"We Are Over The Edge"

The work party for Saturday is complete and we really kicked ASS and drew Blood!

(the second floor's ass and Ed's blood)

I should have known how it was going to be right from the get go, just by the militant way Megan started straightening up the first floor early on in the morning. She set the tone for the day.

(Notice the hardware in her shooting hand)

I love the way she forces those pillows into submission. So commanding!

All the good folks who came made such a huge impact

We would not have been able to complete the painting without the assistance of my protege' Sonya. I swear that her dad has her watching me and asking all those questions so that he won't have to pay me for working on his house anymore.

Just look at that gleam in her eye. She knows she knows!

And Jenifer encourages this sort of activity. I am shocked about this but I guess sometimes I just can't read people. Sonya even started wearing Lowes clothes while she was here. I knew it! She really did a fine job painting too. I may never have work again!

Then there's this Peter K, guy. He comes to the sight, dressed in his finest clothes and says he's ready to work. I don't think so, Buddy. Now we have all heard of these guys who can do anything without getting dirty, regardless of the job, but now we have met the real deal in person.

I had Steve throw some paint on Peter's shirt late in the day, without him knowing it, just to show him how it really feels to get into this work. Hah! - I guess you should have had shirt insurance for that shirt, pal. And I know you can afford it with all that money you make from the premiums on our huge term policies.

It must have pissed him off too. Just look at how mad he is as he continues to finish the job started.

He must have been more mad than I thought because he put something really foul smelling and ugly in this bathroom paint to get back at me for the paint on the shirt thing. It smelled like rancid toasted oatmeal in there. Now, that's dedication or was it retribution?

Ed McK came over after attending the funeral of his friend/colleague George Michael Evica. He walked in and announced his arrival with, " Hi, I'm here, I don't know how to do anything and I'm unmotivated, how can I help? I could go get lunch for people!

So, after I stopped laughing, then panicking because I realized he was serious, we both went to the store and got a few more items for the lunch menu. We had great conversation about his colleague, the state of radio today, writing and various other topics of mutual interest. We came back to the house, no one ate what we bought except me and then we found a project that Ed was suddenly excited and motivated to do. Replace sash cords on the windows in the Purple room.

Things were going great, he was having huge success, then it happened

He was struggling to get the last cord cut with the utility knife blade that had become to dull to go thru it easily but evidently...

Not to dull to slice his finger open. Off to the emergency room he went. No stitches or permanent damage, thankfully and by the time he got out we were all at his house. Soon after he got home, we sent him out to pick up Indian from Haveli. Poor guy, all cut up and we send him out for food. He and Lucy generously provided the space and the food itself for our delicious evening community meal.

I also want to mention with deep appreciation, that Lucy watched all of the kids of all of the folks with kids, all day, so that everyone could work over here. Now, that is support extraordinaire!

We have these new friends that we help find the wonderful, spacious and romantic farm house they living in as I write. I think they love living there. They look very happy and content and I know this because they came to this house party and completely transformed an entire room of our house and they looked amazingly happy working together doing it. Paul and So, you guys made the Gold room shine. I never knew that So had so much painting talent. Thanks for being here despite the illness of your little girl. Your gift of friendship, time and assistance was very generous. We love you guys.

Of course no party of ours is ever complete without two of the women who make it all happen in Middletown. These are the movers and (paint) shakers and even cleaner-upers that hold it all together for those of us who just want to work and not be involved with all of the important details.

You guys are the best and we will miss you all and our times and laughs together for the next year but... were still going and bringing you with us in spirit. See you soon!