House Sold?!

Why yes, we think it finally is!!!  We made another counteroff to a couple that has been tring to buy the house for at least a month now and we keep saying not, merely because we don't have enough money to sell it.  But finally we both agreed upon an offer and although we will still be out a lot of money, at least it will be one less house to deal with.  Just praying that everything goes smoothly from here on out!

Leaving in a jet plane

Vegas baby! Well not that exciting. I'm off to Vegas for a commercial truck conference. Shouldn't be too bad s d it's supposed to be in the upper 80s - hopefully I get to see it.

Bad news! My dress still isn't in!

The barn gets a face lift

The barn got itself a make over this weekend. I am happy to say that is is now ready for the wedding... well maybe not 100% ready, but I would say about 90% ready.

Saturday morning, we were up and at 'em. I stayed in the house and finished my chores, while Ryan headed to the barn to start moving stuff out of the barn.

Mission 1: cleaned everything out of the barn so we could sweep and clean because everything had concrete dust on it. This task took about an hour just getting everything moved out and swept. Next step, start start cleaning the walls. One word for that - NASTY! And I thought our house had tall ceilings, well I quickly realized that the barn is even taller... about 13 or 14! up and down the ladder, and up and down the ladder.

THE BEFORE PICTURES

 

While I scrubbed the walls, Ryan started working on the wall in the other bay. It needed some serious mudding before we could even paint it. He is one awesome mudder!

Mission 2: Go to Lowes and buy paint. What a process. Buy a color that might match the color already on the walls. Yeah, right! The color I bought that looked like the swatch I took it, only matched that spot, because the rest of the walls were so discolored that it was next to impossible. And then also buy a light gray color to paint the rest of the walls. After a long process, I decided on Gravity (which is a shade lighter than the gray in the basement) and Sawyer White.

Mission 3: Prime and Paint. Paint. Paint. Again with the 14 foot ceilings. So I started priming the blue stripe and the D. J. Wheeler & Son.

And got rid of that and then painted the wall white. I am going to put a custom paint job on it, but that will get revealed later. I also did my first cut in job without painter tape. Figured it was a good chance to do it, since it was only the barn. And I did it! Then 2 more walls I painted gray. The last wall became my nemesis. Pipes, tubes, furnaces, everything that needed to be painted around and between. But we finished it.

THE AFTER PICTURES

After Ryan finished mudding and sanding his wall, he primed it with Kilz and then painted it the same gray color. One coat and it looks awesome!!

Mission 4: Sit on the couch and veg out and try to not think about how sore we are. 2 days of up and down the ladder, reaching, stretching... oh my!

But mission accomplished! Check it out!

Food Tasting

More food tasting... YUMMY!  We went back to Carleson Catering and finalized our wedding menu. 

The final dinner menu

Carolina Pig Roast (carved on site)
Red Skin Potato Salad
Beans with Bacon
Coleslow
Macaroni and Cheese
Rolls
Lemonade

Only 5 weeks to go!

After the food tasting, we headed to Lowe's to get some supplies (that we didn't end up using anyway - mostly lawn care stuff). and then off to Dan's, our favorite local bar, for some pizza and bars.  Great ending to a week!

Geyser in my basement

One of my my normal weekly chores is laundry.  Now typically I don't mind doing laundry, but tonight brought about a new issue.  Not stains or missing socks or no laundry detergent... not tonight I made a geyser!  Literally.  I was upstairs working on wedding craft, and I thought I heard water.  Well I did.  It was spraying about 4 feet high out of our septic pump in the basement.  Not good.  Picture this! Well it probably wasn't that bad, but in my mind this is what it looked like.

And of course, where is Ryan?  He's at golf, so it' s just me and Joey (the dog) and he was no help.  So I try to turn the water off, by turning the knob... nothing happens.  So I run upstairs, grab the phone, call Ryan hoping he answers on the golf course... and luckily he does.  In a panic, I try to describe what's happening... I think it went somethign like this... Me: There is water spraying everywhere and I can't get it to stop.  Ryan:  From where?  Me: The hole in the basement floor, the pump, septic, you know that thing.  Ryan: From where?  Me: You know the thing where the water is... it's spraying all over the place.  Ryan: Unplug the pump from the wall.  Me:  Okay.  And immediately it stops the spraying... really that's all I had to do.  Me:  How do I fix it?  I'm in the middle of a load of laundry?  Ryan:  Just wait until I get home.  Oh dear!

Well he got home, checked it out and the check valve just came off.  Hopefully tonight he can fix it and I can finish that load of laundry. 

Power Yard Maintenance

Yesterday Ryan and I did a power lawn/yard maintenance.  I still can't believe all we got done in only 2 hours.  I mowed 75% of the lawn - only thing left is the back, back 40, but I was too cold to finish.  And Ryan mowed Joey's kennel, string trimmed everything - trees, along the fence, around the rock, etc.  Then he also trimmed lots of trees with the chain saw. 

The yard is looking quite nice!  Go team RAD!

Nasty worms

Last night on our nightly walk to the barns and back, we discovered those nasty bag worms (I'm bummed I didn't get a picture so gross).  Well they found their way onto one of our new apple trees, which I was not too happy about!  So without the barn keys to get some spray, we walked back up to the house got the keys and the torch and on the way found another tree with them.  I told Ryan that we should just burn them.  And that's what we did - torched them!  Hopefully they learned their lesson and will not make an appearance in any of our other trees. 

We also picked up lots more branches that fell as a result of the those 40 MPH winds we had a few days ago. 

Fort Wayne, Indy and a shower at a wine bar

Another action packed weekend!  We loaded up Friday about 3:00 pm and took off for a night in Fort Wayne to see Ian and Jen and the kiddies.  On the way had a quick stop in Quincy to check out an antique place - but didn't find anything we liked.  Well I take that back, we did find these sweet old gas pumps, but they were definitely out of our budge.  We made it to Casa Delaney about 6:00 pm and hung outside for a bit and played with Colin and Evan - two cuties, enjoyed some brats and Moscato with Jen and then off to bed. 

The next day, back in the far... destination Greenwood!  We arrived about noon and hung out with Mom and Dad Delaney for a bit.  Rebecca had set up a little mock China display, showing off our new China that she had gotten us (so bummed I didn't get a picture of it).  So simple, classy and beautiful... just my taste!  Thanks so much!  And can't wait to use it for a big party.  Then we had lunch and get ready for our shower party at the wine bar - Vino Villa in Greenwood.  Ryan's parents' friends were so gracious and through us a party to celebrate our upcoming wedding... lots of wine and appetizers and desserts!  Great time!!

Then Sunday... an amazing breakfast - french toast and Rebecca's famous breakfast casserole.  And some more shower/wedding gifts from Ryan's mom and dad.  Some beautiful crystal frames, wine toppers, clock, stemware and more.  Also some beautiful stainless steel silverware that I loved and some beautiful silver from his grandmother.  I left there feeling so blessed and loved!  So thank you Bob and Rebecca for making me feel like a part of the family.  You're the best!

We also loaded up with the truck with some (probably more like lots of) wedding decorations - flowers and baskets.  Let's just say that the bed of the truck was full!  But a couple more things checked off the wedding to-do list.

RSVPs

It's so exciting getting RSVPs back.  Even though we did an online RSVP, I still get an email everytime someone responds!  We are up to 27 yes's and 4 no's.  On Sunday, we will officially be 6 weeks out (and still no dress, but that's another topic)! 

Projects Complete

Ryan and I hired a couple contracts to do some projects for us that were just too big for us.  Because normally we like to do the work ourselves, whenever possible.  We hired a contractor recommended by our realtor to do some work at the lake house... more working?  I know what possibly could be left to do?  Well not the lake house has a new roof on if and improved ventilation up there (which was something that last inspectors found).  Also we put a vapor barrier in the crawl space and cleaned it all up.  So next offer we get, if they find one thing wrong, I'm not going to be a very happy girl.  They are literally getting a brand new house, roof, flooring, paint, appliance, on and on. 

We also had a contractor pour some concrete at the house and they finished that project up Easter weekend as well. 

And now we can officially start saving... for the wedding... for future projects... for vacations... for the mortgage payments (LOL).  Hopefully now we can get that lake house sold!

Easter Weekend with the Ewalds, Ruths and Welden

Great relaxing weekend in Unionville with the whole fam!  We headed up Friday after church to have perch in Frankenmuth - which has become a tradition.  And it was sooooo yummy!  Well worth the wait.  Then back to Unionville to check out Julie's new paint and shed.  Very nice!  Loved it.  And then over to Dad's to check out his new paint and carpet- also loved it!  Very different from what it was before.  Then we hung out at Dad's for the rest of the night. 

Saturday, up and at 'em.  Mary, Julie and I were going to Midland to do some shopping, get a pedicure and have some lunch.  A great time with the sisters!  As we get older, we realized we don't do that nearly enough.  Seems there are always other people around so it was nice for it to just be the 3 of us for a chance. When I got back, it was so nice out that I got to play with Karle and Kahle outside, we played softball, rode the 4-wheelers, ran around the house, played tag.  It was great!  Got some exercise and a little tan!

While I shopped, Ryan and Dad helped Jason put some insulation in his new shop.  Pretty much worked all day on it and finished it! 

That  night we fondued, which has also become a new tradition.  Very yummy and I made a new cheese fondue recipe with gouda, after last year's didn't turn out to well and it was great. 

Sunday, we went to church and then back to Mom's to have a nice Easter steak dinner with all our favorites.  Thanks Mom!!  Love ya!

Then we packed the truck up with some more of my stuff from Mom's - I think I almost have it all out.  After not living at home for over 10 years, I'd say that's not too bad.  We got home about 5:30 and in time to watch the back 9 of the Master's - which Ryan was quite excited about.  He watched golf and I read my book for a bit.  Eat some dinner and then to bed.  A full week of work this week and then off to Indy. 

New Concete is here

Our first official "big" purchase of the new house... we had concrete laid in our smaller barn to finish the other bay and then had some concrete poured outside the barn too.  It's now ready for the wedding!

Well maybe not quite ready, we've got to paint yet and clean up.  But it's closer!

Before

After

outside before

outside after

Concrete, why not?!

So Ryan and I have been toying with the idea of putting cement in our barns, well mainly the big one.  However after getting a couple quotes, we decided it just wasn't in the budget.  BUT the other barn was.  So we are finishing the one bay in the "shop" barn with concrete.... and it starts tomorrow.  And then this will be where the wedding reception happens.  Can't wait! 

Pictures will be coming soon.

Officially members and Lutheran

This Sunday, Ryan and I officially became members of Christ our King Lutheran church in Saline, and Ryan had his confirmation and became Lutheran.  Pastor Tom called all of the new members to the front of the church - there was 7 adults and 4 children.  Then he welcomed each of us by name and we said where our home town was.  For each person who was also being confirmed, he read a Bible passage for (which he picked).  Ryan's Bible passage was Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."  Pastor Tom nailed that verse - perfect for Ryan. 

We were also very excited the Dad and Julie drove down to join us and then we all went to breakfast at Zingerman's after.  YUMMY!  It was a very special moment to share with Ryan.  I feel so blessed that I can now share my faith with my future husband and raise our family in the faith.  This has always been something very important to me and just reaffirms that God had a plan for Ryan and I.

Wood box craft

So I spent Saturday prepping things for the wedding - invitations finished, another 14 wine bottles wrapped in yarn and a new project.  Ryan's mom had given me these bunches of roses that she used for Ian and Jen's weding and one of Ryan's cousin... and at the time I just didn't think they'd work... but low and behold - we RADified them.  When I shopping at JoAnn's, I found these cool wooden boxes which I loved... after putting the flowers in them... presto.  It had simple, classy, country wedding written all over it.

As easy as it would have been to just go back to JoAnn's and buy them... Ryan figured we could make them for cheaper and we could make them customized to the exact shape we wanted.  So to Lowe's we went and only $45 later, we left with the materials to make 14 wooden crates.   Ryan then cut each piece to size - the bottoms and sides were 8 inches by 1.5 inches, the top part of the sides were 8 inches by 1 inch, the ends were 5 inches by 3 inches.

Then Ryan let me man the staple gun and he held each piece in place for me.  And thankfully, no trips to the emergency were had!

And tada, 14 custom wooden boxes!

Check 'em out!  Love them.  Now I am just going to so some stenciling on them with either Est. 2012 or Ryan and Abbey or something else cool.