And now for something completely different…

This is totally off track here but it’s the easiest way for me to share photos with friends and family who are not part of that monstrous social networking site.

As some of you know, I have been climbing one evening a week at an indoor facility with Chris and a couple friends for over a year now. We have a good time, I get to spend some quality time with my brother and, surprisingly, it can be one heckuva work out!

This past Saturday, I graduated to the great outdoors! It was completely different from indoor climbing and a teensy bit intimidating.

We took a 3-hour drive east on the NYS Thruway to a place called Little Falls. We set up two ropes, one was in a spot where the guys were able to climb a few different routes up the face of the rock.

This is where we spent the day.

Chris exploring the first route. He decided it was too difficult for beginners so we moved the rope.

My first outdoor climb!

I only got half-way up this rock. Twice. Something to work on next time.

The guys.

The rocks are in a small area along the Erie Canal.

Some even have benches!

It was a fun day, I would do it again.
I bet we would look totally cool rolling up in the Westy!

Not much of an update…

Turns out, the roof does leak. Not in a puddles on the floor, scramble upstairs with a bucket when it starts to rain sort of way but in a sly, sneaking, creating mayhem slowly out of sight sort of way.

There is a small gap between the new roof and the old that is big enough to allow driving rain up under the roof, into an area that will be insulated. The gap faces the west and will allow blowing and drifting snow in also. We try to avoid things like snow and rain inside the house.

The dark spots near the opening are wet not shadow.

The siding crew was here about a week ago. Four guys spent the entire day working…until they ran out of materials. 

One side looks fantastic, don't you think?

More siding had to be special ordered, we are waiting for it to arrive and the siding crew to have a free day to finish the job.

Meanwhile, Dave installed the hurricane straps.

 

We joked about having them on "just in time" when the dire predictions for hurricane Irene started appearing everywhere. We consider ourselves very fortunate that Irene missed our area, it was a bit windy but not a drop of rain fell here.

The extent of Irene’s fury in our yard.

How’s the project going?

We both heard that question a few times last week; it’s time to catch ya’ll up.

Things have kind of slowed down here momentarily. Dave’s been working hard at the job that he actually gets a paycheck for – which will come in handy to pay for this little folly of ours. Yesterday afternoon he made the comment to me, “I guess I’d better get going up there or we won’t be back upstairs until 2014.” He had about an hour to himself before, beep…beep…beep… his pager went off. So it goes.

Before Matt the Carpenter left he threw in a couple little extras for us...

It's difficult to see in the photo below, he furred out the exterior wall under the trusses so that Dave will have something to attach the drywall to.

Matt also framed in the doorway to the new room.

Then we waited a week for the inspector's first visit.

We passed the initial inspection with the exception that we have to attach hurricane straps to the trusses. Code says we must. So we shall.

These sexy little gadgets are hurricane straps...

 

In my opinion, strap is a misnomer; they should be called hurricane brackets. Whatever you want to call them, 50 cents a piece is a small price to pay in the event hurricane strength winds blow through our hamlet.

We’ve had a few hard rain storms recently; happily there are no leaks in the new roof. We were upstairs the other evening when a strong storm came through. The rain was swirling in the gale force winds. (Really, Uncle Paul, they were gale force winds!) There was a bit of spray blowing in from the eaves, the siding guys have not made an appearance yet so the eaves are still open. We anticipate the siding will go up some time this week.

Next up is pulling the electric.

Then the electrical inspector comes.

New heat runs & cold air returns.

Then we can insulate.

Insulation gets inspected.

Drywall can go up.

Final inspection.

Finishing touches like woodwork, trim, paint, light fixtures, carpet…seem rather far off at this point. Poor Dave.

Chilly...

 

Today's view from the bedroom.

It's chilly today. I wonder where I packed our sweatshirts...

Good thing all those boxes we piled up in the garage are labeled, it's like a treasure hunt trying to find our clothing around here!

Anniversary Wishes

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

August 10, 1963...

I love you both very much.

For your entertainment...

 

"It's very satisfying!"

Sometimes, a little really is a lot…

I need to clarify, it’s a 4’x14’ bump out, not 4’x16’ as previously stated. I stand corrected.

4’x14’. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? The difference is surprising. The new room (which will be our bedroom) won't be much bigger than our old bedroom but higher ceilings will make the space feel much more open.

East wall - before

East wall - after

This will be our view each morning...

Not too shabby.

A hush falls over the house…

Matt the Contractor and his crew are done and gone. There wasn’t a second of quiet from the moment they backed onto the front lawn each morning until they left for the day.

The banter between Pat the Helper and Rick, 2^nd Helper, frequently bordered on hilarious.

A couple nicknames I overheard…

Sunshine

Top Gun

I’m sure there were more, uttered out of earshot. 

 And memorable quotes…

“You are a drama queen, dude.”

 The best one yet, heard this morning…

“Talk to me cupcake, what do you need?”

I cried.

I’m going to miss those guys, for their sheer entertainment value alone.

Catching up…

We’ve had a slew of visitors in the past week. Everyone is curious as to what we are doing here. It’s fun to have company but, honestly kids, we’re running out of things to destroy. Once we put the place back together you’re going to have to visit just for the heck of it!

 

Speaking of tearing more apart… good news! The dining room ceiling does not have to come down! Matt the Carpenter was able to build the new floor joists in such a way that the ceiling rafters were not disturbed. Whew! Dave still wants to tear the dining room walls out so that we can insulate. Some day. When everything else is back together.

The weekend consisted of a little work, a little more demolition, and a little fun.

There was another campout...

 Making up the upper bunk.

 Enjoying the view.

Not only can you sleep in it, it’s like climbing around on the monkey bars at the playground!

This time the rain held off until the following day.

It's Monday morning, roofers and carpenters are all here.

Update to follow.