We're On Our Way to a New House!

Here we go... we are underway ... the house is started! Willie called us Valentine's Day to tell us that the corners were set, and footings would be dug the next morning at 9 a.m.! And they were dug yesterday, just as scheduled. Concrete was to be poured in the footings today at noon. A "pumper truck" was ordered from Little Rock to expedite getting the concrete to the footings and across the lot. We think the truck driver said the pumper weighed 60,000 lbs.!

The driver/operator maneuvered the gigantic armature via a wireless remote control panel, so that he was standing on-site. Casey Stone maneuvered the actual hose, so that the concrete was directed down the center of the footings. Willie and Hurshel spread the concrete, following behind Casey. It was really interesting.

It was a very cold day...25 degrees shortly before noon, and windy. Everyone was dressed warmly, and Hurshel built a fire out of scrap timber and logs. Most of the day it was sunny and beautiful; however, late afternoon brought clouds and more wind, and it got pretty chilly!

Getting the pumper truck back out of the lot was quite an adventure. I'll let the pictures tell the whole story. FYI... click on any photo to enlarge it for viewing and reading the caption!

Blocks come next... stay tuned!!!

Still No House!

Still no house! Mother Nature has decided to play with us on this one, and we have had a "10-year flood," which deposited about 6 inches of rain in a weekend and caused us to rethink our design a bit, followed by a "wintry mix" and very cold temps last week. We hope to break ground this week, but already another "wintry mix" is in the forecast! It's a good thing we aren't in a hurry on this one!!!

There will be more pictures when there is something new to photograph!

Let's Build a House!

It's started! We are working on the lot and things are really changing. I try to take pictures every time we go... but I have to remember to take the camera! Weather permitting, we should be able to start in about another week! This first picture was taken November 20... beautiful big tree that will be in the "back yard." There is also a picture of Greg's mom on the overlook at Mossy Bluff, which is very near our neighborhood.













We started clearing the lot after Christmas, and on January 5, 19 pines and a few hardwoods were removed to make room for the house. On January 10-11, the tree tops and underbrush were removed, and this is what it looks like now!

















This is our "new back yard"!

Selling My Book on eBay!!!

I've posted my book, What to Say and Do... When You Don't Know What to Say and Do, again on eBay. I'm hoping that I've used the right keywords to catch someone's attention and get this message out to the public. All proceeds still go to Hospice... I'm hoping to write them a BIG check soon!

You can find my book at eBay -- listing #290070438337.

Have a great day!

Caitlyn and Chase Visit

We were surprised this week with a visit from Greg's great-niece and nephew, Caitlyn and Chase, who live in Missouri. They are here visiting their Poppy and Nana for Christmas. Poppy and their mom, Cindy, brought them over for a brief visit one morning. Caitlyn played the piano for us and posed nicely in front of our Christmas tree. Getting a good photo of Chase was a challenge... he turned his head and said, "No!" We were able to distract him, and with a lot of luck, snap a few good ones!

Christmas Eve at Greg & Debbie's

We spent Christmas Eve with the "Chandler" family... Mam-ma Polly, Mom & Lee, Suzanne, Mike and Jasmine, and Greg's mom, Elaine. After church, we ate a big meal, watched video and played dominoes, then went to Candlelight. Then we ate again, opened gifts, and ate some more! It was a great day. Here are some photos... click them to enlarge... enjoy!

Christmas With Olivia

My cousins, Natalie and Olivia, came to visit yesterday and to see our decorations. Olivia loved the tree and the lights... Natalie loved it all! We exchanged gifts... a depression glass bowl set for Natalie, a beautiful black necklace and bracelet set for me, and Olivia got a hand puppet cow who sings Christmas carols when you move his mouth and a string of stuffed snowmen for her bed. Our visits are always too short, so the girls are going to try to come back after Christmas and stay longer.