Where did November go?

It has been a beautiful month and we have spent most of it happy to be at the end of this dead end street. Gunnar left after an enjoyable monthlong visit and we probably had the stove and oven in the carport before he got to Oklahoma. We have demolished all the kitchen cabinets except for one holding the sink. It is sorta like we are camping right here at home. We have new LED lighting, a new ceiling, another coat of paint and appliances ready to go!

Just to keep from being bored I have spent a lot of time up the hill helping Jeff build a new shop in his back yard. Hopefully it will be finished in time for him to make me some new glass Christmas ornaments. Now with all the new knowledge I can't wait to build a garden shed on my property.

The leaves this year were gorgeous and put on a real show with the many shades of orange, yellow and red. My maple in the front yard might be small but it glowed profusely one day and the leaves blew in every direction the next as they fluttered silently to the ground.

The nights have been short and the days long as my sleep habits have gone downhill. I think it is just the excitement of each new day and I can't wait to get started.

Thanksgiving eve was to be spent in Searcy with Kay and her family but I got a one day mini bug just a day before and we cancelled. Jeff came to the rescue and fixed a fabulous holiday meal. It was nice to go over the river and through the woods to his house.

It has been a most rewarding month and I am reminded daily of how much I have for which to be thankful!



-Susan

Zippety doo dah...

My, oh my, what a wonderful day. We ventured to the recently opened Zip Lines  so I could mark one off my bucket list.  The fall colors in the trees made it an excellent time to visit. First, Leon gets help getting suited up.

Big Bear was the first of seven zip lines. The valleys in the rocky hillside made for an excellent location. At each line we would ascend a sturdily built platform before gliding across the valley to the hill on the other side. Big Bear is 120 feet high and 1,107 feet long. 

Gunnar is all geared up and ready to go! He knew from the beginning he would do all seven. The rest of us weren't too sure.

Cindy hooks each of us to the line and sends us off.

Next it was Jeff's turn. He makes it look easy. I could never get myself turned around and was always backwards.

I think it is obvious we are having fun!

Bruce waits to put on the brakes for Jeff as he comes in for a landing.  It felt good to know that a doctor and a nurse were accompanying us!

Gunner zips across.

My landings are not so graceful but the hillside is usually sloped.

Jeff zips on in. He is ready to go again!

Tear down that wall!

Remodel Phase II began when I found the contractor to tear down the living room wall adjacent to the kitchen. I have always wanted that southern winter sun to shine into the kitchen and soon it will! But first to get rid of some furniture.  Leon was kind enough to hall this desk up the hill and Jeff was kind enough to find a spot for it. France circa 1860s is no longer welcome in my new dining room!

Joey wasted no time in getting started. Jeff and Leon marvel at something!  

I do like to reuse things if possible so I pulled some nails out of the cedar studs to be reused in our future shed project. Why buy 2x4s if you already have them?

Joey and Rocky didn't realize they were teaching me how to replace and add flooring. 

I can now walk into the dining area and see into the kitchen, but now I also see those soffets all too well and they have got to go!  I soon realized that the ceiling did not extend to the wall.  It seems like I began this project in the middle.  I know, I could get new cabinets to the ceiling but I don't plan to replace the one over the counter. At last, it is time to put up new sheetrock on the ceiling. I have wanted to cover those tacky tiles forever.

But first...

The contractor tried to ease his way into doing this job also but I caught onto that in a hurry. Why would I want to miss out on the fun.  I am not sure Leon would agree with that theory.

OK! Time to take a break and figure out about gas stoves, can lighting, LED lights, and what kind of cabinets I want. I don't mind living like this at all! I am multi-tasking and have another project to begin before cold weather sets in.