A whole new level

Maz and I have taken frenzy to a whole new underground level the last few weeks getting ready for visitors. I am so excited to have a couple more private bedrooms for guests. This one was just finished yesterday morning.





We've also mostly finished painting and added a chalkboard wall for fun messages and dart game scores.



I also had to say goodbye to my office upstairs. I am really excited to have a completely separate work space, so when I am done for the day, I am actually done and not distracted by my computer screen,

filing,


project notes,


a big multi-line phone,


or articles that need to be read.

The office upstairs was also used for yoga, fly tying, guests and general hang out, none of which need to be mixed with work.

But I will miss my 8-10 daily hours in this big blue room- watching daily progress of the new lawn,


the aspen trees bending and shaking in anticipation of storms,


the fabulous sunbeams,


watching the neighborhood go about its business,


and seeing Maz pedal up the walkway at the end of the day.


My new office space will be a fun, creative space and I have big plans for organizing it. And I think what I will like best is that it will quietly go away everyday.

They're just squares.

The lack of posts only means one thing- PROGRESS! Among other things, Maz and I have been listening to live music, making a yard, finishing a basement and using up all of our excess paint from this fall's painting adventure.

Last night, one of these projects came to an end... fingerless gloves!



I was inspired by my friend Catherine who showed up last March sporting these adorable 'wrist warmers.' After trying hats, k2p2, ascending and descending stitches, I realized I should just stick to knitting squares and rectangles. It's uncomplicated, I avoid frustration, mistakes are easy to hide and projects can be speedy.

So I was little sad to see this cute, practical accessory slip so quickly in and out of my knitting repertoire, knowing it would be a bad idea for me to attempt a hand shaped project with a thumbhole. I got anxious just thinking about it.

'Those are so awesome! I'm so impressed! I know I would end up on Valium trying to knit a pair.'

'Eunice, they're just squares, girl.'

YES!

Off I went out to dig out my number 7 needles and 2 skeins of chocolate colored yarn, perfect for dense stitches. These paw protectors are the perfect Idaho summertime mitten (crazy, right?) and for chilly office days in the winter.

Pilgrimage

Andra squelched her desire to visit Southfork Ranch until I arrived. Sadly, I know some of you may not have the deep relationship with Southfork, as some of us do- it was the exterior set of the 80's TV show Dallas.

Mom and Dad allowed my sister and I to have a bottle of pop on Friday nights, so we'd sit down with pizza, popcorn and the normally forbidden Pepsi to watch the latest Ewing family catastrophes, pool parties and board meetings. I was beside myself when we got to Southfork.

Lone Star Living

I recently visited my friend Andra in Dallas, TX (don't mess with it, by the way). Despite her birthright, she is quick to remind me she's not FROM Texas, so let's just get that straight right here. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Southfork Ranch. More on that later this week.

When I sat down to stop thinking about marketing or home improvement for 5 minutes, I realized a former roommate lived in Dallas.


(circa 2000)

AND a former co-worker!



It was catch-up time.

Enjoying Tillman's Road House in Oak Cliff with Sandra, her delightful husband Kevin, who I met for the first time. They've been married 6 years!





Fun times with Andra's friends.




Hilarious Dallas sights. In Idaho, the equivalent would be 'Senator Larry Craig Scenic Byway'.



4.99 shoes. Most recently known as 6.99 shoes. Yes, you get a full pair.



In my case, you get THREE pairs.



Dinner with ex-Tea Tron, Jeff.



Downtown Dallas.






Andra, Tank and I also went to Unleashed, the new indoor dog park. It was as close as I can imagine to dog heaven. Despite what you may think, it was not hell for me, I made a few friends.









Thanks to all my great friends who made it a great trip! I can't wait for the next one!

It's official. We are drywall masters.



Thanks to a very important invention called the 'Drywall Lift.'


We even got a chance to demo part of this new house.

90 Years Young

My grandma turned 90 on May 23rd. To celebrate how awesome she is, my mom and her 4 brothers and sisters organized an amazing weekend party in her hometown- McIntosh, MN 56556.

Great weather, lots of laughs and LOTS of birthday cake.

From the Other Side of Idaho

My aunt Carole and Uncle Carl live in Spokane and spend a bit of time in the Idaho panhandle (Couer D'Alene, Sandpoint, etc...), but last week, they checked out a whole different part of the state- my neighborhood.

We had a great time during cocktail hour on the front porch...



and visiting Targhee...





and opening a great big bag of housewarming gifts!



Carole's superior shopping skills uncovered a much needed accessory for the front door that just happened to depict the Teton range!

Their little terrier Sophie lost out to Lefty. Sorry Soph Dawg.



Thanks for making the drive- we can't wait for the next visit!

TPS Reports

My office has been a bit mangled lately. I needed to get all my marketing gear organized and create some storage so I could better concentrate on work.



Yuck!

What's behind door #2?



Maz cut some shelves for me and I went to town with the power drill.




I also tested out creating a 'magnet wall' using Rustoleum Magnetic Primer and repainting with the same color of the walls. It works fairly well with a light magnet for small notes.



More on this project later, when I finish the magnet chalkboard in the kitchen.



Ta da! Everything is filed & stored. Productivity ensues!