Well, as you can see, the bathtub is no longer in residence on the front porch! After GOBS of huffing and puffing, we managed to get that old cast iron tub pryed loose from the wall and out of the bathroom. With the help of our good friend, Ron O'Dell, who made us a wonderful furniture dolly originally designed to move our piano, we have now moved two exceptionally heavy cast iron bath tubs! Thanks Ron! Anyway ... the old tub is outside waiting for the tomato and herb garden to be planted in it ... which should take place tomorrow. The new tub is temporarily placed in the bathroom. We won't permanently fix everything until the linoleum gets switched out for new ... and the tub faucets come in from the mail order. But hey ... we're in a lot better shape than we were! Thank goodness! It's beginning to come together as far as the bathroom is concerned ... our new and improved project!

Also, the garden has been planted and when Paul came home this evening, he discovered several of the rows had "sproutlings" (his very own word) coming up! So we're looking at sprouted beans and lettuce and beets and sunflowers, so far! It is very exciting, and Paul looks like a little boy at Christmas the way his eyes are twinkling at "his" garden!! We had dinner with some friends tonight to celebrate Paul's company's television premier. (oh my gosh, what a breathtaking estate these folks have at 5200 ft on a mountain top right down the road from the studio!) and Charles the tractor man was there. Paul was so excited to tell him the garden had begun to sprout! Everyone was duly impressed! The Company that Paul works for now (Garden Metal Work) was on HGTV tonight with a job they had done on one of the "improved houses" ... so we had a "get together" with champagne and everything! Very fun ... nice to celebrate, that's for sure! The couple who hosted the evening (Delmos and Anne) live on an old family homestead site, but have built their own home in the midst of 122 acres. It was as close to being in paradise as I think I've ever been!!! Delmos took us out in the "gator" to tour the land ... it was spectacular! Gives us something to aim our BIG dreams toward! It felt like you could almost reach up and touch the stars when they starting popping out! What a HUGE blessing to just be there! Some things are just not able to be put into words!

Changing subjects ... Lowes Building Supply has hired me to be in the cabinet department beginning in a week. So, I will have 3 jobs soon ... (but they probably only total one full time job when it all adds up) like I've said before ... sabbatical is over! However, before the time off comes to a screeching halt, I will be spending a week in Utah beginning Tuesday morning. I'll leave Elk Park on Monday about noon, drive to Charlotte and stay with my friend Norma for an evening of catch up after 3 years or so. Then I'll fly out Tuesday morning to Salt Lake City, returning on the following Monday to Charlotte around 11pm. I have to report to Lowes at 2pm on Tuesday ... so I'll have to sleep fast!! But I'm excited and looking forward to something different in my life. It'll be great to have that "BIG" discount for the house improvement things ... and perhaps full time will come soon and we can have some benefits and retirement enhancements! Wouldn't that be lovely! I'm truly looking forward to the trip to Utah to be with two very good women friends, Dana and Donna. It'll be lovely to have a week of R&R ... and girls "time out". Who knows what all we might get in to! Hiking is lovely out there!

While I'm in Utah Paul is planning on going to Carowinds Amusement Park with his work buddies to ride the roller coasters for an entire day! He deserves to have some fun ... hope it's good for him! I'd rather be in Utah! :-)

Nina, Paul's daughter, turns 21 years old on Monday! Happy Birthday, Nina!!!!! I hope all of your birthday wishes come true and you have a year of all good things!

My good friend and mosaic mentor, Chrissie Grace is in Atlanta at the Atlanta Merchandise Mart this weekend promoting her new endeavor with her art design company. Good luck, Chrissie. I'm sending you lots of good thoughts!

Chris and Rick (Paul's brother) have begun moving into their new home ... good luck you guys! We hope it is an easy and painless move! We know you'll love your new home and we're hoping you'll have a zillion years of happiness there.

Not that I have ever wanted to become a weather reporter ... but ... it has barely gotten over 60 degrees today. This weekend is the Highland Games, in which all the clans come from every where in their kilts to join in the "games" at Grandfather Mountain". I guess they toss telephone poles and etc. All I have to say is, they better put their long johns on under those kilts because they might freeze something vital! It's only about 54 degrees right now! I'm thinking about putting the electric blanket back on the bed tonight! Paul is making fun of me ... a lot!

We're tired from all the excitement around here! Hope y'all are having a wonderful beginning to your weekends! We'll post pics of the sproutlings when I get them taken!

Be well and be happy! Paul & Cheri