Wow--can it really be that long since I put something on this blog? I know the reason why. Carrie and I worked hard to keep the attic project moving in an effort to have it at least usable for our church's "Kids at the Point" camp in June. The two weeks before camp were especially intense, with a list of jobs we had to complete each day.
Our Pastor Chris was building a bunkhouse to house the boys who came to camp from a distance. I had promised to make the curtains for that, so I made red and white gingham curtains for 4 large windows and a panel for each of the 2 doors on each end of the bunkhouse. The doors were steel and I found magnetic curtain rods to stick on--the easiest curtain hanging I've ever done! Carrie and I made the curtain rods for the 4 windows out of large dowels, drilled holes in the end and screwed round wooden drawer pulls in the ends for finials. I made good use of the Dremel tool we had bought to cut off the Phillips end of the screw and grind it to a point so it could be screwed into the dowel.
Carrie and I also made 4 window boxes for the bunkhouse. Two were put on, we planted flowers in them and (since it rains about every other day), the flowers are doing great!
As of Tuesday of this week, the sheetrocking in the attic is completely done!!!!!
Hallelujah! So Wed. I did the mudding in the ends of the gables. Soon that will be finished and painting can commence and continue until completion. We actually are going to finish this project--something I wondered about for awhile.
One of the biggest accomplishments on the attic project was replacing the little windows with larger sliding windows. We had never done this kind of job before, where you have to create a larger rough opening and everything that goes with it. It took us two different days. We rented a Bil-Jax crane so Justin could go up in the bucket, where he basically worked for hours. We could hand tools through the opening to him once it had been cut out, and the work progressed from there. Needless to say, we learned a lot. Justin was sold on that rig and it sure was a safe way to work up so high. (I went up with him once and thought, "What am I doing up here even with the shingles?" But it seemed totally normal until I looked down.)
We haven't only done remodel work. We take time out to give piano lessons, make our trips to town to wash clothes, shop (seems like we hit Lowe's about every week), and do family times.
Carrie is in Redding, Ca., now attending a worship school. I know she's enjoying it because we don't hear from her every day. She'll be home by the second week of July.
Since Carrie was gone, we brought my Mom, Lillian, here for 10 days. She loved being in on our activities. She says it's much more interesting here than at home.
She even climbed the attic stairs and sat up there watching me work in the mornings.
(She loves the coziness of attics as much as I do.) Mom went home last Sunday, so we combined taking her to Fargo with a grilled steak meal at Lance, Gretchen, Tori & Logan's house. The kids always seem to be excited when Grandma and Grandpa come!
Carrie flew out of Omaha, so we had a trip there. Sometimes it seems like we are coming and going all the time.
Last Friday night and Saturday our pastors hosted a girls' overnighter at the new Bunkhouse on their property. The girls were so excited about being able to stay in this new bunkhouse! We did a tea party Saturday morning and Mom was the special guest. A great time was had by all!
Soon we'll celebrate the 4th.; then on the 5th. my brother Wendell & Judy and their son, Brian with his family, Susie & Melina, will be visiting overnight. This will be our first opportunity to host Brian's family in our home and we are excited about it! Brian is like our missionary in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Since Brian spent a summer with us, we kind of consider him another son.
The months roll by, but we choose to savor every bit of the beauty of summer. My flowers have been especially gorgeous this year, with all the rain. And we love the freedom of easy coming and going that the summer weather affords. Hope you are having a great summer too!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
APRIL - a BIG Anniversary, Family Times, More Attic Work--
Before April, we had a weekend visit by Lance, Tori & Logan. The kids were very eager to see the attic. Logan ran right in the south gable and exclaimed, "I can see our car way down there!" It does look like "way down there" from that high up.
Tori thought it was a BIG playroom. (Can hardly wait until we are at that stage.)
April 10 was our 40th. wedding anniversary. I could almost think, "how did we ever get to this year?" Just living it out a day at a time, I guess. We've had an interesting journey, living in several states with Justin doing a variety of jobs.
God has given us 3 wonderful kids, 2 beautiful daughters-in-love, 5 fun grandchildren with a 6th. on the way, and friends across the country (even the world). We still love each other and enjoy being together, especially enjoying adventures in the Lord together. We praise God for His faithfulness to us through these 40 years!!
Wendell & Judy treated all three of us to an anniversary meal in Watertown this month when they brought Mom here for a brief 4-day visit. We had a lovely meal and a good overnight visit with Wendell & Judy. (They wanted to see the attic too.) Mom, Carrie and I had fun doing some "wardrobe-updating shopping" for Mom while she was here. We need to get together with Mom every so often, because Carrie helps her step forward in her thinking. It's a grandma-granddaughter thing--had some great laughs together!
We headed out to the Black Hills to celebrate Liv's 3rd. birthday and Anika's 7th.
Justin brought the old Chevy pickup back to Dirk's and came home with a much newer
Dodge extended cab, short box with topper. Carrie and I took my car. We girls did our usual visit to "Bully's Blends", (a coffee shop-bistro located in a former grain elevator building in downtown Rapid City) and made our regular visit to "Someone's in the Kitchen" (a very inclusive kitchen-aupply store).
Anika and Liv were happy with their Grandma-made birthday gifts. Dirk was home, so the guys enjoyed good visiting time and like Thor says (did "guy" things).
Anika was baptized that Sunday (by her Dad, no less), so we were happy we could be in on her special day. We enjoyed a Sunday dinner out at TGI Fridays with Dirk's family and Nancy's parents. Had a great time there.
Since coming home Carrie and I have had a productive time in the attic. We actually got the 3 doors cut out AND mounted for the storage areas. It seems like almost everything we do is for the first time, so we pray a lot and look to the Lord to help us make things work. The doors look good in their places. Every kind of finishing job we complete makes the project look more finished. I also picked up the new windows last week. Now we have to figure out how to get them put in. (It's really high up there!)
April's been a good month. We came home from Piedmont to beautifully blooming tulips in front of our house and they're still at it. I love the colors of spring!!
Tori thought it was a BIG playroom. (Can hardly wait until we are at that stage.)
April 10 was our 40th. wedding anniversary. I could almost think, "how did we ever get to this year?" Just living it out a day at a time, I guess. We've had an interesting journey, living in several states with Justin doing a variety of jobs.
God has given us 3 wonderful kids, 2 beautiful daughters-in-love, 5 fun grandchildren with a 6th. on the way, and friends across the country (even the world). We still love each other and enjoy being together, especially enjoying adventures in the Lord together. We praise God for His faithfulness to us through these 40 years!!
Wendell & Judy treated all three of us to an anniversary meal in Watertown this month when they brought Mom here for a brief 4-day visit. We had a lovely meal and a good overnight visit with Wendell & Judy. (They wanted to see the attic too.) Mom, Carrie and I had fun doing some "wardrobe-updating shopping" for Mom while she was here. We need to get together with Mom every so often, because Carrie helps her step forward in her thinking. It's a grandma-granddaughter thing--had some great laughs together!
We headed out to the Black Hills to celebrate Liv's 3rd. birthday and Anika's 7th.
Justin brought the old Chevy pickup back to Dirk's and came home with a much newer
Dodge extended cab, short box with topper. Carrie and I took my car. We girls did our usual visit to "Bully's Blends", (a coffee shop-bistro located in a former grain elevator building in downtown Rapid City) and made our regular visit to "Someone's in the Kitchen" (a very inclusive kitchen-aupply store).
Anika and Liv were happy with their Grandma-made birthday gifts. Dirk was home, so the guys enjoyed good visiting time and like Thor says (did "guy" things).
Anika was baptized that Sunday (by her Dad, no less), so we were happy we could be in on her special day. We enjoyed a Sunday dinner out at TGI Fridays with Dirk's family and Nancy's parents. Had a great time there.
Since coming home Carrie and I have had a productive time in the attic. We actually got the 3 doors cut out AND mounted for the storage areas. It seems like almost everything we do is for the first time, so we pray a lot and look to the Lord to help us make things work. The doors look good in their places. Every kind of finishing job we complete makes the project look more finished. I also picked up the new windows last week. Now we have to figure out how to get them put in. (It's really high up there!)
April's been a good month. We came home from Piedmont to beautifully blooming tulips in front of our house and they're still at it. I love the colors of spring!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
IT'S MARCH!!
Our March kind of came in like a lamb. And the mild temps have continued, leaving us with standing water, thawing snow and soon-to-be mud everywhere. It rained much of today. Carrie and I were in the attic all day and could barely hear the gentle sound of it coming down. We finished with the sheetrock in the south dormer today.
We are probably the slowest mudders around. I thought I liked doing it, until I am still not quite satisfied with how it looks after about 3 layers. But it is definitely getting better.
Early last week Carrie and I made a quick trip to see Mom at Hillsboro. We had a perfect couple of days and got to visit Wendell and Judy, who came in Sunday evening; we visited Myron and Juliet at their cozy Fargo home on Monday afternoon; and Aaron, Angie and kids came to Mom's Monday evening for a visit. It was great to have some good times together. Driving weather was perfect--mild, no wind, dry interstate. This time of year, it doesn't get any better than that!
This past weekend Lance, Tori and Logan came for a visit. We got to show them our attic project and got a "thumbs up" from the grandkids. They know it is going to be a playroom for them and are eager for it to be finished.
The winter is flying by--it probably helps to have a remodel project going. It takes our focus off winter and onto a positive change. Already I am enjoying putting boxes and totes in the storage areas Duane created behind the walls in the attic. That is a VERY GOOD CHANGE!
We are probably the slowest mudders around. I thought I liked doing it, until I am still not quite satisfied with how it looks after about 3 layers. But it is definitely getting better.
Early last week Carrie and I made a quick trip to see Mom at Hillsboro. We had a perfect couple of days and got to visit Wendell and Judy, who came in Sunday evening; we visited Myron and Juliet at their cozy Fargo home on Monday afternoon; and Aaron, Angie and kids came to Mom's Monday evening for a visit. It was great to have some good times together. Driving weather was perfect--mild, no wind, dry interstate. This time of year, it doesn't get any better than that!
This past weekend Lance, Tori and Logan came for a visit. We got to show them our attic project and got a "thumbs up" from the grandkids. They know it is going to be a playroom for them and are eager for it to be finished.
The winter is flying by--it probably helps to have a remodel project going. It takes our focus off winter and onto a positive change. Already I am enjoying putting boxes and totes in the storage areas Duane created behind the walls in the attic. That is a VERY GOOD CHANGE!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
FEBRUARY MUSINGS...
IT'S STILL WINTER!!! If you live anywhere in the Dakotas, you know that's true.
We are now shoveling the snow off the porch--UP--not down from the porch or straight across! That's new for our years here in Astoria. And Justin's trips to work this week have been interesting. Monday morning he waited two hours, for daylight and for the plows to have a chance to get out there before he did. Good thing... the plow had made one pass on Hwy. 28, so he drove most of that on the wrong side of the road. Tuesday he took the pickup because it was still blowing hard at bedtime Monday night. It was the right choice--only a track from the Astoria corner to Toronto.
On the warmer side of things, the insulation and heater in the attic have made our upstairs cozier than before. Speaking of the attic, Carrie and I have mudded everything once and are on the second go-around. I kind of like mudding. It's not so different from spreading other things--like frosting. And I've probably frosted thousands of cookies in my lifetime. Of course, I could never do it for money. I'm way too slow.
Soon Carrie and I will try to frame and hang the three doors to the storage areas. We are experiencing all kinds of new ventures! We dream of the day when we can actually start painting, and see our vision become reality. We'll get there!
We are now shoveling the snow off the porch--UP--not down from the porch or straight across! That's new for our years here in Astoria. And Justin's trips to work this week have been interesting. Monday morning he waited two hours, for daylight and for the plows to have a chance to get out there before he did. Good thing... the plow had made one pass on Hwy. 28, so he drove most of that on the wrong side of the road. Tuesday he took the pickup because it was still blowing hard at bedtime Monday night. It was the right choice--only a track from the Astoria corner to Toronto.
On the warmer side of things, the insulation and heater in the attic have made our upstairs cozier than before. Speaking of the attic, Carrie and I have mudded everything once and are on the second go-around. I kind of like mudding. It's not so different from spreading other things--like frosting. And I've probably frosted thousands of cookies in my lifetime. Of course, I could never do it for money. I'm way too slow.
Soon Carrie and I will try to frame and hang the three doors to the storage areas. We are experiencing all kinds of new ventures! We dream of the day when we can actually start painting, and see our vision become reality. We'll get there!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
THE WORK CONTINUES...
Carrie's been working at mudding this week. Justin came home with supplies Monday and she went right at it after supper. She has almost used up the first pail of mud he brought home. Duane, the edges of the chimney came out really nice with the special metal-edged tape.
Today I went upstairs with Carrie and she and I worked most of the day doing sheetrock. Now the main walls are finished; just the gables left there. We almost totally finished the sheetrock on the stairway too. I rather ENJOY doing this job. I know it's amazing, but it kind of reminds me of quilting--working with pieces that have to fit together just right. Except here you can do some "fudging", fill it in and cover up the mistakes with mud.
But the best part of all is that I WAS ABLE TO USE THE DRILL AND ACTUALLY PUT SCREWS IN THE SHEETROCK MYSELF!! It was empowering!! I didn't think I had the strength, but I surprised myself. So Carrie and I felt like we had a very productive day. We will most likely go at it again tomorrow.
Weather is hanging with very high humidity and is supposed to do that for several days. So it's a good time to be working inside and really accomplishing something.
Today I went upstairs with Carrie and she and I worked most of the day doing sheetrock. Now the main walls are finished; just the gables left there. We almost totally finished the sheetrock on the stairway too. I rather ENJOY doing this job. I know it's amazing, but it kind of reminds me of quilting--working with pieces that have to fit together just right. Except here you can do some "fudging", fill it in and cover up the mistakes with mud.
But the best part of all is that I WAS ABLE TO USE THE DRILL AND ACTUALLY PUT SCREWS IN THE SHEETROCK MYSELF!! It was empowering!! I didn't think I had the strength, but I surprised myself. So Carrie and I felt like we had a very productive day. We will most likely go at it again tomorrow.
Weather is hanging with very high humidity and is supposed to do that for several days. So it's a good time to be working inside and really accomplishing something.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
TWO DAYS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
Sorry I didn't get to the computer on Saturday to do an update. About the time I was ready to do so, Justin came downstairs and needed a helper for him with his sheetrock work. And that's where I spent the rest of the day, except for meal prep and dish washing breaks.
Duane had planned to leave Saturday, but with the bad weather and roads in Oklahoma, he stayed one more day. The timing turned out to be perfect. He built the guest bedroom wall out to accommodate the door we had purchased and got the door to the attic hung. It was quite a big job. It's now in place with the hardware on.
Duane also got the heater hung in the attic and it works perfectly. He and Justin tried it with the thermostat. While Duane was doing his work, Carrie began mudding the sheetrock. Justin and I poked along fitting angled sheetrock pieces (like a jigsaw puzzle) on the wall and some of the slanted ceiling. Now about all that is left for sheetrock work is the two gables. I think Carrie and I can piddle at that this coming week.
For now our plans are to take Monday off, be in town Tuesday and probably not do anything in the attic until Wednesday morning. We have all pushed pretty hard during this time and need to regroup. We trust Duane has a safe trip all the way home. He left today (Sunday) at 7:00 a.m. after his morning coffee and a good breakfast. What a special time we had together as family--working hard, laughing a lot!, sharing stories and reminiscing from our childhood days on the farm. This has been a time we will treasure forever! And Duane and Linda's selfless gift to us will bless the grandkids and our neighbor girls. We believe they will be blest by our Lord Jesus for their loving giving! We love them for it!
And a great big "thank you" to you who have followed the blog and to those who have prayed for us during this intense two weeks. We know we have received benefits through your prayers!
Duane had planned to leave Saturday, but with the bad weather and roads in Oklahoma, he stayed one more day. The timing turned out to be perfect. He built the guest bedroom wall out to accommodate the door we had purchased and got the door to the attic hung. It was quite a big job. It's now in place with the hardware on.
Duane also got the heater hung in the attic and it works perfectly. He and Justin tried it with the thermostat. While Duane was doing his work, Carrie began mudding the sheetrock. Justin and I poked along fitting angled sheetrock pieces (like a jigsaw puzzle) on the wall and some of the slanted ceiling. Now about all that is left for sheetrock work is the two gables. I think Carrie and I can piddle at that this coming week.
For now our plans are to take Monday off, be in town Tuesday and probably not do anything in the attic until Wednesday morning. We have all pushed pretty hard during this time and need to regroup. We trust Duane has a safe trip all the way home. He left today (Sunday) at 7:00 a.m. after his morning coffee and a good breakfast. What a special time we had together as family--working hard, laughing a lot!, sharing stories and reminiscing from our childhood days on the farm. This has been a time we will treasure forever! And Duane and Linda's selfless gift to us will bless the grandkids and our neighbor girls. We believe they will be blest by our Lord Jesus for their loving giving! We love them for it!
And a great big "thank you" to you who have followed the blog and to those who have prayed for us during this intense two weeks. We know we have received benefits through your prayers!
Friday, January 29, 2010
A LIGHT ROOM!
It's amazing what a difference the color of the walls and ceiling make in a room!
After the insulation was in, the dormers looked so much bigger. Yesterday the first sheetrock was put in the 7' square ceiling area and around the ugly chimney. THAT sure looks better! As more sheetrock went in during the day, the room kept looking lighter and lighter (a very good thing). What a lesson in the difference between dark wood walls and light ones.
Justin did more work with insulation (it's almost 100% finished now). (Justin had taken Thursday and Friday off from work, too, so more could be done in Duane's last days here.) The other two slowly worked on sheetrock. Hopefully it will go a bit quicker for them today. The area is small and every bit of sheetrock that is put in is angles and corners with cutouts. I sent Carrie up with butcher paper today to see if that would help to push into the corners, get the dimension, and get the sheetrock cut for placement. We'll see...
While the "builders 3" worked, I cooked and baked to keep them fueled up. The day seems to fly by, and when it's bedtime, I'm almost as tired as they are.
When Duane brought a piece of sheetrock into the guest bedroom yesterday, he must have bumped the portable clothes rack I had there for his clothes. It went crashing to the floor. Carrie and Justin wondered what the racket was downstairs. Whereas in the past, Duane has been known as "the Torch", "the Demolition Man", he now has a new name--"the Destroyer!". Anyway, we have good laughs teasing him about his varied roles! So I have been saved the decision of "what do I do with that clothes rack after this project is done?! Truthfully, I will probably get another small one, because Mom will need somewhere to hang her clothes when she comes for her visits.
Until tomorrow...
After the insulation was in, the dormers looked so much bigger. Yesterday the first sheetrock was put in the 7' square ceiling area and around the ugly chimney. THAT sure looks better! As more sheetrock went in during the day, the room kept looking lighter and lighter (a very good thing). What a lesson in the difference between dark wood walls and light ones.
Justin did more work with insulation (it's almost 100% finished now). (Justin had taken Thursday and Friday off from work, too, so more could be done in Duane's last days here.) The other two slowly worked on sheetrock. Hopefully it will go a bit quicker for them today. The area is small and every bit of sheetrock that is put in is angles and corners with cutouts. I sent Carrie up with butcher paper today to see if that would help to push into the corners, get the dimension, and get the sheetrock cut for placement. We'll see...
While the "builders 3" worked, I cooked and baked to keep them fueled up. The day seems to fly by, and when it's bedtime, I'm almost as tired as they are.
When Duane brought a piece of sheetrock into the guest bedroom yesterday, he must have bumped the portable clothes rack I had there for his clothes. It went crashing to the floor. Carrie and Justin wondered what the racket was downstairs. Whereas in the past, Duane has been known as "the Torch", "the Demolition Man", he now has a new name--"the Destroyer!". Anyway, we have good laughs teasing him about his varied roles! So I have been saved the decision of "what do I do with that clothes rack after this project is done?! Truthfully, I will probably get another small one, because Mom will need somewhere to hang her clothes when she comes for her visits.
Until tomorrow...
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