In My Defence...

[Yeah, I know, "defense".  Bad puns are my life.]

So the fence got done with the exception of the gate opener which I am leaving for the future when time is less hectic.  We, Kathy and I, have painted floor of the Main Hall- two coats, thank you very much.  It was actually a real ordeal just getting the paint.  Who knew floor paint was so hard to get?!

We've started (finally) painting the kitchen cabinets (another paint based ordeal)  When that's done I'll sand the floors and we may move on in and do the rest at our "leisure", as if either of us have any of that.

The flood set us back on time and money.  Then the HVAC system at our current home died a horrible yet painless death.  $$$$$  {see next post for more on that}  Kathy's car had to have an engine transplant; it's engine froze up...on the highway...in the middle of nowhere...on the way to Dallas.  The GEM (electric car) was in the shop in Tyler. The Prius in the shop in Dallas.  Charley's Scion in the shop in Denton.  Three vehicles- three counties- $$$$$$$  But I digress.  The estimate from the contractor to fix the basement was $60k if they do it all.  Nearly $15k just for materials. *heavy sigh* 

Did I mention I'm a retired teacher?  in a small town? in Texas?

We have just enough liquidity to install the HVAC in the Hall.  I'll do the prep work myself and save a few bucks. By the end of next week, we'll be cool with that. I'm also installing a shower in the restroom. Yoga classes can then begin.  We have a rental in two weeks. +$  Hectic time.

Just Scraping By

I may not have posted much here lately, but I have not been idle.  No no, not in the least.  I cleaned and cleaned out the main floor and held a Hallowe'en party at the Manor on, of all nights, Hallowe'en.  We had food.  We had fun.  We had guests galore.  One picture included here.

Us in period-appropriate costume

Since then I have been scraping paint off of the 12 foot ceiling in said main hall.  It's been a tough job.  At times I have hired a couple of guys to work on it, but I always end up having to go back and redo their work, so I'm doing it myself.

I've also cleaned and organized the basement and nearly finished the required framing upstairs.  To top it all off we had a few close friends over Thanksgiving evening for "leftovers around the fire".  No pictures were taken as we were just relaxing and didn't care to.  Will keep anybody who cares posted.  Later.