New Shingles And New Gutters

Had our roof replaced recently. (Thank goodness.)  After six months of waiting, a representative from the roofer company called last month and came to tell us that his workers will come do the job very soon.  Two weeks ago, our roof was fixed with new shingles.  Last week, different people came to replace the gutters.  My dear husband said that someone will come and replace the window screens.  Not from the same company who did the roof and the gutters.

Finally, we're almost done with this.  The insurance companies, the roofers, and the other home improvement companies were very busy since the hail storm in March.  We are happy that they got our done.

Mulches Help Keep The Moisture In The Soil

Months after my husband pulled out the old bushes by the front porch, finally, we planted new bushes.  It's long overdue, I know.  But here it is.  My dear husband and I did a lot of yard work today.  I don't usually brag about accomplishments and stuff but it's a productive Sunday for us here in the Sefcik household.  I am just super happy that we were able to get our gardening going again this year including the front porch's flower beds.  New bushes in the row that will take years to grow into hedges.  But that's alright. The house is now happy that we came to our senses to beautify our home again.  

We bought the new bushes from Home Depot using the Visa gift card my dear husband claimed from the rewards he got from buying paints a month ago - also from Home Depot.  We bought a few Boxwood Holly and a Sky Pencil Japanese Holly to replace the Wax Myrtle that's previously planted in the corner where the water hose is.  Then we topped the flowerbeds with red mulch that according to my hubby will keep the moisture in the soil so the plants won't dry out in the summer heat.

I know it's quite silly but I had to pick the red mulch so it matches the red bricks of the house.  Target for this project is to complete the planting of flowering plants before the fourth of July comes.  It would be nice to have a newly planted flower beds when the holiday comes.

New Water Heater

During the holidays, we had a major repair in the house. It started when my husband detected water on the floor by the sink. He thought DD or me spilled some water accidentally on the floor. He even called me just to ask about that. But the water on the floor continued to flow.

My husband checked under the sink but there was no sign of leak anywhere under there. He even removed the dishwasher but he didn't see any sign of leak there either. The water was coming from under the sink cabinets. So he bore a big hole where the hot and cold water were connected. And sure thing the pipe for he hot water was leaking.

The professional plumber he contacted did a great job fixing the leak. But we had to replace the water heater. All these repairs happened during the Holiday season.   

Our new water heater.

We Enjoy Shooting Fireworks!

Everyone, except my sister-in-law's family, came over to our house to celebration the 4th of July this year.  We prepared a big dinner because we had a good crowd.  Our friend J and her family came over, too, to celebrate and shoot fireworks for the first time.  We enjoy shooting fireworks on the 4th of July and in the New Year's, too.  Our neighborhood and neighboring areas are not (yet) inside the city limits so we can still shoot fireworks.  

This year, we made some deep-fried cat fish fillets, potato salad, fried onion rings, garden salad, and corn for dinner.  Our guests brought some dessert such as brownies and strawberry shortcake.  Our dear friend J and her family brought some brisket and my favorite Kare-Kare.  Lots of food!  So delicious!

Dinner with the family on the 4th of July.

Beautiful spark!

Shooting a firework...trying not to be scared.

Garage Door Didn't Open

My darling daughter and I went to the library this morning for the Toddler Story Time.  I take her there every Fridays because it is a one of the good ways to help develop her social skills and get her interested with books.  After the Story Time, we stopped at Walmart to do some grocery shopping.  I bought cold stuff like milk, juice, and kids yogurt.  Then we went home after.

At the turn going to our house, I got used to pushing the button of my garage door remote controller in the car.  But suddenly, it didn't open.  I tried again.  Didn't open.  I thought the batteries of my garage door remote control was drained.  So I entered the code in the panel.  Still the garage door didn't open.  I tried a few times but had no luck.  When I called my honey, he told me to try inputting the code again.  There was no response from the garage door. 

The front and back doors are locked in the inside (they have dead bolts).  Windows are locked too.  I had no choice but to go to my cousin's house and had the cold items temporarily placed in her fridge until my honey comes home.  He got home early and found a way to get in the house.  When the everything was fixed, my darling daughter and I went home.  My honey said that the garage breaker got tripped.  One reason is when there's an often power outage due to bad weather conditions.

It was really a disappointing and scary situation.  Thanks God it's fixed.  But there's another problem that needs a solution very soon. 

Wordless Wednesday: At Our Home Eight Years Ago

To Keep The Faucet From Freezing

Before we left for vacation December of last year, my husband did a lot of checking in the house.  As far as utilities are concern, he made it sure that no water is leaking inside and outside.  He bought outdoor faucet covers to keep the garden hose faucet from freezing while we're gone.  Because we left in December, his dad told us that it snowed on Christmas Day.  We missed it, but we had a wonderful time celebrating the Holidays with my family back home though.

My husband is really good in taking care of the house.He wanted everything to be in place, safe, and well-maintained to avoid costly repairs.

Keeping The Bugs Away

My husband is spraying bug treatment around the house this weekend.  Spiders and centipedes are everywhere.  This is a routine to keep the bugs away.  Spring is the season for Junebugs and they are all over the place.  We find them outside the house-at the back porch, front porch, and garage.

Bug treatment helps keep the home free from nasty creepy insects.  And we don't want them in the house!

Today's Humor: House Shopping

A mah had run to the store with his daughters, daughter #1 (4) and daughter #2 (2) and on the way home he drove through a neighborhood looking for houses for sale. After a bit daughter #1 asked, "Daddy, what are we doing?"

The daddy said he was looking at the houses that were for sale.

Daughter #1 asked "Are you gonna buy a new house?"

Dad replied "Maybe."

Then she said with much concern, "But Dad, how will we get it HOME?!"

Thanks to Arcamax.com

In The Comfort Of Your Own Home

There is nothing better than being in the comfort of your own home - sitting on the couch watching television, cooking in your own kitchen, sleeping and relaxing in your own bedroom.  Of course, whatever you do, you do it with ease because you are familiar with every thing in the house.  We have been anticipating to be in our home until the big move last year.  

In the middle of uncertainty, we went house hunting.  We looked for an ideal home in the big city and searched online for affordable houses.  Some offered free foreclosures listing resources.  The concern was, we are uncertain with what's gonna happen.  A friend suggested to check on Real Estate Owned Foreclosures, which is kinda interesting.  So we tried the online free REO Foreclosures search.  It was very helpful.  The service was free and the listings are very informative.

But after those endless searching, my husband made a wonderful idea so we can move back to the house.  The blessing was upon us because everything worked out.  Now we are enjoying the comfort of our home.