Gary update

After a long week of worry, we had signs of Gary waking up. Saturday, he just seemed more with us, and the nurses had moved him into a seated position which seemed to stimulate him. He squeezed Jodi's hand, and turned his head towards my sister's voice. Then (while we were all out of the room!) he moved his feet at the nurses command, and gave a thumbs up! We got our minute of Gary and now we're content to let him get the rest he needs to heal.

I'll get back to the house stuff eventually. They worked on trim, but other than that didn't get much done last week, so you're not missing much.

vacation that wasn't

Well, just when you think that you're going to have a couple of easy weeks.....we had a call from my sister about an hour after we pulled into Sheboygan. My brother was on his way home from work on his motorcycle when a woman pulled out in front of him in a mini-van. He didn't even have time to put on the brakes before he hit and flew over the top of the van. He's in critical condition in Bronson, and after an all night surgery, has a plate holding his pelvis together, a steel rod holding his leg together, 5 broken ribs, a punctured lung, ruptured bladder, a concussion and a right hand/wrist, arm that was so badly mangled they weren't sure if they could save it. The best news of the evening was that there was a nurse in a car coming in the opposite direction. She helped stop the bleeding - he would have never made it to the hospital with out that. The EMT's were there within 2 minutes and, he was wearing a full-face helmet - which saved his life. He's one lucky guy, even though he's still unconscious. He's brain and spine are fine, kidneys, liver, spleen and intestines are all ok. We're really lucky that he's still here. We stayed the night in Sheboygan, and then drove back in the morning. We're at the hospital, and trying to help Jodi with anything she needs now, and probably for a good while in the future.

And here's a weird side note to the whole thing - one of the EMT's that resuscitated
Gary was a friend that we all grew up with and hadn't seen in years (Mike Norris). It was a very strange thing to see him at the hospital and find out he had worked on Gary. Almost like certain people (the nurse, Mike the EMT) were put in place to help. Again, we were very lucky...

So, we're home, at the hospital, and lurking around the new house (just when the contractors thought they were rid of us for a week). Things are going on there, Arno's checking up on it, but I'm a little distracted. Maybe this weekend we'll feel a little more like looking at the house. Not right now though....

July 23-27

We're on vacation! The Packer stockholder's meeting is the 23rd (and anyone knowing Arno knows that we have to be there) so we're off to Wisconsin this week. Sheboygan first to visit Pete & Marie and then on to Green Bay. Meanwhile, the bathroom counter tops should arrive, the painters should paint, the screen porch should be screened.....I'm tired - and I'm not doing the work. I'm looking forward to coming home and seeing all the progress. We'll fill you in at the end of the week.

July 16-20

It finally rained this week. Not long, but enough to freshen things up alittle. As Emeril says - I wish you had smell-o-vision! The woods smell great!





Brad working on the basement steps













Eucalyptus in our bathroom - doesn't look that much different from the Anigre. So much for the long decision making process! Hopefully, it'll darken with age.




John of Bench Dog fame, working in the laundry

Can't get enough of that glass tile!


Grout is in.....



And - last week we were in Chicago for orientation with Andrea. She doesn't look TOO excited!

personality

I just thought this was a cool test. Says that I'm high in aesthetics and functionality; I'm earthy and imaginitive, not high in authoritarianism (imagine that) but empathy isn't high. Hmmm, always thought I was empathetic. Anyway, you can click where it says I'm an animated director (director for sure) and it'll take you to where you can test yourself....check it out.

Aningeria Superba

So you wondered what our cabinets would look like. We know it as block mottled anigre (or as Arno calls it - motley crew). The cupboards in the kitchen and downstairs will be anigre. The eucalyptus will be on the island and above the fireplace. We thought it would be darker and there would be some contrast, but we're finding it about the same color as the anigre. A stain/toner was talked tried but it took something away from the grain - so it looks like we're going to have a lot of light wood in the house....hmmmmm....something new to think about. Hope it works with the rest of the materials....

Bench Dog (the cabinet guy) is working hard to get everthing installed by the end of July. Yikes. Maybe we will be in there before Sept.


In the downstairs bedroom

Downstairs bath -

Love those dove-tail joints

We've got mail! (Happy Birthday Andrea)

We managed to get the mailbox in during the busy move weekend. (if you double click on the picture, you get a great shot of the beech tree







I wish I could capture the color of the tile better. They're much whiter than what shows here. The showers are beautiful...you'll have to see them in person.