Basement Blues

This morning, i went downstairs to check out the situation. We had water down there, but there were still dry patches of floor. I made sure the pump was working outside. TJ has been pumping water out to a little ditch from our backyard. The patio was under water and now the top was above water, thanks to the pumping. The water was finally going away. . .


Then it RAINED. . . hard.


I went to GR. I couldn't sit around and listen to it rain and worry all day. There was nothing i could do any way. Last night we were up late moving things that we didn't want to get wrecked either up higher or out in the garage. We have a ton of plastic tube, so a lot of our stuff we stacked on those.

We fed jaely, gave her a bath and were getting her ready for bed, when i heard something fall in the basement. TJ went down there to discover our tubs floating. Since they were floating, the stuff we stacked on them had fallen into the seven inches of water.

These pictures are after we moved many things up to our garage (thankfully TJ cleaned that out last weekend)


The water has moved past the bottom of our furnace, so that is currently off. We called Serve-pro and they said there is nothing we or they can do until the water on the outside is nearly gone. We have to wait/ wade it out. It is hard to sit upstaits, knowing that right below you is gallons of water. . . moving up your insulation, up your drywall, up the carpet on the stairs, up the couch and recliner, up the desk TJ made and his wooden 75 gallon fish tank stand. . . This is slider downstairs. The water is past the bottom.


Both our neighbor's and our property are surrounded by big and little bodies of water that after today's rain have all connected to eachother. The water covers our patio and the first layer of our garden. We have lived her almost 6 years and we have not had anything come close to this. This is absolutely CRAZY!

TJ's sexy legs in our basement






I know, a lovely picture- you can't tell that i am frowning. . . these are my cheeky chimp shorts. Pants just don't work in a situation like this. . . nor do shoes. The water is cold, and dirty, and i am confident i will get some kind of funky foot fungus or later find a grub between my toes. I do wonder if the moles drownd in the water. That would be one good thing. . . i guess. I am glad that jaely is a really good sleeper.

If we can't stay warm. . . Jaely and i are going to hang out at my sister-in-law's house. I think we will be alright.

We need sunshine and a strong warm breeze. TJ is taking tomorrow off and renting a "big ass pump" that will suck the same amount of water in a minute that our current pump takes an hour to pump. I LOVE spending money on fun things like this.

Out in the Garden

While Jaelynne was napping, i got some work done. I weeded a little (i know, i cannot believe i am having to weed already) and i got a lot of leaves out of the rock garden. While working, the sweet aroma of hyacinths filled my nostrils. . . much better than the smell from dirty diapers sitting in a closed up room for two weeks in a warm house (that happened to my mother-in-law today!)

Today, while working, i discovered new neighbors that moved in right behind our house at the edge of our lawn. . . .you have to look closely at the picture
Do you see it. . . the tiny door at the foot of the tree. . . hmm. How exciting!

Spectacular House

We went to look at this house today during an open house. I loved how much character is has as a lumber era house. . . the woodwork and built-ins were so neat. It would take a lot to maintain all the wood, inside and out and i think the kitchen could stand a bit of remodeling. Also, it would be hard to have all the bedrooms up stairs share one bathroom. . . but the character of the house is amazing. . . clawfoot cast iron bathtub, wooden crown molding, huge mahogany pocket doors, solid wood doors with original hardware, window seats, gigantic covered porch, two wooden staircases (three levels), and leaded windows. Amazing.

A friday afternoon nap

During Jaely's afternoon nap, i decided to get to work outside. I raked the shade garden and then walked around to see how things were doing. From afar the back garden looks rather lifeless and uneventful. . .. but exciting things are taking place. One just has to look closely, appreciate the little things, and imagine the beauty it will be in a month or two!!

From afar. . .

Up close-

Garden phlox is coming!

One of the many hyacinths. . .So fragrant.

Peony- i love how it emerges reddish from the ground

Creeping Phlox- it is an evergreen, but i still appreciate seeing it after all the snow melts and soon it will be a carpet of pinks and purples

Hens and Chicks- a personal favorite. They almost look like they belong on another planet.

Sedum- a bright dome of green among the gray rocks

The day lilies are emerging on the side of the garage. Later they will grow until there is a wall of green and you can't tell one plant from the other.
In the shade garden. . .

Bleeding Heart- another favorite

Look at all the new growth on the plum tree (the things that are shooting straight up)

The Weeping cherry has buds. . . one of the early bloomers of the season

A mole trap. . . .yuck.

The flowers are coming!

I walked out to look at the garden today and got so excited. The hyacinths are popping, the cherry tree is starting to get tiny buds. The day lilies are spreading and the grass is getting greener. The sedum is coming up in its rounded clump way. The hens and chicks, phlox, and boxwood survived winter and are getting greener! I used to despise spring. . . now that we have gardens , i find it excitng!

I am not sure when i will get a chance to work out there. I could do it now as jaely naps, but i have toilets to clean and dishes to do and dust to dust.

It is supposed to be sunny and warm for the next few days, so i will make it a point to get out there. But, for now, i am enjoying it without working in it!

Hakuna Matata

Hakuna Matata. . . means no worries. . . .

Date night was awesome. After Gail picked jaely up from us in Lansing, TJ and i wandered the mall there a little. I got changed into my black and white linen dress with purple satin trim and my purple heels. We went to eat at Gilbert and Blake's seafood and grill. We had drinks, a wonderful meal and two decadent desserts that we shared. My drink was a little strong and we had some time to kill, so we ate slowly and enjoyed eachother's company. I was surprised. . . we didn't talk about Jaely very much. It was so nice to be out in public, dressed up and not cutting food into tiny bite size pieces for jaely.

We then headed to MSU's Wharton center. It was a pretty nice theater. I did miss the historical feeling and decorative surroundings. . . like in Toronto or chicago, but it was nice. We had spectacular seats. . . second row in the grand tier. The show amazed us. . . not just the singing, but the costumes and puppeteering. I often just enjoy things and don't think about the how, but this show forced me to think of the how. How are they doing that? How are they making it look that way? That was the most talkative first act i have ever witnessed. People were whispering with amazement and pointing in all directions. It really was unbelievable.

The show didn't start until 8 and we still had to drive to gail's, so we got home pretty late. It was well worth it. I feel rejuvenated as a wife and as a mother. I needed to feel sexy, to have the door opened for me, to grab my husband's hand from across the table and look into his eyes, to have him look at me that certain way, and to be surrounded by adults.

Thank you gail! It is so wonderful to have jaely in such trusting care that it doesn't occupy our minds while we are trying to enjoy a night out. Around 8:45, i had a thought/worry that maybe jaely was crying and wasn't sleeping well for gail, but then i dismissed it knowing that jaely is probably sleeping and if she isn't gail can handle it. . . she might even get some cuddle time! My thought lasted for maybe 30 seconds and then i returned to watching the performance.

It truly was an evening of no worries. Hakuna matata.

Now TJ is working on school stuff and my list of things i need to get done around the house is growing. . . .but i feel so energized and rejuvenated.

Making the Best of Spring Break

It is April, but it sure doesn't feel like it outside. I was really hoping for sunshine, blue skies and time in our gardens, but it doesn't look like that is going to be the case. In fact, i just purchased a sweater that Jaely can wear over her Easter dress (all her dresses, really). Brrrr.

It was a wonderful day today. It really felt like spring break for me. I went shopping and surrounded myself with spring looking clothes and accessories. The best part is that i didn't have jaely (she can't read yet, so i can write that). TJ had her all day while i wandered around town, went into places that i have always wanted to go into, and barely spent any money! It was great. I did meet TJ and Jaely for lunch. The best part??? Coming home and seeing Jaelynne get so excited to see me!! Now i know how TJ feels when he gets home. :)

I actually couldn't stay out as long as i had intended because of my stupid cold. I have a bad cough and my head is so full i can hardly think straight. It was still a great day!