2.10.09

It has been a few days since I last wrote but not because nothing has been done. We have been really busy trying get things wrapped upstairs and dealing with Chewy s recovery has got us both distracted for now. Maranda has spent the last week engulfed in some serious homework which has put a damper on the amount of noise I can make at night. I got all the backer board laid so Chad could install the shower pan and start the tile in the shower. I have learned quite a bit about tiling showers which is one of the early rewards from this project. He got started last night so I went downstairs and began running the hardwood floors in the kitchen and dining rooms. These are the oak floors that Maranda and I took out from upstairs in August of 2007. It is a great feeling to know that we are able to recycle so many pieces of the old house. I had to trow in a couple of shots of our "lost" cat who was upstairs sleeping and also how calm Charley really can be after she is worn out.

Down But Not Out

As some of you may know our lives and house have sort of been on hold for a few days as we are caring for Chewbacca. We had to take him to VA Tech Vet School for surgery on his paralyzed throat...come to find out it was not paralyzed at all but that he had a large tumor obstructing his ability to breathe and swallow. After the first vet meeting discussing all the potential dangers of his procedure they were able to operate Friday with no problems whatsoever. He received highest marks for behavior and his recovery is going great. Thanks for all the prayers and concern. We should know today his biopsy results and how to further proceed. As for the house...I was able to finish half of the floors in our bedroom yesterday despite a trip to Tenn, some dog care, and sideways snow. It was one of those days where the pieces just fit and it was a spirit boost for sure. I got the slope finished on the shower floor so Chad can lay the pan and we can get this tile knocked out. Everything is starting to take shape upstairs but I find it a little unnerving having an area of our house that I am afraid of banging up. I am very nervous and careful upstairs and thrash around downstairs...I just have to keep reminding myself what floor I am on.

Ride The Pine

We are laying the pine that everyone would be proud to ride. Wade came by to help on Saturday and we got the floors laid in the office. He belt sanded the good side and I nailed it down with our old fashioned lead head nails. Last night I was able to get the small bedroom done by myself but not quite as efficiently as when I have help. After the floor I took a break to give Chewy a bath before his trip to VA Tech for surgery on Thursday. It was the inaugural pet bath in the new tub. Maranda has been busy with her graduate school homework so tonight I took advantage of the quiet and got two stained glass windows installed in the transoms over the office and small bedroom. They are 100 years old and they give the landing a really special feel.

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

t


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.