Fiddling Around

For Christmas, my grandfather Buckie bought me a violin at my request. Some of you may be shocked. I was too as I began this adventure. Sarah, one of my good friends, convinced me that she could teach me how to play. I was very wary, but I thought "why not?" My first lesson was less than 2 weeks ago. I have now had 2 lessons and less than 2 weeks of practice. I apologize ahead of time, but this is where I am currently....

A New Constant: Snow

I am not really sure where I am living anymore. I am now experiencing my 6th snow day of the school year. I have seen more days of snow this winter than I think I ever have in the past. The interesting thing is that I really like it. Most people here in Nashville are cursing it, but I think it is beautiful. I especially like it when the roads are mostly safe and I can get out and do things. That does cut down on the sledding though since we pretty much only sled on the roads here.

In addition, Zach and I also saw snow in Birmingham on Christmas Day and then lots more on our drive from Birmingham to Peoria. It has been a wonderful winter wonderland everywhere we have been this winter. Here are some pictures of the fun we have had.

Zach sledding in the neighborhood in our new sled "The Beast". Thank you Barkley and Matt.

Christmas Day in Birmingham. Standing in the snow on a White Christmas!

Sledding with the Peoria gang. Thank you mom for the 2 new bottom sleds!

The snowman that Jake, Bradley, Zach and I built.

The Bathroom

I can't believe that I have not updated about the bathroom. Between the bathroom and holidays, I just didn't have time. I had intended on keeping you updated throughout the process, but that just did not happen. I would come home and attempt to clean up the mess from the day and then distract myself from the mess that I could not do anything about.

Here is the before:

Here is Zach's handiwork in taking apart the entire bathroom besides for the tub. We ended up having to do a lot more plumbing work than we thought.

One day while showing the progress to friends, sewage backed up into the newly laid sub floors. That caused a stop to progress for a couple of days, but finally this is our finished product:D

About Time

A blog post has been long over due. Lately I have been wanting to write blogs but feel overwhelmed by the backlog of blogs that I need to catch up on. I don't know if I will ever write another blog if I try to catch up, so I am just going to write a current blog...

Our precious little kitty is currently wearing the "cone of shame" as coined by my friend Erin. This seems way more appropriate a term than Elizabethan collar as the vet calls it. That is like pretending there is some dignity in wearing the thing.

Mia went in to get spayed on Wednesday morning. It was so sad having to take her that morning. I woke up and she was asking for food just as usual besides for I couldn't give her any food. Not only could I not give her food, but she was going under and didn't even know it.

When I came home that afternoon, there was Mia half drugged staggering around the house with the "cone of shame". At that point, I felt half bad for her while also getting a kick out of her running into walls, etc. Since then, the funny parts are when she is attempting to clean her self, but really just licking the cone. Or when she is "scratching" her ears through the cone.

For your enjoyment, here are some pictures of Mia in her Elizabethan collar.


Attempting to clean herself:D