Yesterday while I was helping Jim

build the pillars for the front porch,

there were several blocks

of time when he would say

"take a break"

Not one to waste time,

I would scurry out to my 

workshop and work.

Here is a sample of what I got done....

hello my pretty...

Hello your creaminess!

Things are looking better already.

See the dresser waiting

anxiously in the background?

Your time will come, my dear.

Patience!

who said that?

OK, people...

I did not write the words

construction quiz

in the previous post.

I just happened to look up 

right before I hit publish

and there those words were...

I wrote Monday Morning

and someone else 

added Construction quiz.

I am not kidding...

this is creepy!

Someone is messing with my head

and it is not nice.

Today was very productive...

In case you are wondering

what Jim is doing,

he is building the framework

for the stone pillars

well, actually

they will be stone on the bottom

and the top part will be a tapered wooden thing.

We have to get the bottom part built

so that the stone mason can do his part.

I helped with this project.

I was allowed to learn how to use the chop saw.

There are no pictures of this 

because I take all the pictures around here

 and I felt that it would be hazardous to my health

to try and use the power chop saw and try to take pictures as well.

I'm kind of fond of my fingers like that.

I did try to cut a piece of scrap wood

and instead of chopping across the grain

I tried cutting with the grain...

and apparently that is a no-no

because both pieces went flying 

and the saw made a very unhappy sound.

Lucky for me, 

neither of the two pieces hit either the front door glass

or the dining room window 

and Jim was too busy to notice the bad sound

coming from his saw.

Thank you Lord.

It took me quite a long time

to accept the fact

that Jim was not going to be satisfied

with his boards being

1/16th of an inch off.

Why was I surprised by that?

And what made me think I could change it

by just keeping it up????

I did keep all the little scraps of wood

as I was chopping

so that I can at some time

in the future

make a craft project out of them.

It's an illness I have.

Wait till you see what I did while I was on break today!!!

ok, I'm going to hit publish and

let's see what mystery words pop up....

Monday construction quiz!

It's so nice to have days where 

the weather does not screw up all your plans.

Here is the crew working on the siding

at the back of the house.

This is the most difficult wall

with all the windows and corners to go around.

They are doing a nice job and

it looks great already!

Here is Preston putting in

the dormer window.

It is the cutest thing ever!

He also got the front door installed

and it is beautiful!

I know that when it gets painted

it will really be

faaaaaaabulous!

Still pondering the 

color options there.

I worked topsoil into 

both flower beds and

have decided that I have 

inherited my Daddy's arthritis

because 

man did that hurt!

But that dirt is looking so good

I think it was worth it.

We'll see if anything grows there....

All in all, 

it was a very good Monday.

What House?

Midterms.

I know you are wondering where

the house went.

I have not mentioned 

The House

lately.

We have been working hard

on paperwork.

Taxes.

Bills.

Posting.

Loans.

More posting.

I have been frolicking

among the flowers

every chance I get,

because 

I know it's only a matter 

of time

and they will be gone.

But now, my students,

it is time for

Midterms.

Yes, we are almost halfway home..

literally.

Tomorrow

some big stuff will happen.

The siding crew

will arrive and start installing siding

on three sides of the house.

The front door will be installed in her place of honor.

The last window will go in 

the front dormer.

I will paint some furniture pieces

that I primed the other day.

And then the wiring will begin

and I will have light to see

what the heck I am painting.

(pictures later)

But to assure you that we have not forgotten how to build things,

Here is what we do for a break from 

taxes....

The stairs.

The beloved new tool.

The stairs completed...

except for the railing, of course.

I promise that cedar post

at the bottom is not crooked!

Nice.

Here is the newly stained

old swing.

I think she looks lovely and

she has the best view of the water.

I think I will rest here a spell.

See ya tomorrow!

College Football!

Is there anything better

than a cool, crisp fall day

and college football?

I think not.

I don't even like football

but I have learned to like

football games.

I once told someone

that I thought football

was for morons.

Really, I did say that.

I didn't mean to sound like such a hater...

it's just that the game itself

does nothing for me.

I just like the game.

You know,

the frito - chili pie and pepsi...

the smell of Nutty Bavarian nuts 

roasting.

The sea of red and gold.

And this.

and this.

this is what I come back for

year after year.

I don't really care if

we win or lose,

as long as I can see this.

It's all about the Marching Band

for me.

The Pride of the Plains Marching Band.

and of course 

the dancing girls.

Here is Kevin's friend Cooper

directing the band.

He is one of three 

drum majors this year.

They are putty in his hands.

They are the best part 

of this college football day

We lost today 

but I don't care.

It was fun 

and isn't that what it's all about?

That and this too.

my porch

Did you enjoy that little tour around my back deck and front porch?

I am so tired tonight that I managed to send 

that out without any words.

No words were needed really...

I will miss my summer flowers

they made me feel right at home

here in our little rental.

flowers make your home feel real.

they make it home.

I am always amazed at the 

vibrant colors that they send out

in the last days of summer.

the last hurrah.

they are pouring everything they have 

into these last few weeks of warm days

and cool night.

I love love love it.

 Please forgive me for not capitalizing 

where I should...

very very tired tonight...

but I wanted to share the flowers.

A Few more steps

Ever have one of those days...

one of those days when it seems like 

you havn't done a thing

yet you know you have

been working your tail off

all day?

I am having one of those days, 

leftover from yesterday.

Yesterday I chained myself

to this desk and

did posting.

It involves numbers.

It involves hunching over the desk

writing numbers.

I feel like Bob Cratchet,

only grouchy like the mean old guy in the story.

today I cannot get my 

giddyup to get going.

So these are pictures that

I took over the weekend.

They show me that

I have been getting things done,

and so have the guys.

Second planting island-

weeds dug up-check!

dirt turned over-check!

rocks placed-check!

Composting started-check!

This is what Jim calls

"box car siding"

going in the back porch ceiling.

They are working on the front porch ceiling

as we speak.

This is the wonderful front door,

waiting for her rightful place

to be ready.

Isn't she lovely?

Looking for ideas 

for the perfect paint  color....

suggestions anyone?

Hello, is anyone out there?

Here she is,

Just waiting for her turn.

And her color.

Summer's End

Labor Day Weekend.

Cast of Characters:

Randy & Babs

Dan & DAnn

Pat & Gloria

Me and Jim.

Lucy, Lilly, Sammy, Molly,Bailey

Fun, Fun, Fun

Rain. Rain. Rain.

Fog.

More Rain.

More Rain and Fog.

It was wonderful.

Saturday Morning.

Boys leave to go fishing at daybreak.

Girls lounge.

Girls talk.

Girls talk and lounge.

Saturday night.

Dinner out at Charley's Buffet.

I think about this food all year.

Sunday Morning.

Boys go fishing at daybreak.

Bailey.

sweet little Bailey.

Bailey saying Please.

Good manners pays off.

What's that in Glo's pocket???

Jim decides to sleep in today and not go fishing with the boys.

Jim needs a job.

Jim cannot sit and lounge and talk with the girls

so Jim watches the fire in the smoker.

Babs is in charge of the smoker

and we have to keep Jim

from opening the smoker

and adjusting the smoke.

Jim says the temp is just right.

Let's check that one more time.

Jim swears he has not touched the smoker

Fortunately 

the brisket turned out to be

the best I have ever tasted.

ever.

It cooked and cooked while we played games.

and lounged

and boated

and lounged.

Let the Games begin.

Washers.

Jim wants to coach me on tossing the washer.

Obviously we are not serious enough about this game

Talk about SERIOUS.

These two came into the game a little cocky 

don't you think?

I was immediately intimidated.

They oozed confidence.

They had hats.

Look at that positioning!

What grace!

These two are planning their team strategy.

Im sure this helped.

We were all in awe 

of their focus

and form.

I see now that

it's all about 

follow through.

and hats.

The Victors.

Jim and I will have hats next time.

It's all about the hats.

Monday Morning.

Wave Hoe's

Delicious!

Monday morning started out

cloudy

but the sun broke through and

a beautiful

day on the lake

was the perfect ending to

a wonderful weekend 

with family and friends.

How do you spell RELAX?

ZORA.

thanks Babs and Randy

Dan and DAnn

Pat and Gloria

Bailey, Lily, Lucy, Sammy and Molly

for a wonderful

weekend at the lake.