Don't want you to miss out, Liza, . . .

. . .so we're postponing the kitchen remodeling project until you get back from Hungary.

Actually, we looked at our finances, and decided that paying for that project would in effect be borrowing money, since it would delay paying off our Home Equity Line of Credit. We've been teaching the kids about the hazards of debt recently, and have been working all year to pay off the ELOC as quickly as possible. Obviously, we haven't been fanatics about it. We've still been paying for lessons for the kids, going out for dinner once or twice a month as a family, and once a month as a couple, and then there are projects like the rain barrels that still draw on the funds. We know we could be even more agressive about clearing debt, but at this level we're making good progress without a sense of deprivation.

From that perspective, and also wanting to maintain our emergency fund (particularly in the event of a short notice trip to Hungary or someplace), we have chosen to postpone our kitchen project for one more year. We figure that by next fall we can have the ELOC paid off and save money to pay for the cabinets and so forth. (There was also a bit of sticker shock as we wandered around Home Depot pricing the alternatives this afternoon. $2000 for James's pantry!) Even after I explained to the clerk that we were just starting the process, and wanted to get some ideas of costs so that we could save for it, he just kept talking about different financing options.

What has happened to American society that our salesmen can't even conceive of saving to pay cash? Guess this is just another example of our counter-culture tendencies.

We did buy a chest freezer while we were out this afternoon. The money is in the checking account. It's on sale for $50 off, and we've been planning on getting one for several months. It has the energy star rating, and the baskets we'd been looking for. Basic. But it meets our needs. It'll just have to live in the basement for a while. (Mom K-turns out we don't have to rewire a new circuit for it down there, just the outlet, so we're taking your advice.) (And if this takes care of the urge to remodel the kitchen, so much the better???)

All he wanted was a new fridge. . .

Looks like we're going to be remodeling the kitchen during our winter home improvement activities this winter. James has been working on reducing our electricity usage, and found an article on converting a chest freezer to a refridgerator. The extra insulation reduces the heat transfer, and the chest style prevents all the cold air from falling out every time someone opens the fridge door.

The catch is that one loses alot of storage space when the fridge stops at counter height, rather than being taller. Looking at space requirements, we quickly figured out that the half wall by the back door was going to have to go. And the lower cabinet in the "old kitchen" would have to move unless we were going to put the freezer downstairs. Both spaces were then going to have the issue of the upper cabinets being different sizes due to the previous refridgerator spaces. New cabinets? Why not go ahead and move the oven/get an oven/range combination unit? Why not put a broom closet in the space beside the chest freezer? And a dishwasher would add to the resale value. If we're doing all this, can I have a pantry with a door?

James was soon explaining the principle of snowballing to Samuel, and kept muttering "All I wanted was an efficient fridge."

Anybody want to help? Dad? Rob? I seem to remember you did a fine job on your kitchen! (Just don't drill the pipes-or was it Chuck who did that???) Why is Liza grinning about being sorry she's going to miss this???

Liza's lug-GAGE!

Our darling Liza had been asking when her luggage was going to get here. So Thursday afternoon, when she went into Annapolis to do some shopping with her friend Tyne, it finally arrived. Miriam came wandering in from the yard, asking, "What are these big boxes on the front porch?" We figured out that that were Liza's luggage, and were going to leave them there to greet Liza upon her return. Unfortunately, James couldn't carry the bucket between them and the two pots of flowers that were still waiting to be planted, so he brought the boxes in and set them against the wall in the livingroom.

Liza was out a bit longer than she'd planned, and we ended up turning out lights and going up to bed. Liza came in quietly, and tiptoed upstairs to check in-so she wouldn't wake James if he'd already gone to sleep. We chatted for a bit. I commented on how quietly she'd come in, and sent Miriam back downstairs to turn on the light. (Very unusual behavior for Mom, but Liza still didn't notice the boxes at the foot of the stairs-even when she had to squeeze past them to get to the sofa to show Miriam what she had purchased.)

When Liza didn't squeal right away, I went downstairs to join them, and leaned on one of the boxes while I looked at all of Liza's purchases. After a bit I started drumming my fingers on the box, and Miriam practically choked on her laughter. Liza was still very focused. Having finished approving of Liza's purchases, Miriam could stand it no longer and innocently asked, "So, Liza, when are you going to pack all your stuff?"

Putting on her stage pout and turning toward me, Liza started to reply, "I can't pack until I get my lug-GAGE! IT'S HERE! IT CAME!"

Miriam and I fell apart laughing!

Liza quickly opened the first box, and had it open by the time Samuel made it into the room to figure out what was going on. Yes, Liza likes her new suitcases, and the larger one is big enough to zip closed with her brother inside! But we couldn't grab the camera fast enough to get a picture, sorry.

Where's my chauffeur's cap???

I should have known it was going to be a busy day when the block on the calendar was too full to fit another line into today's activities!

By 8 AM this morning, when my student arrived for tutoring, I'd already put the second load of laundry in the washing machine, worked with Samuel for half an hour or so finding practice tests for his Algebra exam for credit that he'll be taking tomorrow morning-after almost two months since he finished his algebra studies. It wasn't until we tried to set up his schedule for school this Fall that they mentioned he needed to take this test. (I did ask when I went in during the first week of May!)

After tutoring I dropped Samuel at his orthodontic appointment, took Liza to get her picture for her visa application (Nothing like waiting until the last minute, Liza, my love!) then dropped her at home and went back to talk to the orthodontist about Samuel's continuing treatment (Grow those jaws, Samuel!). Then it was a quick stop by the house to pick up Miriam and Liza, and drop the twins at the library. Oops, we're missing a paper for the visa application. Another quick stop by the house. Oh, Kyle, what are you doing on the computer? Guess you'll be coming with us. Get dressed quickly while we find the missing paper. Then drive into DC to the Hungarian embassy. . .Have I mentioned I really don't enjoy driving in the city?

Home, sort of, to pick up the twins from the library, and grab a late lunch. Then down to the Naval Station to reserve the pool for Liza's farewell party. Then back to the library to drop Miriam at the end-of-the-season thanks-for-helping pizza party for the library volunteers. James is out the door to pick up Miriam and take the three "local" kids to their youth group activities this evening. Then there's Scout Troop Committee later this evening.

Just another day with a houseful of active teens.

It's great to be alive! (And I'll REALLY enjoy my quiet week next week!)

PS-For friends & family in the area, save the evening of August 24th for Liza's big send off!

Yard progress update

Things are really moving along in our yard this summer. Last week I cut down most of the remaining forsythia, and chopped it into little pieces to be used when we sheet mulch more of the backyard for berries and more vegetable beds. James and the boys pulled the ivy from the forsythia bed and cut back some of the neighboring shrubs. Those cuttings are almost chopped up as well. (Teenagers aren't as determined to see that finished as we are, for some reason???)

The first planting of the fall crop of lettuces and turnips were seeded last weekend, and it's still exciting to see the tiny seedlings poking through the mulch of dead weeds & grasses we pulled at planting time.

The funniest piece of the garden is the winter squash vine that has escaped the three sisters' bed by climbing five feet over the euonymus at the bottom of that bed!

The front yard is in full bloom with hostas, echinacea, black-eyed susans (everywhere!), another tall prairie flower whose name I've forgotten, royal burgundy beans, my first ever bloom of lavender (Thank you for tending them so carefully, James!), and the odd dianthus and lily bloom persisting past their fellows. Combined with the delights of fresh local peaches and canteloupes for breakfast, I'm thinking summer is my favorite season. (But don't hold me to that. I'll change my mind when the spring bulbs come up, if not before then!)

Phase Two of James's rain barrel project is collecting rain water for our water conservation agenda. You can see pictures on James's blog. While there, be sure to check out the pictures of our new pond!

The pond has been this weekend's project. James dug the hole by himself yesterday. We then lined the hole with plastic, and covered that with pieces of carpet to protect the plastic from punctures and sunlight. We learned that trick during our visit to Earthaven Ecovillage in May. Above the pond is a small graywater marsh to filter shower water before it runs into the pond. We'll know it's working when the amphibians inhabit the pond. (And just think, when I contemplated the idea of a marsh, James nixed it rather firmly! Just like the berries, grapes, fruit trees, etc. That's what I've been teasing him about this week, since three or four of the ideas I've had nixed in recent months have been proposed as possibilities this week. Hmmm. Must be VERY careful what I suggest! And I really love you, James!-even if I tease you in this public forum.)

I also have a new echinacea and a lily waiting to go into the friendship garden. They were a thank-you gift from friends for a bit of calligraphy I did for their wedding. I may have to enlarge that bed soon. It's quite a reminder of being surrounded by so many people who love me!

Yeah, Liza!

My mommy brag for the weekend is Liza's awesome performance on her AP exams. . .The test scores arrived (finally!) while she was away at camp, and I really had to restrain myself from opening them before she got back. Instead, I tucked the envelope away on her shelf and waited patiently for her return.

The squeal when she opened the envelope was certainly worth disciplining myself! Liza got a 5, the highest possible grade, on her AP Portfolio (Art) score. Awesome!!! The two 4's and one 3, all good for credit in college, in her academic classes were excellent also. That covers at least one semester's worth of credit, since each test is worth at least one course. As a side note, the 3 was in Comparative Government, which was meant to be a year-long course, but her school scheduled it as a semester course, so that 3 was really an accomplishment!

All told, at this point, I think Liza has credit for three or four English classes, probably two semesters of US History, another course of Comparative Government, and a class or two of Art. And the Intro to Criminal Justice course she took Spring semester. Gee, Liza, you could finish your Associate's degree by the time your classmates graduate from high school if you didn't go to Hungary. (wink!)

Sure am proud of my Liza!