Sunday, July 09, 2006

One Down and ??? to Go

Ray, the carpenter, and son finished putting in a new front porch beam around 3:30 pm yesterday. It was a job well-done. We think it looks beautiful and are really, really pleased. The differences in yesterday's views and today's are remarkable. All it needs is paint and that is scheduled for the end of this month.











One of our neighbors came over right after the workers left and commented on it. We had had a new roof put on last fall and he said, "I wondered after you had the new roof put on if you were going to do something about the porch. Looks good." I guess we can hold our heads up in the neighborhood again now.

While Ray and son were working outside, my husband was working in the kitchen. He's been putting in drywall, plastering the ceiling where there had been a repeated leak over the years, and preparing to paint the room before installing cabinets and appliances. Hard work! So when our son, Jon, invited us over for some steaks cooked on the barbie we jumped at the chance.
David relaxed in his own way:

And I proceeded to relax in mine, on my daughter-in-law's new hammock:

So far it's been a very good weekend!

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Progress = Lots of Noise!

I have had a minor battle with a summer bug, but I am feeling much better today, and it's a really good thing, too. The noise level around here, inside and outside, is enough to make me take a vow of silence and retire to a cloistered convent.

The hammering, sawing, and other noises of construction (destruction?) are all in the name of progress on the house renovation. My husband is in the kitchen plastering and struggling with a ceiling light that someone else in the long history of this house messed up.

And we have two new members of the team--Ray, the carpenter, and son. Ray is an accomplished renovator who has a full-time job with a local construction company. Not sure about the son. Anyway, they are doing some small jobs for us as a side-line. Today it is the sagging front porch beam which is occupying their time. As you can tell from the views below, it is a project which is long overdue:

I am going to the back bedroom where it is quieter, listen to a book on tape (turned up loudly to block out other noises), and knit on an afghan. I can't be expected to participate in this work today. After all, I'm recuperating from an illness, right?

Monday, July 03, 2006

Let's All Celebrate!

I want to wish all my family, friends, and former students a very happy Independence Day. Tomorrow is the day Americans celebrate Life and Liberty. Check out the link on the title for a good article on the history of the 4th of July. This is our country's 230th birthday and we're still going strong, despite our economic and political woes.

We are so lucky in this country. Check here for some pictures that show the great diversity of the USA.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!