When it rains, it pours.

04-19-2008 031, originally uploaded by gina64.

And then it comes through the roof.

We knew we were going to have to address the roof at some point this year after shingles started flying off during a particularly windy storm about a month ago. Then the water started dripping through the bathroom ceiling and it became clear that we'd need to get it replaced sooner rather than later.

The thing is, we also began remodeling our bathroom last week.


The roof was unexpected, but we couldn't really push the schedule for the bathroom back at all because we have company coming mid-May and want it to at least be in working order at that point. So, we had both work crews on Friday and our house basically looked like it had exploded, inside and out. However, the roof crew consisted of my brother and two cousins and the bathroom crew are friends of mine (and are the same guys who did the kitchen), so it was actually nice to have them all there.

The roof should be done in a few days, and the bathroom job will take another few weeks, probably. I'll be posting more photos here as the jobs progress, and you can also follow things by checking out my Flickr sets for each project:

Bathroom Makeover
Roof

Ah, the joys of homeownership.

Snow Day

02-22-2008 0201, originally uploaded by gina64.

Our office closed today due to the storm - yay! - so I've been hanging out, watching TV, blogging, e-mailing and taking photos. Here are a few I took of the snow a couple of hours ago. It's been snowing like crazy for a few hours and I'm pretty that at least another 2 inches have fallen since I took these.

Nigella Bites

Nigella Bites, originally uploaded by gina64.

I spent yesterday morning working on a technical problem with my laptop while watching Nigella on the Food Network. I made headway but didn't completely resolve the computer issue; but it was nice to snuggle in with some comfort TV on such a frigid January morning.

Cool Things

OK, I thought of another year end list. This will be the last one, I promise.

I was admiring my new camera and thinking about how lucky I was to be able to get such cool stuff for myself when I realized that I actually had a pretty good year as far as cool things go.

Eight Cool Things That Made My Life Easier And/Or More Enjoyable In 2007


1. iPod Nano - Yep, I finally got one and my yard work experience has been completely transformed. And if I remember correctly, it's also great for the treadmill. Which brings me to...

2. ...the treadmill. Sheila got a nice Nordic Trac in the summer and I was really doing well, using it 3 or 4 times a week, and feeling better. Then my attention was diverted a few months ago and I haven't been on it since. I've been saying every day for the past week that I have got to get back on it, but I haven't done it yet. Maybe tonight...

3. A new laptop. Technically, I bought it in December of 2006, but I certainly reaped its benefits throughout the year. It absolutely transformed my ability to blog about TV. And if I find a recipe online that I like, I don't have to print it out - just bring the computer into the kitchen.

4. My new TV, a 40" Sony Bravia HDTV. So, so pretty.










5. The DVR. Pausing live TV, setting a 'season pass'...if something makes it easier to watch TV, I'm all for it.

6. My new car, a 2007 Honda CRV. I loved my Ford Ranger, but after 9 years of driving a rear-wheel drive pickup truck in the snow, the AWD CRV is an absolute dream. And it's pretty, too.










7. Our new kitchen. A pleasure to cook in and with that new hole in the wall, I don't have to miss any TV!










8. Finally, I want to mention a cool thing I discovered last year that I didn't have to spend any money on (damn, I spent a lot of money last year!): Actually, it's two things. Hulu and Joost brought television to the Internet in a real, usable way. Very cool.

Guess who got a new camera?

01-15-2008 027, originally uploaded by gina64.

That would be me. You are looking at the proud new owner of a Canon Digital Rebel XTi!

I have a lot to learn and I'm looking forward to it. I love my old Kodak, but it's 4 years old and only 4MP (the Canon is 10.1 MP!) and I honestly feel as if I've outgrown it. The Canon is expensive, but I feel like I make good use of a camera and will definitely get my money's worth.

I took the photo above last Friday night, in our dark living room and with no flash. It could be clearer, but it's not bad. I also took this one, which I like:



I'm so excited!

Christmas Cactus

12-27-2007 007, originally uploaded by gina64.

Ornament

12-27-2007 012, originally uploaded by gina64.

Merry Christmas, Everyone :-)

Watching for Santa, originally uploaded by gina64.

I wish you all, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, all the warmth and joy of the season as well as a happy and healthy new year.

Thisisgina will return after Christmas. Have a good one!

The First Course

The First Course, originally uploaded by gina64.

Today I am thankful for all of my wonderful family, friends and faithful readers (who are almost all family and friends!). I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving Day.

Time to stir the gravy!

And God said

View of the new lighting from the living room.
Originally uploaded by gina64.

Let there be light.

Anyway, we have new lights! The picture above is the view from the living room and gives you an idea of how things were laid out. We now have "task" lighting and "path" lighting. In fact, if you have all of the lights on at once, it's like standing on the surface of the sun.

There's still some finishing work left to be done by us - painting the trim, ceiling and living room/hallway wall, etc. - but only about a day's work left for the contractor and then the job is done. Yay!

Here are some shots of our newly lit kitchen.

We painted!

02-11-2007 005
Originally uploaded by gina64.

We've got just the walls done so far. The trim is in desperate need of a new coat of paint, but that's going to have to wait for a bit longer.

You can see in one of the photos that we've got the recessed lights installed. Next come the pendant light over the sink and the hanging fixture over the kitchen table. The ceiling fan is being removed.

The lighting is the last big part of the project. Once that is finished it's just small finishing touches and then it's done. And hopefully that will be this week!