Projects and faceless ghouls!

It's been suggested that I "must" have permission to put "bad" pictures on my blog! I pose the question..."Who decides if it's a bad picture?" If I let others choose, it will ALWAYS be a bad picture. All of us don't want to think anyone can see the real "me" in a picture. We are trying to present only our "best side" to the world, and we see only snippets of our self when we look in the mirror or via that snapshot someone took of us "unaware". Yet, each day...there we are for all to see...our eyes open too wide, or our our eyes too squinty. Our mouth wide open in surprise, or our mouth open wide with laughter. Our double chins, muffin tops and imperfections...all these things are there...everyday! We just don't like it when we feel we have been singled out and our imperfections magnified in an unguarded moment!

SO, today...in honor of Halloween...I will blog about the headless, faceless people in my life! Are they happy now without their identity? Hmm...I think they won't like this any better. Oh well, I can't please everyone (or any of these!)

The last few weekends have been full of activity as we have worked together on various projects at Miss Janice's 1917 historic home. She made a list of all the "TO DO" items she wished to have completed before "winter" sets in (as if we really have a winter here) and we have begun working down her list! (Now THIS makes her happy!)

This weekend the projects were to rebuild the front steps and stain the back deck and potting shed. The old front steps were steep and very narrow and this usually meant having to turn sideways to walk down the steps (or pitch forward on your face!) If you had on heels...this was a huge issue.

First stop, of course, is Home Depot! Measurements were taken and calculated (without my help) so we'd know how much lumber to purchase and all the extras we needed to finish the projects for Saturday.

Bin after bin of wood. Lengths, grade...Is it warped? Is this one good enough? Right length? Hmmm...which one do you want me to load? But wait, here's the size we need...Follow me!

I'll just follow behind them and make sure they get the right stuff. I know how to supervise these two (and I don't even need a calculator!)
The wood has been chosen and now we need paint, brushes, rollers and buckets. We also need stain for the back deck...and don't forget the paint sticks...we'll have to be able to stir up all that paint and stain! (If they leave them laying around I'll paint them into something else!)

I think we're finally ready to check out! (Who brought their suitcase? Miss Janice - we don't need to travel out of town to get the goods!) Just dump that wood near the curb. It's close by and we can easily get to it once we're ready for it. The crews have arrived and are ready to begin work.

Crew number one starts on the front steps. First thing...spread out all the tools on the porch! Who knows what we'll need to complete the project. Next on the list - tear out the old steps. Once they're gone - start to build the new risers.

Watch out for that mound of ants living under the porch.

Meanwhile - crew #2 is in the back yard covering the deck and potting shed with a fresh coat of stain. Everything looks brand new!
And the extra helpers for Crew #2 are always appreciated (as long as they aren't crying.)
Meanwhile...when the steps were completed they were sanded, primed and painted red (same color as the front door.) Once the color went on the steps we felt it made sense to also trim out the two side caps (which also had to be rebuilt) and paint the fronts of the boxes red.New steps and a new red mailbox with house numbers - the front is coming together.
Now it's time to begin work on the front room. It was a living room, but Miss Janice wants it to become a dining room and her dining room to become her living room. We'll first have to pull up the old carpet and under pad, refinish the wood floor, and paint new color on the walls. The biggest task will be the design I want to stain onto the newly sanded floor. I've been working on some ideas and drawing proto-types for Miss Janice to approve, but best of all...she has given me "artistic license". I think that means FREE REIGN to paint what I like! She's out of town...maybe I can finish before she returns?

Stay tuned - more projects to follow! We'll have Miss Janice completely out of her box when all is said and done!