art by maron

Maron — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:16:56 +0000

Oh Happy Day!!

Maron — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:15:39 +0000

I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that our project is finally completed and we are no longer living in “warehouse” conditions!! It was a big undertaking for us but we are proud that we did it!! Isn’t it always great to look back at your accomplishment and give yourself a well deserved pat on your tired back?! Well, we emptied out two entire rooms with the exception of the heavy and bulky computer desk which the flooring guys were kind enough to work around. We did have a little help from a good pal who came to help move the secretary desk out of the guest room but did the rest ourselves. We moved our dining room table and chairs into our little library by the patio doors to make room for the displaced furniture. The contents of three closets we hauled to the basement (my aching knees.) I tried to keep the kitchen, living room and Master Suite neat and orderly throughout the project so we would have a restful “haven” to get away from (sort of) the clutter! Then we started the painting…ceilings first (Pop did those but I helped with the cutting in) then the walls of the guest room, hallway and office.

Then came the flooring installation which only took about a day and a half! These guys are awesome! Then the big clean up and moving furniture back in. Thanks again to our pal, Steve for his muscle! Then came the fun part…decorating. I had already shopped til I dropped on the days I couldn’t do anything but wait until the floors were done so I was ready to roll. It was like the reward for all the hard work to put these two rooms back together. =)

We found this great blanket chest and couldn’t resit adding it for extra storage…

…and then Grandpa HAD to put a flat screen TV in there for our little frequent guests. Needless to say, they were thrilled!

(Is that Vanna White?)

Paul graciously took the bottom bunk since he has his own loft bed at home.

Maddie is happy with her new high perch!

And Grammie is happy to have her office newly renovated and her PC back on line!! (happy, contented sigh……)

Maron — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:55:51 +0000

So, because we are gluttons for punishment, the Donald and I have decided to take on an enormous project.

New Year, New Project!

Maron — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:54:35 +0000

So, because we are gluttons for punishment, the Donald and I have decided to take on an enormous project. The renovating of the guest room. This all started because the grandchildren have been sharing the queen sized brass bed ever since Maddie’s self-inflating bed, which she has been using in our office for about two years, sprung it’s final leak and we deemed it unfix-able. Well, at their ages, 9 and 10 1/2, you know it’s not going to work having them in one bed…she’s breathing on me, he’s on my side, her elbow touched me, he won’t stop talking….and so it goes until Grammie looses her patience at bedtime. The solution was at hand and “free” in the form of the bunk beds we had for our own kids years ago, that were stored in our son’s attic! What an easy solution, right? Well, they were covered with years of dust and grime so we blew the top layer of dust off and then scrubbbed them with a good disinfectant out in the garage. Then we assembled them in the basement so we could give them a nice coat of that oil that covers nicks and scratches and to make sure they were still nice and sturdy…which they are.

So then the Donald says “as long as we are taking the old bed down, we might as well paint the room” and I say” sure and as long as we are painting the room, we may as well get new carpeting” and the Donald says, “well, we should get a price on hardwood floors too and then decide which is best as that would be a once and done deal” to which I reply that the hallway and the office, which is on the other end of that hallway, are also in need of new floor coverings…(big breath) and in reply he says “well, we may as well paint the hallway and office too then.” Note to self: look for new mattresses, bedding and window treatments. (I haven’t mentioned that to the Donald yet…some things are best left unsaid.)” Soooo, the “free” bunk-bed solution to the sleeping problem has now ballooned out of sight not to mention the amount of effort on our part to get it all done. But, that’s just another day in the life around here because , as I said before, we really are gluttons for punishment and truthfully, we love a project and the satisfaction we get from knowing we did it ourselves!! So here is the “before” picture of the guest room… and I will keep you posted as to the progress (or lack thereof) as we go along. Meanwhile, have a great day!

Maron — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:04:57 +0000

Just want to wish everyone a Happy and healthy new year. The poem that I wrote for New Years says it all…

Life isn’t for the Weak!

Maron — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:01:16 +0000

The old year lies behind us

like a shadow on the snow.

The new year looms before us

and it casts a tempting glow.

We don’t know what lies ahead

but we know the year goes fast

so we anticipate the future

while clinging to the past.

We’ll cherish last year’s victories

but we’ll not forget the pain

storing up each memory,

we’ll treasure them as gain.

And so… with bruises yet unhealed

we bravely turn our cheek

as we step into a brand new year

knowing life isn’t for the weak!

by

Maron Craig Bielovitz

12/30/2011

Maron — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:14:23 +0000

Finally groomed!

Maron — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:13:14 +0000

Well, the “kids” finally got to the groomer and they are enjoying their new sleek dos. Maggie ‘s on the left, Fergus on the right. Here they are in one of their favorite spots by the dining room windows. We call this their “front office” where they do their work of guarding the house when they are not in the rear office, by the patio doors, guarding the grounds…ha! Now, of course, the weather has turned cold so we’ll have to dig the doggie coats out. That’s life!

Maron — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:17:34 +0000

My doggies love to sit up on the back of the “snuggling” chair and nap.

Pups “perched”

Maron — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:13:54 +0000

My doggies love to sit up on the back of the “snuggling” chair and nap.

As you can see, they have a great view out the patio doors from there and can watch all the activity under and on the bird feeder. But sometimes, they just go up there together and take a comfy nap, enjoying the heat from the nearby fireplace.

As I snapped thier pix, they finaly opened thier eyes as if to say…”do you mind, we are trying to rest here!” And indeed, it is a frosty Autumn morning and a good time to snuggle while Mom & Pop go to church.