I happened to be at the house when the painting subcontractor stopped by early this afternoon, so I gave him my paint choices. It seems so final. What if I hate the colors on the walls? So much pressure!
Bud and I are planning to visit the block place tomorrow. I'll feel much better about my color choice for the great room after we know it will look good with the stone for the fireplace.
The mudding of the great room and the kitchen continued today, as did the sorting of the clutter. Tom hauled some of the last stuff down from upstairs. I think he might finish it entirely if he's there tomorrow.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Day 203: March 26, 2008
Laura and Lance toured our deconstruction today. I hope it was the beginning of taking for granted that we'll get to see them frequently.
I was exceptionally busy all day long. After Laura and Lance's too-brief visit, Bud and I met with the closet designer. We moved the closet-to-be to the bedroom nearest the bathroom (formerly Bud's grandmother's room). Now the front room will become the exercise room.
I went from that meeting immediately to a haircut. Then briefly back to work. Then I took a trip to the tile shop, where I picked up a few samples in hopes of assuring myself that my paint choices will work. (I ate a 4 p.m. lunch of a canned shake and some nuts on the way.) Then to Best Buy to pick up some CDs for our friend Joe.
And finally, a quick stop at Bed Bath and Beyond to buy a couple of Wamsutta toothbrush/toothpaste holders I liked. I love them because they will hide our toothbrushes so guests don't have to look at them.
I didn't remember to take any pictures at the house, which is why you get to look at a "dental organizer" instead of cute little Lance.
I was exceptionally busy all day long. After Laura and Lance's too-brief visit, Bud and I met with the closet designer. We moved the closet-to-be to the bedroom nearest the bathroom (formerly Bud's grandmother's room). Now the front room will become the exercise room.
I went from that meeting immediately to a haircut. Then briefly back to work. Then I took a trip to the tile shop, where I picked up a few samples in hopes of assuring myself that my paint choices will work. (I ate a 4 p.m. lunch of a canned shake and some nuts on the way.) Then to Best Buy to pick up some CDs for our friend Joe.
And finally, a quick stop at Bed Bath and Beyond to buy a couple of Wamsutta toothbrush/toothpaste holders I liked. I love them because they will hide our toothbrushes so guests don't have to look at them.
I didn't remember to take any pictures at the house, which is why you get to look at a "dental organizer" instead of cute little Lance.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Day 202: March 25, 2008
Drywall mudding started today. Gary and Jimmy weren't around because they had some out-of-town job or errand or something.
Bud culled old paperwork, beginning to make a dent in the clutter that we've removed from the house.
The picture is a view from the great room of the pine we cut down last week. Maybe not such a great angle because it's hard to see the damage from that far away. The wood is what Bud calls "doty" on each trunk from the center to within an inch or two of the bark.
Tomorrow we meet with a closet designer, whom we hope can transform the front room into lots and lots of storage.
Bud culled old paperwork, beginning to make a dent in the clutter that we've removed from the house.
The picture is a view from the great room of the pine we cut down last week. Maybe not such a great angle because it's hard to see the damage from that far away. The wood is what Bud calls "doty" on each trunk from the center to within an inch or two of the bark.
Tomorrow we meet with a closet designer, whom we hope can transform the front room into lots and lots of storage.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Day 201: March 24, 2008
No drywaller, no mud.
Gary and Jimmy framed our bathroom windows and installed everything except the art-glass panes.
The last of the upstairs clutter remains. Tom said at the end of last week that he'd rather save the stair work for the beginning of the week. But he called this morning to say he couldn't be there because he had to take his dad to a doctor's appointment, and his wife called this evening to say he had to work late tonight and won't be in Tuesday either.
Oh, at some point last week, the rest of the huge pine tree between the house and the garage came down. All that's left is a big stump that will come out when they dig the deck footer.
Turns out it was a good plan: The tree already had some internal damage and probably would have smooshed the house or the garage in the next few years, hopefully without us in whichever it chose. Whew. Crisis averted.
Gary and Jimmy framed our bathroom windows and installed everything except the art-glass panes.
The last of the upstairs clutter remains. Tom said at the end of last week that he'd rather save the stair work for the beginning of the week. But he called this morning to say he couldn't be there because he had to take his dad to a doctor's appointment, and his wife called this evening to say he had to work late tonight and won't be in Tuesday either.
Oh, at some point last week, the rest of the huge pine tree between the house and the garage came down. All that's left is a big stump that will come out when they dig the deck footer.
Turns out it was a good plan: The tree already had some internal damage and probably would have smooshed the house or the garage in the next few years, hopefully without us in whichever it chose. Whew. Crisis averted.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Days 199-200: March 22-23, 2008
The Easter bunny brought us drywall.
The drywall hangers finished the entire addition this weekend! We think mudding is supposed to start Monday.
On Saturday, we completed our lighting purchases. I hope not to have to think about lights again for a long time.
We moved more furniture Sunday. Even though they rhyme, stairs and chairs do not make a great combination, for the record.
The drywall hangers finished the entire addition this weekend! We think mudding is supposed to start Monday.
On Saturday, we completed our lighting purchases. I hope not to have to think about lights again for a long time.
We moved more furniture Sunday. Even though they rhyme, stairs and chairs do not make a great combination, for the record.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Days 197-198: March 20-21, 2008
We're almost on the upswing. The drywall arrived Thursday, and it's supposed to start going up Saturday. (Saturday work is the best! It's like squeezing in an extra day.)
Bud moved furniture out all day Thursday and Friday, so that we won't end up with drywall mud all over it. The entire downstairs is now empty -- except our new appliances, which remain in the dining room and will be covered with tarps.
We decided Friday that the screened porch will be a sunroom instead. It's an idea we had been kicking around because we need a home for Bud's many plants. Currently, they enjoy the patio in the summer and crowd the house in the winter. Now they'll have place all their own.
Bud moved furniture out all day Thursday and Friday, so that we won't end up with drywall mud all over it. The entire downstairs is now empty -- except our new appliances, which remain in the dining room and will be covered with tarps.
We decided Friday that the screened porch will be a sunroom instead. It's an idea we had been kicking around because we need a home for Bud's many plants. Currently, they enjoy the patio in the summer and crowd the house in the winter. Now they'll have place all their own.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Day 196: March 19, 2008
Lighting consumed our day.
The list of ceiling fixtures for the existing house was daunting: the master bedroom, three other bedrooms (one of which will someday become a walk-in closet), the upstairs hall (two there, actually), the entry hall, the exit from the front stairs into the downstairs hall, the hall to the new downstairs bathroom, and Bud's office. Plus, two sconces -- one for the front stairs and one for the downstairs hall.
We managed to choose them all. Except the sconces, which are universally ugly.
The picture is the fixture for our bedroom. It's another Minka product, but I didn't know that when we chose it. So I guess I am in love with the company's designs (although I'm not really loving that crystal ball dangling there in the middle so much).
The lighting store owners have done everything in their power to make sure customers can't identify the fixtures by name and purchase them somewhere else. Their plan was foiled because I've spent way too much time on the Minka site. LOL.
When we got home and I started looking over our selections on the store's website, I could identify the Minka products by the styling of the photographs! I need to get out more.
The list of ceiling fixtures for the existing house was daunting: the master bedroom, three other bedrooms (one of which will someday become a walk-in closet), the upstairs hall (two there, actually), the entry hall, the exit from the front stairs into the downstairs hall, the hall to the new downstairs bathroom, and Bud's office. Plus, two sconces -- one for the front stairs and one for the downstairs hall.
We managed to choose them all. Except the sconces, which are universally ugly.
The picture is the fixture for our bedroom. It's another Minka product, but I didn't know that when we chose it. So I guess I am in love with the company's designs (although I'm not really loving that crystal ball dangling there in the middle so much).
The lighting store owners have done everything in their power to make sure customers can't identify the fixtures by name and purchase them somewhere else. Their plan was foiled because I've spent way too much time on the Minka site. LOL.
When we got home and I started looking over our selections on the store's website, I could identify the Minka products by the styling of the photographs! I need to get out more.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Day 195: March 18, 2008
And you thought we had holes before. Now it looks like every outside wall has been attacked by woodpeckers!
In addition to taking care of the addition, we had the guys blow insulation into the walls of the existing house -- which had absolutely no insulation whatsoever.
We hope we'll be warm and cool in the appropriate seasons without spending everything we have left on electricity and gas bills. That might make the stress of so much destruction worth it.
In addition to taking care of the addition, we had the guys blow insulation into the walls of the existing house -- which had absolutely no insulation whatsoever.
We hope we'll be warm and cool in the appropriate seasons without spending everything we have left on electricity and gas bills. That might make the stress of so much destruction worth it.
Day 194: March 17, 2008
Gary and Jimmy started building a cool custom door for the storage area over the kitchen. It mirrors the look of the five-panel doors throughout the house, but since it's so little, it has just three panels. I love it!
As you can see behind them in the wall, the insulation subcontractors have arrived.
Drywall could start by the end of the week. Woo hoo!
As you can see behind them in the wall, the insulation subcontractors have arrived.
Drywall could start by the end of the week. Woo hoo!
Days 192-193: March 15-16, 2008
Our weekend plan: Watch lots of Kentucky basketball. Move stuff from the upstairs closets.
The actuality: Kentucky went out in the first round of the SEC Tournament, a game that was delayed a day because of a tornado(!). We napped.
The actuality: Kentucky went out in the first round of the SEC Tournament, a game that was delayed a day because of a tornado(!). We napped.
Day 191: March 14, 2008
It's so hard to post when even stepping in the house is sort of depressing.
We have holes in the walls, holes in the ceilings, plaster dust everywhere we turn. Jesse, the electrician and his assistant, George, are chasing wire all over the place so we won't have to live in a cave, but what they're leaving behind just makes us want to cry.
We'll be glad when it's time for the drywallers!
We have holes in the walls, holes in the ceilings, plaster dust everywhere we turn. Jesse, the electrician and his assistant, George, are chasing wire all over the place so we won't have to live in a cave, but what they're leaving behind just makes us want to cry.
We'll be glad when it's time for the drywallers!
Day 190: March 13, 2008
Here's a bright spot in all the destruction around us: The pocket doors are actually a single pocket door!
It's a beautiful 6-foot-wide, five-panel door. I can't believe how lucky we are to still have it!
Bud wants to have it refinished because the finish is so old that it's all bumpy and bubbly. I'd love to leave it the color it is, but I think we'll probably go as natural as the old finish will allow.
It's a beautiful 6-foot-wide, five-panel door. I can't believe how lucky we are to still have it!
Bud wants to have it refinished because the finish is so old that it's all bumpy and bubbly. I'd love to leave it the color it is, but I think we'll probably go as natural as the old finish will allow.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Day 189: March 12, 2008
Bud called me at work with the coolest surprise so far: We have pocket doors!
Because the living room has a big doorway with unusual trim and an extra-deep wall, we've always suspected there had been pocket doors there at some point in the house's history.
When the electrician cut a hole in the wall this afternoon to run wire, he found the doors still in the wall! Hooray!
Also today, the heating and air conditioning guys ran ductwork to the addition. And there was the usual plumbing, wallpaper-glue removal, all that stuff.
Bud and I moved some furniture this evening to make room for the soon-to-arrive television console.
Because the living room has a big doorway with unusual trim and an extra-deep wall, we've always suspected there had been pocket doors there at some point in the house's history.
When the electrician cut a hole in the wall this afternoon to run wire, he found the doors still in the wall! Hooray!
Also today, the heating and air conditioning guys ran ductwork to the addition. And there was the usual plumbing, wallpaper-glue removal, all that stuff.
Bud and I moved some furniture this evening to make room for the soon-to-arrive television console.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Day 188: March 11, 2008
Plumbing. We've got plumbing.
If we're not throughly plumbed by now, we've got to be close. They've chosen a new place in the basement for the water heaters, which means Bud has to resume the big basement clean-out that he began months ago.
Back in January, when we chose a console to place below the TV, we nearly fainted when they said the first available delivery to our town would be in mid-March. Well, the console's arriving later this week, and surprise, we're still not ready for it.
Just what we need: another piece of furniture!
If we're not throughly plumbed by now, we've got to be close. They've chosen a new place in the basement for the water heaters, which means Bud has to resume the big basement clean-out that he began months ago.
Back in January, when we chose a console to place below the TV, we nearly fainted when they said the first available delivery to our town would be in mid-March. Well, the console's arriving later this week, and surprise, we're still not ready for it.
Just what we need: another piece of furniture!
Day 187: March 10, 2008
Removing the glue from the walls seems to have become a long-term project. I don't think it's that our walls are particularly slow to release their glue, but more that every single vertical surface in the whole darn house was papered!
I still haven't heard from the flooring guy Gary suggested, so Bud asked Gary to give him a call for us. Granted, I left a message that he may not have gotten, but it's not looking so good right now for him.
I still haven't heard from the flooring guy Gary suggested, so Bud asked Gary to give him a call for us. Granted, I left a message that he may not have gotten, but it's not looking so good right now for him.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Day 186: March 9, 2008
No house news. Great Kentucky game, though. We missed last year's home game against Florida because Bud was sick, so we were glad to be well and there this year. And even happier to see a win!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Day 184: March 7, 2008
It snowed briefly this morning and the weather was supposed to be bad this afternoon. That made it a no-work day at the house, except for the wallpaper remover who kept attacking the gluey walls anyway.
So the picture's from yesterday -- the back stairs before the guys removed the chair lift.
We're anticipating a big snow tonight. I hope the forecasts don't fail us now.
So the picture's from yesterday -- the back stairs before the guys removed the chair lift.
We're anticipating a big snow tonight. I hope the forecasts don't fail us now.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Day 183: March 6, 2008
Bud and I bought about a million dollars' worth of deadbolts and door handles at Lowe's tonight. Unexpected expenses -- ugh!
We passed the inspection of the electrical rough-in this morning. Gary and Jimmy finished building the downstairs shower. And the plumber kept on plumbing.
Bud, Gary and Jimmy removed Bud's aunt's chairlift (which she never used) from the back staircase, the one that someday will lead from the downstairs bathroom to the laundry room upstairs. The lift is still in working order, so Bud's trying to find somewhere to donate it.
It seems like the more that's going on lately, the less I have to say about it. We're excited to see the end getting closer, but it still feels incredibly far away. It's kind of exhausting.
We passed the inspection of the electrical rough-in this morning. Gary and Jimmy finished building the downstairs shower. And the plumber kept on plumbing.
Bud, Gary and Jimmy removed Bud's aunt's chairlift (which she never used) from the back staircase, the one that someday will lead from the downstairs bathroom to the laundry room upstairs. The lift is still in working order, so Bud's trying to find somewhere to donate it.
It seems like the more that's going on lately, the less I have to say about it. We're excited to see the end getting closer, but it still feels incredibly far away. It's kind of exhausting.
Day 182: March 5, 2008
The frenzy of plumbing, wiring and wallpaper removal continued -- with the added bonus of a puppy! Jeremy, the roofer, brought Bree, his 7-week-old Rottweiler. Such a cutie!
Gary and Jimmy started building the downstairs shower.
And the biggest news: I got to meet Lance and see Laura. Finally! He's adorable and sweet and tiny. And he's got a big personality already!
Gary and Jimmy started building the downstairs shower.
And the biggest news: I got to meet Lance and see Laura. Finally! He's adorable and sweet and tiny. And he's got a big personality already!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Day 181: March 4, 2008
I'm not exactly sure what happened at the house. I didn't get to stop by because of work, and after I finally got home, I was so tired that I feel asleep before Bud and I really got to talk about it.
I hear the guys installed one of the French doors, and the plumbers are working on the old pipes under the house.
I'm hoping to get caught up on pictures Wednesday.
That's all I've got.
I hear the guys installed one of the French doors, and the plumbers are working on the old pipes under the house.
I'm hoping to get caught up on pictures Wednesday.
That's all I've got.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Day 180: March 3, 2008
Happy anniversary to us! It's our two-year wedding anniversary and our six-month construction anniversary. Hard to believe we've spent a quarter of our married lives on this project.
Good thing we celebrated this past weekend -- because we both worked all day today, a worse-than-typical Monday all around. Someone was out sick, which meant piles of extra work for me -- work that still isn't finished. And when the plumber showed up at the house, Bud received an unexpected assignment: cleaning out the current laundry room/future downstairs bathroom, which included hauling away a full-size freezer and sorting through 80 years' worth of cleaning supplies.
The French doors for the great room arrived today. As I mentioned, the plumber got his part of the job under way. The electrician continued wiring. I think I saw the drywall subcontractor running around when I stopped by this morning, but I haven't heard what he accomplished. The painting subcontractor/wall paper remover was still hard at it.
I'd certainly call it the busiest day we've had down there in a while.
Good thing we celebrated this past weekend -- because we both worked all day today, a worse-than-typical Monday all around. Someone was out sick, which meant piles of extra work for me -- work that still isn't finished. And when the plumber showed up at the house, Bud received an unexpected assignment: cleaning out the current laundry room/future downstairs bathroom, which included hauling away a full-size freezer and sorting through 80 years' worth of cleaning supplies.
The French doors for the great room arrived today. As I mentioned, the plumber got his part of the job under way. The electrician continued wiring. I think I saw the drywall subcontractor running around when I stopped by this morning, but I haven't heard what he accomplished. The painting subcontractor/wall paper remover was still hard at it.
I'd certainly call it the busiest day we've had down there in a while.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Days 178-179: March 1-2, 2008
After a dip in the in-room whirlpool tub at our hotel this weekend, Bud and I are congratulating ourselves on the great wisdom we exhibited by installing one in our remodeled bathroom. The phone rings.
Me: Who would be calling us here? (Picks up phone.) Hello?
Guy on the other end: Sorry to bother you so late. This is the front desk. I'm calling to find out if you've had any trouble with your tub or toilet overflowing tonight.
Me: No. We used the tub earlier, but it was fine. I'll check for leaks if you want. (Walks around tub. Peeks into bathroom.) No. Everything seems fine.
Guy: Thank you for checking. I'm calling because the guests in the room below you reported a puddle on their bed.
Me: Who would be calling us here? (Picks up phone.) Hello?
Guy on the other end: Sorry to bother you so late. This is the front desk. I'm calling to find out if you've had any trouble with your tub or toilet overflowing tonight.
Me: No. We used the tub earlier, but it was fine. I'll check for leaks if you want. (Walks around tub. Peeks into bathroom.) No. Everything seems fine.
Guy: Thank you for checking. I'm calling because the guests in the room below you reported a puddle on their bed.
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