Thankful Unveiling
Family, Just Good Stuff, Style & Stuff | Posted by Jannie on 27 November 2008 @ 4:03 PM 45 Comments
[Another Update: Jim says it was [actually] a Sunday we met and at the risk of making you puke, he just added “How could I ever forget – it was the most important day of my life.”]
[Edit: Our date in the pub was not our actual first meeting. That was at quarter to three on a soft grey October Friday afternoon, 1989. He was wearing a tweed blazer with leather patches on the elbows and me my blue chiffon. (Okay, I was actually in my merlot wool suit but I just love saying "my blue chiffon.")
And dang my math is bad - we got together in 1990, so it's actually 18 years ago we've been manacled in bliss (but I wish it were 19.) [Or 22.]
[In black below was my originally published post.]
A girl just never knows when she hits it off with a good looking, seemingly nice guy in a pub what could happen. Will they go on a second date, get married, but soon hate each others’ guts? Or will she, as I, find herself still happy many (19) years later and falling in love with him all over again?
My man started building this treehouse for Kelly in March (I took the top 2 pix about an hour ago.) I’ll let the montage speak for what kind of guy I was lucky enough to snag. And how thankful I am that I did!
On 27 November 2008 at 5:23 pm Cindy said,
That’s a pretty awesome treehouse
On 27 November 2008 at 6:20 pm Momisodes said,
WHOA.
I wanna go play in it!
That is one amazing treehouse, and definitely one amazing man
You are all so lucky!
Momisodes’s last blog post..13 Things I’m Grateful For…
On 27 November 2008 at 7:23 pm TheWeyrd1 said,
I WANT one!!!!!!!!!! But then, I’ve ALWAYS wanted a treehouse…
TheWeyrd1’s last blog post..Wednesday’s Wine – Woop Woop Cabernet, 2007
On 27 November 2008 at 7:52 pm Jim said,
That treehouse is fantastic. If I was her, I’d move there.
Jim’s last blog post..Spin Cycle: What I am Thankful for
On 27 November 2008 at 8:21 pm amber said,
wow! that has to be the most awesome treehouse ever…i’m even envious as an adult.
amber’s last blog post..turkey day run
On 27 November 2008 at 8:42 pm Thomma Lyn said,
Oh my goodness, that is the most fabulous treehouse I’ve ever seen! When can I move in?
Thomma Lyn’s last blog post..Great Attitude and Gratitude Award
On 27 November 2008 at 8:52 pm Talon said,
Jim built a beauty there! The staircase is fabulous!
You’re daughter’s a lucky girl.
Talon
Talon’s last blog post..I feel
On 27 November 2008 at 9:03 pm Wesley said,
All I can say is WOW! That is probably the most amazing tree house ever built. I can’t believe it’s home made!
Wesley’s last blog post..Haha!
On 27 November 2008 at 9:26 pm Mia said,
OMG. That is an AMAZING treehouse! Seriously, I want to move in there…at least for a few days for a break from my life. You could totally rent that out! :0) You picked a good one!
Happy Thanksgiving my friend!
On 28 November 2008 at 12:13 am Carla said,
What a cool treehouse!!! I love it. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Carla’s last blog post..Winter…the Best Time of Year
On 28 November 2008 at 12:35 am SnaggleTooth said,
What a cool playhouse! What a lucky daughter! Lucky you for so much to be thankful for-
There’s alot to be said for a person who finishes what they start- Nice job J!
Hope your Turkey Day was wonderful.
SnaggleTooth’s last blog post..Turkey
On 28 November 2008 at 9:14 am Jannie said,
Well, Everybody: You all seem to be in agreement with me, that’s one cool structure! We didn’t start out for it to be quite so elaborate but it kind of evolved that way. And grew to match the rest of this house with the shutters and trim.
Jim really worried about how to do the stairs but he went online and got some tips and dived right in and bobs-yer-uncle — he totally aced it.
He works on it on the weekends and most evenings. Built most of it himself, with a little help from yours truly, and sometimes Bob and Alphonse, some friendly worker types, helping out too.
I’ll have to post some pix of the interior when it’s done, drywall’s now ready to paint. Needs flooring, trim and the window a/c heating unit installed.
And we’re not quite sure what to do exactly underneath it, whether to put some lattice-work or maybe gravel. Probably gravel.
My hubby’s quite a guy for sure! Still can’t believe he’s “mine!”
On 28 November 2008 at 9:51 am Shay said,
Holey moley!!! I want one! Think of the poems I could sit up there and compose! I’m going to go throw myself at the first Lesbian I see wearing a toolbelt!
(((((((((((Jannie)))))))))))
Shay’s last blog post..Whispers
On 28 November 2008 at 10:04 am Jannie said,
Shay: grins!! You gotta scope out the aisles of Home Depot, Girl!! Droves of gay women just waiting to be had.
((((((((((Shay))))))))))
On 28 November 2008 at 10:04 am Jennifer (Danifer) said,
Aw, can I come live there? That is a rockin’ house. Every girl’s fantasy at that age. Geez, I am 37 and I WANT that house.
What a great guy to build that.
Jennifer (Danifer)’s last blog post..Danifer’s Daily Commute Vol. 3
On 28 November 2008 at 10:40 am Sheila said,
That is a sweeeeeeeeeeet playhouse! Very nice daddy and very lucky little girl. (I wouldn’t let my kids play in something MY husband built if it was above the ground! lol. Nw way, no how.) This thing looks incredible!
Sheila’s last blog post..An unexpected gift!
On 28 November 2008 at 11:18 am Miladysa said,
Definitely the best tree house I have ever seen!!!
I am going to show Sir H this post!
On 28 November 2008 at 1:12 pm Heather (How to be a Woman..?) said,
That is AMAZING!!! What a dream come true for your daughter. How on Earth?? I’m totally blown away. I want one too!
By the way, thanks for the nice Happy Thanksgiving wish. I hope you had a happy one too!
On 28 November 2008 at 2:58 pm Jinxi said,
awwww…. your love story and longevity is so wonderful & admirable!!
And that treehouse is SIMPLY AMAZING!
Holy cupcakes! What an artist he is!!
Winx, Jinxi
On 28 November 2008 at 5:20 pm Aimee said,
That is awesome! Are you taking orders?
Aimee’s last blog post..my life as a killjoy
On 28 November 2008 at 5:34 pm Georgie B said,
Cool.
Progress in reverse. From the end result to the beginning.
Seriously, very nice treehouse. Remarkably well designed and built. Can make a perfect second apartment for someone.
Georgie B’s last blog post..Chat Rooms Are Chock Full Of Natural Warmth And Goodness
On 28 November 2008 at 7:06 pm Cath Lawson said,
Wow Jannie – when I saw the first pic – I thought that was were you lived. That is the coolest tree house I’ve seen.
On 28 November 2008 at 7:10 pm Vered - MomGrind said,
WOW.
You ARE lucky! And Kelly is too.
On 28 November 2008 at 9:46 pm Stephanie said,
Wow, that is a great treehouse and the man sounds like a keeper too. I like the story about how you met. When I met my hubby, I actually couldn’t stand him (and he thought I was a bi*%*). After 20 years we have kinda grown on each other.
Stephanie’s last blog post..More Days Like Today
On 28 November 2008 at 10:57 pm Lance said,
That’s an awesome treehouse! We built one – I thought it was pretty darn nice – you put it to shame! That thing is nicer than a lot of regular houses! Does it have indoor plumbing too???
Lance’s last blog post..Like a Thanksgiving Day Parade, Only Faster
On 29 November 2008 at 12:23 am bulldog said,
Play in the treehouse? Heck, I could LIVE in that treehouse.
bulldog’s last blog post..
On 29 November 2008 at 12:59 am Cricket/Tammy said,
I want to come and play! What a tree house. What a man? Is there a duplicate somewhere? Wow!
Cricket/Tammy’s last blog post..No choice but to use a short cut
On 29 November 2008 at 8:28 am Caity said,
WOW!! That is one of the most fabulous treehouses I’ve ever seen! That’s amazing! Awesome work!
Caity’s last blog post..Black Friday
On 29 November 2008 at 8:49 am Jannie said,
Jennifer: Sure, come on over!! It’s a never-ending party here.
Sheila: Well, he’s been building stuff for 35 years so he’s gotten darn good at it along the way. His first remodel a supporting wall came out first, so everybody has to learn!
Miladysa: Did you show Sir H? And…? Does he want one?
Heather: Won’t it make a great place to hang out. I may just have to claim it for my own. Ha – when she’s at school, it’s MINE!!!
Cath: It’s not bad eh? And as I said to others, we might just have to move in.
Vered: Yes, LUCKY beyond compare!
Stephanie: I love your meeting story! 20 years is a good long time. And sounds like yours is a good house cleaner! Mine doesn’t do much of that but he sure can build ‘em.
Lance: Please don’t feel put to shame. As I mentioned above, Jim’s done a lot of building, maybe about 20, and he has developed a good snese of his own style. NO – we drew the line at indoor plumbing, I think the house is like, 7′ x 11′ on the inside, a little small for such plumbing shennanigans.
Jinxi: I guess that is longevity thsee days, eh? He’s a keeper for sure. Until death do us part and it dang it better well be a loooong looooooong time from now. Yes, a real Artiste is my Jimmy. I’m gonna post more of his stuff evah-shually. Homes he’s remodeled.
Aimee: Orders? Sure! How many you want? I’ll tell Jim to get right on it, I think one only takes about 300 man-hours or so to build.
Georgie: Yes, we were thinking a nice little office or studio for someone, since it’s hard-wired and insulated and does have a window a/c unit. When (if,) we move back to Nova Scotia we’ll be selling this place so it shoudl be a nice added feature.
Georgie: I might just move in there! If I can get wireless out there, I’m in!
Bulldog: Don’t you know it!!
Cricket: I just read your comment to Jim and he asked “A duplicate of the treehouse?” lol, he’s not only a great designer / builder but one heck of a Funster too! And no, the mold was smashed utterly and forever completely to pieces after Jim was born.
Caity: You come and hang out in it whenever you want to!!
On 29 November 2008 at 12:37 pm Rhett said,
I was hoping you’d tell how ol’ you were when you met him so then I’d be able to calculate your age. But I believe you very wittingly didn’t tell us that
Rhett’s last blog post..As Man and Wife — 2
On 29 November 2008 at 12:54 pm Kathleen said,
OMG, What a treehouse! So talented. You had better hold on to that man for sure.
Kathleen’s last blog post..Awwww, Horses and Maui
On 29 November 2008 at 1:43 pm Glenn Buttkus said,
Jimmy rocks, and Jimmy shines. That is not just a daughter’s playhouse, it can double as a mother-in-law apartment. Only problem is with a Dad that cool, Kelly will never find another fella out there to measure up. Course that’s malarky too, even though Jim will be a hard act to follow. My three daughters all found wonderful husbands, and none of them are a bit like me. Come to think of it, maybe that’s not a compliment!
Well, Turkey Day is behind us, and so is Black Friday, with the Big One from the North Pole hovering on the horizon. Ah, yes, the holidays–what a reality.
Glenn
Glenn Buttkus’s last blog post..TFC Holiday
On 29 November 2008 at 2:17 pm wade said,
It is a wonderful house.But what is bobs-your-uncle ? Is that a Canadian expression ? What is the U.S. translation ?
On 29 November 2008 at 2:43 pm Dr. Cason said,
Jannie-
Can I tell how happy I am that I have found you? Where the thoughts that were rambling in my head took up residence here. Well not so much really, you’re much more clever than I.
My husband useful and handy with the tools as well. I’d sit here and wax on, but my two year old’s diaper just leaked all over me. Happy belated turkey day!
Dr. Cason’s last blog post..Re: Should I Delete My Blog
On 29 November 2008 at 3:33 pm Rhett said,
Like my profile says, I am 22.
On 29 November 2008 at 4:39 pm Heather (How to be a Woman..?) said,
I don’t blame you for claiming the tree house while your daughter is at school! I was thinking to myself, ahh, what a wonderful place to read and snooze.
You’ve been tagged! (Please don’t forget to read the cat disclaimer.)
Heather (How to be a Woman..?)’s last blog post..Women (and men!) like to play tag!
On 29 November 2008 at 5:41 pm Miladysa said,
I’m showing him now
Miladysa’s last blog post..Sky Blue Pink
On 29 November 2008 at 8:44 pm kingofnewyorkhacks said,
Thats not a treehouse….thats a studio apartment in New York City that goes for $500,000 American dollars. Hell. I’d live in it just to cut down on my traveling time!! Tell hubby to sell the plans just like tumbleweed tiny homes does !! Awesome stuff !!
On 29 November 2008 at 9:35 pm Jannie said,
Rhett: You seen any hills lately? I’m ’bout as old as them. lol. I’m 44 and hubby is 66.
Kathleen: You can believe I won’t be letting him go.
Glenn: Hopefully someone out there will grow up dreaming of a girl like our Kelly. Or if she marries a guy 22 years older than she, as I did, he’s already out thre somewhere at 29 years old. Yikes!!
Wade: Word Man, I think bob’s-your-uncle is actually Australian. Let me see, translation. “There you go.” Or French “Voila.”
Dr Cason: So glad I found your blog too! Ah, the two year old’s leaky diaper — I remember it like it was just 5 years ago. Hey, it was just 5 years ago!
Rhett: 22, you’re half my age but twice as smart.
Heather: Despite my bizarre gardening accident that usually prevents me from filling in tags I actually kind of liked doing yours.
Miladysa: Did he survive?
King: Ain’t it da truth. I hear a bottle of fresh air is only two bucks now in Manhattan
On 29 November 2008 at 11:32 pm Mama Zen said,
That is amazing! Can I move in?
Mama Zen’s last blog post..The Ultimate Party Meatball
On 1 December 2008 at 2:08 am Jewel/Pink Ink said,
Wow, your husband rocks!
That’s a wonderful tree house! Can I play?
PS I’m back from the holidays
Jewel/Pink Ink’s last blog post..The Wonder of Christmas
On 1 December 2008 at 1:31 pm Tammy Warren said,
How funny! Well, tell him I like the tree house. You are going to have some good memories up there in that huge house.
Tammy Warren’s last blog post..A Glance Into a Year of Blogging
On 1 December 2008 at 2:01 pm Jannie said,
Mama: Yeah, come on over! And Baby Zen and Kelly would no doubt totally hit it off.
Jewel: You have a standing invitation in our realm.
Tammy: Yep, need to get lots more photos, oncluding some of us in it. Her walls are going to be Deep Denim Blue.
On 4 December 2008 at 3:46 pm Kalyani said,
The tree house looks GREAT!!!!
Way to go, Jim. You’ve got a lucky little girl (and big girl, too.
On 4 July 2009 at 12:47 pm phd in yogurtry said,
Wow.. it’s Tara on stilts!
phd in yogurtry’s last blog post..you can bite my ass