I Can Taste It...

Yes, I can!!! As most of the viewers know, I have been working on this damn thing for over three years now... I am SO close to being done I can taste it! Literally! ;) Still a lot left to do, but the major things are nearly almost done... I LOVE it too I might add, the pool house that is! :)

(Although, if I DID have it to do over, there would be a swing set there, without question! :)

So I do have wireless out at the pool house, but I MUST have hard wired ethernet!! I have run this cable out there now three times!! Third time is a charm, so they say... Of course the problem now is I got so fed up with it not working that I just ran an ethernet wire out here outside of the conduit! Whatever, it works, I'll duct tape the wire to the conduit and bury it anyway... :) It's FINALLY working now, don't mess with a good thing!

The switch I installed at the pool house, so essentially I have seven hard wired connections up there... :) The more the merrier I ALWAYS say when it comes to ethernet connections... :)

Works GREAT I might add!!!


Yes, I did finally get all the towel holders, toilet paper holder, towel rings, robe hooks, etc, etc, etc all installed!!

So yeah, this is a great moment for me, particularly since I've been screwing with that hard wired ethernet connection for about three days now... :( Whatever, I am so motivated to get this done you can't make it up, I have many, many more things to concentrate on... So yeah, major milestone in this project from hell... :)

The Project From Hell...

I call it the 'project from hell', but it is something that I have done of my own choosing, so I guess I should really stop bitching about it... :) Anyway, it is actually nearing completion, even though I've been saying that for about two years... This time I mean it! :) A few pics of what it looked like as of this AM...

The shower/sink room... Kind of small, but it works quite nice!

Shower/sink room again... I only actually have some paint touch-up to do in that room believe it or not...

Toilet/sink room... All that's left in there is hanging the towel rod, toilet paper holder and a robe hook... (All of which I've had for about two years... :)

Kitchen... I think the only thing left in there is putting the end on the laminate countertop...

Kitchen, different angle...

Ditto...

My new hangout! Satellite, Internet, phone, fridge, microwave, shower and shitter; what more does a man need??

Front view...

All in perspective...

I've been working on this thing since June of 2007... At the time, I was under the impression that I could build it all in six months, yeah, three years later... :) Anyway, other than the items I mentioned, about all that is left outside is: finishing the flagstone on the walkways and stairs; finishing the fire pit area (which you can't see in this view, but it is going to be about where I'm standing to take the pic if you can picture it... :); finishing the slate on the back and sides and a little trim work on the outside, so all in all, not bad since I did it all myself... :) It is, however, time for Matthew to relax for a while!!

Yeah, I Have A Lot Going On...

Wow! I have way too much going on! I'm slowly, but surely narrowing the list of "things to do" down though, of course there are still MANY things left to do... :)

My neighbor (Kathy) took Chance, Tanner and TJ to Helen before school started, they had a blast! Does look like fun...

The three amigos... Tanner, Chance and TJ... They have a blast together!

Yes, I am about to FINALLY install the sinks and toilet in the pool house, man will I be glad when that effing thing is done!! It seems like I have been working on it forever!!

It's nearly done though, and it's actually a lot further along than these pictures suggest... :) I need to take more pictures though, because it seems like I hardly ever take any these days, I'm so over it, I just go work out there and never have the camera with me...

Today, Matthew and I rebuilt the front porch on Marci's house, yeah, the one she fell through and banged herself up. The wood was all rotten, so we just rebuilt it today, which is why I'm tired... :) Glad it's done though, and it turned out pretty good!

Other than that?? Yeah, just work, kids, life, etc, etc... :) It's all falling together though...

Happy 14th Anniversary Carolyn!!!

Happy Birthday Carolyn!!

Cory's New House...

Yeah, yeah... Whatever. It's hot and I have a LOT going on! As I'm sure most other people who read my blog do... :) Anyway, Cory bought a house a month or so ago, we've been over a few times to help get it squared away, here are some pictures...

This is the main load bearing wall, the plumbers however decided to cut out 2 of the 3 top plates, and before I fixed it, those 2 x 4's were seriously bowed, corrected now though... I've worked with many plumbers though when I used to do construction, so it doesn't surprise me...

Kitchen/dining area... He bought a table for the space, but hasn't put it in yet.

His bedroom set from our house, we went over today and set it up in his spare bedroom. I told him, now that you have a spare room, expect guests!! :)

Front of the house...

Side view...

So anyway, there is my post, I got tired of seeing that Happy Independence Day thing... :( Anyway, we are busy as usual, working, school starts in two weeks, so all sorts of things going on. I'd post more, and probably will, but I am also trying to get that pool house done prior to winter, trying to fix the kids dirt bikes, finish crap around the house, working and just living life in general, it's all good though... :) I will perhaps try to post more, but no promises... ;)

Happy Independence Day!

Summer Fun...

My neighbor took Taylor horse back riding for her birthday, she LOVED it!!

Taylor and Mae. Of course now Taylor wants a horse... I wouldn't mind having one myself if I had room for one, but boarding is too expensive... Who knows... :)

A frequent activity for the kids, although I've never been out on it, I have been invited, but it seems like I'm always to busy with chores... :( Taylor driving the pontoon boat...

Tanner, obviously. Chance doesn't go out on it as much as Tanner and Taylor, Chance is like me, prefers to just stay home... :)

Swimming in the lake.

So everyone is enjoying the summer thus far, when not at the lake or White Water, there is our own pool to enjoy. Today though, we are going over to Cory's new house to finish up some work Carolyn and I are doing for him on it. I'll try to actually take a picture of it today... :)

Happy Birthday Chance!!!

Wow! I can't believe that Chance is now a teenager?!? Where does the time go? Go it does though! Happy Birthday Chance!

First day of school, Chance was SO excited, he was up at the crack of dawn, dressed and ready to go. The excitement lasted for about 3 seconds once we actually got to the school and it was time for me to leave... :)

Yeah, Chance leaned against something I had just painted... He has had quite a few guitars in his 13 years, but has never learned how to play, perhaps I should finally spring for lessons?? :)

Easter a few years ago, handsome young man!

At Titus and Jackie's wedding, which seems like it was yesterday, but was three years ago... It's like I'm standing still and time is zooming by me...

With one of his MANY animals! He loves them though, so the more the merrier I suppose, as long as he tends to them that is... :)

Happy Birthday Chance, I love you!!

FINALLY!!

Got the satellite working, nearly there... ;)

Nine Years Old!

Taylor's Birthday Cake...

After blowing out the candles. Luckily we even had candles as I forgot to get any when I got the cake... :)

Taylor had about 5 of her friends over for a pool/slumber party. Tonya and her kids came up, as well as Tammy's kids, so there were plenty of people for the party!

Swimming after the lunch, cake, ice cream and presents... It WAS hot too, so they were in the pool pretty much from then on, as was I, and it's only the second time I've even been in the pool this year...

I had that pinata hung up, but the handle that attaches to the pinata broke after about the 3rd swing, so I had to hold it from then on... You'd think they would make the handles a bit stronger on those things since people will actually be swinging baseball bats at it, or perhaps we were supposed to use a stick rather than a bat... :)

So a good time was had by all, and my baby girl is NINE years old?!?!?! :)

Happy Birthday Taylor!

They grow up quick, seems like just yesterday my baby was born! Now she is nine?? Where does the time go?? Today is her special day, and PLENTY of guests coming over to celebrate, so I guess I better get busy... :)

2003

2004

2007 - I love this picture!

2008 - Taylor is always writing, love it!

2008 - I was thinking this was last year, but I guess it was 2 years ago... Like I said, time flies... :)

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!! Hope you have a great day!!

Tanner's Graduation and End of School...

Hard to believe we now have two in middle school, but we do... Also, sadly, I put what I thought were new batteries in my camera before leaving, and of course they weren't... :( Oh well, I managed to take a few that turned out rather poorly...

Tanner's class, and of course when he went up to get his diploma, I turned the camera off rather than hit the 'take a picture' button, so I missed that shot, but then I always have...

That's it, Tanner is officially in middle school now. It'll be nice having Chance and Tanner at the same school next year though...

Taylor with her teacher, she is nice. She was also one of Taylor's teachers in Kindergarten.

Having ice cream before calling it quits for the year. Taylor will be the only one at Russom for the next two years. Of course they very well may only go to school 4 days a week next year, I don't think they have decided yet. The school that is, not the kids, decided that is... :)