SLOW BUT SURE……..

It’s been a few days since I checked in. Master Carpenter has been very busy, participating in a chess tournament, day trip to Atlanta, nights of Mexican Dominoes and Hand and Foot Canasta and Geocaching. It’s amazing how busy you become when you retire!

We have been asked “how” did the materials appear in our garage! Well, you don’t think Kermit was the transport …do you? The secret is revealed. The “big box” hardware stores have all the solutions for the Master Carpenters out there in the DIY world!

I did a little rearranging of the furniture in the great room yesterday. It was about time……it’s been three months! I’m now able to have my desk/office in the great room so I can enjoy all it’s beauty! Actually, it’s a better set up because I don’t have to remove the laptop every time we need the island or the dining table. When the project is finished I’ll show what I changed. Who knows, it could get tweaked a little before that!

The contest is coming along …..so far we have 18 Entrants!!! That is amazing! Thank you all……….but then when a prize is involved the excitement goes up a few notches! For those who haven’t entered, remember the cut off is August 31st.

Enjoy the progression …..oh by the way, Master Carpenter doesn’t know it yet, but the next project is forming in my fertile mind!

WHAT WELL-DRESSED "MASTER CARPENTERS" ARE WEARING THIS SEASON

GOTTA GET IT DELIVERED AND RETURN IN 75 MINUTES

THE PROJECT MOVES ALONG

IF ALL ELSE FAILS...READ THE MANUAL!

MEASURE TWICE ..CUT ONCE.


Scroll down to add your comments....sorry about the space!

CONTINUATION OF "OPERATION BUILT-IN"

THE LUMBER ARRIVES

CHECKING OUT THE NEW "TOYS"

PRACTICE SESSION....PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

OUT WITH THE OLD!!!

OFF WITH THE MOULDING...WE ARE NOW COMMITTED!!!

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS?

A BLANK CANVAS TO WORK WITH IN THE DEN

BLOG CONTEST

The response to a "Contest" with a "Prize" has taken off..........

After consulting my Technical Advisor and Chief Supporter, and now, Master Carpenter, Emil, we have come up with a format for the contest.

Here is how it will work.......

The person who guesses the DATE of the 5000 "hit" to the blog will win. All you need to do is make a COMMENT ( where the little pencil is) at the end of THIS blog entry. Put your name and the date for your guess for the 5000 blog entry.

All entries must be in by August 31, 2009

Simple..........

And remember.... there will be a Prize. I know my readers and you love prizes..............so have fun and Enjoy

Patty

CONTEST ENTRIES

CLAIRE OCT 14
PATCH DEC 14 (1414 HOURS OR 2:14PM)
CAROL NOV 26
MK SEP 29
MAGGIE JAN 5
ERICA JAN 19
PATTI McD SEPT 19
BARRY M SEPT 18
BOB D DEC 4
PAM D OCT 28
SUE W NOV 14
PAT W OCT 31
HELEN M NOV 1
MARK McD NOV 22
LINDA W FEB 2
ELLIE S FEB 14

CARLA D NOV 15
AP (ANGELA) D NOV 9
STEVE D NOV 30
MEREDITH NOV 6
HENRY (HAPPY)W JAN 7
PHIL TILDEN NOV 23
JOAN AND CHUCK G SEPT 11

ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Loyal Readers,

There are two huge events coming up.....

First, we are at 3356 hits on the blog!!! That is an unbelievable accomplishment. I never dreamed we would ever reach this number, let alone so quickly!!

To celebrate this monumental celebration I will start watching very closely the hits. As soon as the 5000 hit appears..................the first reader to comment on this fantastic number will receive a token of my appreciation...... So keep checking out there.........1644 to go!!!!

The Second huge event is that September 31 this blog will have it's FIRST BIRTHDAY !!

I want to thank you ALL for taking the time out of your busy lives to read my thoughts and ideas. I hope, over the past year, I have inspired you to enjoy design and that you have tried new things to adorn your homes and lives. The other day I heard someone relate that we change our hair, clothes and appearances.......why not apply that same theory to our homes. Makes sense to me............................the spaces we live in contribute to our overall approach to life!

Thank you again and keep checking.............

MASTER HANDYMAN AT WORK!

Today we started our new project. First step, always first step…… trip to Lowe's!

Emil headed out early in the day and was back with all his materials in less than an hour. That is a record!

I hope to “document” as much as I can. That way you can see how the Master Carpenter does his magic!

WORK COMMENCES

OOPS...DRILL BATTERY RECHARGING...BREAK TIME!!

EUREKA!! FIRST STEP COMPLETED!!!

THINGS ARE BREWING

It's mid August .....it's hot.....

BUT.....

My mind is popping with ideas!

Nothing concrete, nothing I can describe, nothing I can show...

I will reveal that Emil and I have been "working" on something grand!!! In a week, or so, I should be able to pass along what our project is. It's a BIGGIE !! Will take my "Carpenter" some time to construct. Now, here's a clue!! Have tools will build!!

We are in the planning stage as I write. That means... lots of adjustments, redesigning and "discussions" to come. I might have to take pictures as the "project" goes through the different stages .

In the past week, we did finish the frames for the "builder" bath mirrors, but we are waiting for the "finishing" touch before pictures can be published!!! That special touch is a secret and very hush..hush !! No...no...no clues here!

Do I have you on the edge of your seat?
Stay tuned...........

ANNIVERSARY BASH

Where do I begin……the weekend was full of
GREAT family, love, and fabulous camaraderie….

The pictures only relate bits and pieces of the event. The real, feelings, and love are impossible to show.

Steve, Angela and Tess were the first to arrive on Wednesday afternoon. We had an old fashioned dinner, at home, that evening. It was perfect! Intimate and close….a great start to the wild events of the following days. Thursday, they rested and enjoyed the pool at the hotel. In the late afternoon, the five of us headed out for a “Farmers Market” that Steve was recommended as a MUST. We drove around for over an hour and finally found it. …..the peaches and tomatoes were worth the search! We then enjoyed an Italian dinner at a restaurant Emil had heard great things about. A very quaint setting and a great meal.

Friday the gang started to show up…..Bobby, Carla, Patti, Mark, Maggie, Happy, Pat, MK, and Max arrived!!!!! Everyone, except for Happy, followed Emil’s explicit directions. Somehow, Happy lost a page! We all connected and caught up with all our lives…. then the 14 of us headed out to “I Love NY Pizza” for …you guessed it…pizza.

Saturday, Bobby, Sue, Claire, Erica and Adam arrived……the BASH was officially started! We spent the day eating…………..hamburgers, cheeses, steaks, corn on the cob, grilled zucchini and egg plant, pasta salad, etc. PLUS…… the Wedding Cake AND………..A Special Birthday Cake for MK’s 18th Birthday………AND thoroughly having a ball!!!!

The day ended with a number of the family playing some fun, crazy, (very quiet) game, called: LCR.

Some side notes:

Tours on Kermit around our grounds were conducted for two days. Everyone enjoyed the ride and the scenery. Kermit is exhausted and is resting……..



For months…our “darling” children have plotted and planned a “This is Your Life” presentation. They had conference calls, individual calls, shopping excursions and mail-order duties…….and finally Friday and Saturday, rehearsals at the hotel! We were absolutely taken back with the entire, loving, though devious, event! I never knew they didn’t like Hamburger Helper (5 nights every week).. Or .. Taking out The Atlas, meaning their lives were about to be turned upside down with a new assignment, was their worst nightmare!

We also have some new items ..with more to come

Next week we plan to purchase a TV for our kitchen (thanks in part to a gift card). We need a larger screen because the one we have is a “little” small for our “old” eyes. Hey, going from 14” to 24” is a big deal!!!

In Oct/Nov we will enjoy a wonderful joint Birthday Dinner in a fabulous Atlanta restaurant… Have been drooling over the menu! That will be a special treat!

Believe it or not, we have created a new “room”
to our home. We had a screened porch with two chairs, now we have a ROOM with a sofa, coffee table, area rug, along with the original two chairs, herb planter and touches of color with flowers. Might get a fan…depends on whether Emil can tolerate the “draft”! He’s not a fan person. Usually feels uncomfortable when he’s under one. Believe it or not he has been known to wear a sweat shirt, with hood, in the middle of summer!!

We are able now to enjoying music with our iPod! We have it set up, with the speakers, so we both can enjoy listening to it . I actually have turned off Fox News during the day…….. And when we entertain, we can have mood music. How Grand!

To my complete surprise …Carla and Bobby were able to get back a very treasured and meaningful item of jewelry. It’s Emil’s VPI miniature Class Ring that he gave me on our First Anniversary …long, long story… but thank you for all your hard work and persistence. I am so happy to have it on my finger once more.

AND…

We have Erica’s new art piece!!!

Everyone was so, so, generous with gifts. We truly didn’t expect anything and received so much!!!!

(Even Kermit received some gifts!)

Thank you all ..we love you…..how about 2011 !!!!

A SMALLER VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL

THE FLORIDA CREW ARRIVE

1 + 1 = THIS!!!

OUR "NEW ROOM"

DANCING TO "OUR SONG" ON THE IPOD

BOB AND CARLA RECAPTURE OUR "LOST" VA TECH MINIATURE RING

ERICA'S PAINTING IN A PLACE OF HONOR

KERMIT ALSO RECEIVED PRESENTS

STEVE, ANGELA & TESS ARRIVE

THE MCDONALDS ARRIVE

BOB & CARLA ARRIVE

ERICA & ADAM ARRIVE

THE THREE CONSPIRATORS

OUR GREAT ROOM BECOMES A BANQUET HALL

STEVE, BOB AND PATTI

BOB AND SUE ARRIVE

BROTHERS BOB AND HAP (HENRY)

CLAIRE FLEW IN FROM CALIFORNIA JUST FOR THE "BASH"

BABY HAS A NAME

After viewing the following you will understand how we arrived at our baby's name..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpiIWMWWVco

PLEASE WELCOME......"KERMIT"......TO OUR FAMILY

"THE" WEDDING

WOW.................It was fantastic. Erica and Adam were absolutely precious!!!! I don't know where to begin or what to "highlight" but will share some of the days events.

The VENUE was a renovated fabric mill and could not have been more picturesque. Perfect for Erica's vision of her wedding. The ceremony and reception were both held there which made "travel" a breeze. How easy can you get.

The DRESS......What can I say....It WAS Erica! I was with her when she shopped for it last summer. She looked at many dresses of different styles but when she spotted this one the search was over! What you can't see are the SHOES. They were perfectly chosen and added the finishing touch.

The VOWS were simple and meaningful. The Minister added a few personal memories from their past .....that brought smiles to faces that were filled with tears of joy!

The PARTY......Perfect, Perfect and filled with artistic Erica accessories. Instead of flower arrangements on the tables, she purchased large vases and filled them with candies. Each table had a different candy. Apparently Adam is a candy nut and she surprised him with this feature. The guests had a great time going from table to table scooping up their favorites! Rumor had it that the M&M table were selling theirs!!!

The BUFFET.... We had a choice of Tradition or Indian (their extra, favorite food)! What fun! and very good!! The Cake was so, so good and so, so different! Leave it to Erica to design a wedding cake like that!

The DANCING.....The First Dance was priceless. Erica and Adam have been taking dancing lessons for months just for this part of the party! They were great!

Emil and I surprised some when we got up and danced to a "fast" number. Most of the guests being on the young side figured people our age can hardly walk let alone DANCE!! We showed them!

I think my FAVORITE part was the manner in which they left for their Honeymoon. For days, Erica and Maggie made origami flowers. When it came time for them to leave all the guests made two long rows. The Happy Couple then proceeded to walk down the "aisle" formed by the guests. As they paraded down, the guests tossed the flowers towards them. How great, AND while this is going on the music is playing New York, New York as they leave the building to go on their Honeymoon (to NYC of course)!

Certainly a day and a Wedding that I will cherish forever.....

WEDDING PICTURES

MEET JENNIFER.........

I met Jennifer about three years ago……. Instantly we became friends. Recently some very special events have occurred in her life. I wish to send her the biggest CONGRATULATIONS I can………………AND………… wish her all the success in the world.

Most of you know that the Nordstrom Department Store chain has been a big part of my life for over 40 years!!!! In the 1960’s they were a shoe kiosk in the Best Department Store that opened in the new Tacoma Mall. Yes, Nordstrom, was originally a local Seattle shoe store. Over the years they purchased the Best stores and grew to be a leading department store known for their outstanding customer service.

After we left the Tacoma area I didn’t have a chance to visit many Nordstrom stores until one opened ten years ago in the MacArthur Center in Norfolk. Wow… was that a day! Norfolk had a Nordstrom. I was in heaven…………..

The first store Manager was a very handsome young man who certainly lived up to the practice of “customer service”……….. It is important to note here that I have never spent a LOT of money in the store………… but……..they do have GREAT SALES……… I was a mall walker and would park my car at one of the entrances to the Nordstrom store. ( I always figured it was the nicest way to start my walks, the store was beautiful and the associates extremely friendly). I walked through the store, chit chatted with the associates, and entered the mall to start my “walk”. One day the Manager spotted me and suggested that they would gladly keep my purse, coat and whatever in their office while I walked. (That way I didn’t have to worry about them in the car.) I hesitated, but he insisted………… So the routine began……….. Every day, I parked, entered the store, and went immediately to Customer Service, where I would leave my things. Over the years, managers were promoted and new ones came. They all continued the practice.

Then…one Spring day, Jennifer appeared!! She literally chased me down and said: “Mrs. Day, I am Jennifer Strugala, the new store Manager. I want to personally introduce myself and let you know I will do anything to make you happy in our store!!!!!!! I have heard we hold you personal items while you walk. I will certainly continue that during my time here… plus, please let me know any other way I can be of help to you here at our Nordstrom store.” She was so excited and happy about her new position …. so eager to make this the best Nordstrom in the country.

Jennifer was barely 30 and already a success and going further. Her heart and soul were in the store. Retail stores have their Special Events on weekends……………Jennifer’s day off was Sunday. She was so committed to her “people” that she made sure she was there, on her days off, for them. Needless to say, Jennifer rarely had a day off. I don’t know many who give up their personal time to be available if needed!

Jennifer grew up in a Traditional Italian family in New Jersey. Her parents traveled to Norfolk and helped her move into her new apartment and get settled. Her dad had to be reassured that his little girl was happy and in a safe environment. It was hard for her to be so far from them and she was TERRIBLY homesick. Whenever I saw her, we talked about them and the next time they would be together. It was refreshing to see a young woman who treasured her parents’ approval and suggestions.

When the store held it’s two largest events, one in the Spring and the other in early December, Jennifer made a point to make them special for Emil and Smitty (the husband of a dear friend). These “events” occur on Sunday evenings after store hours. Food and drinks are served and there are special “events” in the different departments. Jennifer made a point to have two very comfortable chairs set aside for the “two guys” and she personally served them drinks, food, and had, on hand, recent editions of magazines and the local newspaper. They loved it……NOW THAT IS CUSTOMER SERVICE…….. And Jennifer had it down pat!

She has kept up with me through e-mails this past year. In January I received the one with the news I was waiting to hear. She had been …….PROMOTED………AND …..to make it even better to the Nordstrom in Cherry Hill……….. NEW JERSEY !!!!!!!! I just found out that it is a NEW store and will have its Grand Opening Friday, March 27th.

I know that she is so happy to be near her parents and I couldn’t be happier for her. If any one of you are ever in the Cherry Hill Mall, please pop in to the Nordstrom store and say “Hi” to Jennifer. She will make you feel extremely welcome and you will have a special day.

CONGRATULATIONS…. JENNIFER….. THE BEST OF SUCCESS FOR A WONDERFUL FUTURE

YOU HAVE EARNED IT…….YOU ARE A VERY SPECIAL GIRL

Claire is a winner

Claire did it again......

She was the 2000 hit on the blog......
Thank you, Claire, for all your support

Aunt Patty