Organizing My Craft Space

A craft friend and I were able to find time Saturday to unpack the multiple boxes in the basement and set up a craft haven for me.  We had a good time and I appreciate the help.  We found and organized things I forgotten I even had.  There's more work to do but it will be so much easier to find and play with all the fun stuff.

 Lots of shelves.

 Tables for projects

 Sara T as Vanna White shows off her display of stamps

A few of my completed scrapbooks and more

All Moved in and Enjoying Our Home

The boxes are unpacked and it's now a great place to live.  We love our new home.  Capone is adjusting well too.

I still have a couple projects to work on - the kitchen and the fireplace.

Kitchen:
There's a place in the kitchen for a table and a couple chairs.  I haven't found one yet but I've seen several possibilities on line.  It's a great place to have a cup of coffee, review recipes and plan a few meals, or have a cozy chat with Bill or a friend.  Think of all the possibilities.

I've reached out for help with the wall space above the kitchen sink.  Pinterest to the rescue.  I have one framed farm print I can use but I need a grouping to make it work.  The space is only 26" by 46" wide. I'll let you know when I come up with something.

Fireplace:
Although we don't have a fireplace in the living room we plan to purchase an electric one for warmth in the cold Minnesota winter months.  They really aren't as expense as you'd think.

April 2014 - Our Move to Prior Lake

Bill and I found a one level townhouse in Prior Lake with two bedrooms and an unfinished basement.
We closed and moved in on April 12.  One moving crew and several unpacked boxes later, we are all settled.

Photos at the new house.

Capone:  'There are way too many boxes here!'

Bill and Capone sleeping after a job well done - well almost done.

February 2014 - Little Rock and Back

Sarah and I drove to Little Rock in mid-February for Megan's baptism.  It was fun to see family and get away from the cold Minnesota winter.

Will took us to Waffle House our first morning in town.

Lucy and Megan posed Sunday after Megan's lovely baptism.

Lunch with Will on Monday

 At the park - me and Lucy

Sarah takes time out to study.

We had a nice drive home on Tuesday with clear roads - just ahead of more Feb snow for Minnesota.

In 6 Months Time

I haven't blogged for awhile.  In fact I haven't blogged since Becca flew back to Indonesia over 7 months ago to continue teaching at English First (EF) in Karawaci.  Thanks to Skype and Viber we are able to keep in touch weekly by video, phone and text.

Bill, Sarah and I had a quiet Christmas holiday at home. The rest of the winter here in Minnesota was one of the coldest with lots of snow from December through April.

Sarah and I took a break in mid-February to drive to Little Rock, AR for Megan's baptism.  We were out of the ice and snow by Kansas and had lovely weather the whole weekend with temperatures in the high 50s.  It was a fun weekend with family and a great break from the harsh Minnesota weather.

Bill and I moved from Savage to Prior Lake in April.  We found a lovely one level townhouse, and a moving crew and several unpacked boxes later - we are all moved in.


Becca (Indonesia) helps her students prepare for the Chinese New Year.

Meanwhile Sarah, Bill and I had a quiet Christmas holiday at home in Savage.

Part 5: Saying Our Good-byes

All too soon everyone headed out of town again in opposite directions.
Will, Liz, Megan and Lucy had to return to Arkansas.
Becca packed and headed to the airport for our final good-byes.

It was a very sad time.  We knew she needed to leave but we wanted her to stay.  She would be teaching for another year in Indonesia. We all cried (except Bill).  We hated to leave her in the security line crying.

We got home to Savage and 10 minutes later Becca called and said her plane had been delayed for three hours.  Bill and I agreed to pick up lunch to share at the terminal. We had a Jimmy John lunch, a lovely chat, and sent Becca off in better spirits with a promise to chat on Skype soon.

That was the end of Becca's month long vacation, my granddaughter's visit and vacation with the whole wonderful family in town (you too - Will and Liz - we love you a tons).  It is always hard to say good-by.  Bill and I are already planning visits for 2014.

Part 4: A Surprise Party for Becca

 SURPRISE!  Who looks the most surprised?

 Lots of yummy desserts

Sarah and Liz planned a surprise party for Becca as an early birthday and going away celebration.  I was able to entertain Becca at the Mall of America while the party preparations were organized.  The guys grilled, there was a cake and lots of desserts and we all had a great time.

Part 3: Did We Miss Anything?

We loved story time with Grandpa Bill.  Megan and Grandpa took turns reading and it was a contest to see who could get more pages in while taking turns.  Megan set the pace but Grandpa kept up!

Some of us dressed up and posed at the photo booth at Sarah's company Fall Event.

Sarah was the expert at the weigh-in station.

 Pumpkins were decorated by all.

Holmans at the University of Minnesota

with Goldie

 And on tour -- can you see Megan and Lucy with Liz?

 Will on campus again - our 2003 graduate!

I love this photo from earlier that week.

We made cards on National Scrapbook Day.  Megan poses with hers.