That is Our Life, Not Our Style

We're still messing with that evil front door. Well, perhaps the door is not evil, but the acts that shattered the window certainly were.

Anyway.

Doug took it apart. Wanna see? First, let's remember what it used to look like. White, with simulated oak trim.

Then we went for white trim and a cranberry red door.

After it is taken apart and the glass is removed, the front of the door shows a flange still in place. Fascinating: the steel door has a cutout for the flange, which holds the glass. The whole thing is held together by a top flange and the trim.

Here's the unbroken glass...thank heaven it was double-paned and only one side broke.

 And the front part of the flange.

Both together, with the shattered glass all around the base of the pieces.

And here it is back together.

It lacks a defined style without the leaded, separated glass. Doug says that only broken things are our style.  And I say, "That's our life, not our style!"

Doug does not want to purchase a new door since they are very expensive. I think we're going to end up buying a new door at some point, why not with our tax refund this year?

Ah, but Doug has decided to use that refund to finish the basement. I guess I can wait on the door, since the downstairs will become usable space. For some reason, I really just don't like using an unfinished basement. We do, but not often. So here's to another year with this door!

Tra-La! It's Spring!

It is close enough to spring to start celebrating.

Look what I found coming up today:

Tulips!

Garlic!

Ha! The winter cannot last forever! It may come back to haunt us in the coming weeks, but it will be gone for sure very soon.

Winter used to be my favorite season. No, seriously. This is because I telecommuted, padding through the house with my stocking feet, cuddling up in a blanket as I typed away on the computer. Very cozy.

Then I had kids. Winter is not my least favorite, but it is no longer my buddy. It means lots and lots of laundry, as the kids tromp in mud, then snow, then mud again. It means being stir-crazy, because there are several small people bouncing off the walls. It means being very cold. Difficult to curl up in a blanket when you are running after a two-year-old - the blanket severely hampers my response time to the hourly crises.

So I was very happy to start sending the kids outside last week. Doug is happy, because he has started planting his garden. The neighbors actually stop their cars in front of our house, puzzled. But it is time for hardy seeds to go in the ground.

Spinach, sugar snap peas, carrots, and parsnips

Seedlings are also pushing their way up inside. Although they aren't looking so happy this year. Doug put them on a heating pad, hoping to make them a little warmer and grow a little faster. Personally, I'm about ready to give up on them.

My sad tomato plants, started in January. Shouldn't they be bigger by now?

Are you seeing spring in your neighborhood? Have you had it with winter this year, too? Let's all give a huge "Hurrah!" for spring!

Lockdown!

The pantry is downstairs, next to the family room that contains the family television. You know what that means: the pantry is the main food source for those watching TV. Primarily, the kids.

Here's how this works out: whenever Doug or I go downstairs, there is a HUGE, unauthorized mess. Wrappers, crackers, popcorn, and many, many dishes. That room is in a constant state of disaster.

We've been talking a long time about locking that pantry door, but it would have to be a keyed lock. Our kids, after all, are very talented about circumventing any effort to keep them out. And, in cleaning the garage today, Doug found just what we needed: a deadbolt.

A few minutes later, he crowed that we were now the victors. The pantry is now secure. Sad that we have to go to such lengths, isn't it? Such is life with five intelligent children.