House Destruction mode????

is actually an understatement!

Our New Year - 2012 -  didn't start with a BANG but with a DRIP!  When Eric and Theresa were here on New Year's, they heard dripping in the bathroom upstairs - and sure enough - we had definitely sprung a leak which leaked down onto our master bedroom ceiling.

 The bathroom involved Bruce taking out the stool (which went in the trash truck), taking our the sub-floor and pulling insulation out between the two floors. Some of the drywall had to be taken our and holes drilled in the wall so everything could air out.

Bruce has been working upstairs pulling out the rest of the linoleum and as of last night, the flooring is ready for Jason to come lay tile. Jason thinks he'll be here around Feb. 22nd. I did get the tile picked out and I like it!  Bruce has started mudding the drywall, so with several more applications, I can paint. I'm trying to decide on a color so I can get it this week. Bruce says its then "My turn" to take the baton and run with it. I'm gonna paint the moose room too after the bathroom.

All the linoleum is off and one coat of mud on the wall.

 The doors have served us well, but we are ready for the new!



Sometime in March we are getting a new door since this one has been in since 1982 - and/or 11 dogs ago. Lets see, there was Bumpkin, Kelly, Cally, Corky, Bo, Sadie, Turbo, Sam, Penney, L.T. and Emmy.  That's a lot of dogs to scratch on that door, let alone our two kids, and now seven grandkids. So we invested, and I do mean "invested" in that door! I have to say it should be the color of GOLD!

Then, after the blow of the cost of the door, our septic system decided to implode after I had completed my shower. AHHHHHH.... Luckily, the next day, our plumber/cousin came out and dug where the septic system is suppose to be, but it had collapsed! To make a long story short - its a mess! but I am able to do dishes, shower, laundry, etc! Boy, you need to be VERY thankful for modern everyday conveniences! 

Diggin' up the septic tank....

 All done!! :) yeah!

 As of a few minutes ago, Chuck has everything done - covered up - and I think hooked up to the house! So hopefully this chapter of the book is closed!  But I almost forgot to mention, I had started re-organizing my sewing room upstairs - the South Room -  before the septic tank issue! When I told Bruce I really needed some shelves on the north wall (thanks to Pinterest!) - lets just say he wasn't excited at that prospect! But since we were making so many trips to Lowe's anyway for the rest of our dilemas - No Problem!! He installed the shelving for me one morning bright and early - or should I say dark and early!! You know Bruce - has to work at 4:30 a.m.!  Good Grief!!  Anyways, you can see what my reorganizing involved - lots and lots of fabric!!! 

 Oh my.......

 where to start?

 Blank wall......

 to shelved wall!!

 to organized fabric, collections and projects!!!

 Reorganized sewing area for sergers....

 Some crafting storage and more projects.......

 and the bed on the east wall! Gotta love it!

 As if that's not enough to do, the sunporch is still a work in progress! But I love the new ceiling Bruce put in - its vinyl!

 The windows are now in as well as the two doors!

All the doors and windows.... Aren't they pretty!

Picture on the northwest side....

View from the sunporch. I have deemed this the place for the boys to store their hunting gear when they are all home!! Boots, shoes, and coats can have a home out here too!

And the man who has made it all possible!! Poor guy..... he deserves a vacation!! He has just finished insulating the walls on the sunporch and is ready to put the wall covering on that looks like beadboard and then he'll be ready to trim in all out, I can help paint, and some soffit work outside and venting. Still a ways to go but it sure is nice.  We'll have a lot of improvements to show off the next time the kids are home!! Now, hopefully - no more DRAMA and home improvements!!

New Year's with the Kids

Well, 2012 started out really great with all three of the Mulvane Papon's spending time at the farm. Mom and Daddy got to spend a little time together seeing friends before they came over on New Year's Day. Moose was gonna go hunting for a deer, but we got to have a little fun first. You can see Little Bear has his hand on the throttle and likes to drive the John Deere. Actually everyone of the K-kids love to ride with Papa in the tractor. I guess we're gonna have to get a bigger cab. Poor Emmy has no place to sit! It was pretty cold out so the time spent outside was basically seeing the cows from the cab or else driving in the truck.

 K-kids on one of their rides with Papa.

 Of course L.T. is always a hit. Buggy and Moose and Bear gave him lots of hugs! I do believe he returned a few of the kisses... ha!

 and Bear really enjoyed eating mama's birthday cake. Buggy and I made that on New Year's morn.

 Theresa ready to blow out her candles with a little help!

Everyone is ready to eat cake! 

 Even Emmy was excited to see everyone.

 Little Bear was always ready to go with Papa to do chores. Buggy got to go too!

Oh yes, we had another visitor. Our neighbor Blake was gone roping with his brother so we got to dogsit Johnny Ringo for the weekend. He was a big hit with the kids. We got so many chuckles at his antics. He even wore out Emmy Girl.

The next blog will be of our New Year's home destruction. What a year! 

 Hoping all of these issues end now......



Precious Moments!

After the Christmas holiday, Shawn got REALLY serious about his goose and duck hunting! I don't think I've ever seen such a bunch of geese, but the story that goes along with it is worthy of almost a TALL TALE - except it is true...... I'll let him tell the story, but as you can see, Abby was very busy for a while! The day he went hunting was absolutely miserable! Yes, it was wet, raining, and very cold! He said it was PERFECT for goose hunting!!! Boy, does he have the fever. Eric and Theresa each got a deer earlier before Christmas so I think Shawn was feeling a little pressure to bring in some meat for the family.... Ha :) They both get their love of hunting from their dad - lots of fond memories!

 Shawn and Abby with their trophies! Guess the freezer will fill up a little. He got a lot more when he got to Hutch. I bet his gun needed to be cleaned after this hunting escapade!

 and we had some birthdays! Dee turned 3 - she was so cute.

 and Shawn had a birthday too - he got a cover for his boat!

 It was pretty miserable outside for a couple of days, so we did some crafting and cooking. The kids really enjoyed working on the gingerbread barn. Almost had roof failure, but we managed to get it proped up.

 The K-kids with the barn!

 Carrie and I did some crafting too. We made a couple of scarves that I really like! I've received quite a few compliments already.

 When it was time for the Northern Papons to head to Hutchinson, three of the kids got a ride in the 182 with Papa. They look like they had a great time!!

 Look who's co-pilot - K-man assumed the responsibilities.

 and Papa enjoyed hauling his precious cargo!

 I couldn't help but post this of K-sis. She is such a hoot! Clowning around like her Papa.

 K-man had to take his own snap...

 and this was taken at the Hutchinson airport with both sets of grandparents.

Papa with the kids and his 182. It brought a conclusion to our holidays, but I have to admit - we were tired. Our house is quiet now and we miss everyone very much!