Saturday, June 26, 2010

Russ' Saturday

Russ started early Saturday tearing things out
I entertained London
We spent our morning at WalMart
Sitting by the Thomas pool
and watering flowers
It was a dirty job and here is the results
This first picture is the same as on Friday
down the stairs and looking into the "finished" room
noticed walls gone
This is the room to the left when you come down the stairs
where all that junk was
another wall gone behind the AC
Here you can really see that the wall is gone between the two rooms
it was behind the AC and table

This was the "finished" room with all the paneling
You can see the far wall is gone and you can now see the door that leads outside
Another area that the wall is gone
This is the pile that Russ loaded into the box truck
I like this picture - see the lavender bush on the right
When I was sweeping - there was a nice breeze from outside
and the beautiful sent of lavender
Russ was wonder man
He  accomplished a lot
We still have a lot to finish as you can see
but it is will be so nice when it is done
To have some decent, dry storage

The best part
our  house smells sooo much better
no mold was found

I will post more as we work on this project
It will take many many more evenings
Russ is motivated to get it finished
since his baby (Rubicon) is sitting in the driveway instead of garage

Friday, June 25, 2010

Jenn's Friday

My basement is a pit
100 year old house - what can you expect
It is only good for storage
We decided it was time to clean it out
Gut it
Tear out all the walls, paneling on the walls, doors, etc
Our basement can be damp at times
The wood is gross and it smells
I am tired of the upstairs smelling stale, damp when the AC is running

Friday - I took the day off
I clean out the basement
Hauled everything that I could lift
up to the kitchen and then into the garage

This is how it looked
When you come down the stairs this is what you saw
I had two shelves full of stuff and the litter box
I had already hauled up one shelf and remembered I better take some pictures
To the left is a partial wall that goes into one room
The basement is split into two rooms and a little hallway to a door outside
This is the room to your left
CLEAN SWEEP
I know that is what everything is thinking considering how bad it looks
This is the other room - someone had "finished" it
It is always damp around the edges
We thought we might use it one day - what were we smoking"??
We did use it for a while to lift weights
But is become more storage
If you have an old home - you know storage space is precious
I started at 9:00 AM
It was only 100 degrees that day
I have never gotten such an incredible workout
I learned I am a strong woman
My husband was very impressed when he got home
He didn't realize how much I would accomplish in one day
Only things left, weights, bunkbeds, mattress and the Christmas tree
I reached my goal for the day

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Summer Fun

I wish I was a kid again
to enjoy the warm summer days
not spend them in an air conditioned office

Our neighborhood was so much fun
catching lightening bugs, playing in the barn, tree houses, riding bikes,
slippery slide, riding bike to my aunt's house to go swimming in her pool,
staying up late and playing "Ghost in the Graveyard".

I am glad someone seems to be enjoying the simple pleasures of summer

All it took was a garden hose and some water
to see this joy on her face

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Father/Son Project

Russ and Keyton spent most of Father's Day at the zoo
They always have a car show
Maybe I need to back up
This is Russ' new toy (I guess you would call it)
Every since I met him he has wanted to get another jeep
He has been so patient and waited till he found what he wanted
The guy we bought the jeep from in Colorado writes for Jeep Magazine
So,  there are all kinds of "extras" on this Rubicon that were sent to him
He wanted to prove that you could have a rock climber and still have the same comfort as on road
If you need more details - email Russ
Back to Father's Day - every year at the zoo they have a car show
This year Keyton encouraged Russ to enter, so he did.
They spent 3 hours on Saturday, cleaning and getting it ready.
London and I met them at the zoo - it was sooo hot
A lot of people had questions, they really looked at it, and many took pictures with the jeep
I heard one little boy ask his father  - "Dad, is that a Monster truck?" 
His father laughed and replied "no but it should be".
I had a very proud husband when he came home after the show
They give away five awards - to their 5 favorite vehicles
Can you believed they announced Russ Thomas!
How cool is that
out of 300 cars - he was one of their favorites
Russ and Keyton were very happy
Here is the plaque he got - it is really cool. 
Russ said it was one of the best Father's days he's had.
I am always so happy when perennials come back each summer

Monday, June 21, 2010

Kassade

Happy 17th Birthday
Hard to believe that she is turning 17 today
We hope you have a wonderful day
We are proud of you and what you have accomplished
Love,
Dad, Jennifer & London


Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day


Happy Father's Day to two great fathers in my life

my husband
and my father

Thank you for all you have done
giving me support
hope
love
helping dreams come true
how to appreciate life no matter what is thrown at you
both of you make the world a better place

Russ - I am blessed to be your wife
Dad - I am grateful to be you daughter

Love - Jenn

Saturday, June 19, 2010

This Week

This just seemed to be a normal week - I didn't even take one picture - A run down of the week

It is really sad when you leave for work at 7:20 AM and it is already 78 degrees - everyday this week!

Monday - Tragedy day - London got her index & middle finger slammed in the door at daycare.  It really isn't the type of call you want to get at work.  I took her some Tylenol.  They were red, swollen, and starting to bruise a little.  She cried crocodile tears when she saw me and tried to tell me about as they streamed out of her eyes.  I wanted to cry - because I know it hurts so bad.  Gave her some TLC and laid her down for her nap.  Off to work.    In the evening you could tell they were sore but she managed okay.

Tuesday - Russ came home a little early and we headed out to the lake for a little BBQ.  Due to all the rain we had on Sunday, some areas were still flooded out.  You couldn't even put a boat in the lake and the dock was floating by it's self - looked like an island.  We went to our usually spot and built a fire and had some fun time despite the bugs, heat, and difficulty getting the wood to really catch fire.

Wednesday - We took a walk down by the river after dinner.  It was pretty uneventful.  No animals.  We did see some animal tracks in the mud and two families we knew.

Thursday - Russ out of town. London had gymnastics - she did pretty well.  She still doesn't want anything to do with the bar.  Strange, when at the park she will hang and let us flip her etc.   Kassade showed up with Russ and spent the night with us.   She introduced London to Googly Bands and gave her a few to keep.

Friday - Keyton is here for the weekend - just hanging out

Saturday - Russ & Keyton help Bob and Patty Church move, laundry, checked out the neighbor's garage sale, watered flowers and London played in the water.  It is nap time for London,  I am going to shower and the boys are washing the Rubicon Jeep.   Russ is having it in the Zoo car show tomorrow.   This evening we are heading off to Wichita for the Wingnuts game with John and Shanna - it is going to be a hot one.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

A New Commitment

A new goal
Commitment
it is time to get serious
and get back into shape
I haven't completely loss all the "baby weight" from London
there are wonderful summer skirts/dresses 
hanging in my closet
that don't seem to let me zip them up anymore
they aren't kind to my body
I WANT to wear them
I LOVE them
Look at all this BEAUTIFUL color
that I could be wearing
The every morning Large Sonic Coke is no longer an issue
I gave up Coke
I am drinking more water and love my sweet tea

So starting Monday morning (tomorrow)
5:30 AM - I will be on the eliptical
working out before being at work by 7:30
too early -  but it's the only time I seem to have
when London goes to bed
it's time for other things, blogging, sewing, cleaning, spending time with my husband
or I am just too tired
I will attempt this 3 mornings a week
the other 2 days - hopefully I will be pumping some iron
in the basement with Russ

Saturday, June 12, 2010

A Boat?

London looked out the window and said "daddy got a boat"
What? let me see? I am thinking as I look out the window
Russ brought home the jet ski to take out on the lake - he wanted to get the "cob webs" out. I was really surprised how excited London was to get on it - since she was scared too death of the 4-wheeler. No tears, crying or screaming to get off. It ran good and they had a fun ride out on the lake.
I am looking forward to summer - especially since London can now enjoy these type of activities with us. I won't be stuck on the shore line for the afternoon.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Tonight's Activity

Just a little father/daughter time tonight.  Russ has been gone quite a bit this last week and weekend.
So - What are these two just grinning about?
Tonight during supper, Russ decided that he and London needed to make cookies
of course she was all for it because she heard the MAGIC word  "chocolate chips"
I got all the ingredients together for them and helped out by reading the directions
Russ did all the measuring and London poured everything in to the bowl
See what I have to live with!  I know, I know Shanna - you tried to warn me
and now for the best part - chocolate chips - one of London's favorite
Funny note : London like chocolate chip cookies - funny thing is she wants the chips not the cookies and will pick them off and leave the rest of the cookie
REALLY?
Life Is Good!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Coolest Pool

How much fun can you have in a Giraffe swimming pool
Who wouldn't want this Giraffe swimming pool
London got this for her birthday in October
We are just starting our hot sunny summer days in Kansas
If it involves water, she is ready to help
Since she is a little tall for the slide
we finally got her to lift her feet when she slide down
then she got more daring 
I know - this is somewhat gross
but hey, at least she isn't drinking it out of the pool

Looks like we will have many fun afternoons in the pool
Thanks to the Duersksen family for the birthday present
Looks like we won't miss Amy and Craig's pool too much this summer