Longest Blog in history!

Wow! What a whirlwind we have been in recently. For a couple of real hibernators, we have been out and about and so busy! You may go to sleep before completely going through the photos and all of this blog post today.

First of all, our house is OFFICIALLY ON THE MARKET! Woohoo! They came to photograph the whole thing today and the Realtors from King Realty will all be here tomorrow to walk through it. They do this each week with their new listings. I found myself with such mixed emotions this morning with the preparations. First of all, like everyone that sells their home, we wonder why we haven't gotten it in this kind of shape before and perhaps had time to enjoy it in years past! (most likely I would imagine this is typical) Second of all, I found myself wanted to memorize some of the little things about the house to remember...the things that hold memories. If these walls could talk sort of thing. When we first moved in, Mary Beth and Greg shared a bunk bed in the small bedroom upstairs with little bears that I painted on it to match their border on the walls. I remember what a big day it was when Rachel got a phone in her bedroom that she had waited for. Easter egg hunts, Christmas Eve fun, birthday parties and sleepovers. Riding bikes up and down the dead end street, riding that blasted yellow Little Tyke car down the inclined drive as fast as they could, picnics on the patio, Steve grilling out, and of course working on the flower beds that I started all over the place. Graduation celebrations, first cars and driving lessons, drill team practices in the living room, and of course, Greg melting Army men in the driveway. And then there were the parties they had here as they were older while we were out of town!!!

We always found out, but they had to try!

It seems the house was in a constant state of improvement. When we bought it, an elderly couple had owned it and so everything was beige. I mean everything! When we pulled up the carpet, there were the beautiful hardwood floors. Amazing!

So, here we begin. Today we have the sign in our yard. I really am excited.

This is my exhausted look. I'm gorgeous inside????

Our family room...emptied and spruced up. Notice the pillow and throw strategically placed where Mary Beth burned not one, but two, holes in the chair on her wedding day with a curling iron! Here we go with memories again.
I still have my desk area. It seems to fit in the corner really well.

Front bedroom that has belonged to all three children at one time or another...my mom says it's her favorite because it gets so dark and quiet in there.

We left the famous photo hanging with pictures of all three children growing up.

This room has also gone through all three at one time or another. Now it hosts a twin bed and Steve's official office, plus some of my scrapbooking supplies. Hopefully, SOMEDAY, I will be able to get back to that hobby!

The biggest change was in our bedroom, with a wall color change and taking most of the furniture out, hanging just white sheers on the windows and de-cluttering.

The basement, which has served also as a bedroom to each of the kids as the older one graduated and went to college. I think Mary Beth actually packed Rachel up to get her moved out so she could move her stuff in!

Another shot of the basement.

The hallway now hosts some of my generic photographs, instead of the numerous family photos.

Now for chapter two of this blog. My oldest brother, Richard, Dickie, Hounie, Doc Brown...whatever you choose to call him turned 60 (today actually) and we celebrated this weekend. Steve and I met Connie there on Friday to surprise him. Lots of fun for sure. I had printed off about 20 old photos of him growing up, which we taped to the wall for everyone to enjoy. This ignited a trip down Memory Lane for us as we shared memories of family members, aunts, uncles and grandparents over the years. We DO have quite an interesting family tree!

Here's Hounie going through a bag full of old photos I brought for him, including the enlargements I had made and many others.

Notice the Lab outside looking in...more about her later.

The party was a 60's theme, since he graduated from high school in '67. Steve and I dressed up on Friday night, but Steve really made everyone laugh with his bandanna tied up on his head and his "special" tie tack on his pocket. Connie said he looked like a cancer patient, which led to some interesting ideas about what he'd wish for if he were given a wish from the Make A Wish Foundation....use your imagination! Flash, the basset hound, enjoyed the party too!

Opening gifts is fun regardless of your age. Itunes, movie rentals, incense, photos collages, and even moonshine!

Everyone has a good laugh when he opened the peach moonshine from Linda.

We made him take the first sip and when it didn't kill him, we all tried it. Not bad actually!

Megan made a collage of family photos for him, which he immediately hung near the table.

Their deck is tree covered and the perfect place to relax...especially since the weather was so mild this weekend!

Donna and Craig, friends of Hounie and Glos, take the rock from the cute Lab that found her way to our deck each day. We named her "Roxie" because she LOVED for people to throw rocks for her to retieve. She could find them even in the dark. And would bring back the same rock each time!

Haley and new boyfriend, Ty, joined us Saturday morning.

Here I am with two of my favorite men....they have both spent a lot of time in their lives taking care of me and making me feel loved.

Here's a better shot of "Roxie".

Now for Chapter three in this odyssey. The wedding. Mary Beth's brother-in-law, Chris Williams married Courtney Beaty Saturday night. Beautiful wedding and fun reception.

Jon and Mary Beth were both in the wedding.

Steve and Mary Beth cut a rug. I think she enjoyed this reception a lot more ....I know I did!

Jon and Mary Beth enjoying a dance.

Jon's grandfather got in the middle of a dance circle and cut a rug. What a cutie! He told me Mary Beth is precious and I agreed with him.

Here we are. Late in the night, the hair and makeup just go away.....

Mary Beth and her father in law, John Williams.

Everyone, including Jon and Mary Beth, enjoyed dancing to "SHOUT!"

Then it was time to call it a night and start getting the house ready for listing it today.

Wish us luck and I will keep you posted!