Drywall started

The drywall work started--the big sheets are up, and are vigorously outgassing. I think I'll leave the windows open tonight...

There are lots of smaller holes yet to be patched (light fixture holes, old switch and outlet locations, etc.), the metal edges have to go on the outside corners, and then mudding, taping, and sanding.

The place is a mess, and it will get worse, I'm sure. Dust and debris piles in the construction area, lots of drywall nails on the floor, stuff like that. Someone did roughly sweep a path through the middle for me, which I swept again before I started trekking back and forth this evening. I'm keeping the cats out, much to their disgust--they want to investigate.

I put up a sequence of pictures of the remodeling that I'll try to add to as things go on.

New York

We're going to New York! Well, we've been planning it for a while, sort of, but concrete plans have now started. I went next door and we stared at the flight options, then bought 3 tickets with frequent flyer miles, 3 with sister-in-law's card, and one with my father's card. My older brother is on his own--he'll probably meet us there as he will come from Durham, N.C. We go up on July 3, and come home on the 8th.

Then we bought tickets for 4 for Avenue Q, and tickets for 8 for The Lion King (a matinee). Next effort: find a hotel with some sort of suite or connecting room arrangement that will handle the parents with 3 kids, hopefully either near the theater district or Central Park and for less than $500 a night. Or so.

But we have tickets!