Of course we have a library! Telfer set up shelves for me last night and I started to unpack boxes. Isn’t the little pendant light cute? We arranged furniture to our heart’s content and I generally made a big mess. Now I just have to decide how to categorize all the books…separate fiction and nonfiction? Yes, I think so…but then by author or subject or genre? Oh, the dilemmas I face!

We are proud to say that we have been sleeping in our house now for a few nights! This is a big step. No more garage. It’s not exactly perfect yet…notice: no window coverings? Guess who has to hide in the closet while putting on pajamas? From pink to green: here are the dramatic before and after pictures for your viewing pleasure:

If you are wondering why we haven’t posted for so long…I was in San Antonio for the annual meeting of the Medical Library Association all last week.  Now, I am sure most of you think the meeting was boring, but it wasn’t, I promise! I took a CE class on Pharmaceutical Searching (surprisingly really good) and also presented two posters – one on the first African American female graduate of Loma Linda’s medical school (Ruth Temple) and also one on the online PubMed training we give to the first year medical students. Both posters were received very well and I really did enjoy putting them together (after it’s over I can say that).

I roomed with one of my colleagues, Betty, and we had a good time together. We went out to dinner (our big splurge) at a great restaurant on the Riverwalk called Boudros. I visited the Alamo (which was filled with Davy Crockett’s personal belongings – vest and guns and knives…hmmm). I even went out on the little tourist boats that zip around the Riverwalk area – very nice, in a sticky, hot sort of way. I felt terribly guilty leaving Telfer to do all the work, but what can you do? He was sustained by a visit and Thai food from Burton and Tracie (in California for a wedding) – but he was happy when I finally came home. Mostly missed my painting skills I think.

Our kitchen is finally looking great – we are really happy with the results. Telfer put up the built-in  microwave yesterday…all by himself – he’s lucky the thing didn’t fall on him.  I got home and was all ready to fix dinner (i.e. heat up leftover lasagna) and use the new microwave and I managed to blow up the lasagna in the microwave – sauce and ricotta EVERYWHERE. I may have made a big mess, but least I can reach this microwave – in our apartment I had to stand on a stool. This is definitely an improvement. I also found some of my boxes of pretty dishes to put on the shelves…we are happy with the way this is turning out…on to the bedroom!

Telfer and I are so done painting the kitchen. After washing, sanding, priming and now painting two thick coats of white and "Vintage Kitchen" (thank you Martha Stewart) on the walls, molding, and cabinets we are calling it a day. In some lights I catch a glimpse of pepto-bismol pink on the very shiny molding…so maybe one more coat…in a couple of months.

Our new appliances arrived on Thursday – and I am in heaven. I was not exactly sorry to see the "vintage" (as Telfer likes to call it) green Frigidaire loaded up by the Lowe’s guys. Yesterday (Sunday) was monumental – not only did we have a real dinner in our kitchen (with dishes and real forks) BUT we unpacked our first box. Big deal in the Griffith house.

This picture is an "in-between" type of image. Not before, not after. The cabinets haven’t been painted at this point and there is still some additions to make to the decor (obviously) – BUT, just LOOK at that refrigerator and stove! Shiny!

Telfer is hanging all sorts of things today – lights, over-the-range microwave, a clock, a magnet board. After painting for days, going to work this morning felt relaxing. I am showered, dressed in paintless clothing, and sitting down. Not too bad.