More changes at home

We have wanted to put a wood stove back in for the three years since we took it out. After selling the big stove that we had we looked on KSL.com and found one we liked in South Jordan. Luckily Kimber was in SLC and was able to get it for us and bring it home. That next Tuesday I started tearing out the old furnace so we would be able to have some room to work putting the stove pipe in. Dad got home that evening and tore out more of the furnace. That next Saturday we were able to hook up the stove and have enjoyed the warmth of a wood fire. Last Monday (the 12th which dad had off because of Columbus Day) Dad finished taking the furnace out while I was at work. It makes that storage room so much bigger and more usable. We actually put the big square tub in there and filled it with wood. We have a box under the little table the tub is sitting on filled with kindling. So-more room and a nice stove to keep us warm. What more could a girl ask for--Well-we won't go there.

And the walls finally came tumbling down

These pictures are some of the first ones I took of the work on the post office. The back wall where we started taking the siding off. The front so we can remember what it looked like at first. The side which was fun to uncover. It says "A real drink. King's Court. Made from real lemons." I googled King's Court and found that it was a lemon lime drink probably similar to Sprite back in 1946. The last picture is of the front after we took the last of the siding off.

The next pictures show some of the work we did. One night we had been working so long and I was so tired but then dad uncovered a doorway leading into the playroom. It is the green boards you can see next to the furnace. Then I got all energized and had to pull the boards off. The small picture shows the doorway after we pulled the boards off. The lower pictures show the walls in a kind of before and after. They show the one wall before we started and after some of the lath and plaster is off.

The first picture in this next collage is after Jake spend about an hour on a Friday evening tearing off the back and this much of the side before we got home from town. It went really fast. The next one is just a shot of the inside from the front and then another shot of the front of the building. The last one is of Josh and Dad taking the last of the lath off before we were ready to pull the building down.

The next ones are after we pulled the building over. The guys hooked a chain to the back corner and pulled but it just pulled the corner out and not the building over. Trachelle and I kept telling them they needed to pull the front corner because it was the one that was still solid but they had to try again to pull the back-just pulling another 2 x 4 off. They finally hooked to the front corner and pulled and it came down. They then hooked to the other front corner and pulled it down.

The fourth picture shows the elm trees growing on the roof of the post office. The 5th shows the side where the post office was attached and the last picture shows the new perspective of our house.

On Saturday we worked really hard again on a positively perfect sunny day and have about 2/3 of the roof torn off and cleaned out. We hauled another full truck load of wood to Don Marleys' pit and then hauled a truck load of good firewood home from his pit. Hopefully we will have another one or two good sat. when we can finish this project but if not it will just have to wait until next year.

Why didn't we do this when we had some big stong boys at home to help. It would have made this job so much easier.

Garage Sale Day

So. A lady here in town decided to try and organize a community yard sale. I decided to participate but just set up at our house. It was to last Fri and Sat. Friday I had people at the sale before 7:30 a.m. Throughout the day I had a lot of people stop but not many bought. I decided that since I needed to be out there when people stopped but it was too hot to sit outside that I would sit in the playroom where it was cool and tear denim strips. I started out with the 21 boxes in the first picture and with two days of a not very --who am I kidding- A lousy sale--I did get all the denim stripped and into the five boxes in the second picture. It is a project I really wanted to do but never stopped to do but said I will do it in the winter. Now it is DONE--except for sewing them all together

The ongoing project continues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jared's Big Day

Tuesday evening Aug. 11, 2009 Jared was set apart as a missionary. He was given a beautiful blessing by the Stake President Randy Buxton. Jared then bore a wonderful testimony that he knows he is doing the right thing at this time in his life and of his love for his Savior.
We left early Wednesday morning to go to Provo. We stopped at Kara's where Dad and Jared were able to give Kara a blessing at her request. We then left for Provo and made the very quick run through at the MTC. We simply drove in where we were met by two elders. They ask Jared where he was going and when he told them the Phillippines they were excited because they are both going to the same place and told him that he would I think that made Jared feel a little more comfortable. We hugged goodbye and he was gone. We were there less than 5 minutes. I can hardly wait to get his first email and hear how it is going. He was really nervous but hopefully he has been too busy to think about home.( and Steph)

This was the picture we took at Kara's before we went to the MTC.

Still At It

Even though it has been almost three months since I posted I haven't been slacking on the cleaning--just on the blogging. This was todays haul to the DI. It was all from upstairs. Jared packed up the stuff he wanted to keep and John took his stuff that he wanted when he was home on the 4th so I figured the rest was mine to do with as I wish--and I wish to not have it. Four bags of clothes, three tables, some speakers and 4 boxes of odds and ends as well as a headboard. I also filled the garbage can and will get one of the city cans to fill also before next garbage day. The upstairs is looking much better. Johns' room is almost completely empty, the jungle room has some military things left in it but all boxed up and the living room up there has a few things left in it. Next Friday I will get rid of some more of the furniture that is up there. I need to get back to the playroom as well because there is still too much stuff in it.

I have also been working on the study. I have the room under the stairs cleaned out and the drawers in the big brown desk done. I also got rid of a lot of books and a ton of paper stuff that had been wet. I want to make that into a storage room before winter so I really want to get that room cleaned out.

As I dream of moving into a much smaller house, I know I still need to get rid of all the excess baggage so my journey continues.

I LOVE Getting rid of stuff

This week has been really busy but I managed to get a few things ready to leave our house forever.

This is all going to the DI.

These five boxes are going back to Buddy when I go to Yost tomorrow.I have also nearly finished the room behind the playroom. Not the can storage room but the one to the side of it and that hallway kind of area before the can room. I filled 3 garbage cans that went out on Wednesday. I have also about finished washing all the stuff that goes to DI so that is a big step forward.

Hopefully we will take the rolltop desk to SLC next weekend.

Isn't it GREAT!!!!

Ode to dejunking or The Ballad of the Lonely (but HAPPY) Stuff Collector

Another week has gone by,
I made another trip to the DI
Will the end ever come-it's getting rough
Trying to get rid of all this stuff'

The entertainment center and a box of stuff

If anyone wanted it that's just tough.

An old TV that I got for Dad

It too will be gone-won't you be glad.

Six boxes of books, one old Christmas tree

One bag of clothes that no longer fit me.
Some good carpet pad and an old water bed
You'll thank me later-maybe not til I'm dead.

I love getting rid of all this fluff
I'm only keeping valuable stuff
Organized with no need to hide
All because your Grandma died.
The entertainment center, carpet pad and tv weren't in the picture but they are going tomorrow. I didn't want to move them myself. The playroom is looking so good. I can hardly wait for the junk man to come and get all that stuff.

The only reason I put Lonely stuff collector was I wanted someone to offer to come and help me get rid of all the stuff--hint, hint, HINT.

A Slow week of dejunking

This week was a little slow getting rid of stuff. I did call a scrape man and he finally came on Friday to look at what we have but can't come for a couple of weeks to get the stuff. I did get things cleaned out in front of the deep freezes so they were accessible. There were only 6 boxes and a bag of clothes, some frames, and pipe moving boots. I have made it through some of the drawers in the one old dresser and when I finish that will send it(the dresser) to the DI. I am still making progress but this week was more about the Relief Society stuff I have been neglecting. I also had two days that I didn't feel good at all and didn't get much done. Nuff excuses-next week will be AWESOME!!! getting rid of.

Another Weigh In

We had our official weigh in on Wednesday and dad and I have both hit our 10% mark. Dad has lost 29 pounds and I have lost 21. Right now we are tied for first place. Gotta work hard this month because there are four of us that have hit 10% and one is at 9.73. The rest are so far back they aren't much competition. I went to the D I and found three new shirts just to wear to work because my others are so big. YEAH!!!!

Continuation of the dejunking journey

Sorry I missed posting on Friday as the third week. I was really supposed to take things easy because of my surgery so worked on other projects until Sat. On Saturday I really hit the mess and this is what went to the DI on Monday.

These are bottles going to Kimber for canning.

These six boxes are going to the recycling bins in town today. Plus one more that I got ready after the picture. I keep saying "Okay that's enough for today" but then go back to it again. Right now I am so addicted to getting rid of stuff.

And this all went to the dump this morning with garbage pickup.

The scrap dealer is coming today so I can show him what we want to get rid of. That will really make a difference. 3 deep freezes, 2 old water heaters, 3 different stoves, 2 engines, 2 old metal cabinents, 2 old lawnmowers, metal duct work from the old furnace, an old tiller motor and several old bed frames.

We have also gotten rid of the old blue wagon thingy that was sitting in the garden and the old pickup out back. They went to a kid here in town that fixes things up and then sells them. He had the pickup running within about two hours of pulling it home.

WOOT! WOOT! Less and less makes me feel SOOOOO good.

Another week done

After dad being home for 4 days and me not getting much of anything done in the way of dejunking except about an hour working on the grandma Fullmer room, he went back to work on Friday and I really worked hard. I washed all day long and then had it all ready for the DI.

Six bags and a box to the DI. You can actually notice a little bit of inprovement in some of the areas. I also made some changes in my livingroom and put the lamp tables in that I got from my mom.

Week two and I feel good about what is gone.

And So It Begins

After spending a good part of three days cleaning out Grandma's tiny apartment with my sisters, I decided that my children whom I love so much don't deserve the punishment of cleaning up my collections of the past 33 years that we have lived in this house. Therefore I have been trying to get a box ready for DI every day and a box for the garbage. Today really became addicting as I filled more boxes. I ended up taking 14 boxes of books and one bag of odds and ends to the DI. I hope you guys don't have anything of value left here at home because I intent to get rid of EVERYTHING!

Unfortunately you can't even tell I have taken anything out of the house but by July when you ALL come home there will be empty rooms like you have never seen before. Keep the encouraging words coming so I don't lose interest.

If you can think of anything that I have that you might want speak now or forever hold your peace because it might be gone before too long.

NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT?

Look closely at Dad and see if you can tell anything different. This weekend brought a big change for him.

2nd month weighin

Dad and I both had good results from our months work. Dad lost another 7 lbs making a total of 23 all together. I lost another 4 and am at a total of 11. We have really changed our eating habits and seem to be doing well. An occasional splurge keeps us going.

And the winner is

Yesterday was weighin day for our Biggest Loser group. We had all planned on meeting together to weigh but everyones schedules interferred so we were just hit and miss throughout the day. While neither dad nor I won we really did well. Dad has lost 16.2 pounds and I lost 7 pounds. Not bad for a month that included a vacation trip with too much snack food and eating out. Dad lost the most weight but not the biggest percentage. He was second and I was third percentage wise.

On to next month. Why did I feel like I deserved a little treat knowing I had a whole month before I faced the scale again?

Week 2

Dad has now lost 10 lbs and I have lost 4. I was really discouraged on Tuesday night--the dreaded second week-but when weigh in hit on wed. I was okay with what the scale said. Dad is pretty pumped and not even giving in to the chip craving. He is hoping to lose another 5 before the weigh in in Feb. I will be content with another 4.

First Week Weigh In

We had our first weigh in yesterday. We didn't all meet together to do it-that happens just once a month-but we just sent our weight lost in to our record keeper. Dad did terrific! He has lost 8.4 pounds already. That is so much better than the 2 pounds a month he was hoping for. I know that men drop the weight faster but he is working hard for it. His percentage of weight lose was 3.1. Two of the ladies lost over 3% as well. The competition is great for us. We do an hour of exercise together most days and he also does a mile climb up the hill across from his work at least once and sometimes twice a day and then comes home and works out with me. He also swims 2 or 3 nights a week.
I only lost 1.6 lbs. or .83 but it is a start. I am getting to not dread the exercise so much. I workout with dad on Monday and Tuesday and then on Wed, Thurs, and Fri I really kick it in because I can do it first thing in the morning and I do at least an hour of the Biggest loser dvd and then I do the treadmill and cardioglide as well. I can tell that my pants are getting looser even if not much weight is gone.
Some of the ladies keep sending tips and suggestions to each of us and that helps me just keeping it to the front of my mind-although as sore as I am it isn't easy to forget.

So I am going to be the Biggest Loser

At dad's work several of the ladies decided to try the Biggest Loser route for losing some weight and invited Dad and I to be a part of it. We will each put in $10 a month, weigh in once a month and the one who loses the biggest percentage of weight each month will get half of the money. The other half will be saved until July when we have the final weigh-in and 2/3 of that will go to the Biggest loser and the other 1/3 to the runner up. With 13 of us participating this could me a nice chunk of change each month and at the end. I fully intend to be the Biggest Loser.
Knowing that this was coming in January, I cleaned out the sewing room and made a gym for us with all the exercise equipment we have and I also got Dad two of the Biggest Loser workout dvds for Christmas. We started on Monday and have done some serious exercise. My knees really hurt the first day and they hurt when I am actually working out but it doesn't last long afterwards.It looks really crowded but there is room to get on each machine.

Updates will be forthcoming and positive reinforcement would be greatly appreciated. Also any suggestions as to what has worked for any of you will be helpful.

Removal of the cyst

So in the spirit of getting rid of things (one of my New Years Resolutions) I decided that I had held on to my cyst long enough. I actually brought it home intending to blog then but am the world's worst procrastinator. So here is the story of the cyst.

Clear back at the end of October I started to notice a rather unpleasant odor about myself. I thought it was because I was spending a lot of time with a woman from town that has a cat-dog-moldy house-garbage smell but after a shower one night I ran my hand across my neck where I have had this really big bump for a long time and my hand came away smelling like old dirty sweat socks. Once before I went and had this cyst cleaned out because it got really sore so this time I had dad just squeeze and squeeze and a lot of creamy white stuff came out. We decided that it was time to just get it dug out. I went to the clinic in Downey because it is next to impossible to get in to Dr. Eskelson. The Dr. said there was no real medical reason that it had to come out unless it was really bothering me but I decided to just get it done. It took her almost an hour to get it dug out because they like to get the whole sack at once instead of cutting it up. Because of scar tissue from the other time I had had it worked on it was a real challenge to get it out intact. After digging it out she didn't want to stitch it because it needed to heal from the inside out so she just bandaged it and I would go in every three or four days for them to repack it. After two weeks they just sent me home with a syringe to keep it clean and let it heal. I had a big gapping whole for quite a long time but it has finally healed completely over. The picture doesn't do the size justice because after having it for this long it has shrunk a great deal. It was about the size of an small acorn and now is just the size of a large grape. It is just a mass of white fatty tissue and they don't know what causes them. Now I have a tiny little scar on the back of my neck.

All this just because I wanted to throw something away today.