Insulation?

Check.

Early Posting

I know I sound like a broken record, but it's been wild around here the last couple of days in particular. The good news? I finally see an end to this craziness after tomorrow! So I will be able to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend without distractions.

The insulators were back today. They're getting everything ready for the insulation to be pumped in tomorrow. I'm posting a photo of the house with it's white layer ready to hold it all - it's DENSELY packed in! I saw this application on "This Old House" over a year ago - can't believe that I even remember it. Sheetrockers should be right behind them. Pete & I met with Loren today - he's going to do the rock walls in the dining room & kitchen - much like the walls we had in Irving. Decorative iron brackets for the open shelving in the kitchen are on the FedEx truck right now out for delivery. I THINK the appliance problem has been solved, thereby fixing the cabinetry problem. Shower floor tiles - check - ordered today & will be here tomorrow along with the handmade tiles that will accent each of them.

Earlier today I was talking to Gilles about the countertops when Jasmine walked up. She decided to decorate my car while she was politely, but impatiently, waiting for me to hang up so I could talk to her. Here's a photo...

When I arrived at 523 this morning, the line had already started for the Twilight movie tonight. A tent was even set up, but later in the morning it had disappeared and chairs were in its place. I'm guessing the police thought the sidewalks had to remain clear all day. I'm attaching a photo of two women who didn't look real happy about sitting there all day - I know I wouldn't do it! But we will be there tonight for the midnight showing. Guess I haven't lost that "sure, let's do that!" after all.

Probably won't do a post tomorrow as it's the official switch upstairs. I'm already "there", but Qwest won't make the phone/internet switch until the 1st.

More later...

Monday, Monday...

NOT the best day. Lots to decide today & a prior cooktop selection is wreaking havoc on the kitchen. Insulators started today & while they arrived quite late, I was amazed at what they accomplished by the time they left fairly early. Photo is attached of the future TV-reading room. Mark was finishing up the shingling around the garage door and I was fortunate that Pete, Greg & Jack (Mark's son) helped me move the heavy items from my place. I'm moving upstairs for the duration as they leased this place to another woman for the coming months when PT is at its best weather-wise.

The Fourth of July - my second favorite holiday - is coming & Nancy's house has the bunting out. So festive already. Fireworks stands are doing bustling business closer to Bainbridge Island - one even has grocery carts for their customers. How many fireworks do these people buy? PT has its fireworks display out in the bay on a barge. I hope this is an enjoyable Fourth, PT-style.

I found a "surprise" against the front door when I finally got back today. My Callaway driver came early (most deliveries to PT seem to take an extra day). I'm looking forward to re-starting golf lessons in this climate - a good temperature to learn in.

More tomorrow...

Posting Early

I have to move upstairs for the balance of construction so today has been consumed with going up and down the stairs with my things. Great way to thin belongings out, however! The worst part will be taking the gardening books & magazines upstairs tomorrow. The guys are going to help me move the heavy boxes to my mini-warehouse at Aldrich's so I won't have to deal with that, thankfully.

Today's photo is of the Barlett House. It's probably the most photographed private residence in PT. You can see it on the bluff in the "cover" photo of the blog. I haven't been in it - will probably have to wait for a benefit tour of some sort for that - but it's so lovely. I will post more "ladies" on weekends so you can see them as well.

I'm also adding a link to one of the "daily" photo sites that feature PT. These photographers do a MUCH better job of showing you life here than I ever could. Bookmark/Favorite it if you want to return to it in the future!

http://myporttownsend.com/

Back to packing...

A Typical Saturday, For Now...

Saturdays seem to be almost always the same. Farmer's Market and a trip somewhere for the house. Today, I met up with Nancy & we went through the farmer's market before stopping at "The Spot" for soup & a crab cake. We found a bench and sat down to catch up. I am always in awe of her mothering - with five kids still at home she's about the calmest person I know. Maddie invited me to go to the midnight showing of the third "Twilight" film and I told her I'd go. Nancy is coming with us and perhaps another of Maddie's siblings. Since the author, Stephanie Meyer, has her vacation home nearby and the films' setting is supposed to be western Washington, it has quite an allure around here. Sam & I were walking through Port Angeles a while back waiting for the ferry to Victoria and I kept seeing "Twilight" posters everywhere. At that point, I didn't know about the juggernaut that had already swept the publishing world. While I had seen posters while in Barnes & Noble, I just didn't "get it". I thnk you'd have to live under a rock to not know about it now. Just hope film #3 is better than #2 was!

One thing I often forget is how many motorcycles cruise around town on the weekends. If I don't go downtown, I'm oblivious since most of them don't come Uptown. But were they ever in evidence today! IF I drive through downtown on the weekends, I see the vibrancy that exists there - the street corner musicians, the rowers, the pooches, the shoppers, the walking tours led by members of the historical society. And it's just a few blocks away...

Then on to Silverdale for 523-related stops. Silverdale is where the "Big Box" stores are if you head toward Seattle. I believe I will have a PhD in LED TVs before I purchase one. It's mind boggling and as a woman who was checking out with a new system said when I asked if she & her husband would be doing the installing, "Heavens no! If you're not in your 20s you don't have a clue." Truer words were never spoken! I'm totally itimidated.

When I walked past 523 tonight, I had a first. A beautiful (there's that word again...) cat was sitting on the front porch's step. It seemed quite content and at home. Since it had a collar on, I doubt if it will adopt 523 permanently but it was quite dear to see something enjoying it already.

I'm posting some photos from my favorite perch at the end of the street - the boats were certainly enjoying the gorgeous weather today!

Sequim & Port Angeles

Where does the time go? Seems like I didn't stop today. Got up early & stopped by 523 to check in with the guys before heading to Sequim. I got to see what happens when forests get a springtime of rain - they're lush & gorgeous! After a couple of hours in Sequim & Port Angeles (where you catch the ferry to Victoria, B.C. & the Empress Hotel, if you're lucky), I headed back. I noticed quite a few logging trucks - something we don't see in Texas. The logs' cut ends look like a freshly snapped sweet potato in color - simply beautiful.

Every time I re-read my entries, I see how often I use the word "beautiful". Whenever I write or read that word, I hear my dear father-in-law Ben's voice. He had a particular way of saying "beautiful!" that makes me think of him so often as a result. I can still hear and see him saying it - usually with a beaming face. Not a bad word to be forever linked with, is it?

I've got to admit, I love the road from Fat Smitty's back to PT. Pete has described it as the most beautiful stretch that isn't in a state or national park. He should know as he drives it daily. It's curvy & overlooks the water when you can see it through the thick vegetation. Afraid I'm enamoured with driving the curves at the max the speed limit will allow. Today was great - no semis in front of me.

Spent alot of time at Jeanne's today looking at fabric & wallpaper. We were both cross-eyed at the end. But we found great wallpaper (small amount needed behind shelving) but that's a few more checks off the list. Mr. B the cat, ever elusive, even made an appearance. Could it have been the treats that his owner, Ginny, gave me to lure him out of hiding?

Today's photo is of the curing garage floor. It's probably the cleanest it will ever be! And it seems that everyone in PT who works with concrete can't stand the thought of wasting any of it. Today's finisher left me a stepping stone with a fern frond imprint since ferns are everywhere around here. And for Dottie - a photo of her Mark finishing up the last of the shingling with the exception of the small area for sheetrock entry & around the soon to be installed garage door.

More tomorrow...

Scoffolding's Gone...Again

How many times has the scaffolding appeared & disappeared? MANY. And it's not over yet since the sheetrock opening will have to be closed up at some point. But today, Mark & Jim finished the high wall on the back of the house, leaving only the more easily reachable guest bedroom wall. That should be completed tomorrow. Patrick & Greg worked on getting the garage ready for its final layer of concrete early tomorrow and setting the Solatubes in the bathrooms, as well as blocking for the intricate bracket that will support the TV later.

Tamara, my wonderful architect, came over today to show 523 to some important people - her family. Her parents, Jay & Donna, were in from Minnesota and of course they brought Tamara's beautiful daughter, Ciara, with them. PT has a lot of connections with Minnesota and before long, everyone was talking about places they knew there, including Jim (the electrician) who was over for one last "DirecTV plug". While I knew from earlier conversations that Tamara had played basketball, I didn't know that Jim was a local basketball coach. He's leaving the girls' team for the boys' this year. Since basketball is about the only sport I can understand, I will probably have to go watch at some point.

Just got back from a leisurely stroll through town after stopping at Jeanne's to look at wallpaper. What did I notice today? That the FATHERS were out with the strollers about this time. I usually walk a little later and had never seen them out before. Ran into Drew, a neighbor from up the street & his darling daughter in her stroller as well.

I'm attaching a photo of Mt. Rainier - I hope it's viewable. This evening was probably the clearest I've seen it since I've been up here. It's jaw-dropping to me since it's 100 miles away - so majestic!

Hope you had a good walk through your neighborhood this evening as well.

Back Again...

Well, I'm back. 523 has changed little to the eye but yet it has had constant work since my last post. I'm going to post quite a few photos this evening to try to show you what has happened at 523 as well as around town.

The dormer window FINALLY got shingled! It really changed its personality. You can see to the side that a small portion of the wall next to the fireplace remains unfinished. I asked the guys about this today and they said they knew I wasn't going to like it, but that was the area that would have to be cut open to allow the sheetrock to go in the second floor. They were right - I didn't like the sound of that but they assure me that it will be structurally sound.

The next photo shows the terrace side at the back of the house. It's now moving along since the replacements for the french doors finally arrived - in the right color!

The guys went home HOT today. I know, I know - today's 72 does not make Texans think of "hot", but it was! A nice hot. One I could even appreciate. I just heard the Seattle weatherman say it might be time to put your jacket away. From what I've heard, that may be a bit premature as people have been known to attend the 4th of July in a jacket. The story is that summer starts here on July 5th. Yesterday, we had the strangest weather. I kept hearing the ferry's fog horn blaring in the background well into the afternoon. I finally discovered the reason - FOG. On a stunningly beautiful sunny day! There was a thick, white bank of it covering approximately half the Strait of Juan de Fuca - the route the ferry takes to Whidbey Island many times each day. Apparently it isn't totally unusual - Pete described it perfectly to me when I asked him about it today. Wish I'd captured it on "film"!

After a quick stop at Aldrich's, I went to Chetzemoka Park for more photos. Chetzemoka was a Klallam chief & granted permission for the Port Townsend settlement. The new 64-car ferry to be delivered to PT in August will bear his name. While I've been there a couple of times before, today I really roamed its 10+ acres. It's not a large park, but it sits right above the Strait. Also, I'm adding a photo of the raspberries I found on the bluff. Hmmm... in looking closer at the photo, they appear to be blackberries, but in person I'd say raspberries! As I was leaving, I saw Bear's twin out taking a stroll through the park with his owner. I thought of how Bear would LOVE to walk through Chetzemoka - it's hard to keep your shoulder in its socket when he's on a walk. After Chetzemoka, an orthopod might be in order!

I know I've said it before, but the air smells heavenly up here - just like Vail's. As I sit at the little table where my computer resides, I have a soft breeze coming through the open window & the sweetest serenade by the birds outside.

I'm off for a walk through the neighborhood...

Taking a break...

Didn't get much sleep last night & those of you who know me will be shocked that I've been awake since 4:30. Incredible serenade by the birds & the 5:00am church bells - neither of which I've ever heard.

I've decided to take a break from the blog for awhile. Will eventually "be back".

I'm off for an early morning walk through this incredible town...

No Photo Today...

as there was nothing "spectacular" to show you. More work on the porch's ceiling, met with Barry the tile man, the guys worked on interior blocking, trying to pin down the wall treatment in the dining room & kitchen, meeting with the propane man, picking up carpet samples, recycling, etc.

Tomorrow is to be early with the propane tank's placement. That'll be an exciting photo ;)

Caught!

When I got home tonight, two deer were dining on the gorgeous flowers across the street. One cooperated as I tried to take their photo. Have you ever seen such an "innocent" face? These two were very "tame" - they voluntarily walked within five feet of me when they crossed the street for their next course.

What happened today? Lots, as usual. Loren & his crew finished the chimney which makes way for others to now do their work. Greg & Patrick worked inside on blocking while Mark was working on the front porch - particularly the ceiling treatment.

I bought some strawberries from Sequim at Aldrich's. They're obviously well-known around here, and after tasting them I think I'd have to equate them to Pecos cantaloupes. There IS a difference! They were so fresh that they are sold with the dirt/sand still on them. I thought Driscolls were good, but they pale beside these. Love the fresh produce around here!

Loren's Back!

Loren, my stone mason, was back with his crew & his scaffolding today to start the completion of the chimney. I was in Dallas when they did the first portion (on a 55 MPH day from what I heard - can you imagine being on a scaffold at the TOP of this chimney under those conditions?) so I've never seen them in action. Like a swarm of bees - buckets of concrete being hauled up on pulleys, saws trimming the rock to size & then being applied with "ease".

And the front porch shingling is almost finished. That just leaves the terrace area in the back where we're STILL waiting on those replacement French doors as well as the small area just beside the area where Loren's crew is working.

The electricians were back for a city inspection today and the guys were flying with interior framing. I got the interior rock samples today & was quickly on the road to Gilles' to look for marble. Amazing how one "little" aspect can hold up a line of other decisions!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Secret Garden Tour

Cape Cleare has some competition at the Farmers' Market! The Spot had some fabulous crab cakes that they cook on site and today I tried them. I may have to do some rotating of the Saturday menu! PT has wonderful FRESH seafood so it's hard to turn it down, particularly when they cook it for you & you don't have to get the Febreeze out afterwards! I strolled by MMM (my "code" name for 523...) and found the roofer there tending to some last minute tweaks that he felt were important. Gaylinn was under the house working so I actually had some quiet time to go through the house by myself to think through what I was seeing without the usual noise of the saws and hammers. Quite a difference in the quality of thought without those jarring sounds.

Finally, I set out to find the Secret Garden Tour which is sponsored annually by the Master Gardeners of Jefferson County. It's amazing what's hidden behind some of the houses in PT and I only saw 6 of them. I got turned around (and so did the car's navigation system) so I saw parts of PT I didn't know existed. There's an area that looks like Atlanta to me but the overall feeling again today was that of being in Vail. We used to have a second home there and there's nothing like the cool, clean air, stunning sunlight and the birds chirping. It is the same feeling here in PT.

I'm simply going to post some of the photos that I took around town today. My biggest surprise? Probably the dogwood, but you'll see maroon poppies that were as tall as I am, gorgeous lupines (pronounced "loopins" up here), artichoke peeking out of their thick, lush foliage and "ragged" poppies that are stunning.

Enjoy!

Sequim and...Shingles!

Do we notice a pattern here? Yup - more finished shingles - the front wall! There are some small areas left - particularly the back terrace area where we're waiting for replacements for the patio doors which were delivered in the wrong color. Gaylinn was here most of the day working on plumbing, the roofers finished (it's gorgeous!), the electricians finished the first phase (it's hard to call pre-wiring "gorgeous")and Loren was back to start finishing the chimney.

I'm also adding a photo of "Patrick's Post". It's on the front porch & will have a small mirror-image of the swoosh when it's completed.

I'm glad I wasn't here for long today since there were so many people around. I went to Sequim to start the Home Depot list. Many of us joke about Home Depot/Lowe's, but I'm amazed at the companies they can order from that are not physically represented in their stores. I hadn't been to Sequim in several weeks (a month?) and the landscaping along the way has changed since the last time. Shasta daisies line the highway, along with Scotch Broom, which I've heard is not a desirable plant although they are gorgeous from afar.

The last photo of the day is for Dottie - it's her grandson Erik (and Mark's & Tami's son). He's great to have around while he waits for his father to be finished each day and is becoming quite an accomplished juggler.

The weekend's here. Hope yours will be an enjoyable one!

Ships & Shingles

When I set out for 523 today, I noticed out of the corner of my eye this ship out in the bay. I hurried over to the Post Office where I could park & take this photo - I was amazed at how quickly this vessel was moving. It didn't even appear to be moving yet I almost missed it.

More shingling today. The side living room wall was completed & the pesky "long wall" too! I've decided the long wall is my favorite. Perhaps it's that you see so many different textures when you look at it. The scaffolding might be moved tomorrow, but perhaps not until Erwin finishes the painting/staining under the gable. And I THINK the roofers are now finished (or they were at the end of the day).

Lots of talk today about inverters for solar arrays, brackets for shelving, heights for showerheads, placement of exterior light fixtures, colors of rock treatments, timing for delivery of the finishes. My brain is tapped out. It's looking forward to a Friday and a weekend like a school kid!

meetings, meetings, lots of meetings

Every day we get a bit closer to some decisions. Today Pete & I went to meet with the man who will be doing the cabinetry to "fine tune" his wonderful plans. From there we went to meet with a local artist who turns wood - we were looking at newel posts & balusters for the stairway. Along the way, Loren came back today and the tile man & his son showed as well to review the work to come. This was in addition to the roofers, electricians and the guys. It was VERY busy at 523 today. I'm posting a photo of a new wall being shingled as viewed from inside the dining room and a photo which shows the new contrast color under the gables. I think it's a much better "contrast"!

And it rained. I love the rains up here - the locals are tired of them already but they're so gentle, who could complain? No thunder or lightning in P.T. yet. I hear those are very rare. There was a Wednesday market today but again it was pretty soggy. I'm posting a photo of one of the vendor's offerings - yum. But that didn't keep people from coming. When I got back to take today's photo, Pete & Candy were walking back from looking around in the rain - but appropriately attired. As we stood outside 523 talking - getting progressively more soaked in my case - Pete remarked that I was becoming a Northwesterner since I didn't have an umbrella up which I took as a high compliment. I looked like a drowned rat when I got back to the place, but how gorgeous the plants will be after this soaking!

BTW - Washington state law changes tomorrow. No talking/texting while driving without hands-free. I don't have that operating, so if you call, leave me a message if I don't answer - I'm probably on the road and don't want a $124 ticket!

Now the neighbors can see...

how wonderful the shingling is! The first two completed walls were where no one could see them from the street. When I got to 523 this afternoon, Mark was shingling the front wall. Now the house is starting to truly show its personality. What I keep forgetting to post is that the shingles will eventually be stained. In Texas, we usually didn't stain wood - it was painted. So I'm shocked at the coverage a "stain" can have. The white trim is a stain & it appears to have paint coverage to me but it won't flake off. Fade eventually? Yes, but flake, no. Having lived in a house with painted shingles in the searing Dallas heat, I'm glad to know that I won't be dealing with perpetual maintenance again. The shingles have to "cure" before they can be stained, so they will be au natural for awhile. The shutters & window boxes will have to wait as well. Here's one for you, Dottie, showing your son at work. Also, some photos of Jim & Mike working on the long side wall as it gets closer to completion.

A beautiful day today - I hope yours was as well!