Texas Room Day 23!

Boy was it ever hot today. Whew! I guess "winter" in the valley is over. How I could wish for a couple cool days right about now. John has applied his top coat to the drywall and plans to sand it tomorrow. Once that is done, we are going to be able to paint. He said we may be able to paint starting at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Once we get the wall painted where the air conditioner goes, that will be installed. It is a split indoor/outdoor unit. Something new and something that works well down here for Texas rooms.

We had another park dinner tonight. . . salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, carrots, jello, roll, cake and coffee or tea. It wasn't my favorite, but the food was very good and tasty. It was one of the better dinners we have had here. We ate with Mom and Dad.

After dinner, we took the plumbing supply list John had written out for us and went up to Lowe's in Edinburg. It was about 15 miles away, but the store there is much less crowded and less noisy. We had a lot of little parts we had to buy, so we were able to take our time and double check the labels, etc. We were able to get everything inside the SportTrac. . . no easy feat! Hah! But it fit and we are now back home ready to paint tomorrow!

Till next time. . .

Dale

Misty and Me

Those of you who know my gardening skills know that I cannot grow anything other than a hangnail. But two years ago, Mom bought me a beautiful poinsettia for Christmas. I named her Misty. She seemed to like life in the motorhome and thrived on catching the sun from the front window wherever we happened to be. She grew and grew. I repotted her and she continued putting out leaves, albeit the red was gone and now she was just green. She became too big for the motorhome and it was always my thought to plant her here in Texas. Someone told me she wasn't the "right" kind of poinsettia to plant outside and she would not live. But when we got to Texas this fall, I told her it was "do or die." She was either going to make it or not, so we took a leap of faith and planted her. I have only watered her twice. . . we have had so much rain here in south Texas this winter that I didn't have to do more. I took these pictures of her this morning. She is bushy but it appears she is started to grow taller. I'm not sure how she will handle the heat this summer, but where she is located she gets a lot of shade. Misty. . . YOU GO GIRL!

I've also included pictures of the "twins." These are two cactus starts I got from my friend Alicia. They don't appear to have done much since I planted them, but they look healthy. They may just be taking some time to develop a root system.

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room Day 22!

Today was such a windy day. Probably had winds of 25-30 mph. John worked on completing the soffitt around the overhang on the Texas room. He got it all done! But he did run out of material. When we added the roof over the porch, that put him over on what we had bought. So about 1 p.m. I headed for Alamo to get the one piece of material he needed. Dad wasn't doing anything, so he went along with me. I think he enjoyed the ride. It was just over and back on the expressway, but he seemed to enjoy looking at the scenery and letting someone else drive.

I'm not sure what direction John will go tomorrow. He may be putting the final coat on the drywall. Once that dries then, Terry and I will paint. John is pushing hard to get as much finished as possible before he leaves on March 15, but I don't think it will all get done. The outside, however, will be finished, and that is all we need to worry about here in the park. All the cabinets and appliances will be delivered, however, so when we return next fall, we will have everything we need to finish.

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 21!

There isn't much different to show today. The day was spent applying the second coat of dry wall. John did all the walls and the ceilings and stopped early today. All the work on the ceiling caused his back to ache, so he wanted to go home and rest. No problem.

While he was doing that, Terry and I went and picked out some paint and looked at bathroom vanities. We did find a vanity and have it scheduled to be delivered the same day as our appliances. So that is taken care of.

While we were at Lowe's, we tried to buy a countertop, but we couldn't get anyone to wait on us. We have spent so much time waiting in these stores for someone who could help us and most times we end up leaving. I'm not sure how they sell these big items because they certainly don't keep the staff on hand to assist.

I'm not sure what will happen tomorrow. It is supposed to be a warm day but windy. John cannot put up the soffitt with wind, so he may work on something else. . . maybe plumbing. Who knows?

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 20!

John and his wife had planned to go to the Winter Texan Expo in downtown Mission, but the weather was not cooperating. . . alternating between windy, cold and rainy to rainy, windy and cold! So he decided to work Saturday.

He got all the hardy board down on the floor and screwed in place. We put that down because we are putting tile throughout the Texas room. That was finished and then he sanded the drywall. Monday he intends to put the second coat on the drywall and then put down the grid for the tile. If the weather is good, he may get started on the soffitt and the skirting. I am anxious for that to be done, because that will really make it look finished.

He also set in the floor of the porch, which was done with composite boards. It is really pretty and will not rot. We still have a step to do, but that will wait until after the skirting.

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 19!

The guys spent some time adding up all the plumbing pipes and fittings they would need and then they made a trip over to Home Depot and Lowe's. While they were gone I did the morning routine stuff. We were due to get a delivery from the local Mexican lumber yard, La Popular, today. They actually didn't come till later in the day, but we did want someone here when they came. Also later in the day Terry had to run back over to La Popular. It is often challenging to go in there because there is often no one there who speaks English. If you are not in a hurry, it is not a problem because you can usually communicate with gestures or pictures; but if you are pressed for time or you have a return, it is quite frustrating. Today as Terry was checking out, the lady at the register told her how much they appreciate the Winter Texans. She said they add so much to their business in the months they are here and they truly are glad we come. How nice was that! Yesterday when we were in there ordering tile, hardyboard, tile and grout, etc., a salesman grabbed us right away. He spoke very good English and he stuck with us until we got everything ordered. I told Terry I thought we might be taking up too much of his time, but in reality it was probably only about 40 minutes. And it was a big sale, so I'm sure they figured it was worth it. He didn't rush us and I think now he grabbed us on purpose! He wanted to make sure we got what we wanted.

When Terry and John got back, John started right away on the plumbing. For a time, the bathtub was even in place in order to mark all the pipes.

John is going to work tomorrow and since the weather is so cold now, he will be placing the hardyboard. We found out today the washer/dryer, refrigerator and the water heater are in. They are scheduled for delivery at a later time. We aren't quite ready for them yet.

Till next time. . .

Dale

What a difference a day makes!

Wow, the weather did an reverse flip about 7:45 this morning. It was in the 70's and no breeze out of the south. Then it abruptly changed and the wind blew in from the north and the temps dropped dramatically. The wind is probably in the 30+ mph with much higher gusts. The canopy is flexing a bit, but it does that. We have noticed when the wind is from the south, it doesn't as much anymore. I think it is because the wind hits the new Texas room and it sends it up over the roof. The shed roof on the room slopes to the south so the wind has a ramp up and over the canopy. It is spitting rain at us too.

The plan for today was to do the soffit and/or the skirting, but that is out of the question now. So John is figuring the plumbing they will be needing and they are going to go get that stuff. John does not waste a day, so something will get done.

More later. . . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 18!

Today John worked at getting all the first coat of mud on the walls. He started with the closet, then moved on to the ceilings. Later he finished with the closet in which they had to first install the wall board.

While John was doing that, Terry and I left to go look at and order the tile and all the supplies that go with that--the thinset, the cement board and the grout. We also ordered screws and picked out the paint color we wanted. It's hard to make these choices and I usually don't take too much time picking them out. I could go crazy vacillating back and forth on colors, etc., so I find something I like and just go with it.

We also went to Home Depot. . . geesh, imagine that. We got a few small accessory items and the ceiling paint and the trim paint. We still have the wall paint to get, but I know what I want.

Once we got home, it was time for lunch and afterward we stayed inside. There wasn't much for us to do as John does all the drywalling, etc. We try to keep stuff picked up, but there wasn't much to do, so we got a good day of rest.

Tonight we went to the jam and enjoyed the music.

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 17!

John started today with finishing installation of the remaining sheet rock; and, unfortunately, we came up a sheet short. But he got started mudding in the main room and actually finished mudding in all the walls. Later in the afternoon, I went in and used the shop vac to clean and sweep the floors.

It really is coming along, but I do hate this. I would rather take a vacation and come back to a completely finished project. Hah!

After the work was done for the day, Terry and I went to Home Depot to get a couple more boards of sheet rock. Fortunately, some nice cashier was able to help us load it on top of the little truck. If not, we would have had a hard time getting that done.

We had some excitement today. I was stepping down off the steps and saw a bunch of "crap" (literally) on the pavement. I thought it looked like bird crap and when I looked up, I saw two heads peeking out from the peak on the canopy. BIRDS!!!!! I yelled and they took off, but they returned a couple times. Guess they are looking for a place to nest. We have an owl up on a cross bar, but with the building going up right under him, I guess they cannot see him. We have a second owl that we put over the motorhome last year but hadn't put him up again. He actually swings and looks a little formidable, so I got up on the motorhome and hung him up there. It may take a little more encouraging to keep the birds from nesting up there. I have a long pole that I use to bump the roof. It is loud and usually scatters them. I will have to be diligent tomorrow to keep them from claiming a permanent abode.

In other news, I walked over to Mom's this afternoon and looked at her cactus as I passed by. One of them is blooming! Whoo Hoo! I haven't ever seen blooms on it before. It's just one, but it is pretty.

Tomorrow the mudding continues, moving along to the ceilings. Once that is finished, they will probably finish up the soffit and the skirting outside to give the mud a chance to dry.

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 16!

Today the drywall went up in the room. First, they did all the ceilings. That was finished by noon. You can see in the picture that John uses some props because it makes it easier for one guy to do the job. After lunch they worked on the sidewalls. That is about 85% completed, with some smaller cutting to do now. Terry had to finish up some electrical and now that is done as well.

The air conditioner/heat pump was delivered today. It is in the tool shed. Once the front room is finished and at least the area where it goes is painted, then it will be installed. It in an indoor/outdoor split unit. It works well in applications such as ours, so we are anxious to get it in.

The picture with the multiple outlets and the corner is where the kitchen will be. It is really a kitchenette with a two-burner stovetop, a microwave/convection oven and a small refrigerator.

Terry says the bathtub will be set tomorrow. It really is beginning to look like a little apartment! Woo hoo!

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 15!

Today the vapor barrier went up. It really is beginning to look like a room now. The A/C guy came and talked with us about what we are wanting to put in. We came to an agreement and he later brought back a template for Terry to examine. They talked about where it would be placed and decided on a plan of action. We are putting in a "split" unit. There is a portion inside that will sit up high on the wall and the condenser will sit outside at the back of the lot.

Later in the morning all the dry wall was delivered, so it is waiting for installation which starts tomorrow.

While the guys were working on the vapor barrier, I was out running down parts and ordered items that came in. I had several stops to make, but it went well. Just that I hate that part of the job. Hah!

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 14!

Today the siding was finished along the back. Wow it sure looks different with the siding on. Then the fun part came. John had to cut in all the small pieces over the tool shed where it attaches to the Texas room. It was really tedious work and John actually worked upside down part of the time. Terry helped cut pieces of siding and Wilmer assisted him. That way John didn't have to keep coming off the roof. He just measured and told the guys what he needed and they handed it up to him. It only took 45 minutes to do the siding on the back wall and the rest of the day to go around the corner and cut in the upper part. Whew.

The room is really taking shape. It looks pretty good now. We have to get some more supplies tomorrow and return some extra items. We are also going to order the drywall tomorrow. They will start hanging that as soon as it gets here. Whoo hoo! We are going to order the kitchen cabinets tomorrow too.

John said he would have it finished before he leaves the middle of March. I think he will get it done. We probably won't have any time to enjoy it this year before we leave to head north, but it will be waiting for us next fall when we return.

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 13!

I haven't always been able to post because of our irregular internet connection, so I will try to catch up!

Thursday was Day 13 of the Texas Room build. John continued with the siding and it went a little quicker than yesterday because they were able to hang the siding instead of cutting little pieces all day to go around the windows and the alcove, etc.

By the end of the day, the siding was on all sides except for the back side which faces Mom and Dad's house. By this time, we had convinced John that we did not like the problem over the front door. We have been having a lot of rain and there is space above the door where a gap exists between the canopy and the room roof. So the rain comes straight down and as you exit the door, you get drenched. Yuck. So John pondered it for a bit and decided on a little roof out over the door. By the end of the day it was in place and ready for finishing.


Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 12!

Today it was NOT raining in south Texas! Whoo hoo! John arrived just before 8 a.m. and got started on the siding. There is a lot of preparatory work involved with siding. You have to put the facings on the doors and the J-channel, etc. I don't know if those are the proper names, but suffice to say that you have to have something to attach the siding to, so that stuff has to go up first. If you were expecting to see the room get "wrapped" today (like Mom) you were disappointed. While it looks like not much was accomplished, there was a lot of stuff that went up that had to be cut and perfectly fitted so that the siding would look nice when it is done.

By afternoon, they started to put the siding on. They are starting near the little shed first so that they get it straight and in line with that. Once they get around to the side and back where there are few cutouts, it will go rather quickly. John figures three days to do the siding, but Terry thinks that it will take longer. If the weather holds, it could be done by the weekend! Whoot!

It was warmer today. . . in the 80's, but it is supposed to cool down again tomorrow and the high is supposed to be 70*. Quite a change, but that won't be bad for working outside. And if the sun comes out, it will be nice.

Tomorrow we are having another patio sale here in the park, so Mom and I are going to set out a few things. I still have some jewelry left over from last time and Mom has a couple bicycles to sell.

Till next time. . .

Dale

Texas Room, Day 11!

Today the plumbing was stubbed in and all the vents were done. The bathroom fan is in and all the electrical was tested and it all works!

Later in the morning the insulation was delivered and that took most of the rest of the day. But all the insulation is in place. Terry is pleased that things are going so quickly.

We waited this afternoon for the big delivery from Lowe's which was the bathtub, the fiberglas side walls, the micro/convection oven and the commode. The delivery guys kept calling and postponing the delivery and it finally got here at 7:30 p.m. And they had TWO bathtubs for us and NO commode. What a joke. So after we refused the one tub and got everything else unloaded, we had to drive back to Lowe's to get it all straightened out. Hopefully we did. They didn't have any more of the commode we wanted, so the manager sold us an upgrade toilet ($200+) for the same price. Can't figure that one out because they had a whole rack full of them the other day when we were in there. But we took the upgrade. Hope it works for us.

Tomorrow is a day off from the building. John, our builder, has to go pick up his new motorhome, so he and his wife are taking the day to do that. It is supposed to be nice tomorrow and we are supposed to have our vinyl siding delivered. Hopefully they will be able to get started on the siding when John returns.

Till next time. . .

Dale