Saturday, April 26, 2008

Showing You The Door

I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.... I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby. ~Nancie J. Carmody

So, yesterday morning, DH said he needed to replace the wood beside and beneath our front door because it was rotting. He used a screwdriver to pull away the rotting part to see how much wood he needed to get. Some came off. Then more.



And more... and next thing you know he said these words: I need to break up the steps (they are concrete) because I have to replace what's behind them.

Ooooooo....kay...... but do you need me to move my bushes so they won't get squashed? Nope, they'll be fine.

In the meantime, he also made the discovery that we had both ants and wasps making their happy homes in the area so I took off to the local Agway for poison. As I was pulling out of the driveway, I saw him whacking at the steps with the maul. By the time I got home only a few minutes later, the steps were history. So was most of the stuff around the door. This wasn't looking good.



A little bit later, our BIL (who has construction experience) showed up, took a look and said these words: You need to completely replace the door.

Ooooooo....kay...... but do you need me to move my bushes so they won't get squashed? Nope, they'll be fine.

Off the boys went to Big Jims, and back they came a little while later, door, extra wood, weather stripping stuff and whatever else they needed, in hand (or, more specifically, in back of truck). And they got to work.

I asked, one last time: Do you need me to move my bushes so they won't get squashed? Nope, they'll be fine.

The old door won't come out? No problem -- use the maul.



I kind of liked the sunlight this gaping hole let in.



Got the weather stuff in. Time to put in the door. Uh oh. Door doesn't fit.

Ooooo......kay........

Sawz-all ran out of juice, and BIL didn't bring the charger. So, use the skill saw to cut off 3/4" from the top of the frame.



Blade isn't deep enough. What to do? Hmmm..... (((think, think, think)))....

DH has a GREAT idea!!!!



Yes. Yes, that is indeed a chain saw you see in his hand. Even better, the dust and the smoke it created set off the smoke detectors. Dog in crate = freaked out. Cat in basement = freaked out. Me = freaked out.

Done? Nope... door still doesn't fit. Chain saw is NOT a precision instrument. Try again. And again. And again.

After about twenty minutes of sawing and non-stop beeping from the smoke detectors, he is done. Me? I ran around fanning various detectors to get them to SHUT UP.

By now, the sun is setting and it's getting COLD. And I still have a gaping hole in my house, sawdust on absolutley everything including the sofa, no one has eaten since breakfast...BUT... the door fits.



And, thankfully... the bushes (thus far) are safe. Of course, the new steps haven't been built yet. Something I need to remind myself on a regular basis so I don't fall out the door.

How was YOUR Friday?

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You Should Rule Saturn



Saturn is a mysterious planet that can rarely be seen with the naked eye.

You are perfect to rule Saturn because like its rings, you don't always follow the rules of nature.

And like Saturn, to really be able to understand you, someone must delve beyond your appearance.

You are not an easy person to befriend. However, once you enter a friendship, you'll be a friend for life.

You think slowly but deeply. You only gain great understanding after a situation has past.



I AM hard to see with the naked eye!! How did they know?

8 comments:

Allie Boniface said...

OMG...too funny...well, I'm sure not for you, as it was happening, but a *chainsaw* to cut the opening wider? You know that's a scene in a story, right?

Glad it all came out OK, and the bushes are fine (for now!)

Long and Short Reviews said...

"I AM hard to see with the naked eye" read (the first time I read it) "I am hard to see naked".. I was...HUH?????? talking about TMI!

The pictures were great and glad you have a new door. Bob says it looks like they did a great job! Even with the chainsaw ;-)

BTW... love this line (and Allie's right. You SO need to use that scene in a story!) "Chainsaw is not a precision instrument."

anno said...

Too funny! Unfortunately, I have a husband just like yours. Today, he's threatening to bring home an acetylene torch!

Dru said...

oh my, I'm reading this thinking that bush is going to get squashed and I'm glad it didn't.

Don't you just hate when a simple project turns into a major one. Do you like the new door?

When will hubby start/finish the steps?

re quiz: I should rule Saturn.

Brandy said...

Whew! Sounds like you had quite the day! Glad to hear the bushes have made is through so far. The new door looks nice, the transomes on the side are so pretty!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Dena said...

This sounded and looked just like one of those fix-it shows. Thanks goodness chainsaw and all your door got replaced.

groovyoldlady said...

Uh-Oh. Note to self. Do not let Mulletman attempt to repair the hole in the roof OR fix the rotting wooden porch steps OR "fix" the wood siding.

I should, apparently, rule Mars.

Mars is a planet that shines brightly and loops wildly around the solar system.

You are perfect to rule Mars, because you are both energetic and independent.

Like Mars, you seems attractive and bright to others - but you're difficult to pin down.

You are a great thinker, but you only think in the present and ignore the future.

Full of enthusiasm and inspiration, you are into your own thing... and rather insensitive to others.


Gee, that one is pretty accurate. Although the Lord has been helping me grow in the sensitivity area.

Anonymous said...

What a story! I love that you included pictures, and I like your new door. Hope your bushes stay safe. :-)