We have ROOMS!

The drywall is in! We have rooms. I thought that things would look much smaller once you couldn't actually see across the entire house, but that didn't happen. The rooms are nice, big, open. Maybe it is because the ceilings are high. We have no pictures because with the start of work and school again, we can only get out there at night. Actually, we've only seen the drywall with flashlights in the dark.

They've also begun to put the scaffolding up for stucco. This was a surprise. We didn't think that would happen for a few weeks. Pictures on Saturday!

In other good news, Poppy got moved to the rehab hospital today after TWO WEEKS in the first hospital. Thanks to Cousin Howie, our HERO, for getting him into the best rehab hospital in town. There were some very nice nurses who took care of Poppy in the first hospital. Thank you, nurses and doctors and everybody else for getting him through his surgery and rough recovery.

Today was my first day with students after the first of the year. Things went very well. I like my new schedule and I'm looking forward to getting into a routine and not feeling so anxious every day because it is all so overwhelming and new.

We are feeling very fortunate around here. The holidays were often hectic and worrisome because Poppy was struggling, but we also got to see our distant family and reconnect with them. Next year the holidays are at our house!

Just a note- the bird flu has hit another continent. Click to read CNN's story. For more information go to the government website. CNN has a lot of information in their special report. All I'm saying is that you might want to think about a plan.