A Tree For Leslie

An Unexpected Family - The Covington Small Group

Tuesday evening was another fantastic moment in the timeline of this project. The electrician, Jeff S., came up from Pella and helped me test all of the switches and lights for the entire house and the small group came over and we installed their gift of a tree in honor of Leslie.

Jeff S. took off early and I met him early in the afternoon so that we'd have more daylight to use and we ended up needing it! I had called him earlier in the week saying that some of the lights didn't work and some of the switches were goofy. Wouldn't you know it, when the professional shows up it all goes perfectly?! We worked our way through all three top floors installing pigtails for surface lights, switches where needed and bulbs in the can lights. We only ran into one that was goofed up - so we had really no problems. It was amazing to FINALLY have lights in the house that I didn't have to plug in via a web extension cords and then constantly move around as I work. I really can't emphasize how important this is too me as the days continually become shorter. To this point we've had five working outlets and roughly seven shop lights to get through nights and cloudy days. Lights throughout the house allows me to work later AND safer, the latter being something I'm sure my mom is happy about. ;-)

Jeff S. pulls wires into the main breaker box


I had to quit early and help install a tree that my small group from church donated in memory of Leslie - and by help I mean watch the tree spade put it into the ground. It was amazing to watch that machine work - I'm fascinated by huge machines, always have. Anyway, the group had been planning to plant a tree since about three weeks after Leslie's accident. While I was still trying to decide in November/December they had mentioned it but wanted to wait until I had made a decision on where I was to live. before they moved forward purchasing anything

When I decided to take on this house project, they met with Justin H. who was in charge of the landscaping redesign and picked out a type of tree and we talked through where it should be placed on the yard. I decided that it would make a great 'bookend' for the house that would 'frame' it well since I had removed so many large trees in the Spring that once served that purpose. We installed it Tuesday night near the garage since I plan to also plant fruit trees along the North side of the house, next the to-be-redone driveway.

It's a perfect tree and a perfect gift. It's a Linden that is about 4" in diameter at the trunk and stands about 15'-20'. Its leaves have started to turn already and has a great shape to its canopy. It reminds me very much of Leslie and I couldn't help when watching it being installed to think of how its beauty reminded me of Leslie's. It's tall, straight and regal. It seems as though it's stretching to the heavens and against the soft blue of the fall evening sky it stood out and seemed to stand in it's own space commanding every ones attention. It's a 'classic' shade tree that Leslie would absolutely love and realate to.

The VERY large tree spade backs in/The small group watches

Ellie points to the 'big' tree/Not too sure that the spade is safe

Ellie 'helps' plant the tree/Then all the little ones play below


Leslie's caring nature and love of the world that God created was reflected Tuesday by the love of the small group and others there helping to make it happen. It was a special moment to the small group as well as one family is leaving for Germany. They have been so important in my grieving in allowing me to talk when I needed and also grieving with me when they needed. Their place in the small group will be missed greatly and I pray for their quick, safe return after their threes years of commitment in Germany are completed. Take care Sandra, Kevin, Eli and baby Mary, the Covington Small Group has forever been changed by you and we pray that the Lord blesses you greatly in following your dreams and brings you back to us, until then you are in our prayers. I'd like to say thank you to everyone in the small group for being such a great support system that has allowed me to leaned on you when times have been tough and you've shown me how a church family can be as important and meaningful as any family could be.

Once again my house has been changed by those who loved Leslie and those that continue to uplift Ellie and me. It was a great day, one that changed the whole house.

A TOUGH, Good Week

Doug thinks things turned out A-OKAY

This week was truly one of the hardest and one of the most rewarding weeks I think to date. I was thinking to write an entry on Thursday evening and I'm glad I decided against it. Thursday was a day of highs and lows in of itself.

I had a discussion with the plumber on the previous Saturday about the plumbing and what needed to be completed by inspection time - Friday afternoon at 3:00. Although the list was somewhat lengthy, it was full of 'small' items to do and I felt confident that all could be completed in the next five days. Items ranged from installing a few stud plates to protect the plumbing to making sure all lines could hold water. Well the first part of the list went quickly and without much trouble. The part of the list that wouldn't go away were the three lines that separated out each water line - Fill and test System 1, 2 & and the wet lines. Every time I went to test, something new would break. Then I would repair it and in the process of waiting for the glue to dry, I would test (and inevitably fix again) another system. This process continued for all five days until it mounted Thursday evening.

It was the night before the big, final plumbing inspection and I hadn't been able to get any of the systems to completely work right. The wet lines would hold air pressure, but they would lose pressure within a few hours meaning there was a small slow leak somewhere in the lines. CRAP! Then neither of the two Systems would hold water without some sort of leak popping up, either because a joint hadn't been glued or because the seal of glue wasn't complete enough. UGH! I had had it! I was feeling completely defeated by this house. I was honestly at my end, I didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel any more - it was completely black in my mind's eye. On top of that I was feeling as though I was one of a very few that was still pushing this boulder up the mountain. The last few weeks of low volunteer turn out was extremely discouraging. I honestly felt completely vanquished. I ended up calling off the inspection on Friday morning for hopefully next week.

I had mentioned that there were highs too, I don't want to forget those. During the week the designer from Meredith that is helping me, Jeni W., had made a few calls in the previous weeks and was now starting to see returns on those efforts. Due to certain stories needing to speak to different audiences of the magazines, there are rough budgets that she has to stay within so that the consumer of each magazine will see my project as one that they could do on their own house. While that's not a bad thing at all, it just means there may be certain limitations on what products or companies can be used and may limit the options beyond the 'first choice' options -- meaning that if the first choice companies don't jump on board right away, it could be a lot more work and more time making this house a reality. Well her great ability to sell and relationships with vendors has paid off in huge dividends! On Monday Jeni received a call from a major cabinet maker that said they would not only like to do the kitchen and the master bath, but the entire house! Holy smokes, I couldn't believe that! Then, as I said before, on Thursday as I was leaving work she had received a call from Kohler and they want to supply fixtures and the like for the entire house as well - even the rooms that weren't going to be photographed! Are you kidding me?! THEN on Friday morning Jenn Air responded to Jeni's call and said they are on board to do the appliances in the kitchen! We are officially 3-for-3 in the 'first choice' category!!! I about fell over when she told me that.

So Friday felt as though the tide may be turning a bit. The numbers for Saturday weren't coming in as high as I had hoped. On the schedule was the insulation and other misc. small jobs to prepare for the drywall. I was hoping for around 20 and I was almost halfway to that number. I called the lumber company to deliver the insulation anyway, but only for the second and third floors and made sure the other jobs had materials as well.

Saturday morning rolls in and it's a perfect 66 degrees when I arrive to Lowes for my plumbing supplies and then to The Home Depot for building supplies (each store is used for a different type of supply so I don't have to track receipts when returning items). The parts I need are all in and available and I'm at my house by 7:30 and start working on hopefully the last two repairs for each system and tidy up a bit before people arrive. It is amazing how much better people feel when my house is tidy and how much more they see accomplished when they arrive to a 'clean' job site.

Around 9:00 the first two arrive and I'm about to test the water lines (after testing them once already and having a complete blow out because once again there were two spots that hadn't been glued and it took the lines to be nearly entirely full to have enough pressure to blow it out, creating a COMPLETE monsoon of water in my first floor sunroom). Not a problem though because it was a simple glue and wait fix. I filled the lines with water and had the two volunteers, Jay B. and Ryan V., watch the lines. Before you know it I looked out the window and saw water falling from the roof - SUCCESS!!!! Water shooting out my exhaust line through my roof meant that the entire system held water like it was supposed to. YAHOO! Then more folks showed up and I finally got to fill the other system and it too shot water out the roof. It's weird thing to call everyone in the house outside to watch water shoot out the roof - most folks would see that as a problem - as my neighbors did until I told them that it was expected and my plumbing was now ready for inspection. Two out of three systems at least. The final one was the wet lines that needed to be tested for leaks.
System Two 'over flows' with success/...and System One too!

My 'witnesses' to the success


After having my sister Elisha pick up to squirt bottles and 8 bottles of bubbles, I sent Doug J. off to test every joint in the system for bubbles. Starting with the gauge hookup, Doug found the leak in about 30 seconds. Huh?! It was the *$*#! pressure gauge?! Great, at least it's ready to roll! By then the insulation had shown up and needed to be carried up to the third floor because this company didn't have lifts on their trucks, sorry.

After hiking it all up the stairs I had about eight people there and started two, Ron and Kirby V., in the basement boxing in the air ducts; two on the second floor, Shana D. and Jay B., installing insulation and plastic and four on the the third floor, Elisha, Ryan, Jane M., and Doug J., installing insulation and plastic while I continued to work on misc. jobs and answer questions. After a fantastic lunch brought by my sister and Cheryl E., Mark S. and Ben A. arrive and pitch in too. All in all I have made it to ten people (the magic number I was hoping for by the end of Friday afternoon)!
Ron and Kirby working hard in the basement

Kirby puts in an outlet/Ron secures the framing

2nd Floor - Jay and Shana work the stapler/Mark installs a vent

Jay looks for his trusty stapler/2nd Floor progress!!!

Darth Vader (Ryan) takes a break/...while Elisha cuts away

Jane works the small spaces/Almost complete insulation

Fully insulated 3rd floor!

Mark starts insulation the master bathroom


I was looking around (with the camera in hand) and seeing A LOT of work had been done and things were getting on track. Thank you to all of those that showed up to help and all those who prayed things would go well. I cannot begin to say how badly I needed you prayers after Thursday night. I continue to ask for you help and prayers now more than ever over the next few weeks. We are at a point that will really go quickly if I can get the hands to hang insulation and drywall, then after the mudding and taping (which I'll pay to have done) I'm ready to paint the walls. We are finally at the point that I have been hoping for over the last month and a half - drywall hanging.

Please continue to pray for Ellie and me. With so many blessings to date we have so much to be thankful and that can be prayed about. With so much left to do and so many people to be relied upon to help that can be prayed for. As the next stage begins we are needing good weather to continue so that it goes in before it turns cold, please pray for that. Finally, the one year anniversary of the accident is just around the corner with the holidays right behind that, please pray that we are uplifted and given strength through that. There will continue to be great highs and lows in the the next few months I know. Through your help and prayers we will make it through.

Thank you all for getting us this far. Thank you all for taking this walk with us.

Plateau Becoming The Great Plains?

TUESDAY'S CREW tore it up for me!
A huge shout to (back L-R) Kevin & Becky R., Ashley & Tyson W., Cody T., (front ) Ken and Jill V., Elizabeth P. (not pictured Matt & Laurie W.)!

Saturday
------------------------
Today was a good but tough day. I only had my sister Mary until 11:00 and then Jane M. help with the house. Today was also the intrastate rivalry of football - Iowa Hawkeye vs. Iowa State Cyclones, which I'm sure had some influence on attendance as well as the weather was perfect for folks to be starting their own yard winterizing. While it started out chilly (43) it warmed up nicely to be a great day (around the mid 50s I think). We had fantastic food once again (chilly that absolutely hit the spot!) unfortunately it was just the three of us that ate it.

As we were eating we discussed how the inspection of the electrical finally got approved yesterday and how that hopefully will move the project forward. Then I reminisced about the movie called "The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks about this house he bought with Shelley Long that ended up falling apart and then needed a contractor to fix everything. The master stairway fell as Tom was bringing up the stove-heated pot of water for his bath on the second floor. After risking life and limb to get up the stairs, he pours the water into the tub and as the last drop spills from the pot, the whole tub falls through the floor, etc., etc. The story being related to me not because of the pitfalls, but because every time something new would happen and they'd ask how long until things would be fixed, the contractor would always reply "ohhh, two weeks. (smile)" I can totally relate to that. It seems as though I've been saying we're THIS close to hanging drywall and that it'll start in TWO WEEKS. Inevitably there is something that pops up that requires two-three more days of work that needs to happen before I can get the inspectors in. Then they come back with a list of things to do that takes 3-4 days, etc. As Cheryl E. had mentioned at lunch today, 'sometimes you hit a plateau." "Yeah," I say, "but it sometimes seems this plateau is turning into the Great Plains." We all kind of chuckle, but then not. Just gotta hope that things continue to go well and the weather remains good so that we can continue to work every night and keep pushing as best we can.

Today Mary came back to finish the furring of all of the studs on the third floor. That is now complete so I can officially begin installing insulation on the 3rd floor. That's major progress because that allows me to get ahead a little so that when the final plumbing rough-in (RI) inspection is done, then a group can start hanging drywall right behind that while others continue installing insulation. It keeps things staggered so that progress can be made.

Speaking of the plumbing inspection, the plumber came over Friday and installed 2/3 of a new cast iron main drain and some other items. After doing his work he gave me a call and said he'd stop by today. Stop by he did, unfortunately it was to deliver his own little list of todos that I need to complete before having an inspection this Friday. The good news is that the plumbing inspector seems to be a bit more relaxed than the electrical, but still has a number of small things that need attention. although I was feeling good about my progress, I got another list of must-dos that Jane and I only started into today by framing out the cast iron pipe in the basement and also connecting the 2nd floor existing bath/shower drain pipe to it. That may sound simple, but it took us all afternoon to get the correct fall and cutouts in the studs. We accomplished quite a bit today even though the group was small in numbers.

I will now spend the remainder of this week getting that to do list done before Friday.

Tuesday
------------------------
Skipping to Tuesday evening, I've just finished working with another small group from church that volunteered for work that more than made up for the shortage on Saturday. As it turns out, having the extra day or two helped me to be better prepared for tonight's group to get most of the aforementioned plumbing todo list completed. HA! The Lord truly knows what he's doing and I need to relax and trust Him. It's a blessing that the group came tonight instead of Saturday as we finished more than 3/4 of the plumbing list as well as started a few other projects in the basement like some additional wiring, boxing in the heat ducts and running water lines for the outside spigots. Had I not had the additional time, I would not have had the materials needed to do the work and the Lord knew that. I just need to relax.

It just gets a bit trying some times because I'm getting a bit anxious by not being a long term routine. I so badly would love to be in a house that feels like home, that I can walk in and throw down the work bag, hug Ellie and start in on making dinner and relaxing for the evening with her by playing 'food' or reading books. I know it's just around the corner, but it on days like Saturday, it feels like a millennium away. Having fantastic friends and family have once again shown me that I need to trust the Lord and that he always provides in time of need.

Speaking of need, I could REALLY use 20-25 people this and next weekend for sure to start the insulation and hanging of drywall! If you haven't gotten Matt's email asking for volunteers this weekend, please try to fit me into your schedule as I've finally gotten to the edge of the plateau and I feel like I'm starting to climbing again.

Because I can't just let one of the (if not THE) biggest cheaters in our time go into the HOF without some sort of message - click here..

Those Darned Inspectors

This weekend was another great weekend of getting things checked off the to do list, the unfortunate thing was that the list continued to grow half way through the day!
I had a crew of my two sisters, my brother, Shana D, Amy T and Matt B. that really put their shoulders into the work and got quite a bit done. Before I get into the weekend's work though I want to mention the help that showed up during the week.

On Wednesday night, my good friend Mike M. and his two younger brothers, Andrew and Nathan, along with Brittany V, can over and we installed 80% of the backyard irrigation system in about 3 hours. We actually worked so late we ran out of daylight and couldn't get it all completed. They taught me how to set the heads and install the junctions so that I could complete the sprinkler heads and such and they didn't need to be there to help. I'm excited about the idea of having grass back there instead of dirt or a forest. We're making progress.

Then Thursday night Ron V just showed up and wanted to help. So he pulled electrical lines for the basement that hadn't been completed. It was a tedious but very-needed job that made inspections go well (we'll get to that later though). Then on Friday, Russ V. was in town and he and I took the evening to install a few more sprinkler heads and plumbing joints. It had rained about 2 1/2" of rain the night before and needless to say it was messy. I had a great time though with Russ doing hard, physical labor that a couple of times left us laughing as well as grunting though the bog.

On to Saturday's work day. I had all the supplies and was ready to rock and roll as folks strolled in. My brother was first and we immediately started in on the the LAST vent through the roof for the 2nd plumbing system! It was a glorious moment I tell you to be done with the drain lines that started over 2 1/2 months ago when we broke the concrete in the basement and put in a new connection into the main stack. (Truth be told though, the plumber has a few things to finish like replacing part of the cast iron stack and making a connection that we added for the existing bathroom - but that's on HIS list of to do ;-) There are still a few things on the wet lines to complete this week and I can have the plumbing inspection - yahoo! After that inspection is complete it's just the heating and cooling - which I just heard from the installers will be completed this week as well.

So we finished that, put my sisters and Shana to work furring out the third floor ceiling so that there is more room for insulation (poor Shana). ;-) Actually my sisters worked well together and got a huge amount done with only one small dormer left to complete, so it's waiting for them.

About half way through the day (lunch time and I was really hungry by then) I received a call from the electrician that he had finally heard from the inspector. It was an 'okay' inspection'. There were about 12-15 things that needed to be changed/fixed before he'd allow us to move forward. CRAP! So the work day schedule just got rearranged. That list had officially become the Bible for the next three days so that we can get a final approval. The electrician had said he was also going to come up on Tuesday evening and work on the larger, more technical items like wiring the larger appliances, rewiring the dining room, etc. So we went to work on things like hanging new boxes for the bedroom ceiling fans, running new wires for a few missing outlets, adding safety clips in can lights and fart fans and a host of other like items. Needless to say it ate up the rest of the day. It was good to hear from the inspector, but a bit deflating that the list was so long.

On Tuesday Jeff the electrician was up from Pella and worked the afternoon doing his big jobs on the list. I honestly cannot begin to thank him enough for all that he has done on this house. He has really made the very technical aspect of replacing all of the wiring in my house very simple for me. I never realized the extent of the complexity of wires it takes to power today's average home could be so great. It has made me appreciate even the simplest thing like a wired door bell that needs to be thought through from the beginning so that it's in the right place and done correctly.

Then on Thursday Brittany came up from Pella one last time to help me before she heads off to Spain to study for the semester. We spent the evening running a few wires but mostly re-wiring all of the can lights in the basement and kitchen since they were made up incorrectly. A huge pain to do and it made us miss out on Dairy Queen that I had promised Brit because it took us past 9:30 to finish everything. SO Brit I owe you a huge Ice Cream Sandwich when you get back because that final push made the inspection on Friday possible.

Which brings us to the inspection #2 on Friday. WE HAVE THE ELECTRICAL APPROVED (except the basement and the stinking ceiling fan boxes)!! YAHOO!! YIPPEE! That means only the plumbing and the heating and cooling are left before insulation can go in! Man we are SO close! If you think about, please say a quick prayer that these final two utilities are completed this week so that we can move on to the next major stage this coming weekend.

Thank you all who have helped get the electrical to the stage of completion. I can't wait to turn on the lights with a switch so we don't have to continue the 'drop light musical chairs' every night as we work. The day light is getting shorter and the approval of electrical is a major step.

Labor Day Welcome

I try to fit in plumbing into a tight space

Well the Labor Day 'break' has come and gone and we're still pushing forward but there seems to be somewhat of an excitement building for me. I have been talking for the past few weeks that we were hoping to start the drywall in a few short weeks, but there inevitably would be more things that would pop up that had to be completed before we could move to the inspections - which is what really determines when insulation and drywall can begin. This weekend (and again last night) myself and a crew of folks really accomplished a lot to get ready for the inspections on Thursday and Friday of this week.

I was sitting in the very comfortable plastic decks chairs last night after working a few hours with Jane M and Brittany V and they couldn't even remember what we had done on Saturday because things are starting to blend together even in their minds. To which I replied, installed 90% of the wet lines for plumbing, poured the slab of concrete for the heat pumps (AC units), Sean graded the yard and we made a ton of space available in the garage for storage of building materials yet to come - oh and Ron V. installed the drop ceiling in the washer/dryer room on the second floor on Labor Day since he had some time. Then last night we finished installing the copper adapter stubs for the sink and toilet shutoffs and pulled the wires for the AC units and placed the shutoff boxes near the cement slab for the AC installer to place when he's ready. Crazy amount of work when I list it like that. Oh and Brit also re-installed for the 2nd time the can light over the crapper in the master bath. The list just keeps on growing. AND I spoke with my childhood friend for a half an hour last night about the installation of the irrigation lines that we'll hopefully put in tonight barring any major catastrophes at his work that he'd have to deal with first. So it's been a very good couple of days. Hopefully I'll be able to keep pushing on some of the little details so that the inspections go off without a hitch. the plumbing still worries me a bit because the showers aren't completely made up yet and it's a bit iffy that the inspector will let things pass. Time will tell I suppose.

Shana D crimps fittings/Jane M installs water lines

The mess that is plumbing/Brit installs a hot water line

Brit installs the drain box for the washer/Concrete mixing on patio

Kirby does some 'heavy lifting'/ Sarah & Ron mix up some magic

Sean grades the back yard before irrigation


This past weekend Ellie and I were invited to a neighborhood party in the new neighborhood and were the guests of honor. A pretty cool thing and made a great impression. 'Little' things like this keep reaffirming me that this was the correct decision. We met probably 25-30 adults and 10 or so kids in the couple of blocks that surround us. It was great to put some names to the faces that I've seen mowing yards and out walking past the house. There are quite a few folks that walk in the evenings and most walk past the house to 'check' out the progress. All wondering what's really going on inside the brick walls, so I gave everyone a walk through tour. Some had been through before and some hadn't but all were excited to see the progress. Many times I heard the old phrase "a diamond in the rough" come up in conversation. While that's probably true, I definitely know how much rough this diamond was in and greatly appreciate the help I've had in polishing it up! It was a great welcome to the neighborhood and I hope to have everyone over at my place next year for the Labor Day picnic to give another walk through that hopefully will feature walls and finished rooms.

Have a great week everyone and I hope to see you all at the house soon.