The "Beach Bum"

Be Our Guest!

New Project!  I've been itching to paint the guest room anything but mustard yellow and hot pink, but we've postponed the project for several months now.  I finally made it a New Year's Resolution and chose a somber gray winter color to match the weather outside.  And at Adam's suggestion (say what!?!), we added Flor carpet tiles to cut down on somber gray winter drafts.

The Postman delivered our project on a Tuesday afternoon.

After three weekends of painting the walls, ceiling, and trim, TJ helped us clear the room of all leftover debris.  Now we were ready to begin.

Here is Exhibit A for carpet tiles.  The guest room was a later addition to the house, and little care was taken to blend the floor styles.  Also, there is no basement underneath the addition, and the guest room (along with the sun/computer room) gets quite a bit colder than the rest of the house.      

Start by finding the center of your room, placing the first tile, and building your cross-section.  Give up when you realize that it's much easier and faster not to measure, and just start laying down tiles according to color preference.

Use a high-quality carpet knife to carefully cut smaller sections.  Use a kitchen shears when you can't remember where you placed the carpet knife.  

Remember to not box yourself into a corner.  It's best to work from the center out.

Use the enclosed Flor Dots to secure the four corners.  They are delicious. 

If possible, bring a friend to help out.  The job is always more fun when you get everyone together in a small room.

Don't forget to take a nap when you get tired of all the hard work.  It is hard work, especially when you've only had two naps and two meals by noon.

Admire your hard work once completed.  It's best to celebrate with chicken wings.

We'll need a few curtains and some stuff for the walls, and this room is done!

Here is the before photo.  It was fine for a kid's room, but a little difficult to fall asleep in.  

First guest to stop by earns a free night's sleep.  We'll even tuck you in!  Project Complete!

The Presidente Cocktail

Are you sure TJ? This drink? I guess the inauguration is on Tuesday......

And you got everything ready for me too? Good Dog!
It says light rum here, but we only have spiced rum. We should be OK.  
Mmmm......Yep......Good call, dog. 

Indecision '09

More than two years after our wedding, I'm finally sitting down to order our photos.  Since we already paid for everything, it's probably about time.  Our final decision is to select "The One"; you know, the one photo that will be blown up to a disproportionate size and proudly displayed on our wall for friends, family, guests and children to admire as the perfect shot of the blessed event for the next 30-50 years.  No matter what Adam tells you, it is a big deal, and it is difficult to just pick one.  After several days, however, I still can't decide, so I am leaving it up to our faithful readers (Hi Mom!) to choose what they would like to see on our walls when they visit.

Sorry for the very poor quality.  Taking a photo of a photo is more difficult than you would think.  In no particular order (comments below photo):

Option 1:  

Pros - Adam's pick.  Artistic and creative.  I love the bouquet and the sepia quality.  It benefits us to be slightly out of focus.  

Cons - Too trendy for 2030?  Also, you really can't see the dress and there's a random hand on  my butt.  

Option 2:

Pros - Happy smiling faces and lots of color.  Nice couple photo in an outdoor setting (vs church).

Cons - Somewhat boring and uninteresting.  I have a million photos like this minus the flowers and gown.

Option 3:

Pros - Same as Option 2, but you get more dress and action.

Cons - A little creepy, like we're staring at you with a secret from the past?

Option 4:

Pros - Possibly my favorite.  Lots of nature, color, and theatrics.  Not so front-and-center; no staring directly at the camera.  Would probably match my wall color.

Cons - Too far away.  Can't see faces.  Distracting grasses.  Why are we kissing in a prairie anyway?  I can see that being an issue later on, when I have to explain to kids that this distant, blurry shot was the best photo we took as a couple.

This is not an option.  It is simply out of order and I haven't figured out how to cut and paste on Blogger yet.  (FYI - new wall color!  That will be a later post.)

Option 5:

Pros - Traditional photo in traditional pose in respectable environment.  Perfect for framing.  I still have my lipstick on.

Cons - Dated green background.  Expected.

Option 6:

Pros - This is more for reference anyway.  We're not picking this one, although at least we're smiling at the camera and you get the full view.

Cons - Not going to happen.

Please send us your serious suggestions.  You may vote more than once, if you'd like.  One winner will be randomly selected to have his or her photos taken and judged by America.

The Tovarisch Cocktail

Brrrrrrr! This drink is chilly! Thanks Fubu!

New Year 2009 at the Mattson Family Retreat

We rang in the New Year 2009 with the Mattsons (correction: we rang in the New Year's Post-Eve with the Mattsons; we rang in New Year's Eve asleep on the couch at home).  The folks at the Mesabi Range Mattsons Blog, LLC, provided a very hospitable and serene environment in which to retreat for a few days.  All guests received healthy and delicious home-cooked meals, a spa-like bed and bath, and unfettered access to celebrity guests, including current pop star Baby Maarit, with an encore late-morning appearance from Babies Pearson and Co.

The highlight of the resort was the all-inclusive canine country care.  Our tired, old dog went from sleeping away the afternoon to enjoying raucous jaunts through the fresh-fallen snow.  Bonus dog included for no extra fee.

Delightful weekend all around.  This gal says highly recommended and 4 stars!  Book early for next year.  This deal won't last forever.