This 'n' That

That day they put us on a 2-hr school delayed start for snow.

I have NEVER been so proud of myself for a build/install. Sure, anyone can assemble furniture from Ikea or whatever, but putting in a cat door in a glass sliding door? That was significantly more complicated than I ever imagined! From the get-go I gave up pretty much at the first step when I didn't understand what the instructions were talking about. I repeatedly told myself, "I'd better have Nate do this" and would save it for him. Then I'd think about how stressed he already was with so much on his plate, and I'd make up my mind to look again and try to figure it out. I'm telling you, over and OVER I went through that mental sequence. It was very difficult to persevere when I had such confidence that Nate could and would "solve my problems." But for his sake, I kept going. I had trouble finding certain tools (dremel, for example), and using them (dremel, for example) and understading how to do what the instructions asked. I also decided to try to reinstall our own door lock instead of using the provided pieces. In the end, I was so very proud of myself for my perseverance. And I love, love, love having a pet door which didn't involve cutting into any doors of the house. Catniss will use it, though she still doesn't like to go outdoors much. She'll usually follow us out if we go in the back. She is still so scared of the chickens, lol. The other day she got up the nerve to attempt an attack. I watched her lunge at the "Chick-loo" Nate made, where Brownie was chilling or dust-bathing. And mid-leap, Catniss changed course when Brownie burst out through the doorway of the chickloo, squaking at her. Catniss sulked away like the "chicken" cat she is, lol.

We got a truck! His name is Randall. He's a 2007 Nissan Frontier which a lot of damage and needed repairs. We just got a quote for 5-6k for some of those repairs! Nate will see how far he gets with his buddy Adam's help.

The picture is of Randall getting towed away to the shop after a failed repair attempt earlier, rendering it undriveable.

Happy Pi(e) Day!

Salem-Keizer Elementary Choir Festival. Go Champan Cheetahs!

The girls instigated a family talen show, hence Kylea's MC outfit. But that height difference!!! Hollyn has got the start growing!

Ive been outside 2 whole minutes, let me in!

We had a (actually super fun) family "all hands on deck" morning loading these bricks into the van, then out of the van and into the wheelbarrow, then out of the wheelbarrow and stacked in front of the house. Repeated 3 times. It took a while, there was rain, there were logistics, there was fun. Afterwards, we rewarded everyone with Subway for lunch, including the neighbor friend Abby who'd come over to play but was a champion helper.

Then immediately the girls unstacked the bricks to make themselves a fort. Can't blame them, it turned out amazing.