Tom's Birthday

Today is Tom's Birthday. He officially qualifies for the "Retired" rate for golf. He isn't 62 - not even close - but I guess in the world of golf double nickels are considered old.

In celebration of Tom's birthday and in need of some peaceful R&R after the wedding last week, the bath remodel all summer, and life in general; we did an overnight in a very well-known hotel about an hour away.

To set the stage for this story, a year ago we did a weekend away at this same hotel. The room next to us was full of drunk boys who had many drunk girls visiting them. I do not know how young people this age could afford such a place, perhaps it was that they crammed 1 Zillion people into the room and split the cost. Anywho, I had to complain - 3 times - throughout the night. It was ugly but in the morning they took a HUGE percentage off our bill and gave us a free overnight stay. Very kind of this hotel - truly great customer service!

This is the stay we used this weekend to celebrate Tom's birthday. When I booked the room the registration lady was very nice and told me to ask for an upgrade when we checked it. She was going to note this in the registration So, in passing I did that but it wasn't needed because for some reason - I have no idea why - they put us in an Executive Suite. A honest-to-goodness Executive Suite. HOLY CATS! HOLY CATS! HOLY CATS!

Not only was this an Executive Suite (the size of the entire first floor of our home) here is a small list of some of the people that also slept in that suite: President Bush 1, President Bush 2, and Jack Nickolaus (of whom Tom was most impressed). Yes, they all slept, showered, and walked the same carpet as we did this weekend.

Assignment: HOLY CATS! Happy Birthday Tom!
Walking down the hall, we kept looking for our room - um, WOW
Fresh Ice in the Ice Bucket when we checked in - refreshed again when we returned from going out to dinner
Soft Robes
Waiting for us when we returned from dinner
Yes, a GRAND FATHER CLOCK that chimed every 15 minutes
The sitting room
Do you think the Bush Family is bragging that the Brozek's slept here?

Bike

This afternoon I went for a bike ride. I was given a new bike for Mother's Day and sadly I haven't ridden it nearly enough this summer. Today the humidity finally broke, I had nothing on my 'to-do' schedule, and I felt the need to peddle. So - peddle I did.

As I was returning home I passed my neighbor. She was riding a horse. I still find joy in living in a place where the corn grows tall, the deer run free, and I can pass a neighbor riding her horse. I am one lucky gal!

Assignment: The humidity will be gone this week - go outside and play!

L.O.V.E

Last night was our daughter Jessica's wedding. It was a great party full of family and friends. I have a zillion stories and photos to share as time goes by but for now. . . .if I might share . . . .. .

Last night I fell deeply, madly, and truly in love with my husband all over again.


Father of the Bride Toast
The Father/Son-in-law heart to heart
Jess is Daddy's Little Girl
My heart was melting with happiness and love watching this dance

Assignment: Fall in Love - all over again! Congrats Jess and DJ

Photo Friday

Today was Jessica's bridal shower. I made eight quiches (thanks Judi for the perfect crusts) and I am shocked that they not only looked good - they tasted good too! It was a magical baking day.

A Chair for Max

Each year our local library has a fundraiser called A Little Chair-ity. Local artists (and folks like me) paint children’s chairs to be auctioned off to raise money to purchase new children’s books. I have done it a few times and really enjoyed giving back in this manner when I have the time.

My daughter Megan has bid on a few of the chairs that I have painted. Interestingly enough, she hasn’t won because the bidding ended up growing out of her price range. I think she has a very low price range but still I am flattered. When Megan was pregnant with our first grandchild she asked if I would paint a chair once baby was born.

Sweet Baby Max was born on May 20th so the image for the chair was clear: Where the Wild Things Are was exactly what I wanted this little boy growing up reading and sitting on while he read.

He recently had his Holy Baptism and we gave him this chair as his gift.


Assignment: Encourage reading for the children in your life.

Oh come on - painting is the least I could do for this little cutie.
I had to change this just a bit from the book - I don't want to infringe on copywrite law
I like how little Max is in grey skis as he sails away but the jungle of his imagination is full of blue skies.


This is my favorite monster in the book - I think he is really Max. I love this story and I hope my sweet little Max grows up loving it too!

Bathroom Makeover

We moved into our home on our first anniversary (May 1991). Our home is a lovely Gentleman’s Farmhouse that was built in the late 1800’s. You would think, with a definition of this nature, our home would have been filled with the charm and wonder of yesteryear. Nope. Our house was filled with the tactful décor of “The Chicken Ranch”. We had deep red shag carpet, dark paneling, plastic field stone, and a lovely green and white Eiffel Tower motif throughout the home. To be honest, I had no idea why Tom wanted to buy this place. It took several visits and a vivid imagination before I finally saw the light.

Since that first night we have been in various stages of remodel. When we did our bathroom (the only one in our home) didn’t have any money, four children with a 5th on the way, and so we needed a fast cosmetic fix. A little paint, some 90’s wallpaper and then we settled. We settled year after year putting off a final official make over because it just didn’t seem important. That lack of importance made this room one of the ugliest eyesores I have ever seen in my life.

Today I am happy to announce that we have officially completed our bathroom remodel and in doing so – our house is 100% the way we want it. Assignment: Enjoy these before photos!





We had already taken our sink out. It was a tan colored 'marble' top with 2 sinks and super ugly handles. The vanity was painted green. Very circa 1970 with a twist of 1995.
Tom is an Engineer. Look at his fancy figures. This is how the professionals do it folks.

Bathroom Makeover After

Enjoy these After photos of our bathroom remodel. You may ask, Nancy why didn't you put these all on one post? Why is this set up so silly? That is a valid couple of questions my friend. Very valid indeed. Truth is,my computer wouldn't let me add any additional photos to my last post - I don't know why! So I had to get creative.
I really wanted orange as our color but I was fearful that it would be too much.
Then I wanted a Victorian Pink but Tom said no.
We liked purple. When the sunshines in the morning it is beautiful!
I love my new bathroom. Thank you Tom for working so hard to make this happen.
Hum, nothing left to remodel so now what will we do . . . ?