Making The Details Just Right

The tools that I thought were put away for good - guess not.

Well the past two weeks have gone 'well' and we're starting to make progress again. A lot of painting and focusing on details has gotten the ball rolling again. The summer schedule will hopefully be kind once again and allow some major progress to be made in the next 2-3 weeks, but before we worry too much about the past, here's what's been going on the last two weeks.

Due to the a/c unit not having the proper drainage, then having to install a new drain line, then having to repair the ceiling on the first floor, I finally got back to painting the ceiling and eventually got to put the living room back to some sort of order again. It was almost a month of setback, but it got finished and we're looking forward. Amazingly, it looks just as nice the second time around ;-) While finishing the living room ceiling I also finished the sun room ceiling after Brittany had already painted the walls a fantastic 'burnt sand'. We brought back the furniture to that room as well and now the entire first floor is 'usable' once again.
I prime the ceiling/Then paint it its final coat

Then finish the sun room too


I say 'usable' because the light switches and outlets still don't have covers and the light fixtures are still not installed. Shana spent the day Saturday spacing the outlets out so they are flush with the drywall and then installing the covers. She the entire first floor! It seems like and easy thing, but it takes more effort than I originally thought that's for sure. She of course totally ruined her fingernail job with a smile and a 'ready-for-more' attitude. Yep there's still the switches to go;-)
Shana works in the entry way

The before and after shots - very nice!


Ron stopped back in for another round of mental toture in rebuilding and installing the soffet for the air line in Ellie's Bathroom. We had kept the last one when we demolished the old tile walls and such, and reused 1/2 of it for the new one. but like most things it required a bit more thinking to fir the new space and he was a one man crew that knocked it out in no time.
Ron de-constructs the original frame/Then hangs the new


I was busy in the first floor 1/2 bath redoing the P trap on the hand sink because allegedly it won't pass code it the drain line goes straight up THEN over to the sink... it has to always come out of the wall level and the drain must drop to meet it. Ugh all the details - especially when the supply lines get in the way because the header of the adjacent floor is in the way. Needless to say it took me longer than anticipated (4 hours) and more trips the the hardware store (4). It's done and a good thing came out of it - I re-adjusted the drain so that it doesn't plug up anymore when the water is turned on all the way! (Stick with me, I need the little victories.)
I dismantle the sink drain/Then cut a hole in the base

Rehook up the drain and all is well


Have you noticed any sort of pattern to any of this? Yeah, re-doing a lot of things has put a damper on the progress. well, I hope that most of that is behind me and we can actually move FORWARD. The switch covers are small but huge. I think I mentioned starting that 3 months ago - seriously things like this sometimes just seem like mountains and I'm walking up backwards with snow shoes on to get there. I think I might end here and leave some of the other points on interest for a later post and hopefully let the summer, time and a cold beer or two take care of some of the other mountains. Before I go though, if I could please ask for your renewed efforts in prayers and thoughts as this is really dragging on (still without a shower) and I need all the patience and strength I can get. If you also find a few hours free in your schedule, be it on a Saturday or some evening, drop me a line and I'll have food and drink awaitin'.

Til then, here's to the cold brew taking off some of summer's edge. Cheers.

The Beds Take Shape

The Back Yard view - VERY NICE!

Well after a bit of a crazy start to the summer we're getting back to a bit of progress and back on track. I have huge thanks to a group of volunteers that gave up their Wednesday and really made a huge impact to the outside of the house and have kick started a re-emphasis on the exterior. Before I get too far though, I want to take a moment to apologize for a few misguided and ill-advised words I entered a few weeks ago.

For those of you that may know what I'm talking about, I apologize if I offended anyone in any way. I apologize that I let my emotions and frustrations of a very large and stressful situation spill onto what could be a very public forum. I try very hard to remain upbeat and focused on the positive portions of this project and all of the many blessings that I have received in doing this project. Unfortunately in one entry (which has since been edited to omit those words) I succumbed to frustration and disappointment on this blog. I apologize to the person I was most frustrated with and hope that we may be able to retain and continue the close friendship that we had started so many months ago. I realize in further discussions that any mention of Meredith related in any way to that blog entry could have been perceived in a negative fashion and although that was never said, it was absolutely never meant to be implied in any fashion. To be uber-clear, I am thankful and forever indebted to the many people at Meredith that have come forward over the past 18 months to help in the myriad of ways that have made this house possible and truly an amazing testament to how the Lord can do amazing things in times of great tragedy. To the Meredith Corporation both as an entity and as a group of people, thank you.

As for the group that helped out today, Kirby, Sal, Amy and Kirby's Friend (I'll get your name later!) thank you SO much. I could have never thought anyone could make such quick work of five cubic yards of mulch. It transformed many of the weed infested flower beds once again shine and a thing of beauty that frame the house and give it personality. It was amazing to come home tonight and walk the yard and actually see my plants again. That put a huge smile on my face - regardless of the fact that the mosquitoes were feasting on my flesh. As you may be able to tell in a few of the photos here, the yard is still coming in, but for it's first year after being planted from seed, it has really taken and hopefully will provide a lush carpet for many happy moments in the near future for Ellie and many of her friends.
The front flower beds

Flower beds look nice...now about the walkway...

The back Linden (Leslie's) tree got some too

That's it until I have the time to take photos of the interior of the first floor which has under gone MAJOR changes and should hopefully be live-in-ready in very short order - say 10 days (knowing that the 4th is inthe middle of that). To all, thank you once again for all that you have done for Ellie and I, every gesture large and small alike has made a world of difference.

A Needed Rest With Sun, Sand & GOLF!

Acapulco was time to think, relax, & regroup

Well I've talked about it a lot, thought I'd show you what I was up to the last two weeks of May and into June. Some things were expected, others were amazing surprises, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I'll try to keep the words to a minimum and just let you look at the relaxation. On the outset, it was a very much needed two week stay and I started the month of June with my head full of to-do items and a reinvigorated sense of purpose.

Before I get too far ahead of myself I'd like to say a few words that can be touchy. Over tha past few months I'm sure you have noticed a certain woman appearing in a lot of the images and stories that have been on this blog. Shana has been a huge part of my life in the past few months. Everything from helping to clean the house for friends and family, to helping me work through still-very-real mourning discussion late at night, Shana has never shied away from the tough moments that I have in my life and will probably continue to have in the years to come. The important thing though is that she has helped to make a lot of those tough moments easier and in quite a few instances transformed bad moments into good ones. I just wanted to let the great friends and family that have supported me to this point know that I am dating someone that not only helps and supports me, but that truly is an amazing woman in her ability to be patient and give unconditional love, especially in circumstances that are undoubtedly difficult and sometimes under a microscope. Thank you Shana for coming into my life, I know the Lord has continued to bless me through your love for me and my daughter Ellie.

As a first in the past 18 months, I went on a 2 week sabbatical, the first on vacation, the second to L.A. for work. As I said it was a great break and I'm glad I could take a few moments away from the house and the stress. Here's a few highlights.
We spell relief C-O-R-O-N-A!

View of the Bay/It used to be very industrial port and gets skimmed daily

The resort pools/The kiddy lazy river area

View of the coastline from the balcony/Evening trade winds

The look I get/When I have a little fun

The walkway to the ocean was short/The coastline went on forever

Day trip on a VERY windy road to Taxco/Beautiful little city

It's called the 'Silver City'/The 200yr old Cathedral was beautiful

1 of 7 of the alters/Lunch was 'accompanied' by local muscians

Crazy taxi driver in a VW/STRAIGHT down

Then a few rounds of golf (like 3) - it was REAL nice!


Then was a week in L.A. We took the direct early a.m. flight thinking we'd hit an early round before the rest of the group came and the show got under way. Well we made it to the Santa Monica Pier and sat in the sun and had Bloody Marys and that about set the tone for the day/week. Not a lot of golf, but definitely a great work trip that was successful and fun with the team. Then after a great meeting of the authors that Meredith publishes books for, I was afforded a chance of a lifetime - play the Riviera Golf Club in C.A. - that's right THE Riviera that is a usual stop for the PGA and host to 3 different US OPens.! Hot Damn it was a great trip. All in all a great break from the load at home. Take a look for yourself.
Santa Monica Pier/Totally great - sunny and 70 baby

The RIV golf shop/1st tee view - amazing 70' drop (Par 5)

Me at the 6th Tee/18th Fairway with clubhouse behind