Glutton for Punishment: Home Remodeling Anyone?

With my husband home for the weekend I requested that we dive into a “simple” home remodel project on the bathroom. I figure if it needs to be fixed up before selling/renting, then by golly I want to enjoy it before we move. My goal was to put up a fresh coat of paint and add wainscoting to the bottom half of the wall. Simple right!?! Well, after having good luck finding the supplies and feeling like things would go quickly, we remembered that the toilet hadn’t been stable for a while. Up came the toilet where we found that the ring which secures the bolts had rusted off. Luckily a good friend was willing to assist and by 6 p.m. the toilet was ready to be put back in place and the walls were painted. So things should have been simple today!?! All we had to do was put on the baseboard; put the wainscoting on and then the chair rail. Our first problem was how to make a 45 degree angle for the corners and then how do you make a board longer when you make the wrong cut. Needless to say, I don’t feel any closer to having the project completed and we have to use the toilet downstairs. Hopefully this week when Charlie is home a couple nights we can get things finished before we have our annual Super Bowl party and then Lydia’s birthday the following weekend.

Charlie loves working on getting the angles just right for the baseboard.

I stepped into the bathroom while Charlie was painting and made more of a mess than anything else by actually stepping into the paint.

Lydia enjoyed hanging out at Gma and Gpa's while we enjoyed our project, then today she displayed her natural interest in purses, much to her father's dismay.

Let It Snow

Lydia and I enjoyed some extra time together this week due to snow and freezing temperatures. From Monday - Friday I only had my students in school for 18 out of a typical 35 hour week. We are definitely in need of some routine again, but I did enjoy the time at home with Lydia. Charlie was even able to surprise us with a visit home on Wed. night for a few hours. He sure misses his little girl. The video clip below demonstrates Lydia's fearlessness and new obsession (getting into things). Enjoy!!

The New Year!

Lydia and Daddy hanging out watching football :( Our teams didn't do very good.





Lydia's new thing is getting into things, may it be the bathtub, laundry baskets, daddy's work clothes box, or Gma's toy tub.

Lydia and her friend, Thomas. They are 6 months apart, so Lydia likes to tackle him. I'm sure some day he will be the one tackling.

Our first full week of the new year was one of change. Charlie left on Monday morning for Rochester. Our Good Bye was difficult, but he is enjoying his job and staying with friends in Eyota. Lydia and I tried to continue our normal routine by going to Monday night Bible study, but I quickly realized that she was not feeling well. She ended up staying out of daycare for three days because of a high fever. I am really blessed to have such good friends who helped out on Tues. and Thurs. I stayed home with her on Wed. (My first sick day!) Lydia has now returned to her normal self trying to get into, onto, or out of everything. Charlie was able to come home for the weekend and we have really enjoyed our time together. What a different atmosphere it is around our house with out always looking at the clock to see when Charlie has to go to the farm for milking.

A Frenzy of Fun!!

Lydia's gift opening extravaganza began at her Godparent's. Caitlin, Emily, and Rachel enjoyed helping her open a keyboard. They knew she would enjoy making beautiful music/noise for mommy and daddy.

We spend Christmas Eve with my mom's family in Redwood Falls. Lydia enjoyed playing with my cousin's kids, but wasn't so keen on sitting with Santa as you can see below.

Christmas Day we enjoyed time with my immediate family and my dad's family. This year we did something unique; instead of the traditional dinner, each family brought a soup. It was really fun trying the different soups and no one went home hungry.

Friday evening was spent traveling in the fog to celebrate with the Yost family. Everyone was together, which is quite the feat. Lydia received a baby doll from Gma and Gpa Yost. She loves patting her back :)

New Year's Day we enjoyed opening our family gifts, stay in our pajamas, sledding for the first time, and watching movies. Thus far, I haven't been impressed with any of my movie picks, but Charlie has surprisingly gotten some good ones, even I liked. :)

Over my two week break from school we ventured to Rochester, which will become our new home this summer. SURPRISE!! Charlie has changed jobs and is now working for Select Sires, artificially inseminating cows in the Southeastern part of the state. It will be a big change for our family, but will be really good for all of us. Please keep Charlie in your prayers as he travels and as we start this new chapter in our lives.