Carroll Boys: Leaping Through 2024

Yes, it's a leap year. Which means that Hallie Stark had a 'real' birthday on Feb. 29th, I'd guess she turned 6 this year. Here is an update on various things that are happening with all of us....

Moving Out - It happened in February ! Alex, you moved in to your North Street house after 6 months of wallpaper removal, painting, ceiling replacement, rug replacement, flooring installation, basement water remediation (kind of), various repairs including plumbing and last-but-not-least cleaning. I will say it felt more like "our" communal house for a while, but you have now taken over. A bit of unpacking and furniture set-up still to come, but you are mostly set. You are the lucky recipient of living room couches and tables from your realtor Jill, also Aunt Pam's kitchen table and chairs. Nice end tables repaired by Furniture Doctor and many kitchen items including an entire dish set came from Aunt Julie and Mark. Bathroom accessories from Aunt Pam. A gaming chair and your bedroom furniture from Montgomery Ave. A microwave from Steve, bedroom rug from me - along with numerous remodeling supplies that we both contributed. I must be forgetting some things.... You are now considering a lawn mower purchase and ductless air conditioning system, likely to be the last "major" investments for a while. You had a good time in Cincinatti last week for AZEK work meetings, networking and team building including a Red's baseball game.
Moving On Up - Over the past couple months, Rob you applied to and were accepted as a transfer student at ESF in Syracuse (after being accepted as a high school senior, and taking courses at LCCC as advised by ESF). We'll be going to an Accepted Students day next month. This is fantastic following a few rough years! I am so, so happy that you are feeling pretty well. Kudos to you for sticking with your college plans in spite of health challenges. It's truly awesome (I rarely use that word). This spring semester, you are taking two classes at LCC and working at Cracker Barrell most Saturdays/Sundays. A couple weeks ago, as a member of the LCC History Club you co-presented on the interesting topic of Ancient Greece (including about Aristotle, Diogenese, the Antikythera mechanism, and knowledge of solar system). Your latest Chemistry lab project was tye dying shirts for Steve and me - can't wait to see them. Next week, you are invited to a reception with the LCC Board of Trustees. Congrats!
Meeces (2.05)- Similar to other spring seasons, the kitties spend a lot of time watching the gap under the dishwasher. To date this year, Oren has caught (or almost caught) two whole mice with all their parts. As a bonus, Rob you noticed an odd-looking leathery sort of strip on the dining room floor - upon inspection, we decided it was a mouse tail. 😖
Muddah - In January, I became the treasurer for Trinity Church across the street. It's been nice getting to know a new group of people, and helping the church get re-established after it was closed for a time. I'm still trying to spend one weekend a month with Grammie & Grandad. Grandad has limited strength and mobility at this point, it's sad and difficult. Grammie has household and nursing support, and is dealing with stress as best she can. Some changes are coming up at work, but I'm expecting things will work out ok even if I'm no longer working at Prudential. Lastly, Steve and I spent a long weekend in St. Augustine visiting Laura & Ron last month. It's a treat to spend time in Florida in late winter.
Fadduh ("male parent" is too non-descript) - After Steve handled wall repairs, both of us re-painted your bedroom Alex. It's now the yellow-almond color that you originally picked for your living room - but later decided against. The room looks great on video conferences ! Currently, Steve has a nasty cold that he apparently picked up from you Rob. Today he tried out a new, cordless lawn mower that replaces the gas mower I seriously damaged last fall by running over one of the wheels. It's not a terrible loss, since we brought it over from Sharpe Street. Good thing we are no longer dealing with a plug-in mower, it's a minor miracle that we never ran over the cord when cutting the grass in Wyoming. After a long engagement, Korin and Alex suddenly got married in a civil service - thrilled for them! Shortly before that, Steve got me these lovely, pale pink roses for Valentine's Day.

Moggies - To complete my "m" theme.... did you know, a "moggie" is a UK term for a mixed-breed cat? I had no idea. Anyway, here are some recent pictures of our favorite moggies.