Extreme Makeover-basement edition

A few weeks ago Jon decided to find out why we had astronomical heating bills last winter. We were keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees (okay, maybe 70) and burning in our fireplace to supplement heat in the basement. It didn't make any sense. We also had covered the window with plastic in hopes that the cold air would stay outside.

Needless to say, after an exploratory hole in the wall, he discovered that the walls had nothing in between the paneling and the concrete foundation. Oh Joy!

We spend most of our time downstairs. Down here in the dungeon, that's what it felt like some days, we have the computer, tv and most important playstation 3, sewing machine, and books for the kiddos. We also share it with way more spiders and other creepy crawlies than I care to think about.

So, Jon called up our landlord and told him the situation. He had no idea it was that bad because no one ever complained to him. He wanted to make it right, and Jon just happened to be starting his 7-day-off-stretch. We officially had a project to complete in 7 days...oh yay!

We had to break up the project into two different phases because we have no place to move all of our "stuff" except to one side of the room or the other.

First we had to pull off all of the old paneling and drywall (that was never finished, just hung). We exposed the wood that they had used to hang the old paneling and then we were able to start.
Cleaning at this point was futile. We had dust and more dust all over the place. I'm still finding dust in places I thought were taken care of!

Jon built new 2x4 walls and ran new phone wire and replaced the old electrical outlets and I got to insulate...how did I end up with the itchy job again? Oh yeah, my hands are smaller and could fit up into the tiny floor space above to stuff insulation into. Yay Me again!Then our favorite part! DRYWALL! (catch the sarcasm) I have to admit, that I was excited for this part mainly so that Ethan would keep his hands out of the insulation.

Taping and mudding the walls is one of Jon's absolute least favorite things to do, but he is getting better at it which means he's getting faster.

Then came texture, primer and paint! No longer are we in a dark and dreary green basement, but a bright and cheery "cafe cream" basement (or at least half of a basement).
Then we moved all of our "stuff" over to the finished side and started the process all over again.

We finished the day that Jon was supposed to back on night shift....what a miracle! Now we are warm and comfortable in our new and improved basement!
I am so thankful for a hubby that knows how to do all of this construction "stuff" and that doesn't mind me working beside him and taking pictures of him too!

breathe in....oh yeah....breathe out>>>

Thanks to all the warm wishes and sympathy from my last post! I have to say that things are on the mend and we're (I) am doing better.

Newest update...we will be WARM this winter! YAY! Jon did an exploratory hole in our basement wall and found.....



nothing!

That's right, we have no insulation throughout our basement. We called around, got some prices and presented the info to our landlord. What a wonderful man he is! He couldn't believe that the guy who built the house (not a contractor, and back in the '70's) didn't put any in the walls of the basement. So, he wants it brought up to standard and on Tuesday or Wednesday, schedules permitting, we will begin the "insulate project". We will move all of our "stuff" to the middle of the living room and tear all of the old panelling off of the walls and put in the styrofoam insulation, new drywall, and yes, paint the color I CHOOSE!

We're hoping to have it all done before family comes at the end of October. It should be interesting, but with having Jon on his 7-days off, we should be able to get it done fairly quick! (Pictures will be posted...hopefully!)

In other news, I became one of the newest consultants with Scentsy wickless candles. I love the product and love how kid-friendly they are and it's a product that I believe in! (If anyone is interested, please let me know, or check out my website: www.scentsy.com/pamshaw22).

The boys are growing like weeds and Jacob decided that whenever he counts, he's going to do it in Spanish. Well, it's been interesting, but we're getting through it. I think it's funny how much he picks up from TV and walking around Walmart and Safeway. The Hispanic influence is not huge here, but there are enough people who speak Spanish that apparently, Jacob is picking it up.

Kyra and Megan had "picture" day today and they also had their hearing and eyesight checked. I now have written proof that they CAN hear AND see! So, there is no excuse for the missing shoes or the messy room.....I know they hear me and see the messes! HAHAHAHAHA (trying to type an evil laugh, but I just think of it as sweet justice!)

Ok..that wasn't nice, but I'm tired of tripping over their stuff and finding the obscure shoe that is hiding right in front of them. I mean, seriously?

Ethan is trying to talk now. He says "mom" over and over again when he wants something. I think his older siblings have taught him some bad habits. He also says "up, dad, and AAHHHHH" His smile and laugh are infectious and I love to snuggle with him. I can't believe that he is almost 19 months old. Where has all the time gone?

Jon is still busy with work. I think it's getting better, but then as soon as I say that, he has a bad day...Even when I say it's not going well, he seems to have a bad day. So from now on, he's having a regular day at work. No bad things, no good things...we'll see how far that goes. He is trying to start running again and is figuring out a new work-out routine. He is signing up again for the Wenatchee, WA half-marathon in April. We have a time to beat now, and I'm sure he'll be able to do it! I'm glad he gets to get out and do things that he likes to do!

It's getting late now and I should be going to bed. Lots and Lots to do tomorrow--wish me luck!

Sorry this seems scattered and random, but currently that is how thoughts are being processed in my head....ain't it lovely being me?

Children for Sale or Rent

These past few days have been seriously stressful for me. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that I have one week left of my current college courses, the fact that the children's primary program is due to our bishop and stake primary president ASAP, or the fact that I am going on very little sleep while the children feel it is ok to ruin everything that is special to mommy and mock every attempt at discipline that is handed to them. I am past the point of crying...my eyes are dry, and sore for that matter.

I have had to clean up: spilled sugar, spilled milk, spilled fountain drinks, spilled water bottles on church chairs, spilled cereal boxes that were brand new, freshly squeezed toothpaste, spilled powder make-up, spilled Q-Tips, the word spilled isn't even looking like I spelled it right anymore...I've typed it too much. Oh, and we've replaced a bedroom door and two door-knobs courtesy of my little angels. And all of that was just in the last day or two...

Not to mention all of the fighting, biting, punching, name calling "wish I was never born" mutterings, screaming, lying, "it's not fair" quips, and the doozy of them all, "mom, you're dumb" comments.

Lovely aren't they???

I know this is sounding less and less like a "For Sale" pitch, but really, they are great kids for everyone other than Mommy. (The girls' teachers said they were wonderful!) Maybe they would like to take them home.....hmmmm

Typing this out has helped relieve a little bit of the tension that I have burrowing in my shoulder blades, but I think I need some alone time with my chiropractor to really tweak my back and relieve all the tension. That or pain medication...hmmmm what would be cheaper???

At any rate, sorry you had to read all of this, but it's just something I had to get out there. If anything maybe it's a shameless plea for sympathy since no one in my house seems to care about what I say or do.

Is it vacation yet?

Ok, so we've only had 5 days of school out of the past 12 and I'm ready to sleep in...is it vacation yet? JUST KIDDING!

The only bad thing that I have noticed, besides getting up insanely early to help the girls get ready for the school bus, is that fact that I tend to go back to bed to get at least 45 more minutes of precious sleep. Well, when I do that, I tend to wake up in a panic thinking that I've over slept and the girls are late...duh..the girls have gotten on the bus without a problem..I should know, I sent them out of the house!

So, I'm requesting ideas on how to get my boys to go to bed earlier so that I can get to bed earlier and not need the extra 45 minutes of sleep. Because going to bed at midnight or later and getting up at 6:30 is not something I want to keep doing. The boys hardly take naps anymore and I do wake them up around 8 in the morning. I can't figure out how they can stay up all day. They won't stay in their beds and the door is crappy and won't latch...so they escape. It's been a real tough issue that we've been dealing with for a while now.

The girls love school and their teachers! Kyra is so far doing well in Second grade and Megan is a hit in First grade. We are also keeping busy with Megan's soccer schedule. Lots to do, but we're having fun!

On a different, more positive, note...I MADE IT BELOW MY DRIVER"S LICENSE WEIGHT!!! WOOOOHOOOOO!!! ok, only 4.5 pounds to go until November 22, 2009 when I have to renew my license! YAY ME!!!