7.21.2016

Jim had done lots of prep work so we were able to get things going pretty quickly in the morning for the next batch of mortar.  Getting the sand ready...

Mortar's ready to go!

Starting in the front again...

Up another step!

Then we moved around to the back...

Jointing...

After lunch, it was time for more prep...putting more brick ties on and doing more marking.

Then cutting a few more bricks...

Second batch ready to go!

Jim has to work amongst the scaffolding but we're up another step...

This is the last full row of bricks on the back of the auto bay!

Up another step in the back...

It was warm and the front gets direct sunlight, so Jim jointed the front in the middle of the batch of mortar.

Starting on the very last row of bricks - this is the half bricks that Jim has been cutting.  We're really happy with the way they look.

Doing a few half bricks on the side wall.  These bricks take awhile - space is so limited that Jim has to use his small trowel.  So it takes quite a few little trowels worth of mortar to lay the bricks!

We used up all the half bricks and had just a little mortar left.  So Jim put a few bricks in the corner - this was really difficult because it's behind the fascia board.

Jointing...

 

Scan Update:  Jim got a call from the urologist office right after we started the first batch of mortar.  The scan showed that Jim has one fairly large stone stuck - it's right on the verge of being too big to pass.  She gave Jim the option of surgery now or trying a medication for two weeks that may help the stone pass.  Of course, that means the probability of more painful episodes.  Jim said if it was winter, he might make a different decision but we decided to try the medicine.

 

I left as soon as Jim was done with the last batch of mortar and starting to clean up so that I could go into Saratoga and pick up the medication.  Hope it works quickly!

 

High 85/Low 65