Jumps & Bucks ... fixin' the hole in the wall

I woke at 715am and felt really good. I started some coffee then fired up my work laptop. While it booted up, I completed my exercise routine then walked Ykraps. It was a glorious morning – still a tad chilly but plenty beautiful. It was sunny and almost 50. I poured a cup of coffee soon after my return home and then settled down in front of my laptop. I was a bit discouraged by how much effort it looked as if I needed to put into work. Sigh! I spent a solid 45 minutes getting things on track. I really wanted to get my run out of the way so that Kenny and I could spend a couple hours on the wall near 10am. But things came together well, and faster than I expected. I was able to head out for my run at 830am after all. Just as I was sliding on my running gloves Kenny tapped at the door. I was surprised thinking we had agreed on 10am-ish. Somehow we miscommunicated. When he asked what time I’d be getting busy I said around 10am. He thought I meant work-work. So he figured we’d work on the wall before that. We laughed it off as we headed out the door. I apologized and begged for forgiveness. He said he could easily change plans and be back later. That worked for me. I took off on my run, and Kenny headed off to work. I ran just three miles after doing four the day before. I didn’t feel bad at all, just wanted to get it knocked out. Thought I might do 4 on Sunday instead. I was back at home shortly after 9am. Mindy still wasn’t up but Bella was. She and I hung out for while. I quickly got reacquainted with work as well. Mindy got up a few minutes later. It sounded as if she was still planning on going to yoga at 11am. At some point, Bella and I headed out onto the deck. It was sunny, bright and warming quickly. Bella picked a handful of peppers. While Mindy readied for yoga, and I found a lull in work, I decided to start on my wall project without Kenny. I figured I could do the obvious tear out alone. Plus, I was eager to put my new tool – my sawzall - to work. I started by cutting the top of the double stud then the rotted sill plate. I was careful not to harm the stucco as I attempted to wiggle the rotted studs and sill plate free. It came out with relative ease. I went outside to check the stucco just to be sure. Looked good. Next, I cut away the rotted subflooring exposing the still good floor joists. I was disappointed but not surprised to discover that I’d have to cut away and replace a short double floor joist too, that ran along side the brick hearth. I wasn’t quite sure how to attack that. By then, Mindy had departed for yoga. Lucky for me, Kenny showed up at the perfect time – right when I was at a crossroad. He quickly assessed the situation and offered a solution. He’s brilliant! We figured away to remove the last two boards. Then, Kenny went to fetch a 2”X10” from his storage container but gave me some instructions for more demolition before leaving. I wasn’t so sure I could handle it all or not, but figured I’d try. I surprised myself. I had everything cut away during the short amount of time he was gone. We were all but ready to start the re-construction. I let Jacob help by manning the shop-vac, cleaning up all the rotted debris. He seemed to enjoy being involved. He helped carry the new boards to the deck for cutting too. This is where Kenny’s skill truly shined. I would’ve figured it out but probably would’ve taken two more hours. He measured cut and nailed like a pro. In fact, he is. That’s what he does. I was in awe. We had all the reconstruction done in less than an hour. I knew that Mindy would be shocked when she got home. After we finished the work, Kenny had to split. I spent the next hour doing the clean-up, which included taking the shop-vac & trash can to the basement to clean up all the fallen debris. And there was lots of it. Just seeing all the new wood and knowing that this slow leaky problem was finally fixed was so darn uplifting. I can’t describe how euphoric it left me. If anything, we left it better, stronger. Mindy was finally home. It was closing in on 130pm. She went to town on the rest of the house in preparation for our OSU game company – the Jumps. The game was scheduled to kick-off at 330pm. For the next hour Mindy prepped snacks and tidied up the downstairs while I showered and put away all of my tools. I was impressed with how much we accomplished all the while staying on top of my work duties too, which was keeping me hopping as well. The Jumps arrived just before kick-off. Great timing. Aside from seeing them dining at Barley’s a couple if times through the summer, we hadn’t seen them since a cookout at their place in mid-June. In fact, last time I saw Ella she still looked like a new born. And now she’s a full fledged toddler. And Porter, he’s no longer a toddler. He’s a little boy (25 months). We had a nice time catching up, visiting and watching the Buckeye game. Jeremy brought a six pack of Mendocino IPA. It’s quite good. Meanwhile, Mindy had enough snacks out to feed 20. They went slow. The Buckeyes played perhaps their most complete game of the season against stiff competition and won rather easily 24-7. Our defense was tenacious and our offense good enough. The Jumps’ left for home just before the game came to an end. In fact, Mindy hollered out the door as they were loading into their vehicle letting them know that the game was officially over. After cleaning up the kitchen, Mindy gave the neighbors a call and invited ourselves down to hang out. They were having a get together at their place. Just before we were about to head down, my Blackberry rang. It was work needing my help. The family headed to the neighbors. I promised to join them later. It took me about 30 minutes best guess to get things squared away at work. I joined Mindy and the kids down at Kenny & Chrissy’s. I took three of my favorite beers. Mindy didn’t stay but about another 45 minutes, but gave her blessing for me to stay back and relax/hang with Kenny. After all, I had been working all day long. It felt good to unwind. I joined Mindy at home around 10pm.