But I’ll be posting what I’ve archived.

At least, if my settings work, I’ll be doing that.

Have a good week, everyone!

One of the “up” sides to having a house where there is a host of living challenges (unreliable hot water, heat, and a chimney that smokes) is that at least for the chimney problem, the remedy is being able to see a Chimney Sweep.

If you didn’t know that they’re lucky, well – they are.

This guy was funny; I asked him to hold Skye for a picture and he obliged – but seemed uncomfortable. Come to find out he has no children of his own – but sweetly he said to me as he waved goodbye, “Madam, I think your baby made me lucky today, too.”

“Lucky me,” I thought. “I get to hold her everyday.”

I think a lot more dishes would get done if everyone had one.

After a long month, we are supposed to have internet at home tomorrow.  Not posting entries sometimes felt like a vacation, but after awhile I started to miss it.  By tomorrow night, I hope to be publishing an entry from the desk in the room next to Baby’s. It looks out over treetops. A writer’s garret of my very own!

Though our house is *messy and unsettled*, and there are lingering problems with heat and hot water that make living difficult – I’m seeing a glimpse of order in the chaos. 

But the most important things have been and are here with me. As I look back over these last silent 30 days of cold showers and perpetually cold feet and hands – that’s what I choose to remember.

Otherwise known as “Purple Glory” trees.

Two of these beauties grace our front yard – diminutive trees, but they boast energetic blossoms in late summer.

Well, OK, then!

One hides an ugly drainpipe at the NW corner, one hides the junction with the garage addition at the SW U-bend.

Purple is a beautiful color, indeed.

More pictures from John of the house we’ll be living in in Germany.

Love this “hidden” fireplace off the “party room” (as John calls the next picture).

Ready for visitors by October!

This will be Skye’s nursery in Germany.

What do I do with a pole right in the center of the room?  And a sloped ceiling?

On the other hand, the new refinished crib will look great with this warm Nordic wood!

We’re remodeling our master bathroom.

Mmmm Hmmm.  That’s right.

We adopted Skye, we’re in the middle of an international move…and we have decided now is the time to remodel the master bath.

One thing is for sure:  Life with John Silkman is never boring.  ;)

It’s a Sunday, which used to be a relaxing day for me.

The last few weeks, Sundays have been anything but.

We’re getting ready to move, and with moving, comes the inspection of what we own and what we really need.

I don’t think I could ever be a minimalist.  (I’m just being honest.)  I do, however, really like the look of clean counters, fresh flowers on an otherwise empty tablescape, and an orderly closet.

If I get brave, I’ll post the Befores and Afters.

~~~

For now – here’s some inspiration* I read today when I sat down for a little bit to regroup with a cup of great coffee:

A Joy to Keep House?!

Yes. When your home is organized and decluttered…you will be a different person. Your outlook on life changes. Situations that seemed out of control and chaotic now seem manageable.

The state of your home is in direct proportion to the state of your heart/mind. When you have piles of stuff all over your house, your spirit just gets bogged down with all of it whether you know it or not. When you don’t have to worry about moving your STUFF around, cleaning your STUFF, and storing your STUFF…you have a lot more time to spend doing things things that you love and spending time with your family and friends!

And that’s what life is all about.

*Thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Sara, for this tidbit.

Today was a Good Day.

A day we’ll remember forever.

Here we are at tonight’s Rays’ Game:

And to top it all off? The Rays won.