I’m so glad that Don is home and that he can coordinate everything to do with the stove. In addition, he’s been watering the gardens and the porch plants and cleaning out the area next to the shed, which looked like a dump. He made several trips to the recycling/transfer station. In the midst of all of this he found a tarp full of old shingles – it weighed a ton, old chicken wire, various buckets and one of our used air conditioners. Some of it we put there, much of it was tossed there by previous owners. Nothing exciting like the antique plate, but interesting, nonetheless.

Now, keep in mind that our shed needs a new paint job, but we’re not in any hurry to do it. It is what it is at this point. Here is what it looked like when Don finished the cleanup.

We really are on ‘the edge of wild’ here. There are woods behind the shed and woods to the left of this view of the shed. We’re thinking of putting pavers there. You might have noticed some items hanging on the side of the shed.

Don found this scrap of wood and made a sign. After all, Henry does live under the shed and we love him. In fact, Henry came out onto the ramp, not knowing Don was nearby. Once he saw Don, he scampered back underground.

The fish is made of paper and covered in plastic. Don found it buried under the dirt. We have no idea who dumped it there. But it sure looks adorable on the shed. I have a Michigan license plate that Don gave me – that’s going to hang there, as well.

Don has a strong streak of ‘whimsical’ and I love that about him.

I may be able to get home on Sunday and Monday – certainly Monday, but I’m thinking Sunday, as well. I want to clean our current stove and have a go at the sticky floor, because our vintage O’Keefe and Merritt is crated and ready to ship. We paid the balance (gulp) and the shipping and it should be picked up on Monday.

Antique Stove Heaven sent us lots of instructions, along with a couple of pictures of the stove right before it was crated. Do you want to see?

Our girl is almost on her way to her new home!

We’re thinking of a name for her. That will come, I’m sure, once she’s ensconced in our kitchen. Meanwhile…we wait. Don has lots of instructions from ASH as to what size dolly to rent, how to load her on the dolly, how to get her safely in the house. We have to do all of this ourselves because it’s not like we bought her from Sears or some retailer. If we were in Los Angeles, ASH would take care of all of that for us. It gives me butterflies, just thinking of it.

Deep breath, Claudia.

I have a lighter day today with just one coaching session. Robyn, our great stage manager, managed to get everyone in for an initial session yesterday and the day before. Tomorrow, a work through of the first half where I can see just what Darko has been up to. Any maybe – fingers crossed – home for a couple of days on Sunday.

Happy Friday.