Unpredictable!!!

The beautiful spring weather that was in our face this past week has come to a screeching halt this afternoon with snow coming down in great gobs! The temperature, which has been in the high 60's and even 70 on Wed., has now been replaced with MUCH cooler temps, and the little white flakes are tumbling down, once again, from on high! It's been a cold, damp, drizzly day all day ... it is now officially snowing! And it's supposed to stay pretty chilly all weekend, so maybe I'll quit wandering around in a spring fever and get something accomplished (or not!) ... it's been declared by the locals that the weather here is crazy during the entire month of March (I would have used the word unstable!) and it appears they really do know what they're talking about!

We've had a few interesting things happening around here ... Sunday Paul ran over something in the road that put a hole in the oil pan on the Volvo. It's a $500 part (discounted 20% at that) and a BIG project to get the pan off of the car around the transmission wiring and the brake housing and who knows what else! So, tomorrow he'll try to weld the holes closed! One can only hope!!!! Paul's truck has also decided to be very stingy with the oil pressure, so he's having challenges galore whilst driving these mountain roads! So ... anyone who knows any "car curing" chants, please forward them! We could use some better luck with the vehicles this weekend!

I had the good fortune to make a day trip to Gastonia to a HUGE fabric store with Caroline, the realtor! It was a delightful day, and down in Gastonia, the Bartlett pear trees are in full bloom, as are the red buds and the forsythia (spelling?) ... it was oh my gosh! beautiful driving through the blooms and the mountain vistas and views!!!! And I was out of little Elk Park for a bit and saw real traffic and stores ... very fun! I got plenty of fabric for the master bedroom drapes and duvet cover ... and probably yards left over! Also fringe for the kitchen panels that are pictured above. They aren't quite finished, but I thought it might be nice for you all to see the colors we're using and the windows are actually getting dressed! We're having a great time watching things change (not speaking for the cats, of course!) ... they are always looking for where they last thought they saw something! Poor guys! Anyway, the buffet in the kitchen gave us a color to work with and it's been quite the inspiration to finish that room! I will take pics as the window treatments get finished ... always a project going ....

Paul and I started hanging the "dance" art gallery last weekend, and got quite a bit of it finished, as you can see. It was a great time arranging things ... and I've now learned how to use the drill, so LOTS of things are getting hung while Paul is at work. I'm sure he's relieved! Gives him more x-box time, don't you know!

We also found a great little vanity for the master bedroom. We're still trying to decorate in that room. It's getter better every weekend! As is most of the house. We were finally able to take all the quilts and blankets out of the doorways last week, but with the temps back down in the 30's ... they'll be going back up!!! It's just too cold, and heating the house in it's entirety is not an option for us right now! But it is great to see the house's energy flow through the whole house when the "barriers" come down! It's getting there!

I've been spending some time helping the dance studio owner, Stephanie, try to get her "books" automated. We installed some dance soft ware and have begun the project of loading all the students' info and etc., etc. It'll be so much easier for her in about a week's time! I'll also begin my H U G E "doing the taxes" project this weekend. If there is a tax preparation fairy, I sure hope she begins to make daily visits here because we're going to need her to bless us every so often! I've pretty much always done our taxes as it's just easier than explaining it to anyone else. But this year we've done some extra line item activities, such as buying a house and moving, so it'll be a whole new adventure!! Can't wait to dive in ...

SO, that's what's on our agenda and in our lives right now. As far as extended news, Paul's mum, "B", has come through her surgery with flying colors ... and although she gave a bit of a scare to the recovery room folks, she's stronger and home again. Psu's mom, Lois, will be having some surgery in a couple of weeks, so please keep her in your good thoughts. I'll post more info as I get it on that front! My nephew, Derek, has a birthday coming up soon (the 22nd) and we all wish him a happy birthday! Still young, although in his 20's now. Must be fun! Ms. Mandy will be having her bridal shower tomorrow, and I sure wish I could be there! But I'll be thinking about you, Mandy!!! xoxo Saving the best news for last, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DANCER'S POINTE dancers who went to Baton Rouge and kicked bootie! I hear y'all did AWESOME and I'm very proud of you ALL!!! Don't forget to thank your parents for going "over and above" by taking you there! Always important to say thank you!

So, for now, happy St. Patty's Day to all. Take care, keep in touch and have fun! Paul & Cheri