The Wall Part 2

The  forms came off today.  It is so exciting to see everything taking shape.  We have to wait now for the framers which won't show up til we are on vacation.  In the mean time, we will busy ourselves with cleaning up the area.  All of that dirt is our crawl space and no one wants to be crawling around down there with rocks and concrete pieces in your way.

My Eyes Hurt

Have you ever had that experience when you could not find something?  You search and search.  You retrace your steps. You try as hard as you can to visualize what you possibly could have done with the missing item that you eyes actually hurt?  Well, that was me last night and early this morning.  I could not find my keys.  Anywhere.  I retraced my steps.  Tried as hard as I could to figure out where I possibly could have laid them.  I looked in the trash,  I looked throughout the van, even in the ignition.  Inside the house I tore apart all of the couches, looked through drawers, under furniture....nothing.  I could not figure it out.  My thoughtful husband told me to go to bed and I would find them in the morning.   At about 5am I woke up and remembered that the first thing I did when I came home yesterday was sit down at the couch to talk to my daughter.  My keys have to be in that area.  When I finally crawled out of bed, showered, and went down stairs to make breakfast, I was greeted by Brian.  I asked him again if he had seen my keys.  He promptly walked into the living room and a few seconds later emerged with them.  They were under the end table. Ugh!  

The Wall

Because we are building into a hill, the back and side wall have to be re enforced with concrete.  It was quite impressive to watch the crew work as they scooted across the wooden frame and guided the concrete hose along it.  Now we wait as the concrete sets.  In a week and a half/two weeks the framers will show up and do their magic.  By the time we get home from our vacation, we should have the exterior up.  

Taking Shape

The foundation forms are set.  Today the crews return to build the back and side wall forms.  By this weekend they should have the concrete poured.  

Finally Free

Little did I know that less than twenty four hours after my last post so much would happen.  On Monday, July 6 Todd spent the evening tamping down the dirt in the foundation forms hoping it would pass inspection for the concrete pour.  That, however, was the least of concerns.  At 3:30am  Tuesday morning Todd's mom called to inform us that his dad was declining and the family needed to come in.  Todd's dad had been in the hospital since Wednesday evening as his alzheimer's had progressed and his aggression had increased to the point that he could not be managed.  911 was called and after five hours in the ER he was admitted to the hospital.  The doctors began the task of finding a medication that would help control his aggression but for whatever reason, his body shut down.  The whole family filled his room, shared stories, sang songs, and by 6:45am Don Ells went home to be with the Lord.  It was a sad yet glorious day.  He was free from the disease.  The burden of caring for him was lifted.  The worries for his well-being and for Susan's well-being were over. 

Tuesday was a blurr.  Todd and I finally got home sometime after eight, fixed breakfast and tried to figure out what to do with our day.  I managed to go into the church to take care of immediate concerns.  Todd and his brother, Mike, spent the morning at their moms house.  After lunch Todd and I had to go back to Wenatchee to sign the final papers on our construction loan and went out to dinner to "celebrate the finalization of our loan" and to regroup from the day.

Life goes on.  Wednesday was spent recapping Kinderfest with the Chamber.  I remembered we left all of the leftover cupcakes in the downtown gazebo basement.  oops!  Thursday the boys and I got dress clothes and went Costco shopping to get ready for Vacation Bible Adventure and the memorial while Todd monitored the concrete guys pour the footings for our house.  Friday was a quiet day with Bonnie working, Bryce spending the day with his friend and Brian hanging out at the river.  I tried to get all of my cooking that needed be done for the next two days done.  Saturday the VBA crew from Shoreline arrived and now they are doing final preparations for a week of VBA.  Sometime in all of this we will continue to help Todd's mom with the Memorial Service preparations, food preparations for the service, and decorations for the memorial table. 

In short, we are emotionally and physically exhausted.  Yearning for a break.  A mental, emotional break more than a physical break.  Seeking peace in all of this chaos.  In two weeks all three kids go to camp.  Maybe then Todd and I can find that quiet place.  Until then we will plug on.

Forms, tamping, & digging

Prepping the foundation forms for concrete.