This past week we saw the successful completion of our first two week blitz build at the home of Bernard Jefferson. While this was going on, I had the privilage to host and guide a group of high school students from Horace Mann school out of the Bronx in New York. We were working on Mya's soon to be new house. The main floor of the 27 x 44' home had been framed last week, so our first task of the week was to install the 3/4" tongue and groove plywood over the floor framing. I have somewhat of a reputation for being patient with volunteers, but on Monday, I'll have to say that I was stretched a bit. The first step is to snap a line from front to back of the house 48" wide to set the first sheet in the right spot so that all consequent pieces are in the right place. Long story short, the first piece wasnt nailed on the line (after being completely glued and nailed). I got a bit upset, usually I mumble made up curse words under my breath, but this time, I think they were real ones uttered over my breath, so much so that the people working on the other house across from ours were looking across at me and asking, "What's wrong with him?", as I was ripping up the sheet of plywood with the 2 x 4 lever and tossed it off to the side and asked the students to back all the nails out of it. Anyway, I apologized for my temper tantrum, and we had a great rest of the week up until Thursday when we got rained out. Everyone worked so hard during the week, installing blocking under the floor, and we framed and stood up three of the exterior walls and started on the front porch framing and deck boards. Seth was a great help doing the layout before the walls were made (I trusted but verified). Stephanie and Sarah Lee were the steady floor blockers and all of the students got lots of hemmering practice. The three staff members, Barbara Rudy and Janet all worked well as well, keeping the "kids" (don't call them that!) focussed and on track. I hope to see them all back with next years class.
     Other news this week- A benefit concert was held Friday at the historic Bama theatre with all of the proceeds going towards the new future home of the Nero's . Three Alabama bands offered their services as well as the theatre and silent auctions , tee shirt sales and open bar - all proceeds went to Habitat Tuscaloosa. Amazing. We've got two boomeranger groups with us this week- Salem Lutheran out of Duluth, Minnesota, eh? and Mike Bultmeyer is bringing a group to work with us this week from Indiana. Both groups are staying at Y's Acres. Speaking of which, I was pecking away at the Lion's den on Saturday when the Duluth gang showed up and they offered to help me with the dormer and roof sheathing and wall sheathing and black paper. I couldn't stop them!   Really!
      Last night picked up our latest new long-termer, Paul Kemp, from the airport. Got me a new roommate for a month or two. He is a project manager for a construction company in Maryland and wanted to volunteer down here for a bit. Welcome to Paul.
     Our goal this week at Mya's home is to have the roof blacked in. I bet we do it- Check back in a week. (It's not a competition!)