First patio party.

It was a good day. Daughter brought her entourage over for a fun afternoon of touring the new construction, hammering, and playing with the neighbor boy from across the fence. Once she got acclimated, Lauren enjoyed being the tour guide and taking anyone that would agree to it - on a tour of the new house parts.
Koolaid was served on the patio and it was declared the first official patio party. Mr. Macho was taking his Sunday siesta when all this was going down.

Merritt, the Super Carrot.

Lauren playing with the crate that came with the bathtub.

Tucker. Being Tucker. 

Lauren took this picture of me as I served the Pineapple Koolaid.

Lauren liked the Pink Panther paper. And the Koolaid. 

Merritt and Mom. 

Sister kiss. 

Merritt had a terrific time playing with Sister's hair. And nose. She repeatedly drummed on Sister's face. Sister laughed. Hard. 

Sisters. 

*********

After Daughter left - Mr. Macho cleaned out the storage room. I assisted. Old water heater is leaking and the plumber will replace and relocate it for us this week. Along with adding new rooms we are restructuring the storage/laundry rooms into one big laundry room. It will be hopping around here  this week. Tomorrow morning we will all hit the ground running. The electrician, plumber, and roofers should all be here in the a.m. Rocking and rolling. And what not. 

Friday and a storm story.

Just in from snapping the early morning pics before the carpenters get here. Son in town, wife, and Sweet Pea came over and ate supper last night. Sweet Pea had a fun time checking out the construction and playing with scraps of wood. She is adding very many words to her vocabulary. Momma. Dada. Nanny. Grrrddaddy (sort of), football. She is a good eater,too. It seems, for now, that she is using her left hand more than her right. She has some strong lefty genes. My Dad is a lefty. Mr. Macho is a lefty. His sister, Laura, is a lefty. Daughter is also a lefty. Strong genes.
Sweet Pea is also a non-stop busy bee. Constant motion.
Had to be in town yesterday morning and when I got home it didn't seem that there was much change in the construction process. I guess there will be days like that, even though the workers had been here all the time working, hammering, sawing, nailing. I just don't see all the things they do. When Mr. Macho got home he saw. He understands the process. Much better than I did.
(Uncle Jay just called for me to have the tub delivered. Today. Yippee!!)
Pics of the day....

The now covered patio. Will have lights and a fan. So excited about this space. 

Obligatory full shot. Again.

Porch shot.

Can't really tell - there are three closets there. Three!

Looking into the den from the bedroom. I am loving all the windows.

Bedroom view. 

Looking toward back of den. There will be patio doors out to the, yes, porch!

*****

On a sad note - out of town daughter-in-law's Grandma Louis died yesterday. She has not been well for a while but her sudden death was a bit of a shock. Daughter and I took a shine to Grandma Louise when we were around her during the wedding of Out of Town Son. She had some pizazz. And she, obviously, had a terrific love for her granddaughter. 

Happy trails, Louise. Until we meet again!

*****

Today is the one year anniversary of the tornado in Tuscaloosa. One year ago Lauren and I were geared up to watch "The Wedding". I can't believe I am going to post these pics - but here goes. We had the princess gear and we were excited by the Royal Wedding...

Pretty scary, huh? 

Anyway. Before the day was over it really did get scary. Daughter sounded like she was fine when I called her during and immediately after the tornado. They hunkered down in the middle of their house. They had been non-stop watching James Spann on the TV. It did not damage her house. Electricity was out all over the town of Tuscaloosa. When a blackout occurs, it also shuts down information. Not knowing what is going on, especially after watching non-stop weather with the likes of James Spann, is one of the worst parts of any post storm event. By the next morning she was not fine. Her land line was out due to electricity outage. Her cell phone was waning. Water was trickling and, perhaps, not safe. In a brief conversation I told her to come to my house. So, she packed up Tucker and headed over. She stayed for a couple of days. She suffered a slight case of post traumatic stress disorder. Who doesn't after your town is destroyed? Then we loaded her car with bottled water and she migrated back home. I think electricity came back on before or shortly after she got home. Water usage was restored. Garbage pick up was spotty. Most all of Tuscaloosa's garbage trucks were damaged or destroyed. She slowly learned of her friend's losses. Her community's losses. 

Last night while Skyping -Tucker heard a loud vehicle and thought it might be a siren. Tornado siren. He remembers. Storms can be defining events in a life. I know. Camille. Katrina. I know them both. 

************

Got to run call the plumbing supply and have my tub delivered. Go out and make this weekend great. 

*************

Later in the morning.....

While talking to sister, Mimi, this morning I realized that my tornado timeline was somewhat inaccurate. Have asked Daughter to give me her timeline. I have copied and pasted her recollections below:

Lauren's school was closed that week, so Andy had met you with Lauren on the morning of the 27th...Wednesday.
Tucker's school decided to close at noon due to the threat of bad weather.  We had just had another 'early school day' due to weather on the 15th, so it was a little familiar.  Tucker and I got home and watched James and he remembers playing yahtzee.  Around 2:00 (I think) there was a big tornado in Cullman.  I think I called Angie (thinking she was at work still) to tell her that there was a 'bitch of a tornado in Cullman.'  I remember thinking that we had cried wolf (with calling school) and that the weather would miss us.  

Andy had been home asleep but he got up to go to Dr. Fernandez's funeral...maybe at 3?  When he left I gave him strict instructions to come straight home after the service and to not go to his dad's due to the weather.  

Around 5 we started switching between James and WVUA, the TV station that is on campus.  We had seen the radar shots of the storm moving in, but it seemed like all of a sudden, here it was on video.  We were able to see the huge tornado that looked like it was heading straight for the stadium, which is literally 50 feet from the WVUA studio.  At one point, the local weatherman jumped out of the screen to take cover, and in my memory that is when our power cut off.  Tucker, Andy and I got in the hall with our pillows.  James Spann had mentioned Skyland at one point, but I think we realized it wasn't coming directly for us.

Andy keeps a battery-operated radio, so we had some idea of what was going on, but it was impossible to really understand the scope at first. After the storm had passed, I remember James saying that University Mall and DCH had taken a direct hit.  He used a word to describe the damage...I think it was 'leveled.'  I remember thinking, 'that cannot be right.  Someone is giving him misinformation.'

Of course we had no power, so we foolishly tried to order a pizza.  Landlines were spotty and we couldn't get through on the phone (they wouldn't have had power either).  I got a few texts, I remember one from Aunt Rhonda, but I couldn't get a text out.  I know I talked with y'all immediately after and I think I remember talking with Bob and asking him to text A. Rhonda to let her know that we were okay but my cell wasn't able to send texts.  

I slept on the couch that night.  Andy had to manually open the garage door (no power) to get to work.  I have no clue how long it took to get to campus.  He had to drive directly through all of the devastation and somehow cobbled out a route.  

I remember walking to the mailbox the next morning (Thursday) to try to get cell service to call you.  I did get you and I must have known by this point that there was a warning/ban on the water.  That, along with no power made my decision to go to Columbus.  We saw some of the damage on the way on I59.  Warehouses demolished sticks out in my mind.  Cars on the side of the road that had been put there by the tornado.  I thought the Fun Factory was gone (turns out it wasn't--it was hard to know what you were looking at b/c everything in that area was gone or damaged beyond description).

It was incredible getting to your house and seeing pictures on the computer.  In most, I could not get any bearing of what I was looking at. Unreal.  I remember feeling like a zombie---getting tired of looking at the pics/info on the computer, trying to do something else, but always ending up back in front of the computer.

The royal wedding was the next morning (Friday).  I happened to wake up at 5:00, so I got Lauren out of bed to watch.  We came home on Saturday and were able to drive down McFarland.  Later that afternoon, we loaded up the van with clothes, etc. that we had been planning to sell in a yard sale.  The Red Cross that had set up at Bowers Park wasn't even taking clothes any more at that point, so we drove it to a (what used to be a) Church on Hargrove Road and dropped it off.  That is around the Forest Lake area, so again we got to see a lot of the destruction fairly quickly.  

Resumed work/school on Monday.  For at least a week many of the roads off of McFarland were closed, so the traffic was slow going getting in to work.  

Small change.

More of the same yesterday. I finished one sewing project and worked on another. Snaky cords were back in my house. Loud hammer and power tools were constant. Toward the end of the day I sort of accidentally eaves dropped on the heated banter amongst the carpenters. I was crocheting in the living room. The back door was open. What can I say? Couldn't really understand what they were saying. Inflection moved like a pendulum. Swinging from laughter to arguing. And then back again.
Bug numbers and variety are increasing with the temperature. The flies kept trying to interrupt while I prepared a casserole of Johnny Marzetti for supper. Mom used to make it. I loved it when I was growing up. I love it now. It is a beef-a-roni kind of casserole. I have plenty to share and will give some away and freeze some. Dad said he would like some. Check. Next time I go to visit I will deliver. Mr. Macho REALLY enjoyed the casserole. He even said so.
Plywood now resides on some of the rafters. Along with the black tar paper. Hopefully, roofers will be here early next week. No meetings or lessons last night so I got to take pictures at the end of the day.

Actually took this picture in the afternoon before the workers left. I just found it funny to see boots outside my kitchen window. For some reason it reminded me of the line from "Toy Story", "There's a snake in my boot!"

A different angle. Hydrangea don't know there is construction going on. They are too busy stretching their blooms. 

Closer look. Another patio area created. Not covered. I can see pavers in the future. Leading to the porch and to the shop. 

Random shot of rafters. 

Mr. Macho checking it all out. He is standing in the new den. Bedroom in the background. 

Looking from back of addition toward the soon-to-be covered barbeque pad. One day in the not-so-distant future there is going to be a door on the brick wall. Will be able to go from kitchen - through laundry room - out to the barbeque pad. No longer have to carry/drip barbeque through living room!

Mr. Macho standing on the porch looking into the den. (Did you honestly think I would get through this post without saying porch?!)

View of the construction debris from the barbeque pad. 

7:03 a.m. and I just heard the carpenter's truck door slam. Another day begins!

Rafters.

More framing. More sewing. Gorgeous day. Tuesday brought rafters. 

View from my kitchen window yesterday.

 I slipped out before my workers arrived this morning for a few snaps....

This is a view of the bathroom and bedroom taken from the new den. Oops! Slight error equals a bonus for me! Who doesn't need another closet?! I had wavered on two closets between the bedroom and bathroom and decided to go with one. Only the carpenter read the lines and framed up two. Oh well. After thinking it through I am opting to keep the two closet plan. 

Obligatory pic of overall progress. It's kinda fun to walk up the board ramp. I think Tucker and Lauren will have a good time this weekend with all the wood scraps when they come for a visit. 

Looking into the bedroom from the porch! Yes. I said porch again. Because it is going to be so great. 

Uncle Jay introduced the idea of Mexican tile for the porch. I will have to do some Googling today and find out exactly what Mexican tile is. Sounds exotic. He promises it will really "finish" my porch nicely. 

Mr. Macho and I took a 'moonlight' tour after we got home from a meeting/reception last night. I held the LED lantern and climbed over a window sill. In my dress. He called me "Rose". (You must have watched the TV show "Two and a Half Men" to get that. She was the character that was always climbing over the balcony or jumping off the balcony.) 

****

I did more sewing yesterday. Almost finished Lauren's pants and the bloomers for Merritt are done. I even worked on the afghan that I am crocheting. 

Not sure what today will bring. Temps are starting to warm again. That brings bugs. One of the few downsides to this construction project. With open wounds in my house it allows all kinds of creepy crawly and flying things to enter uninvited. I catch and release some of them. Smash some. Eulogize others. No stray cats or squirrels, yet. 

Pink Panther paper.

Stuff got done yesterday. Monday morning brought carpenters-a-plenty to our house. There were electric cords snaking though the house and power tools buzzing. All. Day. Long. Walls went up. Pink panther paper got wrapped around the new parts. Like it was a present. Merry happy Monday. To me! I can see rooms and windows and doorways. And the porch.
My house was an open breezeway. The front and back doors stayed open most all day. We have had a cool snap so I had to wear a light jacket to keep warm the entire day. Besides the sawdust and usual detritus of cutting out the old - there were plenty of styrofoam bits that blew into my house. At the end of the day Jed the carpenter (he doubles as a concrete man) asked if I was sorry I did this when he looked at the mess in my living room. Nope. I am so not sorry. I knew it would be messy. The end product is going to be very worth it.

Looking into the new den. Bathroom and bedroom are on the left. 

Looking out the window from the new hallway. That is going to be the covered patio. It was an item that was discussed and decided upon yesterday. I am becoming the Wonder Woman of decision making. 

Bedroom and bathroom are on this side of the house. Screened porch across the back.

The excitement is building over the porch. Can you tell? 

I spent most of the day Monday sewing. I sewed Merritt two pair of bloomers - minus the elastic. Will get to that ASAP. Started on another pair of cropped pants for Lauren. Son in town dropped in for lunch and we ate some of that killer pimento cheese on toast. I also made a fruity salad that was not bad. 

Mr. Macho and I went to our dance lesson in the evening. We danced the fox trot. And the bachata. And the samba. A little bit of cha-cha. A little bit of hustle and swing. A waltz or two. And came home wo' slam out. Our feet hurt. Our backs were tired. And I slept like a baby. Or a log. Whichever you prefer.  

My working men are back. Already. Hammers are pounding. Snaky cords have crawled back into my house. Power tools are humming. It is the sound of new space. See me smiling? Yup. I am.

You know what time it is getting to be? Almost birthday time. Oh June, I love you so. No other month could ever hold my heart like  you do. 

And its Friday.

You know what is good? Seeing that little smoke when you open a beer. You know it is cold. Ah. Friday. And a good one. Got the hairs cut today. My girl did a bang up job. I am sporting my crazy short warm weather coif.
The super store enticed me into buying more fabric today. After shopping there I went by my neighbor's house to walk her dog. It is Sophie. One of my favorite dogs. She is sweet. I like doing this. It fills whatever pet need I have. Then I am over it and glad not to have to find baby sitters when I am out of town. I just like to borrow my friend's pet every now and then. There is a calico cat that lives across the street. I really like her. I am glad she is not mine. I get to pet her for free. And she likes me.
Any way...
Was surprised that Mr. Macho was home when I got back here. He got off work early. Spent the afternoon snoozing away then ran off to the gym. I spent the rest of the afternoon with some of that fabric I purchased sewing some cute little crop pants for Lauren...

I still need to put the elastic in but will have to measure her waist before I do. I have some black and white fabric that I am going to make using the same pattern. 

This evening I have made some killer pimento cheese and am going to make grill cheese sandwiches with avocado for supper. And kale chips. Heaven. Love the kale. 

Did I mention that I will be using garlic parmesan bread for the grill cheese sandwiches? Yes. I am.

Progress.... 

Uncle Jay "fixes" the layout lines he has drawn. 

This is my linen closet at the head of the tub. 

Lumber delivered late today. 

Future screened porch. Eek! That is a scream of excitement. 

Rain should move in and move out and the weekend holds much promise. Hope your weekend is adventuresome!

Just another rainty day.

Yes rainty. I admit that at first it was misspelled. But after thinking about it decided to declare it a "rainty" day. This is my definition:
rainty (adj.) - a small, petite and lovely rainy day.
******
I have to admit something else. Yesterday I almost mailed in my Publisher's Clearing House entry. Months ago I swore off of them. For a few years I mailed them in just knowing that it was MY doorstep that would be viewed all over the country with me opening my door and gasping and holding that big check and dozens of roses and balloons. Saturday I got another entry form in the mail. I affixed all the correct stickers, signed my name, licked and sealed the envelope. Monday I tossed it into my recycle bin. And yes, I will still buy the random lottery ticket when the pot reaches mega proportions. It is just that I am trying to live the words to the song - "It's not having what you want. It's wanting what you have." (Thank you, Sheryl Crow.) I win every day. Every morning I wake up with this terrific guy. Every day I can write my own story. Life is so good.
***
Uncle Jay called yesterday to say that he would be over Tuesday to lay out the rooms for our addition, IF it doesn't rain. Guess what? Yes, rainty day. And so. Towels are stuffed under the particle board closing the gaping hole where the fireplace used to be. Progress will be set back ever so slightly.
By the way. I have my yarn out again. I am searching for inspiration. I will let you know if I find it. Now I am going to enjoy this rainty day.

Cool stuff.

It was a good day. Mr. Macho worked in the yard. I was like the insect flitting around him while he was doing some good. The new slab and dirt brought into the yard cut down on the time it took to mow. That's a good thing. Bushes were trimmed. Dirt was moved. Ferns were potted. Weeds were pulled. Limbs were pruned. Plants were watered. And we sat. In our chairs under our shade tree. We talked briefly about how we are going to enjoy the new space and mosquitoes and porch fans. Mr. Macho tightened some bolts on the lawn furniture and commented that this is what retirement will look like. He hammered a nail into the fence post and hung the concrete face I bought at a craft market several years ago. It is a pretty cool face. An old man's face. It hung on my big oak tree until a big wind knocked it down a few months ago.

Cool old man in the tree face. Now residing on the wooden fence post. 

Garden gnome that oversees all the back yard happenings. Christmas gift from a few years back. He may be slightly faded but is still in charge. 

***

Ah. Just enjoyed a lengthy Skype visit with Daughter. Son-in-law had taken Lauren and Tucker to a performance of "The Music Man'...and the house was quiet. No one distracting us from all the important world issue we hashed and rehashed. You can sleep peacefully tonight knowing that we solved the problems.

***

Check this out...

Isn't that a gorgeous design?! You can not guess what it is. No you can't. Go ahead - try before you read ahead to find out. 

I was brushing the pollen off my front porch rockers this afternoon when I noticed these design on the bottom rungs. I am very sure it was made by snails crawling along the rungs. Snail trails. Each rung was decorated thusly.  

And that my friends is art. Snail art. 

Bon nuit. 

Another random thought...

To all my siblings: Go pick up a tube of Icy Hot or Bengay. Take a whiff. Tell me if it doesn't remind you of Uncle Olie's Halloween tray of waxed goodies. Right? I knew it. Me, too.

Friday the 13th.

We have a slab. Concrete was poured yesterday...

It feels real now. I think it will quickly take shape and each step will be more exciting than the last. As much as I have wanted this extra space I think the addition of a shop for Mr. Macho has me as happy as any of it. 

The amaryllis took a hit yesterday. It was unavoidable. 

***

Not sure what the day holds for me. What's on your agenda?

Goodbye friend.

A church friend died today. Ken S. was a fixture at church for as long as I have lived in this town. Nearly 35 years now. Somewhere along the way we connected and I have missed his face the last many months while he has been home dying of some kind of cancer. My heart is so sad.

Snaps from the day's progress....

Late afternoon sun shines on the addition. Taken from the side of the yard where the future shop will stand. 

Day lilies are starting to present themselves. I believe they are transport from my Uncle Dick's yard. He had a long driveway lined with these. When I was little he would pay me "two bits" to pick the dead stalks. I learned the hard way what "two bits" means. 

The girls are competing for attention in close proximity of the amarylis. Daisies are so satisfying. 

Lynn and Bud (sister and bro-in-law) presented these to us one Christmas many moons ago. Today I filled them with a chocolate mousse (sans eggs) to celebrate Wednesday. Mr. Macho wanted two after eating one of our favorite meals - ham and pasta with garlic and fresh parmesan cheese on top. 

Full tummy. Time to chill. Later.