J.I.G.S. in Nevada Ia.

Ventured forth from Jefferson to meet up with other JIGS at Cafe Vada in Nevada. Very nice place a bit on the upscale side. There were 6 of us in attendance, we can never tell about that as the date gets set and whoever can make it does and those who can't miss a good time. Being on day 6 of South Beach I had a burger without bread. It was tasty but I do hope to enjoy some of their finer offerings next time I am there, perhaps next summer. We all really got into the round table discussion sharing our happiness, heartbreaks, tears and laughter. After our LONG lunch we went to a neat little shop on main street called JulieAnns. She had some really neat stuff to look over. One of the things I took particular notice of were old windows with a sticker price of $18! I had carried 15 just like them to the curb yesterday. The only difference was a chain and two cup hooks. If I had the room I would haul all 15 back again.
 I will miss JIGS while in Texas but it is something to look forward to when I get back next spring.

Butch and I vedged out the remainder of the day. We haven't done that for a while and it felt good.
Anybody need a window? All you need besides is a hank of chain and two cup hooks.

Today and Yesterday

Yesterday we went to the clinic for a final checkup before heading south next week. We were both okay and even lost a pound or two. I saw a picture of myself from the family reunion on the 6th and that was my wake up call to start on South Beach. We have done it before so it isn't unfamiliar. So far -so good The first two weeks are kind of strict but we are hanging in there.
While at the clinic we received our flu shots and then we went to the pharmacy and got our shingles vaccine. I received mine in the opposite arm than the flu shot but Butch went with both in the same arm. They assured us there were no problems with this either way. In our opinion they are wrong. She also said that any side affects would be past in about 3 hours. During the evening we were both tired and cold...perhaps not unusual. I went to bed about nine, Butch was later. He woke during the night with his arm and shoulder aching and it continued into the morning. I awoke early and then became quite chilled so I went back to bed to warm up. We both were just off our stride most of the day. I hope we are back to normal tomorrow.
We did get the garage straightened a bit and took several items to the curb...and they disappeared...at least part of it did. We need to go to the landfill with lots of stuff but decided to try the curb giveaway first. We are glad we did. It will lessen our landfill bill.

Yesterday after the doctor appt., we did get the trap door finished and the remainder of the flooring in the stool compartment. We will have two full boxes of flooring to return to Lowes. At $70+ a box that is good news.
I am still loving that floor and would recommend it to anyone.
Tomorrow I have another JIGS gathering to attend and it will be great to see many of my old classmates one more time before we leave.
until next time...

Ta Da! We are floored!

Peggy called while we were laying the flooring and I asked her if we couldn't delay our conversation as we were in a spot that was hard to stop. So we decided when I posted pictures of the finished flooring it would be a good time to call. Donn and Peggy live in the pacific time zone and that complicates it even further but at any rate, although not quite finished we are close enough. We have the trap door to finish up on. We had to glue that part and wait for it to set and the stool enclosure and then we will be completely done with flooring....well not completely. We left an area where the cupboards will be located and we stopped short with the thought that we will apply those 3 pieces after the cupboards are in place next spring. So here are flooring pictures...

Looking into bathroom

Main room

Kitchen area on the left

From bedroom doorway

Taken from closet looking toward kitchen area through the bathroom

I love the flooring. It is Armstrong Vinyl Plank Flooring and we purchased ours at Lowes in Ames. It is easy to install, looks great,and very durable. Butch has pounded it with a hammer on occasion to get a corner to lay down and he didn't harm it one bit. I think it will serve us well the rest of our days.

So Peggy, you can call now...or I will call you...say after 2 PM our time?

Picture update

New Onyx shower

Cupboard behind the stool

Sundays progress on the flooring installation

House progress

We have some details left to do on the shower but 99% of the shower installation is complete. So yesterday we started installing the flooring and it is going much smoother than the other stuff we purchased and returned. This is Armstrong vinyl planks Light Maple. The quality is great and it looks good too. Once finished many will not be able to tell it isn't a wood floor. Once we finish with the flooring our thoughts and plans will have to turn towards getting ready to head south. We have more to do to get ready this year, of course, but mainly because we want to tie up loose ends and have a semi-clean slate to start with in the spring.
We still want to make a trip to the landfill as we really need the room in the garage, much of it taken up with items from the old house we saved because surely someone would want it. Some friends and family have taken things they can use in craft projects but there is still way too much of it.
I know I promised some pictures so I will go in right now and take a few putting them on here later today...later...

Family Branch Gathering.

We had a great time at the family gathering hosted by Roger Conant, the husband of my deceased cousin Sherry (Zimmerle) Conant. It was a great visit and I enjoyed seeing many cousins some of which I haven't seen for over 20 years. My niece Karla and her family and my sister Theresa, otherwise known as Teri were also there. I look forward to going again next year. They are thinking of having it in September next year. I am thinking about hosting one...when we are finished with the house, of course.

Our host Roger Conant and niece Karla's husband Don.

Devon and his Mom Karla and sister Theresa

A laid back visit after dinner. From left-Sara, her daughter Ava, Ava's grandpa and my cousin Howard, Howard's wife Deb, Their son Howard jr.,and Rose Zimmerle wife of my cousin Bill,not pictured. Confused yet?