Final professional work on the addition ended in early October when Josh did a couple of things the city inspector wanted, like adding a railing on the half wall coming out of the basement. We had kept the one they'd removed and he just reinstalled it temporarily to pass inspection. We will remove it since we can't access the cubby behind the stairs with it in place.
John is painting the living room. It takes a long time because of his perfectionism. Can't count how many times he's patched and repatched, then primed, painted...then patched again! He has taken several days off so this project can be done before we have company for the holidays. Ian helped him with the painting. Probably one more day for the living room, then the entryway... Curtains have been hung in kitchen and laundry room, so it feels like progress at least!
I can't do any fall/Halloween decorating this year since the main living spaces are still in a mess, but I could decorate the mantel in the new family room. We have no furniture in there and spend exactly ZERO time in there currently, but the mantel is decorated for fall!
We went leaf peeping during the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference. It was lovely listening to conference while out in the beautiful October colors. We drove to Snow Basin and then up toward Monte Cristo (northeast of Huntsville.)
I've been cleaning, tidying, organizing, and generally trying to get the house into usable shape, and ready for company. Trying to get meals in the freezer and preparing for baking yet to come.
Ian bought a truck. We have lots of plans for using it -with stuff to go to the dump, DI, and other stuff to buy. (Like the Expedit I want from Ikea!! They would charge $200 to ship it!!!)
Heidi came up one Saturday to see the addition. While she was here we learned to make origami stars. I had visions of putting them in an apothecary jar for Christmas, but it turns out they are HARD to make look really good! Heidi was MUCH better than me. These are my not-so-great stars. There are maybe 2 that are just right! The white and blue are practice. The music paper ones were supposed to be the real ones... yeah...
We got our first snow on the 25th. Most of the leaves haven't even all fallen yet. This red maple tree in the backyard usually turns a brilliant red. So far it's not promising that it will - it's just kind of blah.
We had an amazing Sacrament Meeting last week. Instead of having the usual: opening song, opening prayer, announcements, Sacrament, talks, etc., our Bishop got up after the opening prayer and proceeded to teach us about the importance of the Sacrament. How we so often take it for granted because it is just routine. He had a few people (asked in advance) to bear their testimonies about the Sacrament, the choir sang a beautiful arrangement of a Sacrament hymn, then the Bishop taught us some more. Finally at the close of the meeting, we sang the Sacrament hymn, then partook of the Sacrament. It felt like a sacred experience. The Spirit was strong then and throughout the rest of the block. Which was nice since I taught in RS that day. It carried over which helped me teach and touch hearts.
...and so we say Happy Halloween today, goodbye beautiful October and hello November with all its reminders to be grateful. I am grateful for each of you, and your dedication to the family. Love you all, and thanks for your support.
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