Thanksgiving 2021

 David and family flew into Charleston late on Sunday November 21st and flew out  very early on Friday November 26th. 

On Tuesday we went for a "black water swamp" Kayak tour, on Tuesday we took the ferry ride to Fort Sumter, we celebrated Thanksgiving on Wednesday (because Kylie had to work on Thursday) and on Thursday we went for a hike along the Awendor Creek and finished up with a picnic. We all had to get up at 4:30 AM Friday morning to get them to the airport.

My Brain Tumor

 

Tuesday July 13, 2021.

David drove Deidre and I to Jacksonville on Tuesday. We left at about 7:00 AM because I needed to be at the hospital by about 2 PM (it is about a 5 hour drive) and so that I did not have to "wave goodbye!" to the whole USA family. I let David drive my car so I could be sure he did not scratch it later.

At the hospital they needed to test me for COVID and take more blood samples and to meet the anesthesiologist. He said I was in "great shape" for the procedure, which pleased me a lot!

That night we had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen - I had a salad. We had picked a hotel about 20 minutes from Mayo.

Wednesday July 14, 2021

We had to report to the hospital at 5:30 AM so we were up at 4:30 AM and arrived 10 minutes early. They took me in right away and dressed me in all sorts of awkward stuff and started poking sharp things into my arm. I ended up with three IVs, special inflated socks, and a lot of wires glued to me. 

This was just my 3rd time for a general anesthetic - first was tonsils in Sandringham when I was about 20 years old, and second was Gall Bladder in Scottsdale. (My friend Nick has had 23 generals - poor bugger!)

By about 7:30AM I was wheeled out of the room and that was the last thing I remember until I woke up with my head in a turban.

After I woke up about 2:30 PM. I don't remember this at all. 

I do "sort off" remember the nurses taking off the head wrap. My hair had been "glued" in place away from the opening.

The staples on the way home. My goodness, I look old!

Thursday July 15, 2021

Cant say I remember much for the rest of Wednesday. I think I remember being woken up during the night by nurses asking questions, but I was soon back to sleep. Deidre tells me I was involved in a meeting with the surgeon (with her and David) but I do not remember and such thing. 

By 4 PM Thursday I was told I was OK for discharge and Deidre and David rolled me out to the car. I was feeling pretty well, but I don't really remember too much.  We had booked a 5 star hotel about 25 miles north of town to spend the night "close to the hospital" - just in case! I went to bed, David headed out and bought some dinner at Chic-fil-a.

Friday July 16, 2021

The hospital had told Deidre and David that I needed to walk a bit every hour or so on the drive back to the IOP. We left the hotel about 10 AM and we stopped every "hour or so" for a walk. We were home by about 4 PM. Adam and family had left the day before. Jen, Connor and Fiona were waiting for us. I went to bed. 

The staples today, just before they were removed.

Monday August 2, 2021

Deidre and I had Kylie's two kids for the weekend. On Saturday we took them to a coin fair, on Sunday morning we took them to a swimming park. We dropped them off at the Taylors at about 3:30 PM and headed back to Jacksonville to have the staples removed and to hear the results of the tumor analysis. 

The previous two weeks had been easy enough but:

A. I don't like taking pills, and 

B. I don't like "sitting around", and

C. I was anxious to know the analysis of the removed tumor

I had called the hospital after about 10 days, asking for the results of the analysis of the tumor. In general, I was expecting a good outcome, but as the days passed by I was getting a bit edgy. I was told the analysis was not complete as yet, but it would be by our scheduled appointment. I was not happy with that answer. 

Our appointment was not until about Noon so we had a casual morning. When the surgeon walked in the door he asked me "How are you doing?" and I responded with a bit of an edge "How about you tell me about my tumor, and I will tell you how I feel!" He quickly responded with words to the effect that the tumor was as benign as a benign tumor could be. 

My tumor had been recorded as a DNAT - Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial - and is considered to be a benign tumor. It is usually associated with children.

They will arrange another follow up MRI after 90 days, another after another 180 days and then another after 1 year. In the doctor's opinion he would not expect the tumor to ever reappear.

 

Family Visits July 2021

 

The whole gang other than Connor who took the photo. 

The new peron is Mike - AKA: "Tall and Bald"

Audrey is keeping Grandpa company

The six kids.

David and Jen gave me a fan for my birthday, and a bunch of fancy fruit.

My calf wound

Our July 4 cake

Extension to Kylie's House

 Planning and Permits

Getting a Building Permit has been a pain in the rear.

I had a draftsman draw up the first set of plans back in September 2020. 

The first problem we ran into was that the designed pitch on the roof of 2" in 12" required a steel roof (Shingle roofs require 3" in 12") However our permit application to the local HOA was rejected because they required the roof on the extension to match the existing house shingle roof. The limiting issue on the roof pitch was the placement of the existing windows. So back to the draftsman who managed to "shoe horn" the roof up to 3" in 12". 

In addition, the local HOA had an ongoing issue with the drainage easement and our back fence, and to solve that I had to install a 10' gate in the fence. The HOA committee only met once a month so this issue ate a couple of months.

Submitted the revised plans to the City in March, but it took a few weeks for them to "re-find the file". The City came up with some imaginary drainage issues, and that required Deidre and I to "survey" the elevations to prove that water would drain away from the house. We did so, but then they wanted the formal plans adjusted and resubmitted, which we arranged, but they lost those also.

But last week we got the OK, paid the fees, and getting ready for the first inspection.

Work Begins

The last stage of the permit process involves a "storm water drainage" inspection. It seems that the main purpose of the inspection is to ensure that the details of the building site on the plan exist in reality, and to inspect the "silt fence". A "silt fence" is required to prevent any "silt" to escape the lot and pollute the neighbors and the "retention pond" located downhill from Kylie's back yard.

Today I started the process of installing the silt fence. I purchased 200' of the silt fencing a few months ago, but have held off installing it waiting for progress with the Permit. Well, the moment has arrived!

Rather than dig the necessary trench by hand, I hired a mechanical trencher (and the trailer to haul it). The "thing" weighed a ton and I had to pull it backwards, while it wanted to go forwards. Lots of huffing and puffing.

Next step was to install the actual "silt fence" and bury at least 6" of its "tail". A thunderstorm interrupted this process, so we abandoned ship, and I hope to finish tomorrow. (But I have a skin doctor appointment at 10 AM, lunch with Kylie at 12:30 PM and a haircut at 3:00 PM, Friday we fly to AZ to attend Bill's 80th birthday.)

It was a hot and sweaty day. I lost 5 pounds between my shower before breakfast and my shower at 4PM.

Time to Get Back to Work

We were home from Jacksonville by about 8PM Monday, August 2nd. Some neighbors had prepared us some dinner. Next day I was ready to get back to "normal"

On Wednesday I took Mason to the doctors for his annual check up. He was a bit mad with the world because he was missing out on some sort of a treat at day care, but I had fun anyway. The doctor kept us waiting about 1/2 hour.

Monday August 9, 2021

Last week I got moving on the Project again. The concrete guy agreed to start on Monday and pour on Wednesday. The HVAC guy agreed to arrive early on Monday and disconect the HVAC and move the compressor out of the way. My framer (Gabrial) refused to respond to my text messages, which is a bad sign as I need him next. The electrical (Adam the Aussie) said he would be ready when I needed him. And I had lunch on Friday with Bill the roofer - who is Kylie's ex "uncle in law" and a great guy 

Over the weekend I spend a day or so cleaning up the existing back porch and getting the space ready. 

It was very hot and humid day, the concrete team worked hard and long, and I think they did a good job. We now wait for the city to inspect and approve tomorrow.

Kylie's garage is a bit overstuffed, so while the concrete guys were working we unloaded the whole area and sorted and tossed out and restacked the lot. Kylie really worked hard. I gave up by about 3 PM and went home, had a shower and went to bed for a couple of hours.

Because the HVAC is disconnected Kylie has no AC, so she and the kids are staying at our house on the IOP until Friday at least. That will be fun.

Wednesday August 11, 2021

The concrete truck and the concrete pump arrived on time. I had invited both Mason and Audrey to come with me, but Mason wanted to go to "Camp" (Daycare in the summer) because they were having an outing and Audrey was still asleep at 7 AM, so I had to go without a buddy.

The process was held up for awhile because the concrete pipe seemed to be blocked but after 30 minutes of beating and cursing they got under way. As expected, the concrete crew was all Mexican, and they worked hard. It was allover by about 2 PM. 

It was another hot and humid day, and so Kylie and my job was to hose down the new concrete to prevent it from drying too quickly in the sun. Kylie had turned up with Audrey at about 9 AM. She was interested and she stayed for a while until I took here to day care. 

Audrey needed to explain some concrete skills to the truck driver

Almost done.

I thought I had made a deal with a "framer" but now that I need to set the start date he will not return my calls. His name is Gabriel, and he is a good guy and works hard, but like many Mexicans he does not understand the need to communicate. I have been trying to make contact for a week with no success, so today I started looking for a replacement. I have ordered the windows and the doors and they are running late, so there is really no time pressure.

A surprise visitor at #21

Most of the houses on our street back onto a lagoon and then the 15th hole of the "Harbor Golf Course". They make a very pleasant view for our living room, plus we have a deck and a screened in porch over looking the back lawn, the lagoon and the course. There is all sorts of "wild life" associated with the lagoon and golf course, we especially like the hundreds of wading birds that frequent the area.

Because of the flood threat, our house is elevated about 12' and so the garage and my workshop is "under the house". The lawn between the back of the house and the lagoon is only about 30' wide and I groomed it so the lawn gracefully runs into the lagoon. When I mow the grass I run the front two wheels of the mower into the water so that the grass is cut right into the water. (Usually a few turtles come and watch)

We bought the house about 30 years ago (how time flies) and that is when we first met "Alice". Alice is quite a big croc and is still around although we do not see her much these days - she likes it a bit better about 5 houses away behind Mary-Alice's house, plus she tends to roam around the various lagoons. She seems to have babies every few years, and we expect the croc in the photo is one of those. 

The Framers are coming!

The Framers arrived on time this morning (Friday August 20), and I was ready for them! Five nice guys, all Guatemalans, two could speak sorta English (like me) and the other three not so much. It was a stinking hot day, but boy oh boy, did these guys work! (I am typing this at 8:30PM and its still 91 degrees F and 60% humidity.)

I spent the whole day with them (mostly watching from inside) answering their questions (when I was able) and running messages. Plus I mowed the lawn and cleared up the inside of the back wall in anticipation of them "breaking through".

They will be back tomorrow (Saturday) and tell me they will finish (I sorta doubt it). I also have an appointment with the "gutter guy". Kylie will be at work, the kids will be at the Taylors.

Saturday August 21, 2021

Work today started at 8:30 AM but was cut short by rain at about 2:30 PM, but plenty was achieved. These guys are serious workers.

Monday August 23, 2021

The boys were on the job and working at 8 AM. By lunch time the roof and ceilings were installed. After lunch they started the last step - removing one existing window and the existing back door, and filling them in. The other back window will be replaced by a double French door (in Geoff's honor) but we are waiting on the door delivery.

Kylie's "ex uncle-in-law Bill" will be doing the roof and he arrived mid morning to set up the job. He is a great guy and we get on well. The materials are to be delivered in the AM Tuesday and his crew would start work immediately.

By 3 PM the framers were cleaning up. Nothing we can do now until a) the work is approved and b) the doors and windows arrive.

The one window and the door removed

Tuesday, August 24, 20121

Last night while in bed I decided that I should call the city and ask if I am allowed to complete the roof B4 the structure is approved. So I called the city at 8 AM and they said "certainly not". So I cancelled the roof team and ordered an inspection - but not until Wednesday. The weather has been so wet - I really wanted that roof!

Deidre came over with me today and we sorted and carried the unused lumber out onto the driveway so we can arrange for a pick up. I mowed the grass (again) so that the place would look "neat and tidy" for the inspection.

Today's family photo was received from Adam. His son "Indy" has just started High School, but obviously as a "Freshman" (Think 3rd form). Since he is such a good soccer player he has been asked to practice with the varsity soccer team. Indy is not a big boy yet (Only 5'2" and "not a hair on his legs" as his Dad says) and the varsity kids can be rather big and intimidating. 

So the photo below is of Indy taking the ball from a guy twice his size by dribbling it thru his legs. Adam was very chuffed.

"GO INDY!"

Wednesday August 25, 2021

Another good day today. Today was Audrey's first day at "Pre-K" at the local primary school - "Jenny Moore" - the same school that Mason has just reported to 3rd grade. The poor kids have to be at school by 7:30 AM. Naturally, we have a photo:

I reported to duty at Kylie's house by 8 AM so I could wait for the city inspector. I was a bit worried about the meeting because I thought there was a possibility I had skipped an inspection. But that was a waste of a worry - the inspector arrived before 10 AM and was a nice guy, and he OK'd the work and told me I could proceed with the roof etc. 

So I immediately messaged the roofer and advised him that the roof work could start. They must have all been sitting around because they arrived about lunchtime and had finished before 5 PM. Great! The last two days have been the first rain free days for ages, so my luck is holding.

Now I need the framers to return and install the Tyvek moisture barrier AND I then I need the vinyl siding installed. At that point the building will be impervious. 

Thank goodness for immigrants.

Thursday August 26th, 2021

Not such a good day today 😢. The guys turned up today (by surprise) to install the Tyvek (moisture barrier) and install the two external doors. That was great until they called and told me I had ordered the wrong sized single door!

Originally the extension was designed using 2" by 4" lumber. But the engineer changed the back wall to 2" by 6" because it needed to be stronger. This means the trim on the single door needed to be 2" wider/thicker, but I forgot to change the rear door and the rear window orders! Big screw up. I drove over and convinced the boys that they could "trim it up" and they said OK - I have not seen the result yet. Kylie says it looks OK.

I now need the vinyl cladding installed.

Tomorrow we are driving to Black Mountain to see our dear friend Nick who has throat cancer. We will only be with him an hour or so as he gets tired quickly.  Its a 5 hour drive each way, so a big day. But he is having a real hard time and I want to see him.

Monday September 6, 2021

This morning we left home "reasonably early" to drive 725 miles to Cleveland. We wanted to visit the "Cleveland Blackman Family" to see their new kitchen and spend time with the family. We did not make it the first day and ended up spending the night in Caldwell, Ohio (About 20 miles north of crossing the Ohio river. (We picked the hotel basically at random, and although it was a rather old place it was in immaculate shape, and I hope we stop there again.)

Next morning we were underway after an excellent breakfast at the hotel restaurant and arrived at Ardleigh Court  about lunch time.  The new kitchen was most impressive. We stayed until the kids arrived home from school. Adam and Kathy have done a great job with the kids, they are a lovely pair. We had been invited to a Simkoff Jewish New Year dinner and Ruby volunteered to pick us up at the hotel - she has just turned 16 and now has a drivers license and a car!

Her car is a "stick shift" which is quite unusual in the USA. But apparently Adam told her that her friends could never borrow her car, her car could not be stolen, and she could not text on her phone in a stick shift!

Photo from the Simkoff event. Kathy has a large family. Adam was cut off the side by the camera, but you can see me, Deidre, Kathy, Ruby and Indy.

Wednesday September 8, 2021

We took it easy - Adam and Kathy were working, the kids were at school - so we toured around our old haunts and met Adam for lunch. At lunch he handed over 4 prepaid "premium" tickets for the Indians game and so we called some old friends and ended up downtown in the stadium for prepaid dinner and the game. They lost, but the weather and the company was great.

Thursday September 9, 2021

I "worked" on my computer most of the day. Both kids had soccer games that afternoon and night. Ruby's was in Garfield Heights (a 5 mile drive) and Indy's was later in Madison (a 40mile drive). We all went to the former, Adam and I attended the latter. The kids played well and both games were victories.

Today, Connor passed his last interview and was made an Eagle Scout. He started this process in Houston and has continued in South Korea and Taiwan and back to Houston. Quite an effort, and we are proud of him.

Friday September 10, 2021

We drove home - all 735 miles in one day. 

Monday September 13 thru Friday September 17, 2021

This was a good week - the vinyl cladding was started last week and finished this week. The building is now waterproof and can be locked up, and looks good. Kylie is happy, so I am happy.

I had been contacting our Australian electrician ("Adam")on a regular basis, and he turned up on Thursday. My deal with him was to be his helper. So Thursday and Friday I attended to all the grunge work - drilling holes for the cable, nailing the outlet and switch mounts, pulling wire and etc. I went to bed early each night. We did OK, but still have a couple of days work remaining.

Kylie had a kid party for one of her friends on the weekend and she decorated and used the new Family Room. In anticipation I power washed the side of the house as high as I could reach. You can see "the clean part" and the "dirty part" on the end wall.

Monday September  20, 2021

Adam did not turn up today and I have not heard from him. That's OK with me, I was still tired from last week. I did a few minor jobs and called it quits at lunch time. This afternoon I purchased the HVAC unit - I have been dilly-dallying for weeks over what to buy. I hope I made the correct decision. 

Saturday and Sunday October 2 and 3, 2021

We had the two kids for the weekend, Kylie was working. 

Tuesday and Wednesday October 5 and 6, 2021

The electrical work was approved on Tuesday morning and so the insulation could begin.

Thursday October 7, 2021

Today we drove to Wilmington NC to meet up with Nick and Lyn who were having a restful week on the beach. Nick has been making some progress recovering from his cancer treatment and can now eat soft food, so we decided to meet for lunch. 

The 1941 battleship NORTH CAROLINA was moved to a special mooring space near Wilmington so we decided to take the tour. The ship seems to be in perfect condition, the tour was rather amazing. An interesting observation was that the battleship was "state of the art" when launched in 1941 but effectively obsolete at the same time. As a result the 15" guns were never used to fight another ship, just to bombard an invasion sight.

Friday October 8, and onwards............

We continued with the insulation process and finished on Sunday. I was happy with the result. The city is sending the inspector on Tuesday next week!

Some times I am just not tall enough

Sometimes the Jeep is just not big enough

Monday & Tuesday October 11 and 12, 2021

Today I was able to get back to woodworking tasks, something I enjoy way more than stuffing fiberglass. By Tuesday I had the "pocket door" and the new "light window" installed. Both went in well.

I have now tried 5 drywall installers to no avail. There is no way I could do it. 

Wednesday October 13, 2021

Deidre's ankle needs an overhaul. Today we drove to Duke (in Durham, NC) so that she could attend preliminary evaluations and testing, the actual "procedure" is scheduled for Friday. The surgeon does not expect her to stay overnight in hospital, so if she is feeling OK we will head home Friday afternoon. (Its a 5 hour drive.) She will be in a cast for 3 weeks. 

We are staying at a friends house - Nick's ex wife Susan.

Friday October 15, 2021

I delivered Deidre to the hospital at 7:30 AM as required and handed her over. They sent me a text as she went thru the process and the doctor called at about 11 AM as said "All went well." She was in recovery for a while, I was able to pick her up about 12:30 PM and load her into the car. We were back home by about 7:30 PM. We were instructed to stop every 90 minutes or so for her to "have a walk".

The hardest bit was getting Deidre up the 17 steps to our front door. One of our neighbors helped. It all went well. We have set up a bed in the living room and I slept on the couch to keep her company. 

Saturday and Sunday October 16 and 17, 2021

The last two days have been reasonably calm and Deidre has managed very well. The neighbors keep dropping off food, so we are not starving. The weather has cooled down a lot, so sleeping is easier. I actually left her this morning to go over to Ky's to meet a contractor and do a bit of work.

Monday November 8, 2021