my little helper

Two weeks ago my dad came down from Ohio so we could start repairing the damage from my unfortunate burst water pipe back in December.  Since three seperate rooms were affected, the repairs are being done in shifts.  We decided to start in the basement where carpet had already been removed and the ceiling was scheduled to be replaced.   We decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give the room a fresh coat of paint before the new carpet went in and while everything else had been removed.  Dad and I quickly covered the walls in paint and I had enough to paint the stairwell too. BONUS! 

The next day I came home from work to a brand new drop ceiling.  The room now has a new sense of lightness and brightness.  Dad took me around and showed me many of his finishing touches like a new light at the bottom of the stairs, painting the stair handrail, and giving the exposed ductwork and support pole a fresh coat of paint too.   

Bianka acted as if she were the construction suprivisor, going around and sniffing all the areas where the work had been done.  As she completed her survey of the site, she turned to head up the stairs, and something caught my eye. I turned to Dad and said "I see you had help with the painting."  

She always did enjoy painting.  See the post titled Another Bianka Story.

In the mean time her new nickname is White Ear.

Happy Valentines Day

I've posted this image before.  It has always been a crowd favorite, and it seems very appropriate for today.

From c.heis

Enjoy the repeat performance.

-crystal

Trees

I'll be the first one to admit it a part of me liked a certain aspects of the recent ice storm. (This shouldn't come as that much of a surprise from a girl named crystal.) Sure, it came with all kinds of challenges, however you have to admit it was beautiful. 

 

When the ice storm hit two weeks ago, I found myself  fascinated by the trees. There is magic transformation that occurs by seeing everything encased in ice.  Branches bow and droop under the weight of the snow and ice. Suddenly, many of the trees came to resemble weeping willows, which have always been my favorite.  The tree-lined walkways on campus became winter garden archways.  You can't help but feel a special (and a little nervous) walking beneath them. 

It's a strange balance between beauty and danger.  I remember watching the trees seem to dance and sway in the wind with a gentle motion. Then I'd hear a loud crack and turn to see limbs and ice crash to the ground, which would bring me back to reality.

Now the ice has melted and the trees appear to have lost their magic.  Many have damaged limbs or simply look broken altogether.   I feel sorry for the trees. I find myself wishing for spring not because of the warm weather, but  so the trees can hide the scars behind their leaves. 

For the past couple of days we've been treated to some of this spring-like weather, but it has come at a price. Tremendous wind and rain storms  have once again attacked the trees that are already weakened. Today, I saw more downed limbs and up-rooted trees, which makes me sigh a heavy sigh.  

So I'm posting some photos from a night when I still found the trees very magical.  I like to think of them all dressed up with glitz and glamour.

  

From c.heis

From c.heis

From c.heis

From c.heis

And of course they danced...

From c.heis

From c.heis

From c.heis