Just Pat

"...all language about everything is analogical; we think in a series of metaphors. We can explain nothing in terms of itself, but only in terms of other things." (Dorothy Sayers, Mind of the Maker, 1941)

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Location: West Michigan

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

I'm movin' on, I guess...

Your 2005 Song Is

Since You've Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson

"But since you've been gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so moving on"

In 2005, you moved on.

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Construction Chronicles Part 27

Wow. The last few days have been action packed. I left town to see my family, came home on Christmas morning and worked to get the house ready for carpet. I'm a week behind in homework. My grades are going to pay for the holiday break and the house project, but I'm trying not to let that bother me.
Some recent shots:
Sunday















Monday















Tuesday














I naively believed that the carpet would be finished on Tuesday. But there was a lot of cutting to do, so the carpet layers laid the padding first and will finish the carpet today. Well, almost. It seems when the measuring was done the back bedroom was not included, so more carpet needs to be ordered. Rather than leave the bedroom undone, they will leave the stairs undone until sometime next week. Poo. But no matter. Just having the padding down completely changes the feel of the second floor. It's quiet and peaceful, feels warm. For the first time since I moved here it feels like my house is whole; like the war zone is stablized.
More later - I have some blog surfing and hot coffee waiting for me!

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Sunday, December 18, 2005

Pandemic Phlegm

Too wierd!!

You are

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Saturday, December 17, 2005

John 17

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one
And they'll know we are Christians by our love

  • Peter Scholtes

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Monday, December 12, 2005

Construction Chronicles Part 26

This weekend I made a lot of headway. I started cutting my baseboard, which will go in the guest room, hallway, and half of my bedroom. The task was more difficult than I anticipated. You need the right tools. I have 7 1/2 inch baseboard and a compound mitre saw that isn't big enough to cut the whole piece. Never having been the whiz in geometry, I didn't get it that you can't just flip the board over and cut the rest - you can't get the same angle any other way. So the last two inches of every angle cut I did had to be cut by hand. While this task strengthened my mental connection with the original builder, it didn't help the baseboard any. I just don't have the strength or the stable workbench needed to make a good straight cut.
I also am exploring the joys of
coping corners. It makes a nice clean fit if you do it right. When making a 45 degree angle cut, the surface of the left piece matches the profile of the right piece. If you cut off the mitre carefully, it should make a perfect fit in the corner. Of course, this leaves the realm of hammer and nails and charges boldly into the world of sculpture. I've never done this before and am frankly frightened that I'll ruin $500.00 worth of trim, but what the heck - I'm giving it a go.
While all this was going on, I got my bedroom closet trimmed out, and my bedroom archway. The archway was fun. I have three different woods going on here: the original jambs and base blocks - possibly cedar or cypress; the header and left trim piece from the Habitat for Humanity Restore, taken from an old house in the area - wood type unknown; and a new poplar trim piece on the right that I had made.
I'm using two different colors of stains - one for the new poplar and another for the old trim. They're not exact, but pretty darned close.


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Saturday, December 10, 2005

Safe


My niece Kara is an artist. I've known this since she was two years old. Funny how you just know some things about children when they're little. Then they grow up and surprise you with the direction they take their talents. Kara draws, paints, and is developing in interior design.

This morning I heard Kara sing for the first time. It's so amazing because she's her own artist, but I can also hear her mother in her voice. Kara has been through a lot over the last few years, and I can hear that in her song too.

You can hear one of Kara's songs on BETA Records - just type Karalyn McIntyre in the search field. I'm so proud of her - I want to share her with the few of you that pop in to visit here.

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Sunday, December 04, 2005

Construction Chronicles Part 25

I now have three windows - out of four - with panes in them!
The panes for the first two windows were installed by a knowledgable friend. This one I did all by myself. I'm so dang proud.
I had wonderful help prepping the window wells and priming the walls. This is the first time there has actually been color on my bedroom walls. They have always been white and the varying colors of stains and dirt left behind by the last owner. This won't be the final color; it's just the tinted primer. But it doesn't look bad!
More to follow later. I'm finishing my homework.

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