Close-ups of the New Backsplash

Still have to 'seal it' and 'caulk it' and then put on the new electrical cover plates (in platinum to match the new handles on the cabinets.) You can see all the different tiles used in this photo: basic amber, accent blue, small custom fused tile, large custom fused tile, in a random mosaic-like pattern. This is a good one of the new countertop. You can see the new black granite in the 'pass thru' in this photo (it's not fully installed yet...)

More Kitchen Renovation Success

Starting with my old 1980's beige kitchen, before the renovation... Step One: new appliances and new cabinet doors! Got a good deal from Best Buy on the appliances (I love the water/ice in the front on the frig, and I love my new Advantium Microwave/Convection oven!) My Dad made all these new cabinet doors for me! Step Two: new countertop and new backsplash. My Dad made the countertop (using a new type of WilsonArt laminate material called DeepStar.) And yes, I myself installed the glass tile backsplash (accented with blue glass tiles and some custom made fused glass tiles to try to match the countertop pattern.)

It's Official!!!! I'm IN the list!

I received a notice today from my adoption agency that I have an "OFFICIAL" LOG IN DATE for my adoption from China! The log in date is September 11, 2006. This is a very special day all around to remember.

Now I start the long, long wait for a referral. Will it be six months? Will it be two years??

Legg Mason Finals - We're on TV again!

Legg Mason 2006, front row seats with Pam and Bill (courtesy of great tickets from Pam!) Andy Murray played Arnaud Clement.

Final Days in Istanbul (Turkey)

INDEPENDENCE DAY!

DIGITAL CAMERA PHOTOS:

1) Goodies and sweets from the Spice Bazaar. 2) Spices at the Spice Bazaar. 3) Along the Bosphorous. 4) Very windy on the Bosporous cruise. 5) Driving through Istanbul -- the old Roman aquaduct. 6) Shopping in the Spice Market. 7) Shopping at the Grand Bazaar. 8) Loaded down with shopping finds. 9) Saying goodbye to John T and Ellen in Istanbul.

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Fethiye back to Istanbul

Paradise Cove (Day at Sea)

Kas

Kekova (Simena) and Kayaking

Olympos and Cirali (the Chimera)

Finike and Arykande

Kalkan, Xanthos and Patara

Fethiye and Getting on the Boat

Gulets and Football (Turkey)

DIGITAL CAMERA PHOTOS:

1) Our gulet G'Okan. 2) Shopping Therapy! The man on this boat sold us jewelry. 3) Sofa Skiing!

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More new friends!

1) Paul, John T and Ellen join new traveling companions Maggie and Karen on the gulet for the second week. 2) More new friends with Paul: Joy, Jean-Pierre, Lewis (confusingly also known as 'Bruce' until we straightened that out...) 3) Kelli joins Ellen and Karen. 4) Splash! John T was frequently off the boat and in the water. 5) Joy was another frequent swimmer. 6) Joy and Jean-Pierre hanging out in the back (the bow?) of the gulet. 7) Ellen skipping Richard III and reading her 'good' book instead... 8) Kelli and Lewis.

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9) Kelli and Lewis kissing! 10) John T. 11) What?! is John T doing?! 12) Close up -- still clueless. 13) Playing "shir-ahdz" with the Brits (Ellen). 14) (Kelli) Can you believe our team figured out 'Pilgrim's Progress'?? 15) (John T) Too bad your team lost!! 16) Oh Captain, my Captain! This captain was also a great cook!!

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17) Paul joins me to hike up to see the Chimera (eternal flame at Olympos) 18) Ellen and Paul. 19) Paul joins me on the kayak trip over the sunken city at Kekova. 20) I wish the hat didn't look that stupid, but it's a great hat for this hot sun. 21) Kayak pit stop on the beach (goat beach, yeah, there were goats...) 22) Paul and Ellen get a ride from the gulet to a beach bar for 'cappacino.' 23) Jean-Pierre and Joy. 24) I LOVE this photo of Kelli in her snorkeling gear!!!

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25) Yes, it really is G'Okan smiling! (Lovingly referred to as the 'erascible brat') 26) Terry finally buys a carpet from the Kas and Carry shop (from Yahyah). 27) John T relaxing off the gulet after our hike up to the Lycian tombs. 28) Terry swimming (next to Ayse, our tour guide for the week on the gulet; plus there's Joy and Jean-Pierre too.) 29) Terry, Paul and Ellen also go on a sofa ride.

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35MM CAMERA PHOTOS POSTED BY DAY...