Porch Progress

So many things are getting done in this new house. I love each and every day that I get to work on projects to make it our own. While John's dad was here a month ago, we used his electrical know-how to have him install our new porch light. It is motion-detecting, and I bought it on Amazon a few months ago. Unfortunately, it possesses the traits of Schizophrenia. It never turns on when we want, and turns off on its own after just walking past it a few seconds before. More than likely, we got a faulty unit and will need to replace it. But it looks nice, in the meantime. Who needs functionality?

I bought a doorbell cover to replace the old brass one. I found the perfect one at Restoration Hardware's website for only $10. Someone forgot to measure the size of the opening before ordering, however, and a run to the store to exchange was done shortly after we moved in. I love the new and improved look of the satin nickel, which is the hardware we are doing throughout the entire house.

We utilized John's dad's truck while he was in town to pick up a new security door to put on the front entrance to the house. I am hoping to leave all my doors and windows open for eight months out of the year. I love how the installed door looks, but we will need to purchase and install a door kit to prevent little critters from coming inside. I want a nice breeze, not all the neighborhood creepy crawlies. Do I have the right to be so selective?

In addition, we removed the old house numbers from the tree out front (wha?) and replaced them with floating vertical satin nickel numbers attached to the house. I love them! John did a great job installing them.

The only thing left to do out here is to paint the porch with some patio paint. I have to wait until Monsoon Season ends so the thing will dry before a thunderstorm washes it all away. We will be tearing out all of the plants in front as soon as the weather begins to cool down! The plan is to replace it with smaller, manageable desert greenery. I'm lazy like that, you know? And these flowers right now have completely taken over the sidewalk and must go. I would also love somewhere to sit out front so we can enjoy the perfect weather most of the year.

It's all coming along, and I am sure enjoying the process. I love this house.

Can Hardly Wait

Two years ago, my family got together for a week in Sedona, Arizona. We had so much fun that we decided to do it again this year for our Family Reunion. In just one week, we will be out of the Phoenix heat and enjoying company of family from Utah and Arizona. With two new babies to enjoy, I am sure this year's get-together is going to be a blast. Especially since the menu has been planned for eight months. A small part of me wishes that I was exaggerating, but one can't leave these important things to chance!

In honor of the upcoming fun that will no doubt take place, I thought I'd post some highlights of the eating, ping pong-playing, hiking, eating, swimming, arm wrestling, and eating that took place on that wonderful week. I'm glad I like my family so much. And I'm glad we have such a neat place to meet each other every few years!

Sorry about the fuzz. I have sinced replaced a Nikon with a Canon and will never go back! Unless, of course, I happen to win one from The Pioneer Woman. I doubt that will happen, so consider it a solid vow.

Come on, Sedona!

Storage Galore

Our new home came with a two-car garage, but it's pretty small. John keeps teasing me that there will be no room for a Highlander some day, which is what my hopes are set on for when we have kids to truck around. We still have a few boxes in the small garage that we are using to remove the last little bit from the apartment. We don't have a deadline to get out of the old place, so we have taken our time in settling in each load instead of having boxes piled everywhere. It has been a blessing, since I would hate to get behind in putting things away. By doing it this way, I know where everything is going and can put it in its rightful place before starting on the next load. I am anxious to get everything out of the apartment and clean it, too, and hope to finish that this week.

Because the garage is small, the builder planned ahead and built a storage room just off the patio out back. We lock it and even had the security system install a warning on the door. We purchased two industrial-strength shelving units from Costco and finally put them up this past weekend. It will be so nice to have camping gear, Christmas decorations, and tool storage where it belongs! We are also going to use it as a pool equipment room, since anything out in the sun will bake and die...just like that little snake we accidentally fried as kids out on The Ranch.

Our water heater is also out in the storage room. It's about to go, so we have been saving up for a new one for when the time comes. Just like my present car, we will run it until it dies before replacing it! They both have about 225,000 miles on them...

We are getting lots done on the house, which is really fun and satisfying. I cannot begin to describe how happy this house makes me. I really love it. I love being a homeowner. I love having it with such a great husband, to whom I am rather partial.