The day started great but got rained out. 

Well, I thought we were going to get a lot done today. Did get some more of the roof beams in place, started to move the fill gravel for the floor into the foundation and tore down the current fencing between properties so we can build a new wall between our property and the neighbors. The second load of cinder blocks arrived but the truck still refused to drive on the soft dirt to get to the new house site. Everybody was scrambling to figure out what to do when the crazy foreigner (me) said "Why don't you move the bamboo shelter at the front of the restaurant and pile them there against the wall. Then we can simply use a wheelbarrow to move them the 50 feet to the back of the restaurant. Well, as soon as I suggested it four very strong guys picked up the shelter, carried it across the street and the cinder blocks were unloaded. Chalk one up for the foreigner. I think I just gained a new level of respect here. 

But then it came. About 3:30 pm the downpour started. It is 6:30 now and it has been raining for 3 hours, at times very hard. The building site (and everywhere else) is a muddy mess. Does anyone remember when I was begging for the rains to start? Be careful what you ask for. 

I did grab some photos this morning as the kids gathered at our restaurant for the school bus or to ride their bikes. It is kind of a nice morning gathering place for everyone. It has been a dramatic change in my three year old granddaughter who screamed and cried the first three days because she didn't want to go to day care. Now she goes to the house, gets her school uniform and complains if the bus is late. They must be doing something right at the daycare. 

Well, we will see what tomorrow brings. Oh by the way, one of my readers was surprised by seeing a welder working on the house and wondered how a small village would have an experienced welder. I sent a response that I would like to share with everyone. "Thais, at least the ones I know are generalists. That is Phai's oldest son doing the welding. I have also seen him butcher a cow and a pig, fix an engine and work all jobs on the farm. The house will be built entirely by Phai's sons, their wives and her daughters husband. If they need help with big things Phai's brother and and brother in law join in."

 I asked Phai if her son had gone to school for construction and she said he worked some construction jobs and learned by watching everything that was done. I think he inherited some smart genes from his mother. Phai's son will be leaving to work in South Korea sometime in the near future so it is a fight against time to get the house done before they call him to get on a plane for Korea. He is the one with the knowledge and skill. If we have to hire someone our cost will increase greatly. Keep you fingers crossed that the weather will give us a break and let them get the house done. 

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Kids and parents gather in the morning before school

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Off to school on their bikes while the younger ones wait for the daycare bus.

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How can we deliver these? Let's listen to the foreigner. Hey, how about we move that shelter?

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Mission accomplished. Shelter moved and blocks are unloaded. 

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We use Ning's father in law's truck to move gravel from the empty lot across the street to the new house. His truck is light enough to not get stuck.

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The battle begins to keep the restaurant from flooding as Ning digs a ditch and her husband fixes the rain gutter.



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