The root of our nation’s energy issue is American behavior - not government behavior. The government has, does, and hopefully always will try to realize the desires of the American people - providing us liberty to do what we want. We apparently don’t want to stop driving gas-guzzling vehicles. We don’t want to walk, ride a bike, or (especially in Dallas) take public transportation. “Okay,” says Mr. Obama, “at least maintain your vehicles, that’ll help with gas prices.” “What?” scoffs America. “You’re suggesting we be responsible? Pfft.”

Maybe he realizes the American people need to change in order for the country to change. Maybe he doesn’t. Maybe the spirit of his statement really was idiotic and I’m just reading too much into it. Either way, I’ve got to appreciate a recommendation toward tangible, incremental change.

When we first looked at this house, I wasn’t sold on it almost entirely because of the small eat-in kitchen. We would turn the formal dining room into a study, which meant all of our meals and entertaining would be done in an awkwardly small breakfast nook. The door to the garage also opens into the nook™, which meant we’d need to shimmy around the table every time we were coming or going.

Then one of us (exactly who is up for debate) had a stroke of genius. “What if we knock out the wall between the living room and the nook™?”

Can we do that? Well, we did … with the expert help of two men, each with two first names. Scott Allen and Randal Daniel made the following photos possible. To be sure, there is still some finishing work to be done. I still need to put up the casing, the trim, and texture the drywall.

These are quick photomerges (a bunch of shots stitched together). So if things look a little off-kilter, that’s not our house, it’s my lazy Photoshop skillz.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

Living room Before

Living room After

We forgot the camera today and they’ve already taken down the SOLD sign but we’ll get a pic of the house soon. I already am finding myself eager to meet neighbors and pull weeds. I can’t wait. God has shown himself so, so, so faithful. He is good.

In other news, I just started loving Google Reader and LOVE it!! Tonight I did some textile editing…yeah that’s right…Matt said it’s sort of WYSIWYG (sounds like whiz-E-Whig) editing. Although, I’m disappointed because I thought I got the label or title of WYSIWYG editor. I guess that will have to do.

Second,  praise God w/ us.  These last days have been 100% stressful.  I have not run to God or clung to much of anything.   Even though it’s been a roller coaster of; will we close or won’t we, this get turned back on, etc.  I just found out that our letter of credit was sent to the water dept and water is turned on.  An answer to prayer.  He has been faithful.  Praise Him!

These next weeks will be crazy - I’ll be surprised if we blog again until the first of July but promise to post pics when we do.