Did I mention that drywall sucks?

'Cause mudding drywall really sucks!

Rules for the Novice Mudder

Rule 1: Don't wear black when mudding drywall.

Air Conditioning FTW!!!

I feel like a crack addict getting a fix.

We had a major string of storms come through Wednesday afternoon and knocked out power in a significant portion of Northern Virginia. (Okay...it knocked out *MY* power... that's significant.)

30 hours without Air Conditioning, Lights, Refrigeration, E-books, C-PAP, or Internet.

It really makes you appreciate how luxurious our lifestyles are.

I'm very grateful for what I have (and I have purchased a generator to ensure I keep it!)

Drywall Sucks!

More specifically, mudding drywall sucks! I spent this evening mudding drywall in the basement. Thank Goodness I was working in a closet, 'cause my drywall mudding looks AWFUL! I think there is more joint compound on the floor than on the walls...

Dan and I discussed hiring someone to finish it up, but, dang it! I know I can do it. It's a lot like icing a cake. It's just a matter of practice. So thankfully, I have two closets to practice on before I need to do the bathroom or the stairwell.

But man...

DRYWALL SUCKS!!

My house is so quiet!

Well, it's been a very eventful week! The Souza's came up from Tennessee to help us get the basement ready for Nana Sue. Dan and Peter worked non-stop to get the basement ready, but I'm afraid, I totally underestimated the amount of work involved in this endeavor. Dan says the only part of his body that doesn't hurt is his eyelids.

PopPop and Mir came down from Pennsylvania for a few days to help. While we got a LOT done, we are by no means finished. Nana Sue comes in 4 weeks. I'm hoping we'll be ready.

We still need to finish tiling the shower and bathroom, set the toilet and vanity, install the shower head and sink faucets, finish mudding and taping the drywall, wire and install the stair well light. Install the utility sink, connect the dryer vent, prime and paint the walls and stairwell, add the closet fixtures , hang 2 regular doors, one bi-fold door, and one accordion door, install 2 door knobs, paint the security grill, assemble the shelving for the storage area, nail up the shoe molding, fix the stair railing and shampoo the carpeting. There's probably a few tasks I've forgotten.

Then we get to go to Tennessee and pack up Nana Sue and move her up.

(And somewhere in there, I need to go to my family reunion in Illinois)

I think I'm going to bed now... I'm tired... :)

What do we *really* want to teach our children

I was so appalled to read about this misguided teacher in Florida. Aside from the unbelievable cruelty of this act, what has this woman really taught her classroom of 5 year olds? Compassion? Nope. Empathy? Nope. Tolerance? I think not. What she's really taught them is "conform, or you too will be ejected."

Kindergarten, Survivor Style. Sigh. I think Ms. Portilo needs to investigate other career choices.

Cousins!

Cousins! Cousins! Here come the boys! Bedlam! Mayhem! Noise! Noise! Noise!

The Souzas arrived today to help finish the basement! YAY!

Souzas do not waste any time. Demo is complete.

I love Souzas!