1: Weighed in at 213.8. Let's see what happens.
1: We go for a 2-mile walk. We had lamb and salad for dinner. A very simple day to start off 2014.
1: No drive day.
2: Picked up the Dyna-Glo 25,000 BTU portable convection liquid propane heater at Lowes. Now, we can "jumpstart" heating the house when we get home or get up in the morning while waiting for the woodstove to kick in. We don't have HVAC yet.
3: Purchased brand new propane tank for the new burner.
4: Propane burner activated.
4: Christmas lights come down.
4: Movie: Saving Mr. Banks.
5: Portion of south porch decking "flipped."
5: No drive day.
7: We carpool for the first time this year. My wife had to fill in as a manager at another office for January 2, 3, and 5, 2014.
7: We go to the gym we signed up for back in June for the first time. Primitive but functional and it suits our needs. My first set of pullups, bardips, and vertical knee raises since May 2013.
8: Gas $3.459.
9: West porch worked on. Kitchen bay window drywalled.
10: More work on the west porch steps.
11: Dump run....so long trash from the renovations.
12: We look at property near Bass Lake.
12: Burn day...so long Christmas tree and brush in the "holler."
13: We order more windows and doors for the home.
15: Subie oil change.
15: More work on the west porch steps. The old fascia is removed and replaced with new wood.
16: More work on the west porch steps.
18: I finally match the numerous pairs of socks. No more stragglers.
18: We attend a memorial service for Harold Wayne Summers of Caruthers, CA. His wife works with my wife. He was only 63 years old. His wife planned to retire at the end of this year and this happens.
18: We purchase a new front door and porch light from Lowes.
19: New 2x6's installed on back porch. Needed the old wood for the front porch.
19: We caulk the seams of the siding on the south porch.
19: Nails are pulled on the south porch.
19: No drive day.
20: South porch deck boards flipped. Fifty percent done.
20: Front door porch stained.
20: Put together some jigsaw pieces with my wife.
20: No drive day.
21: My IL's 58th anniversary. We celebrate with my wife and MIL at Oka.
21: Front porch steps in place.
22: Gas $3.339.
23: No drive day. Mental health day.
23: All of the boards on the south porch deck are flipped.
23: The west steps and deck are almost complete.
25: South porch decking flipped and cut.
26: South porch decking screwed in. All sight lines look great. No "bends." Next up, the sanding portion of this project.
26: New front porch LED light installed and the front porch stained.
26: No drive day.
27: We order more firewood.
28: 1,000 pushups this day.
28: Second set of steps in place on the front porch landing.
29: 1,000 pushups again this day.
30: Rain! 1.46 inches of it!
30: Retirement dinner for one of my wife's coworkers.
30: Propane tank runs out of fuel. Backup installed.
31: We get another 6-pane wooden door. We also purchase 2x6x10 lumber for the back porch, a new trash can, and a rake.
31: Haircut.
FEBRUARY 2014
1: Some balusters sanded.
1: New 2x6x10 in place on the back porch.
2: We finish the 550-piece jigsaw puzzle.
2: Snowfall but nothing stuck.
2: Superb Owl XLVIII: Gary and Janelle, Klaus and Gail, Uncle T, Tre, my wife and me watch "that game" between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. My MIL was not in attendance. Eric was MIA, too.
3: All balusters in place on the front west porch. Rain gutter reinstalled in place. One runner for the south steps installed. Motion detector installed and wiring to follow.
4: Another 1,000 pushup day.
4: One cord of wood delivered for $225.00.
4: A three-inch corrugated pipe 50 feet long is connected to the downspout of the front porch that will take the water underneath the west porch and on to underneath the south porch. It will eventually be connected to the downspout on the south porch.
4: The motion sensor for the west porch light is hooked up. No more arriving home in the dark on these winter solstice days.
5: A Y-joint connects the west porch downspout corrugated pipe with the southwest downspout.
6: Rain! 0.57 inches of it.
7: No Starbucks for the entire week!
7: Truck oil change.
7: Rain! 0.31.
7: Picked up two windows from Lowe's. One 4x4 window will be for the bathroom.
7: Winter Olympics begin in Sochi, Russia.
8: Rain! 0.56. A perfect rain...
8: Nine-pane door prestained and stained.
8: Cut 2x4s at 25.5 inches for balusters.
9: Rain! 0.09.
9: Cut 2x4s for balusters.
9: Nine-pane door lacquered (first coat).
10: Rain! 0.07.
10: Wooden picket gate installed at the front west porch.
11: My other BIL, Paul, celebrates his birthday today.
11: South lower step stringers installed.
13: The new door gets a second coat of lacquer on one side.
13: Some south lower steps treads in place.
14: Our first Valentine's Day in our home.
14: Lower steps almost done.
15: Pine beams ordered for the south porch.
15: 2x4s cut into balusters.
15: West porch is stained.
16: Bird feeders moved to below the west porch deck.
16: Laundry room window and bathroom window installed. Old glass block removed.
16: Third coat of lacquer applied to only one side of the nine-pane door.
16: The blue grey water trash can is swapped with the new black one we purchased on January 31. Less of an eyesore.
16: No drive day.
17: New nine-pane front door wet sanded for last time and windows cleaned.
17: Woodpile moved.
17: Some balusters sanded before the belt sander mysteriously quit working...again.
17: West porch stained some more.
17: Pulled some nails off the side of the house.
17: Caulked around the bay windows.
17: No drive day.
18: New nine-pane front door installed and centered with the lead steps.
19: Strained my left gastrocnemius muscle while doing calf raises.
20: Strained my lower left back...is there a connection?
22: Purchased more siding.
23: Purchased a Skil 18-inch belt sander.
23: Wooden beams delivered by Raymond.
23: Balusters sanded and stained.
23: Winter Olympics end.
25: Dental appointment.
26: Rain. 0.72 inches.
27: Rain. 0.86 inches.
27: KC's 27th.
28: Rain. 1.93 inches. Thank you, Pineapple Express.
MARCH 2014
1: Balusters sanded and stained.
1: Took my (our) first nap!
1: No drive day.
2: To Lowes to purchase 30 cement siding planks and drywall screws.
2: Took my (our) second nap!
2: Light sprinkle all day.
3: The doors are installed under the kitchen bay window and the plastic conduit is removed.
3: The electric meter is almost covered with the new siding.
4: Rain.
4: Balusters and railing installed in lower south porch steps. Handles and latches installed for the bay window doors.
5: Balusters installed from lower landing to south porch deck.
6: Rain, lightning, thunder, and power outage around 5:00 a.m.
7: Another 1,000 pushup day.
8: Old siding taken down and vapor barrier in place on the west wall.
9: Lower steps stained.
9: No drive day.
10: Seven years...
10: More siding on the west wall.
11: More siding on the west wall. One of the windows is trimmed. Although we purchased 30 on March 2, we didn't get enough to finish.
11: We discuss the "inlaw suite." We have a plan to make it happen.
12: Gas $3.759.
13: Siding caulked and we painted the vents black and put them in place.
14: Gas $3.779.
15: We develop floor plans for the inlaw suite.
15: Septic dig. We move stuff upstairs.
15: No drive day.
16: Septic dig, day two. Mission accomplished.
16: No drive day.
17: Mom's birthday.
17: Subie smogged and registered.
17: Purchased 15 cement siding planks, redwood for the deck, 30 2x4x96 studs, and 3-inch deck screws.
18: Septic repaired. Wall framing up. Bathroom laid out.
19: More wall framing up. Bathroom foundation forms in place.
19: Hair appointment.
20: Another 1,000 pushup day.
22: The rear steps come down.
23: Some of the redwood is mitered, water sealed, and in place. Stuff is moved from the inlaw suite into the garage to make room for work. The garage is organized for the first time! The rear garage door is removed. Dug out dirt for one of the forms for the poles on the front porch.
23: My wife noticed a leak in the drain pipe from the washing machine. It was an errant drill hole. Patched it up with some silicone caulk and all fixed.
24: Costco run: salmon burgers, organic quinoa, organic brown rice, tuna, yams, tuna, birdseed, toilet paper, paper towels, Oxyclean, detergent, sliced turkey, two loaves of organic bread, Brita filters.
24: We switch from Wells Fargo to Chase. We didn't go far with Wells Fargo.
24: REI dividend: $3.12.
24: I put up the vapor barrier on the backside of the inlaw suite.
26: Rain. 1.13 inches.
26: We order more stuff from Lowes: 40 gallon water heater, white 30-inch undercabinet range hood, bathroom fan, one-piece tub/shower, faucets, garbage disposer, three 72x48 Pella windows, 36-inch 6-panel prehung interior door, two 36-inch 6-panel hollow composite interior doors, 24x36 Pella window, pet door, kitchen faucet, bathroom faucet, door knobs, mirrored closet sliding door, 30-inch 5-cubic foot gas range...
27: We pick up one of the panel doors at Lowes and purchase 12 more 2x4x96s.
28: Vacation.
28: FIL 2 years.
28: Sanded and water sealed redwood caps on the west porch. The 9-pane and 6-panel doors are pre-stained.
28: Subie oil change.
29: Balusters cut and stained. Both doors lacquered. Greenhouse moved back on whole length.
29: No drive day.
29: Rain. 0.24 inches.
30: Rain. 0.21 inches.
30: Upper deck west side comes down. East sliding doors removed. Six-panel lacquered.
31: Rain, hail, lightning. 0.49 inches
31: North railings down and some upper decking.
31: MIL will not move in. The In Law Suite becomes The Shop.
31: Mountain Comforts provides estimate for gas stove.
31: JS Air gives estimate for HVAC.
31: Gail and Klaus give us a birdhouse made by their friend, Herb.
31: Rear differential sold for $80.00.
31: Vacation
APRIL 2014
1: No drive day.
1: Foundation forms for front porch in place. Posts for the south porch removed to make way for the pine logs.
1: Rebar in place for second bathroom.
1: Trench dug for sewer line from the second bathroom.
1: Wiring installed in the "shop."
2: Snow. Two inches.
2: Cancelled much of our order for the building materials Lowes since my MIL decided not to move in. Purchased more metal cutting saw blades, screws, and hinges.
3: Returned the 48x48 window that is no longer required.
3: Door frame on east side installed. Drywall in place around walk-in closet and a light fixture installed.
4: Another 1,000 pushup day.
4: Bloodwork.
5: The last of the upper decking comes down.
6: Sanded and water sealed (second coat) the redwood railing.
6: Sanded the cutting board table while my wife strips off the old paint exposing brass leg caps.
6: No drive day.
7: Gas $3.839.
7: Purchased two new 36x72 Pella 48x48 Pella windows and 26 2x4x96s for the bathroom framing. Also purchased sewer pipe.
7: The new 36x48 hallway window is installed.
7: Cinder blocks in place for the bathroom foundation.
8: Another 1,000 pushup day.
9: Another 1,000 pushup day.
9: Picked up the 48x48 window from Lowes. Bathroom foundation complete. Bathroom wall studs in place. Bathroom window installed. Sewer pipe needs to be installed.
10: Another 1,000 pushup day. A trifecta.
10: Sewer pipe in place. Walk in closet taped and spackled.
11: Another 1,000 pushup day. A grand slam.
11: Lowes:
11: Walk in closet textured and ready for paint.
12: Got a washer and dryer for my MIL. She purchased them at an estate sale. The dryer was installed and the washer is a back up.
12: My wife paints the walk in closet while I partially fill in the sewer pit.
12: We get our teeth cleaned at the dentist. The very first time we ever had any dental work done on a Saturday!
13: Sewer pit filled in and the walk in closet floor is painted with grey epoxy paint.
13: Movie: Draft Day.
14: Another 1,000 pushup day.
14: Galvanized water pipe from the east hose bib in place in preparation for use with the second bathroom.
14: Electrical conduit pipe in place for the second bathroom.
15: Another 1,000 pushup day.
15: Doctor.
15: Lowes: Purchased 10 2x6x96 planks for the second bathroom floor joists along with 14-2 with ground, and metal cutting blades for the reciprocating saw.
15: Second bathroom wiring installed, second bathroom fan installed, 2x4 for the second bathroom roof installed, and the 36x72 laundry room window installed.
16: Second bathroom floor joists and OSB plywood in place. The shower pan and toilet are in their positions for fitting of the pipes.
17: Another 1,000 pushup day.
17: The oak dresser I had since 1989 was sold for $50.00.
17: The wine cooler was given away to our friend, Gary, to give to his son.
17: The 2x6 are in place for the roof for the second bathroom.
18: Another 1,000 pushup day.
19: Mowed the yard and weedwhacked the hollow.
19: Finally replanted the black walnut near FIL's tree. I erected fencing around it to keep the deer from eating the new shoots.
20: Easter dinner at MIL's...lamb, potatoes, asparagus, Easter bread, salad. MIL, my wife, JayMi and me.
21: Another 1,000 pushup day.
22: Earth Day.
22: Another 1,000 pushup day.
22: Lowes: Purchased 3 sheets of OSB for the new bathroom roof, galvanized and copper pipes for the water, drain connections for the shower and toilet, and two 2x4x96.
22: Had to re-fire up the stove.
23: Another 1,000 pushup day.
23: The galvanized pipe is in place for the new bathroom and the drain fittings are in place.
24: Another 1,000 pushup day.
24: The OSB becomes the roof for the new bathroom. It is also papered and the vapor barrier encases the room to keep out the rain that is forecasted.
25: Another 1,000 pushup day.
25: Rain 1.32 inches. Another "perfect rain."
25: Lowes: vapor barrier, insulation.
26: Rain 0.15. Probably the last of it for a while.
26: Second 36x72 window installed for the shop. Lights operational for second bathroom. Cinder blocks in place for water heater. Drywall exposed areas of the shop. No more stinging insects. Had to move over the opaque window just 1.5 inches due to an error in placement of the window.
26: No drive day.
27: Seeds are sown for our vegetable garden. We stop by the nursery to purchase several tomato plants and a bell pepper plant. We purchase radish, arugula, basil, cilantro, lettuce, and spinach seeds. The pots are in the greenhouse.
27: Movie: Heaven Is for Real. Someone had purchased the first 90 tickets for the 3:45 p.m. show and we just happened to be one of the lucky ones. Heaven sent.
29: 10! I finally lose my 10th pound! Down to 203.8 from 213.8 the first of the year.
29: Gas $3.999 at Costco.
29: Copper piping and drain pipe installed.
30: Plumbing for the washer and dryer installed.
MAY 2014
1: We purchase a Mr. Coffee coffee grinder for $9.02. Those CVS coupons do come in handy along with a military discount.
1: The new weed eater head comes in.
1: The water heater foundation is in place along with more copper tubing. Vapor barrier and old fiberglass insulation is in place between the OSB and the floor joists to keep moisture out.
1: The seeds we planted on April 27 have now broken through. The tomato plants look healthy.
1: Scrap vapor barrier sheets are placed under the joists to prevent moisture buildup under the second bathroom floor
2: Another 1,000 pushup day.
2: Purchase a 24-inch pan for the water heater along with a watering pitcher for our garden.
2: The second toilet is functional.
2: We go to Flooring Liquidators and finally decided the tile for the floors and shower...Rock Episodite.
3: Purchased six bags of concrete mix.
3: Wire is hooked up for the dryer. Washer and dryer moved for the fourth time from the house to the new shop. Drywall erected and now ready for taping and mudding and texturing.
3: Mowed the backyard.
4: KC and EriKa visit. MIL, KC and EriKa over for Texas toast french toast breakfast, bacon, and eggs. We later drive to Bass Lake.
4: No shower day. Nice cool day and did absolutely nothing on the house or yard. We even took a nap.
4: We apply mortar to the water heater pad for the water heater to be installed.
5: Sprinkle in the evening.
6: Weight 201.8.
6: Rain 0.33 inches.
6: Gas $3.979.
6: Water heater in place inside. Shelter erected.
7: Another 1,000 pushup day.
8: Klaus and Gail's 50th anniversary.
8: Both doors for the bathroom installed. The old front door which is now opaque due to some sandblasting is now the backdoor to the bathroom.
9: Haircut.
9: Purchased pipe insulation from Lowes to wrap the copper tubing in the walls.
9: The front door lock is replaced. No more fear of locking oneself out without keys.
9: Trim around two of the doors in the shop and bathroom in place.
10: Veterans' Stand Down at Sierra Pines Church.
10: Water is all hooked up to everything.
10: Concrete is poured into the three forms for the south porch. We now await the logs to be erected on top of them.
10: Weedwhacked the hollow.
11: Mother's Day.
11: Pipes are insulated.
12: Fiberglass insulation put back up on the outside on the north side and fiberglass installed around the shower hardware and pipes. Some mud applied around electric plugs and light switches.
13: Gas $3.879.
14: The new water heater is operational. We got hot water! Sheetrock in place on the east wall of the shop. All that is left is taping, mudding, and texturing.
15: We close our bank account. "We'll go far" with another bank (I hope).
15: Mud is applied to the laundry room.
16: Texturing is applied to the laundry room.
17: My wife to Fresno.
17: Changed air filter in Chevy.
18: Water heater wrapped and braced. Assembled the PVC greenhouse table.
18: Laundry room is painted.
18: No drive day.
18: Scorpion kill #1 in the kitchen. Now, where did it come from?
19: Bought a five-gallon bucket of joint compound at Lowes.
20: Another 1,000 pushup day.
20: A sprinkle of 0.07 inches.
21: A sprinkle of 0.05 inches.
21: The drain pipes are connected together. The straps are rearranged around the water heater. The showerhead is installed.
22: A sprinkle of 0.08 inches.
22: Wood trim around the laundry room window is in place.
23: Lowe's purchase: Four 2-gang electrical boxes and four pipe insulation tubes.
23: Gar(b)age sale at MIL.
24: Gar(b)age sale at MIL.
24: Purple drywall in place in new bathroom. All that is left is the Durock, tiling and putting up the old 1x4 balusters on to the wall. Also, quieted the rattling pipes.
25: Purchased five 1/4 inch paneling for use of the old 1x4 balusters for the new bathroom.
25: Steve, Jennifer and Charlotte visit us.
26: Lowes: bathroom hardware, closet shelving, exterior paint, shower hardware.
27: Gas $3.859.
27: Lowe's purchases: doors, tile, cast iron kitchen sink, toilet, bathroom fan, bathroom sinks, windows, range, oven hood, microwave, utility sink, bathtub, shower. Purchased a LED remodel light to be installed in the hallway adjacent to the walk-in closet.
27: Utility sink installed. Just needs to be plumbed and it is ready to go. Wiring for the electrical switch in the hallway adjacent to the walk-in closet. Covey holes in place in the shower for shampoo.
28: Another 1,000 pushup day.
28: My wife sees a chiropractor in Coarsegold.
29: We finally go to REI. Didn't buy a thing, but it sure was nice to see new stuff on the market.
29: Retirement dinner for Ms. K. Courtney.
29: Utility sink plumbed and ready for use. We have always wanted a utility sink. Now, we do!
29: Mud applied around the shop window and walls and the purple sheetrock in the bathroom.
29: The hallway light is installed.
30: Another 1,000 pushup day.
30: The Lopi stove we purchased and never used is if picked up to be traded in for a gas stove which will be delivered later.
30: The new propane tank location is set.
31: The west side sliding glass door is removed. New window and door installed. Looks great!
31: The shelving is erected in the walk in closet. Winter clothing moved into the closet.
31: Carl, Phyllis and Steve visit. We later have BBQ at Uncle T's.
JUNE 2014
1: Breakfast at our place: Carl, Phyllis, Steve, Uncle T, MIL, my wife, EriK and me.
1: Shop is painted. All that is left is the west wall. Ran out of paint and we need to texture it.
1: We play team 8-ball at Gary and Janell's. My wife and I win 3 out of 4. We won the first three and they won the final game.
2: No drive day.
2: The old former wood balusters erected in second bathroom in front of the toilet. My wife sanded as I tried to make the puzzle fit into place.
3: Election day. Our first as residents of our home town.
3: Lowe's purchase: 4x8 Hardie siding, insulation, paint, baseboards, two 2x4x96.
3: Dual outlets installed. Wood trim around two of the doors in the laundry room/shop
4: Another 1,000 pushup day.
4: Both shop windows trimmed and more trim applied to some of the doors. More dual electrical outlets installed.
5: FIL's 81st. RIP, Pops.
5: Gas $3.839.
5: Picked up the first load of the Rock Episodite tile from Flooring Liquidators.
5: Baseboards painted and in place in the shop. All electrical is complete.
6: Another 1,000 pushup day.
6: Picked up the second load of the Rock Episodite from Flooring Liquidators.
6: Lowes: Shelving and brackets, four fluorescent light fixtures and fluorescent bulbs, paint.
6: Tile arrives from Wal-Mart.
7: "Shtuff" (the "it" is silent) is moved from the garage to the shop area.
7: Installed shelving above the laundry room window. Now we have a place to hang our clothes once they are removed from the dryer.
8: No drive day.
8: Installed shelving in the shop for the packs.
8: Tore down the drywall in the garage and removed the insulation.
8: Reached 100°.
9: Gas $3.799.
9: Reached 104°.
9: Installed another shelf for the packs. That little project is complete. Now, all of our packs, snow gear, and hiking poles are in one location with easy access. Next up will be the camping gear.
10: Purchased yet another 250 foot roll of 14-2 with ground wire.
10: Two fluorescent light fixtures and bulbs installed. Baseboard around the laundry area. Durock on the shower walls.
11: Right wrist hurting.
11: The other two fluorescent light fixtures and bulbs installed and an outdoor light on the west wall is installed.
12: Gas $3.779.
12: Right wrist still hurting.
12: Wiring for the evaporative cooler in place.
12: Backyard bathroom light installed.
13: Right wrist throbbing. Off work for the rest of the day.
14: The evaporative cooler is installed.
14: Durock on the bathroom floors.
14: Finished with the 1/4-inch paneling and placed the old balusters on the second wall in the bathroom.
15: Father's Day: I get a bear magnet, corn on the cob popcorn from MIL. Redneck wine glass from JayMi.
16: No work.
16: Took my wife to the airport for her training in Kansas City.
17: Gas $3.799
17: Siding up on west side of shop.
18: Purchased mouse trap, D-Con, and clamps from Lowe's.
18: Tiling of the shower in second bathroom begins.
19: My wife returns from training in Kansas City, MO.
20: Lowe's delivery day: Windows, doors, bath tub, bathroom sinks, kitchen sink.
20: Trim applied to the west window and door of shop.
20: No drive day.
21: The start of our first summer here together. No relocations and no reassignments.
21: The wood is up on the bathroom walls.
21: The tile is laid on the bathroom floor. All that is left is the shower.
22: We drive to Bass Lake.
22: Scorpion kill #2 in the shed.
23: Lowe's purchase: 4x8 Hardie sheets, 20 2x4x96, and 10 Hardie planks.
24: Grout is applied to the bathroom tile floor.
26: Sprinkle. 0.01 inches.
26: More tile applied to the shower. Backsplash pieced together.
27: Lowe's purchase: wires shelving for the shop.
28: Two Hardie sheets up on the north wall.
28: Trash run. $15.00.
28: Baseboards installed in walk-in closet. Wooden sill for bathroom floor installed between the bathroom and hallway.
28: Lowe's delivery: 20 2x4x96 Douglas fir, 10 Hardie planks, and 10 Hardie sheets. Again, the windows and door are not delivered. My wife gives an earful to the store manager.
28: A slight miscalculation for the shop shelving. Will have to get an additional three 20-in wide 12-foot wire shelves and three more supports and one rail.
29: Trash run. $15.00.
30: Gas $3.859.
30: Wife has manicure.
JULY 2014
1: Windows, celing fans and door delivered finally from Lowe's after two misdeliveries.
1: Walk-in closet door installed. Trim applied to bathroom window and doors. Fluorescent lighting installed for the laundry room.
2: I pulled a tick off me on my right side just above belt line.
3: Gas $3.899.
3: Sheetrock up on hallway.
3: Purchased shelving from Lowes.
3: The bathroom windows and doors are trimmed.
3: We purchased a pool table from cousin Sharon.
4: Shower door installed.
4: Electrical outlet installed on north side.
4: No drive day.
4: Ditch dug with high pressure nozzle in front for gas line.
4: Shelving up in walk-in closet. All I need now is the lower shelving for the hanging clothes section.
5: No drive day.
5: Bathroom walls are done.
5: Moving day....stuff from the shed to the shop to the garage.
6: Vapor barrier up on north side.
6: Sprinkle.
6: Moving day...stuff in the gargage to the shed.
6: No drive day.
7: Blood work.
8: Gas $3.959.
8: Shower niche done in bathroom.
9: Another 1,000 pushup day.
9: Shower tile sealed.
9: Light in garage operational.
10: Haircut.
10: Glaze applied over black accents in the shower and niches to give it that wet look. The shower is DONE!
10: Frames made for the windows and doors for the recreation room.
12: Removal of the cement in front of the gargage begins.
13: We meet a logger, Paul "Bunyan" Vining, to discuss logs for the porch.
13: Removal of the cement in front of the garage ends.
13: Movie: Transformers 4: Age of Extinction. My first Transformers movie. Honestly, I liked it! Afterwards, it was dinner at El Cid.
13: We take our first shower in our new bathroom. However, the valve would only go halfway.
13: Reached 104° again.
14: Our 7th anniversary. A quiet dinner at our home. Our first celebration here.
14: Neurologist appointment.
15: Pam takes MIL to airport for her flight to Portland, OR.
16: Gas $3.879.
16: Purchased fishing licenses.
16: Shower is now functional. Had to flip the valve the other way.
17: Another 1,000 pushup day.
17: Scorpion kill #3 on the bedroom floor on my side.
17: We have our anniversary dinner at Pismo's. I had the blackened salmon sandwich and it was delicious.
18: Another 1,000 pushup day.
19: We go for a 3-mile walk for the first time since January 5.
19: The facia is up on the east side of the new bathroom.
19: Flashing is applied to the roof of the new bathroom.
19: The vent and cover for the bathroom fan is in place.
19: Siding goes up on the north side.
19: Combination door is stained.
19: The west window and door is stained along with the shop window.
19: We pick up MIL at the airport.
20: We go fishing at Bass Lake at the point near Miller's Landing along with Gary B.
20: More siding goes up on the north side. All that is left is above the water heater.
20: Sprinkle.
20: The trim to the laundry room is stained.
21: Another 1,000 pushup day.
21: I get a pair of Timberland Earthkeeper shoes from Zappo's.
21: The walk in closet is complete.
22: Another 1,000 pushup day.
22: Doctor appointment.
22: The 20-foot log is delivered finally.
23: Another 1,000 pushup day.
23: Gas $3.799.
24: Another 1,000 pushup day.
24: Neurlogist appointment.
25: Another 1,000 pushup day.
26: Bathroom cabinets delivered.
26: More demolition of the concrete slab in front of the garage.
26: El Portal and Dark Hole fires: Near Highway 140 and community of El Portal
27: Bathroom cabinets stained.
27: Concrete work is finished in front of the garage.
27: More rocks and debris are removed on the south side for the propane tank flex line.
27: No drive day.
28: French Fire: Rock Creek Drainage, south of Mammoth Pool Reservoir.
28: Smoke.
29: Homewood Suites Clovis Room 321.
29: Smoke.
30: Gas $3.739.
30: Smoke.
31: Smoke.
AUGUST 2014
1: Smoke.
1: Gas $3.719.
2: We use our park pass purchased last August 15, 2013, for the first time. Due to the fires, you could not see Half Dome from the Tunnel View.
Camping. Aspen Grove #26 by the stream. Seven trout are caught by the LA power inlet.
3: Camping. Aspen Grove #26 by the stream. Ten trout are caught. I caught one. LA Power inlet. Overcast day. Drizzle.
4: We leave for home. Beautiful drive through Yosemite.
5: Some parts for the bathroom cabinets are stained while the rest have 2 coats of clear coat applied.
5: We eat some of the fish we caught.
6: Another 1,000 pushup day.
6: Remainder of the bathroom cabinets lacquered.
6: MIL had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance tonight.
7: MIL back home.
7: Gas $3.679.
7: The last of the bathroom cabinet is lacqured.
8: Another 1,000 pushup day.
8: Lowes: purchased 16 2x6x16', 3 sheets of 3/4 inch OSB plywood, and seven 10-foot 1/2-inch black pipe.
8: Bathroom cabinets installed.
9: Bathroom heater installed.
9: Nail setted and puttied all the window and door trim. All of the trim except for the closet are stained. Some sills lacquered.
9: Subie gets a right front flat.
9: No drive day.
10: Combo door lacquered with 3 coats. One more less door to do. Nine-pane door is all that is left to do. That door will be for upstairs.
10: The gargage is cleared out to make way for the 2x6's and OSB and pool table.
12: Another 1,000 pushup day.
12: Bathroom countertop and backsplash tiled.
13: Gas $3.659.
13: Lowe's delivers the oven, microwave, eighteen 2x6x16s, seven black pipe, and three OSB plywood.
13: Bathroom countertop grouted. Backsplash almost done.
14: Another 1,000 pushup day.
15: My wife's birthday.
15: The water is hooked up in the bathroom.
15: Four feet wide of flooring is installed for the gas stove.
15: The linen closet now has shelves.
15: The drywall in the garage comes down
16: Subie oil change.
16: We go kayaking for the first time at Bass Lake.
17: Biscuits and gravy at our house: Me, my wife, KC and EriKA, JayMi, MIL, Uncle T and Aunt C and TrE, NatalE and Greg.
18: Gas $3.599.
18: Junction Fire in Oakhurst, CA. Danger close.
19: Another 1,000 pushup day.
19: Chimney for the gas stove installed.
20: Another 1,000 pushup day.
21: Another 1,000 pushup day.
21: Floor joists installed on the east side of the garage.
21: Bathroom trim along the front and backsplash are done.
21: Pool table arrives.
22: Gas $3.579.
22: Flooring complete on the east side.
23: Large wooden beam in the garage moved to the upstairs. The beam will be used to case the recreation room to the laundry area.
23: Garage door comes down.
23: We open up the hallway into the future recreation room.
24: Three logs delivered by Paul V.
24: Dump run. So long old drywall and insulation.
25: More mud purchased.
26: Another 1,000 pushup day.
26: Purchased twenty 2x4x10s and one roll of R-19 insulation
27: Purchased fifteen 2x4x10s, one roll of R-19 insulation, and one five pound bucket of 3-inch deck screws.
27: Hole in the south wall of the recreation room for the black pipe for propane.
27: The barn door is up between the house and the recreation room.
27: Studs in place on the south wall of the recreation room for sheetrock.
28: More studs in place on the south wall of the recreation room.
28: Hole in blocks for the black pipe.
28: Seven cinder blocks ready for placement.
28: Haircut.
29: Lowe's purchase: five OSB, foam insulation, and four sheet of plywood.
29: Styrofoam insulation installed on the bedroom wall from inside the recreation room.
30: Garage door is removed and the bay window in place.
30: Plywood installed in the rafters of the recreation room for additional storage space.
30: I jam my right thumb.
30: No drive day.
31: We clean up "Gail's Trail." We smash down and cover up the exposed pipe that was a hazard, weed whipped the trail to scale back the thorn bushes, and rearranged some of the stones near the bridge to prevent further falls.
SEPTEMBER 2014
1: Car washed.
1: We meet JayMi's friend, Binh, at the Batter Up Pancakes restaurant.
2: Gas $3.539.
2: Right wrist hurts due to the jammed thumb.
2: Purchased 3 sacks of concrete.
3: Right wrist hurts due to the jammed thumb.
3: Gas pipe tested for leaks.
3: More studs erected on the west wall for drywall.
3: Plans for the landing from the house to the recreation room drafted.
4: Right wrist hurts due to the jammed thumb.
4: Gas $3.499.
4: Landing constructed between the house and recreation room. The barn door is moved back to accomodate.
4: More 2x4s in place for drywalling the ceiling of the recreation room.
5: Bridge Fire in Mariposa County.
5: John West Fire in Oakhurst. This one is suspicious.
6: Ceiling drywalled and some sections of the walls.
6: Base for propane stove built.
6: No drive day.
7: Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park near Half Dome.
7: More drywall purchased to finish the recreation room.
7: Remainder of the 5/8 inch drywall is taken down. Some insulation installed.
7: Concrete poured into the cinder blocks to stabilize.
8: We get a late summer drizzle of 0.04 inches of rain.
8: For the first time this summer, we didn't have to turn on the evaporative cooler.
9: Some electrical outlets installed and some drywall up.
10: Drywall complete on the north wall.
11: Tape and mud applied to the walls.
12: Purchased five boxes of stone tile from Home Depot.
12: Lowes: Purchased insulation, screws, four 2x4x10s, metal cutting blades, 1 roll of 250 ft 14-2 with ground wire, water regulator, paint.
13: Bay window installed on the east side.
13: No drive day.
14: Courtney Fire. Power outage all night long.
15: Gas $3.459.
16: My wife to Riverside for a manager's meeting.
17: Water regulator replaced. No more clanging pipes.
18: My wife returns from Riverside.
18: Some wiring installed. Insulation up on the east bay window. Ceiling taped and mud applied.
19: Gas $3.399.
20: Remnants of old 2x4s of the closet are removed.
20: The subflooring is complete.
20: Drywall strips inserted in upper south ceiling.
20: Portion of a cinder block removed from east door.
21: Grey water pipe for the washer, utility sink and bathroom rerouted.
21: We construct a worm farm.
22: The end of our first summer together. No reassignments or relocations.
22: Phase 1 of the mudding and taping complete. Phase 2 commences and the sanding is complete.
22: The old pipes where the washer used to be is removed and capped. A sink will be installed in the bar area.
22: Wiring is cleaned up to make room for the drywall.
22: Quarter-inch copper tubing is in place for the swamp cooler to switch out the fiberglass tubing.
22: Four grass fires forces closure of the 41 on our way home. Enough is enough.
23: The drywalling is done.
23: Foundations laid down for the window seats in both bay windows.
24: Gas $3.359.
24: All of the sanding is done on the walls and ceiling.
24: Somebody dumped a truckload of wood chippings on the property adjacent to us.
25: Texture applied to walls of recreation room, now the den.
26: Texture applied to ceiling of the den.
27: Painting completed in the den. Homestead Resort yellow.
27: Rain 0.19.
28: Rain 0.94. Need more.
28: Den is cleaned up.
28: We purchase new sneakers for our upcoming trip to Portland.
28: The wood stove is fired up.
29: Another load of wood chippings dumped on property adjacent to us. That now makes two loads total.
30: MIL's 84th birthday.
OCTOBER 2014
1: My wife and I fly interstate for the first time via Alaska Airlines Bombardier Q400 airplane out of FAT to PDX. It was my first time inside the terminal of FAT. FAT is a boring airport. PDX is more "funner."
2: Tualatin.
3: Tualatin.
4: Multnomah Falls.
5: Spanaway, Auburn, and Seattle. Revisiting old stomping grounds and going to the first Starbucks on Pike Place in Seattle.
6: Portland. Lunch at Base Camp Brewing Company.
7: Dog Rock Fire (YNP).
7: Return home.
8: Gas pipe installed. Rock wall for propane stove complete.
9: Blood work done.
9: Gas pipe installation complete. Gas stove hearth grouted.
10: Gas $3.289.
10: Lowe's purchases: 10-3 with ground (75 ft), 100 foot rope, #9 screws (5 pounds), 4x4x8 (4).
10: Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino closes due to warring tribal factions.
11: Ripped 113-inch 2x6 into 2-inch strips, sanded and stained for use on gas stove wall.
12: No drive day.
12: Sanded and stained old red-painted balusters.
12: Placed shingles on top of the bathroom.
13: Lowe's purchase: 10 small boxes and 2 medium boxes.
13: Gas fireplace in place.
14: Most of the shingles done. All that is left is above the second water heater.
14: Lowe's purchases: Four sheets of 1/2 inch OSB plywood, four 2x6x12, eleven 2x12x8, eight 2x8x12.
15: Gas $3.259.
15: Lowe's purchase: 1 package of shingles.
15: First load of boxes moved from JayMi's apartment.
15: The upper stairs are constructed for access to the Upper.
16: Boss's Day.
16: Second load of boxes.
16: Lower stairs done.
17: Gas $3.199.
17: Upper stairs done.
18: JayMi moved.
19: Erected the "bar'n'" door for the den.
21: World Series: San Francisco Giants versus Kansas City Royals.
21: Received a call from cousing Barry that Aunt Pearl fell and broke two ribs and had a stroke while in the hospital in Macon and had to be immediately transported to Columbia, MO.
22: Gas $3.059.
23: Driver's license renewal $33.00.
24: Gas $2.999!!!
25: Plywood installed in attic above den.
25: Wood trim erected alongside stone wall in den.
25: No drive day.
26: JayMi''s 30th birthday. We carve pumpkins.
26: No drive day.
27: Truck oil change.
27: Boxes moved into attic.
27: Upper story door lacquered.
27: All windows for the upper story moved into the Upper.
28: Door installed in the Upper.
29: Electricity in the upper story. Ceiling fan installed.
30: Gas $2.979!!!
30: Lowe's purchase: One sheet of 1/2-inch OSB plywood and a boxof 1-5/8-inch fine thread drywall screws.
30: Lights are installed on the upper porch and lower landing of the stairs.
30: My "second mom," Aunt Pearl, passes away.
31: Gas $2.959.
31: JayMi, MIL, my wife and I go to a haunted house. Spooky!
31: Rain: 0.95 inches of it!
NOVEMBER 2014
1: More rain: 0.97 inches of it!
1: Trench is dug for the west side gutter between the shop and the den.
1: No drive day.
2: Window and door removed from the "Upper."
2: The boxes are moved into the attic.
2: The walls are spackled in the upper.
3: Doctor appointment with a naturopathic doctor.
4: Gas $2.899.
4: Services held for my second mom, Aunt Pearl. I was unable to attend due to company policy. She was not considered "immediate family."
4: Ceiling fan installed in the Upper.
5: The electric blanket is deployed.
6: Drywall replaces the old Uppper door.
6: Rewiring in the Upper.
7: Gas $2.879.
7: Lowe's purchase: saw blades, AAA batteries, 5# box of 3-inch tan deck screws, eight 2x4x8.
8: No drive day.
8: Carpet removed in the Upper. Slider removed and replaced with window. Second window installed, too.
8: The area on the north side of the house is cleared out to make room for a "backyard."
9: Lowe's purchase: four 4x4x12, sixteen 23/32 OSB plywood, two packages of insulation, one tarp, one box of 2-inch drywall screws, one 36-inch six-panel door, two 10-foot long sewer pipe and long sweep elbows.
9: The Dremel saw dies. Doesn't anything last? This is the second power tool I purchased from Lowe's that went south.
9: Some of the old OSB plywood removed to be replaced with the new OSB.
9: Woodpile moved.
10: Gas $2.859.
11: My first venti Starbucks Americano.
11: Carpet installer visit.
11: Scrap woodpile relocated. Shed emptied.
12: Heater installed in the Upper.
13: OSB subflooring installed in the Upper.
13: Portal to the attic is framed.
13: Walls mudded in the Upper.
14: Gas $2.839.
14: MIL garage sale.
14: Portal to the attice is sheetrocked.
15: MIL garage sale.
15: Texture applied to the walls.
15: Postholes dug for the new Upper west porch.
15: My "shop" now called the Lower is cleared out for MIL to live in.
15: No drive day.
16: MIL garage sale.
16: Upper is painted Fioli Antique Lace.
16: The shed is now "partial mission capable" without the electricity.
16: MIL's privacy door is pre-stained and stained.
16: Black widow kill in the ceiling line of the shed.
17: Lowe's purchase: two sheets of Durock, tarp, deadbolt, hinges.
18: Gas $2.819.
18: Brought out the small propane heater.
18: Lowe's purchase: three 4-inch hinges and a three-pack of 40 watt bulbs for the bathroom.
18: Tile installed in the Lower and Upper.
18: Wood trim applied to the Upper windows.
18: Renewed Costco Executive membership.
19: Grout applied to tile in the Upper and Lower.
19: Hinges attached to MIL door between her room and laundry.
19: We order gate and fence hardware to pick up later for the new enclosure on the north side. This will tie in with the existing fencing around our backyard.
20: Gas $2.799.
20: Lowe's purchase: Solar LED floodlight.
20: MIL's gas cooktop is picked up at Lowe's. This will replace the one she already has as she prepares to sell her old home.
20: MIL's wall heater is delivered at our home.
21: Lowe's purchase: orange duct tape.
21: Wood sill installed around Upper windows. Doggie door installed. Wall heater for the Lower installed.
22: I drive to Lowe's to get the fencing materials we ordered earlier in the week. Also purchased twelve 2x4x96 and 30-inch door for the Upper.
22: I pop a bicep muscle in my left arm trying to load the 30-inch door in the back of the truck.
22: Rain.
22: I spray foam insulation around the floor and wall of the Upper.
23: Purchased canvas cooler cover from True Value.
23: Pipes insulated. Car headlight replaced. Upper window trim puttied and clear coated. Baseboards painted. Closet poles installed in Upper. 30-inch door stained and clear coated. 36-inch door ready for installment in Lower. Upper floor caulked. Solar LED light installed.
24: Gas $2.759.
25: Carpet installed in the Upper and Lower.
25: We drive to Mariposa and then stop at South Gate Brewery for garlic fries and a double IPA.
26: JayMi's stuff moved to the Upper.
27: Thanksgiving: MIL, JayMi, KC, EriKa, my wife and me. Our third Thanksgiving Up Here and the smallest gathering so far.
27: We move MIL's hutch into the den.
28: MIL move in. We move her bed into the Lower. She spends her first night in our home. Three trips to storage.
29: MIL moving. Two trips to storage.
30: MIL moving. One more trip to storage. We bring one of her cats, Pixie. Next is to get Ziggy.
30: I re-tear my left forearm muscle while unloading the trailer.
DECEMBER 2014
1: Gas $2.739.
1: Belated birthday dinner at Pismo's.
2: Rain.
2: DirecTV installs boxes for three televisions.
2: Blood work for the naturopathic doctor.
2: Rain: 0.83 inches.
3: Gas $2.719.
3: Chiropractor for the both of us.
3: MIL officially moves in. The paperwork was signed and the keys turned over to the new residents of her old home.
3: Received a call from BroIL...aLLa is pregnant.
3: Thresholds installed for Upper and Lower. Pet door framed.
3: Rain 0.47 inches.
4: I have a bite on the bony area of my left forearm.
5: Threshold between Upper and laundry room installed.
5: Lowe's purchase: a 4x4x10, a 4x4x12, 11 Hardie 4x8 siding, 10 2x4x8, and drywall screws.
6: Bathroom siding up.
7: Bathroom siding seams caulked.
8: Gas $2.679.
8: Chiropractor for the both of us.
9: MIL and JayMI put up Christmas decorations all throughout the house. An artificial tree is placed in the west bay window. Nice.
10: We purchase five poinsettia's at Lowe's for my wife's supervisors.
10: Gas $2.659.
10: Rafters for west bay window installed.
11: Storm: Wind.
11: Naturopathic visit to go over the bloodwork.
11: Subie oil change.
12: Bracebridge Christmas show at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley.
12: Rain. 2.82 inches.
13: Purchased 1/2 cord of oak for $90.00.
13: Rain. 0.05 inches.
13: Fence erected on the north side. Toby, my MIL's dog, now has free range.
13: No drive day.
14: No drive day.
15: Rain. 0.19 inches.
15: Nine-yard dumpster delivered.
15: Old fencing removed from the new bathroom to the greenhouse.
15: Old fencing erected around FIL's tree and the black walnut on the south side.
16: Rain. 0.14 inches.
16: Christmas shopping: Whole Foods, REI, Wal-Mart, Target, Sports Authority, Macy's.
17: Rain 0.58 inches.
17: Package to Japan sent.
18: Gas $2.399.
18: We watch the final airing of The Colbert Report.
19: Christmas shopping: Costco, REI, Trader Joe's.
19: Haircut.
20: Repaired the right kitchen sink drain with plumber's putty.
20: Galvanized posts in the ground.
20: The 9-yard dumpster is filled. The old Upper carpet and cement chunks are now G-O-N-E.
21: Replaced the bathroom door hardware.
21: Repaired the space above the bathtub. The "framed in" look.
21: Replaced toilet seat.
22: Gas $2.389.
22: The filled 9-yard dumpster is retrieved.
22: The gate is erected. After a couple of adjustments, that job is done!
23: BroIL, his wife, his daughter, and her boyfriend arrive at our home for the holidays.
25: Christmas at home with MIL, JayMi, KC, BroIL, aLLa, BriTTney, and DeRek. My wife and I get a KitchenAid mixer, blue jeans, shirts, rice crackers, slippers, emergency light (another one!), socks, back scratcher, machete, eat-n-tool.
25: No drive day.
26: Water heater element goes out.
26: Venison dinner: Uncle T, Aunt C, Tre, Eric, BroIL, aLLA, BriTTney, DeRek, my wife, MIL and me.
27: Bobcat in our driveway.
27: The Portland group heads back home.
28: After a couple of readjustments, the gate is finished.
28: Our microwave we brought along with us from our old place takes a dive. We have a backup ready to go.
28: No drive day.
29: Gas $2.349.
29: Purchased AC/DC's "Rock or Bust" and Luke Bryan's "Crash My Party" CDs.
29: Ziggy is home with MIL.
29: We go for our first brisk evening walk around our wilderness.
30: The power goes out around 1930 due to the high winds.
31: Power restored around 0250.
31: Weighed in at 208.4. Lost 5.4 pounds. I did lose 10 pounds, but some of it all came back due to the holidays. 137,000 pushups, 124,000 crunches, 1,130 pullups, 1,130, vertical knee raises, 1,130 bardips. Not a banner year for the pullups, vkr's and bardips. Hiked/walked 63.61 miles for 24:02:05. A sucky year for walking/hiking, too.
31: Gas $2.349. The year started out at $3.459.
31: Dental appointment for both of us for routine cleaning.
2015 Resolutions:
Have fun
Get out and hike more
See more movies
Get the house renovations D-O-N-E!!!
Highlights:
Four of our friends celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary:
Bob and Jayne
David and Jane
Progress on the renovations.
JayMi moves in.
MIL moves in.
The evaporative cooler installment.
Lowlights:
The two fires near our house: Junction and Courtney.
Losing my second mom on 10-30-14.
2014 Movies:
Saving Mr. Banks (01-04-14)
Draft Day (04-13-14)
Heaven Is for Real (04-27-14)
Transformers 4: Age of Extinction (07-13-14)
Special Events:
None.
Total cement siding planks purchased since 09-27-13:
09-27-13: 12
11-23-13: 22
03-02-14: 30
03-17-14: 15
06-28-14: 10
Total cement siding sheets:
06-28-14: 10
12-05-14: 11
What happened in 2014.
