It's going to get into the 30's tonight. Upper 30's, but that hardly makes any difference, it's still too cold. I was hit in the back of the head with the first ladybug of the season as I was making hot tea this morning. Time marches on, but dang. Cold and bugs, I don't care for either.
Matt and Kuma are walking around with the same bright-eyed bushy-tailed look of happy wonder on their faces. They LOVE the nippy weather, Kuma can run for hours and Matt revs up into Prospector Mode, wherein his face gets bushy and his stops shaving his head. He wears a light jacket when it's 12 degrees out and complains about how the heat dries out his contacts. I bet he will say that 45 times before the end of the year. I will keep count. It's like he has no idea the vents angle or that he can use eye drops or just wear his glasses. But, he has LOADS of body heat, so I have to keep him around despite the eyeball issue.
Since getting back from Cayman, we have gotten into gear with the house...some. Matt has about half of the hall bathroom tiled. I did a spot in front of the front door to keep the winter mud at bay. I have the WHOLE porch covered in 2 mats and a full carpet where we walk in and the doorway had its own mat and the carpet under there was still filthy. So I pulled it out and I added a muddy shoe tray inside and out. We'll see if that helps! I have gotten more painting done, that's going slowly, though. Maybe we can get a burst in this week and have it nearly finished in the cool dry weather coming up.
We made plans with friends-pontooning the lake to see the fall colors, grilling out, bonfires, sleepovers, hikes. Chan is busy with a new play, the music director encouraged her to try out for a lead role that had already been cast before she joined in, but the girl has not pulled her weight. So, that might go from a minor blip (once a week rehearsals, YES) to a major one as she takes on the lines and songs. She would get a solo!
It feels like we are...cocooning or something similar. Surrounding ourselves with friends and enjoying the kids and our pets. Trying new things and making bigger plans, gathering ideas and wool. Getting the house cozy and tidy and in good shape, even making it more a reflection of us now. I love this house, I am glad we are putting in some time and money to keep it healthy and whole.
Speaking of friends and gatherings, yesterday we went to Kurt and Katy's for Inde and Alex's birthday party. She's 5 and he's 14, we had a blast!
Matt...not sure what he and Gina were talking about:
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| some kids. |
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| The patio expansion, I love it! |
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| Jake loves rainbow cake! |
Gina has long wanted to try ziplining, so Kurt set her up last night! I think she enjoyed it!
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| This is a new thing...I think it's funny how I am trying to sort MY feelings about HIS feelings. At least I really like Rhoen and they seem to be taking things slowly. AND she griped about his awful spelling and he's been working on that double time. I knew it was going to take a girl to get him to shape up in that arena. |
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| Hanging out waiting for a zip! |
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| Gina was lei'd! |
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| Delicious spice cake |
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| Muscadine moonshine, it was 120 proof. I could only smell it. WHOOOOO. |
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| Drink ANYTHING from this company, it's all good. I tried whiskey, gin, absinthe and bourbon. I stopped sampling around 8, we left after 11. I may have loosened up, but I have not gone nuts. |
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| Jake and Rhoen chatting. |
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| Everyone dancing on the deck. |
It was a great evening, we had such a good time just hanging out talking and laughing and munching on yummy things. We have another bonfire at the lake and then it's my turn to host! I am excited!
