Grafton Acres

No sleep tonight...

2011-08-19T00:25:00.002-04:00

I never quite understood how anybody could enjoy a thunderstorm. I always hear people say, Oh, I love thunderstorms, they are so relaxing. Are you kidding me?
There is one nasty storm going on right now, Friday morning , August 19 at 12:28 am. I should be asleep. The thunder is so loud, it feels like it's right above my house. I am surprised my kids aren't crawling under my skin! Ok, Sam is up and walking around.
I remember when I was a girl and being terrified (ok, it's hailing now) of thunder/rain storms. I was convinced the wind was going to destroy my house and blow the rickety windows in. I thought for sure the house was going to blow over. The window panes would rattle something fierce. Many times I would get out of bed and crawl under it and pray with all my 8 year old heart out for it to stop. 'Please, Heavenly Father, make the storm stop. Or at least pass by. Please protect the house that we will be safe.'
I would wake up many mornings still under my bed. I was so glad it would be over. Maybe that's why when a storm blows through now and it starts my mind racing: please don't blow my house in, please don't destroy the windows, please don't let the dead willow tree in the back yard fall over on anyone's house, please protect my kids and don't scare them.
My nerves are on edge. I guess I hate being startled. The thunders are clapping so loud as if they are laughing at me. (Very poetic at 12:36 at night).
No sleep for me until I know it's done. When will that be? I wish I knew! I wish I had a forecast somewhere online that I can look and tell me, ok Suzie, it will be completely over at 1:03 am.
Are fears that easy to negotiate?
So...anyway, I feel like I'm rambling on and on and on. Maybe I am. Everybody here is snoring. Sam decided to sleep on the floor of my room at the floor of my bed. He does that every once in awhile. He does that when he has a hard time falling asleep. Poor guy, not very comfortable. I guess he feels safe there.
Drizzling rain now...the hail stopped. Just those damned claps of thunder once in awhile that make me jump out of my skin. Feeling very nervous and jittery.
I hope everyone has a calm night tonight. We'll see if I get any rest. Wish me luck. Good night :)

The boy is driving me crazy.

2010-05-20T16:03:00.002-04:00

So i really don't mind Daniel watching Sid the Science Kids on PBS in the mornings. It's a good little show, big and bright and the lessons are educational. Today was about charting and collecting data. I understand Sid was getting a toy and had something to do with charting. Then Daniel gets an idea in his head that if he does a chore chart, he gets a dog! Now, I'm not a dog fan. I'll tolerate someone else's dog (usually from a distance), but I will not have one in my home. I worked too hard to get my house (somewhat) together for a stinky and noisy dog to mess it up. I have avoided the requests that have been ALL day from this little boy. So, he made up his chart and commenced in doing 'chores', all 4 of them. Then he gets his stickers out and stickered his chart when the chore was accomplished. He wants to go to the mall to looks at the pet shop there and then suggested the pound. I tried to explain that dogs poop and I'm not cleaning dog poop. "But Mom, they poop outside", me "Sam and I are allergic to cats and dogs and they make us sneeze. Cousin Chris and Aunt Marina are very allergic to animals." Daniel "The dog can stay in my room when family comes over." Oh yeah, there's an answer to everything.
We call Daddy because at 10 am, I'm ready to pull my hair out. Daddy wouldn't mind a dog. He would like a big on because little ones are too yippy. So he's no help.
I get a reprieve from 12:30 until 3:30 while Daniel is at school. I enjoyed my Target shopping in silence and enjoyed my alone time.
As soon as he gets home from school, it starts all over again. Dog, dog, I want a dog, I want to get a dog now. When can we go to the mall???!?!?
Finally, I had to get stern....NO MORE TALKING ABOUT GETTING A DOG!!
While I am checking email, Daniel writes me a note:
If you don't get me a dog, I leave this day.
Signed, Daniel

I ask where are you going? Outside in the woods (with a grin and he soon realized how silly he sounds).
Ugh, maybe I can try to divert him with a fish...wish me luck.

Best day of my life...

2010-05-06T08:56:00.001-04:00

A part of getting my mission call, coming home from my mission, my wedding day, the birth of my children, and moving into our house...today is gonna be the best day of my life!
We're getting our first new DISHWASHER!!!!!!! No more sitting dirty dishes! No more stinky dish water, No more dried out hands!!! Can I get a huzzzzahhhh!!! The installation guy is coming between noon and 1. Yeah, ok Daniel maybe a little late for school ( he's suppose to be there at 12:30), but it's a holiday in the Minnich home!
Pictures to follow.

Attempting to Make links

2010-04-27T12:24:00.002-04:00

Suzie has mad several posts recently that haven't been showing up as links on Ricelandia. So she has asked me to fix it. Now I am attempting to fix it.

Now I have fixed it. ( I am editing this post after the fact. )
It appears that if you don't title the post there will be no link.

Matt

2010-04-19T21:21:00.000-04:00

After a very busy day visiting family....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Minnich Cousins

2010-04-19T19:48:00.001-04:00

Suzie and Her Doofy Husband

2010-04-19T19:47:00.001-04:00

2010-04-19T19:46:00.000-04:00

The handsome brothers, Minnich.

2010-04-19T19:44:00.000-04:00

Charlene and 3 of the 4 kids. Matt, Garen, Mom, and Jamie.

Shhh, don't tell...

2010-04-19T11:50:00.001-04:00

Shhh, don't tell my pancreas....I had two waffles this morning (sneer!).

Minnich Grandma & Cousins

2010-04-13T14:57:00.002-04:00

A few of the Minnich cousins that visited our house March 27th. Back row l-r: David, Daniel, Grandma, Sam.
Sitting front l-r: Heather, Heidi, & Wayne.

It's the little things.

2010-03-06T21:38:00.002-05:00

I am so excited today! Matt and I got our upstairs bathroom light fixture the other night! And he installed it today above my new $12.48 mirror and it looks fab-u-lous! It brightens the bathroom so nice. I actually like to stand in there and stare at the mirror and light. Isn't that stupid?
Also this week, I was able to get a part-time evening job. We are in need of extra revenue to get over some financial humps. I called this office, probably late January or early February and never heard from them until this week. I worked there 6 & 7 years ago. They need data entry workers this time of the year for 5-6 months at a time. The last I was thee was when I was pregnant with Daniel. I thought maybe they didn't remember me, but the HR lady did! Blessings are truly there.
They were willing to work around the 2 days that I teach piano. Once lessons are done, I can leave for the office. I have to work Saturdays 9-3 as well. I am ok with that because I know the job is until mid-June. Then I can be home. Hopefully this yearly position will be a reoccurring job. This is the time of year we are always broke. So walking through Toy-R-Us yesterday, I got the call. Tried not to jump up and down in the store, but I was pretty excited.
The weather is gonna be the upper 40's the next few days. Never thought I would say this, but yoooo-whooo for 40 degree weather!

It's that time...

2010-03-04T16:16:00.002-05:00

So I've reached my limit. Too many people and information on Facebook for my liking. It's been fun and interesting reconnecting with friends from days past and keeping up with new. But now I'm moving on. Not that I don't love my 'friends', it's just that I need a break. I need to keep up with Grafton Acres and vent on here.
We've had a good year so far. Days are busy and so are we. I am loving being the Primary President (please don't tell my Bishop). The kids are a riot to be with. It's just the grown ups I would like to give 'time-outs'. No really, I am working with the best presidency and teachers ever. Everyone steps up to the plate and swings with all their hearts. We are being blessed.
I am soooo excited because the upstairs bathroom is, bit by bit, getting done. We have an incentive because the Minnich family is coming in at the end of March for a 'reunion'. Matt's brother, Jamie, is leaving for Afghanistan soon for a year. My goal is to get the bathroom done for that weekend. We bought a new light fixture last night, very nice. But the best part is the new mirror. I know it's silly, but I get excited over the dumbest things. I was at Target last Saturday for other things and thought I would take a quick look at the mirrors. I stumbled across a white trimmed mirror, just the size I was looking for. Even better was the little ledge on the bottom, also what I wanted. It was 1/2 the price. Originally 49.98...sale price 24.98..ok I can live with that. Get to the register and it rang 1/2 off of the sale price. I was jumping up and down inside and tried to look coy. I got a $50 mirror for...12.48!!! Yeah for me! Come over and see it!
We are looking for flooring now. I am sooo ready to get rid of the carpet!
Other than that, we are moving along. Gonna try to stay true to the blog...

Life in the Minnich home this week...

2009-12-02T16:14:00.002-05:00

And it's only Wednesday! We've had, no I've had an interesting two days into this week. Let me share: Sam stayed home from school on Monday. He's had a low-grade fever and complaining about being light headed. So he stayed home and rested for the day. I don't like him missing school...especially after a 5 day break for Thanksgiving. He did lay around all day, so I knew something was up. Matt drove him to school on Tuesday. I get up Tuesday morning and noticed a certificate sitting on the kitchen table...there's a Honor Roll certificate with Sam's name on it! What???? He didn't mention it all Thanksgiving weekend. It sat in his backpack! He never said a word about it! Then around 11:30 I get a call from the clinic at school, the lady said he has no fever, but still a little light headed. She said he didn't look good. So pack up Daniel and went to school to get Sam. I thought maybe his blood sugar was low, being light headed and all. I marched everyone to the school clinic to ask if they have a glucose machine. The normal nurse wasn't there that day, someone else was there. I explained about my theory of Sam's blood sugar and she said she's not a nurse. I asked what was Sam's temperature. She said 99.2... I said it's not that bad. I knew 98.6 was normal. This "fill-in" person said, no it's 96.5....what??? How old is this girl? 96.5 is a radio station! I didn't say anything, I just wanted to get Sam home. That's when I explained the importance of being on the Honor Roll.
Wednesday: Getting Daniel ready for school drama. Let's begin on Monday. Daniel complains on the way to school that his tummy hurts. I asked him if he has to poop. "I don't know" was the answer. I have taken him into school two separate times when he complains about his tummy to poop. I really didn't want to take him in on Monday. He pooped already that morning. So I drop him off and head back home. I am 3 minutes from home and my cell rings. It's his teacher calling. Daniel is upset crying because he has to poop and he doesn't want his teachers to take him. Can I come back to take him potty. So I turn around and go back to school. I get him on the potty and no poop. He sits there a few minutes and chats with me. No poop. I thought maybe all the drama made his urge to poop stop. I leave and all is well. Now it's Wednesday and he poops twice in the morning. At noon (we leave around 12:20) he starts running into the bathroom to "try" to poop. Nothing. Then he starts whining and crying. He is realllly good at making himself cry, tears and all. He follows me around the house as I am putting shoes and coats on. All the while telling him to stop whining and crying. He tells me, "I ate soup for lunch, that makes me poop!" This continues all the 5 minutes it takes to drive to school. "I want you with me when I poop at school. I want you to wipe my butt." It's then the Mommy light bulb turns on...he wants me to be at school with him. Now the game is: When I complain about my tummy hurting, mommy thinks I have to poop. That way she comes into school with me.
It doesn't work. I drop Daniel off, crying all the way and the poor teacher is wondering what the heck is going on. I explain the new game and she gets it. When I picked him up afterwards, she tells all was well as soon as he got into school.
Mommy's Lesson learned: make sure Daniel poops before school.
Daniel's lesson learned: Mommy isn't that dumb afterall!
Well, my friends, wish me luck for the rest of the week. It could only get better :)

Here we go again...

2009-10-06T10:24:00.002-04:00

I've been wanting to start painting the upstairs bathroom for a couple of weeks. The wallpaper is finally off. Except for a few holes in the wall that need repaired(again covered up by wallpaper), I am ready to paint. I decided to paint the trimming first this time. I could not get the paint can open. Well, not a can a plastic container. It's the same trimming paint we've used on the other room and the inside paint dried and sealed up the container. Finally, Matt got it opened last night. Whooo-hoooo more painting. I am sooooo ready for the bathroom to start taking shape.
There is Minnich talk of a Minnich sibling reunion coming in March and our house was nominated as the destination point. So this is excellent incentive to get more things done in the house.
I need to get some pictures posted to show our progress!
Got Halloween decorations put up yesterday. I love detailing the house with seasonal things. I buy things off season and put them away for the next. Normally I forget about them until I open the storage bin. What a nice surprise to find a new thing! Cheesy, I know :)

Ok, ok I know!

2009-09-08T11:29:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I am a lame blogger. Ever since I've been on Facebook, I've spent way too much computer time on there. I need Facebook Anonymous. Anyway, to catch up our second summer at Grafton Acres, it was much calmer than last summer. We have really enjoyed our house this last full year here. It's been fun looking at old pictures and blogs. Sam is in middle school (7th) grade this year and probably grew a foot. He is taller than me and wears a mens size 13. I have lost my little boy and now have a beautiful pre-teen. He is strong in his convictons and standards. Middle school is gonna be a tough test for him, but I know he will stand tall. He was ordained a Deacon at church last April when he turned 12. He also is continuing with the Trombone.
Daniel just missed the cut off date for Kindergarten for Midview Schools by a few weeks. So that means another year of preschool. The new school this year is more geared for Pre-K. He had one day last week, and will go tomorrow and Thurs. of this week. Next week will be our first 3 day a week schedule. He is growing as well and talks my ear off. He is wearing glasses and looks more and more like Sam.
Matt is still (luckily) at A-roo. They have been good to us. He is enjoying his work there. He is so talented with creative abilities, it totally amazes me. He is a good husband and father. Leadership skills are one of his strenghs. He is working in the Young Men's Program at church. He teaches the 14-16 year olds.
I am the children's Primary President, and that keeps me really busy. I have excellent helpers in the program. Been trying to get some piano students lined up for the school year. We have advertised around and no callers yet. Well, no, I have one little girl that lived on the next street over that's gonna start in a few weeks. I met her mom, she works at the library.
So life at the Minnich's are 'status quo'. Still getting things done in the house, but now have enjoyed the journey even more. Will get some pictures posted soon.

Blight of the Stray Cats

2009-05-12T16:44:00.002-04:00

No offense to my acquaintances who like cats...
Since last summer, we have been blessed with a 3-4 stray cats roaming the neighborhood. I thought, oh they will go away. Then I find out 2 houses down have been feeding them. I can tell they are well fed because they aren't scrawny. They don't have collars, so they don't belong to anyone. Ok, so that's not the problem....the problem is they think my yard is their personal toilet!
Every time I see them roaming through the front or back yards, I make a bee-line for the door and run them off. It's gotten so the boys now help me shoo them away. I have stepped, cleaned up, and smelled the evidence. I have had the thought to bag it up and toss it into the people's yard that feeds the stupid pooping felines.
To make it top all annoyances...we were eating a nice Sunday dinner and Matt says, "Oh look we have we have animal kingdom in our front yard." I turned and looked and saw two cats doing their 'thing' on our front walk! Great! They're making more pooping cats! So I ran outside which startled them and they ran away.
I was talking to my neighbor (on the other side) who also complains about the cats and said they set a trap and caught the tom-cat (neighbor rooster) and relocated him far from here. Thank goodness. I don't want to come across as a complete cat hater...I don't mind them, I just don't them pooping in my yard! And I don't anything abusive to happen to them, I just don't want them around. I read about moth balls, cayenne pepper, and all the other posted ideas to discourage them from coming around. I'm gonna look for Sam's pump powered Supersoaker to water them away. So if anyone has a fool-proof suggestion to get rid of this blight, please forward it on. And thank you for listening.

It's been a year!

2009-04-23T12:48:00.003-04:00

This week officially marks one year since we looked at our house. It was April last year we contacted the realitor and walked through the house. I remember not sleeping that night. My head was swimming. Soooo much work that needed to be done, so where does it rain money? No where I found out, but we have been greatly blessed. Looking back at the blog's pictures makes me realized how far we have come. I am loving my house and looking forward to the continued things to be done. I see us being here for a long time and raising our boys here.
Speaking of boys, Sam turned 12 yesterday. I cannot believe how fast the past 12 years went. He has brought so much joy to our family. His personality and humor never ceases to amaze me. I still see him as a 5 year jumping around, but now he's asking me "grown-up" questions. He interviewed with the Bishop on Sunday for the Aaronic Priesthood and for his first temple trip on May 1st. I can see his strong conviction and testimony of the gospel starting to sprout. I'm gonna be a mess the first time I see him pass the Sacrament. Get the tissues out! Thanks to all the family and friends that have helped prepare him so far in his progression. He has great examples of Priesthood holders that he observed. He has a tender heart and will serve the Lord well.

What a Week!

2009-03-26T16:06:00.002-04:00

The Minnich's had a full week last week...everyone was in the doctor's office for one reason or another. It seems like, for us, it's all or nothing. We either have everything going on or nothing at all. It all started on Monday, the 16th. Daniel had to go to the Dentist to have two little cavities filled. He was a brave trooper, I was nervous. All in all he did a great job and followed the dentist's and his assistants directions really well. Since the cavities were in the back teeth, they had to be filled even though they are his baby teeth. The dentist said he'll have this baby teeth until he is 10 or so. He got 2 Spiderman stickers, a new toothbrush and toothpaste. I thought he should have got a new bike, but I guess not.
Matt has been doctoring a sore shoulder, and he has been seeing a doctor. This was on Monday and Wednesday last week.
I had my follow-up from the blood work done about my sugar. I guess I'm considered diabetic since I'm on oral meds. My cholesterol was not good either. Even my good cholesterol wasn't good...I guess no more fries (bummer!). The doc said if I can lose 25-30 pounds there's a good chance I can get off the meds. I am suppose to see a dietitian, but I haven't heard from them, it's been 2 weeks. I've been following the diabetic diet from what I remember from being pregnant.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Thursday night Sam was complaining about his throat hurting. I checked and no fever and still sent him to school on Friday. He came home looking a little pale. Saturday morning, and he felt and looked worse. I took him to his doctors and his throat culture came back positive...strep.
He started his penicillin that day and stayed home from church on Sunday. Monday morning...off to school. Sunday he looks 100% better. He don't understand why since he feels better he still has to take penicillin.
This week is much better. We are getting back on schedule and sooooo looking forward to spring.
Have a fabulous rest of March!

Matt's Article

2009-02-17T20:51:00.001-05:00

Here is Matt's Chronicle article:
http://www.chroniclet.com/2009/02/06/through-the-eyes-of-a-caricature-artist_122/

Matt is in the Chronicle

2009-02-06T15:59:00.002-05:00

A very exciting day for the Minnich's. Matt was interviewed and photo taken for Elyria's Chronicle Newspaper! We had a photographer and a reporter here last Monday evening interviewing and taking pictures. It all started when Grafton Library called about a month ago and asked if Matt would be a part of the library's 65th Anniversary Celebration and draw caricatures. Of course he did, it's revenue. Then one of the ladies that works there lives on the street behind us and knows us well has a friend that writes for the Chronicle and mentioned Matt. Bodda-bing...next thing we know, Matt's is in the paper today! We'll have it posted soon so all can see. I am so proud and happy for him...can ya tell? I love him so much!

Coming of Age

2009-01-13T14:54:00.001-05:00

This is a very exciting time...Daniel has come of age. He learned how to snap his fingers and actually make the snap sound!

What a year

2008-12-30T19:42:00.002-05:00

Well, we made it. I can't believe 2008 is coming to a close. Looking back it was an incredible year so full of blessings and treasures. We knew at the beginning of the year that we would be moving. We just weren't sure where. Something was encouraging us to look out this way. I kept looking on realitor web sites and found a great looking house from the outside in our price range. I finally contacted someone on a Sunday evening and our realitor, Jamie called that same night. We looked at the house that Thursday in April. I felt so comforted about the house, but extremely anxious about the work that was needed to update. I didn't sleep the whole night. As all big and important decisions in my life like...going on a mission, getting married, Heavenly Father always paved the way for things to happen. As it was with the house. It was an easy transition with the seller, banking, closing, packing and moving. We closed in June and moved that weekend. I would like to thank my friends and especially my family for your incredible support. I feel sad many times because I never got to show off the house to Mom. I knew deep down she was happy for us, but concerned we were moving so far from her. To tell the truth I was really worried about being far from her. It was hard being in separate wards for almost 2 years. Now I wouldn't be minutes from her house when she needed me. Matt and I always meant for her to move with us eventually. After her stroke, it was just natural for her to come stay with us. We were ready to move her things in and settle her with us. I was prepared to care for her here. But she always had her own agenda and decided it was time to go. I know she missed her parents, brothers, and Dad. They have to be together. Their love for each other was too strong to be apart any longer. They are preparing they way for us to be together forever. I love and miss them, and thank them. I cannot wait to be with them again.I just hope there is chicken and noodles waiting.
Sam turned 11 and Daniel 4. My babies are growing and becoming extraordinary individuals. Both are strong willed boys. They know what is right and what is wrong. Sam participated in his school's version of Alice in Wonderland in the spring. It was fun. He loves performing and being in front of a crowd. He was the "king of hearts". He is also continuing with the trombone. Daniel started preschool and loving it. Making new friends has been fun to watch. He knows the abc's, numbers, shapes, counts well, writing his first and last name, now we are working on word recognition. He is reading the words he knows on the beginners books from the library.
Matt has and will always be my rock and foundation. He keeps me grounded. I can always count on him for being there. It's been fun watching him learn new home owner things like cleaning the gutters, break down branches that fall from our dead tree on the back, fix leaky faucets, and replace outlet covers. I know this is just the beginning. It has been a fantastic journey. He is enjoying his work and the people he works with. Keep buying those floral bouquets and potted plants...it's keep bread and butter on our plates.
We are looking forward to an exciting 2009. Brand new out look on life. I continue to count my blessings, they are becoming innumerable.
Have a Happy, healthy, and properous new year.

'Tis the Season

2008-12-06T10:08:00.002-05:00

We have made it to our first holiday season in our new house. I have some decorations out and loving every minute of where to put what. Having Mom's piano gives me something else to decorate. The Christmas tree will probably go up this coming week. I'd like to put it in the front window, but that's gonna require moving the couch, again. I found some 18" snowflakes at the dollar store to hang in the front windows. I thought it was a three panel window, but it is actually four. So I guess I have to go back to get another one, oh darn. Again, I'll get photos soon.

We had a nice Thanksgiving at Grandma Minnich's in Kalamazoo. The weather was hairy until the other side of Sandusky. Then it was perfect for the rest of the trip. We saw the new Disney movie, Bolt, with Grandma. And spent a few days visiting and playing with her cats, Tiger and Maggie. We had a YUMMY Thanksgiving dinner. Then spent the evening with Aunt Barb and her daughter Stephanie's family eating dessert. It was nice seeing family. It makes me appreciate my family more and more.

Tackling the garage

2008-11-08T09:54:00.002-05:00

Ever since we moved in, the garage has been a temporary storage place. Little by little, I've been clearing boxes and stuff out when a room is done. It's looking better. I've listed twice on Craig's List for free moving boxes and people have been picking them up. I'm ready to clear even more out to actually park our cars in there! So, here's the plan...take up our bed frame (Matt and I have been sleeping on our mattress on the floor since we moved in) and assemble it, take up Matt's comic book collection and book boxes, and organize the rest of the storage bins that has holiday stuff. So check back for updates...and wish us luck!

Buzz Lightyear Candy Heavybag

2008-11-02T21:45:00.000-05:00

After Changing his mind about 4 times a day for the last two weeks of October, Daniel decided to be the first character he wanted to be.

Matt went out with him and had to keep reassuring Daniel that they weren't too far from home and they would be going back. Upon returning after only half the street was visited and with Daylight to burn, Suzie told them both not to come back until it was dark.

Red Wagon Farm

2008-10-29T21:16:00.000-04:00

Here are the boys in the pumpkin patch at Red Wagon Farm. We have been going to this farm for years for Halloween pumpkins. It has turned into a tradition. We picked out one of our pumpkins then Matt and Daniel went back in to find another one. Next thing I see is Matt picking Daniel up who was crying. Daniel tripped over a pumpkin and scrapped his upper lip- right under his nose onto a dried up stem. It looked terrible! It bled a little and had a scrapped up scab. Thank goodness, no scars!

2008-10-29T21:10:00.001-04:00

This is the closet wall with the two colors together.

2008-10-29T21:08:00.001-04:00

2008-10-29T21:08:00.000-04:00

The cranberry wall is a solid color, the sage is the other all green wall. That is one of 2 walls that has windows.

2008-10-29T21:05:00.000-04:00

You can see here the colors in the mstr bdrm. I picked these colors because our bedspread is the cranberry color trimmed in the sage green.

Almost there

2008-10-24T14:09:00.002-04:00

A busy week! And my shoulder is prove of it. I finished the mstr bdrm. The inside of the closet is done and clothes are put back. I'll get pictures when Matt takes them off the camera.
So now the living room and dining is getting done. I'm anxious to get these rooms done because Chris (nephew) and some of his buddies are WONDERFUL to bring some furniture and piano from Mom's house. Yep, I'll have 2 pianos! Not that Mom's sounds good, but it has to stay in the family. Thanks, Family for letting me hang onto it!
I've been painting the softer pink color on the living and dining walls. Still needing to fill the 3rd of 3 holes in the side wall where our lovely wasps nets were. Then that wall can get the accent color painted. It'll look so nice when it's done. Again, pictures are coming.
Have a fun and safe Halloween, send pictures of all your goblins~(Young and Old)

Update

2008-10-14T15:39:00.002-04:00

The boy's room is done and furniture is moved in and in place. I have been emptying boxes of toys and books. It looking more and more like a actual room! I love it when Sam or Daniel (sometimes both, though not often) are reading or playing on the room.
Our room is almost done. Inside the closet needs painting. I am SO tired of moving the same stuff from room to room. All our clothes and closet stuff has to be moved again to paint. I am not motivated this week to do just that. I'm thinking to put another coat of primer on the living room/dining room walls...that's the next to be painted.
I want to finish these rooms more to place furniture in it's place to start giving piano lessons. Already planning on Christmas shopping funds!
Anyone else tired of all the election stuff on TV, phone, and the mail?

2008-10-09T10:53:00.000-04:00

Daniel's first day of preschool.

2008-10-09T10:52:00.000-04:00

Here are more of the Mac&cheese room

2008-10-09T10:50:00.000-04:00

This is Matt's computer, art, office, design center room. It is done! This is where all 4 of us have been sleeping for about a month. As you can see, one wall looks like the powder cheese from Kraft Mac & cheese. The other is a gold/yellow. It is bright! This room faces the east, so in the morning when I'm walking up the steps, I think, Who left the light on? But not really, the sunshine makes the room light up!

2008-10-09T10:44:00.000-04:00

Daniel enjoying cake and ice cream with buddy Frank.

Daniel B-day

2008-10-09T10:43:00.000-04:00

Here is Mark and Sarah busily working on the traditional birthday worksheet...

96% Humidity

2008-09-12T11:42:00.003-04:00

Now I know why my sinuses and head are pounding! It rained all night and most of today and in Grafton we have a lovely 96% humidity. I know we need the rain, but not the heavy pressure pushing my head!
Matt has his own blog now...look up MindofMervson...

2008-09-09T22:19:00.000-04:00

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ

2 Sleeping babies

2008-09-09T22:17:00.000-04:00

I got to have Mitchell for a day a few weeks ago and both boys fell asleep at the same time. I couldn't resist taking a picture...

Girlie pink

2008-09-09T22:15:00.000-04:00

This is what we found after removing the wallpaper off Matt's room. Probably the first and only time I'll ever have a pink wall in my house...well this pink anyway. The white dots are spackling filled holes. The old owner sure loved to hang things in the walls!

Before Photo

2008-09-09T22:12:00.000-04:00

These are the step's before photo...it's fun to compare the before and after...

Uh, Bye-bye

2008-09-09T22:11:00.000-04:00

This was the first installation day. This was what was removed from FR, stairs, and boys bedroom. So everybody wave...bye!!!!

New Stairs

2008-09-09T22:06:00.000-04:00

This is the view of the stairs with the new carpet...nice uh?

New stairs

2008-09-09T22:03:00.000-04:00

Coming Along...

2008-09-03T10:00:00.002-04:00

Ok today is a good day! The carpet guys are actually here and are ripping out the FR floor! I feel kinda super-spy since they are in the next room. I am SO excited to have clean and new carpet. Today (Wednesday), the FR, the steps to the upstairs and hallway, and boys bedroom gets new carpet. Then Friday the LR/DR and the other 2 bedrooms.

Matt and I have been frantically priming/trimming and painting the house. We spent Labor Day weekend doing just that.

Matt is in the process of repairing the holes in the LR/DR walls that he cut out to clean out wasp hives. There are 3 holes in total. Once there are filled and done, we can finish priming and put on fresh paint.

More photos are coming.

Getting Ready to Paint

2008-08-26T23:44:00.001-04:00

This is the wallpaper in the boy's room. Once I started scrapping...I noticed another layer of previously mentioned "Love Boat" wallpaper. Notice the anchors, stars, and barely visable golden linked chains. The first layer was easy to come off, but the Love Boat paper was a pain. Even Daniel was confused!

Here is my man...getting ready to paint the kitchen. It is ready and primed. Now it's a clean and bright yellow. It looks nice with the new floor.
Daniel wanted to help paint..."priddy pleeease". Actually he has been a help peeling wallpaper and de-tapping when trimming is done.

Here is a finished window side wall of the boy's room. The green idea is Sam's. Once more layer of white trimming around the chair rail and window and it should be done. The room looks good.

New Kitchen and Dining Room Floor

2008-08-26T23:30:00.000-04:00

Every Family Room needs a Fridge.

The Stove stopped by to check out the new dining room floor.

Dining room floor to Living Room.

New Flooring from Dining Room to Kitchen.

Old Kitchen and Dining Room Floor

2008-08-26T23:13:00.000-04:00

First we removed the Carpet in the Kitchen. (see previous post)
Then we cleaned the mud off the floor and found tile.

We didn't want to stop there, so in the next post we will show you our new Kitchen floor.

The Morning of the New Floor installation Matt was going to disconnect the stove before work. The Gas shut off behind the stove wouldn't budge. So... He shut off the Gas to the house.
Here is the Kitchen to dining room floor.
Carpeted dining room? Not with 2 boys.
And not with this carpet. Notice how the Metal room dividers from other pictures have been removed? It really opens up the dining to living room area.

Update

2008-08-15T10:55:00.003-04:00

Sorry, it's taken so long to update this blog. We have been busy little beavers! The biggest news is...the new kitchen and dining room floors have been installed. It turned out beautiful. We got wood laminate flooring for both rooms and it looks so nice. Right now the fridge is in the family room. Once the kitchen is painted, we will put it back. It's just a pain to get food ready to run into the FR to get stuff from the fridge. Pictures are forthcoming. The wallpaper and paneling are gone in the family room. Tom got a industrial size sander that is heaven! Still deciding what color paint for the FR.
Wallpaper is still being scrapped in the master bedroom and the boy's room. The boy's room had two layers of wallpaper. The first layer was a groovy 1970's nautical theme with primary colors and anchors, stars and chains. I thought I was on the "Love Boat" (remember that show?). Again pictures are coming.
We are frantically getting walls done because the carpet for the rest of the house is coming probably in the next week. So we can see the end of the tunnel. It has been quite a journey since we've been here.
I have to say on thing... I cannot wait for school to start. Both boys are driving me CRAZY. Hats off to whoever discovered preschool.
Come back soon for pictures.
Suzanne

Hello Mr. Tree Trimmer....

2008-07-21T08:02:00.002-04:00

This is our beautiful 800 year old tree. If you want to see the tree up close just click on the images.

Sorry for the sideways photos, didn't feel like rotating them.

We really like the old tree, but we are afraid the whole thing might have to come down. It appears to be bug infested. Dead Branches fall off it everyday.

The first day we moved in a wild rain storm (tornadoes in the area) came in and a couple large branches fell.

Lunch with Mitchell

2008-07-20T19:44:00.001-04:00

This was a well deserved day with Aunt Jeni and Mitchell. They spent the day with us last Thursday with the intention of working on the house, but as you can see, feeding Mitchell was much more fun. We didn't lift a finger for work, but had the best day talking and playing. I know I had a great day. It was therapeutic. I love my family.

Wallpapered hole

2008-07-20T19:41:00.001-04:00

We have learned that when you have a hole in the wall, no need to repair it, do like the previous owner did...just cover it will wallpaper! You can see the nice un-repaired hole with the square of wallpaper remains and if you look closely a half-repaired hole under the thermostat. All of this covered with wallpaper.

Suzie's Blister

2008-07-20T19:38:00.001-04:00

This is our official "Blood-Sweat & Tears", into this house. I got this blister right on the most tender part of my right hand. It doesn't look like much, but it HURTS! I pulled half of the skin off and it probably wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done. This was after an afternoon of using the screwdriver (with no gloves on) and digging and pulling off the rest of the carpet strips on the kitchen and pantry. I didn't realize how bad it was until after I was done. This was Wednesday and it still hurts today, Sunday.

Suzie Scraping

2008-07-20T19:33:00.001-04:00

Am I spelling "scrap-ping" right? Is it one "p" or two?
Anyway, here I am after two hours. Gr-un-dge!

Funky Kitchen Floor

2008-07-20T19:30:00.001-04:00

Ok, I know this looks disgusting. And well, it is. This is actually 4 layers of stuff. The corner is the cleaned original floor in the kitchen. Next is the funky dirty grime left after years of carpet. Then a layer of (of course) orange padding that was stuck to the floor that needed to be scrapped off. As you may have seen in earlier blogs, Bob & Nick removed orange carpet. Did you count? 1-2-3-4!
Ok, it took me probably45-50 minutes just to clean this up. It was a process that actually works. I cleaned straight across this side of the kitchen and then more last week. I have the walkway into the kitchen and pantry to finish. We are still deciding what to put down next. The original floor seen, once cleaned is livable but not permanent. The paneling behind on the walls is down! I love the pry bar!

Dining Room

2008-07-20T19:23:00.001-04:00

This is the view from the living room into the dining room. It now has no wallpaper on it. We scrapped it off and I finally cleaned it up as much as possible. This is where Matt found our wonderful bee holes in the wall. Except for the dried glue lines, it looks a lot better. Just waiting for holes to be patched and priming for paint. Still deciding on what color to paint. See the striped groovy iron decortive "thingy"? The part that is attached to the wall is gone. There is another one on the other side of the living/dining room wall. They will be taken down this week.

Back to Business

2008-07-15T11:24:00.002-04:00

What a whirl-wind of a week. Things came to a screeching halt last week when Mom passed. I have been feeling really down and non-productive. I am still catching up on lost sleep and a "cry" head ache. Sam left for Michigan with Charlene yesterday. I think the timing was perfect for him to spend time with his grandma. Time heals.
I did find the box with all the previous listed things I was looking for, and then some. The day before Mom died I scrapped the majority of the wallpaper and pulled paneling off the kitchen walls. I think that helped with the stinky cigarette and stale smell. I am gonna try to finish scrubbing the gross floor today. I need to keep my mind busy, I get sad too easily.
I found 3 layers of different wallpaper behind the kitchen paneling. Matt took pictures. They were (of course) orange/yellow/flowers and brownish/tan plaid. So a total of 4 different wallpaper patterns exist in the kitchen.
The pry-bar is my new best friend! It works on everything! I will have pictures of the latest destruction.
I love my family!

2008-07-03T17:41:00.000-04:00

Bees in the Wall? Not my idea of Fun. It looks like they are all gone though. Unlike the Carpenter Bees in our Front Window.

Any Body know a good Drywall hanger?

Where is the?...

2008-07-03T08:23:00.000-04:00

Ok, I need to find my the box that has my makeup, shower mat, q-tips, and hair dryer. Thanks to Becky, she is letting me use an extra hair dryer she has. I have been makeup-less for almost 2 weeks. I'm feeling a little pale! So today is the day I am bound and determined to find this box. I will go through every box in the house to find these things.
My family got me a bread box for Mother's Day for the new that I wanted. That too, is in limbo. So I am in head long mode to find everything.
The wallpaper in the dining/living room is almost down. There are a few stuck on wallpaper glue spots that need extra time. Matt found two little bee holes in the walls that look like they are not active, thank goodness! He put some tape over them waiting for repair. Otherwise it's moving along well. The garbage guys are gonna love our pickup this week!
Lowes called back to give exact quotes on carpet and flooring. Looks like we will go for the carpeting, still thinking about kitchen/dining. If you can, look on Lowes site for flooring: Living room, stairs, upstairs hallway and bedrooms are Apex Brand and Baja color. Family room is (I forgot brand) berber type and Hazelnut color.
Have a great 4th of July, it's my second favorite holiday (next to Christmas). I love living in a free country and appreciate those who help us keep it that way. Pray for our soldiers!
Suzanne

2008-07-03T07:42:00.000-04:00

Working Hard at Grafton Acres to pull up the Fashionable (1970's What were you thinking!) Orange Kitchen Carpet. Ugh. Thanks Sam

Thanks Bob and Nick. No need to Bow.

And Mitch was terrified of the Orange Shag Carpet Monster. But Grandma Jeni, was there to comfort him.

Greta's advice about $1 store Fabric Softener Wall Remover at work. Patience Grasshopper. All Fuzzy Paper will soon be gone.

2008-07-01T07:25:00.000-04:00

Just a Quick look at the things we brought from Lakewood all the way to Grafton. We have a lot more room now. And a two car garage as a temporary holding place until we get flooring and walls finished. Matt

Removing Flocked Wallpaper

2008-06-30T09:56:00.000-04:00

This is our first attempt to blog the progress of our house. Hopefully I'll get the hang of the idea of blogging. I'm getting so 2000's! Anyway, things here are progressing as well as expected. The kitchen floor is my biggest concern now. The Jones' were a BIG help ripping up the carpet and the majority of the stuck on padding. There is linoleum flooring underneath that is in desperate need of scrubbing. We shopped for laminate wood flooring for the kitchen and the dining Saturday and I had a heart attack at the price for the labor (from Lowes). So, we are looking for alternative ways to install the flooring.
I have made a mess in every room so far. Either cutting carpet or ripping off wallpaper, all to see how well or hard everything comes off. I'll get photos posted soon. The outside of the house looks normal until you walk in and see the "Suzie Destruction Zone".
Thanks to Tom and his plumbing buddy that got us hot water for the upstairs bathroom and fixed the running water in the utility tub when we ran water in the same bathroom. Matt is planning on caulking and putting in a splash water guard in the shower to stop the water from running onto the bathroom floor. Yep, I cut a nice chunk of that carpet out too next to the shower.
So the plan for today/this week is to attempt to remove the flocked wallpaper off the living/dining rooms. I'm gonna take Greta's suggestion and get some fabric softener and dilute of down to spray onto the wall to scrap. If anything, it will help improve the smell in the rooms!
So, wish us luck this week and check in every so often for an update. This really has been a lot of fun. I am so excited to be here and have everyone come visit!
6-30-08