Month: May 2021

For many years I have been gathering house plans waiting for this day to come. Over the years, Paul hasn’t liked the house plans I have been gathering for many years 🙂

One reason Paul hasn’t liked any of the house plans is because many of those house plans have many thousands of feet 🙂 I told Paul, I like the house for the kitchen, not the square footage and we can shrink the size down. Or I like the look of that entry way, or another part of that house to add/modify the smaller square footage house.

Another reason is we don’t agree on color, wood, stone, brick…. You name it, we don’t agree on it.

After we closed on the property, I showed Paul the house I liked and thought would look nice in a rural area. This one is woodsy. Yes, woodsy 🙂 A house that would fit into a wooded area, but yet in a neighborhood. This is what Paul had to say:

Paul: “I like it. How many square feet?”

Me: “40 feet larger than what we agreed on.”

Paul: “I like it.”

The property has a gradual slop, so I chose this for the back of the house.

Paul took one look at this and his exact words were, “We are not building a house that size.”

Me: “Easy there, tiger. It’s just the look of the house, not the square footage.”

Paul: “Oh, Okay. I love it.”

Here is the floor plan that we also agree on. We talked about the few modifications we both want, and crazy enough, we agree on that as well!

The front of the property is narrow, so the the 3rd and 4th car garage will be built on the side toward the back of the property.

Next is landscaping.

Just kidding, Paul. I will go easy on the backyard as well! Love you!!!

After years of wanting to purchase some property and build a new home, we are now in the position to start looking. The stores are sold and we now have the time to continue with our goals in life.

Since March we have been looking everywhere! In the valley, up north, and down south. In each area there were only a few lots to choose from. Those lots were the left over “junk” from what the other builders didn’t want. These were either odd shaped lots, on a cliff or next to a busy road, and all of them were extremely over priced.

Paul kept looking and one morning he found one. It was only on the market for four days so we had to act fast. With the price wars and lots not lasting long, we drove up that afternoon.

When we pulled up to the lot, Eli immediately went out running to explore. The lot was in a beautiful area and quiet. Eli ran around, explored and found the chickens. Both neighbors around the property have chickens and one has a goat.

We knocked on the neighbors door to ask some questions about the lot and neighborhood. The neighbors were extremely nice and Eli ran off with their 4 kids and started to slide down the crazy slide. I have to take pictures the next time we are there. Worry one solved: We were worried Eli wouldn’t have many friends is such a rural area. Not a problem.

A few days later something was bother Paul, but he didn’t know what it was. We were in the process of doing due diligence and the issue of the sewer kept coming up. NO one knew about the sewer. Where it was or where the property was to be hooked up. Paul was on the phone for several days with the city and the two neighboring cities.

Well, no one could find the answer so we had to go and dig. This is what we found…

Just digging our hole trying to find the sewer and two deer come wandering in.

We were sold. We needed the property. We need deer to pass through our property every night.

We needed to make this work. Paul called the city the next day and even called some guy working outside nearby with his shovel to go to the property and take a look to see if he could find the sewer connection, and he did!

Well, we found the issue to the sewer and it’s not hooked up anywhere. Paul’s worry must have been this sewer, because now this was solved, Paul felt good about the property. More negotiations later and the property is ours! We are SOOO excited.

First backpack trip of the year! It was sure nice to plan a trip and not have to worry about stores or employees. Friday morning we decided to go, so we packed up and left Saturday morning. Easy as that!

For the first backpack overnighter we wanted a quick hike. Nothing too crazy because we knew Eli wouldn’t be able to go very far. We went up Mirror Lake Highway, and hiked up Shingle Creek Trailhead.

Me and my bear spray. Won’t stay the night without it!

Six years ago today, Eli was being carried up and now…

He carries his own pack! Sometimes in front, but at least he is carrying it! 🙂

We brought the hand held radios. These radios are a life saver on the trail. Eli is occupied the whole time. No complaints the whole way up.

Bribery helped as well. 🙂

About 1/3 way up we crossed a fun bridge.

I didn’t notice when I took the picture, but my watch didn’t say the mileage. We hiked about 1.2 miles to our campsite. We took our time and had to look at EVERY ant. 🙂 An hour later we came to the most beautiful clearing and set camp.

Paul made dinner.

We tried a new dinner from Backpackers Pantry. Three cheese mac and cheese. It was good. I still recommend the vegetarian lasagna, which I had for dinner.

Eli loved it. Not sure because it was just noodles and cheese or because he ate out of a bag, ha!

We did try something different. We brought up instant mashed potatoes and a steam zip lock bag. Extremely cheaper that the Backpacker Pantry meals. It worked just fine. We will be doing that again the next trip.

We played some games in the tent and it was lights out.

I need to take a picture of my sleeping bag. The outside says it will keep me alive 🙂 at 15′ . I know it wasn’t near 15′, but the temperature got down there a bit and I was chilled all night. Between the cold, my usual insomnia, and Little Pea waking me up, I think I got about 4.5 hours of sleep. Daylight didn’t come fast enough. How did Paul sleep? He slept fine!

After breakfast we did a little fishing.

Eli was fascinated by the bugs in the water. The water skeeters were his favorite. He also tried to catch the baby fish.

I don’t know what it is with boys and water, but he wanted to get into the river all morning. He started with putting his feet in the water.

Which led to getting into the water. He had so much fun this weekend.

Time to head back.

Eli found a lot of wooden “tools” over the last two days that he had to take home. Although he wanted them, I ended up carrying them. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to carry sticks!

Mother’s day was a really wonderful day.

Eli drew another picture for me.

Paul made pumpkin waffles. Yes. He at the whole thing and half of mine!

Went to my parents for dinner. Random, but I have to mention. Look at the ice my parent’s fridge makes! They are balls of ice. Never seen ice like this.

Makes the picture of water look fabulous. I need one. No, not the ice, the fridge!

My mother gave me the most wonderful gift. She is so thoughtful and knows me. Cookie dough mix from Great Harvest. LOVE it. I have the best mom!

It was my mothers birthday as well. She picked up her cake from Mrs. Bakers. I love the icing.

Look at these flowers. They were delicious!

I’m so grateful to be a mom. Paul and I didn’t think it was going to happen. So many long and emotional years and mother’s days in the past. It’s been 6 years since I became a mom and it’s still incredible that I have the opportunity to raise this little boy. This is such a special day for me. I’m so glad I can celebrate it!

Since this is a bee blog, I guess I should have a bee update.

The bees are in.

They seem to be happy. 🙂

Went for my run today. Saw these little guys. It’s spring!

I have upgraded my weights from 10 lb to 15lb. They are heavy! They are giving me a great workout.

Eli came over to workout with me.

My summer slippers arrived! I think they look pretty cute!

Went to another cooking class at Siragusa’s.

The chef.

We learned how to make wedding soup.

Fettuccine alfredo.

For dessert, cannoli cupcakes. Fabulous dinner. Can’t wait for their next cooking class.