Is it really August already? How is that possible? Even with all the craziness in our world right now; spending most of our time in our homes, not travelling, this summer has really flown by. Maybe, for us, it is because there is a lot happening in our neighborhood! We have several new, and almost new, neighbors in different stages of construction. There are a lot of vehicles, we are still getting used to all the vehicles, construction and regular, going up and down our street. Our home was the only home for a year, so it was quiet, but It is good to see progress happening in the neighborhood. We have met the couple building across the street from us and have enjoyed watching the progression of their home.

We have done several walk-through’s; the couple was even there for one of them! I did ask if it was okay and they said it was fine. I love touring other people’s homes, seeing how they live, the spaces that bring them joy… some may call it nosy, but I am just genuinely curious, I love all things house related! I always thought I was more of a Samantha, turns out I might be more of a Mrs. Kravitz! As a child, I loved Samantha and Darren’s home; the open concept, the stairway, and that back wall of windows in the living room, still one of my favorite parts of a home! The family who is about to break ground right across the street from us, have young children, we have yet to meet them since they are with their builder when they are at the property. Greg has met the family who lives at the end of the cul-de-sac, they are almost ready to move in. There is another couple who just moved in with two large dogs, we need to welcome them, and the newest family just spent last weekend clearing their property. They have the biggest van I have ever seen, filled with lots of children. Not sure if they all belong to them or if they were having a work party. They were having a great time though! See, I told you I am a bit nosy. I think I need to be the official welcome wagon person! That was an actual person in the town I grew up in! I have baked cookies and brownies several times and attempted to deliver them to our new neighbors, but I missed them every time, or they were hiding from me. Anyway, Greg and I have enjoyed eating them. Big news at The Clubhouse! Drum roll please .

. . We (Greg, I held the door open) moved the washer and dryer to the new utility room! Once we got them in there, we realized there was not enough space on the adjacent wall to put in a sink. Plan B – sink will go in the garage. It is an oversized garage, mostly because we had to have three bedrooms and a bathroom above it, so plenty of room! We have finished the drywall and have started on the mudding. It is sort of going slowly. That was to be mostly my job, but I am getting the distinct impression that Greg would rather do it, or at least be there to supervise. Not that I need it or have ever made construction mistakes, but Greg likes things done very specifically, he may be a bit of a type A perfectionist. I am thankful he is, usually lol, when you make mistakes in construction there is significant costs in time and money. Both of which we do not have a lot of extra right now. I am trying to be patient, but I really want to get to the non- noisy, non-dangerous, non-messy part of renovations, the decorating! I guess decorating can be messy at times. I have Pinterest and Instagram pics saved by the hundreds, and an actual hard file with every room labeled and filled with ideas from magazines, very old school I know, but it is fun for me. We are so close to being finished with the addition; we have a deadline, so all our efforts are focused on that. Then I can decorate to my heart’s content. And we can finish up the inside of the original Clubhouse. We have a list, of course we do, here is the short list:

1. Secure Large Beam on ceiling in the Great Room.
2. Paint the ceiling. We can’t paint until the Beam is lifted and secure.
3. Texture and Paint the big wall in the Great Room. We can’t start that until #1 is finished.
4. Knock out the wall in what was the former utility room and convert that space into the Kitchen area where the Range will go, and on the other side, the Island. The Island will be big, it needs to be so we can house the sink, dishwasher, and microwave, along with plenty of room for seating. Because the Island will be located near what was the former utility room, we have all the electrical and plumbing ready to go, maybe not completely ready, but it is working, and it is in place.
5. The Navy bookshelf that will be in my office still needs to be trimmed on the side, sanded, and painted. It is one of those items that does not have to be done by our deadline, so it is on the back burner for now.

We also have landscaping to do, soooo much landscaping. We have three acres and lots of trees. It just takes time to keep up with all of it. Hopefully, this Spring we will focus on that. Where is Groundskeeper Willie when you need him? I was able to do a little decorating and planning for the kitchen. My grandmother had an old drawing of the Seine River with Notre Dame in the background. She gave it to my Mom, who gave it to me. We carefully ironed and framed it. I absolutely love it and plan on placing it somewhere in the kitchen.

There were also two beautiful landscape paintings that were left here at the clubhouse. They are framed in aged brass and closely resemble the Lakes in our development. Not sure where those will go but I will use them. Hope you all are well and ready for Fall, cooler temperatures, and plenty of Pumpkin Spice, bring it on!