Well, it's been a heck of a last two days. I am trembling with fear, but bit by bit I have actually started working on the construction of enclosing my porch. Big accomplishment today was completing the first of four window panels.

The porch is 8'x28'. I bought four windows that are basically 4'x6', a regular front door, and french doors for the back. Still not sure how to rig up the doggie door, as the french doors will pretty much take up most of the 8 feet available, but I'm sure I'll think of something... lol

So, before and pre-during pics, for you pic-hungry masses!!

From top left to right:

1. Porch from street with all the construction stuff moved on there.

2. On the porch, looking towards the back yard

3. Looking at the porch from the back yard - very first framing standing there on the right-hand side behind the little tree... lol

4. On the porch, looking towards the street.

5. The first of four window frames. French door visible behind.

6. Speciman bookcase I'm building inside. Notice how the few shelves I've installed have already accumulated clutter... tsk, tsk

7. The new security screen door I installed last weekend - the new door behind it was installed the weekend before. Note the nasty original mobile home door on the right - that little nasty splash of yellow. I gotta get the dumpster and get rid of the cast off stuff.

P.S. - You're all doing so well - congrats to everyone! Watch out for that reflux! And all the good advice that everyone else has already dished out!!

**hugs**

Well, folks. It is 8:30 pm here in sunny SD, and the sun is nowhere to be seen, so my construction day is officially over. That leaves FIVE, count THEM FIVE days left to get this place under control!! Yikes!!! And what am I doing???? Logged into LBT, whining about only having FIVE days left!! lol

The California room is going to be the new stash-n-dash destination for the time being, I'm afraid.

But, the siding is almost all up!

P.S. - Did I mention I only have FIVE days left?!?!

I am impressed! That looks like professional did that siding! You can do it, keep up the good work were pulling for you.

Why do you only have 5 days?

Why do you only have 5 days?

BF moves in on Tuesday, 9/28, after nearly 10 years of long distance dating...

Got most of the long side done today - just have one more strip across the top, and the last section between the corner and the last window. Then the back around the french doors, and a little strip at the top of the front door.

The good thing about not being done when BF moves in is that he will get to come in and "rescue "you and help tie up loose ends. You know what that kind of thing does for a man, he gets to feel needed and useful. If your able to do this all by yourself without any of his help what is he gonna be there for. Men don't like to hang around for decoration. They like to be fixing something.

My man is a scientist, and has no illusions of being a Tim Allen impersonator. Can you believe he has no interest in TV sports?!?!

I may be a "fossil" widow at various times throughout the year, but I'll never have to worry about the Superbowl ruining my romantic evenings... lol

Sounds like our men have that in common. Absolutely no intrest in sports here either! Amazing is'nt it! When I found that out about my man I snatched that guy up before some other woman found out!:laugh

I forgot to ask....exactly what does a "fossil"widow mean?

Wow Donali you do good work! You can come and stay at my house anytime.

I wouldn't know what to do if my husband didn't watch sports, he loves them all. It usually don't bother me, I love to watch the Mavericks play, and I love NASCAR, but I get some me time for reading etc. when he watches the rest.

Good Luck on finishing, I just know you can do it!

Betty

exactly what does a "fossil"widow mean?

My paleontologist (scientist who studies fossils) is forever on field trips, looking for new ones. I love going with, and will do so as often as possible, but I have a church choir job which pretty much kills my weekends, when he will undoubtedly be doing most of his field trips.

I'll be missing a Sunday a month or so, probably, so I can go with at least occasionally, but I'm not ready to give up the job yet, so....

Of course, it's almost impossible to have more "alone time" once he's here than I've had for the past 10 years, when I was seeing him only1-2 weeks each year. Period.

I believe you mentioned fish ponds at one time? Can you see them form the new enclousure? Lots of vegetation, I like that.

Eveverything looks real good, very professional.

No, you can't see the ponds from the porch - they're behind the house, and can be seen from the back window in the master bedroom.

The yard is a total disaster at the moment - imagine all the stereotypes of "white trailer trash", multiply by two, and that's my yard. Heck... That's the inside of the house, too, who am I trying to kid?!?!

In my mind, though, I can see it as I fantasize it could be, so the stuff that doesn't fit into that fantasy kind-of disappears from my view (if that makes any sense). I'm hoping to have some time to clean up the yard and pond area a bit, but I've really made myself promise that I'll do the inside of the house FIRST.

If I ever get things into acceptable shape, I will (OF COURSE!! ) post pics... lol

http://www.ghosttowngallery.com/htme/cerbat.htm

Geeze, any chance you can stay in Vegas an extra week? Even the handyman I paid hasn't shown up to finish the simplest job. Your room looks incredible.

Now that I know your man is a paleontologist, maybe he can tell me if the bones in my rock garden are human. I collected them while exploring the abandoned mines. One day I want to do a whole ghost-town-theme rock garden in my back yard, so I pick up bones & rocks when we explore. I figured these were wild burrow bones - perhaps eaten by a wildcat, but wouldn't it be freaky if they were human?

So, are we still on for exploring Cerbat, Arizona in 2 Sundays? Check out the link up top. It's about an hour's drive - across the Hoover Damn, you get a damn bonus!

If we DON'T go to Cerbot, my guy is going to feel super gipped... This was my carrot for getting him to go. So, whether or not anyone else makes it, he and I are going. Probably first thing Sunday morning, after b'fast.

If we're gonna do the Cerbat thing, best to forget Breakfast and do the trip the right way (our tradition.) That means I'll pack a picnic of dried fruit, beef jerkey, grapes, nuts. Heck, for you I'll even boil some eggs. Chris has been itching to go, and the weather just cooled down enough. Strange desert - last week were frying, this week snuggling in blankies.

So we're down for Sunday - all the way! All I know about the mines is what I've learned in the last year, so I'm really excited that your man is coming because I can sponge off his knowledge of bones, rocks, ruins & junk. Awesome!