When Scott and I announced that we were retiring the largest response was "WHAT are you going to do with your time?? Oh, you are going to be so bored. You should get a part time job." HA - we have been busier than a one armed paper hanger (for those who don't get the reference, it's for a wall paper hanger - get it? yeah, if you have to explain your jokes they are no longer jokes right - hahaha.)
We started in January with reorganizing some of our closets and other spaces - which was good timing since we had taken down the Christmas decorations so they needed organizing as well. It was of course cold weather so the majority of our activities were inside. When we retired Scott decided he wanted to serve one day a week at our Church working on miscellaneous projects, so every Tuesday we drive to Mechanicsville, he to work at church and I go to my parents to assist with any projects they have there. We also visit his parents at the end of every month.
There were also several doctor appointments as I was preparing to have knee replacement surgery. That surgery took place at the end of February, which lead to more doctor appointments and some physical therapy. I am happy to say my knee is "just like new" hahaha. It still swells if I am on it too long, but each day I try to push it just a little bit farther to keep it going. No pain, no gain right? Of course with all the down time from the knee recovery I was able to work a few puzzles - one of my passions!!
I worked this one for Moriah. I need to frame it for her room. I also did a puzzle for Jeremiah - of old cars to hang in his room.
Our next project was preparing our garden beds and starting our seedlings inside. The kids were great help with this, and we had several sleep overs for them to help us prepare and plant.
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| Laying the cinderblocks |
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| Tiling up the soil |
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| Poppa's little helper |
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| Spreading the layer of sand |
Of course we took time to do some other fun things as well, like painting Jeremiah's wagon, clearing the paths in our woods, working on some flower beds, organizing my cook book shelves and just having fun.
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| Hosta bed |
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| Rocks for the fire pit |
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| Trimming trees |
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| Moving our iris bed |
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| COOKBOOKS! |
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| Painting the wagon |
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| Clearing the paths |
Then, at the end of March our son announced that he was moving out, he had found an apartment to rent with a couple of buddies. We helped him pack and move, then started the process of cleaning his room to and turn it into a room for the kids to sleep in. We cleaned, spackled walls, painted, bought a bunk bed, sheets and curtains. PHEW what a job. The grandkids helped with all of this as well.
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| Washing the Floor |
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| Rug for the room |
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| Setting up the bunk beds |
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| Curtains!! |
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| Too many stuffed animals - LOL |
There was a quick break in our project schedule to attend the wedding of my niece. It was so much fun, and I can say that she has been blessed by a wonderful husband!! He fits into the family with ease.
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| My sweet Baby Girl <3 |
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| Proud Poppa |
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| My Big Guy <3 |
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| Cutie One and Cutie Two |
When we got home from the wedding I put our game camera's on our garden spot and caught a bear passing through the garden!! We've lived out here close to 30 years and never seen a bear!!
Of course along with the fun we also have had several days that we watched the kids when they were sick. It's never fun when the kids are sick but I am glad we were able to help Becca out!
For our next project we took on the task of revamping our basement. Our son had used it as his "man cave" and cave it was - it needed a sharp cleaning!! We rented a mini mobile to store things in and proceeded to move everything out of the living room and weight room for the renovation. We ripped up the carpet in both rooms, painted the walls and had my nieces husband install wood flooring in both rooms. Things are coming along smashingly.
Our most recent project is clearing out what I call our "gobby room". It is basically a room that is a catch all for everything from Christmas decorations to Scott's old train set that was his grandfathers. We are pulling everything out of the room and installing shelving along all of the walls to store everything more neatly and more organized! I am so excited!
Well - I think that catches us up for now! Till next time - blessings!!
