Golfing in January in Wisconsin

Today is January 10, 2012, and my amazing husband, Roger, grabbed his golf clubs and went off with a friend (Drew) to enjoy another round of golf.
We've had no snow this winter...none at all where we live...and since one of the courses stays open until the snow forces it to close...Roger and Drew were able to play yet another round of golf.
Roger went out in December and thought that was great. But January? Unheard of around here. The temperature got up to 50 degrees today. FYI the sign the guys are holding reads: Golfing on January 10, 2012
Roger and Drew
So here they are...two very eager and happy golfers!!! Go Tiger!!!

Christmas - My Favorite Time of Year

This was the very best Christmas ever!!! All of us were together, which is always a gift, but we were all at church together, which rarely happens. What a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by family and take up two rows in church. That, for me, was Christmas.

Then, to come home and eat snacks to our hearts content, followed by a trip to the tree and a round of gift openings and exchanges was just so much fun!
By the time we got to our stockings and opened them, we were all amazed at the time and thoughtfulness put into them by everyone.

We ate Christmas dinner in the living and dining rooms, and that was really a special treat...eating by the light of the tree. Even better than that, everyone spent the night here. Chrissy and Jeff stayed at Meeusens as there was no more room at the inn. But the rest of us all stayed here. It's been a long time since that happened, and I really enjoyed having a full house again.

Monday morning we were up and ready to shop the Christmas sales, and shop we did. Pier I, Target and then Kohls. We got some really good deals, had a great time, and enjoyed another day of "Christmas" fun.

Christmas is special for so many reasons, and I have not forgotten the principle one...the birth of our Saviour and the celebration of His life.
But His idea of families forever is the essence of our Christmas this year and always, and for me, this is everything!

The Lazy Days of Summer?

We just got back from watch the air show down at the lakefront in Milwaukee.  I've been wanting to see the Thunderbirds (or Blue Angels...I'm not fussy) since forever, and we finally did it today.  We spent several hours watching different aircraft maneuvers and I am in awe.  Who could possibly pilot a plane upside down? Or, better yet, who could pilot a plane while summersaulting

in the air?   Who could fly an airplane, or in the case of the thunderbirds, a jet, in precise and extremely close formations?  How do these guys do it?  How do they even begin, and aren't they completely nauseated by the time their "show" is over?  These are questions for others to ponder, but for me, it was really a thrill, and I'm so happy that Roger enjoyed it as much as I did.

It's a bit embarrassing to look at my previous posts and see that it's been so long since I've written anything here.  In my defense, I do write in a personal journal most every night, so I'm not a total lost cause.  This summer has been great.  Two babies born (one coming in October) and lots of opportunities to baby sit...literally.  Then there was the family night at the zoo, which is always a highlight...too bad this year our Chrissy was unable to make it.  However, she had a painting on display at the art center in Rochester, and while we were eating our way through the zoo and enjoying every minute of it, Chrissy  was hobnobbing with the high rollers and selling her picture.  Win/win for all of us.  Way to go, Chrissy.

We've had grandchildren spend the night, and in a couple of weeks, we'll have 3 more come for a couple of days, and we're really looking forward to their visit. I haven't been golfing even once, and I'm making it my personal goal to get a lesson and get out there for at least a few times.  There is nothing wrong with golfing in the fall.

People talk about the lazy days of summer. Exactly what do they mean by that?  Lazy? Hmmm. Perhaps we'll talk about that on a later post.

Back to the Real World

Many years ago a friend and I were driving to Wisconsin from California when we heard on the radio that a tornado had been sighted 10 miles west of North Platte Nebraska.  We were 10 miles west of North Platte Nebraska!  It was a harrowing experience, and I won't bore you with details here.I mention it only because Roger and I had a similar experience on our way home from Florida two days ago.We were in Georgia and the sky was getting darker and darker... looking more ominous by the minute.  Since we were low on gas, Roger decided to exit the highway and we found ourselves in this speck of a town with a mini mart and gas station.  Just as we got out of the car to gas up, the tornado siren sounded.  I yelled at Roger to head for the mini mart.  He says, "Okay, I'm just going to get gas first".  "No way" I shouted, "we're heading for cover now!".  So we parked the card and ran into the station as the skies opened up and the rains poured down.  Pretty soon several other people abandoned their cars and ran in to join us.  Someone said that the storm was due to hit Emerson at 4:45.  It was 4:44.  I asked, "Where is Emerson?"   Everyone looked at me and in unison said, "This is Emerson!".  The clerk tried to reassure everyone that we were safe because this particular mini mart was tornado proof.  People believed her.  I, however, hung close to the bathroom, the only place without windows or glass.   It continued to pour.  The lightening was amazing and the thunder very scary, but thankfully, all bark and little bite. Tornados had touched down all around us, but left Emerson pretty much alone.  Whew!

It was still pouring when we left, heading  for Tennessee.   Three hours later we decide it was time to stop for the night.  We passed one little town, but I said we should forge ahead, go a little farther.  On to Monteagle we went.  At the exit ramp to Monteagle we were met with such dense fog, that we weren't sure we were even on the right ramp.  We turned toward what we hoped was the town, but it was so foggy that we could see very little.  Roger crept into what we hoped was a gas station, but we couldn't really tell until we were 3 feet from the door.  We were told that there was one motel and we'd passed it.  It was a Day's Inn, a two story building with lights all around, but we missed it because we could only see 2 feet in front of us.

Long story short, we made it to the motel...the worst we've ever stayed in (except for that horrible one in Baraboo).  It was clean, but that's all it had going for it.  The toilet didn't work, so she gave us a new room on the back side.  It took us ten minutes to get there since we couldn't see.  We put the key in, and it didn't work.  Ten minutes later we're back in the lobby.  She makes another key for us and says, if this one doesn't work, stay in the room next to it, for which she gave us yet another key.  Unreal.

You know how in the midst of crud there is always a little light...something to enjoy or to appreciate or to experience?  Well, so it was that night.  Roger met this elderly couple on one of his many trips to the office.  They were from Illinois heading to our beloved Florida.  Since we had all stopped there to escape the shroud of fog, we were trapped and there to stay.  We were all hungry, as well.    Just a few hours earlier, son Roger had advised us strongly to get  some "real Tennessee pulled pork".  So here we are in a town of who knows how few people, when the clerk at the desk tells us to try Smoke 'n B's BBQ, just on down the road.

Another ten minutes to go two blocks and we arrive at Smoke'n B's.  The couple we met followed us in their car.  Since we couldn't see, we spent a good part of the drive on the wrong side of the road.  They followed us there as well.  We made it in one piece, and to our surprise and delight, Smoke'n B's had pulled pork sandwiches.  In fact, that was their specialty.  So the other couple (Dobby and Charlotte) joined us in eating good Tennessee  pulled pork sandwiches.  They each had a beer to "calm them down a bit".  Then they tlet the cat out of the bag . They told us they were 92 years old!!!!   They were driving from Illinois to Florida at 92 years of age.  They had a beer to calm their nerves at 92 years of age.  What an experience!  They were so cute and it was so nice having someone to share the fog with.  They were the little light that brightened our very foggy evening.

Are we there yet?  Nope.  We have to go through Indiana (no snow), Illinois (no snow) and finally Wisconsin (no snow).  We're fired up.  NO SNOW.  No snow in Kenosha.  None in Racine.  Very little in Milwaukee.  Some in Ozaukee County.  Not bad.  We can handle this.  We see the sign, "Cedar Grove" and our mouths drop open.  There is a ton of snow here...a TON!  No, this can't be happening.  It was 85 yesterday.  This can't be real.  This has got to be a mistake.  Sadly, it's not.  There really is 2-3 feet of snow on the ground!

We're home.  Yes we are.  We're back to the real world of snow and winter... and home.  And, while we miss the warmth of Florida, it's nice being home.  Really!

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Well, we just said good-by to the Krehbiels, who are flying back to Green Bay as I write this.  The Justus family left Saturday and are back in cold Baraboo.  Roger and Brittany and Chrissy and Jeff have been here and gone for a week already. And now it's our turn.  Tomorrow we head back to winter.  As is our  custom, we always take pictures of each family before they leave, so here they are.  As for us, we'll be back for a repeat of  a simply wonderful, relaxing, and fun filled vacation!!!

Sweating in February?

So, how can it be that although it's February on the calendar, yet we're sweating bullets.  Roger and I actually commented that we were so warm, we had to get in to the shade for a while.   The thing is, it is hot.  It's 83+ and  sultry.  We're loving it.  After a grueling day at Epcot, we came home and hopped in the pool.
It's tough being on vacation...really.

Pizza pool party

No Snow Here

Chrissy and Jeff and Roger and Brittany left for home this weekend.  It was sad to have them leave...even sadder to think they were heading for the tundra.  There was 13 inches of snow on the ground back there.
Bummer.

On the other hand, here it has been sunny and warm...80's...AC on.  Yesterday the Krehbiels, Justuses and Roger and me took another trip over to Downtown Disney.  We'd forgotten it was Preident's Day and there were so many people and it was so hot, and we had to wait everywhere.  So what should do?  What every other person down here would do.  Head for home and jump in the pool.  Now that was a smart choice.

Last night we babysat so Heidi and Eric and Greta and Adam could go back to Downtown Disney and enjoy themselves...and they did!!!!

It's summer in February!

We arrived in Florida on Valentine's Day along with Chrissy and Jeff who caravaned with us.   We stopped in St. Augustine, a charming little village on the ocean, and were able to walk around, stretch our tired bodies and enjoy the town.  We then drove to our house in Kissimmee, unpacked and did some grocery shopping.  Roger and Brittany arrived later in the afternoon.  We're having just a great time.  The sun is shining, the temperature is in the 70's, the pool is a balmy 91 degrees and we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves.

We spent yesterday afternoon at Downtown Disney, and are heading out to one of the bazillion flea markets in a little while.

Tomorrow the kids are going to Universal, and we are going to ..............  don't quite know yet........whatever we feel like doing, for starters.

Spent the good part of today poolside just relaxing and enjoying our vacation.  This could easily become addicting.

Winter in Wisconsin

We have had a regular winter around here...a beautiful white Christmas, not too cold, just pretty and white.  I thought it was so nice that I had Roger take my picture on our deck.   That's me next to the bird feeder, and there is a lot of snow, but not so much for winter.

Fast forward to today, the day after the big blizzard.  Whoa!!!!  Lots and lots of snow.  So much snow that I made a snow angel on our deck, but then the snow was so soft, that I could hardly pull myself up.  So much for the snow angel.

Roger spent over  two hours snowblowing this morning, and this afternoon we went to the park for a walk.  The path in the park hadn't been plowed yet, however, so we cut short our walk.    It's tough trudging through 2+ feet of snow.

So what's the moral of this story?  It's winter in Wisconsin, need I say more?

That's all there is...there ain't no more

Friday night Roger and I and another couple went out to eat and to a play.  The dinner was quite good except for the rolls which were so hard even Roger had trouble breaking  them in half.  The server,  was clever, witty and fun.  The rest of the dinner was great.  What we didn't know was that the dinner would be the best part of the evening.

We left the restaurant and headed for the play.  Talk about a real bust!  The play was all that and more.  The acting was not stellar, but for amateurs it was okay.  The story itself was the problem.  It was so bad that when it was finally over, we all sat there waiting for the stage lights to come back on.  Much to our surprise, they never did.  Apparently the play was over.

We have been attending these plays with our friends  for 3 years.  In all that time we've seen some good, some not so good, and some rather poor renditions.  This one, however, takes the cake. It's also the first time in 3 years that the good old Wisconsin audience didn't rise to their feet for a standing ovation.  Why didn't they?  Because like me, no one knew it was over.

They're putting it on next weekend as well.   We should go again.  Perhaps this time they'll  finish the dopey thing.

Traveling

It's been a long time since I've posted anything, so I figure this is a good time to start.  I'm writing from the lovely little Amish village of Shipshewana, Indiana.  You can see black buggies drawn by beautiful horses everywhere.  Really, they are every where.  Today we rode in one and got the 15 minute tour of the town.
It's full of shops, many of which sell Amish made products.  Tomorrow we hit those.  Already we've shopped at one of their bakeries.  Yum.  Delicious pies, breads, and anything else that sounds good to eat.  We ate at one of the restaurants here that sells Amish made food.  This was probably the nicest experience eating out we've had in a long time...including the Port Hotel. :)  More, tomorrow.

Well, what a great day!!!  We went to lots of shops in Shipshewana.  They're really like a lot of the shops in Door County.  We spent the entire morning walking around, shopping, eating breakfast, taking a few pictures, etc.  Then off we went to Frankfort...the capital of Kentucky.  Tomorrow we're going to Pleasant Hill, KY where we'll tour Shakertown!  Roger was in a village like this before on his way to Maine (back when we were moving there).  I flew to Maine with Heidi and Greta, so I didn't have the opportunity to see it back then.  I'll get my chance tomorrow. It's been a wonderful couple of days, and we're just beginning our travels.  More later.......

Today we toured Shakertown in Pleasant Hill Kentucky.  Very interesting life style those Shakers.  I learned a lot about them, and while I don't really understand their beliefs, it's always so much fun to learn about someone else's way of life.  This was no exception   The area surrounding their little town is just beautiful.  All in all it was just a really nice day.  Tonight we're in Beckly, West Virginia, and I've got to say that West Virginia is gorgeous!   We've been driving through the mountains of WVA all afternoon.  The trees are just beginning to turn colors, and really, the view is breathtaking.  I don't think Roger nor I expected to see so much beauty on this trip.  We sure do live in an amazing country!!!  More later...

We made it to Virginia!!!  We met my friend Barby Leigh for dinner and it was a great reunion!!! Sunday we  went to Barby's home, which is right on Lake Monticello, and enjoyed a tour of her lovely home.  Then we drove up to the Blue Ridge Mountains and saw absolutely the most beautiful views in the world.  We even stopped along the way for demonstrations of wool spinning, log cutting (Roger helped for a little while), and some other fun things to see.  It was a really nice day.  We ate a picnic lunch overlooking the mountains...who gets to do  that?  Lots of fun.



Monticello



Today we went to visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, which is just beautiful.  We learned a lot about Thomas Jefferson, his family, his plantation, his friends and his lifestyle,  and it was so worth the trip.  Oh, and lets not forget the gift shop!  It was a great way to end the tour.   We then drove to Charlottesville, the town only minutes away from Barby's home, and we walked around there for a little while.  I got enough walking in today to last a long time.  We even enjoyed a ride in a pontoon boat around the lake this afternoon.  Now that was really special for me.  Not only do I love the water, but I love boat rides.  How better to end such a wonderful day?!!!  Tonight we went to dinner with Barby and Jim before saying our good-byes and heading back to our hotel.  Tomorrow we head for home.  This has been such a great trip!  We're really so happy that we took the time to take this vacation!

Triathalon and More

Well, I'm back home  after experiencing my very first triathalon through my six, soon to be seven, grandson.
It all began this morning at the Baraboo middle school pool, where Jason was to swim one length of the pool.
Was he pumped?  Could he hardly wait to begin?  Pictures say it all, so here is Jason BEFORE he jumped into the pool.

So, it was finally time for "heat 11, lane 3" and Jason was in the pool swimming.  After splashing through one very difficult lap, he was out of the water, drying off quickly, running towards his bike and off to the second phase of the triathalon...biking.  He really pulled out all stops as he and his dad came racing down the hill riding their bikes to the track.  Once there, the helmet came off, the bike was abandoned and off ran Jason to complete the race by running one lap around the high school track.  How did he do?  Was he still in a state of trauma?  Did he ever recover?  We'll let you be the judge.

To top off the day we all went back to Heidi and Eric's to celebrate Lara, Jason and Max's birthdays with homemade mini pizzas, great mint/chocolate chip cake and presents to boot.  Everyone having fun?

I would say, "YES"!  Happy Birthday Lara, Jason, and Max!  And congratulations, Jason, on a great triathalon performance!!!!!!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Well, we're back.  We left right after church on Sunday and headed for the north woods to see Roger's Aunt Betty, sister to Roger's dad, Alfred Klumb.  She spends the summer up near Hayward, WI, nearly 8 hours from our house.  She had written us and asked us to come up.  We needed to get away for a while and thought this was a great idea.  Actually, we had no idea where Hayward was and didn't remember that Roger has jury duty from August 20-September 10.  So, we called when we arrived at Ladysmith, 7 hours from home and although the trial scheduled for Friday had been settled, the one for Wednesday was still on.
Wouldn't know if that was settled until Tuesday after 6:00pm.  All that way for such a short time.  Well, what could we do?  Make the most of it, I guess, and that's what we did. 

We went to see Betty Monday morning.  Roger helped her with a few things around there and then by 2:00 we were headed back home...we didn't want one day of eight hour driving again.  We stopped in Eagle River and walked there for a little bit, and even found his cousin, Chuck"s, store.  Chuck had gone home for the day, but his wife stopped in just as we were there...usually she's not in on Monday afternoons.  So we got to visit with her for a few minutes and then we were off.

We drove through the Menominee Indian Reservation for old times sake, and then stopped in Shawano for a drive down memory lane.  We saw our old house,

saw the elementary school with its huge addition,

went to Hal's Halmark,

checked out a wall with a stone for our family,

and

went in to some of the stores.  We even ate a meal at a restaurant that was there when we lived in Shawano...Anello's Torchlight.  It was delicious.

Pretty soon it was time to head home...don't go by way of hwy 47 until next year...major construction and horrible out of the way detours.  We finally arrived home late Tuesday afternoon.  We then called the courthouse again and?!?   You guessed it.  The trial scheduled for Wednesday (today) had settled and Roger didn't need to check back until the night of August 29th.

So, all in all, we had a great time, did too much driving, were under a time crunch, but were able to get home, relax and know that he didn't have jury duty the next day.  Needless to say, we won't be planning any more adventures until his term expires around September 10th. 

Surprise!

Well, this turned out much better than I expected.  In fact, you might say I'm still reeling from the shock of it all.  It  all began a couple of weeks ago when I received the dreaded driver's liscense renewal form.  This happens every 8 years, and it's nothing short of a trauma.  You have to go to the DMV...the horrible, dreadful, DMV, stand in line forever, only to be treated like crud by the people who work at the motor vehicle department.

I decided to end the worry, tough it up, and just go in today.  I planned it so I'd get there around 11:00 am, hopefully before people decided to come in on their lunch hour.  Imagine my surprise when I pulled in to the parking lot and there were only 3 cars there.  As I was getting out of my car, people came out the door.  Could this be possible?

I warily walked in and saw to my complete surprise, that the entire place had been remodeled...how nice...and that no one was standing in line.  Did you get that?  NO ONE, not any, nil, zip people were in line.
So I walked up to the red line you're supposed to wait behind, and I was called right up to a window.  The vision test took no more than 15 seconds.  I paid for my license and was told to take a seat so I could get my picture taken.  I was sitting for less than 1 minute when my name was called.  The nice lady took my picture and I sat down.   One minute later I had my new license and I walked out the door.  I still can't believe it!   I called Roger to tell him and he couldn't believe it either.  Besides the fact that the whole thing took such little time, the DMV people were actually nice to me.  DMV and NICE don't usually go together.  They do today!  I'm one happy camper, and  I'm good for another eight years!!!! Surprise!!!

My dear friends have returned

This morning Roger and I went for our usual walk in Harrington Beach Park.  He took along some sunflower seeds just in case we heard a cardinal or a chickadee.  We were talking together and I happened to look behind me and there was my dear deer friend...the one we've been feeding for several years now...the one I pet last winter.  She casually strolls out of the woods with her two spotted fawns and walks right up to me.
We gave her some sunflower seeds for a reward!!!  Deer never do that...at least they've never done that to us.  Typically, the doe has her baby, disappears, and when winter comes and the food is tight, she magically reappears with her fawn(s).  My little buddy walked right up to us with both her babies in tow.  Even Roger was impressed by that performance.

Ah, yes, just another day in the park.

So Much To Do...So Little Time

Whew!  It's been quite a busy week.  We started out in Baraboo.  Hung out with the Justus's and later the Krehbiels came, followed by the Klumbs (Roger & Brittany), and finally rounding out our family with the coming of the Meeusens.  Molly was blessed by her father.  Then it was over to Heidi's for a birthday party for Molly.  Everyone was there, including Eric's parents, Sharon and Jim Justus.   After eating and more eating, we all watched in awe as Molly selected a golf ball from a tray of items placed in front of her.  According to Korean tradition, whatever she chooses indicates the path her life will take...in this case, that of an athlete, much to her father's sheer joy!

That was on Sunday.  On Monday Roger and I were off to Rochester to help Chrissy and Jeff move into their new home!!!  What a wonderful house they picked, and judging by all the work they're doing, it will truly be a home in short order.  Unfortunately, we took only 2 pictures as both their new house and their old townhouse are in varying stages of moving...hence, boxes piled high, no pictures on the walls, etc.  Wait until you see it though, you'll all be impressed.  Oh, and before Roger chastizes me, we did make a trip to Austin, MN, home of the SPAM museum!

We left Rochester Wednesday morning, arriving home about 1:30pm.  Then I remembered.  Our good friends, John and Maria, were coming to dinner the next evening.  What exactly did this mean for me?  It meant doing laundry (we had been gone since Saturday), vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the bathrooms, and making the dessert for Thursday night's dinner.   That was all done Wednesday evening while Roger was at a
meeting at Lake Michigan Ward.

Thursday we went for a walk, I picked a pile of lettuce from our garden and cleaned it, ran to the grocery store, frosted the cake I'd made the night before, set the table, made dinner and...ding dong!  There they were, but I was ready.

So, in celebration of the aforementioned events,  I snapped a couple of pictures for all to enjoy.

  And now...Friday night...I'm making cookies and then putting my feet up as I savor a few minutes of reading and doing very little else.

Notice Anything Now?

All we wanted was a little piece of brick to set our grill and our fire pit on.  What we got is 2 days of backbreaking artistic work that we just love!!!!  The green around the edges is covering the grass seed...yes, they even seeded after they were done.  Amazing!!!!

Do You Notice Anything?

Okay, so today I was busy making food for Dad's birthday party tomorrow like last week when I was making food for his Father's Day party...whew...so many parties....that I was a little surprised to discover that I actually had some time do a little project I've been wanting to get at.   At any rate, I did it, snapped a photo of my accomplishment, and thought I'd let you see it.  What do you think?

And Then There Were Six

For the longest time I couldn't think of anything to write about. Now I have think to about condensing all the things I have to say.  In a nutshell, we have a wonderful family.  We do fun things, enjoy doing things together, and I always think "the more the merrier"!  Well now, we do all of the above and have one more member of the family to do things with.  Let me explain.

First there's Mother's Day where everyone came to celebrate.  It was great and I had a wonderful day!

Then Greta and Adam went to Chicago and we got to have Joey and Lily stay with us for a couple of days.  They kept us hopping, but we sure had a good time with them.  Their favorite thing?  The swimming pool!

Then came Memorial Day when Greta, Adam and the kids came for dinner and we all enjoyed a few hours together.

Next there was a trip to Baraboo to see Lara star in a play about Old McDonald's farm, Lara being Mrs. McDonald.  She did an exceptional job! We were happy to be able to spend a couple of days there and have fun with the Justus family.

Finally the day we've all been waiting for arrived.  Friday, June 4th, we went to O'Hare (Roger and I and Greta and Lily in one car, and the Justuses in their van) to pick up Molly Jo Lynn, who would be coming to Heidi and Eric's family from KoreaMolly arrived, cooed, smiled and seemed to really enjoy her new family, and we, in turn,  fell head overs heels for our new 10 month old granddaughter.  What a great day!

Not to be overlooked, Roger and I went to Kaukauna the very next day (June 5) to a 50th anniversary party for Roger's long lost cousin, Patty.  After 37 years of marriage, I finally got to meet Patty and Mary Sue and Lee and Margo and Dorothy and Lois Ann.  We also enjoyed a nice visit with Donna & Bob.


And so here it is, Sunday afternoon.  I'm finally reading my e-mail and writing on my blog.  It's quiet here...no company... no little children....no one but Roger and me.  What a fun couple of weeks!!!!   But now it's time to switch gears, put my feet up, close my eyes and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Missing Again!

Roger and I have been so busy these past several weeks, that we really haven't taken much time to sit down and enjoy being home.  Yesterday as I was driving somewhere, Roger called on the phone to tell me a chickadee had come to visit.  He had actually been there several days when I was running from one end of the county to the other.  I missed him again, but was sure happy Roger could stand in as proxy for me.

We got home from a great dinner at Roger and Brittany's last night, and I walked into our sunroom and thought I was in someone else's house.  Our two burgundy chairs were missing!!!  Everything was neatly arranged and it all looked great, but something was missing.  Alas, two burgundy chairs.  As it turns out, our sunroom looks great this way, but when whomever has our chairs is done with them, we'll happily restore them to their respective places.  Check out our new sunroom.  Light and airy and spacious!!!