Obama Rally

Most of you probably know how involved Ed has been in this election year: volunteering at the local Democratic headquarters, canvasing, handing out materials at polling places, etc. He has had the opportunity to see Obama in Charlotte 2 different times, but something came up each time so that he was unable to go. But last Monday, Obama was at UNC Charlotte and Ed stood in the rain for the opportunity to hear him speak. It was a wonderful experience for the day before the election. We are thrilled with outcome of the election and our President Elect. We are hopeful for the future and excited for our country!

Halloween

Fletcher created his own costume for Halloween from a cardboard box and household items. He was a Robot complete with lights, antenna, and buttons. We had so much fun putting the costume together and Fletcher enjoyed trick-or-treating with Daddy around the neighborhood.

Household Projects:UPDATE

Update: Ok, so we've have sunk our teeth into projects and we're off! While we do need new furniture also, we've decided to invest in improvements that will add value to the house.

1. We have chosen new granite counter tops with under mounted sink and extended island to be installed on 11/18 (as it turns out, granite is cheaper than other solid surfaces! Who knew?)
2. Removed wallpaper boarder in the kitchen today while kids rested (bye, bye fruity boarder!)
3. Got Fletcher the bunk bed he has wanted for about 2 years over the weekend and got it put together on Saturday. Fletcher is lovin' it and his room is now his favorite place! He didn't want to leave the house on Sunday.
4. Have gotten rid of at least 6 pieces of furniture that we had been saving for "our next home" (that in the mean time was taking up valuable space in our current one!).
5. Having upstairs carpet cleaned on Friday.
6. Collecting estimates on flooring installation (downstairs), painting (entire interior), and lighting (2 new pendants over the kitchen island).

To save $$ we will be doing a lot of research on the internet and as much of the work that we can ourselves like tearing out the old counter tops and tearing up the old carpet and vinyl downstairs. I'll keep you all posted and will add photos of progress when we have some. Wish us luck!


I have wanted a new home for a while now, but to no avail. So my latest scheme is to do some stuff to our current house to make it more livable. We've been here 8 years and things are ready for repair/replacement but we've continuously said that we'd wait and do all the fixing-up when we were ready to sell, but now I think we should go ahead and make plans for projects so that we can enjoy the new stuff, too. So here is my wish list of things to do around the house:
New floors entire downstairs: laminate hardwoods
New carpet on stairs and upstairs: frieze or berber
New paint in entire house: neutral golden shade and white trim
New kitchen countertops: solid surface with integrated sink and larger island surface
Fletcher needs a real bed (sleeping on a futon and has wanted a bunk bed for a long time) and Ed and I need new bedroom furniture as well (same stuff I got when I moved to Charlotte in 1994)

Ed says we will not take out any kind of loan to do any of this which means it will happen very slowly. I'll keep you posted. Who knows what order things should be done in? Should the floors be before the paint, etc.?

Parkway Picnic

Fletcher and I met some of my high school friends and their families at Jefferes Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway on Sunday for a picnic. It was so nice to see everyone, some of whom I had not seen in years! The kids and the grown ups all enjoyed each others company and had a great time. We enjoyed eating, catching up, a walk in the woods, and playing in the leaves. So fun. Can't wait to get together with this group again!

Mums, Pumpkins, and Apples, Oh My!

Fletcher and I stopped at a little country store at the corner of Hwy 73 and Beatties Ford Road yesterday to buy some mums. We found some beautiful plants, saw some great pumpkins, and (you know me) took lots of pictures. Fletcher enjoyed pretending the pumpkins were a magic maze leading to a thrown and eating a yummy apple given to him by the store proprietor.

Craigslist Rants and Raves

I am a newbie to Craigslist (a free website for buying and selling stuff) and have some opinions.

Raves: I have sold 1 set of 4 chairs, 1 large upholstered chair and ottoman, and 1 TV in a period of one weeks time.

Rants: People email to say "Is X still available? I'm very interested." I email back to say yes it is and here is 2 phone numbers you can call and 2 people you can talk to and THEY NEVER EMAIL OR CALL AGAIN! Is this not the answer they wanted? I don't get it!

Shining Hope Farms

Fletcher has begun therapeutic horseback riding at Shining Hope Farms in Mt. Holly. He will be going once a week and if his first session was any indication, he's going to love it! He had no hesitation about getting the horse (Sammy) and was ready to get moving. He worked hard and we are in hopes that this activity will be good for him on many levels.