Gulf Coast Works weblog

Waiting is the name of the game in construction. Just talked to the electrician and he has called for an inspection to get temporary power. This means he is almost done. After the inspection, Cynthia has to call the power company to get the hook-up. Then the electrician can check everything and call for a final. More waiting.

I also talked to Cynthia today. She is excited but willing to wait. She has some elderly friends that have their house done so she is trying to get them to move out of their trailer. She wants them in first. She talked of getting her Christmas tree up and running an extension cord from the trailer if she has too. Her decorations were in the attic during the storm so they survived. She said she has the lights on the tree by the side walk on. She has been out looking for drapes but can not find any she likes. Too bad some of you shoppers couldn’t help her out. I guess a few of you have sent gifts, she is so thankful. She said ” didn’t they give enough?”

HandsOn will be closing down on the 21st so the cabinets that arrive tomorrow may have to wait till after the New Year. But the temporary sink will work til then. Wait, wait, wait.

For those of you that have inquired about my adjustment to life at home let me tell you it is hard. No more bacon and pancakes every morning. Toby won’t let me wear the same dirty sweat shirt every day. I have to drink water out of a glass and not out of a can. Toby still lets me stand up at dinner and tell about my day, but I think she is starting to lose interest. The hardest part is not having all my new friends around.

Have a merry happy holiday,

David Kramer

Cynthia and her heirloom cabinets
Originally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

It’s hard to believe it only took 2 months to rebuild a home. Of course, they can’t move in yet, the electric is not yet ready. But that is about all. We left the house in great shape, everything painted, two more coats of varnish on the floor, and the upper cabinets are back in the place they were in August 28th 2005. It took us 2 months, and it took Cynthia and Dan 16.

We had a sad goodbye. Cynthia was so thankful. She thanks everyone who had a part in the project. I thank everyone. I even have people thank me for letting them work on the house. I would also like to apologize for all the picky things I asked people to do. It was not easy. It was not what I like to do. If I pushed hard to finish it was because I wanted it over so I could go home. I enjoyed the work, the camaraderie, the new friends, the old. I hope we all stay in touch. I hope we will see each other again soon. Cynthia wants us all to come and visit. She said anyone is welcome to crash on the couch. The same goes for anyone visiting the Boston area, only I can offer an air mattress. How can I sleep in a real bed again?

Last night at dinner I said my goodbye. Carrie gave a nice praise for Bridge to Biloxi. All the long timers said “you will be back.” They say there in something in the Bud water that gets people to return. As I drove back to HandsOn today I passed Mr George’s house. Luk came over to the car to say goodbye and to say that we set the standard for rebuilding. Thanks to Peter for getting it all started and all of the other B2B board members for their leadership, but especially all the volunteers that took the time and expense to come to Biloxi and work so hard. I will try to add updates as I hear from HandsOn as they complete the house. Bye.

Dartmouth painters
Originally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

I am set for my last day. All that is left for us to do is finish the upper cabinet, touch up the walls, varnish the floor, grout around the dryer vent. What is left for the project is the electric finish, stairs, and what ever I must have forgotten. It was hectic and I may never get Dartmouth students to help me again. I kept getting short with them for getting paint on the floor and not wiping it up. They were not there when I spent 3 days sanding them so I understand their not caring, NOT! But they cleaned it up and asked what else they could do. Art came through again by figuring out the upper cabinet puzzle. Just wish there was a photo of the kitchen before the storm. I will try to give more of a recap after tomorrow, and lots of pictures.

Art and his masterpiece
Originally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

We are coming down the home stretch. The house was a mad one today. Mike and Doug and Elizabeth and Beca did the base molding while Wright and Patrick and I finished the door trim. Art and Rob took on the sink (we are installing the sink temporarily so they can move in.) The sink looks great. We had so many people waiting to use the chop saw (that was bent and would not cut a 45) that I dropped everything and went to buy another one. HandsOn really needs it. Well, we only have a small bit of trim to do. No sooner had the sink been unveiled and the plumber showed up and started installing everything. After lunch Bri came to help with the putty. Tomorrow we will have 8 volunteers from a new group from Dartmouth to help with painting the trim. The cabinets are scheduled to come on the 19th and Mike may be able to help out, we will see.

Crystal will be coming home late Saturday night for Christmas break to new home. For those that want to send a Christmas card their address is: Cynthia and Dan Mceldowney, 334 Crawford St, Biloxi, MS 39530

1. Trim doors 2 to go (Thurs) Peter, Rite
2. Trim baseboards 1 room done 8 to go (Thurs & Fri) Mike, Doug,
Art, David Other vol.
3. Build and install steps 1 day 3 people (will move FEMA stairs
to house) Eddie
4. Sand and varnish hardwood floors 1 day 1 person (Sat after lunch) David & Art
5. Install door hardware 2 hr 1 person 2 done 8 to go (after Painting) Robert
6. Paint all trim and doors 4 done (Thurs) HO vol.
7. Clean stuff out of house (Thurs, Fri) everyone
8. Touch up paint (Fri)
9. Install dryer vent (???) Dan
10. Finish electric (???) electrician
11. Install vanity in MB 2 hr 1 person (Thurs) David
12. Finish plumbing (???) plumber
13. Install upper cabinets 3hr 2 people (Fri) David, Art
14. Install lower cabinets (waiting for arrival)
1 day 2 people (Eddie or $800 for Home Depot)
15. Get Occupancy permit (ASAP)

Robert is leaving Friday, Art is leaving Sunday, and I am going to catch the last flight out of town on Saturday. It still looks like a long list but most of it will be done before we go. Altho we will be gone when they move in, I know Eddie and his gang will get them in very soon.

Ok, so we had a really awesome time making 1X4’s stick to the wall around the doors in a upside down u shape with these wire like things that come out of an air gun. It was so cool! And tool shed Mike and that other Mike put this wood looking stuff on the floor of that big room in the back. How many times can I say awesome? And then this guy with a box of those things that turn on the lights came by and put them in the wall. But he left and they didn’t work. Then we drove in the cool van to have dinner in this big room, only it was late, and it was supostobe meat loaf but was more like soup. And we had this long green stuff with peanut butter and raisins because it’s Like celery week. And the server is like dead and Bell South takes in air real fast. So maybe you won’t read this.

Hung 2 more doors. Made 2 more creative thresholds and 2 selves on the arch. Installed the attic stairs. Mike & Mike installed half of the MBR floor, looks good. All of the windows are painted. The punch list is shrinking but still there.

Jim & Joel left this afternoon. Elena is leaving tomorrow, got home sick. Ann & John’s nephew checked in today, I am trying to recruit him for a day or so. Another guy from Ohio is going to help tomorrow triming the base molding. More doors arrived so we should be able to make more headway on that. It’s movie so till tomorrow. Look for pics then.

Joel, Art, Elena, Robert, Luke, Jim, Rudy, Tony, David
Originally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

At 5 am we were rushed out into the cold morning air with a fire alarm. After the fire trucks arrived and called it false we went back to sleep.

Today we finished the porch painting ( which Joel and Rob signed) painted 5 interior windows and 2 doors, hung 2 doors, and fabricated 2 thresholds. The scenarios continued until 7:35pm when it was announced Florida wins-!!

Jim is going home tomorrow with Joel to wait for our next house, if there is a next one. We should be done with enough of the punch list by the end of the week for them to move in. It is hard to work with my fingers crossed so could everyone help me with that?

GroutingOriginally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

We tried to get an early start on Saturday but the Europian press corp were here to hear our story and to go out on work details. —n told them the history of HandsOn, then they asked all of the volunteers to introduce themselves and why they were here. So I told the world of B2B’s mission. Peter, has it made the press down under?

After we finally got to 334 Crawford, we started grouting. It wasn’t long before we were out out grout. So off to HD. Jim, Elena, Rudy & Tony finished the grout while Joel & Robert painted the porch. Art & David (that’s me) hung the girls room closet door. After we all washed the grout for the 3rd time we left in time to see the sun set and the boats line up for the Christmas parade.

Left overs for dinner so we went to the pub to watch USC lose and Florida win. My son went to USC and Jim went to Michigan and I went to Florida. So the scenarios never ended, who would play Ohio State?

Kids bath

Originally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

Started the day at 5:45 with a trip to my favorite place, Home Depot. I had to get more thin-set so we could tile non-stop. Elena and Rudy started in the kids bath cutting the edge tiles. Robin did the MB. Toni, Shela, and I started on the kitchen. Joel arrived at noon to step up the pace. By 3PM we were done with the kitchen with enough tile left to do the utility room, so instead of vinyl we did tile. Well once you start a floor you hate to quit. So we didn’t get done till 6:15. Got back to camp just in time for dinner, which was late. The new group of guys were there, Robert, Jim and Art. Grout tomorrow. ‘Nite…