Electrical, Tile, and Easter, Oh My!

Last week, I spent some time working on the electrical panels. Day one, after a trip to the hardware store for grounding lugs and whatnot, I finished the upstairs sub-panel. I figured after getting some practice on the little panel, I would be able to get the main panel knocked out in a day. But things always seem to take longer than you expect they will.

Before

After

I must admit, I am pleased with the results, and if anybody gets in there and messes with my wires, I might cry. Or punch the perpetrator. Or both.

Friday, we started working on the tile in the kids' bathroom upstairs. Our neighbor used to own a flooring business, and a few years ago, had given us a large stack of salesman samples. Peeling the tiles off the display boards had been a pain in the booty, not to mention the glue we had to scrape off the back of the tiles.

 But I'm really happy with the results.

Saturday, the kids colored Easter eggs. This one of Zivah's was my favorite.

Sunday, we went to an early morning community service where several of the area churches come together to celebrate Easter, then spent the afternoon relaxing with my family. It was a lovely day.

Now it's crunch time. We have carpet scheduled to be installed the 19th of May, and there is a lot to get done before hand. All the baseboard needs to be put up in all the bedrooms and upstairs, tile done in the master bath, and other odds and ends. I'm hoping the kids won't die of neglect in the meantime.

Wind

I woke up this morning to the sound of wind and rain. I was only half conscious when, at the sound of another gust, it felt like someone gently rocked the bed. I am used to the wind making the roof sound like a flapping circus tent, but I have never felt the wind actually move the trailer before.

I will not be sorry to tear this piece of tin down. May it be soon.

A Spring Saturday

Steps almost finished.

Fruit trees almost planted.

Leaves are emerging.

The girl with the curl.

Making Marks

I was getting tired of the cinder block steps we have been using, so about a week ago, I decided it was time to build some legitimate steps for the front of the house. Although we eventually hope to have some nice stone or brick-lined steps for the entrance, we decided it would be quicker and easier to build wooden ones using some old decking material we have on hand.

But instead of just concreting the 4x4 posts in some holes, we figured it would be wise to go ahead and pour a slab. So this weekend, that's what we did.

 Seeing the wet concrete, the kids begged us to put their hand prints in the slab like they did in the porch concrete nearly three years ago. I have to admit, the thought went through my mind that it would be fun to have a chicken print on the slab, too, but brushed the idea aside as a little ridiculous. So when Finley asked if we could put Lizzy's footprint on the slab, I was more than happy to give it a try.

Turned out nicely, I think.