can't sleep so posting favorite pics

hot new digs

hey everyone - i just heard that there was a camera accident at the st. louis miller family's home. therefore no pictures immediately of the new place. unfortunately, we didn't take a camera there either. i can't do it justice, but here is a description.

large. really. a good amount of space for an apartment - configured differently than my house, but the apartment is probably bigger than my whole downstairs. big living room - large dining room - one really big bedroom, a medium one, and a small one. a hall and small to medium bathroom and an old basement that is good only for storage and laundry. the basement can be reached down a kind of circular stairway indoors that is shared by the upstairs apartment - or from the back yard.

hardwood floors in most of the house. the old fashioned radiators in most rooms - looking quaint, and luckily, not the actual heat source (making them even more attractive). the kitchen is lacking good counter space and cabinets, but other options are being explored. the kitchen is large enough for more counters, so fingers crossed that the management will add them. kitchen is tiled.

three stained glass windows. two in the living room and one in the dining room. a fenced backyard - that actually can be used. an iron gate in the back of the smallish back yard - that leads to an alley from which those who are lucky enough to have a garage (they don't) can park their cars. everyone else parks in the street.

other interesting features - cool woodwork in most rooms - and a great ceiling in the dining room (with a ceiling fan - remember high ceilings). an old built in medicine cabinet that is really large, and a narrow small linen closet (envision rolling up towels). high enough ceilings that you almost need a ladder to reach them to change the light bulbs. there is storage built beneath one of the kitchen windows.

all in all, a pretty interesting apartment - and once the repairs are all made, it will be most comfortable too

... it will help when the heat goes below 100 and stays that way!

first day - 114 degree for the heat index. lots of water taken - LOTS of water sweated off! funny story to relate later regarding a strange noise the first night.

everyone should visit sometime - you would be welcome and st. louis looks interesting.

reality hits

i know there is a reason that cliches exist - there are so many repetitious events and emotions that hit everyone - of course there are words to describe them and to 'assist' us all to understand or cope.

fine - but i don't really feel like hearing them now. not today. nick and family and katie and family are no longer physically close. we miss them. don't give us reassurances that this is the way it is supposed to be - that kids move away and we will adjust and get used to it. i don't care today. today we are sad - tomorrow we will move on.

no one has time

to post real blog entries lately - and i don't envision a lot more time in the near future - i would assume nick won't put much onto his site until he is settled in the new place. i also assume katie won't have much time until after they get back into their own place. BUT... we still need pictures - so here are a few. bethie at the 4th annual austin and jack birthday party.


Austin and Nayeli ready to blow out candles on ninja turtle cake and spice cake


austin opening his presents


grandpa keeping maddy happy


having fun at the pool with toys


katie and reagan enjoying the weather and water


dad helps with the instructions


ninja turtle man and kowabunga time off the board


pat recording the day for everyone


happy birthday jackie

time to sit and chat


joe and joey make a perfect picture


rissa chilling with the cool shades


protecting the pool with his firepower


time for a break


love the surfer suit


thanks for coming to join us shirley : )