A Walk in the Clouds!

It's been quite surreal this past week.  The clouds slowly moved in Sunday evening and haven't really left.  Tuesday the drive to work was sown to 30 feet of visibility in spots because the clouds were so low.  We've had lots of rain - probably close to two inches since the storm Sunday evening - it's misty this afternoon.  Lots of mud and even mugs of hot tea and cocoa.

These pics are from a walk Sunday afternoon with Abba before he left.  As we walked south toward the mesa (up hill) he wanted some pictures of the house and what we see from the house:

End of July Visitor

Poor Momma got left behind on my parents' planned trip to visit last weekend.  She had lots of great company in my dad's absence, and he put in lots of work.

Friday he helped me install tile in the bathroom.  We got ourselves to the transition line - at which point Tom and I need to work out the spacing of the "accent" tile.  Friday, Pop, Abba, and I also got the dishwasher in.  Pop is terrific at solving all that plumbing and wiring stuff.  Moving right along...

Abba and I also pulled out the bathroom door, sanded and oiled it.  Then I had the pleasure of pulling out Tom's chisel to get the holes/space just right for the door knob.  I think I was just telling my two dads not to say anything to Tom about using the chisel when he walked through the kitchen door.  Busted - but not my hand!

Saturday morning, Thomas picked up Abba and hauled him and a bunch of equipment down to the lake tank for cleaning.  It is our assignment for workday for our domestic water users association.  I figured it would be a fun - if not different - job than he's used to when he visits.  He and Tio climbed in and brushed down the walls while Thomas tried to keep the pump running to suck out all the muck.  (Meanwhile, I showed up to deliver drinks and take pictures and got put to work.  I was also preparing our dish for the potluck.)

In the afternoon we left Thomas to attend the meeting, and Abba and I tackled another door.  Abba got to oil a bunch of floor trim, some of which Tom already installed!  And our grand finale of the day - we got the refrigerator in the house.

And our last day of work - Sunday - and Abba's last day in town:  they got the stove in!  They also got countertops screwed down to the cabinets.  Those guys were so productive, while I had church stuff in town.  I finished off the third door, while those guys did what they do best!

 Our corner counter top got a little fancy fabrication work.  It turned out awesome.  One more countertop to go, and the kitchen will be near ready for a first meal...the sink and faucet are ready for installation next!

Progress in so many ways

I haven't posted much lately, as I've been swamped.  There's always work to be done at home, and I was feeling a little ragged after a couple intense weeks for VBS at work. 

picture of the pretty wood flooring in our room - it's a collection of mix and match widths, lengths, and colors - creating a beautiful patchwork - thanks Habitat ReStore

this was finished in June

Thomas was finishing the lacquer on these when I chiseled my hand - looks so good!

installing this was a great way to celebrate Independence Day 

the microwave/hood vent fought us terribly, but ultimately fits perfectly

I won't say how many attempts we made to get it up - but the lesson: never trust a template!

(you can see the trim is up on the ceiling and the top of the cabinet - subtle, yes?)

we cut our counter tops on July 5th

I inadvertently created some elevated blood pressures when I announced there was one more package left in the closet when there were actually two.  Phew - after I just said that this "model" was no longer available!

I had to work on Sunday to get ready for VBS.  Meanwhile, Thomas had fun welding - much more interesting for him than messing with that microwave, I'm sure.  He is welding the steel frame for a shelf that will create a partition between the stairwell and the main floor.  Part shelf - part banister - all really cool looking!

our tile floor is so pretty and really ties the room together

we got almost all of it installed before the gully washer on Sunday put an end to tile cutting 

(an outside operation - no mud allowed inside!) 

just need to install the pieces around the cabinets and ready for grout!

It's been a busy few weekends.  We are keeping busy on the weeknights, too.  Moving in may be around the corner!

I Need a Hand

Actually, we're about to get a pair of hands in the way of help from my parents in a couple weeks.  In the meantime, I am much more able-bodied than two weeks ago.  After undressing my hand two weeks ago and seeing that mess, Thomas pulled the stitches out for me one week ago.

without the crusty blood, the stitches are kind of pretty

just before Tom snipped them out

When the stitches came out, I was terribly depressed that the pretty blue string didn't miraculously heal everything.  It wasn't so much scabby as it was crusty.  The skin hardened while it was all puckered up, so I still couldn't open my hand up much.

after the stitches came out

it felt like a gaping canyon

Then this weekend I got brave and trimmed off the dead stuff.  The crusty edge remained hard, but the skin started yellowing all around it and getting "loose".  My little sewing scissors - once cleaned - were perfect for trimming back all the dead stuff that just wanted to snag on anything in its way.

a week after the stitches cam out

not too bad...

It still feels tender and lumpy and all that, but it is much easier to look at.  Trimming out the bit right on the ridge of the webbing really allowed me to open up my hand even more.  I'm still protective of it, but it's healing...

I Interrupt This Weekend of Work...

Work came to a grinding halt on Saturday around noon.  It sure wasn't what we planned, but I am taking full blame for this one.  After getting a row of tile up in the bathroom (involving using the angle grinder) and doing a little painting, I putzed around waiting for Thomas to finish a project so we could go in for lunch.  I was messing around, chiseling at a small block of wood that wasn't chiseling so well.  Grabbing onto the block with my left hand, I pried at my cuts with the chisel and ... whoops, chisel slipped right into my left hand.

I failed to mention that Thomas just sharpened the chisel very thoroughly Friday night.

It didn't hurt, but the blood spurting out made me curse.  Thomas jumped off the ladder and rushed over to see what I did.  I opened my fist to reveal through the blood that I needed stitches.  Curse, curse, curse.

We arrived in Raton faster than ever - thanks, Love!  When Thomas asked if the blood was soaking through my temporary bandage, I mistook his concern for my well-being with justification for the cop that might pull us over, but we didn't see a single one along the highway.  Gratefully we arrived to a nearly empty parking lot at the emergency room.

The doc confirmed that I hit an artery - no other explanation for all the blood loss.  He sewed me up with seven stitches, but suspected the bleeding might not be over.  Gratefully he was wrong about that, though I'd like to think I get some credit for being careful and not doing anything to stress the stitches.  Thomas intended to banish me from the house, but acquiesced Sunday and let me oil some trim and do a little one handed painting.

Last night I got to unravel the dressing and finally see what it looks like.  It isn't pretty at all, and I'll bet it's going to leave an ugly scar.  But I am thankful I didn't do anything worse.

an un-zooomed, non-gruesome shot 

With regards to the house - everything looks so awesome.  The master bedroom flooring is done and looks so beautiful.  Tom's been hanging trip around the ceiling, which looks amazing.  He finished trimming out, painting, and lacquering the corner/stair windows, which are stunning.  I can't wait to call it home!