On Politics

Received great news from the Isle of Wight Commissioner of the Revenue - our tax relief court order was signed today. Want to publicly tell all my neighbors who follow this to remember Mr. Gwaltney at the polls when he is up for re-election (on a four year term) - he is a wonderful public servant, and has our support!! Definately the elected official who has delivered results for us!

Interesting that the most action on this topic has been from the local government - the smallest government with the fewest resources. The State has been sympathetic, but nothing substantive (Delegate Glenn Oder (Newport News) still has my support; my own delegate... not so much). And ah, the federal level... still love my "air pollution" letter response from Senator Webb... the best. Inaction. Enough to make you political...

On progress notes - spoke to Jorge as well as Robbie (TIW owner) today, and both felt we're still on track for painting on Saturday (hooray!!). Knockdown being applied tomorrow, and final wall sanding and clean-up on Friday. They were here with another application of mud today - looks (and smells) great!

Sat down to do more drywall mapping, and got totally distracted with email and web-surfing. Ugh. Anyone want to kill some time and do some drywall mapping for me? It's fun, really! On a serious note, I do have a plan for bankruptcy claim filing - running past some trusted advisors now...

Map Making

Spent 3 hours making drywall maps. Not quite as boring as evidence logging, but close. Should be the last day of 100+ heat this week - supposed to rain tonight and cool off the rest of the week (thankfully).

No progress on walls today - Jorge (the job supervisor) called to say the crew couldn't make it today, but he came by to mark places to redo (which he did). He also said he'd come back by at 5pm to review status with me, which he did not. Not too concerned - looks good - but hoping for more progress tomorrow.

Baking

Hot. Really Hot.

Spent a few hours on the computer and finished evidence logging the actual drywall - map still needs several hours to finish. Expect to finish by Saturday and be all finished with remediation documentation prior to painting.

Not making progress on bankruptcy claim... need to get on that...

Down day

Nothing much to report today. Spent a couple hours at the house - installed a stud in the Master Shower that was needed (previously, drywall into the shower due to this problem, TIW wasn't so keen on that idea). Did find (lost?) a walled-over outlet - marked it, but didn't want to cut into the drywall. I'm sure the guys will find it this week. Also spent some time organizing and backing up some files, and spent some quality time on the bank's website - staying afloat, happy to report.

Then took the kids to Busch Gardens... difficult to relax (need a cooler activity at least), but getting there.

I'll update progress on the walls tomorrow.

Walls Up!

Blogging a little early - evidence logging is monotonous and needed a break. Outlet. Outlet. Switch. Outlet. Outlet. Switch. Pipe. Pipe. Fixture. Outlet. Switch... you get the idea.

Took the kids for donuts and the zoo today - had a great time. Needed to get some things done at house, pick up mail, and the drywall crew wanted to talk today too, so stopped by in the afternoon.

When I got home this afternoon, the house was fully drywalled, all scrap in the dumpster (my 5th, by the way), house swept clean, and all seams were taped and mudded! Met with Jorge from TIW just now, and I think he just wanted to see if I was surprised - which I was, happily. We walked the house, no missing wires outlets, or electrical work boxes - everything looked great. I have one stud to add in the bathroom which I'll do tomorrow.

Outlook going forward - nothing tomorrow, but back in to re-mud and sand Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday - finish coat and knockdown Thursday and Friday - he hopes to be completely done on Friday - ready to paint on Saturday! At worst, paint on Sunday. I got a weekend back!!

On another note, TRAGEDY STRUCK while I was away. Apparently, somebody turned the little dorm fridge in the attic up to maximum cold last week. Yesterday, with nobody opening it in the 100 degree heat to let the cold out, all the Guinness froze and several caps popped off and leaked their sweet nectar (in a slushy form) all over the fridge. Oh, the humanity! And what's worse was all the Bud Light survived! Who is going to drink this Bud Light now that Angie and Paul are gone!?! Will the torment and suffering this project is imposing on me never end!?!

OK, back to work...

More Walls

Sorry I didn't write last night - had a retirement party for Jen's boss, and didn't get home until late.

I did stop by the house Friday, and the progress on the new walls is going great. The original estimate was two days - it isn't going THAT great, but will be three. The upstairs is done, the downstairs ceiling is done, and many downstairs walls are done. The guys said they wanted to finish today, but didn't know if they'd be able (allowed?) to - no issues on my end...

I, again, didn't log an hour. I do have some important legal chores to accomplish - finish evidence logging for one, so I may spend some time there today. Although, the third floor thermostat read 99 - I didn't believe it, I think it just didn't have three digits... it felt like, well, 105 at least.. ;-) Not entirely sure I want to sit up there on the computer... (at Aunt Becky's now)

Well, William and I are going to get "nonuts"... I'll write again tonight if anything actually happens today.

WALLS!

I can no longer see across the house upstairs... it's a good feeling. There are walls in every room, but not every room is done. The second floor ceiling is done though. I'd be surprised if they finished hanging tomorrow, but we'll see.

I spent some quality time updating maps and printing drywall photos - I have a good system, but it will take some time. I also looked at the Orleans Bankruptcy Claim form - not really suited to our situation, but I'll figure out a reasonable force fit with just a little bit more thought...