Weekend Getaway

Last Thursday we finished  Daniel's 5th grade studies.  One of the suggestions was to have a special picnic.  It worked out better for us in that we had reservations to camp at Wylie Park in Aberdeen, one of the children's favorite places.

They got to ride their bikes on the nice paved bike paths.  When all you have at home is gravel and grass pavement is a treat.  Our spot was close to the duck and goose pond so they could ride there as often as they liked.

We saw baby ducklings and goslings.  The children brought quarters so they could buy feed.

Our spot was right by the playground.  They made so many friends over the weekend.  Some of their favorite playmates were camped two spots down so that was especially nice.

Of course we went through Storybook Land and the zoo.  They are both free.  We rode our bikes around the lake and paths many times. 

 Ellyanna, our dog, was a good camper.  She did well on the leash when I took her for runs while riding my bike.  As we don't do this often I was amazed at how well she responded, would watch the wheel so she would know what direction she would need to go, and was good about listening to my commands to "leave it."  There were many ground squirrels that she wanted to get.

On Saturday night we went for rides on the go-carts.  The children ( and Tim and I) really enjoy that.

Too soon it was time to go back home.  But home is so beautiful now that it was nice to get home.

We had stopped at Menard's before leaving Aberdeen to pick up a few patio blocks and rock fill for my flower beds as well as stopping in Ellendale at their great greenhouse they have there. 

When we got home Tim had to head to work in town.  The children and I unloaded the camper and put everything away.  Then I got busy planting some of the plants I had purchased.

Since we had studied Astronomy this last semester we had learned about the solar eclipse that took place yesterday.  I had ordered our solar shades and was prepared.  At first during the day it looked like it was going to be cloudy.  But the clouds cleared off and it was clear.  While it wasn't a total eclipse in our area it was awesome to see.

 

This is not my picture.  I got it online.  I tried to take pictures of it but didn't get any that are near to this.  But this is what we saw.

We are saving our solar shades so we can view the transit of Venus June 5-6, as well as any future eclipses.

 It is freeing to think we won't have to do school for a few months.  A break is always good as I feel ready to start again in the fall and truly look forward to it.

This week I am hoping to get my garden tilled between the rows of vegetables growing and hoeing and weeding the rest.  Those weeds are growing as well as the vegetables are.  I want to plant the perennials I bought in Ellendale.

On Friday the plumber is coming to finish the new bathroom.   Then it will be time to redo the old bathroom.  But work is good.

Mrs. Fuzzy Wuzzy

She, (Mrs. Fuzzy Wuzzy) isn't a bear, she's a chick.  Whitney's baby chicks came this weekend.  As she likes various breeds some can be different looking like the one below who is named Mrs. Fuzzy Wuzzy.

Brandon came out on Sunday.  He helped me dig a trench for my flower bed edging as well as other things.  When we finished we drove over to see the baby chicks.

On Tuesday we had Daniel's vision therapy appointment with Dr. Agnes in Fargo.  I thought we should have a picture of the man who has been a big part of Daniel's life the last two years.

It was nice to get away from home as the flooring installers were here Monday-Wednesday.  We sure like the results.  I found this little table in Fargo.  It fits our small kitchen so much better.

All the main floor rooms including the new bathroom but not our bedroom got new flooring. 

We still have to get, stain, and finish the trim boards.  That and window treatments will be our next project.

This next week the plumber, electricians, and Tom from Dakota Valley will (hopefully) be coming to finish the plumbing in the new bathroom, install the light fixture and fan, and hook up the central air.

Last fall we had to disconnect the furnace and air conditioner when we put in the new basement.  The furnace and new venting was installed months ago but we had to build up the dirt around the foundation before we could set the central air unit back in its place.  With warmer days coming it will be nice to have cooler air in here.

This week is Daniel's last week of 5th grade.  He has made great progress, I am very proud of him.  We have a special outing planned to celebrate.  I'll let you know about that after the fact.

Helpers

We have been blessed with some great helpers the past few weeks.  Their help made sure that our bathroom project got finished in time for the flooring to be installed this week.  This is Pastor Steve who came out to help Tim "mud" the seams and cover the mistakes we made in putting up the sheetrock.  Thank you, Steve, we couldn't have finished without your help.

Our cousin, Jaime, also helped Tim make the wall between the bathroom and entry as well as put sheetrock on the ceiling.  We are grateful to him as well as our son, Brandon, who also helped yet again in this project. 

This is the room after I texture painted it...very white...

...and with the color on the walls and the door stained.  I love it.

This week I also got the back entry textured and painted.  The antique white in my living room was really bugging me.  I needed more color.  So I painted the back entry in the same red as my dining room and love it.  I used a better paint, Benjamin Moore, and only had to put two coats on the walls versus the seven I put on the dining room.  Benjamin Moore is more expensive per gallon but cheaper in the long run and much less work.  Plus the color is more true to the sample.  I'm sold!

When Pastor Steve was here he helped Tim put in my new ironing board cabinet.  It will make ironing less of a chore for me as I won't have to get my board and iron out anymore.  It is always available, just open the door and fold it down.

Last week we hauled and spread dirt, planted grass seed, and watered it for over a week.  Still it did not come up.  This is the mess the yard is in all around the house.  Tim is going to borrow a small rake for behind the lawnmower, rake up the dirt, plant some more seed, and rake it again today.

After all the work this past week I was looking forward to Sabbath's rest.  Since it is Mother's Day weekend my daughter, Whitney made dinner for us after church so I didn't even have to do that! 

 She had a new addition to their family of pets...

...a mini lop bunny named Bubbles who was very soft and fun to hold.

After a delicious dinner of grilled steaks Whitney, the children, and I enjoyed a sunny hour of so down at the creek that runs past Ryan and Whitney's farm.  Jade was enjoying "fetch the stick out of the water."

One of my beauties after she finished wading in the water...

...Daniel drying his feet so he could put his shoes back on...

It truly was a great rest.  Whitney took us over to the "main farm" to see the baby kitties.  Then she drove us around to show us their pasture and farm land in the area.  By then it was 8:00.  Sabbath goes much too quickly.

Today is another work day but it should be easier than the work I have been doing, laundry in my almost finished laundry room, planting flowers in my as yet non-existing flower beds around the house, and regular homemaking chores.

Check back for more pictures of the new flooring that should be installed this week.  And...

..."Happy Mother's Day" all you dear mothers out there.

Work Continues

The remodeling project has been keeping me busy around here.  Last week I was fixing cracks in the stairway.  Then I painted it with a texture paint.  The white trim required three coats to cover well.

But the finished result is nice.

A few weeks before I had done the same thing in our bedroom.  Tim and I liked the color so well I decided to do the stairway the same.

I find my bedroom a peaceful place.

This week the living room isn't very nice to be in as there is extra furniture from the laundry room.

The laundry/bathroom now has a shower partially installed.  Tim was working in here all day yesterday.  After he and the plumber got the shower up Tim finished insulating the walls.  We still have to put up the sheet rock, mud the seams, and do the painting as well as install the door.

Since today is sunny and somewhat dry we are going to spread dirt and plant grass seed.  Tim went up to rent a skid steer to help us do that.

Yesterday I tilled my garden and got everything planted except for the tomato and pepper plants which I won't plant for a few weeks as it is still early.  It is nice to have that job done.

The children are enjoying the warmer days.  As soon as they finish their school work they head outside and play until after dark.

The kittens have adjusted to life on the farm and are becoming good hunters.  I feel sorry for the birds as they can no longer eat in peace.  So far I haven't seen the cats get any by my feeders.

If I get a chance I will take some pictures today of our grass seed planting job.