Floors and More!

Hey Guys -

Happy March!

Last night, we went with Chad and Lisha to see Hamilton again at the Straz Center. While Glenn and I agreed the the performance on Broadway was a bit better, it was still spectacularly entertaining and we had a great time.

This past month has been crazy and disruptive for us. For a number of reasons, it took 16 days for our new floors to be installed.

During the first week (demolition), Glenn and I packed up the dogs and went to an AirBnB rental house in Indian Rocks beach. It was a nice place and the dogs loved the fenced in yard and didn't destroy anything, but I was sick the whole time, and it was rainy and cold, so it wasn't really a "vacation." We didn't leave the house hardly at all, plus we both worked remotely the whole time.

But it was cute.

Fenced in yard as viewed from the balcony

See Glenn and Eva back there?

On our first night there, we took Deuce and Eva to dinner with us to Slyce - a dog-friendly pizza place. They were very well behaved and the waitresses just fawned over them.

Also during the trip, 1) we were called by the Safety Harbor Fire Department - who were at our house because the tile guys set off the fire alarm with all the dust, 2) we were told they accidentally ripped out the tile in our laundry room so we were getting free tile for that room (surprise!) and 3) there were cracks in our foundation that needed to be repaired or they would not guarantee the floors ($$$).

Anyway, when we returned the house was filled with dust - it was unbelievable - and we basically could not walk on the floors and so were sequestered in the bedroom for a week and a half. Glenn ran away to Atlanta for the week (coward).

But - long boring story short - the floors got done and look great.

Here are a couple pics of our old pressed wood floors which were stained and awful.

We also replaced the white tile in the kitchen and entryway and laundry room, but I forgot to take before pics.

We got porcelain tile that looks like hardwood. I think they came out pretty nice and the place looks much brighter now. Anyway, here are the "After" pics.

During this time, the dogs had to sleep in the bedroom with us and decided that they wanted to sleep in our bed. They are very good and sleep soundly and hardly move, but it is very crowded now. Still, I think we are stuck with them.

Synchronized sleeping

This pic is from this morning, when they did not want to get up.

So anyway, we've settled back in, but Eva has been CHEWING THE WALLS. How do we even stop this?

This hole is much bigger now.

So anyway - thinking she was bored, today I suggested that we open up the back yard to her so she could run around some. It's muddy back there and we knew we'd have to give her a bath afterwards, but oh my gosh, she had so much fun.

She was just tearing around back and forth and splashing in the stream and laying in the mud like a little pig. Glenn took a video -  you can watch it here:   https://www.facebook.com/glenn.callihan.98/videos/10216568320432875/

And here are some "After" pics of her little adventure.

EEEEE.

Anyway, we got her all scrubbed up and now she's sleeping

So that's about all that's new over here. It's a beautiful, sunny Saturday in the 80s, so we've got no complaints.

Love you guys!

Snowbirds Arrive in Safety Harbor

Hey Everyone -

Today, Pittsburgh is gearing up for a snowstorm, but here in Florida, it is sunny and beautiful. It's hard to believe it is January.

We just got back from walking the dogs on Bayshore. A white egret took off flying in front of Eva and she was so surprised she jumped and fell over. :-)

Anyway, my parents were here last weekend and we had a lovely time with them. Lots of laughs, good food and a few fun excursions. We managed to take some pics, so I will share them here.

One day, we drove through Phillipe Park...always a favorite for us and only about 2 miles from our house. The trees in here are beautiful.

The park is right on the Bay.

Check out these handsome fellows.

On Friday, we had lunch at a cute little place called the Sandwich on Main, where my dad had craft ginger ale, which was very exciting. We also walked to a fun little shop nearby.

On Saturday, we went to Tarpon Springs...first stopping at Craig Park which is a lovely spot on a pretty little lake surrounded by big old Victorian homes.

There was also a fun, bouncy, low-hanging tree branch that we all took turns sitting on.

I had to hold the branch down for Mom to get on it...

Anyway, here's the crew sitting on a bench instead of in a tree.

After driving through the touristy Sponge Docks area of Tarpon Springs, we went to their "downtown" which was mostly closed because it was before noon. Still, we were able to browse a really unusual shop, and my mom was able to buy one of the famous Tarpon Springs sponges for a mere $18.

I told them to look adoringly at the sponge. I posted this pic to Facebook, where it was wildly popular.

Meanwhile, back at home, the orchid had decided to bloom for my parents' visit.

And the dogs were being on their best behavior.

Note: my dad took several of the pics featured in this blog - including these above of the pups. I love this pic of Eva. Isn't she pretty?

Later, after my folks went home, Eva did get up the courage to sit on the couch with both Deuce and I...she hasn't done it since...although she gets up there all the time when we aren't looking.

Anyway - Glenn did get a selfie with all of us, but it's not great. But it captures us before an amazing steak dinner at Bascom's, so I will post it here for posterity.

So that's it for the family visit. Thanks, Mom & Dad, for a wonderful time!

I shall leave you with a pretty sunrise pic that Glenn took on his way to work this week.

Stay warm, everyone!