Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Kitchen Cabinets

I've painted so many rooms in my home since we've been home from our mission.  But the first thing I noticed upon arriving home was how poor my kitchen cabinets looked.  I spent some time cleaning them with Murphy's Oil soap and they looked better but still not great.  
We changed out the countertop and I love that look.  I finally worked up the courage to take on this enormous task.  I wanted to get it accomplished before it got too cold outside to do any work in the garage or yard.
I wasn't sure I wanted to do this china cabinet but after looking at the others when they were finished, \there was no question that this too needed to be done. Before I did anything I called my friend Jared and got step by step instructions on how I should do it so my finished product would last. 
I decided that I would first do the upper cabinets as there are less of them.  
I removed the doors and hardware.
Once the uppers were done, I started on the lowers.  It took a little longer just because there are more of them.  But it went pretty flawlessly.
We didn't live with no doors for very long as I would prime/paint the doors and then come inside and do the cabinet fronts.
The lowers took a bit longer and Pat put new soft close drawer slides on each of the drawers.
I always loved my oak cabinets and felt it a sin to paint over that beautiful wood.
I needed to take off the trim as well as that also needed painting and it is so much easier to paint it when it is off. 
I had some tables set up in the garage where I could paint and keep the leaves and other flying debris off of my wet surfaces. 
These are the upper doors waiting to go out and be sanded., 
Cleaning, sanding, priming with an oil based primer and then painting. 
The inside of the doors only got one coat of paint but the outside got two coats. 
 
After Pat put in the new window above the kitchen sink I told him I needed to paint before he installed the PVC trim.  I did this little space first and decided that I truly loved it and I could actually do this.
Once the cabinetry was painted we were off to Menards and Home Depot to pick out the hardware.
Let me tell you, the hardware was the most expensive part of this whole project. 
After I had the china cabinet done, I looked at the formica countertop and knew it had to change.  Again I called Jared and asked him if he'd ever painted formica.  He told me it was difficult but I assured him it was a space where it wasn't used heavily.
My first thought was to paint it black to match the other countertop but after putting some white on it, I decided it was great as it was.  I actually love it!
I thought I was done but then how could I be done with the door frames, one window frame and the base boards all still wood?
Since painting them, I see the blue wall pops!  The gray walls actually look gray.  It was a labor of love and I enjoyed doing it.  I told Pat he needs to have this done in his home to brighten up his kitchen.  I would do it too.
Since having it done, Susie asked about her laundry room and I told her we could do it together.  I think I've found my calling in life if ever I had to have an occupation.  I love painting and I love the look when it is finished!

Birthday Girl

 I never need anything special for my birthday.  As long as my husband acknowledges me, that's enough.  He decided a few weeks ago that he wanted to take me to the temple for my birthday.  It was on a Monday so that specific day wasn't going to work.  We planned our trip to the temple the weekend prior.

With all our plans in place, I remembered that Evelyn's birthday party was on that Saturday morning.  We changed our times for temple attendance.  It was wonderful being there!  I've missed it!  After our two temple endowment sessions we checked into our hotel and went out to dinner.  Delicious and expensive!  I forget when we're in Chicago how much more expensive restaurants are.

We arose early on Saturday morning and headed back to Clintonville for Evelyn's pool party.  I lounged in the warm water and enjoyed a long visit with Vonnie Fillmore.  Afterward we had brunch at the Fillmore home.

Monday was my actual birthday.  I did some laundry and finished my painting in the kitchen before spending my afternoon with little Eddie.  He's so sweet!  I really enjoy spending time with him.  He went down for his usual nap without a sound and slept for 2 1/2 hours.

All my children and their families came over for a pizza party.  Butch gave me a birthday card.  I love it!  Sammi made Pat and I matching shirts.  I love being with my family.  It was a great day!








Monday, September 13, 2021

Elder Tom

 During a lesson while we were in the MTC I had the strongest feeling that we are holding Tom back by not allowing him to go through the temple.  This guy is already guaranteed Celestial glory so why would he need these further covenants?  We contacted our stake president and told him of our revelation.  He reached out to our bishop but we never heard anything.  When we got home we talked about it again with President Lonsdale.  He said it would be good for us to reach out to bishop Hoffman.

When we sat down with bishop, he told us of his experience.  He saw Tom walking through the chapel one day and had the impression that Tom needed to receive the temple endowment.  He had a discussion with Jeff and was assured that Tom has much more capability than it seems.  Good.  Now we were all in the same place.
We knew there needed to be interviews but were unaware when the first one took place.  President Olsen did the second interview.  Last week in testimony meeting, Tom eagerly got up and told everyone how excited he was for stake conference and how excited he was to be in Elders Quorum and how excited he was to go to the temple for his endowment.
Yesterday at stake conference, he was sustained to receive the Melchizedek priesthood.  Then just after 4pm, our family along with his quorum President, Dennis Rekow, the Raddants and Newell came over to witness this event.  Andrew was voice.  Pat didn’t even stand in the circle.  He wanted his brothers to take care of this ordination.  It was tender to listen to Andrew and then to watch Tom hug all his brethren.  
Next step is to get the recommend so we can take him to the temple in October.  


Nursery Leader?

 About a month ago Chad asked to speak to me after sacrament meeting.  Pat and I met with him and he extended the calling as Nursery leader.  I won’t lie.  Not a calling I ever aspired to.  Not even a calling I ever wanted or dreamed I would have.  Because of those reasons I started to laugh.  Both my husband and Chad were a bit taken aback by my response.  I told him I would do whatever the Lord needed me to do.  I told him that I thought he was going to ask me to be the ward music chair.  He said, “Since you brought it up…”. I told him I could do both callings.  

Me, the nursery leader.  That is good for a laugh.  I know people who wish for that position.  Not me.  I’m more comfortable with youth and adults.  I guess I’m about to learn something new.  My first week was alright.  I only had Ty Ejnik and my little Eli.  Destinee’s twins will join us any day now but they aren’t regular.  Ty and Eli will leave in January so it could be a very hit and miss calling.  I may get to be with the adults now and again.