More Progress...

The sheetrock, mudding and sanding is all done...

Next comes the tub kit- that was Dunc's major project today...

The 2x4 in. braces will stay there til tomorrow, then he can remove them. (They are pushing in the tub-surround so the adhesive will bond with the sheetrock firmly.)

Dunc put in this nice decorative post, to match the ones on the ledge near our bed. He snatched them from the trash years ago, and they've been sitting in the shed- it's cool we can use them now. He's calling the over-all look of our room "eclectic-funk" because we are piecing it together with 'whatever', LOL. I think it's coming together nicely, though.

I had to take a close-up of the beautiful cherry wainscoating around the tub- it was also rescued from the dumpster! It cleaned up so nicely.

We have been waiting quite awhile to save enough to buy a tub- we wanted a six footer. Then Dunc found this tub on clearance at Greenburg's for a steal. It's just the right length and very deep. I can't wait to take a bath in it!

Fun at B.S.R.

OCT 6TH, 2007

While I was at a ladies' retreat in NH, Dunc and his parents took the kids for a ride on the Berkshire Scenic Railway. They all had a blast! (I was a little disappointed that I missed it, but I had a nice day also!)

Dunc and the kids at the train station... he told me that they had a nice piano in the station also, which Haley couldn't help but try it out, of course. I heard that she attracted quite an audience, lol.

Grampie Clark and Haley

Carty enjoying the ride...

Camping On Back Hill

FRIDAY OCT 5, 2007

Dunc and the kids decided to camp up on the back hill behind our house. I had to get up early the next morning to go to an all-day ladies' conference so I got out of sleeping in the tent ;o) I went up and joined them for smores and fireworks at night though- we all had a great time!

Haley said she woke up wet from the dew, but she's a trooper...

Maybe next year we'll do "real camping" again!!

My Hardworking Man

Dunc, standing by his latest accomplishment!!!

He put in the tub and kneewall and finished the plumbing for the shower.

Yay!!!!! I now have a nice home for the pottery I've been painting at Diva Night at Bisque, Beads and Beyond. I just need a canister to put coffee in, and I'm in search of a red coffee pot to put there also.

I'm so proud of Dunc- he's spent like a zillion hours in the miserable crawlspace under the house this week, hooking up the plumbing for the sink and shower unit. He also built this vanity,

kneewall and tub enclosure in his "spare" time! I was amazed at how beautiful the cherry wainscoating is, in front of the tub. Much of the valuable materials he has used has been salvaged demo or left over from old jobs- some he rescued from dumpsters, LOL!

(Next comes the sheetrock, then the tub-surround, fixtures and faucet.

I was so excited to place my coffee cups and sugar bowl on top of the vanity he built! Underneath is a little dorm fridge for half-n-half and snacks. We'll never have to leave our room again!

Outing Today...

Today we did one of our favorite activities- we went to the nursing home to help Rev Don. My new friend Alison met us there- it was a truly blessed day!

Alison and her kids were so wonderful and helpful- the residents really enjoyed seeing all the kids. (Her 2 y.o. even danced for them LOL- TOO CUTE!!!)

I know that it was a huge shot in the arm for Rev Don and I, and a real answer to our prayers.

Alison invited us to her house for a nice lunch, and the kids and I had such a great time. I am thankful to have met another 'kindred spirit'. Ok, yes, I'll admit... Haley and I have been watching Anne of Green Gables alot lately. But I mean it! Alison rocks!

Ok... seriously...As many of you know, Dunc, the kids and I have gone through a hugely painful transition recently, leaving our church 'family' of 16 years. While we long for relationships lost, and hold out hope that they will one day be restored, we are SO grateful that the Lord is providing us with new, wonderful, supportive friendships. God is so good!

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY AUSTIN!!!!

October 1, 2007

Austin w/cupcakes (sorry, my pics are coming out blurry- I'll have to stop cropping them!)

Austin got a drum, race track, camo hat, art supplies, stffed dog, and a remote control jeep. He wanted so badly to sleep with his jeep, LOL, but he had to settle for the stuffed dog!

ABOUT AUSTIN:

He was my biggest baby, weighed in at 9lbs. 9oz. I had a c-section for him, and since he was so big and delivered by C- he was so beautiful and perfectly formed when he was born- cute and chubby!

He's always had a very sweet disposition, but also very sensitive to people and surroundings- he takes rejection pretty hard. Dunc says that comes from being the middle child and having a younger brother that's close in age. He and Austin have both those things in common.

Austin is also a wonderful artist (I'll have to post some pics of his art sometimes). He has great rhythm too (thus the drum gift for his B-day).

The thing I value most about Austin is that he is naturally caring and compassionate. He doesn't have his own bunny yet, but he always makes sure the others feeds theirs. He gives the bunnies plnety of love and attention too- they hop right to the door when they see him coming, because they know they can trust him!

He's like that with people also- when we give him a treat, he wants to make sure everyone else gets one too. When someone is sick, he sticks by their side. He is kind to little children. I always tell him that he'll make the best Dad in the world. (Not rushing that though, LOL!)

Fall Foliage Parade

Sunday, Sept. 30th was the FF Parade in N. Adams:

It was perfect weather for it!

I have very fond memories of watching this parade when I was young, and now I'm glad the kids can enjoy it with us! They loved watching the bands and floats go by, and esp. grabbing up the candy that was being thrown, LOL!

A pretty blurry pic (above), but it's Austin, and Haley and her friend Christina in the background

NOAH'S ARK

This was our favorite float... it happened to be sponsored by our new church that we've been attending for about a month, Stamford Community Church. It won the "Grand Marshall Award".