Stump grinding and trench digging

Thanks to awesome friends we got a lot accomplished this weekend!

I babysit Camden while Mark helped outside. I had to give him a piano lesson of course! He really loved playing the low keys and listening to the different tones.

Ted was a madman with the stump grinder...he and his son Phillip removed every stump in the front yard. Thanks for all your hard work guys, we REALLY appreciate it!

Chris, Ramsay, and Mark dug a trench in the back yard so the water would flow away from the studio. The dirt in North Carolina is like clay, so to quote Ted, "It is quite an achievement to dig a trench by hand in North Carolina." I know you guys wish we rented a trencher, but the dirt was too close to the septic tank and we did not want to chance anything. Anyways, there is nothing like sweating in 90% humidity, right? :)

Thank You Dad!

My dad has been here for the last 11 days helping us get the studio ready! He has done a multitude of things including power washing the house, cleaning the windows, painting the deck and patio, building a wall for the driveway, digging trenches, transplanting plants, and helping Chris with the wiring. He mainly focused on the outside of the house and it has been a relief for us not to have to worry about these extra things in the next month. Thanks dad for all your hard work...we really appreciate it.

Digging a trench with Mark and Michelle

Caulking between the drywall and wood...

Painting the patio...

8 pieces of drywall up...132 to go!

Kitchen wall

Hallway and waiting area

Airconditioner and shower floor!

I have never been sooo happy to see ariconditioning ducts going up!

Foundation for shower!

Last time!

Last time you see a pile of rubbage by the studio entrance...and last time you see the basketball court up!

Last time you see the kitchen and the bathroom at the same time!

Last time you see the shower floor and pipes exposed!

Norton the truck

Norton (he came with the name) has proved to be the best $300 purchase we have ever made!

He truly has a personality of his own. Sometimes, he's a bit slow to start up in the morning. He doesn't always want to go into first gear, particularly in the middle of a busy intersection. Norton takes careful prying with a screwdriver to get his tailgate down, and has some strange problem with the brakes. Sometimes he'll give a nice smooth brake pedal, while other times you'll have to throw it to the floor.

Over all, Norton has been a great work truck. He has hauled over 30 loads and counting. If he makes it to the end of the renovation, he will have fulfilled his duty and die a hero.

Norton, we're counting on you...