Long overdue update ...

Anybody still out there? :)

I realize this is long overdue - sorry for the break without warning. We have had a pretty busy summer and alas, it is time for school again. We started back today.

So, what have we been up to? Working on the house, of course.

We have taken a break here and there - we went to the beach a couple weekends ago and had a restful, relaxing time enjoying the ocean.


Isn't the water beautiful! We ended up with great weather, although it didn't look too promising on our drive over to the beach. We drove through some pretty heavy rain showers, but John wisely persevered and we enjoyed a beautiful day.

On the house side:
We have subbed out the major systems in the house - plumbing, hvac and electricity. The plumbers have finished the rough-in, the electricians have started and the hvac guys are supposed to be coming tomorrow morning.

We had a setback with our plumbing ... it's a long story, but we ended up without water for 2 days, had to replace the well pump and are still wondering if the pressure tank was damaged. I have to admit that it was pretty difficult to take such of a big step backwards.


Here's the crew who swapped out the well pump - that was a job!

We do have water again, for which we are thankful.

On the positive note - we have STAIRS!!! So very exciting. We are getting them installed piece by piece - so, right now, saying "one step at a time" is very accurate.


Here are four of the five sets of stringers ready to go.


John lining up the first stringer.


This is actually the second set of stairs installed - with the old set next to it. John is standing in the kitchen below. These are not the final treads - they are just 2x12's that we will use during construction. After construction is finished, we will replace these with nicer wood.


Look who else is happy to have stairs! She loves to be with us and now can be wherever we are in the house.


This is also very exciting - I know, it's just a washer ... but ... it is IN the house now! We are running an extension cord to it for power, but the water is running in the house.

There has been a lot more here and there, but those are the major things for now.

Sunday tours

Today was the day.

Three weeks ago, we drove up a little mountain road near us and discovered this nearly abandoned tower. It was very tall and begged to be climbed (really, it did). However, there was an ominous thunderstorm hanging overhead, so we decided that we needed to wait for a better day.



Last Sunday was also stormy and rainy which prevented us from trying again.

Today ... today was the day! Absolutely gorgeous day here in AL so we headed back to the tower this afternoon.

Here it is!


We even brought Mercy along - she was loving the pickup ride!


John went first and braved the missing steps, nearly worn-out wood stair treads and handrails that were non-existent in places. Here he is waving from the top.


Closer shot - he said "it looks like I'm in prison" :)


View from beneath the tower. If you look right in the middle of the picture, you'll see a missing stair tread.


But - oh, the view was worth it!


360 degrees of nice views.

After a lloooonnnngggg time and many "are you coming down?" followed by "soon" question and answer sessions ... I got a turn :) (I'm only teasing him because I know he might read this)


I normally like heights, but this one was a little unsettling for me. I loved it and would do it again, but I had to get over the wind tugging at my shirt and hair, and the lack of floor boards at the very top.


Here is a shot looking down (through said non-existent floor boards). If you look really closely at the red dot towards the upper middle of the picture, you will see Hadden on the ground below. Well, I guess there is one good reason that the floor boards were missing - I wouldn't have been able to get that shot otherwise :)

There are 139 steps to the top and it is really very cool once you are up there. Trust me!

Loving the Alabama sunsets!

The first two are from last night's sunset




If you look closely in this one, there are little wispy clouds sweeping through the valley. The setting sun cast a cool orange glow on them.

The next two pictures are from tonight's sunset. God just keeps outdoing Himself! Glorious!




Radiant oranges, blues, purples were on display tonight.

no ... No ... NO!!!

Look who has made herself very comfortable ... in our house! The neighbor boy's little puppy.



She can visit, but she is NOT going to be staying. Period.

House update

It has been a long while since I gave you a house update - sorry about that. We have been working - little by little getting tasks done. The tasks have been tough to photograph, so here are just some of the latest pictures.


View from the back - we are using the patio even with all of the construction. If you look really closely, you'll see the kiddos in the pool :)


John has been working on framing and drying in these sections - the black plyform and red metal will be covered with stone and the deck eventually. Please take special note of the caulking job - that has been my main task for the past two weeks. It's harder than it looks and takes forever! I am thrilled to say that for the moment I am finished caulking. There will be a few more places down the road, but for now I am putting the caulk gun to rest.

In other areas - the stairs are still in progress. We are hoping to have the first set ready this week. The inmates are building them for us - that thrills me.

But I thought you might be interested to see what we are currently using for steps ...


The first set is not so bad - even Lilly has mastered how to get up and down. I think she is a smart dog - although others might not agree. A few times I have been on a ladder outside of a window, she has gone in the house, up the stairs and greeted me at the window. Now, isn't that smart? I think so :)


Up to the next two landings - they are pretty sturdy (except for one), but they are getting higher and higher. I am still thankful for them, though, because before these steps were in ...


we had to scale across the 2x6 wall to get to the landing. We only did that once or twice trying to keep rain out of the window openings (before the windows were in).


Here, John is demonstrating for you. He is carrying pocket door frames for the closets upstairs.


Ta-da. Pocket door frame installed. John did 4 of the 5 yesterday all by himself .... while I finished caulking.


I was able to trade my caulk gun for these! Oh, how I love to paint! For now, the only project is exterior doors - 7 of them. I did one coat on one yesterday.

So, things are progressing. We have an electrician and crew coming soon, a quote from an HVAC guy, got the name of a plumber and a quote for stone for the concrete section outside. We have been shopping (pricing mostly) for some interior stuff - showers, sinks, lights, kitchen cabinets, flooring, etc.

Every step is a little bit closer.

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On other news, Annie has her own sidebar photo, by repeated request (hi-d!).

Friday, she apparently got on the wrong end of some critter because she came back with her eye swollen almost shut. After Benadryl and a few hours, she was fine.


The good news is Lilly has limited the neck biting to a minimum, so Annie is much happier :)

Book Review - The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program. You can be, too, by clicking here.



This is a very well written book from an insider's perspective regarding many issues surrounding the global poverty crisis facing our world today. Stunning statistics intermixed with tales from Rich's own experience challenged me to evaluate my own attitudes and thought processes. I feel this is a must read for all Christians in America, but be prepared to be rocked from the "comfortable" seat.

One of my favorite quotes from the book:

Let me take some liberties and paraphrase these verses for today's reader: ' For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported. I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved." Matthew 25:42-43

The clencher - he reminds us that it starts with one. One person obedient to God - following what Christ would want them to do - making a difference where they are. For God's glory.

Let me do my part, Lord, for Your glory.

Hey - it's me again

Remember this post? Well, Mercy is at it again...

Last time, it was an antler ... this time - the shell of an armadillo. Not sure which dog actually found it, or where they found it, but Mercy has laid claim to it.

She was guarding this with her life - even waiting through meal time in order to protect her shell from not only Lilly, but now Annie, too.

These are my rough translations for you.


"What are you looking at?"


"Don't even think about it, Annie - that's close enough"


"Is she coming? What's she doing back there"


"It's mine"


"All mine"

"Unless, of course, you take it from me. Then it would be, well, um, yours"

"May I have it back, please? Please! Don't let Annie have it!!!"


"Thank you"


"Thank you"


"Thank you! Yum - this is tasty!"

Note: I finally had to take it away from her, for her own good. She was sitting all day in nearly the same spot guarding her shell - even in the hottest part of the day, in the sun and sand. She was also a little bit aggressive with me when I would get near her prized possession, so for the kid's sake, it made sense to get rid of it.