Friday, November 14, 2008

... All Boy ...
Marshall loves to participate in sports: soccer, wrestling, tennis, golf, bowling; and this year was his first try at football. I got to see him "play" during their pre-season jamboree in September.

On Saturday, November 8, I was able to attend his team's Football Awards Banquet. I was surprised by how many people were there, but parents love to see their kids and grandkids do well and achieve their goals. We enjoyed a good lunch and cake, and then came the awards.
Each of the players got a trophy and a few, including Marshall, got perfect attendance/good sportsmanship certificates.
The team's only win for the year was in a pre-season game. This was a young team (most never having played before), so the coach has big hopes for next year.
Although he's "all boy," Marshall has a sweet and tender heart, which I hope he'll continue to develop. (As a grandmother, I'm entitled to such sentiments.) Anyway, girls go gaga over a sweet guy - just ask Weldon :-)

Thursday, November 06, 2008

WOOHOO!!! :-)
Weldon had always hoped to brick the outside of the house and we have been discussing it for quite some time. Last spring and summer we spent many Sunday afternoons driving around looking at brick houses and deciding what we like and don't like, and we made many trips to Pine Hall Brick. Who knew there was so much to learn about brick, mortar, and the ways they could be put together! The bricks we chose are called Old Irvington - an over-sized, tumbled brick. That means they're bigger than "normal" bricks and they look old and beat up :-)
After a lot of work and preparation on Weldon's part, our plans have begun to be realized and the results are more beautiful than I could have imagined.
Siding off, porch torn up:
Brick & mortar delivered:
Weldon made the tools to "rake" the mortar joints:
Ready to start:
The first brick is laid:
The local yokels pretend to work:
These guys know what they're doing and they do it well!
After just 2 1/2 days of work, the brick work is almost finished.
Back: and front:
There's still lots of work to be done. Next up, the masons will return and work on the pillars for the porch and carport.
The first evening after the house was finished this far, I took Jasmine out to do her evening duties and when I turned around, my heart did a little skip 'cuz I didn't recognize the house :-)
Stay tuned ....