The Great Bee Caper

So one day about a month ago I was sitting on the front steps of our home in the early evening hours when I noticed this deafening buzzing sound. I quickly realized that an entire swarm of yellow jackets was approaching OUR home as if it were their own. They found this little, tiny opening where the brick meets the porch roof in the corner and decided that it looked like it might make a nice foyer (my assumption, of course).

As the weeks went by, it seemed as if they were getting more aggressive. I started to sense a hostile takeover and pleaded with my husband to be a man and protect his family.

There was some talk of calling a "professional," but those guys are expensive. I don't blame them, I wouldn't want to deal with bees either. Although watching the Bee Movie makes one think that bees are actually very friendly. And they can talk. I believe this to be a conspiracy, however. Because I can tell you without any hesitation that these yellow jackets were just plain mean. Angry about something, clearly.

It got to the point where we could no longer use the front door in the evening when they were coming home. Craig's first plan of attack was to rig the small (but powerful) shop vac to a ladder and secure the end of the hose right at their foyer and let it run for several hours. That way, whenever they attempted to approach or retreat, WUMP! They were sucked into the vac.


His second plan was to wait until they had all returned home and spray them with the strongest, deadliest poison he could find. I think it's prudent at this point to explain that Craig is a well thought out, cautious person. It took us almost an hour, and a lot of duct tape, to get him bee-proofed.


In the end, we counted a few hundred bees, yuck. Unfortunately, I saw a few flying around the other day, so I'm wondering if they are trying to make a come-back. I told Craig to block the hole once he sprayed, but he didn't listen. So the few remaining bees have come home to find their brethren massacred. And now they are very ANGRY. Stay tuned.

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The End of an Era

Craig and I met when he moved from Houston to Pittsburgh and began working at Arco Chemical Company. I will never forget the first time I saw him... he was at the plant site for his interview and I was beginning my first engineering co-op term after completing my freshman year at Penn State. It was July of 1993.

Craig worked for Arco, then Nova, for 16.2 years (the image is of his first badge at the Beaver Valley Site, notice the area code). His climb up the corporate ladder was sure and steady as he is highly respected in his field. As of this upcoming October, his connection with Nova will be officially severed, as part of another restructuring act.

Nova has endured several cutbacks in the past year, and Craig made no secret of the fact that he was ready to move on. Essentially, he told his manager that if severance packages were made available, he wanted to be first in line.

We have spent many hours dreaming about the avenues we might like to explore should he no longer have the responsibility of a 9-5 job. Whether that means growing my business, or pursuing another entrepreneurial type business, we're not sure.

But there is one thing we are sure of: together, not even the sky is the limit.

Working at Arco/Nova will always hold a special place in my heart. My dad worked there for nearly 30 years. The year I met Craig was also the year I met my best friend Jody, I certainly had no idea how much of an impact that chemical company would have on my life. Ironically, Jody opted to take a severance package and leave Nova this time last year.

There is only one thing that leaves me sad, the fact that we do not have any photographs of our time together at the plant. Camera's are strictly prohibited inside the facility (lest I try to steal the technology to make expandable polystyrene) and I never bothered to get a camera pass.

Craig enjoyed his career and is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. Nova has been good to us, and I would like to think that he has been good to them. He will be leaving with one year's salary and benefits, a very nice cushion while we work towards new goals. Craig is exceptionally gifted and I am confident that whatever path he chooses will be successful.

We have been so blessed, in so many ways, and are grateful for this answer to prayer. I don't believe that there are many others that feel this good about losing their job. We will certainly need to restructure our budget, but that topic deserves its own post. Basically, no debt = no worries, but I will expand on that at a later date.

My dad retired from Nova several years ago, I took an early retirement package during the 1998 restructuring (at the tender age of 24), Jody left last year, therefore Craig's leaving truly is the end of an era.

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Heather's Hair Haven

You didn't know that I was a stylist? Oh yeah, I've been cutting this customer's hair for years.


And I make him look presentable every single time, yet he never pays. And the amount of ear and nose hair that I eliminate is staggering. And quite disgusting. I practically boil my hands afterward.


ps. I have no formal training in the art of hair stylifying (my word for cutting and styling). I just use trimmers with a #2 guard and go to town.

pps. For those of you that don't know, this is my dad.

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New Design

I was growing tired of the old design, so I thought I would simplify things a bit. I like having the labels and archives easily accessible at the bottom of the page, along with my Twitter updates. Feels cleaner and more streamlined to me. Also eliminates the need for a search feature. I am limiting the number of posts on the main page to four, for faster loading. You can view older posts via the archives or the 'older posts' link above the footer.

I will most likely continue to play with this design as it can sometimes be difficult for me to finalize things. Always seems like there is something more to play with.

Course I couldn't post without including a picture. Remember when Boy Boy was having problems learning how to eat? Well, his father convinced him to try pancakes with syrup one evening, and from that moment on, he began eating solid foods.


ps. Yes, I said "pancakes one evening," because they made breakfast for dinner.

pps. I wasn't around for the festivities (teaching that evening) because they knew that I would not approve of such nonsense.

ppps. I believe that there are some foods that should be time specific. Can't have a Coke before noon, can't have breakfast for dinner or pizza for breakfast. Guess I'm just strange that way.

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JP is turning one!

More images at www.weddingsbyheather.com.

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Congratulations Melissa and The Fiance!

I have been meaning to post this for months, my cousin Melissa is engaged!


Her and the fiance will be getting married in October 2010 and are in need of a photographer because I plan on partying! WOOT!! I love to dance!

ps. When Melissa first started dating this young man, I referred to him as "the boyfriend." Aunt Wendy (Melissa's mom) kept telling me that he had a name, but I would always reply with, "when there is a ring, he will get a name." Well, when the ring appeared, she mistakenly thought that I should start calling him by his name. No, no, he doesn't get a name until there is a WEDDING ring. For now, he is "the fiance."

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Uncle Brian

Oh man, what a riot. If you know Uncle Brian, then you know exactly what I'm talking about... he has a heart as big as Texas and is really, really funny.

I asked him to shovel the sidewalk and he just could not get over all of the snow. Do you notice anything unusual about this photo?

Here, let me zoom in closer. His glove is on backwards!! ROFL I guess Texans don't wear gloves!!


And when I asked him to get to work, this is the look I got. Hysterical! Love ya Bud!

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With a Heavy Heart

Craig's mom Carolyn was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She learned just a few short weeks ago after visiting her family doctor for a mild illness. Of course this news was very shocking as she has always led a healthy lifestyle. Cancer is one of those things that just makes me shudder... it can affect anyone and impact everyone. Very scary.

I took this picture of her while she was here for Craig's birthday, we would all appreciate your prayers during this difficult time.


You can download the letter that Carolyn sent to friends and family regarding her diagnosis by clicking here. I will post updates as often as they are received.

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Open House - Wednesday Feb 18th

It has been a crazy couple of months, but I think that we are finished with most of our renovations (just waiting on the dining room furniture). As a result of the changes, we are left with some items that we are no longer using.

We will have an open house, this Wednesday, February 18th. I will be home all day and all evening and am inviting (begging) all of you to stop by at any time and say hi and/or take a look at the stuff we have for sale. Kinda like a garage sale, except in February. On a Wednesday. In our formal dining room. And our stuff isn't junk. But the prices are still low.







We have lighting fixtures, several picture frames, baking paraphernalia, decorative items, fake plants, baskets (including Longaberger), and wall art. There are many other items that I still need to gather that aren't pictured.

Everything must go, so the prices are right! Whatever we don't sell will either be donated or trashed. Bring your friends, family, neighbors, children... everyone is welcome! I might even try to bake some cookies. Yes, that will work, people will come if there are free cookies, right? FREE COOKIES!!!


Please stop by, I'd love to see you! If you need our address or directions, send me an email: heatherjl@gmail.com

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Thomas Kinkade Paintings for Sale

Autumn Lane, 20x24 canvas. New price is around $2,000, asking $1,000. Apparently, this is a pretty rare canvas painting, Craig bought it in 2000 as gift for me because fall is my favorite time of year. Unfortunately, it doesn't match our new decor.














Morning Dogwood, 12x18 canvas. New price is around $750, asking $250.











Heather's Hutch, matted and framed print. New price is around $50, asking $25.






Email with questions: heatherjl@gmail.com

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Formal Dining Room Set for Sale

Our formal dining room is the last room we would like to re-decorate.

We've paid cash for all of our recent renovations (we are against consumer debt) but we need to sell our dining room furniture in order to raise capital for a new set.

Craig's birthday is in a few weeks, and I would love to order this Pottery Barn table that he's had his eye on for quite some time.

We paid over $7,000 for this solid cherry set in 2000 when we built our home.

The table has two leaves which expands it to 97 inches. We don't use it that often, but it does show minor wear.

Comes with eight chairs, two of which have arms. When the carpet cleaning guy was here the other day, I had him clean the chairs.



Server is 38.5 inches wide, but extends on both sides to 63 inches. Other dimensions are 19" deep, 34.5" tall.


China cabinet, although we've never had china. Dimensions are 19" deep, 64" wide, 82" tall.


Whoever purchases the furniture is more than welcome to take the hardware and scarves for the windows as well.

There are two standard windows and one bay.

I was able to find this super long scarf for the bay window at JCPenney's, the pattern is called Chambord by Croscill.


I plan on posting this on Craig's List as well (eBay jumped the shark with many of its new fees and policies), but please pass along to your family, friends, and neighbors... you never know who may be looking for new furniture! We are asking $2,000 and I am able to accept credit cards through my business (pick up only, I can't ship this stuff!).

Send me an email with any questions, or to set up a time to stop over and view. heatherjl@gmail.com

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Ice Day

Pretty messy ice storm in our area today, although the weatherpersons had predicted 3-5" of snow for our area because the line of warmer temps would remain to the south. Looks like they got it wrong. Imagine that.

Very thankful that I don't have an office job because I certainly wouldn't want to attempt driving with this on the roads.

Course the kiddos are home today, making it next to impossible for me to get any work done.

But thankfully Daddy is home as well... and he's painting! The foyer is coming along nicely, although I'm not entirely sure he would agree with that sentiment.

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Table

So here's the deal: we decided a week ago that we were just gonna paint the living room/dinette/kitchen to change things up a bit. Well... as always the case with projects like these, one thing leads to another and the next thing you know you need a new dinette set.

We've had this set for 10 years, but the kiddos have trashed it... nail polish, crafts, and coloring have not served it well. It is still structurally sound, just a little beat up. It also comes with a leaf and two additional chairs. I imagine that it would be perfect for either 1) a craft table in the basement for kids, or 2) someone who likes to refinish and reupholster.

We would be happy if someone would just take it off our hands, it also comes with a leaf and two additional chairs (6 total). Otherwise I'm gonna ask my dad to burn it (remind me to tell you the burn story one day). Our plan is to buy an inexpensive set until the kiddos are older.

Remember, it's free for a reason. That is highlighter along with the ground in dirt.


Oh, and I think we will need a new light as well... so... this one is for sale for $20.
heatherjl@gmail.com

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