So this summer was very different than last summer. We did some traveling and Coach did a lot of work on the exterior and interior of the house.
The house now has a new color on it. I think she's very happy with the what we picked out. The body is a grey with trim colors in white and darker shades of the gray. And the front door and both gates are a beautiful shade of plum. I don't think the neighbors were real crazy with the choice. But some of them really like it now.
We also picked out new rock for the front yard. At first coach was not thrilled with what I liked, but agreed and found out it cost us less than what he had picked. Score! Now we need to work on getting some plants in, new door hardware, light fixture. A few pots here and there and the front of the house should be done. Coach did a wonderful job, and he said it felt good to get his hands dirty.
The backyard was worked on also. Finished the turf and rock spread out. We found some beautiful patio furniture. One has already refinished and one set we're going to refinish on our own. We also found some cute side tables and the coolest tea cart while we were in Palm Desert. Its been really hot and humid here lately so I haven't  gotten out to refinish anything yet. So I'm hoping it'll cool off here soon so I can get started. I can't wait till it's closer to being done and we can sit outside for coffee or drinks. We have spent a lot of time in the pool this year. That's been really nice. Last summer I had my arm in a sling. So there was no pool time. I was getting a texts on days that I got out early from work. That read POOL TIME!. That made my day.
We did a little work on the inside of the house also. We had that nasty popcorn ceiling, and the end of last week we had someone come in and remove it. WOW! is all I can say. What a difference that made. So now that has to be painted and the best part is that than we'll be able to get the wallpaper on the one wall in the main living room.
I also now need to pick out paint color for the second guest room. I saw in a magazine a few years back, a picture of a room I fell in love with. I'm going to go with an old school sports look. Twin beds for the grandsons. I've picked up trophies and a tennis racket. Of course there'll be football items. It's going to be a fun room.
So we're empty nesters now, one hundred present. Our three older kids now all have new homes. It's a great feeling that they have all done well for themselves. Of course they've had their ups and downs. As all of us have gone through when getting started. But everyone of their homes is so cute. They all have been working hard to get them where they want them to be. Our oldest daughter just bought her cute little house a few months ago. So she and her dog Boo have been getting use to their new home.
Coach started back to work this past Wednesday. I know he's glad to be back, but I think he kinda liked being home doing projects and pool time. But he'll get back into the swing of things before he knows it. The kids will be back in the class room this coming Wednesday. The new football shirts have started making their way into our house. It's amazing how they change every year. First game is at the end of August. So things are going to start getting very busy again.
So our summer was not all work (except for me I had to go in) there was some fun. We went to San Diego and stayed at a great place near downtown. Of course we spent a lot of time on the beach. Our first day we were in Solona Beach. Found a cute hat at Bixby & Ball. Some old photos and the Mermaid Shop. We had a wonderful lunch at Lockwood Table. They have a lavender iced coffee. If your ever in Solona Beach, you have to stop by for one. Also stopped in at  SoLo. Such a wonderful shop. They have some beautiful items. We also ate at Crocee's and a new place  Cucina Urbana. We ate there twice. Everything melts in your month it's sooooo good. We also went to our two favorite places of all. Kono's on Pacific Beach and Mona Lisa in Little Italy. The weather was great and we had a wonderful time. It's always hard to come back home and leave Pacific Beach behind.
But two weeks ago we made our way to Palm Springs for about three days. Boy was it hot and humid. But we had a great time. We stayed at Caliente Tropics. Ate at Kings Highway, their food was amazing! We also stopped at Georgie's Alibi Azul. Sat on these cute covered gliders there. So much fun. Also went to Trio, Lulu , Fisherman's Market & Grill, Sherman's and a spot in Palm desert called Fix. This was a food trip. Every place we went was very, very good. Now it's just a waiting game till we hit Pacific Beach in March with Coaches family. I can't wait. my in-laws are the greatest. Just seven months to go.
So this is it for today. I'm going to try to figure out how to get my pictures on here for you to see what Coach and I have been up to. Have a great day!
Oh for anyone who'd like to see some of my pics, I am on Instagram, rossiaz and I have boards on Pinterest.

Starting a New Year

So it's January 3rd, 2013. I've made no promises to myself, other than getting healthy, a bit more fit and working on my blog and my crafting. Along with getting the house in order. Guest room done, yards in shape, exterior painted. You know the little things that we all need or want to do. But never seem to have time to do.
The holidays were very nice. We had a wonderful time with the kids and grandsons: who are to cute for words. They did very well till the end of the day. No naps and they get a little cranky. They've grown so much. Before we know it they'll be in school.
My shoulder is doing great. Rehab is over with and I don't see my surgeon for my next check up `til June. The weather here in Arizona has been very cold. Yes, I know it's not three below and snowing, but for us it may as well be. That makes the shoulders hurt. So what sweaters I do have, I've been wearing alot to keep warm.
Coach is doing good. He had a rough season. We were both glad to have it come to an end. I keep telling him that the season may not be what he wanted but he has a few former players who are doing very well since moving on to collage. One is at Arizona State, one at Oregon State and another at Easten Michigan.  Coach has two players at Wabash College and it looks like this coming fall Wabash may be getting another player or two. They have all come back to visit during the summer when possible. Some have called to keep in touch.
This fall has been full of changes. Coach's parents have sold both their homes here in Arizona and in Minnesota. They left this mornig for Minnesota to move into their new appartment. It's going to be strange not having lunch with my mother-in-law once a week. I told her I would call on my days off, while at Barnes and Noble to have coffee with her and chat. I know they'll be back to visit, but it's going to take time to get use to.
And on a sad note for coach and myself. We lost our boxer Jet a few months ago. We miss him so much, the house is not the same. The kids all have been trying to get us to bring in a new pup. I was worried one of them would sneak one in on Christmas day. But they listened for once and didn't.
So this is the start of a new year. I wish all of you much happiness. I will be back tomorrow to end the week. If any of you are on pintrest or instagram, you can find me there (rossiaz). I've become hooked on both thanks to my daughter. Funny how I couldn't understand how anyone could be on their phone for more than a phone call. Coach and I both were laughing at the fact that we no sooner sat down, and both our phones came out in case we missed something on the ride over to a resturant. Wow what happened to us?