Posted by Sue on May 31, 2006
GREAT trip to Arkansas! The drive was uneventful, the weather was fine and the block work is indeed almost done! We had good meetings with the construction foreman and an audio/video business to discuss the installation of surround sound in our Great Room. The AV owner was kind enough to take some time out of his Memorial Day holiday to meet with us so he will probably get my business. Not to mention that he deserves our business because the product sounded great and the price was right!
We also had yet another wonderful visit with friends from our local square dancing club who were transferred to Bentonville with Walmart at the end of last year. For Stephanie, it was a transfer made in heaven as she was raised in the area and was most happy to be heading home after travelling around the world on various assignments with Walmart. They hope this is their last move with the company as they would be most happy to settle here permanently. They have been so warm and gracious on each and every one of our visits. They also know the area extremely well so are a welcome resource and have proven to be extremely good advisors.
Stephanie is also an extremely creative person. Note this "Monster Room" she has created for her grandchildren! I am hoping that she will assist me with a similar design as I have a "Monster Room" in our new home as well!!!
We left via the back road which goes down past XNA, affectionately known as Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. For obvious reasons, it should be called Walmart International Airport though! We were advised that XNA actually logs more flights daily than the airport in the state capital. The airport and Bentonville will be particularly busy this week as Walmart shareholders come to town for their annual meeting. Good thing we finished up and were heading out as they were making their way into Bentonville for their big event!
I also loved this sequence of photos from our trip down past the airport. First we pass our friendly neighbors comprising the definition of a bucolic scene.
And then, we pass this brand new apartment complex just a little further down the road.
Development in the Bentonville area is a very curious thing!?!
Posted in Home Sweet Home, Photos | No Comments »
Posted by Sue on May 27, 2006
Jake helps Billy install a sprinkler system with the help of a friend who does this work on the side. Bennie was a great guy and really knew his stuff!
And the guys got some rest after the long day of hard labor!
Posted in Kids, Photos | No Comments »
Posted by Sue on May 23, 2006
Posted in Hobbies, Home Sweet Home | No Comments »
Posted by Sue on May 23, 2006
We contacted our good friend Tony in Arkansas concerning the progress of our home since the construction had been slowed due to all the rain they had at the beginning of the month. It appears that not only have the footings been poured but the block work could be done by this Memorial Day weekend! Tony commented that, "When the construction crews are hungry, they tend to work very fast." In other words … since they recently have had so much time off, they need to work many hours to make up for the deficit in their wallets! This also means that Jake and I will definitely be making a trip up there to check on the progress real soon!
Posted in Home Sweet Home | No Comments »
Posted by Sue on May 19, 2006
The Da Vinci Code premiers in theaters across the country today with many protesting its religious repercussions. The NY Times has an excellent article about the movie. All I have to say is … PEOPLE … this is a work of fiction brought to the big screen! FICTION, as defined in the dictionary provided by Yahoo, is …
Fiction: an imaginative creation or a pretense that does not represent actuality but has been invented.
The movie has been panned by most critics. Don't know if I will be able to get the hubby to a theater to see it … on a big screen!?!
Posted in Hobbies | No Comments »
Posted by Sue on May 19, 2006
I first saw this Aussie TV series while visiting Jake on his tour of duty in Melbourne. Honestly, it was about one of the only TV shows I actually enjoyed while there. They broadcast a lot of footy and footy related shows! McLeod's Daughters was picked up by the WE station here in the US and I have been a fan ever since I found it! Here in the states we are only about 2 years behind the story line as played in Australia but hey … I just go to the website and figure out answers if I really want them.
One thing I did notice when first investigating the show was that they killed one of the female leads, Claire McLeod played by Lisa Chappell, at the end of season 3. This past season must have been the third because Claire did indeed pass away in a tragic accident at the end of the season. I still don't quite understand why. Can anyone explain why they chose to kill Claire McLeod?!? This question has been eating away at me ever since and I will miss her next season. I imagine they will too!
UPDATE: Just went to the official show website only to find a video link to a story about Lisa Chappell chatting about her new album debut. Turns out her real love is not acting but rather singing! Good luck to you then but we do miss you on the show!!!
Posted in Hobbies | No Comments »
Posted by Sue on May 18, 2006
In case you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms over the course of summer TV reruns, check out this YouTube video. It is a nice summary of one of my fave TV shows, Grey's Anatomy.
Who will Meredith pick … McDreamy or McVet? Is Izzie really leaving her surgery residency? What choices would she have anyway?!? Will Dr Burke ever find himself in surgery again? Why are they replacing the Chief?!? And most importantly … Will I be watching the season premier whilst holding my first grandchild?!?
UPDATE: The video has been pulled … copyright infringement! Should have known it. If one really wants a quick fix, there are short video promos over at www.abc.com. Otherwise, until next season …
Posted in Hobbies | No Comments »
Posted by Sue on May 14, 2006
It was an eventful Mother's Day weekend! I made a trip down memory lane as hubby and I helped Missy and Peter clean their new 50 year old home before they move in over Memorial Day weekend. I haven't cleaned a house in a few years now since Jake allowed us to hire a maid. I did a bunch of research on the internet to get a handle on how best to handle this task. It was a great project since I will soon be cleaning our new home in Arkansas … NO maid in retirement what with being on a fixed income and all! Well, the weekend went great and we hope that the kids are as pleased with the results as we were. Of course, I have much more to do but we put a huge dent in their cleaning efforts! It was so worthwhile and good to get my hands "dirty" once again!!!
So … what do you think of my new "Queen of Clean" outfit?
Jake calls it the second coming of Sue as a bag lady!!!
Posted in Home Sweet Home, Kids | No Comments »
Posted by Sue on May 10, 2006
Want to know why it has been raining cats and dogs in NW AR? Obviously because our lot has been cleared and our builder is just waiting for an opportunity to start our dream home! Insert thank you here. You are most welcome!!!
Posted in Home Sweet Home | No Comments »
Posted by Sue on May 10, 2006
One evening, Karen and Billy stopped by for a brief visit. I guess I was running at the mouth discussing everything in the world so no one could get a word in edgewise! You understand that I am alone all day and it is so nice to have fresh blood with whom I can discuss such interesting topics as scrapbooking and photobooks!
Well … Billy just couldn't restrain himself any longer and blurted out something to the effect … "How do you feel about being grandparents twice in the same year?" Pregnant pause followed and then, "Excuse me … what did you say?" Hubbie and I were both in a daze. Maybe a late April Fool's joke or some such thing … but really, who jokes about being pregnant? So finally they confirmed that, "Yes, we are really going to have a baby!"
PRAISE GOD! Karen is expecting our second grandchild sometime around the beginning of December!!! The doctor is still trying to figure out the exact due date but who cares.
This year we are now going to be … twice blessed!!!
Posted in Grandkids, Kids | No Comments »
