Mon Aug 18 08:04 EDT 1997
Weekend Update: August 15-17

The weekend started as Frustrating Friday because Joy decided to take
the kids - all four of them at once - "back to school" shopping.  Because
of this, she missed two important errands which put a slant on her mood.
It is nice to see how things turn out for the best, though.  I was debating
begining "the project" Friday night, but I only had a couple of hours and
then we had to run to a farewell party (for which we were late as it was).
I told Joy we should postpone "the project" until the morning and call
the store to see if they had what we wanted.

As it turned out, the project took us close to eight hours to complete.
We've installed a 5'x9' ceramic tile floor in the barn, just inside
and to the right of the outside barn door (as you walk in).  A wood-burning
stove will be installed within the next couple of weeks.  They wanted to
charge me nearly $500 for something half the size that would sit on top
of my rug, and it was made of slate.  We did this floor for under $200...
and several aching muscles.  But as projects go, this one went well.
Before I count my chickens though, I have to grout it and then the
stove people have to install the stove.

Both Saturday and Sunday were steamers in the New England.  We had much
company both days.  You might not think it related but somehow Miranda
was teasing Joy and I about her unplanned arrival over 17 years ago.
Mandy used the term "oops."  We have always, Always, ALWAYS maintained
that Miranda was never, Never, NEVER an "oops" but a "pleasant, and
welcome surprise."  I said to her, "unplanned company is not the same
as unwelcome company."  Some of our best company are the "drop in"
kind because they are usually the ones who feel most comfortable,
for us and for them.  (By the way, the only unwelcome company we've
had have been a couple mice and a couple of bats, and they've been
dealt with.)

Have a good week, folks.  This week is VBS for Joy and some of the kids.
Tuesday is Auction Night!

Mark
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