Doing Adult Things

  Remember how I got my front porch/awning thing done?  Well, we are getting more done.  When we got the front done the guy who did it also mentioned that some of the wood around the house was going bad and would need to be replaced soon.  We got a quote from him but kept putting it off.

  The funny thing is that we went in asking for an estimate for windows and came out with a lot more.  A quick survey from the estimate guy and he pointed out that there are more pressing matters than the windows.  The wood around the house had really gone down hill and our "upstairs neighbors" had made a hole in the roof when they moved in again.

  The wood around the back door was also looking bad, since it is open to the elements and not protected by any kind of overhang.  The way they do it means that they will have to put in a new door.  I really like the one we have and we even asked if there was any way to keep the one we have since it is in good condition.

  I don't know if there really wasn't, but they said there was no way to re-use our current door.  They mentioned that if they did that it probably wouldn't sit straight and the door would act a bit funny.  Not sure how much of that is true and how much is them getting us to buy a new door, but either way the paperwork is signed.  The new door should be more energy efficient and we decided on the one without the decorative lines.  It should make taking pictures of the animals outside a bit easier.

  They also do not have the exact same color of shingles, so the roof will change colors.  The option I liked the most was graphite.  I thought that dark grey would look better than the other lighter colors they had.

  Something I am ready sad about is the fact that since they are replacing the wood around the house they said they won't be able to replicate the block details easily.  The guy who came out to check the details said it shouldn't be too hard to get someone out to do it for us.  What will be interesting will be to hear if the trim gets turned down by the HOA because of the change.

  I have all my presents wrapped before Christmas eve!  It is both nice and also lame.  Nice to not have to worry about it when all the stores are closed, but now I have to wait a few days before anyone will open their present.  I want to see their reactions now!  I know, patience is a virtue and all that.

The End of the Colorful Hats

  Krissy, the one who did my banner, mentioned that she wanted to go to Eastern Market.  I told her about how fun it is the last time I went and donated some of my fabric.  Since I had another bag to go through and we decided to do a Girl's Weekend, I thought it was the perfect time.  This is what came out of the last mystery bag and I took to Jamie, though I almost forgot it in various places three times.
  After getting some Bloody Marys and breakfast foods for lunch, we bought some brownies and headed home.  Later, while I got her hooked on Critical Role, we ordered our favorite things from the local Thai restaurant.  It's funny how no two places have the exact same things.

  This house was pretty impressive.  Every tree was coated in lights, every edge on the house had a bright line, and there were faux deer and giant ornaments in the back yard.  I also love the sign right out front.  My phone isn't the best at taking pictures in the dark, so you might not be able to read it.  It tells people to text LIFE to 50333 to donate $10 to St. Jude.  Many other people stopped to take a look as well, so I like how they we getting that donation suggestion out.

  So many colorful hats!  One for each of her grandchildren and a few of them have the brim and top colors based on what they like.  The one in the far back only needed the top and that cords added to be finished.  She brought them all in so we could all take a look before she mailed them off.
  It is so impressive that she started these back in the beginning of October.  With as many color changes, and so many ends to weave in, I can say that I am blown away.  All the hats have the stripe pattern and the fleur de lis, which are both in the book knit hats! edited by Gwen Steege.  She also had a bunch of grid paper tucked into the pages because she made up a bunch of her own to make them more interesting.

  It has taken me so long to publish this post that almost a whole week has gone by (coming up on tomorrow) and I even finished that hat made from all the leftovers.  The picture isn't the best, but Panera's lighting isn't made for photography.  It was a pretty fun hat.  It is a small feather and fan and after I finished it I wondered if I should have made a brioche rib with it.  Too late now.
  Time to go back to the Hearts and Waves hats!