I couldn't post this morning. The computer wouldn't let me get on my own site. How's that for service?
Yesterday was as quite as a tomb, compared to today.
Steve and Tina ("Cherokee") came by to see me, and I told Steve he could work today for us at the new house on Cherry Street.
He made a mock-up of the stucco on the outside of the house, and it matched perfectly. He really knows plaster and concrete work, and I will be needing a lot of both.
I worked at menial jobs, but mostly hauled sand and rocks up into the front porch area to back-fill it and get it ready for the arrival (on Tuesday morning) of the concrete.
It's boring, hard, back-breaking work when you're having to do it all by yourself. I can't push the wheelbarrow up the ramp, so I have to carry the sand in a bucket. My neck and shoulders hurt like crazy, but the work has to be done.
Today, it was like Grand Central Station there.
Kenny Dailey came by twice, Steve and Tina (Cherokee) were there all day, Buddy Hipshire's son came by and asked for work, and two morons who were high on something came to offer to sell me some concrete blocks. They left once, and came back with their truck so loaded that I thought it might blow out the thread-bare tires before they could get out of the yard. The second time, they had some concrete lintals loaded up in it, and the rear bumper was about 3-4" off the ground. They wanted $35.00 each for the lintals, but I didn't need them. They finally begged me so hard that I felt sorta sorry for them, and took the lintals and some more concrete blocks for $80.00. Steve told me the lintals were worth about $45.00-$50.00 each, and there were 8-10 of them. They are the older style, and weigh a ton! I told the duvouses they should back their truck up into the yard and unload them, but they carried them up the hill and put them beside an abandoned satelitte dish. Steve, Cherokee and I sat and laughed at them until our eyes watered.
They were as high as a Georgia Pine Tree. I need some of their pills. I could work all night and never eat another bite.
They said they have about 700 to 2500 bricks (according to which account they were giving) to sell me. I might not ever see them again. They wanted to borrow my sledge hammer, and get some water for their radiator, which had enough water in it or was bone dry, according, again, to which account they were giving.
I should have had a home movie camera handy. I could make $10,000.00 on America's Funniest Home Videos. They were running 'round and 'round their truck during their hurried and over-speaking speaches. I'd say they'll sleep pretty well if they're ever able to lay down again.
The second time they came, they brought a fellow who used to run a bar up on the other side of town named Kenny something. He has some roof tiles that match the ones on the house. He's going to cut some weeds that are around them and let me see if I want them.
They'd look splendid on the roof of the new garage.
The neighbor lady saw those clowns, and said later that she wondered what all the excitement was about.
She walked over this evening, looking for a cat that I have seen a few times. It's not hers, but she's been leaving out some food for it. It's (at least) mostly white, and shy.
I hope we can find it before it gets run over on Rutledge Pike.
This has been quite a day, and I'm SO tired!
I want a bath and the comfort of my bed.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011 AM
I don't feel very well this morning. My stomach is upset, and I can't seem to feel like doing anything.
I always feel like I'm committing a crime when I don't attend church on Sunday Morning, at least.
Betty would say that it's good that I feel badly about not going to Meeting on Sunday.
She's right, as always.
I got ready and went to the Habitat Store yesterday. I found an excellent door for the kitchen at Creekside. It's almost full glass, but has an 'old house' feel to it. It will need work, but it will be so nice for the kitchen, as it will let in lots of light. Elaine saw it later, when I was at the Family Dollar Store, and she likes it. It has double glass, so it will be energy efficient.
I also bought two 5-gallon buckets of paint for $10.00 each. One is for the front porch floor, and is a stain, and the other one is for the trim items I'm adding to the house, and is severe weather paint. I think the color will go well with the house, but if it doesn't, I'll just mix it with something and MAKE it go well with the house.
I found a smallish light for the front porch, too. It's not quite as glamourous as I'd like, but it will work nicely. It has three sockets, so it will be a great improvement over the small light that's there now.
The find of the day was a set of four tires for the red Dodge truck. I got tires, rims, and trim plates for $200.00! The tires are pretty wide, and will give better traction for the truck. I needed new tires, as the old ones were getting pretty slick. I thank God for leading me to bargains.
I stopped by Lowe's to get another tire for the wheel barrow. I had worn the old one out completely, and it just couldn't be patched and re-inflated any more. I got a solid one this time, that's supposed to never wear out or puncture. Yeah, right! If the Lord tarries and I stay well and strong, I'll bet I could wear it out.
I stopped by the Goodwill in Jefferson City, but Annette, the manager, was not there. I bought just a few items, anyway. I got Joe some table utinsils. She's always needing forks and spoons, as her help loses them in the table trash. I'm so glad to be able to help her a little.
When Mary and I were there for a meal last week, every table cloth in the restaurant was one that I had bought for her. She didn't even know we were coming, she was just using things I had sent her by Mary. It made me so proud to see my 'children' being used to help a small-business operator who struggles financially.
I went by the Family Dollar yesterday afternoon, as I needed cat food. My Avon order had came, and Joan had already paid for it, and wouldn't let me re-imburse her the cost. She doesn't need to be doing such things for me. Her friendship is more than enough enrichment for the time I spend doing for her. I wish I could do more for her.
While I was there, Wilma Johnson came in. She's always needing medical advice, and she was mad at her doctor, anyway, so we sat and talked for a short while. I told her some things to do at home for her problems. She said that she's going to quit going to her doctor and just contact me at the Family Dollar to get advice for her ailments and the treatment she needs.
We joke a lot. I'm one of the few people she feels like is her friend.
I then went up to Creekside to work some. I needed to unload all the things I had gotten for the house there. That paint is heavy! The door was heavy, too, and really awkward to un-load myself.
Mike Wells came by on his motor cycle. He's a local man, and is really nice. He's on disability, though, for a supposed back injury, but he can ride his motor cycle all day. I suspect that he's just another one around here that's getting a crazy check and telling everyone he's got a bad back.
There's plenty of that here.
He wanted to talk, and kept me from getting much done except for un-loading the truck, and I had most of it to do after he left. Everyone wants to see the house.
I got home pretty late (after 9:00), and was totally whipped. I got a bath and headed for the bed.
I love busy days, but I sure pay for them at night. I slept poorly, mostly because my feet and legs hurt me so badly. I took half a Lortab, which is about all I can handle, but the pain was pretty bad. I take two Neurontin, but any more of it makes me nauseated and dizzy, and I sure don't need to fall in this big old house alone. I miss Yoda being here. She always took such good care of her mom. There will never be another cat like her.
I'm a little sad, thinking about her and how I miss her.
But I'm too blessed to be depressed for long.
The Sonshine is a true 'upper'.
I always feel like I'm committing a crime when I don't attend church on Sunday Morning, at least.
Betty would say that it's good that I feel badly about not going to Meeting on Sunday.
She's right, as always.
I got ready and went to the Habitat Store yesterday. I found an excellent door for the kitchen at Creekside. It's almost full glass, but has an 'old house' feel to it. It will need work, but it will be so nice for the kitchen, as it will let in lots of light. Elaine saw it later, when I was at the Family Dollar Store, and she likes it. It has double glass, so it will be energy efficient.
I also bought two 5-gallon buckets of paint for $10.00 each. One is for the front porch floor, and is a stain, and the other one is for the trim items I'm adding to the house, and is severe weather paint. I think the color will go well with the house, but if it doesn't, I'll just mix it with something and MAKE it go well with the house.
I found a smallish light for the front porch, too. It's not quite as glamourous as I'd like, but it will work nicely. It has three sockets, so it will be a great improvement over the small light that's there now.
The find of the day was a set of four tires for the red Dodge truck. I got tires, rims, and trim plates for $200.00! The tires are pretty wide, and will give better traction for the truck. I needed new tires, as the old ones were getting pretty slick. I thank God for leading me to bargains.
I stopped by Lowe's to get another tire for the wheel barrow. I had worn the old one out completely, and it just couldn't be patched and re-inflated any more. I got a solid one this time, that's supposed to never wear out or puncture. Yeah, right! If the Lord tarries and I stay well and strong, I'll bet I could wear it out.
I stopped by the Goodwill in Jefferson City, but Annette, the manager, was not there. I bought just a few items, anyway. I got Joe some table utinsils. She's always needing forks and spoons, as her help loses them in the table trash. I'm so glad to be able to help her a little.
When Mary and I were there for a meal last week, every table cloth in the restaurant was one that I had bought for her. She didn't even know we were coming, she was just using things I had sent her by Mary. It made me so proud to see my 'children' being used to help a small-business operator who struggles financially.
I went by the Family Dollar yesterday afternoon, as I needed cat food. My Avon order had came, and Joan had already paid for it, and wouldn't let me re-imburse her the cost. She doesn't need to be doing such things for me. Her friendship is more than enough enrichment for the time I spend doing for her. I wish I could do more for her.
While I was there, Wilma Johnson came in. She's always needing medical advice, and she was mad at her doctor, anyway, so we sat and talked for a short while. I told her some things to do at home for her problems. She said that she's going to quit going to her doctor and just contact me at the Family Dollar to get advice for her ailments and the treatment she needs.
We joke a lot. I'm one of the few people she feels like is her friend.
I then went up to Creekside to work some. I needed to unload all the things I had gotten for the house there. That paint is heavy! The door was heavy, too, and really awkward to un-load myself.
Mike Wells came by on his motor cycle. He's a local man, and is really nice. He's on disability, though, for a supposed back injury, but he can ride his motor cycle all day. I suspect that he's just another one around here that's getting a crazy check and telling everyone he's got a bad back.
There's plenty of that here.
He wanted to talk, and kept me from getting much done except for un-loading the truck, and I had most of it to do after he left. Everyone wants to see the house.
I got home pretty late (after 9:00), and was totally whipped. I got a bath and headed for the bed.
I love busy days, but I sure pay for them at night. I slept poorly, mostly because my feet and legs hurt me so badly. I took half a Lortab, which is about all I can handle, but the pain was pretty bad. I take two Neurontin, but any more of it makes me nauseated and dizzy, and I sure don't need to fall in this big old house alone. I miss Yoda being here. She always took such good care of her mom. There will never be another cat like her.
I'm a little sad, thinking about her and how I miss her.
But I'm too blessed to be depressed for long.
The Sonshine is a true 'upper'.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
I haven't posted much lately, mostly because this computer won't let me into the site.
I don't know how much longer I will be able to post.
I've been really working at the house on Cherry Street.
Bobby has quit me, so I've had to find another concrete finisher for the front porch.
Steve suggested that I call Kenny Daily, so I went by Charlie and Ann Cameron's service station, because he hangs out there a lot. He was there getting a tire for his car. I suppose God is trying to tell me something by making it so easy to find Kenny.
He came right up to the house, and we talked about the pour. He's all hyped up about getting some work, and he's planning to pour on Tuesday of next week. I think I'm going to build the forms, because I'm so particular.
I found some half-round windows last week from Brad Reynold's charity organization, and I got them to install above the windows in the stairway. They're going to be so dramatic.
I also found a cellar door to use for the crawl space. They look just like double doors for a house, and they're so cute. I'm going to have to paint them, but they're already primed. Most of the primer is rubbed off, though, so they need good paint on them.
I also found a set of old doors that look like they were the front of a built-in china closet, so that's what I'm going to do with them. I'm going to have a china closet built in the dining room, extending into the area where the cellar stairs are, which is now wasted space.
I LOVE Brad's shop where they sell all kinds of things to raise money for the help his church does for abused women and children in some forein countries. He's such a nice fellow, and I'd love him anyway, because he's Dorothy's son.
Dorothy was my hairdresser for many years, and she's a genuine friend, and a lady I greatly admire.
I'm making friends with the lady who lives next door to the house on Cherry Street. She's really nice, but a bit quiet. She comes over to talk and see what all I'm doing. She gives me great encouragement.
We had a calf yesterday, but it just laid down and died. It never got on it's feet, although I went out and tried to lift it up to help it.
I've still got a lot of corn, though I'm feeding lots of it to the cows and birds. Thank God for Bobby and Norma, who picked it up for me. I hope Norma is with the Lord now.
I had lunch with Barbara and Elizabeth yesterday, and later, dessert with Patty, a friend I re-discovered on Topix. She's the daughter of Babs Phillips, who I've been friends with for many years. Babs is such a glamourous lady, and has such a sweet character. Patty is so like her in nature.
Babs is the sister-in-law of Anna Vee Phillips, who is a great friend, also. Anna Vee and I talk on the phone almost every week. She's such a fine lady, too, and we have a lot of common interests.
She drank water from the spring on the Cherry Street property when she was just a girl walking to school. There was no bridge for Rutledge Pike then, just a ford where carts and wagons drove through the water in Richland's Creek. There was a foot-log so people could walk across the creek and not get wet. She said that most of the school children just waded the creek. They didn't have shoes for the summer, just in the winter, so getting wet was not too much of a problem. She's way up in years, I'd say close to 80 or more.
Jean Nicholson told me that her grandmother took music lessons from Mrs. Lowe in that house 100 years ago. That old piano is still in the house, and plays, but it's badly out of tune.
I've got most of the kitchen floor out now, to be replaced with something that's not rotted. Then I'm going to put on the slate I salvaged from the upstairs sun room.
I'm not decided what kind of lighting I'm going to use in the kitchen, yet. I need to talk to Lynn about that. She's so knowledgeable about such things. She needs to come and look at the house to give me the best advice.
I got a price for having the cellar walls spray-foamed for insulation purposes. I went into sticker shock. I may have to do something myself. My labor is free.
I don't have much time for the computer these days. I'm busy elsewhere.
Elaine is chomping at the bit for something to do to help me with the house, but the work I'm doing right now is too hard for her and her dainty, pretty daughters. I think Jeri would try to do anything, but she's way too pretty to do what needs doing now.
I had Randy Newberry come and look at the heating and cooling situation, and he was dismayed at the condition of the units. They're all WAY undersized for that house.
He said he could up-grade them for me, and sell the old units, as they're still under warranty, but that's just another cost that I'm not willing to undertake right now. There needs to be more duct work done, too, but I have the flexi-duct, and Steve and I might do some of that.
He was astonished at how cold the cellar is. He said it reminded him of his younger days when he worked in a coal mine in Virginia. We can't figure out how it is so cold there. It stays about 40 degrees colder than the outside temperature. I'll have to get busy and do something about that.
I burned another huge pile of trash last night. Most of it was the old, rotten floor from the kitchen, and some brush from the yard.
I've got laundry to get in, so I've got to get going on other things.
I hope the people who read this that are Christians will pray for me.
I thank God every morning that He's kept me safe in the night, and awoke me to His world in the morning. I also thank Him for good work to do, and pray for the strength to do more.
I don't know how much longer I will be able to post.
I've been really working at the house on Cherry Street.
Bobby has quit me, so I've had to find another concrete finisher for the front porch.
Steve suggested that I call Kenny Daily, so I went by Charlie and Ann Cameron's service station, because he hangs out there a lot. He was there getting a tire for his car. I suppose God is trying to tell me something by making it so easy to find Kenny.
He came right up to the house, and we talked about the pour. He's all hyped up about getting some work, and he's planning to pour on Tuesday of next week. I think I'm going to build the forms, because I'm so particular.
I found some half-round windows last week from Brad Reynold's charity organization, and I got them to install above the windows in the stairway. They're going to be so dramatic.
I also found a cellar door to use for the crawl space. They look just like double doors for a house, and they're so cute. I'm going to have to paint them, but they're already primed. Most of the primer is rubbed off, though, so they need good paint on them.
I also found a set of old doors that look like they were the front of a built-in china closet, so that's what I'm going to do with them. I'm going to have a china closet built in the dining room, extending into the area where the cellar stairs are, which is now wasted space.
I LOVE Brad's shop where they sell all kinds of things to raise money for the help his church does for abused women and children in some forein countries. He's such a nice fellow, and I'd love him anyway, because he's Dorothy's son.
Dorothy was my hairdresser for many years, and she's a genuine friend, and a lady I greatly admire.
I'm making friends with the lady who lives next door to the house on Cherry Street. She's really nice, but a bit quiet. She comes over to talk and see what all I'm doing. She gives me great encouragement.
We had a calf yesterday, but it just laid down and died. It never got on it's feet, although I went out and tried to lift it up to help it.
I've still got a lot of corn, though I'm feeding lots of it to the cows and birds. Thank God for Bobby and Norma, who picked it up for me. I hope Norma is with the Lord now.
I had lunch with Barbara and Elizabeth yesterday, and later, dessert with Patty, a friend I re-discovered on Topix. She's the daughter of Babs Phillips, who I've been friends with for many years. Babs is such a glamourous lady, and has such a sweet character. Patty is so like her in nature.
Babs is the sister-in-law of Anna Vee Phillips, who is a great friend, also. Anna Vee and I talk on the phone almost every week. She's such a fine lady, too, and we have a lot of common interests.
She drank water from the spring on the Cherry Street property when she was just a girl walking to school. There was no bridge for Rutledge Pike then, just a ford where carts and wagons drove through the water in Richland's Creek. There was a foot-log so people could walk across the creek and not get wet. She said that most of the school children just waded the creek. They didn't have shoes for the summer, just in the winter, so getting wet was not too much of a problem. She's way up in years, I'd say close to 80 or more.
Jean Nicholson told me that her grandmother took music lessons from Mrs. Lowe in that house 100 years ago. That old piano is still in the house, and plays, but it's badly out of tune.
I've got most of the kitchen floor out now, to be replaced with something that's not rotted. Then I'm going to put on the slate I salvaged from the upstairs sun room.
I'm not decided what kind of lighting I'm going to use in the kitchen, yet. I need to talk to Lynn about that. She's so knowledgeable about such things. She needs to come and look at the house to give me the best advice.
I got a price for having the cellar walls spray-foamed for insulation purposes. I went into sticker shock. I may have to do something myself. My labor is free.
I don't have much time for the computer these days. I'm busy elsewhere.
Elaine is chomping at the bit for something to do to help me with the house, but the work I'm doing right now is too hard for her and her dainty, pretty daughters. I think Jeri would try to do anything, but she's way too pretty to do what needs doing now.
I had Randy Newberry come and look at the heating and cooling situation, and he was dismayed at the condition of the units. They're all WAY undersized for that house.
He said he could up-grade them for me, and sell the old units, as they're still under warranty, but that's just another cost that I'm not willing to undertake right now. There needs to be more duct work done, too, but I have the flexi-duct, and Steve and I might do some of that.
He was astonished at how cold the cellar is. He said it reminded him of his younger days when he worked in a coal mine in Virginia. We can't figure out how it is so cold there. It stays about 40 degrees colder than the outside temperature. I'll have to get busy and do something about that.
I burned another huge pile of trash last night. Most of it was the old, rotten floor from the kitchen, and some brush from the yard.
I've got laundry to get in, so I've got to get going on other things.
I hope the people who read this that are Christians will pray for me.
I thank God every morning that He's kept me safe in the night, and awoke me to His world in the morning. I also thank Him for good work to do, and pray for the strength to do more.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
I've not posted a lot lately, mostly because of working my tail off at the new house.
It's been a little crazy, trying to run this house and work at the other house.
Bobby's got the old front porch torn off, and we're supposed to get the new one poured either today or tomorrow, if it doesn't rain us out.
It's supposed to start raining today and rain for the next few days. It's a wet spring, and I hope it means that we'll have lots of grass, as my cows need to eat a lot, so they'll get good and fat. I'm planning to sell a few of them, and I want lots of money. Steve said that I could use all the money I make selling stuff on the new house. I'm going to sell anything I don't have to use.
And I have some good news, too. Jaime Combs and Carla (her friend) came by yesterday.
I was standing out in the yard talking to the neighbor lady, and they just drove up in the driveway. It was so good to see them both. Carla was dressed so nicely (and she's so pretty), and Jaime looked like the glow of the morning star to me. I love her so much, and she's always been my favorite person. She LOVES the house, and we talked all about the improvements I'm hopeing to make. They both gave me a LOT of encouragement. I gave her some old windows out of the shed in the back yard. She's planning to make picture frames out of them. She's so creative.
Steve and Cherokee Richards came by yesterday, too. Steve wants me to give him some work. He's really good at stone, plaster, and concrete work, but Bobby is, too, and I'd rather work Bobby than almost anyone else.
I got a whole set of kitchen cabinets yesterday, too. Chris Watson went with his trailer to pick them up for me. This man had them on Craig's List for $500.00, and they're oak, in great condition. I'll wrestle them around and find a way to use all of them that I can. I must say that I'm pretty good at using what I have, and I'll find a way to use these lovely cabinets to the best advantage.
Bobby and his men tore down the old chimney that run up through the kitchen and the upstairs bath, and I've been trying to clean up all the mess. There's 150 years of soot, dust, and concrete to sweep and vacuum up all over the house. There was just no way to contain it by closing doors or putting up drapes in doorways, as it was in three floors of the house.
I'm using my rainbow vacuum cleaner to suck up the filth, and it's doing a great job.
It's also my job to clean the brick they salvaged. They're good, hard bricks, and they will be good for the patio I've planned for the front walk to the house. Cleaning brick is really hard work, and it's REALLY hard on your hands. The cement is in pretty good shape, which makes it really hard to chip off the bricks, and it's an odious chore.
Carla informed me yesterday that the large sunroom windows upstairs are plexiglass. I hadn't known that, but it's good news for me. It means that the windows are more temperature resistant. I'm going to put another layer of plexiglass over them to make them even more resistant to outdoor temps.
I spent some more time talking to Carol, the lady who lives next door to the house, and she's turning out to be such a nice neighbor. She's really quiet, and works all the time, so I haven't seen much of her.
Clarence Singleton came by yesterday evening on his way home, walking, as usual. He visited with Jaime and Carla for a few minutes, and then they left. He helped me burn a pile of refuse, and I drove him home. He lives way over on Lakeshore Road, and it's quite a walk for him. He never complains, but I know he must be tired sometimes to have to walk home after a day in Rutledge. I try to keep a helpful eye on him.
I was driving home the other night, and Beth had her front porch light on, and her house looked so homey with a light on the porch. She said the boys must have turned it on, and she didn't like that. I think I'll take her an energy-efficient bulb to put in that fixture, so she will leave it on more. I like a nice porch light on a house.
Joan is sick with either exhaustion or the flu, and she's off for a few days. I call her, but she says she's OK with the help David and Mamaw is doing for her. Mamaw is David's mother, and lives with them.
I should go by and see her. She's such a good friend.
I got an e-mail Friday night from Greg Matthews at Farm Credit telling me that they couldn't finance the house unless we put Clairemont up as collateral. I do not like that idea. I don't want to threaten Clairemont, as it is an extension of my own self. We already had a contract from them saying they would finance the house for us, and now THIS! I'm really upset.
Steve is trying to be reassuring about all this, but I'm not easily mollified when I'm this angry, and threatening my security makes me REALLY angry. Then he said that he would be out of the office all this week! That man just might wind up under the floor of my cellar. I'm going to call him today to see if he's willing to compromise and be sensible.
Barbara can't see how they can be so unreasonable, either. I had discussed all this with her. I know she loves to hear from me when I'm all rilled up and ready to kill someone.
She always loves the sweet sound of my melodious voice.
I'm working on a nice wooden birdhouse for Joan to put in her yard. I want to show her my love and appreciation for all she's done for me, and for what she means to me.
I often make birdhouses for Lynn, and she's got them all lined up in her back yard, and they're so sweet. She has such a nice knack for decorating.
Bobby called a few minutes ago to say he couldn't work for me today, so I guess I'll do all kinds of other things. I need to go get my nails done. My hands look like a lumberjack's. I had a tiny splinter in one of my thumbs this morning, and it had festered during the night. It was really painful, but I got it out. My hands look terrible under a good light and magnifying glass. They're the hands of someone who works hard at manual labor.
There's nothing undignified about hard work.
It's been a little crazy, trying to run this house and work at the other house.
Bobby's got the old front porch torn off, and we're supposed to get the new one poured either today or tomorrow, if it doesn't rain us out.
It's supposed to start raining today and rain for the next few days. It's a wet spring, and I hope it means that we'll have lots of grass, as my cows need to eat a lot, so they'll get good and fat. I'm planning to sell a few of them, and I want lots of money. Steve said that I could use all the money I make selling stuff on the new house. I'm going to sell anything I don't have to use.
And I have some good news, too. Jaime Combs and Carla (her friend) came by yesterday.
I was standing out in the yard talking to the neighbor lady, and they just drove up in the driveway. It was so good to see them both. Carla was dressed so nicely (and she's so pretty), and Jaime looked like the glow of the morning star to me. I love her so much, and she's always been my favorite person. She LOVES the house, and we talked all about the improvements I'm hopeing to make. They both gave me a LOT of encouragement. I gave her some old windows out of the shed in the back yard. She's planning to make picture frames out of them. She's so creative.
Steve and Cherokee Richards came by yesterday, too. Steve wants me to give him some work. He's really good at stone, plaster, and concrete work, but Bobby is, too, and I'd rather work Bobby than almost anyone else.
I got a whole set of kitchen cabinets yesterday, too. Chris Watson went with his trailer to pick them up for me. This man had them on Craig's List for $500.00, and they're oak, in great condition. I'll wrestle them around and find a way to use all of them that I can. I must say that I'm pretty good at using what I have, and I'll find a way to use these lovely cabinets to the best advantage.
Bobby and his men tore down the old chimney that run up through the kitchen and the upstairs bath, and I've been trying to clean up all the mess. There's 150 years of soot, dust, and concrete to sweep and vacuum up all over the house. There was just no way to contain it by closing doors or putting up drapes in doorways, as it was in three floors of the house.
I'm using my rainbow vacuum cleaner to suck up the filth, and it's doing a great job.
It's also my job to clean the brick they salvaged. They're good, hard bricks, and they will be good for the patio I've planned for the front walk to the house. Cleaning brick is really hard work, and it's REALLY hard on your hands. The cement is in pretty good shape, which makes it really hard to chip off the bricks, and it's an odious chore.
Carla informed me yesterday that the large sunroom windows upstairs are plexiglass. I hadn't known that, but it's good news for me. It means that the windows are more temperature resistant. I'm going to put another layer of plexiglass over them to make them even more resistant to outdoor temps.
I spent some more time talking to Carol, the lady who lives next door to the house, and she's turning out to be such a nice neighbor. She's really quiet, and works all the time, so I haven't seen much of her.
Clarence Singleton came by yesterday evening on his way home, walking, as usual. He visited with Jaime and Carla for a few minutes, and then they left. He helped me burn a pile of refuse, and I drove him home. He lives way over on Lakeshore Road, and it's quite a walk for him. He never complains, but I know he must be tired sometimes to have to walk home after a day in Rutledge. I try to keep a helpful eye on him.
I was driving home the other night, and Beth had her front porch light on, and her house looked so homey with a light on the porch. She said the boys must have turned it on, and she didn't like that. I think I'll take her an energy-efficient bulb to put in that fixture, so she will leave it on more. I like a nice porch light on a house.
Joan is sick with either exhaustion or the flu, and she's off for a few days. I call her, but she says she's OK with the help David and Mamaw is doing for her. Mamaw is David's mother, and lives with them.
I should go by and see her. She's such a good friend.
I got an e-mail Friday night from Greg Matthews at Farm Credit telling me that they couldn't finance the house unless we put Clairemont up as collateral. I do not like that idea. I don't want to threaten Clairemont, as it is an extension of my own self. We already had a contract from them saying they would finance the house for us, and now THIS! I'm really upset.
Steve is trying to be reassuring about all this, but I'm not easily mollified when I'm this angry, and threatening my security makes me REALLY angry. Then he said that he would be out of the office all this week! That man just might wind up under the floor of my cellar. I'm going to call him today to see if he's willing to compromise and be sensible.
Barbara can't see how they can be so unreasonable, either. I had discussed all this with her. I know she loves to hear from me when I'm all rilled up and ready to kill someone.
She always loves the sweet sound of my melodious voice.
I'm working on a nice wooden birdhouse for Joan to put in her yard. I want to show her my love and appreciation for all she's done for me, and for what she means to me.
I often make birdhouses for Lynn, and she's got them all lined up in her back yard, and they're so sweet. She has such a nice knack for decorating.
Bobby called a few minutes ago to say he couldn't work for me today, so I guess I'll do all kinds of other things. I need to go get my nails done. My hands look like a lumberjack's. I had a tiny splinter in one of my thumbs this morning, and it had festered during the night. It was really painful, but I got it out. My hands look terrible under a good light and magnifying glass. They're the hands of someone who works hard at manual labor.
There's nothing undignified about hard work.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 PM
I'm finally back to writing again.
I've been really sice with a bad cold/flu and pnemonia.
I stayed in bed on and off all day today.
Yesterday was cold and windy, and I worked at the new house all day, and I guess all the wind and cold got to me. I'm pretty exhausted, too, and my resistance is low.
Bobby and crw and I got the floor of the fount porch knocked down. It was a lot stronger than I would have thought. It took hours of sledge-hammering, spudging-stick, and hard pounding to get it all broken and dropped to the ground. The walls I had built didn't meet with Bobby's approval, so I had to tear them down and nail wood there to keep the sand (for fill) from pushing the stucco off the walls.
After they left for the day (about 4:00), I waited for the sand to get there, and picked up stones and rocks from all over the place to throw in to fill the space.
Rocks are cheap, and my labor is free.
I also dug the yellow solid bricks out of the old sidewalk to re-use in a patio area for later.
I left there about 6:00, and dropped by the Family Dollar for a short visit with the ladies. I drank a cola with them, then came home to get a bath, shampoo my hair, and go to bed. I was whipped.
I was also pretty dirty.
Bobby was not coming to work today, so I just laid around and got some rest.
I'm terribly stuffed up, and it's hard to breathe.
Elaine said I didn't post often enough, so I'll try to post more often.
I've already called ahead to price block for another wall beneath the front wall of the house, and Lumber 84 is the cheapest price around on concrete blocks. I'm going for them tomorrow morning, after I meet Bobby at the house and get them to working.
I'm going to have Hugh Morgan tear out the old chimney that runs up through the kitchen and upstairs bathroom, and we'll use it for rubble in the front porch, too.
There's so much to do, but I'm still tired, even after a day's rest.
More later.
I've been really sice with a bad cold/flu and pnemonia.
I stayed in bed on and off all day today.
Yesterday was cold and windy, and I worked at the new house all day, and I guess all the wind and cold got to me. I'm pretty exhausted, too, and my resistance is low.
Bobby and crw and I got the floor of the fount porch knocked down. It was a lot stronger than I would have thought. It took hours of sledge-hammering, spudging-stick, and hard pounding to get it all broken and dropped to the ground. The walls I had built didn't meet with Bobby's approval, so I had to tear them down and nail wood there to keep the sand (for fill) from pushing the stucco off the walls.
After they left for the day (about 4:00), I waited for the sand to get there, and picked up stones and rocks from all over the place to throw in to fill the space.
Rocks are cheap, and my labor is free.
I also dug the yellow solid bricks out of the old sidewalk to re-use in a patio area for later.
I left there about 6:00, and dropped by the Family Dollar for a short visit with the ladies. I drank a cola with them, then came home to get a bath, shampoo my hair, and go to bed. I was whipped.
I was also pretty dirty.
Bobby was not coming to work today, so I just laid around and got some rest.
I'm terribly stuffed up, and it's hard to breathe.
Elaine said I didn't post often enough, so I'll try to post more often.
I've already called ahead to price block for another wall beneath the front wall of the house, and Lumber 84 is the cheapest price around on concrete blocks. I'm going for them tomorrow morning, after I meet Bobby at the house and get them to working.
I'm going to have Hugh Morgan tear out the old chimney that runs up through the kitchen and upstairs bathroom, and we'll use it for rubble in the front porch, too.
There's so much to do, but I'm still tired, even after a day's rest.
More later.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
I've been really busy (and Steve has, too) working here and at the new house.
I think I may have contacted a slight case of pnemonia from all the plaster, cement, and other dusts, and from the cold and damp in the crawl space and cellar, where we've been working a lot.
My shoulders, neck, and back are so sore.
I've been crawling around in the crawl space cleaning out some rubble that someone had left there, and stacking it under the front porch for fill, so that we can pour another surface of concrete.
The work is hard and in a cramped space, and it's dark and cold under the house.
That concrete is really hard and heavy. I wish I knew their formula.
I've worn out two pairs of leather work gloves.
Steve got the livingroom light working. It had not worked in a long time, and there were no wires to it. He had to fish wire through some incredible holes and cavities, and we wanted a four-way set of switches, so that you can turn on the lights from several entrance points around the room. One is by the front door, one at the foot of the stairs and by the dining room door, and one by the entrance to the living room from the sun room.
It sure is nice to have a real light in there.
Bobby is supposed to show up today to start the construction on the front porch.
I will write more later, as I need to help Steve pack his truck, and I need to get up to the house to meet Bobby there.
I think I may have contacted a slight case of pnemonia from all the plaster, cement, and other dusts, and from the cold and damp in the crawl space and cellar, where we've been working a lot.
My shoulders, neck, and back are so sore.
I've been crawling around in the crawl space cleaning out some rubble that someone had left there, and stacking it under the front porch for fill, so that we can pour another surface of concrete.
The work is hard and in a cramped space, and it's dark and cold under the house.
That concrete is really hard and heavy. I wish I knew their formula.
I've worn out two pairs of leather work gloves.
Steve got the livingroom light working. It had not worked in a long time, and there were no wires to it. He had to fish wire through some incredible holes and cavities, and we wanted a four-way set of switches, so that you can turn on the lights from several entrance points around the room. One is by the front door, one at the foot of the stairs and by the dining room door, and one by the entrance to the living room from the sun room.
It sure is nice to have a real light in there.
Bobby is supposed to show up today to start the construction on the front porch.
I will write more later, as I need to help Steve pack his truck, and I need to get up to the house to meet Bobby there.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday, March 4, 2011 AM
I tried to post yesterday about all the progress, but something happened to this infernal computer, and it dumped a very long, involved post.
I'm about to dump something, myself.
It's been really busy around here.
We finally got the water on at the new house. That will be a huge blessing. It's really hard to clean when you have to go without water, and I've about gotten really tired of an 'outhouse' for a bathroom. I don't know how our fore fathers managed, but they did. I don't recon it would kill anyone, but it's nicer to have indoor plumbing.
There's a leak on the city side of the meter, but Jeff Moyers told me they would not fix it. I'll just have to pay a higher bill, fix it myself (which I'm not allowed to do), or put my own cut-off valve on the line on our side of the meter.
Barbara couldn't believe me when I told her of this exchange. She should get out more often.
I've been tearing up the slate in the upstairs sun room, and it's a choking cloud of dust every time I pull up another tile. It had burst loose from the plywood underneath it, and most of it comes up pretty easily, but it's dirty work, and it's really heavy, so carrying it downstairs to store it until I can re-use it is a real task.
I think I'm going to put it on the new kitchen floor. It's a charcoal shade, and will look good in a kitchen. I'd like clear oak or white cabinets.
Steve is in real trouble with me right now....he used the awful 'B' word to me---BUDGET!
He should know to not use such ugly words around a lady.
Beth came by yesterday morning for a little visit.
Amy and Donna Kidwell came by yesterday afternoon to get the 50-cent tour, also.
Amy thinks the house is overwhelming, but Donna sees the potential, and encouraged me lots. I learned in our conversation that she also has Fibro..the disease of the devil.
They both want to see it when it's finished. So do I.
Steve cut up and carried about a million pieces of old pipe from under the house yesterday. People had hauled all that stuff down there and re-worked the plumbing so many times, and never correctly. It will be done right this time.
I think he's going to Lowe's this morning for a load of his own type of pipe.
He likes that store.
Everyone I have sent pictures to have positive comments about the house.
Betty Pike sent me a lovely e-mail to encourage me. She's my favorite Sister Worker, and if I can pass muster with her, I think I'm doing alright.
Her father, Carl Pike, was one of the most exacting carpenters I've ever known, and a totally rightous man. He's really missed.
He worked on our house at Maple Grove for us, and he always did the best work.
Betty has been really busy helping an aunt get moved, and she's also helping with Von Riddle, a man in the Truth. He had a bad fall, and his wife, Mary Ruth, is in a wheel chair, so it looks like he'll wind up in a nursing home. Betty will see to his needs there. She's that kind of person.
Are there any more?
Steve is after me to get my surgery scheduled, so I guess I'll have to call Marsha Morgan to get her on it this week-end. I don't want to go into OR without her there. She's such a good nurse, and a good friend.
Lynn and I have been talking, and she understands me so well about wanting to make our new house a show place. She has such good taste, and she's re-doing her living room now, so we have a lot to talk about. I'm glad we're friends.
Bill, Steve's dad, called to compliment us on our new house. Steve had sent him some pictures.
He says he likes to read about our adventures on this blog.
I had a female sheep to die in a breached birth of (I think) twin lambs. She could hardly walk, then laid down and went into really heavy labor, and died during the night, night before last.
I hated to lose her and her lambs. I have way too many rams.
Baby Ilic, the lady next door, wants some chickens, so I'm going to give her some of mine. I'm going to give her the cochins, because they're so cute, and I think she'd like the way they look with the feathers on their legs.
She's getting into animals, and Mike is exasperated with all the money involved. He's having to build the fences for her, and he's so busy, like everyone else.
Mary is going to work for me two days next week, and I sure need her. I've neglected this house while working on the other one. It's time to start yard work, too. And repairing the top netting on the aviaries. And cleaning the pool and yard furniture. And the roof on the new house needs pressure washing.
Lots to do.
I'm about to dump something, myself.
It's been really busy around here.
We finally got the water on at the new house. That will be a huge blessing. It's really hard to clean when you have to go without water, and I've about gotten really tired of an 'outhouse' for a bathroom. I don't know how our fore fathers managed, but they did. I don't recon it would kill anyone, but it's nicer to have indoor plumbing.
There's a leak on the city side of the meter, but Jeff Moyers told me they would not fix it. I'll just have to pay a higher bill, fix it myself (which I'm not allowed to do), or put my own cut-off valve on the line on our side of the meter.
Barbara couldn't believe me when I told her of this exchange. She should get out more often.
I've been tearing up the slate in the upstairs sun room, and it's a choking cloud of dust every time I pull up another tile. It had burst loose from the plywood underneath it, and most of it comes up pretty easily, but it's dirty work, and it's really heavy, so carrying it downstairs to store it until I can re-use it is a real task.
I think I'm going to put it on the new kitchen floor. It's a charcoal shade, and will look good in a kitchen. I'd like clear oak or white cabinets.
Steve is in real trouble with me right now....he used the awful 'B' word to me---BUDGET!
He should know to not use such ugly words around a lady.
Beth came by yesterday morning for a little visit.
Amy and Donna Kidwell came by yesterday afternoon to get the 50-cent tour, also.
Amy thinks the house is overwhelming, but Donna sees the potential, and encouraged me lots. I learned in our conversation that she also has Fibro..the disease of the devil.
They both want to see it when it's finished. So do I.
Steve cut up and carried about a million pieces of old pipe from under the house yesterday. People had hauled all that stuff down there and re-worked the plumbing so many times, and never correctly. It will be done right this time.
I think he's going to Lowe's this morning for a load of his own type of pipe.
He likes that store.
Everyone I have sent pictures to have positive comments about the house.
Betty Pike sent me a lovely e-mail to encourage me. She's my favorite Sister Worker, and if I can pass muster with her, I think I'm doing alright.
Her father, Carl Pike, was one of the most exacting carpenters I've ever known, and a totally rightous man. He's really missed.
He worked on our house at Maple Grove for us, and he always did the best work.
Betty has been really busy helping an aunt get moved, and she's also helping with Von Riddle, a man in the Truth. He had a bad fall, and his wife, Mary Ruth, is in a wheel chair, so it looks like he'll wind up in a nursing home. Betty will see to his needs there. She's that kind of person.
Are there any more?
Steve is after me to get my surgery scheduled, so I guess I'll have to call Marsha Morgan to get her on it this week-end. I don't want to go into OR without her there. She's such a good nurse, and a good friend.
Lynn and I have been talking, and she understands me so well about wanting to make our new house a show place. She has such good taste, and she's re-doing her living room now, so we have a lot to talk about. I'm glad we're friends.
Bill, Steve's dad, called to compliment us on our new house. Steve had sent him some pictures.
He says he likes to read about our adventures on this blog.
I had a female sheep to die in a breached birth of (I think) twin lambs. She could hardly walk, then laid down and went into really heavy labor, and died during the night, night before last.
I hated to lose her and her lambs. I have way too many rams.
Baby Ilic, the lady next door, wants some chickens, so I'm going to give her some of mine. I'm going to give her the cochins, because they're so cute, and I think she'd like the way they look with the feathers on their legs.
She's getting into animals, and Mike is exasperated with all the money involved. He's having to build the fences for her, and he's so busy, like everyone else.
Mary is going to work for me two days next week, and I sure need her. I've neglected this house while working on the other one. It's time to start yard work, too. And repairing the top netting on the aviaries. And cleaning the pool and yard furniture. And the roof on the new house needs pressure washing.
Lots to do.
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