Farm House Renovaton: Part 3

After spending three days straight putting up sheet rock, it is almost done! The kids and I tried to "help" but it may have been faster without us. I attempted to make myself useful as gopher-girl, handing out nails, running for tools, holding pieces of sheet rock in place and sweeping the floor. The kids tried to help by getting underfoot, moving the tools to random locations, and keeping up a constant stream of chatter. Despite it all we made progress and had a good time together as a family. Joel is out there again today completing the sheet rock in the master bedroom and scraping the weird crusty ceiling texture off in the living/dining room area. Later this week the "tape & texture" guy (don't you just love my technical terminology?) will finish the walls and then we will paint. I hate painting. It is boring, frustrating, tedious work and I cannot make it look the way I picture it in my head. Choosing colors stresses me out too.We painted one bathroom in our last house a hideous purple and I told myself never again. Well, never say never.

Living room

Kid's Bathroom-- I should point out that we did not install the sheet rock in the bathrooms. I must give credit where it is due! ;) The bathrooms are part of the contractor's bid. Master Bathroom


In the Master Bedroom you may recall the back part of the chimney painted a lovely bubblegum pink? Well, say goodbye, because Joel framed the top of it in.

Office

Look at this shiny new air conditioner! It sure beats the nasty swamp cooler that was out back (see below).

So, after the texture and paint then the flooring people will work on the hardwood floors, carpet and vinyl. Then the sinks, toilets, etc. will be installed. The french doors in the mudroom and the backdoor in the bedroom will also go in soon. As I write this the stucco guy is working on the outside of the house. The only parts of the house that we are not going to remodel right now are the kitchen and mudroom (other than the floors). We'll tackle those two rooms when the budget allows (it might be a while!). We are shooting for a move in date of May 1st which is when our current home will be rented out. Thanks for your continued prayers for our project to go well.

Jen

Easter Merriment

Holidays were never so fun before I had kids. The look of joy and excitement on their faces is priceless.

Farm Kid Fun

Why buy playground equipment for my poor deprived kids when they have so much fun doing this?They were so proud of themselves for "making" a teeter-totter/horsie ride.

Hammering and measuring "just like daddy" is fun.

Z. is very serious about his work.

American Idol This Week

I enjoyed tonight's show so much more than last week!

David Cook, you ROCK and I am going to buy your album someday. The judges were right about his bravery. He completely changed Billie Jean by Michael Jackson into a cool rock song. I was totally impressed.

I also loved:

Carly Smithson--The judges were out to lunch with that one! I love "Total Eclipse of the Heart". It is an incredible song and she sang it perfectly. She is going to be a star.

Michael Johns--Wow, he finally did it! Queen songs are sooooo hard to sing and he nailed it! He has such a big voice.

Kristy Lee Cook--I can't believe I'm saying this but I really liked "country girl" this week. Last week I was saying "off with her head" and this week I think she deserves to stay. She sang "God Bless the USA" very convincingly. Her voice was very sweet and pretty.

Brooke White-- I still love her, mistakes and all. She must get really nervous up there and she sabotages herself. I think she's great though not to mention the fact that she looks and sings like an angel. She is luminous.

Who I did not like this week:

David Archuleta-- He has the most incredible voice and he wasted it on a cheesy, weird song that no one had ever heard before. I think I understand his heart in singing it though because he has sung several other songs about peace and making a difference in the world. I really admire that but there must have been a better song in 1990 to express it. Maybe not. I don't remember 1990 being the year of the deep and thoughtful song. I remember the Pretty Woman soundtrack and not much else. Here is a list of the top 100 songs of 1990. What song do you think he should have chosen? (Check it out! My link button actually worked!!!). Perhaps "Unskinny Bop" by Poison or "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice. Those are deep songs, like for sure, right? Just so I maintain some shred of credibility here, I always hated those songs. Well, to be perfectly honest, Ice Ice Baby had it's moment in the sun for me but it was very short lived, I promise.

Jason Castro--like they said, good but not great.

Who will be voted off the show? It's a toss up between Chickezie, Ramiele and Syesha.

I wish I could voice my opinion as freely about the important things in life as I do about a TV show! Somehow I find it very difficult to express the things close to my heart.

Ah well! C'est la vie. I guess I'll save the depths of my soul for another day. ;)

Jen

Happy Easter & Happy Spring!

Have a blessed Easter and enjoy the new life we have in Jesus!

What???

What the heck was going on with AI this week? It felt like the show that would never end. Is it just me or was the whole thing really weird? I love the Beatles but I think it was a mistake to have the singers perform Beatles songs two weeks in a row. I think everyone was out of steam and out of inspiration. Obviously, David Archuleta stole the show and Syesha Mercado sang "Yesterday" beautifully. David Cook's performance was rockin' until the weird "vocorder" thing, I have to agree with Simon. My favorites, Brooke & Jason, just didn't have it this week.
I don't know what else to say! I hope next week is better. Final verdict: country girl has got to go.

Making Progress

Things are moving so fast on the house project! This weekend our AWESOME friends Pat, Luke & John helped Joel hang sheet rock on the walls in the bedroom and the office. It is looking great!!!!! We also have new windows and the master bath has been framed in. I have a few pictures to share but unfortunately the batteries on my camera ran out just as I was trying to capture the image of all the burly, tough guys slaving away in my house. ;0) Bummer!

Before

After

Basement Before and After

American Idol Top 12!

Wow, some of the contestants were really good tonight and some were really BAD (don't you love my articulate expert opinion? I have reached new heights of oratorical fireworks, I know.) Poor, poor David Archuleta, I can't believe he forgot the lyrics and the unfortunate country version of "8 Days a Week" by Kristi Lee Cook was disastrous! I don't think David is in any danger of leaving because he has an amazing voice but I think Kristi may be outta there. I can't decide on a favorite so here are the ones I love, love, loved from tonight:

Carli Smithson (is she the next Celine Dion?)

Brooke White (Beautiful artistry and such a lovely person)

Jason Castro (I could say the same exact thing I said about Brooke. Just lovely.)

David Cook (Green Day meets the Beatles, that was cool!)

Michael Johns (Sigh...)

Amanda Overmyer (The chick still rocks! I was glad to see her make a comeback.)

Well, that's what I think, how about you?

Jen

The Farmer in the Dell

Hee hee hee hoo hoo hoo ha ha ha!!!!

Many thanks to Erin for a good laugh!

Demolition: Before & After

Living Room

Dining Room & Fireplace

Kitchen

Mudroom

Bathroom

Master Bedroom and soon to be Master Bathroom

Kid's Bedroom
Office