Cathy and Pat work to repair the floor in custodian's home. With just 2 weeks left of Pat and Fred’s time at Faith, we tried to make the most of it with some last minute projects (and a few bike rides). The big project for Pat and Cathy was a floor repair in the custodian’s apartment. And, despite being pulled in several directions, Dave helped Fred with some projects, from electric breakers to a gas grill hookup and continued to make progress on the Wesley roof.
Cathy works to close the gaps in the floor Floor Moving
The floor looked a little like a checkerboard – so many of the wood laminate planks had separated across the expanse of the living area. This was the state of the floor when we arrived in Jose’s apartment. In addition, there was a mysterious soft spot in the kitchen in front of the sink. Knowing our time was limited, Pat and Cathy started by removing the planks in the kitchen to understand the reason for the soft spot. And we learned quite a lot.
The floor looked a little like a checkerboard – so many of the wood laminate planks had separated across the expanse of the living area. This was the state of the floor when we arrived in Jose’s apartment. In addition, there was a mysterious soft spot in the kitchen in front of the sink. Knowing our time was limited, Pat and Cathy started by removing the planks in the kitchen to understand the reason for the soft spot. And we learned quite a lot.
The kitchen floor showed signs of moisture, which was coming from the water line to the fridge which was not connected. There were 3 panels that had been cut into the kitchen underlayment to give access to the kitchen plumbing. The one closest to the sink had little support, so it was sinking on one end. We could easily solve that problem, but the access to the plumbing raised a new possibility.
There had been repeated problems with the kitchen drain clogging over time. A recent plumbing repair trip had removed the clog, but without better access to the drain lines, it was going to happen again. There was an obvious need to simplify the drain line and remove the 90 degree elbows. This was the ideal time to make this happen. So, with the plumbers arriving the next day, Cathy and Pat moved onto the main living room/dining room.
Normally, these interlocking planks “float”, meaning they are not glued or nailed to the floor, but are locked to each other and designed to move as one unit as they shrink over time. However, our best guess was that this floor wasn’t allow to move as a unit because most edges had been caulked to the baseboard. So, we planned to remove the caulk, and just close the open gaps, moving from one end of the room to the other. We then expected to put small filler pieces in place at the far end of the room. If we encountered a damaged plank, we would use the excess good boards from the kitchen. We planned to put a new floor in the kitchen in a contrasting color.
There had been repeated problems with the kitchen drain clogging over time. A recent plumbing repair trip had removed the clog, but without better access to the drain lines, it was going to happen again. There was an obvious need to simplify the drain line and remove the 90 degree elbows. This was the ideal time to make this happen. So, with the plumbers arriving the next day, Cathy and Pat moved onto the main living room/dining room.
Normally, these interlocking planks “float”, meaning they are not glued or nailed to the floor, but are locked to each other and designed to move as one unit as they shrink over time. However, our best guess was that this floor wasn’t allow to move as a unit because most edges had been caulked to the baseboard. So, we planned to remove the caulk, and just close the open gaps, moving from one end of the room to the other. We then expected to put small filler pieces in place at the far end of the room. If we encountered a damaged plank, we would use the excess good boards from the kitchen. We planned to put a new floor in the kitchen in a contrasting color.
Jorge takes a turn hammering the 2x4 to move the planks as the effort got harder. At first, we were thinking we would simply tap the end of each board to close the gaps with a special tool we had purchased. But YouTube revealed a much more ingenious solution.
With a 2x4, some strong double-sided tape, and a mallet, we simply attached the 2x4 to the board to be moved, stood on the board and hit it with a mallet. And the boards started moving into place. We made quick progress across the room at first, but as we got further from the wall, the effort required to move each board increased. We destroyed a few 2x4’s, switching to a hammer from a rubber mallet, and swapping off as our arms tired. But, by day’s end of the 3rd day, all of the floor’s gaps had been closed.
With a 2x4, some strong double-sided tape, and a mallet, we simply attached the 2x4 to the board to be moved, stood on the board and hit it with a mallet. And the boards started moving into place. We made quick progress across the room at first, but as we got further from the wall, the effort required to move each board increased. We destroyed a few 2x4’s, switching to a hammer from a rubber mallet, and swapping off as our arms tired. But, by day’s end of the 3rd day, all of the floor’s gaps had been closed.
The floor with all the gaps closed. We just had to work on the edges, which took most of the next day, cutting and piecing in planks to fill the remaining gaps, and setting up to install transitions in several doorways.
The kitchen floor once complete. So, over the weekend, we turned our attention to the kitchen, purchasing the new flooring in a grey color that would complement the walls, along with the transitions and ¾ round molding. With the plumbing repairs done, Cathy focused on reinforcing the supports of the kitchen access panels, while Pat worked to install the transitions in the main floor. Cathy also cut the ¾ round molding for all of the walls.
The boards nearest the bar were damaged beyond repair, so we brought the kitchen floor out a few feet. With only 3 work days remaining, we finally began installing the kitchen floor on Tuesday of the 2nd week. We continued to struggle with condensate from the fridge dripping onto the floor, but managed to get the underlayment dry enough to proceed.
Working from the outside of the bar into the main kitchen area, we cut and lay planks, working to keep them from shifting as we rounded the edge of the bar. This wasn’t completely successful, since we found ourselves backtracking to re-cut planks that no longer lined up with the baseboard.
Working from the outside of the bar into the main kitchen area, we cut and lay planks, working to keep them from shifting as we rounded the edge of the bar. This wasn’t completely successful, since we found ourselves backtracking to re-cut planks that no longer lined up with the baseboard.
A happy team at the end of the project. We also had to work around the refrigerator and the stove, which could not easily be moved out of the way. By day’s end, we had the majority of the floor laid. On the final morning, we just had to close some gaps on the edges, and install transitions and ¾ round molding. The results looked pretty good, and Jose was very pleased. We can only hope it will stay in place better than it did in the past.
Wesley roof being power-washed. Cleaning Up, Cooling Down, Heating Up
While we had started to power wash the Wesley roof in February, the effort shifted to others as March began. Dave had permission to hire some workers referred by First 90 who would finish the power-washing of the roof in a day and a half. (Pat and Cathy had thought it would take us more than a week.) Their work made it possible to assess the roof, and once that was done the path forward would be to apply another 2 coats of protective paint that would protect it for many years to come.
There would be more work done on the roof, as an AC unit that served the kitchen needed to be replaced. Dave was tapped to remove a kitchen light fixture to open up access, while Fred was recruited to replace a breaker that blew during the install. And while working on electric, Fred replaced breakers for other AC units installed last year that needed to be reduced to better protect the smaller units. Finally, the breaker in our pedestal that had given us trouble early in the year needed to be replaced to get it working again. Dave and Fred managed to squeeze that task in on one of Fred’s last days before heading out.
While we had started to power wash the Wesley roof in February, the effort shifted to others as March began. Dave had permission to hire some workers referred by First 90 who would finish the power-washing of the roof in a day and a half. (Pat and Cathy had thought it would take us more than a week.) Their work made it possible to assess the roof, and once that was done the path forward would be to apply another 2 coats of protective paint that would protect it for many years to come.
There would be more work done on the roof, as an AC unit that served the kitchen needed to be replaced. Dave was tapped to remove a kitchen light fixture to open up access, while Fred was recruited to replace a breaker that blew during the install. And while working on electric, Fred replaced breakers for other AC units installed last year that needed to be reduced to better protect the smaller units. Finally, the breaker in our pedestal that had given us trouble early in the year needed to be replaced to get it working again. Dave and Fred managed to squeeze that task in on one of Fred’s last days before heading out.
Fred working to get the grill working again. Then there was that grill. It had been buried in the container for several years, but there was interest in having it available for church functions. Dave and Fred moved it to sit outside of Wesley and connected it to the church’s propane tank. However, getting it working wouldn’t be so easy. The valves all needed extensive work to get them functioning again. Fred meticulously cleaned, greased and repaired each one. When the work was complete, we took the opportunity to buy some steaks to test his work. They tasted great, so it seems the repairs worked well.
An oversupply of medical equipment. Cathy and Pat teamed up to clean up some more around campus. They took the last of the accumulated metal to the recycling site and hauled several medical devices to the local non-profit that dispenses them to those in need. There were 10 large bins intended to collect paper for shredding in years past when there was a school on campus. These had been unused and collecting water for several years. Putting them on the side of the road a few at a time redistributed them to others who could use them.
But the most satisfying removal was a hospital bed that had arrived late last year. The problem was getting it into the right hands. We tried to donate it, but no organization would take it. Cathy researched selling it, but several seemed to languish on Facebook Marketplace. We even considered just scrapping it. However, with Pat's encouragement, Cathy finally decided to put it for free on Facebook. The 2nd inquiry turned out to be the right one. A young mother, recently diagnosed with late stage cancer needed to make room for her grandmother to stay with them as she went through treatments. With little time to prepare, the need for the bed was urgent. And then our listing appeared. When she arrived with her husband and kids to pick up the bed, she said her grandmother insisted on giving the church a donation for the bed, she was so grateful. It turned out to be a means of blessing for both of us.
But the most satisfying removal was a hospital bed that had arrived late last year. The problem was getting it into the right hands. We tried to donate it, but no organization would take it. Cathy researched selling it, but several seemed to languish on Facebook Marketplace. We even considered just scrapping it. However, with Pat's encouragement, Cathy finally decided to put it for free on Facebook. The 2nd inquiry turned out to be the right one. A young mother, recently diagnosed with late stage cancer needed to make room for her grandmother to stay with them as she went through treatments. With little time to prepare, the need for the bed was urgent. And then our listing appeared. When she arrived with her husband and kids to pick up the bed, she said her grandmother insisted on giving the church a donation for the bed, she was so grateful. It turned out to be a means of blessing for both of us.
Cathy measures the fabric for the new cushion covers. Cushion Repair
Most RV’s the size of ours are not really built for full-timers. So, it wasn’t a big surprise that the cushion where Cathy sits at the table every day was showing its wear. So, the time had come to recover it. We looked for fabric that would hold up to the constant use of our life aboard that we liked. Pat helped give her expertise on what we should be looking for, especially a measure of “double-rubs” that assessed durability. We switched from vinyl to 2 complimentary fabric patterns for the back cushions and seat cushions. Reusing the existing backs and zippers allowed the construction to go quickly. And while the seat backs had a more elaborate pattern that required matching, Cathy was able to successfully keep the patterns aligned. The results are pleasing and should hold up for a few more years.
Most RV’s the size of ours are not really built for full-timers. So, it wasn’t a big surprise that the cushion where Cathy sits at the table every day was showing its wear. So, the time had come to recover it. We looked for fabric that would hold up to the constant use of our life aboard that we liked. Pat helped give her expertise on what we should be looking for, especially a measure of “double-rubs” that assessed durability. We switched from vinyl to 2 complimentary fabric patterns for the back cushions and seat cushions. Reusing the existing backs and zippers allowed the construction to go quickly. And while the seat backs had a more elaborate pattern that required matching, Cathy was able to successfully keep the patterns aligned. The results are pleasing and should hold up for a few more years.
New cushion covers in the RV
Dave and Fred wait for the train to pass on the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail trail. Travels by bike
We returned to the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, where we actually had to stop to let a train pass by. And once more rode along the coast on Little Talbot Island. It was a nice end to our shared bike trips with Pat and Fred.
We returned to the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, where we actually had to stop to let a train pass by. And once more rode along the coast on Little Talbot Island. It was a nice end to our shared bike trips with Pat and Fred.
The crew after our final bike trip More Goodbyes
Pat and Fred were due to head out on a weekend where storms were making their way across the south. They wisely delayed a day to ensure a safer trip. And the irony was that there was one more task for Fred before heading out. A long-delayed battery switch arrived in that day’s mail. So Fred and Dave installed it on the church’s truck and gave Jose a tutorial in using it.
Pat and Fred were due to head out on a weekend where storms were making their way across the south. They wisely delayed a day to ensure a safer trip. And the irony was that there was one more task for Fred before heading out. A long-delayed battery switch arrived in that day’s mail. So Fred and Dave installed it on the church’s truck and gave Jose a tutorial in using it.
Fred walks Jose through the use of the new battery switch
Fish dinner at San Jose Catholic Church with Evalyn and Beverly We had one last fish dinner at San Jose Catholic Church on Friday and the delay in travel afforded a trip to Sonny’s for BBQ on Saturday night. Early Sunday morning after Jose unlocked the gates, Pat and Fred said goodbye to him and Pastor Michael and pulled out to head west to New Orleans. We had enjoyed the time together and the work we got to accomplish.
Lazarus loaded on a trailer to head out for repairs Parting Shots
It was called Lazarus because it had been resurrected from a mere shell of metal 9 years ago. A coat of yellow paint, some serious wiring work, and it was on the road. But over the years, Lazarus needed resurrecting over and over. And by this winter, it wasn’t looking good. So, it was loaded up to head to a vocational school to see what they could accomplish. Not long after it arrived there, it was deemed beyond repair. But it had been put to good use in the 9 years since its resurrection.
Pictures below of Lazarus' better days
It was called Lazarus because it had been resurrected from a mere shell of metal 9 years ago. A coat of yellow paint, some serious wiring work, and it was on the road. But over the years, Lazarus needed resurrecting over and over. And by this winter, it wasn’t looking good. So, it was loaded up to head to a vocational school to see what they could accomplish. Not long after it arrived there, it was deemed beyond repair. But it had been put to good use in the 9 years since its resurrection.
Pictures below of Lazarus' better days
