"The house seems a little emptier now..."

"Took Amanda back to school today. The house seems a little emptier now. I guess I'll just have to harass Alex and Liz more!"


This was a friend of ours status on Facebook through last night... he posted it last Wednesday (I think).  I remember smiling when I read this post. Poor Alex & Liz! 

Last night, it wasn't the words "I guess I'll just have to harass Alex and Liz" that resonated in my heart, but the words "the house seems a little emptier now."  I cried...  my heart ached.  Amanda, our friend's oldest daughter, passed away yesterday.  Sunday evening, Amanda was riding her bike and was struck from behind in a hit and run accident.  She was taken to Methodist Hospital in critical condition.  Yesterday afternoon... the Lord took her home.  There are no words at a time such as this... only prayers... only the grace, mercy and comfort of our Father in Heaven.  This morning when I checked my Facebook account these words were part of our friend's status and they  hung heavy in my heart... "As for Amanda, I never thought I could feel this much pain before" I am not a mother.  I have never been able to have children.... I cannot fathom the depth of pain one feels at the loss of a child.  My heart aches for the family.  Their house will seem a little emptier now... one of them is gone.  This family is a family of deep faith... I am thankful for that as I know the strength of the Lord will be the balm that soothes their emptiness, their sadness... their loss.  Please pray for Roger, Angie, Alex, Liz and their entire extended family.   I am thankful that in Christ, death is not the end... and this family will be reunited again... in a house that if full of many rooms. A house where there will be no emptiness, no pain, no tears. 

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  ~ Revelation 21:4

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
~Psalm 23:6

Well the kitchen renovation is 99.99999% complete. Just a few more things like one switch plate cover and ummm... well a few decorative items like a rug for under the table (winter is coming and I have to keep my toes toasty!) I am taking my time as I want to make sure I really, really like what I purchase. I need a lamp or lamps for my buffet table... all in good time. Nothing has really jumped out at me yet! Of course I haven't really looked, but that's ok. Of course no that the kitchen tasks have been done for a few weeks I am ready to paint the trim in the back hall (off the kitchen). Fall cleaning is also in full swing!

So... here are a few more pictures. They are the best, but I wanted to share what we have done!

We tore out the counter tops ourselves - the old cast iron sink weighed a ton!

Oh Happy  Day!  Counter tops going in!!!

Installing the beadboard backsplash

Jim putting up cabinet doors (whew what a job)

Cabinet knobs & drawer pulls are oil rubber bronze

Love my new clock - it hangs above the buffet table

Ahhhh... pretty much done!

I LOVE my new sink!  Because we only painted cabinets & didn't replace
we could only get a single bowl (really what I wanted) cabinet wasn't large enough
The sink is really deep!!!

The inspiration for the re-do is up!!!

I have to say I am so glad it's done!  There were some bumps along the way... but for the most part we didn't have too many problems.  Jim has decided he is not a plumber!  LOL!  I have decided I can do some electrical work!  Ha!  It was wonderful to finally have running water and a clean kitchen!  I was able to make a nice birthday dinner for Jim. (even if it was a day late). 

I am now looking forward to the change of seasons.  My kitchen is complete - just in time for soups, baking... comfort foods!  I wish I could have all of you over for a cup of coffee... and make some wonderful memories around my kitchen table!  For now we will have to meet "Over the Backyard Fence" here in blogland! 

September already?

When I turned my kitchen calendar this morning I still couldn't quite believe it is September 1st! Labor Day is looming and before long we will trade flip flops in for fuzzy slippers.

This summer has been oppressive to say the least. Indy has experienced extremely hot and humid weather with 30 plus days over the 90 degree mark. Heat index readings of 105 degrees + have been common. With all the heat - no rain. Yes, the driest August on record. They say .37 inches of rain - but that's downtown. There's no way we have had that much rain at our home! The yard is crunchy and like a hay field. The ground is cracked in areas that have never been cracked. While I hate to see summer leave us. I have to admit I am really looking forward to fall! (more so than I normally do). So much so that I already changed my blog header!

Our trusty (ahem) weather forecasters are telling us we are going to get some rain tonight through Friday. I sure hope this time - they are correct! I don't know the last time I looked forward to a rainy day like I do right now! With the rain... cooler, fall-like temps moving in! Hooray! My kind of weather! I plan on enjoying some miles on the bike this weekend... time with friends... and cooking in my newly renovated kitchen! I will post pictures soon! I have one more touch to add and then I will finish up taking pictures!

As I close... please continue to keep Elaine in your prayers!  She had a double mastectomy this afternoon!  I am blessed to have gotten to know Elaine (Peace for the Journey) via blogland.  She is an incredible author and if you have not visited her blog... I highly recommend you do!  You will come away blessed!  Elaine my friend... I love you and will continue to pray for you in this season.  The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you... Deuteronomy 31:8


I love you all!