Finally, photos!

Here's some photos of the exterior and the kitchen cabinets that were installed yesterday. As far as flooring, they did the underlayment for the Duratile.

M.F.H.

The Siding is Done!

Finally, siding finished yesterday, just ahead of rain. I think it's taken 8 weeks. Now I'll be able to post a photo of the house. They also did the grading of the lot, which I was afraid would have been postponed by the rain, but he got it done. It rained and poured half the day and evening, so I'm hoping that by the weekend, the weather turns nice and it will be easy to dig up plants. So this weekend, I'm either planting or painting.

They also hung alot of the ceiling fixtures. The fans in the girls' bedrooms are huge. They didn't look that big in the stores. L will not be able to have a draped 4 poster bed for certain. Woodwork is still going up and 2 doors are hung. I have to do some touch up on the painting we've done, so we may not get much more painting done this weekend. Flooring is to start Mon with the Durastone and fireplace. Kitchen cabinets were to have started yesterday, but didn't, but I imagine they'll be in by the weekend.

Lots happening and its exciting finally, after a long wait.

M.F.H.

Drywall and painting done

Heard last night that the painting of the drywall is done. It's all done in white - alabaster. Or as the contractor kept mistakenly saying - albatross!

I have to stop out and see it this afternoon. I can start painting now, but will be out of town this weekend. With Dad sick, I don't know how much painting I'll get done. Which will all work out. Kids are still uncertain what color they want their rooms and I think once they see the carpet in, it will help them decide. So we'll see if I can get living/kitchen, master bed and bath painted.

Week #6 for siding and it's still not done. It's been muddy and rainy, so guys are working at another house instead. Today or tomorrow they are suppose to pour driveway and sidewalk and front porch. So then siding should finish. And landscape can start, if I can get ahole of the guy. And if I can buy some trees at the place that's going out of business.

Flooring's ready to order. Cabinets are ordered, but not handles. Doors ordered, but not knobs. Still have some lighting to buy. It will be so exciting to see cabinets go in and flooring. But no picutres to post. Do you really want to see empty all white rooms?

M.F.H.

Siding, drywall, formica, bannisters, doors

A lot going on at the moment. I understand the siders have finally started on the final wall, the front of the house. It seems like they started a month ago.

On Mon. the ceilings will be finished and they'll start doing the walls.

I spent the day out of town comparing backsplash tile samples to formica and meganite samples,

Then I went and talked to the stained glass shop.

Then stopped at the door/bannister company where I picked out doors, newell posts, bannisters, ballisters, door knobs and even saw some cabinet knobs I like. Fortunately for me, I like plain and simple and that's usually the cheapest and often what they have in stock. Their stock doorknobs and handles are very nice.

When the kids get home from school, will go out and look at the house. Haven't been there since Tues. Seemed like not much is happening.

I also talked yesterday to the mortgage people and to EDJones and figured out the financials.

And I have the name of the landscaper to call. So lots to do and I especially need to add some photos.

M.F.H.

Drywall

Started drywall on Mon. and it is almost done. The family was working when we stopped by at 5:30 and were probably going to stay until it was done. Lots of the floors already have red paper down, so I imagine next week, they will finish it.

Meanwhile, the siding continues. They are half way done with the third side, after 2 weeks. Most everything else seems to be going so fast. The main thing I notice is how dusty, dirty everything is. Windows, fireplace, everything will have to be cleaned when the drywall is done.

Last Sun. we were invited to a neighborhood picnic. That was nice. Got to meet most everyone and everyone was friendly. The kids knew more people than they realized. And I knew a fair amount of people too.

Sorry there haven't been more photos. I'm waiting for the siding to be done. And white drywall just doesn't photograph well. All I'd be showing you would be empty white walls. By Oct. there should be lots of photos as the kitchen and flooring go in.

I' m on vacation next week. Trying to get things completed around the current house, but I'm coming to realize that there is no way I can get this house on the market before we move. And I'm not sure how well it will sell over the winter. Perhaps best to put it on the market in March any way. And then I can always move more plants in the spring. This week will help me decide what I will be doing.

M.F.H.

Fireplace

It's been rainy and damp all week and we didn't notice anything going on at the house. Stopped by this morning and the garage door is on, the fireplace is installed, siding is piled in the garage. They've done a lot of interior insulating - E's bedroom ceiling, around all the air vents. By the end of August, the house should really start looking like a house.

Still can't believe we're going to be living there. I've been accomplishing things bit by bit around the current house. New bathroom floor, toilet and vent. My neighbor installed new quarter round - which the bathroom hasn't had in 17 years. Still a few more things to do, but none of it very expensive. Mostly what we have to do is clean and declutter.

M.F.H.

Plumbing, electricity and vents

Plumbing is done. Shower/baths in. Plumbing is done with pex plastic pipe. I haven't gotten to talk to electrician yet and need to do that. Floors vents are going in. Still no doors or siding yet. It has been incredibly hot and muggy for weeks. Really miserable to work outside.

Returned some lighting I bought and found 1 more fan. Am having a hard time finding something for the dining table and entry. But still have a bit of time to look.

M.F.H.