Working towards siding

We are trying to get all the windows in so that we can get the siding on the house so that we can get the roof covered. To that end, we are now in week 3 of putting in windows. Grandpa Seal has been helping us these past 2 weekends, so I have been pulling stucco off the house while he and Poppa put in windows. Mark was here this recent weekend after a few weeks off for hand surgery. He helped me out with some rough stucco.

Taking off the stucco

Taking off the stucco

GPa Seal peeking out of the window

GPa Seal peeking out of the window

Replacing the Front Window

Replacing the Front Window

YaYa woking on getting the window sill clean

YaYa woking on getting the window sill clean

North Close up

North Close up

North West view

North West view

West view

West view

South view

South view

South East view

South East view

Notice how shiny all those windows look? Many thanks to YaYa for her cleaning of the windows. On Friday, I saw some guys working in the alley behind our house on the sewer lines. I asked one of the guys, in nicer clothes, what was being worked on and they said that they are going to replace the whole sewer line that runs down the middle of the alley. Since they were going to be in the area working I asked if they could replace the line from my house to the main line. (It is currently old tar paper and runs under the slab of my garage.) We worked out a deal that they would replace the line (in-line burst method) and I needed to expose the line where it comes out of the ground. So, Sunday afternoon was spent digging a hole. It ended up being about 3 feet down. Max is standing on the pipe.

In a sewer line hole

In a sewer line hole

On Thursday afternoon, Max was eating a burger and his tooth finally fell out.

Missing tooth

Missing tooth

The Age of Enlightenment

Now that Max is 7 (pictures sure to come in November :), he is displaying some great wisdom. The other day we were speaking of one of his friends, we’ll call him John.* We don’t see John as much as we used to, but still make an effort to play with him several times a year. Max said, “Wanna know why John isn’t my best friend anymore?” I said, “Why? Is it because we haven’t seen him in awhile?” He said, “No, it’s because he doesn’t obey his mommy. I don’t like friends that don’t obey their mommy. I don’t like fussing!” *This name has been changed to protect the original disobedient kid.

Lucy turns 3!!

Well, actually it was on May 10. Stop laughing at me and enjoy these pictures of our big girl:

The big girl and her ole lady

Beautiful host of the party Auntie Jan and enchanting guest Grandma Jo

Our good buddies Frank and Sheryl

“Jump on in this new pool!” says Max

Lucky me – getting a smooch from Dad

Life is now complete with her toy cel

She was yelling, “I’m a Princess!”

Natey says, “Hey Lucy – did you know it’s our birthday?”

A spin with Cowgirl Ya-Ya

Glad Poppa won’t get a sunburn with his silvery suit on

The sweet girl with her birthday waffle

The tarps are off (almost)

Pop and I were alone this weekend, as Mark had surgery on his hand on Thursday. We worked on getting some windows in place and putting up more plywood. The easy plywood has all been put up, so now the plywood attaching is difficult (sometimes scary).

Up high on shaky scaffolding

Up high on shaky scaffolding

(building the scaffolding was a mini project unto itself for me and Pop, something Kevin would have probably knocked out in 2.5 minutes) The tarps are almost off. I say that because the super heavy canvas tarps are still wadded up on the roof, but not covering anything. They are just so heavy I’ll wait and move them later. Since the tarps are not hiding the loft balcony anymore, I took a panorama shot of the south east side of the house. You can tell I took the pictures from right to left because I have fewer ‘missing’ areas on the right (east) side. Click on the picture below to bring up the full sized image (about 870k download).

South East Panorama

South East Panorama

Also, last week Pop worked on the corbels on the west side and I finished up the plywood on that side as well.

West Side

West Side

My Girl

While looking for some house pictures on our camera, I came across these 2 pictures . I thought I would share the joy.

Lucy Dress

Lucy Dress (made by Gran for Toby – 30 years ago!)

Lucy with Lunch box

Lucy with Lunchbox