Christmas Day: Indianapolis and Valparaiso

Bob got involved in the Facetime chat, asking Audrey some questions as she tried out the “lie detector machine” we got her as a gift. Apparently, it dings when you tell the truth but shocks you if you lie.
Bob got involved in the Facetime chat, asking Audrey some questions as she tried out the “lie detector machine” we got her as a gift. Apparently, it dings when you tell the truth but shocks you if you lie.
First bit of backerboard installed. Eventually, a sheet of 3/8″ drywall will sit on top of this thing. And a second sheet of 1/2″ drywall will cover both the 3/8″ and the backerboard. The idea behind the backerboard is to ensure there’s always material to bite into, when installing the baseboard/trim. No need to hunt for studs, since there should always be something to dig into.
I hate to say it, but we argued a great deal while working today. It wasn’t a very pleasant or stress-free experience. I got frustrated often, and Liz and I went back and forth a lot.
Towards the end of the night, we talked about ceiling drywall installation. Bob mentioned working to verify that a corner is a true 90, before proceeding… and needing to adjust the initial piece, if the angles are off.
Post-dinner, we played a few rounds of Secret Hitler, which Katie had brought over. Last year, we played Ticket to Ride, and this year we brought over Azul.
Liz and I parted ways, with her heading to Valpo for the traditional Apple Pie Baking Day while I headed back to HP with Bob to work on the exterior living room wall.
After finalizing our prep, it got to be around 11:00 AM when we started the pour. An hour or so into it, guess what: we realized Lowe’s didn’t delivery all 32 bags. They only gave us 25.
We were talking about politics some time ago, and Bob mentioned to me how a very specific speech left a strong impression on him. It was a speech that Jesse Jackson gave, when he was running for President back in the 80’s. Bob explained to me how profoundly that speech changed his way of thinking. It was a big deal, and really shaped how he then started to look at the world.
For Julie’s birthday, Liz arranged for a day of various activities in Chicago. Starting around 2:00 PM, we hit up a few different locations in the area for Open House Chicago.
On our way back, we got a note that several other family members were going to check out the Balloons over Marine Festival. So we re-routed, found a decent parking spot, and gathered at the edge of the park.
Bob was on a slightly shorter schedule today, but we fell to talking. And then talking some more. And then some more. And then next thing we both knew, nearly two hours had gone by. And since we were close to his quitting time anyways, we decided to go upstairs for a beer.
For a long time now, Liz and I have wanted to bring Julie and Bob to experience the cocktails at Aviary. The two of us had a phenomenal, memorable time here nearly 3 years ago, and it’s been on our to-do list to bring others to experience this place with us. As a belated Mothers and Fathers day outing, the…
When Liz came downstairs, I saw that she had on her “Team Feliz” shirts (part of my birthday gift from a few months ago).
So of course, I had to put mine on. Gotta show the coach I’m willing to put in that extra effort.
The master bedroom has been totally reworked, since that time. From the early days before I knew how to demo a wall, to having all the walls removed on the second floor, to pulling up the floor… this room has really been rebuilt.
Bob was over today, and put in some time to help tackle a few tricky drywall pieces/angles in the master bedroom. He filled out the (future) door to our walk-in closet.