Spring Un-Break

It has been a very productive week. Not the kind of Spring Break others enjoyed, I am sure, but it was the one I needed to have.

All work in the downstairs is done. For now.

The main room in the downstairs is still a staging area — on the sawhorses are the doors for two upstairs closets — but the whole downstairs space is clean and painted and has new switch plates and is DONE.

For now. Everything is “for now.”

I painted all the walls related to the loft this week, which was harder than expected, but it looks great and I did not fall off the step ladder. #win

The Floor Dudes came back to repair/replace flooring in the dining area.

Do you see how the trim is dark gray in the above photo? I do not like it and so decided to repaint all the dark gray trim. Here is the hallway getting ready for painting.

And here it is when I was done with the painting. Trim is now the same color as the walls.

I have area rugs everywhere because Harper struggles on the non-rug floors. This is not surprising, given that she is approaching 12.5 years!

Harper B for Be Taking my Moose for a Stroll

Trusty Rusty and I took an excursion to the dump.

I finished all the leftover tasks in both upstairs bedrooms and the two upstairs bathrooms are also done (usual disclaimer about the word done when working on a house).

I got bids this week for what it will cost to stain the house, two garages, and both decks. Hint: $$$$$$

But it needs to be done.

I have a new skill and as with many life skills, this one was born from necessity: I can now remove doors and hinges — and put them back on! Who knew?!

Remodel Dude is working on another project and so we will reconvene when I get back from the Specialty — the big job will be dealing with the deck.

Watch where you step!

But there are also some little things to be done as well. My sister told me those kind of end-of-work items are put on something called a Punch List. I found that idea charming because I love lists — and so I bought a star-shaped hole puncher just for the Punch List.

I am not sure why she — an attorney — knows it is called a Punch List and maybe she made it up, but I love it and have started two: one for me and one for Remodel Dude. I look forward to making lots of star confetti.

Yesterday I finished the living room/gym.

And with that, Paint Week is officially done! Not because painting is done — I still have the kitchen/dining room to do — but because it is time to change channels and get ready for the Specialty!

I have, of course, been working towards that as well.

Capella

But now my priority will be all about getting ready to leave. Making the packing lists, getting my work life in order, and today — cleaning up. Luckily, I have a helper.

Happy Sunday, Friends, and thanks for all your encouragement and support ❤️

2024 Specialty, etc.

The BMDCA National Specialty is coming right up!

THIS is a link to the Specialty page.

There is a photo contest with voting for People’s Choice through March 22 — this is a way everyone can participate in the Specialty ❤️

You can vote for your favorite in each category — the contest and details for how to vote are HERE.

Jay has made a very cool and interactive schedule that will be ready to share soon; I will post the link as soon as it is live.

We have separated the schedule from the newsletter this year, with Jay managing the schedule and I will put out the newsletter each day. I assure you, my part will definitely not be as fancy!

A couple of photos of Bright Star Xeena after her bath.

Thank you, Kim, for the photos and always keeping me updated about that wonderful girl.

And here is Xeena’s sister and mom — Bright Star Capella (sitting) and Claire.

I thought maybe being hitched to Claire 🐇 would help Capella 🐢 understand that the cart could move faster without exploding 💣 It was epic — Claire just went and Capella looked stunned but had no choice but to go along. I am not sure it helped but I do see a future brace team, although I use the word “team” loosely since it will be 99.99975% Claire.

Spring Break is here and I am BUSY BUSY BUSY on the house and Specialty prep and so on. Check out the cozy space in the guest suite.

My efforts to keep cats out of the loft continue to be highly effective.

And finally — Harper B for Best Life.

Happy Sunday, Friends!