The light at the end of the tunnel.....

My house is now hooked up to city sewer.  What a mess!  No wonder it was so dang expensive....it was a lot of work and a lot of equipment being used.  This was the first day.....

 

 

They had to take my back chain link fence down and dig in the backyard.  I feel so bad about messing up the neighbor's yard but the city said it had a right-of-way and there was no other way.  Couldn't believe how deep they had to go.

 

They laid the pipes in yesterday and put the pump in the old septic.  Then the electrician came, hooked it up and put a big ole electrical box on the back of the house.  The city came and inspected it today and two  people came out tonight with backhoes to fill it in and smooth it out.....sort of!!!

 

 

 

 

 

The yard is a mess including the side yard where they made a thousand trips up and down.  I'll have to hire someone to come in to help.  Too big of a job to do myself.  What a headache this has been but I figure it's done now and I can, hopefully, get on with selling my house.

 

I've been able to get a few things ready for Leola's.  This lamp is so wonderful.  It's a vintage cowboy doll.  I had to rewire and do a little gluing but it is adorable.  Also made some lavender-filled bags for drawers or whatever.....I love mine in my heating pad at night....so soothing!

 

I've decided to take some of my ironstone to sell.  I love it but just have too much.

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My neighbor has made me these wonderful peg racks out of old wood.....

 

Today I am planning a day off.  I'm going with sister Judy and her granddaughter to Crystal Bridges Art Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.  It's the gallery that was built by one of the Walton's of Walmart fame and by all accounts is amazing.  I seriously need a day off.

 

Hope everyone is having a great week.







There's a sign in my yard........

My realtor came this morning and put the sign in my yard.

I feel like I've been preparing for this for months.  It's now ready to go.  My sisters came yesterday & ran through this house like crazy women but they really decluttered my house.  Sometimes it takes someone else coming in to tell you what you need to get rid of or hide under the bed.  There's no more room in my storage bldg. so it 's got to find a place here.



Don't know what I'd do without this motley crew of crazy women.  They always show up when I need them.

Here are some pictures of my house when we finished.  What do you think?  If you have any suggestions, I'd be more then happy to hear them.

This is my entry hall.  Jeff recently put an electrical outlet on the wall so I could have a lamp.  I'm astounded at the difference it made.  So welcoming.

Above is my great room where I do most of my living. 



Above is my living room/dining room.  Lots of hours spent around this table.  It was built by my mother's grandfather & I was lucky enough to end up with it.  I've often wondered what my great-grandfather would have thought if he'd had the slightest inkling that his great-granddaughter would put a finish on his old farm table.

Maybe soon I can post the bedrooms.  If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.

Christmas decorating at my house!

It has been so cold the last few days & the side streets are ice covered so I've had the opportunity to actually stay home & finish some things. Can't believe how fast December is going. Kenda worked for me yesterday at Leola's (she lives close to the shop) so I even got a little baking done. Mike takes a dessert to work tomorrow so I'm thinking about something I could make with ingredients I have in the house.

Wanted to take a few more pictures of the house. After Jane's pictures, I had to really work to get good shots. Our houses are totally different & I gave up long ago trying to compete with my talented friends. They love my house and always make me feel like they think it's special. It's very important to me for it to be welcoming & comfortable and a place where my grandchildren can come and feel totally comfortable (& they do).

These are some of my ironstone collection. I've loved and collected white ironstone for years & love using it for every holiday but especially Christmas.
This is another picture of my vintage ornament tree. I think I loaded it with as many as it would hold.

I also collect tiny ironstone dishes. I love them all clustered together.

One of my appliqued wool projects.

I finally finished baby Maya's stocking so it will be on it's way to Colorado tomorrow. Wish I'd kept track of how many of these I've made.

Have a great day. Tonight is Stella & Phoebe's Christmas program at church & then Sage sings tomorrow night & Sunday morning. His school program is Mon. morning. We have Leola's Christmas party at Judy's on Friday night. I'll be taking pictures of Linda's, Kelli's, & Judy's houses & will try to post them on Sat.