IT DOESN'T WORK

My last blog was talking about fixing an ice machine -- pointing out the plug should be attached to the wall.  I would like to also add that when your car won't start -- MAKE SURE THE CAR IS IN PARK.  If you can't take the key out of the ignition--MAKE SURE THE CAR IS IN PARK.  Anyone have any other ideas to add?  It may sound like common sense but when a person is frustrated or mad, no one has common sense.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!

We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and have a great New Year.  If you are traveling, please be safe -- there are many people who love you and want you to be well and happy even if it means being late.  This is my crew, it's a couple of years old but everyone is in it.  New picture to follow.

Sorry - slow on blog

Christmas is crazy. Sorry my blogging is a little off, New Years resolution -- work on my blog on a regular basis.

ICE MACHINE BROKEN

Bryant has started working for my brothers' waterstore "WATERMART".  A great place to buy wonderful clean water.

He went in and found the ice machine broken.  - by the way, you need great clean ice to go with your clean water!!  He took in upon himself to fix the machine, he is so great at repairs.  The following is how he fixed it:

Bry:  " I went over to the machine to look at it and see if I could fix it.  The first thing I did was try to turn it on, I found the machine was not plugged in so I plugged it in.  The ice maker turned on :).  I was looking to see how the water flows and such and saw that the water to the machine had been turned off... I turned it on.  Lo and behold--- it worked."

Moral of the story---- if an appliance stops working do some simple steps before you call in a repairman.
1.  Check power source.  Is the breaker popped, is it plugged in?
2.  Check other connections to the machine.

Now for my story ---  I spent $65 in a service fee to have someone come fix my dryer, he went to the breaker box, flipped the switch and --- It worked.  Go figure.

And now the reason behind this post is... Carol and I started a weight loss program in Oct. 2011.the most recent pictures are from mid December 2011. For those of you who know me and may be worried that I am so thin, I am fine , I have not felt this good in years and I have been cleared by my doctor. We are very proud of our result but still have a ways to go to reach our goals. I hope you can appreciate our hard work and give us your love and support. Thank you all for being in our lives, we love you all and hope we will see you soon. Thank You, Phil and Carol

Another project finally finished.

My son is an awesome repairman...see the Before photos and compare the after photos. This is a really great job. Well done Bry!!!

Reindeer in Saratoga Springs

ON the way home from Hope's science fair we stopped to take a picture of all these Antelope in a field next to the highway.

Hope's science fair!

Carol and I went to Lehi for Hopes science fair on Tuesday 12/06. Her project was on "What soda does to your teeth. We are so proud!!!

Weight just a minute...

Playground is finished with great drain

It wasn't what I had pictured, but my playground is looking great.  We have put in a drain, filled in with cushion for the kids and now for the paint. 

Broken pipes under the concrete

digging up the pipe

see the damage

the repairs and new pipe

At our apartments in Texas, we had a leak under the concrete.  I didn't think pipes under the concrete would break.  Well, $7000 later we saw that it was old galvenized pipe and whenever we snaked the pipe because of a clog, we were getting holes in the pipe.  It was crazy and messy.  We have fought with this problem for years.  I am so glad it is finally taken care of.  This was not a do it yourself job, I'm glad we got a plumber.

More drainage proplems - Playground

Before picture, the water is washing away the hill

What I want it to look like

I believe this will be the answer

or this

We have apartments in Texas.  The insurance company needs us to fix-up the playground.  I can't blame them, it needs painting and such.  One problem is the drainage.  So we went to Lowes and have the fix, good thing there are Lowe's almost everywhere.  Now the problem is getting the repair guys to see me vision, I live 1000 miles away. I would like to drain pipe to flow into the drain.  We can purchase the material at very little cost and believe we can make it work.  Hopefully this will work and we won't have any more problems.  After we have this done, then there is the bark or fill for cushion and the painting.  No problem Right?  We'll let you know.

Fixing the leaks

Bry putting the window

This is a repair - paint needs to be done to complete the project

Good Luck - this leak stays outside!!

Adding the sealant - we had four windows to repair.

Taking out the ruined sheetrock and gross insulation - should be done soon.

Water leaking everywhere

We have had three water leaks this month.  Fortunately Bry and Phil have had the time to work on them.  The duplex had water running down an inside wall, the sheetrock was removed and Bry found that the leak was from the roof.  Patching a roof and redoing the wall makes for a long day.

Next we found leaks at my mothers home that were all coming from the outside.  It seems the windows were not sealed well and know it's showing in the sheetrock.  Once again with the help of the handimen and Lowes, we have been working to repair all that.  Bry used a cement sealant and a lot of caulk to get his work done.

The Cost of a Dog

The final product - almost $1000. now we have to worry about getting the stitches out.

Before - Great Dog

I think he's worth it :)

How much should one pay for a Vet vs. how much are a emotions worth.  Katie's beautiful dog has gone to the Vet for a bump on his nose.  He is almost 9 years old.  The approximate cost's going in $300 for the cleaning of teeth, add the meds to but him asleep and now $12. a minute to dig out the bump.  The bump was too hard to biopsy.  I believe she will be into this over $800.  This is a hard choice to make - it's just an old dog but emotions, pressure and I think society tells us we need to save lives at all costs.  It will be a charge card - adding to debt and pressure of regular life.  How can we separate ourselves and realize how much is too much - in our hearts.  We already know it's too much in our brains.