December 27: What Have I Really Been Doing Since Dec. 18th?

Dad and I needed to do a few short errands early last week.  While we were out, he kept holding his left side.  I got pushing and convinced him to go to his doctor.  He had a broken rib.  Nothing happened to cause it, at least nothing that we know of, but he did have a cough that had been fairly intense for about a week.  Figured that his assistance with the new addition was not really a good thing in that condition, so I became the second guy.

 

As I have already indicated, I painted, stained, and painted some more.  I also carried lots of heavy things and moved whatever needed to be moved.  In between that I did some baking, finished off the Christmas letters, finished off the book I had started on Dec. 13, and prepared for company.

 

Then after the carpet was laid, I hired my niece to help with removing all the fine sheet rock dust.  She did a fabulous job on our nasty kitchen floor.  The shine was something unexpected, but so special.  Believe me, she earned her pay.  Then I hired her and her brother for another day to help with the moving in of the furnishing.  Some of the pieces were extremely heavy, but Nick was a good sport and kept working even when he was exhausted.  All I can say is that with all their assistance, we were able to finish before Jamie and family arrived.

 

We also had to finish a few more orders for 3-tiered quilt racks.  These were done and delivered before Christmas Eve.  While Kevin was delivering the last order, I took another, but it will not be made until  after the beginning of the year.

 

Once the kids had arrived, I did not find time for blogging.  I love having any and all of my grandkids around.  I play too hard and am totally exhausted each night, but I would not have it another way!  The time we spend together is magical in my heart!  Whether cuddling or playing with the marbles and dice, nothing could be sweeter!

 

Henry and I spent hours playing on the Nook

We spend tome time practicing singing "Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus"
We wanted to be ready for our own birthday celebration.  Zoe also
practiced the telling of the Christmas Story using one of the Nativity sets as
her props.  What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of Christ.

 

Life is GOOD!

December 27: Photos of the Addition - finished enough to Sleep in

Den Windows

trimming the window in one of the bedrooms

Nick is adding bedrails in preparation of the arrival of grandkids

Standing at the side door ready to go sledding

Hanging out in the new den with cousins

I will take more photos in a couple of day.  We still need to finish some of the trim and also complete the finish on the doors.  Of course, the doors were in place along with the curtains so that the kids had some privacy, but they were not really ready to be hung.

Even without being completely finished, the grandkids could not have been more pleased to have all the extra space.  The bunk beds were the very best part as far as Henry was concerned, and Zoe loved being big enough to sleep on the top bunk.

Life is GOOD!

December 27: 37th Wedding Anniversary

Today, Kevin and I are celebrating our 37th year of marriage.  All of it has been good, even when he has been away at sea - we have a bond that always keeps us in touch with each others thoughts and feelings so I never feel too far from him.

Because the snow was coming today, we decided to take in a movie yesterday after all our holiday company headed home.  Then today, Kevin's dad treated us all to lunch at Applebee's. The snow was already falling at that time, and it is still is, but that is part of living in South Dakota in December.

Life is GOOD!

Decmber 18: Pictures Tomorrow

Promised pictures, but they are going to have to wait.

1. Cleaned up the floor in the addition so that the carpeting could be laid. 
2. Polyed the door trim on the hall closet.
3. I have been very busy finishing our Christmas Letter and envelopes.  What started as kind of a family joke has become a highlight of our year, even when it has been as crazy as this one.  Can I used the excuse that I did not have time to thoroughly proof-read????
4. I spent part of the afternoon making curtains for the new bedroom (nothing fancy, just something to keep people from flashing drivers, etc.)
5. Stained one side of each new bedroom's door.  (will help those inside to avoid the flashing as well).
6. Applied hand-rubbed poly to several multi-tiered quilt stands.
7. Sanded some parts for another jewelry box.
8. Made dinner for Uncle David and the rest of us.
9. Fell asleep printing the Christmas Letters.
10. Made a list for tomorrow.  Pictures for the blog are on it.

Life is GOOD!

December 17: I am supposed to be on BREAK!!!

Yeah, right?

I have done more sanding, staining, painting, sanding, fitting, painting, and did I mention sanding in the last few days than I ever imagined I would have done.  But I did squeeze in a short fiction book doing one chapter at a time - A girl needs those!!!!


I will have some photos tomorrow.  Carpet goes in.  Jamie is hoping I finish the bedroom doors, too, but if not she will have to make do!  At least they will be in separate rooms.  LOL

Life is good, but the muscles are aching!

December 13: Seed of Hope

As long as one has hope, I believe there is a better chance for a good outcome in anything.  In the case of illness, I believe it is even more important.  Therefore, when my sister's friend told her about a scary diagnosis, I was more than willing to make her something tangible to hold onto as she goes through all of this.  In her case, the comfort cross would not work because the cross is not part if her faith practices, so I carved her a "seed of hope" that will fit in the palm of her hand.

The joy of working with wood is revealing its secrets.  Before I started carving this is tiger maple, I did not really notice, but when I was finishing it the plaid effect really came through. The top curves of the heart are about the same shape as my thumb - what a nice feeling to be able to trace it with my thumb.  Hope it will offer her a calming sense and aprreciation of the love and prayers my sister is sending her way.

December 13: YELLOW????????????

Want to share the painting progress in the new living space, but I can already hear friends commenting on it being yellow. I took the photos while we were painting last night.  We have one working outlet until we finish the painting tonight and then the electricians will install the lights, outlets and ceiling fan tomorrow.   I do not think that it is yellow in any light but the high-intensity one we were using for painting, but it certainly does have a yellow cast.  The color is "drum skin" and everywhere else it appears to look a little like butter cream frosting.  Don't tell Deb B, but I really like this color - yellow is great everywhere but on ME or as the predominant color in one of my quilts.



I also sanded this pile of trim and all the rosettes. 13 more pieces of trim had to be ordered, so they will get my attention tomorrow.  Not so much a fan of the rosettes but they are in keeping with the rest of the trim in the house, so that is what we are doing.  Today I am going to be staining in the afternoon.  Dad wants to help so we will see how long he lasts.  His energy is low and he seems to be really worn out but he insists that he feels fine.
 











Life is GOOD!