NEOS Log August 2024

While the Blooms were on their month-long farewell trek on the west coast, Rog and I took care of their plants. Since the trees in the back are watered with the gray water from the washer, we dropped off a load on our way to the gym three days a week. They were done when we got back and we would bring them home to dry. We spent an enjoyable evening at the Sipes’ in Auburn. They had an evening BBQ and Rog had a chance to catch up with afew2 of his old Auburn karate friends.. Mid-month, Rog joined Jay for a trip to SF to visit Jim Sagawa. Always a good visit. In aikido, the dojo leader took a trip, so he assigned a number of the students to teach. Rog had a special class one evening to teach punches, karate style. Well received. The Blooms got back from their trip, tired and a little sad, having dropped Max off in Missoula. But the trip was a huge success and fun was had by all. They hit numerous national parks and spent a lot of time hiking around. Michelle and Karissa headed back to school and life returned to normal for all of them. We sent a box of homemade peanut butter cookies to Max. He was busy his first week with marching band practice and school started a week later. He is thoroughly enjoying it and feels right at home.

At the end of the month, Rog and I headed up the hill to Granite Flat to spend a day with Nordstroms and Lyons. Met another pair of their friends as well; Gary and Eileen. Weather was gorgeous and it was great to catch up with everyone. Karissa had a birthday celebration with her parents and is looking forward to a “New York” day in September with the rest of us.

The bathroom project continues to progress. After a number of stumbles, we got the tile down on the floor. (We had to take out and replace 2 of the tiles that were damaged and the original grout turned out to be a stain only, so had to be taken out and replaced.) But the floor looks great. Ryan came by and helped Rog get the tub through the window opening since it wouldn’t fit through the door. Then they put the window in place. Rog and I put a privacy film on it and I touched up paint while Rog put in the baseboard.There was a cool day that allowed Rog to head up to the attic to finish the installation of the ventilation fan/heater/light. All of the plumbing and electrical is done. We picked up the newly custom cut mirror and everything is now ready for installation.