August 13 - 28, 2011 "At Last, a Blog Entry"

Here we are!  The countertops for the kitchen are in place.  We are both itchen' to get in the kitchen and do some real cookin'.

Microwave, oven and warming drawer.

Fridge and Davis.

My sister chick, Libby's seat whenever she visits.

This is the recycled black walnut counter top that
goes where Libby sits.  It's being stored for us
until the kitchen is completed.

We have cooked several meals in our kitchen and I'm happy to say it's wonderful.

Too gross to believe!  It's now

all gone.  We are so luck to

have them working for us.

The guest bath is now beautiful.

Tom "mudding" the tile in the guest bath.  Gorgeous.

Here is an example of why 

it's taken so long to get into the house.  Surprises like this keep Tom and Darren busy.

I wish you could see how beautiful this counter
of recycle glass is.

We had to change the door so the heat could
escape.  What a shame; they were so beautiful.

                                         We have a challenge in our entertainment cabinet - it heats up more than expected; so now we have to have special doors and fans installed.  No worries - it will all work out.  Davis is looking forward to watching his favorite team (UNC) on TV whenever they're on.


Speaking of teams - we've been to the University of Portland women's soccer game (they're the Pilots) and the the men's professional soccer team game (they're the Timbers), thanks to Brian getting us tickets.  What a fun time we've had.


The East Coast  has been hit by Irene - we are so blessed that we only lost one tree in Newport.  I hope that any of our friends reading this were as fortunate. 


We are leaving for New Zealand the middle of next month to visit Mum and will be in North Carolina the middle of October.  


What a treat to hear from my sweet Alexis on the first day of school.  And we are so glad our the friends we spoke to have little or no damage from the storm.  We both miss you all.


Shalom,  Heather . . .

August 5 - 12

What a busy week we've had running around picking up this and that either for the house or for business back home.  

Now for the "dirt."

We have planted two raised beds in the back and are working on putting up our weather station.  

Lots of green tomatoes and tiny yellow squash
in the front "garden."

Davis calls these "cookie-cutter" days because they are all the same - 75 -80 degrees in the daytime, 50's at night.  What wonderful weather.  (I know, just wait until November when it hits us hard!)


All the appliances, except the refrigerator are here.  We have a flat of frozen blueberries in the freezer and the stove top goes on the counter top tomorrow.  Both bathrooms should be completed by next weekend and the kitchen started on.  By the time we leave for New Zealand to see Mum in September we will probably be in our own bedroom (or at least when we return we will be).  

Before #2

Before, #1

Poison Oak before

Scotch Broom before.

Davis has worked very hard on the yard - trying to get rid of all the poison oak, wild blackberry vines and Scot Broom. I've pulled up about a zillion dandelions.  

After (so far).

Davis and Bob enjoying the beautiful evening and
the great music.

We still find time for the various local activities.  Music in the park (with our friend Bob, seafood and wine pairing and sampling and the Saturday market.  

Saturday market - Davis talking to a wonderful
local artist.

Our grill was the first thing out of the PODS and Davis has made good use of it.  Fresh Salmon and local potatoes - oh my!

They really know how to enjoy festivals here!

I've been busy knitting a few baby things.  What fun!

Cap, booties and blanket - aqua, not blue, not pink, aqua!

I get to shop with Margaret next week - and Brian and Davis will be going to the local soccer games together.

Davis caught me trying to Blog in the utility room.

We are also looking forward to a very short visit to NC in October. 


 It will be great to see some folks we dearly miss.  


It's way past 5:00 - I'm outa here! Love and Shalom to all,  Heather . . . 

July 22 - August 4 “I Haven't Forgotten You - I've Just Procrastinated!”

Sorry to be so long in updating.  I think I just got behind and then dreaded catching up.  I hope there are still some folks following, but I wouldn’t blame you if you got tired of waiting for me to catch you up.  

One thing that has kept us busy is our desire to attend every local function.  Our little town of Amity has a Pancake Breakfast each year.   

We waited in line to buy a ticket in order to stand
in line for a plate so we could stand in line for
the food!!

About 50 folks were mixing, fixing, pouring, flipping
pancakes or breaking eggs to be cooked or frying
up the ham or pouring juice or coffee.

 
Population is about 1,457 (give or take a lama, alpaca or peacock or two) and they served over 3,000 plates!  The only things missing were grits - what! no grits!

A good time was had by all - and it was a super beautiful day.

Here is most of the trim drying in the garage.

Another thing keeping us busy was all the woodwork trim that needs hand rubbing (I think I’ve mentioned that it takes each board 6 or 7 “rubs”) and the yard work (that’s mostly Davis). 

It had to move to the sun room to make room
for all the "stuff" from the PODS

Since last we “talked” the house has moved along in several areas.  

There's Tom grouting the tile.  He has worked
so hard on this shower - it's a shame it won't
be seen by more people - it's beautiful!

The master bathroom and shower are both tiled and the counter is in.  






The “boxes” for the kitchen are in place.  

Center counter where cooktop will go.  Sink counter
under the windows.  Davis cleaning where refrigerator
will go.

Pantry.

Warming draw, oven, microwave and storage

Bookshelves and wine rack (Jim on left & helper A).

That's Darren hard at work designing and building the
living-room side of the fireplace.  I'll never look at a
fireplace again without seeing all his hard work.  It's
a work of art.

One side of the fireplace is tiled.  

It just won't fit.

The box for the linen closet is in place.

Hey guys, you have to slide it on the floor.

OK, now where is helper C?  He's behind it; oh no!

The box for the shelves in the library/den/craft-room are in place.  

Oh my!  Where is my . . . . ?

Both PODS arrived safely with everything we own in them.  It is all now in the garage!  (Help us all!! What a lot of "stuff" we have). 

We have had our grand-dog, Penny, twice and it’s been a wonderful time for all; she can’t hear very well and her back legs are a bit weak but she is so sweet.  Precious bounces around her like a fly buzzing at her trying to get her to play; Penny puts up with it for a while then puts her in her place.


That's enough news for one night!  I'll have more pictures and stuff tomorrow - promise!  Our daughter-in-law comes home from a Wisconsin visit tonight.  Can't wait to see her!
Shalom to all,  Heather . . .

July 18 - 21 - "I See The Lights I See The Party Lights . . . "

Good bye Laundry Mat!  Hello soft, fluffy towels.

First off, the really important stuff!  Mom, Dad and Baby-to-be are doing great;  one strong heartbeat heard.  Second, we now have a working dryer to go with the washer! 

Front porch ceiling before . . .

The house is coming along.  We have some more lights installed and the pine has been put on both porches as well as the sunroom.

. . . and after.  What a difference!

Sorry for the picture quality - we were excited 

                                                                     We took time off to go to the women's world cup viewing at a local sports bar in Portland.  Too bad they lost but it was a really super game (and Japan could use some good news right now). 

There were several hundred folks there watching
on numerous screens in several rooms.

There were two players from the University of Portland and two from Carolina so it was extra special.  U of P gave out tees and food and the fans were very well behaved.

This is a hill of trash that was once flat.  There
are pipes running throughout to collect the
methane produced by the wastes.

One of the most interesting places Davis and I have "visited" is the local Landfill.   It is so huge - and well run. 

Huge trucks look like they stand on ends to dump
their loads.

Such an efficient way to dispose of waste material (everything is checked before you pay and dump) and create a useful gas and eventually create usable land resources.   

 

Here we are ready to get rid of some construction
wastes.  We do this so our two guys can
concentrate on the house.

I was so impressed the first time that I didn't mind going back again!  It also leaves Tom and Darren time to do what they do best - build!

This monster continually goes back and forth, mixing
packing, moving, etc. the trash.
It's one awesome machine

Their "pulled pork" is NOT like NC BBQ, but it's still
pretty good.

Davis and I also went to McMillville's Saturday market again; pick up fresh veggies and had lunch.

Here's Tom in the shower.

The master bathroom and shower are coming right along.  

Here's Darren at the counter.

And still more glass accent pieces.

      

Picking our tile colors and designs has
 been a major job.

It is amazing all the decisions that must be made when remodeling!  Whew.  But it's going to be wonderful when it's finished.

It was so great seeing you, Bob, on you walk.  Can't wait to get together whenever you're ready.  


I think that's enough for now, except for a few cloud pictures that I love:   

   


    

.

Shalom,  Heather . . .