The Long Awaited and Terribly Tardy Reveal

So I had BIG plans to make a video montage on YouTube, but it never happened.  We worked tirelessly to move in by the end of August so I could host my Kindergarten Readiness meet and greet.  The day after Labor Day school started, and then I drove J almost over the cliff when I invited over 100 people over for our big open house in October.  After that I meekly reminded him that we were hosting Thanksgiving, and alas, we have our very first foray into the world of house concerts this Sunday!  All this amidst having season tickets for Michigan State football which was a perfect first year to have them as our team is now smelling roses! Needless to say we have been busy and I have completely dropped the ball on blogging.

Without further adieu or excuses, here is the final result of our full scale renovation:

                                                                       Before:

 

After:

 

 

 

 

 

There are still projects like shoe molding and paint touch-ups, but we have run out of steam.  This spring we'll also begin tackling more small scale projects like a mudroom locker and fireplace surround, but until then we've decided to hibernate for the winter!

The First Official Before and After

 

While this is not the BIG REVEAL it is a sample of how far we have come on our renovation.  Fingers and toes crossed we will be living here by the end of this month!  This journey has been an experience that I hope to never repeat, but the effort we have put in is finally paying off.  I haven't posted in a while and may not over the course of the next few weeks as we hang cabinets, install bamboo flooring, prep my preschool studio, and landscape the backyard.  If I have any sanity left after that then I will be posting a complete before and after that will go room by room.  I hope to make these detailed posts that include where we purchased the materials and an approximate breakdown of cost to show how dollar savvy can still translate into designer classy!  Remember we are going for the craft beer of homes: tasteful and affordable.

Here is an original sketch of the layout when we purchased the home.  I apologize for all the markings as this was the one we used to mark our measurements for our architect.

Back of House Front of House



 

The layout had the front door enter into the dining room with the kitchen beyond.  The bathroom was right off the kitchen with a utility room and a hallway leading to the basement behind it.  To the left of the dining room was the living room and behind that was a small bedroom.  A narrow and very steep stairway off the kitchen led to two upstairs bedrooms.  The small corner pictured on the left hand side was a one car detached garage.

 

Back of HouseFront of House

 

 

The new layout kept the living room in the original position, but moved the front door so that the entry is now into the living area.  The windows on the left side of the house were eliminated to make room for a gas fireplace and a two stall attached garage.  The side of the house was squared off to create a new hallway to the basement steps and a utility area in the back of the house.  This picture does not reflect changes we made during the building process which include extending the back of the house another 6 feet to create a mudroom and a hallway pantry.  The bedroom that was behind the living room has been converted into an eat in kitchen giving the first floor an open concept.  The old dining room and kitchen are now being used as two bedrooms and a bathroom.  The original bathroom was also extended by 6 feet to create an en suite bathroom and walk in closet in the master bedroom.  By keeping the stairs in their original position and just switching the direction it opened up the second story allowing enough space for a 350 square foot studio space for my business and a powder bathroom.  The area under the stairs was also utilized for an additional closet in the master bedroom and a built in dog crate. 

 

 

Here is a side-by-side of then and now:

 

                                 Then                                                        Now

                           3 bedrooms                                               3 bedrooms

                           1 bathroom                                               2 1/2 bathrooms

                          U-shaped kitchen                                      L-shaped kitchen

                          Dining Room                                            Eat-in kitchen             

                          Utility Room                                             Utility Room

                          1 stall detached garage                              Extra Large 2 stall attached garage

                          Living room with 8 ft ceiling                    Living room with 9 1/2 ft ceiling



                          3 closets                                                    5 closets

After we had to ditch the architects plans because we couldn't build up as planned J and I talked tirelessly about the options for a new layout.  We went through 10 or more drafts before I came up with the idea of flipping the bedrooms to the other side of the house.  The sketch above is J's handy work that he put to scale from one of my renderings and even here you can make out eraser marks where it evolved as we spent time doing the demolition and I poured over Pinterest and design magazines. Overall we sacrificed about 30 square feet from the original space but gained a more functional layout.  After reconfiguring the heating and plumbing we also gained about 350 square feet of usable living space in the basement which we will be tackling after we move in.  Here is a sneak peek at the front elevation:

Building Knowledge Is My Business

The original intent of this blog was to track my journey of renovating, starting a business, and beginning a family.  I have posted several times about the first and third, but barely touched on what type of business I am doing.  When J and I moved here from the sunshine state I was teaching 4th grade and had decided that my passion was definitely with the younger age group, namely preschool and kindergarten.  I discovered that due to a series of local budget cuts preschool was getting the proverbial boot to cover the state wide switch to all day kindergarten.  This essentially left me with two options: complete my master's degree so my out of state license would be transferable or use my business savvy and years of experience to start my own preschool.  While I still intend to complete my Master's degree I could not do so in the 6 months between us deciding to move and actually packing up and trekking north across the Mason Dixie line so beginning a business it was!


The house when we purchased it.

The only reason I can think of as to why we decided to renovate is because we're insane, but in the meantime I needed to generate some income and build a reputation so that when the doors of my pre-k studio open I will have an established foundation.  This is the part that makes me really crazy!  Not only did we make the choice to stay with my parents during this renovation process, but I also work with my mom.  She's had an in-home daycare since I was 8 years old and working with her allowed me a rent free space and the luxury of working under somebody else's license while I learned the ropes.

The walk out basement my mom uses for her daycare.

 

It hasn't always been easy because we are essentially running two different businesses under one roof, but the payoff has exceeded my expectations.  There have been difficult moments like 90 degree days with only a window AC unit, a flooded basement, and the addition of a Taj Mahal size dog crate in an already tight space thanks to our Million Dollar Puggle. In the end though I was able to build up a solid client base and because I originally started out with three kids my mom's kids provided them with valuable social interaction during our daily free play.

Our first school year has been over since last month and I am thankful for my lax schedule this summer as we move toward the final push to complete our house.  With my experience in a Core Knowledge School I did not think twice about ordering and adhering to their curriculum and with a plethora of ideas on Pinterest it was a blast planning my thematic units each week.  I am looking forward to expanding my business and becoming a contributor in the community but when I look back I know I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this first year and the kids that I was lucky enough to have as my students!

My first three Preschool kids!  So excited two will be here in the fall, but sad to lose one to Kindergarten.

Hitting a Wall

We've hit a wall! While many people spent their Fourth of July weekend/week manning a grill, working on their tan, and enjoying time with family and friends, we spent our week working.  Never will be too soon to see rolls of fiberglass insulation and foam board, in fact I would probably go into convulsions just seeing cotton candy which I have sworn off for life after rolling it's close cousin into my 83 year old balloon framing.  Here's a crash course on what we did and why:

Notice the white color between the wall studs.  We lined each stud cavity with a polystyrene product that acts as an insulation and seals the walls to prevent air infiltration.  To really seal it up we used spray foam which I highly recommend following the directions for and using tight fitting gloves because my fingers were black in areas where it made contact with my skin!  We put the foam in first, then spray foamed around the perimeter of each piece and also around any areas air could get in or out of the house such as plumbing pipes and electrical boxes.  The white pieces in the ceiling that look like inverted egg crates are called baffles.  The baffle creates a small tunnel like cavity to allow air to flow between the soffit and the roof vent. Unlike the walls you want to allow air flow in your ceiling to prevent ice damming which creates unwanted moisture and icicles of mammoth proportions!

After we had foamed and sealed everything it was time to roll the fiberglass insulation.  While the fiberglass rolls would have been sufficient in the walls we went the extra mile with the foam to get a higher R value which means we are limiting the airflow in and out of the house so you get less heat loss and gain which is a huge energy savings!  You could not skip to this step in the ceiling though because without baffles the fiberglass would clog the soffits and create moisture problems of epic proportions!  There was nothing baffling with our choice on that one:)

The blue walls you see is 1/2 inch polyisocyanurate which has a reflective foil that is installed facing the exterior.  This serves to reflect the suns radiant heat so the heat from the sun stays outside and the temperature of the house is controlled by your thermostat not the exterior climate conditions.  Having a professional spray foam this area will yield only slightly better results for approximately 3x the cost.

Rolled insulation is exactly what it sounds like.  It comes in large hay bale like rolls and can come faced or unfaced.  The facing is like a craft paper covering on one side which is pictured.  This unfortunately did not cut down on the itch factor and even wearing a mask, long sleeves, jeans, and leather gloves in 85 degree heat did not stop the small fiberglass fibers from bestowing on us what can only be compared to full blown allergy season.  Itchy eyes, cotton mouth, and prickling skin were the unwelcome side effects of working with this innocent looking pink fluff!

After a week of sweating and swearing we passed our insulation inspection and waited for drywall to begin.  We waited, waited, and waited.  After yet another ugly go-around with our builder we are finally moving forward and the walls and ceiling are going in!  Meanwhile... since patience in not one of my virtues and construction had hit a wall, I hit back!

Before:1930's Coal Room

After: Goodbye coal room, hello office space!



ACL is an Acronym for Accounts Crested (their) Limit

The Million Dollar Puggle strikes again!  It has been one week today since Milo was put under to have his torn ACL repaired and half of his meniscus removed.  Seven days of carrying him outside to do his business then lending a supporting hand on his hind quarters so he doesn't topple over while assuming the squatting position.  One hundred sixty eight hours of removing and replacing his cone of shame every time he eats, drinks, or nature calls.  Eight hundred twenty five milligrams of pain medication dispensed, four shot of morphine, and two follow up visits to the vet.  Total hours of sleep?  Milo = 120; Me = 30

As I type this at 11am I consider spiking my coffee just to get through the day.  I fail to understand why Milo gets a script but I don't.  I am exhibiting symptoms of anxiety, sleep deprivation, incomplete though processing, and infrequent but sometime extreme bitchiness! Today I found myself getting upset when I saw another dog at the vet having it's sutures removed for the same operation as Milo, meanwhile my little guy looks like he's knocking on heaven's door.

With all the costs we have incurred with this pup in addition to our ongoing money pit of a house, J and I sat down and had the heartbreaking discussion of our snuggle puggle's possible end of life plan.  Our amazing veterinarian and longtime family friend interceded and offered his services gratis so we would only need to cover the expenses of the equipment and materials used.  I could have cried I was so relieved and in exchange for his generosity J and I offered to help prepare the clinic for their upcoming 25 year anniversary party.  He graciously accepted and we spent 10 hours of our weekend stripping, waxing, and polishing floors.

This would be the perfect happy ending except Milo is notorious for his mischief and took advantage of my complete exhaustion late last night.  After a wonderful time catching up with some out of town family and treating ourselves to a gourmet meal we drove home refreshed and renewed.  Milo was apparently not so relaxed and insisted on ramming his plastic cone against the bars of his crate for 20 minutes straight.  My sympathy prevailed over logic and I removed his cone to give him a brief reprieve and within seconds he was sawing logs and dreaming of frolicking in the waves of his beloved dog beach.  At some point I dozed off on the couch and woke to the sound of licking which I instinctively knew was not a good sign.

During my brief cat nap Milo had managed to pull his wrap down past his sutures and the cotton was strewn haphazardly across his bed as if he had just gutted one of his favorite toys.  I immediately woke J and we assessed the damage.  While the area appeared to be irritated from the friction of the licking, it seemed to still be intact so I used what I had on hand and frog taped the wrap back together knowing in less than 8 hours he would be at the vet for his recheck.

What I just discovered is that in 8 hours canine saliva can wreak havoc on a wound and cause inflammation and infection.  So now through his morphine haze Milo sits next to me in his crate gazing at me as I massage my temples and pray for and end that doesn't include a wheel or another swipe of plastic because my accounts and sanity have crested their limit!

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Now that we are finally moving forward in our never ending renovation I find myself looking back.  There are so many things I have learned along the way and others that I should have thought of but neglected to in my excitement to proceed with the work.  As a disclaimer I am not a professional, nor do I qualify in any way to give advice for home buying or construction, these are just some lessons I have gleaned through first hand experience and share with you in the hope that you will be better equipped than I was should you choose the renovation fork in the road.

1) Location really is everything but varies for everybody.  For me I wanted to be close enough to walk to stores, restaurants and bike to the beach.  This meant very close neighbors and a smaller lot size.  Consider your commute to work, the school district, taxes, and home owner's association fees that may apply before signing on the dotted line.  While you are limited only by your imagination and budget for what you can do to a house, you can not move the house if ultimately you are unhappy with the location.

2) Really size up the neighborhood.  We invested in a transitional area where some houses are in the Parade of Homes while others are literally falling apart.  This is a riskier investment and you need to consider your ROI or return on investment.  You may have a stellar house but never get back what you put into it if others do not feel the same about the neighborhood.  The condition of your neighboring homes plays a huge factor in your own property value so choose what is best for you.

3) Require a home inspection and be there for the walk through.  In our case the home came "As Is" which means we could not request any changes be made before we moved in.  After buying two homes I would spend an extra hundred dollars or so to get a second opinion because things are often overlooked.  Ask a lot of questions. Below is how I would characterize issues I've found when shopping for a home but feel free to Google away and get a professional's opinion during your own search:

No Big Deal:
Needs a new roof - Hiring a professional will only set you back a few thousand and you can often request a price reduction unless it is a short sale or foreclosure.

Dated Décor - Paint, carpet, and hardwood are relatively inexpensive and with so many click and lock varieties on the market engineered or laminate floors are a relatively easy but time consuming DIY project.  There are other awesome products available to paint cabinetry and even wall tiles in the bath or kitchen.

Needs a new water heater or AC condenser - These should set you back $2,500 or less if professionally installed so shop around.  Also check with your local utility company because many offer rebates or tax incentives if you go with an energy efficient model which will help offset some of your costs.

Needs new appliances - Once you recover from sticker shock if this is your first time or it's been a while, you will be glad you upgraded because you will notice a difference on your monthly utilities bills.

Proceed With Caution:
Needs a new furnace - Like the water heater or AC condenser this is also an opportunity to go more green, but the cost will go up if you have an older model or new duct work is required.  Worth the expense because you will save so much on your utilities, but a hard pill to swallow if it is an unexpected expense.

Visible water damage - Investigate further.  A leaking or burst pipe that has been repaired or replaced may be the culprit and could be an easy fix with some drywall work and paint.  If the damage was more extensive you may have mold issues or spongy wood which is a more costly fix, but not necessarily a deal breaker depending on the amount of damage.  Find out the history and get some quotes on fixing the problem before making that offer.

You Want to Open Up the Floor Plan - Before you get ahead of yourself with mentally knocking down walls, have a builder or structural engineer take a look to see which ones are load bearing.  Essentially these are exactly what their name indicates, they hold the load of the floors and/or roof up so it will require a structural engineer and possibly an architect to design the concept you are looking for and ensure the structure is properly supported.  Even if the wall is not load bearing it may require rerouting some of the mechanicals that were running through such as electrical, plumbing, or venting.

Spongy Floors - This can go back to water damage and may not be a big deal depending on the extent.  If you were planning to replace the flooring anyway, it is relatively easy to replace a section of the sub floor that goes underneath, just be sure that the floor joists are in solid shape or you may have a bigger issue on your hands.  Susceptible areas tend to be near the bathtub or toilet where slow leaks may have gone unnoticed.

Make A List and Check It Twice:
The home has older windows and doors - These are quite literally an energy suck! Drafts going in and out are overtaxing on your furnace and AC which means they will not run at their full efficiency and will likely shave off some of their life span as well. Since you are paying for a replacement the windows are custom made and will cost several thousand dollars depending on how many windows are in your home and how elaborate the window shapes are.  Save yourself a hassle and buy pre-hung doors which are much easier to hang than just a new slab.

The Exterior is Fatigued - You may luck out and need a few cans of paint on this one, just know that painting is a maintenance with no end in sight that is required every 5 years or so depending on the material and the climate you are in.  Upgrading to a vinyl or fiberboard requires less maintenance but does not come cheap.  This is literally a "you get what you pay for" scenario so don't be stingy and live with the drab until you can afford the fab because you will have to see it every day!

The kitchen or bath is beyond a mini makeover - If you are handy or you have some handy helpers both of these rooms are completely doable to revamp yourself.  If you are keeping the same basic configuration you should be able to swap out the old fixtures but a new layout will likely require a professional for electric, plumbing, and gas.  An HGTV worthy do over can be done for under $15,000 in a kitchen for new cabinets, solid surface counters, appliances, and flooring.  A 3 piece bath can be done for under $10,000.  If you opt to hire out the work then your prices will jump significantly so bear that in mind when making a decision.  If you go with custom cabinets, gourmet appliances, high end counters, and extras such as radiant heating, then the sky is the limit for pricing.

Needs new plumbing or electric - This can snowball depending on the age and condition of the home.  If you are unlucky enough to have the old nob and tube wiring then you may find new wire mixed in with the old creating potential fire hazards and requiring your entire house to be rewired to code.  With plumbing the problems generally surface outside where you tend to forget about them.  Here is one of the tree roots from our neighbor's pine that literally grew through our sewer and we had to replace the entire main running to our house last week.  That definitely "wasn't on the report" in the words of Mike Holmes!

To the left of the pipe is a 3 foot long tree root that was inside of the old sewer pipe.

Red Flag, Swim at Your Own Risk:
Structural Issues - Most people will run at the sight of crumbling or severely spider veined basement walls and unless you get the house for a crazy low price, this is your best bet.  The one part that often gets overlooked though is the sill plate.  This is the wood that sits on top of your basement walls or crawl space.  If one section is rotting it can be fixed and the bill shouldn't cause you to have a coronary, but pay attention to the condition of the wood before you agree to risk it.  If you have concerns then have it assessed for termite or ant damage because if they are in the basement then it is very likely they have made their way into the walls as well. The most overlooked portion is often hidden by the porch.  Know before you buy that anywhere concrete touches wood it will eventually rot.  Not the end of the world, but if the whole thing needs to be replaced it can add up quickly. If there is insect damage that has gone untreated it is probably best to bug out of the deal!

Mold - Mold is a nasty pest that spreads like wildfire.  What you see in the crevice of the shower grout at the open house is likely behind that tile too.  Mold in a basement indicates that water or excessive moister is down there so you may have water problems on your hands.  If you are in flood prone area then it will continue to be a problem for your health and your pocketbook.  Just like water damage, it is best to know the extent of it before agreeing to proceed.  If you were planning to gut the bathroom then minor mold in a bathroom is not a big deal.  If it is caused by a roof leak then you could be looking at a new roof and a lot of new drywall.  If the basement is the issue then don't fall for the siren song of a beautiful home design because a wet basement just doesn't go away!

4) If hiring a contractor get at least 3 to 4 quotes and require references.  Follow up and check them out with the BBB to see if they've had any complaints or claims filed against them.  Never pay anyone just for an estimate or hire anyone who requires full payment before the work begins.  A reputable company may require a retainer fee or a portion for the materials up front, but always wait on final payment until the work is 100% complete. If you feel in any way bullied or pressured follow your gut and find a new contractor. 

These are some issues I have personal experience with and I have categorized them by difficultly and expense in rectifying them.  We bought our project home as a foreclosure and we knew it had some issues, but never realized the extent of them.  Any remodel or renovation we have done has taken longer than planned and cost more than anticipated.  If you have an absolute maximum budget of $8,000 for a bathroom, then plan a $6,000 project and choose your materials accordingly because it will likely end up costing $8,000 by the time you are done.  On a bank loan they refer to this extra money as a contingency, but as homeowners we often forget to leave wiggle room in our smaller remodeling budgets.  I am definitely guilty of looking at a budget on my excel spreadsheet and assuming that I could upgrade to granite counters only to find out that all the drywall had to be ripped out because of moisture and that the tile guy came in $1 a square foot higher than anticipated which put me above my carefully planned allotment.  I hope you find this helpful and I would love to hear any additional tips or experiences you have to add!



No Wit, Just Work

Another Sunday spent working at the house brings us one day closer to getting our home move in ready. J schlepped wheelbarrows full of dirt from the mountain in the front yard to the low areas in the back while I shop vacuumed every crevice of the first floor.  We have had a ton of movement at the house this week with the heating and cooling going in, plumbing and gas installed, the front porch, driveway, and garage floor poured and a sewer and water main replaced (another story for another day!). Here is a look at where we're at to date:

The inaugural parking of the car in the new garage as viewed from the mudroom which is sans drywall!

The fireplace is in and the gas is hooked up.  I did the fantastic tape job to protect the glass front:)

 

The kitchen layout is marked on the floor with a sharpie.  This trick is great to finalize cabinet measurements and really visualize the space.  It also ensures that the gas for the stove, plumbing for the sink and refrigerator, and electric all ends up in the right place

Deal Alert: This high end Ferguson tub was an online auction find for under $150.  Brand new in the box I couldn't believe my luck with this one!

Doors left to right: dog room, closet, master bathroom.  I was inspired by Pinterest to put a dog room under the stairs.

We upgraded to dual shower heads in the walk in shower which is an indulgence much easier to add during the rough in than after the tile is on the walls.

This dreary cement space is my pet project that I've been working on in the basement.  With no room in the floor plan for an office I looked to the basement and came up with an office/bar space that I will keep you updated on as it progresses.  This is not a part of our renovation budget so it is the ultimate DIY and will not be completed until after we move in.

The least exciting and most important expense in a complete renovation or the construction of a new home: the furnace and water heater.  We went high end with a 95% efficiency furnace and gas direct vent water heater which means it vents through the basement wall to the outside vs. a more traditional chimney vent.





Pathways to Parenthood

Parenting is a tricky business of trial and error.  While numerous books, websites, and other publications exist claiming to have all the answers there is simply no boilerplate that works in every instance.  The same is true for becoming a parent or parental figure.  Two people may conceive and have a child together, there is conception through artificial insemination or surrogacy, children gained through marriage, guardianship, adoption, and fostering.  These pathways to parenthood are vastly different yet they all lead to the same triumphs and tribulations of being the responsible party for children 0 to 18 years old.

Since some of these routes are considered non traditional, it can get tricky for family and friends to know how to properly welcome children into their new home.  Babies are thrown showers, but what about toddlers?  Do older kids and teenagers of divorced or deceased parents want to be adopted or just accepted?  Are traditional titles doled out when a family takes on the guardianship of their teenage son or daughters baby or are they mom or dad instead of grandpa and grandma?  How does and open adoption impact a family dynamic? So many questions and opinions, yet each situation has unique circumstances and requires a customized approach.

My own family has recently pondered the appropriate response to welcoming the addition of a foster child.  While the child is a baby, at this point there is no guarantee of permanent placement unless the option for adoption becomes a possibility.  This brought about the question of a baby shower.  This is technically the first baby and is being cared for and loved as if he were their own, yet the long term care is yet to be determined.  Trying to remain in neutral territory and show my support for the new parents without creating false hope I put my thinking cap on. 

I recalled a volunteer group I was a part of painting customized suitcases for foster children so they always had something of their own to take with them no matter where they were placed.  Through this program it was heart wrenching to learn that many children that are shuffled through the foster care system leave favorite toys and teddy bears behind and show up to their new placements with only their clothes in a garbage sack.  This sparked an idea that my family could show our support by presenting the baby with his own suitcase full of treasures that would belong to him no matter what the future holds.  I sent out a Facebook invitation for what became known as a "Suitcase Shower."

Suitcase Shower

This is my suitcase shower,

There's no date to attend.

You ask me why a suitcase,

And I ask you where I'll live?

My birth mom may get better and come get me one day,

Or love me enough to let me go and forever here I'll stay.

But just like any child, there are certain things I love,

Like books and fuzzy blankets and a teddy bear to snuggle up.

So if you find it in your heart to grant this small request,

Please put a token of love in my suitcase

So no matter where I go I'll know I am blessed.

~ Paige Caligiuri

 

 

 

Family and friends responded generously and reached out to place a small token of love in this child's suitcase which was presented yesterday.  The foster parents appreciated the gesture of support that validated their role as parents in this child's life and accepted him into our family no matter what the outcome.  Today as families everywhere celebrate Father's Day I hope that we remember to celebrate all father figures no matter how that role came to be and we recall with fond memories the time we have shared past and present with the male role models in our own lives!

Forging Ahead

Last weekend J and I spent two days digging a 6 foot tall trench.  We completely sealed the concrete blocks below and above grade with a tar sealer that I did not think would ever come off!  I was a bit nervous about "washing" my hands in gasoline to get it off, so I found a much safer alternative at a big box store called GOOP.  It's a must have if you are going to be undertaking any project involving petroleum or tar!


Taking a break to snap a pic of J in the Trench!

Monday brought another day of no new movement at the house and I was beginning to despair that we were never going to move in.  Tuesday J took a day off work so we could finish sealing up our exposed basement wall and fill the trench back in.  I was very happy to see the framers there with our builder knocking out the remaining framing items so we could move forward with the other trades.  Wednesday brought the siding crew who installed all the trim work and put the batten board on the front of the garage.  I am so happy I convinced J to upgrade to a premium color because it looks fantastic!

I spent Thursday and Friday in the basement with a sledgehammer and paint roller.  I busted apart the enormous concrete laundry sink that was impossible to salvage unless it remained in the basement due to it's sheer size.  I painted about a fourth of the 83 year old beams to properly seal them and brighten up the dreary storage space.  I relegated myself to the basement so I would not be in the way as the plumbing crew worked around me roughing in all the piping for the water and sewer lines.  The concrete crew showed up and poured the garage floor, the first half of the driveway, and the footing for the new front porch.  Siding continued to go up and I'm told that all trades will be back next week to complete their work!

If we can keep this pace going the electrician and HVAC contractor will be able to finish up the end of next week or early the week after and we can finally begin the fun part of insulation, drywall, and paint.  Whew, what a week!  Time for some kayaking and a beer:)