What ? has it been two weeks already ?

It has been over two weeks since I posted last about nothing happening well that continued for a bit longer but finally --

Well like Scarlet said  "Tomorrow is another day"  and indeed it finally got here.  The port-a-jon is gone from the font yard and we have moved out of the basement.  Early last week we finally got the last of the various tradesmen, craftsmen, inspectors and so on to complete enough of their tasks to get clean up done and moving back in started.

 above is Oscar the main carpenter guy and below is one of the various painter/plaster guys

 and below was highlight - two different guy from different companies working at the same time.  Also in the photo is the pleasant shade of green port-a-jon that graced our front yard for three short - count 'em - three months.

 Towards the end you would have thought the scene below was what we were aiming for.  Partial completion of about everything.  Ask us if we were frustrated.  No don't scratch that scab.

Anyway moving day finally got here end of last week and we move into the new space day and out of the garage and basement day.  Note the basement kitchen we had been using of microwave toaster oven and not seen but often used hotplate.  Note also neat comfortable arrangement of living space with ample storage of stuff while in the basement.  Note also James doing some of the work.  We were some kinda glad to have him here helping.  He carried hundreds of boxes of dishes, pots, silverware, and stuff back up the stairs.

Here is Patt thinking just what ought to go where and why do we have so many boxes of zip lock plastic bags ?  I packed up all that stuff and knew we had multiples of some supplies- I apparently in my last year or two of grocery shopping think the coupon for zip lock bags for example needs to be used every time you see one since zip lock bags are so handy.  Apparently you don't need umpteen boxes.

 Anyway we are making progress in putting away stuff:  and we do like the open look of the new arrangement.

Getting the rest of the boxes unloaded  and finishing moving in will help.  

And we do like the lighter floor color

We still have a way to go but we are getting there.

The personality of the house is different and it lives differently already.

Looking forward to having some guests. 

A bit of reality check.  We still have a punch list.  Not a long one nor one that is one to worry about, or one that hinders our living in the new space at all -- so compared to where we have been -- we are in good shape- as is obvious.

update on the tomorrow of promise

well tomorrow got here -- which actually was yesterday, and the painter did not show up, the plumber did and completed his work,  and the electrician did too and did a lot of stuff, but he needed the painter to do some plaster work and he also did not have all needed supplies so he said he would be back tomorrow meaning today but it is late in the afternoon and he is not here so perhaps it will really be tomorrow.  The electrician  did discover something that required the gas guy to have to return which he did do today.  - as promised -

did you follow all that, it is complicated -- I am so glad the private sector is so reliable and does things right the first time and gets to critique us government workers -- which the electrician did to no end.  I think he listens to Rush.

no new photos taken but here is one that I am so glad to no longer have operational.  It is of the staircase when it was covered to help control the dust and dirt from all the work.

I can not remember if I used them before of not but they were such a pain to navigate entry and exit to the stairwell and so depressing.  They were a big part of this project.

we actually ended up putting old sheets on the steps to help keep the carpet clean and not track trash up stairs.  Complain complain whine whine whine.  I need to get over it. ya think

at least this stuff is gone.

and upon review and reflection we are making incremental progress - incremental- and the painter is coming tomorrow. 

Getting new floors and Kate Graduated too

Logical title of a blog is't it?  Well actually it is.  Our renovations continue at a snails pace.  (But the snails pace movement is not the link to Kate.)   Over the last two weeks, the floors were sanded -- here is living room with edges sanded and parts of the den sanded (note the new opening between the two rooms)

 Here is an actual worker working in the dinning room.  The entire first floor, old and new floors were sanded and stained.

 and here is the new look.  Lighter and brighter and the finish has some name like "historic oak" or something like that in case you were interested in that type of information.  Just remember, often wrong never in doubt when dealing with me and this level of knowledge about stuff.

I do know the walls are not "urban putty",  We considered that shade of white/gray and did not like it.   I do like the new floors and the new paint on the walls whose proper name escapes me.  I will make up something if it pleases you, or if you want to know exact color of white that is not white or gray that we ended up with.

and now to Kate's graduation and how these posts are linked.  -- While floors were being refinished (during refinishing one can not be in the house due to access and odors/fumes) we were refugees in Graham, which coincided with Elon College's -- check that --University's 2013 Class getting certified.   We stayed with  Janet at het house.  Absolutely enjoyed our time there.  She has the most wonderful screen porch and backyard.  We did indeed enjoy our time there.


And while there we celebrated Kate's graduation many times over.  Kate was extremely patient, being photographed approximately 8 or 9 times.  And she did indeed complete requirements for graduation and has diploma to prove it.

 Photos courtesy of Kelly and Beth, who report that Kate was number 135 from the left in the  photo (or in the program ) out of about 6,483, 497, 357, 344, 361 graduates in Elon's largest class yet.

Here Kate is surrounded by Dad and Uncles with Name tags to assist recent grads, (you know how those Elon grads are)  and uncles have provided no end of good advice on next steps after graduation.

From what we understand the major suggestions still under consideration remain, Charlotte Police Academy, Thomas OTH truck driver & heavy equipment operator's school, and the Professional Bar Tending Institute of Greensboro.  So it is obvious additional training is in the future.

 The full array of aunts, uncles and parental units (also with name tags) 

Congratulations Kate.

and 

btw

we are now back in Raleigh,

the electrician did not show up today, 

due tomorrow,

the plumber did come today

but must come back tomorrow

the painter is due tomorrow 

tomorrow is an important word in my vocabulary you may have noticed

somehow I think tomorrow will not be as full as expected

today certainly wasn't

Being in Wilmington

Well you know you are in Wilmington with all the towers and steeples.  The municipal building and the churches on Third Street certainly are landmarks.  Patt and I were in town for three days as Patt was attending a conference and I, well, I was there too.  Andrew loaned me one of his bicycles and I rode around town two of the mornings we were in town, taking a few iPhone photos.  Someone forgot to remind me to bring the camera.  

 Rode on quiet brick and cobblestone streets, 

and followed streets to dead ends at all sorts of interesting places.

of course saw lots of churches, St Mary's here. (I think)

And Andrew's house too.  We had dinner with Andrew and Jenna one evening, delightful evening it was. We ended up back at their house on 2nd St. which is just up from all the action area of town.  It is a real nice little two story, old, historical,  house complete with a plaque and an  actual stone marker in front of the house commemorating (?) British troops being stationed at this location and surrender of American forces at this particular site too.  Way to go Andrew in "protecting America and all"

Andrew took this photo and sent it to me of the dinner cruise ship that Patt and I were on (look closely on upper deck towards the back-- those two are us).

Patt's convention had chartered the dinner cruise and Patt took me as her date.  My name tag said guest of Patt Crissman, hers had numerous ribbons as in connoting someone at the convention who among other things sponsors a booth, has been to a bunch of these meetings and is a board member too.

 The cruise was fun and as we went past the port stuff we saw a ship from Panama.  Patt recognized the flag, I could read the word "Panama" on the back of the boat.

  and up river along the wetlands it was very pretty.  It was a grad time being in Wilmington.  I like going to conventions.

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

While away, things around the ole renovation project moved a little slowly for a stretch, cabinets got installed, then things slowed as "waitin' on doors", "granite guy at a convention",  plumbing order not complete, and so on.

 So things just sorta sat here and as Patt has put it we have renovation fatigue.  Hot plate cooking and construction mess is not necessarily a life style we would chose at this point our lives.

 Well granite guy got back from his convention, and  so with helpers, as apparently it is heavy,

 he installed the granite counter tops.  If the back splash stuff is in, I reckon those people are next.

Doors were delivered yesterday, perhaps this project will indeed be completed.  We again are hopeful.

Flight home

As is rather obvious I had help with my luggage at the airport there as I was preparing to leave.  Those with sharp vision will notice Isaac just at the top of Lydia's head will to the front pulling my carry-on bag at a rather high rate of speed.  (You may have noticed the terminal is large and new -- you noticed correctly - you could add nice too).

Flights were all on time, seat assignments as good as you can get since none were upgraded to business ( darn it) and gates close, immigration and such smooth and of course sad to leave and glad to be home.

Last day is here again

A regular day includes me taking the kids to school followed by noodles on the street and watching the world go by for an interesting breakfast, which indeed is a good way to start the day --  The ride is not far, and gets the day started.

It has been fun taking the kids to school, and after leaving them experimenting with and settling on a breakfast.  this is the view from my breakfast table - observing and occasionally, but not to often being observed.

Today though we did some special shopping.  In addition to my departure tomorrow, Matt is leaving for a few days and will have an opportunity to take some school supplies to an impoverished community.  He was supposed to make this trip while I was here but schedules got changed and well he didn't, they rented a new apartment instead.  That is another story, but the trip is got delayed and is now on.

So the kids took some of their allowance and went to the local dongshei ("stuff") store -- that by the way is and excellent name for the store -- think old time hardware store crossed with old time 5 & dime store with" made in Japan" stuff from the early 50's -- yes that cheap plastic and metal stuff -- it is still being manufactured

name something other than food and clothing -- it is in there -- and the store is smaller than the living room-  kitchen of your house.  but packed.  Seriously -- coat tree - check , tape measure - check, cook pots- check, toy Dr. set- check, basketball- check, perfume- check, window fan- check, hammer- check, and so on.  

Though we were not buying toys, there were some that did need to be checked out, especially the big trucks. 

And the isles and a little tight,  

they bought notebooks, pens, pencil boxes, erasures, stickers, each item carefully selected.

 the proprietor  patient and helpful

The kids do a lot of shopping here and know the store and staff well.
(and are well known)

and of course I enjoyed watching it all, very very much.

in the morning it is off to the airport and home, been great --sure will miss being here but looking forward to getting home too.

Where's John Paul ?

though the answer to that question was easy this time, it is not always so.  A very frequently called name is "John Paul"  oh John Paul"  where are you?  This little guy, is unbelievably curious, excited, excitable, and fast, very fast -- also coordinated for someone who is two and a few months old--or so it appears to me.  

Apparently he is left handed though not yet certain as has not completely settled hand preference nor has he selected favorite toys playing with all of them and building things with these large legos.  

He may take a stool off the porch around the corner to the key pad entry to the door to the stairwell and start punching keys as he sees the upstairs neighbors do or take one of the riding toys and be off.  Matt and Laura's efforts at boundaries are a work in progress.  ( probably always will be.  I have not shared that piece of good news with them )

 and goodness he is one loving little boy.  Note how he has tilted his head into my chest.  He does actively engage with others --- his grandaddy is one pushover for this kind of response.

 Adventure taking and in the park you had best be fast and not let your attention drift.

 As he and Isaac will be either together or gone separate directions rapidly in a hurry.

 John Paul, Luke, Laura and I went to a wholesalers shop area that is somewhat near where they live that supplies the many little stores, markets, streets vendors,  shops, and bulk purchasers  that are in the area.  It is row after row of speciality wholesale type shop one selling toothbrushes, another soft drinks, another candies, another shoes, various kinds of packaged or bulk foods and so on.

 and yes Laura drove right down that alley way after the white car did a 180 degree turn with lots of back and forward motions as the other motorized carts tried to squeeze through prior to completion of the turn -being very helpful to all concerned and expediting the process -- (not -- and sometimes I wonder just how anything gets done here )

 and here is John Paul about to start unloading the box that the clerk has loaded for Laura,  ( hence earning a chance to hear his name again).  I am holding Luke and  a camera.  Laura has been talking to the clerks, calling to John Paul as he moves around the store  and checking a list.  I assume when I am not here, Luke is in a backpack or one or both kids are at home with the helper.

what reminds me of our kids ?

Karen asked what reminded me of our kids when I was with Laura and Matt's kids, well first it ought to be easy for Karen to answer that question from looking at this photo.   She played with one of them when she was little.  This one.  

That is just for a starter too.  Yes indeed Lydia does look just a bit like Laura.  Lydia above at 5 and one half and Laura below at close to 5 but not quite is my guess.  Julianna looks a bit like Laura in profile I think and some expressions for sure.  I know Isaac is related to Laura because she was the last one with him just as he was born, but he is a ringer for his Dad.  No mistaking that, about all Laura's contribution to Isaac as far as I can tell is keeping him warm for those nine months.  And have already mentioned Luke's similar body construction to his Uncle ( solid ) 

 Crafts are a big deal, much like they were for  their Mom and Uncle and cousins.

 and neatness does not always count.  the effort and concentration is uniform and intense much like it was in times of yore.

 Snack time is also a big hit and much appreciated.  Molasses cookies with red hots are also huge, which ought to be a sure fire memory for Laura and Stephen.

and though in general good humor and grace and good will generally prevail, an occasional space / sharing / turn issue does come up that is not resolved amicably initially which I think was also true back home in Raleigh.

another note that is similar is that the kids do seem to have a real good time and spend a lot of time laughing -- and going to bed early --There are lots more similarities and some differences too, and time place and situations are always changing - --