You know you're neglecting your blog when your mother calls you on it...a Catholic mother...now I feel so guilty I may have to go to confession! LOL Just kidding, M.O.M.
I was talking to her on the phone and she had mentioned that my blog was rather empty, that it was one of the ways to stay in touch so she could see what I was doing and creating rather than listening to me try to explain it over the phone.
Then I said 'I have nothing to blog about!'
That's how I've been feeling, like no one wants to hear about things I consider run of the mill stuff...then M.O.M. pointed out what I had done the last couple weeks and that it was pretty neat stuff! And I was like 'Yeah! I'll blog about finking on my boss!'
Well, maybe I'll save that one story...
Moving on! Did I mention that I was having a 1940's party? To celebrate my 40th and our wedding and such. It was a total blast and I can't thank everyone enough for humouring me and dressing up! I mean look!
Look at my brother Peter and nephew Michael dressed up as newsies. Pete think he looks like the Lennox heating guy but it was working for him.
Maureen totally went with it. People, she had 'victory rolls' done in her hair! Spectacular!
Maureen poses with our friends Linda and Deb.
Here's me and my other brother Perry cutting a rug. Note to self-switch to white wine at parties. Seriously, what is up with me and wine teeth?! LOL
Wondering about Perry's name tag? It reads 'Perry-I wear leather pants but I'm not gay.' It was a game to get people talking out of the group they came with. We had people write their name and something someone may find interesting about themselves. It was pretty fun!
My dear friend Terri and husband were supposed to attend but had to deal with a family emergency at the last minute. She would have loved this party. Hey T. I think we should have another!
Then last weekend the Guy had an out of town gig and me being a loving and thoughtful wife thought I'd take care of something that really needed to be done and surprise him.
The Secret Stair Project!
The stairs on the back of our house were rickety and a serious fall hazard. I know as I fell down them earlier this year and almost broke my leg. So I called in reinforcements and we started!
We yanked off the back steps and gave the yard a complete once over. Pulled all the morning glory, pruned the trees, cut back the honeysuckle and got rid of a lot of crap!
3 truckloads of crap to be exact!
While we were loading stuff into the truck bed my nephew tossed in a fossilized dog bone he found...but it slipped...CRASH!
Oops...he's such a good nephew that he immediately offered to pay for it. I'm such a good auntie that I offered to half my deductible with him because he wouldn't have broken the window if I hadn't asked him to come over and help.
In the end it was worth it.
I water sealed everything but then found the steps way too slippery and Ella totally bailed coming up them. Ummmm...what to do? I sanded off the water seal on the center 2 feet of each step and then a 3 x 2 foot square on the lower landing. Then I painted the 'treads' with porch paint, sprinkled in some silica sand while it was still wet and then applied a second coat. Worked great and there will be no slipping here!
I am quite proud of myself and could never have done it without my Uncle Peter, who at 77, pretty much did all the cutting and constructing, I just handed him the tools, fed and watered him.
The reveal did not turn out as I had planned and in future the Guy will never get another surprise again. Yes, it was bad and I understand the reasons behind the total spazz but expected at the very least 'they're great and thanks for working so hard'.
I finally got that today...and he wonders why he's in the doghouse?!