Our family :)

[grams]

Well it sure is  a happy day for my husband and I !

We have  3 children  and they have children !

The one Son with the 8 children has asked us to move in with them.

Get this  they have a home with only 3 B.R.

And they are going to move out of there  B.R. and move into one of the smaller rooms.
We are planning on putting our condo up for sale  as soon as we can find a good R. E. person.
So they want to be ready for us to move in  at any time !
We are hoping to have a addition put on  to there home  , either up or
under  !
See  We are 79 and  feeling the age.   And my husband has trouble with walking and moving around !  He uses a walker ! 
So , how Blessed we are to have  such great children.
All of them are happy to have us move in !   Our son keeps asking us or telling us we are in for a lot of noise with 8 children of course we know that.
Our other 2 children live out of State.  And I am sure they would help , if we needed them  !
This is going to be a great thing, but I am looking around at all we have
I am loaded with so much stuff I really do not need.  Its going to be hard to distinguish  what to keep and what to  get rid of  ! 

Any one have any advise  ideas  ?

[chosenone]

if they are letting you have their room, and they only have 2 other bedrooms, then are all 8 children going to be in one bedroom? 
Have you thought of buying somewhere very near them, a place with no stairs? Maybe a sheltered appartment for the elderly?  I think that is what I would prefer. I would always want some privacy, and I find my one beautiful grandson tiring after having him all day, much as I love him. 

[DaveW]

At 79 I would be looking at moving away from Michigan (even if you do live on the east side of the state and do not have to deal with several feet of Lake Michigan in your driveway every winter) for a more southerly latitude.

Where do your other "out of state" children live?

BTW - my mom is 81 and still lives in Buchanan.  She is adamant about staying in that house.

[Red Baker]

Any one have any advise  ideas  ?

I am glad that you are happy, and willing to move in with your son.  But maybe you need to help your son to purchase a larger home, if you are financially able to do so; or, first add on to his present home, so it would be large enough to accommodate his family of ten and you and your husband.  Is his property large enough to build another small home on it? If so, can you do that? I cannot begin to imagine living in a three bedroom house with twelve people.  It is going to be noisy, and older people need quietness, not noise.  I would move slowly.     

[chosenone]

Any one have any advise  ideas  ?

I am glad that you are happy, and willing to move in with your son.  But maybe you need to help your son to purchase a larger home, if you are financially able to do so; or, first add on to his present home, so it would be large enough to accommodate his family of ten and you and your husband.  Is his property large enough to build another small home on it? If so, can you do that? I cannot begin to imagine living in a three bedroom house with twelve people.  It is going to be noisy, and older people need quietness, not noise.  I would move slowly.   

We had 5 in a very small 3 bedroom home and that was bad enough    Mind you, the houses here and the rooms in them are much much smaller than those in the USA.

[grams]

WE have a R. E.  coming today to give us a price on selling our condo.
And on Fri.  another one.

Our son told us not to take the first offer !

The son is working and is really doing a lot for us !
AS the daughter in law is also and I think how kind she is !
She will have  2 more mouths to feed.   All though the older children now do help with cooking !
And our son does want to move when ever he can sell his house.
My husband was not wanted to move , when we were asked to move in a couple of years ago, he did not want to have to move out of state.
But has now changed his mind.
Our son has trouble with the bones and a bad hip.  So he wants to move
to maybe Texas.   He said the climate is so much better on the bones
specially in Mexico !    So  some place south of Mich. 

We are also waiting to find out  what is going to be cheaper to add on to his house.   On top a dormer  or a walk in basement.
He seems to think a walk in basement.  Which he was going to do 2 -10 yeas ago.  At 20.000  but could not afford that .  So we hope its not to much more now then back then ?

[grams]

We have had  two  so far come look at our condo.

Tomorrow and Monday will have more ........

I just want to start packing, only thing is what will we  use  and what
will we have to sell or give away ? 
Most important is that we find some one to add on the  house
as soon as possible..........

[grams]

I believe we will be moving by the 21st.  of this month ?

They have the house up  and will be putting the walls up in the next
day or two.   

The family  has been coming here to sleep :)   all ten of them and the two of us.
wall to wall children.
And it was not bad at all having them over.   Nice in fact I did not have to cook.   
I believe they will be here for a couple more nights.
It sure is nice having some one to talk to also.

And they do seem to really Care.    How Blessed we are !

[chosenone]

WOw how did they build that extension that fast? In the UK it takes months to do the plans, get planning permission, and to build it(in brick). Probably at least 6 months in all.

[grams]

Posted by: chosenone
« on: Yesterday at 07:41:42 PM »
Insert Quote



WOw how did they build that extension that fast? In the UK it takes months to do the plans, get planning permission, and to build it(in brick). Probably at least 6 months in all. 

our son  has  mentioned there are inspections going on.
Well............  our son has asked us   before if we wanted to move in with him.   A few times.   The reason we have not is  , he also wanted to move , when ever he could move some place warm. But has not been able to sell the place .   
He has trouble with the bones.
And he is taking care of all the details on this so I do not know!

The house is not ready yet !  They just have the house up on some thing
till they put in the  cinder block ? [I think that is what they are called]
They did stay there last night.  But will have to be gone this morning.
That is when they are going to put the  blocks in.
and then it will be a day or two and then they will put the house on it.

And if we move in , I believe it wont be long that they will still want to sell and move again to warmer  place.
But since he will have to do it all my husband says this time it is ok !
At the first time our son asked is when my husband just started to have the hard back problem.  So it was  for him , to think it can not work !

IF we knew then what we know now.   We may have all ready moved out of State. 

[DaveW]

WOw how did they build that extension that fast? In the UK it takes months to do the plans, get planning permission, and to build it(in brick). Probably at least 6 months in all.

Many jurisdictions in the US send things thru a lot faster.  Suggest you try to find an on-line edition of "Extreme Makeover - Home Edition."  It will show you just how fast major renovations can take place."

[grams]

I was wrong on one part !   It is not going to be  cinder blocks or what ever they are called.

It is going to be wood !
And that is done yesterday.  So I guess today they can put the house
back down ?
What will take the longer time is the cement on the floor , I think they said it will take 7 days for it to dry and not have all the moister.
They have spent a few night in the old part of there home.
And they say when some one walks across the floor you can feel the wobble.   So I guess they are being careful.   And staying there only to sleep.
I keep getting things mixed up.   But know that we will be in there for sure in 2 weeks. 

[chosenone]

WOw how did they build that extension that fast? In the UK it takes months to do the plans, get planning permission, and to build it(in brick). Probably at least 6 months in all.

Many jurisdictions in the US send things thru a lot faster.  Suggest you try to find an on-line edition of "Extreme Makeover - Home Edition."  It will show you just how fast major renovations can take place."

Buildings here are all brick which takes far longer than wooden houses as well. We had a small extension built many years ago in my last house and the building alone took 2 months.

[grams]

Buildings here are all brick which takes far longer than wooden houses as well. We had a small extension built many years ago in my last house and the building alone took 2 months.   

Yes , we have lived in a few brick homes.
And the others was some kind of siding ?  Not wood ? man made ?
Some thing like aluminum  .  and a few other things.  mixed in

It sounds like our son wants us to move in by the Sat 20th.

The house is on the frame now.  But the cement  is not poured for the
floor  yet.

And the family is now staying there !  I think when the cement is  poured they will have to come back ?  They were thinking of opening windows to help with the fumes.  But I sure do not think that is good to do.
Any way the packing is some thing else  what not to pack ?
My husband is having a lot to do with  just paying the bills and letting the different Co. know about the move. We do not know if we will be able to keep the same  ones ? 
Well..........  at least it wont just be the two of us any more.

[grams]

They  were supposed to pour the floor today, I hope they did.

I have been talking to our Tom, pastor.....

About the move for some time now and he said have our son or daughter
call him and he would get together with help for the move.

I sure do hope they call him.   Our son is  working 6 days a week and
not getting home till 8 at night. 
He needs help.   He has a bad hip and bone problems on one side.
We bring up our children the best we can and then things like this happen and we cant help.   sigh............

[grams]

Well , we have been here now since before Dec. 25th.

And it is amazing how well we are getting along.

We are still all in the upper part of the house , but the bottom is getting
started.
It will be another month or two before its almost done.

The weather here has caused more delay.
We did not think we would  be able to take  the things 8 children can
do ?   But, for so many we are doing fine.
We had so much snow today that  our son could not get to work.
So he is able to do things around here for building that is.
He works 6 days a week so its hard for him to do  to much.
But he does, and most of the children help, even with  building, the 13 year old and a couple of the younger boys even do.
They are all growing up with good parents.  And learning a lot.

[chosenone]

 

[grams]

One other thing  we need to get used to  .....

The temp.   It is - 21  today.


Never have we had that cold of a temp.   and we only lived  about a hour away.

[DaveW]

One other thing  we need to get used to  .....
The temp.   It is - 21  today.
Never have we had that cold of a temp.   and we only lived  about a hour away.

You were a lot closer to the Lake and believe me that makes a BIG difference.
I am assuming you moved an hour inland? I remember it hitting -29 in Lansing back in January '81.

[grams]

Hello DaveW

The  place we moved from was closer to  water !

But we were south !

We have gone  north  ,  about a hour drive.   and in land a little.

Of course this is farm area, so a lot of open fields.
And a lot of Amish people around , who are very nice !

[DaveW]

How close were you to Detroit?

[grams]

We are a lot closer to Port Huron then Detroit.

[DaveW]

OK - nearer to Lake Huron. 

I grew up close to Lake Michigan. A big lake like that has a HUGE effect.

[grams]

We came from Chesterfield this time to Brown City.

At one time we were in Avoca , closer to  Port Huron

[grams]

Well, 12 of us in a 3 bedroom home sure has been  some learning......

The children are always  doing things out side  having a small farm  with animals is some work.
Plus the younger children playing in  all the mud, from all the snow we had in winter and the rain in this spring.

all day long much  .......... and sweeping it  ,  its into the air and all over to breath and to clean.

Maybe in a month or two , our son will be able to move to the new part of the house ?

Siding need to be put on and the windows were not put  up were they belong , so that needs changing.
lots of stuff..........   

It will be great to have some of our stuff out of our bedroom.  But the mud is the big problem.........
We have been passing a cold around all winter and the dirt adds to the colds............

[grams]

Well, I now have a  few new problems............

First one is my husband passed away  June 11.....  And I am still having a problem
with this after 57 years , we were happy had some small things to argue about but that is married life !  I still love him and wish he was not gone, except he had so much pain and was not complain !
The new problem is the family !  I love them all !  But  the children are not doing the things they should be doing  - chores-    They have animals and 10 acres of
land so there is a lot of things to be done water food , cutting , etc.....
Well, they some times do it all but most of the time they leave things go.
And my lovely daughter in law  has only one problem .  She does not follow up
on what the children have not finished and it keeps adding up.   
And by the time my son gets home he of course is the bad guy because he tries to have them catch up but as time goes by it is the same thing over and over.
When ever my son can take them out and enjoy there company he will do so.
But, with working there is little time.
I keep opening my mouth and telling the children to stop doing things they should not do, and it is not what I should do.   But seeing so much I am trying to keep
my mouth shut.   I keep trying to stay in my bedroom as much as possible but then again ?  I have no place to go but sit in a chair in the living room.
What can I do about this ?  Any ideas PLEASE !
Thank You !   

[grams]

All of that , and then I have been having trouble  with

logging in here!    I wonder why ?  It has taken me a while

If this happens again?   What is the easy way to get back on ?

Any help , would be nice !   Thank you !   

[PleaseAbundantLife]

Grams, I wonder how you are doing? Hope you can log in and update us. 

[grams]

Old age stinks.......

And I still say I should be gone home by now !

There is finally more room for all........

But the children still make a big mess of ever thing.

From food to toys  all over.......

I love them all and  would still do the same......

[MeMyself]

Old age stinks.......

And I still say I should be gone home by now !

There is finally more room for all........

But the children still make a big mess of ever thing.

From food to toys  all over.......

I love them all and  would still do the same......

I saw this question on Facebook from the author of the Boundaries books.  It was an interesting thing to ask myself and I wonder if you might pause to ask yourself the same?

"What is it like living on the other side of me?"

meaning, its easy for you to see how others are effecting you, but have you asked yourself how easy it is to live with you?

Also, yes, kids make messes and people have different standards for what a mess means...however, grams, you are surrounded by family and love and noise and laughter and are welcomed into a home and the lives of these people. Have you considered that you are lucky and blessed to have it be so, mess and all?

There are a LOT of people in your age range that are alone and forgotten.  Please try and be glad and thankful.

[chosenone]

Old age stinks.......

And I still say I should be gone home by now !

There is finally more room for all........

But the children still make a big mess of ever thing.

From food to toys  all over.......

I love them all and  would still do the same......

Do you have your own annexe now?if so then thats your space, keep it as you want it and if the grandchildren visit (with your consent) make sure they respect it as your home and dont let them mess it up.

[grams]

I have my  own  bed room and Bath.

No one comes in  unless I know ! 

But  in a  house with  8 children  !   Noise travels !   And when they play with things or even just

pick up some thing,  when done it  just  lands on the floor.

And of course  no one  ever  did it    [  Famous  last words of all the children  ]

'"  NOT ME ? "