28 JUL 2010

I realize that this blog actually covers several days but since we were not travelling I decided to compress the report.

27 JUL 2010

There really is nothing much to report at this time of our venture. We left Saskatoon to visit my sister in Yorkton. The drive was uneventful, after all this is the prairies. There is something to be said about driving on the prairies. I am sure there is, but am not sure what that would be.

We arrived yesterday and met her at the new house.

Of course we immediately offered to help in ways that we could, so I was immediately told that she was not comfortable with plumbing and could I set up the shower/tub in the upstairs bathroom. I was put to work. Wes offered to do cleanup such as sweeping etc. Anything to avoid picking up the hammer I think.

At any rate, before long it was clear that tools were needed so off we went to find additional tools. Then the real work began. Well the extreme heat made it clear that this was work that will wear us out. I also became very aware that my hair was too long and a haircut had to be in the plans. (Managed to have it cut on Tuesday.)

So the roughing of the water lines was my task and the day ran out so we agreed that the next day would be another day for such a necessary task.

Day 2 of our visit with my sister saw us working in the house again. It was not long before I ran out of supplies for roughing in the water lines. Noreen on the other hand was working on the heating ducting. When I finished what I could do, it was clear that she was struggling with some aspects of the ducting. It really is not a single person’s task so Wes and I joined in to lend a hand. Noreen thinks that 4 more pairs of hands would be even better....any offers? Success but hard earned success.

By the end of the day, Wes and I decided to spend one more day in Yorkton to help complete the ducting work. It really is a job for more than one pair of hands.

The first night in town we went to dinner at a Chinese Smorg, but all agreed that eating at home was preferred. However, who has energy to cook after a day of hard labor, so we took Wes’ suggestion and purchased a bbq chicken, salad and bread. A feast for kings – ok for us.

Day 3 in Yorkton. We managed to get to work on the ducting starting on the duct work needed to be done for the rooms above the garage. This involved perching 15 feet above the floor struggling with the tin tubes as they fought back. I did not want to be up that high and neither did they, but we won, they are there. You have to appreciate that cutting the pipe, crimping the one end, putting the ducting together is all challenging. THEN do much of this on top of a ladder or on scaffolding. To add complications we were working with 10, 8, and 6 inch pipe with appropriate fittings.

Noreen and I did most of the fitting but Wes was called to service when we needed things held. However, he did feel that since this was part of our holidays, relaxation needed to be part of his plan. While we worked, he watched and.... At one point Noreen sat in one chair while Wes was in the other. I was sure Noreen was the supervisor and Wes quality control. Me? Oh I was on top of a ladder working...someone had to be the laborer.

While we worked on the inside the man who was working on the siding has been at work as well.

Well the task has been done as far as we can at this point. There is only a little bit of ducting left to be done and Noreen needs more supplies. Since most of the work to be completed can be done by one person, we have decided to carry on with our travels. I am sure we will be checking in regularly to see how the house is progressing.

On another note, I have added a bit of information about the house that Noreen renovated and is living. The house across the street is the same house design but has not had any renovations done. You will note that the outside has been given a facelift, a bay window was added for an eating area and the entire inside re-designed. Noreen was creative in her color scheme and I personally really like the look.