Updates on the house

Did you think that I went off the deep end? Well, almost....

The asbestos abatement team came in on Thursday and I almost lost my mind! I had to get everything out of the kitchen (only some of the cupboards) and my bathroom and set up a little kitchen in the family room so that they could seal off the kitchen, laundry room and master bathroom to remove the old linoleum that had been put down with a glue that contained asbestos. They put up plastic walls and even created a de-contamination room going out the back door. Two rooms and a shower! It was quite the process.

This is the three room "de-contamination" chamber coming out of our back door, with shower in the middle, I jokingly (sort of) asked if I could take a hot shower in there! It looks like E.T.!!

Here is the kitchen getting sealed off, they then put up big plastic walls between this room and the rest of the house. Here is my little kitchen area in the corner of the family room. Here is what it would be like if our house was much smaller.. all the furniture crammed into one room. There are piles in the living room and on the patio, too.
Friday, the plastic came down and we got to see what our floor looked like. All of the subflooring is gone and there are only the boards left! We had Master-Serve (This company rocks!) come out and re-pipe our entire house, install a tankless hot water heater and an electronic water softener. We got all new faucets and they finished up the job on Saturday. We now, have hot water! We can shower and we can run the dishwasher (until the flooring is in, we will not have a washer and dryer.) Today, the city inspector will come and sign off on the re-pipe and then, the contractor will come and help us to figure out what to do next. We are going to look at flooring tonight and get some more information about the products available. The water abatement team came today and there is no more moisture in the walls, floor or ground underneath the house (no more than "normal" anyway). They have removed all of the fans and de-humidifiers and it is eerily quiet in the house.

This is where my new valves and drain for the washer are going in...

Here is the new tankless water heater, installed outside on the side of the house (kitchen wall) This is my bedroom wall, behind the shower. It looks like this inside my craft closet and below both toilets and the kitchen sink as well. The re-pipe company will be patching tomorrow.

I am still hopeful that we will have flooring in time for the big birthday party that we have planned for the 7th of February and I think that it will happen. Today, feel stuck because there is really nothing for me to "do" about all of this, I just have to wait. I can't even put things back in cupboards because the walls still need to be patched. I am flitting around, unpacking and just trying to feel like I have my head on straight. I plan to go to the gym and to shop for new trashcans. Not very exciting, but much more peaceful than I have felt in the last two weeks.

I am really excited that we are going to have new flooring, but boy... this was quite the way to get it. We are tired of being off schedule and feeling out of sorts and look forward to returning to normalcy. The hot water helps, as does the quiet... and we will eat at home tonight - although I do think that it will be take out!

Updates

I have been feeling REALLY good lately (except for the unbearable exhaustion...but, hey...I am a mom!) so I thought that I would share about it!

I have been busy, but not stressing about all of the things that I need to get done. I feel much calmer and more centered, but I am not sure why. I don't know if something is different...or if it is just my state of mind. Yes, I know that means that something is different, but... My days have seemed longer, but my weeks shorter. I have been getting most of my to do lists done, and feeling very calm about it all.

My stomach is good. I have only had to take the Prilosec one day since stopping. Remember, the directions say to take it for 14 days and then, stop. While I was on my scrapbooking retreat, I really ate poorly and paid the price with some serious indigestion, heart burn and general yuckiness so I took one pill and was back on track. I have also been sleeping really well.

The diet continues to be a success too! I have now lost 12 pounds and even though I did not have any loss last week...I know why and I will do better this week. We have been to a lot of parties lately and when faced with all of that yummy food I just have a little bit of everything and end up eating way to many calories. I am starting to think that my goal of 140 is not low enough to look the way that I want to, and I may continue on to try for 135. That would put me at the weight I was when I got married and I think that I looked pretty darn good. Heck, I wore a bikini on our cruise! I will NOT be wearing a bikini any time soon, however... the babies have left their marks and the tummy will never fully recover!

I worked out today! I have continued to walk Gavin to school almost every day, but the morning yoga and strength training never really stuck. My mom and stepdad just opened a gym near my home, in fact...it is closer than Gavin's school! I walked there today and it took me 15 minutes! I did all of the weight machines in two rounds which took me a half hour and then I walked home. I helped Andy prep dinner and then I showered while he finished it up. So, I am all ready for bed, except for brushing my teeth, which I will do as soon as I get off of the computer! (This is major for me, because there are lots of nights that I....fall asleep on the couch watching t.v. and Andy comes to help me get to bed and I just fall in with my clothes on...I know, it is very gross and really does not fit my personality...but... like I said earlier.... I am TIRED!)

The oven did finally get fixed and I can't remember if I told you that or not. But, it did. The correct part was ordered and took 2 weeks to come in, but when it did the technician came right out and it was fixed within 5 minutes. YEAHHH!!! I baked muffins THAT day, and have since made an egg casserole for breakfast, cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, muffins again and a pork roast. I love having my oven back up and running!

We planted quite a bit to get ready for a "Gramma Shower" that we had at our house last weekend. We finished the pots on the porch... that is the photo at the top of the post! We also put some plants into the back yard and patio area. The fountain and the fan on the porch were used during the party and were appreciated by all. I found an inexpensive table, couch and chair set at World Market and we might just go and buy it. I could study on the patio!!!!

My financial aid paperwork is finally completed and I was awarded loans to cover all expenses plus an additional $2000. We talked about not accepting the additional funds, but we are really unsure of how much I will be able to work during my 6 weeks in school, so we will take it and sock it away and use it if we need it. I felt better to be safe, than sorry (and eating beans all summer) I am hoping to buy my books tomorrow and I will be working LATE to try to get all of the stuff done that needs to be done, before I start classes on the 23rd. I am a little nervous, but excited. I got my bookbag, and my folders are labeled....I know that I am a big nerd but it helps me feel like I have some sense of control.

I got to see baby Kelsey this weekend. I not only saw her, but got to hold and cuddle and ooh and goo over her. She is a little itty bity thing, but oh, so sweet. She is one special baby, and we all pray that her life will be one of joy and happiness. She will have challenges, but her parents are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to help her grow and develop. You can follow her story and see her beautiful birth announcement here: http://sweetpeakurtz.blogspot.com/This is Gavin's last week of school and he has grown up so much this year. Less tantrums and lots more cooperation. It seems that in the last two months of school, he has finally gotten the hang of it. We have been having loads of fun and we are going to be reading about Ancient Egypt tonight as we continue to make our way through the "What your 1st Grader Needs To Know" book! The kids are heading in right now, to get ready for bed and Andy is going to go to the gym, so I should wrap this up and get to it.

Summer is right around the corner and we are all excited for the adventures that await!