Running Out Of Time

We got our first snow today and the shock of it all sank in. We finally have some subs in here to knock out some work and help get us to the insulation zone. The electricians finished wiring the upstairs in two days and the HVAC guys will finish the upstairs unit tomorrow. We were able to install two separate HVAC systems so we could finish the upstairs first and buy some more time for the downstairs. I picked up an old Vermont Castings stove and got it painted throughout the day when I was not cutting tile for Chad. We used slate around the chimney because none of ti is square and all of the tiles are different colors which fits right in with the whirlwind we call a house. It is nice to see some progress but the downside is all you see happening I we have to pay for. I can't do all the work and it is getting cold so best to let the professionals do their jobs. I will be able to recoup when we get to finishing things. I think the dogs are even cold. If all goes well we'll be warm in 2 days.....maybe

Score

Things are moving a little slower than desired because I am on hold until the asbestos siding gets removed from the spring house. Seth Irvin's company from Clyde, NC cam to take care of that little issue for me and in the meantime I was able to prep the area for the wood stove. I laid the durock and changed the hardwood layout a little...no big deal. I was also able to salvage some of the best looking wormy chestnut I have seen. I have about 20 boards that are at least 12" thick and some up to about 18". Luckily the asbestos was taken off carefully so the chestnut will survive to be transformed into our cabinets. This brings the total amount of original boards saved on this project to about 23.

Just When You Thought There Couldn't Be More

Just when you thought we were done, I found another wall to demo. We cleaned out our bedroom (current) and moved the bed to the living room so we could prep the new dining room. There was not much left to it but some crappy paneling and some 2 inch long carpet you could mow. The wall separated the kitchen from our room, and taking it down opened up the new kitchen and dining room. It was great to see and feel what it will be like when we get done. The high ceilings are great and the wide open feel really makes the inside of the house seem large. I am pretty sure we tore the last bit of old siding out and got rid of the final round of old dust and dirt hiding in the house. The sink looks like an island now but it is about to have a new buddy...I have to move and re-plumb the washing machine so I can tear off the back porch and rebuild that roof. Maranda does not want to give up home court as far as laundry is concerned. She has earned her washing machine because I have destroyed just about everything else. Mom and I worked today inside because of the rain. We framed out the new shower upstairs for the wife. It even has a cute little seat. awwww

Green House Be Gone

How refreshing it is to finally be applying new finishes to the house. Mike and I ran the siding up the dormer ends and Mom followed with caulk and paint. After the new power was mounted to the house we were able to side the road side of the house. I thought it was fitting to start there because from the road, the whole house looks finished. It was a little tricky planning out the porch roof system before the deck is even built, but it has to happen this way due to ye old budget. It seems like the only easy thing this week to figure out was where to write the checks. Mom was able to paint the highest and hardest parts so after the porch roof is done "we" don't have to crawl up there again. We are using a new composite siding material so we'll see how long it holds up...hopefully the paint does its job.

Buzzzz

I spent all day with a slight ringing in my ear of buzzzz. I am so paranoid of getting shocked and the electricians changed out our old service and got the underground hooked up. It was a challenge because we had to tear off the old siding and re-frame and sheet the wall before the new meter can could be mounted. It has been a nagging question how the operation was going to work out. We had to do some creative shimming to make the wall work out. That was the last wall of shame for the world to see. Mom worked hard keeping the ship tidy and did some demo for herself too. She discovered that we had a block wall behind the siding of the back porch so I see it as a design feature for the future. We had to work off a generator all day but Blue Ridge cut the power back on about 5:30 so overall it was a very productive day. I bought the first round of siding to start tomorrow. Still have so long to go but days like this keep your mind in tune.

Make Room

Finally back from NYC for a few weeks off on the house. Mike and I spent Monday and Tuesday framing the rooms out upstairs. Our bedroom and bathroom are going to be a sweet relief from the current environment. I was pleased with the dimensions and how the overall plan worked out. I guess I should be seeing how it has been in planning for almost two years. We also attached the deck band to two sides of the house in preparation for later. I am trying to get as many things under wrap before the cold comes.

4 Eyes

After Old Smokey had a few days to cure we got the shingles patched and the copper flashing done. Mike as usual was doing the fun part. I picked up the windows for the front so the front side of the house has four eyes now. Charley kept company and kept watch after the work was done. She likes to tease the cows who are finally putting on a little weight. I smell beef!