1.2.09

Wade and I finished the paneling in the master bath after a loaded garlic omelet from Melanie's. I soon realized how small the bathroom actually was. After that, we were finally able to mount the first of two chalkboards in the other bedroom upstairs. I had to move some smoke detectors to clear the transoms for stain glass but that will be another day. Mom and Dad showed up at about 2 and began to tile the back rooms with Maranda. They made some great progress and will be able to continue tomorrow. Dad is going to stick around to supervise the drywallers and maybe get some more tile done. Maybe if the weather breaks they will get some painting done when I am gone.

Happy New Year

Well I guess it has been a couple weeks since the last entry but I trust that everyone has been equally busy with Christmas affairs and New Years resolutions. We have made the turn inside the house with finally putting the finishing touches on certain rooms. I got the T&G white pine done in the downstairs bathroom and laundry. Those rooms are ready for tile and a few fixtures. We have the tile in the house and a snazzy tile saw on loan from Chad, our neighbor so we can save a little on a rental fee. The drywallers will start Saturday but I will be away at a hunter safety course...yay. A break in the cold weather allowed Maranda to paint the outside of the kitchen and dining area. Thought I would put in a couple shots of our board drying racks... a little makeshift but they work.

Cover Your Rear

We were graced by Mr Michael Hardy for a couple days due to some aggravating angles and a bad back. We were able to frame the last section of roof above the new covered porch and get the whole back under shingles. The rain came but not before we were able to finish the siding up the gable end. I am down to only two small sections of siding believe it or not. We are due an insulation inspection tomorrow and the I can begin closing up some of these rooms. Wade and Mom proved to be invaluable once again. I had to include some more shots of the pups.

Expeirence the Warmth

Maranda is Pretty. She wanted to be included in this milestone entry which fuses heat and fiberglass. I finally got around to burning the last of the old log supports that I tore out when we were working under the house. You can see the adze marks on the log in the fire if you look closely. We got the insulators up from Lenoir to get the upstairs and the back porch done. I insulated for about 15 minutes the night before and that is about where it ended. They wrapped it up in about 4 hours and were well worth the money. It is like putting a beenie on the house. A long time coming but more than welcome. I could not leave out Ms. Charley...she can often be found on my lap.

Day 828

It occurred to me today that it has taken 828 days to pass our first inspection on the house. No speed records there but I got a "nice work" from the inspector and a list of things to do so he would be happy. He did not look at anything I thought he would be flagged me on three really lame things. The washing machine drain had to be 3" instead of 2", I had to build a working platform in the attic beside the furnace, and I had to put some metal straps on a couple rafters that had large birds mouth cuts. He was only concerned with the wiring, smoke detectors and egress requirements on the windows. I thought I was going to have to change out the windows upstairs until he insisted on measuring them, ultimately going my way. Brian the plumber came this morning and fixed his end. At one point in time I heard snoring from some animal quite loudly only to discover our cat Julius buried in the insulation behind the hot water heater. Lucky for him I let him live another day. I also got to knock out a little more siding while the weather held out. Dont hold your breath...insulation next week.

12.01.08

A new month and we are off and running. Took a little break for turkey day but got back into the swing of things bright and early. The plumbers finished the rough in at about 3:00 so that is ready for an inspection. I spent the day finishing the dining room and kitchen floors. I had to tear out the old 1x10 white pine sub-floor. I put down a good layer of plastic and insulated between the joists and replaced the pine with new sub-flooring. Alan from Northwestern Heating and Air came and roughed in the new ducts under the floor because I think we all have had enough of the tight crawlspace game. I got the cable lines run upstairs and after the electricians wire the back porch we should be able to call the inspector. Another couple inches of snow fell today...quite windy too.

We'll Start with French Toast...

...and follow that up with some frozen pipes. Nothing like waking up with a hot breakfast on your mind and spending some time with space heaters and a dryer so you can get water..and it is only November. I ripped out the kitchen floor to access the crawlspace for the new plumbing. Unfortunately I had to pour a new footing and prep the wall where the new back door will go. Maranda got the privilege of hair dryer duty while I worked on the new concrete form. There was some mold and dry rot under the floor from 30 years of poor venting and neglect. We will get a vapor barrier down and insulate when we build it back.