The Crafts

I hope my extreme laziness is not costing me readership. I have been quite the slacker, not keeping up on my blog. But I'm back! At least until I forget again. We've been a busy little family. Matt, as an ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors members, was invited to attend the U of I Alumni Association Board of Directors. It was a two day meeting...two whole days of Matt sitting among Hawkeye fanatics all awhile fighting the urge to bite his witty Cyclone tongue. That is like inviting a vampire to an emergency room and asking him to behave. Sorry if that analogy was a little too graphic. I've been reading this book about a girl who falls in love with a vampire, called Twilight. Sadly it is a book intended for 'young adults,' of which I am not. However my friend so highly recommended the book that I had to check it out. Anyway, vampires have been in my head for awhile. So anyway, Matt spent two days in Iowa City, including an evening presentation and

This is my new favorite photo of Kate. She woke up early this day and only napped for an hour. This picture perfectly depicts her mood at the time. I don't know if she was thinking of hitting me or throwing dirt my way, but I'm glad I caught it on camera. It is evidence for all of those grandmas and grandpas who claim Kate doesn't have a naughty streak in her. Well here is proof. And while she may have been as grumpy as forty old men waiting in line for their 4 p.m. buffet, she is still as precious as ever. I was rather at Kate the other night because she was not minding whatsoever. But then she put two fingers up her nose and hummed mamamama....I just about doubled over in laughter. Who knew such a rude thing could make me feel so much better.

I cannot believe it. I think I might be dreaming. I have to be asleep, right? There is no other way to explain this. There is no way it is real... A new electrician walked through our door today. I expected the same old story. Sure, sure we can do the work. I'll get you a bid in two weeks. Three months later no bid and I've placed a mini-curse on him. But this time was COMPLETELY different. An electrician came over to check out the house and half an hour after he left, he was back at the door...with paper in hand...I figured it was a thanks but no thanks note. It was instead a real life actual estimate. Its a good thing Kate was already asleep because I just about fainted. I was so thrilled that the minute he stepped back into his van I did my happy dance in the living room, through the dining room, around the kitchen and directly to the phone to call Matt. I haven't danced like that since learning our house sold. Sidebar: Speaking of our old house...The new owners cut down

We worked our tails off over Labor Day weekend. I haven't taken pictures of all the results yet but here is one room we renovated and it is awesome! Matt's ISU room before. Matt's ISU room after.

Kate's favorite activity while on vacation. Matt and Kate dancing by the swimming pool. The Olympics had just started so Matt and my Dad did their best Michael Phelps impression. I can't remember who won...probably because I was rolling on the floor laughing, but I don't think either won gold. Kate joined in on the action. Kate teaching Matt how to swim. The three Clear Lake gold medal champions.

I've been thinking about starting a new website, appropriately titled www.booelectricians.com . If anyone else is as steamed as I'm becoming then the website probably already exists. Its almost three months since three separate electricians stepped through our door and still not one bid. Its not like we're sitting around waiting for someone to start work, we simply want a cost estimate. Imagine this. It's almost dinner time and pizza sounds tasty so you call the local pizza joint. "Yes, I'll take one large sausage and mushroom." "OK, that will be ready in 3 months." Or you are arrested and your one call from jail is to your attorney. "Oh, so sorry to hear you've been arrested Mr. Client. I'll be there in three months to bail you out." If this were the case no one would eat pizza and all attorneys would be unemployed. On a much happier note, I hope everyone is have a great Labor Day weekend. The Crafts are having lots of