This is what happens when....

... a turkey steps on your freshly poured patio.















Just kidding.
Here is the stone that goes on the back patio. Did we mention we like stone?










The frame for the front door. You have to come see us to see the actual door. I guess it's too early to be carried through the threshold.
The cherry hard wood for the floors is going in next week. We also had the furnace and air conditioner installed.
































And the cabinet boxes are going in.






















And now here is a story from the Limo Man.
(Republished with permission from Mr. Hill, a.k.a. James. Date: Thursday June 15th)

I have been busy with the Limo job and Verl was here this past week. It has been a good break from the house. Yesterday I picked up a group of 7 in the limo and drove them to McKinleyville (near Eureka) in California. They flew to Medford on a B-24 bomber and needed a ride back. It was a ten hour day but I got a $140 tip, so I guess it was worth it, plus I negotiated a higher rate for the long haul with my boss. (Not bad for only being on the job for 2 days. It was my second gig, not counting my second practice run with Verl, who was quite surprised when we picked him up at the airport.)

My dad flew in the war as a navigator. Two of my siblings thought it was a B52 and one a B17. I am not sure what model it was but probably not a B-52. I got a glimpse of the B-24 at the airport and it really put things into perspective for me. Then my customers told me about their flight up and how they stood in the gun turrets with the open air and all. Another fellow flew in the glass cockpit. After the plane got in the air they were allowed to walk around and check out the plane. They all said it was really loud but a very smooth ride. It would be interesting to fly in one someday. They rented it and sprinkled the ashes of one of their fathers near Crescent City. He was also a navigator. It was an interesting day and they were all really nice people.

I even got a tour of the Oregon Coast going down from Crescent City. One of my customers who had split a couple of bottles of champagne with her friend felt like being a tour operator so she leaned through the window between me and the other customers and pointed out all the historical surroundings plus a few others for the next 60 miles. We talked about the great sunami of 1964. ( I remember riding down to Crescent City with my father after it happened to check it out.) I managed to keep the big boat on the road through all the curves and elk crossings while viewing all the parks, beaches, lagoons and wildlife. It really is beautiful country. I got back about midnight and wondered what I was doing but it is a new experience and something I had to try.

My first gig was Monday hosting a bunch of 6th graders who had just graduated from grade school. Kids sure have grown up. Only one parent showed up but just to take pictures. She did bother to ask what time they would all be back but that seemed like a secondary thought. Times sure have changed since I was a kid. The girl that organized the trip showed up with $120 and 8 more kids. Oops only 8 were supposed to go. My first mistake. I didn't realize it until they got out at Taco Bell. But what am I supposed to do since I am looking for the big tip.

After that we cruised for another 1.4 hours. I had to take them to some place where they would all be seen, so of course I took them to Jacksonville. They thought that was cool. There was lots of loud music. That is how you can tell how much fun they are having. They put the solid window down between the front and the back of the limo for most of the trip and they really rocked.…I did have to check on them a couple of times. They called the owner shortly after and now want to book a trip for 20 since they had such a good time with me.

B-17 The Flying Fortress













B-52












B-24 Liberator

My third gig was Thursday afternoon. I went tipless. That is a real bummer when that happens. It was just me and the limo as my customer failed to show. I drove to Ashland and waited for 20 minutes and then returned. Oh well.

Last night I did a kids birthday party and went cruising for 1.5 hours. I have never seen so many happy, smiling faces. They were jumping up and down when they saw the limo coming. Once again we rocked out to the loud music and the fancy strobe lights. They put up the solid window so I could have some privacy. Once when the solid window was down, I thought I was getting pulled over by a cop but it was only the strobe light clear in the back. It has taken me a while to get acquainted with all the gadgets and lights. Tipless again, this has to stop!

Although I enjoy the expeditions with the adults more, the trips with the kids have been interesting and it is fun to see how excited they can get especially when I roll out the red carpet. The adults are also bigger tippers. I expect to meet some interesting people along the way. My next gig is Thursday night with the owners doctor. I am taking him to Britt to see Elvis Costello.