Where Do I Start?

Hello Friends!  Here we are 5 days into my favorite month - October.  How I love this time of year!  I have much to share and I don't know quite where to start, but I think I'll begin with some of the happenings in September. 

Since we had so much happening, including just purchasing a fixer-upper, we decided to postpone our trip out west in favor of a week long resting vacation in Branson.  Except for the last row of photos, the above is a little glimpse of what we saw while there.  We didn't nap all the time!

We had a beautiful condo that we stayed in and many mornings we ate our breakfast (and other meals, too) on the deck overlooking the lake.  One evening, we watched the full moon rising.  We visited Silver Dollar City one day and listened to some great music and also saw a western show.  We also went out to a few places like Danna's BBQ where we ate like the 2 pigs shown above.  Also, a must stop for us is Texas Land & Cattle at the Landing for a yummy steak.  I saw the cutest sight at the Landing one day.  I'll show you the pics in a minute.

We had a relaxing time, but I was glad to see my little fur girls when we got home.  Another welcome sight were a few tomatoes still ripening in the garden along with a few zinnias still blooming, but the gardening is pretty much done until next year.     

My dear aunt and uncle - I blogged about them here - passed away within 2 days of each other and their visitation and funeral were held soon after we got back from vacation.  Another reason we were not meant to take a longer trip, I believe.    

One day while strolling down at the Landing in downtown Branson, I happened to see the cutest dog frolicking in the water fountain in the center of the Landing.  He was having a blast!  He would run from one side to another and jump up into the water spray.  He would do this repeatedly and once in a while he would get out of the water and run around the perimeter then jump back in.  He was really putting on a show for all the bystanders!

The work has begun in earnest on the property we bought last month.  Here are a couple of before and afters of some of the yard work.  The former long-time owner of this property apparently loved concrete as much of the yard is covered in it.  BG cut down many of the small trees and bushes left to grow up by the last owner.  Also the vines growing up on the north side of the house and barn were removed.  It's made a world of difference already, even if a lot of painting is still needed. 

There's BG on the roof replacing a few shingles that had been blown off and the side yard that previously looked like a jungle before our daughter cleaned it all out.  What was I doing while all this work was going on?  Picking up small limbs and sticks and sacking up trash in the barn and outbuildings and sweeping down cobwebs and floors.  

The mold removal was started yesterday and hopefully will be finished tomorrow.  The basement is pretty much being gutted.  The people doing the work are hauling all the debris away.  We won't be able to have the gas man come in to turn on the gas and inspect the furnace and pipes until after that job is finished.  Which means no hot water.  The main floor cleanup will begin when we have hot water!  I'm not willing to transport hot water to do that job.

  
Here's a before shot of one of the bedrooms.  The hardwood floors are in pretty good shape in this room.  Not so much in the living room.  I'm thinking carpet may have to be put down there.  We'll see.  The windows really need to be replaced, but that will be done later.  As will the replacing of drywall in the basement.  Our renter (daughter) is anxious to get moved in asap.  Once the cleaning of all the walls and ceilings, closets, etc. is done, we will be ready to paint.  

I have a question about paint.  Have any of you used the paint/primer all in one?  How did you like it and was one coat all that was needed?  I'm not sure whether to paint something like this in the photo with Kilz and then a good paint or if a paint/primer would do the job.  I'd love to know what you think!  

I'll be showing more befores and afters when we get some afters.  lol!  That may be a while yet.  So far, the sewer problem and the water leak was easily fixed.  We're hoping now that the furnace and central air unit are in good working condition.  Lots of little things yet to do, but we're making good progress in the short time we've had this.  

I've more news to share, but that will be another post.  This one is long enough already!

Happy Sunday to you!
xo Cheryl