Mid May Update...

There is a chance we might get to take a vacation this summer, and we could really use the break.

Chris and I have been busting our tails for the past few weeks, trying to get the house ready for the carpet installation. (In fact, we worked so hard last week, that I entirely forgot to watch the finals of the Jeopardy Tournament of the Decades!) When we scheduled the install, we thought we would have plenty of time to get everything done, but as things piled up for Chris at work and life happened like it always does around here, we knew we were cutting it close.

The incredible part of this whole process is that when we need it most, people come to help. If the painting seems overwhelming, or there is a ton of trim to install, or some doors and frames need to be fabricated from scratch, or whatever, the right friend or family member shows up and things happen.

With help and tips from Chris's friend Gabe, it didn't take long for the trim to go up.

Posts I wrapped in oak are ready for the upstairs railing.

Ralph, carpenter extraordinaire, built the handrail.

As I watched Ralph build the handrail, I thought maybe we should engrave his name on the side, or make up a little plaque to honor his work. We could have little plaques all over the house with the names of all the people that freely gave of their time and talent. Or one big plaque. Or maybe a monument in the front yard that people will see when they pull up to the house. Something that will communicate how much I appreciate them and everything they've done... 

So anyway, as we speak, there is a crew out in the house putting in some carpet, and I am taking it easy for change. 

Move in date is still a ways away. There is still a lot of work to do. (Hardwood, cabinets, HVAC, electrical, the list goes on and on.)

In other news, Zivah made it through Kindergarten, and "graduated" on Friday. She received an award for being the kindest student in her class, and that made me very proud.

 Joe and Finley have school the rest of this week, and then summer break will really begin.

Another predator has been ravaging our chicken flock again. I've lost five of my new birds, and Finley lost two of her chicks. Some evil raccoon must be the culprit this time. We thought at least Finley's birds would be safe in their pen, with the 2x4 welded wire over the gate, but, instead of using the perch I built in the pen, the chicks took to perching on the gate with their heads sticking through or wedged up against the wire.

Even though the birds can't squeeze though the fencing on their own, it looks like a raccoon reached in and pulled a Polish chick right through and ate it right there. Finley's favorite, a little black silkie, must have been perched near the bottom where the chicken wire kept it from getting pulled through. It was found dead right inside the gate with a leg missing. Extra measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of the remaining bird, and traps are set up in hopes that we can rid ourselves of this new threat.