The realization has truly set in that we needed professionals to finish our DIY Disaster.
After doing some research and thinking it through, we decided that this little home improvement adventure has turned into a full blown project of great proportions and expense.
I have been very lucky in the approx. 7 years in this house that many things have not gone wrong. I have had it easy. As the project list grows and time to do it shrinks, a long term view was needed in regard to our window trim issue. Danielle & I plan to stay at "Casa De Magoo" for at least 3-5 years, so some up-keep to preserve resale value was needed.

Looking at the current condition of the house windows, it was decided that we should not trim around old windows. Long story short...Feldco Windows & Siding has an install order for 14 new windows and a new patio door, which should be installed in 4-6 weeks. They will retrim all the windows, and we are working on the details to finish all the trim work on the bay window. If you need new windows or siding, please call Feldco. http://www.4feldco.com/

It's a great wedding present to the future Mrs....so now she won't freeze in the winter. I'd say between the new AC system installed earlier this summer, and now the new windows...the value of the house most likely is on the rise.

We'll keep you updated on the progress of the project, and post pics of the professional destruction as it happens.

Let's just say that owning a house and keeping it up comes with some challenges. Eric and I after watching a couple home improvement shows felt up to the challenge of changing out the rotting trim on the bay windows. Saturday morning came and we went after the trim with a vengence.

Destruction is only fun when you don't need to fix it. Replacing what you broke is the challenge. So, after the destruction Eric and I measured twice to cut once new pieces of wood. We headed off to Home Depot with visions of granduer only to be later dashed to the gutter along with the rotting wood.

The sign of a true man is to realize your limits and admit it. To quote Don Henley and The Eagles..."We have taken it To The Limit!" Our next challenge will to make sure we do not get any paper cuts as we flip thru the yellow pages for a qualififed contractor to "rectify the situation!" (Emphasis on the wreck!)

When you blend two families, you never know what kind of relationship will come out of it. Crazy, dysfunctional, normal, silly, annoying...the list goes on. This past weekend we spent the weekend in Wisconsin for a little engagement celebration for Eric and me. Both of our families have met before and this was time for some serious one on one.

The blend of our families, crazy-yes, dysfunctional-no, normal-hardly, silly-of course!, annoying-never. It went extremely well, with no empty stomachs and we had a lot of fun. My mom made a bunch of food and we were able to play a rousing of game of Taboo. Eric led the guys to victory by gaining six points at the final round.

Sunday we had lunch together at Fatello's on the glorious Fox River in Appleton. Yes I know more food!

The next time we'll all be together will be Labor Day weekend for the gala-wedding of the younger Zapchenk as Michele and Domenic get married in Indiana. Details to follow!

This weekend was like a small edition of a HGTV show at Eric's house. After discovering the front porch pole was deteriorating Eric, Geoff (our pool boy) and myself hopped in the car to home depot. After ordering a new pole we noticed the mailboxes. We chose a simple plastic mailbox and had it up in no time. And, for those of you that are leary about putting up one yourself, just look at who we had put our's together! Soon everyone on the street will be buying one!

This weekend started with a road trip into the city to attend the Sox vs. Mariners game on the south side with Pete & Danielle. (Free tickets are the only way for me to go to a Sox game--Go Cubs!) The seats were fantastic, four rows behind first base! Many a foul ball came our way, but the only item caught was a free Chevy T-shirt from the Chevy Road Crew by me. I gave it to the little kid behind us 'cause he worked hard for it too, he was just to short around all of us "big guys." We all had a good time...I think! Since we were downtown, and Pete & I are such radio geeks, we decided to go see Dick Biondi at his new radio home of True Oldies 94.7 FM . For those who do not know, I worked with Dick for many years at Oldies 104.3 WJMK-FM as his remote board operator, and Pete did as well. Pete now runs all of Dick's weekend sock hops. Learn more about them at www.djenterprisesdj.com. Danielle, Pete and myself all hung out with Dick in the studio for a hour, listened to him mention us on air(and tease us!) and then drove back home. Danielle was very patient as the two guys lived out more radio geek moments...be prepared for many more!

Radio Pic 1. The 3 Amigos
Radio Pic 2. I think Biondi loves me!



True Oldies 94.7 FM was part of the ABC Radio Group, along with ABC-7 TV. We got to see the 10pm news from their State Street studios. It's a very cool operation to see.

TV Pic 1. Lively banter around the news desk
TV Pic 2. Ron Magers inquiring on a segment
TV Pic 3. Mark Giangreco getting ready for sports

Geoff has officially moved in to Eric's house this past Tuesday. For those of you that are wondering about when I move in. No worries, Geoff is slated to move out in September. He is in the process of looking for a youth pastor position at a church. He had another interview this morning, so we hope to hear something soon. Overall I am sure Geoff and Eric will be just fine, they already went to Best Buy and Chipotle together. Geoff is also over at the TGIF in Crystal Lake on Route 14 if anyone wants to see his serving skills.