Belated Holiday Greetings & Happy New Year!
We apologize for being absent in 2016 (and almost doing the same in 2017) – but wanted to get a note out before we enter 2018 to let you know what we’ve been up to.
Steve continues to enjoy working with Motorola Solutions, where he has recently been promoted to a senior systems technologist (much less travel this year, too). I am still freelancing, and my current novel-in-progress was named a finalist for the Tucson Festival of Books Writing Competition and a semi-finalist in the Dana Award for the Novel.
We have enjoyed many treks into the desert on our Polaris this year, snapping photos, and watching the desert critters that visit us with great frequency (roadrunners, rattlesnakes, jackrabbits, hummingbirds, coyotes, bobcats, javelina, etc.)
The biggest news: We did, in fact, move in to the “new” house on May 2, 2016 (Hard to believe we began early prep in 2008 and foundation back in 2009). Naturally, it wasn’t completely finished when we moved in — and still isn’t. But since move-in, and over the past year, we’ve puttered with a few things that needed completion: the Jack ‘N Jill bathroom, flooring, quarter round trim, bullnose tile in the entryway, another tongue-and-groove ceiling, backsplashes behind the bars, screened-in porches, and some new furniture (the first we have ever owned!). Steve did an incredible job building this house! Oh – and the kitchen drawer pulls – those came from rocks I collected on our property.
There is still much to do (including the entire master bedroom/bath suite), outside deck, landscaping, etc. But first on our agenda in 2018 is to remove the old garage, which will improve our views of the mountains!
We hope you had a wonderful 2017 and wish you the best in the coming year. We hope to hear from you soon.
Enjoy some of our finished shots. And if you want to look back at progress from 2015, visit our previous newsletter / photos.
I snapped a few pics along the way, too, if you’d like to take a peek:
- Birds
- Arizona’s wild horses
- Wildlife shots – photography class
- End of year shots (scroll to bottom of post):
Your “new” home looks amazing, Melissa. Love the woodwork and windows and color throughout the house. Congratulations on making the big move in and good luck with the final projects. Looks like a very peaceful and inviting place to live. Take care and have a very happy new year!
The house looks great. I see your kitties love it as well. We are getting ready to be grandparents for the 2nd time in March… another girl. Harper will be about 2 1/2 by then. Time flies. Be well 😀
Looking good. Congratulations on the big move-in. Glad to know we aren’t the only ones measuring house completion in multiple years. Yours is gorgeous and we loved looking at the photos. Have a happy new year and much success with the book
Nelda – So good to hear from you. I’m going to guess we have you beat on the “number of years” on construction – especially since we’re still plugging away. Is your house done? I bet it’s fabulous! Send pics to my email if you get a chance. Thanks for the well wishes and compliments, Nelda. Happy 2018!
Congrats on moving into your labor of love. Your home is beautiful. Best wishes with pending final home projects.
Thanks, Michelle. I hope you and Tom are doing great — and that business continues to thrive! So good to see you here!
Wow! Such progress on the house. Love your gym 😉
I thought you might like that. Just need to put some artwork on the walls (and get a new weight machine. My ancient Soloflex bands all snapped when I tried to use them recently – ha ha). Your pics of the girls were adorable; phew — looks like they keep you HOPPING!
So glad to hear that you are moved in. The pictures look great. Is your book available on Amazon yet? Would love to read it.
Best wishes to you and Steve for a very Happy New Year!
Joanne and Denny
Joanne – It was so good seeing you in August! My book isn’t WRITTEN yet :-/, but I’m making good progress. I’ll let you know when it’s available for eyes other than my own. Happy new year to you and Denny. Let us know if you’re headed out west any time soon.