Let There Be Mist

My wonderful Hubby installed a misting system on our back patio this past Saturday. It’s been something that we’ve I’ve wanted for quite some time. I was convinced that if we could just lower the temperature of our patio a little during the hot summer months, we could use this space year-round.

You know how much I hate saying it, but I was right. This 16-nozzle misting kit brags that it can lower the temperature by as much as thirty degrees. And while I wasn’t sitting there with a thermometer in my hand, it was refreshing and definitely more comfortable to sit near a mister than to not.

Hubby should be able to officially test it out today while I am at work for a day trip. It is supposed to get up to 108 degrees today. Holy cow. Here it comes.

Words can’t express how excited I am for this misting system. I was hoping little jets of wet air would be the perfect solution to our back patio heat. We have such a wonderful space out here but certainly can’t use it from about May through October. This sounds backwards compared to when most people can use their outdoor areas. But that’s how we roll here in Arizona. Hot and backwards.

Hubby did such a great job on installation that you can hardly see the hose there. They are stealthy little misters that make everything better. I can hardly wait to have people over to try it out! It won’t be any time soon, unfortunately. I have a very busy month ahead of me for work. But then perhaps a little time home to breathe, so we will plan an outdoor patio party for then. We haven’t had any people over for dinner in almost six months, and I’m getting downright twitchy about it.

Sorry for the lack of action shots of the misting system. Do you have any idea how wet a camera can get when thirty feet of misting nozzles are doing their job?

Hubba Hubba Hubby

A few weeks ago, with all of our family in town, we had some family photos taken. You know, because the last time we did it was in 2002. So it was indeed time to update the walls of our homes. We like our spouses and even the grandkids, so photo proof that they existed was a good idea.

This was my favorite of Hubby and me. He is so dashing, and this was one of the few we had where my hair wasn’t in my face. I’m not sure how important that is to the general public, but I played it safe by sharing this one instead.

I’ve got a great man, and sometimes I forget how blessed I am. I’m glad he is mine. And that he is so handsome. Double-bonus.

Mama and Charloe, I will be sending your CDs soon. Lee did a great job, so I think you’ll like them! It could even be considered worth the almost-ten-year wait.

Also, guess what? I updated My Airplane page to reflect Gladys joining my life. Feel free to check it out if you, like me, think three days is too long to go without seeing an airplane ‘round these parts.

Only Three Pictures?

Just a few weekends ago, we had lots of family in town for a baby blessing. It was a fun-filled weekend involving bra shopping, Joe’s BBQ, updated family photos by our wedding photographer (since we’ve all gotten married since the last one in 2002), swimming, and lots of good food and visiting.

My parents and two little brothers stayed at our house, and it was a treat having such pleasant house guests. I was gone for work when they left for home on that Monday, but Hubby said that they cleaned up so well that he got to take the week off of housework and just kick back.

Somehow, in all the fun and glory and eating, I managed to get a whole three pictures capturing the weekend. Three!

I know my excuse. One sub-family in my family prefers to stay out of the online spotlight, so pictures of them aren’t allowed to show up on my blog. I think that rather than try to work random photos without accidentally getting them in the shot, I resigned before the weekend even started to just enjoy the four days without taking pictures constantly.

This decision is regretted, of course. I wish I had more fun photos to document the great times we had, even if I couldn’t post them for all the world to see.

My memories of the weekend will simply have to be based on these three lone shots. Of four cute kids in swimming suits ready to jump in for the day. I have to admit, though, that they are really cute captures of really cute kids. Even if only three shots exist.

Thanks for coming down, everyone. It was such a nice weekend with you. I’m so glad that you’re my family and that you let me be a part of it.