I mentioned before that my father and I are building an addition. I am still doing my best to chronicle the entire experience. This might be episode seven. Oh my, folks. There is never a dull moment. My weekly updates online continue to turn heads. Our lack of progress and foolish mistakes are still trending on Instagram. We are making progress, but everyone is questioning, “Why didn’t they just hire someone?” Yes. The entire neighborhood is watching.

We had some delays with our permits. It also didn’t help that my mates never return my calls. My father was hoping to start sooner than later. But unfortunately, we had to push everything to late September. Pops now lives in California. And he has been with us off and on since the beginning. He has built a few homes in his day. Rough carpentry. But that was thirty years ago when he was much, much younger. He means well, but Jim needs to sharpen his pencil. I am thankful for his efforts, yet he continues to struggle. The Spencer gals have completely lost their patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Give us a break.

In the previous installments, I shared a few tales of our major mishaps. Oh, it has been quite the adventure. Who frames a wall with an upside-down door? That pushed us back even further. The folks on YouTube make it look so easy. Everyone is an expert. You should’ve put that one-unit bathtub in first. Gee, thanks. I will surely remember that next time. Not. You can’t make it up, kids. I make several trips to Lowes each week. The customer service desk and I are on a first-name basis. This will be a three-year project.

I now park my car in the PRO lot. I get several strange looks. Many contractors laugh when I use the canoe rack on my Renegade to transport 2x4s and sheets of drywall. Things get a little dicey on PA 87. Those damn pheasants chuckle too. I often run into some familiar faces. They offer free advice but poke fun. I don’t take it personally. I get even when they call for Template. Jensen and I also send disgruntled and naughty photos. This bird is for you.

DAY 201. SHINGLES

Jensen and I did the best we could. But remember we only have a few hours to work. When Jim is in California, he sends us plenty of notes. We cross off one job on his punch list, but then he sends eight more. Big Spence flew in for a few days to help finish the roof. We still had to waterproof the chimney and shingle the east. Grandpa sent us to Bloomsburg to grab some supplies. Lowes was out of stock. Home Depot was full. We loaded up the Jeep with matching shingles and nails. Good thing we saved our receipts. We didn’t end up using the overpriced Styrofoam thing.

Spence reached out to a few of his chums for help. Only one showed — poor guy. No one wants to work with Jim. Maybe it’s because we make fun of him. But Dean Dan Miller answered the call. Dan and his wife Barb are good family friends. Doc is wicked smart. He also has skills. Dan was a big help; he somehow understands my father’s new code. Point. Mumble. Question. Mumble. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? Mumble. Dan and I worked well together — great conversation in between shingles. Jensen was our grunt, and he got a great workout. The roof is done, kids. Finally. Jim celebrated by going back to California. Thank God. Joking.

DAY 232. WAYNE SAVES EASTER

Spence and I finally came to our senses. We decided to hire someone to drywall and mud the upstairs addition. We ran the electric and insulated. Reached out to our new best friend, who was vacationing in Florida. My man Wayne Rockey is somewhat retired. But he checked with corporate and agreed to do us a solid. What a character. Lycoming County is a rather small place, and Wayne and I hit it off immediately. How do you know them? We have 204 mutual buds.

Wayne and his guys were fantastic. What they did in three days would’ve taken us 15 weekends. I am so glad that we pulled the trigger. Hanging rock is one thing, but mudding is another. The Spencers do have some experience. But we are strictly amateurs. Wayne’s work is unrivaled. But he said no to the Webb Weekly discount. Thanks, Rock.

I am starting to get the hang of this building thing. No. I will not give up my day job and all my part-time gigs. Having my father around sure is grand. We all appreciate his efforts. Big Jim is our hero. Yes. I sometimes complain. He plans to drive cross country again in May. I’m sure I will fill you in when we tackle the flooring and paint. Cheers.