Well, it's been about 2 months since our last update regarding pictures and such, so we thought we'd add a few, as we know most of you are visual learners. 

 

Let's start with the interior.  We've officially finished (minus a few wall hangings) 4 rooms upstairs.  This included some removal of walls, plaster, re-running electrical, plumbing , drywall-and some minor replastering/mudding.  New paint, wall paper in some areas and a few little additions here and there really have made each room it's own work of art.  We tried to keep at least 3 historic pieces to each room.  Sometimes this would include the corner moldings, the windows, trim, molding, etc.  These rooms include: The old gentelmens room (now 2 bathrooms), the study, old girls room, now EARTH room, and our master bedroom.  The pictures are yours to see.  I've labeled them as best as possible, with a drawing of the before/after line-ups of the bathrooms!

 

We also have been fortunate enough to have a good couple of weekends of great weather.  So, we decided to get started on tearing out the grass that we don't want.  With nearly 1 acre of almost all grass, it seemed so silly to keep all of it.  So, we kept a long 150 stretch x 40 foot stretch on the west side of the house (where it's shaded and we'll host outside parties).  The majority of the rest will come out in phases, but will be removed.  The first phase of this happened and you can see the pictures.  To say the least, it was hard work.  Most of the neighborhood took advantage of the FREE SOD signs and picked up lots of it. :) yea!

 

As for us personally, we're both doing incredibly well.  Kimmy is enjoying her time at Creighton University and has been fortunate enough to be linked with one of the leadership programs we run with Creighton.  So, while serving as a volunteer, she immediately made friends with 40 or so students...most of them she still hangs out with.  She's ready for the semester to get over so she can work on other things on the house she's been wanting to do, go on a short but well needed vacation for both of us, visit friends and family in Utah and head back home to enjoy the rest of her break before summer semester starts again.

 

I'm also doing quite well.  Occasionally, I don't like the long drive, but when I get home, I remember why we bought a home clear out here.  It's so surreal. There are millions of birds everywhere.  Blue Jays, Cardinals, Crows, Sparrows, Double Breasted Robins, Robins, Geese etc etc etc.  In fact, while outside, occasionally the geese fly over us as they're heading back to their summer homes.  It's so amazing.  Literally as if a large cloud that is 2-5 miles long literally changes the color of the sky to dark black for the moments.  You can hear them honking as if a huge monsterous car coming in the air from miles and miles away.  As they fly over you, they're so loud you can't even have a conversation at a normal tone as you can't hear the other person speaking.  It's awesome.  Work is busy for me, but the volunteers and community have been very welcoming and I've seemed to settle in quite nicely.  At first (and occasionally still) I have a hard time without relationships with people.  Most of those that I worked with in Utah have known me and my accomplishments for years.  Not here.  Starting from the ground up.  In some ways it's nice, and in other ways, it's incredibly hard...but I'm perfectly fine with working a bit harder at relationships! :)  We've officially changed the name of our organization. You can visit        w w w. c f i c o n l i n e. o r g to check out the new organization, logo etc.  I'm really excited for it.  We still run the same programs, just under a new name!

 

The girls (Myster the cat and Miss-C the dog) are both loving this place.  Myster gets the entire mansion all to herself when we're away at work/school.  Miss-c gets the entire outside.  Although she has a kennel, when we're home, she gets to hang outside, where she guards the house, usually sitting on the south porch soaking up the sun, but will warn us if anyone dares set foot on the grass( or what used to be grass). 

I think that should just about bring you up to speed.  Keep us in your thoughts as Tornado season is about here.  Already this week we've had 2 tornadoes in NE.  None in IA.  The one that was closest to the house was about 2 hours away, but still, we had one! :)  I'm excited and hope to see one (from far away of course).   You better believe you'll see those pictures on this website! :)

 

Love from us both,

Spence and Kimmy