The Cousins Final Report for Friday Work

We arrived at Lena’s with only the finishing touches to do. Bruce and Marv completed the baseboard in the bedroom, rounded the corners of the railings on the porch and attached the cabinet doors. The kitchen looks great finished, and Lena is really happy and ready to move in. Her daughter will come for a few days and help her get back into the rooms. Even without moving in, Lena cooked a fabulous six-dish lunch for us, including homemade bread and not one, but two deserts. She’s been wanting to cook for us all week, and she really did it up!

Mike worked on a platform at the base of the front steps to make it easier for Lena to reach her car when it is wet. He also made some very sturdy engineered brackets to support the window air conditioners.

Ina Marie and Pat spent the morning cleaning up the messes we’ve made in construction and talking with Lena. She’s enjoyed having us here. We will see her on Sunday and will visit again with Carmen, her daughter, who is bringing video of before and after the hurricanes. They have lots of stories to tell.

We have all had a wonderful week and have made some new friends. We have met several people who are friends if Lena’s and all love her and say nothing but great things about her. She us truly a character and she is someone special. We will miss her (and she, us) but know she will always gave a warm smile and an open door for us.

Pat Blaikie, The Cousins Journalist,

Submitted Saturday morning, February 23, 2008