We are scratching our heads, along with most others, wondering where in the hell this summer went? Time off the boat, back on land in Minnesota, has just flown by ... it's the changing leaves and the temps down in the 50s that reminds us that it's time to get thinking about all things south. It's still summer, but I sure wish I'd brought a pair jeans and some socks with me!
So what did we accomplish this summer?
JWK - new home
The big project was definitely the remodeling of our son's kitchen. James' learned the unexpected fun of working on an older home -- all those unanticipated surprises behind the wall you just tore out-- and we learned that it takes us 2 days to recover from 1 day spent on hands and knees installing ceramic floor tile! Actually, all 44 days spent with him were fun. We worked short days, stopped early when there was a Happy Hour special, and never picked up a hammer on the weekend. Not a bad arrangement, and I hope we get the chance to do this again.
Out with the old ...
Remove cupboards, counter, sink, floor, appliances.
New wiring. New window.
Remove half-wall between kitchen and great room.
And in with the new ...
new ceramic floor
shiny new appliances
New cupboards and black countertops are on order ...
We also traveled across the river to Minneapolis to visit with friends, Dan and Renee Devereaux, another family who keeps a guest room for us (plus our dressers!). Their place is particularly handy when coming back from a bocce tournament or Twins game or the annual UoM Gopher football game that these 5 college roommates have attended for 10+ years.
The tailgating starts with a BBQ at Dan and Renee's.
Robert and Dan
Dan, Robert, John, Jim
Son, James, is taking over Dad's seat in the group.
Unlike last summer, as far as we travelled this year was Webster WI and Rochester MN. Inbetween these two hot spots, we celebrated birthdays and retirements; went sailing in Lake City; canned tomatoes in Rochester; fit in doctor appointments, baseball and football games, and best of all, we had the chance to visit all the people we miss the rest of the year.
Big Birthdays to celebrate this year!
Dan and Jim
Dan's first sailboat ... Devils Lake, Webster WI
Campout and bocce tournament at Sand Rock Cliffs, MN
Dinner in Rochester with my sister and family ... many delicious meals at this home!
And, yes, we got to Vote!
We were there on the first of absentee voting in Rochester!
Unlike last summer, as far as we travelled this year was Webster WI and Rochester MN. Inbetween these two hot spots, we celebrated birthdays and retirements; went sailing in Lake City; canned tomatoes in Rochester; fit in doctor appointments, baseball and football games, and best of all, we had the chance to visit all the people we miss the rest of the year.
October 5
It's 38degrees outside ... definitely time to be on the road and heading south .....
Another year w/o a land-based home gave us the chance to enjoy the hospitality of our Minnesota family once more ... (obviously we couldn't maintain our vagabond lifestyle without your graciousness)
- West St Paul with son, James = 44 days
- Webster WI with friend, Jim = 20 days
- Minneapolis with Dan/Renee = 17 days
- Rochester with Laury/Bob = 12 days
1 comment:
A busy, satisfying summer. But time to get back on the boat!I ntirlyu
Post a Comment