The Ick Factor

Toilets are just icky. I am thankful that we do not use an outhouse or buckets but toilets are still just icky.

And do you know what makes toilets even more icky? Put them in an almost 100 year old bathroom in dire need of remodeling and then add to the bathroom traffic of 16 people with boys.

That is VERY ICKY!!


Story:

About three years ago our then toddler Joel decided to flush an Elmer's Glue bottle down the toilet. We had just a few months before shelled out over 800 dollars for a plumber visit for various issues (half of which he never really corrected) so we decided to just not address the glue bottle in the toilet thing. God can do glue bottle in the toilet miracles, can't he?

About a zillion toilet over-flows and a damaged ceiling later Jeff did a little research and decided to tackle the glue bottle thing himself.

The pictures:

Blah!!



Jeff working hard to pull out that glue bottle.



I can not boast of a brand new toilet because Jeff just reinstalled the old toilet but we now have a toilet that we can flush without it over-flowing!!

Jeff you ROCK!!

and

now we can flush!!

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Foot Note- Jeff did clean and bleach the floor and walls before he reinstalled the toilet. What a guy. Thanks Jeff!

Waseca Home Coming 2011

The Parade!







the audience









and the candy








Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

It's Been A While!!

Since we had a working stove top, that is.

Over two years in fact!

For over two years we had only one working burner and even that burner did not work all the time.

I am used to cooking for the family that way and now I have to re-learn.

Not a difficult dilemma, I would say.

Maybe my cooking will actually improve now!



And look I am using TWO burners!!! This seems SO eccentric!!



I am REAL thankful for this stove!

An extra bonus is that the stove top is glass and not just the electric coils.

See what a little (lots of) waiting and $75.00 can get?!

A blessing!!!

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Sisters

Thoughtful kindness in the end
Is bound to win for you a friend.

~~ Billy Mink

Odell and Lily



Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A New Creation

I had been thinking of trying my hand at making a few fun cape type jackets for my Etsy shop.

I thought I would first make one for Lily and see how it turned out.



Pretty cute.



I think with the ones for my Etsy shop I will not include the little hand slits.



I am working with fleece which I find rather difficult mostly because I am not familiar with how to iron the cotton lining without damaging the outer fleece. My top stitching was a little messy on Lily's. The second one I made for my Etsy shop does not look as messy.



I even learned how to make a covered button! Now that is pretty neat.


Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Little

trike action






Ha ha you can almost not tell there is a 14 year age gap between these two can you!


Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Slow Down

I am guessing that there are a few wondering how things are going with bringing our two newest children home. Well, we hit a snag a few weeks ago...a somewhat big one. I am still pretty discouraged about the whole situation. It kind of was like getting punched in the stomach. We are still hoping that things will work themselves out. We will wait and see what the next little while brings. Sorry for the lack of details and this post being so vague. If or when things work out I will let you know.

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Happy Birthday!!

to Cyrus!!!

The BIG 13!!!







WE LOVE YOU!!!!!


Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Well Said, Billy

Enough to eat, a place to sleep,
A coat to shut out winter's chill-
What more can anybody ask
Their cup of happiness to fill?

Billy Mink



Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Few

of the casualties of summer.

A hole ridden pool.



Very grass-less grass from the hole ridden pool.




Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy