DEC  7, 2002  SATURDAY

Went out shopping and found some real bargains.  At Salvation Army I found a fine brass chandelier, a nice old one.  Its shaped like an inverted T with lots of curlicue supports.  Two plain chimney lamps on each end of the arms.  Also, 2 large matching sconces like oil bracket lamps.  The oil wells are elaborate and dimpled with switches and plain chimneys.  Also a pair of heavy brass sconces, self switching with candle forms and brass shades.  The wall plates are diamond shaped.  They will look great over the beds in the bunk room.  Also found two gorgeous mirrored and painted trumeau for over the dining room doors.  Oval mirrors and carved frames with grapes, pears, and apples painted in the spandrels.  They are just the right size, $70.00 a piece at T.J. Maxx.  Also some fine all cotton Indian tablecloths in sand and black, 5'x7', perfect for curtains.  And a pair of small brackets for the dining room mantel for $6.00.

                                          DEC 18, 2002 WEDNESDAY

Jason and I decided to go down to Missouri for 4 days.  Couple of jobs need doing and Jason needs the work.  Packed the truck with a collection of materials and furniture to bring down long as we had the space in the truck.  Of course, woke up to discover that last night Missouri had a series of severe storms and a tornado just outside Springfield.  Trailer park wiped out and couple of people killed.  So heaven knows what sort of mess we may find.  Drove down encountering strong winds, thunderstorms, fog, sunshine, and 65 degree weather.  Arrived in Lebanon about 4 p.m. Weather mild and relatively dry.  The water meadow at Twin Bridges was full of deer, 2-3 dozen on both sides.  We've never seen so many there.  Just a beautiful sight.  House was fine when we arrived.  Just the expected leaks, which we have come down to repair.  Quick supper and a wild thunderstorm for about 15 mins. at 6 p.m. Deafening.  Jason in bed by 8 p.m.  Quiet night for me.  Lots to do tomorrow.

                                          DEC 19, 2002 THURSDAY

A good nights rest.  Temperature mild for the season and a light rain this morning. Had a quick breakfast and right to work.  Jason wrapped the tall wall in tarpaper to keep out the rain and weather until spring.  Seems to have blocked all the leaks.  Jason cut wood and brought it in for the evening while I unloaded and sorted the things we brought from home.  Spent the afternoon running long runs of wire and telephone lines to the edge of the new construction. Turns out Jason is fully trained to hook lines into the main box, so we will try to do hook-ups tomorrow so we can have the two new circuits.  Put up insulation and started the upper bunk.  Pasta and chicken for supper and quiet evening watching last episode of Survivor.  Temperature down to 35 degrees so we kept the fire going.  We are going to finish the bunk tomorrow, put up wall board in both bedrooms and, with luck, finish the electrical.  I don't think we will manage the last of the kitchen paneling.  We can always do that next visit.

                                          DEC 20, 2002 FRIDAY

Cold, cold, cold this morning, but the sun is out.  Lit a small fire to take the edge off.  Jason framed up the loft bed.  Its a bit higher than I thought, but still workable.  I wired all the last of the plugs and circuits and Jason ran the last of the power lines, including two extra lines for the Great Hall wing.  Ran into town for OSB, but we arrived too late.  Can't believe Friday night and lumberyards close at 5 p.m. Went to supper at Dowd's and visited with Leon and Gary, the manager.  Stopped at Wally World for a few basic sundries for the pantry.  Quiet night in front of the fire.  Jason's going to hook up the two new circuits before we leave in the morning.  And so to bed.

                                          DEC 21,2002 SATURDAY

Crisp bright cold morning.  Up at 8 a.m. for a fast breakfast.  I installed a few more plugs and switches and Jason installed the two trunk lines so we can hook up on the next visit.  Tidied the house and made a list of needed supplies for the next visit.  Jeff stopped by to visit as we were leaving.  He's been laid off from the Fort for a bit, so finishing lots of projects.  Jeff recommended we check out the new Sutherlands, good lumber and prices.  Jeff told us Betty's spending the winter with one of her kids, but will be back in the Spring.  Her sister in Texas is trying to sell her Texas house and has plans to build a new house across from Betty on the two lots behind my pond lots at E1F1.  Starting to get a bit crowded around here.  Perhaps it won't happen.  Left for home about 10:30 a.m.  Lots of deer at Twin Bridges even in daylight.  Uneventful trip home.  Next year by hook or crook, we will spend Christmas on the Homestead.

                                          CHRISTMAS 2002

Had email from Gail in Hartville, and Jon and Loretta.  Big snowstorm has left them with about 18 inches of snow and ice.  Freezing cold, big winds, and lots of drifts. Some poor lady killed in a wreck at Twin Bridges.  What a shame.  Glad we didn't stay for the holidays.  House is still a bit unfinished for that kind of weather.

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