Beauty . . .

This is my beautiful granddaughter, Meagan. She is 7 and a half and is modeling her costume for a school report on Cleopatra. I think this is also going to be her Halloween costume. I sure do miss her, but we will see her in a couple weeks.

I do like it . . .

I just thought I would share a picture of the "infamous granite". Here is a picture with some rather pathetic spinach salads I threw together, but I thought the red bowls and green were pretty on the granite. I love the movement of the dark pathways and the variation. After getting over the problems with getting it finally installed, it is a welcome, warm part of our kitchen and we are enjoying it.

Good News . . .

We had a really great day! After a stop at a local flooring store - more on that later - we headed off to Billings. It was a gorgeous day. Two years ago, Bob had a scare with carotid artery blockage that our doctors here felt required immediate surgery. They had determined one side had over 80% blockage. Once in Billings, several tests were done prior to surgery and it was determined the blockage was not quite at the "immediate surgery required" level. Based on numerous test, one was blocked to a little over 70% and the other slightly less. A drug treatment was prescribed with regular follow-ups and some education on what we needed to focus on for possible problems. We have had good news with each follow-up of no increase and today the blockage has shown to have actually decreased to 60% in the worst side and the other is better as well. The doctor was amazed and we were thrilled.


Before we left this morning, we stopped and ordered more goodies for the "kitchen remodel". We finally made our backsplash decision and ordered the tile. The picture here is of the accent tile we selected - it is granite, metal and glass and will be an accent band around the kitchen. This tile is 6" x 6" so each little square is just over half an inch. The accent band will be a strip that is 4 of these little squares high. The background tile will be the color of dark bronze - almost black. I will take some pictures of the almost finished kitchen when the backsplash is done. We have a few other decisions to make regarding lighting and counter stools but we are enjoying the kitchen so much now.

We have also decided to move forward with new carpet for this side of the house and ordered that today as well. Our house is made of 2 nine sided pods, connected with an atrium, and "this side" is where the kitchen, family room, living room, dining room, etc. are - the other side is where the bedrooms are. These decisions have not come quickly but we are enjoying the changes.

Still thinking . . .

Since I heard that Steve Jobs had passed away, my mind keeps saying "thank you" for being so blessed in my own life. It was another time in my life when I worked at Apple - but a blessing for me that I was given.

Now I must find get back on the journey - - -

Here is a link to the first "Think Different" commercial made in 1997. Steve Jobs was doing the narration on this version. Enjoy . . .

End of an era . . .

Twenty-five years ago I went to work for Apple - then known as Apple Computer, Inc. The next 15 years changed my life and each day I cherish those changes! Thank you Steve Jobs for your innovations and for the opportunity to believe that I could change the world.

Granite . . .

When I wrote last, we were going to look at the granite we selected to see how the templates created the week before would layout with the pattern in the granite. It has been an interesting three weeks. The fabricator (also part of the company where we purchased the cabinets, flooring, and granite) told us they could not put granite in our kitchen as we had thought and been told - the area was too large. Hmmm - the sales person was there and her offering was, "Would you like me to check into other options?"

So we did some figuring on our own - checked with a couple other granite places - and found out it certainly was possible. The two other places had granite that would have worked, but we still preferred our first choice. So, we called the original sales person back, explained what we had found out and asked to have the fabricator come out. Some of the issues belonged to that sales person - the wrong measurements and the wrong sinks ordered.

Finally, the fabricator agreed to come out and with lots of grumbling, agreed it was possible, but it would take his whole crew to get it into our kitchen. I know they put larger sections of granite in lots of houses so I don't know what the "real problem" was. I suspect there is a "back story" here of people not getting along within this company, but who knows really.

He finally agreed to have it done and installed last week. That didn't happen , so after a few phone calls with the owner, it came yesterday. It looks fine.

Now for the real learning here - today we did our food bank delivery of senior groceries for those who can't get out to purchase groceries and who couldn't afford them if they could get out. We have 16 people on our route. We always feel so blessed - blessed that we are able to get to know these people and blessed that we have what we have.

And - the granite issue seems small - pathetic really. The learning is sometimes painful - but always good.

Fast week . . .

I must be a weekly blogger - if reality is any measure.

Last week was the great Art and Stitch retreat in Salt Lake City. Theo and Loes van der Heijden from The Netherlands lead the instruction. They are the creators of Art and Stitch. It was two days packed full of amazing learning and wonderful people. We were at the HandiQuilter Education Center in North Salt Lake City.

I got home on Thursday afternoon. I drove up through West Yellowstone and then up the Gallatin Canyon. This is a picture of the road in front of me as I drove. I took this as I was driving and I can't believe it turned out as well as it did. The sky was just that blue and the road straight as an arrow.

When I got home, the cupboards were all in and the granite guy came out to make templates for cutting the granite. The kitchen is an odd shape and we are not sure the granite I selected will work. There is a large flowing vein through the slabs - we had to buy two. And even with two slabs, they may not be able to match with the necessary seam. So, we are going to go look at the slab with the templates placed tomorrow and then make a decision. Go with it or change to a granite with the same pattern throughout and no flowing veins. We will see.

"It is strange that the years teach us patience; that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting." Elizabeth Taylor