Reclaiming your house

Dear Friends

Kathleen and I are happy to announce that we have just finished filming the premiere episode for a new HGTV series, “Reclaim Your House.” We had not expected to have the opportunity to share our experience in such a public way. But we hope it will help others who find themselves in such a situation someday, as we have over the past week since returning to Corona. It is scheduled to air in October. Check your local listings.

One of several reclamation scenes is the "kitchen counter makeover". It’s out with the “Hello Kitty” toaster, tea kettle, water dispenser, pop-corn popper, chocolate fountain, and many other appliances that littered the counter and in with just a few of Kathleen’s standard favorites.

This is the first time we have had a completely “empty nest” since Christopher moved in to live with us when he was just three days old. That was in 1984. (And then Emily moved in with us when she was seven days old in 1989.) Our joy is only tempered by missing the wonderful memories when our nest was full, including the backyard fort, swing set and sandbox. (A couple dinosaurs that were affixed to the fort have survived on the fence.)

All this is to say that while we are glad to be home alone, we also thank God for the memories and that our children are relatively close by!

John

P.S. Kathleen just informed me she has called HGTV to offer our house for an episode of another new series, “Reclaim My Garage”. If accepted, it will feature multiple boxes from Christopher and Emily. And me.