Sale-A-Bration!

One of my long time Indiana Stampin' Up! customers/friends, who is actually the one that kept suggesting that I do a blog (and I'm glad she did!), has told me that she's disappointed that I don't have anything stamping related on my blog yet. I told her that my stamping business is on the back burner right now while we're building our house which for us, since we don't have kids, is probably going to be about the most exciting thing we do, and we want to enjoy every minute. Plus we'll probably be living in this house the rest of our lives so we need to get it right, really think things through and check everything. She then suggested that I post something stamping related weekly. I said that I could, and should, do that.

So this week's post is to promote Sale-A-Bration which starts tomorrow, Feb. 1, and is the biggest and most popular sale we have every year. When a customer orders $50 or more, they receive a free product! This year there is a choice of 4 nice size stamp sets, a ribbon package or a designer series paper package. With our new catalog just out, it's a great time to order some of the new items and receive a free gift! Many of you will be receiving the Sale-A-Braton booklet from me in the mail early next week (they are mailed out on Stampin' Up!'s timing, not mine). Or, check my web site (in the upper right on this site). Beginning tomorrow you should be able to see the brochure online. It's also a great time to have a party with your friends in your home. There are extra Hostess benefits during SAB depending on your sales. At these parties, I usually demo about 4-5 stamping techniques and then let everyone make one project. These extra benefits also apply for book parties. You can order by contacting me or at your convenience online from my web site 24/7.

The UPS man finally asked me yesterday what Stampin' Up! is after delivering many of their boxes here. :) So for those of you that may not know, I sell rubber stamps in many categories (flowers, nature, sports, holidays, etc.) and teach people how to use them with the accessories that go with them (markers, punches, watercolor crayons, pastels & much more) to make beautiful greeting cards, scrapbooks, gifts and more! One of my first customers in Indiana sent me a Christmas card one year saying "thank you for showing me I can". She had never found a craft that she could do or liked until she found stamping. She is very good at it and enjoys sending lots of cards to people. Many churches have groups of ladies that get together to make handmade cards for those who are sick, etc. It's a relaxing & rewarding hobby and we say cheaper than a therapist! Check out my Creative Projects on my web site (above) to see some examples of stamped items - and also our new line of wall decor.

I have monthly classes in our home and also do home parties. The company is in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been in business 20 years, and I've been an Independent Demonstrator with them for 13 years this month! If you'd like to add another blog to your list to read, go to www.soshelli.com and read the Stampin' Up! owner's blog - Shelli Gardner.

Walls & Basement Windows!

The crew showed up today to hang the sheet rock! We've heard they may be done by Sun.! They worked until about 8:00 tonight - wow! This is the wall of the kitchen that the refrig. & stove will be on.




Wall by the front door. The short opening is a coat closet that they haven't cut all the way out yet.







Mark put in these basement windows this morning and then he and helpers finished the west side of the garage siding.






This is one of the egress windows.




Family info. - Grandpa R. would've been 100 today.

Sheetrock is here

The sheetrock arrived this morning. It took 2 guys over 2 hours to unload it - through the office window (next picture). The plan now is that it will start going up on Mon.



I'm headed to Poky to pick up our new microwave. Greg is going to work on the venting for it tonight. The flooring store called and said the hardwood I picked out has been discontinued so I'll need to go there to pick out another one. Then to Pilates. With a Stampin' Up! delivery on the way.

Bill and Tim are hauling corn to the elevator today and having to fix various little things on the semis. It's 20 today but it's now windy so feels COLD.

Chicken Pot Pie

It was - 2 here this morning going up to 20 by 6 pm - but it's sunny with no wind! No workers at the house yet but Mark & Scott are coming later to work on siding if/when it warms up some.

I have this Chicken Pot Pie in the oven for lunch. It's easy and quick to make - and a good way to get Bill to eat more vegetables! Also a good way to use up leftover chicken from the whole chicken crock pot recipe!

CHICKEN POT PIE

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg. frozen mixed vegetables
1 c. cooked chicken
1/2 c. milk
1 egg
1 c. baking mix such as Bisquick

Preheat oven to 400. Mix soup, vegetables and chicken. Spoon into a 9 inch pie plate. Mix together milk, egg, and baking mix. Pour over chicken mixture. Bake 30 min. Makes 4 servings.

Bill's New Toy & More Siding

By request, here's the new toy/Bill & Tim's Christmas present! Bill was working on the snow blower in the shop today so had to pull this out.






Bill wanted me to be sure to say that the grain tank extensions are down.







I love it when enough siding is on to get more shutters put up.








This is the south side that is now done. The front is all that's left.
I went to Pocahontas this morning to buy our appliances (refridg., microwave and stove) and had a fender bender. I'm not used to some of their streets where one direction has to stop but the other one doesn't! In Carmel we had mostly 4 way stops (or roundabouts!)! I have $1200 damage to the right front corner of the Pilot and the other car had more. We were both going slow so no one was hurt and it could've been worse!

Winter Birthdays

Sat. we went to Lacey's birthday party in the evening, and I went to a birthday tea for Stephanie in the afternoon. Friend Terri, loves to make fancy little finger foods and does it so well. Stephanie's favorite color is pink so all gifts were pink and many wore pink (I didn't think of that).

Lots happening over at the house this morning. Siding is going up and the plumbers and electricians are here. It was 8 deg. when we got up and cloudy - but with all the snow, it's still bright out.

Birthday Party & Insulation

Lacey at her 4th birthday party last night. Her room is going to be painted pink soon so we got her the pink phone and play dress up shoes with heels. She had about 35 family & friends at her party. Diane had nachos and sugar cookies for us.





Bill putting insulation in the basement.





Two of the guys putting plastic over the insulation on the main floor.


Today we went to a Lions Club pancake breakfast/brunch fundraiser after church.

Blowing Snow

Insulation was delivered yesterday so we're on the way to having a warm house. I think they're going to be putting that up today. Greg & crew arrived at 7:45 to get started. Bill said Greg was probably expecting to find a mess to be cleaned up first, but we did that last night. Most of these guys just drop empty boxes, wires, drink bottles & cans wherever. But like one of the electricians said "we are fast" so guess that's more important than being neat! We can be the housekeepers!



One of the garage doors was "revealed" when they had to put the bundles of insulation in the garage.



This still amazes me! These "lines" of snow scurry across the road when it's windy & blowing. They usually don't cause any problems because it's too cold for it to stick. We have deep ditches that are filled with snow so that's what's blowing from one side to the other. School was dismissed at 1:30 because they were worried about drifting with the snow blowing due to the high wind (no new snow).

I took 2 tables to Glenn's shop late afternoon and helped Diane with a few things - like blowing up 2 bags of balloons - for Lacey's birthday party which is tonight. She'll be 4. I have a friend's birthday tea to go to at 3:00 today too. By the way, it was - 7 at 8:00 this morning. But it's sunny!
www.cindykcreations.blogspot.com (you can bookmark this like a web site)

The White Stuff

This is what Bill did most of today. This is where their machine shed is. They need the snow moved so they can get the semis out so they can haul corn stored in the grain bins to the elevator. Also so they can put the new combine in the shed!





This was an impressive plume!









We haven't had a big snow for several days so this has been there for a while and the little snows have made it drift more. We're supposed to maybe have another big snow this weekend so today the road grader/plow was out in the field again plowing on both sides of that snow fence just in case. It was 36 this afternoon & sunny - almost felt like Spring! I even got the Pilot washed.


Thought this would be an interesting picture - I almost missed the Stop! This is at the corner close to Tim & Bette Jo's.







Even though the boss was gone, we had lots going on today! Good to see so many here! Greg & all were getting back at 1:00 today. He also runs the lumber store so will have lots to do tomorrow. Our garage doors were installed today but they didn't take the plywood off.

Old House Pantry

I spent quite a bit of the day in Algona at 2 dental appointments with lunch and a little exploring/shopping in between. This is my 2nd dentist here. Just can't find a Dr. Everly out here. I liked this office & dentist better today though. I stopped at W. Bend on the way back to pick out hardwood for our entry.

Bill cleaned up the new combine. (hope to get some pictures soon)

This is my current "pantry" and some people (Dave) have made fun of it but I like it! (these shelves were already here - probably for home canned things) Rather than having to run to the grocery all the time, I go to the basement! Our grocery has limited hours and is closed on Sundays, so this works! I'm hoping to have something similar in the new house! LOTS more cooking here than in Indiana - no fast food and very few restaurants around here. People here just cook and the local cookbooks are great. I'm really looking forward to our new kitchen.

Most of our main guys working on our house (Greg, Bill, Mark & Kurt) have been in Las Vegas this week at a builders' trade show. Wouldn't you know our weather has been sunny and around 30 while they've been gone - perfect for getting the siding done after all the zero with wind weather they've worked in. The temps. are going back down when they get back to work Fri. But the electricians and heating guys have been here and are getting lots done so that's good! Think the drywall is scheduled for next Tues.

Bill is at a grocery board meeting tonight.

We have heat!

This turned out kinda dark but if you click on it, you can see Chris, our electrician. The furnace works! Tonight it's heating the basement for the first time. We think drywall is scheduled for next Tues. so soon we'll have walls and be able to heat the whole house with the furnace and Bill can quit buying kerosene.

Had one of Glenn's friends stop by today to advise us on wiring for the new TV and computer stuff. He suggested a Media Box which goes in the utility room and has a whole house phone/DSL filter, surge protection and other good stuff!


This is the kitchen ceiling.

Bill went to Pocahontas to get his gun permit today and also to Emmetsburg to make a loan payment. I did laundry and worked on Stampin' UP! business. Yesterday was the first day to order from our new catalog. You can order and see the catalog through my Stampin' Up! web site by clicking on Online Ordering in the right column on this site.

Nice Sunday & Bars

The Ignite group (teens) had a potato bake fundraiser after church. Huge baked potatoes with lots of toppings (yum) and bars for dessert. Out here, * bars * are the thing. Whenever a meal is served for a fundraiser there are always * bars * with it (bar cookies). I remember Amy telling me that before I moved here. All of the local cookbooks have lots of recipes for bars. :) Our triplets & Glenn & Amy helped with the meal. I'm glad the boys are doing more activities with the group.

Bill and I went over to the house to look at the outlets, light switches & phone jacks while it was quiet. The electrician will probably be wanting to know the rest of what we want by tomorrow.

In this picture I'm measuring to the top of the light switches. They seem low to me at 48". Ours in this house are 52". Greg says this is the standard. Hmmmm.

Bill has been moving more snow this afternoon. Even though it hasn't snowed much more, it blows and drifts.

Combine is here!

The "new to us" combine was delivered to Tim's shed yesterday while we were gone. I'm sure Bill and Tim have had fun looking it over this afternoon. They need to put in the radio and do some things like that.

There was misc. work being done on the house today. Yesterday they put in lots of outlet & switch boxes (blue in picture) You can see the cover over the basement steps. It's down at night and a kerosene heater runs in the basement all the time. Bill will be glad when we have the sheetrock to keep the heat in and they can get the furnace running. Kerosene is not cheap and he's having to fill the heater sometimes twice a day with this weather.

We had a frustrating day yesterday looking for light fixtures. I need to find an actual lighting store around here but not sure there are any. Have a call in to the electrician to find out.

Had fun with Bev & Jerry - the couple Bill has farmed for for over 10 years. We took them to Outback against MY better judgment with the cold temps. and snow on the ground. (Bev uses a walker) They were thrilled to "get out" :) (they are in an assisted living place) and loved their steaks and the complimentary Bloomin' Onion the Manager gave us since it was their first time there.

This is the shower in the master bath. We went with a nice, large shower (5') rather than a garden tub since those seem to be something pretty to clean more than they get used. (I had one in my last house)

Decisions/Shopping

Yesterday we walked through the house with the electrician to mark where we want outlets, light switches and light fixtures. Still have to do the basement. Talked to the plumber. Both of them had guys working yesterday and will today! Bill worked in the basement some more last night.

Last night it was - 20 but it's up to - 1 this morning. We are headed to Des Moines to Lowes to look at light fixtures and faucets, etc. May stop at Sam's Club. I need some folding chairs for stamp classes. (I used to borrow/store/use the Randall chairs when in Ind.) Hope to eat at my favorite restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, and we need to see a couple that Bill farms for to give them a bill. They have moved into a nice assisted living place close to their son. Jerry calls us about once every 2 weeks to get an update on our weather and all and to see what's going on with their farm especially during planting or harvest.

Frigid Temps.

We started out at - 22 this morning - but the sun is shining and no wind!

This is a picture of the snow fence in the field across from our house that the plow made. Yesterday he plowed out there again rather than on the road! It runs north & south.


Bill & Tim are at a half day pesticide license update meeting in Humboldt this morning. I'm getting the new Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer catalogs ready to mail out to my customers.


Yesterday we went to Community Lumber to look at door handle samples, etc. Last night Bill worked in the basement of the new house. Greg is going to be going over things with us this afternoon. The electrician is here and will be working all day. Other contractors have problems to work on elsewhere due to this cold. The weather just isn't cooperating for us.

Things We Won't Miss

This all goes along with the "things to look forward to" post on 11/20.



This is something Bill rigged up for the washer to drain. It goes from the washer into this trash can which has a hole in the bottom and then into a hole in the basement floor. As you can see, the trash can still overflows most of the time now. The purpose was to slow down the flow into the main drainage hole.







Our water is not good along with the old plumbing, so we got a filter for the kitchen faucet. Thought we wouldn't have to go to the grocery to refill our drinking water jugs as much. Notice the 2 streams instead of one - and the lack of pressure when using the filter (and the rust stain). We're hoping our new well will be much better.

We were happy the other day talking to the plumber and Bill said he wanted to make sure our shower heads are tall enough. The plumber said he'd already sized Bill up and thought of that! My shower head is at about forehead level and Bill's rubs the top of his head if he doesn't stand right.




This is my electrical outlet in the main bathroom - next to a lovely old fashioned silver framed medicine cabinet.

It was - 8 at 8:00 this morning and is still - 3 with the sun shining at 11:15 - but no wind. The blizzard missed us for the most part - some wind and blowing snow but not bad.

Bill is out moving snow with the loader. We're meeting with the builder and window/interior doors guy soon. I'm going to West Bend this afternoon to do a stamp order delivery.

Great Magazine

I had the achey flu yesterday so stayed on the couch and tried not to move. Feel much better today. Bill helped with the grocery's inventory. He was there 4 1/2 hours and they're still not done.

We are supposed to have up to 50 mph winds starting at 6:00 tonight which may mean blizzard conditions if the snow blows. Schools were canceled today. The road grader/snow plow went by over in the field across from our house. He was making a snow fence with snow! Another new thing to me. It is 35 today - wow!

I did read a couple magazines while sick. Country Woman has been my favorite magazine for years. It was originally called Farm Wife News. Isn't it interesting that now I am a farm wife? I think so! Country Woman is a Reiman Publication and I like all of their magazines a lot. Roy Reiman was the owner/editor but recently retired along with his buddy, Jerry Weibel. They got bored after just a short time of retirement from the magazine business. Since they are both from Iowa, they decided to start a new magazine a year ago called Our Iowa. Peggy shares hers with me and I love it! Like all of the Reiman Publication magazines, there are great photos and articles. And these guys are funny! So if you need a new magazine to read, check it out!

More Snow & Cold

It was 12 and sunny here most of the day. Now it's 7. We got 4" of snow during the night but no wind so no drifts. Bill did move snow though.

Bill and I picked up, swept and cleaned up with the shop vac in the new house. No workers today. Then he left for the farm office (which is in his mom's house) to do bookwork. I did laundry and was on the phone and computer way too much.

Glenn invited me to join Facebook so I did. Thought it would be good to see what the deal is with that since we've heard so much about it. It's so funny to me to see how many "older" people are on it and seems like many are joining about now. I bet we'll be hearing soon that Facebook seems to have become a thing for all ages. I'm thinking the kids aren't going to like that! So today for a while I was seeing what else I should do with getting that set up. Anyway, wanna be my Friend? :)

Shutters!

They put the first 2 sets of shutters on today! They look good! The pictures aren't real good since it wasn't sunny today but our siding is a bright white and the shutters are burgundy. The east & north sides are done and 2/3 of the south side. The weather is not looking good for next week so good thing this much is done. Mark has had some college guys helping but they have to go back soon.



This is the north side - a master bed. and master bath window & the 2 garage glass block windows. This side faces the grove.







South side.






East side (guest room window).

Amy & Peggy's Birthday

Tonight we went to Lomita's in Humboldt for Amy's birthday and had a good time with several others. Lomita's is Amy & Glenn's favorite restaurant. The servers sang a very long birthday song to her and brought her fried ice cream. On our way home it was sleeting.

Today was also Peggy's birthday so we invited her over for lunch.

It was 4 this morning but the wind was just right so Bill lit the pile of 22 pine trees.







We had hoped for a big inferno but there was too much green so it burned hot in the middle and smoked.

There was a lot of action on the house today: siding, some plumbing and the heating guys were there. I took samples back to West Bend and Algona and dropped off a deposit so our flooring can be ordered. Also stopped to pick something up for a stamping customer.

Siding!

Today started out windy and 12 degrees. Bill was up and gone early to go to an all day crop insurance class in Ft. Dodge with 2 others from here. I'm getting all the books of light fixtures, hardware, faucets, house plans, countertop & flooring samples etc. gathered up because I'm meeting with Angie, the painter/decorator after lunch.

I just went to the grocery - for more drinking water for one thing - and noticed someone who was in the grocery had left their car running while in the store! The other day on a really cold day, SEVERAL cars were left running! I'm still not used to that! :) It always makes me smile. I can go in now and not lock the car doors but I still can't leave it unlocked with the KEYS IN IT like most people do! I'm Miss Security and people here think I'm crazy (except Glenn!). Bill says guys have been known to need to "borrow" trucks once in a while - but they always bring them back! He doesn't really care if they'd keep his! (it's about a 1987)

I'm getting ready to bake a pie. Last year in Mar., the town had a benefit auction for our neighbor who has breast cancer. I donated a pie a month for a year! Our Mayor and her husband paid $165 for that. After this pie, I only have 2 more. Next time I believe I'd only do a pie a month for 6 months!!

We have siding on half of the south side of our house so far. They're going to be glad when the outside work is done! I'll post pictures tomorrow.

Diane's Salon

This afternoon I went for a cut and color. I'm very lucky that my niece, Diane, has her own salon, Di's Hyway Style Salon, in Pocahontas. It's in Glenn's Dunkerly Ag & Truck building. Her salon is cute and cozy.

She would charge me for just the products that she uses but her regular price is HALF of what I paid in Indiana!! So I pay that and I'm thrilled!

You should've seen her a year ago when she was giving me "my new look" (shorter hair). She was having so much fun! Since then I've let her highlight, make my hair different colors (all brunette) and style it kind of crazy. It's kind of fun!
Something else different here is that people don't make their hair appointments very far ahead - and sometimes just "walk in" - especially the men! It's kind of nice to be able to go in the week you decide your hair is just not right anymore!

Groves

Groves are new to me. People living in the country here all have one to block the north and/or west wind. This is a fairly new one to the north of a house and is about 5 rows of trees. People usually plant a mix of evergreens, leafy trees, and bushes/shrubs for best blocking of the wind and snow. Ours is very old and scraggly so Bill is thinking about whether we will add to ours or start over.


This is the north side of Peggy's grove. She had a row (closest to the house) of 22 pine trees with canker disease so one of Bill's winter projects was getting them cut down.










Tim is up in the loader putting a line around the tree. That's Dave on the ground. Some they could just make a cut and push them down with the loader. Then they just hooked on to them and pulled the whole tree to the burn pile.







This shows the stumps down the line. They hope the next row of trees will now fill out better.





This is the pile of the first 14 trees. It's gonna be a big fire when they light all 22! Hope to get a picture of that!