Back in the Saddle Again

We returned to work today reinvigorated by our trip to New Orleans. Jeremy, Bruce, and Jennifer were joined by Lindsey at Jake's house. There they continued installing the cement board that will help make his house better able to withstand the next hurricane. When the next one comes, as Jake is sure it will, he hopes to power wash the mud and debris out and move back in. The cement board installation requires painstaking measurements, like those pictured below.




It also requires teamwork to cut the cement board with diamond blade saws. Here Jennifer and Jeremy team up to trim a little off of a tight fitting board.




Teamwork was also required for making cuts on the table saw. Here Howie from the New Jersey team, and Bruce and Lindsey demontrate their cutting technique.

At Sharonda's house, Lee, Craig, Clark, Eliza, and Austin were greeted by a large pile of electical and plumbing fixtures and carpet from Jocelyn's trip to Lowe's on Wednesday. So, while we were eating, drinking, and being merry, she was shopping!




So, we spent the day finishing the baseboard and door installations, installing electical and plumbing fixtures, and begining to paint. Here Austin demonstrates the proper technique for installing outlets -- if you have a sprained ankle.






Here Clark prepares a vanity before mounting the sink.


Rejuvenated by the trip to New Orleans, Eliza was so intent on her painting she wouldn't even stop a second to get her picture taken.



Tomorrow will be our last day and we are planning a big push at Sharonda's house to get as much done as possible. If things go well, she and her family should be back into her house in early August -- nearly two years after the storm.