House Renovation 2009

The money pit has struck yet again! After a year of housal bliss, we bit the bullet and started tackling some bigger projects. While not high on the priority list until the landscaper flooded it, our 250 sq. foot laundry room was probably the worst offender in the entire house. Between the utility carpet and sink, it was pretty bad. It definitely qualifies as (in the words of my friend Ann) "fancy camping."

We had some other projects on the high priority list as well - recessed lighting in the living room and repairs/painting in one of the bedrooms upstairs (future nursery of our bundle of joy, scheduled to arrive on February 7).

We're now on week 3 of the renovation and things are going well, aside from one small issue with our contractor who didn't order the tile for the laundry room on time. All in all though, this experience makes me feel very lucky to have a washer and dryer in my home. Because aside from the mild discomfort of having to haul my laundry down the street and sit there for 2 hours ... the laundromat is EXPENSIVE!

Before the renovation

After the renovation (tile installation aside)

Baby Sandberg's Room

The Jones Family Mourns the Passing of Simon the Cat

It is with great sorrow that family and friends announce the passing of Simon Jones formerly of Dorset, Vermont. Born around June 1995, Simon and his siblings were found roaming the streets of the Applegate Housing Project in Bennington, Vermont. Simon was noticed and adopted at the Petcetra adoptathon by Kristin Taylor Buchanan and Matthew Edward Jones. Simon spent his life as chief Alpha cat and rodent patrol officer of his Farwell Lane residence and begging for attention whe the family had friends over. He was constant companion to Matthew Jones on the den couch “catching the sports scores” and to Monie Jones who shared the same dog bed to save body heat. His favorite foods were Sliced Honey Maple Turkey from Manchester's Beverage Discount and fresh rodents, but a few hours old were O.K. too. Mr. Jones had a full and happy life in the Jones household and will certainly be missed. He is interned in the back yard behind the blueberries and next to the lilac and is marked by forget me nots.

He will be remembered as a loyal and loving friend to all.

Kristin and Andrew's Wedding

Last weekend, my sister Kristin got married! It was a wonderful event shared with family and friends. As always, Kristin looked amazing and I think that I caught some tears in the eyes of her new husband, Andrew, as she walked down the aisle.

As her matron (ick)-of-honor, I provided a toast to the newly married couple at their reception, offering her sage words of advice as she entered this new phase of life. High on the list was "say no to XBox" and "king size beds and separate bathrooms are the key to happiness."

As the official escort of my Grandma, JC also had a very important role to play in the wedding. He didn't know what he was in for when he signed up for that gig, because she didn't let him out of her sight. I had to cut in on her a couple of times on the dancefloor just to get him back!

In addition to his role as escort and my role as matron-of-honor, JC and I were tasked with decorating the newlywed's car. All I can say is thank goodness I got married first and can never be paid back for the things we did. Luckily, the newlyweds, still glowing from their reception, laughed it off. I still don't know if they have discovered that dead fish, though.

Unfortunately, I left my camera in the car during the ceremony and reception, but got some photos of the rehearsal dinner which was hosted at my parents house and of us ladies getting ready.

The ladies at Kristin's bridal luncheon

JC and Matt, getting the party started

My sister and Andrew, enjoying their rehearsal dinner

Papa Jones, talking business with my cousin Edward

JC and me, post dinner

Kristin getting ready, I love this picture!

Look how beautiful she turned out once those curlers came out.

San Diego 2009

I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures of the last few months of our lives. In July, JC and I went on the annual Sandberg (Shields/Hepworth) family vacation in San Diego. It was a great week filled with crazy kids, good books, beach time and this game you play with golf balls.

JC, our nephew Lucas and I took a day trip to Salt Lake City during the week so that the non-Saints among us (me) could check out the new LDS temple that had been built. I think JC was tired of answering my questions and decided that I just needed to go and see it for myself. These pictures were taken outside (no photos allowed inside).

Pictures by Request

My sister and various friends have asked for some pictures of the inside of our new house. JC and I have been working hard to get it painted and furnished. Actually, our handyman Luis has been working hard to get it painted, I've been working hard to get it furnished and JC has been working hard to keep it all on budget. Here are some photos.

The living room ... still awaiting the area rug we ordered

The dining room.

Matt and JC working hard in the kitchen on Memorial Day. JC made a lemon cheesecake with raspberry sauce. He wouldn't let me take a picture of it though.

Master bedroom.

Note that there are still no window treatments in our home. Remember when I said I had finally convined my husband that fabric on windows is a good thing. I might have overestimated his buy in on that.

Luck of the Irish

JC and I got back on Monday night from an amazing trip to the Florida Keys. Thanks to Scott and Vicki for a wonderful weekend spent at their beautiful home in Key Largo! It was such a treat to spend a few days away from home repairs and yard work!

JC and I arrived late on Friday evening. First thing on Saturday morning, we fired up the golf cart and went to the Ocean Reef Club per Scott's suggestion for their breakfast buffet. Our next stop was the pool (or one of the three pools) at the club. I must have been high on life, because about two hours after lounging poolside I realized that my legs were lobster red! After this trip I am certain that my husband believes that I am trying to sabotage each and every vacation we take. Last year in San Diego, I had to sit under an umbrella after about an hour on the beach. In Hawaii it was the dreaded heat rash and now, in Key Largo, a horrible sunburn. The best part - it was only on the lower half of my legs (apparently I only thought to apply sunscreen to the upper half). So, my parting gift from sunny Key Largo is horrible tan lines for the remainder of the summer (see below).

We didn't let it spoil our trip though. In between hourly applications of aloe vera, we enjoyed everything the Anglers Club/Ocean Reef Club had to offer.

Thanks so much, Scott and Vicki, for a wonderful trip!

Date Night with JC Sandberg

While packing for our trip to Key Largo this morning I scanned my camera and realized that I had forgotten to post some recent pictures I had taken. Before the rains came, all of the trees in our neighborhood (except for the one in front of our house that is dying a slow death) were in full bloom and it was so beautiful.

See what I mean? I love spring in DC.

I also found some pictures of a recent date night that JC and I had (pictures are family friendly). My brother Matt is still crashing at our place (he is headed to graduate school in North Carolina at the end of the summer). So I try and take advantage of every night that we have alone. A couple of weeks ago, JC and I came home from work to an empty house. I was all excited thinking that we'd go out for a nice dinner then maybe come back and watch a movie together. JC, however, had other plans for our evening together ...

which involved resealing the tub in the guest bathroom. DISGUSTING.

I have to hand it to him, though. I was skeptical at first, but he did a great job and it cost us less than $10!

JC and I are headed to Key Largo for the weekend. Our friends have generously offered up their house to us for four days! The weather forecast is calling for thunderstorms all weekend long. Hopefully, Scott and Vicki's tubs are in better shape than our tub was. If not, I know what we'll be doing!