Getting Better

Today I had more ambition.  I still didn't get dressed until after noon, but I went on an early brisk walk with Terry, attacked weeds outside, shampooed the living room carpets, and colored my hair before getting cleaned up.  That afternoon I made some phone calls, did the wash, finished crocheting the baby blanket, cleaned the bathroom, went shopping with coupons (which takes forever!) and read for a couple hours.  I feel so much better when I'm productive.  I just have to figure out how to do that more than every other day.

Saturday

We delivered a birthday gift to Amee on Saturday.  Her birthday was Wednesday and I was in Utah.  We stayed for several hours and painted leaves on the jungle tree and covered another pink wall with primer. 

When we finished we delivered a birthday gift to Stacey.  Today was her big day.  Bry and Stacey's mom was coming to babysit all four kids while the guys took the birthday girls out to dinner.  The grandkids were a lot of fun, but I was glad we didn't get that call.  We dragged ourselves through Winco and collapsed in front of the Olympics again.

Projects at N. Lolo Pass Way

Finally....we got our hands on a key to Bry and Amee's house.  We loaded the car with tools, vacuums, ladders, paint, and cleaning supplies.  Amee met us each day, along with Isaac and sometimes Tanner.  (That kid's a good worker!)  Bry kept in touch by text, and lined-up all kinds of help that we needed to let in and hand checks to.  He also showed up after work with something for us eat. 

Tuesday - We cleared out what use to be a front flower bed and raked haystacks from the grass left on the ground after the realtor mowed.  This was the hardest work of the week.  It was hot and my hands ended up with blisters.  Inside we vacuumed carpets and baseboards, wiped down window ledges, and started cleaning kitchen cupboards.  Port of Subs for dinner

Wednesday - Terry did more yard work and made repairs to switches, shelves, and knobs.  I did a lot of painting and touch-up.  Brent came over to help with a minor disaster that occurred when we painted speaker covers to match the wall and all the holes were covered up.  We couldn't get the paint in a spray can to match, so finally we used diluted paint in a spray bottle, a dry brush to stipple with, and a lot of patience.  I think Brent went to four or five stores looking for supplies.  Papa Murphys for dinner.

Thursday -  More painting.  More cleaning.  The kitchen is finished!  Nothing else is done.  Fred Meyer chicken for dinner.

Friday - We had to take our car in and get ready for our vacation so this was a short day.  We left at 11:30.  The painting downstairs is done.  I tried a new technique so that paint wouldn't bleed under the tape.  I don't know how it turned out.  We left before it dried.  Terry got the garage swept.

We met two of their neighbors, two Molly Maids, the locksmith, two guys who cleaned the dryer vent, and a garage door repair man.  Next week while we're gone we'll miss the washer, dryer, and fridge deliverymen, the carpet cleaners, the sprinkler repair guy, and the Cross Town movers.  This house was not left move-in ready.

I don't know why I was so excited to do all of this, but I was.  If was fun every day.  Some nights I couldn't sleep very well because I was thinking of paint colors and decor ideas.  It worked out well that this all happened during summer vacation.  I'm so excited for this family to move into a clean and cute house. 


*Post to be continued when I get back from vacation and finish painting.