The oven Saga, parts four (five?)

Ok. I am proud to say that this morning, for the very first time, I used my new oven! You loyal readers will remember the continued posts about the oven saga (first the oven broke, fixed itself, broke again) but then the new oven didn't go in because it hit a gas pipe for my stove.

So two weeks ago the contractor came out to give us an estimate. Then he said he'd call to schedule, but didn't. So I called and followed up. Twice. Then he got us scheduled for last Friday, but no one ever showed up (or called). So yesterday morning I called again and got fit in "first thing" (which still took all morning).

So the repairman came, and repiped the gas line. But then there was an electrical box in the way. Arrgh. So here he just cut a whole in the wall, and recessed (aka stuffed) the box in the wall. Oops! Now the stove gas regulator hits a new part of the oven. ARRRGGH. So this means a trip to the hardware store, a few pipe fittings, and a new bend in the piping to arrange it around the oven's unique shape. (Translate this as cut another hole in the wall, and redirect (stuff) the flex hose connection to the regulator into the second hole). Phew, now it fits. almost. wait, there is an electrical plug back there, which has the stove electric ignitor plugged in, and that 5 mm means that the oven doesn't quite sit flush. but not quite is darn close, so ta-daa! We have a fully working oven now. The plug would have been gaping hole#3 (stuffed in the wall) but it was mounted onto a stud, so I guess we'll have to tackle that project later when it isn't Monday morning and I am not quite so irritated.

But for now, woo-hoo, let's celebrate, we can bake something for the first time in over a month (I am so tired of stove top meals and eating out)....!

: )

Aye ya yie!

Tea Cup Video, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Doesn't this just make you want to hurl? I get queasy just WATCHING it....!

Swim Day

P5170086, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

We celebrated summer and the outdoor pool opened at our fitness club! Megan had a blast... After seven weeks of swim lessons she is a lot more comfortable in the water at least, although not swimming yet....

PS -- I just LOVE this waterproof camera and I highly recommend it. It doesn't take great photos like our SLR, but it is awesome to just jump in the pool and take photos and not care that the camera got "dunked" more than Megan....

Yippee! We're at Six Flags

P5160007, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

So Saturday we braved the rain, and validated our Six Flags season passes. Then, after Chris and I decided we were wet enough (even though we had only ridden the Carousel) we headed home and had a play date with Megan's friends Ella and Brenna. We had Wii fun, (Dance dance revolution, Rockband) and then decided the weather looked better.

So we all went to the park, and enjoyed four hours of great fun with very little waiting since lots of people had finished for the day or not gone at all on account of rain! Here Megan is jumping for joy at our return to Six Flags!

And here's that rabbit. Megan also wanted to go see the "chicken one" (that would be Tweety bird). She has no idea that the rabbit and chicken have names and used to star in cartoons!

Four Generations Here

Here is a family shot of four generations! Lester + daughter, granddaughter, grandson, great grand-daughter all in one photo! (with Voncille, Chris and Cheryl too!) This was from a few weeks ago, but a photo that Cheryl had on her camera -- thanks Cheryl!

North Family 5-2009 color corrected, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

and here is the other with Lester + son + grandson + great-granddaughter (with Voncille, Gina and Cheryl too!)

Her first SELF haircut

haircut 2, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Oh good grief. Today, Megan told me that she cut her hair. She handed me the scissors, and I did a quick inspection. Then later I really looked closer at the crown of her head (after I found several sections of hair to show thatshe was in fact successful) and what do you know -- she DID cut her own hair. AAAARRRRGH. I thought I had at least another year or so before this one happened, but I guess she is advanced when it comes to trouble making!

3-1/2 years of trying to grow some hair on my fairly bald baby, and now that she finally has a little hair, she chops it off! : )

M & M drumming

M & M drumming, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Here Megan, and her cousin Martin (I dub them M&M) are having a great time playing together and practicing for their rock band solo! This has prompted the acquisition of rock band 2 to our collection of things to do to waste time and have fun!

A visit with cousin Maddie

P4250309, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

A few weeks ago, Megan's grandpa and grammie came to town, and we went with Uncle Doug, Aunt Gina, and my nephew and his family (Ryan, Cheryl and Madison) to the Southlake festival.

Here Megan sets off on a walk with her little cousin.

At the Discovery Center in Amarillo

P5010321, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Using the magnifying glass to look at the turtle's shell

Cast Copper

Cast Copper Name Plate Megan, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

So here is a little piece I had some fun making. I used the word art generator at wordle.net to create the text, and then some new tools that I downloaded for creating the cast copper image of it. Atomic Cupcake makes some great Photoshop actions, and I finally bought a good set of those.... Now -- what to do with this? : )