Playin' Politics

Johnston Memorial Reunion 2008

As Uncle Ralph would have wanted it the Johnston clan gathered at his beloved Coal Pit for a grand time of family celebration. Some arrived the night before to make the most of it and some arrived in time for dinner--the common denominator was love, family, food, fishing, games and tons of fun!

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One of the highlights was Aunt Rita passing out Guardian Angels made from Uncle Ralph's ties! They were received with delight and held like the treasure they are. Thank you Lisa and all those who helped her make them!

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Rex is the official Johnston Chef as he not only made the grill that was used but cooked the steaks to perfection! The food brought by everyone (from Jimmy's stuffed jalepenos to Cynthia's outrageous brownies) was fit for a king! Some (like Lloyd Holland) said they wouldn't have to eat again until Tuesday but others, like myself and Katie, knew we would be eating again in a few hours!

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The reunion culminated with a special trip to the cemetery where we paid honor to our beloved Uncle Ralph and helped Aunt Rita place the wreath that Jan brought to the funeral. The marker was beautiful with a laser carving of the Coal Pit on the front side and a place where their 50th Anniversary picture will be displayed with the engraved caption "Serving the Lord Together". What a tribute to a romance that spanned almost six decades!

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Until next time, dear family, with much love and fond memories. See the slideshow below for some wonderful pictures.

Johnston Memorial Reunion 2008

Kristen's New Puppy

Kristen brought her new puppy, Max, over to visit us. Gracie loved getting to know him but we had to be careful that she didn't get overly excited and step on Max! Cynthia and I are elated to finally have a grand dog! LOL! Check out the pictures below.

Max Comes to Visit

Ducks Cry Fowl!

Prior to opening the pool and directly following the Great Renovation of '08 we had visitors. A mallard and a hen flew in finding the water collected on the tarp an enjoyable feast with all the scum that accumulated. For about five days they would fly in, spend the night and intermittently return during the day to swim, waddle and eat everything they could find. Then, to their dismay, we opened the pool--disturbing their smorgasbord! They flew back to discover their table spread was displaced and the water chlorinated with super shock. Needless to say they did not appreciate it one bit! I took pictures of their adventure for your amusement and they are posted below.

Ducks on Display

Finshed!! Hooray!!

Let it be recorded..... Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. we finished our massive renovation!!! Let the celebration begin!

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We installed 170 feet of crown molding, cleaned the oven, and moved all the furniture in. After finishing the enameling and touch up we are ready to enjoy the "fruits of our labor"!

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I had a hot bath drawn, a cold martini poured, and my personal bath attendant during a quiet and much needed acquatic celebration. Picture included. We are very thrilled with our completed project. Let us know what you think!

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A special shout out to Kristen who came up with the workable living room layout design! She was a big help Saturday as we were nearing the finish line. We are grateful for all the friends who stopped by and walked with us through the renovation process. Now we can just sit and enjoy their company without putting a tool in their hand! LOL!

Check out my Slide Show!

Getting Close To Being Finished

We are on the home stretch to completion! We have grouted the backsplash tile, finished the quarter round in the dining room and the foyer, and begun installing the crown molding throughout the living area. I have posted a few pictures for you to see the progress. More to come.

Looking Like Home

We Can See The Light At The End of the Tunnel!

The last four days of working from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. have paid off great dividends! I have posted pictures of the progress from having our formica installed, carpet re-laid, lights installed, tile backsplash laid, and painting the ceilings and walls. Let us know what you think!

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In the midst of my painting the walls Cynthia got our yard cleaned up and I have included a few pics of our azaleas as this is their time to shine. We are very excited to see things coming together. The carpet is set to be cleaned today and we can clean and move the furniture back in. Wow! Five weeks and three days later. We have plans to install crown moulding throughout and touch up the enamel as well as grout our backsplash. A bit more to go but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I will be sure to post pictures of the final product.

Check out my Slide Show!

Keeping You Updated

Hooray! The kitchen cabinets are now primed with oil-based Kilz! Once the clean up is complete the formica guys will come install the new counter tops and I can spray the cabinets all over again! LOL! Posted some pictures below for your enjoyment. More to come!

Painting With Tim

Keeping You Posted

We are making progress! Hooray!! Ceiling and wiring is complete but for the final coat of paint. The tile floor is finished with a new piece in front of the fireplace and the patio entrance (something we've needed since moving in). The cabinets are prepped and I will spray the primer on them tonight. The formica is to be installed this week and we purchased the tile for the backsplash that Cynthia and I will install. I have included a picture of the colors we will be using as well as the formica sample, the backsplash tile and one of the six accent tiles we will place as a special touch. We are very much looking forward to completing this project, coming home and sitting down! LOL! More to come.

Check out my Slide Show!

Progress Marches On!

I recently entered the dreaded phase of sanding and sanding and sanding and....well, you get the picture. However I can now announce that I am just a little ways from painting the new ceiling! Hooray!!

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Cynthia and I had the foresight (not to mention experience) to cover any entrances with plastic so as to keep the dust in the work area rather than spread it throughout the house! I have posted some new pictures to show this and the progress. Tomorrow my brother Doug and I will start laying the tile in the dining room, kitchen, foyer, in front of the fireplace and at the back patio entrance. Twenty-one boxes of tile! Shew! Of course you may expect both a report and more pictures. Stay tuned.

Check out my Slide Show!

The Great Renovation of '08

A great deal has been accomplished since Thursday morning. I tackled the flooring first thing that morning and got the hall and kitchen tile removed, tore out the sofett above the kitchen cabinets, removed the old vent hood and exhaust pipe (as we are putting in a ventless microwave over the stove) and removed the cabinet over the bar. Friday morning Cynthia and I tackled the remaining wood tile in the dining room and got it out as well. Picked up supplies, ran wiring, installed two new light boxes and an outlet.....and basically worked till we were dragging.

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A great big THANK YOU to my Dad who met us at Home Depot and transported our materials home (including 1,000 lbs of tile)! And a great big THANK YOU to our friend Mike Murray who helped us hang a full sheet of sheetrock at a crucial time! (He is also helping us with a difficult compound miter cut, whatever that is! LOL!) Everyone has been so kind and concerned, some even dropping by to visit. A big shout out to Susan (who helped coordinate color and tile choices); my brother Doug (who is helping with the tiling); and our cousin Scott (who gave electrical advice) and all that came by!"

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I have included pictures to show the progress: sheet rock installed, lights wired, outlet installed and wired, mud and tape, and a 8-yard container filled with debris. Amazing progress! More pictures to come as we have decided to paint the cabinets with the high-gloss oil-based white enamel on the rest of our woodwork and the counter man will be here Friday to install the new countertop and stone backsplash. Then the tile throughout the dining room, kitchen and foyer. Finally paint the walls, re-install or replace the carpet and get back to normal! Whatever that is! LOL!