It was another busy day. We started by leading our devotional time this morning and then reviewing our work plans for the day. We all headed out to Dennis’s and so Barb and Bill and Reid and Anita could meet Dennis and see where we stand there. Then Barb and Lisa went to Atlantis to continue the drywall finishing and caulking of the door. Anita and Anne worked on painting the ceiling and most of the walls of the bathroom. Reid worked on plumbing and shelving for the bathroom linen closet as did Bill. He also installed the bathroom light fixture and wired in the plug for the stove. Mark worked on plumbing all day. Max went between the houses making sure everyone had what they needed and made a few trips to the store for supplies. A number of items were marked off our punch list today. It was the first day with a new team and often it takes some time for the team to start to mesh. This team, with a good deal of experience, went right to work and accomplished a lot today.
On Friday we went to Key West again with Mark and Lisa to do some biking around town. It was great weather for biking – a little cooler than the rest of the week. We had a great time wandering around and looking at the sights. We ended the day by meeting Sue for dinner and watching the sunset from Mallory Square. And, of course we went to Kermit’s for chocolate covered frozen key lime pie. Then we rode in the dark the several blocks back to where we left the truck. Thankfully, most of the drivers in Key West are cyclist aware and very courteous. It was still a little nerve-wracking for all four of us.
Biking in Key West. Some streets have bike lanes, but some you just share with the vehicles.
Our Key West Biking Group on the Edward B. Knight Pier
We rode past the Truman White House, but chose not to go inside.
The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center has many interesting displays.
One of the aquariums in the Florida Eco-Discovery Center
We rode by the Southernmost Point, but chose not to stand in the line for selfies since we have all done that before.
We got to watch this cruise ship depart port. They have to be away from the dock by a certain time to keep from blocking people’s view of the sunset.
Another beautiful sunset at Mallory Square
We spent Saturday welcoming new team members and doing maintenance, cleaning and laundry. We welcomed Reid and Anita and Bill and Barb to Big Pine Key and look forward to working with them for the remainder of our time here. We did take time Saturday to ride the bikes a few miles to find a couple of geocaches since you can only make finds on February 29th once every 4 years.
Tricky magnetic micro geocache we found on Leap Day
On Sunday we again attended church at Big Pine UMC and enjoyed the brunch afterwards. The rest of the day was spent on NOMADS business and getting ready for the team meeting. Another great weekend. Of course, any weekend in the Keys is a great weekend.
It was cool when we woke up this morning and it never warmed up. We were all wearing jackets by the time we got home from work. The high today was 71, 15 degrees cooler than yesterday and occurring at 1 AM. The locals are pulling out coats and boots. Yes, our team member from Minnesota thinks it is pretty funny.
Lisa led devotion today using Isaiah 40:28-30. She reminded us that those who wait end up stronger after God refuels them. Thanks, Lisa.
After devotion, the entire team went back to Dennis’s house. Anne, Sue and Lisa began preparing the bath room for texture, covering everything with plastic that needed protection. They then mixed the drywall mud, set up the air compressor and then filled the texture hopper for Dennis. He really enjoys texturing the rooms in his house. As with the other rooms we textured the ceiling and walls and then doing knock down on the walls. All went well and Dennis was please with the results. Then Anne did the knock-down while Sue and Lisa went back to Atlantis to complete the trimming of the downstairs double doors. Max and Mark spent most of the day working on the drain problems at Dennis’s. The also go the installation of the bath vanity completed. The ladies also worked on the drywall at Atlantis again today. It has been another busy and very productive week.
Mark plumbing vanity
Vanity top installed and plumbed
Max and Mark still trying to clear Dennis’s kitchen drain
Sue reading A House Blessing by John O’Donohue to Dennis.
Lisa working on new wall at Atlantis house
Doors at Atlantis house trimmed
Since Sue will be leaving us tomorrow, she got to choose the restaurant tonight and we were all glad she wanted to go back to Geiger Key Marina and Restaurant. Tonight we had the special, Key West Pink shrimp along with sword fish, both grilled, Fortunately we decided to share because it was a lot of food and very very good. Everyone enjoyed their food, key lime pie, the sunset and of course the company. We will be sad to see Sue leave. It’s been a great team. Safe travels friend.
Another great team dinner at Geiger Key Marina
Another beautiful sunset at Geiger Key Marina
Sue riding home after dinner. Yes, Sue is from Minnesota. 🙂
It was another very warm and beautiful day in the Keys. We led the team in an Ash Wednesday devotion today and talked about giving up things for lent or maybe following Pope Francis’ suggestions of trading one thing for another. You have probably already seen this, but reading it again might be helpful.
Fast from hurting words and say kind words
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude
Fast from anger and be filled with patience
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope
Fast from worries and trust in God
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity
Fast from pressures and be prayerful
Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others
Fast from grudges and be reconciled
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen
The team also attended Ash Wednesday services at the church tonight.
Dennis’s bathroom ready for texturing
After devotion, Sue, Anne and Lisa went to Dennis’s house and sanded the bathroom drywall and then painted the walls and ceiling with primer. It is looking better. After lunch they cleaned things up and then went to the Atlantis house and began working on the drywall on the new wall and trimming the downstairs double door. Max and Mark headed back to Atlantis after devotion and completed the new wall construction. After building it as suggested, they felt the wall was not quite sturdy enough and after discussions with Jim got permission to beef up the wall. They then installed the drywall and got the wall ready for finishing. The guys went over to Dennis’s for the afternoon and installed the bathroom vanity drain and worked on the kitchen sink drain that has been giving problems. There is still work to be done for the kitchen sink and washing machine drains. The drains became clogged from 2 years of non-use. Anyway, progress is being made on both houses.
Hanging drywall on new wall
Drywall finishing crew eager to work on new wall
New wall partially mudded
Trim started on the new door
Working on Dennis’s kitchen drain. We had to cut into the concrete wall outside the kitchen and then down into the foundation to expose the old drain.
RVing With a Purpose 