Moving Forward With The Remodel

Painters were here in-between other workers this week.  They are mostly done except for some doors and touch up that they will do after everyone else is done.

The last major thing the painters did was the "brown stain" on the dining room walls and some sections of hallways. He said that it had been over 15 years since he had done this type of finish and they don't have the same type of products (because it isn't what people are doing now.)  However, I have loved how it looked and didn't want to change it so with a bit of trial and error and working late one night, they got it done. It is a bit darker than before, but I am happy with it and it is true to the look that we have had (for about 15 years already.)

The electrician hung most of the light fixtures later in the week.

Utility room

Dining room

Over the sink

I love my yellow lights over the island.
They are actually produced by a Hong Kong firm
(made in China, of course.). 

new family room fan
You can see the cherry mantel
in the background.

master bedroom fan

All of our canned lights were changed to LED lights with a flat profile.

We also got some of our appliances with the freezer and refrigerator now installed and working.  It is an adjustment to make the switch to stainless steel but the options and features and prices all made that the best choice.

Our new main floor freezer--
Gary's idea!

We got new carpet for the living room, hallways, and bedrooms on the main floor as well this past week.

Living room--
or Library room as Gary calls it

Jena's bedroom

This week we are looking forward to the tile guy installing the fireplace tiles and the backsplash in the kitchen.  The plumber will also be here to attach fixtures and sinks.

It is taking shape and I am happy with everything.  We are heading out of town for 2 weeks on Thursday so we will miss some of the final details such as crown moldings in the kitchen, knobs and handles for the cabinets, door knobs, and putting doors and shelves back in throughout the house.  It is possible that they may finish while Gary and I are gone except for the front door which isn't expected until mid-April.

Then we have to "move" in for real when we get home.  That is another big job waiting for us.  However, at this point, we don't plan to move again (if we do serve another mission, I don't think we will move stuff out again.  Too much work!)

When we are done, you are all invited to come and visit!

Clouds.....

As I was previewing my photos from the past week, I loved these cloud pictures taken at a red light at State Street in Layton looking west......

I actually hadn't remembered taking cloud pictures this past week, but I loved the mixture of clouds and was glad to appreciate them again through the photos....

Then I looked more closely and remembered that I wasn't trying to take a picture of the clouds at all.  It was the flag posted in the bed of the pickup truck that I was trying to get a good shot of.  With edit feature, you can see the flag as the truck made the turn.

Flags and clouds--both powered by the wind!

I would love to paint clouds like that some day.
 

Carrot and Oat Pancakes

These are our gluten-free Carrot and Oat Pancakes.  As part of changing our eating habits to be more healthy and helping Gary's blood sugar, I am experimenting with new recipes. Despite what it sounds like, these were actually good and with the maple yogurt spread I made, didn't impact Gary's blood sugar out of the safe zone.  

He has been amazing at keeping his blood sugars within range.  He is averaging around 98% and the goal is over 70% of the time.  It will be an experience to travel and to try to be mindful of eating healthy and in the right ways to manage blood sugars--but we are on the learning phase of this and we will be eating LOTS of vegetables.
 

New Adventures For Jena

Last Sunday, Jena and I attended her YSA Stake's realignment meeting where they took the existing wards and rearranged them to form two wards for those 26-35 and the rest are for YSAs 18-25 years old.  This impacts Jena since she is in the older age group.  She will now attend the Clearfield YSA 26-35 Ward which meets on State Street in Clearfield.  It includes people from Morgan, Mountain Green, South Weber, Clearfield, and Syracuse.  We met her bishop after the meeting and then Jena attended her first game night family night last Monday.  She likes it so far.

Our friend, Ryan Miggins, leading the
music during the meeting.  I sent a 
photo to his mom.

The map of the stake building which told
everyone where together and meet their bishop.

Ironically, her previous bishop, Bishop Stott--is the other bishop of the older YSA ward for the west area.  However, although the ward is called Meadow Park YSA 26-35, very little of the area covered in the new ward matched with the past Meadow Park Ward so he will be starting over as well.

She will still meet at 12:00 which works well with our current schedule.  The building is about 12 minutes away which isn't bad either.