We're keeping busy in these early fall days. After having a house full of all sickies last week, including the kids' first bout w/colds, which thankfully they fared much better than DH and me, I recently also came down with food poisoning, because don't you know when you are BFing twins you need more help losing more weight you don't really need to lose. Not cool. So we are trying to claw our way back.
We recently decided it was way past time to put in our new patio. We first planned to do this several years ago, since our small deck had limited usefulness, but it just fell by the wayside with all the much more important nonsense we had going on. Fortunately, we'd done all the research, scoping out of contractors back in '09, so it was a quick revisit with our top pick to get things rolling. We're having Unilock Hollandstone pavers laid over 400 sq feet. By having it done now instead in the spring, we negotiated '09 pricing, nixing the 30% increase since then. Yay!
Our plan is to put a playspace for the kids just beyond the new patio, before our lawn drops off slightly before the rear property line, as all are in direct line of sight from the kitchen window. I'll try to remember to post some before and after pics when it's all done.
We've also just started acquiring the pieces of our new master bath. So far, just the new bath tub, surround and fixtures. I still need to figure out what we are going to do for flooring and the vanity and then ultimately have it all installed. The bath is 12' by 6' and has a 72" vanity now. I have to decide if I want to break it up into two smaller vanities and add storage or just go with something simple since we have a good sized closet in there already.
We went to a (not really a) pumpkin "farm" over the weekend hoping to pick some pumpkins, you know because that's what you do at a pumpkin "farm", but not only was it crazy hotter than predicted (apparently we live in FL now), they had miles and miles of prepicked pumpkins. Now what is the fun in that? Apparently if you go to their location in the far far exurbs you can pick your own, but not in Barrington (which to most people I know is way beyond anywhere they would ever want to go) since there isn't "enough room". Barrington is horse country BTW, there is plenty of room. But they did have enough room for giraffes and camel rides... Go figure.
Our kids are crazy smiley, but I think this is one of the only pics I have of them after nine months both in the same picture. Oh well... cuties.
If you follow me on Pinterest, which you are by no means obliged to do, you'll see that for Halloween we are planning for the kids to be Paddington Bear and Madeline, this is assuming I finish their outfits. And I'm starting to plan their first birthday party which will come after our first big family trip over Christmas (likely to Sanibel or someplace similar), again assuming I can manage to get everything done on time. I like to joke the main thing standing between me and total world domination is my low energy level post mono (and now post bed rest), but we're likely not getting that addressed until after BFing is done. Happy October!
The Ryder Cup was literally down the street over the weekend and though I'd wisely passed on tickets to go, we went and visited the course last weekend before the crowds besieged and Team USA choked something awful. The last tournament we went to there was the PGA in 2006, when we took the day off of work to go and watch and then go to get our marriage license. My a lot has happened since then...
In other news...
We recently decided it was way past time to put in our new patio. We first planned to do this several years ago, since our small deck had limited usefulness, but it just fell by the wayside with all the much more important nonsense we had going on. Fortunately, we'd done all the research, scoping out of contractors back in '09, so it was a quick revisit with our top pick to get things rolling. We're having Unilock Hollandstone pavers laid over 400 sq feet. By having it done now instead in the spring, we negotiated '09 pricing, nixing the 30% increase since then. Yay!
This is obviously an entry, but it's the stone (Sierra) and pattern (herringbone with a single border) that we are planning. Simple.
DH built the paver patio at his last place (with a buddy's help) and I come from a long line of DIYers, but we are pretty much an outsourcing bunch of folks now. If there is massive labor or expertise involved (we're having a concrete Unibase laid under the pavers) or it doesn't matter who does something (like the guy who mows the lawn, cleans the gutters) we pay someone else to do it. If it were up to DH, I'd hire someone to come help regularly with the kids, so I had more time, but I've yet to give in to that.
With the kids, and a sloping driveway, we knew we'd want/need more safe outside space for playing, riding around, etc., plus the obvious benefit of having additional outdoor living/eating area. It has southern exposure, so I'll probably be shopping for more than just a simple umbrella. It can get really hot back there.Our plan is to put a playspace for the kids just beyond the new patio, before our lawn drops off slightly before the rear property line, as all are in direct line of sight from the kitchen window. I'll try to remember to post some before and after pics when it's all done.
We've also just started acquiring the pieces of our new master bath. So far, just the new bath tub, surround and fixtures. I still need to figure out what we are going to do for flooring and the vanity and then ultimately have it all installed. The bath is 12' by 6' and has a 72" vanity now. I have to decide if I want to break it up into two smaller vanities and add storage or just go with something simple since we have a good sized closet in there already.
Hutton double by RH
We went to a (not really a) pumpkin "farm" over the weekend hoping to pick some pumpkins, you know because that's what you do at a pumpkin "farm", but not only was it crazy hotter than predicted (apparently we live in FL now), they had miles and miles of prepicked pumpkins. Now what is the fun in that? Apparently if you go to their location in the far far exurbs you can pick your own, but not in Barrington (which to most people I know is way beyond anywhere they would ever want to go) since there isn't "enough room". Barrington is horse country BTW, there is plenty of room. But they did have enough room for giraffes and camel rides... Go figure.
I mean what's a pumpkin "farm" without zoo animals, really?
So we had to settle for just buying, not picking, the kids some pee-wees of their own
Our kids are crazy smiley, but I think this is one of the only pics I have of them after nine months both in the same picture. Oh well... cuties.
If you follow me on Pinterest, which you are by no means obliged to do, you'll see that for Halloween we are planning for the kids to be Paddington Bear and Madeline, this is assuming I finish their outfits. And I'm starting to plan their first birthday party which will come after our first big family trip over Christmas (likely to Sanibel or someplace similar), again assuming I can manage to get everything done on time. I like to joke the main thing standing between me and total world domination is my low energy level post mono (and now post bed rest), but we're likely not getting that addressed until after BFing is done. Happy October!
You are busy! The babies have gotten so big!!! Hope you are well.
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