To Minnesota and Back

So much has happened in the last couple of weeks so this may be a long one.   On Thursday, June 20th, I left for Minnesota and I returned yesterday, June 27th.  The day before I was to leave for Minnesota, Gary decided to install two patios and a sidewalk at the new house.  The heat index was 103 degrees and the cement was delivered at 12:30 pm.  Probably the hottest time of day.  Gary and the crew worked hard, got it down and Gary came to the decision that this was his last cement job.  You think?

Gary and two helpers doing cement work.  Blurry lense from heat!

Ted picked me up from the airport last Thursday which also happened to be his 28th birthday.  Was great to celebrate with him.  Then I saw my in-laws on Friday morning and had a great time catching up with them.  Next I was off to Clearwater for a couple of days.  We golfed, got pedicures and had happy hour with all the neighbor ladies.  The weather was stormy at times but we really didn't notice.

Deb, Me, Gwen, Jan and Carol getting happy.

 On Sunday morning I headed to LeCenter which is in southern Minnesota and with all the road construction in MN at this time of year, I went cross country and avoided most of it.  I saw lots of trees down and standing water too.  The storms weren't picky.  I was able to spend Sunday and Monday with my brother and sister in Mankato.  Some of it was business but mostly it was fun, we even got to see the Iron Man 3 movie.  I wonder what the first two were about?

My visit with Noreen and Steve.

On Monday afternoon I headed back to central Minnesota to catch up with some other girlfriends.  On the way out of St. Cloud with Doris, we got a phone call that her son was in an ATV accident.  Not knowing the seriousness of the accident, we decided to wait and then turned around to meet him and family at the St. Cloud Hospital.  Zach was very lucky, some broken ribs, lots of bumps and bruises but he will be fine.  Unfortunately, Doris couldn't join us for the rest of our time up north but she was there in spirit with Anne, Jill and me.  The weather was perfect up by Hillman and we spent Tuesday afternoon on the lake, we even jumped in twice.  We had a great visit until I had to leave on Wednesday for Minneapolis to catch my plane early Thursday morning.

Boating with Jill and Anne.  Perfect day to be on the lake.

When I got back to Florida, Gary took me to the house and it looked like he wasn't just laying on the couch the whole time I was gone.  The cement work looks great, the borders and rocks are all in and the grass keeps getting greener.  Painting is next.

Back of house with sidewalk, patio and rocks.

Front pictures.  Patio and rocks done.  Grass is looking better too.

Now I know I am missing pictures of some of the people I visited and that is cause my stupid camera decided to be even more stupid than usual.  I always have camera problems in Minnesota!!  I was able to get it fixed mid-trip.  Next time I come there, I'll be bringing an extra one.  Thanks to everyone for the hospitality.  Can't wait to get back.  Margaret

Gorgeous flowers outside Anne's house.

Starting at the Top and Making a Big Splash

When we bought the house in May we knew it needed a new roof and that was our biggest expense.  Gary thought about doing it himself but after a lot of thought, we figured it wasn't worth him falling off the roof and then who would finish this house????  There is also a lot of rain this time of year and that's not a good thing for a house with no roof.  We really didn't have enough buckets to catch all the water that would have come in the house if it took him a while to finish it. 

First day we owned house with old shingles.

The roofing company pulled all the old shingles off last Thursday and Friday and the whole thing was done yesterday, less than a week.  The crew starts pretty early in the morning before it gets too hot but at this time of year, that doesn't give you a lot of time.  Its pretty hot everyday by 10 am.  But I think these guys are used to it, they work fast, drink lots of water and not one fell off the roof.  One guy fell asleep up there and didn't even roll off.  Now that's a professional. 

Old shingles off.

New roof all done.

Old shingles on back of house.

Old shingles off.

New roof done 6-12-13.  Gary put forms up for sidewalk too.

 

 

Of course, we had to take a little time out to celebrate a very important birthday last Sunday and initiate our new pool.

 

We had a great day, the pool got a workout,  there was water everywhere, we swam, played games, ate and everyone even sang to me.  It was a great time to get older.  Makes me look forward to another one.  NOT.  Margaret

 





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64 and Counting

Whenever Gary starts working on a house, he starts outside.  That's just how he does it.  So off we went to the Flea Market in Fort Myers in search of the Chinese Fan Palms that we like so much.  We planted these in our backyard two years ago and have total privacy.  They start out about 3 feet and are easily 10 feet now. They grow fast, don't shed anything, don't need any special care, and give complete privacy so Gary can strut around in his Speedos by the pool without neighbors posting pictures on Facebook.

Chinese Fan Palms are hard to find but luckily Bob the Plant Guy was able to gather up 64 for us.  By our measurements, we needed that many to get the whole backyard surrounded.  In less than 48 hours, Gary hand dug 64 holes and planted them all.  Of course I was nearby to supervise the whole operation.  I don't see how leaning on the shovel gets anything done.  Just saying.

As you can see, the truck was crammed full, we put most of them in the house until Gary could get to them. 

When some of the new neighbors saw us carrying all these plants into the house, we thought we might get arrested for starting a grow house, they kinda look like pot plants.  But the police were too busy checking out the menu at Dunkin Donuts so we were ok. 

The plants are now all in and they really make the grass look even yellower than before.  I'll have to get on him about that. Margaret

Side of House after

Side of House before