This is our family blog,
set up so that you can be
one step closer to our
daily lives.
We've got TWENTY feet
(often more) going in
and out of our house
every day, out of which
comes a lot of stories!
Who are the other two feet,
you ask?
YOU! Our guest!
Because I am about to throw some quick updates at ya.
I know, I know, I know. I told you I'd update you on all of this cool stuff going on at the Foursquare last week and I didn't. it was a busy one.
My allergies have come back with a vengeance and I caught some sort of cold/fever thing. I had a birthday, I taught my riding lessons all week though I was in bad health (the world doesn't stop for sickies), I've been working on camp curriculum, I fell off of my horse (I actually just kinda bailed) which was TOTALLY my fault and left me with a nasty scrape and lots of soreness, I worked at the Foursquare, sold the double oven, made 6 birthday presents for some of the barn kids, attended the big birthday bash had laundry coming out of my ears and how knows what else. There was no rest for the weary.
This week will be more of the same:
cabinets come today
kitchen must be completely painted
lessons to be scheduled and taught
curriculum to be presented
slab picked out for counter tops
cabinet installation
art lessons
"floor people" must be called about problems and fix before cabinets put in
Plumber called and scheduled before cabinets installed
And much more of the same
All of that to say, I won't be posting much this week and it certainly won't be very witty if I do post.
Here are some pictures. I know that's really what you stopped by to see!
Kitchen: patched and primed Laundry room ceiling with walls painted Master Bedroom: patched, primed and picture rail added (educational post on picture rail coming soon!)Family Room: floors have a little bit of polyurethane on them instead of the POLYURETHANE we requested for the future House of Many Feet. More to come on that, too, but I hate to complain....
My Dear Wife has kept everyone informed about the progress on the house. I thought I would offer my own update. Since I am incapable of formingcomplete sentences, much less coherent paragraphs, I thought I would do a Top Ten List:
Top Ten things you learn when Renovating an old house:
10. Take your budget and your time frame; Multiply by 2.55 and add 10%. That's your best case scenario. 9. Plumbers make about the same hourly rate as an attorney, Doctor, or Fortune 500 CEO, yet can't show up for work when they say they will. 8. There are in infinite number of paint shades, types, brands, and textures. They all look different on the wall. You should just pick one out of the deck. 7. Some manufactured homes can be built in less than a week. Our Kitchen cabinets take 2 months, plus installation, plus counter top templateing and installation. They also cost more than some manufactured homes. 6. Double ovens are not easy to sell. Apparently no one sees an oven for sale and says, 'you know, i could use that.' 5. If you ask 12 people if you should get a gas water heater or electric water heater, you will get 13.5 answers. Don't even get me started about throwing the tank less option in there. 4. If you had all the tools that Sears, Lowe's, and Home Depot had to offer, you would not be able to find at lest 5 tools you needed each day. One will be a metric socket. 3. A million table saws cutting a million trees into a million pieces does NOT create as much dust as a kitchen or bathroom that is being sheet rocked. 2. Let your wife make decisions about curtains, paint colors, floor finishes, and fixtures. Never look back. And, Number 1: If you would have knew then, what you know now, you would never have done anything the way you did it. But you didn't, so move on.
Miz Bean (the non-Ella Bella Bean) spotted my mention of Cheesy Cauliflower Soup and asked for the recipe, so I thought I'd pass it along to everyone. It's pretty easy to make, as it is done in the crock pot, and healthy depending on your cheese choice.
I've adapted it from Leanne Ely of Saving Dinner (http://www.savingdinner.com/). She calls it Caroline's Cheesy Cauliflower Soup. Mine has more veggies in it. SO from my kitchen, to yours!
Here we go!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 4-6 hours (depending on your slow cooker/crock pot - I do 5)
Preheat: crock pot - high setting
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
2 cans chicken (or veggie will do) broth
16 oz frozen cauliflower
3 to 4 stalks of celery (I cut mine into 1/2 inch or smaller pieces)
3 to 4 carrots (same size)
1/4 large onion (we're not big onion people - if you are, use a whole small onion) cut into small pieces
1/2 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste
To add later:
1 cup milk (I use skim)
1 1/2 cups low fat cheddar cheese - shredded OR
1 1/2 cups Monterey jack cheese (I'd go for cheddar, though)
Put all ingredients into crock pot (EXCEPT milk and cheese) and cook on low (I use high) until vegetables are very tender (4 to 6 hours).
Mash with potato masher to get desired lumpy consistency (or you can put in food processor to get it smooth, but them you have to clean it!).
Place cauliflower mixture into sauce pan. Stir in milk and shredded cheese (make sure it is not too hot!!!). Heat over medium to low heat until cheese is melted and mixture is hot. If you get too close to boiling the cheese and milk will curdle and sink to the bottom and be a chewy mess. That is the only challenge to this recipe.
OK, now, you remember me talking about spending countless hours scraping 90 + year old tar off of the kitchen floor to reveal the hardwood underneath ONLY after my husband scraped 3 or so layers of flooring off of that? Soaking towels in vinegar water and letting them sit on the floor for hours to loosen up the gunk... Feverishly scrubbing the remnants.... Scraper's Wrist... Blisters... Tears... Agony... Pants with tar stuck to the butt area....
Well.... The floor sanding people are here today!!!!!!!! YAY! And this is how is looks so far:
This (above and below) is in the kitchen..
YeeeeeeeeeeeeHAW! Yeah, we could sand it ourselves, but now we BOTH have jobs and we are in a time crunch, and you just can't do everything yourself. There are times when it's really just worth the money to have someone else do it!
Here's the family room:
It had been stained at some point, but never had any protective coating on it, so it was worn a bit even before we bought the house. We are going to go with the natural look (no staining) to the floors. The house is 98 years old and has lots of "character" already, which renders it imperfect. The flaws existing in the floor now do not at all bother me. I take pride in their imperfections! Most of it will have furniture here and there. Plus, we'll have twenty-something feet going in and out of these two rooms several times a day! Bring on the polyurethane!!!!!!!!!!!
They should be done at the end of the week. I'll post an update!
I guess I haven't posted with previously noted fervor over the past two weeks due to illness and starting a new job. I've been either here or there, cleaning the kitchen or making dinner and the like. The new job is horseback riding lessons, which is fun and rewarding, but also a huge change in pace for me since I have been working from home for a while now. Plus, my brain is a little fried from doing so many lesson plans... I don't know how teachers and homeschoolers do it all! Lesson plans for this week:
Private art lesson for rambunctious 7 year old that must include learning one of the elements of design while having fun
Private art lesson for calm, type A personality, artistically talented 4 year old that will include concepts and instructions that she can understand while having fun with art
Riding lesson for 5 y. o. boy on a horse that won't budge that must be safe, yet very fun
Riding lesson for 5 y. o. girl who's mother stands beside you the whole time and caused the last instructor to loose her job (oh, no, I'm not nervous at all...)
Riding lesson for 6 y. o. girl who's mother wants her to learn every possible element of horseback riding that will give her every advantage in the world before they move in one month
Hunt-Seat Riding lesson for teenage girl who has put me on this huge pedestal (I haven't ridden hunt-seat in about two years...). If I don't satisfy her English riding needs, the family may relocate to another barn, causing my barn to loose about 600.00 a month - no pressure!!!
Group Riding lesson for 3 girls, 11, 12 and 17 (the 17 y. o. has never ridden before - the other girls are way ahead!!!).
Riding lesson for girl I have never met and cannot pronounce her name
Overall curriculum for 5 day horse camp this summer that I will be running, to be presented to management ASAP
Whatever else might come up this week...
Please let me just say that of all these children I am currently teaching (except for 2 that I have not met yet), I truly have no complaints with them. They are all sweet and as obedient as children can be. I love kids and I love teaching. It's just coming up with all of these different plans, none of which have the same objectives or method of execution...
And also, we are still in the throws of negotiation with the little cottage house that we currently live in. It's beginning to get a little ridiculous, if you ask me. We are at the point were it is make or break and we have to consider that the house may not get another offer anytime soon at which we will have to rent it out - NOT at all what we want, but we can't keep paying two mortgages. Oh, and I was sick for about two weeks. I knew I was sick and probably needed some meds, but I had to go to work, which wore me out all the more. Plus, I felt it really was just a cold and my body needed to fight it off on my own. Had it not been for my dear, sweet husband buying Pride and Prejudice on DVD (the Colin Firth/ Jennifer Ehle edition) I may have not been inspired to move at all those two weeks and would have sunk into a bored stupor (we packed up all of our books for the move). Oh yeah, and we are renovating the Foursquare and packing up this house, too. Oh yeah, and I started up that business last summer...
But back to move exciting things like Pride and Prejudice, DVD.... It was great because if I did not want to watch all 6 hours of it (like the embarrassing mother scenes, Mr Collins painful proposal or bad Lydia) I could skip to my favorite ones, like Lizzy and Mr. Darcy's dance at Netherfield, Mr. Darcy's first proposal, Elizabeth first visits Pemberley, Lizzy plays Georgiana's piano at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy's renewal of his addresses, etc. etc. etc. I could even watch the same scene over and over and over again. If you like the book and DVD, this all needs no explanation. You know exactly how I feel...
And on sickness....I think my healing was largely due to "MeMe's Firecrackers." They are these crackers my MIL makes that have crushed red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper on them. It will clean out your sinuses in no time flat! Made me feel so much better. Also, I made myself some cheesy cauliflower soup. I had a meat aversion while sick (a food aversion in general) and this is, for the most part, a vegetarian soup. So yummy. Every time I eat it I feel like someone loves me... I guess it's a comfort soup of sorts.
Oh, and in further affirmation of my fried brain, I discovered this video. I made Sam watch it over and over last night. I was just cracking up and he sat there with a blank stare.
Anyway, you've probably already seen it, but it's funny.
All that to say, I'm caving on coming up with all of my own curriculum. Sam has to go to the local home improvement super store tonight and there is a book super store just a feet away. I buyin' some teachin' books so I can start learnin' some kids more better.
You probably won't be able to use the upstairs bathroom for another month or two...
And by then, the poop inspired brown tile which once graced the walls of this pepto-pink bathroom will be replaced with lovely white bead board and pretty light blue (or lavender-not sure yet...) walls.
I know you're sad. The "Bodily Function" theme and the "Nature Calls" theme (which is shown by the gardening/floral aspect of the wall paper border) were very moving, if you know what I mean....
The interior designers were oh so clever in the colors they used while thinking of what goes on in the bathroom... And we will be, too.
However, our theme goes more with antacids, soothing bubble baths, feeling healthy and clean as opposed to heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea - YAY! Pepto bismol!!!!!!!!!!
So, our indigestion has subsided a little by the removal of a crumbling ceiling with a ridiculously tiny fan (that was barely attached) and a covered vent to...
a ceiling properly fitted with green-board and will be adorned with a exhaust fan/vent with a light.
We've yet to pick a vanity, vanity light fixture, sink fixture, etc. but we'll keep you posted!
Oh, have you not heard of this home improvement superhero before?
I admit I was a little shocked at first (this pictures was taken after he cleaned up!!!). I heard what I thought to be my husband coming home via the back gate. I called out lovingly to my sweet husband, turned on the porch light and opened up the back door..... to my surprise, a very shadowy figure stood in the light before me. I was at a complete loss for words. The superhero then informed me that I no longer need be in fear of what might lurk above my head in my future kitchen... all was taken care of... dead rats, nests, soot dating all the way back to 1910 and... old crumbly plaster! All was gone. The danger had passed. I would have passionately kissed him at that point... but his lips were covered in soot.
Instead, I cried "Thank you! OH THANK YOU! Plaster n' Soot Man - you are my HERO!!!! How can I ever repay you?!"
"Ma'am..." He said in his deep bellowing voice, "There is no need to repay me. I simply did what must be done. No plaster walls need ever stand between me and what I love!"
"Oh, but there must be something I can do for you!"
"Well..... you could make me dinner and kiss me..."
"Ummm.... I'll make dinner... but I really don't know about the kissing part... you're kinda sooty."
"Well then, ma'am. I must go. Remember, never let a plaster wall and what lurks behind it imprison you with fear. For where there is evil hidden in old houses, PLASTER N' SOOT MAN IS NEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!"
And with a cough and a cloud of dust, he was gone. All that remained was a pile of dirty, soot covered clothes at my feet. I thought I heard him later on in the bathroom, but all I found was a dirty black ring around the tub and what was left of a bar of soap. I asked my husband if he had seen the man on his way home for dinner, but he explained that it was highly unlikely for anyone to see a man in the dark so covered in soot.
So, Plaster n' Soot Man, where ever you are know that I'll be dreaming of you tonight!
At least, that's what the perturbed large, white cat in my house would say if he were me or my husband right now. The House of Many Feet has been plagued with a cold of sorts including stuffy ears, whiny voices, unbridled emotion, runny noses, swimmy heads and stomachs that can not be rendered peaceful.
In short, Sam and I are both sick. BUT someone has to run the house and we both have sad eyes, pouty lips and watch to watch OUR favorite movie on the couch (he wants action and shoot 'em up - bang bang! and I would prefer something with horses in it or kissing and captivating romantic speeches) and be served soup or McDonald's. We are out of toilet paper, we need some gatorade, shaving cream, milk and something for me to cook. Sigh. I also have to run to the banks, buy dog food, horse feed and various grooming tools for a very demanding mare that is shedding her winter coat.
In honor of home inspections being finished/over (and going rather well for an 86 year old home), household illness, my inability to make coherent comments on other blogs and type correctly I am taking the week off from blogging.
How do you people with kids do it? Murrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....
It's your "cleaning day" for the house and everything is a mess.
You started your period
The weather forecast says to expect severe weather (tornadoes)
Every nook and cranny of your home will be inspected by a stranger and there's nothing you can do about it (except clean).
The Jehovah's Witnesses (they come EVERY Monday) repeatedly ring the doorbell, sending every four legged animal in the house into a frenzied rage.
Every time you walk to the bathroom the phone rings.
No matter what you do with the laundry load, the washer INSISTS on being unbalanced and making horrid banging noises.
At some point today, you realize that you will be in a car with two large, boisterous dogs and two neurotic cats trying to stay out of the way of some stranger in your house.
Your poor, sweet little dog has "cold tail" and can't even sit down. SO sad!
I am complaining. I am. I admit it, and most of these problems are "good" problems to have. The only really bad problem that I am worried about is Ella and her cold tail. We had the kiddie pool out yesterday for the dogs to play in since it was very warm and they have not yet shed out their winter coats. Ella has gotten cold tail before and she's always come out of it, but it is SO pitiful and can be permanent depending on the circumstances.
Well, what's this cold tail?
I would look it up on the Internet if you would like some very specific information on it. Auburn University has a good report/study they did on it, which is where I found most of my information. In short, cold tail occurs in dogs (many hunting dogs) that use their tails for balance or are frequently wagging them. The tail may become wet due to the hunting grounds, etc. or very cold (weather). If the dog is confined after such vigorous exercise and the tail is held in one position (or the dog is cramped in a small cage) for a long time, this "cold tail" occurs. The tail muscles swell (like after you exercise). The muscles/nerves are bound by the vertebrae around the tail cutting off 9or restricting) blood circulation to the tail. Don't take my word for all of this. Read the report yourself and see what you think. Very little is known about this condition, I guess, because it is not life-threatening, just sad and painful.
It is very painful for Ella, I can tell. She hesitates to sit and usually chooses to lay down instead. She can't hold her tail up or wag it. If she can't contain herself, the little tip of her tail will wag. It's SO sad. It just droops from her little dog hiney. When this happens, it makes me realize how much I take her expressive little tail for granted!
Anyway, it's Monday. AND my father informed me he's going to start a "Save the Shed" foundation, including fundraisers and t-shirts. Sigh.
Kitchen: patched and primed
Laundry room ceiling with walls painted
Master Bedroom: patched, primed and picture rail added (educational post on picture rail coming soon!)
Family Room: floors have a little bit of polyurethane on them instead of the POLYURETHANE we requested for the future House of Many Feet. More to come on that, too, but I hate to complain....
Most of it will have furniture here and there. Plus, we'll have twenty-something feet going in and out of these two rooms several times a day! Bring on the polyurethane!!!!!!!!!!!
