30 days on the project as of yesterday, and things are flying along. Hanging sheetrock in three of the efficiencies, prepping to turn the power on next week in two of the two bedroom apartments, all but one downstairs storefront have been entirely gutted, and a good portion of the brick repair has been completed.
In the meantime, Thanksgiving has come and gone, he weather has turned biting cold, and the sick little calf finally gave up the ghost a few days back. After four months of constant attention and zero growth, it was more of a relief than anything.
Home projects have slowed as I'm spending 50+ hours engrossed in the new project, and almost every other moment doing paperwork, sourcing materials and tools, or absently planning the work schedule and order of attack on various sections.
However, we snuck in finishing out the brick patios before Thanksgiving. And learned that working all day, and then late into the night, is no longer a good idea. But the patios look nice.
Caspian had been enjoying his school, and last week we shifted him from an 8-12 schedule to an 8 to 3:30 schedule. For the past 18 months he has spent his afternoons as my helper, but with the temperature outside in the 20s many days, he was not enjoying the new work site. He now comes home chipper after an afternoon playing with his friends in a warm indoor environment.
Alexe was sick for over 20 days before she went to see the doctor and found out she had pneumonia and bronchitis. It took a second doctor visit and a different round of medicine to finally kick it. On this evening we all convened in the waiting room after school and work to wait with her for an appointment that never happened.
A new mural (painted on moveable aluminum panels) installed on the side of the Herald building. (Two doors down from the Blu-Buck Merc.)
Alexe planting her annual paper white bulbs. They are now in full bloom and making the kitchen and bathrooms smell amazing. Not sure why the pouty-lip is out. Gravel courtesy of the excavation crew working around Main Street on new water lines.
Thanksgiving morning we woke up to a power outage. An inverter had the water heater, stove, and circulator pumps for the floor heat running, which covered most of our bases. The pups parked on a hay bale watching out for visitors.
My favorite sister in law.
Caspian, who was told we would eat at 1, and sat down with a clock to wait.
She may be living in DC, going to cultural events and wearing designer clothes, getting promotions at her corporate job, and now working in her own office, but the happy-go-lucky country girl comes roaring out when she comes to visit.
This boy loves his mama.
And vice versa.
At Yalo Studio last weekend, these three ladies, (Coulter and Meagan are friends and neighbors and owners of Yalo,) and Alexe were approached by this young woman who had driven down from Memphis hoping to meet the ladies from the NYT article. It was a hilarious celebrity-sighting event turned on its head.
Saturday mornings are my time to catch up with my kiddos while Alexe is at work. Today has been a play dough making, NPR listening, crackling fire hangout. (Go fish game is on the horizon.) Last week was a pancake breakfast at the BTC.
I don't recall the story that went along with this outfit, but I know the stuffed rabbit was integral.
A present for the pigs, a new hay bale placed in their pasture.
These pigs eat anywhere from 5 to 30 gallons of plate scrapings and past-prime produce from the BTC each day, and 10 gallons of mash from the brewery. (If it's super cold they also get a couple scoops of corn.)
Once or twice a week I stop by Yalobusha Brewing Company on my way home and pick up two 50 gallon drums full of piping hot mash. The steam pouring out the big bay door into the night is beuatiful.
Each evening when I get home, feed and lock up the various livestock, and stroll into the house, I am greeted by the kids playing somewhere, a crackling fire in the kitchen fireplace, and the smells of a delicious home-cooked meal. This night in particular the soup was made from a freshly roasted chicken, (which she roasted that afternoon,) and served with freshly chopped parsley, the salad had toasted pecans and halved grapes with Brie, and the rest of the Brie was served with english almond/raisin crackers.
This is how Alexe shows me she loves me and supports my latest crazy project. It tickles me every evening, and makes up for her complete disinterest in actually seeing or participating in what I'm doing. (She's visited the Blu-Buck buildings for possibly 10 minutes all together.)
Our festive little town last night, with carriage rides up and down main street, all the shops open late, Christmas carols playing everywhere, and at one point snow machines blowing out the upstairs windows of the BTC.
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