Back to Michigan. Working for our Room and Board.... July 11-17

We left Colorado and arrived in Grand Rapids on July 11 with great connections and on time flights. It is so nice not to have delays!
Our first stop was our 5'x10' climate controlled storage unit to check on it's contents as well as pay for another year of storage. All looks good.

We then made our way to Kalamazoo and had a nice dinner for two at Martell's before going to Jordan and Eliza's. 

Michigan is so green and clean at this time of year.  We needed to rest up for a week's worth of painting at Jordan and Eliza's so the relaxing dinner was great.
Tuesday we readied the back porch for painting by taping, replacing a window pane and generally organizing everything for an early start on Wed.



Jordan grilled us all some chicken for dinner....boy was it great!  After dinner Jordan and I pulled four additional doors from the second story for painting, given the weather forecast was great for painting outside.  Why is it always more enjoyable to paint for someone else?....
We also cut the edges off some doors so they would not bind when shutting.  Jordan was unable to find his safety glasses so sunglasses work.  But who is operating the saw here?

 

 

 

 Cabinet doors getting another coat.

 

 Stripping underway.

Each morning we walked to the local hardware store to get needed items, stopped at the coffee shop and got ourselves attired for a day of painting.  The hardware store clerk "scolded" us for being a little late one morning (about 8:30 AM).  I guess we became "regulars"....but that is a necessity when one is working on a 100+ year old house. 
Each evening we watched videos our old TV which Jordan is "babysitting", but we were so tired from painting we normally fell asleep and called it a night.

 

 

On Thursday, Jordan and Eliza get a fresh produce delivery.  I think Julie checked three times for the "surprise"...here it is on the porch!  And the veggies were great for dinner!



We also went to Jordan's coed softball game. Had a great time.  Batter up!

Friday evening we went to Casa Bolero, a great tapas restaurant just a short walk to downtown from Jordan and Eliza's.  There are many great restaurants within walking distance so they really have a nice location.
Sat morning we all made an early morning trip to Menards for more supplies as Jordan was going to pull out the old windows and replace the sash cords to the weights in the window frames. Using the "window zipper" to pull out the old windows.

 

Eliza's counter top project underway.

Saturday brought a new supervisor to the work....

They are learning a lot with the older home and are doing a great job!  Here is a shot of the house all freshly painted on the outside.  Nice.

 

And a shot of the inside craftsmanship.  

 

Saturday night Jordan treated us to some great Italian food at Martini's, a block from their home.  The weather was great and we were able to dine outside on the patio and a three piece string band started playing about halfway through our dinner.  A very nice spot again a very short walk from their home.

Thanks Jordan and Eliza for a great visit.  And best wishes on the continued project work around the home!  We will be back to help again.