Thursday, August 27, 2009

Missing Our Papa!



This time when we left Idaho, we brought Papa Murdock home with us! Anyone who comes to vacation with us should know that we immediately put all house guests to work! Dad's week-long visit was a marathon session of much-needed home improvements.



My Dad has amazing stamina when it comes to this stuff. He was also incredibly patient with Tessie, who has a way of slowing progress of all kinds. She loved having Papa around and being his little "helper." We weathered many a Lowe's meltdown (and a couple Home Depot ones too).



Most of the projects we worked on were basic maintenance items, but we got so much done! While he was here, Dad:
  • fixed our bifold coat closet door (which has never worked since we moved in!)
  • fixed our bifold laundry closet doors
  • patched drywall holes from our water leak
  • fixed the laundry & bathroom baseboards (also casualties from our leak)
  • replaced our exterior shed door (which had to be installed backwards; an impressive feat of ingenuity
  • installed a new, much deeper kitchen sink
  • installed new kitchen faucet (no more constant dripping!) & replumbed the fixture
  • replace our entryway light fixture
  • fixed "nail pops" in the ceiling
  • touched up drywall all over the house
  • reattached molding around our sliding back door
  • installed new porch light fixture
  • fixed the broken stair railing
  • repaired stairs molding
  • trimmed the front yard tree (no more spooky Scooby-Doo windy nights)
  • pruned the bushes
  • fixed the pull-down attic ladder (no need to tread lightly anymore!)
It's amazing we got so much done, considering that even the simple projects weren't straightforward.

Let's take the kitchen faucet, for instance. I'm not an entirely incompetent handywoman. I've tried to fix the faucet, but it was so corroded, I couldn't even begin to take it apart. So it was time to replace the faucet.


Time for a new faucet!

Only problem, the faucet was so corroded onto the sink, we couldn't possibly undo the bolts to remove it from the sink. So, our only option was to replace the sink, which wasn't easy, either. I was starting to feel like the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.


Time for a new sink! Gross!


All better!

But it was worth all the frustration. We got a lot done and I learned a lot--including when to call the plumber!

We did get in some fun time with Papa too, and Tess got more than her fair share of snuggles and tickles.







It was HOT while Dad was out here, so he'll appreciate these pics of Tessie cooling off in the sprinkler.









We miss you, Dad, and we REALLY appreciate all your help!
M-m -m-uh! (That was a kiss from Tess!)

5 comments:

Maureen said...

Dad has saved our sanity many a time... such as when we needed help installing our dishwasher, fixing the gap in our fence, repairing the swingset, installing the air conditioner, fixing a leaky pipe under the sink... etc. etc. etc.!!!

You're WONDERFUL, dad... oh yeah, and thanks for offering to paint our front door tomorrow :)

Dipsy said...

I think I did a great job picking out your daddy! He's a treasure. I love the video of Tess and Phil. Love, Dipsy

Unknown said...

I love everything!!! Doing dishes is probably 10x more fun now :) Here are some Home Depot shopping tips for Tess: get the fun cart, buy a hot dog at the stand outside, and ask for an orange kids apron. She'll be begging to go to Home Depot.

Ann said...

I love Marc but I wish Marc was a handyman like your dad!!!!

Leslie said...

WOW!! Gotta love having dad around for all those chores! I have known your dad to come to Reen and Josh's rescue many times...he's one handy man to have around. Love your new sink and faucet! I have always wanted a deeper sink myself!