Mold Update: Looking Worse Before Better

The month of May was the time for this sad-looking (but clean!) basement to get even worse before it got better. 

The Library walls look so empty in the photo below.

We moved out while 2 jackhammers attacked the basement floor to install drain tile and holes were drilled each chamber of every bottom wall block for drainage.

That was done just in time for heavy rains to test it out. No wonder we had a hidden mold problem!

Next came grinding glue off the walls and floors, installing Kevlar pillars to reinforce cracked and bowing walls, pouring new cement, spraying radon-seal on walls and floors, covering walls with waterproof dimple-board, capping tops of block walls... and now lots of drying and airing out since the crew finished Friday morning.

Though the house is still too full of toxic cement dust and strong fragrance from the dimple-board for us to live in it, we are thankful to have soft water and hot water again after more than 2 weeks without. Many thanks to our aunt and uncle who let us take over their showers several times while we've been camping in our back yard and sealed-off "bakery" addition. (Click Here for Elsa's old blog from bakery-days.)

Is it worth all this upheaval, expense, and mess, you may wonder? We no longer wonder!

There are enough signs of improvement in all three of us mold-sensitive family members since the remediation in February, that we are thankful. There is a long way to go, but we see more hope in our physical symptoms than for a long time.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!

And thank you for continued prayers as we deal with set-backs and symptoms from all the clean-up still needed.

See previous Mold Update: A Hidden Leak

How Does Our Garden Grow? - Part II

Besides Dad's patch of 75 asparagus plants, our fruit trees are showing green- including the apple espalier.

Garlic planted last fall is emerging while we are still eating last year's crop.

Same for the rhubarb!

And bunching onions are ready to enjoy.

So much change in the 2 weeks our attention was elsewhere! Just look at God's artwork! 

Enjoy a short video tour including Dad planting this week at this link: Click Here

Thirst-Quenching Lemon-Water

Are we drinking enough water?

Let me re-phrase that...

Are we staying hydrated?!

Did you know that drinking too much plain water can actually work against cell hydration by stripping your body of the needed minerals?

We've all heard about drinking 8 cups of water a day. But even that is not enough for all the detoxing we are working on around here. So we have to make sure we are getting enough minerals to optimize our hydration.

One way we do that is by drinking salted lemon-water! [Lemon juice is helpful in so many ways... including detoxification.]

Watch this short video for the explanation and recipe: Thirst-Quenching Lemon-Water

Another way to replenish the body while hydrating is through coconut water. My sister and nephew recently introduced us to this delicious treat! [below photo by Maren]

How Does Our Garden Grow? - Part I

Two successful half-weeks in the greenhouse business are complete!

Now we are hardening in the flowers and vegetables we brought home... still protecting them from too-cold nights.

Speaking of veggies, see this 43-second video of (most of) what we picked: Click to Watch

Meanwhile, at home the asparagus harvest has begun!

Mold Update: A Hidden Leak

After the mold was professionally removed from our house:

...from a closet corner...

...the bathroom we sisters share...

...and behind most of the basement walls...

Plumbers recently fixed the hidden source of our strong reactions to fabric stored in our bathroom drawers.

A drywall nail from when the house was built in 1976 caused a slow leak in the drain pipe behind our sink. The plumbers made sure it won’t happen again!

Isn't it amazing how such a tiny leak can lead to such big problems... even decades after the mistake was first made? How many examples of this can you think of in all areas of life?

See first post on this: Mold

Family Time

Our snow is finally gone and grass suddenly green from plenty of rain! But this flower is not found in our gardens yet.

Rather, we spent half of last week surrounded by flowers... a treat after a long winter!

Ever since Maren was married, seeing Mother's Day on the calendar has a new meaning: Greenhouse Season. 

And ever since we got the little Rpod camper to head south for a bit of winter at our doctor's suggestion (in the winters of 2019, 2020, and 2021), we have also used it to park behind the greenhouses around Mother's Day and work together with the whole family.

This is the third spring where Auntie-time is part of our job... and now it has doubled!



The above photo shows a rare view of Dad sitting. He and Mom walk miles each day helping keep the sales area stocked during the rush of customers. Meanwhile, Elsa and I often help Maren's mother-in-law during the rushes at the checkout counter.

The rest of the time we try to keep up with a busy 2-year old and bouncy 4.5 month old!

Despite weary and achy bodies, it is encouraging to be able to compare year-to-year and see some progress in our stamina!

Resting My Eyes

You have likely heard how the blue light from all our device screens makes it harder to fall asleep due to suppressing melatonin. You have maybe even tried red glasses to block blue light in the evening.

But did you know that our screens can cause eye strain and mental fatigue any time of day? That is why I invested in a good pair of amber lens glasses to fit over my prescription glasses for computer and phone time whenever needed. Like right now!



So when the best sale of the year (so far) came up in the shop, it seemed like a good time to let you know! (see details below)

This company also sells a wide range of EMF blocking products that are getting more important every year. But for today... just a bit more about the glasses.

While my sister and I have the 50% blue light shielding amber lenses, they also offer 99% shielding red lenses for more effective sleep promotion. We did try a pair of those as well but shouldn't have been surprised to find that with all our chronic health conditions, we are among "those suffering from Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) [where] orange lenses may over-stimulate the eyes."



Dad has that pair now, and we are very happy to notice reduced strain and increased abilities for computer work with even our amber lenses!

Sale details:
20% off Entire Site
Ends May 8th, 2022
Use Discount Code: MOMDAY

Learn more here: Defender Shield

(This referral link may even prompt the company to offer you an extra coupon in my name, though I have nothing to do with the company other than being automatically enrolled in their rewards program with my purchase.)