Mark is coming HOME!!!

After 3 and 1/2 years, many trials and tribulations and many prayes and tears MARK IS COMING HOME!!! He will be leaving Oaklawn on Thurs. Nov. 12.

I really could use some help moving boxes, etc on Tuesday afternoon (and Wed. if we need it). I also need a truck to haul all of this stuff in!!!

If you can lend a hand on Tues, please let me know either by email (singformi@aol.com) or phone (836-1240).

I can really use the help!

Laura

The long awaited video is here! Tah-Dah!

Just to show you that threats work (see my FB post), Mark added this to the blog tonight. [ :) ] I have bawled my eyes out watching this video. I guess it's silly but it is a MAJOR move in the right direction and something that I've been waiting for since March 2006. I am so proud of my husband--he is an over-achiever and probalby the most determined man I've ever met...probably why I married him!!!! Anyway, watch and enjoy and remember how hard every little step is for him...GO MARK!!!

Going UP!!

The elevator has now officially passed inspection and Mark has made it upstairs to take a look and see what all the noise is about up there. It was the first time that he had been able to get on and off of the elevator and do some exploring without help. It was pretty cool...another tiny step in the journey.

As you can see, there is still a lot to be done to complete this project. The elevator is actually not completely finished (but okay to run--most of the undone work is aesthetic). The shower is looking GREAT!! Tomorrow I hope to post some pictures of the work done today. The smaller tiles are up on the curved wall, the mosiac is up and the 6X6 tiles are almost finished. The crown molding is going up in the bedroom and closets and the cabinets are supposed to be "final finished" and installed by the end of next week. The only BIG hang up now is the hardwood floors...not sure about what is happening with that. Guess it's up to karma.*

*see previous post!

Making my grand entrance upstairs!

Now all I need is water!

Need I say more????

This is a street sign that Mark and I saw on the way home from the gym the other day. I had to stop and take a picture...it just seemed appropriate. MY LIFE..everything turned upside down and detoured!!!

My first elevator ride!!

I got to take my first trip upstairs in over three years yesterday afternoon! The elevator isn't completed yet but is coming right along and I needed to discuss the placement of the track for the Surehands system with the sales Rep. Don the lead installer took me upstairs and back running the elevator manually. It was a very smooth trip, actually smoother than any of the other ones we had seen well researching them.

They were also grouting the floor yesterday (it's finished) and will start on the tiles for the walls Monday. We also completed the design of the inside of the closet with the representative from California Closets. It was a very good experience especially since I used to work with her at ASRC.

Here are a couple of pictures!

Unfortunately I don't get to keep the elevator operator!

YIPPPEEEE!!!!

YIPPPPEEEE!!!! THE ELEVATOR IS HERE! After a year of playing around with Gould's about what would fit and what wouldn't, they have started installing rails and even part of the cart floor. I will actually be relieved when I see it moving up and down. (I don't know if this is apparrent, but I'm still leary about Gould's ability to make this all happen.)

Mark has pictures to post but I'm not sure when he will get to it! I love that every post he writes is 'major progress'--actually, he is right...any step forward is a good step!!

Tomorrow Mark goes back to Bellarmine for therapy. He is making BIG STEPS there--just wish they had clinicals every day! :(

"open my eyes so I may see--spirit divine" Amen.

The Elevator is here!! and other major progress.

As you can tell from the photos below major progress has been made since my last posting. All of the concrete board for the floors is installed and the waterproofing and floor tiles have been installed in the shower.

The elevator finally arrived this morning and they will be installing it this week. Hopefully by Friday I will be able to use it to go upstairs and see all the work for myself.

Obviously the next couple of weeks are going to be very busy and a lot of work being done.

The shower floor

The waterproofing in the shower and all of the shower controls
The in wall storage storage cubbyholes in the shower

Looks like the temporary elevator is about to become

a thing of the past

The rails for the elevator

The other operating parts for the elevator

the cabin will arrive later