The Family

2012-02-06T16:58:00.000-06:00

We are starting to see signs of spring all over the place these days. These flowers are very tiny and grow close to the ground, and I don't know what they are but I saw them one day as we were checking out one of the houses and so I decided to take a picture.
These little blue flowers were close to the other ones, and yes, the dandelions are blooming as well. I have also seen some very tiny white flowers but haven't taken pictures, nor have I taken any of the daffodils that have popped up lately.
We have noticed too that some of the trees are starting to bloom and so on Saturday afternoon we took a drive to see how much spring we could find. We saw a bunch of these huge trees just covered in gorgeous, large pink blossoms. Again, don't know the name of these, but they are beautiful!
And we saw other trees blooming pink, but with much smaller blossoms, on boulevards, along the freeway, and on yards and in parks. We think they might be some kind of cherry blossom, but don't know that for sure either. And then there is green grass happening too. Looks like and feels like spring.

2012-02-06T16:48:00.000-06:00

Our fourth group has come and gone, and houses are nearing completion. We had 2 separate groups from PA again this week (all our groups seem to be from there) and we got to know a bunch of new people. We had rain again a couple of times, but lots of the work took place inside so that didn't slow us down much.
The new build out at Leeds, AL is moving right along. This week it got vinyl flooring put down in the kitchen and bathroom, doors hung, and laminate put down in the rest of the house. Lots of painting of doors and trim was done as well.

Outside is pretty much done, but we went over there on Saturday to check up on things and decided to cheer things up a bit and hung a couple of pots of pansies.
This next house is the crooked, challenger, house. This week they finally finished mudding and sanding and it actually got painted and flooring put down in the kitchen. Cabinets have been bought and will probably get installed next week. We have a cabinet maker coming.

Taking a break from all that sanding!
One other house that is nearing completion got carpet installed by Home Depot on Wednesday, and then on Thursday the volunteers started painting and putting up the baseboards. The electricians were there and lights got put up and other things electrical got done and the finish line is getting closer.

2012-02-01T10:46:00.000-06:00

It is raining again----it had been a few days since the last rain, so I guess it was time. It is mild though, but hopefully we don't hear any tornado sirens. I am a bit gun shy when it comes to that, having to get up in the middle of the night and go and huddle in the church is not my idea of fun nor does it let me relax about the weather. We were spared this time, but other areas were not. But I want to show you a few pictures of what went on last week here. It was a BUSY week, with LOTS of volunteers, but lots of FUN and LAUGHTER, and much accomplished again. We are definitely moving the houses along.
Remember the shingling job I showed last week. Well, this is the finished roof. Looks much better don't you think, and the owners should be able to stay dry underneath. The owner sometimes sat in his truck and watched the work happening with tears running down his face, he was that thankful and amazed at what was going on.

Once that roof was done, we moved to another on near by. Look at the picture and tell me, just how many volunteers does it take to strip shingles off of a roof? It was getting close to the end of the day, and most of these had run out of work at their jobs for the day, and so we had a lot of help on the roof. Some just preferred to stand on the ground and watch. The folks in the neighbourhood watched with interest as well at what was happening there. I think we were the entertainment for that day.
Work continued at other projects as well with doors being hung,
and painted, in the house that our volunteer is standing in front of.
an
Another house we have is called the "Challenger" house. It used to be called the crooked house, because when the first group went to work on it there weren't very many straight walls. It is better now, but when the drywall hangers went to work it became known as the Challenger house, because there were still not too many straight areas. EVERY piece of drywall had to be cut to fit. Last week, and the week before, there was a lot of taping and mudding going on and progress is being made.
there also were a couple of kitchens installed last week in two of our homes, thanks to some expert craftsmen.
More roof repair,
and finally, a picture of our group from last week. That in a nutshell is some of the goings on from here.

2012-01-24T14:16:00.000-06:00

Week 2 has come and gone and we had a good work week, and a great bunch of volunteers, mostly from Washington, with a couple of imports from elsewhere. Kerry and the construction foreman keep scrambling to keep up with the work, making sure there are enough supplies to keep things going forwards. Once in a while Kerry comes and picks me up and I get to go along and see the homes and progress made, and take a few pictures.
The first two pictures are of Ms. Barbara's house. The outside was done when we came, but we have been working on the inside, sanding, and painting, doing doors and flooring and it is shaping up nicely.

The third picture is painting happening at Ms. Antoinette's house.
The next two pictures show a roof that we have been re-shingling. There is always more to it than just a simple re-shingling job. This one had about 3 inches of old shingles that needed to be scraped off, and then they were faced with rotting rafters and other repairs before the new shingles could go on.
This next picture is relaxing after supper, probably waiting for the dessert to be brought out.
One night we had a client come in and share her story of the storm. Ms. Antoinette shared how she had been reading her bible and praying and suddenly she got the feeling that she needed to go and get her kids---NOW! She did, and as she carried baby, and herded the other 3 little ones before her to the basement, the house literally blew apart around her. She got them to a safe place and put herself on top of them, so that if anything should happen, it would be to her first. She said she would rather she die than her kids. The group with her in the picture is the crew that just that day finished painting her house. She has been out of her home since April and is patiently waiting to come home again. The last picture shows our group from last week.

Week 1

2012-01-14T11:31:00.000-06:00

Our first week here has come and gone and we survived. It was a good week, maybe not so much weather wise, but we had a good, energetic bunch of mostly young volunteers, meaning in their 20's, and got some work done. We had to deal with rain at the beginning of the week, and one night, had a good thunder and lightening storm, but no wind to accompany it. It's been on the cool side too, jackets were worn most of the week, but this morning we have sunshine. A couple of nights the temp went down to about -3C and so some of the RVs had frozen water lines in the morning. Most of our jobs are close to camp and are at the drywall, taping and mudding stage. One house got painted this week too. I haven't even seen all the homes yet, but we can still see LOTS of evidence of the destruction the tornado caused. Things are mostly cleaned up but there are many, many homes still looking very sad. We have one new build that is about 20 miles away, but we didn't work there much this week. We have a good long term crew, and so that helps Kerry out a lot, but he does still do pick-ups and stuff. He has been to some meetings and keeps finding out more all the time about how things work and what the processes are. We are also working with plans to move the camp to a different place and so there is work to be done on that as well. The couple that was here helping with the transition between project directors were a big help in aquainting us with the area, as well as all the players involved, and the clients as well. They left for home on Thursday morning and so we are now on our own. I have been filling in in different areas, I am not doing as much of the office work as I normally would as there is a local gentleman who comes in a couple of times a week to do that for us. He has been here since the beginning of the project and that is how he is volunteering his time with MDS. I help with breakfast, and put the lunch fixings out, clean bathrooms, and do what needs doing, or go along with Kerry when he needs me to. So far I haven't been bored. I am not sure how this will all work, so I will give an explanation of the pictures. From the top: Getting ready to go out to the jobsites in the morning. Next, Kerry and his construction foreman, and a crew leader going over the days work, and making plans (usually at 6AM). Then a picture of the cooks making breakfast, and last a picture of the group that was here this week.

MDS 2012

2012-01-09T17:37:00.001-06:00

We headed south on Jan 1 for our MDS assignment in Birmingham, AL. On the way we stopped in Missouri to visit with some old friends from former MDS trips. Men, women and children gathered for a lunch time potluck and we had a lot of fun reminiscing and catching up on each other's lives.
Most arrived by horse and buggy on this sunny, but chilly January morning.

We ate lunch in the machine shop and soon it was time for everyone to be on their way again, and for us to continue our trip south. We arrived in Birmingham on January 3, and without too much trouble located the MDS camp. The kitchen, dining room, and short term volunteer housing is in a church, and the tool trailer, office trailer, and long term RVs are out behind the church. Ours is the motor home in the middle. The last picture shows the living area in our home. It is a decent size and quite useable for us, although the shower is pretty small, and there still is not a lot of room on either side of the bed, but there is lots of closet space. I think we will do fine.

Travels

2011-12-13T08:42:00.001-06:00

Home for Thanksgiving and enjoying the Manitoba fall for a bit. I may have a prize for the first one that figures out who took the punkin pic.
The three blond musketeers. One happy to see us. One out of food. One you can't see. No you can't, she can't see you!
Then we are quickly transported off to Chilliwack for fall trip number 2.
We find the youngens waiting and happy to see us. Shae adopts Granma as her own and Papa gets dibs on Norah.
Kristy and Graham take use hiking and we get to enjoy family and fall at the same time.

the parks and play grounds are always the fun places to be

2011-12-09T08:40:00.000-06:00

Back in Michigan starting the travels back to Manitoba
These dunes are at sleeping bear dunes on the lower pt of mi.

If one was young and full of energy this would have a been quite a hike to the bottom. Not sure about going back up. Quite steep

We then had another trip highlight when we found a YOU Pick apple orchard on most wonderfull fall morning. The huge "Honeycrisp" apples loaded on those poor little trees was quite a delight for both of us. We brought home half a trunk full of these critters.
We got to have quite a few picnic stops with the weather cooperating most of the time.

2011-12-09T08:27:00.000-06:00

We had good visit with my sister June and her family in Indiana and

2011-12-09T08:11:00.000-06:00

It's often a challenge to find good spots to stop for lunch but we did have some good luck on this first day of the journey and hot dogs can be so good.
Then we also need to hike to make sure we stay slim and trim

We got to visit and enjoy a number of different waterfall and hiking parks and walked
many miles with very nice fall colors around us.

Then we do need to make sure we a get a little reward for all the hard work.
This was ordered as a single dip and she did share some with me.
We also came across a nice little coffie house in wi. and got to have a sit down with "DA BETTY". It was also one of those travels that we drove very little interstate over a 2500 mile road trip.

2011-12-09T07:55:00.000-06:00

Pumpkins and fall decorations are signals at the Eidse house thats it time to
go have a look around. We started off with a quick trip to Indiana to visit my youngest sister. This took us into mn,wi,mi,il,and in.

We like to take along our picnic basket and grill

2011-12-09T07:42:00.000-06:00

With the infusion on some new genetics imported by her son, my mother grew some large watermelon. The largest of her (babies) weighed in at 30lbs, setting a new record for her research farm.

2011-12-09T07:24:00.000-06:00

The harvest season went very well with the new paint on the farm. The crops came off on the small side but to have a very dry harvest season sure made the process move along with very little stress on the farmers. There was even time to start training the next generation of combine operators.

2011-12-09T07:15:00.000-06:00

Will do a quick recap of the fall of 2011. The garden got very dry by harvest but the fruits are still being enjoyed. Jo did a good job of preparing us for a long cold winter.

Summer fun!

2011-09-09T10:48:00.000-05:00

Summer is gone, although the temperatures seem to prove otherwise, but the calendar says that it is time to get back to routine. Summer seemed to pass too quickly but we did get to enjoy some family times. Our plan to have a family time at the cottage got changed when the winter wheat needed to be harvested that weekend. Kristy and Graham came out from BC and we spent some good time with them, and had our family and cousin times here. One of the things the kids liked to do was play in the hot tub. We cooled down the temperature so it was more like a swimming pool and they enjoyed splashing and playing in there. There was pedicure time with auntie Kristy for whoever wanted their toenails done in pink camoflage. There were family meals in the screen porch, and times of visiting with Kristy and Graham over coffee or breakfast. Mixed in with all of this was farming needs and the crop that suddenly was ready for harvest, and the garden that in spite of the dryness was producing well. I have posted just a few of the pictures in the following posts to show some of our activities this summer. It was a good summer, busy but good, and maybe I will get around to posting some more pictures . I didn't always have my camera around at the right time, so didn't get pictures of all our activities. Anyway, enjoy`1

2011-09-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

some of that cousin fun included a makebelieve campfire. It is great to see little imaginations at work and how much fun that can be. Who needs expensive toys? Some camping chairs, a bowl for a makebelieve campfire, and some dirt to poke in makes for some great entertainment.

summer fun

2011-09-09T10:28:00.000-05:00

The cousins got to get reaquainted as well this summer and had some fun times together.

Nolan

2011-09-09T10:22:00.000-05:00

For some reason, most of my picture taking this summer didn't show a lot of Nolan, but I do have a couple to share. He is also continuing to grow and is learning to talk, although he is kinda shy so we don't hear too much chatter from him yet. He likes books and puzzles, and he is a daddy and papa boy. He likes to see the equipment on the yard and watch it work, and he knows where mama keeps the snacks and cookies, and he still likes me to come downstairs and play with him. He does enjoy his cousins and the times they get to play together in the playroom and isn't so shy then.

Shae

2011-09-09T10:15:00.000-05:00

Kristy and Graham and the girls came out to visit at the end of July. Graham was here for 2 weeks and then had to get back to work, but Kristy and the girls stayed for another 10 days, and so we got re-aquainted with Shae, having last seen her in spring, she had changed a lot, and didn't really remember her grammy and papa. That was all changed by the time they left. She was busy crawling when they came, but was learning to pull her self up on things and loved to be walked around by whoever was willing. We hear that now walking on her own is her preferred method of getting where she wants to go. She loved to stand by the front door and look out and see what was happening in the wider world out there. She explored the house on all fours, and we had to keep on our toes to keep up with her and make sure she was staying out of trouble. I had to do some quick rescue of some of my things. (I hadn't thought to childproof the house). She is growing and changing so fast but we were glad to have this time to cuddle her, and get to know this busy little lady, and we miss her now that she is back home.

Lukas

2011-09-09T09:50:00.000-05:00

Lukas is growing up so fast it seems. He is usually happy and still has a killer smile. At the beginning of the summer he was mostly happy to play from a stomach position, but by the time a month or two had passed, he was sitting up and playing with toys. He would love to be able to play with his brother but so far isn't mobile enough and so has to sit and watch and laugh at what his brother is doing. He is pretty ticklish and that is an easy way to make him laugh. We are just enjoying him.

cottage in July

2011-09-09T09:36:00.000-05:00

Early in July we had a small window of opportunity to head up to the cottage for 2 days and a night. The weather was great and we enjoyed the sunshine and the water and the beach . Erik and Amber, Hailey, Jayda and Madelyn were there as well and the girls enjoyed the water (and watersports?!)as well. Maybe the water more than the sports. Both Hailey and Jayda tried the skis and the wakeboard. Hailey mastered the wakeboard and enjoyed a couple of runs out on the lake, and was even cutting across the wake. Jayda didn't quite master it and decided that maybe she would wait till another time to try it again, but she was a good sport for the first go at it. And Madelyn, she was content to play in the sand and water and with her sisters. All to soon it was time to head back home, but it was a nice break.

2011-08-22T19:55:00.000-05:00

It has been a lot of years since this farm has seen a new combine, in fact I think it was back in 1984 when the last one was delivered to this yard. With a new generation farming with Kerry it was time to upgrade. This was not a hasty decision and many hours were spent debating and researching and having combine demos on the fields last year. Finally the decision was made and the deal done and combine ordered. As you can see it is not a Gleaner this time. This farm has been served well over the years with it's many Gleaners, but this time the nod went to Claas or Lexion. I like that it is yellow. It was delivered to the yard at the end of July, just in time for the winter wheat harvest. It was an exciting day for the farmers on this farm (and for the rest of the family too). So far, except for a few little things that needed fixing and tweaking, it is working very well and has done the winter wheat as well as some canola, and a bit of spring wheat. It has all kinds of bells and whistles and you name it and our farmers are having a lot of fun using it and getting used to everything. I hope it serves as well as and for as many years as the Gleaner did. That combine is getting a well deserved rest in the machine shed.........so far.

2011-06-30T16:27:00.000-05:00

Neighbours!! It's been about two and a half months now since our neighbours moved in across the road. This is what I see when I look out my kitchen window,(except now in the summer time when the trees allow me to only see the roof). I know that in those four walls, live some of my favorite people and it's good to have them near. It's good to see the schoolbus drive up and see Granddaughter #1 get on it and head off to school. (Guess I'll have a couple of months off now). It is good to hear happy voices as the girls play out on the trampoline. It is good to see 2 or 3 little girls, holding hands and coming down the driveway to visit Gramma and Papa. (and it is good when their mommy and daddy come too). It is good to be able to walk across the road and borrow "a cup of sugar", when I am out and don't want to run to the store. It is good to be able to deliver some of that fresh baking without having to get in the car to do it. It is good to be able to look over there in the evenings, and see the lights in the windows. It is GOOD to have neighbours!!!

2011-06-30T16:15:00.000-05:00

Friends! In our work with MDS over that last number of years we have made a lot of good friends. Consequently we have friends all over the US and Canada, and would have no problem "mennoniting our way" across either. When we part from our friends we make sure to tell them to come on down if they ever are in our neck of the woods.
Well on Monday, our friends from SK did just that. They were on a road trip, driving their 1931 vintage car home from Minnesota, and swung round to come and visit us. They arrived Monday night for supper and then Kerry took Glenn on a crop tour, and out with him when he had to go spraying.(These folks are farmers too). Edna and I stayed indoors, out of the cool wind, and visited and had a good time catching up. They spent the night and the next morning we got to enjoy the warm and sunny morning with breakfast in the screen porch, but then we had to say Good-bye again, they needed to get back home, the farming was calling. It was a good time with them and we sure were glad they decided to look us up.

2011-06-10T16:11:00.000-05:00

Sisters are special. They know all about you and still love you! At least mine do. I have 5 sisters and 1 sister-in-law and we all get along. We were a close family, (there were nine people living in a small 5 room house) and so we had no choice. We shared beds, we shared clothes, we fought, we played, we loved each other most of the time, and not so much at other times. We no longer share the same house, we have all married and gone our own ways, but still we are sisters. We don't all get together very often, because one of us lives in another province. Last week she came to visit and we decided to spend time together.....all of us! The plan was to have brunch out in my screen porch, but the weather didn't co-operate so we went with plan B, brunch at our dining room table. We had a potluck and there was lots of good food. We got together after 10AM and ate, (lots) and drank copious amounts of coffee, visited, laughed, reminisced, took pictures, talked and laughed some more and just enjoyed spending time together and catching up with each other, sharing our lives as they are now, and remembering what things used to be like. It was GOOD! We really should do this more often. Thanks girls for making it a fun day!

Cottage time

2011-05-22T18:06:00.000-05:00

We went out to the cottage last weekend to open up. We got the water and sewer systems going and the hot tub filled. Erik and Amber and girls, as well as Ray and Kim were up there too. There was a new stove put into the kitchen, and some cleaning done, but there was also time for relaxing too. Seeing as how it was fishing season opener, there was plenty of time spent fishing too. Sometimes from the dock, other times going out in the boat, and there were some fish caught and most of them were released back to where they came from to grow some more. The weather was cool, and breezy, but Sunday got to be pretty nice. Just when it is time to head back home, but it was a nice break before the busy seeding time.

2011-05-22T17:58:00.000-05:00

Hailey also found fun things to do. Playing with her sister in the hot tub, making faces for gramma, and fishing were good pastimes. She enjoyed fishing from the dock with daddy, and going out in the boat a couple of times. She caught some fish too and was pretty proud of that. She also enjoyed sitting on the love seat in the screen porch reading with gramma, she with her book, and gramma with her nice thick one, side by side, enjoying each other and their books.

2011-05-22T17:52:00.000-05:00

Madda found plenty to do at the cottage, especially outside. From the swings to the sand where it was lots of fun to build sand castles, and of course, getting water out of the lake. And then there was the fun with the minnows. Daddy and Mommy fished them out of the lake and the girls played. Madda had lots of fun fishing them out of the buckets and letting them flip around on her hand, or transferring them to another bucket. It is such fun to watch them be enthralled with these type of things. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child......

Worms

2011-05-22T17:47:00.000-05:00

Papa Kerry needed some worms for fishing and so he and Jayda went on a hunt for some. Jayda is always a willing helper when it comes to finding worms. The flower bed was a good place to look and yielded some fat ones.

Seeding

2011-05-22T17:32:00.000-05:00

Seeding is underway ---finally, and only on the fields that didn't have flood water, or at least not too much flood water. It is tough to be patient but it does feel good to get some seeding done. Seems we have to work against the calendar. We have got about 600 acres seeded so far some of it to canola, some soybeans, and some wheat. The weekend rain will mean more patience again. We have been very thankful for the low humidities and warm temperatures that we enjoyed last week.

2011-04-30T12:13:00.000-05:00

sea side home of the eidses

2011-04-28T10:18:00.000-05:00

Signs of spring are popping up in various places these days. The rhubarb is poking through the dry leaves and promising tasty desserts in the near future. The second picture shows the tomato plants that Kerry started about a week and a half ago. Germination was good and so we will have too many plants again unless we can actually get ourselves to pull out the excess ones. We planted a variety, but when it comes to eating the tomatoes, we don't really care which is which, we just enjoy. The third picture shows our first meal outdoors this spring. We always look for opportunity to do that, and though the sun was shining warmly, the breeze was enough that we had to wear light jackets. No matter, we still enjoyed. And the last picture shows another typical spring sign on a farm. The equipment comes out and gets worked on and the pressure washer gets started up to was away the winter grime (and bird poop)

2011-04-27T09:45:00.000-05:00

getting ready for the flood of 2011

2011-04-27T09:42:00.000-05:00

coffee break

2011-04-27T09:13:00.000-05:00

2011-04-21T13:06:00.000-05:00

We are not in Palm Springs anymore but i will fill in a few weeks before we get to the back home part. After the kids left we started golfing more, aswell as the social life with the others at the southern winter home. We hiked, played tennis, rode the bikes, enjoyed the sun, shopped, ate, walked, had coffee breaks, and played sluff. It was a very good month and we wondered if we would be ready to go home.

Norah's birthday

2011-03-22T13:46:00.000-05:00

Norah turned 3 while they were here so of course we had to celebrate, and what better way than having a pool party. One of her little friends and her family were in Palm Springs too and so we invited them over for a party. Swimming was a big part of the day, and then came supper...............

and of course birthday cake. Getting ready to blow out the candles. The two little girls had a great time playing together.

Three years old!

Norah also got a backpack and t-shirt from one of her Aunties back home and so she had to put them on and wear them for a while as she watched a show on the ipod. The actual day of her birthday she got a few more gifts and really enjoyed the extra attention she got and I think had a very good day. It was fun to celebrate with her.

Kristy and the girls

2011-03-22T13:34:00.000-05:00

We were happy to have Kristy and Norah and Shae come and join us for a week again this year. It was a busier time than when it is just Kerry and me but we really enjoyed connecting with the little ones again. The weather was hot during the week they were here and so we spent some time each day out at the pool. Norah quite enjoyed the water time, but Shae usually napped, not that she minded the water, but napping was good too.

Kristy enjoyed soaking up the sunshine with a good book while the girls napped.

We also enjoyed coloring outside.

Images from Palm Springs

2011-03-22T13:25:00.000-05:00

It's holiday time again, and we have been enjoying the month of March in Sunny Palm Springs. It always feels like coming home when we are here, and we just so enjoy the beauty around us. It never ceases to amaze me when I see the mountains, the green grass, flowers, and wide blue skies. I stand in awe of what God created. Yes we have beauty at home too, but when leaves the cold and snow behind and ends up here, the contrast is just huge. We have also really been enjoying the birds and their songs, especially the mocking bird, who has such a variety in his song, and the tiny hummingbirds. And of course we have been soaking in the warm temperatures and the sunshine. These pictures are views at our condo. Top left shows the view of the mountains we see from our deck. The flowers are the two baskets we went out and purchased early on so that we could enjoy some color, and just have some flowers. Bottom right shows our deck and the chairs we spend time in , soaking up the sun and warmth.

We went for a walk one day and found a place with beautiful flowers along the pathway and these are some of what we saw. There are lots of flowers blooming everywhere but I don't have pictures of those.

We also enjoy spending time with friends from home. This was taken at one of our favorite outdoor restaurants after a day of shopping for the Jo's and golf for the rest.

We have also done some hiking, and hope to get some more in yet before the holidays are over. This was taken at a resting spot on one of the hikes. It was a little oasis, surrounded by palm trees and we took a break before heading back to where we started.

We have also been enjoying SLUFF evenings and the competition between men and women is always fun. I think the men are a wee bit ahead overall, but we (women) do enjoy gloating when we win. I just don't have any pictures of those fun times.

2011-03-22T12:42:00.000-05:00

Spending time with Shae. She was so sweet, and she sure loved her Papa

2011-03-22T12:36:00.000-05:00

Goodmorning. Its a sunny cool morning in Palm
Springs,ca and if it seemed like we had gone on holidays ..we still are.

Jo is catching up with shopping bookwork and doing crafts this morning. We did just get back from the hot tub.

These pics are from the the trip down, Red Rock canyon and Hoover dam. The new bridge was quite a site, seeing it was not in the picture viewer that my Grandma and Grandpa had in Kleefeld when i was a young boy. We did not stay long but enjoyed the site. Having read up on how it was built helped put the story together.
We soon arrived in PS and moved into the condo. We have playes some golf, spent lots of hours in the pool during the hot week, and also spent time shopping for things still on the list. We had our daughter Kristy and her two girls join us for on week, the hot week. The timing was very good to enjoy watching them three enjoy PS with us.

Sunday pictures

2011-02-21T09:18:00.000-06:00

Lukas is growing so fast. He is 3 weeks old and just a little cuddler. Grammy loves that.

what a sweetheart, and a chubby little one at that.

Here's another little sweetheart. Our little Madda who never wants to leave when it is time to go.

Craft time. Hailey wanted to do a craft and so we got going on making door knob signs and soon Jayda joined in the fun. Then came Nolan, and he also wanted to do something, so Great Gramma patiently taught him to use a scissor and glue and he was happy for a long time just cutting. He was quite proud to master the art of cutting.

Birthdays!!

2011-02-21T09:12:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was time to celebrate a couple of birthdays. Usually we are not around to celebrate with Shaun and Hailey who share the same birthday. This year we got to celebrate the two of them, a little early, but who cares if birthdays last 2 weeks. I know Hailey doesn't mind. We got together after church for lunch, and then it was cake and present time. Hailey working at blowing out her 6 candles, and Madda looking on, wondering if she will manage or if she should help.

Mission accomplished----almost. Just a break while we sang Happy Birthday, and then she blew out the last one.

The other birthday celebrant. All he got was a little candle on a piece of cheesecake, but he doesn't seem to mind.

It was a good day, the kids hung around till supper time, and the little ones played or slept, or wanted stories read, or gramma to come play downstairs. There was some table tennis played in the basement by the big kids and visiting and baby holding upstairs.

Another Blessing!

2011-01-28T22:32:00.000-06:00

We were very happy this morning to receive a phone call saying that the newest little Eidse had finally arrived. It is our pleasure to introduce to you........................................ Lukas Grady Eidse, son of Shaun and Vicki, and 7th grandchild , and 2nd grandson for us. He arrived around 6:30 this morning, the 28th of January, and weighed in at 8 lbs 7 oz and measured 21 1/4 inches long.

We went in this afternoon, taking Nolan and Vicki's mom with us and introduced Nolan to his little brother, and got to meet this newest member of our family. He is looking good, and slept the whole time we were there. He fits just perfectly into our arms, and of course, has found his way into our hearts also.

Nolan, mommy and baby brother sharing a story.

We had to take of his little hat to get to see that he has a head full of dark hair. Grammy Jo is looking forward to lots of cuddles with this little one soon. If all goes well, he and his mommy may be coming home tomorrow afternoon.

Getting Started !

2011-01-19T20:27:00.000-06:00

We've been busy shopping these last weeks. January has been designated shopping month and we are making progress. Things are getting crossed off of THE LIST! My sewing room has been put on the back burner for a while, in fact it is being used as the play room, but things are changing. Back in fall we had stopped in at a store in Kelowna that sells sewing machines and I found the one I wanted, but we decided not to buy it out there even though the price was good. Warranty issues , etc, and we weren't really ready yet. But now we were and so we started researching some more and it was still the one I wanted. Last Friday we went in to Wpg with the intention of buying a sewing machine. We were waiting at the store before they even unlocked the door, and wonder of wonders, they had one in stock and I could take it home right away. As you can see, it is a JANOME. Kristy had bought one about a year ago, a Janome machine, that is, and she recommended it as she was very happy with hers. I of course had to go for the top of the line and pay more but it is supposed to be a good machine. I wanted one that could hem jeans, and mend pants, do regular sewing and fancy stuff as well as quilt. Well this one is supposed to fit the bill.

Here it is, my Janome Horizon. It is a pretty new machine, hasn't been on the market for very long yet, but is selling well. I hope it lives up to expectations. I could have gone back in the next day for my first lesson, but it was too soon. I don't even have any fabric in the house to experiment on. Sunday I watched the video included with the machine and learned how to wind the bobbin, thread the machine, and then, finding an old bandanna, I sewed a few seams. I only had thread because I had taken some spools with me last winter when we went south. It felt good, even if it was only practise.

Then on Monday, we were shopping again, and Kerry dropped me off at a fabric store and I bought some flannel. I had stacks of it before to make rag blankets, and so I started my new stash with these pieces you see here. Luckily there was a sale on! I love fabric! but I should have also bought the tools to cut with. I am itching to get started, but cutting each square with a scissor is a bit tedious, and not so precise, so I guess I will have to go shopping.........AGAIN! There are lots of sewing notions and things I need to make the playroom into a sewing room, but I've made the start. Maybe that new grandchild we are waiting for will be able to have a new blanket to cuddle in.

more extras

2011-01-13T10:45:00.000-06:00

Shea and more

extras

2011-01-13T10:42:00.000-06:00

enjoying family

Extra pics

2011-01-13T10:39:00.000-06:00

Christmas gift time and crafts

extra pics

2011-01-13T10:36:00.000-06:00

Grandkids

We are still among the living

2011-01-13T10:32:00.000-06:00

I suggested to Jo maybe it was time to blog again seeing its been over a month. Guess that was a no you do it look.

Its been a good month(mostly). We had a very good Christmas break and good times with the family. Jo will have to tell that story when she's ready.

By now most of you know that we have taken a break from MDS service this winter to try to get our "house in order". Over the last month Jo went from helping with the house building to taking care of family. That still left me to work on the house and good progress was made in the basement in the last while. A few days ago the ceiling in the basement was all done and progress made with flooring, moldings and electrical. The basement had got far enough before the gathering at christmas that we could play table tennis and the kids had a bedroom and a place to play. Our daughter Kristy and her two girls, Norah and Shea stayed with us for a few weeks.

Jayda and Hailey on this pic got to try out Grandpas new vac. New tools have to be checked out. We got to spend some time at Christmas playing outside but the weather was on the cool(cold) side and healthy people a bit scarce at times.

We are spending much time shopping now with the list in hand. We feel we have made progress but many more trips to go yet. We just got back from two days in Fargo with the car very full.

I want to thank all of you that have cared for us with cards, visits, calls, and letters(and email) and other gifts from your hearts. We are blessed to have you as our friends. Take care Kerry

Furniture

2010-12-11T11:27:00.000-06:00

Time for a quick update again, before I get to lunch and some cookie baking. We have been doing a LOT of shopping lately and so our house is getting filled up with furniture and stuff. Our bedroom furniture...........................

our living room furniture, and the girls making use of the couches as soon as they were put in place.

Our dining room minus a few chairs that had to be ordered in...............

and of course, the Christmas tree for the season.

Continuing progress

2010-11-13T19:56:00.000-06:00

Guess it's about time to let you all know how things are progressing in the house. We have been working mostly in the basement the last while, although Kerry did some trim work upstairs last week. We have painted all of the rooms now, and there is plenty of color down there. Kerry putting color on the big room walls. Just this morning we put the second coat on the office walls, as well as the playroom, to finish up the paint work.

Kerry has also been doing lots of electrical work, getting the plugins wired and plates put on, as well as numerous light switches and lights. So far, the lights are temporary, but at least when we flip the switch, there is light.

The plumbers were in earlier this week, and we now have a working toilet in the basement bathroom. They also hooked up my dishwasher, and I am quite enjoying that too. We are on a deadline. We have kids and grandkids coming for Christmas in 4 weeks and so we have to get a bedroom and bathroom functional in the basement. This bathroom is almost ready to go. Needs a mirror, another door, and some baseboard and trim, the shower curtain and rod, and it's ready to go. Notice the ceiling? Kerry put in the suspended tile just last night, and did the storage room as well.

And we have had some doors installed down there as well. Now it's up to me to get them painted.

And so, life goes on. We are making progress and it feels good, and between work and shopping, and shopping, and shopping some more, we keep out of trouble.

Little Helpers

2010-11-13T19:32:00.000-06:00

There is always help to be had when the grandkids are around! It's great! Whenever Nolan comes over, and Papa happens to be doing something in the house, then Grammy can forget about playing. It's much more important that he be helping Papa with what he is doing. He is always right there, one step behind, watching and helping, getting tools, or putting them away if that is what Papa asks him to do, and occasionally trying to fix things on his own.

I had some help the other day from some little princesses! They came over, bearing cake and gifts,and singing the birthday song and because it is tough for me to blow out all the candles on my own, they were right there to help me. The job was completed in short order. Thanks girls for (and Amber) for making the day special for me.

Mission accomplished! Now it's time to eat cake. ( As I was downloading the pictures, I noticed that we were all very color coordinated!)

Thank-you little helpers for being there for Grammy and Papa!

Grandchildren

2010-10-21T15:35:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I have posted any grandchildren pictures and so in this thanksgiving month, I decided it was time, because I am so very thankful for the grandchildren we are blessed with. We presently have 5 grandaughters and 1 grandson, and waiting for another grandchild early in the new year. These little ones are such a source of joy and fun, and each one is special, and needless to say, we love them all to bits. They always make a smile come to Grammy and papa's faces, and their hugs and kisses are treasured.

Hailey

2010-10-21T15:24:00.000-05:00

Hailey is growing up too fast, and now she is in school. She is quite enjoying being in Kindergarten and loves the whole learning process. She enjoys coloring

and still likes Gramma to read to her.

She is often on her own at the island coloring, while the others run around and find other things to play.

Jayda

2010-10-21T15:13:00.000-05:00

Jayda is growing up so fast, and getting to be a good little helper. She does a pretty good job of dishes.

Having fun with Madda in the vast open spaces of our house.

She tried on Papa's glasses one day, and made sure I took a picture of her in them.

Madelyn

2010-10-21T15:07:00.000-05:00

Madda is a character, but such a loveable one! She loves life and is usually busy at it.

Enjoying her soup and giving gramma a sweet smile.

she always wants to do what her big sisters are doing and painting is one of those things. Notice the little pony tails? she is very proud of those and makes sure I notice whenever Mommy makes ponytails in her hair.

Putting her feet up and enjoying a snack of an apple, one of her favourite snacks.

Nolan

2010-10-21T14:56:00.000-05:00

Nolan loves to play hide and seek and one of his favorite places in our new house is the pantry in the kitchen, and he runs into there and waits for me to find him. Once we get shelves in there the game might have to change.

not sure about this whole hot tub experience.

Just being a goof!

Norah and Shae

2010-10-21T14:46:00.000-05:00

I borrowed these first two pictures from ones that Kristy sent us. We don't get to take many pictures of the girls what with them being so far away from us now. This first picture is Shae at about 3 wks old. Our newest little grandchild and already taking up a big chunk of our hearts. Just wish she was closer so this grammy could cuddle her.

Big sister Norah and Shae.

Norah likes to be in the kitchen when there is baking happening, and of course she likes to lick the beater.

Norah has great bed-head in the mornings (just like her mother used to). We enjoyed the time we got to look after her in BC while Kristy and Shae were in the hospital.

Season of Thanks!

2010-10-21T14:37:00.000-05:00

You shall rejoice in all the good which the Lord your God has given you and your household. Deuteronomy26:11 It is the season of Thanksgiving and we celebrate what the Lord has done for us and given us. This year we have many blessings to count, maybe more precious because in previous years we have taken many of these for granted. This first picture shows the beauty that is so often out there, right in front of us and we don't stop to look or give thanks. Thank-you God for the beauty of the sunsets, and for coloring the world for us to enjoy! We also give thanks for the completed harvest for 2010, and bins that are full again of grain.

One of the things that we often take for granted are our homes. We learned this year that sometimes those things are taken away from us. Being homeless, even just for a season, is a hard place to be, and yet, even in this God was with us and gave us strength and wisdom and provided for us in sooo many ways. He sent people to pray, and care for us, and support us in numerous ways. He was in the planning and building of our new home, and has indeed given us "beauty instead of ashes" (Is. 61:3), and we say THANK-YOU and stand in awe of what he has provided for us.

We are enjoying our new home and celebrating seasons with family, and we are THANKFUL for our children and grandchildren who have stood by us and loved us and provided us with some normal in this season we passed through. We celebrated Thanksgiving with a soup and pumpkin pie lunch out in our screen porch. It was a beautiful Sunday and it was good! We wish Kristy and Graham and girls could have been there with us as well.

We have been in our house for about a month now and it is good, and we are feeling right at home here. It still feels a bit unreal at times, especially when we remember where we were just 6 months ago. God is good, and again we say Thanks!. There is still lots of work to be done to get the house finished and we keep puttering away at it. Now that harvest is over there will be more time to finish up some of the trim work, and putting shelving in closets and working at various things in the basement, and shopping. We need to furnish our home and that will take a lot of shopping hours, (and a right attitude), but thanks to having good insurance, we will be able to get furniture and the things we need. We are indeed privileged to be able to afford and have good insurance for times like this and are thankful for this too.

We hope you all have been counting your blessings and giving Thanks for what God has blessed you with in this the season for giving Thanks. God Bless!

Continued progress

2010-10-04T10:32:00.000-05:00

We are living in the house but there is still work happening. The bathroom vanities are finished now, and on Saturday, the trim work in our ensuite was finished, so now I can do more putty work and the touch up paint, and then our bedroom/bathroom will be done.

We have done some work in the basement as well. With the cooler temps happening we needed to move the washer and dryer into the house so that things wouldn't freeze. We painted the walls in the laundry room, and put down some flooring, and then moved the appliances into place. There is more work to be done in there but I am doing laundry there today.

The basement bathroom is also making progress, with a finished vanity, and paint on the walls. We need to get some flooring in so that the plumbers can come back and install the toilet.

And we have also painted one coat in the guest bedroom, but this week looks sunny and dry so hopefully we can get lots of harvest done. That means house stuff will be on hold for a bit but I can still keep working on projects that I can do alone while Kerry is out. There is trim to finish, and closets to paint, the garden to clean out, paper work to keep on top of, and pumpkins to cook up so that we can enjoy fresh pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. We are back from our trip out to BC to meet our new little granddaughter and back into the swing of things at home. Shae is doing well, and is in the Abbottsford hospital since Thursday, but we are all hopeful that she and Kristy can go home soon. She is eating well and gaining weight and we miss her already. It was fun to be with Norah and we quite enjoyed our time with her. After not seeing her for 3 months we noticed how much she had grown and how much more she was talking. It was great to see Kristy and Graham too, but wish we could have spent a little more time with them at their place, but were glad to be there with them in Kelowna. We enjoyed the lovely weather in Kelowna, and the exploring we could do, and especially the friends who put us up, and fed us, and other friends we met for coffee or lunch.

Screen Porch

2010-10-04T10:15:00.000-05:00

One of the other things that is done and we have already been enjoying is finishing the screen porch. I worked out well and it is great to go out there and feel like being outside, yet be protected from the bugs and mosquitos, which have not gone south for the winter yet. We have been enjoying the hot tub in the evenings and being able to look out at the starry night sky, and see the occasional falling star, or going out in the morning and enjoying a sunrise while we soak up the warmth of the water. It has been a bit cool though for eating out there, plus we have a lack of furniture still.

Shae Mackenzie Friesen

2010-09-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

Introducing our newest grand-daughter, Shae Mackenzie, new little daughter of Graham and Kristy, and little sister to Norah. She was born on September 20, 2020 in Kelowna, BC and weighed in at 5 lbs, 15 oz. and measured 17 3/4 inches long. She entered this world 5 weeks early and is doing well, but still in hospital. Kerry and I are here in Chilliwack with Norah and enjoying our time with her, but we may head back to Kelowna today so that Norah can meet her new little sister and get to see her Mommy and Daddy again who are missing her. We would like to get better aquainted with little Shae ourselves and also spend time with Kristy and Graham. Our time with them yesterday was brief, but we did get to meet Shae and I got to hold her for a bit. She is a precious little bundle, and so tiny still, but bigger than Norah was the first time I saw her.

Good bye temporary home!

2010-09-16T13:46:00.000-05:00

Had to show these pictures yet too. I cleaned the RV on Wednesday morning before they came to pick it up. As I was cleaning I was thinking of our time in it and it was good. It was a good place to call our own for a while, but was I sad to be leaving it? NO! it was time to move on........................................

Hitched up and ready to go. They came and picked it up before lunch

Away it goes.

just my laundry room left standing . Looks a bit empty there now, but I'll bet it won't be long till there is some piece of equipment parked there.

Week 20

2010-09-16T13:39:00.000-05:00

I know the week is not over yet but will just do a post anyway. On Monday there was still some construction happening here. Actually, on Saturday while we were out shopping our friend came and did more work on out window shelves. Then Monday, the trim around the bedroom windows got done, before the guys moved outside to start the work of screening in the porch. Inside the house, the cabinet folks were here and the countertops got finished, and the vanities in the bathrooms got installed. So far they have no doors or drawer fronts, but those are coming next week, and in the basement the drywallers were finishing up the sanding. Tuesday the plumbers came in and did the bathroom faucets, and installed the range hood, and a few other things. And the electrician came in the afternoon and finished up some projects that he needed to do. A picture of our dining room suite....we bought a folding table and 6 folding chairs in the city the other day and this is what we will use till we have time to go out and shop for a different set.

Our comfy bed. After 8 months of sleeping on an RV mattress, our bodies were in need of a decent bed and we have spent two peaceful nights on this one, soft enough to cushion our achy bones. Our night tables are our camping tables. We have our clothes in the closet, and our shower nearby, and we don't have to turn it off in between to conserve hot water.....

This morning, after enjoying a warm soak in the hot tub, which Kerry filled yesterday, after finishing up the screen on the porch, we ate breakfast and watched the sunrise out the east windows. It was beautiful! Then Kerry went out and helped with the basement floor pour at Erik's ...............

and I decided to try out my new oven. Baked a cake and some muffins as well as some cookies. The oven seems to work.

There is still much to do. Kerry is working outside on his drainage, and eavestroughs. I have windows to clean, nail holes to fill, and then another coat of paint of the trim. The basement needs vacuuming after all the sanding to clean up the dust so it doesn't track up the stairs, the basement could be painted, and we should be working on the laundry and bathroom so that we can use those rooms. There is lots of shelving needed in the closets, and more lights, and on and on. So, NO we are not done, but we are HOME!

MOVING DAY!!!

2010-09-16T13:19:00.000-05:00

The time finally came. It was time to move in. The house is not finished yet, there is lots left to do, but the lease was up on the RV and we didn't want to extend it so we decided to make the move across the yard into our new home. Tuesday afternoon, after impatiently spending some necessary time in Wpg doing some more shopping for stuff, we started the packing and moving. Amber came over and helped me pack in the trailer, and unpack in the house, then back again to the trailer. We moved about 4 loads in the back of the half ton. Funny how quickly one accumulates stuff, and we haven't even started to replace most of our stuff yet. We had a bit more than the couple of suitcases full that we came home with in April.

Putting things away in the kitchen. There is SO much room, and I am sure I will have to be looking in each drawer and shelf for a while till I remember where we put things, and no doubt I will be moving things around a few times yet too.

The boys helped Kerry set up the bed, which we had gone out and purchased on Saturday, as well as a set of pots so I could cook on my new induction cooktop. There was also more clean up and other things happening while Amber and I went back and forth.

By the time it got dark, we were tired and ready to call it a day, but Kerry relaxed a bit by checking the weather, and other info before heading to bed. It felt good, it felt right, and we were ready to be HOME!

Week 19

2010-09-16T13:04:00.000-05:00

I realized that I hadn't posted anything yet from week 19. There was still progress though slower than some weeks. My pantry door got installed as well as a lot of trim and baseboard in the west end of the house.

Installed the microwave.....

Put up some shelving in the master bedroom closet................

Installed shower doors in the ensuite shower............

In the basement the mudding and sanding was happening and 3rd coat almost done by the end of the week, and the plumbers also got a lot of the finishing touches done, but still not quite everything. We can heat our basement floor now though.

Stay tuned, more exciting stuff next week!!!!!

Week 18

2010-09-06T21:21:00.000-05:00

The finish line is getting closer but we know that as soon as we move in it gets harder to get things done. It is getting so tempting though. This week there were a bunch of necessary things happening. We purchased and installed a couple of fans and some light fixtures. One fan is in the living room, and one is in the stairwell. The one in the stairwell is still giving us some problems so we hope we can get it working or we will have to take it down. It was quite a chore to get it up there and so we aren't wanting to take it down. It wasn't one of those 5-minute fans. The living room one was and it still took a couple of hours to install. We put lights over the island in the kitchen, and in the bathroom, the mud room and a couple of closets, as well as some outdoor lights on the garage. We purchased the chandelier for the dining room but haven't put that up so far. And we have more lights to buy yet......

There was a bunch of plumbing work done a couple of days as well. A lot of it happened in the basement and so I am not sure what all got done but there was work on the furnace, hot water heater, ducting, etc. We got registers put in and the central vac canister put up in the garage. AND we got 2 toilets installed, as well as the sinks in the kitchen and the faucets. Then on Friday, we got the water running and can flush and wash our hands. The fridge is making ice and cooling.

The kitchen install continued and the counter tops got made on site and put on. Not quite finished yet, but it is sure starting to look like I need to get in there and cook. Got the fridge in place and working, the cook top installed (now I just need to get a set of pots) and the double oven in place as well. We have the microwave but haven't put it in yet, and we need to purchase a dishwasher.

I painted what felt like miles of trim for casings and baseboards, and some of it got nailed in place already, but there is plenty more to be done. And the first coat of mud is on in the basement.
SO. Lots got done, but still a ways to go, and lots more shopping ahead. One of the first things we need is a bed, or maybe we should just borrow a mattress and sleep on the floor. We'll see.................................

Week 17

2010-08-31T11:23:00.000-05:00

It is getting closer! Every week we can see us getting closer to move in and yet there are so many little things that need to happen before that. This week some of those things got done.

Last week we made a Grand Forks run and got a half ton load of things for the house. One of them was a door for the entry from the garage to the house. Top picture on the right shows the door installed. We also bought things like sinks, taps, door knobs, etc, etc. Cal and crew finished up a bunch of things before moving on to another job this week. Top left shows the window wells we had made by a local fellow, and they got installed this week. Bottom right shows the screen door for our screen porch. Think that is enough to keep the bugs out? Bottom left shows the step onto the front porch, and they also covered the posts with Hardie siding and now I need to paint it.

Inside the house again, the cabinets arrived and installation got underway. I am really excited to see the kitchen take shape, and am waiting for the day when I can start cooking and baking in a full sized kitchen again, and this one will be full sized.

I won't show you too many views, I will wait till the counter tops, and appliances are in. Check back next week.

In the basement, the drywall is done and ready for taping and mudding, and there was also some pine wainscotting put up in the big room. The hardwood flooring is almost done, and some of the trim is on on the doors and windows. Things are moving along, soon we will have to start shopping for things to fill the house.

Week 16

2010-08-24T08:33:00.000-05:00

Another week has come and gone, and we are getting closer to moving in, but we haven't set a date for it yet. Things seem to change a lot every week, but yet when we look at all the little details that need doing before move in there are LOTS of things left to do. We are looking forward to it though, the RV seems to be getting a little small. Will I miss it when we move into the house? I don't think so, and yet it has been a good place to have---temporarily.

This past week, they finished up the siding around the bow window and so siding is complete. The second picture top, shows the spray in insulation being applied on the joists. We also had the eavestroughs installed one morning, took all of about 2 hours and the job was done, but now when it rains, we don't get leaked on when we go onto the porch. And they also put pine up on the ceiling of the screen porch.

Inside the house there was a transformation on the floors. We hired a friend to come in and install the hardwood and he worked hard all week and got most of it done. There is some more work in our bedroom, and some in the entrance to do yet, but it looks great. Even the grandkids thought so and already were dancing around on it one day.

We also finally found some linoleum that we liked , bought it and it was installed in the entrance, mudroom, and powder room, sewing room and our ensuite bathroom. We are also quite happy with it even though it got decided on in a hurry. It just felt right.

and of course, there was still farming to do, and the combining continued and we got all the wheat and oats finished this week, just minutes before the rain came on Friday.

More week 15

2010-08-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

There was some more deck construction on the south side deck, and it is mostly done, except maybe for a bit of railing.

The siding was finished up as much as could be done on the south and east sides of the house. We needed to pick up some more white trim boards and we did that on Friday, so now they should be able to finish that up.

Siding on the front of the house is now complete.

There was also some more work done in the basement, hanging more drywall, and building some bulkheads. The hardwood flooring had to wait because the wood was too dry and so needed to sit and climatize a while longer. Hopefully this week we can get to putting it down. That's all for now, got to get to work.

Week 15

2010-08-16T09:12:00.000-05:00

A quick rundown of this past week's happenings in the house. The interior doors got hung and I gave them a coat of paint.

We picked up some trim boards and they also got a coat of paint before they are put up.

The platform and stair in the garage, and entrance into the house was built and put in place.

The hot tub was lowered into it's spot after some more under the scenes work was completed.

Relish

2010-08-11T09:22:00.000-05:00

I did it! I made relish in my little RV kitchen! Homemade relish is a staple at our house, not that we can't eat the bought stuff, but the homemade stuff is so much better, and so I wanted to make some again after the fire got my supply. At times I looked at the cucumbers in my garden and at my little kitchen and wondered, "What was I thinking?" Amber offered me the use of her kitchen and I thought I would take her up on it, but as I got into things, I figured I could manage here. And I did!

Yesterday I finally went into the garden to pick the cukes that I had been ignoring, and there were plenty, just the right size for making relish. Time to get to work. I washed the cukes, and then I phoned a friend to see if I could borrow her Braun machine and grinder again for the task. No problem there. Next I had to go to Morris and get some supplies. I needed to get these things anyway, so I might as well do it now. Let's see, I needed a large pot, some big bowls, and a colander. Luckily, I could find all I needed at Home Hardware. I had bought jars earlier on in anticipation of this event. Back at home I got to work again, getting my onions and peppers out of the garden, cutting all the veggies up, and grinding them, so that they could sit overnight for the flavors to blend.

This morning, I got to work and washed my jars, strained the veggies, and got out my new pot to start the brine cooking. The pot pretty much took up the whole stove, but it seemed to work, and soon the smell of relish filled the air.

It is just past 9:00 AM and the relish is done, and sitting on the table cooling, and I am hearing the snaps telling me that the jars are sealed. I love that sound! and I feel like I have accomplished something. Most times it is just a routine thing that I do in summer, but this time it was more of a challenge. I probably will make a couple more batches now that I know it is possible in a small RV kitchen and next year, I should be able to work in a beautiful new kitchen, with lots of space. I am learning to appreciate the "ordinary" things that I tended to take so for granted, and I think this relish will taste particularly good!!

First Meal in the New House

2010-08-09T21:46:00.000-05:00

It was time to have the kids over for lunch again. Something we had been missing. Sunday lunch often happened at our place and Hailey and Jayda like to come in our car. It hasn't happened much this summer and we were all missing it. It was time. Plus it was Erik's birthday. But where should we eat, it was very hot outside, and not enough room in the RV , so the next choice was the new house. Of course, there was lots of room there, and it was even pretty cool. We set up a couple of tables in the living room, (the actual dining room was full of paint cans and supplies, and boxes of hardwood), got out the paper plates and cups, and I made chicken and potatoes on the BBQ, we had fresh cukes from the garden for a salad, some corn, bread, and a birthday dessert that Amber brought, and it was GOOD!

The welcoming committee!

Setting up and getting everyone settled while I finished the preparations back at the RV.

Enjoying the meal and the conversation.

The birthday boy blowing out his candle while his girls watch. It was a yummy dessert too!

It was a good time and the first of many Sunday lunches at our place again. I am so looking forward to some of those normal things again. And when the play room is done, the kids and I can go and play, like we used to, while the others cleaned up and visited. I think the kids and grandkids are waiting for some of that normal too. The downside of it all was that Kristy, Graham and Norah couldn't join us today. We would have had room !

Week 14

2010-08-09T16:32:00.000-05:00

A short work week--for some-- but still much done again. The siding install made good progress this week, and we are quite enjoying the look of our home as it emerges with color.

There have been some rain days lately, and so there has been drywall put up in the basement and it is looking more closed in but we can get a feel for the rooms.

Inside, there was color showing up as well. It was painting time and Kerry and I took it on ourselves to paint. We mostly enjoy painting and it was some sweat we could put into the house, and sweat we did! But we made good progress and by the end of the week everything on the main floor was painted twice except for the stairwell and the living room. We also had some help from a few others, Thanks Amber, Andrew and Karen.

And more electrical work. The electricians spent 2 days and did some more wiring . In the utility room in the basement, where a couple of days ago there was just a tangle of wires, now they are neatly wired into the panel. A panel was put up in the garage as well. Then there were some potlights put in, and plug-ins and switch covers in places. We now have a couple of live plugins and working lights. We purchased hardwood for the floors, and doors for the interior and are trying to decide on linoleum for a couple of rooms. And at the end of the week, it was time to get back to harvesting, and we finished combining the winter wheat, and I picked all the apples off the tree before the birds got to taste them all, but I ignored the garden because I didn't really have time to pick anything or take care of it anyway.

More week 13

2010-08-02T21:25:00.000-05:00

Also happening this week, was work on the deck on the south side of the house, out of the dining room. This one connects up with the screen porch. They needed to start this one so that they could get the siding done right.

This may simply look like a ceiling, but it is a primed ceiling. The taping, mudding and sanding got done by supper time Thursday, and so we started wiping dust off the walls, and on Friday and Saturday we primed ceilings.

Then on Saturday afternoon, before attending a wedding in the city, we went to Home Depot and bought ourselves some more work. We bought about 30 pails of paint, but I am excited to see color coming into the house, even though it will be a lot of work. We are looking forward to something we can do ourselves.

And then I went into the garden and saw more work in progress. I picked my first cucumbers, and also a bunch of apples off the tree in the garden. Relish and apple pie coming up. Wonder how I will manage to make relish in the RV?

Week 13

2010-08-01T16:57:00.000-05:00

Another busy, hot , sticky week, but good progress once again.

Finishing up the soffit and fascia on the house.

There was lots of siding and trim put on.

We went to Grand Forks one day and picked up the garage doors we had ordered and before long they were installed.

as were the garage door openers. NO we can't use them yet, the installation is not quite finished, and we have to get a few more parts.

Week 12

2010-07-26T11:26:00.000-05:00

Got my window seat/shelf installed in the bow window in the dining room, and drywall up by Tuesday evening.

There was some plumbing done, the ensuite shower and basement bathroom got their fixtures installed. The water and sewer lines were pushed to the house and the sewer tank hooked up and we now have water and sewer at the house but not quite ready to use in the shower yet.

Kerry and I painted the garage. We thought it would be easier to do it before all the wiring and panels, and garage door openers etc got put in and so we gave it a coat of primer and one top coat and it sure looks brighter and clean in there . We also gave the mechanical room in the basement a coat of primer to brighten it up, but that wasn't as much fun as there were already a lot of things we had to paint around.

And there was a lot of mudding and taping going on as well, and that project should get finished this week. We need to get paint, and flooring, and doors and trim, etc, etc, etc. Stay tuned.........................

It's Underway

2010-07-21T16:55:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe if I didn't see it with my own eyes, but harvest 2010 is underway. I think that this must be another record for this farm. Only July 21, and the first grain of the season is coming off the field and into the bin. The winter wheat that was seeded back in September of last year is ready for harvest, and though it is not totally dry, with the forcast for rain, it is coming off. Good thing we have bins with aeration. Swathing the first 30 acres on Monday.

Aaaannnd.....................

......... theeey'rrre................

OFF!!!!!

And with that come some normal harvest duties for me as well, I'll likely make my first field supper, and I get to test the grain samples, with our new tester that is sharing space with my washer and dryer. Some things still stay the same.

Week 11

2010-07-19T08:13:00.000-05:00

Boy how time flies! Another week has come and gone and the next is underway. Last week saw good progress again. We started Monday with finalizing our kitchen plan, which meant working out the last details of the cabinet layout, choosing our counter top and also the pulls. It feels good to be able to put that aside for now.

Tuesday, our hot tub was delivered, but because we are not quite ready for the install yet, it is parking on the dike for now. Wonder if we could fill it and warm it somehow??? It sure would be nice to relax in it after some of our long days. Guess we could go sit in it as it is, but it wouldn't be quite the same..........guess we will just have to wait.

Inside the house, the insulation was finished and drywall put up. It feels quite different inside now with all the rooms taking on their final shape. Now we can really start to see how it will all look. So far we are not making any changes, at least not major ones, though we had to move some plugins in the kitchen after finalizing our cabinet plan. I am just glad we caught it before all the drywall was up, or before the cabinets came. Our electrician responded quickly to our emergency call and all was soon taken care of. The above photo shows part of the dining room, part of the kitchen, and the hallway leading to the bedroom.

Looking out from my pantry area in the kitchen to the dining and living rooms.

The east wall of the living room, the stair well and hall closet. Now it is time for me to decide what colors I want to paint. I have ideas but not sure how to put it all together. We also make a trip in to Wpg on Saturday night because we realized that the plumber was coming Monday to do the shower plumbing and we didn't have the taps yet. So, good progress, some decisions made again, but many more still to come......and the winter wheat is almost ready to harvest!

Week 10

2010-07-12T08:41:00.000-05:00

Things keep moving along, even though to the untrained eye there might not seem to be much progress. I am getting a good education in the processes of building a house, and so my eye is not so untrained anymore. It is just tougher to take pictures of the progress, but here are a few from this past week.

Our shower did arrive on Tuesday morning and got placed and built in in the next couple of days. The first part of our ensuite to be in place.

See the white stuff in the walls? That's insulation, and they got started with doing the walls on Friday. They also spent 2 days blowing the insulation into the attic on the house and garage, so it is sounding quieter in the house now when you go in.

There were also some doors installed. This is out front door, and we also had doors to the screen porch and out of the dining room installed. We had bought the door hardware, but turns out it is not the right stuff so we have to return it and get something else. We need to be able to close off the house to the outside world and the wildlife that inhabits our yard. There is a mother cat and 2 kittens that have been sleeping in the piled up insulation in the house. Not sure if I like the fact that someone else gets to sleep there before we do, even, or especially if it is cats. At least they didn't make a mess of things.

The garage ceiling got nailed out and drywall put on the wall between the house and garage.

Kerry and I made another trip to Grand Forks for drywall, and some trim for the siding on the outside of the house. The Hardie siding with which we will finish the outside was delivered as well. There was more work done on soffit, there seems to be a lot of that, and other less visible, but necessary jobs done. We did some more kitchen planning now that we had the measurements for our appliances and I have had paint pages lying around in the RV as I try and get a feeling for what kind of colors I would like to have in the house. I'm thinking I will have to decide that soon. Friday at noon we had our first meal out on the back deck. Kerry and I decided it was time to feed the construction crew and so we had a nice meal together out there. Friday afternoon I sat on the edge of the front porch and thought that it will be a good place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea on an afternoon. There was shade, shelter from the wind and it just felt good, like it will be a good place to relax and enjoy. Let me know if you would like to come join me there sometime. Sunday morning Kerry and I wandered over there and sat on the back screen deck for a while and enjoyed the morning sunshine and it was nice. Too bad we had forgotten to take our coffee.

On the farming front, Kerry and Erik have been cleaning out grain bins in the mornings before the heat sets in, and hauling what they can to the elevator. The winter wheat is changing color and so it is time to get the combines out and get them checked out and ready for the harvest. I am picking peas from our garden, now that we can keep the deer out, and have been eating lettuce, and dug our first potatoes the other day. Waiting for the first ripe tomato, but I think that will be a while yet. So now it is Monday morning again, and another week underway, and I need to go and pick peas. Have a good week all, and keep your eyes open to see God's wonders. Enjoy!

Unexpected Blessing

2010-07-05T10:39:00.000-05:00

We are getting a new home. I never thought that we would be in this place in life. We were happy with the house we had and had no plans to build a new one. It was old, but it had character and we were happy there. But God had other plans. It is now 3 months since our house burned down, and so much has happened since then. Sometimes it still feels a bit unreal, but I know it is true. I can see it happening before my eyes so it is hard to deny. But it is not easy. It is overwhelming at times, it is frustrating at times, and there are so many things to think of and decisions to make. Some days are easy and we are excited about the progress and getting a new house. There is lots of paperwork to do, and insurance to deal with. Then there is life, and all the normal things that still need doing and our days are full from morning to evening.

I was thinking about all these things a while back, and in my devotions I read again the verse that spoke to me in the early days after the fire. In Isaiah 61:3 it talks about giving a crown of beauty instead of ashes, and in Psalm 67:12 it says "we went through fire and water but you brought us to a place of abundance." I agreed that we were being brought through the fires and ashes and were were coming to a place of beauty and abundance and I praised God for this blessing, but I asked Him why if it was good, was it so hard. He told me it was because it was so unexpected. Wow! I had never thought of it that way. Lots of time we thank God for blessings that are planned for and prepared for, or if they are unexpected, they are like a gift, ready to be enjoyed. This new house is a blessing, but but the path is difficult because we had never planned for this. We can see God's hand in so much of this house building experience thus far, and we know He is in it with us, and He is bringing us to a place of abundance and so we give Him praise. But still, every day is not easy and sometimes we feel like running away, but then I look at the house and am reminded of this blessing, this unexpected blessing, that God is giving us. He just wants us to learn and grow and trust in Him through this all, and He is faithful. He continues to give us strenth and wisdom, and we are doing okay.

Week 9

2010-07-05T09:35:00.000-05:00

What a hot and muggy week this one turned out to be. Things kept moving along though on the house front. One of the most noticeable things was the shingles on the house. With the garage roof, and porch roof done, the shingling could get done on the front part of the house.

The shingling crew worked a couple of evenings to get the roof done to the point where all that was left was the ridge caps.

Saturday morning, Kerry and Erik and I went up on the roof to finish up. This is a view of the roof from the top. This is the north half of the roof, the south side isn't very interesting, all it has is one stack sticking up out of it. It felt really good to have this finished and know that now if it rains, the house should stay dry on the inside.

Monday morning Kerry and I went to Wpg to pick up decking for our porches and by Tuesday evening our screen porch had a nice deck floor, and a spot for the hot tub.

Starting from the top left corner, the soffit got installed on the front wrap around porch. Next picture shows the decking that got put on there. Bottom right shows the garage window that got installed. There is another one on the other side of the garage. Bottom left shows the attic hatch/stairs that we put into the garage so that we can use the space up there for storage and have easy access.

These pictures show just some of the work that got done. There was still some electrical work happening as well on some daysand another window installed up high on the front of the garage, and Kerry and I were shopping. One day we went to Grand Forks to pick up doors that we had ordered, as well as some other supplies and spent some time shopping for appliances. The next day we went to pick up the shower we had ordered 3 weeks ago, only to find out that they had ordered the wrong one by mistake. Luckily there was another one available in the city so they will deliver it to us early this week. And we did more appliance shopping. Saturday we finished up the roof and we went to Wpg to do more appliance shopping. This time we had success and before the day was done had purchased a fridge, a microwave, a cook top and a wall oven. That was a big relief. We couldn't believe how hard it was to find what we wanted, but we persisted and we are happy with what we bought. Now our kitchen cabinet plan can be finalized and we can move on to other things. There is also always lots of clean up to do around a job site and so evenings were spent doing that. We also ordered our siding. Things are moving along and every day brings more progress and more decisions but so far we are happy with our house and looking forward to being able to move in and enjoy this unexpected blessing.

Week 8

2010-06-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

We had 4 rain free days this week and so progress was good again. Visible progress outside if you are driving by and looking. The behind the scene electrical and plumbing work continued and rough in is pretty much done, so if you go inside the house and look around, you can see progress there as well. This week the construction crew could get to work on the garage and the porch and things soon took shape and the house got a different look. This was the scene Wednesday morning. By 9 AM when we had to leave for a meeting, they already had most of the rafters up. The walls had been framed and put up on Tuesday.

The house as it looked on Thursday night. It is hard to see on the picture, but they made good progress on our front porch and the roof over it that had to be tied into the main roof. I think I will enjoy that porch as well. I am envisioning some white rockers, lots of flower pots and enjoying a cup of tea or coffee and a visit with friends and watching the world go by. (there would not be any mosquitos in this vision:) ).

Saturday the shinglers got to work and in spite of the heat and humidity and the constant threat of rain, they got quite a bit of the roof done.

It was an easier week for us last week. Not quite as many decisions to make, and good progress made. The kitchen got measured up for the cabinets and we will need to make the final decisions there soon. I think this next week will have more things that need deciding. It is almost time for insulation and drywall, decking and siding, not to mention deciding on paint colors, light fixtures, moldings, interior doors, vanities, etc, etc. WE WILL get these things done, and WILL continue trusting God for wisdom and strength in all of this.

Week 7

2010-06-21T11:54:00.000-05:00

It was a BUSY week this past one. Much was happening and Kerry and I did well to keep up. It was quite tiring, but good to see. It started off on Sunday already when our friends from BC came to join us for a couple of days. We picked them up in Wpg and enjoyed the day with them, but Monday morning came too soon. Then it was work. They had come to do electrical and so together with the local electricians they got right to work. That meant Kerry and I had to decide where we wanted lights, what kind of lights, plug-in placement and all that electrical stuff. Monday morning we decided the upstairs, and Tuesday we did the basement. Lots of thinking involved, but I think we got it done okay, and haven't made any major changes since. By the end of the week there were a lot of switches, plug-ins and lights wired in both on the main floor and in the basement. Thanks Peter and Bev for coming out and working so hard to get things done, we just wish we had had more time to "play".

This week the plumbers showed up as well and so we had to make more decisions about all of that stuff, but we did what we needed and by the end of the week there was lots of plumbing in place as well.

Then, as if Monday wasn't busy enough, the window installers came. Those decisions we had made weeks ago, and now was our chance to see what we had done. We are quite happy with the windows we chose and ordered. I especially LOVE the living room window. It makes me smile .

Cal and crew spent time during the week getting the garage floor ready to pour, but with all the rain couldn't get the concrete crew lined up until Saturday morning, so 8:00 A.M. Saturday the floor pour got underway. It was a gorgeous day for the job and the crew in charge certainly knew what they were doing and made it look easy. By the end of the day there was a nice looking garage floor . There was also more work done on the deck areas, as well as soffit and fascia work on the south side of the house. It has been a challenge working around all the rain events, and trying to keep things somewhat dry and the crews working but things are still moving along and much was done this week. Kerry and I try to stay somewhat ahead of the game, but we do have a lot of those emergency decision making sessions. We spent some time researching and shopping for appliances but so far have not purchased, even though we are narrowing things down. We do supply runs every once in a while, and have to keep up with normal duties as well. Kerry got the canola fields sprayed this week, and I managed to get the garden tilled and in shape and the grass mowed a couple of times. We look forward to Sundays and time off and a chance to sleep in AND get a nap in the afternoon. Our days are full and busy, but we are thankful for what got done, and are still counting our blessings.

Week 6

2010-06-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

Another productive week, but mostly inside the house. It was cool and rainy and so the roof work was on hold for most of the week and so they concentrated on doing the wall framing inside.

Basement walls being framed up.

Main floor walls

we also spent lots of time researching appliances because we need to know what we want and what size they are so that we can finish up the kitchen cabinet plan. We ordered a shower for our ensuite bathroom as well as purchasing the tub for the basement and moving that into place. We made a trip to Grand Forks for more shingles and so the week went.

Week 5-more

2010-06-08T10:15:00.000-05:00

On Sunday last week, the rafters were in the house, but none of them were up.

On Friday, when the workers left, there were lots of them up on the roof and in place.

Friday evening, the back side of the roof got shingled.

We even got stairs into the basement this week. Lots of progress!

Week 5--electrical

2010-06-08T10:09:00.000-05:00

We decided that if we had to re-build anyway, we might as well upgrade the wiring on the farm too, and so that got underway this week as well. New box etc, put on the shed.

Lots of trenching on the yard to put the wiring underground and out of the way.

Pushed some wire under the concrete at the bins for the aeration fans.

Bringing the wire to the house. The wiring is not finished yet, but much was accomplished and at the trenches could be closed up.

Week 5

2010-06-08T10:04:00.000-05:00

Lots of progress here this week, but not a lot of time to blog so I will just post a bunch of pictures.
Poured the basement floor on Monday and it all went well in spite of a rainy forecast.

Finished!

Also worked on the wall that will support our screen porch.

Jayda turns 3

2010-05-31T14:46:00.000-05:00

On Monday night we got to celebrate with Jayda as she turned a big 3. The papas and grammys, aunts, uncles and cousins got together at
Erik and Amber's for the party. It was a noisy, but fun time and I think Jayda had a good time. It is hard to believe that she is 3 already. I still remember clearly meeting her at the hospital when she was just an hour old.

The birthday girl with one of her gifts. Guess who she got that one from. There is always room in a little girls life for one more Barbie doll.

Auntie Kel reading a story to the birthday girl, her sister, and cousin Nolan.

the cousins enjoying cake and ice cream. It was a yummy happy monster cake.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAYDA! WE LOVE YOU!

Week 4

2010-05-31T14:35:00.000-05:00

This week, while there seemed to be not much progress visible to those driving by, there still was a lot that got done. The weather continues to present challenges but things are moving ahead. Kerry and I are trying to keep abreast of everything and make our decisions ahead of time, or when the builder says he needs to know, and he needs to know now. Then we have a quick chat and make as informed a decision as we can. We have plenty to think about and are asking lots of questions and looking for advice but we have to act quickly sometimes. We hope we are doing things mostly right, and continue to pray for wisdom. It is exciting though, to see things moving ahead, but I am not letting myself think of when it might be finished enough to move in, even though some are asking by when we think it will be done. I sure hope it is before winter though. These RV's are hard to keep warm when the temps cool down. We still have to use a heater or the furnace every night.

This week they got to work digging the piles for the porches, front and side, as well as for the garage.

They also poured them full, and got some of the foundation poured for the east deck.

On another day, the plumbing crew was in and got all the rough in plumbing done.

After that is was time to get the basement floor ready for concrete which meant putting down the styrofoam, the plastic, the rebar and the heat pipe. The plan is to pour the floor on Monday, if the weather cooperates. The rafters arrived toward the end of the week, and Kerry and Erik have spent quite a bit of time with various pieces of equipment, digging dirt and moving it around. In spite of the rain, lots got done again this week.

Other things

2010-05-22T16:35:00.000-05:00

House building was not the only thing happening at our place this week. With the return of sunny hot, dry weather came the return to seeding. We still had a lot of acres that needed seeding and we went hard this week, and by Thursday night we could say---SEEDING FINISHED! We planted the canola and soybeans and a field of flax, and Erik covered a lot of ground per day.

Along with the seeding it was time to do some spraying as well, and Kerry spent many hours doing just thatand also covering a lot of acres per day.

And back at the house they did some trenching through the dike to lay water lines to the pond. Erik is getting to be quite good at operating different kinds of equipment.

The view from our living room window, facing east. We will be able to see the sunrise over our pond.

I put more stuff into my garden this week as well, finishing up the seeding and putting out some plants, yep, even the tomatoes. It is the long weekend after all. I also had to mow the grass a couple of times, and I tilled the garden. I enjoyed time with the grandkids and got some laundry and baking done. It's been a good week, busy, but good!

Week 3--Walls!

2010-05-22T16:21:00.000-05:00

Another tough week for our building crew. This time it was not wind and cold and rain, but the heat ! They had to work in the blazing sunshine with no trees nearby for shade, or clouds to block the sun. They filled up their water jugs numerous times but they kept on working and made lots of progress again by weeks end. Thanks guys!!!

By the end of Monday the floor was in place, and Tuesday they started framing walls.

Wednesday they put up a bunch of them and this was the scene when one long wall was raised. We made sure we had enough manpower available for that, and the woman power was the one behind the camera.

By the end of Thursday this is what it looked like. All the exterior walls are up. The picture shows the front view. Now we can go in and envision where the rooms will be and how big they are. It is pretty exciting.

Friday, there was much activity as the dirt was filled in around the house in preparation for the next phase, that of drilling piles for the garage and porches. Things are moving along and it is starting to look like a house.

Week 2-- Thursday and Friday

2010-05-15T09:40:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, I got to miss the action at home again, but that was because I was privileged to attend another momentous occasion. I was happy to be able to attend Graham's graduation from Med School. We are very proud of him and all he has accomplished in the last years, and we have no doubt he will do well in his chosen profession. In a couple of weeks he and Kristy and Norah will be moving to Chilliwack, BC to continue his training for the next 2 years. We will miss them but we are glad for this opportunity for him.

Receiving his diploma. DR. Graham Friesen. Sounds good--doesn't it?! CONGRATULATIONS GRAHAM!!!

After attending the ceremony, and having lunch out with Kristy and Graham and Graham's parents, I got to bring Norah home with me for a couple of days at Papa Kerry's and Gramma Jo's. After supper we went out to see what had happened on the house today and we got to walk out onto the house floor and see the view we will be able to enjoy from our porch and windows.

Most of the floor joists were on and they got started screwing down the floor. They finished putting on the membrane on the outside of the basement, and worked on putting in the drain tile around the foundation . Friday they had the day off, so this is where the house stands as of week 2. WOW!!!

Friday morning, Kerry and Erik went down to GF to pick up some supplies. After they got home from there, the thoughts turned to farming again. The weather was warm and sunny and drying and so they went out and checked fields, and then came home and got the seeder set up, loaded and calibrated for canola so that they can get back to seeding again----hopefully tomorrow.

Week 2- Wednesday

2010-05-15T09:05:00.000-05:00

There was a lot of activity here on Wednesday. For starters it was time to put in the main beams in the basement. The main beam is pretty long and heavy and so they had to employ various equipment to get it into place but I think it went on without too much trouble.

Both beams in place and the floor joists are being put on.

Wednesday was also the day when the sewer tank got dug in. That little white thing you see in the middle of the picture is the tank, after it was in. It had to go in pretty deep and had it's challenges with dirt caving in and such. I didn't get to see the process but that was a bit stressful from what I heard. There was also an electrical cable put in somewhere into the house. Kerry felt like a project director today, he ended up having to be supervisor on some of the work that happened today.

And of course, there is all that building material that has to be on site for the house to continue and so there were also deliveries happening. I was gone for most of the day and so missed a lot of the activity but got to take some pictures at the end of the day, and was excited to see the progress.

Week 2-Monday and Tuesday

2010-05-15T08:50:00.000-05:00

Work continued on this week, despite some less than ideal conditions. We have a great construction crew, they don't let wind, or rain, or cold deter them from doing their job. Monday was a cool, rainy day, but things were all lined up to pour the basement walls, and so pour they did. In fact, the rain helped us. We got a bigger cement pump and more trucks at our disposal because others cancelled.

Concrete trucks lined up and ready to go, cement pump in place.

Pouring the walls.

Tuesday-----the weather was better and work was more fun. The bracing was removed from around the walls, the rim joist put on and the membrane applied to the outside of the basement.

Week 1

2010-05-10T08:49:00.000-05:00

Monday morning early, the construction crew showed up and the actual building of the house got underway. It was not the greatest week weatherwise, but by Friday evening much had been accomplished. Monday----getting started on the foundation. The hole was pretty muddy but we had been pumping over the weekend, and with enough gravel, the work could get underway.

By Tuesday just before lunch, the concrete arrived and the foundation got poured. After that the weather deteriorated again, and got windy and rainy and the crew got to go home early, plus have Wednesday off.

Thursday they were back at it again, putting up the styrofoam forms for the basement walls.

By the end of Friday, the walls were up and the concrete ordered for Monday afternoon. Good progress I would say! and that is just the visible stuff. Kerry has been busy making arrangements for the plumbing, the main beam,ordering windows, and all kinds of other things that need to happen in order for everything to keep moving along.

Yay for laundry!

2010-05-06T15:20:00.000-05:00

Who would have thought that laundry could be exciting?! I never thought of it that way, but today I get to do laundry again, AT HOME, and with a new washer and dryer. RED ONES!! Pretty cool! We have not been running around in dirty clothes, thanks to those who let me come over to use their washer and dryers, but there is something to be said for being able to do your laundry at home. That was one of our priorities in trying to get our lives to some kind of normal again. I mentioned in a previous post about our laundry shack that we moved up near the RV. Well yesterday, it got the appliances it was intended for. We had ordered them 2 weeks ago, and got to pick them us yesterday. Kerry had been gathering plumbing supplies and last night Shaun came over and helped him get started with moving them in and doing the hookups. This morning, after gathering a few more supplies, and enlisting Erik's help this time, the job was finished. I could do laundry! I quickly got at sorting all that had accumulated in the past week, and toting my full washbasket went out to throw in the first load. I was excited !

My new washer and dryer in their temporary home!

Washer

Dryer. So far they seem to do a fine job and 2 loads are done already! I love it!

Then, because I was feeling so pumped about doing laundry, I decided to try my hand at baking cookies in the RV oven. Had to run over to the neighbours for some ginger first though. I thought I had bought some the other day but could not find it, and I looked in every cupboard a couple of times. First batch looks okay, hopefully they taste good too! Thanks Kim for gifting me with the recipe book that had my recipe in it. Oh the blessings of ordinary tasks and the equipment to do them ! Thank You God!!

visible Progress

2010-05-02T10:20:00.000-05:00

This week there was some progress made that is visible. It is real! It is actually going to happen! The house project is underway! Scary! Exciting! Somewhat overwhelming if we think of the big picture, but we have learned to take it one day at a time, one step at a time. Anyway, we got finished with our wheat seeding this week, there were a few passes close to the river we were waiting on, and the rest of the time was devoted to other stuff. One day, Kerry and Erik went out and did the measuring and marking for where the house was going to go,

and the next day, Wednesday, the hoe came in and started digging.

He worked all day,

and by evening there was a BIG hole and lots of dirt all around. Kerry and Erik worked along side him all day moving dirt away and making room for everything that is supposed to happen around that hole in the next couple of weeks. Then Thursday it rained, but Kerry has a pump set up and things don't look too bad. Cal, the builder, and Kerry spent some time yesterday morning in the hole marking off the starting points for Monday, when the actual foundation work is supposed to get started. There was also some wood and supplies delivered yesterday. We are still pondering our window package but are getting closer to decisions, and we got started on kitchen discussions with a kitchen designer on Thursday. So many things to think about.

Meanwhile, we are cozy in our little home, and counting our blessings. We are not happy everyday, some days are overwhelming and stressful, but we still feel blessed. Not a day goes by without someone dropping by with something, or just offering their support and love in some way, and that is what keeps us going. These acts of love and kindness touch our hearts and really do keep us going. These acts of love are touches from God. Thank you!

Another week

2010-04-24T19:02:00.000-05:00

We are now 3 weeks post fire. We have spent one week in our little house and have been quite comfortable. We are getting some stuff together, either borrowing or buying, or getting it gifted and so we can make simple meals here too. We ordered our washer and dryer the other day, but in the meantime, I have had to go to Amber's for laundry. Actually it was a good trade. She took my laundry into the basement and did it while she worked on business stuff, and I played with the girls upstairs and kept them out of her hair. We went shopping one afternoon, and those are always hard days. It is tough to think of and purchase all the things you need and once had. It is hard to have to choose again and try and find just the right things. We spent one evening with Rob and Diane and enjoyed supper and talked windows. We got our stamped plans this week, and so house planning is still going ahead. The main floor plan and roof details preliminary things are in place, but now comes decisions about windows, cabinets, doors, lights, colors, etc, etc. It is exciting to think of having a new house, but sure is scary to think of all the details and planning it will take to make it all come together. I have never thought of myself as an interior decorator. Seeding has been on hold for this week, as it is still pretty early in the year for the canola and the soybeans. The wheat and oats are already starting to come up in places but it sure would be nice to get a bit of rain. I put the potatoes and peas in the garden and noticed some asparagus shoots coming up as well as the rhubarb showing itself. Will be good to have some fresh rhubarb crisp soon. Amber putting a coat of paint on our laundromat. The electricity was hooked up this week, and the hot water tank put in place .

She is almost finished the undercoat and then it will get a coat of a light creamy color. We uesalso got our phone hooked up again this week. Till now the only way to get us was on Kerry's cell. Guess now my peace and quiet will be over.

This afternoon I had Nolan here for awhile and he was very content to play with my broom. It gave me time to wash the floor, which really needed it already. And so we are again at the end of the week. Much has happened again, although most of it is not very visible. Soon though, there should be visible signs of progress on our house. Stay tuned. Oh, and leave a comment sometime.