Making Progress

We managed to get a lot accomplished this weekend.

We got the flooring done:






We got the cabinets installed:







The lagoon has been dug:







And the appliances were delivered this morning:







1. This week Chris is going to be working on getting the inside doors stained and start staining some trim. He will also probably be working on the banister, getting all the ends cut to fit into the top and bottom rail.

2. The tile for the bathrooms and back area of the house are to be delivered this afternoon. We are hiring a contractor to do the tile work. Our backs and knees are not going to allow for anymore of that kind of work. If they can make it out this week, they should be able to have it done before the weekend.

3. The plumbers are coming back out this weekend to finish getting the drains installed. The guy doing the dirt work is also supposed to finish the plumbing work from the house to the lagoon. Hopefully he can also get that done this week. It would be really nice to get a toilet out there. Once the tile and plumbing are done, we can set the bathroom vanities and get the bathrooms completed.

4. I still need to paint Madi's bedroom. (This is my job for the weekend.)

5. The back door from the garage to the house doesn't fit. So we have to take out a stud and get that completed. Which probably means some touch up in the painting. (I have other touchups to do also.)

6. Chris' guys are out still working on the electrical when they have time to fill up. It's getting there and it looks awesome.

7. On Wednesday, Bell Memorial will be here to make a template for the countertops. Once they get that done, it should be two weeks and they'll be back to install the counters and sink. I can't wait.


We are really getting close to being done. It is looking like we maybe ready to move in within a month. I am still working on getting things packed here at home. It is such a slow process with Madi under foot all day. But I have managed to get a couple boxes done a day. But I really need to kick it in gear. I am so excited about what we have gotten done so far and how everything looks. It is so hard to tell what everything is going to look like in the end, but we have done a great job so far picking the right colors to go with each other. It really does look awesome!! And of course the pictures just don't do it justice. Of course, everyone is invited to come see it at anytime, especially once we move in. I am really looking forward to having people over and having family get togethers.


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Jason and Tabatha finally sold their house in Topeka this last week!! They have a really quick move out time of February 14th. This last weekend mom and dad and Tabatha's parents were all in Topeka helping them get things boxed up and ready to move. The bad thing is, their moving isn't going to be done for awhile. Jason is living in an apartment in Wichita for now. They found Tabatha an apartment in Topeka so she could finish out the school year. So next weekend they will be moving Tabatha into her apartment. On Monday they are loading up two moving trucks and moving that stuff to a storage unit in Wichita. Once they find a home in Wichita they'll have to move again. And in May, when school is done, Tabatha will be able to move to Wichita. I think I would be counting down the days for school to be over.


My parents are also kind of in limbo right now. They are going to be doing some remodeling at their house soon as a result of the big flood. They are getting most of their carpet in the house replaced and are going to have to have some walls and probably ceiling replaced in the basement. Crazy times for all of us right now.


Not much going on with Madi lately. She is a jabber box and is really starting to pick up on what everyone is saying and also saying it back. It's also fun right now (well, sometimes it's fun) she is able to tell you what she wants. I can ask her a question and she either says yes or no. Of course most of the time it's no.
"Madi, do you want to go to bed?"-- "No"
"Madi, do you want to eat supper?"---"No"
"Madi, do you want a snack?"---"Yeah!!"
And boy is she ornery and she knows how to push buttons. She also knows when she is doing something wrong. She will look at me to see if I am watching and she will do something like playing in the blinds and then she starts laughing and gets a mischiveous look on her face and does exactly the opposite of what you just told her not to do. I go to move her away from what she is getting into, and she runs away laughing. Very frustrating sometimes. And it is especially nice knowing that this is just the start of it!! But of course, she is also so much fun. Every night after supper, she will play for awhile and then she comes and finds me and says "bass, pleeeease." She loves taking baths. Even if we get home late, like after her usual bed time, we still have to take a quick bath. Otherwise, she will not calm down and go to bed. All she will think of is that she needs to take her bath first. It's actually pretty nice, at least I don't have to fight to get her into the tub.


Of course, she also has her daddy wrapped around her finger. She loves milk and she will usually drink two full glasses of milk before going to bed. When she wants more, she says "Daddy, milk." And will repeat it over and over until he gets her some. Very cute. She usually only says two words in a row, so she doesn't always get the please in there, but she always says "thanks" with a big smile!


Have a great week.
Love, Amy

Video instead of Pics

I have been trying to post pics for three days now and it is just not working. So here is a video instead. I took out the actual audio to save your ears from having to listen to Chris belt out the song. This is Madi's new favorite thing to do, dance to "International Harvester" by Craig Morgan. Check out my photo albums for new pics on the house and Madi.

Enjoy!!

Love, Amy

(I love how she watches her reflection in the window!!)

New Updates

We started working on the hardwood flooring on Saturday. It was really slow going. We got to going pretty good for awhile until the nailer Chris rented starting acting up and then it took about twice as long. In the end, we got five foot done in five hours. A little discouraging. We figured at that rate it was going to take 35 hours to complete the flooring. We don't have the time to do it ourselves. So, we decided it was time to let someone else do the work. There is a point were you have to let go and let someone help (pay someone to do it). Again, we have Chris' brother doing it and we are hoping that they can get it done by Friday. We were out tonight helping and the nailer again was acting up, so tomorrow Chris has to find a different tool. Or it really will take 35 hours to complete. But it has to be done by Friday. The cabinets are being delivered on Friday so that we can get those installed this weekend. The appliances are being delivered Monday, so the cabinets have to be installed this weekend. Everything is piling up onto each other and moving very quickly now. And once the cabinets are installed, the countertop people can come in and make their template so we can get our granite in several weeks from now!!

Things are slowing down a bit with Chris' work so he has his guys out at the house putting in the lighting fixtures. It looks so nice. We have ceiling fans in, the chandelier over the dining table is in, the pendants over the island. It is really coming together. We also had all the trim, doors and casings delivered to the shop today. We have a mountain of wood that needs to be stained. It is going to take forever to get through all of that wood. Chris has all the wood cut out for the banister. He still has alot of work ahead though to get each stile end cut to fit into the top and bottom rail. And then of course stain all of that wood.

After our fantastic day of laying floor on Saturday, we decided to not do that again on Sunday and get everything cleaned up outside. It was such a beautiful day to be outside too. A little windy, but in Kansas, you can't wait for the wind to die down or you would never get anything done. We were able to get everything cleaned up. We had piles of scrap and trash all over the place and we either got it moved out of the way or put into the wheat truck to be hauled away. It looks so much better and I am sure the neighbors are glad that we got all of our trash picked up that has blown into the fields to the north and south of us. We also had some time to play. We took the four wheeler out and I was able to go explore our little acreage all by myself. It was nice. I haven't been on the four wheeler since before Madi was born. We also got the tractor started and running. Took a little cruise on it. Chris moved some dirt with it. Dan used the digger most of the day. A lot of work but we also had some down time also.

I also got my first dose of country living. I know that there are mice out there and that I would eventually run across them but I didn't expect to be cleaning up piles of wood and having a thousand of them in one place. Okay, maybe eight, that's what I was told at least after Chris and Dan had stopped laughing at my screaming tyraid. I really don't know how many there were all huddled together, because as soon as they lifted that wood, all I saw were wriggling bodies and I took off for the truck, screaming. I didn't hang around to count them or comment on how cute they look. I was scared, I admit it. I just have this picture in my head of one of them running up my leg or jumping at me. Too many movies. I keep telling myself they are just as afraid of me as I am of them. It's not helping, but maybe eventually. I am such a city girl but I am determined to get over it and enjoy our new quite life in the country!!

We are slowly moving toward getting moved out there. We met with a couple again last night and drew up a contract for them to buy our house. They really want our house but they need to sell their house first. They just put it on the market two weeks ago. They are currently living in the country on 25 acres and are ready to slow down and move into town. We have been putting the word out about selling our house soon, so now we need to get the word out and get their house sold. It isn't a done deal and I wish it was a little more firm than it is. But we are giving them 60 days to sell their house before we list ours. Once the 60 days are up then we can do what we need to get our house sold and just give them 48 hour notice to either buy it or pass. So at this point I am really hoping their house sells soon. It would be so nice to not have to get a relator involved. I am also starting to get things boxed up and organized around here. I think there is a lot of stuff that I would like to put in a garage sale and not have to move, but it really isn't the right time of year for a garage sale, so it will probably end up being moved anyway. I am in one of those toss it moods right now and I may regret it later.

I don't have any pictures to share right now. I have been too busy packing, working out at the house, and keeping the house clean for these people that keep wanting to come look at the house to get them downloaded onto the computer. Hopefully soon. I also heard today that the newest member of the Gengler-Wiles family may be joining us really soon. My cousin Andrea has been having contractions for the last three days!!! Really looking forward to meeting the new baby!

Love to you all,
Amy

Our House...The Video

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!! Congrats, 28 years of marriage!

We all love you both very much and you make great examples for us all.

Love,
Amy, Chris, and Madi

Painting is Done...Almost

This weekend was the big paint project. We got the whole house done with the exception of Madi's bedroom and closet. We went with a beige-brown color for the whole house and once we got started, I decided I really didn't want that for a little girls room. I am going to get a neutral white to put in her room. This way we can change the decor at anytime and not have to paint the walls as often. It looks so good in the house now, it finally looks like a place to live and not just a construction site.

We spent all morning Saturday getting the windows and tubs covered in plastic. About 11:00 they finally got started spraying the ceiling with paint. Jason and I took the paint for the walls back to Sherwin Williams to have them change the paint color. I was just going to use what ever color came out after mixing 25 gallons of mistints together, but I was afraid that it would be too yellow. I am glad I didn't settle, it looks so much better. It took the rest of the day to get two coats of paint on the ceiling and a coat of primer on the walls. We finished about 5:30 and were going to get started on the topcoat but decided to call it a day. We started again at 8:30 Sunday morning. We had 3-4 people cutting in and 3-4 rolling depending on where we needed the help. We finished the first coat at about 2:30. Took a break when Madi came out to visit and then started back in on the second coat. The second coat went much faster and we finally got all the painting done at 6:00, cleaned up and was out of there by 7:00. It was a long day and we were all very sore. Thank you to my parents and Jason and Tabatha and Josh for your help this weekend. Also, thanks to Dan and Jane for watching Madi all weekend.

Friday morning we went to Beloit and got our countertops ordered. So excited!! It is so hard picking out all these colors for different things when you don't have the whole package there in front of you to compare and make sure everything put together is going to look good. I am sure glad I don't do this for a living. But we picked out a silver-grey-black countertop. It should look really nice with the appliances and all the wood work, I hope.

Last week they were able to get the siding done on the backside of the house. This week they should be finishing up the soffits and fascia and the outside will be done. It looks so nice and what a relief to finally get that done.

Our to do list:

• paint Madi's room (no hurry)
• install hardwood flooring (next weekend)
• install inside doors (soon)
• dig the lagoon (hopefully really soon)
• finish plumbing
• install cabinets (weekend after next)
• finish hooking up heating and air
• install all lighting fixtures
• install carpet (one of the last things)
• install banister and trim work (after carpet)

I know I am missing a lot of things but I got the major ones. Still a big list but Chris said the other night, we are on the downhill slide now. Our goal is to be moved in or at least ready to move in by the first of March (like 6 weeks away, ahhhhh!) I did get one box packed last week! I better pick up the pace.

Love, Amy

The Flood

My dad came home last night after work to a flooded house. The braided supply line hose for the hot water under their bathroom sink had completely busted. The force of the water blew open the cabinet doors and was spraying across the room, about 6ft, onto the toilet. It happened sometime between 1:00 and 5:00. By the time he caught it and got the water turned off, they had water damage out into their bedroom, closet, the linen closet and in the hallway upstairs. The water got in between the floor and the downstairs ceiling. It filled up the light fixture in mom's sewing room and was a constant pour out of the fixture. Her whole sewing room was soaked, the bathroom downstairs, and dad's hobby room was soaked, and halfway out into the living area in the basement. The water was running down the walls in the basement and looked like it was following the baseboards and probably in between the walls. It is a mess. I feel so sorry for them and they are taking it pretty well. At least they were while they were busy trying to move and save items, it may have been different after we left and they had a chance to sit down and think about it.

They called Servicemaster right away and they came in and got the majority of the water off the floor and set blowers and dehumidifiers up last night. They were to come back in today with more equipment to try and get the walls and everything else dry. One of those things that happen and can't be prevented. I guess that's why we pay insurance but what a hassle and mess. They maybe in for a bigger mess if insurance decides they need to replace walls and open up the ceiling to get it dry. I would be so afraid of mold now developing, I just don't see how blowers and dehumidifiers can get all the moisture out.

I have been trying to convince Chris to just finish the basement now at the new house instead of waiting awhile, but now that this has happened, maybe we don't want it finished. It is just so scary to see all that damage.
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Progress on the new house is getting a little better. We went out yesterday to see how things were going and to see how much clean up I am going to have to do this week. We are supposed to start painting this weekend. We should be able to, we just need to get the extra pieces of drywall moved out of the upstairs and get the whole place cleaned out and clutter free so we can work faster. It will probably take me most of Friday to get the house cleaned.

The drywall mudder should hopefully be done by Friday. It looks like the main part of the house is done and maybe just finishing work left in the garage. Not quite sure, he was gone by the time we got out there yesterday. We also have a couple of guys working off and on during the week. They have started getting the siding up on the backside of the house. For only two guys working, the sure are getting a lot done. I would say they are about 2/3rd's of the way done on the back. I am so pleased with their progress so far. It will be so nice knowing that the outside is done and weather tight soon.

We are making a trip north (I'm bringing your Jumperoo with us Andrea!) to get our counter tops ordered hopefully either tomorrow or Thursday, whatever day works best for Chris. I am so excited to get that part done and figured out. Chris also has the stairway banister designed and is going to start making it down at the shop. We are going with a nontraditional look for a banister, but hopefully the end product will look nice. Chris' design will better match the overall look we have going better than traditional spindle ornate banisters that you normally see. I'll show you what I am talking about once he gets started.

I really need to get some things finished around here, move toward getting this house ready to sell. Finish pulling down some wallpaper and get some painting done. I have also been thinking about starting to box stuff up. But of course, I have only thought about it. Our neighbors just put their house up for sale and it is way overpriced. I wish we were a little closer to selling ourselves. We could have a better chance at selling ours quicker if people have that house to compare it to. But we just aren't there yet. It'll probably still be for sale in a couple of months anyways.

Madi still has a horrible cough. I took her to the doctor yesterday and they said to expect it to last another several days. Her chest and lungs sounded good though, her throat wasn't red or inflamed and her ears were just fine so that is a relief. I sure didn't want to go much longer without getting her checked and have it turn into pneumonia. She is getting her appetite back some and sleeping better. Still as energetic as ever, that never slowed down. So she should be getting better soon.

I'll leave you with some pics!! Have a great rest of the week.
Love, Amy



Catching up on some reading


She is such a cool chick with her glasses on.

Daddy and Madi

Chris' Aunt Beth found this old picture that was taken on Dan and Jane's wedding day. Chris and Madi are the same age in these pics. WOW!!!

Monday Update

Well, I spoke too soon on the work being done at the house. We now have electricity, the weather is half way nice, but nobody can get to the house. It is a muddy mess out there. Chris went out Saturday and was able to get the back filling done on the electrical line while the ground was somewhat frozen. And the guy doing the mudding and taping was out this weekend. He was done with the walls and was going to start the texturing of the ceiling on Sunday.

Madi and I went out Saturday after her nap and Chris had to drive us up to the house, it was an awful mess. Of course Madi still managed to get into the mud that was tracked into the house. I need to work on my OCD tendencies of keeping her clean. Especially moving out to the country, she is going to get dirty. But I was in a terrible mood Sunday after leaving the house. Madi was a muddy mess, which made me a mess having to carry her around, and then Chris was a terrible mess. Half the time looking at my house, you wouldn't think I would care about messes. But I hate mud and I hate getting mud on my shoes, in the car, all over the house. I HATE MUD. If I had been a little more prepared at what it was going to be like out there, it would have been different. But as you can see, I had her in khakis and cute clothes, no extra change of shoes for her or me. Oh well, it is something I have to work on.


Madi cleaning.


Living room, kitchen.


Front entrance, hallway.


Our mud bog.

We have a few little things to get done in the next two weeks. The 19th and 20th we will be painting. We can then get the flooring down and from there it should be finish work (cabinets, inside doors hung, trim, bathroom fixtures, lighting fixtures, etc.)

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Chris went hunting Thursday morning and got two little deer. He was just going to go hunt out at our land but found out that the extended season did not include our area. So instead he went with his buddy up north first thing Thursday. He was pretty happy. He was kind of bummed that he hadn't got a deer earlier. So this made up for it. He skinned and butchered the meat Friday night. Madi and I went down to the shop and helped out.

Wednesday and Thursday I worked down at the shop helping get all the year end paperwork done. We then did his yearly clean out of the office. We really should do that more often, he just had piles of paperwork, magazines and junk everywhere.

Madi has a cold. She is coughing horribly but luckily it hasn't affected her sleep too much. She is also cutting another tooth. She has an incisor coming in on top and her nose has just been running like crazy. Otherwise she is her old wiry self, running and talking non stop all day.

Have a great rest of the week!
Love, Amy

Madi's Year In Review

January


February


March


April


May-1st Birthday


June



July



August



September


October




November



December

What a wonderful year it was! We are looking forward to another wonderful year and all the new and exciting changes.

Love, Amy