Week 8 - Whooped! - Part 2

The rest of last week at the arts festival was awesome, but exhausting.


Before I left on Thursday from the set up of the arts festival, I was told that the schedule had changed again and that we would be working the full day on Friday...7 a.m. - 11 p.m.  WHAT?!?!?  Ok, I was not really looking forward to it, but I have to admit it was a fun day, we got a lot done and I made it home without falling asleep.  However, Friday literally kicked my ass!


I arrived at the site and we immediately went to work to get things ready for the wall raising at noon.  My task...assemble the entire front wall of the house to be lifted as one complete section for the wall raising.  With my tool belt strapped on and one other Habitat team member to assist, off we went.  Now, the end result was to have the entire front walls of the house nailed together with the door and window openings cut out so it actually looked like an unfinished front of a house.  By the time I left for lunch with some friends, not only did you see the door and window openings cut and the front wall as one unit;  it was blue boarded, lines were snapped for siding, and the windows were actually installed.  Woo-hoo!!


Even though I didn't get to see the wall raising, when I got back, two different teams were working to set the walls for the sides of the house and another team waiting in the wings to start setting the interior walls.  By supper (6 p.m.), all exterior and interior walls were set, scaffolding was put up, and trusses were lifted to the top of the house.  After supper, trusses were set, safety rails were installed for the roof, siding was starting to go on and the front porch was coming together.  The night ended with me leading a group of volunteers on the roof with 1/3 of the roof sheeted under the lights, a dark sky behind us and fireworks going off at the baseball stadium.  A great view from the roof.  Too bad we were all kicked off before they were over.


By the time I got home, my feet were killing me.  It hurt to take my work boots off and walk around the house barefoot.  I thought I'd never say this, but I was happy to put my work boots back on Saturday when I got ready for my next shift.  Thankfully, it was a short shift...3 p.m. - 11 p.m.  But I'll admit I was dragging, big time! The roof was ready to be shingled and the one side was already started when I arrived. I was given a team of volunteers to lead in finishing the roof with a couple of other Habitat team members...all I'm going to say is...we girls ruled the roof!  Roof was completed shortly after supper, the safety rails came down and we were moved to getting the soffit and fascia put on.  Siding was completed and trim painting began.  We stayed a little later than we were supposed to to try and finish up the shakes on the front of the house, but we were pulled off and it would be the first task we tackled on Sunday.

Sunday morning I arrived for the early shift since we were so far ahead of schedule.  TK and I finished up the shakes on the front of the house, helped paint some trim and I hung the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity banner (over wet paint...oops!) and the house was pretty much complete by 10 a.m.

Does this look familiar?

Clean up started and next thing you know, lunch was delivered.  After a quick bite from In the Bag, the Habitat staff took our rubber ducks from our lunch sacks and headed for the public library water feature to race our ducks.  We kind of drew a crowd as we tossed our rubber duckies in the water and watched to see if they'd even float.  They did...on their side or upside down.  I came in third, then we all gave the ducks to the kids that were watching our cheap entertainment for the day.  I headed for home shortly after the front door was opened to the public.  But my day wasn't over yet.

The ducks take center stage.

As tired and beat as I was, I still had a lawn to mow.  It had been two weeks since it was mowed last and either I needed to get it done or I needed to buy a couple of goats to take care of it for me.  So, I pulled into the driveway and fired up the mower.  A very long 50 minutes later, the lawn was checked off my list, and I had all I could do to get a shower in before crashing on the couch.  I woke up later to devour some food and then it was right to bed.  It felt great to sleep in on Monday, although I should have taken a nap, I didn't get around to it.  Oh well, I have a long weekend ahead of me for the holiday so will catch some extra zzz's then.


Have a wonderful and safe weekend!  HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

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Highlight of the week...part 2

1.  Finishing the arts festival build ahead of schedule.

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Scripture...

He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." 

Mark 6:31

Week 8 - Whooped! - Part 1

Wow!  What a week...it was great, but I'm whooped!  If you remember from my last post, my week started (Monday) with a drive back from Colorado.  And then it was right back to work at Habitat for Humanity.


This was the week of the Des Moines Arts Festival and Habitat for Humanity built a house in the middle of the street on one of the corners of the festival.  I said I was going to get lots of pictures for you but...I failed again.  However, I'm hoping I can snag some photos from a couple of the Habitat team members to post here on the site later on.  But before I get to the arts festival build...we had some work to do on the house I've been working on the past five weeks.  


It was insulation inspection time and our yellow team was joined by the blue team to help get us ready.  And I have to say...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!  Without their help on Wednesday, we never would have been ready and neither of the two houses that had inspections would have passed.  Blue team...YOU ROCK!  They helped us finish caulking, install insulation, and made sure we had everything covered to pass the inspection.  As we were scrambling to finish both the women's and men's house builds for inspection on Wednesday, we get a call that the inspections had been rescheduled for Thursday morning.  Ugh!  We couldn't believe it, but then we all decided it was probably the best thing that could have happened because it allowed us to get everything done.


So, with insulation inspections completed, it is on to drywall.  Thankfully, we have this process completed by professionals and they were going to come in and complete that task while we worked at the arts festival on Friday.  BUT WAIT!!!  I was an idiot and forgot to get the cabinet bracing in.  The bracing has to be done before the sheet rock goes up so guess where I was at the next morning???  Thursday was to be an all day prep day for the arts festival, but my day started at 6:15 a.m. with cabinet bracing.  Thanks to the help of a couple of other Habitat team members, the cabinet bracing was completed and we were heading downtown to help with the set up for the arts festival build by mid-morning.


On Thursday, we basically got everything moved downtown that we would need for the arts festival build; tools, hardware, building materials, power set up, scaffolding, etc.  While some of the crew was working on transferring building materials to the site, the rest of us set the deck for the house and prepped it for the wall raising to kick off the build on Friday at noon.  So, with everything delivered, and the site set up complete, we called it a night.  I pulled into my driveway at 6:15 p.m. and I was beat.

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Highlight of the week...part 1

Passing the insulation inspection.

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Scripture...

"They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar as with eagle wings.  They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint". 

Isaiah 40:31

Week 7 - Siding and driving

I ended my 7th week at Habitat on Friday with the back side of the house completed with siding. In the heat, we busted it out so that the scaffolding could be taken down.  The crew that worked on Saturday did a great job getting more of the siding completed on the front but we ran short on materials so we will need to finish that up a little later.  They also worked on the overhangs getting us closer to completely finishing up the siding.  We still have some work to do, but there is progress each day, even if we are fighting the weather...still.

  

End of week 7

We are also working a lot on the inside of the house to get it ready for insulation inspection.  Today, the whole crew worked on tearing down the scaffolding from all three houses in the morning and then after lunch we gang-banged the Hammer's and Heels house on insulation and caulking.  When we finish this one, we'll all move to the next house and to do the same insulation and caulking process until all three are ready for inspection.


The big thing this week , starting Thursday, is the blitz build we are going to be doing at the Arts Festival downtown Des Moines.  Three days (actually about 18 hours); frame, roof, and side a house in the middle of the street.  We will then move it to its foundation after the festival (midnight on Sunday).  I hope to get lots of pictures to share with you.  But more importantly...stop down and see us!  My schedule did change for when I'll be working during the build. You'll find me there mid-afternoon and into the evening all three days; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.


Friday, after work, I headed to Colorado Springs for my Goddaughter's baby dedication.  I spent the night at my mom's in Council Bluffs before heading out early Saturday morning.  It was a very short trip, drove back on Monday, but so worth it getting to see my great friends and spending time with the kids.  They hold a very special place in my heart.  Remember what I wrote about friendships a couple weeks back?

My goddaughter...

I will add a bonus here about my friendships.  Even though I haven't been blessed with a family of my own, I thank God that He has given me great friends that allow me to spend time with their families.  And they allow me to claim their kids as my own.  This also includes my nieces and nephews.  I truly love each and every one of them as if they were my own child.  

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Highlight of the week...

1.  Seeing the siding get closer to completion. 

2.  Fitting into my dress pants for the baby dedication.  As I was driving to Colorado, it dawned on me that I haven't had them on since I started my leave (7 weeks ago).  Needless to say, I haven't been eating all that great after leaving the office but thankfully, they still fit. Phew! 

3.  Oh my...how could I forget?  The big cookie at Cheddar's!  Yummy!!!  This proves my statement in #2.  Ha!

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Scripture...

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff–they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in he house of the LORD my whole life long. 

Psalm 23

Week 6 - Really???

I can't believe I've already completed six weeks of my volunteer leave.  The time is flying fast and I'm having a great time...as long as the weather cooperates.  I feel like the weather is going to be a hot topic with this blog, but it probably should be since I'm out in it EVERYDAY.  Love it!!!


This week we had hail, rain, more hail and more rain, and then of course, the mud.  If y'all need a great workout, find a mud pit and walk around in it all day long.  It's a killer on your legs.  And I wonder why I have a hard time running in the mornings???


The rain and mud is definitely slowing the progress down on the house, but we are trudging through and doing what we can without losing a shoe or falling down.  I don't have photos this week, but will get some taken when the weather is a little better and the sun is actually shining. We tackled siding again this week when it wasn't raining and we caulked in the basement after we got the water swept over to the sump pump.  We are waiting to get the basement windows put in and until then, we will keep sweeping even though it comes right back in with each rain.


Thanks to all the volunteers this past week for working through the mud and rain.


This coming weekend, I'm traveling to Colorado for my goddaughter's baby dedication.  It will be a very short trip...drive out Saturday, dedication on Sunday, and drive back Monday.  Even though it is a short trip, I can't wait to see my friends and be a part of this special occasion.


So, I want to put a plug out there to anyone that will be in the Des Moines area June 24-26 for the Des Moines Arts Festival.  Habitat for Humanity will be framing, roofing and siding a house at the Arts Festival.  We'll be working on the house Friday afternoon/evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning.  The house will then be moved at midnight to one of our sites to get set on the foundation.  If all stays on schedule, I'll be working the Friday evening and Saturday morning shifts.  Please stop by and say "hi!"

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Highlight of the week...

Helping one of the partner families learn how to cut siding.  And not falling down in the mud.

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Scripture...

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19-20

Friendships

Great weather this last week and some great progress was made on the house.  We took the safety rails off the roof, installed the windows and doors, and started siding.  I also got a good jump on adjusting to the heat.  Friday and Saturday were some doozies, but the start of this week is going be a cooker as well. Lots of water and frequent breaks in the shade made the heat somewhat bearable.  

Windows, doors, and siding...

...oh my!

I learned a lot this week but got frustrated with myself with the lack of knowledge with the siding.  My previous volunteer experience hasn't given me the knowledge that I had hoped for with this part of the building process.  I felt bad having to keep asking questions and having them check that what I was doing was right.  They haven't kicked me back to the office yet, so I think I'm doing ok.  But, I'm making a lot of notes for the next house I get to work on.

This weekend was also our bi-annual, girl's only camping weekend.  I didn't spend the night like I usually do because of my work schedule, but still headed out after working at Habitat to join in the fun.  The group of girls that get together for this are some great friends.  And I'm one of the later groupies that joined thanks to my cousin.  We have such a great time and enjoy hanging out, playing cards, and sitting around the campfire.  It was a little warm for a fire, but you can't go camping without a s'more, so the fire was lit.  

We celebrated a birthday and said some emotional farewells to a great friend that is moving to Ohio to begin her new life with her new husband.  We are going to miss her dearly but we all know that this is what she has been waiting for, for so long.  I want to wish her the best of luck with her new life and hope she comes back often.  May God bless you on your new life and marriage.  We'll miss you!!

So, this brings me to my title for this week's blog...friendships. 


"If they truly saw your heart, they'd see too much."  
I believe that friendships, of all kinds, must be able to allow this to happen.  Thankfully, I've found some of those great friends that have allowed me to show who I really am.  Just when I think I've let them see too much, they are still there.  I pray that each one of us will allow ourselves to be truly seen.  Forget the status quo...just be you.


And a special shout our to my CRHP sisters, thank you for letting me show my true heart...lots of hugs, much love, many blessings. 

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Highlight of the week...

Getting to install the windows and doors, and getting a good jump on the siding.

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Scripture...

"Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

Week 4 - Beating the rain...

It seemed the goal was to beat the rain that was predicted for a good chunk of the week. Tuesday, we were lucky to have a pretty good day to get a roof sheeted.  Well, almost…we had two pieces left to put on before we caught sight of some close lightning and decided that the roof wasn’t the safest place to be. And then the rain came.

Knowing there was a good chance for rain on Wednesday, the team split up and worked on other projects where we could be inside.  I ended up working on a rehab house not too far from our women's build.  I helped paint the original register covers and caulked some windows in a beautiful 100 year old home.  It has some beautiful wood work and I can't wait to see it in a couple of weeks after the floors are finished.  

Thursday and Friday, I was back at the women’s build working with the volunteers.  On Thursday, we were in the mud...ugh...trying to get the shingling started.  And started we did.  The volunteers were great and by the time we headed home, we had shingles going up on both sides of the roof.  The ground even started drying up and the ruts were getting packed down.

On Friday, the shingling continued.  Once again, we were trying to beat the rain.  Thankfully, the rain held just enough that we were able to get the roof finished before the holiday weekend.  We had to stay a little later than usual to get it done, but it was worth it.    

The roof is shingled.

After working Habitat, I headed to Iowa City to visit some great friends of mine.  And once again, I was trying to beat the rain as I drove.  I went for a run Sunday morning before church.  It was a little foggy but nothing to worry about.  On my second lap around the neighborhood, I noticed a couple of sprinkles.  Again, no worries.  I love running in the rain and the temp was perfect so I kept going.  By the time I got back, the sprinkles were a little more steady and I was hearing some thunder.  

Well, I timed that run just right.  The minute I got out of the shower, I could hear the emergency alert system announcement on the TV from downstairs for a severe thunderstorm warning.  The wind was blowing like crazy and it was down pouring.  Beat it again.  Thankfully, Monday turned out to be a beautiful day.

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Highlight of the week...

Beating the rain and finishing the roof.

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Scripture...
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good..."

John 14:1