Nice mess...

Sandy and I were having issues with the closet in our master bedroom. The closet itself was plenty big, but, due to the smallish door opening, there was all this space inside that was difficult to access.

With that in mind, we sounded the trumpets and the walls came down.

What's left of the walls

I've destroyed walls before, but I've never had to rebuild 'em. So this was pretty much new territory for me. Thankfully, after years of watching Bob Villa, 'This Old House', and Holmes on Homes, I was pretty comfortable with the rebuilding process.

Gorram pipe!

The original idea was to take the entire closet door wall out--go right to the existing walls. That would give us complete and unfettered access to the closet area.

However, as you can see above, there were issues with that idea--first there was a vent pipe from the kitchen below that was routed through the existing wall. To move that vent pipe would require a whole bunch of work that I wasn't inclined to do.

Wired

The other side had something that denied us the ability to remove the entire wall as well--electrical wiring and a wall socket. Now you may think that relocating an electrical box to the adjoining wall would be a good way out of this--and in a normal house that's what I would have done. However, behind the drywall of the adjoining wall are solid concrete blocks--not moving the outlet there too easily.

Bubble Boy

We ensconsed the work area in plastic--that way we wouldn't create a dusty situation throughout the house. Sheer genius!

Rebuilding

After the walls came down and the opening expanded, we started to rebuild--this is the part that was relatively new to me. I did a little research on the internet regarding bi-fold doors and such. Turns out that there are standard sizes to these things--we had 24 inch bi-fold doors originally (thus making the opening 4 feet wide). So we decided to make the opening wide enough to accomodate the next sized bi-fold door--30 inches (x 2)--5 feet wide. It was only a foot, but the results were exactly what we wanted--easier access to the entire closet.

Redrywalling

Then slapping on a few pieces of drywall...

A muddy mess

And mudding...

Smooth...

Finally, the sanding...

And we're basically done!

I have to smooth over a few bumps and such before we paint, but, for the most part, the closet door expansion is pretty much done.

Things learned--

12 inch drywall trowels are sometimes too small.

Making everything square and right with your studs makes everything easier when drywalling/mudding/sanding. I knew that bit. What I was a little unprepared for was--

Rooms and walls might appear to be square and such, but really, not so much.

And you can't believe the twisted 2 x 3's I removed from the walls!

See all the closet door shenanigans here--Closet door expansion

Over the summer, we took more pictures of churches on our travels--

Knox United Church in Coboconk, Ontario

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Prescott, Ontario

(Former) St. John's Anglican Church in Prescott, Ontario

St. Mark Roman Catholic Parish in Prescott, Ontario

So my Uncle Ray was always an avid photographer--that's something I remember from when I was a kid.

It should have been no surprise, then when I discovered his own little website--

Ray's Wildlife Photography

Seriously, if you're into nature, birds, sunsets, whathaveyou, go have a boo--the shots are absolutely gorgeous.

And, nestled within the nature pics are pics of the family (thankfully, none of me).

You'll see pics of my Aunt Daisey, and my new neice, Maria.

I put a link to the right to Uncle Ray's website as well, so you can find it whenever you want

Happy viewing!

Not that we have a problem with that...

Well.

It's almost September.

We thought at the beginning of the growing season the flowers we planted might grow to a nice size.

Ummm... they just wouldn't stop growing!

We just hope the flowers will still look as good on September 30--someone wants to get her wedding pics taken in the front yard.

We just wanted to share our blooming appreciation with all of you. Thankfully, this year happened to be spectacular for our flowers.

See all pics of the front yard here--2006 Summer pics

We took the afternoon off from our respective places of employment to run a few 'wedding' errands.

First we visited a wonderful florist named Sandy (see--the name alone should tell you how wonderful she is). We discussed what we wanted in the way of flowers for our day of days and she was good with all of it.

What surprised us was how inexpensive the total was! No need for specific monetary numbers here, but we came in at basically half our budgeted cost! We're pretty happy 'bout that.

Then, when the flowers were picked and paid for, we headed off to City Hall!

Yep--the time was at hand to get this little thing all official like. So we filled out the forms and had the person at City Hall type it up on all official looking paperwork. So now, in our posession, is paper stating that we're getting married.

All we have to do now is make it through... (wait for it)...

September 30th!!

(5 weeks tomorrow as a matter of fact!)

35 whole days that we have to live through before the words, 'I do' get said by both of us.

It's better than waiting for Christmas--I'm not anxious about the day--I'm anxiously awaiting the day.

With these things done today, we only have a few small little things to finish up over the next few weeks.

We'll keep ya posted right here!

I received an e-mail the otehr day. It was one of those mass forwards with supposed thoughtful remarks attributed to someone famous. Whether the famous person said it is not what I wanted to talk about.

Here's an excerpt of the text--

Extremely profound response.

Hmmm...

A superfluous understanding of how the environment is where it is today, a meager understanding of spirituality, a self-centered view of 'christian' religion--all could lead one to state that this was an extremely profound response.

A better understanding of how hurricanes form and the effects of weather patterns that could increase the severity of same may lead to a different 'profound' response. As in, maybe the negative environmental impacts of man-made industry and infrastructure and man-made waste and pollution from same could lead one to the conclusion that the severity of hurricanes as of late are exacerbated by man-made shenanigans, and that perhaps 'God' had nothing to do with it.

Furthermore, from watching the televangelists on the telly and seeing the vehicles they drive (and the entourages thereof), and the mansions in which they live, and the acreages lost to the developments of their 'spirit-filled churches'--I think the religious have no plank on which to stand (neither do the rest of us, as a matter of fact, but I'm not pointing to the athiests of the world and stating that their 'beliefs' are the cause of the devastation form Katrina).

Furthermore, the only time as of late that I'm asking 'God' for protection is to protect me from zealotous Christians who presume to know better than me what's best for me (as the little quotation above alludes)

Look people--we're in this together. When Hurricane Katrina hit the coast, it impacted on Jew, Gentile, Athiest, Muslim, Christian, Black, White, Yellow, Brown, Red. I'll let you in on a little secret--God didn't send the hurricane--it was an act of nature. Nor can 'Anne Graham' (if she really did say that) or anyone else say that 'God stayed out of it'--that's wholly presumptuous on her, or anyone elses part to speak for 'God' regarding this matter.

Again, I ask for 'God' to save the world from these 'pseudo-christians' who dare speak for Him and who fundamentally believe that they know what's better for me than I do.

Really--not so much.

The analogy goes as thus--

Guy A, every time he passes or is in the vicinity of Guy B, pokes Guy B in the side. This goes on for years and years until one day, when Guy B, who has had enough of this 'poking' treatment, grabs Guy A's finger the next time Guy A attempted to poke him and proceeds to break Guy A's poking finger.

"Owww!!" Yells Guy A. "What did I do to deserver that???"

This is why it is very important to understand the lessons of history. Wanna know why 'those that don't remember history are doomed to repeat it'? 'Cause those that didn't see and learn from what happened in the past are going around, 'poking people'. History has shown that sooner or later the 'poked people' are going to stop the poking by using whatever means and methods are at their disposal.

Not that there's any political allusion here. None whatsoever.

And that's about all I'm going to say about that.

So we've been living in this house for a while now. As with anything , you get used to the various quirks and creaks that go with owning a home.

However, one quirk that showed up sporadically was an absolutely horrible smell in the stairwell.

Now this assault on our olfactory senses didn't occur all the time--it was extremely (as stated above) sporadic--intermittent--whatever--and Sandy and I had a very tough time tracking it down.

The smell, when it did occur, would be right at the top of the staircase on the second floor.

I crawled into the attic a few weeks back wehn the odour was particularly offensive--y'know, to see if anything had died up there--considering we've had previous experience with racoons nesting in our crawlspaces. However, this time--nada. Nothing in the attic to explain the rotten fish smell.

To combat the stench, we Febreezed, we fanned, we put on the air conditioner--that would dissipate the smell and usually by the next morning there would be no trace of said stink.

And we would go on our merry for a few months until it'd show up agian.

Well, yesterday evening the smell was there, hanging around at the top of the stairs. I suited up for battle--carrying the fan and the Febreeze and I dispatched the smell quickly. We went to bed and sure enough, this morning the smell was gone.

Time passes on for a bit. Something at the back of my mind was niggling--trying to come to the surface....

Mark!!!

(no, it wasn't his fault)

I remembered a story that Mark went on about years ago--something about lights using fish glue in them--when the lightbulbs are on, the glueheats up and the smell of fish comes wafting out.

Well then I start thinking about all the times the smell appeared--coincidentally coinciding with when the hallway light was on for extended periods of time.

Hmmm...

So I get up on a chair, dismantle and disconnect the hallway light, and have a whiff.

Yep--the fish stink. Right there in the light!

So out goes the light fixture.

We'll replace it with something. For now we're just glad that we found the root cause to our olfactory discomfort.

And the only reason I'm telling you this story is because you may know someone in a similar situation--or you may be in a similar situation. And if you're in a smelly situation wherever you may be, maybe the solution is right above you--in the light.

Since we were, indeed, talking about pre-wedding stuff...

Well, we're having one.

So seriously--come one, come all! To the first (and only ever!) Sandy and Dave Stag and Doe!

What you can't read from the poor ticket scan above, our Stag & Doe'll be at the --

It'll go from around 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and, as far as I'm told, there'll be door prizes, raffles (not rattles), games, and lotsa food! There'll be booze as well, but you won't be having to buy me any 'cause, well, those that know me know that this body is booze-free--so it'll be a cheap night of fun and festivities!

Tickets are 10 bucks--get 'em before or just come to the door with the cash and enjoy yourselves!

Hope to see you all on Sept 9th!

Wedding Shower Cards

Some of you may know that Sandy and I are getting married (in 46 days, but who's counting?)

Well, part 'n parcel with the upcoming wedding is what usually happens before the wedding--get togethers, family meet 'n greets, stags, and the imfamous Wedding Shower.

Well, wedding showers, as far as I was concerned, were tailored for 'the women folk' whilst the genteelmen find other avenues for spending their time on that particular day.

Well, times, they are a'changin'.

When I took Sandy to her surprise wedding shower, I was not an unwelcomed guest. The offer to stay was presented by, well, all present in the room.

And, quite frankly (and this is something that has rarely happened to me), I was overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed by the kindness of spirit of those in the room.

Overwhelmed by the love for the bride-to-be from those in the room.

Overwhelmed by the joy for our future together emanating from each and every person in the room.

Overwhelmed by the generosity of gifts from everyone in the room.

My eyes were a little misty a few times through the afternoon. First, just seeing that many people--friends and family--from both sides of Sandy's and my togetherness, in a room and sharing the joy of our future joining in marriage--that was something.

And the laughter and the fun... well, I don't know why I was adamant about not being at the wedding shower in the first place.

I won't go into specifics--I'll leave that for those that took pictures (what?? Dave didn't bring a camera??) and I won't give a run-down on who was there.

That said, for this joyous occasion, both Sandy and I have to thank a few lovely people:

Diana and Leanne for running the games and being so enthusiastic about getting people involved.

Momma Jean for helping with the organizing the banquet room (and for having Sandy and for thinking that I'm a pretty okay guy and allwing me to marry her...)

Especially, we thank Lydia. Seriously, what Lydia did--it was way above and beyond and it really did show--everyone had a wonderful time and the work Lydia put into it made the event thoroughly enjoyable--even for the 'tag along' fiancee.

As Sandy and I sit here at home at the end of the day, we are talking about the shower and we are amazed at the kindness, generosity and love shown to both of us.

And we thank each and every one of you.

Parliament Hill

Sandy and I are in Ottawa for the week. We're here for our respective companies, doin' our daily duties. That, of course, leaves the evenings for us

So we walked over to Parliament hill.

Parliament Hill

The benches in the following pic are where THE event took place when I was in grade 7--trama is too great to go into it now...

Benches in front of Parliament Hill

Oh look! A clock! Hmmm.. information that I may need when I ask questions au francais...

Parliament Hill

They put on a bit of a show at night--a 'Canadiana Composition', as it were--video shown on the Pariliament building--really cool stuff!

Parliament Hill at night

Parliament Hill at night

Anyway, we're here for the week and we'll try to get more pics up of our 'work vacation'.