House Update

HOUSE UPDATE

Probably the No. 1 thing I am asked, after How are the kids doing? is How is the house coming along?  So here is an update, without current pictures, of what's going on around here.  We are doing so many little things that take a lot of time to get done, that sometimes I don't have a great list to rattle off as an answer.  Tonight, I have lists for you.

To set this up, here are a few pictures from early fall 2010

These serve the purpose to remind you and me that the item on the list might read:

Build brick wall.  But the work and effort required to cross off that line item is huge.  So far we have done everything ourselves.  We also must fit in our to-do items with left over energy from earning a living, serving in church callings, and the many other joyful distractions of life.

So without further ado, here is the list of how the house is going:

2011 Property Accomplishments

1. Took down two large trees. Cut up and stacked for firewood

2. Trimmed the pine tree, cut up branches and stacked.

3. Cleared backyard flat.

4. Created a garden area

5. Received a free Tuff Shed, placed and leveled for a garden shed

6. Built a chicken coop

7. Rototilled manure into the backyard soil.

8. Planted grass seed/set-up timed watering system with hoses and oscillating sprinklers.

9. Bought and planted 5 shade trees, 6 fruit/citrus trees.

10. Built Ron’s workshop.

11. Gutted Casita

12. Placed a shower pan and tiled casita shower

13. Installed vanity, sink, toilet in casita

14. Scraped off popcorn ceiling in casita

15. Relocated door of casita to south wall.

16. Retextured ceiling and some walls.

17. Installed three new windows in casita

18. Installed travertine floor

19. Painted and installed ½ of baseboards

20. Hung new closet rods

21. Installed water filtration/softener system

22. Installed commercial water mineral filter

23. Installed hot water heater for casita

24. Took down unnecessary fencing in the front yard.

24. Leveled front yard.

You might wonder why we put so much effort into the backyard/garden, etc., when it is the living conditions that needed improving.  Well, after 2 1/2 months, I had had it with the dust flying everywhere.  The dirt here is poofy, and was blowing like crazy.  Hense, the need for grass to cut down on the dust.  The bigger benefit was a place for the grandchildren to run around and play.  We could sit out and have family dinners on the grass. I sat on the backyard swing and enjoyed the evenings. 
 
The other line of thought was I know that this whole process will be a 5 year project.  Why not be able to enjoy the yard as we go?  Why not get trees planted now, so when we're done with the house, they've matured and look nice?  Why spend 5 years building, then wait another 5 years for the fruit trees to grow and mature?  So we planted along the perimeter outside of the area of construction.  I have not done anything with the front yard, and probably won't until after the construction is finished.
 
Today Ron and I were discussing some things we need to do.  He ends by saying, "I think this time next year we'll be ready to start the house."  I replied, "I thought this time next year we'd have a big hole in the ground and the basement started."  That's when I decided to make a list of what we need to be doing next.  By the time I got to the end of the 2012 To-do List, I'm afraid to say I think Ron was right.  I don't see the extra money and time in the next year to get the list done by July and start the basement, but I'm always open to miracles.
 
We'll finish up the casita and get it complete.  I'll use it to host our Sunday family dinners, visiting and home teachers, other miscellaneous visitors, but I don't think we'll actually move into it until we're ready to start demo on the main house.  The three rooms we're camping out in now are actually larger than the casita.  We'll see how it goes.

2012 Property To-do List


1. Convert new casita range for LP Gas

2. Mount propane tank and pipe to kitchen for the range

3. Add more electrical outlets on kitchen wall.

4. Install cabinets + microwave + dishwasher

5. Paint & install baseboards and cove molding in front room

6. Install 3 new ceiling light fixtures

7. Have Cox put cable in casita.

8. Trim the 3 large widow frames from inside.

9. Get blinds for front 2 windows. Make curtains for bedroom window.

10. On outside, add mortar around the window frames that were replaced.

11. Get architectural foam to trim out the windows on outside walls

12. Repaint outside of casita to more closely match the workshop

13. Put a conex storage in backyard for work materials.

14. Grade new driveway approach

15. Prepare ground between workshop and casita for cement.

16. Pull up some of the existing cement in front of casita prepare for new pour.

17. Pour driveway. Pour driveway into the shop. Pour entrance area to casita

18. Install garage doors on workshop

19. Paint epoxy finish on shop floor

20. Install the individual heating/AC units for the casita

21. Temporary power pole for workshop.

22. Hardwire electrical connections for the water filtration system

23. Pipe in more water spigots around property

24. Bring storage trailer (semi trailer) here from Glen’s house.

24. Build wooden steps to access trailer easily. Paint to match workshop.

25. Continue going through our packed boxes, rearrange, label clearly, donate extra

26. Move all storage boxes currently being stored in the house to the trailer

27. Finalize house remodel plans.

28. Begin permitting process.

 
You may ask why mess with drive way, etc., before main house construction, isn't that poured after completion?  Yes, normally. Since when do we do anything normal.  Much like the backyard, I don't intend to spend the next 5 years driving up to my house on pooffy dirt.  Walking to get into my car and getting my Sunday shoes dirty.  Since the driveway approach is from the opposite side of the property than the house construction, I'll take the cement now.  We'll leave about a 10 foot strip that will be poured to match up to the garage when we're done. 
 
Hope this answers your questions about how the house is doing.  Next up, review of the end of our year.

September

Here's some pictures of our last month.

 Rebekah volunteered to interpret at a music festival in the Boston area last weekend.  She sent me this picture that someone took of her on stage. kinda cool. I had never thought of having an interpreter for music/songs, but I'm glad she can provide this service.

It's that time of year, out with the spring garden and in with the fall garden.  I saved about half of the tomatoe plants.  The eggplants have finally taken off and are doing well.  Ron added in grass clippings and more manure and the tilled the ground over. (Notice:  the back brick wall is now beautiful! check that off the to-do list.  Still haven't painted the fencing around the garden though :(

Aren't these pretty!

I'm hoping we can get another go-round of tomatoes in a few weeks.  I gave the remaining plants major haircuts and they're growing beautifully now.

These are some of the lovely Young Women in our ward.  Each ward in the stake was asked to have a building open house. This was our room display about the Young Women's program of the church.

 The first table was about the individual classes, logo, etc.  The middle table was a girls' camp display and the third table was about Personal Progress.  When visitors came by the girls walked them through each of the displays and explained what they do in the program.  I was so proud of them! They were understandably scared and nervous, but they did a fabulous job.

It's wedding season!  Last weekend was Ashley's bridal shower.  It was fabulous!  Yummy food, great ward, family, and friends support for Ashley as she gets started with her own home.  She is so lucky.

 I'm sorry, I know it looks dorky, Ashley, but it is the obliquitory wedding shower pose.

Other non-filmed activities for the month:

• I started a juice fast.  Several blogs and people on facebook had mentioned this so one night I watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, and decided to give it a try.  I'm three weeks in.  I can't go the full 60 days at this time, but I will probably go another week or two.  I have a year plan so I'm really hoping this helps jumpstart better eatting choices. blah, blah, blah.  Who wants to hear about somebody's diet???
• One day I clean one side of the drive way of various tools, trash, left over remodeling supplies, etc.  It filled two trash cans.  And moved several things to the shop.  It may sound dumb in print,  but I can't tell you how bad it bugs me to drive up into a mess.  And there are several mess spots at this time. So cleaning one area gave me excitement and hope that the other 4 areas I have in mind will get cleaned up as well.  One improvement project around here that didn't cost any money.  finally.
• Ron spent a saturday afternoon hooking up the water heater to the casita.  Wiring plumbing, etc.
• The Relief Society general broadcast was last Saturday.  President Uchdorf gave a fantastic talk.  I love sitting back and just melting into the bench like he is talking to my soul.
• I ordered strawberry plants yesterday, so I guess I will spend this weekend (in between conference sessions) getting some beds reading for planting.

I think that recaps our month.  We're busy, but just regular folks like everyone else. Every Saturday has us working, serving, or enjoying our family.  I'm looking forward to some cooler weather.  I have one request, that fall lasts more than a week.  It's nice to enjoy cooler weather and not just go from hot to cold.

Lectures for Adult Children

I still have more lectures in me, the children are just not around to hear them.  Now we have brief conversations.  They tell me what they think, and I'm there saying "You're kidding, right?"  There is no discussion or exchange of ideas, they just leave the house.  Hey, kids, I still have more to say!!!!

Some lectures are ageless.  Take for example, "Nothing good happens after midnight."  But other lectures are for older children and understanding.  When you were 14, you didn't need to know about the complexities of renewable energy and government subsidies - now you do.

Lecture One: 
Do the Math in Your Head.  Do it While They're Talking to You.

The media is your source of information, but that information needs to be filtered by you against the truth you know.  And for heaven's sake, learn to do the math in your head and not just believe them.
Case in point.  Child:  I think any new government building built going forward must have solar power. 

Back on December 9, 2010, Las Vegas city officials gathered with the news media to tour the new solar parking structure built by the City of Las Vegas.  These were the facts given on the news account:

• The solar structure was built with a block grant from HUD for $1.2 million
• NV Energy was giving the City of Las Vegas a rebate check for $400,000
• These sites are projected to give an energy savings of $26,000 per year.

Good News!!!! Isn't this great!!!

No.

Net cost to City (actually fed govt cause it's a grant from HUD):  $800,000 divided by 26,000/yr = 30.76 years to RECOOP cost of installation.  This is recoop your installation cost.  It is not until year 31 that you start realizing a profit of "free energy."

Just because City officials gather and news reporters spit back a press release at you, does not make this a wise use of money resources.  Learn to do the math in your head as they're talking to you.
Why would we want to build all govt buildings going forward with renewable energy only?  It is not cost feasible yet.

Second Case in Point:  Hybrid Vehicles

I was thinking a hybrid Tahoe would be the best of both worlds.  I could get the Tahoe size that I would prefer, and a hybrid.  I could save money on gas!  It would be more affordable. Score! 

Let's do the math.

MSRP on a Tahoe:  $37,445
MSRP on a hybrid: $48,974
difference in cost just to buy a hybrid:  $11,529

MPG Tahoe:  15 city/21 hwy
MPG hybrid:  20 city/23 hwy
5 mpg savings.
30 gal tank.  For simple math assume gas is $3/gal.  One tank would be $90 in either vehicle. How many miles do I have to drive to earn back my $11,529 so that I can really start taking advantage of the hybrid extra miles per gallon?

Miles traveled in Tahoe (15x30) 450 miles per tank
Miles traveled in hybird (20x30) 600 miles per tank
150 miles per tank difference.  which in the hybrid makes for 7.5 gallons saved.  7.5 times our assumed $3/gal is $22.50 saved with each tank full.

I paid an extra $11,529 to save $22.50 per tank full = 512 tankfulls of gas.  If I fill up 52 times a year, thats 9.8 years.  I will have to own and drive this car for 10 years to just recoop the extra cost of buying a hybrid.  At 600 miles per tankfull, in ten years I would have driven 307,200 miles.

I usually do not keep a vehicle for 10 years or 307,200 miles; therefore, buying a hybrid will not save me money.

So my lecture to you would be:  Just because the media, your friends, your president, etc., are telling you you could save so much money with renewable energy, that's not necessarily true.  Do the math for yourself.  Or, in older lecture language:  You have a head on your shoulders, use it.

Brad's Birthday Dinner

Carson (16 mos.) A game with a ball?  I'm in.

Happy Birthday Brad

Scott & Matt sync their apps

Parker (16 mos.) has decided to explore the world on two legs now.

How our group looks now -1 (+1 with ashley's sister Callie)

Out Back

The garden started like this in April. 

My gnome was keeping watch over the new squash plants.

In May the ladybugs showed up.

Things really started growing.

We moved the 7 week old chicks out into their new fancy coop.

By the time June came, we were in business.

 He was doing his job well.

 Chicks were growing.

Started getting a harvest.  I loved loved loved the spinach.  It will now be a constant in my garden.  For the first time I have been successful with eggplant.

 Too much dirt.  It was really windy this year.  And all this dirt was everywhere - in my face, the house, the car.  It was no bueno.

 Ron spread manure and planted grass seed.  Added a few shade and fruit trees. Rearranged trailers.

August.  The garden is now an overgrown jungle!  But it's still producing just fine.  The corn did amazingly well this year.  I've canned whole tomatoes and salsa.  I've blanched and frozen summer squash.

Last night's pickins. 

The grass has been fabulous!  The little toddler grandsons can play on it, the older ones run around.  It's cooler.  Kruger likes laying on grass instead of dirt, and it keeps him cleaner.  I love grass in the back.

Where all the cool chicks hang out.

The girls are getting big.  They're 5 1/2 months old now.

This is the inside part of the coop.  They spend their morning hours in here away from sun.

Half of them sleep on this top roost at night, the other half are on one on the outside.  A couple still like to sleep on the ground.

This week I've received my first two eggs!!!  These smaller half-sized eggs are called pullet eggs. (a pullet is a chick under 1 years old, after 1 year they're called hens.)  One was green with brown speckels the other was a perfect shade of tiffany blue.  I was really surprised that the Americanas started laying first, I was expecting one of the other two breeds I have to be first with their brown eggs.  I expect in the next few weeks they'll all be laying consistantly.

That's the update.  The grass backyard has been wonderful.  I still have my same to-do list I had in March - painting the back brick wall, painting the garden fencing.  Now I'm going to add some terraced rock levels in the back of the garden too.  When it cools off it'll get done.

Happy Father's Day, Grandpa

(aka Grandpa with a mustache)

Love,

Hallie, Parker, Charlie, Andrew, Carson

ON A SUNNY SATURDAY MORNING IN SAN DIEGO

This, my friends, is Bradley Mitchell Marx walking across the stage in full academic regalia.

Wow. 

Let's just stop and take this all in.

 As he strolled across the stage, I had an overwhelming appreciating for all the hours of hard work that has gone into achieving this great goal.    Brad & Kara have done this together, and I am so proud of them.

Kara, Brad & Hallie

Insert your own comment here...

The whole fam-damily. 

Marxism at its finest.

whoo-hoo Brad, congratulations.  We'll all just keep celebrating, while you go back to studying all day for the next couple months.

 Snapshots of my life lately:

Andrew kicked this board in half. I was impressed.

 My chicks arrived.  All 16 of them.  This is the two Ashley's holding them.

 Hallie was pretty excited to hold one.

 I'll have to grab some updated photos.  This was them at 3 days old.  So stinkin cute!

 Ron's mother had a birthday!

 Random shot of Scott and I.

Ron scored a killer trade-out deal on this shed.  Then they got the sign people to load it onto the trailer and drove it home.  It's perfect!