lots of nothing to catch up on

three weekends to update on, but not much to update.

21-23 may, spent the weekend pouring more concrete in form for the foundation support. after 2 weekends of work, the form is about 50% or so complete. starting to feel comfortable knowing that if more rain is to come it won't do more damage.

28-31 may, split the weekend between MCI and chicago. busy holiday weekend in chicago so wanted to spend part of it there with friends. didn't do any foundation/concrete work, but instead started installing the tongue-and-groove paneling/wainscoting in the bathroom to cover the damaged walls. 30-may, todd & nathaniel drove out to see the house. i returned to chicago with them in the late afternoon & we spent the rest of the day at big chick's. didn't do any work on the house other than mowing the lawn (weekly ritual now). on memorial day i was in chicago & missed the heavy rains that hit the MCI area ... i was nervous to check the house to see if any had made its way into the basement ...

02-june. took the 17.58 train out to MCI after work, decided to make mid-week trip to check on the house after rain on monday. i was relieved to see no evidence outside of any change in the ground (new soil is settling, but no visible water run-off damage). in the basement i was even happier to see it still dry, just as i had left it. so it appears my efforts of re-grading the soil outside away from the foundation is probably having the greatest impact on things there. the additional foundation support certainly will help as well (though to what extent may never be known as i hope the wall simply stays put going forward).

4-6 june. back at the house for another weekend. first weekend at the house that i did absolutely nothing (except mow the lawn). saturday i walked from the house to downtown & the outlet mall on the west side of downtown, its about a 40 minute walk. needed to get a couple pairs of shorts for summer. on the return walk, i stopped at a art gallery on franklin street to take a quick look around. spoke w/the owner/curator who mentioned there were soon-to-be nine art galleries in the downtown area. maybe i will be inspired to return to painting (beyond several studies i've been working on lately). saturday night had dinner @ the shoreline brewery with a friend from south bend, the entire day actually felt like a vacation to me.

sunday returned to the city on 12.52 train & spent the rest of the afternoon/evening at big chick's (my sunday hangout, if it hasn't become already apparent).