This is what my master (mistress) bed and bath now looks like after extensive rebuilding. The first picture shows an original closet with wallpaper I put on. There are two of them. Sometime this summer I will probably be opening these up, installing 4' or 5' bifold doors and finishing them to match the room. I want to put tongue and grooved knotty pine boards on the ceiling, but that will have to wait a while.

Originally there was a dividing wall between the bedroom and bathroom, with only a 48" wide by 80" high opening. Now it seems like the room is larger, even though it's the same size.

I insisted on the wallpaper design. It's the same print that I put into the bathroom a few years back and is one of the most peaceful prints I have ever seen. I can get into my tub, relax, and fall asleep. (Notice that I didn't include any picture of that!)

Anyhoo, I have been able to slow down the last couple of days. What a relief! Seven days a week, night and day, for close to two months is exhausting.

my crazy, crazy life......

Hi everybody. Been a LONG time since I've written, but I keep checking to see who else writes what. Seems like we all got in a slump for awhile. Nobody doing anything. Actually, my life has been EXTREMELY busy--more so than normal, but maybe it's going to slow down a little now. Had state inspection at work last week and passed with flying colors. That made me real happy because a lot of effort went into it. Plus, for the past month or so, I've had some place to go or something extra to do each weekend. This past weekend, I spent in Ocean City, NJ helping with a referent weekend for my company. This next weekend, Ed and I are going to Edinboro to watch Michelle graduate and help her move into a new apartment. The next weekend, I pick up Makayla, and so on and so on.....I'll be glad when I have a weekend at home to work in flower beds and clean my house! In between all of my work and weekends, I've been wallpapering at the new house. Living room, dining room, and kitchen are almost done. (I ran out of paper and need to order another roll.....Ugh!) I've started the bathroom and should be able to finish that tomorrow night, I hope. Our house is starting to "come together" and should be finished and ready to move into by August 1st. Ed's been working on the house....well, actually he's been "supervising" the boys....but it gives him something to think about and gets him out of the house. He went down to "watch" me wallpaper tonight, but actually used the tractor and graveled and graded the driveway a little. It'll be exciting to move into a new house, and I know that I'm not going to miss the steps or our driveway here, but I will miss the quiet and solitude. But, I think it's the best thing for him, and probably me too. Well, I can't think of anything else to tell you all--most of you know all of this anyway, so I'll write more later.

Seems like it never ends.

Don't know what I would do with myself if I didn't have anything to do. Like to try it for a few minutes, though.

Finished the website class--just in time to start tearing out Cindy's shower. I've known for some time that there was a leak, but kept putting it off until I had to do it. Stripped it out down to the floor joists. Put in new pressure treated plywood subfloor and studs all around. Found a leak from outside, so I had to fix that. Installed a pan liner and roughed in the plumbing yesterday. When it's finished, she'll have a walk-in shower/toilet with tile floor and walls. Much better than before, but it's taking all my time and digging quite heavily into my savings.

Don't think the Montana thing is going to happen anytime soon. Just ain't enough in the piggy bank for that and I'm not going to move with nothing--unless I have to. Looks like I'll be here for a while. Good news is that the trailer will be paid off in only eight more years and by that time I will have it rebuilt. Hate to throw that away. I have to start thinking about where I'm going to live and what I will do when I can't pound nails anymore, which isn't terribly far away.

I'm not terribly concerned, though, because tonight I didn't do anything except clean up a little. Just didn't feel like working, so I didn't. And this weekend, we're going to spend at Little Talbot Island, Lot #39, which I am looking forward to. I never regret the time I spend there. Since we couldn't get Friday night, I had to settle for going in Saturday afternoon and leaving Monday morning. This means, of course, that I won't be able to work Monday and will have to pull a vacation day. Disaster!! Like I said, I'm looking forward to it.

Hi all. Just got a call from Aunt Grace. She said that Uncle Herb passed away this past week. They found his body yesterday and thought that probably he had been dead for maybe three days. He was 81, and living in Jamestown. She was not certain about the services at this point. If I find out anything, I will post it.
Grace said that she is living in Caneadea, NY, close to where Grandma used to live. She doesn't get out much, but would desire company if any of you get a chance. Her phone number is (585) 207 -4016.
Thanks, I will post more soon.

Update on Leighann

For those of you who I didn't send this to on facebook, Shawn Stutzman (Val's sister) just sent me this update and I thought I would pass it along...

Nate and Amanda,
Leigh Ann is in ICU at Robert Packer Hospital. She had surgery last night thru most of the night. Has a pin in leg, the other arm she shattered the elbow and ripped tendions. The other arm she broke above the elbow but their is nerve damage and it will effect her hand, she might not have full use of it. Time will tell. She is going to need a lot of physical therapy and rehab but is in stable condition right now. Keep praying. I am sure she has some other cuts and bruises as well.She isn't awake or at least wasn't as of an hour or two ago, from the antehsisa. Some of that is expected and I am sure they are probabley giving her pain medicine too which may keep her droggie. But we are thankful she is alive. Val and Lee were still at the hospital but this is the latest I know. Please share this with your other family members as I don't have everyone's email address and to be honest I am about dead myself as I haven't slept all night myself. I know God is able to do what we can't and I am just putting her into his care and hope you will do the same as well. Val's sister, Shawn

Recovering--Again

Had a little more reconstructive surgery last week and am recovering well. Went back to work today and saw the doctor to get the drain out and the bandages off. Nowhere near as bad as the last surgery.

We listed the house in Chinchilla with a new realtor and have had quite a few "lookers". No offers yet but we're trusting that God will bring one at the proper time. Wade is working on the new house everyday and it's coming along nicely.

Hot Dog, I'm back!!

Been a while since I've put in my two cents. I've got a good excuse.

I've been taking this class with Cindy on Web Design. Not a good teacher and except for her and I, everyone else is a kid who doesn't know much. I get the general idea in class, but homework is where I really learn the stuff. It seems that I learn best by making a change, one change at a time, and then checking to see what the effect is.

Let me tell you something. HTML is a challenge and I am stretching myself to learn it. Unfortunately, this doesn't leave a lot of time for painting, but I'm not concerned about it. There'll be time enough for that later.

The creative side of me is really coming out of the closet. Nothing would please me more than to be able to make a decent living at my computer or easel (if I had one) and be able to get out of the construction business, which has served me well, but is getting old.

Time will tell. For now, I'm going to learn everything I can in these areas and trust that God will make it happen.

Love you all.

p.s. By the way, it seems that the posting has slowed to a crawl. Where are we at with this?

Nathan Mitchell Family Update!

Hello, wanted to let everyone know we are doing fine. The kids sure are growing fast Gabi will be 4 in June and Azi will be 2 in April. We just recently took a trip to Vermont and had lots of fun! It was great for the kids we stopped in Springfield, MA so the kids could see the Dr. Seuss memorial park then we drove all the way up to Stowe, Vermont were we spent the night. We found a great restaurant were the kids could eat and be as loud as they wanted which was great for them after riding a a car for about 5 hours. The next day we went to the Ben & Jerry's factory and took the tour which is where the picture was taken and also went to the Vermont Teddy bear factory and also took their tour. The kids each got a teddy bear and so did mommy. Its the neatest teddy bear its made of about 6 different colors. They called him a kaleidoscope, Gabi got a dog of course she always does and Azi picked a red teddy bear! Any ways it was lots of fun.
Nate went to the doctor today about his back finally. He got a referral to see someone so hopefully they figure out if he can do something different so that he doesn't have so much pain all the time. I Started selling Avon Friday from home.I'm really excited and if anyone is interested I'll post the link for my web page! Its great because my friends and family that are not close by can order right from my web page and have it directly delivered to your house 24hours 7 days a week. I also love how Avon has a satisfaction guarantee. I can return anything for your not happy with. and If there is any product your not sure about. I may be able to send you a sample. Please pass it on if you know anyone who might be interested in checking out my website.http://www.youravon.com/amitchell7673

New house, new job

Well been at my new job (actually working for Berty) for a week now. I really like it and I think she does too..It's going really good. Learning more and more. Lots of paperwork and some phones and other stuff but a very nice variety and so makes the day go fast. It's a lot more of up and down, rather than just sitting at a desk all day processing dental claims. Very interesting....

Gary and Brad are still in Lancaster County..Getting our house ready to sell. Takes time and then you have to wait til the inspector, mold specialist, the appraisal person and all come out. Had to have some plumbing done, also thought there was mold in attic--the tester comes out tomorrow so hopefully that will pass.., also had to have electric work done... So...still waiting on the septic system..Hopefully they will either retest and pass ...or we'll reduce our price to sell it...

Was looking at houses up here over the weekend...Saw 3 and have more that I want to see..Property values and prices have went up up here because now they are drilling for natural gas soo....We'll see... what all that turns out to be...

Oh well, talk to you soon.. Staying with Bert and Ed right now..will let you know more when I know it..Love ya..

Last week's painting schedule

I spent a good bit of two days last week painting--painting, that is, boxes for sales reps to display in homes.

The company I work for has shifted focus from sunrooms and kitchens to bringing homes up to energy efficient standards by adding cellulose insulation and radiant barriers in attics, installing solar water heaters, window films, etc. I have spent most of the last two months designing and developing a sample box for the salesmen to demonstrate the difference between cellulose and fiberglass insulation, both with and without a radiant barrier. I finally got it to the point where the owner told me to build 40, at which point we went into production mode. I'll say that it's been a lot of work getting everything to come together, but now I have a system in place which just needs some fine-tuning.

Rex is talking about building another batch--200 or so. Guess I'll still have work for a while.

Vacation Report

We went on another cruise starting on Jan 31. Flew to Ft Lauderdale and spent the night and then went on a week long cruise in the Carribean. Was lovely and we had a good time. Stopped at Princess Cays, St. Marrtin, St. Thomas, and Grand Turk; then back to Ft. Lauderdale. Thought we might be stranded at the airport due to snow but there wasn't any here and only a couple of inches in Allentown where our flight was ending so we had no problem. We did a couple of fun things--the sea lion swim was pretty cool. Also some snorkeling and learned to ride a segway. Ended up erasing the photos from the first half of the trip but here's a couple from the last half.

hello all,Lee

it,s been a long rough road with a lot of help but i finally got to actually post on here. thanks to all who helped me along the way. Val is back from Brazil and we are getting settled in again while she was gone i tore the bedroom apart and repainted the walls and ceiling.also patched where it needed and polyeuthened the log wall so when she got home we had to put stuff back took the time to change it around and make it different love to all more later

I have a new boyfriend.......................

...................and so does Wade!


Isn't he cute? Omar, the sea lion. We met him at Coral World in St. Thomas.

Good Morning

Good Morning peoples, hope you are all having a awesome day. We have a blue sky and the sun is out, we got about 4 to 6 inches of snow on the hill, that is enough snow for me, I have seen all the winter I want to ,or at least until next year. lol We are remodeling are house, we tore out are spare room moving the living room down and making a dining room, and then in the kitchen Bob is going to make me a island, can't wait until it is done. Right now we are pulling up that nasty pink rug, and laying tile, we try to do alittle each night I do some during the day but I'am not very good at it . LOL Other then that we are doing great, I'am not working now I did not want to go back to the nursing home to stressful, If we can do it I'am going to take the summer off and go find a job in the fall. I have not had a summer off in twenty years so it will be nice. Looking forward to spring so I can be out in my green house and dig in the dirt . Will I guess i better get going Love you all come and visit when you can. Rose and Bob

Knauer News

Well, I wrote a blog the other night...but then posted on Brad's blogger so...guess you didn't see it there did you? Actually was just telling about my new job...This week I am in New Jersey (where they got 24 inches of snow on Sat and supposed to get anywhere from 8-12 more tonight...Everybody is sick of the snow...Came down on Sunday afternoon/evening and then started my week of orientation/training on Monday. It's going really good. Training is different than working but still is exhausting...makes me tired...It was weird to come to a motel without Gary and thought I probably wouldn't sleep good but that hasn't been a problem. In a way its kinda nice to come home from work..grab some supper somewhere and then do whatever you want..But I do miss them all..I heard Boomer barking tonight when I called and I miss that too!!!It was also weird to drive that far without Gary or Beth to tell me which way to go..But I have survived and doing really good with remembering how to get to somewhere again..Amazing at 50 (almost) I might actually be growing up!!

We still don't know much about our house...We had an inspector come and he said a couple things that we didn't like...surprise?? He told us about possible mold in our attic ceiling so Gary went up and sprayed bleach on it with a sprayer. We have to have that tested again.

Then he also said our sewer was failing which surprised both of us..We don't agree with him and so would like to have a second opinion but ....it keeps snowing.. The day he came and tested it--it had just snowed the 18 inches and melted and so he came the day that it was just finished melting in our yard--and he said the ground was saturated!!! Yeah??? So anyways, now we are just waiting for the snow to get here, melt and dry up some so we can have it retested...

Anyways...will talk to you later!!

We're Home

Was a good vacation! I'll post more tomorrow or the next day--gotta check my email and get myself into "back to work" mode.

Did you all notice that Lee started to post something the other day. Go to the Edit Posts section to see it. Unfortunately for us, he left it as a draft. I'm not sure if he's still fine-tuning it, didn't push the Publish button, lost his nerve, had to go see what Valerie wanted, etc., or what.

C'mon, big brother, we're all waiting to hear from you.

Hello everybody, Just want you all to know I'am home now, Bob and me are doing awesome . Thank you all for not judgeing me. I had to figure out some things and I did and now I'am good. Come and visit when ever you want, miss and love you all Rose .

First Portrait (except for Lukie)

This is Alice and her great-grandaughter, whose name I don't know.

Talk about putting paint on a woman's face!! It only took me four tries before I got it good enough to leave it.