It's a Work in Progress!

February 15, 2009--Okay, okay. I know it has been a very long time since I have written a blog! I really do have a valid reason and that is we are STILL waiting for the phone line and, of course, DSL. Each picture takes 7-9 minutes to upload if, and this is a big IF, it loads on the first try. Sometimes it takes 4-5 attempts before one picture will upload and other times it loads on the first attempt.



Before I start this blog (which I will divide into 3 separate blogs due to the number of pictures I have!!) let me make a dedication. I write this blog and dedicate it to two very special people--Martha and Gloria. You may be wondering what makes them so special? They LOVE my blog and can't wait until the next installment. In fact, they let me know that repeatedly!



As you may remember from the last blog we moved in to the house on the 13th of May. We were using a temporary electrical hookup which was great because the contractors were paying for the usage. We had a temporary kitchen (see the last blog for a peek at it) and we had no inside doors!



We went to the states in early June to attend one grandson's graduation from high school and to pick up another grandson to spend the summer with us. I was just informed that it wasn't last June that we had a graduation, but the year before! I knew there was another reason we went in June and now I remember--it was for my mom's birthday!



Larry spent most of the summer working on the driveway which the contractors had left in a mess. He worked outside for 10-12 hours a day and dug down through dirt and rocks to make the driveway level. He also added ditches on either side of the driveway to help the rain water flow away from the house. He then spread big gravel over all of this. JD and I helped a little (VERY little)!











Well, actually, JD preferred to kick back on the porch with grandpa and Miss Kitty.















He also liked to climb into the wheelbarrow so that grandpa could take him for a ride! Larry learned soon enough to always put a shovelfull of dirt into the wheelbarrow as soon as he emptied it so that JD would go back and sit down!






















We were finally able to get the old doors from the previous owners. We had hoped to be able to use some of them inside the house, but they were much too short to use. Larry did find a use for one door by making it into two smaller doors.
















This door covers up the pipes for the downstair furnaces.

















Behind door #2 are the drainage pipes from the bathrooms and kitchen.
















We had a very busy summer in addition to all of the work Larry did. Or, I guess I should say that Larry had a very busy summer. JD's parents came in mid-August for two weeks and then to take him home. And, of course, Austin came with them.








Austin playing "King of the Hill" behind our house










I spent as much time as possible with the boys while allowing Joseph and Danielle to go sightseeing with Larry. The last day they were here I fell down the stairs inside our house and broke my ankle! I was home alone with the boys while the others were out sightseeing. Austin saved the day by bringing me my cell phone so I could call for help. Both Lynda and Primo came over. Primo also went and brought the doctor back and Lynda stayed with the boys the rest of the day.



That was bad enough, but we were supposed to leave the next morning to take the kids back to Rome. Our friends, Frank and Cheryl, were due to arrive the day after Joseph's family left! Larry ended up going to Rome for 6 days while I stayed home. Frank and Cheryl were good sports about going off with Larry since getting in and out of our house was very difficult for me with my cast and crutches.






Frank and Cheryl at San Leo







When Frank and Cheryl left, Larry once again went to Rome and this time came back with his mother, Anita. She did a nice job of taking care of me in between doing some sightseeing with Larry. And, once again, Larry was off to Rome without me!





Anita on the streets of Cortona








Once my ankle healed I was able to do some work outside. Larry had started moving our backyard "mountain" and I decided to join in the fun! He would use a pick to knock down the dirt from the hill and I would use a shovel, rake, and/or hoe to dump it over into the ditch! It is actually quite enjoyable and a great workout! Unfortunately, we have only been able to work outside twice in the last couple of months due to rain and snow. As you can see, we have a long way to go.
















After recovering from our busy summer we were looking forward to our Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and mashed potatoes, as well as the apple strudel a friend had made for us and the pecan pie I was going to make. Instead, the new kitchen we had ordered was delivered that morning! The installers were here until about 7:00 pm so we ate sandwiches for dinner--and some of the apple strudel.

The next day, Larry and Domenico tiled the wall behind the sink and stove top so once again Thanksgiving dinner was delayed.














We thought sure we would have it on Saturday, but early that morning our inside doors finally arrived months after ordering them!

As they were installing 9 doors they didn't finish until about 7:00 pm so we finished off the strudel! We finally had our dinner on Sunday, but with no pecan pie. I'd finally decided that since Larry doesn't really like it I would end up eating the whole pie so we just ate the pecans!

But the good news is that our guests now have a door on their bathroom and their bedroom!

Well, I have run out of time so you will need to wait a few more days to see the next installment of ...........It's a Work in Progress! Ciao.