He Thinks We’re Just Siding

Imagine Trace Adkins song, “She Thinks We’re Just Fishing,” but use the words, “He thinks we’re just siding.” That’s what I’ve had in my head all day.

Yeah, I’ve been working on my parents’ house again. This time, we’re putting on a rock-type finish and new siding on the south and west sides…as well as six new windows.

West side of south porch...Saturday's project!

 
We finished the most of the porch on Saturday. My sister and her family were down to help. It went well and we had a lot of laughs!

Trim work...how many hands can you get in there???

 
But today…well, today was just me and Dad. And although there were times that we missed the extra hands, it was pretty cool.
 
But it wasn’t just siding. It was laughing, learning, and loving every minute of it.
 
It was joking about a broken hammer, laughing over a broken level, teasing over pinched fingers and blaming each other for the recurring rain storms. And it was fun. We didn’t get as much accomplished as we had hoped…but we accomplished more than I could dream. I have memories stored away, for those days that I need them.
 
I have pearls of wisdom, that only dad’s can give.
 
I have a feeling of accomplishment, every time he lets me know that I did something right.
 
I can look at that house, and always know that it was our sweat, our blood and our tears that made the latest improvements. And with every neighbor, friend and passer-by that stops and gives a compliment, it’s a sense of pride over a job well done.
 
But most of all, it’s time with my Dad.
 
And he thinks we’re just siding.
 

My Dad, Roger...he's even figured out a cell phone! 😉

Project – complete

All week I’ve been working on putting new vinyl siding on the east side of my parents’ house…and last night we finished.

It was an entertaining week of work, with temps in the 100’s, help from various small children, a beehive, two different years and size of siding, etc. But we persevered, didn’t give up, and now we are done.

Just in time for Dad to decide to do the south side now. *sigh* Oh well, I’m just glad that I’m around to help!

Here’s my photo essay on siding a house:

Ripped off the steel siding, down to the original. Plus, replaced a window

 

Second window replaced, more steel removed.

 

Bees don't like having siding removed. Bees also don't like foam sealant. Exterminator called!

 

My Dad's solution to bee problem: shop vac. Just don't lift the lid.

 

Why am I the one on the roof? I'm the one afraid of heights!

 

Just down to the last few sheets...can't wait to be done!

 

Finished!

 

All that's left is soffitt work and clean up!