Category: LIFE IN REMODEL

We had quite a bit of progress on the master bathroom this past weekend and I’m looking forward to refinishing the shower on Tuesday. Once the shower is finished the only thing left to do will be the last coat of paint, at least in the master bath!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is WAY too warm for the first week in March!  I’m hoping we cool down a bit for actual spring when it hits.  We are supposed to get hit with a HUGE storm thus week.  As of now they are predicting over 3 inches of rain each day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but today is just overcast and getting a bit windy.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Today I will be running ALL my errands for the week, so it will be a long day.  I also want to go see my aunt today. She is home from the hospital (which I think is a mistake, but Medicare will only pay for 2 weeks of a rehab facility despite the doctor saying she cannot put any weight on the leg for 8 weeks).  Rehab now comes to her and my uncle is left with trying to keep her off her leg.  With hr Alzheimers this is a difficult task for him – she just plain forgets.  With the storm they are predicting I don’t want to be ANYWHERE out in traffic this week.

CURRENTLY READING

• Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

TELEVISION / DVR
Whatever happens our way as we collapse in exhaustion each day.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I have been acquiring the parts to make some beautiful wind chimes, decorative wall crosses, personalized pillow cases, homemade dryer sheets and fun pincushions.

HOUSE PROJECTS
This week we are hoping to finish painting the last coat on the living room, install the new living room fan and do the walls in the spare bathroom.  I have tons of “detail” work to finish in the master bathroom, but we did finally achieve running water, a flushing toilet and even a door this past weekend.

KITCHEN WISHES
The washer and dryer are REALLY on their last legs.  I’m praying they hold out another month so they can be part of the April budget, but we found our new ones by accident on Saturday and wish we were more ready for them, but we still need to do the walls, ceiling and move the water heater to bring it to code and that will take time and money.  I didn’t used to be fond of stackables, but these I think I will like.  They will also give me 36 inches more of kitchen counter space!

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	YOGURT & FRUIT	SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	YOGURT & FRUIT	MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS	EGGS in the CLOUDS	BACON & EGGS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	C.O.R.N.	C.O.R.N.	C.O.R.N.	POTATO CRUSTED BEER BRAISED CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE	SMOKY ROAST CHICKEN	SPAGHETTI CHILI	DETROIT CONEY DOGS
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• NOT having to go to the other end of the house to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• Completed projects

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
I was in need of some spring color and LOVE Lantana so bought a couple to plant near the front door.  They grow and spread so fast, are easy to keep pruned and are ALWAYS full of color!

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

We had a VERY productive week around here! I hope you had a great week too. We’re on day 125 on this house and getting VERY exhausted, but hoping to complete the living areas by Easter which we volunteered to host.  I also found some fun new recipes for Easter that I’ll share soon.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
LOL it’s TOO warm and drizzly.  I’m ready for spring, but definitely not for these pre-summer temperatures.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Hubby’s birthday is this week so we are going to actually take a WHOLE day off and do something fun. After that we are hoping to finish the living room paint and molding.

CURRENTLY READING
I’m still reading the same book LOL.  Maybe I’ll actually finish it this week.

• Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

TELEVISION / DVR
Whatever we stay awake for at the end of the day.

HOUSE PROJECTS
We are starting to see serious progress – at least we were! I was looking for something yesterday which made a HUGE mess of things still packed that I will have to clean up today.  We did do something though that will make things better – we hired a contractor to paint the Atrium.  Every now and then you have to realize that just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you HAVE to.  Hubs and I both have been dreading this room as it as a 20 foot apex that is a pain in the butt and we just decided that it was smarter to pay someone else to do it.

Unfortunately we still had to do all the repair work from the dry rot.  Fortunately, it went smoothly and hubby and I knocked out all the repair work in one day.  Next week I hope to show you a truly finished room.  We have the floor and 3 cabinets to install next Friday. They’ll be here Thursday! YAY!  

Before and after the repairs.

 I can’t wait to finish this room! Well, I actually can’t wait to finish ANY room in its entirety!

We did manage to get the vanity in place in our bathroom but unfortunately the faucet didn’t fit so that will get exchanged later today.  So we decided to install the toilet instead, but that was too big for the back of the wall so we’ll go in search of a different style later today also.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	YOGURT & FRUIT	SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	YOGURT & FRUIT	MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS	BACON CHEDDAR PANCAKES	QUICHE LORRAINE
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	ROASTED PEPPER BEEF GOULASH	INSIDE OUT CHICKEN POT PIES	C.O.R.N.	HONEY WALNUT CHICKEN	SWEET & STICKY PORK CHOPS	TUNA CASSEROLE	TUNA CAKES
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Donating unused items to organizations that do for children
• Spring like weather

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

I had a horribly busy week between the house projects and my aunt’s surgery and I think I overdid. Even yesterday morning I woke up pretty good, but ended up sick by the afternoon.  I’m still feeling a bit under the weather today, but will try to get a few things done anyway.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s too warm for February and we’re having cloudy days with a big storm on the way.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
It looks like we’ll finish the master bathroom this week and be well under way to completing the spare bathroom.  I’m hoping to also have the living room painted by the weekend.

CURRENTLY READING

• Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	YOGURT & FRUIT	SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	YOGURT & FRUIT	MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS	BAKED EGGS	BREAKFAST ENCHILADAS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	PEANUTTY PORK & NOODLE SALAD	BAKED SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS	C.O.R.N.	SWEDISH MEATBALLS	SNAPPER WRAPPERS	BLACK BEAN CHICKEN ENCHILADAS	CADAILLACS
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• PAN SEARED SALMON with KIWI LIME REDUCTION

ON MY MIND
I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed at ALL there still is to do here.  My logical mind KNOWS we are making progress, but I’m just so tired that some days it stills seems insurmountable.  That said, here are a few pictures of what we did get accomplished this week.

Playing with the pattern.

ALL glued down and setting up!

We STILL don’t know what ALL those holes in the wall were for, but hubby did get the thermostat moved to the living room side of the wall and got the piece of drywall cut out and replaced.  I will get it patched and get this alcove painted this week.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Pretty Sunsets
• Long walks with the dog
• Small project completions

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I ordered this pillow from a friend this weekend that sells Thirty-One products.

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

We had a productive, but also a lazy weekend here. I was able to catch up on a bunch of paperwork though I am NO where near done! I was able to complete more of my “reading” corner in the master bedroom and hung my newly stained shelf in there also.  I read somewhere that your dresser an nightstand tops should be clear for a more soothing “air” to the room.  Well, a clear dresser top will NEVER happen at our house, but the shelf is going to help A LOT!  I need to make another one for hubby’s side of the room.

We had a quiet Valentine’s Day dinner at home, but went out for lunch at one of my favorite seafood restaurants and were not disappointed.  We also rented the movie, The Martian.  We really enjoyed this movie – the possibilities of space and the will to survive are so mind boggling.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is gray and overcast with a threat of a thunderstorm soon.  It’s supposed to be warmer this week and I am NOT ready for warm weather!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY	5 year oncology check up ZOO
TUESDAY	unload studio of all boxes and such
WEDNESDAY	hospital – my aunt is having surgery to replace the knee she shattered recently – ALL prayers welcome as she has a heart condition, an aspergilus allergy and is an Alzheimer’s patient.
THURSDAY	paint studio & begin again LOL
FRIDAY	Organize studio items be available to help hubby with wainscoting and bathroom fixtures installation
SATURDAY	Farmer’s Market install kitchen molding and paint it
SUNDAY	cleaning and laundry

CURRENTLY READING

• Barbara Bretton – Someone Like You

TELEVISION / DVR
We’re still just watching whatever comes our way.  We’re still working long days.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I made a few prototypes this past week for some really neat things, but want to perfect them a bit more before I share them.

HOUSE PROJECTS
LOL this is a never ending category, but we are hoping to have the house in working order by the time we host Easter.  It is possible. It is even probable. WE WILL SUCCEED!

KITCHEN WISHES
I’m getting a replacement stove on Tuesday as I’m having a continuous issue with uneven heating.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	YOGURT & FRUIT	SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	YOGURT & FRUIT	MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS	BUTTERMILK WAFFLES	BREAKFAST ENCHILADAS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	C.O.R.N.	12 HOUR SALAD	SNAPPER WRAPPERS	HOBO FOIL STEWS	BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN	BAKED WHITEFISH	CARNITAS
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• LESS stress
• Project completions
• MORE energy

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

There is still A LOT of trim work to do, but I love my “Tom Sawyer meets the Waltons” look for the kitchen.  I did get a few shelves done in the kitchen and LOVE having ingredients at hand!

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

I don’t want to be ALL sappy or anything, but today is a HUGE day in my life. 5 years ago today I lost 10 pounds in the form of a volleyball sized ovarian cancer tumor.  I know how INCREDIBLY blessed I am to be here and to be in complete remission.  So without soap box lecturing or anything I want to remind you all to get your yearly well woman exams.  They could save your life.  Mine did.

We had a beautiful and productive weekend.  What a difference a day makes.  Each day is looking better and better with projects getting accomplished and packing boxes going away!  We are still a long ways from being done, but we do feel more like we have a house now – even with the BIG BANG lawn furniture for the living room.

Our goal is to have the living room, master bath, atrium and laundry area done by the time we host Easter dinner. We had a fortunate find yesterday. The wall in the living room with the biggest crack from the foundation issues also had the ugliest dated paneling on it and it was painted a yellowish color that had become a pukey looking color with the added nicotine staining. We had decided that we would just work over it with a wainscoting wall board and with nothing to lose I decided to take a “peek” under it and was pleasantly pleased to find a beautiful finished sheet rocked wall that just needs the crack patched and paint!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
The weekend was gorgeous and today is going to be great, but we’re supposed to be taking a serious (15-20 degrees) dip on Wednesday.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• MONDAY – errands, grocery shopping as well as parts and supplies gathering for this week’s projects. The parts we need this week are going to take several trips because of their sizes. Install last 2 living room entertainment center cabinets and get them stained. Order the rest of cabinet handles and track lighting for the atrium.
• TUESDAY – Costco and more parts and supplies gathering for this week’s projects. Second coat of stain on new living room cabinets. Install last cabinets for hubby’s “BAR” as well as the linen closet cabinets. Get cabinets stained.
• WEDNESDAY – Prep and prime living room for painting.
• THURSDAY – Paint living room.
• FRIDAY – Stress test and we’ll see from there.
• SATURDAY – Master bathroom walls and ceiling and paint if all goes well.
• SUNDAY – SUPERBOWL COMMERCIALS AND FOOTBALL FOOD.

CURRENTLY READING
I’m still trying to finish Sinister – Shaye Archer Book #2 by Jana Deleon.  I’m just too tired at the end of each day to get much done.

TELEVISION / DVR
Whatever happens our way at the end of each day.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Still just acquiring prts and hope to share some things soon.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	YOGURT & FRUIT	SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	YOGURT & FRUIT	MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS	BAKED EGGS	CINNAMON RAISIN BANANA FRENCH TOAST
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	CHICKEN MARSALA	CHARDONNAY CHICKEN	C.O.R.N.	BUFFALO CHICKEN & LOADED BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE	SLOPPY JOES	PINK LEMON CHICKEN	MARRY ME CHICKEN
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Everything having a place and being in its place!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

 A little paint will make EVERYTHING brighter! PLUS the new fan will be better.

This is the most wonderful smelling Hyacinth!  So pretty too.  My uncle brought it as a bread and butter gift when he came for dinner Saturday night.

We’re building an entertainment area that will house the games, DVDs and CDs. There are a few more cabinets to be installed here and will look SO much better after they are stained.

A little patch and paint and we ill have a brand new wall.

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

With the playoffs yesterday we tried to cram everything into Saturday and boy am I tired!

Last week did NOT go as planned thanks to the unprofessional plumbing team working on the foundation plumbing repairs under the house.  The plumbing is 40 years old and a week ago Friday they broke loose the drain in the tub.  They were supposed to fix it THAT day and of course left without doing so.  We made a temporary type repair so we could shower since it is our only working shower.  Monday came and went and then Tuesday and Wednesday without the actual plumber showing up, just the diggers under the house.  My week wasn’t going on schedule as it was and I had just finished moving everything from the sewing room into the spare bedroom on Thursday and was patching walls, cleaning corners and demolishing molding when the plumber arrived to fix the tub.  Several minutes after he began he announced that he was going to have to punch an access hole into the wall to be able to fix it since today’s standard sizes are different from 40 years ago.  No big deal right? Except the wall was inside the room that I had just filled to the hilt!  I told him he’d have to come back tomorrow as it would take me several hours to clear a path.  He told me I couldn’t use it in the meantime and I told him he better find a way to temporary it as I was not going without a shower because of their lack of communication and follow through.

Friday and Saturday went much more productively thank goodness.  I’m even seeing some serious organizational progress.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
The forecast has changed every hour for the last 2 days so I’m taking this with a grain of salt.  Supposedly today’s clouds will give way to 2 days of rain and then we will take a cold drop again.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
While I’m being more realistic this week, I still have high hopes in meeting my self imposed deadlines.

• MONDAY – Grout entryway, Paint walls in refrigerator alcove, Set tiles for under refrigerator so we can get it moved out of the living room, Texture kitchen wall and get it painted, Paint bathroom walls with gripper paint to get it ready for texturing, Finish sorting through kitchen utensils and organize 1-2 cabinets.
• TUESDAY –  Get blood drawn, Walmart and grocery store. Finish the migration of “things”.
• WEDNESDAY – We’re getting a little more realistic with projects and because of the size and shape of the living room with the cathedral ceilings we’re going to do it one wall at a time starting with the wall that the TV will mount to.  LOL must have the TV by Superbowl.  This wall will also have the built in cabinetry for the DVD’s, CD’s, games, etc… So today I will get the ceiling painted in the center so hubby can get the new fan and lght mounted.  I’m hoping to also get the TV wall painted.
• THURSDAY – Laundry, clean and a bit of spray painting to be done.
• FRIDAY – Tonight and tomorrow night we will have company and I get to really cook for the first time in a long time! Cook and prep for Brent and Carlie’s stay.
• SATURDAY – Cook and prep for dinner with George.
• SUNDAY – Not sure yet.

CURRENTLY READING

• Sinister – Shaye Archer Book #2 by Jana Deleon

TELEVISION / DVR
Whatever we can find time for.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I came up with a few more ideas for those Christmas presents and have ordered a few parts I needed to get them started.

HOUSE PROJECTS
LOL see to do this week.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	YOGURT & FRUIT	SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE	FRUIT SMOOTHIE	YOGURT & FRUIT	MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS	Blackberry Souffles	Cinnamon Raisin Banana French Toast
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	SANDWICH	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT	Moo Shu Chicken – Crock Pot	C.O.R.N.	CADILLACS – Parmesan Roast Beef	ALOHA RIBS, BAKED BEANS, BEER BREAD  & SALAD	ALOHA RIBS, BAKED BEANS, BEER BREAD  & SALAD
DESSERT					DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE	DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• BREAKFAST BURGERS

HOMEMAKING TIP
I keep a square block of soap around to stand my widget in so it’s safe but always ready for duty.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Having the space to be a bit more creative.
• Hubby’s garage is almost empty of gramp’s and my uncle’s things.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
We were able to finish removing the dated paneling from the atrium which was NO easy feat on the 20 foot tall wall. And this is the first time the dining room table has been completely clear since we got here 90 days ago!

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.