3rd Week in Falfurrias, 2017

As we begin the week, we want to share some local info with you.

This "colony" is about 1/4 block from the church and our campground.  There are lots of fireants in the south but everything is bigger in Texas.

Early this week, Roger joined Bob and Paige at Nellie's houe to finish the work there.

"Monkey" Roger scoots up on the roof to replace corrugated sheeting.

Bob hands the new sheets up to Roger and

removes the old sheets.

Some final views of Nellie's house:

Front (only trim -siding painted by owner's brother)

Side off carport with new trellis

Meanwhile, back at Robert and Mary's house:

Virginia adds prime coat to facia

and so does Ralph

and then the final coat of paint to the facia.

Bev paints the trim pieces

and Judy applies the second coat on the siding.

This white dog tried to drink from Judy's paint pan and got a paint brush it's head for his troubles.

Gary, Robert and Avis continue with cutting siding for the front

and Roger and Al do the same on the side.

Inside Stel installs a new vanity in the bathroom

and connects the plumbing

resulting in this final product.

Now that the siding is installed, Stel prepares to move the Direct TV cable

and attach it under the eaves

and finally run the cable into a recepticle instead of through the glass in the window as before.

Avis and Gary install corner trim as Ralph and Virginia continue painting the facia and siding.

The front door is a real team project

Stel tackles the rusted and rotted wood from door by first removing all the rotted wood,

cutting a replacement part from treated lumber

spraying the rusted areas with primer

then Bev applies a final coat of paint

Jodi installs a new kick plate to cover the damaged metal

Joel (Project Coordinator from the church), Robert and Stel reinstall the door

and the final product looks good as new.

Now we can reinstall the front door light.

On Tuesday evening, the church honored the NOMADS with a potluck dinner.

Next day, back to work.

Al gets in under the kitchen sink replacing leaking drains and then rebuilding the floor of the cupboard damaged by the leak.

That day, we threw an ice cream social for Robert, Mary and Nellie.

From the right are Bev, Nellie, Mary and Robert.

After lunch, Al had built a small deck for the front door and Bob and Robert help prepare the foundation for the deck.

Mary and Robert celebrate their new front entrance.

As the week is drawing to an end, Judy cleans all the windows, old and new.

Stel and Bob are preparing to install the new security screen door.

Are we holding this thing up or is it holding us?

How many NOMADS does it take to measure this thing?

Meanwhile, running low on wood trim, Roger and Bev are making due by making other trim out of siding.

but it works.

Stel measures and cuts trim for the new window in the kitchen

and Al installs it.

The last day is a flurry of activity everywhere by everyone.

And now, the final product speaks for itself.

This project is over and it's on to the next.

2nd Week in Falfurrias, TX, 2017

At the beginning of week 2, 3 of our crew began working on a second house that needed a few repairs.

This is the home with some rotten facia and porch supports

and a shed in back has roof issues

The back porch also needs some tlc including paint.

and this back door needs a little extra tlc.

Bob begins work on this area

while Paige and Judy begin painting the replacement parts.

The facia on the rear also needs to be replaced.

The finished results of the new and painted trellis

and the repaired and repainted rear door.

Meanwhile, back at Robert and Mary's house work continues with tearout and repair of the outside of the house.

Ralph, Virginia and Bev begin the tearout on the south wall

with the assistance of Illiana, daughter of the owners.

And Al, with the assistance of Mike (owner's nephew) continues raising the sill plates and replacing damaged material.

With the south wall open, we have new opportunities to replace or increase the electrical wiring so Stel gets her chance to crawl through the attic

and runs new lines through the south wall.

The recepticle in the master bedroom also required replacement

and the new hole requires a patch for the old.

Roger, Gary and Robert (the owner) install OSB to the south wall

While Avis adds siding to the northwall with the assistance of Virginia and Bev.

Bev gets practice on sabre saw work with Avis as the teacher.

Virgina and Bev move their paint booth to the barn due to rain or mist.

Virginia applying the ever needed caulk

as does Ralph.

Roger continues with siding removal while Stel and Al await access for electrical work and sill plate repair.

During siding removal, it was discovered that the studs in this area are too damaged by insects to support windows or siding so Gary and Avis begin tearout and replacement

and this is the result of their work.

Gary, Stel and Avis cover the east wall (front) with OSB after the insulation was installaed.

Jodi getting lesson on cutting out the OSB to finish the top.

Roger and Al apply house wrap to the OSB they installed behind the electrical panel.

Stel and Ralph installing house wrap on the south gable end.

Gary and  Robert reinstall the windows on the front.

In the meantime, Stel has patched the walls around electrical connections

and tried to match the texture of existing finish.

The front door had not been opened in 7 years and in order to open it, we broke the old latch so Stel installs a new one. 

At the end of the week, we all headed to the Gulf/bay for seafood.

A good time for fun and food

and great surroundings on this rainy day.

On the way home, we stopped to see and listen to the Snow Geese and the Sand Hill cranes.

And we were finally able to get a complete group picture.  From the left in the front are Virginia, Avis, Bev and Jodi.  In the second row from the left are Ralph, Stel and Judy.  In the Back row are Gary, Roger, Paige, Bob and Al.  With a full tummy, we will relax for the weekend and get ready for another adventure on Monday.