Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Working on It

Well, I see the last time I posted, it was when we finished the side steps.  We (mainly me) are in the process of another project and that has kept me from writing.  Our downstairs shower went down so we had a contractor friend of ours come to fix it.  However, I decided since we were fixing the shower, we should probably update and check behind the walls for anything growing back there.  I was pleased to report the shower area was pretty much mold-free.  However, since we were doing the shower, I thought it would be a great idea to update more of the bathroom.  So out came the vanity which is where the mold was.  It wasn't terrible, but not something I wanted to see.  (Definitely glad to see it go.)  That then led to maybe we will do the floor, too.  As we were replacing the sheetrock with the greenboard (mold-proof kind) we discovered some other areas where the wall had cracked and mold had started to grow.  After a hysterical breakdown on my part, (because while all this was going on the bathroom had flooded due to our water softener sharing the same drain as the bathroom sink), there was more new sheetrock going up.  I have been put on hold for painting and laying down the new flooring because I have now added mudding and taping to a list of things I have done, but probably not done well.  We finally got the water softener problem solved so I don't feel quite so stressed to get it done, other than it is taking up all my free time!  I can't wait for it to be finished because I know it will feel good to get it done.  However, I am so hiring the contractor to do EVERYTHING (except the painting) when it is time to do the other bathrooms. Ugh . . .

In other news, AD has been keeping busy with gymnastics.  I wish I had some great pictures to show, but they don't allow flash at practices and I am not quite confident my flash is actually off (sad, huh?).  She was a little disappointed because she really wanted to try out for the next level which leads to competition, but we asked her to wait a little longer.  She hasn't been doing it that long and she does pretty well, but focusing for 3 hrs two nights a week sounded a little tough.  She is doing a fundraiser right now, so she may be calling a few of you to ask about sponsoring her.  School is going well and it is so much fun to hear her read aloud (she is as I'm typing this) from chapter books.  I can remember the last few years her pretending to read chapter books because she wanted to be like AJ and mom. 

AT has had an interesting month.  Last week he hit the back of his head so hard it bruised, got in trouble at preschool, and then ran into the tailgate of T's truck with his mouth.  To say it was a tough week might be an understatement.  His preschool class went to the Pumpkin Patch.  It rained almost all the way there, stopped before we got there, stayed dry through the whole patch, and then started raining as soon as we left.  I'd say we were very lucky. 

AT & me at the Pumpkin Patch
Preschool 2010
AJ has been keeping busy with school and youth group.  This year she is old enough to join the junior youth group.  She really seems to be enjoying it.  Several of her friends are in there and there are some older kids, too.  I think this will a huge benefit when she goes to junior high next year. 

T and I, aside from the bathroom project, have had the normal stuff going on.  The weeks just seem to fly by and I can't believe it is almost November already.  I literally feel like October just started so how it can already be over just doesn't seem possible.  If the years are going to go by this fast, then I am worried.  The kids will be grown up in no time when it seems like they were just babies.  Okay, I'm getting all ewwwwww. 

Well that's about all I can think of for now.  I better go get something else done, because you know there's always something on the list to do.   ;-)

Enjoy your day!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Another All in a Day

Instead of quilting, this time it was the yard.  Here are the before and after from each angle.

                                                                Facing the backyard:

Facing the front yard:

Facing the side of the house:



 We had been meaning (or maybe I mean I had been meaning) to do this all the way around the house this year.  However, my back had other plans.  I didn't get it done, but the bottom of these steps had been worn away by feet walking through the gate and dogs digging in the dirt to get cooler.  T and I decided it was time to take action.  We already had the bricks, pavers, and underlying black weed control stuff.  T bought some rocks yesterday and for less than $20, we are done.  It took us a good 3 or 4 hours to dig it up, level it, and align the pavers, but it was well worth it.  The rest of this around the house won't be so bad because no one will be walking on it so we don't have to worry about leveling it.  I'm so excited to finish the rest next year!