Remodeling Update

The remodeling of our home continues. We had professionals remodel our kitchen and it is 98% done. I will post pics of that soon, but have to try to find some "before" pics. The upstairs, though, has truly been a Weekend Warrior job on Nick's part - with some excellent help from my brother Patrick and Patrick's girlfriend, Tara. All sweat equity! They ripped down EVERYTHING upstairs, down to the studs and rebuilt. They cut and hung the sheet rock, did some wiring and all that jazz. They built a half wall to replace the old rickety wrought iron "bannister of death". It is really coming along. The pics below are older....now it is painted, with light fixtures and a cap on the bannister and the window frame installed. I will post those soon. Now Nick is working on the doors and the base trim. Progress is picking up - Nick got a nail gun as an early Father's Day gift and is loving how it has helped to pick up the pace. I have to admit, it was a bit of a selfish gift on my part as well! Quicker progress on the remodel means Kate and I get to see more of him! :)

View from family room into bedroom area...doors and trim were existing and will be replaced with painted white.

View from the upstairs bedrooms into the family room - all new drywall is up, mudded and taped and new half wall was built to replace the rickety bannister.

Nick and Kate at the Arthritis Walk at Lake Harriet

At the Arthritis Walk

Our Walk for Arthritis

Nick, Kate and I walked to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation in May. As most of you know, I have been diagnosed with RA and have been working with the docs to try to get it under control. We want to Thank everyone who helped us to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation and it's important mission! While the weather on the day of the event did NOT cooperate (it was cold and rainy and windy) spirits were high and it was a very enjoyable and inspiring day! We had a terrific team of walkers and the event was a huge success! All the kind and generous donations to the Arthritis Foundation helped me become the number one fundraiser in the entire Twin Cities! And our Team was the number one fundraising team!!!!!!!!! We surpassed all of our fundraising goals - our little family alone raised $5051.00 and our Team total was $6001.00. We are SO VERY lucky to have so many wonderful people helping to support us in life!

I have to admit that after the walk of only 5K, my RA was flaring quite horribly. The nasty weather certainly contributed to my discomfort. It was very frustrating...I used to run 5Ks for fun, and here a walk knocked me out! Yet the pain only highlighted the extreme need for the Foundation's work on serving people with arthritis, their families and the healthcare professionals who help us. Most dramatically, it made the need for research for a cure a most pressing and immediate reality. So, while my bones were aching, it was a huge comfort to think of all of the thought and support from everyone that will make this dream of a cure come true. I am so lucky to have such supportive, warm and thoughtful people in my life.

Thanks again to all the terrific folks who sent their positive thoughts our way. We continue
to be overwhelmed by your care!

Kate Twirling

There is more than snow in Minnesota! Spring is just beautiful here, and we are looking forward to a terrific summer!