Shots from the driver's window at 60 MPH

Went up to NY and NJ this week and decided to take a few scenery shots as I drove along down the highway. You've seen enough house shots anyway; and besides there weren't any dramatic changes in the house this week.

Shot number one: The ski slope at USMA West Point. I got finished working Wednesday afternoon and went by West Point on my way South. Penelope (my British guide who lives inside the GPS) guided me right to two fort posts; they wouldn't let me in. Finally got over to the visitor's center just as they closed up; the museum had been closed for an hour already. Nice place for the cadets to play

Shot number two: I decided to drive down Highway 13 instead of I-95 around DC. I saw this fan's schizophrenic tribute to the Earnhardt family. One half of the Chevette, yes I said Chevette is painted as a number 3, the other half as a number 8. Guess the poor fellow did himself in when Junior decided to drive the number 88.................

OK, this shot was through the passenger window, boy you should have seen those kids at the bus stop scatter! Anyway, in this one you can see the red and black.

And some ships waiting to get into Hampton Roads, while driving across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel. The VA Highway Patrolman recommends that I keep my hands on the wheel while driving across the Bay; I told him I read their driver's manual and didn't see anything about NOT taking pictures while you drive....perhaps I missed a page? Those guys have no sense of humor.

Have a great weekend and week.

February 16, 2008

I've been in Maryland and NJ all week; came home and found the fold-down ladder for the attic on the garage floor (along with a lot of nails and what-not); seems as though the HVAC guys have been on the job. The federally mandated 13 SEER equipment is not some type of new technology magic, only larger; therefore to place the indoor section in the attic they had to remove the stairs.
This shot shows the snake being used for the supply air into the sunroom. We'll have 2 tons with three supply vents in the sunroom, one supply and one return in the eating area.
And hooray! The correct door is now installed. See how much better it is to have the door opening from the middle to the right? We can't believe how much difference it makes.
That's it from the Crystal Coast for this week; off to upstate NY Monday morning. Try to act like somebody!

Week of February 8th, 2008

I was in town this week, for the last time in quite a while it seems. I got to see a lot of work on the new addition. The first shot shows where the semi-column used to be; it had to be ripped out so the arch leading from the kitchen into the new casual dining room would be lined up properly. The electricans were on the job securing loose wires, they sure jump when you use the flash on your camera! Wonder why..................................
This is an interesting shot, sorry that it is so dark, I'm not much of a photographer; many of you know me, probably doesn't come as much of a surprise to hear that; I'm not exactly a bag of undiscovered talent............................anyway I digress. Seems as though the Project Managing Superisor (Terri) picked up an error when the carpenters installed the arch from the kitchen. It was off-center; supposed to line up with an exterior window, not even close. She alerted the general and it was fixed the next day; i.e.; they "moved" the hole over about a foot and a half. This temporary wall was installed in the kitchen while they relocated the support beam; seemed as though they wanted to make sure that part of the house didn't collapse. We were glad they thought of this!The shot below is the entrance from the living room, look hard and you can see the top of the arch

This is the new, and relocated arch leaving the kitchen.

From the new room looking back into the old house; good example of the mess we're dealing with, and will be dealing with for the next couple of months.

Dim shot of the pitched ceiling, have 6 spotlights going up; should be a lot of fun with Project Managing Supervisor Terri on my shoulders changing those lightbulbs.

And this shot below gives you a small example of what we will be inhaling for the next couple of months. With sheetrocking and new wood floor installation and sanding yet to come, it should be
.......ACHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a lot of fun.

Heather and Kevin are getting married at Fort Macon on Saturday April 12th! Going to be a great time.

On the road the next two weeks, y'all behave now...................

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Febraury 1, 2008
Shots from this week; we had a visit from the electrician who installed some lighting cans for the soffett in front of the windows on the left shown below(this was important since this is where the grill will be re-located!) As you can see there was a lot of exterior work done.

The outside door assembly was installed, although with the door opening the wrong way. No field fix is available, so new doors have been ordered. The windows above the doors look good and open the room up a lot, they bring in a lot of light and show off the height of the room just like the Project Manager Supervisor planned them! She's doing a great job and having a little fun too. I like the picture below, it gives you a good idea of the size of the room. Like the trees in the landscaped island? Don't get too used to them...........

And at lunchtime on Saturday the painters came to start making some plans. We're moving forward; time for me to hit the road.

January 17 2008
This week they busted in! This shot is where our kitchen window used to be. It was taken out and reinstalled in the new exterior wall. The hole was covered in plastic and plywood to keep the cold and critters out. Yes, we know it does look lovely doesn't it? Reminds me a lot of my first apartment.
Here is the outside of the old house.

New window on right, old on the left, no wait a second, is that right? Wait another second....aren't those transoms supposed to match?

New look from the outside
We're getting there, wish us luck.

An American Hero
I invite you to visit this site

http://www.virtualwall.org/dj/JohnsonWD01a.htm

Hard to believe that it has been forty years this Saturday since Darrell stepped back into the jungle never to be seen again.

January 11 shots:
First and foremost Jackson receives an award today at 2:00 for being a West Carteret Good Patriot, we're very proud of him. Now for some shots from this week: this is how the old roof will be incorporated into the new room. In front of the studs will be sheetrock from the new room The new windows are here, looks like they missed on the grid on top, looks like a delay.......

Shot from the side, you can see the Tyvek keeping us airtight, the deck benches, and the privacy shield so that we can't see our heat pump

Another shot of the fence; wonder if we'll still be able to hear the traffic on 24?