Saturday, July 26, 2008

Continuing tile saga


Once upon a time there was a young man and woman who ventured out in the "parking lot" of Gainesville, FL to Home Depot. The couple risked their lives dodging stopped traffic on Newberry Rd to purchase ceremic tile (called Maui tile - see on left) for a fantastic price to upgrade their little quaint home in the North Ridge development. While waiting for the final installation the couple and their two dogs were displaced to the in-law hostel where they enjoyed the fine fellowship of Dad and Mom. Not desiring to wear out their welcome, they finally received word one week later that the project was completed and they could move back into the quaint house again. They were so happy and enjoyed the beauty of the freshly laid new floor. Then, as it would happen the couple noticed a growing fungus or something that appeared to infect some of the tile squares. Not just one or two, but upon further inspection it seemed to infect about one-half of the entire new floor. Not wanting to move the furniture back on the infected tile too fast the couple decided to call the chief surgeon for a prognosis. His suggestion - wait until I call the chief expeditor from Home Depot who will inspect it on Monday - two days in coming. To the couple's dismay they would have to delay moving back into there quaint house until the following week. That meant mooching off Dad and Mom for another week. I guess this little story seems rather sad and depressing, but on the other hand the couple learned some valuable things: 1) It is what it is, so if one cannot change the situation learn to deal with it one day at a time; 2) Hospitality is God's gift to some people so they may share with others. In this story the in-laws actually welcome the couple and their dogs for another week; 3) What might seem a trial to some, on the other hand, in retrospect, is rather trite to others going through more severe times; 4) Maybe the couple smells some kind of rebate. :-) H

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Update from Gainesville, FL

Okay, Rhetorman and et cetera of you bloggers; I need to keep things going with this blogging thing! Yet, I feel somewhat justified because for the last week we have been displaced from our home. In Home Makeover they destroy a house to the foundation and completely rebuild it in a week. Tomorrow, it will be one week since the beginning of our ceremic tile adventure. Finally, it will be cured enough to seal the grout; Saturday, we will be able to place the furniture back in the rooms. Actually, we are very pleased with the results as one notices from the cartoon to the right.

As for the our 300' hedge: Well, it is finally trimmed; yes, the whole thing. After falling into the hedge with the 24' extension ladder, taking 30 minutes to trim 1'x1' area using my son's bed matress to spread my weight over a 5'x6' mattress, I finally found the resource I needed - a 22' multi-facited ladder. Wha-la! The job is complete as you can tell from the picture. This re-modeling thing, however, is very dangerous. It has given my wife so much more to think about. I always wanted to contribute to our sick and ailing economy anyway.

One final note: We will post some pictures taken with our new camera (also helping the economy) sometime next week on the finished projects.
Bid you Godspeed!