Last weekend

We had a fun weekend in Saugatuck to celebrate a birthday. It was a great time and we even saw a little snow pile dup on the ground. Hopefully the next big celebration will be at our house. I've already been asked when new years invitations were being mailed!

Master bath

Here is what nearly broke the bank. the marble subway tiles are going in and they absolutely look beautiful. A little trim work on top and bottom all the way around and then floor to ceiling in shower area. Nothing for the potty-that room will be lonely and plain.

Wood flooring

Last week the flooring was dropped off in bundles and a day later the entire floor was done upstairs and down. A few areas still need patched upstairs and I don't think anyone is excited about that, but oh well, it's got to be done. Part of the job. Eventually everything will be sanded down, i guess the base moulding goes on and paint last? Something like that I guess. The dining room and living space are even heights and just a tiny threshhold to the kitchen. That was my preference so the table could be pulled out and there wouldn't be any danger zones for chairs.

steps galore

These are the new steps out to the driveway. No more messing with a gate or mud. The stairs to the kitchen are for Atlas and maybe come spring, we can get a little patio on the side and some sod that will clean up the look. Anyone with a green thumb is welcome to offer advice on the backyard!

new windows!

The old windows are finally gone! Layers of glass, storm windows, and dirty screens have parted ways for these beauties. Althought hey are about 4 inches narrower than the old ones, they are SOOO much brighter-unfortunately I will have to stain them later. On the list for YOA January 2009!

3/4

Siding is 3/4 of the way done and the ceilings, walls, and other unusual spaces have had several layers of "tape & mud". As soon as I come home from work in the daylight, I will take pictures again, maybe from another angle and you can get another view, until then...

50%siding

We went grey on top and I absolutely love it. it makes me feel like I live on the New England coast. Crisp, cool. Everyone who drives by has giant compliments for the exterior, which confirms the color choice and variety of textures, lines and shapes. Bentley's owner, Millie, was telling us how amazing it was as we caught her walking around the back (she didn't know we were there) and how after her house was resided 5 years ago, she still loves coming home from work everyday!
The weather was cold and windy today but the guys worked from 7 until 3 to finish the whole driveway side. They will also add the capitals to the new windows to match the old. And if we are lucky, any extra siding may reface the front of our garage to match and then we will paint the rest until we a ready to do phase 2 or 3--hopefully the basement will be 2 and the garage #3!

Tall man

The guy on stilts made the day. After mixing some sort of concoction in a large bucket. I guess he poured it into his tape gun and got to work. I love the spring loaded stilts and the uniformity of the rolling process to seal the edges and join all the boards. A few more coats and we will be ready for primer and paint.

Siding

Well, a few raised eyebrows on my part tonight. Working long hours, going to school at night, and the time change are making me a bit worried. The first picture was what I saw this morning, the second picture is what I will apparently see tomorrow morning. I don't think either one is right, but unfortunately working isn't helping in the communication process. Hopefully I can report some changes Saturday that make the white stripe disappear. Wish me luck.

Drywall

Phase one walls are up. I hear the taping is pretty neat to watch. Maybe if I slip out of school at the bell tomorrow, I can see and tape some action and send it your way. The walls really make a difference and frame the space with more reality than the studs!

Halloween

Mom and dad came for a visit to see how things were going. Dad wanted to get a closer look, instead of relying on what I was sharing, and it was great to see them both. Mom is the only one that gets her photo on the blog-her big pumpkin outdid Anne's and mine! Mostly, I am sure they enjoyed sitting on the porch furniture set up in the driveway while passing out candy and visiting with our friends. A few beverages, a nice dinner, and a little celebration up the street led to a fine night had by all! Just another day on Garner.

Pre-drywall

I guess this stuff is important for inspection, but for myself, I think it just looks pretty cool! All the holes with pipes running through them had to be filled with this firecaulk (sp?)so artistically, these orange eruptions are all over the house! Although it has been a warm November so far, with just a little insulation, our house has never been as warm as it is now, and the heat isn't even running!

Water service

Mike and I never drank from the tap water and if you saw our pipes and faucets, you would certainly understand why. That however should not be a problem now. The new line was dug; the outside of our house is a muddy mess. The only perfect piece of sidewalk we had is now a pile of rocks.

The inside concrete was poured to fill the hole,

and the furnace got some new knobs and shut off valves. Now, hopefully soon, I think we will have a bigger water tank, heated floors, and some fancy new faucets in which to drink!