family – Page 20 – Karla's Cottage

A busy month

By Karla Nathan / August 28, 2019

August has been busy. Quite busy. These guys are a big part of that.

They came on August 4th.

And our whole household has been affected. We have all been busy taking care of the newborns.

And then, we found out that my son's house needed to be put up on the market. My husband and I have been working nonstop over there, getting it ready, since we are the owners. With the help of a couple of handy man friends, the old out buildings got torn down, and then we started cleaning out the barn and tidying up the yard.

There is a lot more to do, I have been pulling weeds, hauling gravel, and spreading mulch. There is some painting in my future too.

Our poor boy, tore his rotator cuff and while is usually a world class handyman himself, he can't do much to get the house market ready.

In other big news, Dewdrop came back to Kansas from North Carolina to start the school year. She is a 3rd grader now, and can walk to class from our house with her Pop Pop.

Speaking of Pop Pop, the biggest news of all for August is-

MY HUSBAND RETIRED!

He is extremely happy. And the timing is good, he went from 80 hours a week working for a corporation to about twice that working on that farm. Well, it seems like that many hours, we are working pretty hard over there to get it on the market in the next couple of weeks. It worked out well that he has the time to do it now.

Fringe Festival at the Kansas City Union Station

family, Sacred Circus

By Karla Nathan / August 19, 2019

Avahni made an ideal Snow White at the Fringe Fest.

The story was adorable and show had tons of talent. I am happy to announce that they won Best of Venue.

I knew it was going to be good, since I had watched a couple practices that they had done in my living room. But it is much more dramatic to see them on stage with lighting and costumes in a professional theater.

While at Union Station, we visited Science City.

(Dont ask what a giant, potato chip maze has to do with science, I couldn’t tell you)

We played in the infinity mirrors…

And explored the mysterious hotel of optical illusions.

Then, learned about levers. Apparently, it was a lesson that I needed, because I didn’t read the sign, and I thought it was just a game of tug-o-war. And that I was extremely good at it, not realizing the leverage was the winner, not me.

Doing your best and accepting your limits

cottage, family

By Karla Nathan / August 16, 2019

A couple weeks back, I took it upon myself to touch up some peeling paint on the garage. First, I power washed it, and saw that more paint was loose than I had thought….hmm…

No worries, It was still just a small part of the building.

But then I realized the reason it had peeled was that the wrong paint had been used. Not the exterior paint that was on the house itself! Which was a slightly different color and that meant all of the garage and the shed next to it needed redone. Not touched up.

So I power washed and scraped some more, and started priming and painting.

And painting.

Just when I thought I might start crying because it was all so overwhelming, I had a little talking to with myself and changed my attitude.

Painting a building isn’t fun, but life is what you make it, right? This job needed done, and I am dang lucky that I am capable of doing it at my age. I hope I will continue to be doing tough jobs around the farm for as long as possible.

Although, the job would have been easier if I was slightly taller, or less afraid of heights so I could balance on the top of the ladder.

Instead of getting help to finish, I think I will leave this bit at the peak undone as a marker of how strong you can be when you need to be. And how sometimes doing your best is all you can do.

My family is going through some rough patches right now and time up on the ladder was also time to think. And to know that my best and my strength is all I can offer.

34 years

celebrations, family

By Karla Nathan / August 10, 2019

Today is our 34th anniversary.

And he is still my favorite person to go on adventures with.

He will walk in the moonlight with me.

He stops to save turtles and loves animals.

Except rats. He is pretty good at trapping rats. That is a good trait in a husband if you have a 100 year old house on ten acres.

He is a dedicated pop pop.

He makes the best of my Christmas obsession.

And tolerates my even more out of control Disney obsession.

(As long as I don’t make him hang out with the mouse too)

He is always interested in trying new hobbies, like bee keeping.

And axe throwing.

He is very supportive of his family.

And would do anything for them.

He is very sentimental. This fallen tree was special to him, he told family stories to the grand fairies under it. So it had to be saved and made into a table.

The dogs adore him, and he walks in the woods with them multiple times a day.

He works hard, even on vacations, he can put in a 40 hour work week.

He is always up for adding another room on our house, or another dog to our family.

Luckily, I can usually stop him.

Unless I really like the idea of another room.

Or the dog is really cute.

He doesn’t care that I rarely wear makeup.

And best of all? He is hilarious. And sometimes everyone thinks so, not just him.

He makes us all laugh.

Another 34 years sounds pretty good.

Park City Glam

family, Food and Drink, Travel

By Karla Nathan / July 13, 2019

Park City is a beautiful place to visit any time at all, but we were lucky to be there for Savor the Summit, a dining event that took over the streets.

Restaurants showed off their finest dining displays all up and down the street (and I do mean, up and down, it is on a hill).

I didn't have my camera with me, (what was I thinking??) but I borrowed Guncle Kev's to get a few shots of the pretty tables.

We had some time to walk around and appropriate appreciate the dining designs that lined the slope (making plans for future tablescapes for our own homes) before joining the rest of the fam for a fancy dinner.

As pretty as the outdoor tables were, we were glad to be eating indoors, the air was nippy.

Actually, downright cold. I was happy that I had bought this new coat at the Sundance outlet store earlier that day, because we did not pack for temps in the 40s.

And the girls were loving a chance to wear the new shawls that Aunt Terry wove for them on her loom.

They loved them so much, they insisted on sleeping with them too.

Luckily, it was warmer the next day, for Silly Sundays.

Yep, the fun never ends in Park City! We spent Sunday morning at the outdoor market, and made the most of the kids' activities offered. It was practically a pet parade/fashion show downtown, everyone was dressed in their resort wear and walking their dogs. We saw a lot of doodles and yorkies, it made me feel like a trendy dog owner myself.

These cousins all picked out a special bloom at a flower cart to give to Aunt Terry as a thank you for the special weekend she treated us to. I think that they made some remarkable memories, and I am thankful to my sis for making all of this possible. What a trip!

Magical Mermaids

celebrations, family, guncles, Travel

By Karla Nathan / July 10, 2019

While absolutely EVERYTHING about our trip to Utah was wonderfully fun, there were some extra special moments.

Like when cousins and cousins of cousins got to know each other and spend a whole day together as magical creatures.

The Park City Marriott had an atrium and pool that was inviting, spacious, just made for gathering a flock (or pod?) of merfolk together.

It was ideal for gathering family members too. We had our luncheons there, our gossip sessions, and our wine sipping by the pool when we weren’t out exploring the city.

Terry and Guncle Kevin even threw a poolside birthday party for Guncle Randy in the space. And what kind of cake do you get for a Pet Butler?

A pupcake!

We even used the area for our prepping spot to get ready for the costume ball, with the girls doing each other’s makeup.

Me too, I was going for raven eyes.

The hotel itself was just what we needed for a family reunion. There were tables to play cards, lounging areas, a bonfire pit with s’mores, and an ATM that the grand fairies decided to use to play banker. I think I saw some playing cards inserted into it at one point.

ps- while the kiddos had a blast with these $39 Amazon tails, this is what Sugarwings’ looked like after one hour. They are hard to put on, hard to keep on, and easy to rip. Too bad, because they were beautiful and fun!

A Summer Solstice Costume Ball

celebrations, family, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / June 30, 2019

My husband’s amazing sister (and my BFF/fellow Disney lover/Birdsong assistant extraordinaire) threw a party.

And not just any party, this was a Summer Solstice costume ball for 150 friends and family that was really and truly a formal ball, not a party.

Oh, and she crafted about a third of the costumes herself, including these two that have twinkle lights embedded in the capes.

Not only was there a fancy, over the top, real life BALL, she had a kids’ party across the hall for the little ones.

With tables full of craft supplies.

Along with multiple door prizes for each kiddo. There were movies, pizza, cookies, games, dancing, and more.

Terry raffled off the big screen TV the movies were shown on as well as the centerpieces for the ball.

We had a photo booth too.

Sugarwings was a butterfly fairy and she made the headdresses for herself and Dewdrop.

Who went as a monarch fairy.

Terry created Guncle Randy’s costume and I helped with the crown he made himself.

She made Guncle Kevin’s too. But our dashing host, Dale, pulled his own together.

Terry not only whipped up this cutey’s penguin suit, she made sure there were stuffed penguins on the prize table for him to snuggle with.

This costume was my fave, not just because I am a fan of the Goblin King from Labyrinth. I loved all of the hand sewn gems and the stolen baby accessory.

She did not make the baby.

Of course, I loved these costumes too!

And the fairies inside the butterfly costumes.

There was magic everywhere that night.

And dancing!

Lots of dancing!

It was a wonderful event.

Thank you, Terry and Dale!

I’ll leave you with some more photos of the fun.

Zionsville

family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / June 27, 2019

While in Indiana, my sissies and I had a shopping day in Zionsville, and hit the Noblesville Antique Mall on the way.

Where I found these dresses!

Oh my!

We had lunch in a cute, old house that was transformed into a tea shop.

All three of us were stumped by these flowers. They seem to have the body of a carnation and petals of a begonia.

My grand fairies would swoon over the teacup selection!

The town was more boutiquey than antiquey, but lots of fun.

It doesn’t matter what the shopping is, it is the Sister time that counts.

But when a sister matches the shop, that is pretty cool too.

My home town

dogs, family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / June 25, 2019

Since we started taking annual Sister Trips to Florida a few years ago, I haven't been visiting Indiana as much as I used to. So I made sure to detour through Pendleton on my way to meet up with Dewdrop in Kentucky.

Sadly, the town was hit by a tornado, the first in almost two hundred years. And apparently, they didn’t think a siren was needed because tornados just don’t hit there…

Luckily, there were no tragedies. I was glad to see the Falls Park lighthouse was still standing, even though it now had a tilted top. Lots of trees were down, you can see an example of the mess in the right side of this photo.

There were tons of big, old trees fallen throughout the town.

The twister’s path damaged one of my sister’s and a niece’s homes, trees, and fences. But on the other side of town, my niece, Shelli, had no issues at all. Her beautifully painted fence was looking great!

Cool, isn’t it?

She says she got the stencils off of Amazon. It is a unique look, I really liked it.

I also really liked Kevin, Shelli’s grand dog. He is doodle-riffic, and every bit as cute as his cousin, Sugar.

While in Indy, I had a chance to catch up with family I don’t see often enough. And to make plans for the next Sister Trip. This time, we are including my sister’s daughters, and making it a Big Girl/Little Girl Trip.

We are going the week after A Snowbird’s Song, and November just cannot get here soon enough for me!

Yay, Khya!

family

By Karla Nathan / May 13, 2019

Khya just finished her second session at Vango Mobile Arts in Lawrence. It's an organization that gives back to the community by helping youth through artwork. They actually hire kids as employees and teach them about work habits, regular paychecks, and how to be successful in business.

I am glad our girl got to be a part of it, and she gave a moving speech about what it had meant to her. There is more to the venue than just being creative, and it aided her with some struggles she had been going through.

Plus, she got to paint this group mural, that will be on display at the local health center.

In the past, I didn't really get the concept and thought that it was misleading to the kids to think art was always a well paid job. As an artist myself, I know it can be rewarding, but not often in a financial way…

But there is much more to the non profit and I have been won over. Thanks Vango, for being there for our kids when they need you!