PROJECTS

MAY 23, 2011

We finally finished the stairs to the basement.

John and Tonya bought an "Egg Carton" which we promptly filled with twelve "girls"--laying hens. One died the next day, so Tonya disinfected the coop right away. All the other hens have stayed well. I think they get 8 to ten eggs daily--and once or twice have gotten eleven! The roosts, nests, food, and water are "upstairs." They can go down and scratch in the grass. The whole thing is on wheels, so it gets moved every day. This way, the chickens are actually "free range," but also entirely protected.

Frank planted grass to the north and south of the shed. He also planted bushes to the south and around the gas tank. He planted raspberries to the north of the shed. The bushes are to mark the boundary between our lawn and the woods.

Frank took one of the first warm, clear days of the year to finish the roof. (The flashing hadn't been finished.)

He also finished around the garage door.

One day we went to the Pittsburgh Zoo with John, Tonya, and some of her friends. There were seven adults and nine children. That kept four mothers busy! The polar bear was in a playful mood, but the pea hen was camera shy.

Here is a project I started in 2002. We also worked on it in 2008 and in December 2010. We have mostly new plates from the grandchildren, although I kept an older one of Brandon's. They are now displayed over my sink and bar. (I never said that I was fast!) They are pictured here in family groups.

This is a picture that John took lately. We like it. I hope you do too.

PLUMBING THE PIPES

JULY 26, 2010

Frank's title this past week has been Plumber. He hooked up the water heater. We were going to go with gas, but we couldn't get one--would have had to order it and wait for three weeks to a month for it. So, we went with electric. He also hooked up the "dirt" sink.






Then he worked on our lawn tractor--he was able to fix it. He mowed our lawn. By the way, see how our new grass is coming already??!!


















Jason finally came late Thursday afternoon. He and Frank decided where things would go. Jason drilled a couple holes, and set the furnace in the mechanical room. We haven't seen him since.



Frank bought a shower and hooked it up. He has water to all the proper places. Now he will work on the waste lines.

Meanwhile, I finally finished sanding the tongue and groove for the great room ceiling.

We had visitors this week, Ruth and George Stoltzfus, from Utah. Ruth said that this blog is okay, but it is better to see the house in person. Ya'll come!

CONTINUING UNDER.....AND ON

JULY 12, 2010

Last Tuesday Craig finally came to bury the septic and water lines. Frank made another hole through the basement wall. Craig had a man with him who started putting the septic line together. They also brought the water line from the well to the house.





















After they finished, Frank did landscaping work, making sure that rain water would drain away from the house. He also made ditches or swells to carry draining water away. He put stone all the way around the house so that mud won't splash on the walls. He then leveled out the ground. I began raking--taking out roots and stones.





















Thursday Frank sowed the grass and covered it. I began to plant all my shade plants under the tree.























I also applied both coats of the clear finish to the pantry and our bedroom this past week. Now the logs, collar ties, and windows of the main floor are completed. Frank moved the tongue and groove lumber up to the car port, so I can begin finishing them. He also made some stands the right height for me to work.










Saturday, the gas people came with our tank, and hooked us up. We're ready for the furnace and air conditioning now.