Weekly update

Lisa has been bugging me to go to the African Wildlife Safari in Port Clinton for a few years now and finally figured out a way to get me there. She asked to go for Mother's day; who am I do deny the mother of my children a mother's day wish? So on Mother's day, we packed up the kids, picked up Lisa's parent and headed toward Port Clinton. To tell you the truth, the safari was pretty cool.  It freaked me out a bit as herds of wild animals swarmed your car sticking their heads in the window looking for food...unbelievable!  I was screaming like a baby..it was a blast feeding the buffalo looking animals carrot after carrot.  Here are some pictures of our adventure:

After the safari, I got a little Mother's gift of my own...a visit to Cheese Haven!  Cheese Haven is the biggest tourist trap but man do I love cheese!  I bought horseradish cheese, garlic Cheddar, a hunk of Beer Cheese, beef jerky, hot sauce, bottle of wine and a tee shirt.  By the way, Beer Cheese is a member of the Limburger family.  It will stink up the entire house...do not open the package in the house....I repeat, do not open the package at home.  Actually, don't even buy beer cheese, it is difficult to get it past you nose!

After Cheese Haven, we drove around looking for a place to eat forever and finally ended up a mere 1500 feet from the Haven at a bar that had just okay food.

Shawn is running for fourth grade student council.  He has to give a one minute speech on Monday and the election is immediately following the speeches.  I remember like it was yesterday a hundred years ago campaigning for 4th grade student council running on the platform of more pizza at lunch and and end to homework!  I did run successfully in grades 4-6 and it was so much fun getting to leave for "meetings" in the middle of class; I can't remember what we even did at those meetings.  I also ran in High School and was elected 3 of 4 years which to this day still surprises my.  I was even elected my senior year but chose to participate in a different advisory board.  Again, I have no idea what we actually did at those meetings either!  What a farce.  I do hope Shawn wins but I think practically everyone in the third grade is running.  I wonder what happens when everyone votes for themselves.  Oh, well...it does bring back memories!

 Shawn with his campaign poster (last name removed in order not to influence the vote)

On the basement front, we have slowed down a bit.  Pretty much due to my work schedule for the next week or so and because we are at the mercy of others right now with deliveries.  We have all the tile laid but without grout at this point, tonight I am ordering the carpet and the toilet.  I really wish I could find a scarlet or Grey toilet but I think I'm gonna have to settle for a black one.  The cabinets should be in by the end of the month, the carpet in a week or so and then it will be crunch time.  Once I get the floors done and the cabinet in, I will schedule the granite template to be made.  It takes about 2 weeks for the granite to be installed which will give me time to hang doors, finish the bathroom with toilet and sink and do the trim work.  I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel but there's so much to be done.  Here are a few pictures of the tile flooring before grout: