Rain Rain Go Away

AGH! This last summer has appropriately been named "A Bummer of a Summer", but this is getting ridiculous. I can count on one hand how many times the temperatures flirted with the 70s, but that's not even what's gotten my undies in a twirl. I CANNOT STAND THE RAIN ANY LONGER!
If you could choose the worst possible summer to try to build a house, I would nominate this one. It has been a never ending game of waiting until the rain stops for a few hours, running home from the office, changing into grungy clothes and rushing through the siding, roofing, or painting on the outside until the rain begins again. The other night I was so desperate when we finally had a clear day that lasted into the night I used my Dad's incredibly bright utility lamp and painted half the trim on my house well into the dark hours just because it wasn't raining. Nothing like painting by flashlight to brighten your spirits.
In any case, for a status report on the house, the siding is on with the exception of the cedar shake accents we are using on the top of the cables (you can tell where the accent siding will be in the picture where plywood remains), the exterior paint has been finished (even though the picture below is pre-paint) and the front door has been trimmed out. The front door is my favorite part of the outside of this house, and it looks fantastic with base color and trim painted on it. Once I finish painting the actual door, I'll post more pictures next week. For now, here is a before and somewhat recent picture on the progress. If any of you know where I can match the original purple siding with the pink accent trim, I would greatly appreciate it. I think that will be the most missed feature from the original house.
So, it's on to the roof to finish the outside and then we'll be done with our fight with mother nature (this year). In the meantime, be sure to do any anti-rain dances you might know of and send the clear skies up our way...

BEFORE

AS OF LAST WEEK

Can't Stop 'Till I Get Enough

Lately I have been quite the political junkie. What very little time I do have is spent tuning into Foxnews and CNN. I know what you are thinking, "Bonnie, why in the world would you watch CNN, who is very apparently left-wing liberal, and watch Foxnews, a channel that all but runs pro-McCain ads through their oh-so-Republican shows and news reports?

The answer is simple. I love drama... and this election fills that vice for me daily. I don't know what else you can say about it. Between the surprise VP pick (who happens to be my govenor), the outrage it's gotten from so many democrats, particularly the self-proclaimed feminists, the attack ads (coming from both parties), the whining about the opponent's attack ads, the VMA award controversy with that weird dude with the weird hair that they allowed to host, The View with Whoopie and Barbara in all of their glory vs. Cindy McCain, I COULD GO ON FOR HOURS!!! Who needs Grey's Anatomy or The Hills when you have the 2008 Presidential Election?

It's not enough for me to see one side of this fight, either. I have to see the latest accusation, and after watching hours and hours of the breaking news story that is surely going to bury the candidate, I tune to the other channel and watch hours of closely reported arguments against the accusation.

I hated my political science class in college, but the recent events that keep my glued to the boob tube have got me rethinking my major. I can't imagine where I could get this much excitement in accounting!!