away party for a 24-year worker)! I'll be glad to see him when he gets home on Thursday. Until then, I'll be staining and sealing the bathroom grout - fun.

Home for Christmas

Today Pat's Grandad went home to celebrate Christmas in the presence of the King!
Pat always loved his Grandad and learned so much from him. Even recently, as we moved into the house, Pat would reflect on how Grandad would respond to how this place was put together! Pat learned to value quality, hard work and orneriness from his Grandad.

Quick Entry!

Well, for all those who are wishing for something...! Here is a photo of Pat when he was the decoy for the police dog! That suit weighed about 60 lbs!
For an update, we are in the house and getting settled, but I still haven't gotten internet set up, so I'm currently in a parking lot outside the Christian book store here, using their wireless! I've paid all my bills, so I'd better get home and start cleaning and unpacking. Things feel very chaotic still, but winding down. I just left the Chiropractor and feel so much better! I only have to stop at Salvation Army to pick up some shelving (old closet doors) and possibly a bathroom cabinet (dresser/wardrobe), and swing by to drop off my trash, and I'll be back home! I'll be sending off our new address & phone number soon, once I do get service, so please be patient with me! We love you all!