1 Free Swingset + A LOT of Elbow Grease=

TONS OF FUN!

We got a swing-set off of Freecycle, and it was actually in great shape, considering it was 12 years old. The lady even had some spray paint that she had bought for it. So we brought it home, and I spend a lot of time scraping off the rust with a wire brush and painting it.

The supplies.

Then with the help of my friend Cindy...thanks again Cindy, you buff woman you...we got it put back together.

Not in the ground yet.

Then we dug the holes, and just got it into the ground this afternoon. The kids were REALLY excited. It was like trying to keep a crowd of starving kids from food!

Needless to say they are enjoying it!

Now, hopefully, it will be at least a couple of days before we hear,

"Our house is so boring...I have nothing to do!!!"

FINALLY

So this post has a few different "finally's".

1st,

We FINALLY got our new roof. We signed the papers for it on December 30th, and they came on Tuesday (Feb 4th) to do the new roof. It wasn't that they didn't care or anything, but it has been really cold and rainy for most of January. Roofers don't work in the rain...for obvious reasons, but they also can't work for a couple days after it's been raining, because it causes hazardous slippery situations. Also, they were very busy, since they don't subcontract out their work.

Anyways, I felt bad for the poor guys, it was so cold! They were very nice. On the big PLUS side, they all spoke English! I would just like to say though, after standing outside observing their work for about 30 minutes, I now understand their fascination with facial hair. Seriously, I couldn't understand why so many of them were sporting this...uh...interesting facial hair, but after only 30 minutes my face was FREEZING! More power to you guys! Hey, whatever works, Right?

Kind of like this, but some were bushier, and up the face for more added warmth.

So here is a little progression of the roof for you!

First, Here is some of the damage our roof has been sporting for the last couple of months because of the wind.

Here's the back.

This is the side.

The front.

Other side.
Almost finished.
Final Product.

So the final verdict. Southern Siding/Windows/Roofing (A.K.A. Southern Industries), did an excellent job on the roof. The workers were kind and very courteous...even though this blog-crazed lady kept taking pictures of them as they worked. None of them even knew what a blog was...oh well, at least they know how to put on a roof. I would recommend them to anyone. You know just in case your interested! :)

2nd,

This one is Erik's "finally"!

We are FINALLY getting a wheat grinder, so we can grind all the wheat that we have in food storage. (Erik has been wanting one of these for about 3 years. Not that I didn't want one, I do...did, but not as much as Erik apparently!)
Actually, Erik had decided that we were going to get the wheat grinder, and I told him that if he wanted me to do anything with the flour that he was going to grind, then he had to buy me a Bosch. Which leads me to the next thing.

3rd,

After 10 years of wanting, wishing, and dropping hints, I FINALLY got me a Bosch!

YEA!!!

The kids and I made cookies last night. YUMMY!

Those of you who really know me, know that I LOVE BROWNIES! I am very particular about my brownies. I hate nuts in my brownies...HATE...It steals from the yummy flavor...you know CHOCOLATE! They can't be too floury. They need to be nice and chocolaty, moist, and gooey, but not too gooey. (I do like to know they have been cooked.) It's hard to describe without the taste being the biggest factor.

Anyways, I made Chocolate Chocolate chip cookies last night. They were so yummy! Almost like brownies, but in a cookie form. The best part, even though you shouldn't, you can eat the dough! To die for!!! Oh Baby!
So the biggest question is why do I make yummy things like this before dinner is done???? I tried to be good, but I was hungry! Bad me for not planning ahead.

After we added up how much we spend on bread every week...then month, then year! It's was crazy for us not to switch to making our own bread. The down side, I will blow up like a balloon with all this access to fresh bread and cookies and you name it, this Bosch thing is fun! Dang! I better start exercising!

4th,

This one is your "finally"!

I am FINALLY posting the pictures of our new floor.

(Dining Room) Music/Office Room

Front Door Entrance Way

Living Room

Kitchen

Kitchen/Breakfast Area
Laundry Room/Doorway to Garage on close side/Doorway to Kitchen on other side

I still have some finishing touches to do to the quarter round, and some of the door jams, but it's mostly done. It has taken some getting used to, but we like it. Things clean up off the floor so much easier than before. I'm getting used to all the dust on the floor instead of in the carpet, but it's nothing that a broom or Swifer dust cloth can't clean up.

A friend of mine asked if we had some rich relative die and leave us money so we could get these things, and I said, "I wish!" Not about the dying part, but about the money part. No, no rich relative, no secret, just mostly tax refund, planning and saving (for the floor) and financing (on top of the insurance coverage) for the roof. Seriously, who has an extra $8,000 floating around to get a new roof. Not us! So when the house sells, we will hopefully recoup that money.

So there you have it!

I'm FINALLY done with this post.

Nothing to say?

Is that possible???

Seriously, how often do I have nothing to say?


Hmmm......

So I thought I would give an update on the family, and our remodeling.

Family: Good

Remodeling:
Not good

Thanks for visiting!














No, I'm just kidding!

The remodeling went well. (That's not really a picture of our house!!!) We are just doing the finishing touches. Promise!

As soon as I'm done being lazy... you know with vacations, visitors, sicknesses, and needing to clean before I showcase our work to the world... I will post pictures.
So stay posted!

I know...I know... try and contain your enthusiasm!




Really...try!




As for the family, we really are good. We are done with the stomach flu (knock on wood) that barrelled through the house. My parents are off having fun in Alabama, and the kids are slowly...VERY SLOWLY...getting back into life where they actually have to go to school and not theme parks. Here's a little picture of the kids, and a taste of the final product of the remodel...ALL...IN...ONE!
Chillin' on a Sunday afternoon, and still lovin the Leapsters they got for Christmas!

So really not much to say, yet I still managed to make it long post...once again!
Later!