December Progress

Between getting organized for Christmas and the piles of progress we made on the house this month, I never took the time to sit down and blog. Finally, here is my update.

It was weird to have Christmas in this cute little brick house after years and years of Christmas at the family home on N. Shore Dr. Add the fact that we didn't have our usual decorations that are safely packed away in our garage, and I often just couldn't quite get into the feeling of the season. We bought a cute little pre-lit tree at Dollar General, added a wreath and candle and called it good.

 We made the best of it with the Yule Log channel on cable TV that snapped and crackled and it was all very cozy. Sean and Lindsey hosted Christmas Day Brunch in their well decorated, festive new home with lots of room and all went very well. Hopefully next year, in our new home, we can  adjust and start new traditions. Change is always in the air.

Bob did well getting the fireplace close to done. He and Mike trimmed the mantle to size and he is now working on the finish.

Mike and the builder Bob (as opposed to Bob Fish) worked on finishing the trim and putting up the crown molding. It really cozys it up and frames the look.

Bob Fish worked on an accent wall in the kitchen and at the end of the bedroom hall. He used the wood he salvaged from the old Shannon Cottage and from the Rife House that sat on this lot before we built. It adds a nice sentimental feel to reuse old cottage wood from people we knew with history on the lake.

Bob also used that wood to complete our screened in porch and for ceilings on the entry porches.

Dave, a builder also working with Mike, worked on baseboards and finishing the closets. Here is one of our walk in closets and our linen closet. Brian the painter, is caulking and getting ready to paint next week.

The guys doing the siding were finally finished. They did a great job and we'll miss their sense of humor and tolerance of Barney. Now a new crew has started putting in the eves and downspouts.

Our laundry room counter came in and Bob is getting that ready to install.

We got a great Black Friday Deal on our tile for our walk-in shower in the back room at Christoffs. It might not have been my first choice, but I like it and the price couldn't be beat. Mike found the small square tiles to match for the floor and trim. Every little bit helps. John is going to start that tiling process tomorrow.

                                  

As we roll into January, the granite counter top should begin going in on the 9th. We've bought the sinks and toilets. Our flooring (carpeting and luxury vinyl plank) is in at Collins Brothers in Jackson and they are planning to come to install the 14th. Meanwhile, I've worked on a knob and pull order for all of the cupboards and bifold doors and a faucet order for all of the sinks. I also ordered the tempered glass for the little reading nook in the upstairs bedroom. We've been busy.

That's it for an active end of the year, but I'm sure the pace will continue through most of next year. On with the adventure and we wish you a Very Happy New Year 2019! Thanks for following.

Decisions and a Busy Weekend

A lot has happened since I last posted an entry. Time and weeks seem to fly.
The crew of two from Kleinschmidt continue to amaze us. They work no matter the weather through bitter cold, sleet and snow, you can absolutely count on them being there putting in full days. We are loving the look. It has slowed down a little as we ran out of the shakes and had to order. When they came in they were the wrong color so they had to be reordered, adding another week. We've learned to accept this kind of thing as it is typical when building.

I didn't get a picture of our very talented painters as they sprayed and rolled on the primer. After we get the trim on and they come back to put on the actual color, I will definitely get a few pictures. They are fun to watch.
Mike has worked finishing the outside cement board trim that frames the siding and helped us make the many decisions that must come together. We have brought home so many samples and dealt with so many businesses. We find things we like at each place and have worked with some very nice people, but there always seems to be details that hold us back from making the final decision. Carpeting is fairly easy, but the vinyl plank is not. Besides the color, the quality, texture and repeat of pattern all come into play. Our kids have been great at offering opinions and suggestions.

Mike has us setting paint chips, cupboard doors, tiles, and flooring in groupings in different light to help. Bob and I work to agree. Up to this point, our shopping has been way too easy and quick, but this flooring stuff has us stumped. We think we got it done to our satisfaction last weekend. Hopefully the numbers come in good. If that doesn't work, I am ready to move to Australia!

Meanwhile our kitchen cupboards came in and we had boxes stacked everywhere. The bad weather raged on and our grandchildren had a snow day break from school. We happened to think the three oldest might want to help and gave them a call. For little more than pizza and cookies the boys put in a full day's work helping us unpack cabinets and break down boxes. They also helped us carry in boxes of fireplace rocks so Bob could start laying out the stone for the fireplace.

Along with the store bought rocks that are made for covering fireplaces, we wanted to incorporate rocks we have picked up on our travels. Luke then had the idea that we let each of our 7 grandchildren pick a favorite rock and put their name on the back. Their names wouldn't be seen as it's on the back of the rock that is the part cemented in. But forever more, when they look at our fireplace, they will see their own rock.

We laughed that our two granddaughters picked pinkish heart shaped stones. And, Blake noticed that if we turned two of  our stones in a certain way it made a fish. That formation became the middle of the top row of stones. Brad came over on the weekend and helped us sort, balance color and place the stones. I was part of the team but mostly the picture taker. Our fireplace is rustic and very unique to us. We love it! Now to finish the sides and hearth and then fill in all of the spaces with mortar. 

Our nephew, David, who helped us purchase our cupboards came over two evenings and started the process of installing our kitchen, bathroom and laundry room cupboards. Then he came back Saturday and Sunday and worked until the job was as finished as it could be until we get our appliances. He worked on cupboards while we worked on the fireplace. It was a great weekend of progress!

As we start a new week, Bob, the master carpenter who has helped off and on, took a week off from his other job and is back to assist Mike in putting up trim and installing our interior doors. 

Rain, mud, snow and damp, coldness are just becoming part of our lives. Thank God for lots of good family, friends, our cozy cottage and fun relaxing dinner dates. It keeps us going!