Our New Deck

I'll let the photos speak for themselves ... from beginning to the end!    Here is a glimpse of the old deck.  Pretty bad!!!

 

And the final reveal ....

For those who commented, yes, it was water sealed, twice.  And the only ones building were myself, husband, son and youngest daughter.  The plan was our own, and it was a sad day when we sold the house.  Though, it was probably this that helped sell it in less than 4 days!

Great House .. Now It's For Sale

After a long summer of having to sit on my hands (when they weren't busy with stripping wallpaper, painting, nailing, scrubbing and digging dirt) we can announce our plans ..
Tuesday a start date was finalized, Friday the resignation submitted, Saturday papers signed with the realtor ... The news is that we are heading south, waaayyyy south, all the way to Zambia with a stop in Houston on the way.  We hope to have the house sold, us packed, moved to Houston, unpacked, then repacked and off to Zambia between now and the end of October.

As time allows, I'll put up pictures about all the work we've been doing on the house.  In the meantime, enjoy these of the exterior of the house, including our fabulous deck!

Life Without the Dogs

This is what happens when our version of "Hank the Cowboy" dogs are gone:

Jess is "Hank" and Basil is "Drover" ... and they are now living in Houston.  This black squirrel has reclaimed the yard, here he's sitting on the neighbor fence eating some treat.  A few days ago he was actually prancing around our back deck.  Yes, indeed, no dogs to bother him, and the cats could care less.

Irony

Living in Canada gives me moments to consider the path the United States is following.  Please read Michael Coren about loss of religious freedom.  BTW, did you realize that since President Obama has taken office he and his cohorts never refer to "religious" freedom, but only to freedom to worship?

Think for just a moment about the difference here.  Religious freedom is guaranteed under the Constitution.  Not freedom to worship, though that is included under religious freedom it is not the same thing.  I practice  my religious freedom in my entire being, while my freedom to worship can conceivably only involve attendance at a venue, like Mass.  My religion does inform my belief system.  It is molded by the guidance of centuries of the Catholic Church's experience.

Anyway, there are days it gets pretty depressing listening to, reading, and looking deeper into current issues.

Bill 13, anti-bullying, just passed.  EXCEPT, the way it is written it has nothing to do with real bullying.  Bullying, which the courts, special interest groups and the government can now use to make those who do not believe that homosexual license is real freedom.  The irony is sad.  Apparently, freedom of religion is lost on my Canadian friends.  It isn't good enough to want to just be left alone.  That attitude is what has pushed a minority agenda, to the detriment of their country.

Losing Our Freedoms

I bet anyone reading this blog knows all to well my sentiments regarding the healthcare mandate.  If you don't, in short, I don't believe it is in the federal government's right (as outlined in the Constitution) to intrude into an area that is not spelled.  At worst, it should be on a state by state basis, at best, left to the individual and families.

Check this rally to see if there is a religious freedom rally near you on Friday, March 23.

It is time for me, and hopefully anyone reading this blog, to keep pushing back.  

What needs to be heard...

Please, take the time to listen to more of the truth.  Our freedom is diminishing swiftly.
This homily was delivered in northwestern Indiana the beginning of February.  And, please, do pass it along.

Is it Lent, Already?

Our computer is back, but I'm not.  At least not for a bit.  Lent is a time for my spring cleaning, both physical (house and body), mental (eliminating frivolous pursuits), and spiritual (big time).

Will post, but only after a bit of that spring cleaning has cleared my mind of jumbled thoughts!