Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Counter tops!
I have counter tops!! And they're pretty - it's hard to determine what something's going to look like from a 3 inch square but these look good spread over all the counters! I'm looking forward to what the backsplash is going to look like - the tiles have been here - hope they look as good with the counter as I think they will!
Pictures to follow- all the lights and electrical work still aren't done so, while not totally dark, it isn't very bright in there! The floors are done too - and look good - unfortunately when the floors in the front of the house were put down, they went right over the sub-floor without an underlayment - they used an underlayment in the family room and kitchen so there's a difference in height - but the flooring people were creative in merging the two - unconventional but looks good and works! Especially when the doors between the dining room and kitchen and family room and hall are closed!
There is a light at the end of the renovation tunnel - have to finalize paint colors - I'm doing the painting!!
Pictures to follow- all the lights and electrical work still aren't done so, while not totally dark, it isn't very bright in there! The floors are done too - and look good - unfortunately when the floors in the front of the house were put down, they went right over the sub-floor without an underlayment - they used an underlayment in the family room and kitchen so there's a difference in height - but the flooring people were creative in merging the two - unconventional but looks good and works! Especially when the doors between the dining room and kitchen and family room and hall are closed!
There is a light at the end of the renovation tunnel - have to finalize paint colors - I'm doing the painting!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
OMG - Varmints!
Last night we were wandering through the newly floored family room and kitchen with a flashlight (to see any nicks in the floor) when we noticed the Quincy man standing at the french door quivering and whining/growling. Usually he does that when there are birds outside but it was dark and even he doesn't really pay all that much attention to birds at night (and there usually aren't many out there after dark).
Don shined the flashlight out the door and caught the gleaming eyes of a LARGE raccoon!! He was sitting at the edge of the covered pool and staring at the cat (and the light). I've never seen one in the backyard before and I've been here for years. Don's convinced he's going after the frogs that are living under the pool cover - I just want to know where he's living during the day! I haven't noticed any of the neighborhood cats going under the house recently but I have noticed that the vent covers are continually being knocked out - - - I sure hope he's not living under the house!
There have been workmen under there recently so maybe he's just visiting!! Geeze - something else to worry about - - - and we all know how much I like to worry!
Don shined the flashlight out the door and caught the gleaming eyes of a LARGE raccoon!! He was sitting at the edge of the covered pool and staring at the cat (and the light). I've never seen one in the backyard before and I've been here for years. Don's convinced he's going after the frogs that are living under the pool cover - I just want to know where he's living during the day! I haven't noticed any of the neighborhood cats going under the house recently but I have noticed that the vent covers are continually being knocked out - - - I sure hope he's not living under the house!
There have been workmen under there recently so maybe he's just visiting!! Geeze - something else to worry about - - - and we all know how much I like to worry!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
It's Always Something
The floor is down and looks beautiful - just the 1/4 round to finish. Monday someone is coming to connect the microwave over the stove (need to connect the vent and the electrical as well as hang the oven itself) and then sometime next week the countertops and backsplash get done.
AND the bathroom sink plumbing gets repaired (hopefully this weekend) because to keep the drip to a minimum we have to turn off the water to the hot water heater. I remember asking, 25 years ago, if the plumbing in the house was copper and being told that the water supply lines were copper and the waste lines were PVC. And they are with a couple of minor exceptions (one of which is now leaking). The shut-off valves on the sink in the downstairs half bath are Quest pipe (UGH) and didn't leak until they started to dismantle the bathroom. We got it stopped for a week or so but it started again today. SIGH
AND the bathroom sink plumbing gets repaired (hopefully this weekend) because to keep the drip to a minimum we have to turn off the water to the hot water heater. I remember asking, 25 years ago, if the plumbing in the house was copper and being told that the water supply lines were copper and the waste lines were PVC. And they are with a couple of minor exceptions (one of which is now leaking). The shut-off valves on the sink in the downstairs half bath are Quest pipe (UGH) and didn't leak until they started to dismantle the bathroom. We got it stopped for a week or so but it started again today. SIGH
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
President Obama 2009
WOW - I was so glad we were able to set up the TV in the main part of the library to allow customers (and staff ) to watch the inauguration - the whole library was "library quiet" during the swearing in and the speech - it was memorable!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Setback
The flooring people came today to start lying the new floors and uncovered our first real problem with the renovations - a water leak (older) around the french doors to the back that has rotted out some of the wood underneath the house. Luckily the flooring contractor was able to contact a general contractor who came out and explained what needed to be done - remove the french door (fingers tightly crossed that the 25 year old vinyl siding doesn't break!!), cut back the subfloors about 1/2 way through the room from the door, sister new joists to the existing and replace about 8 feet of banding under the door - missing the water line to the outside faucet and the wiring immediately next to the door.
It's good that the finished floor has been removed and it's only taking up the subfloor- and they'll work from inside the house rather than from the crawl space which makes the cost a bit less - but still THAT was a cost that wasn't anticipated. Oh well - much better to find out now when it's easier to fix rather than after the hardwood is down - THAT would be expensive!
The complete job had been going so smoothly (and it truly still is as the contractor is going to fix the floor tomorrow!!) but I have to admit I do want it to be over and I want my life back - I want a kitchen and 1/2 bath on the main floor again!
Such a whiner - huh??!!
It's good that the finished floor has been removed and it's only taking up the subfloor- and they'll work from inside the house rather than from the crawl space which makes the cost a bit less - but still THAT was a cost that wasn't anticipated. Oh well - much better to find out now when it's easier to fix rather than after the hardwood is down - THAT would be expensive!
The complete job had been going so smoothly (and it truly still is as the contractor is going to fix the floor tomorrow!!) but I have to admit I do want it to be over and I want my life back - I want a kitchen and 1/2 bath on the main floor again!
Such a whiner - huh??!!
What Dewey Number Are You?
Diane's Dewey Decimal Section:
008 [Unassigned]
Diane's birthday: 5/8/1950 = 58+1950 = 2008
Class:
000 Computer Science, Information & General Works
Contains:
Encyclopedias, magazines, journals and books with quotations.
What it says about you:
You are very informative and up to date. You're working on living in the here and now, not the past. You go through a lot of changes. When you make a decision you can be very sure of yourself, maybe even stubborn, but your friends appreciate your honesty and resolve.
Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com008 [Unassigned]
Diane's birthday: 5/8/1950 = 58+1950 = 2008
Class:
000 Computer Science, Information & General Works
Contains:
Encyclopedias, magazines, journals and books with quotations.
What it says about you:
You are very informative and up to date. You're working on living in the here and now, not the past. You go through a lot of changes. When you make a decision you can be very sure of yourself, maybe even stubborn, but your friends appreciate your honesty and resolve.
Friday, January 16, 2009
YIKES - more STUFF
The flooring was just delivered - 35 boxes - to acclimate before being installed on Monday - and Sunday the appliances are coming - my question is where are they going? There's plenty of room in the family room even with the flooring and I guess that's where they'll go. That does mean that the flooring people will be moving stuff around but, as I remember, that's what they usually have to do. Last time, though, they could put some of the things in the garage but that's not really an option this time (nor is the dining room which is completely full with all the kitchen stuff and almost all the furniture from the family room). Oh well, we'll "make it work" as Rick (the designer) says.
This is gone remarkably well (despite one small setback caused by me
). We're getting toward the end and the part where I have to do some work. I CAN paint and will probably do that work - and we're going to see if the paneling has anything behind it (if it does down it comes, if not it gets painted!!) and make sure the family room is painted too before we move stuff back.
I have to say what a remarkable thing the Flip has been and how much fun it's been to create movies!
This is gone remarkably well (despite one small setback caused by me
). We're getting toward the end and the part where I have to do some work. I CAN paint and will probably do that work - and we're going to see if the paneling has anything behind it (if it does down it comes, if not it gets painted!!) and make sure the family room is painted too before we move stuff back.I have to say what a remarkable thing the Flip has been and how much fun it's been to create movies!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
One Week and One Day
8 days from the start of demolition and I have no running water on the ground floor but there has been a lot of progress - all the flooring has been removed and new sub-floors put down. Cabinets are all gone (and old appliances) and new drywall has been hung.
Cabinets are supposed to be delivered tomorrow and new floors go in next week. The appliances are supposed to come Thursday but that might be delayed (hopefully not!!) Once the floor is down, a new cabinet will go in the powder room and the toilet will be reinstalled (I never knew how often I used that one :-) until it wasn't there).
We've been eating well considering the only appliances I'm using are a crock pot and a microwave! We've had soup, stew, chili and grilled outside a couple of times. Have to remember to keep cooking even after all the appliances and running water return to the kitchen!!
It's been an interesting process so far - hopefully it will continue that way.
Cabinets are supposed to be delivered tomorrow and new floors go in next week. The appliances are supposed to come Thursday but that might be delayed (hopefully not!!) Once the floor is down, a new cabinet will go in the powder room and the toilet will be reinstalled (I never knew how often I used that one :-) until it wasn't there).
We've been eating well considering the only appliances I'm using are a crock pot and a microwave! We've had soup, stew, chili and grilled outside a couple of times. Have to remember to keep cooking even after all the appliances and running water return to the kitchen!!
It's been an interesting process so far - hopefully it will continue that way.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Day 5 - Floors
The flooring people were supposed to be here yesterday but it slipped through the cracks so they came today - carpets and vinyl have been ripped out. The next step is new plywood and making sure the floor is level.
The cabinets are supposed to be delivered on Wednesday and the appliances on Thursday (at least that's the latest calendar I've been given). The floor will be put in on the 19th - and I guess will be stored in the family room before it gets installed.
I never realized how big my dining room is - but right now it has a TON of stuff in it - including the dining room table and chairs, the family room sofa and two chairs, two rolling shelves with the microwave, crock pot and other cooking things. Three other shelves hold some food, glasses and various odds and ends. Hopefully when we go to put things back we'll continue the purging and get rid of even more stuff!!
PS - they were willing to leave the washer/dryer where it was (almost) until they lay the floor so we won't have to go to a laundro-mat - at least not right now!! SIGH!!
The cabinets are supposed to be delivered on Wednesday and the appliances on Thursday (at least that's the latest calendar I've been given). The floor will be put in on the 19th - and I guess will be stored in the family room before it gets installed.
I never realized how big my dining room is - but right now it has a TON of stuff in it - including the dining room table and chairs, the family room sofa and two chairs, two rolling shelves with the microwave, crock pot and other cooking things. Three other shelves hold some food, glasses and various odds and ends. Hopefully when we go to put things back we'll continue the purging and get rid of even more stuff!!
PS - they were willing to leave the washer/dryer where it was (almost) until they lay the floor so we won't have to go to a laundro-mat - at least not right now!! SIGH!!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Day 3
The video is dark (unfortunately I forgot to do the video before removing the last lamp in the family room) but it does show that both rooms are completely empty in preparation for carpet and vinyl removal tomorrow. (I'm hoping that the washer/dryer get put back since it's going to be a few days before the new floor goes down.)
The electrical rough-in inspection was today - it passed - another step along the way!
UPDATE: A newer video of the same thing - but with daylight!
The electrical rough-in inspection was today - it passed - another step along the way!
UPDATE: A newer video of the same thing - but with daylight!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Day 1 - Tear Out
I meant to post this earlier but we were moving the HUGE entertainment center out of the family room (or I was helping with part of it - Don did most of the work) when I went out the front door to check that there was room for Don to bring the main section to the garage. I wasn't paying enough attention and Quincy darted out the door. And off he went.
All day he'd been in the bedroom but the noise had him freaked because he barely let me pet him when I got home. I should have paid more attention - but these things happen. Anyway, two and 1/2 hours later I saw him next door (yes I was walking down the street in hopes of seeing him) and he was headed home but VERY leary of coming in the door. Finally tuna did the trick and I was able to lure him into the house, get a grip on him and get the door closed.
So - that's why the video of the tear-out was actually done on the second day and not the first - because I was a nervous wreck. (And if you think this was over-reacting you should have been around one time when I didn't know where my kids were - they'd gone out to the movies and were late getting back - TOTAL FREAK OUT that night!!)
Anyway - here's the video of what's left in the kitchen!!
All day he'd been in the bedroom but the noise had him freaked because he barely let me pet him when I got home. I should have paid more attention - but these things happen. Anyway, two and 1/2 hours later I saw him next door (yes I was walking down the street in hopes of seeing him) and he was headed home but VERY leary of coming in the door. Finally tuna did the trick and I was able to lure him into the house, get a grip on him and get the door closed.
So - that's why the video of the tear-out was actually done on the second day and not the first - because I was a nervous wreck. (And if you think this was over-reacting you should have been around one time when I didn't know where my kids were - they'd gone out to the movies and were late getting back - TOTAL FREAK OUT that night!!)
Anyway - here's the video of what's left in the kitchen!!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Night before the Tear-Out
The beginning of the renovation - all the kitchen cabinets are empty and ready for tear-out. A lot of the family room has been emptied - but the furniture will move into the dining room tomorrow (as you can see we've left some room (hopefully enough!!). Then we move the TV into the living room and the entertainment center gets broken down and moved to various other rooms - now for the next step!!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Aches and Pains
Wow - what a ton of junk was stored in my kitchen cupboards! Almost all is gone now - either thrown out, donated or stacked (neatly) in the dining room waiting for a new home. A few pots & pans remain but will be sorted out tomorrow.
The family room has to be emptied too - the entertainment unit is almost empty (if we can get it apart it will be FANTASTIC!) and, hopefully, the sofa and chairs will fit neatly into the puzzle that the dining room is becoming. The TV will be moved to the living room so that we can still watch without having to go to bed - and we'll actually use the living room for a change!
Monday is the big day - 1st day of tearout - my kitchen will be a total mess (as will the family room) but hopefully it won't take more than a couple of days to tear out cabinets, 1/2 wall and patch all the drywall (and some spots on the ceiling).
I know it will be great when it's finished but if I had the power I would blink my eyes (or go to sleep) and it would all be done tomorrow!! Still have a couple of things to buy - SIGH! In the meantime - Don's been great - moving refridgerators and packing - but both of our backs ache!
The family room has to be emptied too - the entertainment unit is almost empty (if we can get it apart it will be FANTASTIC!) and, hopefully, the sofa and chairs will fit neatly into the puzzle that the dining room is becoming. The TV will be moved to the living room so that we can still watch without having to go to bed - and we'll actually use the living room for a change!
Monday is the big day - 1st day of tearout - my kitchen will be a total mess (as will the family room) but hopefully it won't take more than a couple of days to tear out cabinets, 1/2 wall and patch all the drywall (and some spots on the ceiling).
I know it will be great when it's finished but if I had the power I would blink my eyes (or go to sleep) and it would all be done tomorrow!! Still have a couple of things to buy - SIGH! In the meantime - Don's been great - moving refridgerators and packing - but both of our backs ache!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Welcome 2009
Health, happiness, contentment - my wish for a bright new year for all my friends and family.
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