Finally, it's a house!!

                ...but it's not done yet!

April 19, 2002, Friday

Finally after so many false starts and postponements, the truck is loaded and we are ready to head back down to Missouri.  Frankly, it will be a relief to finally get all the materials and supplies out of the house in Champaign.  The truck is packed with lumber, siding, windows, 4 sets of doors, mantelpieces, furniture and bric-a-brac.  We are set to go at last. Roger Coad and Jay will drive down in the truck and Jon, Levi, and I in the car.  We left Champaign about 7 pm just in time to hit tornado and storm warnings in Tuscola.  The skies opened up and it rained all the way down to Lebanon.  Arrived around 2:30 AM as the rain stopped.  The road from town to the house was full of animals.  Groups of deer all the way, rabbits, turkeys, and even an armadillo, all out in the wee hours. We all collapsed into bed at 3:30 am.

April 20, 2002, Saturday

Morning dawned with thunderstorms and violent rain squalls.  Dang, that metal roof is noisy!  Managed to unload the truck and make some order out of the chaos.  Jon, Levi, and Roger went into town for food and supplies while Jay and I started work.  Built the partition between the two bedrooms and got wall board up by supper time so that the rooms have some division.  Chili for supper and a quiet evening of cards.

    á This is the wall where we will add the final

           wing.  That's why its so high. â

April 21, 2002, Sunday

A nice bright sunny morning.  Built the closets in the small bedroom then Roger and I began work on the built-in bed. Jon and Roger have to leave this afternoon, but Levi has decided to stay and help Jay and me.  I sure hope that will work out.  Levi seems eager and willing.  Got French doors temporarily set in the big archway and framed in the transom above it.  Lots of nice light in the dining room now.  Jon and Roger left about 3:30 pm.  Levi and I finished the built-in bed, framed up with 4 big drawers underneath and finished boarding the bedroom wall. Then we finished framing the kitchen pantry closet.  Finally Levi and I worked on a nice permanent ramp while Jay made supper.  The new ramp is six feet wide and supported on some stout planks and boarded with some recycled fence boards.  It has very gentle slope and a welcoming appearance.  Levi was quite pleased with his work.  A nice roast chicken dinner with root veggies and a quiet evening in the new dining room.  A cool night.

April 22, 2002, Monday

An absolutely perfect sunny morning.  The three of us got an early start.  Jay and Levi walled in the gable over the kitchen and we installed a big square transom over the door to the kitchen.  It looks really good, lets in a lot of light and at night it has this wonderful glow from the outside.  The dining room is turning into a lovely space and the whole place seems more like a house after just a few days. Jeff and Adrianna couldn't believe the change in just a few days. After lunch, Levi and I built the first pocket window and put up half the siding on the North Wall.  The pocket window looks really sharp, especially with the 6" trim boards with the long tails.  Worked until dusk, temp dropping fast so we closed things up and cranked up the kerosene heater.  Meatloaf and baked potatoes for supper and the dining room had a cozy glow by lamplight.  I wish I had time to set up the fireplaces.  The fireplace will look great in Jon's room with that simple mantelpiece I bought from Mr. Bement, but I've decided the bunk room is too small for a fireplace.  It would eat up floor space and probably drive you out of the room with the heat.  Maybe I will just duct hot air from the fire in Jon's room through a false tiled stove cupboard... something clever like that.  A night of cards and early to bed.  Downright cold out tonight.

Levi & me siding

Jay having a beverage