Just wait...

Silly me.  I didn't take a photo before we started work today and only now realized I didn't have a "before" picture.  So.... the top photo is from Sept. 2 when Bruce & John put in the new window upstairs.  However, putting in the window was all they did inside the room.  Today we spent time and energy getting that room back together again.  Lost count of the number of times we went up and down the stairs and out to the garage.  When we'd made 4 trips for the top trim over the window we decided it was time to call it a day.  I know that wall looks a bit cobbed together at the moment but just wait.  The next time I post a picture of this room it's going to have a whole new look.

Coming home to roost...

How on earth could I forget yesterday to take a photo of "Debby's chickens"?  They look perfect perched on the porch posts.  In case you're wondering, they won't fall off.  There's a double ended screw securing them to the posts.

P2 - Finishing the last, we hope, of the trim on the door wall.

P3 - My artistic shot of the day.  I call it "John's World"...  (Actually, he's putting in the last piece of base molding we had to replace.)

P4 - Upper left corner - Yesterday there was a hole; today it's a carpenter's answer to a patchwork quilt.  Now for a little paint, a little caulk, or is it the other way around?

P5 - Out with the chairs; up with the clothes hooks.  John's "wardrobe" takes a step up.  Personally, I'm waiting on a closet...

A rainy day...

Nothing new that's exciting to report unless you agree with Bertha that getting your basket back by the window is exciting.  Gus is still trying to figure out where his seat of choice is.

The rest of the day is a blur not unlike these photos.  Hung the mirror in the bedroom; installed the door closures on the storm door, top and bottom; primed and painted odd bits of trim for here and there; decided to put the pencil sharpener under the desk. (Bertha thought this was great fun but my bet is it will probably not make it to your top 10 fun things of the day.)  What's John doing on the ladder?  That's anyone's guess.  He did mention something about wondering where his gloves were...

We're back!

Our "show me" friends, Jeannette & Don, decided that watching our progress on this blog just wasn't good enough for someone from Missouri.  Their visit was a perfect opportunity to enjoy some great fall weather with friends while we wait on our siding nailer to arrive.  (Sorry I forgot to get their photo...)

P1 - The trim is now around the upper window and work continues on the corner to the left of the ladder.
P2 - A few more clapboards up, enough to allow the wiring of the outdoor outlet.  VERY important since the electrical inspector was coming.  We passed.
P3 & P4 - Thanks to Debby & Susan the furniture got rearranged this afternoon.  Seems to be much more sociable.  The 3 of us didn't have a problem conversing, i.e. no shouting across the room.  Of course John has yet to test the new arrangement out during nap time...
P5 - Can you see them in the photo?  The geese are V-ing up and going on practice flights.  At least we gather this is a practice flight.  They were heading due west...

And then there was the treat of rain...

The trim on the porch front is now complete plus, wonder of wonders, we even put up the clapboards and did the caulking.  On a roll, the porch ceiling was a piece of cake.

P2 - can you see what's different?  The first clapboard went up.

So that's it folks.  Between the weather and guests and other obligations there won't be another post until next Thursday.  Expect us to return refreshed and ready to wrap this project up before the snow flies.

Back to trim...

If you think this task of trimming will never go away,  trust me, you're not alone.  However, the trim on what I'm now calling the "odd end" is now all in place (we hope).  And the porch has been started.  Company brought today's project to a halt just in the nick of time.  John's knees from going up and down the ladder were just about to rebel.

Thank heavens for cats!

Whenever I forget to tell you we'll be up to other things, I can always fall back on a photo of the cats.  Gus is beat.  Early this morning he caught a mole and left it at the door for us.  (So far we've seen his "gifts" but it's probably only a matter of time before our feet...)  A bit later we looked out the window in the right of the photo to see a deer standing there snorting and stamping her foot.  Sure enough.  There was Gus on the porch having a stare down with her.  This afternoon he had to chase away a stray cat.  No wonder he's asleep while Bertha is on guard duty.