One of the myriad reasons that the addition is taking soooo looong....

I have been slowed down by various reasons, but this has been the biggest or longest "off" time I have had. This past Tuesday I went to Columbus, Oh to Timken Bearing Training. It started Wed AM and concluded on Friday around 1:30.

Jose was the instructor, and has been traveling 11 months a year for 2-1/2 years teaching this school in South America, US, and Canada. Traveling only on weekends, (he teahces during the week) he puts on 50,000-60,000 miles per year. January he will turn it over to another person, and become a sales rep for Timken in an yet unknown region. He hopes it will be in the NE since he is from Jersey.

Now you can see why I have been absent.....

I have been working almost every available hour on this addition, and feel I know it better than I know my own family. Last weekend David and Cheryl Grate from Marion, Ohio came out and helped me witht he soffit, facia, and siding. Wow what a big help. He also spotted something I did wrong that would cause problems in the long run, and helped me fix it. Thanks Dave.

Also Cheryl is celebrating this past week, her 10th year anniversary of her double transplant- pancreas, and kidney. We are glad you are doing so well.

Good October Morning!!!

We awoke this AM to a chilly reminder of what is coming all too soon, and what makes us enjoy the summer so immensely!! Yes it was in the 40's with a high of mid 50's today. That coupled with the fact that Christmas is less than 3 months away, gives me a sense of urgency. There are alot of things to be done before we settle in for our 'long winters nap'.
I have been very busy at work trying to get all my projects caught up for my customers. I will be leaving Friday for a 10 day vacation, and don't want my customers to be caught waiting until I get back.
We are going to Lancaster, PA. We enjoy this part of America this time of the year. We have been there several Falls for our anniversary trip, but have taken the kids the last couple of times. We will be seeing 'In the Beginning' at the Millenium Theater at Sight & Sound, as well as Hershey, and Bass Pro Shop. We will also enjoy driving backroads and stopping at the little markets the Amish have at the roadside. I will be on the lookout for an individual sized wet bottom shoo-fly pie - I can hardly wait.
This time of year is kinda busy or us. On Sept 26th, Cy became my first Teenager, Oct 6 Kayla will be 12, Oct 10 is our 16th Anniversary. Dec 3 Maddie will be 3, Dec 25 Christmas, Jan 1 Hulda will be........older than me.
I don't have a digital camera, so I rely on my 35mm - which does take very good pics- and have to wait on developing before I can get the pics back on disc and load them into the computer. I say that to apologize for seeming to be laxidasial about posting pics. I know I really enjoy checking out the pics on other blogs - yes I'm a lurker. I have some rolls being developed now - so stay tuned!

Additional Addition Pics

I finally have had time to sit down and load pics, and add to the Blog. This working on the addition in my pare time leaves me no spare time.

We did finally get the footer poured. Then it rained again and washed some of the sides in. But we love a challenge!!! The deck went down in short order and the walls were built. I had to beg help from a friend from church, Chase Kinder and his son Anthony to help set the walls up and nailed them down.

Then the inerior walls were put up. There is a bedroom fo Maddie, laundry room (moving up from basement), and Master Bed and Bath. There is a 8' porch out the back of he addition that will be off the Master Bedroom. I can already visualize having my morning breakfast there....

I again had to beg help to set the trusses. They are 40' long with 1/2 a cathedral (Master Bed) and very heavy. We had Denny Haight, Chase Kinder,Nate Kinder, Dan Bowers, Reed Stiles (F&L) on the ground, with Nate Mayle, and Bill Fish on the walls. A very welcome group, and very thankful that everythin went smooth. Maybe a few splinters, but otherwise.....

Yesterday, we finished sheeting the roof. It has been very hot and humid the last few days, and that makes it harder than normal for me to work. I am too used to A/C and driving around as the norm.

And then it rained.....

.....some each day ever since we finished digging. So I guess that means I need to get back in there and clean it out IF it dries out. Maybe I'll have to dig a ditch to drain the water. One way or the other I need to get the footer poured, blocks laid, deck on, walls up, etc......

We have started our addition!!!

Since our family was upgraded from 2 children to 3 - we have been in bad need to upgrade our living space. When we built in 2000, the 3 bedroom 2 bath was a perfect fit. Not any more!!

My farther n law used Mark Higginbotham's backhoe to dig the "crawl space" (7 block deep). He just finished the digging today, and put the stakes in for the footer.

The addition will be 30' x 30', and will be a bedroom for Maddie, 1st floor laundry, and master bed & bath. There will be a porch off the back of the addition which will be accessed by the master bedroom.
The addition will set back from the front of the house, just as the garage does on the west end of the house to keep the curb appeal.

I will post pics when I get the film developed.

There will also be pics of Cy's latest bass - large mouth, 22" long, 7.5 lbs Yes, he is getting it mounted as soon as we find someone to do it. He caught it in a state lake just south of us - Zepernick Lake, using an artificial frog in the weed beds about 10:15 pm. Definitely a great catch!!! Way to go, Cy!!

New Supermarket just open here....

It has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh.
Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.
When you pass the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and you experience the scent of fresh mown hay.
In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal grilled steaks with onions.
When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle, And the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying
The bread department features the tantalizing smell of fresh baked bread & cookies......




....I don't buy toilet paper there any more.

Catch up since computer is back online!

I had my good friend Denny ressurect my computer after it's near death experience, so I am back in Blogger World. Alot has happened since I was "away". I will post some pics from my camera phone and apologize for the quality.

Indians vs Yankees last Friday - WE WON!!!

Maddie ended up with fifth's diesease Sunday Morning. Had a terrible rash all over her face. We gave her Benedryl before we went to church, and it just seemed to get worse. We left in the middle of service and took her to ER, where the Dr told us what it was. She is almost over it now.

We are in the beginning stages of adding on to our house. See, when we built in 2000, all we needed was a 3 bedroom 2 bath 1100+ sq ft home. Well, as some things happen, and they did - we now need another bedroom. So.... we are going to add on approx 900 sq ft. It will include a master bed and bath, another kids bedroom, and a 1st floor laundry, thus giving us a 5 bedroom, 3 bath ranch. I will post pics as this endeavor proceeds.

My Aunt and Uncle, Kathy and Frank Johnston are traveling the lower 48 on a retirement celebration tour. They have been to Kev's place
(NC) as well as Sher's (WV). Now they are here at Mom's and ours (OH), and will stop at Deb's (MT) on the way home (AK). We will be going with them to Sight n Sound next weekend and staying in their motorhome. The kids are very anxious - this will be their first time in a Motorhome. We will also be seeing Hershey Chocolate World - yum!!!

Cactus Cuties - Now that's Patriotic!!!

These girls are from a group in Lubbock, Texas. Their wesite says they have been chosen for their talent, and they definitely have it. Click on the following and get out your flag!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284

Redneck art at it's best

and I mean it's BEST. Check this video out - it is truly unbelieveable! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3pz2VgIM7E

This guy does amazing things with BBQ sauce!!!

Refreshing Weekend

Hulda and I left Cy with the in-laws and the girls with my mom on Friday, and took off for Amish country. We stayed in very beautiful Carlisle Inn Sugarcreek. We have now stayed at all 3 Amish Inns - Carlisle Inn Walnut Creek, Sugarcreek, and Amish Door Inn Wilmont. They are all very nice and enjoyable. Of course, the area shops and drives through the countryside help make the time.

We ate at Dutch Valley - my favorite place to eat in Amish country- the first night and ordered in pizza for Sat. night to go with the cheese (Heini's) and crackers, nuts and chips that I packed. Sat. we did the shops and found some decorations for the kitchen.

Sunday AM we went to Sharon Conservative Mennonite Church in Sugarcreek. It was interesting and the Gentleman that greeted us, Clarence Miller, works at Holmes Lumber with another gentleman who's boy (whom I know somewhat) went to AWC - Aaron Booth.

We made it home in time to suprise the kids at church - Maddie couldn't hardly stay in her skin!!!!

I stole...I mean borrowed this very funny joke from another blog.

A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door. When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, Genesis 3:10." Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid, for I was naked."

Kayla's Snowmen

Kayla built these snowmen and put them to work.....feeding the birds! It's to be 48 on Sunday so they won't be here long. I took the pic with my phone after I got home from work today, hence the quality. But you can get the idea of what she was trying to do.

This summer with the high 90's and high humidity, we will be wishing these guys were still around.

One time when we were little, Kev and I were knocking icicles off on Granpa's house. He told us that he really didn't want us too, since come July, the breeze blowing over them would cool the house. We stoppred right away!

My nephew from Montana....

.....Riley enjoying himself at Olive Garden in Spokane. His mommy said he dined on Cheerios and loved them. (May have to try some next time I go). The second picture is the size I saw him in Montana in July. Wow that kid is growing!!! He's got to be eating more than Cheerios!! Thanks for sharing the pics, Bob & Deb. We all miss you guys and the pics help soften the hurt.

Cavs vs Spurs

This is a little late, and the pics were taken with my camera phone. We were 6 rows off the floor and even with the foul line. These are my companies season tickets. I took 3 of my customers out to eat then to the game. It was awesome to be that close... we could see their eyes moving! Someone asked me if the players looked tall; that didn't strike me as much as the fact that the rim looked like it was alot lower than 10' off the court. It was because the guys were ALL so tall.

Here's Miss Maddie ......

...... she loves dress up and getting her picture taken. This was this AM after we got home from church. She really likes to wear that sweater. It is such a change from Kayla who thinks everything has to be Jeans. Although we did get her to wear a nice outfit this AM to church. She had already changed by the time I got the camera out.......

Bathroom is finally done!!

I have been redoing the hall bathroom in the evenings and on 2 weekends. It is finally done and here are some pics. The theme is outhouses and the shower curtain is the same picture. The white door to the right of the toilet is the lundry shoot - a good move!

Flu Season.....

.....has arrived here at the Newcome house. Cy and Maddie had it last week and now Hulda and Kayla have it. I am pretending that my head doesn't hurt and joints don't ache.

Cy turned 12 on Sept 26 and is an obssessed fisher. That is his 2nd 18" large mouth bass. He goes anytime he can. My father n law has a small boat, so they go out on the various lakes and enjoy themselves. Christmas was easy - fishing fishing......

Kayla turned 11 on Oct 6 and loves aniamls esp. horses. She has several Bird feeders and a Squirrel feeder in a pine outside the back doors. It has been neat to watch the birds. So far we have had Mourning doves and Juncos as ground feeders and Cardinals, Blud Jays, Chickadees, and Downy Woodpeckers. We have also had black and gray squirrels. There were a couple of those nasty little red squirrels - but they won't be coming back.

Maddie is our 2nd family. She turned 2 on Dec 3. Nine years younger than Kayla, she is keeping Hulda and I young - or so we like to think. Huff! huff! puff!

We live just outside of the city limits of Salem, in Perry Township, next to my in laws. Just how close? glad you asked......100 steps down and 20 back!!!

This is the start......

.......to a new thing for me. I hope I can keep up with this as well and as often as some of the ones I have been reading.