Garage Sales here I come

As my friends in Retama know I love going to Mexico and haggle with the vendors to see what kind of deal I can get. The same is true especially at garage sales. So when Stint (SIL) called the first of the week and said there was a estate sale on Thursday we marked it on our calendar's. The advertisement said they would start giving numbers out at 8:30 and since the estate was from a couple that have been a landmark to this small community we decided we would be #1 & #2 on the list. We weren't #1&2 but we were #3&4 and it only took us being there at 7:15am.

So here's my big find, I'm happy that I got him down to $30
Than Friday my neighbor Patty told me a about a moving sale so had to check that out.
And this is what I got, was really really happy with my $25.00 purchase.

I haven't decided what I'm going to do with either pieces. I may sand them down and paint them once I decide on the color of the furniture. Will let you know later what I decide.

Tuesday Diane (SIL) and I made a trip over the Hospice House Store. It's a great place to find the old pyrex dishes for a couple of dollars. And know this is one place I don't haggle. Larry's and my dad both spent their last days at a Hospice Home and the caregivers there are wonderful.

We finally got all the "rebate" credits from Menard's last week and there was enough to purchase a new garage door. So that's what we worked on this weekend. I'll have some before and after pictures in the next blog.

Oh, I do have another before/after of the front of the house.

This was taken last fall, see the huge maple tree in the back yard

A good power wash on the house, trimming the burning bushes, a new storm door, paint job on the front door, a little bench with flowers and edging the sidewalks sure mades a difference. But unfortunately no maple tree and we sure could of used that shade in this 90* temps.

Guess that's it for now. Till next time...................................

Carpet Installed, Lots of Rain, Family from Albq

Well the carpet is installed and we're both very happy with it. So bare with me with just a couple more before and after pictures.

Entrance Before and After

Living Room Before and After

Stairway Before and After


Bedroom Before and After

So our two year project is done in eight weeks. Guess once we got started we just kept going. Our daily visit to the local Menard's store is hopefully over until next year when we start on the upstairs and landscaping. Back yard needs some major over haul so that may be a couple years project.

Last night we had a gathering at the farm for our niece Marcey and her kids Kelden and Quinn who are visiting for a few days from Albq. It was suppose to be out under the Maple tree but due to the rain we had to move it into Amy/Greg's garage. Still lots of fun

Put the biggest hit of the party was these two

Cousin's Cooper and Delilah who are just two months apart. Your looking at the future graduating class of 2029.

I mentioned rain earlier and boy did we get the rain last night. Local report says six inches and the lawns/fields are flooded and lots of wet basements. Here's a picture of Amy/Greg's side yard here at the farm. Kids loved it as did Millie the dog.

OK, guess that's it for now. Till next time..............................

Newest Member of the Family

Let us introduce the newest addition to the family
Cooper Bishop Fedewa

Cooper made his appearance early Saturday morning (23rd) and weight 8lbs 7oz.

Big sister Lucie was so excited to finally meet her little brother
I wonder how long the excitement will last before she's ready to send him back.

So that's the end of the new babies for awhile. We're blessed that all four (since April) have been happy, healthy little ones.

Tomorrow is the carpet day. Can't wait. More pictures after it's installed.

We started getting back into riding our bikes since things have slowed down on the house. You would think with all the muscles we used these last eight weeks that we'd be in better shape for riding. Thought I was until we went up a hill today. Nope - there are still muscles that scream at me and call me every name in the book.

Guess that's it for today. Till next time.............................,

Visit with the Garvey's, a broken collar bone, Senior pictures

We're a little bummed. The carpet was suppose to be installed on Friday but they called yesterday and asked to change it to next Tuesday. Part of me is disappointed but I've been thinking about these guys installing carpet in 90+ degrees in a house that doesn't have air conditioning (yet). The visual effect wasn't very good so it's just as well they had to change.

Weekend
Larry had a few things to do down at the house but we pretty much stayed away. Darrius (grandson) spent Saturday night with us so we just hung out here at the farm. He did some swimming in the small pool and kept beating me at checkers.

Monday
Finished removing stables from the bedroom floor. For some reason the previous owners must of put a zillion stable down to hold the carpet. We took the front door down so Larry could finish painting it and it looks so much better. I still needed to paint the closet doors that were in one of the upstairs bedrooms so decided to get that done.

Tuesday
Stint (SIL) and I went over to the Hospice House Store first thing in the morning. I was able to find several items (pots/pans) that are in really great shape. Also found some orange material that matches the paint in the kitchen, not sure what I'll do with it but I'll find something. That afternoon I took the shop vac to the rooms so it was ready for carpet.

Wednesday
Our good friends from Retama Lon & Pat Garvey came over and we gave them the five minute tour of the house. Than we went down to the Mexican Cafe here in Grand Ledge and had a wonderful lunch. After lunch we went back to the house and just spent some time catching up on the projects (kitchen) they've been working on since returning to their Michigan home. They brought us a really pretty yellow rose bush so we'll plant that right under my kitchen window.

Thursday
Larry wanted go into Lansing and see where this Kenworth Dealer was. It just so happen to be just a few blocks down from this furniture store I've been wanting to check out that Bob (brother) told us about. We found a living room set that we both liked along with a washer/dryer and mattress. But we don't need to purchase any of those things now so we got out of there before we pulled the credit card out. We'll go back later for the mattress but the rest will probably wait until next spring. Made a couple of other stops than headed over to see Darrius.

Our poor little guy found out he's not made of rubber. Seems he was running (walking is not a part of his vocabulary) across the yard and tripped on something. Instead of putting his hands out to break his fall he tried to block the fall with his shoulder. I'm thinking this was something he learned at football camp last week. Well that didn't work and he ended up with a broken collar bone.

He was very brave at the ER but not a happy camper

Poor guy, so many plans for the next month and that all changes as everything involved either playing sports or water, neither of which he's allowed to do. So we stopped over and left a little something to help keep him entertained.

On a happier note our granddaughter Anissa got a job. She's been looking along with all other high school teens in Lansing and there isn't too many available. But she got a call yesterday so she's a happy girl. Anissa also had her senior pictures taken this week. Brandi was able to get a couple on her phone.

Our beautiful high school senior

Oh I have another picture I want to share of Darrius. As I mentioned he went to a football camp last week. He was so excited because the camp was for kids 6 to 16 and his half brother would also be there.

Here's Darrius with his brother Dar-Rel who turns 16 this month
Now you know why Brandi calls Darrius her retirement fund.

So that fills you in on the last week. Tomorrow I have to go in to my old job and help the owner out for the day. Not sure how much help I'll be but I guess I can still remember how to answer the phones and take information.

Till next time...........................

House Up-date - seeing the end

It's been just seven weeks since we opened the back door of our new house and started our project. The time frame of completion was to take two summers but things have moved along a lot faster than anticipated.

Larry installed the new back door and two storm doors this week. When I wasn't helping him I worked on repainting the hall. Our grandson showed us fairly quickly that the first paint job was not going to cut it with finger prints. I had a choice of constantly getting after him to quit putting his hands on the wall or just getting some different paint and re-doing it. I chose the re-do.

The counter top was installed last weekend. It's always a little nerve racking watching them prep the area and hoping that 1x1 sample is what you in-vision. My problem was I'd lost the 1x1 sample and could not remember what I ordered. So when it was done I was so happy and relieved that everything looked great together.

Here's some pictures of the kitchen once completed

Here's the eating area

Bathroom - we didn't do much in here other than a new cabinet and paint. Next year we will tear into it

Other than some touch up painting here and there the only thing left is carpet. And that will be installed a week from Friday. I told my old boss I would come into his office that day to help out so I won't see the carpet until after 5pm but I'll get the "whole" effect at one time. Pictures to follow of the bedroom/hall/living room after carpet done.

Today Larry got the front door painted and I worked on painting the outside trim. Tomorrow he will paint the outside of the door. Right now he's helping our nephew re-install the eaves-trough from having a new roof over the kitchen put on last week. We went into Menards (where else) and I got some plants to put on the side/front of the house. So while he paints the door tomorrow I can plant a few things.

That's it for now. Time to call it a day, close the windows and head back to the farm for a much needed happy hour under the pear tree. Till next time..................................

Egg In A Bag Party - Visit from the Bruss's

Thursday 7th
This was Darrius day. Gr-pa had to go to the house early that morning as the roofers were coming to put a new roof on over the kitchen area. Darrius and I made a couple of stops before heading to the house. Went to Gordons Food which is like a mini Sam's Club. They have the best Sirloin Steaks and Center cut Pork Chops all wrapped individually. From there we hit a couple of garage sales and than a stop at McDonalds for breakfast. Darrius wanted five hash browns but we settled on two. I needed to stop at the cemetery and water the flowers at my folks and nieces. Asked Darrius if he wanted to go with me and help and he said he'd go to the dead peoples house. Only a six year old could come up with that description. The rest of the day he spent sitting outside on the ladder watching the roofers. He just loves anything to do with tools which sometimes can be a little frustrating when he's trying to help gr-pa.

Friday
Our daughter Renee' came up from her home in Avon Lake (near Cleveland). She got to the house about 6pm and after a quick tour we went down to Cancun Mex Grill here in town. Brian (son-in-law) wasn't able to come up as he was leaving for a business trip to Reno NV. We had a great meal and were able to catch up on her life.

Saturday
Dale and Mark Bruss arrived at the house about 2pm and we spent some time there showing them around. I was telling Dale about my problem trying to figure out furniture for the living room and how to arrange it. She grabbed a tape measure, took some measurements and said she would send me some suggestions. I've gotten a couple of great idea's from her that I never thought about so will be saving these plans for next summer when it's buying time. Thank you Dale.

Larry and Mark stayed at the house while Dale and I went back out to the farm. Our counter top guy called the night before and wanted to install the counter on Saturday instead of Sunday. Since he's doing this on the side of his regular job we really needed to work with him. Anyway Dale and I sat out under the pear tree with a glass of wine and filled each other in on the last couple of months.

I had promised the nieces/nephews we would have a Egg in a Bag party and this weekend was the best time for everyone. So Friday I was off to Meijer's (like Walmart) and filled my cart with ham, peppers, cheese, sausage, bacon, onion, mushrooms, salsa and six dozen eggs.

Mark and Dale were able to join us and they helped explain to our family how this all works, since none of them have every heard of it. They were pretty skeptical on just how tossing all these things in a zip lock bag and throwing it in boiling water could possible turn out but in the end everyone (expect Brandi & Anissa who loathes eggs) thought this was the best omelets they ever had.

Here's Dale helping my brother Larry, nephew Mitch & Sister-in-law Stint.

Greg was in charge of the hash browns
13 minutes in the pot & it's done. Ahhh how long has it been?
Larry and Mike making sure all the air is out
But I think the kids enjoyed the water balloon fight the most.

It was a fun night and the weather was perfect for sitting out under the Maple Tree.

House update
We're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Only have some window treatment and want to find a small kitchen table and that room will be done. Carpet comes next week. Larry is working on installing the new storm doors and back door. We got one in today in between the thunderstorms. Hopefully finish the back ones tomorrow. I'll take pictures tomorrow and post them soon.

That's it for now. Till next time.................................

4th of July picnic - sun set picture

Hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July. Can you believe how fast this summer is going?

Have a few pictures to share. The other night we had such a beautiful sunset I had to grab the camera. The buildings you see in the back ground is my brothers farm which is a couple of miles from here (by road).

Here's a picture of where we are parked this summer showing the famous Happy Hour under the pear tree. This pear tree is part of the local conversation around here. These farmers really need to have more excitement in their life.

Monday we enjoyed a picnic with some of the family and friends here. Perfect weather day here to sit under the trees.

Soon family and friends started arriving.

and we all enjoyed a wonderful picnic under the maple tree
While the adults enjoyed the shade some of the kids enjoyed getting wet
Even Millie the dog loves playing in the water
Here's our great niece Lucy, oh to be able to read her mind
The family cat kept a safe distance from all the activity

Of course I can't close without a update on the house. We purchased and installed the over the range microwave this week. Larry got the burning bushes in the front of the house trimmed and even tho they look a little bare now it sure looks better than having them so over grown and rubbing against the house. This fall we'll cut them way back and see if they need to be removed next spring. Started painting the bedroom, a second coat today on the walls than need to do the trim. I will be sooooo glad when this painting is done. And the final step of picking and ordering the carpet is done. Will take a week or so for it to come in, can't wait. Hopefully our counter top guy will get that installed this week.

Our relationship with Menard's is starting to come to a end. The only thing left to get is a new back door and two storm doors. This is one place I won't regret not going to for a long time.

So that's it for now. Till next time..........................

A vist with Zinnecker's

The high light of our week was last Sunday when Donna & Grant Zinnecker arrived to spend a evening with us here on the farm. I had the camera all out and took a picture of them coming down the road (which turned out blurry) than set the camera down and totally forgot it. So sorry, no pictures to share.

First we had our happy hour under the pear tree than we made a trip down to the house so they could see all our hard work. When we got back to the farm my siblings Bob/Diane & Larry/Stint were sitting under the tree. Had a good dinner of scallop potatoes (crock pot recipe yumm) than some of the nieces/nephews (& kids) came over and we enjoyed sitting around the fire pit.

Oh and they shared the design of the paint job of their trailer that they are having done next month, is it ever sharp. Wait until you Retama people see this in the fall.

The rest of the week was the same thing - paint and more paint. Larry measured and cut the base board in the living room and than I would take it and get it painted. Note to anyone who might be taking on this job, I numbered the back of each board so Larry would be able install them without having to figure what went where, BUT you might want to make a note of where #1 started. Especially when there's over 20 pieces. But we finished the living room so the only one left is the bed room. Will get started on that next week and than order the carpet.

I wish I had my camera the other day when we had our grandson. Larry was under the sink installing the garbage disposal stuff and Darrius was handing him tools. It wasn't long and Darrius worked his way inside the cabinet with gr-pa so all you could see was legs sticking out.

So that's it for now. Hope everyone has a great 4th of July, be safe.

Till next time......................................