The windows are coming, the windows are coming!

Finally, we have an installation date! Our new Andersen Windows (400 series, Terratone on the outside, Metro hardware on the inside, for those who care) are being installed from April 12-14. Never in my life did I think I'd be excited about windows (or cooking or kids for that matter), but I am. We can only open about 3 of the windows in our house when the weather is nice, and we can't open the sliding door because it has no screen. I travel to Indy Monday thru Wednesday of next week, so I'll get to come home to a few new windows...I can't wait.

I promise, we're going to post new pictures of the house really soon. Markus was in Tampa this week so I spent my nights cleaning. The house looks presentable; I never thought two people, well, just me really, could create so much clutter. I sometimes feel like Pigpen from Peanuts - a trail of clutter is always following me. But, the house looks clean so I think we'll be able to snap some pics this weekend. The only white walls from the pre-move pictures that remain are on the third and fourth floors.

We also took the plunge and ordered some new bathroom stuff for our fourth floor bath (that has to be in good working order before we can demolish the one in our bedroom!). Went to Lowe's and did the special order thing, so our new vanity and faux granite (oooohhh, now I just need the real thing in the kitchen...) countertop will arrive on April 24. We need to paint after the windows, but before the 24th. Add it to the list. Like just about everything in the house, we couldn't get a stock vanity and counter - we had to order custom because of the dimensions. Markus calls this the Frankenstein house. Nothing was standard, but I guess neither are we. ;-)

I start my volunteering as a patient escort at Planned Parenthood on Saturday morning. This is done because protesters stand outside and heckle patients. What I learned during my training is that most of the women going into PP are going to receive the ONLY healthcare that they will receive the entire year, not for an abortion as so many people think. I'll get to wear a cool yellow pinnie that says "Patient Escort" and stand outside from 8-10 Saturday morning. Can't wait - seriously, this is an organization I've believed in for a long time because they provide important medical services to women who might not otherwise be able to afford them - so I'm glad to be serving as a volunteer.

Markus and I also decided to run in the Susan Komen 5k race on Mother's Day. I also saw the Philadelphia Distance Run (sponsored by Thomas Jefferson), which is a half-marathon, is scheduled for Sept. 17 - my 30th birthday. I decided this would be a great way to celebrate such a milestone so we're going to run in that, too. After the Komen race, we're going to kick the half-marathon training into high gear. I'm hoping that a side effect of the training will be a slimmer, more toned body - now that's really a gift I'd like for my birthday!

This is a really long post, I'm realizing. Guess we should post shorter messages more frequently. Check back for new pictures of the house, probably this weekend. Lots of good things happened this week, so I'd like to send some shout outs as a close:

1. My cousin Ashley found out she's the recipient of a FULL scholarship to Skidmore University. Awesome job, girl!
2. My very good friend Becky is moving back east from Portland, Oregon - I'm so excited for her to be back in PA after two years. Welcome back, Beck!
3. My sister Lindsay was asked to be a hair model for a Nexxus show next Monday - we all knew she had great hair, though, didn't we?