Office Renovation

Before we moved into our Provo house we had to sell our beautiful office furniture that we had purchased in Meridian.  We loved the way it looked and all of the storage capacity it had.  It served us well for many years, and we were a bit sad to see it go.  Our new house had an office space but it wasn't big enough for that older set.  As we began to use that room as our office, we realized that we definitely need better storage for our books and office supplies.  And we wanted something attractive as this was a room we knew we'd spend a lot of time in and it's right at the front of our house.  It needed to be a welcoming place.  

We decided to hire somebody to help us figure out what we really wanted it to look like.  So we hired a cute couple who did the design and contracting for us.  We told them we wanted some built-in bookcases especially where the current closet was located.  They gave us a few other ideas and pushed us a bit out of our comfort zones on the choice of color as well as the flooring.  We also got the main level painted white which really freshened up the whole space, and they also did a decorative wall detail on the big entry wall.  We replaced three light fixtures on the main level too.  A much needed update.  The last thing that we had done was replace the front door with a mostly glass door which lets in so much light to the entryway.  What a difference!  The process took a month longer than expected, but it was all worth the wait.  

Here are some before, during, and after pictures.  We kept most of the office decor items that they brought in for their staging.  But now our art from the leprosy colony in India hangs on the wall under the gold light fixture, and we added some of our books and other little things.  

UPDATE:  BETTER RUG

Second Half of May

My garden is trying its best.  It's my fault it's not flourishing.  I fertilized them late, and I should have mixed in some fresh garden soil before I even planted.  I had each kind of seed sprout, but they are slow growing. So I decided to pull up the carrots and beets.  I'm still holding out for the peas and brussel sprouts.  Hopefully I can get some before it is just too hot outside and they give up and die.  I planted three kinds of tomatoes in another box with some marigolds near them.  In the box where the carrots and beets were, I will fill with flowers like the previous owner did.  

My pink peonies are blooming! I've been cutting some and bringing them inside to enjoy.  I wish I had a couple of varieties, so maybe I'll have to find another place to plant more next year. 

I hosted a bridal shower for my nephew Steven's wife.  Her name is Saylor.  They married in November and are about to be sealed in the Rexburg temple.  They didn't have a reception or a shower yet, so I offered.  Since she has extended family in the Herriman/Draper area, I held it at my old stake center's outdoor pavilion in South Jordan.  It was a beautiful weather day except for the wind that wanted to disrupt my decorations.  But all turned out well enough, and we celebrated Saylor and showered her with gifts to help her set up her new home.  I did a citrus theme in my decor, desserts, invitations, and game prizes.  The game was a Scatergories type game with the letters L-O-V-E and categories that had to do with getting married.  

Here are all the ladies on my side of the family that were able to come. 

First Half of May

May started off with a lovely lunch in one of my neighbor's backyard.  All of the ladies on our street were invited to attend.  Most were able to come.  They are all so very sweet, and I look forward to getting to know them better. 

I also went to our monthly ward relief society "field trip".  We went to the Thanksgiving Point tulip festival.  The ladies who went were fun to be with.  And what a beautiful place this was to walk around.  Tulips have always been a favorite of mine.  Unfortunately,  I didn't take any pictures at all! One of the women, Senah, who is probably nearing 80 years old, was such a hoot to talk with.  I pointed out a hill we were approaching and said that it looks like a fun hill for kids to roll down.  She proceeded to walk up it and then roll down! She got up and said to me, "Okay, now it's YOUR turn!"  How could I say no to that after she just did it? My friend Jill, who is probably in her early 60s, joined me.  So funny!  Senah had videoed it, so I took this screen shot.

A few nights later as I was trying to fall asleep, I had a feeling that I should go back to Michigan and help Chelsea again.  She had gotten worse since I had left her a few weeks earlier.  My poor girl.  She was miserably sick.  The next morning before getting out of bed, Chelsea texted me and asked if I'd come again.  I was on a plane 48 hours later. I got there on a Sunday afternoon, and the next day, she and Spencer went in for her first doctor's visit including an ultrasound.  The very sad news was given that there wasn't a heartbeat anymore.  Of course, she was devastated.  She miscarried two days later.  I'm so grateful that I was able to be there for them during that hard time.  It turned out that instead of me taking care of my sick daughter that week, I was able to watch her "come back to life" as she made a complete turn around and wasn't sick anymore.  She got her appetite back, was able to play with Piper and do things that she hadn't been able to do for two months.  She even mowed the front lawn several days later and registered herself and Spencer for a mud run later this summer!  She's also able to help Spencer with their kitchen renovation.  It is so very sad that the pregnancy was lost, but I'm so happy that Chelsea isn't suffering anymore.  

At the nearby library to check out some books.  Piper loves her pajamas.

I took this picture out of their front window.  They got to leave their house and go on a walk ALONE for the first time in a long time.  I was happy to be there to allow that to happen.  

April

April started out with getting the first dose of my Covid-19 vaccine.  I was able to get an appointment at the health department in American Fork.  They ran it quite efficiently.  I received the Pfizer vaccine.  I got the second dose at the same place on our anniversary morning.  I didn't get sick either time.  Just a little bit of a sore arm especially with the first dose. This wall (it's twice as large as what is seen in the picture) was a place for people to write their reasons for being vaccinated. I didn't add anything to it, but I guess I could say that my reason is I want to do my part in getting this pandemic behind us all. 

I planted a spring garden for the first time in my life.  I planted peas, carrots, brussel sprouts, lettuce, and beets.  All of the seeds were so tiny except for the peas.  It's amazing that food comes from such tiny little things. I'll be happy if at least one thing grows into something edible! 

Chelsea made the wonderful announcement to us that she is expecting a baby! We are so happy for them...and for us to have grand baby #2 due in early December.  The bummer thing is that Chelsea has been quite sick from the get-go.  A few days after she told us, she texted me and asked me what the chances were that I could come and help her.  I knew then that it was pretty bad if she was asking for help.  That was a Sunday, and I was in Stevensville by Wednesday afternoon.  I spent a week at their house doing lots of playing with Piper, some housecleaning, grocery shopping, and some cooking and baking. I loved being there and helping Chelsea by allowing her to rest as much as possible. I wish I lived closer to her so I can help her more.  One week is just a drop in the bucket, but hopefully there are friends there that will step in and help when needed.  I hardly took any pictures. The ones I did take are all of Piper in her underwear, pajamas, or sleep sack which is what she prefers to be in as much as possible.  

After I got back to Utah, Matt and I spent a four day weekend together for our 28th wedding anniversary.  We didn't do anything spectacular this year, but just being with him 24/7 is pretty awesome for me! We spent the first day in Logan for his first art lesson with Megan's dad, David Koch, who is a very talented professional artist.  We had a yummy lunch at Morty's Cafe. Those sweet potato fries were so good! On the 23rd after my vaccine appointment, we finally went to TRUreligion for brunch.  Oh my! We definitely will be going back there many times.  That evening, we went to the movies which we love to do together.  We saw a Cold War spy movie, based on a true story, called The Courier. 

At the end of the month, I registered for my first college course in 27 years (besides the required student development class that I just finished). I am taking human geography which fills a needed general education class. I'd like to be finished with it by the end of July.