THE LIST (in progress) 6/8 and again 8/3

If all my editing is irritating, well, step away from your email :)
Progress is coming along nicely for the first bit of vacation. I have the supplies to get alot more done when our real vacation starts tomorrow.
6/1-Travis mowed, I updated the blog.
6/2 Worked on the hard stuff--beams and painting and other random items NOT listed. Bummer.
6/3 The SUN CAME OUT!!! Unexpectedly... we did things.
Mostly things not listed...
6/4 was very productive! painting and beam sanding for about 4hrs. Then a good friend came over and helped me clean my plants--very unexpected! I promised I wouldnt make her work...
6/5 Alot of visiting today. 3 Girlfriends, a movie, some relaxing, some family, and 1 impromptu visitor. A load of dirt and getting to pass around my awesome shovel. And 2 more items get crossed off.
6/6 I planted things!! Travis layed out the dirt from his Brothers and now I have a 38ft long planter !
& 6/7 We got some shopping out of the way since the rest the world was at work.
Bbqd steak for our last night of vacation and were in bed early!
Fantastic vacation, and relatively cheap too. Ate BBQ just about every day!
Updated 8/3, sorta. just crossing off.
Upstairs
reinstall/replace hallway mirror
replace lightbulbs
finish pantry
Wipe down tops of doors/frames
clean cupboards with TSP<----FAIL!
price new cupboard doors
Install handles in kitchen
clean carpet in master bedroom
remove last fire detector
Count outlet/switchs needed September!!
Sand medicine cabinets
Paint medicine cabinets
paint windowsills white
Finish beige painting<-----98%
Prime red
Finish red painting
pick color for stair paint
paint stairs= patch, sand, sweep, THEN paint.
sand beams<----50%
neutralize beams
stain beams
front door knob fix
fix hidden door to kitchen--abandoned
replace burner
Find freezer parts Part Number: AP2115843
research can lights-upstairs
replace bathroom fans #1
fix toilet again #1
Find tile for corner of fireplace
recaulk tiles in showers
Fix main bath toilet
fix master bath faucet
fix master shower doors
buy towel bars for #1
buy towel bars for #2
Downstairs
wash fridge downstairs
wedges for fridge wheels
install pan rack in kitchen
clean plants-miracle grow shine
fix faucet in lower kitchen
Clean freds cage parts
install new curtain in bath
Service dryer
Fix slider
replant ivy
operation Save gardenia
fix toilet again

BUY
Scrubbers
Linoleum for Fred
new curtain for dwn bath

Get model #s:
microwave round spinny thing
Oven knob
dishwasher silverware tray
Fridge crisper drawer support/clear drawer

Garden area
finish turning garden area dirt
buy more booster blend
plant things
buy more soaker hose
buy/install hose V
plumber to replace mainline
remove old wood chips
wipe down BBQ
fill in rocks around fence posts
Buy flower pot to
plant fuschia
get fill dirt from jasons
buy underground PVC for garden hose  September!!
junction box for underground hose  September!!
weeding front stones
put down sluggo

Yard
test porch lights September!!
weed lower moat
cut/edge/mulch around trees
dig up rose garden
dig up weed gardens
weed gravel area<----40%
buy bark for front yard edges
propagate ground cover

Other/Information
measurements for landscape SW
learn landscape software
find KC/BOTHELL fence easement rules
what is tax difference of bothell vs KC
find local vet for fred
wash cars
helzberg
buy shirts
bike ride
Movie with girls
Laundry
mowing
weed wacking
grocery shopping
costco
Buy fred food
research milk
Pedicure


Future Projects
electrician audit
linoleum in both baths
build patio cover
cut/paint/install trim
Work bench in garage
Shelves in garage
quiet the dishwasher
level stones on patio
replace upstairs furnace vents
paint window frames-metal
buy hedge trimmer  September!!
trim hedges
realign stones around driveway
replace bathroom fans #2
ducting for 2nd fan
Uplights in master bedroom
patch hole in 1st bedroom closet

(this future list gets longer)

Vacation Imminent in 3...2....1

Some would go somewhere with sun, sandy beaches & drinks delivered to beach chairs...
Us? We will just get down and dirty at home. Maybe I should add BBQ to the list...
I did get an extra shovel--so you are welcome to visit!

Here is a peak at our Do me list... not all will attempted, but we WILL make a dent.

At least 50 of these I can do myself... and plan on at least finishing the 38 free ones.
I threw in the Have to list at the bottom to make me feel better crossing items off.

We will be getting paid vacation time 8hrs a day--so it will be rewarding to make a wage while working on the house.

I think Ill come update this post or create a new one with the updates as we go along.

Upstairs
reinstall/replace hallway mirror
replace lightbulbs
Finish pantry
Wipe down tops of doors/frames
Install handles in kitchen
clean cupboards with TSP
clean carpet in master bedroom
remove last fire detector
Count outlet/switchs needed
Paint medicine cabinets
paint windowsills white
Finish beige painting
Finish red painting
paint window frames-metal
pick color for stair paint
paint stairs
sand beams
neutralize beams
stain beams
front door knob fix
fix hidden door to kitchen
replace burner
Find freezer parts Part Number: AP2115843
patch hole in 1st bedroom closet
research can lights-upstairs
replace bathroom fans x2
ducting for 2nd fan
Uplights in master bedroom
Find tile for corner of fireplace
replace all upstairs furnace vents
recaulk tiles in showers
Fix main bath toilet
fix master bath faucet
Downstairs
wash fridge downstairs
wedges for fridge wheels
install pan rack in kitchen
clean plants-miracle grow shine
fix faucet in lower kitchen
Clean freds cage parts
new curtain for dwn bath
Service dryer
Fix slider

BUY
Scrubbers
Linoleum for Fred

Get model #s:
microwave round spinny thing
Oven knob
dishwasher silverware tray
Fridge crisper drawer support/clear drawer
Garden area
finish turning garden area dirt
buy more booster blend
plant things
buy more soaker hose
buy/install hose V
plumber to replace mainline
level stones on patio
remove old wood chips
wipe down BBQ
fill in rocks around fence posts
Buy flower pot to plant fuschia
get fill dirt from jasons
buy underground PVC for garden hose
junction box for underground hose
weeding front stones
realign stones around driveway
put down sluggo
Yard
test porch lights
weed lower moat
cut/edge/mulch around trees
dig up rose garden
dig up weed gardens
weed gravel area
trim hedges
buy hedge trimmer
buy bark for front yard edges
Future Projects
electrician audit
linoleum in both baths
build patio cover
cut/paint/install trim
Work bench in garage
Shelves in garage
quiet the dishwasher

Other/Information
measurements for landscape SW
learn landscape software
find KC/BOTHELL fence easement rules
what is tax difference of bothell vs KC
find local vet for fred
wash cars
helzberg
buy shirts
bike ride
Phillips graduation
Movie with girls
Laundry
mowing
weed wacking
grocery shopping
costco


(Did you really read all the way down here?? I think 99 bottles of beer on the wall maybe sung while we accomplish this list)

April learns to weed eat!

There is a rose bush playing hide and seek in this picture--can you find it?

I honestly considered hiring someone.

Travis promised me I couldnt hurt myself or mess it up--so I gave it a go!

RAWR!

The "un" finished product. My biceps were too tired--but it looks pretty good in this pic.

I even saved the rose!

Meanwhile Travis pulled weeds and wore thru his 4th pair of gloves

This is gorgeous!
Nothing else seemed to merit pictures this weekend.

I dug some more holes with a new awesome shovel--you should come try it out!

Ran a soaker hose thru garden

Added quick release ends to all our hoses

Rearranged our living area and moved all boxes out of sight!

Set up the desk to play with landscaping software

Weeded and raked shaded side of house, nettles and blackberries oh my!

Chopped quite a few limbs from the Maple tree over our front walk way--and forgot to take any pictures!

Imagine me on a ladder, with a hand saw, on precarious ground, while Travis holds the ladder....

and a BBQ Sunday night!

Jalapeno popper dip

2x 8oz Cream cheese
1 cup mayo
4oz diced/canned/drained green chiles
4oz diced/canned/drained jalapeno
(Jalapeno is better fresh, but can will suffice)
1 cup parmesan cheese(to sprinkle on top)
If you dont have parmesan, most other cheeses should work

Mix cream cheese and mayo til smooth
(you will contemplate these ingredients for quite some time while mixing, and think, oh my--i better not eat alot of this--but in the end the smell will just be too much and you will consume vast amounts)

Add chiles and jalapenos, mix
Pour in to baking dish of appropriate size
add cheese to top
Cover in foil
Bake at 350ish for as long as you need to postpone it while you get some dishes done,
20 minutes or so
Take foil off, burn yourself--i always do at this part.
Turn on broiler for about 5 mins til cheese starts browning
remove to pad on table--
DONT TOUCH IT FOR 10 MINUTES
You will burn your tongue--promise.

Great with tortilla chips or
little party bread things, bake those for 5 minutes til toasty

Tomato list

I've got big ones, small ones, german ones, russian ones, Lebanese ones, green ones, black ones, red ones, yellow ones... Its gonna be tasty!
Row 1
Silver Firs
Paul Robson
Mortgage lifter
Camp joy
Blondkopfchen
Early Girl

Row 2
Black Sea Man
German Zebra
Aunt Rubys German Green
Black Tula
Brandy Boy

Row 3
Sun gold
Brandy Boy
Aunt Rubys German Green
Mystery tomato-lost tag
Omar's Lebanese
Cherokee

And on day 54 they ruled the earth!

Another 10hrs in the garden.


If you will remember where we left off last week:


we had 100sqft of dirt, loose and ready to plant...

Sandy arrived at 9am to give me my first lesson. We got all this done in about 2 hrs.
Tomatos, snap peas and spinach are in! More details to come on another post.



Jess arrived! We prompty got her put to work! I never knew bribery of vegetables would really work.




Travis has done most of the hardwork to this point. We just stand around and look cute.
(just dont look at our feet)

At 7 we finished. Now we can plant the peppers zuchini squash and cucumbers!

Have I mentioned how many rocks are in the garden? Im surprised there is anyroom left for dirt. Ill post pics of those soon. Meanwhile--this is the biggest. I have claimed it for my pet rock... What should I name him?

All this was fueled by some Jalepeno popper dip(evil)

And some Chili! I made these during my domestic day Saturday. Pictures of actual chili never come out looking so good.

More pics to come, just need more rest first.

And on day 53 they rested

We took saturday off to ride our bikes down to woodinville.
Opting to ride the Sammamish trail down to Redmond and back.
It was stunning! Birds and trees and sun. If you haven't ridden on this trail-DO IT.
Stopped and looked at some Chestnut trees and got lunch at Oobas before turning around and coming back. 19.5 miles total.

Always examining Chestnut trees to see what my little chester will do if I plant it in the earth. This one isnt too big..

Pretty.

But can you spot the tree towering over the house back there? Its about twice the size...

Fantastic day!

First Casualty

Troy Bilt, our first craigslist purchased, passed away Sunday May 9th.
He lived a long life of hard work and we had alot of hope for him...
He got one look at this...

And died of fright...

Travis performed the autopsy and the cause of death was said to be natural causes.

And the list goes on and on and on...

This is all I can recall of our weekend. It was surely a timewarp, days seemed like weeks, and the sun was shining!

Turn 100cb ft of soil
Move pile of concrete pieces
level out edges for last 7 stones
place last 7 stones
watch travis place last 7 stones
mow
rake
weed wack
level entry stones
Turn 100ft of soil and smash to bits
eat hot dog at Home Depot
Buy 10 bags of Compost boost
Add 10 bags
Turn soil and smash to bits again
fill yard waste
wash shelves for towel closet
wash shelves for bathroom closet
BBQ with 2 new neighbors
remove tape from closets
See plumber
See father and his GF.
See gardner Sandy about next step
See Jess.
washed house plants
looked in Attic
Installed cleaned shelves in 2 closets

I give you pictures! and a little cleavage.

Here I am washing shelves like a good little woman. You would think painting closets only involved paint + closets... but you would be wrong.
This one goes out to Margarita-the edge of these stones was quite the tripper/toe stubber.

All fixed now! I think Travis was a contractor in a past life. This is amazing.

And here we start.
4pm saturday, turning our rock solid earth. Im surprised this first turn only took 2 hours. And about 10 million shovel strokes.

And unimpressive--this is what the end of turn 1 looks like.

Dont mess with a man with a rake(and a gun)

And the end of turn 3. Almost looks like a garden!

But this is what we have left to do...*dies of fright*

With all that exhausting work done for the weekend--I give you my dinner plate smiling at me!

That's what friends are for...

They think I sat at the end of the road with binoculars waiting for them to lay the last stone before driving up and seeing the finished product...
Really I was grocery shopping to feed them. All finished by 5:30.

Travis, Jay, Joy, Michael, Brian, Emily--You are all fantastic!

Time to update the To Do list and move on to the dirt!

Heavyweight BBQ TONIGHT!

Lets get ready to RRRRUUUUMMMBBLLE!


In this corner we have many strong friends who arent afraid of getting dirty and showing off there muscles.
Best way to recruit these amazing friends is to invite them while drinking and promise them Travis' famous burgers ;)



And in this corner :
55 stones weighing in at a measly 80lbs each.

Are you with us?

Us woman will be in the kitchen: Burgers, brats, chicken, corn on the cob & beer!

Picture our weekends

The 4000lbs of stones for the garden wall were delayed til Monday delivery so our Saturday plans were shot. We decided to lay low and took friday night off and let Saturday be easy stuff.

We slept in finally (til 8:30!)
Ran some errands (Home Depot of course)
Travis cleaned out 2 drains while I assisted with bucket and flashlight (you are lucky I didnt take pics of this--Yuck!)
I drilled my first holes with a drill. No longer a drill virgin.

Installed kitchen knobs finally.

Then it was off to Paul & Margaritas for my first PPV boxing match! I love El Canelo!

(Travis probably doesnt approve this comment or picture)

Here is Travis teaching me to drill holes. Meanwhile Im eating nuts and taking pictures :)

Here is the glory that is cupboards that can be opened!

Imagine trying to open cupboards meant to have knobs with out knobs--its as awesome as you think.

Travis slaved all day Sunday to flatten out this area for the stones coming Monday.He stole our top row to get started. He makes it look easy but these stones are no joke. 80lbs in a little block smaller than most womans purses.
I could not lift a single stone.

500lbs of gravel, wood stakes, string and several hours with the shovel.

Meanwhile, Jen and I edged closet 5, 6, 7 & 8 and finished painting 4,5 & 6.

I always forget that this is more detailed than just "painting"

2 hours before painting:
Remove shelves and hardware

Vacuum edges
Clean baseboards
Tape baseboards
Sand wood shelf supports
Dust
Vacuum floors again.

I am also no longer a sanding virgin. Must remember facemask next time to avoid sawdust in my nose!
And for all that I give you 1 lousy picture. More edges than wall.


For all Jen's hardwork I rewarded her with an overpriced bottle of water and a cheeseburger from DQ. Jen is my hero!!

During breaktime we took a trip to Heaven on earth (Molbaks) and with in the hour I got mine planted. One less thing to add to the projects list.
I give you Chocolate Mint and Lemon Balm...




This is about how I expect our weekends to go for a while... with a little less El Canelo though.