By Request (More Kitchen Photos)

This is a fairly good representation of what the kitchen has looked like ever since the countertops were installed (minus the small child standing up there--replace her with a 6'4" teenager sitting and that's more likely).  We were cleaning and I needed help reaching the top shelves, however there is always a lot of stuff filling it up.

But, I had a request for more photos, so I took a few (relative term) minutes and cleaned up a bit to take some updated shots.

This is the view from the dining room.  We bought the stools at Target.com.  The color match was almost perfect!  You can see beside the right stool, there are now end pieces on the sides of both of these cabinets.  It gives it a much more finished look. 

A better view of an end panel. 

We did not have a spot for towels and they kept getting hung on the oven or dishwasher door. This is convenient until you open the door and the towel drags on the floor which is typically dog hairy.  So my dear one put a towel rack on the drawer instead of a drawer pull.  

This window will eventually be replaced.  It was not on the replacement docket, but we found one that cranks open and fits the spot perfectly.  Looking forward to that!

The two dark circles on the false front of the sink cabinet are three-hole outlets.  Very convenient!! There was quite a bit of engineering that went into their installation.  All the wires are concealed and waterproofed with PVC piping. 

This is one of four corner cabinets.  This is the biggest and my favorite.  Everything is easy to reach and  it holds a lot of stuff (most of which was in the dishwasher). 

This corner unit is behind the unit pictured above.  It is actually two separate cupboards that looks like one. Because there are two units, they don't hold as much, but one turned out to be a great spot to hold all those travel mugs, water bottles and such.  The other holds the shaker cups and protein powder that our fitness minded kiddos use. 

This corner unit is a double Lazy Susan.  Nice big shelves that hold a lot.  You just have to be careful that the V shaped cut-out  of the shelves is positioned correctly so that the door will close. 

This unit has two stationary shelves.  It's got a lot of room in there but it has to be used for not-so-often-needed kitchen stuff because 1)  it's deep and hard for me to get at (old knees!), and 2) it is dark in there.  We did not consider a light until it was too late and I was not going to go there!! 

We do have plenty of lighting under the upper cabinets, however.  And, as you can see, a lot of well used outlets.

So, there's our kitchen.  Well-used and awfully nice, I must say.  Thanks for asking, Derek!

Wedding #2

The week before the wedding had the weather reports showing thunder storms for the whole week, including Saturday.  By Thursday, the reports called for sunny skies. Gratefully, that is what we got.

Caitlyn's (last year's bride) sister-in-law, Kayla, drove up from Ohio to do the bride's hair.  Before she went home she had done three complete hairdo's and helped with another.

At one point we had two heads being done at once. I don't have any professional photos to share yet, but I'm very sure they will be better than the few I got, so I will post them later. 

There were three fewer ladies in the wedding party this time, so the getting ready was a little calmer and more quiet than last year.  The bride's Godmother blessed us by bring over bagels and coffee. Thank you Margaret! 

At our last "getting ready" day, my dear one escaped the Estrogen by changing a shower head for me.  This year, since the bathroom was taken over for hair, he and Josh got their testosterone fix by watching clips of Steve McQueen do his own stunts in "Bullet". 

Once we got to the church, son Josh made a special request of our dear pastor, Fr. Jim.  

Being the good sport that he is, Fr. Jim complied.  However, since it was a surprise, we have no original video image.  So, click the link below and just listen to the first 10 seconds to see the surprise Liz and Jim got at the beginning of the homily. It was awesome.

The Wedding

We had photos taken inside the church and outside.  Our tenacious one had her camera with her so I have a few to share. 

The reception was held at Stoney Creek Metropark in their semipermanent tent and it was lovely.  

Sunset Terrace Stoney Creek

We were in for an added bit of fun toward the end of the evening.  Behind whomever is taking this photo, is a small lake.  The DSO happened to be performing across the lake the evening of the wedding, so we got a free fireworks show over the water during the reception.

The whole day was wonderful, including the talent of the park police officer who was able to retrieve my keys which got locked in the van half way through the reception.  (For more on this story, click here www.centeredinchrist1.blogspot.com)

One of the highlights of the evening was the last dance.  I was torn between participating and taking a video of what happened and I decided to just enjoy the moment and relive it with the "video" in my head. There was so much emotion attached that won't come through in the telling, but I'll share anyway.  

The very last song was Piano Man by Billy Joel (by request of the groom).  There were about 45 people still at the reception and when the song started everyone of us hit the dance floor.  About 20 seconds into the song, spontaneous movement  started and we all ended up surrounding the dance floor, arms around the waist of the person on each side of us, swaying and singing at the top of our voices, while Liz and Jim danced in the middle. It was so neat!  

So wedding number 2 is now a week in the past.  The next wedding on the docket is our nephew, Michael, and his intended, Leni.  It will be one year from this wedding.  Nice to have another party to look forward to, especially since I can just sit back and relax for this one!!