ending the vicious circle

I've finally given up on voice mail.  I kept getting in that ridiculous cycle where I would check my voice mail and while I'm checking it I'm receiving three more!  So, I hope you all understand.  Please call back if I don't answer.  I miss the days of a good old-fashioned busy signal.  Maybe in this case the old ways were better.

As Utah celebrates "Pioneer day" on the 24th of July, we have laws that allow fireworks not just the week before and the week after Independence day, but the week before and the week after Founders' day.  Poor Midge has spent the whole month cowering under the bed.  We'll be relieved to see August.

As I haven't posted for a few weeks, I'm sure you've all been wondering where I've been.
I've been so busy both at home and at the studio.  When I'm not working, I'm trying hard to maintain the house, do the grocery shopping, do the laundry, and so on. (You all know the drill) Well, this summer my husband and I have also taken on some big projects at home.  Our garage was on it's last legs.  Last winter it started shedding bricks on my husband's prized 1972 Grand Prix.  Then, the roof broke free and a stray wind would pick up the roof and flop it right over onto the neighbor's garage.  Because of the historic nature of the house, we had to rebuild the "carriage house" in keeping with the feel of the house.  As I'm the official painter in the family, It fell to me to get the trim painted before it rained.  I made good time and I'm pleased with the end result.

Here's a "before" picture.

And after.  Well, It looks like I took the picture before I got the eaves painted, but you get the idea.

Let's see.  I need to show you what we accomplished the week before last.  Here's what we got shipped out.
Next week I'll show you what I've gotten accomplished inside the house.
Cheers,
Jill