Friday, October 27, 2006

Just Call me Grace!

Well, I had my first week back to work. I do 12 hour shifts, usually ON my feet! Last night in my 13th hour, I was trying to get out of there. I'd stayed overtime, & was taking an Artline cable to put it away. Walking fast, trying to coil this long wire, I caught it in my left shoe, my foot rolled, & I was flat on my face, before I knew what hit me!I hurt my pride more than anything else, though I feel a bit bruised & battered today. I awoke at 4a.m. with the ankle aching, & worrying about my sister, so I got up & called her. We chatted for a couple of hours. Her Oncologist is still undecided as to the best course of treatment for her, & is awaiting more test results.

On my previous post, there was a comment about me being handy with tools. Yes I have gotten probably more experience with power tools than your average homemaker. I've actually helped to build a few houses, & am well acquainted with a skillsaw, table saw, drills, & nail guns. I LOVE power tools. I've looked at construction as just another form of quilting, using really firm fabric!

This is a picture of what our little house looked like September 2005. We moved out Sept. 2nd, 2005, & didn't get back in until November 30th, 2006. The contractor had said it would take "Three weeks".

They cleared a lot of the trees away from the house, then lifted it, & moved it over. We built a full basement, added on a new bedroom.
During the time of this construction, my DH had to go through radiation therapy,(which left him exhausted, & feeling bad) & later ended up tearing up his knee when he slipped at work, & had to have surgery, so I did a lot of the finishing construction myself to get us back into the house. I guess I have to thank my Ex. for teaching me about house construction.
I ended putting about two-thirds of the tongue & groove cedar on the walls of out new master bedroom.
And I did all of the tile work in the house. This is a shot of the upstairs bathroom that we remodeled. I did all the painting.
& in the Master bath down stairs, I constructed the cedar cabinet behind the vanity, to have a way for the plumbing to be attached, since the 1st idiot plumber our contractor brought in refused to listen to any of my instructions. He had a 'thing' against women.
I also did all the wood wainscoting & trim in this bathroom.

So cutting a ladder in 1/2, & screwing it on the wall, was nothing for me.

We finally had some snow fall. With the global warming our winter has come late. We had just a few inches over the past couple of days. I always love to see winter come here. It's a cozy stay home & quilt time of year. Things usually slow down a bit. Fewer visitors come, & we can settle down & get some work done inside. So I think I'll limp down the stairs, & see if I can get something done. I'll keep you posted!

16 comments:

Micki said...

Wow, I am so impressed with your construction skills. I thought I was pretty handy at these things, but you beat me by far. Sorry you had a tumble. Hope you are feeling better. Prayers for your sister.

Helen said...

omg! Debs you're amazing!! I love powertools too but I make work benches not whole houses!! Mind you it's pretty impressive to be able to lift your house up like that... lol couldn't do that with our stone built ones eh!

do take care... getting that tired is not good for you...listen to aunty Helen :P

Anonymous said...

Oh snow... I kinda miss it a little. Darian would really love to see it at some point. If holiday travel were cheaper Darian and I would visit for Turkey day this year since Jon is going to be touring Europe again Maybe we will conference call you during dinner? :-)

You've done such a great job on the house. It looks even better in person! I only hope I get a house to put together some day. Apt living is fun for now, but I would like to own something down the road.

Oh and "grace" must run in the family. This week alone I fell while out running around with the kids and nearly broke my wrist AND my beloved camera. Then at the office I was trying to refill the water thing and dropped a GIANT thing of water on my shin and hobbled myself for a whole day. I let out a scream that made the whole office rush over to see what I did. Yup. They made fun of me. I blame having small feet, it throws everything off ballance.

Karoda said...

Girl, you are amazing...my exacto knife intimidates me, so you know I am just bugged eyed and wide mouth at your skills!

allie aller said...

Wow, impressive, Deb! Alaska has made you so self-reliant!
Keep those phone lines humming with your sweet sis...

Françoise said...

Deb, you're a superwoman!

Sandra said...

So...with your power tools on those 'really firm fabrics' that makes you the ultimate 3D quilter, right?...Your house is lovely and probably all the more enjoyable having had such a hand in it's making. It looks just like I would imagine an Alaskan cabin to look. Wonderful!

Caron Mosey said...

What a cute house, and a fantastic job, I might add. Excellent work!

Caron
www.quilter.realtownblogs.com

Melodie said...

This stuff does run in the family! (Keep your digits away from the blade!) Nice talking to you.......I love you!

Terri Stegmiller said...

Sorry to hear about your tumble. Hope you aren't sore for too long. Thanks for sharing the photos of your house. I love the bathroom.

Anonymous said...

I tell everyone hanging wallpaper is just like getting fabric straight for cutting. There are tons of similiarities between wood construction and clothing construction. But, the best is: Measure twice and cut once!

This must be Your Year for the Oops!

Jules said...

Do you want to come down and work on my house?

You are amazing. The house looks incredible.

I will keep your sister in my prayers.

Ali Honey said...

Girls can do anything ! You're a pro by the sound of it. I do hope that ankle has now stopped throbbing and isn't too serious. Keep smiling!

Anonymous said...

Way ta go, Grace! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) I too love power tools and am impressed by your prowess. You must feel really empowered to be able to say you built a house. I admire that and give a high-five to your girl power!

I always wanted a table saw but in actuality I have nothing to saw.

Granny Fran said...

Thanks for the house tour. You're as talented with power tools as you are with fabric, fiber and whatever else you decide to put on your gorgeous works. I got some produce in a little plastic woven bag and couldn't bring myself to throw it away because of what I've seen you do with similar stuff. Not sure how I'll ever use it.

laura west kong said...

Everything looks great! I love the little pebble tiles.