Home Improvements - March, April, and June 2010

Kitchen "before" - this is our rollaway dishwasher (where the cabinet was installed later)

With Spring quickly approaching, we had to get the house ready to be shown and hopefully sold.

I scraped all the paint off the woodwork in the kids room. Then stained and varnished it. When the floors and stairs were refinished on the 2nd floor, they also stained the new oak railing to match.

Kitchen with new built in dishwasher, new range fan, and counter tops.

We hired an excellent carpenter, Bob Reger, to complete all home improvements. We bought an under counter dishwasher, which Bob installed. This was the first built in dishwasher in this house. We moved the cabinet that was taken out to the other side of the kitchen. Then we bought new granite laminate counter tops to extend over the new area. Finally we bought a new stainless steel hood fan for over the stove. Now our kitchen is all stainless steel.

Living room color before repainted.

Bob also repaired the fence next to the house that had begun to sag and dug a couple of fence posts to complete the installation of the fence in the backyard.

I painted the living room off white after being a brilliant green for several years. I bought some oak trim and stained it. Bob took down the plastic trim and put up the new oak. The living room looks great.

Living room color and trim after repainted.

I painted the master bedroom, Clara's bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen, and two walls of the kids bedroom.

I created an ad to sell the house on FSBO Madison dot com in mid-March 2010. By April 18, I held my first open house. The next day, I listed the house on the Multiple Listing Service. After every showing, I called the Realtor and asked for feedback. I heard that the bathroom cabinets needed an update.

Once the April 30 deadline for the Home Buyer's Tax credit passed, the Realtors stopped calling. On May 20, we decided to pull the house from the MLS and get the bathroom remodeled. We hired Cyndi from the Cabinet Shop to design the layout for the new cabinets.

Bathroom before remodel - these cabinets were made from "scrap wood". I found an old schoolroom wood desk for the floor.

Bob Reger took out the old cabinets and tore down 2 walls on Tuesday June 1. I moved rubble to the neighbors trash cans. Larger cabinet pieces I dropped off at the City of Madison Recycling center. The ordered cabinets arrived June 2. The new walls were built. The new electrical outlets installed. Over the weekend, I stuffed the blown insulation I saved from the two walls we removed into the new wall. I primed. The cabinets went in on June 11, the last day of school. I painted on June 12. Bob Reger was diagnosed with lung cancer on June 10 but he came back to finish our job.

Bathroom Remodel completed June 12, 2010

March Trip to the Wisconsin Dells

The Wilderness Moose mascot with Neo. March was the beginning of Spring Break season (our kids Spring Break was in April).

Tristan on the edge of the ice and snow covered Lake Delton in March 201o

I had promised to tell the story of our trip to the Wisconsin Dells in March 2010. We rented a condo at The Wilderness. We have stayed at The Wilderness hotel before. It's a large water park hotel, golf course, condos, health spa, etc. Wisconsin Dells is well known for the number of water parks - in hotels and stand alone. It's a travel destination, especially in the summer.

Zoe and Neo at the water park. The older kids were sliding down dark tubes where I couldn't take pictures. Even Neo got to go down some tall, winding, dark tunnels on a family sized inner tube. He loved it!

One of the attractions there is the Tommy Bartlett Water Ski show on Lake Delton - an attraction that has been running for at least 20 years. In 2008, Lake Delton, a man made lake, flooded over and took a couple of houses down on it's way out. The News video of the day is very dramatic! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0bVsSWXG-I Here's the clip on YouTube.

Several ducks hung around the condo on Lake Delton

The Wilderness Condo is located along the shore of Lake Delton. The lake was recreated. There were signs every where that announced "new water".

Neo helping me grill out at the condo

We really enjoyed our stay, not just for the hotel water parks and game room, but also the jacuzzi tub in the condo and walks along the lake. The weather was unusually mild - into the 70s - generally March in Wisconsin is 30s/40s and gray. We even used the grill at the condo for a cook out.

In the kids room at the condo, enjoying pizza and kid shows on cable TV - cartoon network

Zoe and Neo in the black light, 3D mini golf. There were a few Nurse Sharks in a tank in there.

Copacabana hotel - another one at the Wisconsin Dells - had to take the picture because the kids went to school at Copacobana in Australia.

BUSY March, 2010

Refinished floors and trim in the kids room

Today is the first day of Spring in the United States, March 20. What a wild and BUSY month it's been here. The weather has been unseasonably warm and sunny for March in Wisconsin which has allowed me to open windows - so the painting began in earnest.

We had contracted to have the 2nd floor Red Oak floors sanded and refinished in two steps. The kids room on March 2 and 3. In preparation for that, on March 1, I stained and varnished all the wood trim in the room I had hand scraped during February. I also painted the door and wall. Now that the floors are done, this room is finished!

March 8, the contractor came to install the new kitchen counter top. He removed the old counter top and installed the new counter and reinstalled the sink on day 1. On day two, he got the 3 pieces of the rest of the counter together and set in place overnight. On day 3, he secured the counter top and replaced the ceiling tiles and put up new trim in the living room. Everything looks great.

During the week of March 8, I was supposed to be painting the living room, master bedroom, Clara's room, trim on a window, and touch up paint over the stairs. However I didn't get that much done as Zoe was home from school 3 days (dentist appt, sick, and no school). Clara was home from school 1 day (possible strep throat) = trip to doctor's office. I still managed to get 3/5 of the painting done.

Clara's room floors before

On Sunday 14 March, we moved most of the furniture out of the 2 bedrooms into the kids room. Left only 1 dresser and a mattress in each room to sleep on Sunday night. Monday morning we moved the remaining furniture so the floors could be refinished. The kids went to school and Dave took his car to the shop. Tristan also went to the dentist for filings. When we gathered at home, the sanding had just been completed.

Refinished master bedroom

We stayed overnight Monday night and Tuesday night at the Wilderness on the Lake Condos. I'll post a separately about our time there.

On Wednesday afternoon, we came back to replace all the furniture, and begin cleaning all the fine dust off the floors, walls, fixtures, etc. It was everywhere.

Thursday morning, I had court at 8am. Dave stayed home with the 3 kids. I won the case against our management company. The judge agreed that they didn't properly manage one unit during the time we were away.

Refinished stairs

On Friday afternoon, we had the closing for the sale of our 4 unit in Mineral Point. The building was built at about the time of the civil war. It was a cash sale and we did OK for ourselves. The Buyer is local to the area. While we were away this week, I had to make arrangements for title work, warranty deed, and transfer return. The title company we used did a great job. We're really happy the building is SOLD.

Catherine outside the 4 unit apartment building we owned for 5 years

Great News about the 4 Unit in Mineral Point!!!

I have been marketing my 4 unit building in Mineral Point, WI to sell it myself. I feel confident that it's a good building with good income and I can sell it as well as any Realtor. At the end of January 2010, I thought it's time to really get going on the sale - Spring is coming, we need to sell soon. I put another ad on Craigslist and paid to have the property listed on the MLS. I received a reply to my Craigslist posting. The Prospect wanted to view the property as soon as possible, so I set her up for 1/2 hour before my meeting with the Realtor to post it on MLS. He arrived while we were just completing the viewing. I explained to her that I was putting the property on the MLS and said I'd get back to her. She called me back, saying she'd like to write an offer and asking who to contact to write it. Then I called the other people I had previously showed it to. She wrote an offer a week later, and we spent a week countering the offer. Finally on Sunday I phoned her and asked her what her best price is. She told me and I agreed to sell it at that price. The closing is set for on or before March 19. Now just to get through the inspection. It's a cash transaction. I have to say 9% per year return isn't a bad thing....plus the tax benefits. She's getting a really good deal - but we have places to go.....and things to do.....

Wisconsin Winter Blahs

Snow folk built earlier in the season, feeling the effects of winter sun melt

Late January, all of February, and March are the parts of Wisconsin winter that push me over the edge. Allow me to paint the picture. The outside temps are in the single digits over night and reach into the 20s during the day. Too cold to be out much! There are winter hats, mittens, snow boots, snow pants and winter coats strewn in the front hallway. Whenever you get ready to go outside, you need at least hat, mittens/gloves, winter coat and probably winter boots. The snow is tracked into the house making it constantly dirty with wet spots through out. The days are short. Clara leaves the house in the dark (6:45am) and Dave arrives home in the dark (4 - 4:30). The outdoor Christmas lights are mostly taken down, making it seem especially dark. This week (2nd week of February) the meterologist said we have gained 1-1/2 hours of daylight and I noticed that Clara is not walking out the door into the dark.

Industrial sized snow creature - notice the dirty, grey snow along the road and driveway, Yuck

The snow is piled up in the yard and along the sidewalks and roads. The piles of snow can be large, making it difficult to see around when driving, difficult to drive on the streets. There are many residential streets in Madison where two cars cannot pass each other. One driver has to find a driveway to pull into to wait until the other vehicle passes.

The children are done with the snow activities since there's been snow since mid-November. The sledding, snow forts, snow folk, and snow angels have all been done. Some sledding still goes one, but creating is out of the question unless there's a new snowfall. This is because the beautiful sunny days, the only saving grace, cause the snow to melt a little during the day - only to refreeze as ice overnight. With the children cooped up in the house, and the house closed up tight, it feels especially small.


Neo wearing his winter coat, winter hat in the cup holder on his seat.
We thought this was funny because he's falling asleep with his Leapster for a pillow.

I generally try to plan to go to events and activities with the children. We have a membership at the YMCA and we go swimming sometimes and Neo loves to go to the Family Night on Friday nights. But when kids are sick, all events are cancelled - and then I really get Cabin Fever. We just had 2 weeks of kids - Tristan, Zoe and Neo sick and home from school. It was Catholic Schools week with special presentations and a luncheon at Zoe's school. I had planned to attend, but Tristan was home sick, so we couldn't go. That really punctuates the Winter Blahs.


Amaryllis blooming on the dining room table

Thoughts turn to spring, especially on Groundhog's day - February 2nd. The longing for spring is palatable, but it's a long way off....at least 6 weeks. I grow Amaryllis, Paper Whites, and Tulips indoors at this time of year, to give some green and growing things and Hope for spring.

Little House on the Prairie Musical with Zoe

When I was a little girl, growing up in Wisconsin, I discovered "Little House on the Prairie" book series by Laura Ingles Wilder. I loved those books and read every one. I still remember how sad I was when "Jack", Laura's dog died. When the TV series aired with Melissa Gilbert starring as Laura, I was thrilled. I watched every week. I don't think I missed an episode.

When I heard that Little House on the Prairie, the musical was coming to Madison's Overture Center, I wanted to go. So, Zoe and I went to the Sunday matinee on 24 January.

Prior to going to the show, we went across the street to the Orpheum theater and restaurant for Brunch. (Here's the brunch menu, if you're curious). We had first discovered this brunch before attending the Nutcracker at the Overture in 2007. It was Zoe's first experience with smoked salmon - and she reminds me of our experience regularly. Plus they were playing "The Grinch" on the lobby wall during brunch and she liked that. The brunch was a delicious and I had remembered....and they were playing "Casablanca" but only after I had reminded them.

Melissa Gilbert had been ill during the week and missed many performances. Fortunately, she was in the first half of the performance we saw on Sunday afternoon. Her son, Michael Engelbright was in the performance as well. It was a delight! We loved the show. The person playing Nellie Oleson was hilarious!

During the intermission, we had our picture taken in an old buckboard from the early 1900s. The Wisconsin Historical society provided the website to view scanned original letters from Caroline Ingalls to other relatives in Northern Wisconsin.

I bought Zoe a set of Little House on the Prairie paper dolls. When we got home, everyone helped cut them out and set them out. Zoe said she wanted to share her dolls with Grandma Stallman.

Clara's Friend from Out of Town

While Clara was going to school at Shorewood Hills elementary, she made many friends. One of her best friends was Sahalie Donaldson, who moved away at the end of 4th grade. Sahalie lives in Utah. She came to visit her friends in Madison over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Sahalie boarded a plane alone and came to visit Clara, Maxine, and Elena. She chose to come at this time because Elena, another good friend of Clara's was about to depart for 8 months in Italy. (She left on 19 January)

Clara had the privilege of hosting Sahalie beginning the afternoon of 16 January, Saturday through the afternoon of 17 January.

Saturday afternoon the girls "hung out", went to the library, and looked at pictures on the computer. After supper, they got out the "Harry Potter Scene It" game and played with Tristan and Zoe.

On Sunday, we backed a lunch and drove to the Wisconsin Dells for a day at Mt Olympic indoor waterpark and indoor theme park. I was concerned it would be packed - but it was a light day. The girls were able to go on every waterslide without lines. Tristan also had no difficulty go on as many waterslides as many times as he wanted.

Zoe, Neo and I stuck to the kiddie slides, the lazy river, and the hot tub!

The indoor theme park was a lot of fun. It was small and enclosed. The crowds were small and I wasn't worried about the whereabouts of the children.

Tristan headed for the arcade and spent most of his time there.

Clara and Sahalie had fun going on all the rides. Sahalie treated Clara to dippin dots ice cream.

Zoe was cautious about going on rides to begin with. But once she tried things, she was very happy to go on a 2nd and 3rd time - alone.

I took Neo on the Go-cart and the bumper cars. I gave Tristan and Neo some money for skeet ball while I took Zoe on the roller coaster. Later, Neo played mini bowling while I took her on again. He loved he mini bowling!

There was also a ball zone that Zoe, Neo and Tristan enjoyed playing at.

Neo pleaded to go on the indoor roller coaster "The Mouse" but he was too short. No amount of showing him the height requirement or explaining to him would satisfy his demands to go on. So I took him through the line. When the attendant told him he was too small, he sobbed! Half an hour later, he was begging to go on again! By the time we left, he was screaming and crying that he wanted to go on the mouse! He screamed all the way to the car! I guess we went out with a "bang" not a whimper. :)



Thanks for coming to visit, Sahalie!

Zoe's 7th Birthday

Zoe with the fruit kabobs we made, Neo with his own creation


Zoe (with Erin) blowing out her candles....

Zoe turned 7 on Sunday 10 January 2010. To celebrate, she had her first friends invited party at Madtown Twisters, a gymnastics facility in Madison. She invited her entire class - 13 children (7 boys and 6 girls). Plus her best friend, Erin. In addition, her 3 siblings (Clara 12, Tristan 9, and Neo 3) came along. All attended, save one little boy who wasn't able to attend, because his sister was having a birthday party on the same day.

Clara and Tristan on the trampolines.



Zoe with her friend Erin (Erin is 10 days younger)

We made fruit kabobs. Neo made his own version with apple wedges. We also had a veggie and apple platter. (I didn't think the apples would spear well - but Neo showed me otherwise).

Neo landing in the foam blocks

The party started at 11am with 1 hour of time in the gym. There were trampolines, foam block pits, balance beams, bounce house, a rope to swing from, and a maze. The children had a great time.

Soulara, Grace and Ellie enjoying pizza

At noon, Papa John's made the pizza delivery - 6, 14" pizzas. Zoe had "My Little Pony" paper plates, cups, and napkins. We went with "generic" party hats - that the children had fun with. One girl wasn't able to play in the gym so she joined us in the party room for lunch.

Lorelei made this great pillow for Zoe :)

We had cupcakes with 7 candles plus the number 7 candle. It took Zoe several trys to blow all the candles out, perhaps because of all her missing teeth?


Jackson, Arun, Aidan, and Samuel

Afterward, some of the children wanted to go back to the gym...while others wanted Zoe to open the gift they had given to her. Zoe received many lovely gifts with many proud prouncements of "I picked that out myself".


Zoe and Ella

The party was a good opportunity for me to put names with faces in Zoe's class - and to meet their parents. I haven't met many since Zoe started at St James school in October.

When we got home, Zoe opened a few more gifts. We had more fun with the birthday hats. Then we wrote the thank you notes and took them to school on Monday.

Zoe's new robe and "paper dolls" book from Grandma Stallman

Last Day of Winter Break

Neo and Tristan with their snow creatures
Tomorrow, Monday January 4, 2010, we get back to it. The kids to their schools and Dave to his work. Neo will begin a new preschool program on Tuesday. It will be good for him to have other kids to play with. He will miss his siblings very much on Monday.

On the first day of break, December 21, we drove down to Mineral Point to reclaim Apt 3. I had evicted the tenant in court on November 24 and spoke with him immediately after the hearing. He promised to be moved out by the 30th. The court ordered he leave the apartment in 10 days, or December 3rd. On December 4, I showed the apartment building to prospective buyers and the tenant was still living in the unit. I went to the court, secured an order from the judge to have the sheriff evict the tenant. Sheriff spoke with tenant and he agreed to be moved by December 14. On the 15th, they called to say they thought he was gone. On the 17th Sheriff called to say he wasn't gone, we'd have to change the locks. On the 18th, I had my handyman go with the Sheriff to change the locks. On 31 December, I showed the apartment to a young couple who were thrilled! The new tenants and their 2 cats have moved in.

Rain turned to ice

December 24th, and it's raining again. Neo and Tristan were playing in the yard. Neo was waving a stick around when he got a piece of bark and ice in his left eye. Finally, after Christmas eve service, we took him to the urgent care. The looked for any foreign object but didn't see anything. He was very brave as they put in two different drops - first to numb, then to test for a scratch. He broke down when the were in the middle of irrigating his eye. Poor boy.

Clara with her Coal
On Christmas eve, our tradition is to open the stockings which always have a small treat and new pajamas. Clara's pajama bottoms fit, but the top was too small - the sizes were mismatched! So she ended up with a "lump of coal"

Standing water on path at Vilas
The day after Christmas, we went to the Hallmark store for our annual "special" ornament purchase. We each pick out an ornament, write the date on it. When they are grown, the children will take their collections with them. We went to a few sales - and Tristan bought some special coins at the coin shop as part of his Christmas gifts - he had received money from grandparents.

December 26 was very warm. It had been raining for 2 days and above freezing so the snow cover was beginning to melt, causing backups in the sewer and standing water everywhere. It was strange to see the ice rink melted again. We went to Vilas park to walk in the slush and played on the playground.


The kids and I went bowling. Neo loves to bowl! They played two games. Neo bowled a higher score then his siblings in the 2nd game. Tristan was not amused. We bowled again with my dear friend Kathleen and her children on January 2nd. Neo and Rachael tied. Neo was using bumpers, Rachael wasn't.

Took Clara and Neo to see the Holiday Fantasy Lights - you can see the capitol in the background

During the 2nd week of break, I took the kids to the bargain movie theatre ($2.50). They saw "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and I took Neo to see "Julie and Julia". I really like it. Neo ate his popcorn with cheese flavoring, then went to sleep. The other patrons were surprised at how good he was.