The Home Front. (Well, back actually)

I was pretty excited about my time off work to try to finish a few of the projects I have started over the last few years.  The snow prevented me from even leaving my house in the beginning, then I broke my foot.  But I still had plans to get to some of the projects as soon as I was able to walk without my special boot.

Poor Todd.  Poor house.  I have no idea if this house will ever be finished with the remodeling.  I have started at least 16 projects.  Not all of them big, but not all of them small.  In December 2005, I was so tired of not having adequate light in our dining area that I decided to change the light fixtures.  (We had fluorescent light fixtures, with bulbs always warning us they were about to die – no matter how often we changed them.)  Easy enough job.  After working a day or so on this simple little project, it looked something like this:

This wasn’t an accident.  As we took down the existing fluorescent light fixtures, the wiring became frightening.

It got progressively worse with each fixture, and by the time we got to the last one, well… I felt safer just ripping down the ceiling. 

This was so much fun.  Now I understand why my grandpa loved the demolition.  It was great.  I was having so much fun with it, that everyone wanted to help.  So down came the ceiling…

 

 

 

 

The entire ceiling.

Although Todd was a little nervous about the ceiling coming down in the first place, I just reassured him with my, “You’ll love it when it’s done.”  This is my standard line… borrowed from my Grandpa.

And I am certainly glad we did.  We were able to locate several potential fire hazards, and even discovered why the upstairs wasn’t getting heat or air from all the duct work.  (Some of it wasn’t even connected to anything.)

I still hated the paneling on the west wall.  (You might notice that the date on this picture is taken in August.  The entire ceiling came down the first few days of January… but we were wiring and rewiring, and trying to figure out how to fix the duct work so the upstairs could be cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.)  I also wanted to make another room in the back so I could have a place to store my arts and crafts and not look like such a cluttered mess.  And finding the time was a little bit challenging, because in 2006, the little ones wanted to play in all the mess. 

This is a picture taken after some progress has been made. 

As you can see, the big mess in the back by the stairs can now be concealed, and you might also notice that the wood paneling on the west wall has all been replaced.

There is still quite a bit of work to do, but there is obvious improvement made.

And I have figured out why my grandpa did some of the things he did, but I have improved some of the things.  I know Grandpa would have liked the changes.

Are you asking why I am sharing these pictures with you?  Are you thinking that you will be able to see the completed room?  Well, if you are, you haven’t been paying attention. I have 16 other projects that I haven’t even finished!  Why would you think that I have finished this one?

I started another project that I want to share. 

I have wanted to replace the slider with French doors for a long time.  I have been looking at the prices.  For a while, I thought it would be too expensive to be worth the investment.  But about 2 years ago I saw a really good deal on a set of French doors, but didn’t know if they would fit.  As you can see, the doors are not far below the ceiling.  So I passed.  I found another good deal about a year ago, but they also didn’t list the dimensions, and they didn’t respond when I asked them what the dimensions were.  I figured they had already been sold.

As I was looking again last week, I found a better deal.  Well, it wasn’t that it was a better deal, but the doors were better quality and the dimensions were listed.  I almost bought them, but had decided to double check the dimensions of the slider.  Dang.  Wouldn’t fit.

 

This is how it looks today.   The biggest difference would be that we carpeted the dining area.  The next big change will be the French doors!

In this picture you can see the French doors that are waiting to be put into place.  I can’t believe I found a better deal…  And with a company I have done business with in the past. 

I really love all the light that comes through the slider door and I don’t want to lose that.  But the slider is really a glorified dirt catcher.  And it lets you know it is ready to be emptied when the door is difficult to open and close.  Of course, I discover this when the kids decide to leave it open.

Many people told me to buy just a single door, but I knew I would find what I wanted.  And this is in our basement!  It isn’t as if there are a lot of windows.  I don’t want to shut out that much light.  Although there won’t be as much light as before, there will still be plenty of light coming through these doors.  And because both the doors can open up, it will be more fun during Todd’s bar-be-ques. 

My grandpa has always impressed me in many ways.  When he was sick and came to live with us, I remained impressed with his dignity.  When he passed away, I cried.  I really missed him, and I didn’t want to stop being impressed by him.  Now that I get to live in his house, and I am carrying on with remodeling the house (something he started about 50+ years ago) I have discovered many things about my Grandpa.  And he still impresses me.  So does my Grandma.  Todd isn’t accustomed to living in remodeling messes, and I have forced him into it.  My Grandma just wanted it to be finished.  So does Todd.  I don’t blame them, but they will love it when I’m done!

Philly You Stud!!

Just a note that I don't ever want to forget-- Fathers Day Weekend 2009
Phil Mickelson is in the fight of his life! Playing in the US Open at Bethpage Black on Long Island New York! His wife Amy is to begin treatment for cancer in the first week of July! The first Major in which she has not been there with the 3 of there children.
The golf was so intense, and Philly was the only player in the field to have 4 rounds at Par or under and for the 5th time, (a dubious record) he came in second.
Although it was not a choke to come in second it actally was the most valiant effort of his phenomenal career!
The ability to play so well with so many distractions shows, he may not be Tiger, but he is with out question, hands down the second best golfer of his generation, and a fantastic gentleman for the game.
He and his caddie rented a house in the area of Bethpage State Park for the week, and each evening after a grueling day on the course, with weather delays and 5 days of golf, Philly signed autographs for the neighborhood that lined up in his front yard! Needless to say as all the golfers left the golf course on Monday, Philly stayed and signed and signed and signed autographs! Then he was able to jump in his car and get off to be with Amy to begin the fight of their lives, yes they have all of the financial resources to be successful. Although Philly you and amy will be in our prayers that you would acknowledge and appreciate God's hand in this and end up cancer free. Then over fathers day weekend next year, may you please win your first US Open--thanks PHilly God Bless you and your family

Holy Mackerel What a performer

Seanelle was so fantastic, as she generally is, but on the night of the performance she was so nervous. She didn't know what she was going to do, and she tore it up and I mean tore it up!! I was so proud of her!~She made me laugh and laugh she is doing exactly what she was supposed to every move regardless of the less focused activity going on around her she was Dialed in! Amazing !!! It still makes me chuckle thinking of her up there performing and taking a break between songs to blow kisses and emphatically like the entire performance!!!
Way to go Boolie Bear.
By the way their is eveidence that the nervous condition that comes before the performance, and the ability to take down the house, is genetic!

Back to the Music Program…

Here are some of our pictures.  You can view the pictures to see how well Seanelle was able to enjoy herself.

Only 4 Years Ago…

I always think of the babies as still being babies.  They aren’t really babies anymore.  Now they are old enough to pretend to be babies.  They talk and walk and reason and live adventures adults can’t see.  But they still seem so small and precious, and I still refer to them as the babies.

Here is a picture of Seanelle when she was only 2 years old.  We had taken a vacation to Ocean Shores with Todd’s brother and sister-in-law.  We had a lot of fun going to the beach, but we didn’t stay long.  It is still pretty cold in March.  

The picture on the right is of GaryTodd taken during the same vacation.  I picked both of these pictures because they have their dad’s hand beside them.  His hand size hasn’t changed, so it is easier for me to gage how much these little tykes have grown.

To compare how much they have changed reveals only that they are bigger in size.  Seanelle still loves to play up to the camera as in this picture:

 

These pictures were taken this June.  Seanelle’s during her Music Program at school, and GaryTodd’s was taken at the park after he started walking again.  Although he is still working on stretching out his leg and not able to run or jump on it yet, he is making great progress, and his sister loves to help him out with it.

Now that GaryTodd is walking again, they feel like they have their friend back and are again partners in crime.  The other morning, while I was still asleep, they decided to take a bath.  They were found having a great time in the kitchen sink.  I would have thought they would be too large for the both of them to fit in the sink, but they proved they can.

It is great to have GaryTodd able to play and get around, and to hear him playing with his sister again.

GaryTodd’s Doctor Visit Update

GaryTodd might not have been a really big fan of the doctor when he decided to put pins in his legs, but he became a fan of his when he told GaryTodd not to take a bath or soak his leg for the first week when the pins came out!

Today we had what I had hoped was the last doctor visit.  It was a follow up appointment to make sure GaryTodd’s leg was still healing properly.  The x-ray looked good to me.  The small bone looked a little bowed, and the “X” where the pins had been was slightly visible.  But the doctor reassured us the bone will straighten out, and that the holes where the pins were will heal as well.

The only concern the doctor has is about the growth plate.  There is no way for us to know for certain whether it has been compromised yet.  We will have a few appointments over the next year to monitor how the left leg is growing in comparison to the right leg.  The doctor let us know that there are ways to correct a problem if we discover his growth plate has suffered any damage.  But it isn’t something we will know until he grows some more.

GaryTodd walked all the way to the appointment and to the x-ray room, and back.  When the doctor asked to see him walk, he was very proud to be able to share this.  It was fantastic.

Because GaryTodd is starting to trust his leg, another type of healing has started.  He has begun talking about the accident without us having to ask him anything about it.  He even leaned over to his sister the other morning and said to her, “Thank you for saving my life.”  Then he kissed her.

GT is Walking Again!

 

The accident was on March 27th, and GaryTodd has had his leg in a cast until May 27th.  I really thought that he would get the cast off, and race us to the car.  I was so convinced of this, that I didn’t take the stroller with us. 

I didn’t realize he would still be in a lot of pain.  I also didn’t realize that he was frightened of putting weight on his leg.

I was able to get him in the swimming pool and keep his leg fairly dry the weekend after the pins came out, and he had a lot of fun and didn’t realize that he was stretching and exercising his ankle.  But last weekend he was able to soak his leg so we were able to let him play in the pool until he was ready to get out.  Neither Seanelle nor GaryTodd were interested in getting out of the pool.  They were in there for hours, and didn’t even want to get out to eat dinner.

GaryTodd was able to get a lot more exercise with his ankle, and it is starting to feel much better.  Seanelle is very happy to have her best friend in the pool with her and playing again.

On Wednesday, we went to Five Mile Pizza for dinner.  We had a chance to visit with Grandma and Grandpa, and the kids played in the pool of balls.  GaryTodd was very careful, but was very active.  It was great to see him playing again.

He started using his leg much more and started standing but only using his left leg for balance, but still wouldn’t walk on it.  Until Thursday, June 11th.  He started by using the railing on the stairs.  He was very careful with each step, and didn’t put all his weight on his foot, but progress is progress.  I am just happy that he is starting.

Strange thing that has happened after he finally gave in and started walking… He has been talking more about the accident.  He has been pretty tight-lipped about the accident, so I see this as progress too.

My Children Are So Entertaining!

And not only are they entertaining, but they are incredibly adorable!!!

Tonight we went to Seanelle’s Kindergarten’s Music Program.  It was warm in the gym of the school.  I was extremely pleased that we didn’t have to listen to a long speech by one of the teachers, or the principal.  Instead, they had a couple of the Kindergartners ask everyone to be sure to turn off their cell phones in order to hear them sing.  It was great.

Poor little GaryTodd didn’t handle the heat so well.  Before the program even started, he was fast asleep.  The older children were excited to see how well their little sister handled being in front of the crowd. 

Since this was the first time for Seanelle to perform in front of an audience this size, we weren’t really certain if she would be shy, look scared, or just enjoy herself.  Of course, we all assumed that she would enjoy herself because she is all about having fun.  But we are told that Seanelle is quiet at school, and we don’t know that Seanelle.

(Uncle Nick was probably warmer than the rest of us, but who is going to complain when an adorable little creature chose your lap to sleep?)

 

Before the program was under way, but after GaryTodd fell asleep, Seanelle let us know she was perfectly comfortable.  She was sitting nicely, and found where we were sitting in the crowd.  She waved to us and blew kisses to her daddy every chance she got.  What parent wouldn’t love that!  She takes after her daddy.  She really knows who to play up to… 

During each song they sang (which had to have been at least a dozen songs) the teachers chose 6 or 8 children to come to the front to perform.  I was proud of all of the children.  They had never practiced all together.  There were 4 Kindergarten classes together for the first time tonight.  Each of them knew when it was his/her turn to go to the front, and when to return to the risers.  And although Seanelle kept blowing kisses and waving at her family, and mouthing and signing “I love you” in sign language, she paid attention and didn’t need to be reminded she wasn’t here to play.

Now I know why she was nervous about the performance, and why I had only heard a couple of the songs they sang.  She was practicing to make sure that she didn’t make a mistake.  And she didn’t.  I watched her very closely to make sure that she didn’t miss any words or get flustered.  She was awesome.

Here they are performing ‘The Macarena’ with the months of the year as the words to the song.

Oh yeah, and as an added touch, the kids that were performing got to do special dance moves that couldn’t be done safely on the risers.  The teachers did a phenomenal job with the choreography of the program.  And for the “Wardrobe Change,” the kids got to put on these sunglasses to make them more endearing to parents and grandparents (and so that we parents could bring out the pictures later on in life to embarrass them as teenagers!).

 

Seanelle didn’t disrupt the program at all, but took a photo opportunity during her performance.  She wanted to be sure that I got a good picture, I’m sure.

And how could I resist? 

At one point, I couldn’t get a very good picture of the kids (we had seats in the back row) and I just jumped up on my chair.  It was worth it, I got this picture…

 

 

This probably about the 5th time that Seanelle cracked me up.  She was enjoying the music so much that she started playing her ‘air guitar’ during one of the songs.  This wasn’t part of the act.  She was the only one doing it.

Why would this make me cry?

One other time that I was laughing too hard to get a picture was when she yawned REALLY BIG!!!

Oh… too funny…

When I had jumped up on the chair to get another picture without any heads blurring the picture, Corissa asked me when I ever stood on a chair during one of her performances.  (That made me laugh because Corissa has always LOVED being center of attention.)  But I told her that I didn’t have a cool camera when she was in school.  Which is true.  I wanted one, but was probably too self-conscious at the time to use one. 

Thinking back, I always made sure that I got a really good seat.  One time when Corissa was performing as a munchkin in a play at her elementary school, it made me cry.  I had taken her Great Grandmother with me, and I was so proud of Corissa’s performance.  She might as well have been Dorothy herself.  I don’t think she even had a line during the play.  But that didn’t matter.  I didn’t notice anyone else.  I knew that Corissa thoroughly enjoyed being in that play and I was so happy for her.  I have always been the gushing parent so incredibly proud of all my children.  I just wish I would have expressed it to the older ones.  But we live and learn, and I won’t make that same mistake again.  Not with just the younger ones, but telling the older ones when I am proud of the accomplishments they make.