A Week Later

My goodness. This week has flown by much too quickly! This afternoon I head back to Dallas, to again help my mother during her rehab period after breaking her right wrist on January 13^th. Yes. It was a “Friday the 13^th” freak episode of tripping over her feet.

I got a week respite after spending 29 days there (three days during this time I had two special visitors)! For a blessed 7 days I came home ~ to regroup, to spend time here at home with my family, and get some remodeling done on the dedicated sewing room! Thank the Lord for my sister!!!

Back to the renovation update ~ I had to basically empty the room first, before we could install the new flooring, which took a couple of days while DH had a few projects to do outside. You can see the absolute mess I faced in my previous post.

The Allen & Roth laminate flooring was a BUGGER to install. Last year we installed the same principled type flooring in our living room, but a different brand. It was a room three times bigger and it went down beautifully with hardly any issues. But, not this stuff.

Anyway. It’s done.

We put the bookcases back in the room and I reloaded the shelves with most of my collection. I’m selling the knitting books. I know I will never learn to knit.

Did you happen to notice the tv trays leaning against the wall next to the bookcases?

These are older than me! They also still work! I have precious memories of using them at my grandparents when they lived behind us, and then at the farm. They will NEVER get painted, nor thrown away.

We then moved the new HEAVY SUCKER quilting frame and machine boxes from the living room! (Yes. They’ve been there since arrival in November 2016)!

I’ve order wall cabinets – white Shaker style – for this wall. I will pick up from Lowe’s and we will get them installed once I get back.

If I can find oil-based paint, I may eventually paint the remaining walls white. I know from lessons learned latex paint will peel off the paneling.

To the right of the door was once a window. It’s been filled in, and will have a wall cabinet, but it won’t totally cover the ‘pieced’ section. I’m still thinking about how to cover it as my Plan A didn’t work. I saw on Fixer Upper where Chip used a “peel and stick” type of flooring on a wall. Well, it wouldn’t stick to the varnished paneling like I’d hoped. I am NOT ABOUT to strip the varnish, so am back to the drawing board on this one! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

I cleaned out a closet. I should have taken a “before picture”…

But, I didn’t.

It’s cool to clean out a closet after having stuff buried for 15-20 years! It’s amazing the things that are rediscovered!  

Now it’s time to de-clutter!

While going through the all stuff taken out of the room, I set up two boxes…

1)    donation to the local Senior Center

2)    donation for the American Legion Post #116’s annual “garage sale” at the Diamondback Jubilee (Rattlesnake Roundup) in Lometa Regional Park on 3/25/17

I also have a HUGE trash bag.

It’s a start.

It’s only been a week.

Until the next time I’m back home…

It has begun!

Renovations to the back bedroom in this 1918 house – my long awaited dedicated sewing room – have begun! I’m excited beyond words! Finally!

We’ve started with the exterior door.

Due to just the way it had do be – the door into the room from the living area is only 28” wide. It is certainly too small for a wheelchair (not that one is needed right now, but it could change in a heartbeat – been there, done that!) or for moving items into the room like my Aunt Lee’s desk or the antique “kitchen” table I dearly cherish.

While I was in Dallas last week, Bud ripped off the white vinyl siding we put on about 24 years ago… and the interior paneling.

Renovating a 98 year old house has its challenges! There are no “walls” like we are familiar with now (i.e. 2” x 4” x 8’ studs)…

Instead, the walls are made with 1” thick x 12” wide x 12’ – 16’ long planks (they go up into the ceiling and below the porch). These were covered by the shiplap on the outside (the blue) and a shiplap on the inside (the white).

Tedious!

IF we ripped off the interior white shiplap, we may find paper like we’ve found when other rooms have been renovated. Notice, zero insulation! That’s what the paper was for – bless their hearts! And, is why I never used this room much during the winter! This will all get updated!!!!

 

Of course we're getting lots of help!

First step…

Check back for our progress

Quick Run Down

Since my last post, the Bernina USA contest is now over. The votes for me did not come in like I had hoped. A lot of folks supported me, and I’m very grateful, but I’m afraid not near enough.

On March 5^th, our sweet Beth girl told us it was time to let her go. It was hard to help her cross the Rainbow Bridge, something I never wanted to do. I snuggled with her one last time and felt her take her wings. We are blessed to have had her for so long (16 years, 8 months, 2 days). I put a green shiny ribbon on the Prayer Tree in remembrance of Beth.

Two days later, my step daughter and her boys came for a visit. It poured down rain, even received a bit of pea-size hail, during their visit. No fishing this time. In between storms, the boys all played either with their drones, or filming of the flights. Otherwise, indoor games, puzzle workings, movies, and electronic games kept everyone busy.

The same day the kids left, I went to Dallas and visited with my mother. We did some running of the roads together, errands she needed done. Then I had the fabulous opportunity to work at Thomas Sewing Center (Mesquite, Texas) for two days with my sister and others! I hadn’t worked retail in eons! It was fun. I learned a lot from the co-workers, and customers!

I loved the experience… especially the two sisters (in their 70’s) that came in, the younger one wanting her first ever sewing machine! It was a simple machine, just perfect for her learning how to sew. The only hang up she had was how to insert the underneath bobbin. I was familiar with that type of bobbin and was called upon to show her how! She did it! She was all smiles walking out the door with her very own sewing machine!

Another high-moment for me was when I helped a regular customer find the fabric she needed, cutting it for her, and communicating with her. She is totally deaf. Although she had a tablet and pen, I didn’t realize I knew that much sign language! We got along fabulously!

Late Saturday afternoon, it was time to prepare the store for Mr. Thomas’s wake after his funeral on Monday. Besides the Dallas Quilt Show going on (Thomas Sewing Center is THE Platinum Sponsor for the show), the owner’s daughter got married and her dad passed away. I continually offer prayers and condolences for Mrs. Thomas, Dana, and the rest of the family for their great loss.

Once back home, we started a major renovation project… one that we’ve been waiting about 5 years to start ~ replacing 35+ year old carpet with plank flooring! We didn’t want to cause Beth undue hardship with standing/sliding issues, so we stored the materials. Now it’s time.

But my goodness, the oops we’ve found! Built in 1918, this house has its issues to say the least! To make up what is now the living room ~ three rooms were built off site then moved and put together. Where they join, the floor level varies. These are issues we are addressing, and will get it done - - - -  eventually!

As far as sewing goes… I manage a bit here and there during the wee-hours of the morning. I’m thankful I found out about several free Block of the Month’s projects going on via the Internet! Through The Splendid Sampler quilt along, we receive two patterns per week! I don’t have to think about an entire quilt, just one block at a time! I’m using red white and blue – of course!

Well, that’s a quick run down what’s been happening around here! What have you been doing?