Compressor… done!

Ryan has been talking about getting this compressor out of the lake house garage attic for quite a while now... and this weekend he finally did it (with the help of 3 other guys).  First he had to disassemble it, and then take it down piece by piece.  The thing weighed over 400 pounds!  Crazy!  And now it sits in our shop.  But I’m pretty excited because it will run my sand blaster (that dad says he has and we can borrow).  Look out now!

Lost another buyer

So after receiving another offer on the lake house which was way better than the first, we should have known that something was up.  After negotiating and going back and forth for other a month, the buyer walked after we wouldn't agree to giving her almost $14K off her initial offer after we already gave her a new garage roof and upgraded the electrical. 

So frustrating, but I'm hoping a better buyer is out there and they should be quite happy since the house is almost completely redone from 8 months ago.

To end with a quote I saw on Facebook... "Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end."

I love home

You realize when you've been gone for a few days how nice it is to just be at home.  I got back from Louisville Saturday night after my flight was delayed 2 hours.  Ryan picked me up from the airport and we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Rooster in Belleville and then headed home.  I was ready for bed.

Then Sunday morning, we woke up bright and early and headed to church and then met with Pastor Tom about joining the church and if he would marry us.  And he agreed!  We feel that we have developed a strong relationship with him and then he knows us a lot better than Paster Rob who has only met us twice.  I think Pastor Tom will do a great job!  This Sunday we will officially become members of Christ Our King and Ryan will also be confirmed.  Such wonderful times and I'm so glad we are going through it together.

After church, it was back home to spend some quality time outside working.  We raked leaves, cut the ornimental grass, mowed some grass, cut branches, and cleaned up by the barns.  Ryan had finished rolling the yard on Saturday.  The yard is looking pretty good!

Louisville Trip

Off to Louisville for 4 days to work the Mid America Truck show... one of the biggest truck shows and a great time for people watching.  You just never know what you are going to see.

But on a totally different note... as I sit in Louisville, I remember last year when I was here.  It was when I winked at this cute guy on Match.com.  And what a great surprise and blessing that he wrote me back and a few months later asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.  So Louisville will always have a special place in my heart.  It's where I winked at my future husband.  LOVE YA!

Also, while here I got to experience one of Ryan's favorite places from when he lived down here for a Ford launch... Irish Rover.  A cute little pub outside of downtown Louisville with amazing food.  I also had a taste of my first Scotch Egg - which is a hard boiled egg, wrapped in sausage and then deep fried.  Not so healthy but very tasty!

Until next time Louisville!

And the yard work begins

So March is usually filled with some snow, dreary days and the hope of spring.  But so far March has been filled with summer.  70 - 80s and sunny skies.  So much so that our yard is almost green, our magnolia tree has started to flower, our apple trees have little buds on them, and all our "green" plants in the front are up. 

So we took our 80 degree day on Sunday to do some yard work.  Mainly trim things.  I trimmed a few trees that are my nemesis when mowing the lawn (they have stolen my hat many of times). I also picked up my piles of sticks and leaves. But Ryan took home the prize.  He trimmed the long row of our hedge.  (Not sure what to call it).  But it was about 8 feet tall when we started and now is about 4 feet.  He chainsawed it off and I was again on clean up.  He cut so much down that it took about 6 truck loads to the burn pile and now our burn pile for the first time is full.  I mean totally full!  But it looks good.  Now if it could only be green!

Next up, we need to clean up all the rest of the leaves that accumulated under the hedge and along the burm.  Also need to finish rolling the yard and do some more tree trimming, or maybe more like tree removal.  Then its on to come house things... washing windows, scrapping paint and repainting, pressure washing, and attacking some hives of all sorts.  Hopefully this warm weather is here to stay.  Lots to get done before our wedding in 10 weeks!

The families meet

Ewald's meet the Delaney's... Delaney's meet the Ewald.  And that was that.  Our families hit it off from the start.  Both our parents and Ian and Jen and the kids and Mary and the kids joined us Saturday for Ryan's baptism and a little St. Patrick's day celebration.  I had always joked that our moms and dads are both very similar.  And after this weekend, I think our siblings concur.  They are all wonderful!  And luckily the weather was beautiful out side... about 75 and sunny so the kids could ride their bikes and we went for a 4-wheeler ride, and Ryan did a little rolling with Dad's new roller.

We also enjoyed my first corned beef and cabbage that I made in the crock pot.  Not too bad for my first attempt.  And we also enjoyed some March Madness. 

A perfect Saturday!

Baptized into God's Family

I have had the privilege of being part of and witnessing several baptisms throughout my life.  I am Karle and Kahle's godmother, been at all my cousin's baptisms, members of my church, etc.; however today I was so honored to be part of Ryan's baptism.  We invited both of our families to take part in this special event. Pastor Tom from our new church was wonderful and made it very personal to both Ryan and myself. 

It was such a spiritually moving event watching an adult receive the Holy Spirit and it makes me overjoyed for Ryan and I to grow in our faith with God.  I know He has great things in store for our future. 

"Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"  (Mat 28:19)

Spring to Summer

So just like that we skipped spring and went right to summer!  Yesterday it was 79 degrees when I was driving home from work at 5:00 pm.  Crazy right?!  That's not even the best part.  After dinner, Ryan and I took a walk down the lane and I told him if felt like the night he proposed... only that was August, not March, but the temperature was about that same.  Ryan joked that the only thing missing was the mosquitos.  But have no fear... as we were sitting on the back porch enjoying the sunset... the mosquitoes decided to join us.  Really?  Mosquitoes in March?!  Please no!

Spring... is that you?!

Sunday... what a beautiful day!  Started the day by losing an hour, but not to worry - I made sure to maximize my time awake.  Up at 7:00 for church (let Ryan sleep in after tearing off the roof and re-roofing in 2 days).  After church, our new member class - Ryan joined me for that.  Then off to Walmart and tanning... yes I went tanning. I know I'm not supposed to but I don't want to be a ghost for the wedding.  Then home to do some work outside because the thermometer says 65!!!  Yes... that's a 6 and a 5... and to top it off - it was sunny!  So I rake branches.  We had one tree that first lost all it's leaves and then decided to shed branches... not just a couple... a lot!  Here's the pile.

Then I decided I'd be nice and pick up Joey's presents that he leaves up.  Ryan usually does it, but he worked so hard on the lake house roof that I figured it was the least I could do.  And main there was a lot!  But all cleaned. 

Next, I tackled the leaves.  We still have like 8 trees that haven't lost any of there leaves.  I'm pretty sure they are waiting until like a week before wedding to let them fall, but oh well.  Lots of leaves had collected around Joey's kennel so I raked then all up. 

Lastly, moved to the house and decided to wash a few windows.  I stopped after 6 because I realized I should probably be washing the window sills and all at the same time.  Didn't want to be counterproductive.

Ryan came home and had invited a few friends over... Mike and Jullee and their sweet daughter Ava.  So we walked the lane with them and then played catch with Ava and talked outside for a bit.  Had to take in as much of that sun and warmth as we could.

Spring... I hope you are here to stay!!

Lake House Garage Roof

After, the last offer on the lake house fell through, Ryan decided it would be a smart idea to redo the garage roof as that was one of the main things the first buyers said needed to be fixed (and we kind of already knew that).  And what more would we like to do on a vacation day :-)

So Ryan took Friday off and I took a half day.  It turned out to be the nastiest day of the weekend.  Snow flakes, wind, cold - just lovely.  But we toughed it out.  And we stripped the whole roof  from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - taking a little lunch break and a trip to the dump.  Go us!

Then Saturday, Ryan recruited some help - 2 great friends who helped save the day.  Because by 6:00 pm, the garage was finished!

Ryan only had to go back on Sunday to finish up a few things.  Not too bad for a weekend project!

George W. Bush

So today I have the honor of attending a breakfast meeting at the NTEA Show in Indianapolis and George W. Bush was the keynote speaker.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but he far excepted my expectations.  He was so funny, cracked jokes, made fun of things, and talked about his book.  He was truly genuine.  A great way to start my 3rd day in Indy.

Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed. 

Frankenmuth

Oh Frankenmuth!  So the whole fam ventured to Frankenmuth for a day of fun to celebrate Mom's birthday.  Ryan and I left about 9:30 and stopped to do some antiquing in Birch Run at Around the Farm.  Some really cool, interesting things there and several I wanted to load up and take home with us.  But my voice of reason - also known as Ryan - told me to hold for for maybe something better. 

We also checked out the Popcorn Wagon... which was pure torture for me because I love popcorn.  But we were stopping for official wedding business.  We have decided to have a popcorn bar later in the evening, maybe to help absorb some liquids that people may have consumed.  But anyway, popcorn was great so their are booked!

Fried Chicken time!  An Ewald family tradition is celebrating birthdays at the Bavarian Inn (because Mom likes their chicken better, although I'm not sure I could tell the difference).  But either way it was YUMMY!

Then off to the Bavarian Inn lodge for some swimming, games, birthday cake and fun. Mary, Scott, Mom and the kids did the swimming thing, Dad and I played ping pong and basketball, Julie took in all the festivities and Ryan and Jason could be found sitting at the bar. LOL! But I officially crowned myself the basketball champ after setting the machine's record of 81. 

Taking Dad down... check out that identical form!

Swimming in the hot tub because the other pools were cold.

Dance off... not nearly as good as the Wii

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!  Love ya!

Love days like that!

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday to my wonderful amazing Mom!  Can't wait to celebrate this Saturday with some fried chicken at the Bavarian Inn.