Genetic Drift

I managed to fool my free workers into turning up once again, still 42C in the sun, but this time we get to sit on the heat reflecting roof! No idea how hot is was up there, but here is Tony after about 10 minutes, dying on the inside

More joists going up, I think this is Mike either throwing sweat or dancing deliriously.

And then all of a sudden the joists where done and we threw the roof on, bought BBQ and had dinner outside for the first time.

This morning, a final shot just after I added temporary railings to soren from running off the edge and waterproofing the roof

Another view

Now all that is left is to build real bannisters, finish the roofing, install electrics & lights & fans, stain the wood, build stairs, ohhh … maybe another two months. Fortunately, in August, Tony starts building his deck, so we get to do it all over again, in slightly warmer weather.

THE END

Didn’t quite get it finished on the weekend as I had hoped. Tonight I finish the skinning so I should have the deck portion “complete”. Then the roof goes up next weekend, then we build the built-in furniture (bars, storage benches, etc), then we stain all the wood (oh god), then buy furniture, then install electrics and ceiling fans and lights and a hammock for dad, and then, maybe … who am I kidding.

Smash the old concrete patio:

Dig out the grade, make sure it slopes away from the house, dig holes for piers:

The temperature on the weekend that I dug that hole? 43C. It’s OK, I hired a mini bulldozer and let Soren drive it:

Anyone need any dirt?

I have no idea what I’m doing with that dirt. 7 european tonnes. Even if I drive it to the dump, someone has to shovel it all in a wheel barrow and move it to the front of the house. That mound will probably still be there in 6 months.

Wednesday night I take delivery of concrete and lumber and build the piers, and on saturday morning, I actually build it.

Soren appears unperturbed, the poor guy has no idea.

Poor guy caught roseola and spent the day looking sad

Soon after he felt fabulous again.

It’s getting to average about 39C these days so we like to go swimming.

Or go on hikes in the romantic texas hill country (no trespassing)

Or just stay at home and do the dishes.

Games to play when you’re poor and stuck at home with kids:

Have more kids?

See who can stand with their back to the wall the longest?

Dress up with Mr Potatoe head accesories?

Read on the toilet?

Dress up like mum?

So we drove 8 hours to Baton Rouge in Louisiana and spent 8 days sleeping in the same room as the baby, funnily enough I don’t remember agreeing enthusiastically to this idea, although apparently I did. At least dad gets to drive while mum has to climb into the backseat to feed or occasionally entertain screaming baby. Don’t worry, we checked for cops and dropped our speed to the official limit before Marla took her seat belt off.

Baby got some new slippers

And he chased the local ducks

And he got to know some local Louisiana wildlife (this giraffe was later cooked with rice and gravy. they will eat anything over there)

He played with his cousins

And learned to feed himself with a spoon

And took some official christmas pictures

So he loves his walker. Or he loves to walk. I mean he really loves it. Behold the face of enthusiasm:

Mother and child doin fine.

Almost over his cold, but still feeling a little bit fragile.

Hey how old are you little man?

And what do you want for your birthday, surreptitiously close to Halloween?

A bee costume? Fair enough

And a home made, sugar free, dairy free, gluten free cake? Seems a bit odd for a 12 month old baby but ok

And you want to invite pretty much every baby you know? Eurgh fine

OK but now let’s all sit on a sheet outside and stuff ourselves with cake.