So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good bye...

Parting is such sweet sorrow and Sunday was the day of exodus. After a week of work, fabulous food, fun and much laughter, it was time to head out. But first I must reflect over this past week. We had such a great time with each other and with all the people that provided help, whether on the roof or with providing food. Heidi (our own "Miss Martha") spoiled us with such delicious food that we are thinking of starting a Murdock Roofing Cookbook. Maybe I shouldn't tell you that she used Jack Daniel's to marinate the ribs, and various other spirits in her cooking. Jacob told her that he was a little concerned with liver toxicity. Of course it would also have to include Ballock's fudge, orange marmelade cake, and pasta recipes ( we aren't sure about including the green bean soup recipe, we left before he brought that one over,) and other recipes from the ladies of the Crossroads Marvelous Meal Ministry (like Jan's homemade rolls.) Besides the food, much entertainment and comic relief was provided from Heidi's husband, Scott. (I wonder where he gets all his material from??) A close second in the entertainment department was Tom, Alison's husband, (he is his own material.) Mark did a great job of heading up all the projects and keeping us on track ( something akin to herding ants) and doing some on the job training. Let's just say that Tom no longer has an excuse when Alison wants a home improvement project done.
Anyway, after church on Sunday we gathered one last time for another round of pictures since we all were not present for the 50th photos. I wish we had a picture of the camera set ups as they were precariously perched on a ladder with flip flops under the cameras for final adjustments. At one point, Hannah's camera lost its balance and fell into Alison's camera and they both managed to take pictures on their descent to the ground, but not of us. But after much ado, we accomplished the task. The first two pictures are of our famous porta potty in case you couln't tell.

Raise the Roof - Day 7

Work continued on the kitchen floor. This presented some challenges to the cooking staff. Head chef Heidi threw in the towel on Wednesday night and pizza was ordered. However nothing can stop Jenyl when chocolate cake is the goal. The grandchildren were spreading mulch today - although I did hear screaming and Samantha and the word "wheelies" when the tractor was being used. We have been painting, putting up new baseboards, and modeling socks. No, that is not a typo. And, yes, the neighbors know we are crazy....New levels of craziness may have been reached as Tom was seen operating the saw WITHOUT SUPERVISION!!!!!

Raise the Roof- Day Floor

Mom and I were the first up and off to Pittsburgh bright and early for her CT scan and doctor's appointment. While the scan showed no clear evidence of cancer the doctor is watching her weight loss and other issues closely and we follow up again in another 3 months. Please continue to keep Mom and Dad in your prayers. While Mom and I were in Pittsburgh, Scott called to clarify how Mom wanted the flooring to go in the Den. The men did a great job and by the time we got home Tom, Scott and Ian were finishing the den and Mark and Jacob were moving into the kitchen. Since they made such great progress the Murdock women met on the deck to discuss the next project. This prompted the men to slow down and insist that the kitchen floor would take longer than we thought! The grill got a much deserved rest this afternoon as a fabulous lunch was delivered by Joyce Keeley. The Sloppy Joe's and Dee's coleslaw were delicious and inhaled by our hungry workers. Jan Nelson delivered more of her wonderful homemade rolls that we have been enjoying all week. The satellite hook up was restored and a very joyful noise was made by the Enokian, Arisman and Dolinich grandchildren...

Monday started bright and early. We had many helpers, all of whom came to work and work hard. A fabulous lunch was delivered and enjoyed by all. It became clear that we were making great progress. The only reason we did not finish the job on Monday was because we ran out of materials. As we enjoyed dinner that night we reassessed the goals for the week. So, now we are going to paint my parents' bedroom, put wood flooring in the kitchen and den, install a bathroom fan and a new kitchen vent, finish cleaning out the attic of the barn, and, (just to push Scott over the edge) put in a brick walk from the deck to the back porch. All before Saturday so we can have a few days to relax.

Raise the Roof - Day 2

Sunday was a day of "rest" which meant that, after church,we did some hard time in the attic of the barn sorting through our accumulated treasures. We have to take advantage of that dumpster you know. Of course, Heidi just moved her treasure from the attic to her car. (Scott will be moving it to the attic of their garage and someday Ian and Nick will be moving it........) I've been in a "throw it out" kind of mood. Tom finished up his second summer tour in Texas and had arranged to fly into Pittsburgh. Scott made the drive to the airport while I took the girls to see a production of "Into the Woods" by GACT - Greenville Area Community Theater. This is the same group that I did "South Pacific" with in 1982 - yes, unbelievably, 27 years ago. Heidi and Teresa continued to do amazing things in the kitchen putting Mom's new grill through an initiation that could almost be consider hazing. I think they might have even grilled the iced tea? We ended the evening with a multigenerational game of Phase 10 - although Jacob was the only male brave enough to take on Heidi, who has a reputation for being rather ruthless. It was Teresa's rookie game and she whipped us all.

Raising the Roof - Day 1 Part 2 extra

A few more pictures...

Raise the Roof - Day 1 Part 2

We were off to a good start today. It is amazing how the Lord brings together the right people at the right time. Billy, who none of us knew, was here before I was out of bed. He heard about our little project through our friend Bill Messer and asked if he could help too because he thinks roofing is fun (God bless him). Even though he didn't know us, he knew just about everyone else who came to help out. By the time the shingle lifting crane thing arrived we had plenty of people on the roof to unload them. Amongst our tireless workers were Chuck Murrin, Buster Grabb, his sister Eileen Trump (a faithful helper to Mom), Bill Messer and his brother-in-law Billy, and last but not least Lewy Hough. We all worked well together and yes we actually did have a lot of fun. We were blessed with skilled and hard working volunteers, and Mark was pleased with the progress we made today.

Raise the Roof - Day 1 Part 1 extra

Just one more picture. I couldn't resist....

Raise The Roof - Day 1 part 1

By the time I arrive in Greenville today, work was wrapping up. The crew had accomplished more than I imagined was possible in one day! Jenyl will update about that later. I was here for the moving of the port-0-potty. Yes! We are most excited about our brand new flushable john. But in typical Murdock fashion, it did not stay put. We had to move it around to get the best possible location. And , for your amusement, we have pictures.