My Sister's Dream Home - Week Five

My youngest sister has worked long and hard to qualify as a partner homeowner with Habitat for Humanity. Tami and her three sons have sacrificed, scrimped and saved to earn this opportunity, and they continue to work hard while they look forward to moving day with great anticipation. I have volunteered to help build their home... and to tell you about the HFH process from the perspective of a family member and volunteer. At the risk of infringing on NBC's copyright... These are my stories:

Week Five, Work Day 9:

When I arrived on site Friday morning, I immediately noticed that the shutters and the house numbers had been installed last week! (I had a hint from Tami, but it was still a thrill to see them personally.)

My last entry concluded that I was looking forward to working indoors this week, but that didn't happen. Instead Tami and I were set up in the front yard with sawhorse upon sawhorse of interior trim that needed painting. We spent our morning painting trim, moving pieces aside to dry, painting and moving still more, and eventually applying a second coat to all the same pieces. It was a tedious job, and we really could have used the help of a radio, but we had a great time doing the work together regardless.

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As an aside:

The best part of our trim painting extravaganza was that we were joined mid-morning by a couple who have just entered into the beginning stages of becoming a partner family with Habitat for Humanity. They were eager to work on whatever tasks they were assigned and they are looking forward to one day earning partner family status for themselves and their five children. It was wonderful to meet this couple just as they begin their relationship with HFH... eager, hopeful, helpful, and as excited for my sister as they are for their own future.

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Tami and I were trying to finish applying the second paint coat to the very last pieces of trim when we were asked to break for lunch. I was shocked by the number of folks who came out of the house for lunchtime... I knew folks were inside putting the first coats of primer on the drywall, but I didn't realize how many there were. There was a whole gaggle of folks busy in there!

We all enjoyed the sandwiches, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and a literal load of sweets provided to us by the church sponsoring the day's grub. I was grateful for the break and especially thankful for the delicious food, since I'd only eaten a small muffin for breakfast. (Stupid move on my part!)

Our afternoon activities brought with them a bit more interior painting, some sweeping, window cleaning and other miscellaneous tasks. With the cleaning out of the way, we were put to work moving the interior doors and cabinetry (which gave me a touch of kitchen envy) from the trailer to the house. Of course this means that final touches aren't too far away!

The last task of the day was to properly clean all the painting equipment. The only problem was that Tami's house didn't yet have running water. Tami headed to her sweet neighbor's house and begged a few buckets of water so we could set about our task. While we worked, a pair of plumbers finished hooking up the city water to Tami's house, so our last couple of buckets were straight from the spigot of her brand new home - WOO!

Week Five, Work Day 10:

I was not on site, and I haven't heard from Tami about what transpired. I did speak to another sister this week who told me that the cabinets were installed and some plants/weeds were removed. Maybe Tami will report on the full progress of the day in the comments. (HINT, Tami?)

Coming up next: I believe the yard will be leveled out this week, and perhaps the flooring will be installed. I imagine if the flooring is installed next weekend will be filled with interior door and trim installation. Sadly I have to work my day job this Friday so I won't get my build "fix". I will likely stop by to check out the progress this Saturday, but you shouldn't expect an incredibly detailed update from me next week.

I do pray that progress continues, and I send great thanks to all who have or will volunteer on this build, or with any of the other Habitat for Humanity programs worldwide. Your work is important and meaningful to so many!

XO

Jodi