With A Little Help From My Friends2/27/15Our longest stint at the schoolhouse so far. Elizabeth planned, purchased, and cooked for three days to get ready for these four days. Cakes and quiche and snacks and crockpots and wine. Loading went as smooth as ever. Only an hour behind. Elizabeth wanted to get to the schoolhouse in time to prepare it a little before guests began arriving. A little was all we managed. The fire was burning and snacks were laid out. She made beds for everyone. She made this an incredible weekend. |
Taking a break with Henry, Joe, Elizabeth, Hannah, Brie, Kianna, Danny, and Tony (Hannah, we have your container and awesome spork!) 2/28/15
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2/28/15The word of the weekend is denailing (which, I realize, is not a word at all). We started the day with Elizabeth’s breakfast quiche and oatmeal bars (while she slept). So good! I pulled up Hannah’s birthday poem and read it aloud. |
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Brie watching Kianna and Hannah pulling nails from the hardwood flooring. 2/28/15
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My dad arrived early and was raring to get to work. He helped put up a few sheets of drywall, teaching Kianna and Tony along the way. He also delivered my mom's poppyseed cake, Stattmiller birthday staple. This is my first birthday I'm not sharing with my mother, the true hero of this day. The cake means a lot to me. Thank you, mom. |
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| Two floors. (Photo: Kianna) | Parkour Hannah. (Photo: Kianna) | Brie lovin. (Photo: Kianna) |
We have piles and piles of reclaimed wood flooring. Three different sizes. Hundreds of square feet. Thousands of nails. Those not drywalling are pulling nails. It doesn’t take long to figure out that we are going to be pulling nails all summer. |
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Henry, Danny, and Joe (barely pictured) separating the nails from the boards. 2/28/15
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Joe and Hannah arrived next and jumped right in denailing. Tijana sent some flakey appley desserty goodness that completely derailed the work process for several minutes. Somehow it was still warm when Joe walked in with the pan. We tucked into it immediately. So great. |
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| Dad and Tony installing drywall. | Kianna and Brie nap. | Pawel, Sylas, Henry pulling nails. |
Then the Sheriff arrived with Danny. Car accident :( Everyone is okay, but the cars are in bad shape. Danny was rear ended. Not his fault. But what a hassle to navigate the police reports, towing, repairs, and insurance in a small town two hours from home. Ugh. But Danny did not dwell. He was as quick with a hammer as anyone. |
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Danny and Pawel. The hammer slipped. The nail did not. 3/1/15
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The sun is setting now. The chili crockpot is plugged in. The crew is playing ultimate frisbee in the snow. Could it be more perfect? |
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Just a quick game before the light is gone. Kianna, Hannah, Tony, Joe, Danny, and Henry. 2/28/15
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With three cakes appetizers were followed with mom's poppyseed and a rendition of Happy Birthday. Dinner was followed with chocolate cake, Elizabeth's poppyseed, and another round of Happy Birthday. Bliss. The night finished with a circle of chairs and great conversation and drifting off to sleep and dog snores. |
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| Elizabeth and Tony (Photo: Kianna) | (Photo: Kianna) | Great conversations with Danny and Henry. |
3/1/15One final night. Just E, me, and Brie. Everyone has gone. The schoolhouse is quiet and peaceful. Serenity. Contentment. Gratitude. |
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So much good food! 3/1/15
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What a privilege to get to share and celebrate this place with so many great people. THANK YOU Kianna, Tony, Pawel, Keaton, Maulka, Danny, Henry, Hannah, Joe, Sylas, and dad for all of the help. We had so much fun working and playing with you. Thank you to Tijana and mom for the cakes and treats. My birthday was spectacularly enhanced by your gifts. I have been looking forward to a day like this for almost a year. Thank you for helping with our wedding. Thank you for being in our lives, for coming on this journey with us, for lifting us up and carrying us along. |
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Joe, Elizabeth, Brie, Henry, Kianna, Seth, Hannah, dad, Danny, and Tony (not pictured: Pawel, Sylas, Keaton, and Malka). 2/28/15
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Most of all, thank you to my partner Elizabeth for putting this weekend together, preparing good food for a dozen people, organizing the work areas, lighting the candles, (bringing the candles,) and sharing your days with me. |
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Elizabeth's bday banner for Seth (Photo: Kianna) 2/28/15
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NEXT POST: Closing Re-Cycle |
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Productive weekend. 3/1/15
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