Roots

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It is still a little premature for the "D" word, but for all intensive purposes we are pretty much done. The floors are finished and look really good and I got the shoe mold put down yesterday. I finally figured out how to transition the gaps in the floors between the laundry/bathroom/and main house. The floors sloped left to right and were different elevations so making a threshold proved to be quite a challenge. After a few failed attempts I bought a bag of flex grout and grouted the whole gap. I am sure a 2" grout joint is not preferred but neither is a house where every floor is a different level. Anyway, a fix... and that is the point. The last big interior project is the handrail for the stairs. I have tossed around so many ideas and landed on what you see for lack of patience and available materials. I just planed down some old yellow pine 2 x 8's and made the parts...and while doing it I realized they were old ceiling joists and a rafter from the family room remodel in the house on Center Grove. For those of you who don't know, this is the home where my roots are planted...and I can't think of a more fitting place to run my hands every day, remembering where my construction days began.

Almost Ready for Furniture

Well..it is snowing here and quite nasty. The first coat of poly is on the floor and dry so we are able to be inside for a couple days this weekend instead of crashing at the Sheffey's. The floors look great and they are going to second coat on Monday. I was able to shuffle some things in the shop yesterday and make room for a little repair and refinish project. I got this old cabinet which will go in the living room. One of the sides was pretty busted up but no problem for the Kreg jig. Most of the doors and drawers were all warped and did not close properly and the thing was covered in cob webs and dirt. I used a few planes and fixed the working parts and put a new plywood back on it..leftovers from the kitchen. I also fixed a couple drawer slides and gave her a fresh coat of oil and I think it is all that is needed. I was going to sand it all up but it takes some of the character out of it. We were able to get our re-fi paperwork done at the bank so the appraisal should be soon and this baby will be done.

12.01.09

I can't believe how the months fly by. I was getting depressed about missing the mortgage rates at the end of the summer but I called today and they are lower now... so I have to kick it in gear for the next week or so to finish. Floor guys got the rough out done and the corners pulled so all they have to do is buff sand and put the sealer on in the morning. I went and got some rough sawed pine for the back porch ceiling because I was tired of looking at it and finally had time to finish it. I used more cedar from the old living room beam to trim the ceiling and some old pieces of Douglas Fir as well. At this point I am trying to use anything I have up to get rid of it. I was unseasonably warm today so I was able to get the first coat of paint on all the siding that hasn't been done yet...at least it looks like it is done...second coat to come. I got the outside of the back door 2nd coated with the red paint so it is done.

I See Sparks

Nothing but flying dust and sparks today. The floor finishers ran into a few too many fasteners for their taste but are making good progress. They got most of the rough out done today and should be able to finish sand and apply sealer by the end of tomorrow. I painted outside for awhile until it started raining...not a good combination. I got pretty much all of the first coat done on the siding that was bare and the first coat on the backside of the back door. Should finish tomorrow and be ready for the punch list outside.

11.27.09

Thaksgiving has come and gone with so much to be thankful for. On Friday the ultimate paint squad was assembled for the last minute indoor touch ups...including the back door(Maranda's color), back splash, dining room, and all the little spackled spots that have accumulated for the last few months. Uncle Loren was here today and was a great help at troubleshooting quite a few last minute things as well. Dad scraped the driveway and unloaded the last of our possesions that were produced during their move last week. I got the area under the stairs covered temporarily until we put another heat and air system in...that will be a cold air return. The flooring guys will be here Monday and the inside will be about done after that.

11.20.09

We are getting by with some unusually decent weather in November which has allowed for some progress outside. I got the hand rail finished on the deck as well as the staircase in front. The original stairs were not square to the house so at the bottom you can see the discrepancy...who is looking right? I also got the varnish work downstairs done which was a second coat on all the T & G as well as a few doors. I got the Cherry bar top planed and finished which really looks nice and sets off the kitchen well. I have a little touch up paint to do in the kitchen and it is done. Things are wrapping up nicely so far.

11.15.09

Pecking away at more little projects but they are really aking this place feel good. I got the bathroom bright work all completed woth the help of a sunny day. The window was so small that it was easier to varnish if removed. I got the one access panel under the bar hinged and operating. I was able to put a catch magnet and knob to match the cabinetry. I also put on the last 5 door handles downstairs so every door functions properly now. After our day we had a little fire in the stove and the pups got their attention too.