September 20 – “We’ll be back”

Work Day #2 at Seaside began in earnest around 7:30 yesterday morning.  That’s about when I received a call as we were loading up our car.  Our resident electrician Eric and our volunteer plumber/jack-of-all-trades Chris were at the church waiting.  And neither had a key to get in.  I assured them I was on my way, but I also gave them the names of a few folks who lived closer and who also had keys in case they didn’t want to wait.  They didn’t.  Want to wait, I mean.  They texted Lauren and she came over and saved the day. 

Eric the Electrician (E²) brought along a helper with him.  It was fascinating to piggy-back on some of the training sessions going on between the two of them.  Wish I could have heard more.  Eric seems to be a patient and thorough educator.  But I had my assignment to fulfill.  Trip to Home Depot, of course.  No one wanted to allow me to do any heavy lifting or strange twisting, so the best thing for the back gimp?  Send him to the hardware store.  But this trip was yet another Home Depot nightmare.  Much of the stuff on my list was electrical, so I had no idea what I was looking for.  (I did run into a couple of Jamaica Beach fire fighters, and they were helping me look as well, but none of us were having any luck).  After having someone call for an electrical associate three different times, I heard the fourth call: “Electrical associate to the wire cutting station.”  Within seconds two electrical associates rounded the corner.  It’s all in how you present the problem, I suppose.  Wire cutting ordinarily would mean a big contractor order.  It worked, though.  They directed me to the appropriate requests on the list.  Except for the tie wire.  Just plain bailing wire to hold stuff together.  Seems they don’t carry tie wire.  By his attitude he communicated that no one in his right mind uses tie wire anymore anyway, so I was a real idiot for even asking for it.  I agree with the idiot part as far as electrical supplies is concerned, but I was the one prepared to pay for it, so he could have been somewhat nicer, I thought.  A quick phone call to Eric and the problem was solved, though.  Bob ran over to the Jamaica Beach Hardware Store and picked some up.  And after at least two hours that seemed like four or five, I finally made my way back to the church.  New rule: anything that can be purchased at the local hardware store … get it.  I’m the new poster boy for local shopping.

We got a lot done on the project.  Over twenty people were there to help out, along with Eric and his helper and handyman Chris.  Special kudos to cabinet specialist Bob, up-and-coming newcomer Alexander, Ed (yet another jack-of-all-trades), and the previously mentioned Chris did a fabulous job installing the cabinets and plumbing.  Even put a temporary plywood countertop in so we could use the sink.  Can’t wait to see it when the real countertops come in.  Mama Chris organized a crew of painters that attacked the halls and bunkrooms and began the trim around the doors.  Looks great.  We shared a meal together at lunch time (Mario’s Pizza Pirate’s Beach – good stuff).  And I was banished to work at organizing the storeroom.  After everyone else left, though, Chris and I did a little more serious cleaning so it would look better for the group coming this weekend