Saturday, June 22, 2013

Back of the House: Done!

This spring, one of our projects was to redo the back of the house.  There were a variety of projects on the back that needed tending to:

- Fill in the shingles in the space that had black tar-paper from a chimney that was taken down over 20 years ago.

- Power wash, prime and put 2 coats of Shaker stain on all the shingles.

- Paint the trim along the roof-line, around the window and door the Halifax blue

- Paint the screen door the Tamale red, including newly painted hinges and new pulls

- Install a new back door light


With the help of Mike Mitchell, we are now able to say it is done!  It totally brightens up the back of the house and alley-way.  Our neighbors have asked if we put up new shingles!  Two sides down, two to go!
 

Monday, June 10, 2013

House Party....

Mike painting the back
During July and August, the only work "allowable" on our Campground Cottage is painting.  No work that generates noise is allowed.  Consequently, during May and June the Campground is filled with the noise from sanders and hammers.  We scheduled contract work on the back of the house to fill shingles in the gap left from chimney that was taken down years ago.  Then the entire back of the house needs to be painted.  We have also hired a contractor, plumber and carpenter to install a small half bath upstairs.  In such a small space, small fixtures needed to be found and all the plumbing needed to run under the house, in a very small space.  Add to that our own work painting and shingling the "purple" side of the house, framing out windows and installing a new stain-glass window.

Carpenter working on bath  
The stars are aligned for these two weeks.  Everyone has been working at the house, often getting into each other's way in our little cottage.  The back of the house is really coming along.  It is completely primed with first and final coats painted.  The half bath has been rough plumbed.  The carpenter is here now putting up walls.
Barry and Guy working on tools

Our friend, Guy Roy, has graciously offered to help Barry for a couple days.  They spent this morning pulling the walls back into the house and securing them.  After fighting with the sticky rain-shield paper, they started putting up shingles.  They were able to get 4 courses of shingles done.  One benefit:  the shingles are already primed with 2 coats of finish paint.

A ton of TLC is being placed upon our little gingerbread this June of 2013.  I am excited to see what it will look like on July 1st.
Guy "pulling" the wall in

Sunday, June 2, 2013

We ARE Blessed

Barry and I count our blessings everyday, wondering how we have been so lucky to have so much in our lives.  After a very hectic week, this weekend on the Vineyard was a special time for us to stop and just enjoy.  Barry had budget hearings every night this past week which took its toll.  I had a doctor's appointment in Boston, School Committee one night and too many evaluations to finish.  The end of the school year is a very hectic time of year with deadlines looming large.  Needless to say, we were both in need of some recharging.

What a weekend!  Can it get any better?  The weather on the Vineyard this weekend was outstanding.  That also meant that there were no excuses in getting some work done!  Nothing like some hard physical labor to cure what ails you.  What did we do?  First coat of trim paint, wash and iron all the curtains, mulch and miraclegrow the flowerbeds, trim out a window, prime shingles, empty the closet for the plumber, and tons of laundry.

Did we have time for fun?  Of course!  We went to the Lookout for dinner Friday night.  With our MV Football Team discount card (fundraiser that cost $10), we got free calamari ($10.50) with our dinner.  Barry even got oysters.  The best part?  The view of the Sound with a nice breeze and plenty of sights! We did stop by the Black Dog outlet but didn't buy.  Saturday evening we made burgers and sat on the porch and enjoyed the quiet!  My favorite thing...to sit rocking on the porch watching the world go by.

The common phrase all weekend:   "Could it get any better?"  It was what I imagine retirement to be like:  long walks, working around the house, sitting on the porch rocking, talking with friends, and enjoying life.  I find it challenging to live in the moment and savor it.  This weekend I really worked at that.  Not sure why we have been so lucky in life, but we are very grateful to God that we have been so blessed.