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**

Hey Donali,

Whats Cerbot? I am staying til Monday night so I wanna come!!!! It sounds fun as long as my hangover that I plan on having from Saturday nite doesnt kill me!!!!

Babs in TX

334/198/170

-136

Donali, your job is turning out so well. You have my respect and admiration for doing it, and for so many other things as well. You're an inspiration and a role model.

Lisa - my guy has blood sugar issues, so he will probably need to do some sort of real breakfast before we go. We'll just play it by ear.

Babs - Cerbat is a ghost town/mining town where Lisa and hubby go with their metal detectors and look for gold. I got a metal detector for Christmas two years ago, and have never used it, so I'm taking that with. Of course you must come! The more the merrier!!

Neicy - (blush) - you're too kind!

Well, did nothing on the siding tonight, but did stop at Home Depot and drop another $150 dollars, getting blinds, some more 2x4s, and some insulation. I wasn't up to getting the paneling, since I have to tie it on top of my Chevy Metro. Last time nothing untoward happened, but I don't like to tempt fate tooooo often... lol

So, I tried to plumb the doors. The front door is much better. The french doors are workable, but just barely. Both now lock, so once I finish the siding tomorrow, the room will be secure enough to start moving my stuff into there. And then the games truly begin!

Break's over - I think I'll try to put together my new desk...

Babs, if you look up a few posts, you'll see a link to Cerbat, Arizona. There's no town, just a bunch of abandoned mines, mining equipment, and ruins of old stone buildings. Chris and I stumbled across the ruins when we were on our way home from the Grand Canyon in July. I mean smack in the middle of nowhere. But to get there, we have to cross the Hoover Dam, so if you go, you'll get to see that. It's about an hour drive from my house. I'm very close to the Strip and all the action. If you come, bring sturdy walking shoes. I like to keep my ankles covered because of snakes. If you don't bug them, they don't bug you. Luckily, I've only come across one, but it was at the lake and I was standing on his hole like a big dumbass. I moved slowly away, then ran like hell.

As far as hangovers, that's the problem with Vegas. You come here for a few days and want to party like a mad dog, but then you get a hangover and don't want to leave your room. I plan on sticking with my 3 drink minimum, so I'll be drinking early in the day so that I won't have a hangover to go on our adventure.

Don, he can eat breakfast, but he'll still want some of our beef Jerkey. Something about being in the mines just makes you have to eat jerkey.

Wow, Donali, this is a HUGE undertaking! You have done a fantastic job! This is a great NSV!!!!!! :D

Okay, you're building a porch -- AND maintaining your weight without the band. I'm in awe.

Elizabeth

8/28/03

-60

+10 since band unfilled 6/21/04 due to slippage

Elizabeth, did the doc tell you how you slipped your band? I've had major restriction for 3 days now following 3 days of bad binge eating. But I don't want to hijack Donali's post, so maybe you could start a new thread with that info? Thanks!

By the way, why would anyone vote for Bush or Kerry when we have Donali? Don, why stop at the porch - rebuild America! Woo hooo!