Tammy has been wanting to buy Carly a new swing set.  So this is her story.  She will do anything to save money…..lol…Many things most people would never do.  It always comes with a funny entertaining story.   She wanted a really nice wooden one with a large fort area.  The ones in the store were so expensive.  She has a friend Michele, whose husband is very talented in woodworking and building.  He loves to make things.  So Tammy and Mike started figuring out what it would cost in materials……Whoaaaa…..Way to much.  Wood is expensive.  She started watching FB.  Finally, their was one.  Only catch, it was in Joliet.  That’s about an hour or more from McNabb.  It was only $300.  ……Perfect……So last weekend she got off work in Peoria after working all nite, headed for Rutland, picked up Mike.  Now she headed back to McNabb to get a trailer.  This has already been probably an hour and a half drive.  They drove all the way to Joliet.

 

Here it is sitting in the back yard of the house.  They were very impressed with it.  The owner,  Sheila and her husband had it built 15 years ago.  Now her kids were grown and headed to college.  They no longer needed.  It was so sturdy, that Tammy and Sheila even climbed up on the fort area and jumped up and down.  …..It passed the test….. So now, How to get it home!!!……time to take it apart…..  It had to come apart into pieces to fit on a car trailer.  Mike was really into it Tammy said, he loves doing things like this.

He took it apart very carefully.  Some of the supports broke and some they had to cut off.  It had been buried in the ground.  Now next problem.  The fence was built around the set 15 years ago, so now, …..How to get it Out…..

 

Finally after much deliberation, it was decided…..Two panels of the fence had to come down.  

Then to carefully carry it out to the trailer.  It looks bigger than the opening to me.  Apparently Sheila said, had others come and look at it, and they either picked it apart or decided it would be to hard to take it.  …..But not Tammy, ….. When she can save a buck, she will do what it takes.  Sheila was very happy that they were taking it and took most of these pictures.  She was so happy it would give kids many more years of fun.

Finally they got it into the trailer, all packed up and ready to go.   It sure looks like a mess doesn’t it.  So now the trip back to McNabb.

First stop Menards…..As Mike took all the bolts out, many of them were so old.  They bought all the bolts Menards had in the store…..lol….Tammy wanted the bottom all wood so it would be easier to mow.   So wood was also on the list.  Some of the railing needed replacing, so more lumber……They said they were a hit at the store.  Guess many were laughing ……WITH THEM……lol…..Finally, they came through McNabb and Rich and Scott were out side at the Bar and laughed at them.  She said they looked like they were building  a Pirate Ship.  Finally after 3 days of work, Mike had it done.  He used all the new bolts that Menards had except for 3.  Now that’s cutting it close.

It looks so nice.  Carly will have so much fun.  It has a nice long slide, and a very large fort area.

I really like the wood platform on the bottom.  So much better than sand.  It not only looks good but will certainly make it sturdier.  So here it is all put together 3 days later.

Certainly quite a feat.   Tammy said without Mike, it would have never happened.  So now Carly has 2 swings, a trapeze, and nice long slide, a ramp up, a nice big fort area, and steps also.  Cost ended up being around $800….A lot more than the $300, but still a bargain.  She’s restaining the areas that they replaced and also decided to use Flex Seal on the roof…..lol….Lets see how that holds up.  Now the ironic part is after talking to Sheila, Tammy found out her mom is at Liberty Village in Peru.  Sheila was from Ottawa.  The more bizzare part is Sheila’s parents use to live in Harlingen in a park for a number of years.  She didn’t think it was Eastgate but then their are many in the area.   Its really a small world isn’t it…….. Sheila sent all her pictures she took to Tammy and was so happy to see the swing set back in commission with in 3 days, ready for little kids to play on it again.

Now……..Did I have you Wondering?????….Yes were going to have a New Baby in the Family……One of these little girls is going to be Dee Dee.  

Tina, Ed, Miley and Austin are adopting a new puppy.  These little girls were born on Sept. 4, 2017.  Their parents are Golden Doodles named Amber & Jax.  They were born at Windmere Kennels in St. Charles Michigan.  They will be able to bring Dee Dee home by the first part of Nov.  This will again complete their family after their terrible lose of Dexter….For those of you who didn’t read that Post, here is the link.  https://w2bergen.com/2017/08/11/our-memories-of-dexter-the-beloved-pet-of-tina-ed-miley-and-austin/  Dexter lost his life on Aug 11.  He has left a Huge hole in their lives and their hearts.  So now, Dee Dee will help make new memories.  Dexter got his name from a show on tv for kids.  It is Dexter Laboratories.   Dexter has a sister on the show called Dee Dee.  Now Dexter will have his sister Dee Dee move into his house and enjoy the love of the family he knew and loved.  

Ohhhh,  I’m sure its going to be a Long Long Long wait in the Dolder Household……waiting for the NEW BABY….