The End is in Sight

I realize that Justin and I talk about food a lot. Just to warn you, this post is no exception. But before I get into the food, I want to talk about how the remodel is coming along. I work all day Monday, half of Wednesday, and Friday with Jim, Don, Justin, and whatever other wonderful community member decides to donate their time to the project. It’s great because I get to start all the projects at the beginning of the week, and then finish ‘em at the end of the week. The best part of all is how the place is coming together. You can really get a feel for how things are going to look. All the trim and painting are done, the stainless steel sinks are coming tomorrow, the counter and cabinets are in, the shelves are all built, and today, Patty, Diane and I, stained the majority of the shelves.

Now comes the food part…for lunch, Patty and Diane took me to the Swiss Bakery and it was really good: delicious bread, real Swiss cheese, pasta salad, and of course, delicious desserts. Since Justin, Molly, and I just finished the Master Cleanse (drinking only lemon juice, Cheyenne pepper, and maple syrup for 10 days), it doesn’t get must better than that. To top it off, last night we enjoyed Mexican food and Mariachis with the Café Español group at La Casita Mexican Restaurant. Sounds like a great way to spend time until we open on May 15^th, right?

Taking shape

Sorry for the hiatus, but there were a few days last week that were a sort of elite "professionals only" work day, so I just came in after hours along with Board, AmeriCorps members, and Jerry and Kay Millhon, to sand down the trim and other scrub work like that.  Then, I left on Sunday for a big SEA adventure.  We took 15 sixth graders out on our 65-foot power boat, the Indigo, and camped on Blake Island.  I taught them how to tie some knots and that jumping in after their buddy was not the best way to handle a person overboard, and Susie and Chris led nature hikes, service learning projects, and fun stuff like that.

But now I'm back, and I'm going to do what everyone seems to like best and just show what's been going on through pictures.

Cheers!

Insulation and a painting party

Before getting into this blog, I need to say that our fearless leader Jo is in the hospital.  Please keep her and Jim in your thoughts and prayers.

The Board turned out en force for the painting party and kept up intimidating banter throughout.  I, along with the other males, certainly kept my head down and did what I was told.  It was a big process, with primer and texturing and multiple coats of plant, but everyone kept their spirits high throughout.  Jim and Jo, as usual, directed, with Diane, Carol, Cynthia, Patty, Clyde, Gena, and Glenn in particular - though others helped as well - really wearing their shoulders out.  Also, YES has continued to push forward, working on their mission statement and a proposal form to present to the Board.

 YES, clockwise from left: Maelcolm, Margaret, Walker, Nathan, Megan, Jo, Cygne, Sara, Glenn, and Justin.

The Shelvers' dog, Duke, surveying his hard work on the insulation.

 Gena getting paint on her face.

 Clyde didn't believe that Gena had more paint on her than he did.

 Patty providing a model of fierce determination and focus.

Terrifying.  Absolutely terrifying.

Carol is intense.

I'm always happy to listen to Jo talk, even if she's reading a random page out of an old Western Literature textbook.

Our matron and Supreme Commander.

Sue cheerfully applying a second layer of red paint in the main coffeehouse room, doubtless thinking in Spanish after a month of Cafe Espanol.

 The Board holding an impromptu meeting to discuss important, secret matters.

 Everybody's favorite room, the Garden Room.

Painting is about to begin

All of you who have been excitedly waiting the opportunity to burn out those shoulders and get those latissimus dorsi lean for beach season, well, your time has come.  Last week, Glenn, Jim, and I, among others, put all the insulation in while Nathan put in the wiring and whatnot for the sound system and internet.  Then, the professionals came in and put up all the dry wall.  Right now, as I type, they're mudding the walls and about to sand and seal. 

That means that this week we will begin painting.  It all starts tomorrow and begins in earnest on Thursday.  Drop in if you're interested.