Farm and House

 It has been a long time since I've updated with pictures, so I'll post a few.  It has been a long, hard summer, with record-breaking heat and long days with no rain.  Of course, this was the year we decided to expand our garden, I took on new work projects and we've still not finished our house and yard.  Such is life.....an adventure.  

First, some reminders of what the kitchen looked like when we bought this house.  And the initial patch job just to be able to use the laundry room.  

First was a new kitchen window (and throughout the house; the windows actually leaked water into the house when we hosed it down), then the demolition began.  

And now to the progress of the new kitchen!!

First, some new walls and a new kitchen.  

Then, some new flooring: 

 

 Cabinets, beginning to be built and put in place.  

Countertops

Sink

Hood Vent

Backsplash and cooktop

Double ovens!

Trying to get everything put away.  

All cleaned up and pretty.  

Updates from Peaceful Cedars Farm

 New windows made a big difference!!

Healthy Sleep Habits

 

I am an insomniac from way back. At one low point in my life, I don’t think I slept much for several days. If I knew then, what I know now, I would’ve taken different steps, because I don’t think I was thinking clearly after all that time without sleep.

I now sleep through most every night, except for the occasional too hot, too cold and having to empty my bladder (old lady problems). BUT and this is huge, I get back to sleep fairly easily.

I have helped countless patients, over the years, to improve their sleep habits. I have referred many to various articles. My husband suggested I write my own article, from a personal and professional perspective.

Most people who are having trouble sleeping are guilty of violating at least one of the healthy sleep recommendations. For many, they are reluctant to give them up (but the television helps me get to sleep, etc.) and I will try to address all the excuses and why it is important to give up the unhealthy habits.

• Make your bedroom dark enough and cool enough
• Keep your room clutter-free. Clutter can actually increase anxiety. Anxiety can interfere with sleep.
• Set up a bedtime routine and try to do it about the same time every night. Wash your face, brush your teeth, do your nightly reading, praying or meditation. You are preparing yourself, physically and psychologically, to go to sleep.
• Bed is for two things: sleeping and sex. Nothing else.
• If you are having trouble with sleeping, do not read, watch television, text or surf while you are in bed.
• Do not go to sleep with the television on.
• Keep as many electronics out of your bedroom as is possible. If your cell phone is your only phone and you want to keep it in your bedroom for emergencies, turn off all other noise makers, especially texting and especially if you have friends who like to text in the middle of the night, just to talk. Let family/close friends know if they need to reach you for an emergency, they need to call. Yes, the same number they use to text they can use to call. If it’s not an emergency, it can keep until morning.
• If you cannot sleep, (after a reasonable amount of time) get up out of the bed. Go read, listen to meditation. Try not to turn on the television.
• Keep a worry journal. (will discuss later)
• Make sure your bed partner has healthy sleep habits.

Recalculating

Well......it's been a while since I've written anything and we've gone all over the place as to what we want to do with the property.  It's hard because I love the house I live in now, I just don't love the location anymore.  After much discussion, we are determined to move forward with moving into this house eventually and realizing our dream of becoming more self-sustaining and maybe having a small business in Lincoln County for the rest of our years.  We just will need to hire more help than we had originally thought and will have to continuously re-adjust our timeline, plans and dreams for the future.

And here is a future art project

And another

 And some random nature pictures

And a neighbor or two.

And Another Wall Bites the Dust

This weekend we spent a good deal of time doing demolition.  We made some good progress.  We got the walls down from between the two bedrooms that will become our Master Bedroom. 

This is a look at where you will enter the Master Suite, when we are finished.

 This shows the end of it from the hallway perspective; these doorways will be closed in. 

We got all the light fixtures down and put in temporary light.  We have been trying to take out everything we know we will replace, that might be carrying dust and smoke.

We have a temporary bed (currently covered with a tarp) an inexpensive dresser (to keep our clothes a little cleaner) so we can spend the nights there and be able to get more done on the weekends.

We got a refrigerator and a washer/dryer in the house so we can eat and be somewhat functional, without having a huge pile of laundry, when we get back home after a weekend of working.

We spent some time also cutting down trees, the cedars that are too close to the house and a small shrub tree that was growing into the house.  We also cut and burned a tree that was laying on its side.  

From the distance, I spotted the color of these beautiful spider lilies, by the fence at the back of the yard. 

These are pictures of Steve, with the pitch fork he found on the property.

Next some progress of cleaning up around the lean-to barn.

This is the pile, so far, of the junk left on the property that we need to haul away.

And the lawnmower that needs hauled away.

Steve set out some corn and a salt lick and then set up the game cam to see what comes by to have a snack. 

Next, enjoy some random pictures of nature; here's to good mental health.  I'll update you next week on more of our progress.