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Thursday, May 7, 2009

new post on fixin as we go with pics!

go see http://fixinaswego.blogspot.com/

the cellar/the food and a snake or 2! AGHHHHHHHH

Yes you read right! We cleaned the cellar up, took in some shelfs, filled the cellar with water, figured out why the sump pump had not worked, pumped the water out and its now drying nicely! So yesterday I go down, we were moving all the shelfs onto bricks so they wont be sitting in water and get ruined, also so the water can get through to the pump easier. I walk down the stairs and look over, snake skin! new SNAKE SKIN. i CALMLY TURN GO UPSTAIRS AND FREAK OUT! Back down again. This time I make kids go with to help, and we get through putting 2 shelfs on bricks, no live snakes! Whew! I start doing stuff to the one shelf, with Nanna and Boo are lifting the other 2 shelfs onto bricks, they move one shelf and another SNAKE SKIN!! ok so I have 2 NEW snake skins, no clue where the snakes are other than somewhere in my basement! WAAAAAAAAAAAA I hate snakes, they are horrid, I hate them. I would rather bugs,spiders and mice! So I continue putting food on shelfs. I have moved most of the cans/jars down stairs. I dont want any boxed,bagged or anything like that in the basement. It iopened up a lot of room upstairs getting all the food downstairs. I have a fan going to dry it out soon. It would not be as wet as it is but the sump pump did not turn on when the water first came in and I did not know till it was pretty deep. I have that fixed and it does not get out of the hole it sits in now.
I never found the snakes. I know the skins are new, the one was not there on Tuesday when I was down there. So anyone know how to get rid of them? I am trying real hard not to freak over snakes in my house! But it wont take much for me to freak out
heres some pics!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

porch measurments

porch bottom:   89 in X 20 foot long


Friday, April 17, 2009

fixin it stuffs!

Ya Ya bad grammar I know, but oh well! Here are some pics of the next repairs to be done! They look worse than they are(or I am delusional take your pick) I'll post pics as it gets fixed and moved.



I have to cover the door and re shingle and recover with new wood

finish moving pile of wood from previous owner
under the wood are flowers trying to come up!

clean up and repair and paint
 I can do most of it myself(I hope) The shingles on the roof are what makes me the most worried. And that's only cause I hate heights! If I get up there I may not come back down- with out falling! The rest is simple and I can do most. I have someone who has said he will help me- one of Nanna's friends. This is where its good that I helped L with so many remodels and paint jobs. I have a slight idea of how to pretend my way through it! I can pretend good enough to convince myself I know what I am doing! I am going to temporarily cover the top door. When I have the $$ to redo it real nice up there with a rail I will uncover it. For not it will be covered and fixed with out a rail.  Today I went and bought a new screw gun to make more repairs on the house. The one I had died, the battery stayed charged long enough to put in 1 screw, if it was short! So I bought a new one, its a small black n Decker, plugs in instead of charging. I also picked up some cement patch stuff to fill in some cracks. I hope this week to get out there and measure the top of the porch awning and the bottom so I know exactly how much wood to buy to fix it. I 'll take pics when I do! We also will get the pile from the side of the house moved. We got all the dead rose bush branches cleaned up! I'll be doing a few other things. We also hope to get a start on digging the garden spot soon. No repairs happened recently. Just getting ready to do the work I need to do.





Sunday, April 12, 2009

Cleaning the cellar!

The cellar is all cleaned! Now we are organizing, bringing in shelfs, putting canned foods down there and making it useable! The shelfs we took in will be remodeled. I am going to put a small piece of wood at the bottom of each shelf- after removing the doors. Then we can lay the cans down and stack them that way. I will be able to organize by food type and keep it more organized I hope! We have all(well most) of the jars for canning stacked on the top edge, some are in a couple shelfs and in a drawer. There is a cool chair, it has hinges and will move so its a step ladder. I was going to throw it away, its in bad shape. Nanna said "mom you can fix it, clean it up and redo it, make it look new" And well I love to do that kind of stuff so I kept it. Like I really need another project!
It doesw look lots better down there now. And if we do have to go down due to a storm the kids wont be as scared to be down there now. We have some blankets in the deep freezer that does not work down there. They will stay clean there and if we have to use it as shelter we can pull them out to use and not have to worry about taking them down there.
I'll be starting the work on the outside of the house soon. I need the weather to co operate for it. I think I have figured out how I will do most of it. Not all but most. I have figured out how to do the porch awning, it will be easier than I thought! The hardest part is going to be the roof, the spot I need to reshingle. I can do it myself, but I cant get to it easily, and well I hate heights!!! But unless I can find someone to volunteer it looks like I get to do it myself. WAAAAAAAA
SO here are some new pics of the cellar. I'll keep updating as we go. Right now the cans are just stuffed in the shelfs and they are not done how I want. I have to get time to change the way they are set up. Hopefully soon.

                             


Saturday, March 28, 2009

clean up the cellar!

So Nanna is home for a few days, partly to help me with a few things around the house- one being the cellar! So you have see the before pics- if not just scroll through the blog, There are pics. ITS HORRIBLE! So last night we gloved up, put on masks and went in!
We are not even close to done but so far we have removed- 2 big garbage cans full of old jars of food, old kitchen appliances- radio that was scary! I believe it was 4 lawn and leaf bags, 2 garbage cans! This is the junk, garbage, broken stuffs. I am keeping all the jars! There are so many its unreal. I found a blender that's in perfect condition- its just the blender- not the electrical part. It looks like its never been used. There are 3 bird cages- in good shape. Not sure what to do with them, I do not do birds in my house. I may see if I can find a buyer. There is also an old potty chair. and spiders!! Nanna yells mom a spider- freaking out, I spot it, its on the table! I had no clue I was so flexible- the Tai chi and walking is paying off! I lifted my leg high enough to smash that spider! Its amazing what old card board boxes do when left to sit for years, they get gross, crumble and are gross!
We spent a couple hours down there. We have lots more to go. I plan on cleaning it up good enough, organizing all the jars so they are not all over and using it for y food storage. I shop Aldis and have food all over upstairs. Don't right I can get it all down there, nice and neat. Only the can goods, nothing in bags. Well there is the gigantic deep freezer- it does not work but holds things well. I have my food storage in bags inside it. I am thinking its a good spot for the wheat also.
I took pics to keep track of progress so I am putting them here for y'all to see. Dulie called while we were down there. I found 2 pretty light covers, she likes the pretty pink one. So I'll send it to her. Otherwise it was headed for the garbage can! Save by the Dulie! So here's the pics



"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russell Ballard

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

So I went downstairs and took some pics of all the mess! there are so many jars its unreal. I have some masks I bought and I am going to clean it up, organize it and hopefully make it look better. I cant wait to be able to use the jars! They have already been coming in handy. I have cleaned out several gallon jars to hold our rice,beans and pastas, brown sugar, flax, granola,and other stuff like that. There are still more to use plus all the smaller jars. There are also the old milk jugs! Those just look cool, but then I like jars for some reason. So I thought I would share with you the messy view of my cellar. After its clean I will share more pics!


"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russell Ballard

craziness and chaos

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Done fixin for a minute?

Well the water runs! We have a shower! Actually 2 showers! The one in my room is fixed and the main one also!! New stove is in place! And we are focusing on the unpacking now. Finding a place for everything. We have most done. 
I was out walking around the yard the otherday with Loo. She was showing me where she thinks the garden should be. We checked out the chicken coop, the kids have it cleaned out. They are ready for chicks. I have to take care of a few other things first. But they have it cleaned nicely. We found an old milk jug, the metal kind! I am still not sure where to put the garden. But we will figure that out soon. I have to come up with a tiller, or else the boys will be out there with shovels. I know we all vote for a tiller. But thats only going to happen if I find one to borrow. I dont have the money to buy one right now. 
I need to come up with a chain saw also. There is a tree branch on a power line going to the garage, and several other trees that need dead removed badly. I am not sure how I am going to arrange that one bt something will work out. 
I think tomorrow the kids will be doing some stuff around the yard. Its a mess right now. As we have unpacked things have been set out on the porch and the wond has blown stuff all over. Plus the dog chews everything she can.  I need to finish unpacking. For right now we are done with repairs, I think. I know there are more to be done, and there is more to do all through the house. But we will get to it a little at a time. I think our next move is to go room by room and make our plans for whats to be done. As we do that I will put it here to share.
OH I did go to the cellar. I needed a jar for my sourdough start that was growing and taking over. I found lots of gallon jars! I am psyched! now I have plenty of jars to store my rice and pastas in. No bug or mice eating them now! There are so many jars of various sizes its awesome. I'll be able to do some canning this year if I grow enough. I took lots of pics. I'll post them tomorrow. Its very dirty and messy down there. One of these days I need to brave it to clean it. I think I need a dust mask first. Its pretty bad. And some gloves!
Well My Baby E is crying. I need to gert her to sleep. To see some pics of our organizing the bathroom and stuff check out my other blog. Theres new updates there also. http://huffinfamily.blogspot.com/


www.homeschoolblogger.com/huffins

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russell Ballard

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Pics of the plumbing!

So here are pics of what needed done, what I have done, and what I still need to do. It will take me a while to get it all done. I plan on having the hot water heater done Saturday. Hopefully the kitchen sink also, it has very low water pressure. And then little by little I will fix and change the rest. I will be changing most to newe pipes I guess. Luckily I have an awesome brother in law for a plumber! He is willing to look at pics and then explain what I need and what to do. Hopefully I can figure it out and do it this way!  I am not to sure I am ready to tackle some of it! Plumbing is not something I have done before this. So here are the pics. 




www.homeschoolblogger.com/huffins

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russell Ballard

this weeks update

         Hello every one!
Well this is move week and its been crazy round here! We have had doc appointments along with trying to get ready to move. Mom got the results of her test for her heart!! LOOKS GREAT
So she will not have to have open heart like they thought!! Tomorrow she goes in for the scan on her brain to decide what to do about it, and she already has an appointment with the surgeon to find out what he wants to do.
I went to my doc this week also. We are trying some new meds. One is a patch I have been on it before but had a bad reaction. We found out the reaction was possibly due to the patches being part of a group that was recalled. So far they are helping, no bad reaction.!! Changed some other stuff also. I also had a cortisone shot in the tissues on my hip, OUCHIE! That hurt! Also caused more pain for about 24 hours, then it started to help. I go in today and get another in the hip joint. Not to sure about that. The other almost made me pass out. I fully intend on passing out today. I hope it works. My hip is bad, it will give out while walking, or catch and not move, and constantly hurts. So hopefully it helps at least a little.
We have been packing, and thinning. I have sent stuff to people on free cycle! I have more stuff going. I have boxes every where! I am almost out of the boxes I managed to get, so I will have to get more some how.
Yesterday we went to the new house and did some more cleaning and plumbing! I’ll post pics later today.I fixed the pipe for the washer! But found 2 more leaks. The one bathroom next to the washroom leaks. He toilet leaks. The pipe going from the seat to the back leaks where they connect. I have to fix that or something. For right now the water is just off to it. The sink in that bathroom is gross! When you turn the water on rust and chunks come out. I don’t know if I will ever manage to drink tap water again after this!
The hot water heater has a leak! The pressure valve on top leaks where it is supposed to be sealed! it’s a small leak, but still a leak. I shut the water off at the hot water heater till I can fix it. I talked to GE, they told me how to fix it myself. I cant get it off though! I will try again Sat when I have some man power to muscle it off. I hope. The pipe that goes into the hot water heater also has a small leak where they connect. It looks like it can just be removed and then put back on. I talked to GE, they said to remove both, Teflon tape them and replace them and they should be good to go. I hope they are right. Otherwise we are without hot water till I get taxes back and can use it for fixing it. And I plan on that money going to other repairs, paying off my van and other stuff that is needed.  
The man that’s supposed to haul all the junk off has not done it yet. I cant wait till he does! I am already planning my garden! Trying to find a way to get a tiller, or at least borrow one. It looks like the neighbors near us may have kids. I see swings in several yards, and toys. So I hope that means there are kids close for the kids to meet. I know there is at least 1 home school family there! I have talked to her. Very nice lady. I cant wail till this move is over. I am so sick of packing and trying to get it all done.
Nanna is not moving with us. She has some friends and is moving in with them. They will help keep her on the ball I hope. She is working and doing other things here. She did not want to move. Since she only has 4 months till 18 I decided to let her stay. Not easy to do. I did not realize how hard it can be to have them grow up and move out. 
Well I think that’s about it for now. I did take pics of my repair job! The removed pies- they were disgusting! And the stuff I get to try to fix next. Although I have been told someone is working on helping find someone that knows about plumbing to help me from the new Ward! I hope so! 
I’ll post pics later. And this will probably be the last update from this house. The computers will all be taken down tomorrow. We load up early Saturday morning. I hope the kids that don’t want to move accept it soon and adjust fast. They are having a hard time with this move. But I think once they get used to being out in a big yard, having animals- plan on chickens soon! They will be ok.
So that’s all folks!
I’ll be sending out new address and phone numbers as soon as I find the paper with the phone on it. Seem to have misplaced my phone book and planner.
    Love
     Jae


                                    www.homeschoolblogger.com/huffins
"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russell Ballard

Friday, February 13, 2009

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russell Ballard

AHHHHHHH plumbing!! YUCK! I hate pipes!



This was done last trip to the house. These horrid pipes (I think they are plotting to make me crazy) are the ones making me nuts!

Today I hope to sit with the kids and go through each room, and plan on how we want it all done. I will copy it all here!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

fixing the plumbing! makes you feel like running down the roadscreaming!

Oh wow! Where is my BIL when I need him???? Not here I know that! So yesterday we go to the house, water and gas are being turned on, plus I wanted to get started on cleaning. I also knew one pvc water line was broke, need to replace it. No biggie! UM YA RIGHT!
So I get it fixed, the water co shows up, turns me on and we have a water fall! Now normally I absolutely love water falls. They are so peaceful, calming and beautiful. But when the water is falling through your ceiling cause the pvc pipe had another break you did not catch its not so pretty! So I have the water guy turn it back off so I can fix it again! Well the pipe is in a VERY VERY small area- Sir N cant even fit into it easily. So while I am trying to get at it, pull things apart to replace with new pipes I managed to break another pipe! Yes siree! I broke the one going to the toilette, and the medal pipe that goes into the back of the toilet,well lets just say ITS NO LONGER THERE! So at thispoint I have spent $45.00 of the $100.00 I have left to make more repairs, gas in the van and get by the rest of the month! I throw in an on/off valve.Figure I can do with out the sink and toilet in that bathroom temporarily! There are still 2 more in thehose so ya know its all good. SO we turn on the water again- NO water pressure. Kitchen sink- absolutly no water, dishwasher- no water, small bathroom off laundry room- no water! Tub- good water, bathroom sink well it has water but not much! And all the water coming out its full of Black crap and rust! YUCKY!!!
So trying to figure out why we haveno water pressure. I go to the cellar and we have a swimmingpool!! Sh dont tell the kids, I had to empty it with the sumppump! SOme one had opend the valve at the bottom of the hot water heater so the water was pouring out of it, and they also opened the valve at the top so it was a geyser!
I am thinking dang I got a great deal! A waterfall, a pool, and a geyser! must have been freebies she threw in!
I get the water off again! Close the valves on the hot water heater. Try again- here comes the water. But still no more pressure, and hey look its a small wading pool in the laundry room! And how very ingenious itsfilling from the medal pipe that has a beautiful spil it in- goes to the kitchen and washer! I am loving all these extras by now! So off with the water again! I decided at this point to take a break. Picked up a board, walked to my garage and procdeded to pound on a cuboard door- woring off some of my enthusiasm overmy new found treasures!
So back in I go. Pipe Wrench in hand! Grunting, groaning, I remindedmyself of a lasy in labor! Finally the pipe come out! So I take it and head back to the hardware store in town.Who I must say have to be themost helpfull guy ever! he helped me find the rightparts, gave me a free roll of teflon tape, explained how to do a few things. I left feeling very confident I could fix it and all will be ok.Although between closing the pool and the waterfall I may miss my wading pool!
But guess what???? Thepipe wont go it, to big,or at least thats how it appears. So I decided I have had enough.Time tocallit a day, gohomeandgo back later! Also maybe it willgive me a chancetocall my BIL B and see if he has some suggestions. So we load us all up- me with my pipes. Stop at the hardware store- where my new best friend was waiting for me. I know he was, he had to have been! So I show him the oldpipe again, the new pipe, and explain where it wont fit. Well it appears I am SUPER WOMAN! yes Mighty strenght! Not only did I remove the pipe, I BUTSED IT OFF! So there are stillthreads in the other pipe, thats why they dont fit now! So again, I purchase anther part-this is trip # 4 in 1 day!! I had to by a T pipe. I will be going back in a day or 2 and attemptingto get the T off. That sucker ison so good I dont know how I will manage. I think I will see if Nanna's boufriend R will help. He helped LOTS yesterday. He is a good kid. If that fixes that problem,hopefully it will do some good. This pipe is sofull of icky stuff that you could not fit a pencil in it! Then I have to figure out why there is no water goingto the other bathroom. So as gross as the pipes are,I am thinking that they allmay need replaced sooner or later. I dont have the money for that right now.So we will be using A LOT of bottled water for a while. Iam so not drinking chunky water. Ilearned a lot yesterday, but did Imention I HATE PLUMBING?? Well if not I am now!!!
Oh and then the gas co showed up to turn it on! Guesswhat?? the floor heater in the living room wont turn on! and even if it would the carpet is to close to it and will catch on fire. SO I will be taking a razorkinfe to it. Thats easy.I do have to figure out why its not working. Not toconcerned about it.We do have a wood burning stove with blowers in the same room. I had planned on useing it more than anyting so its ok. The heater upstairs works though!!!
So yesterday was interesting for sure. I took moepics, I will put them on later today. And I am goingto try to set upspage for each room, or something. We can journal our pprogress- or lack of as we go!
Thekids love the yard and had funplaying.
Oh andall theoldfridges, freezers and other garbage witting outside. I have been trying to find a cheap, easy way to get rid of. Well an older gentleman stopped by, he hauls off scrap medal! He will haul it all off for me! For free.He will take it and sell it so he benefits and so do I. And it wont cost me!
oh and there is an OLD OLD sewing machine in the garage! When I get a chance I am going to pull it out and check it out. Its pretty cool loking.
So thats my update for now. I'll do pics later today.
take care and love ya all!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

todays cleaning & repairing!

We will be going to the house today. I have some plumbing to repair and get it all cleaned up for the move. We will walk through today and start writing ideas on what we want to do in each room! I will take more pics to show. I will also let you all know the plans for each room and show a pic so you know what we want to do! The water and gas will both be on today! We have lots to do. The kids are getting more excited. So am I! 
I'll update tonight or tomorrow. Depends on how tired I am when we get home!
Jae