Fun week last week. Just one small group of out of towners came to work with us. A group of five- two sisters and a friend and the sister's Mom and their step-dad. The older sister, Katie lives and works in NYC and the younger, Maureen lives and works in Boston. Their friend, Lea is also from Boston and sounds like it as does step-dad Ed. Their Mom, Denise (also known in some circles as Big D)not so much with the accent.   Ed, though, fuggedaboutit. It made me kind of homesick for the times I would go with my parents and siblings up to the Cape to visit all my aunts and uncles and copious cousins. Both of my parents were from Boston and moved down to the DC area before me and all my siblings were born. This group also had some Lithuanian Jewish ancestry mixed in their with the Irish, which was similar to my parents mix. That's got to have something to do with why I liked these guys so much and had such a great week. The girls took to calling me Uncle Peter (or Peta).
     They stayed at our Y's Acres camp and we had them over for a cupla meals and Banangram tournaments . The Lion'sDen fulfilling it's purpose of creation, being a place to make volunteers who are staying with us feel welcome and at home and wanting to come back for a return trip.
     The ladies all for the most part worked on the Women's build house, helping Nancy finish up the Hardi Siding and caulking and painting the exterior. They also rocked the insulation installation in a timely manner.
      We also on Thursday and Friday, began setting up the new storage facility on Juanita drive. This consists of two 55 foot tractor trailers that were donated to us. We built a four foot deep landing across the back of both, built a wall at the end of each and installed a solid metal exterior door to keep tools and materials locked up safely. Also started building new design shelves to load up all of the equipment. Here's the motto and goal- "A place for everything and everything in it's place"   Definitely a work in progress.
     We have been renting two shipping containers from Rumsey and paying a monthly rental so this new space will actually end up saving us $ . Speaking of which, all of the wood used on the landings, ramp, stairs and handrails was all culled from "the graveyard"- wood and plywood that was one move away from heading for the dumpster.
     We welcomed our new NCCC Americorp team this week, Delta 2.   Nine members, 4 guys, 5 girls. They are staying at the house in Moundville, about 30 minutes south of town on Rt.69. They are a great asset and partner. It is great when we have our N-trips in town. This team will only be with us until the end of June. Bummer. They overstayed their first spike. Oh well, still grateful.
     Son Alex returned safely from Raleigh NC where he took part in a buildathon with 150 of fellow Americorp Nationals. This is the branch of Americorp where individual members link up with Habitat affiliates and work the whole year with us. The Nccc branch travels around and works on four different projects during the year, one of which is usually with Habitat.  
     Mike Psineka is bringing a youth group from his church this week. Arriving Sunday, will work Memorial Day at the camp to set up the playground equipment and install a new door on the ladies trailer. Then from Tuesday, back to building homes on Juanita drive. Mike's been working with me many times with many groups over the years starting in 2006 in Biloxi. Looking forward to a good week.
      Happy Memorial Day to all-   See ya next time. Asta Luega!   Ciao!