2007 - A Blessed Year - Our House Became a Home

Christmas 2007 Family Dinner

Granny Sue would be proud

Bo's Christmas present painted by niece Shelley

This is what clawfoot tubs were made for
Fort Stockton cousins Paula and James -our first 42 game in the old house






Nicho happened to stop by to see the fireplace he rebuilt decorated for Christmas

Bo and Emory feed the cats

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Fifty years ago, Pat was the little girl sleeping in this bed at Christmas time

California friends Chip, Susan, and Emory

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A wonderful Christmas present-new front doors!

1. We went back through the blog and counted 168 visitors through the house in 2007. We had family and friends from Israel, England, California, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Mexico,Missouri, Washington, and all over Texas. Talk about counting your blessings! Sixty-three have signed our guest book since August. We hope your name will be among them soon.

2. Celebrating our first Christmas in this house made it finally seem like home.

OSHA Babe, aka Ms. Claus, decked the halls, made us some figgy pudding, jingled the bells, dreamed of a white Christmas, and harked the herald angels as she hosted the first Christmas in the Big House. The 9 foot tall tree (complete with remote controlled lights) decked the entry way. Her collection of Nativity scenes was displayed in the parlor. She prepared a feast that even the Grinch Who Stole Christmas would have enjoyed. She graciously hosted family and friends. Sunday night, December 23, we had nine people sleeping all over the house. Two nights later, we were blessed by a visit from Chip, Susan, and Emory, dear friends from California. Other than that OB hasn't been doing much. Isn't she amazing and wonderful?

We had lots of San Antonio fun with all our company. December is a beautiful time to visit the Riverwalk with 100,000 strings of lights adding to the always festive atmosphere. We heard three different tour guide versions of fun facts about the Riverwalk which should make us better hosts. Did you know there is a city ordinance that prohibits any building being built to such a height that it would cast a shadow on the Alamo?

Dallas relatives Uncle Don, Aunt Bonnah, and Cousin Laura were in town to visit other cousin Emily and came by just as Stacey and Shelley were arriving from Austin. It was a special opportunity to form a family circle and give Bo his Christmas present. Pat had commissioned Shelley to paint a portrait using a family photo from Christmas, 1982. The painting shows Bo's mother Evonne sitting in a rocking chair with Jay on her lap and Buck, Andy, Steven, Stacey, and Shelley all around her. Shelley "nailed it" reflecting the personality of each little child. The picture will be a treasured keepsake as we settle into our "grandma house" and since we have a grandchild on the way!

We had to share Shanna's family with the New Mexico relatives. They took off over the river and through the woods early Christmas Eve morning to drive to Albuquerque. Sean and Maddie were troopers for the long car trip. We stayed in town and started a new Christmas Eve tradition. In addition to the boat ride we had dinner with Buck and Katy at Paesano's. Forget the milk and cookies. Santa has a new favorite-the Shrimp Paesano appetizer! On Christmas Day we joined Katy's family for dinner and more gifts. Unfortunately we slept late and missed the Fashion Show. The meal was wonderful and it was fun to see how Dale had decorated. Pat was enchanted with the dolls and doll clothes made by Dale's grandmother. She may have to go back one day to "play".

We were honored that Chip, Susan, and Emory made a side trip to visit us. It was our first time to visit the San Antonio zoo in more than 20 years and Emory did a great job of using the map to help us find our way around. Campbell friends, you need to ask Chip to show you the tiger picture he took with Susan's new camera and ask Susan how she managed to get her name in the paper! We went to the Riverwalk, ate caldo and breakfast tacos, toured the missions, fed the cats, shelled pecans, and read books. What a wonderful privilege to have this special family in our lives! Chip and Susan, you are so generous to share your daughter with us. Thank you for coming to San Antonio to see us.

3. Part of our Christmas present to each other was a refinished Front Door. You can see in the pictures that the front of the house just lights up when you have a real front door with matching side panels instead of of piece of plywood and blue shutters. The door is the original one that was installed in 1905 and looks marvelous after the facelift.

4. Other doors make the list also. You will recall that the price tage of $300 each to have someone else refinish the doors along with the count of over 30 doors in the house inspired me to learn how to do that job. Well, in addition to the front door and 2 doors that we did have refinished by someone else, the list of doors that have rolled off the Brockman Door Refinishing assembly line includes 4 pocket doors in the parlor, 2 doors in the dining room, 1 bathroom door, 1 guest bedroom door, and 1 pantry door. They look great! We're currently working on 2 of the 8 remaining doors to upstair rooms. Downstairs, there are at least 6 more doors to do. (That is code for "We'll be working on doors for a long time.)

5. The carpenter is trimming out the windows and doors in the Master Closet. We're trying to match existing trim as closely as possible. I know that this doesn't sound like much but it's part of trying to make this look better than a "duct tape" remodel job.

6. The brick sidewalk in front of the house has become a museum. I have started collecting bricks from different kilns. At last count, I have bricks from 10 - 11 different companies. If you have any old bricks laying around that are stamped with the manufacturer, e.g., D'Hanis, L&L, Houston, Valdez Laredo, Groesbeck Red, Whitselle Corsicana, Houston, Alamo, etc., let me know. I would like to include them in the walk.

NEXT STEPS:
1. Floors

2. Closets

3. Doors

4. Windows