Eating & Cleaning

Well tomorrow is the day; my first day of being forty.  Techically, I was born near midnight so I have most of tomorrow to be 39, but even that won't keep 40 away for long. 

So tonight I ordered my favorite pizza and snuggled up with my favorite coffee drink....both of which will not be on the new diet.  As I enjoyed these final indulgences, they felt a bit like a last meal!  However, I'm ignoring that feeling.


18 Commercial loads, but for my Aunt Treva's sake
I did not wash clothes on Old Christmas! 
See what happens when I skip a day!! (or two)!

We got behind on laundry over the holidays.  So today, Angela stripped all the bedding and extra blankets and coats from the closets and gathered all the dirty laundry. We went to the laundromat, and 18 commercial washer loads and $60 later, our laundry was caught up for a few minutes.

Jon's tummy has been hurting all day.  So after he was in bed tonight, Jon started yelling "Mom!".  I put him in the rocking chair with me and wrapped him in my newly clean and fresh school house quilt.  Within seconds, he threw up violently all over me, my hair, my favorite chair and the once clean quilt.  What a way to wrap up a decade! 

Chicken Update...We got 3 eggs!

After investments of $675 by us & grand-dad, Corrine's chickens gave us our first 3 eggs today.  Yeap, what a bargain.  $225 per egg.  Needless to say I better see more eggs in the days ahead! LOL!

Well we're movin on up....To a deluxe apartment

No we're not moving!

Corrine's chickens are moving to their new fancy house that her and Grand-dad have been building.  No more playhouse Country Cottage for our chickens!  They have much better accommodations now.

Grand-dad and Uncle Fred helped set the deluxe coop in our backyard and helped Corrine get the roof on it today.  Then Corrine moved her seven hens and one rooster.  (Yes, our little pullet who grew into a rooster!....So much for needing 8 nesting boxes.)

Last week Corrine bought them their second 50 pound bag of feed and some cracked corn and NOW  our chickens are living in style, SO I must insist that even in this hot weather, I should be getting some eggs!  When we finally get eggs, these will be some expensive eggs!

Neosho Master Gardeners Tamed My Jungle

March 2012 before the jungle "leafed out".

I REALLY wish I had taken a recent before picture, but all I have is this photo from March before everything leafed out and started taking over the front of my house. It had truly gotten out of control and too much for Grace and I to manage alone.  The ornamental grass had spread and blocked the down stairs door, hostas needed divided, and vinca vines were out of control.  A healthy size crop of polk was growing in the beds, not to mention Elm tree starts and dandelions.  It was so overgrown that the retaining walls could not be seen!

Today after a BIG cleanup!

Then a very nice lady from the Neosho Master Gardeners contacted me to see if I could use any volunteer help.  She had NO IDEA!  She came over and looked at my jungle last week, and today she returned with a fabulous group of gardeners who tamed the area in less than 4 hours!  Such a blessing!  They sized the beds down to a portion that I have a shot at controlling.  The out of control bushes were removed and the area in front can be seeded back to lawn.  Plus  I can open the downstairs door to my office without having to part and sort my way through the decorative grass to get in/out. 

I can open the office door and get in/out!

A BIG thank you to the Neosho Master Gardeners!  I am so pleased with how it looks.  I REALLY appreciate your help. 

For the earth [is] the Lord's,

and the fulness thereof.

~~I Corinthians 10:26

Chicken Run

Well, the little chicks started trying to fly last week so they moved into their Country Cottage House both night & day. (and OUT of my bathroom!) With their move, the need for a place for the chickens to "play" outside was quickly upon us.  Mr. Workman had state debate tournament on Friday & Saturday in Topeka.  So our already busy Sunday, now had the request that we build a chicken run. 

Mr. Workman & I looked through the garages for what we might already have to aid in building a quick & temporary run.  An old broken folding table from my office, an old sliding screen door, some scrap lumber and some chicken wire AND about 60 minutes with the staple gun AND the chicken run was complete.  Granted it is not beautiful (and may violate our neighborhood covenant), but it is functional.  Most importantly the chickens seem to like it!

Our Chicks' Country Cottage

They are cute & fun & growing stinkier by the day.

This weekend we put together a temporary hen house for our quickly growing chicks.  It is still too cool at night, but they can go out to their new home during most days.  Since we had only a weekend to get it together, we decided to reuse the kids playhouse, which they have lost interest in long ago.  We moved the cottage to an area where we could easily add a run and that was protected from strong wind and direct sun.  Then we added chicken wire over the windows and started building their roosts and nest boxes.  The chicks seem to like it a lot, which is good because hubby is tired of jokes about sharing our bathroom with 8 chicks and I'm tired of the smell.

Yes, our chicks have a working
doorbell.

This back "fireplace" will open out to their run.

BTW-We started with 4 chicks and we thought we had some guaranteed fatalities after the first day due to so much handling by the kids so hubby went and bought 4 more reinforcement/replacements.  I originally told you we had 7 because one was on deaths door when I wrote my post, BUT as luck would have it, Corrine is a serious internet-informed urban farmer.  She fed the chick egg yoke and it made a recovery that was nothing short of miraculous.  So if they all make it & lay 3 eggs per day.....anyone going to need eggs?  Lots of eggs? 

Grace & Corrine's Birthday

Grace turned 16 on the 25th, but we surprised her with a party on Sunday the 22nd.  We had the party at Grandma's house and all the way their she complained about having to go to Grandma's for a family gathering when it wasn't even anyone's birthday!  Needless to say, we had a lot of fun and some great memories were made!

Corrine turned 12 on the 28th and as is her tradition, I made the meal and cake of her choice and we ate dinner using the china.  This year she chose Italian Chicken, Lasagna, corn on the cob and Tres Leche cake.  She put 1 candle on her cake as a count down to 13.  I guess she is putting us on notice!  Corrine got gifts of clothes, money and lots of supplies for her chicks.

Newest Additions

There are lots of pets that I have agreed to through the years...dogs, cat, fish, hamster, hermit crabs, birds, gerbil, frogs  and turtles...AND now chickens.  Corrine has saved her money, read library books and begged endlessly so today we added 7 Rhode Island Red Pullets to our family.  I'm not sure what their survivability will be with 3 curious three year olds and a fearless four year old willing to lead the crew to the chicks.  However, we have bought all that the books said we need for chicks and now we'll see how our young farmer Corrine does with her brood of chicks.

Provided we have some survivors, in a few weeks, our May project will be building a chicken coop.  If anyone wants to help, just let us know!

Of course, we'll blog it!

Day 10: Spring Break Projects

FINAL DAY!  We are on the final day and we had hoped to finish the deck, but nope.  We got 1/2 of the 3rd side done.  The third side is all above our heads reaching.  It is really a workout!...especially when it is 85 degrees out!  The last side requires a ladder on uneven ground so we are dreading it. 

No matter...we are pleased with our efforts for the week and we can work on the deck a little each night.

Day 9: Spring Break Projects

Its amazing what a day of sunshine can do for building a deck!  In fact it got down right hot on the deck.  We worked until after 10pm last night so it was too dark for a photo.  Hubby took this one today before we started working again.

Day 8: Spring Break Projects

Rain, rain, REALLY go AWAY!  Tomorrow is supposed to be dry.  Slow progress today, but progress! 

Day 7: Spring Break Projects

I can actually walk out onto 1/3 of my new deck!  The support posts are all in place and the decking is done in an area big enough that I can wheel out onto it, turn, and come back inside!  And I FORGOT to get a picture today!  I was so focused on keeping the kids off the deck and out of daddy's way that I forgot to take a picture.  The twins, Nate & Matt are wanting out on the deck so bad.  I have a feeling that it will get lots of use!  We had about 4 hours without rain and things really came together fast during the dry morning.  Tomorrow maybe dry all day so we could get a lot done if it is!

Day 6: Spring Break Projects

Digging holes for posts in the rain.



Well, another wet day.  More mud.  However, despite the mud, progress was made on the deck.  Obviously not as much as we had hoped, but progress.

Corrine modeling today's bracelet.

Day 5: Spring Break Projects

Well, today marks the 1/2 way point in Mr. Workman's Spring break time off.  Of course, it rained most of the day.  The afternoon was an on and off light rain so Mr. Workman could work outside.  However, the yard is too muddy and mushy for my wheelchair so I helped from the back door.  It was a cold experience just sitting in the doorway so I'm sure Mr. Workman was VERY chilled by this crisp 1st day of Spring! 



The bracelet.



Corrine got her school work finished around 1:30pm so she suited up in her pink rain poncho, pink snow boots & a big pink and burgundy bracelet that had me trying hard to hide laughter.  What can I say, she and Vanessa our are girly, girls!  I wouldn't think of wearing jewelry to go help frame a deck, but then again there was a time that I wouldn't have gone outside without my make-up....oh so long ago!  At any rate, I loved watching her help her dad.  It was the highlight of my day!  By the end of the day, all the wire ties had been removed from the chain link fence that we taking down, and we have a basic and LEVEL frame for the 12x16 portion of our new deck. 

  

Tomorrow originally called for SEVERE thunderstorms with wind so I'm praying that goes away.  Hopefully by tomorrow night, the frame will be finished and maybe even some deck boards will be in place.

Day 4: Spring Break Projects

Today could best be described as "FRUSTRATING!"  We did some work inside first thing this morning and we got outside and put the first support for our new deck in place AND RAIN...HEAVY rain!  So Mr. Workman grabbed the "weed n feed" and the tick treatment and went to work with the speader since these are supposed to be spread when it is going to rain.  He got done and it stopped raining, but the yard is supposed to dry after the treatment before being walked on again. 

Over the last few days, we had discovered a small list of new supplies we are needing and we went to get those at Lowes, but by the time we returned home, it was REALLY raining again.  We sorted stuff in the garage until it was time to go meet my mom and get Matt and Corrine.  I took Grace for her turn at Grandma's and when I got home, it had rained the whole time that I was gone!  Its STILL raining as I write this and there is a chance of rain everyday this week.  When we planned this week, there was only a small chance of rain on Thursday and Friday!  Frustrating....I'm sure we can work in the rain, but who wants to?! I'm praying for dry days!

Ugh! Gotta love do-it-yourself projects on a tight schedule!

Day 3: Spring Break Projects

It seems Sunday is here just in time!  Mr. Workman seems to be a bit sore from keeping up with little Mr. Workman (David) yesterday.  However, since he has translating to do on an adoption (which he also hopes to finish over Spring Break), then today was a quiet day of trying to translate with the twins and Nate determined to get and keep his attention too.  Oh what a day tomorrow should be!

BTW-Grace watched the kids after we got everyone in bed and Mr. Workman and I went out for dinner together.  It was SO nice!

Day 2: Spring Break Projects

Day 2 (Saturday) of 10: 

We are coming to terms with how badly we have neglected our yard, especially the dog pin area.  Mr. Workman and little Mr. Workman (David) worked all day today and there is still more to do!  However, at the end of the day, only the dog pin needs more work and one stubborn bush that we really need a chainsaw or saws-all to tackle it due to its closeness to the neighbors' (both of them) fences.

David was so proud that he could "pick up huge, heavy trees, just like a Super Hero!" Therefore, he had to "show off" his muscles by carrying the branches and such over his head and throwing them on the pile to be burned.  Its so cute to see a little boy want to do everything his Daddy does. 

I however feel SO smoked.  We burned all yesterday afternoon.  Then David asked for smoked bacon for breakfast.  Then we burned all day today.  I'm SO ready to wash my hair!  I'm sick of smoke smell!

Mr. Workman also got all the family room ceiling tiles replaced except two so hopefully the rest of that project will go quickly.

Day 1: Spring Break Projects

DELAYS

Well, our day started with hubby's eye appointment and me watching the kids while I tried to work on reports.  Then about the time hubby got home, the school called and said that Hannah was sick with the flu so he took off to get her; armed with extra clothes, a towel and a bag.  Hannah got home and comfortable, just in time for the next "round".  Therefore our projects didn't get started until 2pm.  I took the babies, Grace & David to get a part for the Prius in Joplin that I had ordered after Mr. Workman blew a tire on his way to work on Thursday.  That tire did ALL kinds of body damage when it blew and the tire was LESS than 90 days old!  I already spend $50 on fixing the blinker and the tire and this broken lens cover part that had me in Joplin instead of helping at home.  (Plus I still need a side mirror and am hoping ebay can help me save some money.)

WORKING



L to R:  Mark and Luke
with "their" flags.



So I got back with the kids who immediately started being helpful....um, sort of...David was being helpful until a friend invited him to play, but we appreciated his 5 wagon loads of leaves that he collected for us.  The twins were playing while we worked and found these neat orange flags marking the AT & T lines in our yards and the decided these were the perfect toy so when I looked up, Luke had one in each hand and was declaring, "Un fer Mark and un fer me!"  They were very happy with their finds!  Daddy is glad he took "before" pictures so he knows about where DigRite had the flag placed!

Not exactly a romantic evening by the fire.

We were able to get 3 side of the house free of leaves and cut out two overgrown bushes.  Ed also trimmed the hedges.  We had hoped to get all the leaves burned and two more bushes removed, but considering the unplanned flu and errand to Joplin, we are pleased.

The BIG Reveal....Grace's new room

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BEFORE:  Our "extra" room

 

As I blogged the other day, I have really been struggling with planing Grace's new room and the updating it needs.  It is so hard to decide how much is too much!  Plus, she will be going to college in a few years and we want her to realize how to live within her means.  However, she'll be going to college in a few years and we want to SPOIL her too.  So with my conflict still ongoing, but with most of the supplies purchased  and waiting for pickup, I sent her to Grandma's house while we completed a surprise make-over.  Before she left, we had painted the walls and started working on updating the furniture with some paint.

REUSE

I was able to reuse her old dresser and bookshelf with a new coat of paint and make them look similar to ones that she had admired in Kirkland's.  The small dresser at Kirkland's was $435 and my $22 gallon of paint covered the big dresser from her brothers' room (we swapped some furniture too--brothers David & Matt now have the old beds out of the extra room) and her bookcase.  Then I reused accessories from my office such as plants and a lamp.  Finally I searched out some great sales to make me feel fiscally responsible while I spoiled her.

OVER THE TOP

I've know for several months that the one OVER the TOP thing that the cool and sometimes damp feeling, basement room needed was a fireplace.  I knew that no matter how little or much more that I did, I knew the fireplace would set the tone!  I watched sales and shopped online and had no luck at finding what I wanted within budget until this last week when the exact one that I wanted at Lowes went on sale for 25% off!  Then I added twin beds from Import Warehouse for a fraction of the price of other stores.  Plus I got the great zebra rug there for $39!  Finally, Bed, Bath & Beyond helped me out with deep discount blankets, sheets & a down comforter.  So my final decision was how to create a comfortable study corner.  She had a small desk that she had really outgrown in looks and in size that I could repaint, but her sister is doing homeschooling on a TV Tray and would love Grace's old desk.  I looked at desks and chairs and just couldn't find the comfort and style that I wanted, but at Target there was a leather-like chair and ottoman.  The ottoman converts to a low table and I realized that a laptop desk or TV tray could complete a super cozy and comfortable work corner.  Plus Target had a plain, but insulated brown curtain on clearance for $2.50 which meant that I couldn't make her curtain for that price (a big time saver).

PICTURES & SHELVES

Grace had fallen in love with the zebra picture and I had bought it with her with me.  However, I had to solo on the rest.  So using the zebra picture as my focal point, I selected a BOLD elephant picture which was on canvas just like the zebra.  The shelves were the easiest thanks to pre-packaged groupings at Target.

THE REVEAL

When we got home, Grace could see her old desk in the garage and wanted to know why it was in the garage.  I told her that I would move it back.  When we got inside, she read the note that we put on the door and opened the door.  It would be an understatement to say she was shocked.  In fact, Matt who went to Grandma's house with her said, "Wooo-Oh--wow!"  From a 4 year old that is high praise!

THE SIBLINGS

While setting up the room and purchasing the items, I had to offer various guidance also known as rules to Grace's younger brothers...okay actually only to David.  David thought the new electric fireplace was a waste because, "I can't even roast marshmallows or hot dogs."  I assured him he was not to try to cook on or even touch the remote for the new fireplace!  Then when I got the ottoman, David let me know that Matt would easily fit inside.  I assured him that NO ONE fits inside, BUT I have noted the conversation in the even that a brother is missing and David is sitting on the ottoman!  The twins have been told that the room is "off limits, even to Nate" which got an, "Oh, no!"

I hope Grace enjoys her new room.  It was a big splurge for our family, but I'm glad she has a room as grown up as she has become.