Blog more later.

I just wanted to quick post SOMEThING! I know it has been a while, I have been busy getting my house 'ready to sell' but there is so much to tell and do! I will hopefully today.

All of this for only $124,900!

We met with a couple of realtors today who told us various things. One of them said that she suggested that we ask $124,900 for our house. YEEEE HAAAHHH! Our work has paid off! We didn't even finish the basement yet or the kitchen countertop. I must say I absolutely love my kitchen now. I wish I would have done this years ago.
One of the realtors said that we need to sell before the big 'September Rush'. My opinion, it is a bunch of hogwash. September???? I don't believe that one bit. She also told us not to carpet the steps or replace the countertops. Hog wash. I think she was just looking for something to sell. We did meet with a very nice one also today. She suggested the price. Her company also had some great Ideas for marketing and a cash purchase option if it does not sell in 120 days.

We are now going to be very busy house cleaning and emptying. They both told us the more we get out of here the better. I will most likely be shipping some stuff to Goodwill or My mom's basement. We will be putting on the market October 1st.

Your Pie was Zebbed.

I finally got some time to post something! Tonight after I left work, I took apart the railing on the top portion of our front porch trim and went over to my parents house to cut some parts I will need to put it together. When my parents read this they will realize why there pie has some prints in it. It was Zebbed.

Just like my wall in the kitchen with the neat drawing in permenant black marker of what the older boys call an angel flying. He even felt the need to draw on my cabinets. Luckily I knew a trick to get it off of those right away. So that too was my other assignment this evening. I primed the wall that I just painted 3 weeks ago so I can repaint my wall again tomorrow.

Just as I was trying to quickly mop the kitchen floor tonight he was loading up my washing machine and putting biz bleach in the fabric softner part. Brock came and told me about that and after I told him that was naughty he went up stairs and left a nice puddle with the mop I was using, after he tried to help with that. I know he was just trying to help me, but I wish he wouldn't try so hard.

Yes I just love the two year old stage.

Let's get outta Here!

I just put new hardware on the kitchen cabinets and better locks on the front and side doors, to keep Zeb in. Today I am going to organize the freezer room. I bought 4 HUGE totes to hide and organize our stuff in there. We are kind of hoping maybe to be out by Christmas. It is sooner then we had been hoping but we need a more kid friendly neighborhood. On our block alone we get along very well with one neighbor. An older couple that had 3 boys of their own. Three that we don't talk to except "Hi'. And now 2 that we dont even say that to. I am not going to say anything more or I will just get worked up.
These are some of the things we are going to do before we sell...
1. Paint/ touch up some areas
2. Add moldings in the Kitchen
3. Finish off the front of the Tub in the upstairs Bathroom.
4. Carpet the stairs and hallway upstairs.
5. Install new windows in the basement.
6. Install false ceiling in the toy room in the basement.
7. Finish moldings in the Basement.

I did want to install a microwave above the stove in the kitchen but have scrapped that idea since I just want to get out as soon as possible.
Well, Breaks over I must get back to work.

Beware of Cooking Spray

2 year olds and cooking spray is never a good thing. I was in the kitchen tonight with Brock helping him with Broiled Italian Meatballs, when I could hear a spraying sound in the dining room. I yelled 'Zeb?' and it stopped I ran one way and the footprints the other, when I finally got close to him I slipped on the new non stick surface called our floor and missed him.
Needless to say he is enjoying the 4 walls of his room. So I could try to wipe the cooking spray off my dining room chairs and floor.
Ouch.

REAL Punishment

ATTENTION ALL BLOG READERS, WHEN IT COMES TO PUNISHMENT, REECE IS YOUR MAN. Today Reece 'stole shotgun' from Bock. Brock clearly was the winner but while we drove I noticed they had somehow switched places. When I asked about it Brock said "Reece 'stole' the front seat from me." I told Reece he should never be complaining about how he 'NEVER' gets the front seat since I see him in the front seat more often then not.
Just before we got home I noticed a bag of some garbage on the floor by the front seat that my adorable spouse can't seem to remember to remove EVER. I told Reece since he got the front seat then he needs to remove the garbage when exiting the vehicle, to which he responed "Mom, that isn't a real punishment."
I told him the next time I need to punish him I will ask him for the proper punishment before I do it.
In other news, I was suppose to go to a wedding reception this weekend but Duner wanted to spend time up at the cabin, we are heading up there with the kids and puppies for one night. It will be interesting. I don't know how this is going to work, but we are leaving bright and early tomorrow.
Also in more wonderful news, Zeb has either a semi confirmed case of Chicken Pox or Herpes. ??? He has had the 'Chicken Pox Shot' when he was one. But now he has an an interesting arrangement of red blisters under his arm and chest. I had brought him to the clinic I work at and the Dr, who is the one to see for unexplained rashes, was slightly stumped. She said it is extremely rare to get whatever Zeb has and she has only seen one other case of it in seven years. Hmmm. Leave it to Zeb.
I must go and get things ready.

Before and After...

Ok now we refinished our wood floors back in April, but I just now realized how bad they were before. I think we have to have a house party to show off how nice they are now, compared to before. Holy Cow! Ya know, actually the photo of the new floor would be a very cool photo for the background of your computer. ; ] Feel free to use.

Woo Hoo, They can swim!!

Today Duner went for a Boat ride with Reece and Cody. (his nephew) While Brock, Zeb and the puppies went to the Vet. It was their first visit to the vet. They are now 15 and 17 lbs. I bet you can tell who is the 17 pounder if you saw them. They were given pretty much a clean bill of health. They do have some round worms that we were given medicine for. But a lot of puppies get them they said, so it is nothing serious. We have to bring them back in 2 wks for a booster shot for the Lyme's vacinnation that we got them. We also have to come back in 40 days for another ck up and to make sure the worms are gone.

After that we met Duner and the Boys at the pier to join the ride. When we got there he was so mad at the Boat he and the boys were done. They had gotten it running, but it took forever!!! Duner said we'll give it one more try on Saturday, and if it still is acting up, he wants to go back to the place we got it from and either get a new boat or motor. He is also wondering if he has to do it differently when he starts the boat. We will figure it out on Saturday.

Duner decided to take the boat up to the cabin, and let the boys go swimming at slippery Rock. While we were there we coaxed the puppies into the water, Thunder was more willing then Lightning. Thunder's first trip in the water was by the top of slippery rock, it was a little slippery and it has a nice current, so he learned real quick not to keep his nose in the water. That seem to scare him for a little bit, then we went to the bottom of the rock where the water is about calf high for us. He didn't mind that one bit, but Lightning didn't have the courage to just jump on in. After putting Lightning in the water we walked down with them to where it gets a little bit deeper. Thunder took off toward Duner when he called him and soon after Lightning just had to go follow his brother. They were doing very well. They got tired out pretty quick, but they had a very busy day.

What a bummer...

Today me and the boys went to an open house. We have had our eye on this house out in a town called Sherwood. We had never been in it before, but we didn't think it would be on the market this long. We (the boys and I) really liked it. It was half a mile from High Cliff State park. It was on 1.5 acres with a pond (with fish in it!) It had more sqare footage then we currently have and a bigger basement. The entire time we were there Brock was sounding like a broken record saying "Mom, We HAVE to get this place! , Mom, If we lived here...., Mom, you Have to buy this place! This basement Rocks!!"
Over and Over and Over again. The price was much better than anything I have seen before. It was actually pretty old considering the other homes we had looked at in the area. It was built in 1972. Plus this house was the only one that owned the ENTIRE pond, So some of the other owners were looking at buying some of the pond, which would take down the price even further. The seller was also the owner and said they have ice skated on the pond in the winter. Brock saw that as an opportunity to make some money.
The current owners have already moved out, and have another home over an hour away to pay for so they are hoping for a quick sale. I know if it is meant to be ours it will be available in Spring when we are more ready to move.
I already know what my mom would say about the pond. No need to go there.

Home on the Range, Golf Range that is...

Today Duner took the boys golfing. Bright and early. Duner worked all night then took the kids at 7am to Tee off. It was nice because the closest next golfer didn't start til 8:30am. That way if the kids were really bad they didn't have to hold anyone up. Brock hit one into a pond that bounced over the water and up on the green. (???) I think some devine intervention was helping that one. Either that or it is a big story. But even Duner said it was true. Now the boys want me to take them to a driving range. Me???? I think not.

The big Day

Yesterday was 'The Big Day' as far as soccer goes. Reece had his last game. Of course if you would ask him, he would probably say they won. They don't really keep score, but the kids do. I don't pay that much attention to say yes or no. After the game the coach held a nice party at a nearby park with pizza and trophy's for each child. Reece just loved it. He really, really wanted me to get a picture of him with his coach. Coach Larry was his name. Very nice man. I think he ranks up there with saints as far as patience goes. He never really raises his voice to yell at the kids. He very well could have with some of the kids last year, but never did. He has been Reece's soccer coach for 3-4 years now. Reece says he wants to play soccer again next year but I am not going to sign him up, we would like to move in the spring, so it doesn't pay until we know where we are going to be.
Tonight the boys were playing with the puppies, they have been very responsible, I must say. They are doing a good job. I almost think Brock is a little better then Reece. Reece likes to grumble more then Brock. But Brock is 10 and Reece is 7, I can see the difference.
Reece came in by me a few minutes ago afraid he might have rabies, 'cause he was bitten by his puppy and they didn't get there shots yet. I explained that he would be foaming at the mouth if he indeed had rabies along with other symptoms. It didn't even break the skin, but it was scary enough to him to go sit in the basement and vegg.
Brock just told me Zeb is locked in the kennel with the puppies.... so I am off...

Zeb's run in with the LAW...

Well today we had many visitors. I Duners nephew Cody was here since yesterday, 4 neighborhood boys, one girl, and my regular 3. Boys are wild. When you add the puppies in the mix that makes you pretty happy only 3 are yours. Today was INSANE! It was incredibly hot to begin with, so I let the kids all play with water. Some would play in the basement with the PS2 and some would be with the puppies. I had wet kids all over, even puppies too at times. I just figured I would throw in a pizza for supper, make it easy. Well by the time everyone was fed, including Zeb, I thought for the first time today I can sit for a little bit. I made my rounds, check for Zeb, check for kids 1-7, check for puppies. All good. I watched a show for a bit, got up to look for Zeb he was gone.
Well, At least he should be easy to notice. All he had on was a little swimmer, since they were all playing with water. We went around the block, no Zeb.
I summond all the kids and we went searching, I noticed a group of people standing around on a corner like they were looking at a auto accident but I didn't think too much of it. I was walking the opposite side of the block when one of the neighbor kids came up to me and said he is with a cop. I said' Is he ok?' I was thinking so that is what the group was starring at. I went up to him and he said "MOM!" and started off toward me. I walked up to the officer and asked "Is it considered child abuse if I put him on a leash?" He laughed and said, "Not after I leave."
He took my name, Date of birth and Zebs name he said just incase he does this again. For some reason I am afraid he is living up to his name sake. Not very fearful. He came home and had a nice early bedtime tonight. He is now sleeping. I am so open to any ideas. Shock collars? Alarm collars? I have 3 doors to the out side. 1 to the front, 1 to the side and 1 to the back yard with a 6 ft fence. Hmmmmm. I must go do some research...

Our new Additions...

Well, today we went for a ride to Green Lake. Duner wanted to check out some puppies. He has be wanting a yellow lab for over a year now. The place that we went to was an old school house. (not really that old) it was probably built in the 1950's or 60's. The kids thought it was really neat. Brock especially loved the boiler room. ??
The owner was Joe Scallon. Very nice man asked the us if we wanted soda as soon as we walked in. He was using the school gym/cafeteria as his garage. He told us when he first bought he went through 700 dollars of fuel for heat at 50 degrees in 2 weeks. Needless to say he sectioned off a part only to heat and now has a forced air furnance. His bathroom is where the Principal's office. His kitchen was the school office. It was a work in progress but it was definitely getting there. Anyway, we looked at the 3 pups he had. One was black, one was yellow and one was brown. We even went to go see the dad of the pups at Joe's dads place. I was really hoping that the daddy dog would be small and then it would be easy to say no, but the daddy dog was HUGE! It was a slightly shorter version of our Mastiff that we had. As we drove back to the Joe's house we discussed the pups and Brock wanted the brown and Reece wanted the yellow and neither one would budge. Duner went there originally thinking he wanted a yellow, but when he saw the size of the brown one he was torn. He couldn't decide and I couldn't help him. Then Duner said, 'If the guy would give us a deal maybe we would get 2." ??? What? I thought about it. The owner already kept them in a kennel outside. So they really were already outside dogs. I thought if it is meant to be, it will happen. Who am I to fight it. Duner has wanted this for so long.
When we got there I let Duner do most of the talking. He asked him and the guy said "Sure." He gave us food for the pups, de wormer, info on raising a puppy, coupon for puppy food, treats and boxes for the road. He was going to give them first shots but he said when we take them to the vet at the 4 month ck up they will give them again. Basically in Six weeks they need to see the vet anyway. Both come with guaranteed hips and money back or new pups if we would like. He will be mailing us the paperwork for the AKC registration when it comes in. He has a notebook of names of people who have bought pups from him and 2 families from last year came back this year to buy another one. Both were yellow and brown. He didn't mention it until Duner asked about both. He thought that was funny. One of the families called while we were there to ask the exact date they were born. May 22 is their date of birth.
The boys have decided to name the yellow Lab- Lighting and the brown one Thunder, since on our way home today we drove right in to the storm that his Oshkosh today. Duner wanted Storm instead of Thunder, but Brock really likes the name Thunder. Other options that were tossed out were Chocolate Chip, Chocolate & Vanilla, Rain, Brown dog, Yellow dog, Cloud, Luther, Elvis, Ben and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Hmmmm.....

One week down the crapper...

I will try to put a positive spin on this one but it has been pretty crappie. After the wonderful boating experience, I learned that a co-worker of mine passed away. She was 52, 5 kids and 7 grandkids. Great lady. She had rare cancer. She fought it for 4 years. Which was amazing considering she was supposed to be in stage 4 by year one. (which is very BAD). If it wasn't for her we wouldn't have been able to go to Mexico 3 years ago. She volunteered to watch the kids for Duner and I so we could go. In the end my mom did most of it, but I believe if we couldn't have found anyone my mom wouldn't have done it. Even though she had just finished a round of chemotherapy and was getting better she was willing to watch my 6 month old baby and two older boys. She always had fun things to do with kids. She was a Jehovah Witness, since they don't celebrete Christmas, she would do special things for the Grand kids. She made a very neat treasure hunt a couple of years ago and the kids Loved it! There was a few weekends that she would tell her kids bring over all the Grand kids for the whole WEEKEND! She was our joker at work and will be GReatly missed. Even my kids loved her. I went to work with the kids and their happy meals once and she told them if they didn't eat it she was going to. Everytime we would go after that the kids would ask if she was going to be there. It was cute.

Before Sheila died we had a office meeting scheduled to discuss a whole lot of crap going around at work. A lot of complaining is going on but very little is getting acomplished. Since she died they decided to cancel the meeting and replace it with a Employee Assistance Meeting. I think it was the wrong answer. It was a nice thought but we need this meeting. I am getting sick of being a sounding board for all of the nurses to bash one another or anyone to bash anyone. My jaw hurts from keeping my mouth shut! I really just nod and say ohh that's too bad, when I am sure there is a good reason for what happened people are just jumping all over everyone. I have 3 kids at home that are behaving better. They are taking lessons from Dr Al. Don't get me wrong. He is a very nice guy, but he has the tendency to get mad say what is on his mind then say he is sorry and all is forgiven, but the girls aren't forgiving each other. They seem to be holding a grudge. I miss Loretta. She was a registered nurse that retired last year after over 40 years with Dr Al and his dad. She was very jolly and mellow. She would tell you if she had a problem with you not tell everyone else BUT you! Rarely did anything in spite.

But at least I lost some weight this week. Yeah! The nice 18 mile bike ride probably helped. I think I am going to weigh in today. It will be worth it. Well Sorry to ramble, but I must go.

Our Deep Sea Adventure... er Almost?

Ok not really. We just bought a pontoon boat. We wanted to try it out. Duner (my husband) worked over 80 hours last week at his full time job, *yes he has 2 jobs* he also put in 11 hrs at his partime job. Needless to say he couldn't wait to get out an try out this boat.
So we got up early and drove out to pick up the boat. After making it to the landing we loaded it up with towels, life jackets, food, soda fishing gear, and tackle and put the boat in the water. Yeah! It floats! That's great!
Ok, so everyone is on and my husband says, "Ok, now how do we start this thing?".
WHAT? NOW? Why wait till your in the water to try and figure it out. He never plans ahead for anything! Luckily there was a guy just putting in his boat, who was willing to help out. He tried and tried. No luck. Turns out something is wrong with the boat/motor. We ended up calling on our cell phone to the place we bought it from to see if they had any ideas. There brilliant suggestion was to drive it 40 miles to have them take a look at it.
None the less, we drove it to them so they can store it for 5 days until they can get to fixing it. Apparently a lot of other people are in a rush to fix there boats with summer here and all. ????
Oh well, that now gives us time to go to Wal-mart and purchase an anchor since Duner decided at the gas station we stopped at just before putting the boat in that we needed one. He would rather spend the extra 5 dollars at the 'convience store' if they have any anchors, then to buy one from a discount store a couple days prior.
Billiant man. Just brilliant.

This is our new Pontoon Boat. Reece is on the deck with my sister Sara looking onward.

This is the garage at the cabin. If you look close enough you can see where Zeb has changed the paint color. 

Our new fire pit. You can't tell but it is actually 4ft by 4ft big. (the pit itself) 

Here is part of the new walking trail at the cabin. 

busy Week

It has been such a busy week. We bought a pontoon boat on Sunday. Played phone tag with the bank on Monday. Went for my long bike ride on Tuesday and primered my kitchen, it was dark blue I am painting it 'Weathered Tin'. (Hopefully today) Wednesday we picked up the boat, Thursday Duner and myDad took Zeb to the Races. He loves those. Friday I got my bike helmet and the paint to do the kitchen.
I have my dreaded 18 mile bike ride today. I am not sure what I was thinking anymore when I signed up. But at least I have my sister in it too to help me finish it. She came up from Madison yesterday and took the boys to Mead pool. I called before I left work and she confessed right away, "I broke your son Reece." Apparently she taught him how to swim underwater for longer distance's and he hit the wall. I think we have all done that in someway or another. He has a cut above his left eye and a black eye. He must have really been moving. He says he didn't think the wall was there 'cause he felt for it but he must have just missed it.