is this thing on?

I finally snagged some pictures of the living and dining room when they were somewhat clean. We also hung up the pictures a couple weeks ago so it finally feels more finished. Don’t be fooled though, we still need to put in baseboards and some things have already changed since I took these pictures. Living Room Dining Room I think it was a couple months ago that Brian and I were talking in our master bathroom about what we want to do with it. Why does it need discussing? Because that bathroom and I do NOT get along. Reason #1: The toilet and vanity were built for someone at least 7 feet tall. I have to stand on my tippy-toes to wash my face and brush my teeth and, at the risk of giving you too much of a mental picture, my legs dangle freely when I use the toilet and they brush the bowl, which I find cold and disgusting. This project is bigger than we want to take on right now because I’m pretty sure if we change those pieces, I want new tile as well. I will just

I'm learning that whenever my dad calls me and we don't have anything planned, I know it's bad news. I received one such call this morning when he called to let me know that my uncle died unexpectedly in his sleep last night.  This uncle was my mom's only brother and the last remaining part of her immediate family. He was not much older than my mom and has followed the developing Washer tradition of dying unexpectedly young, creating layers of tragedy and disbelief for me and more so for my mom and my aunt. My mom has shared that you're never too old to feel exempt from the reality of being an orphan. I've found myself searching for and clinging to old memories while the sobering reality that our time on this earth is limited sinks in anew. Rest in peace, Uncle Keith.  http://lanailens.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/sm018-1-2.jpg

And we’re back! Well, we got back over a week ago but I’ve been busy. Or lazy. Or both. I had a wonderful time at my 10 year college reunion. I practically lost my voice from talking so much and I laughed so hard, my head was throbbing most of the weekend. It was totally worth the pain. It’s always very encouraging (and refreshing) to realize you have such good friends. The kind you can get together with after so long and not have awkward “so, what have you been up to?” moments. I really do miss college relationships and I love Whitworth so much. If it wasn’t in Spokane, I would totally want to work there. No offense, Spokane. I’ve always had a weird relationship with that town. I don’t hate it but I just can’t live there. I guess it’s an “it’s not you, it’s me” kind of situation. Lauren, Alicia, Me, Heather, Jedi Heather, Lauren, Me, & Alicia Alicia"s camera shutter kept sticking so we went with it. And, I feel I need to pay homage to the good ol&

~I wrote this 9/23/13 and then I slacked off and didn’t post it. Pretend it’s Sept 23; that was a Monday, to help you set the stage.~ The house is coming along, slowly but surely. I haven’t been taking pictures because we’ve been working on all the little stuff that you probably won’t notice, but that needs to be done. You know, like painting the 6 th coat of white on the trim around doors and windows. BOOOOOOORRRING. This is the part of house projects that I hate. I like a lot of bang for my work and when we get to the minute details I lose interest. That’s when Brian steps in, ignores my whining, and tells me to do one more coat.* *If he even lets me help at all. He’s learned that the result of me not being interested in the details is that I get careless in my work (i.e. I stop paying attention and end up missing spots or I accidentally color outside the lines). We had our first real ‘company’ this past weekend! It was a pleasure to have friends come visit and it a