Yikes, I can't believe the day is almost here! We plan on listing the house with Joanne Melton on Wednesday. It probably won't be totally done at that point, but she needs to get a couple of photos one inside and one outside to use in the Yakima Homebuyers Guide that comes out once a month and her deadline is on Thursday first thing in the morning.
Hopefully she'll like whatever room is in respectable shape! I'm guessing it'll be the living room upstairs or the new 'master bedroom' downstairs. We have the three missionaries currently assigned to our ward scheduled to come over Tuesday evening around 6 p.m. to help us move furniture.
My current plans are to move the extra flowery couch out of the living room and into the back garage. Move the reupholstered brown chair from the living room into the old family room downstairs. Move the bedroom dressers and nightstands from upstairs to the old family room and move the repainted nightstands and dresser into our upstairs bedroom. This will be slightly inconvenient as I anticipate my clothes will stay in the dresser downstairs and we'll still be sleeping upstairs. I'll transfer Dad's clothes to the new upstairs dresser. We'll need more furniture downstairs to fill that huge space, so call me crazy if you like, but I'm doing it! Then we'll move the love seat from the new family room into the old family room. I'll use the love seat and chair with an end table to create a little reading area in front of the fire place. We'll have a 'faux' bed (I have a bed frame and have borrowed an extra air mattress) set up and I have some art to use as a 'headboard'.
I've made a massage room downstairs in the other bedroom and just need to put up the art on the walls. Well, AND I need to paint the old microwave stand which we will re-purpose putting some towels, led candles, etc on for staging. And do a million other things! I've got my 'punch list' so hopefully I'll be able to get the most important big things done by Wednesday when Joanne comes over!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Christmas Day 2012 And After
We had a wonderful Christmas morning with opening present time dictated by Brooklyn's schedule! She actually didn't make it through all her presents before it was nap time, so she got 2 separate Christmas present openings. She was pretty darn good at tearing off the paper for a first timer!
She seemed to enjoy the ribbon and paper almost as much as her gifts! lol
She was happy with her new ladybug book
And she LOVES her 2nd BSU cheerleader outfit to wear when she outgrows her current one
Brooky's happy with ALL her new books
INCLUDING Cookie Monster!
Sporting one of her new outfits
When Brooklyn woke up around 7:30 Darvin went and picked up Grandpa Clement. We opened our gifts and he seemed to enjoy the presents I got him.
Along with the memory book
and the birthday calendar I'd made, I also got him some inkjet cartridges for his new printer and then when we played the gift exchange game I suggested that he pick one particular gift which was the 2013 calendar that I'd made with pictures of the family and birthdates on it. He really liked that and said that it was the kind of calendar that you keep even after the year is over!
Lindsey and Thomas really spoiled me and Pops!
They had come in November to help me with the painting on the house as that was what I'd asked for as a Christmas present. I told them not to get me anything else, but they went overboard and got me a new purse, new shoes, a matching necklace and earring set, a package of Scentsy Sticky Cinnamon Bun wax bars AND a really cute 12 x 12 framed family birthday calendar that Briana helped make. And Darvin also got me a new purse,
and a gift certificate for a one hour massage at the hospital. I love all the gifts that I got and felt super loved!
Lindsey and I went yesterday to see the movie Les Miserables. It was awesome. Neither Lindsey or I had seen the play, so the whole story was new to us. It was definitely an audience hit as many in the audience clapped when it was over!
Today Lindsey and Thomas took to the slopes. They left Nana to take care of Brooklyn while they headed to White Pass for a half day. Lindsey had bought Ivan's snowboarding equipment for a Christmas present to Thomas.
He was very pleasantly surprised on Christmas morning and got to enjoy the almost brand new equipment today!
More Christmas pictures:
The new robe and 'mom beads' that Thomas got Lindsey
and the 'mom beads' are given the Brooklyn teething stamp of approval!
Abby keeping a close watch just in case she's needed for clean up duty!
The aftermath!
Poor baby Brooky is teething, so she was up 3 times last night and then she had a very sore mouth this morning. I finally woke Pops up (he's working the late shift) and asked him to please go to the store to buy her some Motrin which he willingly did. He returned shortly thereafter with medicine and a toy in tow! Silly Pops! Brooklyn was thankful for both!
She could not relax to take a nap in her bed even after the Motrin even though she was exhausted. She just wanted Nana to hold her, so hold her Nana did! Bless her sweet little heart. I took her downstairs and put Sesame Street on Netflix and she laid her head on my shoulder and finally relaxed. So I laid down on the couch with her and she slept/rested for a good 50 minutes. At that point I fed her again and had to start getting ready to take her for Christmas pictures at Mary Thompson's. I sat her in the pack n play in the kitchen so she could watch me while I cut up and packaged some salted caramels that Lindsey and I had made the night before for Mary. We hadn't cooked the caramels quite long enough, they would start to soften as soon as I took them out of the fridge, so I could cut some and then had to put them back in the fridge to harden up again as they'd get too gooey to handle. It took too long for Brooklyn! So I stopped at 1 1/2 dozen and called it good! We got Brooklyn dressed and headed to Mary's. She fell asleep on the way and woke up a happy little girl so I think Mary got some good shots. Then she fell asleep on the way home and I couldn't bring myself to get her out of the carseat, so I went in the house and got a book, brought it out to the car and stayed in the car with Brooklyn for about an hour before Lindsey and Thomas arrived home.
Poor baby, you can see when her mouth is really hurting her as she'll roll her tongue around over her front teeth, or will purse her lips!
Chewing on Minnie for comfort!
The medicine seems to be helping some. She takes the Motrin every 6 hours and then we supplement with the homeopathic teething drops every hour. I hope she can pop these teeth through soon, so she can stop hurting.
We are so happy that Lindsey, Thomas and Brooklyn were able to spend Christmas with us here in Yakima!
She seemed to enjoy the ribbon and paper almost as much as her gifts! lol
When Brooklyn woke up around 7:30 Darvin went and picked up Grandpa Clement. We opened our gifts and he seemed to enjoy the presents I got him.
Along with the memory book
Lindsey and Thomas really spoiled me and Pops!
They had come in November to help me with the painting on the house as that was what I'd asked for as a Christmas present. I told them not to get me anything else, but they went overboard and got me a new purse, new shoes, a matching necklace and earring set, a package of Scentsy Sticky Cinnamon Bun wax bars AND a really cute 12 x 12 framed family birthday calendar that Briana helped make. And Darvin also got me a new purse,
Lindsey and I went yesterday to see the movie Les Miserables. It was awesome. Neither Lindsey or I had seen the play, so the whole story was new to us. It was definitely an audience hit as many in the audience clapped when it was over!
Today Lindsey and Thomas took to the slopes. They left Nana to take care of Brooklyn while they headed to White Pass for a half day. Lindsey had bought Ivan's snowboarding equipment for a Christmas present to Thomas.
Poor baby Brooky is teething, so she was up 3 times last night and then she had a very sore mouth this morning. I finally woke Pops up (he's working the late shift) and asked him to please go to the store to buy her some Motrin which he willingly did. He returned shortly thereafter with medicine and a toy in tow! Silly Pops! Brooklyn was thankful for both!
She could not relax to take a nap in her bed even after the Motrin even though she was exhausted. She just wanted Nana to hold her, so hold her Nana did! Bless her sweet little heart. I took her downstairs and put Sesame Street on Netflix and she laid her head on my shoulder and finally relaxed. So I laid down on the couch with her and she slept/rested for a good 50 minutes. At that point I fed her again and had to start getting ready to take her for Christmas pictures at Mary Thompson's. I sat her in the pack n play in the kitchen so she could watch me while I cut up and packaged some salted caramels that Lindsey and I had made the night before for Mary. We hadn't cooked the caramels quite long enough, they would start to soften as soon as I took them out of the fridge, so I could cut some and then had to put them back in the fridge to harden up again as they'd get too gooey to handle. It took too long for Brooklyn! So I stopped at 1 1/2 dozen and called it good! We got Brooklyn dressed and headed to Mary's. She fell asleep on the way and woke up a happy little girl so I think Mary got some good shots. Then she fell asleep on the way home and I couldn't bring myself to get her out of the carseat, so I went in the house and got a book, brought it out to the car and stayed in the car with Brooklyn for about an hour before Lindsey and Thomas arrived home.
Poor baby, you can see when her mouth is really hurting her as she'll roll her tongue around over her front teeth, or will purse her lips!
The medicine seems to be helping some. She takes the Motrin every 6 hours and then we supplement with the homeopathic teething drops every hour. I hope she can pop these teeth through soon, so she can stop hurting.
We are so happy that Lindsey, Thomas and Brooklyn were able to spend Christmas with us here in Yakima!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Trip to Boise, More Home Improvement Updates and Giles Christmas visit
Time to catch up again on the blog. Darvin had 5 days in a row off, so we headed to visit the Giles family in Boise on December 14th. It was so nice to get away and not worry about doing work on the house for a few days.
It also gave me the opportunity to work on Grandpa Clement's Christmas presents. I finished making a memory book on snapfish.com and got it ordered. I didn't think there'd be any way it would arrive in time for Christmas but it got here Christmas eve! And then I worked on a family birthday calendar for him as well.
Lindsey and I also made a trip to Michaels where I bought some canvases and used some of my scrapbook paper and mod podged the scrapbook paper onto them to make some wall art for our house staging. I also got my primary class's Christmas presents finished.
We made time to visit the Idaho Botanical Garden which is on the grounds of an old prison. They have a yearly event: Winter Garden aGlow. What a beautiful display of lights!
We had a short but very fun visit! Brooklyn enjoyed the beautiful lights
and meeting her friend Santa for the first time!
Tired and ready to go home!
Darvin had removed the kitchen sink for me before we left and I was able to get the small counters spray painted with the Krylon 'Make it Stone'.
Once we returned I painted the long counter and started putting a clear finish on top.
Unfortunately on the small counters I used a spray finish that we had here at the house and didn't realize it was an acrylic until after it was on. I'd hoped that it would be all right, but it's since been 'tested' and it doesn't hold up to the water test, so once the kids have gone home I'll have to do some touching up with the 'Make it Stone' and then will apply the correct Varathane spray product which I used on the long counter and it's held up like a champ!
After the counters were sprayed Darvin installed the new cast iron sink and new faucet. When I returned from my visiting teaching temple trip on Thursday the 20th as I walked in the door he said I was going to kill him because he'd dinged up the sink. I thought he was talking about the actual cast iron sink, but fortunately it was just the edge of the new spray painted counter that got dinged up as he was trying to place the sink in the hole. That doggone sink weighs more than 75 pounds! That will be part of my patch job once the kids have left too!
Anyway, he got the sink and faucet installed but when he tried to reconnect the water lines and drain on Friday night he had problems because the new sink drains were set back closer to the wall. I was a wreck worrying about trying to have meal prep including Christmas dinner without a kitchen sink. I texted my usual handyman, Barney Zauss, who never responded. So Saturday morning I called Alan Afualo, but he was in Seattle bringing his mom home from the hospital. In a panic I called Arnold McBean who has rental property, and asked if he could come help, but he was busy getting ready to go to Hawaii. He suggested that I call his handyman Gregory Ramirez who I've used in the past, but nowadays he's usual too busy! Arnold indicated that Gregory was doing some work for him that day but it wasn't anything that he couldn't stop and then restart again. So I called Gregory and told him that Arnold had told me to call him. He came with his son early in the afternoon and he was just finishing up and leaving when Lindsey, Thomas and Brooklyn arrived around 2:30 in the afternoon. Whew, barely dodged the bullet! I wasn't expecting them until early evening as they'd planned on stopping at Thomas's Grandma Golladay's house on the way. Brooklyn and Lindsey were sleeping at the time so he just kept on driving. Instead they stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Giles', but Grandma was just leaving for work and I think Grandpa was sleeping.
It has been so fun to have Lindsey, Thomas and Brooklyn here. Christmas just isn't the same if there are no little people around! We have enjoyed each other's company. Lindsey and Brooklyn made some sugar cookies which got me in the mood to do some Christmas baking as well.
Brooklyn likes helping Mommy bake!
I can use the mixer too Mommy!
Worked up an appetite
and a thirst!
I made gingerbread cookies, thumb print cookies and Aunt Eva's banana cake. We made up some goody plates and went caroling on Christmas eve to our neighbors Joe and Ann Hall (none of our other neighbors were home), the Middletons and Jessica Melton Hunter. Jessica's reaction to us coming was priceless, she was speechless and didn't know what to do or say. She gave each one of us a hug and acknowledged that we were her first ever carolers. Jessica even posted a facebook message later saying: "Oh my gosh overwhelmed with the love of caroling and a plate of goodies. The love brought tears to my eyes, thank you Lindsey and family for sharing your warmth and kindness. In my response Lindsey had me post a quote from Buddy the Elf from the movie Elf "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear!" Boy is he right on there! As much as my kids grumbled and complained over the years, I believe we all enjoyed spreading a little Christmas cheer with our goodies and carols!
Monday night we also stopped at the amazing house off Ahtanum and 62nd Avenue (I think it is) to show Brooklyn their wonderful Christmas light display.
Brooklyn LOVED the bear on the ladder. The ladder would move back and forth making the bear play peak a boo with us!
The whole property is lit up and they have Christmas carols playing. Brooklyn WAS an appreciative audience!
It also gave me the opportunity to work on Grandpa Clement's Christmas presents. I finished making a memory book on snapfish.com and got it ordered. I didn't think there'd be any way it would arrive in time for Christmas but it got here Christmas eve! And then I worked on a family birthday calendar for him as well.
Lindsey and I also made a trip to Michaels where I bought some canvases and used some of my scrapbook paper and mod podged the scrapbook paper onto them to make some wall art for our house staging. I also got my primary class's Christmas presents finished.
We made time to visit the Idaho Botanical Garden which is on the grounds of an old prison. They have a yearly event: Winter Garden aGlow. What a beautiful display of lights!
Darvin had removed the kitchen sink for me before we left and I was able to get the small counters spray painted with the Krylon 'Make it Stone'.
Once we returned I painted the long counter and started putting a clear finish on top.
After the counters were sprayed Darvin installed the new cast iron sink and new faucet. When I returned from my visiting teaching temple trip on Thursday the 20th as I walked in the door he said I was going to kill him because he'd dinged up the sink. I thought he was talking about the actual cast iron sink, but fortunately it was just the edge of the new spray painted counter that got dinged up as he was trying to place the sink in the hole. That doggone sink weighs more than 75 pounds! That will be part of my patch job once the kids have left too!
Anyway, he got the sink and faucet installed but when he tried to reconnect the water lines and drain on Friday night he had problems because the new sink drains were set back closer to the wall. I was a wreck worrying about trying to have meal prep including Christmas dinner without a kitchen sink. I texted my usual handyman, Barney Zauss, who never responded. So Saturday morning I called Alan Afualo, but he was in Seattle bringing his mom home from the hospital. In a panic I called Arnold McBean who has rental property, and asked if he could come help, but he was busy getting ready to go to Hawaii. He suggested that I call his handyman Gregory Ramirez who I've used in the past, but nowadays he's usual too busy! Arnold indicated that Gregory was doing some work for him that day but it wasn't anything that he couldn't stop and then restart again. So I called Gregory and told him that Arnold had told me to call him. He came with his son early in the afternoon and he was just finishing up and leaving when Lindsey, Thomas and Brooklyn arrived around 2:30 in the afternoon. Whew, barely dodged the bullet! I wasn't expecting them until early evening as they'd planned on stopping at Thomas's Grandma Golladay's house on the way. Brooklyn and Lindsey were sleeping at the time so he just kept on driving. Instead they stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Giles', but Grandma was just leaving for work and I think Grandpa was sleeping.
It has been so fun to have Lindsey, Thomas and Brooklyn here. Christmas just isn't the same if there are no little people around! We have enjoyed each other's company. Lindsey and Brooklyn made some sugar cookies which got me in the mood to do some Christmas baking as well.
I made gingerbread cookies, thumb print cookies and Aunt Eva's banana cake. We made up some goody plates and went caroling on Christmas eve to our neighbors Joe and Ann Hall (none of our other neighbors were home), the Middletons and Jessica Melton Hunter. Jessica's reaction to us coming was priceless, she was speechless and didn't know what to do or say. She gave each one of us a hug and acknowledged that we were her first ever carolers. Jessica even posted a facebook message later saying: "Oh my gosh overwhelmed with the love of caroling and a plate of goodies. The love brought tears to my eyes, thank you Lindsey and family for sharing your warmth and kindness. In my response Lindsey had me post a quote from Buddy the Elf from the movie Elf "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear!" Boy is he right on there! As much as my kids grumbled and complained over the years, I believe we all enjoyed spreading a little Christmas cheer with our goodies and carols!
Monday night we also stopped at the amazing house off Ahtanum and 62nd Avenue (I think it is) to show Brooklyn their wonderful Christmas light display.
The whole property is lit up and they have Christmas carols playing. Brooklyn WAS an appreciative audience!
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