Still No Word.....

 And yes, we are freaking out a little bit...

but in our experience, this is normal.

EVERYBODY is slow...

So I plan to give him today to respond

and if he doesn't then I'll reach out to him

on Thursday.

That should be plenty of time.

But in the meantime, to keep myself busy...

today I'm going to run over to Malay's

(our little town grocery store)

and buy a fresh loaf of sandwich bread.

And then I'm going to come home and make a

huge batch of french toast and cut them into

little fingers (sticks) and put them in

a tupperware.

Tomorrow morning Rod and I get to sub seminary!!!

(The teacher's wife is our YW 1st Counselor and 

they just had a little baby girl on the 15th so he's on

"paternity leave"...)

Anyhow.

It's the LAST day of seminary.

So they suggested we just have an end of year party.

So I'm bringing breakfast

(french toast sticks, syrup, and maybe biscuits and jam...)

And we will just let them eat and talk.

Oh, I guess I'd better get some milk / orange juice too...

They only have 5 or 6 show up regularly so we

don't need a TON, but there is definitely at least 1 boy.

And Peter can EAT.

Anyhow.

We need to be there at 6:15.

And it's a 33 minute drive.

So we should leave here about 5:00.

(Shoot for 5 and pull out of the driveway...

after that...)

So.

Meanwhile, yesterday Kyle and I did our weekly

Tuesday Hays Trip.

(Kyle said he looks forward to that, his day off!)

(kind of)

We needed to get more grout for his shower.

It's looking good.

He went with charcoal gray, so it's really dark.

But he likes it.

He's about 1/3 done. He's out there now working on it.

(He doesn't love doing it though, so he takes a break....

he has some snacks in his fridge / freezer and a microwave,

so he sits in his chair in his bedroom, looks out the window,

eats lunch and watches YouTube.)

It's starting to look like a HOUSE!

We also stopped at Ollies and bought me a new vacuum,

because HE owns the only vacuum in the family

and he took it with him!

(And used it to clean up all the drywall dust, so I don't

want it anymore anyway... lol.)

AND, while we were there, he picked up a new 

living room rug.

Woot!

It's green. (Doesn't look like it in the picture, but trust me...)

I also bought one, blue, but I'm waiting until the

STILL HOUSE TRAINING puppy leaves before

I replace our existing rug.

Then we went out to his shed / greenhouse to water the seedlings.

They are looking amazing!

He's going to bring home some peppers and tomatoes for me

to start hardening off and then I can put them in our

raised beds here in the backyard.

His baby oats and wheat are starting to come up.

We got 4.25 inches of rain over the weekend.

And then last night and this morning it has been

lightly sprinkling... so that's good!

The big garden is starting to sprout as well, but unless

you are up close and personal, you can't see it yet.

(Carrots, beets, celery, lettuce, radish...)

And the broccoli and cauliflower we transplanted.

Jim & Sabrina! This is one of the pretty bushes on YOUR 

part of the property... it smells HEAVENLY!

We cut off some and brought them home and put them

in a little vase in the kitchen window.

They kind of smell a bit like clove, but out there

where there are 3 or 4 BIG patches, they smell amazing!!!

And speaking of flowers, the bush under Kyle's window

is in full bloom and looks so pretty!

We took the dogs for a walk and they were 

simply EXHAUSTED.

Hahaha.

They look like little clones of each other.

Silly pups.

Ok, off to make lunch and then the french toast.

Gotta get ready to teach again this eveing.

Make it a GREAT WEDNESDAY y'all!

First Step DONE.....

 So.

I taught the morning class.

(Only 3 students and 1 left early,

the 2nd was from Alabama and she left after

about 3 hours... so then there was one...)

And none of them were participating.

So I sat here and talked to myself for 4 hours.

It was fun.

Meanwhile, my mind was a gazillion miles away.

Worrying about visiting the banks today.

What were they going to say?

What was I going to say?

When I was done, it was noon.

Probably whoever I need to talk to will be

out for lunch.

I made Rod and I some mac & cheese for lunch.

He finished putting the transition thingie in between

the kitchen floor and the living room and got

it all caulked in.

I think it looks really good!

A pretty good match.

(The floor is oak, but we stained it with a 

REALLY dark stain and then sanded it

all off again, leaving some dark spots

to give it character and make it a little aged.)

So it was hard to get a real match,

but I think this works.

Anyhow.

Then it was time to stop stalling.

I packaged up my proposals and headed out.

(All dressed in a black blazer and earrings... lol)

I went to my favorite, hometown bank.

I was reading their website and they are truly

a hometown bank.

They bought out another local bank.

They started in WaKeeney, they have a branch in

Hill City (where our farm is), but they aren't a big,

impersonal, chain bank.

I just felt good about them.

So.

I went in and asked to see the Loan Officer.

Who (of course) was off today.

But Connor would be happy to chat with me.

I went into Connor's office and we introduced ourselves.

He's NOT the loan officer, but is new in town and

to the bank and is moving forward into the loan officer position.

Anyhow.

I handed him our proposal binder and said, obviously

I just wanted to leave it with them, I wasn't looking

for anything definitive today.

There are a LOT of numbers in there...

He opened the book.

Read most of the cover letter.

Turned and scanned several of the following pages.

And then he looked at me and said,

"Now, I'm NOT the loan officer and I'm not the

one who gets to make these decisions.

But, you guys have really done your work.

This looks like something we would be able to get behind."

And I fainted.

(Not really, but I wanted to!)

We chatted for a few more minutes.

(Weather, Florida, etc)

And then I left.

I made the executive decision (as CEO, and then

with input from Jim, the CFO) 

(hahahahahahahaha)

not to go talk to the other banks.

One is a savings & loan and the other is a chain.

And I really want to be able to work with the

local bank.

So I have the other proposals in my bag

in case we need them.

But I'm feeling optimistic.

We just need to chill over the weekend and

hopefully we will hear something early next week.

So.

(again)

Thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers

on our behalf... keep 'em coming!

Now we just need a YES!

Phew.

and now it's time to teach again.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!

It's TIME!

 Ok Prayer Warriors...

Friday is THE DAY.

Jim has been working hard on getting all our numbers

together and into a cohesive presentation.

We finally hit on, what we believe to be, the winning

combination of numbers and dialog.

We put together 3 presentation binders

and tomorrow after I finish teaching the morning class

I'm going to visit our three local banks and

leave our proposal with them.

FINGERS CROSSED and PRAYERS REQUESTED.

It's an impressive package.

So hopefully they see the potential and agree

that this is a worthwhile venture.

Guess we'll know.... soon... ish.

I'm NERVOUS!

My New Life (For a bit....)

 For the next 3 weeks,

I'm teaching DOUBLES.

Which means I teach the morning AND the evening

classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

While Coach Beth takes a CRUISE!

So I'll be busy here at the house.

Today I was planning to run into town between classes

because we need some stuff from Tractor Supply.

But I decided to put it off and go tomorrow.

Need to make sure we know all the things we need.

(We need some quarter round to finish the flooring

and Rod is working on the bathroom today I think...

so we will need more for in there...)

Might as well do it all in one trip.

Anyhow.

I'm still loving the kitchen floor.

AND!!!

We swapped out the old, gross fridge that came

with the house and most of the door shelves

don't have guards on them so you can't use them.

(And the one that does, is held on with shipping tape...)

So we took that one out to the garage and put the

new one we bought several months ago when we

discovered the one we brought from Florida didn't work...

So, I have a new floor

AND a new fridge!

YEA!!!!!

I didn't take a picture.

It's a white fridge.

Snore.

(This is what a puppy snore looks like... hahaha)

Hard at work getting those last little pieces done.

Whew!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

 Happy Easter everyone!

It has been a lovely,

quiet,

(well, kind of quiet, the dogs have finally

discovered they can PLAY!!!)

day.

We had a lovely Sacrament Meeting program this morning.

Brother Lay (who has a wonderful voice)

read all the appropriate scriptures from both the

New Testament and 3rd Nephi.

And there were special musical numbers nestled in

from each of the organizations,

plus a male quartet and a harp solo.

It was really nice and the Spirit was strong.

I hope you each had a lovely day as well.

*****************************************************

In other news....

Yesterday Kyle worked on his shower.

It's looking REALLY GOOD!

And Rod worked on our little house.

BEFORE.

Getting the appliances out of the way...

UGLY FLOOR, isn't it?

We figure it is from the early 70's.

That's when that Harvest Gold was popular.

(There is different linoleum under it that is DEFINITELY

from the 50's...)

Getting started.

Beau approves.

VERY close to being done.

TA DA!!!!!!!

A BIG, one-day project!

All we have left is to take the measurements and go get

some of that quarter round since we couldn't take off

the existing trim. (Also from the 50's and painted over

MULTIPLE times...)

I love it.

It really brightens up the whole room!

(Next up... the bathroom... it's the same tile only larger squares.)

Just as ugly.

Can't wait!

Kyle and the boys seem to like it too.

Happy Easter!

Amost READY!

 Yesterday was another busy day.

I planted some sweet peas out in our backyard

here at the town house.

Kyle got the drip irrigation installed and

transplanted all the broccoli and cauliflower.

(And I think he planted some other stuff too...)

And then we loaded up the trailer and headed

into Hays to Home Depot.

(Our home away from home these days... lol)

We picked up his fridge and stove!

It's looking like a real house now!

He didn't unwrap it or plug it in yet because he wants

to flip a couple of the upper cabinets around

so the door opens the other way.

But its looking good!

Rod has been working on his shower tile.

(Subway... but I forgot to take a picture...)

But today they have switched jobs and Kyle is working

on the shower tile and Rod is working on a project

with me here at the little house.

But first I had to teach the morning class.

So... you'll have to stay tuned for updates on the 

NEXT BIG THING.

(Meanwhile, the dogs are both in their crates

and loosing their minds!)

Welcome BEAR!

 Kyle is gearing up to move to his new house.

And realized he is going to need a BUDDY!

Luna is moving with him, but she is

ABSOLUTELY an outside dog.

She's just too big and crazy to be inside.

He has been watching the internet,

and on Monday evening he finally found

exactly what/who he was looking for.

Introducing BEAR.

(His original name was Frost... so we are working

on teaching him his new name.)

He's NOT poking him in the ear with a stick... lol.

He is an AKC registered Blue Fawn French Bulldog.

I was taking a picture of him and just as I snapped it,

he decided to sniff the camera. 

Hahaha.

He has really pretty eyes.

Kind of a hazel.

Kyle took him out to meet the big girls.

When it's JUST Luna and Bear 

OR

Just Bandit and Bear

they do really well.

But if we put all 3 of them together it's too rowdy.

But that's good because it will just be 

Luna and Bear.

Last night Beau was intrigued and really wanted to PLAY.

But Bear was a little freaked out and didn't

know what to do.

Today Beau has a tummy ache (which is something he

struggles with a couple times a week...)

So he's not feeling his best.

But they are getting to know each other.

We put their crates next to each other last night.

Bear cried for about 5 minutes and then conked out.

This morning I needed to run into town so they both

went in their crates and when I got home they

were both sound asleep.

So....

welcome Bear!

He's only going to live here for a few weeks until

Kyle is ready to move.

But for now, he's adorable and settling in.

Bibs and Bobs

Good Monday Morning!

We started this one early this morning with a text

at 6:30 from the morning instructor.

She was (again) stuck in traffic because of a

big accident on the highway.

So I hopped up at 7:30 and started her class for her.

Yesterday I gave out the little bunny baskets to the Young Women.

(Well, I didn't, the Pres did it for me since I needed to 

help Kyle with his Primary class and then get set up for

the Linger Longer.... it was a busy Sunday!)

Anyhow... THEY LOVED THEM!

They all named their little bunnies!

Thanks Mom!

Over the weekend I got a wild hair and rearranged the house.

I started with the living room.

This way we can see the TV but also look out

the big front windows.

(And it's easier for me to open the blinds... and as

it warms up, I usually open the windows in the

mornings to let in some fresh air...)

Kyle hated it.

So I moved it all back yesterday.

We'll do it again once he moves.

(I timed it, took 30 minutes to move, since I washed

all the floors, etc... but only SEVEN minutes to move back.)

And, I moved the bedroom back to the 

summer configuration.

It makes the room "look" smaller, but

gives move room around the bed and

eliminates the squeeze point as you come in the room.

The bed used to be on the interior wall (warmer)

but my dresser was right there on the left.

So I sat on the bed to get dressed and I was

TOTALLY in the way of others entering/leaving the room.

Add to that Beau was usually sitting at my feet

and it was not the best setup.

Anyhow.

I love it like this and will happily keep it this way

until next winter when the COLD WALL will force

me to rearrange it again.

(And who knows... maybe we'll be in our new house?)

(not likely)

Anyhow.

Speaking of new houses...

Rod got all the waterproofing done in Kyle's shower.

Now it has to cure for 72 hours.

Meanwhile they are working on laying the pipe for

the garden watering system.

This morning Kyle and I are heading into town to get

an auger for the hand drill so we can poke a gazillion

holes in the ground to transplant all the broc and cauliflower

this week. (And tomatoes, etc will be transplanted in the

next few weeks as well...)

We also need to pick up 25 cattle panels to make

trellis and archways out of, like we had at the 

Malabar garden.

So, as always we have lots to do.

Gratuitous picture of all the eggs and my new

egg basket I bought over the weekend.

Aren't they pretty???

Oh, I also took a page from Mom's book and 

bought myself some cute walking sneakers.

Not AS cute as hers, but hey.

You do what you can in a small town with one store.

And... even though it's NOT my story to tell,

Rozann and Greg welcomed a new puppy into the family!

Welcome MIA!

She's ADORABLE!

Moving Forward!

 The guys are moving full speed ahead!

It's time to start getting stuff into the garden.

But first, we need WATER.

So... Rod has been working diligently

to get the well producing for the garden.

First he tried using the old pump we brought

from the farm in Florida.

But it just refused to cooperate.

So we bought a new pump.

The caveat is it has to be able to run

off the generator since we don't have

any electricity all the way back at the well.

After MUCH tweaking and fixing and and and

we have WATER!

LOTS and LOTS of water!

So the next step is to get the pipe.

We loaded up 80 pipes.

And a bunch of fittings and other stuff.

And then today, he got to digging.

Thankfully, he has an excavator.

Check out those straight lines.

It goes from the well, around the tree, and then

on down into the valley.

And then Kyle drove down the line and Rod

tossed each pipe down to the ground so tomorrow

they can start gluing them together.

(The dirt looks good, too, doesn't it.)

So Fun!

 So FUN!

(So tired!!!)

I had SUCH a fun time in Tucson!!!

As always, I did a terrible job of remembering to take pictures...

But I tried!

Forgive us, we were all TIRED!

We spent lots of time talking.

And talking.

And talking.

And talking.

And that takes a lot out of you!

Hahahaha.

We laughed and laughed and laughed.

There was lots of visiting going on.

As well as other activities!

These guys were PAINTING.

While Mom was teaching me to crochet granny squares.

(I tried to finish a lap blanket for her to give out,

but I didn't quite get it done...)

Anyhow.

We had a BLAST.

And we got some good work done going forward for

Mom and Dad's lovely home and some additional

assistance they are able to provide to make life more enjoyable.

(It's a REALLY nice facility and all the people there

are really nice!)

HI BOB!

Anyhow.

I'm whipped.

I'll do more tomorrow...

Kyle and I had a busy day.

And then I taught and he and Rod had a busy evening.

But more on that tomorrow.

NIGHT!