April 15, 2009: TAX DAY PROTEST TEA PARTY

Now this is stinkin' cool! (yes, I said stinkin', it's as far as I go, a lady's gotta have some standards) Due to the extravagant spending up on The Hill, many partiotic Americans are protesting in an awesome way-- a tea party. Of course these tea parties don't have us throwing Earl Grey into the bay, but they do have us thinking that maybe we need to protest the socialistic ideals coming into play in our government. Google: Tax Day Tea Party for lots of interesting info that mainstream media simply isn't covering.

Red Envelope Project: Make the message about abortion clear

I came across this idea while surfing the net and the next Sunday my church promoted it, so I decided to promote it as well.
The idea is to send a red envelope addressed to President Barak Obama with special words written on the outside. Can you imagine your mail full of red envelopes that respresent the life of a child? Talk about not being able to sleep at night! So connect to the site and get started, maybe even bring this up to your church pastor.
www.redenvelopeproject.org

The coal-burning fire place: my very own treasure to uncover

It really was like something out of a novel, uncovering this gem. I had invited one of my friends over to inspect the floors when she noticed a small gleam in the cast iron summer cover of the fire place. We grabbed some Brasso and sure enouch-- COPPER! I wanted you to see the cleaning process. Here it is in the beginning stages.

"The key to overcoming buyer's remorse is to have a plan. Pick one room and make it your own. Go slowly. Introduce yourself, and the house will introduce itself to you."
Under the Tuscan Sun--movie
This movie resonates with me on so many levels. Diane Lane is amazing so down to earth believable. I love the part of the movie during the lighing and thunderstorm when she comforts the baby owl who has flown into her room. "You're gonna be o.k." she screams. "Just don't fly around you'll scare the crap out of me!" and she proceeds to cry while clinging to the wrought iron bed. She looks up and sees a transer painting of Mary and begins to pray. Praying to Mary won't really and truly do anything, but I like to think of times when I have called out to God in my most darkest times. I think maybe I'll have to pull some of my favorite quotes-- they're quite inspiring. Ciao bella!

Face lift: the hardwood floors in the open dining and living

It'll be a few more weeks before I can do anything about it, but I just had to see what was under the carpet. All sorts of questions where running through my mind. Did the floors have a plywood patch? Was there any water damage? Would I see through the floor? In what condition would they be? I just had to know. I have to say it felt very invigorating ripping up the carpet. I think I'll have some friends over to finish the rest and call it a carpet ripping party.



You can see that the wood around the edges is in much better condition than that of high traffic areas. Cathy, my roommate seams to think the area in the dining room around the eating area should be the worst. I hope she's right.

Jared Roberts and family go to Devner for Spelling Bee

Jared and his family had a great experience, even though he didn't make to the finals. I was glad to be there to share in the experience. This is my student with his parents. I think Jared is going to grow into a fine young man!

Selling the antique windows

When I made the decision to live in a modern Victorian, that meant that function and common sense could factor into my decisions about renovation. The natural next step was to replace the double hung windows that always have a nice breeze passing through them, in short my money was going out the window!

Before the renovation I decided to keep the diamond pane windows in the stair well in the house parlor. I couldn't just throw these windows away, so I took them down to Florence, CO to sell to one of my favorite antique shop: The Windmill. She bought them for $5. a piece. Here I am selling them.

Christo and Jeane-Claude come to Big Horn Sheep Canyon

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that the artist who set up flowing yards of fabric in New York City's Central Park would come to the Arkansas River to put on a similar show.

The artist is expected to complete his project in 2012, and preparations are already under way.

Of course this is so controversial. The environmentalist claim that sunlight will not reach life on the river and that the entire eco system will be upset. Puhleese! If you've studied anything else Christo has done, you'll find he's very respectful to his surroundings. Everything he does is temporary.

I am glad he is coming. This will once again make people sit up and notice Cañon City-- it'll be good for tourism.

Enjoy these other temporary art displays from the husband-wife duo.

Wouldn't it be fun to do a summer visit as a family when he does come? We could camp near it.

It Happens All At Once

Wasn't it a salt commercial that said when it rains, it pours? Well count me in as a believer. I will not be commenting on my blog for the next few weeks due to yearbook and drama happening and ending at the same time!!! For those of you who are curious, this will be my last year as the singular yearbook advisor, I will be helping someone next year to take over! Yes! So, don't think that this blog thing was a fad and now I'm done... no no no. Just know for the moment I'm somewhere buried under paperwork, costumes, and waiting for my computer to upload the recent wrestling pics so I can get them to the company. Better days are coming. I decided to postpone my trip to Frisco, Colorado until my work is done. I'll probably take a few days off in the new quarter, after all I deserve it!

Front Yard Beginnings

My door will be arriving soon and it seems as if the outside of my house will finally look more complete. As the weather warms, it's time to take out all the magazine pictures of gardens and really think about what this cottage front yard should look like. This is a picture I found almost a year ago-- I'd love to incorporate the idea into my front yard using apple trees. We'll see. Gotta put the grass in first, I guess.

Bee Excited! One of my students goes to the state spelling bee competition

Jared Roberts, an eighth grader in my class, will be attending the state spelling bee this Saturday. I think I'm going to drive up to Denver and watch him compete. He is super excited and so am I. It'll be good to get out of town and to support my student. Pray for Jared and his family as they represent Harrison School and Cañon City-- I would love to see him go further!

Bringing Up Brother or The Summers' Girls Know How To Pick 'Em or The Romantic Life of Summers

I called Tris last night just to say "hi" and found out he had surprised Melissa with a night out on the town in Austin, Texas. How very thoughtful, because he knew it was their favorite city. It's thinkgs like that that get me thinking about little Tris and how his three sisters made sure he opened doors and pulled out chairs.

"I have nothing else to teach you. You graduated." we both laugh and you can hear the love bubbling over like a hot spring.

I remember the night Tristan was given permission to date Melissa-- I was home that night, down from Colorado. He was going to take her to a movie and then to Denny's to talk."No, you can't do it that way, Tris. How much do you like this girl? How important is she to you? Romance her. Woo her. Set her apart. That night Tristan did not ask Melissa out, nor did he for a long while; however the romance that followed would melt any girls heart.

Then there's dear PaPaul, who decided to insert himself into by inviting himself to dinner. He washed dishes and shined bathroom fixtures, loving Heidi through his work.

Marriage seems to be the beginning not the end for the romantic lives of Summers' girls. Just a few weeks ago Paul found a way to send Heidi flowers while he himself was in Iraq. Heidi brought no hope chest to her marriage, so during their engagement he hand carved one for her. Not long after their wedding he went searching for a locket-- one with that seemed like it had history. Who buys lockets anymore? PaPaul does!

So the older sister once looked at by her younger siblings is now looking at them. Sometimes when it's quiet I wonder if it will happen to me again. How will he find me tucked away in my sleepy mountain town? Maybe it's because I don't have the right last name. Maybe it I change my name he will be able to find the lucky Summers girl living in Colorado.

Finding Friends

Blogs are the safest and easiest way to keep connected (at least I'm convinced). Often times I have my morning coffee and devotion in the early morning quiet at school, soon after I am updating my new blog. Better than Facebook, because I can access it during school.
I take longer than anyone I know to change and adjust eventhough I'm feverishly paddling under the water. It may have taken me a few years to catch on, but I htink blogging is here to stay because nothing is more important to me than friends and family.

Howard Payne and Joe Allen's Pit Bar B Que

I still keep my HPU sticker on my truck just in case someone from Howard Payne recognizes the logo; it creates a great way to make connections. Yesterday I was loading up my new piece of furniture when the lady helping me said "You went to Howard Payne?" "I sure did," I replied. "I'm from Abilene!" It wasn't long before we were sharing memories of good steak from Joe Allen's. If you haven't been and you're in the neighborhood, get a group together and go! By all means order the rib eye!

Finding the Blues

There's nothing quite like finding the right color of paint. My friend Kristen Econome can share in this feeling, she and her husband are also renovating a Victorian (much bigger than mine of course). I was thumbing through the new Victoria issue and came across this color scheme. I thought it was a grown-up, rich look for the blue and white theme. I only hope I can mimick with good taste! It might take a few tries, it always does.

Monarch on Saturday with School Kids

I wasn't able to ski due to some health issues this year, so I did the next best thing. I played lodge bunny to our school kids. I had a great time relaxing and crocheting. I even started a new blanket that I think I might finish. If this keeps up I'll be able to use these for Christmas gifts this year.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Yes, it true, I do have a blog! My life is just too topsy turvy wonderful not to have one!