1.23.09

We are getting closer to completing the upstairs now that the paint and varnish work is done. The bedrooms came out looking great thanks to Maranda's choice in colors. The sheet rock work came out really well with hardly any blurbs that needed sanding. We painted our room blue and the other two were painted green. I picked up the first load of wood flooring which will commence tomorrow I guess. I got the floor patched over the old bathroom and a new closet built for the downstairs bedroom. It really opens that room up having clothes hanging in there as opposed to the side of the wall. The new bathroom is working out great especially for washing dishes without getting water everywhere. It is a little hard to do dishes in a laundry sink that now is located in a cubby.

The End Of An Era

Well, today signaled an end of a time when falling through the kitchen and bathroom floors were possibilities. It was another huge effort to coordinate electricians, plumbers, and the Maxey demolition squad so by the end of the day we actually had more outlets, plumbing fixtures, and lights than we did before we started. The plumbers showed up at 7:15am and we began to tear out the old bathroom. They set the fixtures in the back while I tore out the bathroom making the septic connection more accessible. Mom was there to load every scrap on the trailer I could produce. They were able to put an inline well pump and pressure tank so we actually have pressurized water instead of the old spring houe pressure. After they had the new plumbing hooked up and turned on, I was finally able to patch the floor where the old sink was. The electricians came ater lunch and trimmed out the wiring in the back so we would have power to the pump, lights, outlets, and the ability to hook up the spankin' new laundry machines. Everyone is happy and from the looks of Maranda, a little worn out...Charley is there for her.

Things Are Getting Brighter

Had the opportunity to work with Mom the last couple of days after getting back from Cozumel. We were able to finish the grouting in the laundry and bathroom and run a fair amount of trim. The temperature got about to 40 degrees so we got to paint the first coat on the back side of the house. I feel like we cheated mother nature painting outside on January 13th. It is supposed to be a high of 10 degrees tomorrow so got to get it while you can. We ran the primer coat of paint upstairs after the drywallers finished their work. It is amazing how bright and warm it is upstairs compared to the dungeon downstairs.

Mud Slingers

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Finally got the tile knocked out on the wainscoting back in the laundry room. It started out all precise and by then end I was slinging up pieces like a food fight. The drywallers got the upstairs hung and began to skim their first coat yesterday. Hopefully they will be almost complete by this afternoon. We had torrential downpours last night and the creeks were really high this morning. As far as I can tell the only leak we have is around the chimney at the lower roof flashing. This of course does wonders for my sleeping habits when rain is on the horizon. The leak by the plumbing boot I think is fixed...I have checked it about 15 times during the rain but I just can't be OK with it. In one picture you can see the first bit of window trim up made out of the recycled chestnut from the spring house.

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.