Wind

11-22-2011 ~ Blog #410

(David)

It was windy.

Plywood Walls

The exterior walls of the addition are sheathed with plywood; as I write the walls are now actually mostly covered with Tyvek.  My work pace has slowed significantly, but I'm still making progress.

Grandparents' Day

Yesterday was Grandparents' Day at IHM; Papa and Nana and hundreds of other grandparents visited our school.

Happy 92nd Birthday Papa

11-5-2011 ~ Blog #409

(David & Joan)

Papa turned 92 last Friday.  It was a busy weekend with two Halloween parties in the works and a birthday party for two of the girls to attend, but we managed to take Papa out to eat and give him a pie and some presents.  Truthfully, by age 92, he is really happy just to be here - and so are we.

Shingles and Rubber

The new addition has been shingled and the skylight and the helicopter pad have been flashed. Last night the girls and I rubberized the helicopter pad. Once I build and install the polycarbonate skylight the roof will be 100% complete.  I'd like to endorse my shingle guy/roofer: Johnny Clendenen.  Johnny did an excellent job shingling and flashing our roof.  He paid careful attention to details and kept waste and cost to an absolute minimum.  I am confident that a big company would have charged much more for inferior/rushed work.  If you are looking for a roofer in the Akron area, call Johnny Clendenen at (330) 794-2459

Johnny Clendenen finishing up.

The rubber membrane on the helicopter pad.  If we don't get a helicopter by spring, I may just build an observatory on it instead.

Papa and Nana - On the Town

Last night Papa and Nana attended a Knights of Columbus Veterans Dinner at Our Lady of Victory Church. 

They said the dinner was great as well as the big band era live music.

Halloween Parties

Two back to back Halloween parties were held this year for the girls and their friends.  One had friends from the neighborhood and the other school friends.  We had to make due with a smaller than normal house since the new porch is not enclosed yet, but even with the tight accommodations - the girls had fun. 

The black light room this year had a glow in the dark fountain and black light Pictionary.

Part of the basement was turned into a disco with spinning mirror ball and cans of silly string.

Trick-Or-Treat

Trick or Treat night was supposed to be cold with icy rain.  We dressed the girls in many layers because no one wanted to be seen in a coat instead of a costume.  Minutes after we started, the rain stopped and the sun came out. it was by no means a warm night, but without precipitation, it was very enjoyable. After trick or treat we all enjoyed a nice "after party" at the Grimms' house.

The girls thought it was cool to get candy from the police.  The patrolman drove down the street, stopped, and put the rollers on and the passed out candy.  See Anni's amazed reaction to the event below.

Window Painting

Svea and a friend entered the Cuyahoga Falls Halloween Window Painting Contest.  They didn't win, but they had fun.

Girl Scout Camping

Annika and I spent two consecutive weekends camping with the Girl Scouts.  At the first one, mothers and daughters participated in astronomy lessons, archery and treasure hunts.  The Girl Scout camp was the "Hilton" of all camps complete with lovely accommodations including indoor bathrooms.   The second trip was with Annika's entire troop.  This camping was the first graders' first camping experience with outdoor latrines.  Luckily they had a seventh grade troop of girls to lead them through the overnight and show them that "roughing it" wasn't so bad.

Yes, there are two intertwined snakes on this branch.