Oh my, how I’ve missed you!

It’s been more than a year since I’ve updated the words on this web site. The downward spiral began last June as we embarked upon the remodel of our home. Shortly after my last post here in June of 2008, we learned that the future value of our home—on which we would be receiving a new mortgage incorporating the cost of the remodel—was far less than what we had expected due to the “economic situation.”

Therefore, the scope of our project was drastically cut and limited us to only finishing the basement. The project began shortly after Labor Day and concluded just before Thanksgiving—the results of which can be seen here.

In hindsight, we were grateful for how the situation turned out. Taking on both an upstairs and downstairs remodel simultaneously would have likely led to divorce if not manslaughter, and focusing on the basement meant only minor spats and the occasional silent treatment. We’re thrilled with how things turned out, love our new living and working space, and were honored that Authentic Construction even put the project on the Spring Parade of Homes Remodeler’s Showcase. While we were disappointed that we don’t have the new upstairs we were looking for, we still have our plans and will tackle the project after we refill the remodeling coffers.

The year 2009 started with travel—to Cozumel in January for our annual cold-weather vacation, and to my parent’s winter getaway in Arizona in April. During our adventures in Arizona, my mom and I visited the Desert Botanical Garden and stood in awe of the Chihuly installation of The Nature of Glass. When Roger arrived for a long weekend, we visited (the slightly eerie) Biosphere II just outside of Tucson.

In late July, we became new owners of a Fleetwood pop-up trailer, and in August and September enjoyed several weekend camping trips. Our kickball team hit the Cannon River in August for a tubing weekend. Several weekends later we became regulars at Rice Lake State Park. My mom and dad joined us in their RV in late September for a weekend as well. And here we are … late October, with Halloween around the corner and Thanksgiving and Christmas staring us in the face.

I can’t promise more than the occasional update here—Facebook and Twitter seem to have taken over as the place to post new content. But I will try to check in every once in a while. I’ve missed you, blog.