As they say on Iron Chef, "Let the battle begin!"

Today, 14 July 2011, the renovation of our home has commenced (by the way, that's Bastille Day to our French friends).  Remember that Bastille Day is commemorating when, over 200 years ago, the French attacked the walls of the Bastille and appropriately today, our contractor attacked the walls of our house.  We have been preparing diligently for this day, almost like we're getting ready to have a baby.  NO!  That is NOT an announcement.  Anyways, I digress. . .   For those of you who are not aware, Craig and I are completely renovating our home.  One might ask, "WHY on God's green earth would you do that?  Why not just buy a new house??"  Well, as they say, "Location, location, location."  We like our location, neighbors and especially the view from our house. We have a beautiful wetland behind our home that is full of wild life, and I don't mean extended relatives.

I will rewind the tape (and I've just dated myself).  A little over 1 1/2 years ago, Craig and I married and I moved into his house.  Now we are going to make it "our" house.  The plans are ambitious to say the least, but we have complete confidence in our contractor and our marriage to forge ahead with this adventure.

One of the biggest obstacles that we had to hurdle prior to this project, was to pack up our home and move out.  How do two people accumulate so much STUFF??  Many have asked where we are going to stay, to which I have replied, "In a van, down by the river."  Well....actually, minus the van, we are renting a lovely apartment down on the Mighty Mississippi.  It's a great view and will provide all the comforts of home, sans servants and au pairs.  But we do have DirecTV and those who know me know that I am glued to the TV during July....Le Tour de France!!  Go Lance!!

This blog will allow those who are interested and those who are merely voyeurs to keep up with the latest in our lives during these next few months.  Yes, I said months.  Did I mention that we are not just renovating our house, but adding onto it as well?  It should be fun to watch the progress.   I hope you will enjoy the trip with us.