The flights home were all basically on time, but we had a 6 hour layover in Denver and that was a bit of a killer. Our "Premium Economy" seat for the trans-Pacific flight gave us a some more leg room, but that was it. The extra space certainly help Deidre with her various joint issues.
The painters had started on Monday and the caulking of the new extension was well underway. I have started painting the insides - primed the walls and ceilings, and finish painted the new inside doors. Making slow but steady progress.
Monday June 24, 2019
It took us just about all week to learn how to sleep through the night again. Last week I did not get much done around the house, but I was able to order all the trim wood and the "sod" for the front yard, and the sod was delivered this morning!
Boy, summer is here for real and its hot and humid every day. Deidre and I did spend some time over the weekend getting the front yard ready for the sod. Its hot work.
The sod is down now and it looks great! Now all we have to do is water and wait.
Adam the electrician turned up today and has restored electricity to the front of the house and installed the new outside lights. All that remains now is the wiring for the washer/dryer, but that has to wait until we move them over.
Friday June 28, 2019
The lawn seems to be doing well. My new sprinkler system is performing perfectly. The painters seem slow (it is hot work) but the outside is coming along. I have finally installed the safe in the new front closets and started installing the trim around doors and windows. The miter saw is in my workshop under the house, so there is a lot of running up and down the stairs.
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| My lawn is looking great |
Friday, July 5, 2019
The painters and the trim work is progressing. I am also busy trying to wrap up my 2018 ta preparation. I have already used up one 90 day extension and would like to avoid taking another.
On Monday I drove to and from Asheville, NC to visit a dear friend (Nick) who is in hospital and in some serious trouble. He went in for a knee operation but ended up with a blocked bowel and has needed additional operations. Not good.
I am having trouble finding a flooring person to install the new floors in the new rooms. The jobs seem too small to interest anyone.
Friday, July 12, 2019
We have decided to cruise the Inside Passage to Alaska and explore Alaska by car for a week or so afterwards. We have invited Bill to come with us. This week I have booked the flights and the cruise and now working on cars and hotels and tours. Bill is now walking with the help of a walker, so mountain climbing and glacier hikes are off the agenda.
Seems like we have found an installer for the floors so have finalized our choice of materials. I can now order the cabinets because I can install them as soon as the floors are done. But in order to get a decent price on the hardwood floor I had to take on the sanding and finishing part.
Progress!
The front lawn is doing great. The outside paint job is also looking great, and it seems that Deidre can now come home and not feel ashamed! Progress!
Tuesday July 16, 2019
Much to our surprise the floor guy turned up late in the afternoon. His name was Paul and he is an immigrant from Brazil. He got right into the task and by 6 PM he had completed the hardwood floor in the Reception and the man made "snap in" floor in the laundry. We are both delighted with the results.
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| New hardwood floors |
Wednesday July 17, 2019
I continued installing trim, now working in the laundry. Did not get much done because the levels were so off around the outside door that I needed to do a lot of "plaster shaving" to get the trim to install properly. A real pain in the rear. Not much progress
Thursday July 18, 2019
Hired a guy for an hour to help me move the boxed cabinets from the garage up to the laundry. And also to help me to exchange the "new-new" front door for the "old-new" front door. Did a bit more trim work and stained the top rails of the front stairs. I did not trust the painter to do it. Looks good.
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| Top rails with two coats of stain! |
Lined up the new cabinets to get a feel for how they would look. Will start installation in the AM. Incredibly hot day today.
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| The cabinets are here! |
