There She Blows!

What an interesting way to remove a chimney. Not really sure how else you would do it! Now all the floor joists are removed and we met with the Foundation Guy. He seems knowledgeable and laid back - so that's good. 

We just need the county to follow through and we are set to go. Who knew there would be so many fingers in the pie to get the permits done? The women who run the county office are the ones to talk to - they know everything! 

It's Easter Sunday so time to remember who is REALLY in charge and then hide some eggs for The Girl (even though - she played along). Then dinner and desert with the Creek Folk.

Fish Market & Sweeping The Living Room

(heavy sigh)

Yesterday, The Engineer took me to DC super early to see the Cherry Blossoms. The blossoms weren't out so we stopped by the Fish Market under the bridge. We were the only people there, other than hard working fishermen/pirates.

The Engineer has been before but I haven't - what a fun and crazy place! Mimi talked about her market days; she would take the Little Engineer to the Watergate for a haircut, catch up with Mr. Beck, then hit the market on the way home. The way she talked about it made me think it was one of her happiest memories.

We walked away with a half bushel of Chincoteague oysters for $40 - man they were good.

Back at the cree and before we could get to the oysters, we had to clean up; that was hard. The kids down the road asked if they could have our blue porch .... had to say OK ... where's that one is going? At the end of a hard working day, it was beer and oysters for whoever was on the creek.

NOTE: Looks like Dead Man's Tavern is up and running too. JZ has many surprises in store for migrant boaters this year .... 

Crossed The Finish Line

This week:

We start the process of organizing the circus that is about to take over our lives for the next few months. The break in the madness will be The Girl's High School Graduation! Then The Boy's 20th birthday - when did all that happen? They were just climbing over sailboats.

The Building Plans: 

Have been accepted and now lay hostage to the permits and the wads of cash needed to release them. 

92 Woodrow: 

So, Jim came home and announced, "I bought a house." Huh? We are building one so why on earth would he buy another? Turns out, my Engineer is ALWAYS thinking. He knew that we would be in a bind between selling Eagle Tavern and the Creek House being completed. So, when 92 Woodrow went up for auction ... we were the only bidders. 

We close next week and I will be the proud owner of a paneled wall with inlayed rose tinted mirrored walls. Seriously, some action needs to happen in that house with those mirrors. I need to WASH the walls and doors - who lived in that filth? And don't even think about walking barefoot in the house unless you have an unlimited supply of penicillin on hand. 

92 Woodrow needs me the start pickin' a few things: paint, carpet, a washer/dryer (who knows where that goes - the kitchen - seriously).

Where did those years go?

92 'Master' Shower plumbing

So Damn Close to the Finish Line!

Today we found out all the plans are approved and we are just waiting on the 'comb over' (the Engineer called it a final review). 

With me, one thing always lead to another and I can envision some worn out county-engineer with a comb over checking our plans, with diligence, and a sweeping 'comb over'. I know ... strange thinking right?

I just want them to get it over with.

The Final days of The Little Creek House

I am always amazed when I see 'a little less' of the old Creek House making way for the new one. Today, The Engineer and The Boy really did some damage - two birds those two. The Girl went to the creek with an old creek friend for the first time - she probably needed a shoulder. She comes up with the coolest ideas  - she wants to make a bird house that looks like the little yellow house - Perfect! Next week should be the tide turning for us ... then it's GAME ON!

Boat Show Never Disappoints

The best thing about the Boat Show is that it kicks off Spring and Summer with so many friends! We even saw Todd there with a new boater/chopper 'friend' named Terry.

We ended the night at the Don Churro Cafe in Chantilly, VA - what a blast! We ordered appetizers - all of them. 

Now it's Sunday and back to the grind stone. The Engineer and The Boy are at the creek now developing a plan of action for the week. We are on dumpster number 3 and things are going smoothly. Disassembling and house and Demolishing a house are so different. We have been able to salvage 50 year old pine to re-purpose for the staircase. It has been something else - I tell ya. (UPDATE: The roof was repurposed years later for a chicken coop - finest coop there ever was).

We are also in a holding pattern; the final comments are being addressed this week by the county. Once they are finished, things should take off in the next week or so! Then, I get to start pickin' ... more knobs ... more doors ... more windows ... and we haven't even started on the hinges! 

Aquia Creek goes to Chantilly, VA

We Break For Boat Shows

Every year we welcome spring and the idea of uncovering the boat after the annual Chantilly Boat Show (and having it start at the first turn of the key) 

The show is this weekend and I can't wait to see all our boater friends - with real clothes on! They look so respectable! All spring and summer I see them in bikinis and shorts.

Here is the information I found on Google (because the Internet NEVER lies, qui?)

National Capital Boat Show | Chantilly, Virginia

2013 National Capital Boat Show Information

Show Dates: Friday, March 08, 2013 through Sunday, March 10, 2013
Show Location: Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, Virginia

Aquia Creek; a really long time ago