Been a while - with a lot going on. I last left off at the living room half finished, the birth of Annabell and promise to tell you about the Wyrick wedding. SO.. the living room floor is finished (the fireplace mantel still not found) Annabell is spoiled, I am not sure she is off the bottle yet... (I am still in Iowa - working - will be coming home soon) and we all survived the travel in a VAN that held 10 of us, it was wonderful family time. Some of the wedding pictures are on flickr and we now have Princess Morgan (Jennifer's sweet baby girl) pictures on flickr. I must say many months of blessings. I promise to update on the house - and Rodney's newest project "the shop" its another house - I have much to do after being gone for 2 months (TODAY). Rodney and Lake have managed to hold down the house .... finished putting in the Hardy Heater (outside)-wood heater - Thank you uncle Roger for that last push (you are Rodney's HERO), cutting much wood, LOST the dogs (Mia & Izzie who ended up in dog jail) ,both so tired they slept for two days and keeping everyone healthy and Fed. I am proud out you both!! Mitch... has moved all the roommates out and got a new one (Copper) pictures on flickr, changed jobs (same company) working in the freezing cold (thank you Rodney for dressing him warm) I am proud of you Mitch BIG changes going on with you BUT ...I am still going to BUST your tail when I get home - I miss you ALL much and will give you the BIGGER picture on things when I get there.

Until tomorrow... Loving you ToDAy!!!

Melissa

Feeding time

bottle
Originally uploaded by mg smallen

Annabell at her best. She is doing great and loving Rodney.

Rodney, Lake and Annabell

Rodney, Lake and Annabell
Originally uploaded by mg smallen

Her first feeding

OuR NEwEsT adDiTiOn

Annabell looking for something to eat
Originally uploaded by mg smallen

ANNABELL - Mother "Sally Goodn'" first time mother, did not want any thing to do with her baby Annabell born 3, August 2008. She now is a part of the Smallen Crew. She now knows Rodney as her food supply and loves to see him coming. This is the first for Lake, who rushed by Rodney's side to get her "mothers milk" the day she was born. All is well and doing fine.

Finishing the Floor

Wrapping up this project - Rodney has been working on the tile around the fireplace - Looking Great!! The final touch will be the corner pieces in the front only, both will have a buckle from Rodney's Grandfather (Shorty) old horse straps (hearts of course). We are still looking or trying to figure out what we are going to do for the mantel. I am sure it will happen. More pictures to come. Loving you today ~ Melissa

The Old Brick

The floor is down, with the fireplace to go. Rodney worked finishing up while I took off with family to go to Aaron's wedding (South Carolina - Island Palms) Great Trip - more info later.
We are heading out tonight to find the outside layer for the Bricks. The first picture shows the old dirt box that housed the brick for over 100 years.

The second picture, the brick watered down so we could see the texture and have a patteren to go by when we put them back down. We are on a hunt now to find the mantel, something simple that will not eat up the room. Estes, still waiting on your help!!

Floor #5 Living Room

Still working hard, this is floor number 5! We are in our second year working to rebuild Granny Smallen's old farm house. Floor number 5 is the "Living Room" and the fireplace to contend with. The in-cert was taken out to open up the original fireplace, Rodney and Dad "Rodger" also busted off the block that had been covering up the old fireplace for some time. Once removed they found the hand made brick that has rested on a pillow of dirt and sand for over 100 years. I removed the bricks to later reposition at the fireplace landing. (I love the look) I am sure that this is the things you can not buy. Rodger remembers as a little boy coming over to the house and standing in front of the old fireplace to warm his backside and Granny Smallen sitting in front of the fireplace quilting "I also have the quilt she made Rodger for graduation (dutch doll)" priceless.. We are in day two of this process, three layers of floor have been removed the top layer - plywood (for strength) I think the last homeowner had carpet, the middle layer was hardwood and the bottom was the original tongue and groove - beautiful but not salvageable. Today Rodney is working to put the joist back in after taking everything out to the dirt!! I have to say that this time we both kind of chuckled as to last time when we "both" woke up the next morning teared up wondering what had we done. Lake seems to be better at this now, last few he was out of here - headed somewhere normal. I think we picked the hottest days to have taken a vacation and started this again. Rodney has somehow got off track during the last few months and snuck' outside to start yet, another LARGE project - WE call it the mother-in-law house (works both ways) we laugh - The real truth, that is Estes's house - who else will keep his contrary tail. I really think Rodney is trying to move most of my junk out to the new house (addition to the little house) as we call it - I'll update you later on that. He is trying to finish #5 quickly so he can get back on it. UUUUHHHH he has made me turn the air off and it is so hot and smells like pure dirt!! (not that I don't like dirt) anyways, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me.... on this day and Congratulations to you MOM for a beautiful daughter 39 years ago - who could ask for more? I am thankful for you & I LOVE YOU MORE !!! Estes get to feeling better

I need your help with this fireplace, I heard you might know a little something about them.

Until tomorrow, loving you today!

MeLiSsA

New Addition "Izzie" Izzibell Ellie Smallen

"Izzie" our newest addition to the farm. Izzie was rescued from the "East Tn Bloodhound Rescue" www.easttennesseebloodhoundrescue.com what a sweet girl - she is all about herself although life will never be the same without her best buddie Mia. What a pair.. After moving to the farm Mia discovered she enjoyed being outside, with so much to do. She has quickly introduced Izzie to all the good things in life, the pond, the cows, running through the house for a piece of cheese and sleeping under a big ol' trees. These girls were meant to be together, they share all their secretes.