Awesome kids

April 25, 2007 on 7:34 pm | In Family Matters | No Comments

I tried to write an email to all of you but don’t think it got through.  Dad and I are just speechless with the gift you are giving us for our anniversary.  Thank you just doesn’t cover how we feel.  For me it seems like a dream and not real yet.  I don’t think it will until we are actually in Hawaii.  However, we won’t be going until next year after tax season since we have so many other things going on this summer.  At least maybe I will be able to lose some weight before then and not look like a beached whale when we are on the beach.  You are really neat, loving, wonderful kids.  I just can’t imagine life without you.  It sure would be lonely and boring.  Thanks again for the gracious gift.

Another thing for each of you, James called tonight regarding a possibility of a job.  He is asking for our prayers.  He will be talking to them this week sometime (last week of April) so hopefully he will get it.  God’s will be done in this.  James may you constantly be seeking His will in your work.

Tim, we haven’t heard from you for awhile but trust you are okay.  Miki, wish we could be there to help with the house.  I’m really anxious to see pictures.  Nate, it was great seeing you this past weekend.  Cindy, our prayers are with you also in your situation down there.

I’ve worked outside the past 2 days in the flower beds.  I think we are supposed to have quite nice weather throughout the week.  Dad has to work at a track meet on Saturday and I get to sell tickets at a Harlem Crowns benefit at our school.

Love to you all, Mom

Our House

April 3, 2007 on 8:05 am | In Family Matters | No Comments

So we have bought ourselves a house. I don’t know how much I have told any of you besides mom.

We bought quite the fixer upper but we didn’t realize how much until we started working on it. We knew there was some termite damage and we had the seller tent the house and take care of the termites before we bought the house but there was more damage than we anticipated. The bank appraiser gave us a list of 5 things we must get done before May 11th and we might have a hard time hitting that goal. They thought they were simple things but some of them were just stupid. Such as painting the drywall upstairs. The drywall was in very bad disrepair and needed to be replaced so painting it would be a practice in futility. We have to tear it all out and relace the insulation behind it then put some back up and then prime and paint it.

 Also they said to caulk around the tub in the bathroom. Anther practice in futility because the tub was not worth keeping and there was so much termite damage under the tub that the only thing holding up the tub (we found out it is a very heavy cast iron tub from the 50s) was a floor joist. The flooring under the tub was so badly eaten that the floor had literally fallen out from under the tub. We tore out the entire bathroom and the closets separating it from a bedroom making one large room. We also have to redesign the steps going to the upstairs because they are not built to any code. If you know anything about steps, the risers ranged anywhere from 6 inches to 10 inches, and the run ranged from about 5 inches to 12 inches.

 Right now we are in the process of making some of the floor joists for the second level sturdy again and then we are going to tear out the entire floor downstairs to replace it. Oh did I mention that the termite damage is so old that they have completely redecorated the bathroom 3 times since they added supports to some of the floor joists. They didn’t replace the joists or get rid of the termites. Just added a few boards. The floor was sagging about an inch in some places and the beams will sag under your feet if you step on them.

We are also finding out how little the builder knew about building. This house has been built on to at least twice. The builder used many many shems in the process of building. I have never seen so many extra blocks and bits of wood in my life. There are even a few places where he used 16 penny nails for shems between boards. Obviously not a measure-twice-cut-once person.

As you can tell we have our work cut out for us. We making some headway, but I doubt we would be so far if it weren’t for my very intelligent father-in-law and his construction knowledge. He is showing us how to do almost everything. We are also very glad that it’s only 2 doors down from his house. If it were further, it might be a pain. We can bring the kids over to play while we work and we can get tools out of his shed without having to drive anywhere. It is a huge blessing.

This house is also going to be big enough for any of you to come visit us. It is a 4 bedroom 1 bathroom house. (We are putting in a second bathroom on the second floor in a large pointless closet.) We only need to buy some extra beds and we have room for everyone. So if you need a vacation down here, now you don’t have to spend a fortune in hotels. Yes that is an open invitation to come visit.

Love you all

Miki