So, my mom keeps pointing out that it's been a long time since I've put anything up on the blog. It really has been. There's no point in keeping a blog if I'm not going to update it, so I kind of considered trashing it, but then figured that I'd spent so much time updating it when we were going through the house-buying, initial-renovating stage that it would be kind of a waste. So I'm going to make an honest effort.

We just got back from a great weekend up north, visiting the fam and hosting a baby shower for my sister, who is expecting in January. Wonderful time. It struck me when I was there that 1) Harper is growing up, and 2) we (okay, I) need to do a better job in setting my boundaries. The first night we were there, she slept through the night in her pack and play. The second night, woke up once, but no biggie. Last night, she threw the hissiest of hissy fits, crying like she's never cried before. So, rather than doing our regular 60+ minute cuddle time, Harpster and I cuddled for just a half hour or so, and then I put her, awake, in her crib. She cried for a while, but is sleeping somewhat peacefully now. She's holding on to the rails of her crib like she's in jail. I went in there and pried her little hands away, and, in her sleep, she reached for them again. So, whatever. Makes me feel like a warden, but whatever works.

Anyway, she's cute, right? I saw this picture and it hit me like a ton of bricks that she's becoming a little girl!

In house news, we're getting a new furnace at the end of the month. This one will be very high-efficiency (tax credit HOLLA!) and will be vented properly out of the side of the house and not up the chimney. After that, we'll be on a bit of a moratorium on projects through the winter, recouperating a little bit from that expenditure.

In the meantime, I've been eyeing this copy of a renovation magazine that has painted historic trim. Now, you've seen pictures and know that we have some original trim that is currently stained. It's looking a little rough (a lot rough) in some parts, and our front rooms, whose windows are west facing and covered by a large porch and our massive ferns, don't get a lot of light. That, plus the dark wood, and it's just a bit too much. So I've been considering painting the trim, and I think I'm set on it. This will be a pretty expensive fix, because in addition to sanding and painting, we're going to have to replace a bunch of the trim. But I figure this may be a good winter project that will keep us occupied with manageable costs while making a big impact on the look of the house. We'll also do the fireplace tile this winter.

Deck-Update: Eric is still working. We have one section of railing left, some trim, and paint/stain. Maybe by Christmas?