Week 10

You've all heard the phrase "while the cat's away, the mice will play?"  Well, this week Jason (the builder) decided to take a well deserved week off to refuel his reserves.  He told us the sheet rockers would be busy inside, and the stone people would be busy outside -- he was partly right.  Monday we returned home to find the sheet rock staged and ready for installation - nothing from the stone guys.  Tuesday we returned home to find our "quarantined" area expanded to include the entry way with just a small walkway to get to the north part of our home (our bedroom, the office and bathroom!) BUT....

sheet rock was installed - how exciting!

 the future kitchen area

 Look what's on the other side of that visqueen ---- the cut through, opening up the dining room to the front entry way 

 We didn't have anyone come work on the sheet rock until Thursday, but when we came home it was all taped -

 

 We didn't have any sheet rock work on Friday either, but Saturday around 11:30 a couple of guys showed up to put the second coat on.  Meanwhile, outside rock progressed equally as slow.  Nobody showed on Monday, some scaffolding set up on Tuesday - we did have a full crew on Wednesday and Thursday, but they didn't show up until 4 - 4:30 (obviously this is a 2nd job for them) and they worked until it was too dark to see, and nobody on Friday.  What they have accomplished is nice though and we are excited for the completion.

 

 Stone caps along the tops of all retaining walls

 The workers have all been really nice, and when I came home from work on both Wednesday and Thursday theywould say "we'll do a good job for you - we need to be finished Saturday."  I kept telling them "ok, sounds great, thank-you!" but when nobody showed up to work on Friday or Saturday, I realized they really would NOT be finished Saturday - maybe they meant NEXT Saturday!

The cat came back on Friday afternoon (Jason, the builder) - did a quick walk through and expressed his unhappiness with what had been accomplished - or the lack of - during his absence.  Both trades were supposed to be completed by Thursday and we were planning to use the weekend to prime the sheet rock in preparation for painting.  He quickly picked up the pace on his end, however, as he started installing the hardy board on the back of the house and around the chimney (the hardy board is unpainted as Jason encouraged us to go this route rather than pre-paint, he said you end up repainting it anyway because it gets so scratched and beat up when installing - a bit of advise I'm passing on to you, free of charge) 

 and installed our new sliding door for the dining room.  I LOVE it!  Those of you who have walked through this door your whole life will quickly recognize it opens opposite of how it used too.  Curt and I have had quite the challenge in getting used to it -- you will have fun (and we will laugh at you) as you try to open it from the old side too (hehehe)

Meanwhile, Curt finished installing our new hall attic access

 and is working to put the office back together after new paint, carpet, ceiling fan and blinds (a welcome change) -

Even though it was not quite the productive week it has been, it's still coming along and we are confident that Jason (the builder) will rectify things with his subcontractors and we'll see more progress this week.  Until then -

Week 9

It's always fun to come home at the end of the day to see what has been going on at the house while we're away.  Monday, we got the new electrical main installed, soooo sorry to crank your neck, I tried and tried to rotate it - obviously didn't work!  Never thought I'd be excited over an electrical main, but I am!

Tuesday brought the insulators out - the walls and basement ceiling were spray foamed

Wednesday Jason (the builder) started installing the sofit over the garage - I like it.

 

Thursday Jason started wrapping our little overhang with the hardy board - AND the roofing was finally completed (our company did the roofing - we got it dried in and started in a timely manner - then left  to work on a few otherprojects.  Jason was NOT happy with us taking so long to complete it! He expects the very best from his subcontractors and we were not up to par!)

Our company is also going to install a standing seam metal roof to complete the overhang when this area is finished with the stone/hardy board.  That is, if Jason doesn't fire us first (it IS however - dried in and the flashing is installed).

The insulators came back and completed the batting insulation for the walls and garage ceiling.  Now, all ready for sheet rock

garage insulation

the wall sheeting installed for the fancy new rock wall we will have - INSIDE the family room

holes for all the wires have been filled

 The new and improved air conditioner has been installed (have to wait until next year to try it out!) 

Friday Jason (the builder) completed installing the hardy board on the front of the family room pop out and our little overhang -

Closeup of the overhang detail, Jason has wrapped each and every bit of it with the hardy board.  He is really, really something.

 Just another view, it looks so fabulous to me I can't stop taking pictures from every angle!

Saturday morning @ 7:00 a.m. sharp (barely light) the crew came to wrap the house where the stone will be installed -- and stayed ALL day and into the evening (actually, it was dark) to get it all ready for the inspectors on Monday morning.  We like it too!

 

 Oh, and my new mailbox - 

 The ever popular overall view

 Odds and ends --- this is a sample of the capstone over the top of the concrete retaining walls

and Curt has finally finished installing the 5 ceiling speakers in preparation for his complete surround sound system.  He's worked hard on getting them all finished before the sheet rock starts (this week).  You can see the ceiling insulation depth gauges have also been installed through out the attic

What I don't have pictures of -- I finished puttying, priming and painting all those window frames/sills I was dreading last week.  I also got the curtains in the living room cleaned and back up. Curt decided since he had to move most everything out of his office in preparation for the new windows he would take the opportunity to paint, carpet and install a ceiling fan.  Whew! It's been a lot of work for us to let alone clean that room out!  However, I am more than pleased to let you know not only has it been cleaned out - it's already been painted with it's new color and is ready for the carpet, which is coming this week (no pictures, they turned out too dark). 

 

I mentioned all the treasures we have been finding since we've been going through so much (or is it really just called...cleaning?) well, here's one that Curt begged me not to post, he says it's embarrassing but I have to LAUGH right out loud and question....WHY did we keep these things?  or even better yet WHAT were we thinking in the first place?

 

These are boxes of cereal in mint collectors condition. We didn't buy them for human consumption, but rather supposing (or hoping) they may have collector value in the future.  Well, it's the future - and I doubt they are worth anything.  So anyone remember the special run of X and O Cheerios (1994) or the Original Dream Team Corn Flakes (1992 Olympics - John & Karl are on the front)?

Oh...how about when Grant Hill graced the Frosted Mini-Wheats box (1996) as "NBA Rookie of the Year?" or Michael Johnson for Wheaties (1996 Olympics)

FYI -- we're putting these on eBay to sell, if you are dying to have these for your very own - check them out there (hehehe)!!

 

This truly has been such an interesting adventure!  As always, we are looking forward to the events of the upcoming week!

Week 8 - Half Way There!

This week brought  - as usual - a lot more work.  This is the west wall of our dinning room, the sheet rock has been removed and the "cut-out" framed in.  When he's ready, Jason (the builder) will cut through the sheet rock and we will then have a 1/2 wall - from the front door you'll be able to look right into our dining room (a 1/2 open concept!)

The plumbing for the sink/dishwasher in the island was installed, as well as new subfloor through out

 The electrical started in earnest

Another colored concrete slab poured

And, the windows were installed.  This is the back of the new addition, a sliding glass door will be installed between these 2 plate glass windows - lots of light!

 New windows all around -

 The wood floor brought inside to acclimate

 The driveway poured (2 separate pours)

 A look at the house - it's actually starting to take real shape - we're SO very pleased

A view from inside the living room out through our new curtainless windows, which - by the way - all had to be reframed (due to the style of the original windows) and which I will now have the priviledge and honor of puttying, sanding, priming and then painting.  Each.and.every.window!  It will be worth it (I keep telling myself this over and over and over).

 

We said good-bye to a few things this week as well - our 3 year old a/c (not large enough to cool the house with the new addition - ouch!!)

Due to a crack that developed in the original porch - Jason (the builder) had the concrete guys come jack hammer it out 

 and repour it - with NO cracks!  He is absolutely the BEST!  Where do I nominate him for Contractor of the CENTURY?

Speaking of the best, I called in the big guy to come help me tear out my beloved boxwood bushes.  They had to go so the siding can be installed, plus I'm not sure they'll go with the new landscaping plan!  These monsters were 1 gallon bushes when originally planted.  Now, they're resting peacefully in the DUMP!

 Gone - a lone and barron waste land -

all that remains is the headless turtle -

One thing I haven't recorded, or documented is how much we have packed boxes, moved crates, stacked and restacked - and sorted through lots and lots of things that 30 years accumulate.  We have found numerous treasures, bringing back lots of memories, one I thought I'd share is a simple note from little Marisa - missing her brother as he was off....who knows where. Brings a smile to my heart!

Onward and upward!