Glorious Jones

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-11-08T07:52:00.007-05:00

Randomness to follow, I will use each pic as a starting point for blabbing about something else... why you may ask??? I don't know, this is how my mind works.
So some of my favorite things...
Embroidery! - I went on a wonderful weekend trip to visit my friend Teresa in Madison. They have a fantastic farmers market, friendly people, bike lanes everywhere, lakes on both sides of the city, and some really cute crafting boutiques. Others who have been there would certainly agree that this is one of the great Midwest towns. While there I picked up this great Craft Pad by Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. You can iron these patterns onto anything (multiple times never-the-less) which means Kevin and I finally have some reusable napkins. I think those little guys are partridges. Either way I love them and I aim to make more.
Rugs! - With a home filled with hardwood floors and winter (plus cuddly baby) on the way... I know we need to be looking forward to more floor comfort. The rug above started with a t-shirt I bought Kevin in college that had been completely worn out. I have torn it up and used the long cotton strips as yarn. I will continue with old t-shirts we have lying around the house until this guy is big enough to put somewhere. The only challenge for me is the coloring. It matches nothing, but all that cotton underfoot does feel pretty nice. I am considering this rug, for the baby's room. Oooh I love color.
Baked goods and fresh food - This is related to the last trimester of pregnancy. I can't get enough fruits. I crave them in baked things, frozen popsicles, fresh, in desserts... any way I can have them mostly. With the plethora of fresh picked blueberries we gathered in august we made some awesome muffins from this book (perfect, not too sweet) and I could still continue to eat a handful every morning on my way to work until about a week ago. If you are also craving some delicious fruity baked goods, please go to the farmer's daughter blog. I have made her strawberry pie and her apple walnut bread. Simple, straight forward, and stinking delicious.
First Generation Prius! - Yep, a car... for all my discussion of sustainability, being outside, spending quality time with others, making and creating... I was kinda in love with a car. I generally hate cars... the quickly loose their value, are costly with repairs, cost you monthly fees for insurance (or car loans), and you almost have to have one if you are living in Michigan. Public transit is nowhere where it needs to be. Well this little guy was driving like a new car with 171,000 miles on it when a flashing light came on my touch screen. After the repair shop told me it was nine grand to repair this bad boy, I had to cry a little and pass it on to the next person. The summers were getting us 50 miles per a gallon! I just hate that I have to invest in another car so soon (spending money sometimes makes me sad). Hybrid parts are way expensive to replace. I don't care what anyone says, it feels great to drive those cars.In-Laws and Alcatraz Prison - I enjoyed another extended weekend in San Francisco with my husband's family to celebrate Melissa and Larry's wedding. Two words to describe my in-laws - giving and fun... all of them! If you make it to San Fran, you have to go on a night tour of the old Alcatraz Prison, it has the potential to be completely touristy, but the parks service there makes it an amazing experience. Stepping onto the island felt like stepping into a post apocalyptic video game, with an old rusty water tower, abandoned and crumbling buildings, and graffiti. A well put together audio tour makes you feel like you are there with the prisoners and the island offers a beautiful view of the city skyline. Really, go there.Intertidal Species! - Some of creation's (meaning evolution's, mother nature's, God's, whatever your belief system's) most amazing organisms. I studied these a lot while in New Zealand and everytime I get to be near an ocean it is time to show a little appreciation for these critters. They're amazing in that they can live in salt water... high tide comes in and they are submerged in it. Sure many things live it salt water, but do they live outside of the salt water as well? Intertidal plants and animals can also live in fresh water (when rain fills in little pools during the low tides) and in straight up dry conditions (with some California beaming sunshine)! They are adapted for all three living conditions and yet barnacles are often passed quickly over as boring. Don't even get me started on limpets. They feed by scraping a little teethy tongue over the rock face to collect algae, but then return to the exact spot from where they came from. Their shell actually grows to fit this shape of the rock crevice so when that beaming sun comes down, they can seal themselves to the rock and stay moist and alive. This seal is incredible. A human can not pull this 2 cm creature off the rock with their hands alone. For lab when collecting a few I had to carefully attempt prying them from the rock with a knife. Scientists are still trying to figure out how they can find their way back to that one spot... complex pheremones? internal compasses? Lots of hypotheses... no answers. Enough biology for the day. Time to rest this cold away.

Baby girl...

2009-07-17T19:13:00.007-04:00

Anyone who danced through highschool in the late 90's will struggle saying "baby girl" without immediately saying after "better known as Aaliyah". Thank you Timberland. And thank you Aaliyah for reminding me why I love belly chains so much (everyone else thought I was crazy, but you make them look so sexy*).
This rockin michigan tee (you can't tell, but trust me, its awesome) was purchased at the comerica city fest in detroit from 323East. There is a lot of local art so check it out.

Okay, back to bellies... I am 20 weeks along this week and it has really popped! My belly and unfortunately my back, yikes. But with some Arika therapy and some chiropractic tapping the spine is back where it should be. Hopefully it stays there.This is my baby girl! I just saw her looking not like a cumulonimbus cloud for the first time with some first time grandmas. It was very exciting seeing her move around. She also has all her limbs. I am more than pleased.

Here is my other baby at 10 weeks (I can't be the only one in all the photos). And last, but not least... check out what could be our newest cloud.

*Thien, I couldn't write this without thinking of you and highschool dances. I hope you are doing well :)

Stairwell Before and After

2009-06-07T11:10:00.007-04:00

Inspired by The Alabama Stitch Book and this beautiful Heather Bailey fabric (thanks KEVIN!), I finally made a basic window covering for my stairwell. Naturally, my favorite part is the least noticeable (bottom left), some decorative stitching placed with a wing needle to add that slight heirloom stitching feel.
Just enough covering to stop TV glare and still allow light into that beautiful entryway. It had been kinda fun creating a house that balances Kevin and I's complimenting styles. He likes modern and bold, while I think I am more attracted to a cottage look, a crafty look, and an eco look all at once. I think they can balance each other.

And because I love before and after shots, here are a few of the entry way after the home sat in foreclosure a year.
BEFOREBEFORE

AFTER

As we begin to slowly add to the house, I find that I am loving our home more and more. Next entry to come... bedroom before, during, and after.

For Arika

2009-05-28T20:33:00.004-04:00

A reminder from Arika today... "post some belly pics!" Thank you Kevin for taking and cropping. I actually did not know that I was actually this big today until the picture was taken. Yikes! Blowing up like a blimp as they say... Are you supposed to show this much this early? Maybe not, but my baby does what he/she wants!

At ten weeks a few close friends started noticing, so we took a picture to mark the occasion.

I am very excited to have a little one in my home soon. Last weekend I was able to entertain two friends for most of the weekend and it was so nice. I really enjoy having a full house. Kev and I also went to visit some grandparents from his side of the family. I enjoyed an evening of looking through family photos, what a beautiful family he comes from.

This past week Kevin and I attended a meeting held by the MDEQ for public comment of some severe groundwater pollution working it's way east through AA.
If you are from Ann Arbor please focus in on the Gelman/Pall Plume. This 1,4 Dioxane plume (carcinogen) is already present on the west side of ann arbor and has the potential to contaminate Barton Pond (also where 80% of Ann Arbor residents get their drinking water from). Kev and I live at the tip of the plume right now and are hoping our representatives get their act together and require proper clean up from Pall Life Sciences, before it hits us too.

If I may rant for one moment, Michigan has an abundance of fresh water. The world population is increasing. We need water to live. It isn't a free comodity. There is a limited amount of clean water available. In michigan we have it, but we are polluting it. We have huge aquifers capable of providing clean water to many, but we are polluting it. I say we because it isn't one company. Many companies discharge to the ground. We buy their products, because we expect people to be honest and righteous and understand the impacts of their actions. But when they don't, we don't hold people accountable in the manner they should be. There are plenty of brilliant people out there who can help prevent this and effectively remediate some of the damage already done. I know this for a fact because I work with some of them. Bad companies... please pay the scientists to make your liability go away. It will save you the bad press and the money, not to mention the ability to sleep at night knowing you are doing the right thing.

That is my opinion of the evening. On a positive bedtime note, I would like to say thank you to the CARD group for all of your unpaid efforts to keep our water clean and to keep the public educated. It was wonderful to see so many passionate intelligent people gathered on Wednesday night!

Kitchen Remodel

2009-04-19T20:43:00.008-04:00

I think I will slowly post the house remodeling pics, room by room so I can have a log of what we did and so you guys can see the results. We are very pleased with how everything turned out. This is Kevin and I's first home flip. We worked with Old School Construction (out of Ann Arbor) and a whole lot of friends and family (Thanks JONES', BENSONS, ROBBINS, Emily, Brenna, Caroline, Teresa, and Steve).

Before - All appliances removed, cabinetry sloppily put together, linoleum floors, the only entrance into the kitchen is the one you are looking at, strange staining all over the walls, chimney behind multiple layers of plaster and drywall, no ventilation

During - Three separate layers of floor removed to even floor bottom and add to space, all plumbing was found to be out of date and needed replacement, while walls where open - new insulation added and electrical completed, windows were replaced and chimney was cleared off, wall to the left taken out, new entrance added to living room, and ceiling opened up as well.In this pic a ventilation hood is still not connected, but above the stove is where it will go... with Kevin's cooking it seemed like a good idea to add one. Cork floor is added here, and appliances are moved in. Chimney is clear.

New windows and new trim thanks to some serious assistance from my mom and uncle rick, concrete countertops are added here. Water from sink is heated by a tankless water heater for energy efficiency.

Woodblock used for areas that we would like to be warmer.
Open shelving located just above the dishwasher for easy after meal cleaning. And the entire thing painted a lovely shade of purple! We love it.

A Belly Shot

2009-04-19T20:25:00.004-04:00

So here is what I can tell you so far...

At five and a half weeks I have a rice grain baby that has a healthy beating heart!
As small as the little guy/gal is, it is growing in my uterus and not my fallopian tubes or anywhere else where it or myself could get hurt.

I am bulging already... not because of the size of the baby, but because of the uterus that has doubled in size the past few weeks. I did not expect to show so soon. I am not eating as healthy as I would like because most foods sound awful to me, and I just keep sleeping. That is the news in baby world.

News!

2009-04-17T11:35:00.002-04:00

Baby on the way! This is where I would like to upload baby belly pics, some ultrasound stuff, and info on the baby.

This will have to come next week as I am in San Francisco right now with Kev's sister and fiance (great times), but for now check out how creepy this little embryo is.

Baby at Seven Weeks

Where is your water from?

2009-03-15T10:07:00.005-04:00

House is wrapping up, winter is wrapping up, GIS classes wrapping up... blogging again...? I hope so. With the internet hooked up again there is an increased likely hood of new posts.

Awesome display of important info above, found at GOOD magazine.

I also enjoyed the Huron River Watershed Council Film Festival. Keep it up HRWC!
Maybe with my increased amount of free time I can do some more volunteering.

Weddings Are Coming!

2007-07-06T08:23:00.001-04:00

Empty Basket
Originally uploaded by Gloria KJ

I wouldn't consider myself a basket person, but when my sister-in-law asked me to come up with a card holder for her wedding this seemed to fit perfectly.
Katie is organized. In fact she asked me to get a bird cage for her cards about five months ago. But in my typical fashion I waited too last minute and now had to come up with something else.
Her wedding colors are black, white, and red (she's a classy gal). While the basket looked nice as it is we had to make sure that the cards went in, but not hands. Apparently a lot of card steeling happens at weddings.
The solution? A reinforced piece of black fabric with a card slit on the top hand sewn onto the top. This way when the wedding is done this can easily be removed and they can use this basket again somewhere in their home. Did I mention it was eight bucks!

NOTE TO OTHER CRAFTY BRIDESMAIDS: Even with a black, red, and white themed wedding you cannot embroid, write, or paint with bright red on black. Unless of course it is some sort of demon wedding. You can see what I am talking about here.

Jenny's Socks

2007-07-25T09:59:00.000-04:00

My roommate from college is expecting! I love purple and she loves green. When I found this hand-dyed yarn inLouisville, Kentucky I thought it would be perfect for her. Jenny loves things for her feet. For a while she was even sporting strange things. Haha. During college she would ask me to make her a pair of knee or thigh-high socks. This would take me forever so instead I have opted for regular, cool-looking warm wool socks.

The "More fun than Cables" Sock Pattern can be found at Stitches of Violet. I will be making the Shetland Lace Rib Sock Pattern for my Mother hopefully sometime this year. They are easy-to-read and turn out beautifully.

While hand-dyed yarn is cool, you can never be sure what pattern will ensue. I thought this would appear more as a blend then as a stripe, but I guess that is the risk. They are certainly unique.

Spinning, Yahoo!

2007-07-30T20:29:00.001-04:00

Last friday I had the pleasure of learning how to spin my own yarn. A co-worker (who previously taught spinning) invited me over for a day of delicious eating and spinning. Such Generosity! We had vegan pancakes with fresh Michigan blueberries and for lunch we cooked a delicious vegan stir fry.
After those great meals, and my husband's delicious bread this week I have come to think I need more entries on cooking. This is certainly an art form of my husbands and I would love to share more on that.
Spinning is wonderful because it takes only seconds to learn yet probably years to master. I have a bag of wonderful alpaca fur from work and a co-worker's sheep wool. Anyone know where I can get a great hand-carder for cheap? Once I have that I should be set to spin sloppily on my own. If you are a knitter you have to try this. It makes you appreciate your yarns even more so. My next feat will be dyeing my homemade yarn with natural plant dyes.
Also, my camera is busted, but being sent in for a free repair by Canon. If you have a Canon digital then check this out. I would love to show you, how even my sloppy yarn has a wonderful homemade look to it!

That's a Whole Lotta Alpaca

2007-08-13T15:04:00.000-04:00

Expensive days purchasing those hand carders, but I am glad to have them. That alpaca isn't going to go and spin itself!

My sister Bethany and I went to the Spinning Loft last week for a day of crafting. Bethany is working on a beret from Interweave Knits Winter Issue (her first time with double pointed needles) and I practiced my crappy spinning skills with a small sampler pack of merino and silk.

I wanted to call it Cody yarn, because it reminds me so much of my only boy cousin growing up and we always watched Nickelodean together. Na na na na na na na na Nick-a-load-di-annn!

Letters make EVERYTHING Better!

2007-08-24T18:31:00.000-04:00

I am starting a new job this week and life seems really hectic as of late. The time I used to spend relaxing is now time I spend freaking out.

When I went into work for some of my last shifts at the Nature Center I found a beautiful letter and card in my mailbox from fellow employees saying how much they appreciated me! It felt so affirming and kind. I was inspired to write about it.

I tried to sell some of my "junkmail" cards online at an etsy shop I started a while ago. They didn't sell and I just stacked them up and forgot about them. What a waste. Last week I made more and filled in the ones I already made and sent them all out! You may be getting one soon. There is nothing more wonderful then getting mail when you least expect it. Send a thank you card, a congratulations card, a "hey you are the bomb diggity card", and sign it "sincerely" because nothing is better than sincerity. It will make the days feel a little brighter for someone you care about. If you aren't good with words, find a card that speaks through its art. Beauty comes in so many different ways.

Both cards pictured are cards made entirely from waste product. Extra bobbin yarn, fabric scraps, received cards, etc. So get rid of some trash, make someone's day, and as my dad would say "live the good life!"

A little embroidery for a little skirt

2007-10-01T19:21:00.000-04:00

Don't worry, you will never see my chunky thighs in this skirt. This is patch job number 400 for Cassandra. The worn-jean look is popular, however their strategically placed rips tend to give way to exposed botties and more. This skirt was brightened with some hand embroidery. I really like the way it turned out with the polka-dot fabric in the back.

In the past month I have moved, started a new job, started working out (I am always doing that) and bought a new car (well new for me). I thought about how to update my blog with so little creativity going on in my life, but then I realized all the projects I have started. Like decorating my new apartment, starting my Mom's socks, my husband's new creation "the man cave", etc. I have a philosophy on this cave of man that I would like to share soon. I really should start working on some of that, or at least do my dishes. Have a good one.

Busted Camera, but always time to share

2007-11-03T09:12:00.001-04:00

Last Saturday a sister, myself, and a hot husband celebrated Stoutoberfest. This party began a year ago when my friends started a festival to honor their delicious home brew (it is awesome). Caroline and Steve went to great ends this year to make sure their German costumes had some authenticity. Frankenmuth charged 600 bucks for some of their costumes! What to do?! Its craft time.
Both Caroline and I are novice sewers, but within a couple hours we whipped up some lovely little vests. Turns out their is no limit to what you can do with an automatic buttonhole maker. I have the Viking Platinum 770, it is an amazing machine with tons of beautiful stitches. Next year we will be adding embroidery. I would really like to make a how-to for these vests. They are simple and I think that you could use them for any costumes where you need a tiny waist... sucks ya right in.

First Pattern!

2007-11-04T17:06:00.001-05:00

I have spent way more time likely then I should have on this, but here it is... a one page pattern for making your own costume vest for next year. This is a very easy pattern. Click on it to get it full size and then print that bad boy out.

And then write me if any of it doesn't make sense. My inspiration is Enchanted Broccoli Forest cookbook. Thank you Mollie Katzen.

New Camera and Pillows

2008-02-26T11:01:00.011-05:00

Chunky yarn for the new couch pillow was a gift from my husband last christmas. I encourage you to buy from this spinner handspunanddyedtoo. The yarn is exceptionally soft and always colored beautiful. The back two pillows are hand embroidered on some random branches and flowers for a particular homemade look.

I still have to add more pillows as this couch is huge. I have a few inspirations, but in the mean time I am working on some other things. Look forward to a before picture and some mittens made with left overs that are just rediculous.

Circus, Ugly, and Leftovers

2008-03-16T11:18:00.002-04:00

These mittens are all wool, but just screaming ugly. I mean I don't want to offend anyone that thinks these are wearable fashion for the 2008 fall season, but I enjoy creating things that are appealing to the eyes.
I also am not loaded with cash flow and out of mittens... so the left-over-wool-circus-inspired-ugly mits may be what I am sporting for the next few weeks until it warms up around here. Though spring is in the air.

Not so Ugly, but still made of leftovers

2008-03-16T11:26:00.004-04:00

We have an interesting store in Ann Arbor called the Treasure Mart. It is more like one large garage sale, than a flea market. I even think it is too pricey, but I will tell you it is fun and that I always find something.
Beautiful thumbtacks need a beautiful place to call home. The old frame was sanded. I purchased some 1/2 inch thick cork board to place inside it.

Painted both with a mixture of milk paint (mixed the paints with different amounts of white). Here in Ann Arbor you can buy it at Naked Furniture, but their online shop is pretty cool too.
This paint is especially nice because it has no volatile organic compounds. If you have a painting job coming up soon it may be something to consider. Let me know what you all think about the project. I am considering the creation of more.

Spring is in the air, orange is everywhere

2008-05-04T10:59:00.006-04:00

I don't know what my deal is, every art project I see and want to create at home begins in my head with orange. Last year it was a 1950's shade of light blue. So I guess the color fixation is only temporary. Anyway, I would like to highlight the orange in my life, because I love it.
An exhibit on time and place at an Ann Arbor downtown art gallery featured underground artists from Detroit. They spray paint abandoned buildings bright orange to bring attention to all the blight in the area. It has certainly grabbed the attention of the city council. Two homes have already been demolished.

I love this form of activism. They make the ugly interesting and also inspire positive change. Detroit has more brown fields than any other place in the nation. The city seems to be rotting from the inside out. I hope that in my lifetime we can see some sort of turnaround here. Anyway, props to the 4 annonymous artists. Keep it up and to the city for finally knocking some of that nastiness down.

Caroline let me have this watering can for some leftover cork board. I love the brightness. And since I have a real knack for killing apartment plants by forgetting to water them this could prove to be as helpful as it is beautiful.

I saw a pillow I liked at anthropologie that was $100.00. I am hoping to make a similar one with my own scrap fabrics for about $10.00.

My favorite shoes. They are pretty, the soles are partially recycled, and you can play outside with them. They were mine a day after I laid eyes on them. However, I have to admit that I way overpaid for these. They should be 30-40 bucks, but they were 80! I can happily admit this is the only impulse buy of the last year so I am just enjoying it.

Sustainability Style

2008-07-04T09:55:00.004-04:00

Impressive trip to Philly last weekend to visit some old friends at my americorp site, Camphill Soltane. I would first off like to say thank you to Benjamin, Maja, Mia, Sara, Gry, Sylvia, Freddie, Eira, Zalene, Utpal, Jen, Sarah, Carolyn, Nate, Shawn, Matthew, and more and more and more. The hospitality here is phenomenal and I have been out of the loop for over 2 years it seems.

Soltane is a small community where adults with dissabilities and mentors work and live side by side so that the students may develop life skills and a sense of independence and purpose. They also learn to advocate for themselves and communicate their needs. It is a special place and I would recommend if anyone is looking for a break from the 9-5 to consider spending a half year or a year at this location. Organic food, beautiful homes, good people, and a great learning opportunity (I learned how to cook, weave, and sing here).
At the time the Soltane weavery only made napkins and rugs really for the homes in the community, still cool. Since then the weavery has become its own enterprise called in good company. Mia, Maja, and Sara have really pushed to make this an increadible venture. All workers create a fabric inspired from a focus theme. These fabrics are turned into hats, skirts, pillows, etc.! Hand drawings from Soltane residents are purposed into screen printed bags and soon to be tees. No website yet so I will promote it here. If you like the cap I am sporting on the top or the bag Mia is pulling off here then please contact ingoodcompany@camphillsoltane.org or 484-986-4445 for more info. They make amazing gifts, no detail is missed... event the button is created by soltane potters. So Sweet.

Crafty Family

2008-07-07T09:31:00.005-04:00

This beautiful quilt was created my husbands grandmother. She created quilts and blankets for all the grandkids and even their significant others. I remember while dating my husband in college, this blanket he used every night that was worn to shreds that he still refused to give up. After she passed, I was gifted one of these quilts by my mother-in-law before I left for Americorp. It was so thoughtful and I aimed to appreciate by handmade art as my husband did. Love it until its worn. I believe this is the best way to show appreciation.

Grandma Ritchie certainly passed on her crafting skills. Both my mother-in-law and her sister are exceptional crafters, who both used to create their own clothes. Linda still sews quite often and Denise dabbles in all sorts of crafts. Due to this blog's focus on crafting, sustainability, and things I love I must show these candles.

My mother-in-law creates these candles with left over wax! Aren't they awesome? I love the blend of colors. She first gave these as a christmas gifts. I began to save all my old candle wax that didn't burn and pass it back to her. She spent the time to create the old wax into 10 additional candles for me. Thank you Denise.

Please also notice the link I have added to the blog on the top right. This is a wonderful blog currently based out of Ludington Michigan. It focuses on the positive in Michigan. This is such a unique and special place, her blog and mine aim to remind others about all we have here in Michigan to be thankful for. Please spend sometime looking it over and maybe even donating an article, picture, or story about your favorite things about this state.

Mom's Socks... finally

2008-07-27T10:59:00.004-04:00

Knitted socks always begin with excitement for me. I hurriedly complete the top of the first sock and then the boredom kicks in. So whenever I finish an actual pair, it is reason for excitement (only three completed pairs ever).

I told my mom eight months ago that I was knitting her socks. When I was looking for a pattern for Jenny's socks, my mom looked over my shoulder and said "oh, how beautiful" to these. So off-white lace it is for her. Thanks again to Stitches of Vi olet for the shared patterns and to my mother for her patience. I hope you like them and I will get them to you soon. Love you!

Baby knittin' - Gotta Try It!

2008-08-02T20:56:00.004-04:00

Little things for little people. Knitted footwear generally takes me a long time (see post below), but making footwear for newborns is a whole other story. I made these in my spare time over the last couple days. A pattern for the adult version is online here from Lynn Hershberger of Lansing, Michigan. I enjoyed reading through her blog too (make sure to check out the 'Shake that Thing' uTube video).

Pam's (a coworker friend of mine) first baby is due in September. We have been so very busy at work that we rarely have time to focus on Pam's increasingly large baby bump and the new life that will greet her in a month. Knitting allowed me to focus on just her baby for a short time. I hope he enjoys his bamboo booties and that they fit him well. The yarn is about 10% elastic so they should be quite comfy. I think of how small this little boy will be and how excited his family is to be receiving him. Congratulations Pam.

Why this week has been wonderful

2008-11-09T09:54:00.004-05:00

I am so pleased that other countries were able to watch us elect this man last Tuesday. I am very excited for what he means for our future. When he speaks I am overwhelmed with a great sense of pride. I am honored to have him representing all of us in our relationships abroad and home. Congratulations to the Obama's and to us. Our country is a better place today.

That of course is the big news.

In house news we would like to update that we have picked cork flooring for the kitchen. Natural and I guess you can drop a lot more glass on it with minimal breaking.
The photo below is the slate tiles that are going in the bathroom.
And all of our appliances are in...

Kevin's sister and fiance came in this weekend from San Francisco. We are still trying to convince them to move to Ann Arbor although we love visiting them. It has been decided that due to all of our new homes, apartments, the economy, etc., we will all be making our Christmas gifts. Sweet. So I will be updating on that after christmas on the off chance those guys are reading this right now.

Here's to this week being as good as the last.