Twitter will NOT be Happening for Us

To ensure continued marital bliss, we will not be establishing a Twitter account.

Although there may be times you get some minute by minute updates posted on our blog ...

Should we Tweet as Well?

Mother exclaims "I'm tired and think I'm about ready for bed". I pause to think that we may need to establish a Twitter account.

(She recently saw "17 again" and is looking forward to tonights dream of starting over ....)

She has stood up to leave the room, exclaiming "ERASE THAT!" - in reference to this post.

By the way, as she left the room she said "I'm going to the bathroom now".

I may be in trouble ...

"I'm Overwhelmed!"

Mother just saw the new blog and has reviewed the posts. While pleased, she responds "I'm overwhelmed!". She loves it and is looking forward to keeping you all in the loop on happenings in our busy world.

Love to you all ....

Tina Has Something to Say

As you can see my father has gone on a little bit of a blogging frenzy. I wanted a turn to type something up really sweet about our awesome family. I was thinking something like a Christmas or a birthday picture. My dad practically forced me into a deal, though. He said that I could write a blog post if he got to choose the picture; a blogging addict would say that. I knew he was going to pick out something strange like this.

Well then, hello blogging world. This is me, Tina Alexander. I like to make silly faces in pictures. When I was little there would always be those pictures where the photographer would say: "Make a silly face!" Well, I would never do it. I was quite shy when I was younger and I suppose that I was so self-conscious that I did not want others to make fun of my funny face. Weird, I know. Amazingly enough, I've turned out all right...so far. Unless the picture is formal, you will most likely always see me doing something strange. This was one of those times.

I was in Utah for a family reunion. One of the days was to be spent at the park called SnowBird in the mountains. I am at the top of the mountain. After riding on a tram that took me up there I was quite sick and all I really wanted was to be back at the bottom of the mountain. But, then again, I did not to because I did not want to get in that evil transportation device for a while. However, seeing the view from up on that mountain was quite wonderful so I am glad that I went up there.

No More Getting Wet on Our Porch

It's always been a challenge keeping dry during the rainy season when you struggle to find the keys to unlock the door. No chance if there are others with you. But now ....

The porch framing is going up.

And is now ready to be roofed.

We're deciding what we want to do with the area under the porch, but think that it may become a small deck that will fill the space under the whole new overhang. Likely one of next summer's projects.

Turning Our Attention to the Front

With the back done and ready for a roof, it's time to work on the front. Inside demo is done and the roof and rafters have been removed. Mid-construction we shifted the location of the new dormer a couple feet to the right.

A little reinforcement added to the floor (right side rear view mirrors beware!)

Initial framing of the walls is looking good.

With the roof and plywood added.

Checking out the view below.

The garage dormer is ready for roofing ... and the front door is ready for a covered porch!

You've Had a Birthday, Shout Hurray!

The Back Dormer is Ready to be Roofed!

The rain has come and gone, but not before the plywood was put on the new dormer roof and walls -- with a tarp for added security.

Our massive skylight is gone, but our little hallway is now room-sized.

The view of the new dormer as seen from "the pit".

Getting ready for the new roof that should be in place within the next few days.

The back of the house all ready for the new roof with one of the 3 windows in place (thanks for the help, Ben!). Once the roof is done, the siding will be going on. Maybe we'll be having a painting party on Labor Day weekend. After the paint, the outside will be finished.

They Say It's Your Birthday!!

Mom was looking for time to get away from the routine of things and was hinting (rather directly) that it would make a good birthday present. We again were reminded of the fun it is to spend time together doing something out of the norm.

So we took a ferry ride.

Headed to the city.

Watched some fountains blow their tops.

Wandered through the Public Market.

Communed with nature.

All in all it was a fun outing.

The Remodel Begins

Last month we figured that there was no better time than now to begin a remodel that we've been thinking about for some time. Here are some pictures of the progress.

The work has begun. The inside demolition has been completed and the contractor has "peeled" off the roof - exposing part of our house to sunlight that it hasn't been seen in those locations since it was originally built.

From the inside looking out after the roof was removed. (Notice the greenhouse off in the back fourty). At this point, it's tempting to leave it "open to the sky" so that we can enjoy the beautiful weather and warm nights.

The original rafters have been removed and the new walls framed in.

New rafters added on top. (A good thing since it's starting to get cloudy -- showers anticipated in the next few days.)

From the inside looking out. We're planning for 3 large windows to give us a pretty unobstructed view of the back pasture lands and extensive gardens.

Getting Started

It's probably about time that we started keeping in touch using a medium that is familiar to most of you. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully you'll be patient with us as we begin our new adventure.

Jay & Julie