As we understand it, our tiling projects (with the exception of the under-deck patio and possibly the front porch) should be finished by the end of this week.
Things kicked off today with the downstairs shower floor. So that leaves the rest of the downstairs shower, the downstairs bathroom floor, the sunroom floor, the entire upstairs shower, the upstairs bathroom floor, part of the upstairs bathroom wall, the laundry room floor and the backsplash in the kitchen.
It's unlikely that the front porch tile will arrive in time for the project to be completed this week. (You might remember we're hoping for something like this.) That's mostly because we just put the tile store in contact with our subcontractor today -- at Jimmy's suggestion. ("We're not sure when we can get Harold Wayne back after this.")
Might be for the best, though. We're not all that crazy about a lot of construction traffic on the front porch after the lovely red carpet's gone.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Days 297-298: June 28-29, 2008
Mostly a non-house weekend, except that we stopped by late Saturday evening and again Sunday afternoon for a little organization and clean-up.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Day 296: June 27, 2008
Bud and the guys installed a second air conditioner in the garage this afternoon. Gary and Jimmy continued bookcase trim. The painters painted, and the other usual stuff. Not an incredibly eventful day.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Day 295: June 26, 2008
More kitchen fixes today.
A different crew of countertop installers showed up this afternoon to polish the bar top. They said their best guess is that the problem was caused by exposure to sunlight/heat while the slab was in storage. If the haze returns, the top will have to be replaced, they said.
This evening, Bud switched the knobs in the kitchen with the replacements we received today. I boxed up the bad ones for their trip back to Washington.
Gary and Jimmy started trimming the bookcases. They also removed the the nail strips that had held the carpet on the front stairs.
A different crew of countertop installers showed up this afternoon to polish the bar top. They said their best guess is that the problem was caused by exposure to sunlight/heat while the slab was in storage. If the haze returns, the top will have to be replaced, they said.
This evening, Bud switched the knobs in the kitchen with the replacements we received today. I boxed up the bad ones for their trip back to Washington.
Gary and Jimmy started trimming the bookcases. They also removed the the nail strips that had held the carpet on the front stairs.
Day 294: June 25, 2008
Kitchen touch-ups started this morning.
Bryan and Billy replaced the broken glass pane, straightened a couple of panels, installed the resized warming drawer and decided that they'll re-install one whole side of the ceiling beam.
It's looking better in there all the time!
In the rest of the house, there were the usual suspects -- paint, bookcases, that stuff. In addition, the guys finished removing the red carpet from the front stairs.
Bryan and Billy replaced the broken glass pane, straightened a couple of panels, installed the resized warming drawer and decided that they'll re-install one whole side of the ceiling beam.
It's looking better in there all the time!
In the rest of the house, there were the usual suspects -- paint, bookcases, that stuff. In addition, the guys finished removing the red carpet from the front stairs.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Day 293: June 24, 2008
Gary and Jimmy built the pantry shelves today. Next, they'll have fun figuring out where the pot rack can fit in there! The space always has seemed small, and adding shelves certainly didn't change that impression.
At lunch, I found that I had received two shipments -- the gray 20-amp receptacles and the knobs for the bookcases.
Next project: Organize the stuff that goes back to the electrical company. And (surprise!) I've got more bookcases knobs to order! Between my first order and the knobs' arrival, we decided to add glass upper doors. Our lives have become an endless circle of orders and returns.
Oh, and the guys also started removing the carpet runner from the front stairs this afternoon in preparation for the arrival of the floor sanders.
At lunch, I found that I had received two shipments -- the gray 20-amp receptacles and the knobs for the bookcases.
Next project: Organize the stuff that goes back to the electrical company. And (surprise!) I've got more bookcases knobs to order! Between my first order and the knobs' arrival, we decided to add glass upper doors. Our lives have become an endless circle of orders and returns.
Oh, and the guys also started removing the carpet runner from the front stairs this afternoon in preparation for the arrival of the floor sanders.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Day 292: June 23, 2008
So the day started with a reassuring call from Bryan before I even left for work. He'll stop by to investigate our beam woes, and he'll contact the countertop installers so they can come back and fix the bar top.
Things didn't really go up from there, but in the end, there was some noticeable progress anyway.
Believe it or not, we were still trying to sort out the right colors, amperages, toggles, outlets and switchplates. If you had been here today, you'd understand completely. You might have had an almost-stroke right along with me. But maybe Bud would have rescued you too.
Anyway, the good news is the outdoor lights are up, the undercabinet lighting's installed, and some of the correct receptacles, etc. are in place too.
Gary and Jimmy are plugging away at the downstairs bookcases, which got a coat of paint. And instead of seeing the basement through the holes in the floor, we now have holes with silver linings -- thanks to the HVAC guys' work today.
Things didn't really go up from there, but in the end, there was some noticeable progress anyway.
Believe it or not, we were still trying to sort out the right colors, amperages, toggles, outlets and switchplates. If you had been here today, you'd understand completely. You might have had an almost-stroke right along with me. But maybe Bud would have rescued you too.
Anyway, the good news is the outdoor lights are up, the undercabinet lighting's installed, and some of the correct receptacles, etc. are in place too.
Gary and Jimmy are plugging away at the downstairs bookcases, which got a coat of paint. And instead of seeing the basement through the holes in the floor, we now have holes with silver linings -- thanks to the HVAC guys' work today.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Days 289-291: June 20-22, 2008
While Bud worked on the yard and in the garage this weekend, I spent some quality time with a couple of cans of Pledge, Bud's Shop-Vac and the new kitchen cabinets.
All of the wall cabinets, both uppers and lowers, are sparkling. (Or were when I finished anyway. Dust has a way of showing up fast around so much construction.) Getting up close and personal with them reminded me how beautiful they are and how excited I am that they're ours.
The beam and the island are as dusty as ever, though. We were so exhausted from our efforts Friday and Saturday that we didn't even drive by the house 'til late Sunday evening.
All of the wall cabinets, both uppers and lowers, are sparkling. (Or were when I finished anyway. Dust has a way of showing up fast around so much construction.) Getting up close and personal with them reminded me how beautiful they are and how excited I am that they're ours.
The beam and the island are as dusty as ever, though. We were so exhausted from our efforts Friday and Saturday that we didn't even drive by the house 'til late Sunday evening.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Day 288: June 19, 2008
Bud broke out the Windex this morning to clean the remaining dust and markings from the countertops, which were still looking pretty hazy after a cursory wipe-down yesterday by the installers.
Result: We found one more thing to add to our stuff-to-get-fixed list. The bar top has a dull area that starts at the sunroom end, wraps around the sink side and runs all the way to the other end.
Maybe whatever held the slab while it was being cut wore off the finish. Or maybe that part mistakenly was never as highly polished as the rest. Or maybe the slab wasn't stored correctly after it was cut (or before). Who knows. We're just hoping the fix can be as easy as having someone come back to polish it in place.
Don't get me wrong. Overall, everything's still coming together beautifully. No one has shown any inclination not to correct the things that aren't quite right. It's just that our collection of little imperfect things has grown to the point that we're getting overwhelmed and frustrated.
Result: We found one more thing to add to our stuff-to-get-fixed list. The bar top has a dull area that starts at the sunroom end, wraps around the sink side and runs all the way to the other end.
Maybe whatever held the slab while it was being cut wore off the finish. Or maybe that part mistakenly was never as highly polished as the rest. Or maybe the slab wasn't stored correctly after it was cut (or before). Who knows. We're just hoping the fix can be as easy as having someone come back to polish it in place.
Don't get me wrong. Overall, everything's still coming together beautifully. No one has shown any inclination not to correct the things that aren't quite right. It's just that our collection of little imperfect things has grown to the point that we're getting overwhelmed and frustrated.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Day 287: June 18, 2008
Countertop day! The installers arrived this morning about 9 and were finished by lunch. In between, some things went smoothly -- and some, not so much.
We ended up with an extra slab, which I think was cut for the hutch (which has a wood top), and backsplashes that we also didn't order. We don't expect to pay for them, and if we need to return them, we will. The installers seemed pretty eager to leave them with us, though, saying if we didn't take them, they'd just throw them away.
On to the install drama ...
The lone seam in the countertop didn't start out looking so great, to say the least. But the installers made something of it. (I'll reserve final judgment 'til I go back for another look.)
The really unexpected problem was that the faucet was too wide at the bottom to fit in its hole when the island backsplash was installed. Gary and Jimmy saved the day be removing some drywall so that the backsplash could slide just a little farther back.
With the countertops in, the kitchen's that much closer to what I envisioned. Everything else looks so good that I've decided I just can't live with a couple of imperfections on the ceiling beam in the kitchen, even though I tried really hard.
First, one of the beadboard panels is very obviously and unattractively lighter than the others. I had hoped it would darken with exposure to light, but that isn't happening. Second, one of the seams between panels is uneven enough that you can see it from across the room.
Those and a few other minor trim and alignment issues seem to be all that remain to be fixed with the cabinets. (Except, of course, the knobs, and we received a call today that those are on the way again.)
We ended up with an extra slab, which I think was cut for the hutch (which has a wood top), and backsplashes that we also didn't order. We don't expect to pay for them, and if we need to return them, we will. The installers seemed pretty eager to leave them with us, though, saying if we didn't take them, they'd just throw them away.
On to the install drama ...
The lone seam in the countertop didn't start out looking so great, to say the least. But the installers made something of it. (I'll reserve final judgment 'til I go back for another look.)
The really unexpected problem was that the faucet was too wide at the bottom to fit in its hole when the island backsplash was installed. Gary and Jimmy saved the day be removing some drywall so that the backsplash could slide just a little farther back.
With the countertops in, the kitchen's that much closer to what I envisioned. Everything else looks so good that I've decided I just can't live with a couple of imperfections on the ceiling beam in the kitchen, even though I tried really hard.
First, one of the beadboard panels is very obviously and unattractively lighter than the others. I had hoped it would darken with exposure to light, but that isn't happening. Second, one of the seams between panels is uneven enough that you can see it from across the room.
Those and a few other minor trim and alignment issues seem to be all that remain to be fixed with the cabinets. (Except, of course, the knobs, and we received a call today that those are on the way again.)
Day 286: June 17, 2008
Gary and Jimmy installed shelves and rods in the upstairs closets today. (Actually, those are the only closets, unless you count the the place downstairs where the access from the basement to the first floor had been converted to a coat closet.)
The painters put an initial coat on the beadboard -- which has been installed everywhere it's supposed to go, except on the back stairs.
The painters put an initial coat on the beadboard -- which has been installed everywhere it's supposed to go, except on the back stairs.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Day 285: June 16, 2008
Jimmy and Gary continued to install beadboard in the bathrooms, a project they started while we were gone Friday. Also, the painters painted right along, as usual.
Problem clean-up was still our job. Bud sent back the remote kit for the fireplace that arrived with surprisingly few of its parts. After my three counts and Bud's confirmation tally, we determined that 18 cabinet knobs need to be replaced. I reported our results to the hardware retailer by e-mail and voicemail.
Speaking of knobs, I ordered the ones we need for the bookcases the afternoon. I got the backplates too. These are exactly what we're having installed in the closet room. I chose them because they're reminiscent of the original brass doorknobs throughout the house.
Problem clean-up was still our job. Bud sent back the remote kit for the fireplace that arrived with surprisingly few of its parts. After my three counts and Bud's confirmation tally, we determined that 18 cabinet knobs need to be replaced. I reported our results to the hardware retailer by e-mail and voicemail.
Speaking of knobs, I ordered the ones we need for the bookcases the afternoon. I got the backplates too. These are exactly what we're having installed in the closet room. I chose them because they're reminiscent of the original brass doorknobs throughout the house.
Days 282-284: June 13-15, 2008
Bud and I made a quick trip to the state Harley rally this weekend, leaving here Friday morning and returning Saturday evening. Along the way, we made several photo stops, which brought us up to about 60 points for the year.
We celebrated Fathers Day with Jamie, Allyson and their dogs Sunday morning before they headed home. Then we took a quick ride to Bud's dad's gravesite.
After that, we packed up our pasta salads and pie and set off for the farm again, where I taught Dad to use his digital camera and Linda showed him how to operate a new pedometer.
Most of last week's problem children reported in while we were away. Everyone's been accommodating and eager to make sure our issues are resolved.
To that end, I've got to find time this afternoon to stop by the house and count how many we have of each type of cabinet knob, so that I can send back the ones we don't want and they can send us more of the ones we like.
Bryan called Friday with a kitchen countertop update and to make sure we knew they're all over those two minor cabinet complications. Also, a rep from the electrical site wrote to say the 20-amp receptacles are on the way, along with a return shipping label for the incorrect ones.
And we received the refund on the marble slab for the closet early last week. On Sunday, we stopped by Home Depot in our travels and chose a quartz color for the replacement.
With Friday the 13th behind us, maybe we're exiting the go-wrong period of the remodel.
We celebrated Fathers Day with Jamie, Allyson and their dogs Sunday morning before they headed home. Then we took a quick ride to Bud's dad's gravesite.
After that, we packed up our pasta salads and pie and set off for the farm again, where I taught Dad to use his digital camera and Linda showed him how to operate a new pedometer.
Most of last week's problem children reported in while we were away. Everyone's been accommodating and eager to make sure our issues are resolved.
To that end, I've got to find time this afternoon to stop by the house and count how many we have of each type of cabinet knob, so that I can send back the ones we don't want and they can send us more of the ones we like.
Bryan called Friday with a kitchen countertop update and to make sure we knew they're all over those two minor cabinet complications. Also, a rep from the electrical site wrote to say the 20-amp receptacles are on the way, along with a return shipping label for the incorrect ones.
And we received the refund on the marble slab for the closet early last week. On Sunday, we stopped by Home Depot in our travels and chose a quartz color for the replacement.
With Friday the 13th behind us, maybe we're exiting the go-wrong period of the remodel.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Day 281: June 12, 2008
After the cabinet installer spent all sweaty day in the un-airconditioned kitchen, the cabinets are closer to finished. But we're not there yet.
Everything seemed to go smoothly until the end, when Billy (the installer) discovered that the hole for the warming drawer was not quite the right size. Bud also found one cracked glass pane this evening.
But I'm sure all of that will be easily and quickly fixed. Everything else looks beautiful -- from the additional trim to the seeded glass panels to the pulls and knobs.
There are more knob issues, though -- as you can see by the photo. Laura was the catalyst for this discovery. (Laura, Lance and Louis got to stop by this afternoon. A rare treat. Too bad it was so uncomfortably warm!)
Opening a cabinet door, Laura said the knobs felt smooth on the back, even though you might expect them to be sort of pointy. So we examined the backs more closely.
And, well, the knobs look the same from the front. But they're far from a match from behind, huh?
The batch we received seems to be divided pretty evenly between the two styles. So I'll add one more thing to my list of things to exchange via mail.
Soon, I'll need to take a day off just to ship things back!
Everything seemed to go smoothly until the end, when Billy (the installer) discovered that the hole for the warming drawer was not quite the right size. Bud also found one cracked glass pane this evening.
But I'm sure all of that will be easily and quickly fixed. Everything else looks beautiful -- from the additional trim to the seeded glass panels to the pulls and knobs.
There are more knob issues, though -- as you can see by the photo. Laura was the catalyst for this discovery. (Laura, Lance and Louis got to stop by this afternoon. A rare treat. Too bad it was so uncomfortably warm!)
Opening a cabinet door, Laura said the knobs felt smooth on the back, even though you might expect them to be sort of pointy. So we examined the backs more closely.
And, well, the knobs look the same from the front. But they're far from a match from behind, huh?
The batch we received seems to be divided pretty evenly between the two styles. So I'll add one more thing to my list of things to exchange via mail.
Soon, I'll need to take a day off just to ship things back!
Day 280: June 11, 2008
Check out that beautiful, custom-built mantel! (Featuring the same dentil crown molding that the guys have installed in the dining and living rooms.)
The drywall subcontractors started hanging in the sunroom today. The painters painted, and siding guys sided. Once again, the yard looks like a used truck sales lot every day -- which means progress!
The drywall subcontractors started hanging in the sunroom today. The painters painted, and siding guys sided. Once again, the yard looks like a used truck sales lot every day -- which means progress!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Day 279: June 10, 2008
The painters put an initial coat on the wainscoting and other trim in the dining room today. Gary and Jimmy built the doors for the lower portion of the bedroom bookcases.
The lead cabinet installer is scheduled to return Thursday for hardware and other finishing touches.
No specific word on the countertops yet, but that's good. I'm hoping for some time to choose a quartz color for the closet island top before the kitchen tops arrive. That way, I can tell the countertop guys what color and edge we want and just hand them over to Diana for the specs.
We tried to look at Silestone samples last night at Home Depot but didn't have any luck. Our store is closing permanently in a few days and apparently doesn't have enough staff and/or stuff left to stay open all day anymore.
The lead cabinet installer is scheduled to return Thursday for hardware and other finishing touches.
No specific word on the countertops yet, but that's good. I'm hoping for some time to choose a quartz color for the closet island top before the kitchen tops arrive. That way, I can tell the countertop guys what color and edge we want and just hand them over to Diana for the specs.
We tried to look at Silestone samples last night at Home Depot but didn't have any luck. Our store is closing permanently in a few days and apparently doesn't have enough staff and/or stuff left to stay open all day anymore.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Day 278: June 9, 2008
While you weren't paying attention, we entered the phase of this project where lots of small things go wrong at once.
Let's review. The electrical place shipped six 15-amp gray receptacles, not the 20-amp outlets that are on the invoice. Our closet island top is sitting paid for but unattainable on a marble lot not too far from here.
Today, the remote-control kit for the fireplace arrived. And when I say "arrived," it's not so much what you might think. We were missing a few parts. The remote, for one. And the wires.
(Let's also count that the electricity has blinked at least four times while I've been trying to post this, leading to all sorts of strange computer behavior.)
But there's good news, too.
The hearth is finished. The painters have returned. Harold Wayne, the tile subcontractor, was in today, calculating what he'll need for a few more rooms.
The cabinet knobs and pulls arrived this afternoon. (Big dent in the box. No visible damage to the contents.)
I don't remember whether I posted the second chapter in the saga of the out-of-stock pulls: My first choice was further backordered. 'Til the end of July!
These pulls are similar. And the knobs are my first choice -- although I tried to replace them with a fleur de lys also, to match the replacement pulls. But that pattern was out of stock. LOL. Really.
Let's review. The electrical place shipped six 15-amp gray receptacles, not the 20-amp outlets that are on the invoice. Our closet island top is sitting paid for but unattainable on a marble lot not too far from here.
Today, the remote-control kit for the fireplace arrived. And when I say "arrived," it's not so much what you might think. We were missing a few parts. The remote, for one. And the wires.
(Let's also count that the electricity has blinked at least four times while I've been trying to post this, leading to all sorts of strange computer behavior.)
But there's good news, too.
The hearth is finished. The painters have returned. Harold Wayne, the tile subcontractor, was in today, calculating what he'll need for a few more rooms.
The cabinet knobs and pulls arrived this afternoon. (Big dent in the box. No visible damage to the contents.)
I don't remember whether I posted the second chapter in the saga of the out-of-stock pulls: My first choice was further backordered. 'Til the end of July!
These pulls are similar. And the knobs are my first choice -- although I tried to replace them with a fleur de lys also, to match the replacement pulls. But that pattern was out of stock. LOL. Really.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Day 277: June 8, 2008
Ridiculous heat notwithstanding, we took stock this evening of which electrical receptacles/toggles/switchplates we still need. I hope we never have to go without air conditioning there. We'd definitely melt.
Our cabinet hardware is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, which means the installers might return sometime this week to take care of the finishing touches. The countertops could be installed late this week or early next.
We've put off the closet installation for another couple of weeks, which should mean it's now supposed to go in late this month or in early July. The big deal there is the countertop for the island.
We chose a slab at the marble supplier recommended by our closet designer and gave her a check for it when we signed her contract. Since then, the marble place has closed -- and we have no top and no money!
Diana, the designer, says she has spoken with the owner and faxed him our invoice. She says he's mailing us a check, which we'll believe after it gets here and clears the bank -- seeing as how she says he told her the store closed because the manager was stealing money.
Frustratingly, she says all the marble slabs are still on the lot. You'd think someone could cut it for us!
Our cabinet hardware is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, which means the installers might return sometime this week to take care of the finishing touches. The countertops could be installed late this week or early next.
We've put off the closet installation for another couple of weeks, which should mean it's now supposed to go in late this month or in early July. The big deal there is the countertop for the island.
We chose a slab at the marble supplier recommended by our closet designer and gave her a check for it when we signed her contract. Since then, the marble place has closed -- and we have no top and no money!
Diana, the designer, says she has spoken with the owner and faxed him our invoice. She says he's mailing us a check, which we'll believe after it gets here and clears the bank -- seeing as how she says he told her the store closed because the manager was stealing money.
Frustratingly, she says all the marble slabs are still on the lot. You'd think someone could cut it for us!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Day 276: June 7, 2008
This morning, we got the boat on the river for the first time this season. We were only out for a few hours, but we both enjoyed it. Bud even caught a few fish (which we released).
This evening, we celebrated our birthdays at the farm with Linda, Dad, Bill, Chris, Allison, Jacob and Johnetta. Great company, food and gifts. Hooray for birthdays! On the way home we talked about how glad we are that ours are just a week apart.
The picture shows the other work the masons completed last week. Originally, we thought this wall of the foundation wouldn't be exposed. Because of that, we didn't cover it with a stone facade.
Turns out that some of it will be visible, so we covered it after all -- which suits me because I could hardly stand to look at it the other way!
This evening, we celebrated our birthdays at the farm with Linda, Dad, Bill, Chris, Allison, Jacob and Johnetta. Great company, food and gifts. Hooray for birthdays! On the way home we talked about how glad we are that ours are just a week apart.
The picture shows the other work the masons completed last week. Originally, we thought this wall of the foundation wouldn't be exposed. Because of that, we didn't cover it with a stone facade.
Turns out that some of it will be visible, so we covered it after all -- which suits me because I could hardly stand to look at it the other way!
Day 275: June 6, 2008
Most of the stone went on the great-room fireplace today. The masons will be back next week do to the hearth.
The result looks great so far. Darker than the kitchen floor, but not in a bad way.
Gary and Jimmy continued to work on trim. Now that the dining room's finished, they're back to crown in the rest of the downstairs.
The result looks great so far. Darker than the kitchen floor, but not in a bad way.
Gary and Jimmy continued to work on trim. Now that the dining room's finished, they're back to crown in the rest of the downstairs.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Day 274: June 5, 2008
Bud and Jamie took care of the big adventures today, in celebration of his birthday. After work, I joined them for dinner, gift-opening and cake.
At the house, the mason prepared the fireplace for stone -- which I'm hoping will go up tomorrow because I'm so impatient to see it!
Gary and Jimmy finished the wainscoting in the dining room.
At the house, the mason prepared the fireplace for stone -- which I'm hoping will go up tomorrow because I'm so impatient to see it!
Gary and Jimmy finished the wainscoting in the dining room.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Day 273: June 4, 2008
Bud and I precelebrated his birthday (which is tomorrow) -- complete with lunch, dinner and gift opening. His gifts arrived several weeks ago, so I did an unusually good job of not forcing him to open them too early because of my excitement.
Gary and Jimmy continued to work on trim. Now they're in the dining room, installing wainscoting. Gary explained that they're trying to finish the room so the painter can have it.
Laura and Lance stopped by the house for a tour and an extra-long visit -- and to deliver a sweet, thoughtful birthday card, featuring my favorite little guy.
Gary and Jimmy continued to work on trim. Now they're in the dining room, installing wainscoting. Gary explained that they're trying to finish the room so the painter can have it.
Laura and Lance stopped by the house for a tour and an extra-long visit -- and to deliver a sweet, thoughtful birthday card, featuring my favorite little guy.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Day 272: June 3, 2008
Ahh, Tuesday. All work, no sleep. No fun.
Bud spent the afternoon going over switchplate and receptacle changes with the electrician. We're using the large "decorator" switches in the new part of the house. (And eventually we'll change everything in the original house to push-button swtiches. But that's one expenditure we're trying to postpone.)
Anyway, this was one of those projects that make me extra-glad Bud's there most of the time. These days, when I just begin to think about all the varieties of switches and outlets, I feel my grump factor rising. 15 amp, 20 amp, GFI, single pole, three way. One, two, three -- even four -- gang. Bleh. Hate.
Rainy weather forced Bud into the garage while he was waiting for Jesse to arrive this morning, so he got back to sorting through some of the boxes from the house.
Gary and Jimmy continued to work on trim.
Bud spent the afternoon going over switchplate and receptacle changes with the electrician. We're using the large "decorator" switches in the new part of the house. (And eventually we'll change everything in the original house to push-button swtiches. But that's one expenditure we're trying to postpone.)
Anyway, this was one of those projects that make me extra-glad Bud's there most of the time. These days, when I just begin to think about all the varieties of switches and outlets, I feel my grump factor rising. 15 amp, 20 amp, GFI, single pole, three way. One, two, three -- even four -- gang. Bleh. Hate.
Rainy weather forced Bud into the garage while he was waiting for Jesse to arrive this morning, so he got back to sorting through some of the boxes from the house.
Gary and Jimmy continued to work on trim.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Day 271: June 2, 2008
Siding got going in a noticeable way today. The subcontractors finished the driveway side of the addition and replaced nearly all of the siding that adjoins it. I didn't remember to check the other side of the house for progress.
Gary and Jimmy neared completion of the upstairs bookcases, which look more incredible as each additional piece of trim goes up. Gary said all along that they would look great when they got crown molding, and he was right, as usual.
For a few days now, Bud's been hard at work in our many yards, so they're looking pretty darn good. And amazingly enough, he's free of poison ivy. So far.
Getting back to work wasn't exactly fun. And there was bad news to boot: Late this evening our county clerk, a genuinely good guy, collapsed on the street and died.
Gary and Jimmy neared completion of the upstairs bookcases, which look more incredible as each additional piece of trim goes up. Gary said all along that they would look great when they got crown molding, and he was right, as usual.
For a few days now, Bud's been hard at work in our many yards, so they're looking pretty darn good. And amazingly enough, he's free of poison ivy. So far.
Getting back to work wasn't exactly fun. And there was bad news to boot: Late this evening our county clerk, a genuinely good guy, collapsed on the street and died.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Days 262-270: May 24-June 1, 2008
I took a few days off work and, as it turns out, a vacation from blogging too.
Luckily, the guys didn't take a break at the house. The skylights are in, and we have some paint downstairs. The bookcases for the master bedroom are built. The gas fireplace has been installed. The siding subcontractor has gotten started.
And I haven't snapped a single picture.
Luckily, the guys didn't take a break at the house. The skylights are in, and we have some paint downstairs. The bookcases for the master bedroom are built. The gas fireplace has been installed. The siding subcontractor has gotten started.
And I haven't snapped a single picture.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
