More bits of work

It was supposed to be a week of writing work for Mike, but he jumped in and did some more house work - while I did a bit and went to play with long-time friends, B & E. So here are a couple of shots - just so Ginny doesn't get ahead of me ;-)

This is the frame for one of the gates - almost ready.

Finishing concrete for the gate post.

Nice border for the "yard" between fence and driveway

You can't tell the difference but I cut in brown around all the white. Done!

Closure

Well Mike finished graduation and started other work at school BUT he also worked here at the house. And it all seemed to be about closure. First, he dug up the old gates put in by the former tenant and put in a couple of new ones on the rental side - now just need the big one for the car there. Believe me, that came out in a quick sentence but meant so much! A jackhammer and sledge hammer all day is not a happy thing! But he gave us a really solid gate area. Adding a threshold, some door knobs - it says Merry Christmas to meeee!

Bit by bit

The wall is so big; other things are so little. But these bits are important too. So here are a couple of things that have been done in the last week or so.

Pull chain lock means I can actually reach it and open both doors!

This was on our old shop doors - part of the old house.

I finally began priming the beam.

Finally have a threshold! What a beauty!

C. examining his threshold! Just 5 more - more or less.

Wall -- Khallas!!

Yesterday was exciting. J., a friend from Albany with masonry skills, came at 7 AM and by 1:30 they were finished! Paint (maybe shutter green?) will finish it off. These guys were great!

Wall part deux

Two weeks ago he was at it again. A long day but he made some progress.

Wall part I

So I should have been posting this in three stages - on three different days. But I didn't, so you get it all at one time but three posts. So, 3 weeks ago, Mike began to work on our back wall. Here we go with beginnings.



How it looked.

















Mike's first block.















See that head?

Forced shuttering

For more than a month now, the shutters for the dormers have been ready to be put up. We had the hinges, the latches, they were painted - but there was no time. Last weekend there was really no time either BUT Saturday it happened. It had to - or we would have had to spend time buying, cutting, and putting up plywood. Instead, despite my doubts, Mike pulled it all together. I picked up and put away things in the yard; emptied the fridge & freezer; packed important papers and clothes. By 5:30 Sunday morning we were ready to leave in front of hurricane Gustav. It felt good to leave this house all ready. They were made just for this!

If you want to see something about the fun we had with Gustav, check my other blog here.

Finally - another post

I haven't been posting because we really haven't had any work going on the house. These are my flowers pics. First I found a nice little shelf in a garage sale and have put some of my plants in the upstairs, Kerlerec side dormer. That incredible orchid I got for my birthday is still alive, and I have added a few others since I took this picture.

Yesterday at the office, just as I was about to leave, a box came for me - roses from Mike!! These are called petite roses and there were bunches of them. Many years ago, our first few months in Cairo, Mike rode off on his bike to practice Arabic and came back with 12 DOZEN Egyptian roses, all packed together in one bunch. That's what these reminded me of. What fun! I have them in three places in the house and they are really even prettier as they have opened up a bit more.



About 3 weeks ago, leading up to my birthday, we tried to get the shutters up on the dormers in case of a hurricane. Mike dutifully climbed out the window and painted and I got the shutters painted. Umm - then my extended birthday celebration surprises began happening and Mike started traveling. However NO hurricane has come near, so we're safe so far. Soon our renters will leave and we will try to get some help in to actually get some more work done on the house.

O me of little faith!

I think it was the cry-wolf syndrome but I really didn't believe we'd get a driveway today. Much less a signed driveway with a cool little decoration. I think Autumn and Vicki may be somehow related 'cause I can just see you doing that, Vicki. Anyway, WHOO HOOOOOO!

Decoration in upper left

I love the little fleur-de-lis

Autumn's name is above Kimo's

Current doings - no house stuff

Well, we have promises made for Monday but I'm not holding my breath so I won't tell you about it again. In the meantime, Sydnie came and stayed a few days - but we made her work for her stay. Talk about "making your bed", the poor kid had to blow her own up. But we rode the streetcar and had a picnic at Audubon park and played lots of Slap Jack and War. Fun was had by all!! Then yesterday was my mom's 82nd birthday. Her cook-out was only a slight surprise but it was fun too.

Keep going kiddo.

She really didn't seem to mind. She'll do floors next time she comes!

My brother loves doing strange things with his animals.

Birthday girl blows out the candles. Daddy will be glad when he can get his new glasses!

Sydnie and Stella, apart for 3 days, were inseparable at the party.

Mama, Daddy, Sydnie, Rachel, Aunt Bobbye, & Ray

Ray & Mike contemplating the festivities.

Alice's hyacinths stand up tall and smell wonderful!

Happy Easter!!

Alice's hyacinths

Spring!!

Well, we have no driveway, gate or fence, but . . . In the dead of winter Alice gave me hyacinth bulbs which I had sitting in my fruit bowl for many weeks. Finally, a few weeks ago I threw them in the ground - along with some irises from Mike's mom. I did nothing right with them. I planted too late; I was too lazy to dig well and move all the mulch away; I wasn't even sure they were in a spot which got rain. Looks like it doesn't matter. Spring comes anyway!! Click on these to enlarge them if you really want to enjoy them. Hopefully I will fill you in on progress later.

Bits n pieces

Life is leaving little time for work on the house, but bit by bit we're still working. Hopefully the renters will also be working on Monday on the driveway/gate. I painted a bit of trim today, but most of it is hidden behind furniture. Mike put up shelves for my glass bottles - makes me smile.

This is where you can see the difference.

The bathroom door has improved.

Ahh-h-h good to get them up.