Happiness Is...

Happiness is, among other things, ticking projects off the to-do list, especially when the projects have lingered on the list for a while.  Today's checked-off item:  a new ceiling fan in my living/dining area.  The one that was there was put up when the house was built in 1986 and has caused problems off and on since then.  It was literally falling apart, and I could neither find a true fix for it nor use it.   I've been in a fix-up-the-darned house mode this summer.  First things checked off the list were staining the outside of the house and getting about half the inside re-painted.  Today was new-fan day.  After agonizing over choices for several weeks, I found what I wanted on Amazon.  It had a good user rating, and it was shipped to my door.  The chore then morphed into find-an-electrician.  No one I asked had a recommendation, which is how I usually find workmen when I need them, so I did a bit of Yellow Pages and telephone research.  The company I chose had a good reputation; the workers came prepared to work and didn't mess around; they cleaned up after themselves and hauled away the old fan; and I got a senior discount.  If I need an electrician for something else, Weisman Electric in Annapolis will get the call.  Here's the new fan.  Photos of something up in the air are hard to do, but the idea is there.

Next up, carpet cleaning!

Family Fun on the Fourth

 Celebrating holidays with family is always fun.  Over the Fourth of July weekend, I celebrated with the Pennsylvania part of the clan.  As always there was good food and good fun.  The children kept us entertained and busy, too.  All of the children are growing so quickly.  It had only been about five weeks since I saw this crew, and already the previously toothless Abigail has several teeth.

Sister Emily wasn't feeling too chipper, but she seemed to enjoy arranging things in and around the doll's house.

 Elizabeth is our drama queen, and she plays all kinds of roles from comedy to that of a model.  (You should see the video of her descending stairs posing as a model.  I haven't mastered the best way to share videos yet, but take my word for it--she could have a career that way!)

Ava is our budding young lady and is so good with brother Jake--at least most of the time.  She is also good at swimming and bubble-blowing!

Jake is full of joy and energy, and he loves doing things with his daddy.

While Daddy Len entertained the troops with bubbles, the sisters had time for a chat.

At some point they decided to celebrate my birthday since I wouldn't be there on the actual date.  What a beautiful, delicious cake that was!  It should be illegal for anything so beautiful to taste that good.  There were even sugar-molded birds as part of the decorations on the cake.  And of course I had plenty of help with the candle.

It was a great way to celebrate the holiday.  For more pictures of the weekend, see: http://picasaweb.google.com/ejoyce2