I must get a camera

I have returned Sara's camera (so all those tired of looking at construction photo's can breath a sigh of relief). Meanwhile, I am researching the best choice for my own digital camera. Any suggestions would be seriously considered, and greatly appreciated.

The trial court in my county is requesting my services.
The invitation reads:

YOUR TERM OF SERVICE IS FOR THE WEEKS OF:

MONDAY, JULY 2ND, 2007
MONDAY, JULY 9TH, 2007
MONDAY, JULY 16TH, 2007
MONDAY, JULY 23RD, 2007
MONDAY, JULY 30TH, 2007
MONDAY, AUGUST 6TH, 2007.

Yep, six weeks, and the capital letters are theirs. I have to call on the Friday before each session to see if my "panel" will convene.


I wonder if they would let me bring a camera?
Probably not.

A new look

We took a ride on the pontoon this afternoon, to check out the front of the house. The lighter color made it much easier to spot it along the shoreline.

A blue heron perches on our neighbor's raft. The carp are robbing the fish beds of the blue gill eggs. The muskrats make an occasional appearance, and a young leatherback turtle lives under the dock.

More construction

The siding is almost complete. I love the new look ,but the pink door has got to go!

Shaun uses a transit to level the siding. I never thought about how important that would be until I saw him set it up. There are transits in my metrology book (Fundamentals of Dimensional Metrology, 5th ed. ), so I took advantage of the photo opportunity to show how the equipment is used. The house is more visible from the lake. The dark brown hid the house prettily in the trees, but the lake view was the only place this was attractive - and then only from far away on the lake. I won't miss that dark color.





The last part of the house is the most difficult to finish. There is a lot of trim work to do, but the improvement will be most visible and the most rewarding.

Alisha graduates

Alisha celebrates her graduation.





Lisa and Ken host the best parties. Their home is perfect for families, fun, and celebration.



Lisa's yard and flowers are gorgeous.













Ken serves up the ball for his team. Volleyball games are a highly competitive sport at their house.

For the children, there was face paint...

and bubbles...

and the trampoline...

...good food...

and much laughter.

Some of us participated...

...and some of us observed

...

...but we all had a terrific time.

Congratulations, Alisha!

Ken and Lisa,

Thanks for a great time.

Charley's catch

Charley's northern pike catch.



Allison puts in our new screens. She is working with her dad this summer. I take her a coffee laced with vanilla syrup and lots of whipped cream every morning.

The soffits go up.

The insulation goes on.



Our talented construction crew.

A glimpse of the future.

Recycling

Michelle - this is for you and a "greener" earth.

Our neighborhood has its

own recycling operation.

Justin, John and Nario

collect scrap metal

(our old gutters)

and take it to a recycling center.

As they carry away scrap metal, another neighbor came by to pick up the old windows. Although they are probably 30 years old, they will be put to good use again. (Hmmm... 30 years doesn't really seem that old.)

The old view

The new version - waiting for siding.

No chimney!

Even better, a new window for better lake viewing.

The prize paddleboat

Here it is.





Mom - yours is on the left (hehe):

Construction - Day 2

Thanks to Sara, for loaning me her digital camera!

All the old windows have been replaced with new Anderson casement windows.

There goes the fireplace.

Renovations

Construction - Day 1
Ready for new windows and siding




The first day, the construction crew

focused on replacing most of the windows.







Replacing the windows in front

with two bow windows

- the better to watch the swans,

geese, and muskrats.