Building with Habitat

Recycle

2009-06-28T00:50:00.000-07:00

Denim Crew!

Saturday, June 27, 2009: Black Sneeze

Clean Strokes
Scratcher Elbow's

Friday, June 26, 2009: Juice Balloon

Morning Bart
Margharita Pizza

Wednesday, June 23, 2009: Recycle

Tuesday, June 22, 2009: Falling Wall

Wall Breakers

Up to the front kiosk the window pulls open and a man in a bright umpa-loompa outfit crouches through and asks us for our weight. The air is a storm of greasy seagulls diving into the five story high piles of dripping trash. Pure excitement. A screaming bullet streaks through and disperses the mass of wings and feather for only a second. Pulling into a massive space, teams of bright vested workers, sift through the trash in perfect order, as the mist keeps falling down.

Cedar Rapids Build-A-Thon 2009

2009-06-16T19:52:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 19, 2009: Day 5: Home at Last!

We Did It! (House 22 Crew)

How We Feel
June 18, 2009: Day 4: Rain & Lightning

Reflections
Something Wicked this Way Comes

Thursday, June 18, 2009: Day 3: Roof at Last! Day 3

Day 2: Trusses

Tuesday, June 16, 2009: Wet Truss, Windows

The Countryside

Adding Windows

Day 1: Standing Walls

Pushing Crew

Monday, June 15, 2009: Standing Walls

Day 1: Standing Walls

Bus Drive to Site

Americorps Conference

Frusterating Squirrlels!

Town of Mount Vernon Vintage

Paper Lanterns

Meeting the Team Leaders
Finding the Corn

Cafeteria Style

15 Hours Later
O'Hate

Iowa, Here I Come!

Build-A-Thon Iowa

2009-06-13T01:48:00.000-07:00

I'm headed off to Iowa in just two hours for a week build-a-thon where we will be finishing a house. I'm so excited, but am really looking forward to the long nap on the plane. I'm just hoping that I don't get a window seat...Or I won't get any sleep!

Roofing Kind of Week

2009-06-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 12, 2009: Patchers

Wednesday, June 10, 2009: Camp Sweeney

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Belle Haven Elementary Garden

2009-06-09T00:47:00.000-07:00

Families and students of Belle Haven Elementary School come together to create a student stustained garden, learning by taking care of plants, how things grow and where their food comes from.

Roofing Kind of Week

2009-06-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

So much slanted rooftop walking this that walking straight feels crooked. I worked with lots of great crews thsi week. We finished up one rooftop entirely this week and now we are started on another. Thank goodness for having such a large crew of roofers this Saturday. You guys rocked!

2009-05-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

2009-05-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome Home!

2009-05-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we are finally done. Here we are on this hot day dedicating the homes we have worked on for the last eight months, so much worth it! And such a strange feeling too, to think that these are no longer a work in a progress. Now they are complete homes that are now ready for living!

Finger Scrape Clean

2009-05-15T23:02:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 15, 2009: Last Crew

Clean Squad

Thursday, May 13, 2009: Beautiful

Wednesday, May 12, 2009: Touch Up

Tuesday, May 15, 2009: Behind Laundry Corners

Hey guys, so this is officially the last week of construction on all the homes we started all the way back in September. I don't think I've ever cleaned so much in a week as I've done for these homes in the last couple of days. But now they are done, and I can hardly believe it. I'm so excited for all the families who will be moving in soon!

Landscaping

2009-05-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 8, 2009: Adopt a House
Thursday, May 7, 2009: Chess Board

Wednesday, May 6, 2009: Play Sponge

Tuesday, May 5, 2009: Paint Prep

Newark Slough Wildlife Refuge

2009-05-04T19:37:00.000-07:00

My weekly rides back across the Dumbarton take be along side this wildlife refuge. I'm always tempted to stay a little longer, to walk the spindly paths that lead farther out into the salty marshland. And I love the way the water drains out leaving a scaly patch of mud and water for the birds to wade through.

Whitney Young Circle Family Welcome

2009-04-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

"Stars"

Saturday, April 28, 2009: Fire-Mud & Tapers

Wednesday, April 28, 2009: Chu's Florist & Finches

It's as good as it sounds. The faded sign always turns my head on my early morning rides to work up El Camino Real. Stepping inside the musty entry Chu sits at the back counter. A mix of sweet flower bouquets and dancing birds in cages, a most unique aroma.

"Whitney Young Family Celebration"

Tuesday, April 28, 2009: Moon Ride

Wool, Hubcaps & Wheels

2009-04-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Spring Dream

The Witch

Wonderful weekend filled with rusty hubcaps, spinning spokes, and wooly sheep.

Warm Week

2009-04-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 26, 2009: Compassion Day

1rst Group

2nd Group

Friday, April 24, 2009: Cutting Patches

Thursday, April 23, 2009: Olana's Cafe

Lunch Time Cottage

Tuesday, April 22, 2009: 3 Feet Down

Earth Weekend: East Bay Build-A-Thon 2009

2009-04-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

Americorps Members Present & Past

Post Lunch Hammer Contest!

Yummy Creamcheese!

Plumming

Nail Line

Monday, April 20, 2009: (Day 3: East Bay Build-A-Thon)

Joist Hangers

Send It Up

Day 3 Interior

Day 3 Exterior

Sunday, April 19, 2009: (Day 2- East Bay Build-A-Thon)

Joist Hangers

Day 2 Interior

Day 2 Exterior

Saturday, April 18, 2009: Day 1 (Oakland Build-A-Thon)

First Floor Wallers

Day 1 (Start)

Morning Light Over East Bay

Vegetable Crazy

2009-04-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

2009-04-16T23:54:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 17, 2009: Hot Tar!

1 Hour Detail

Tuesday, April 14, 2009: WINDY Day!

Trees at a Last!

This week I worked solo on last shingles for the site. Lots of climbing, balancing, reaching, pounding, and sticky hot gravel knee-caps. The wind was crazy this Tuesday I couldn't believe it. I had to keep holding onto something every time another gust came hurdling over the shingles trying to blow me over. It's hard to find wind like that around.

2009-04-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 11, 2009: Felt-A'Roof
Friday, April 10, 2009: Carry A Load

60' Wall Frame

Smith Group

Thursday, April 9, 2009: Truss'esseses

Too Many Nails for An A-35

Our Beautiful Trusses

Wednesday, April 8, 2009: Frusterating Little Forms

"Finding Out Which Home"

Tuesday, April 7, 2009: Finding Pipes

A lot for a week. Finally learned how to put roof trusses in this week, and getting over some more high feeling nervousness. Even if it is further to San Francisco, it's hard to beat cold morning commutes and clear views of the city every second of the day. I think that's why I hammer my thumbs more often while I'm in the city actually. Eyes on the hammer and nail! Worked with some great crews doing a whole bunch of different things, including tiny forms to seperate planter areas, and we even fully frame a 60' wall!

2009-04-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 4, 2009: Ditching

Friday, March 3, 2009: The Dust Bowl

Eye on the Paver

(Training 27) Thursday, March 2, 2009: Finding Earth

Wednesday, April 1, 2009: What If We Could Fly?

Menlo High

Tuesday, March 31, 009: Uneven Ground

We finished our last paver for the drive way this week. Got to work in the warm sun too. I discovered black clay and I'm wondering why I didn't discover it sooner. Black clay is amazing just like the bricks from the the store. From now on if I ever need clay I'll just dig for it!

Berkeley Falls

2009-03-31T00:56:00.000-07:00

After learning of this secret waterfall in Berkeley, I had to see it for myself. One of the very hidden places it took me five years to discover. Even the locals didn't seem to know what I was talking about! But here it is.

2009-03-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Friday, March 27, 2009: Plants!

Heya!

Fast Down Shinglers

(Training Day 27) March, 27, 2009: Framing

Whitney Young Homes

Thanks Dartmouth!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009: On the Fast

Tuesday, March 24, 2009: Cherry Picker

2009-03-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

The Cloud Heads

Friday, March 20, 2009: Playground Pour

Tired Shoulderers

"A Cowboy Place"

Rust & Barnacles

(Training Day 26) Thursday, March 19, 2009: Sub-Floor

Good Morning

Careful Step

Dirt Flake

Wednesday, March 18, 2009: 4 Inch Fillets

Getting it Done!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009: Orange Peel Thumbs

Great week weather wise, even the city was perfect. I think I might even be getting a small tan again, and it's still winter! I could even see the red from my cheeks glaring back up from the bright sun this week from working in the city. I've never seen my hands like this before. They look like a fine sheet of a thousand shiny skin plates from handling so many pavers. But I'm learning how to put them in. Thanks to all the great crews this week who helped with putting them in. You were amazing!

2009-03-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday, March 14, 2008: Pushing Dirt
Friday, March 13, 2009: Paver Kind of Weather

(Training Day 23) Thursday, March 12, 2009: Herring Bone!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009: Pour!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009: Behead-Ahind

Hard week of pushing concrete and laying pavers. Lots of digging too, and my hands! They feel like peeled oranges put back together again. I'm so nervous of snagging them on something by accident and then unraveling to nothing.

Chapel of the Chimes

2009-03-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

Chapel of the Chimes is like candy for me. Only I don't have it quite as often which is why it makes it even more special. It's amazing to experience the quietness of this place and to climb the narrow staircases deeper into secret vaults. Every room is filled with more sunlight, beneath glass the reflections of so many dusty remains.

Rain or Shine!

2009-03-07T18:14:00.000-08:00

Saturday, March 7, 2009: Heavy Shovels

The Ditchers
Helping Hand

For Hard Workers

Friday, March 6, 2009: San Mateo Night

Thursday, March 5, 2009: Dry Hands

Wednesday, March 4, 2009: Frame Setup

The Formers

Tuesday, March 4, 2009: Wetness

Pumping It Up
Remember Those Raisin Guys?

Why So Pretty?

2009-02-25T22:59:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 28, 2009: Clean Drippings

"St. Pauls"

Friday, February 27, 2009: Scrapy, Dusty, Painty

Sock Walkers
On A Dirt

"Mission Run"

Thursday, February 26, 2009: Beautiful Day in the Mud Great Diggers!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009: Form Layout

Tuesday, February 24, 2009: Brush Smooth Sidewalk

The Story of Hands

2009-02-24T22:39:00.000-08:00

You can tell a lot about a person in their hands, whether they are nervous, dainty, or rough with cracked or bitten nails. They are simple and true reflections of each of us. Every knot, tendon, protruding vain, scraped knuckle tells a different story. Another of my crazy inspirations in the works, but it keeps me entertained! Here are a few from the weeks of working with Habitat on the construction site.

Wet

2009-02-21T23:22:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 21, 2008: Paint and Forms

Friday, February 20, 2009: Roll & Smooth

Helping Hands

Thursday, February 19, 2009: Trim Paint

Regular Appreciation

Wednesday, February 19, 2009: On the Deck

Tuesday, February 18, 2009: Little Finishes

""Meiko Concert"

Jesse Harris

Meiko

Joshua Radin

Tuesday, February 17, 2009: Cold Toes

Lots of great music, and too wet days if my socks were thicker maybe wouldn't be so bad. These are days when coffee is essential. Got some work done this weekend. Did some painting between the spells of rain to be as productive as possible, which we were. Now with great help from Darrel we've made a huge impact on the our last unpainted house. Thanks so much everyone for your hard work today.

When It Rains

2009-02-15T22:59:00.000-08:00

It wasn't long before the rain came rolling down my cheek and off my nose completely soaking my shirt underneath. The rain was so nice after accepting the fact I was going to get myself completely wet. I love being the only one outside and smelling the fresh wet of pine needles. I can think.

2009-02-14T22:49:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 14, 2009: Shelving

Friday, February 13, 2009: Wet Painting

"Asian Art Museum"

Scary Dolls

Windy Field

Thursday, February 12, 2009: Framing

Tuesday, February 11, 2009: Finding the Blue Line

Bunny Pounce (In action!)

Google

Trailer, Gone Away Gone

Pipe!

Dirt Baby

The Moles

Tuesday, February 10, 2009: Touch Ups

10 strokes

A Second In the City

2009-02-10T00:58:00.000-08:00

Legion of Honor

2009-02-08T22:32:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year

2009-02-08T00:25:00.000-08:00

Sun, Mud, Rain

2009-02-07T21:56:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 7,2009: Under-Soffit Painting

Friday, February 6, 2009: Concrete Pour

"Phil'z Coffee"
(Training Day 20) Thursday, February 5, 2009: Rainbow's

Wednesday, February 4, 2009: Sticky Mud

Hard Working Workers

Setting Up Rebar for Concrete Pour

"Dinner Tonight" Tuesday, February 3, 2009: Finished Rooftop

A wonderful week, with more sunshine and some rain...Finally finished the intimate roof project off the front patio house and it looks beautiful, thanks Jay! And I've discovered a new favorite tool a palm driver, a real amazing air pressurized nail driver. Driving nails couldn't be easier! There was a little stress involved too, on top of the fact that it decided to start raining this Friday for our concrete pour. I learned how to use a vibrator, a 25 pound tadpole with a 7 foot girating tail to help loosen up the the concrete for easier smoothing. It was the most tiring thing ever getting the end tail into the right spots down in. I even got some rough concrete all over my arm and banged my nose so hard it started bleeding! But my arms were caked in concrete and I had to leave it there for the entire day, ,a red smear and clot in my nose making it hard to breath. Much better than the alternative.

Menlo Park Sunset

2009-02-02T23:27:00.000-08:00

A Lots

2009-01-31T21:16:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 31, 2009: A Hard Spot

Hard Under Corner Nailing

Friday, January 30, 2009: Attic Panel Insulating

Layer Cake

"Down Low"

Thursday, January 29, 2009: Mud Sills

Wednesday, January 28, 2009: Last Paint Day

Last Paint Touchers

An early morning ride back to start a week of work with a cup of coffee and sitting for a while is always nice. This week I worked on the last paint for one of the houses, and my awsome crew I'm proud to say finished it all! This week we learned some very handy how to install mud sills, the things that anchor the house to the foundation, they really do screw the whole house down! And finally on slower days I worked insulation backing for the attic panels and a much bigger crew on Saturday to help me out on some rough site work and adding last shingles. It was kind of funny being up on the roof. Of all places, under the sky you think would be the most open place, but trying to drive a single nail in under the roof overhang to the next was nearly impossible and the most tiring thing ever!

Hawk's Hill

2009-01-27T23:04:00.000-08:00

More crazy trips all for pictures. Long naps in the sun and waiting for the right sounds to wake me up at the perfect time for another shot!

As Tomatoes

2009-01-25T23:57:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Week!

2009-01-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 24, 2009: 1rst Coat

White Strokes

Friday, January 23, 2008: Priority Kitchen Bathroom

Smooth Strokes

(Training Day 18) Thursday, January 22, 2009: Patching It!

Mixing Station

"Obama Inaugaration!"

Bono Red White & Blue

Wednesday, January 20, 2008: Painting Doors Again

Monday, January 19, 2009: Painting Doors

Lunch Time Nap

The Door Painters

It was a perfect week for painting and napping like a panther over scaffolding planks. I take it completely for granted sometimes, but I'm constantly reminded by the other Americorps who aren't from California how wonderful the weather is for the middle of winter. It's nice when paint only takes 5 minutes to dry, and second coats go so much quicker!

2009-01-20T22:06:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 19, 2009: I Am the Lick

Saturday, January 17, 2009: Big Jumps

Beautiful Week

2009-01-16T21:44:00.000-08:00

Friday, January 16, 2009: House Insides

Down to Entry

Hall to Powder Room and Deck

2nd Floor Powder

Kitchen

Living/ Dining

Stairwell to Living Room

Hall to Bedrooms

Upstairs Bathroom

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3
Garage Space

Thursday, January 15, 2009: 4.5 Ton

Shoveling 4.5 Tons of Dirt with Joe

Concrete Footing

View from Bayview Habitat Site

Cuplings

Wednesday, January 14, 2009: More Powder

The Pink Lady's

Tuesday, January 13, 2009: This is How I Feel

50 Mile Day

2009-01-12T11:57:00.000-08:00

YMCA Friends

2009-01-11T10:42:00.000-08:00

(My new Leica V-Lux is now ready for picture taking, I'm so excited! This means no more clumsy pictures from the camera phone.)

Emotion
In YMCA Style!

YMCA Gang

That Morning

I went back home to Berkeley for the weekend, and had a great party with old friends from the YMCA, and way too much fun with karaoke and juicy Top Dog apple dogs!

Berkeley HS Dance Performance

2009-01-10T23:28:00.000-08:00

Sand and Dust

2009-01-10T21:59:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 10, 2008: Like Peanut Butter

Clean Up!

Spreaders

Friday, January 9, 2009: Clickers

The Cisco Mudders

Before

After!

(Training Day 15) Thursday, January 8, 2009: Finding Cracks

Imperfections

Wednesday, January 7, 2009: Heavy Shoulders

Powder Room

Cloudy Heads

Tuesday, January 6, 2009: Dustiers

The Powderer's

I spent this week with my crews working on sanding, and a little mudding after smoothing out the surfaces to get ready for texturing. Now that I know how to look for the blemeshes with a light I can't believe how much more sanding there needs to be done. And after working a day overhead my shoulders are definitely starting to feel the tingles from tiredness. Now I realize the beauty in a good mud job, fewer blemeshes and less dust!

New Year 2009!

2009-01-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

Last Day of the Year

2008-12-31T19:10:00.000-08:00

"Ocean Beach"

Paws and Toes

"SF Zoo"

Stripes

See if you can spot the Bearded Tamarin!
Look a Squirrel!

Rainbow Turkey

Hungry Bear

Cotton Candy on Sticks

"Bite & Bart Home"

All On a Camera Phone

2008-12-28T23:15:00.000-08:00

(Please excuse the scratchy photos. I'm in the process of getting a new camera now that my old one is filled with too much sticky caulking, and doesn't seem to want to open anymore!)

Christmas Week

Rising Sun

Inspiration Point

Inspiration

Little Marching Thumbs

Warm for the Holidays

Christmas Eve

Sister's Little Baby

Trident!

Emerald Bowl

Embarcadero Stroll Back to Bart

Going home for the holidays was a nice break from work, and strange enough it feels kind of weird to be away from the construction site for so long. It makes me realize how tired I really am when I'm out there moving drywall, hammering nails, climbing stairs.

It's been a bit wet and too cold for going outside, but just accepting the gloomy weather and staying warm inside with family was nice. Christmas Eve was a ton of family over my aunt and uncles place with just as many friends.

It wasn't until Christmas morning while I was opening individually wrapped pieces of gum and chocolates did I figure out why my mum had spent so long wrapping the night before. But the surprise is what makes it so exciting! Christmas rushed up on me unusually quick this year, I hope this isn't a new trend now that I'm working. But for the few days leading up I tried slowing down enough to take in all the experiences that make the holidays so happy for me. And I'm glad I still got everything on my list done!

Getting to Like Black Coffee

2008-12-17T21:46:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 20, 2008: Drywalling Challenge!

Cyrena with Sarah

Drywallers

Joe's Birthday Cake "Habitat White Elephant Gifts"

Habitat Style!

Friday, December 19, 2008: Regulars and Americorps Drywall Crew

" Ranch Market"

(Training 15) Thursday, December 18, 2008: Door Install Trim

Wednesday, December 17, 2008: Thanks Carly, Great Picts!

"Christmas Party Bart"

Tuesday, December 16, 2008: Heavy Garage Ceiling

Wet Drywall

It's the last week before the holidays, with too much rain. I spent the entire week working with a bunch of great crews to finish up as much drywalling as possible before the closing of the site. We got a whole lot done including the entire garage and chunk of hallway. Sarah and I even had a little competition to see who could get the most done. I think it's easy enough to guess I was completely whooped, but...

I've been drinking a ton of coffee these days, yeah I'm the typical construction worker image now. But really, it's important especially after riding to work in weather cold enough to put frost on car windows! It's a huge difference seeing how having warm hands makes in leading crews. Around the site it's impossible finding gross chalky creamer, and it takes more time ripping open and sprinkling tiny sugar packs with numb fingers when you've got to be back leading a crew of volunteers as soon as possible. So I go without all the fancy stuff, and it's funny because I can actually feel I'm starting to get used to the taste of black coffee!

Away Out

2008-12-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

Driving back on the 101 today I saw a plane take off from the SF airport. I looked and just wished I could be up there with it. It would be nice to take a trip. I don't know where, but some place would be nice.

Berkeley Weekend

2008-12-14T23:28:00.000-08:00

Dance Floor
Christmas Carol (Sorry, No Pictures Allowed!)

Goodbye Berkeley

Holiday Meal

2008-12-13T23:46:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 13, 2008: Heavy Drywall

12' Drywall

Lifters

"After Work"

"Friday Night"

Joe with Noelle and Dad at Sichuan Delight

Josh and Noel Making Cranberry Stuff

Friday, December 12, 2008: More Heavy Scaffold

Lifters

(Training Day 14) Thursday, December 11, 2008: Baseboards & Holiday Lunch

Habitat Pot Luck

Ginger Bread

Robbie's Holiday Party

Wednesday, December, 11 2008: Scaffold Take Down

Caulking

Heavey Handers

Tuesday, December 9, 2008: Hard Corners

Main Lining RREEALLY Tight Corners Careful Cutters

Of all things construction I think drywall gives me the hardest time with every outlet a perfect cutout. One piece this week we re-cut three times and still it didn't match. I could have swarn that the walls were really shifting. But we got it finally. Every piece of drywall I'm starting to realize has to be looked at seperately without looking too far ahead. After trying this method, by Saturday I found how much it better works and I couldn't believe how much we put up.

This week was also very nice since we had lots of volunteer holiday party's. This Wednesday, Robbie, one of our day volunteers and official on site photographer invited us to her house where we had an amazing pasta dinner. She and her husband Rick made stalkings fo all of us Americorps, which included high prized toilet paper. Thursday the day volunteers prepared a wonderful lunch for everyone working that day, which included the best homestyle turkey chili and gingerbread cookies, yum! Friday Noelle invited Joe and me for family style chinese in Redwood City where I met her dad, Dan. We ordered completely vegetarian with imitation Beef, which tasted REAL! It was a great a great time. Being in good company is always a good feeling.

Christmas Tree Choad

2008-12-08T22:48:00.000-08:00

"Choad" the Christmas Tree
Lights, Star, and Silver Balls

We decided to get a tree tonight. There were so many to choose from, but we found this slightly shorter and more robust than average one sitting lopsided in the "on sale" pile. Somehow we knew it was the right one when we first saw it. We've named our tree Choad and it looks wonderful with a pack of 24 Long Drugs silver balls and string of lights.

Marin and Back Again

2008-12-08T20:34:00.000-08:00

Kitten Advertisement

"Muir Beach"

Marin

My co-worker Erika and I went up to a Habitat tabeling event this weekend in Marin at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, which was an interesting experience since I've always been the one asking the questions, and this time I was answering, but still a lot of good conversation.

Before heading back to the city we decided to stop in at Muir Beach. Driving across the Golden Gate was wonderful. Thanks so much Erika for taking some great pictures of the trip since my hands were busy on the steering wheel!

Small Work

2008-12-06T22:51:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 6, 2008: Hawaiian Laua, Just Green!

Panther or Rabbit?

Kneeling Drywall

Dare to Brush

Green-White Precision

"Maybe Mediterranean"

Front Yard Oranges

Friday, December 5, 2008: Rasperering

Long Evening Light

Gravity Chalk

The Clickers

(Training Day 14) Thursday, December 4, 2008: Door-Prep-Paint

Nice Interior Brushes

Smoothing Over Sticky Door Frame Caulking

Wednesday, December 3, 2008: In-Trim

Cutting Back Shims

Tuesday, December 2, 2008: Whole House of Shelving

How to Level

Closet Dwellers

This week most of my crews were working on finishing touches. It's amazing to think we've come so far. For the first part of the week we installed interior shelving for closets and today I worked on painting. I had a huge group which is always nice. I always hate trying to guess how far we'll get in a day since every group is different, but we really put up that green paint quick today. Thanks guys!

Bundle Up

2008-12-01T01:25:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite time of the year, when family comes closer and you can feel the holiday spirit in the air. And I get to wear sweaters and thick socks for a change, and if I actually owned a scarf that too! It may be completely random and out of place, but expect to see more of what makes this season so magical.

After Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T23:52:00.000-08:00

Ginkgo Dream

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T22:30:00.000-08:00

Bowl of Nuts, mmm-hmmm!
My Cranberries Stuff
Family Nisu
Eager
Table Setting
Mummu's Greenbeans
Perfect Nest

Thanksgiving was perfect with family and too much food. Now that I'm working away from the main hub of home, I'm dissapointed I don't get to see my family more. Going home for Thanksgiving made me realize this. It was nice sitting in the middle seeing everyone together in one place with my youngest cousins doing big kid things like helping set the table, no more running screaming toddlers. And my baby sister, well I can't quite say that anymore. It's strange to think how time stops for a while only to come rushing back fast forward.

Hope this helps Mummu. I'm going to try and start writing bigger so that you can read it too! Love

Thanksgiving Can't Wait!

2008-11-25T23:21:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, November 26, 2008: Fill In

First Aid Kitty Paw Help
Inside-Outsiders

Tuesday, November 25, 2008: Smoothing it Out

Mackie!

Smooth Edgers

It was a very short week of work and we had our first official rain today. Lucky for me and my crew since we worked inside with mudding and taping. Other crews working on the siding all had to come inside, but there was plenty of drywalling to be done. Walking outside was particularly difficult since the entire middle between houses was high in water. And walking outside from the garage was a spray of water spilling from the upper scaffolding down. After getting my shoulder soaked I opted to finally put on a rain coat. I couldn't help but feel like a general trudging through the site in my bright yellow rain slicker and hardhat. To keep people from falling into toe high puddles we set up pallets and networked chip board across the site between garages. It actually worked! Now the day Thanksgiving too!

I Never Thought I'd See the Day

2008-11-24T23:18:00.000-08:00

Under 2!

(Ride Back for Work Tomorrow)

The Perfect Hamburger

2008-11-23T22:50:00.000-08:00