Before & After

So much was accomplished around our house last week, and I want to take the chance to bask in the joy of completed projects! Derek took some days off, and our out-of-state friend (Shawn) settled in for a week of home improvement projects. First of all, I want to thank Shawn and Rebekah for giving so much of their time and energy to us. Without Shawn's construction knowledge, we never would have gotten all of this done in one week.

Our house went from 2 adults, 3 kids, and 1 bird to 4 adults, 4 kids, 1 bird, 1 dog, and 2 fish! Throw in turkey hunting, construction, kids' activities and a birthday party for good measure, and this was one crazy place. Rebekah and her little boy ended up going home on Sunday, but Shawn stayed for the week. Except for Shawn's dog, I was "boy-trapped" as usual. :)

Dakota at 8 weeks at our house

July 2008

Dakota at 11 months at our house in April 2009
"I remember these hot days!"

Completed projects include: cement pad poured in backyard for dog pen, dog pen put up, dog house built from scratch, broken siding on our house replaced, trim put up in basement, and wall of our attached garage securely anchored to the rafters. (A tornado last spring damaged our siding and ripped our wall apart--yikes!) Shawn also fixed a very squeaky storm door that I appreciate very much. :) Derek asked him to do that, since he knew it had been bugging me for a long time!

On the day they poured the cement pad, it was extremely windy. Since I could not walk a full wheelbarrow of cement from the street to the backyard, my job was to keep the new cement from setting up too early. I set my hose on a light mist and sprayed away. Feeling pretty helpful, I was sure surprised when my spray nozzle popped off and sank in our new concrete! The guys had already smoothed that part over, so I cringed as I grabbed a shovel and dug out my hose nozzle. I tried to make it look like nothing had happened, but realized I'm no cement expert. Especially when I could barely reach it. :) It all worked out in the end, but it's a funny little story I'd like to remember.

Before

During

After!

Every day I played fetch with Shawn's 11 month old German Shepherd puppy, Dakota. Every evening I took her for a walk. Actually, she took me for a walk. This dog is a live-wire! I learned the hard way to never go near a pair of guys playing frisbee when I'm walking Dakota. It took every ounce of strength I had to keep her from participating in their game. I also learned that when I stand downwind in capris, Dakota's doggy slobber gets all over my legs. Yes, I still want a dog, and I still want a German Shepherd. I just want to make sure she is trained! Otherwise she will walk all over me. :) We are trying to find the right dog to be ours at the right time, but it won't be long now. Yipeee!!!