Every Clubhouse needs a golf cart, right? It just so happens my parents were in the market for a new one, and we were more than happy to take their used one! They live on a Golf Course in Arizona and have a 4 Seater Gem Golf cart that they were looking to trade in for a newer model. We were looking for anything that would help us navigate our property, so we decided to take a quick (14 hour) drive to Arizona to check it out. After a lot of analyzing, scrutinizing, and inspecting, and with help from my Dad and brother, the Golf cart was loaded up and on its way to the clubhouse! We will use it mostly for running around the property, putting out the occasional grass fire, more on that later, and giving the grandkids rides around the neighborhood. It fits in the garage nicely, and Greg has already started the modifying process.

We still have a long list of projects, inside and outside, but the pressure is lessened since the deadline of the appraisal has passed. Next on the To-Do List; Inside:

 Raise the kitchen ceiling-Take down peninsula-take down cabinets, sand/paint/build a large Island-build a banquette-install large window in the banquette-design and build a coffee bar-install a whole house water filtration system-finish baseboards upstairs-install handrail on stairs…I’m moving to the outside list now since that list is getting overwhelming! Outside:

Finish painting siding/install on dormers-Paint trim on whole house-design and build a stone mailbox-pavers on walkway near courtyard-build a porch swing. There is more but that is enough for now!

We (mostly me) can only take so much noise, dust, and power tools before I go a little stir crazy. I know I am at that point when things that really are not funny, seem hilarious. Or I cry at the silliest things. When that happens, we do a “fun” project; one that is geared more towards lifting the spirit rather than foundational, i.e., a project that doesn’t require the death wheel, aka Angle Grinder. So say, building a porch swing and decorating the porch vs. hanging sheetrock. Having company is also a great motivator, anyone up for a visit to Oklahoma this Spring? We will be out of the dry/fire season soon and entering tornado season! Speaking of fire season…

It was a cold dark night, just kidding. It was a hot, bright day, with little to no wind, unusual for Oklahoma, when Greg decided to burn a few pieces of cardboard while he waited for the BBQ to heat up. In the time it took him to walk from the BBQ to the garage to get a shovel, a big gust of wind picked up the cardboard and carried it about 20 feet, starting a large grass fire. I happened to look out the window to see our backyard on fire and Greg desperately trying to get it under control before it spread to the large empty field of grass behind us! Not realizing I had my slippers on, I ran out to help him. I managed to hook up our hose and started fighting the flames. Not having any prior fire fighting experience, I was not very useful, the fire spread so unbelievably fast that I wasn’t sure where to start hosing down the flames. I have since learned, along with my burned slippers, that the perimeter is best. After about an hour or so, and with help from our neighbor, we had it mostly under control. It was terrifying, we had so much adrenaline pumping through our bodies that we spent several more hours raking up the dead grass. I honestly thought our house (which is made of stone!) would burn, along with the whole neighborhood. Oklahoma is known for grass fires, the wind is unpredictable, and our dry season is in the winter months. Lesson learned; Never ever leave a fire unattended, even for a minute, and have ALL your equipment ready and at hand, just in case.

On to a way more fun subject, Grandkids!… The Grandkids spent several days with us over their Spring break. This was the first time that all three slept in the grandkids room, all night! Greg and I slept next door in the Guest room, and other than Brody coming in to check on us a couple times, it went well! We also need to add to our To-Do List – Build bunk beds! We have decided to make Bunk beds with the bottom bunk being a trundle so all three can sleep on them. For now, the blow up mattresses seem to work well. They had a blast riding the Go-Karts and the weather was perfect. We spent several hours at the local park, ate yummy treats, and generally spoiled them! Here are a few pics of the Golf cart, Grass Fire, and Grandkids: