More progress

I found out that the tile guy who had yet to return my phone calls, would be working next door today, so I called and he came over and did our small patch of tiles (Sans grout, which must wait two weeks until he gets back from a vacation). Also you can see the cool doors on the shower enclosure.

And here are the sconce lights installed by none other than moi.

Just talked to the phantom plumber who promises to be there sometime Tues, after which we can call for a final inspection.

Also spent three hours yesterday getting the stove in correctly. I eventually had to cut off another 1/8inch on each side of the front lip of the granite to accomodate a couple of screws on the stove. And the downdraft vent hose hookup, and the leveling, oh the leveling!

Gettin' Closer

The 3 amigos, (electricians) finished yesterday except for two sconce lights that arrived this afternoon, that I will hopefully install tomorrow.

The replacement toilet bowl arrived today also, so when the phantom plumber makes an appearance, he may finish all that he needs to do, which will put us ready for final inspection next week sometime.

Cabinet shop finished the fridge panels, but didn't do the new face for the dishwasher. Stove is hung up about 1/4" from going all the way in, work on that tomorrow also.

Painter still has work to do, and still have not heard from the tile guy about the small area above the shower enclosure.

Our new light just inside the front door

Our new light just outside the front door.

The kitchen with working sink, cable lights (look carefully) flourescent lights that well.....let's just say they are required for now.

Dishwasher is hooked up, but not installed.

Faltering steps forward

Friday started off on a positive note. The Three Amigos comedy team (aka the electricians) showed up and were kicking it. Light fixture in the 2nd bedroom closet, phone jack hooked up and working on the cable lights. In order to stay out of their way, I took a road trip to return the undersized refridgerator panels to the cabinet maker. Enroute I get a call from Amigo #1, "Hey we're out of cable, we need another 40 feet."

Call cable light provider to see about more cable. We ordered 126' and recieved a spool marked 126'. Rep gets all defensive, "I don't see how this could have happened." yada yada yada. I just want to get some more cable. Oh, TWO WEEKS! Called local lighting company that has given us great service since we found them, and yes, two weeks, but there's a company about 30 miles down the road that probably carries it. I call, they do, I drive and pick up, @$2.60 a foot. I call back to the house for a last chance to remeasure, no answer. I buy an extra 2 feet.

I drive BACK to the house (60 miles) the electricians are gone for the day :(

I walk off the wire that has been hung and come up with 78'. I see no extra laying around. So I call the rep back and tell her we got shorted. She makes some calls and the cable company will credit back for 40'. (I paid for 126 and got about 80) Before we disconnect, she says she hopes we'll continue to shop there for our lighting needs. Yeh right, you bet.

Does anybody care about doing their job anymore?

SHAT SHAT SHAT!!!!!

One step forward, two back

Started putting wood trim on the fridge, the pieces for the two bottom drawers are the wrong size (small of course)

Toilet installed, Lid is biscuit colored, tank is biscuit colored, the box the bowl came in says it's biscuit colored,... BUT IT'S NOT!!! It's freaking white! (but the color blind plumber installed it anyway) The place we ordered it from cheerfully said they would order the right one.

Wood paneled front piece for the dishwasher is not what we wanted, but we accepted it, so we'll probably have to pay for a new piece.

On the bright side, the shower enclosure is installed and has really cool doors. They're two pieces that slide around the inside to open.

Contractor is gone for two weeks, so I have lots of time to screw things up before his return.

PROGRESS! (with pictures)

Still need more electrical work, plumbing, trim and paint, but it's getting closer.

BEFORE

NOW

BEFORE

NOW


BEFORE


NOW

Another possibly addictive blog

Blogger has a site that show pictures that are being uploaded via blogger in real time according to their web site.

More floor dance + Countertops!

Independantly, contractor and I found differant tiles that resonated when tapped, as if not totally glued down. Contacted floor company who contacted tech rep, and yes indeed, it's possible that a tile might be over a slight dip and not make contact. I ended up going out today for reasons that will be discussed, and found many tiles, particularly along the edge that didn't make contact, and when I tried to assist the process, several chipped along the edge due to the floor having a "lip". So I will be seeing more of the floor guy, who has the same first name as me.

About noon, contractor called and said granite countertop people wanted to install this afternoon and were loading the truck as we spoke and that he, contractor, couldn't make it, and that is how I found myself rushing out to meet them. Three hours, three tops, lots of dust and a little damage to some sheet rock and cabinet finish.

Countertop installer's name...Yep, that's three of us!

Voila!

Bathroom vanity

Floor Dance vs Dance floor

A Floor Dance is what happens when you are waiting for the floor to be finished, and appointments are made, and cancelled, rescheduled, cancelled, rescheduled ad inifinitum. Here is what is left to do.

Just two half pieces on either side so the stove will slide in and out. The joints were sealed, the glue down, but it was a long day and the floor guy spaced.

He'll be there Monday 10am, 9:15 a call, child care issues, can't make it. Will be there tomorrow, "What time?" He'll call. No call until I'm there (with no cell phone coverage) first message, be there at 10, second, can't make it today. I call the shop at 10:15, "Oh, didn't he call you?"

So now we're on for 10am tomorrow. Meanwhile I have time to take pictures, and the weather is beautiful.

And a gratuitous picture of Lily

I couldn't figure out how to get this in the header

Floor's IN!

The place feels a lot more done than it is. Still needs the electrical finished, plumbing finished painting finished and trim work done. Then we have to buy some furniture.

An inkling of progress

The first section of tiles has been laid, without grout yet. Tomorrow another section and the grouting of this piece. Next day, grout the newest section and lay another section yada yada yada. Supposed to be thru Saturday, but we'll see.

THE CURSE, or how I learned to give up hope

I just read this fine column at http://www.sfgate.com/, and it reminded me of when I gave up hope and realized as the bumper sticker says, "I feel so much better since i gave up all hope."

It started as a quiet morning in the grocery store. It was a Lucky's grocery, a chain has been bought out several times, disappeared and is about to reappear!

I had only purchased a few items and as I approached the checkout, I observed that there were two clerks (one was the manager) and one customer. So, even though I know I have the THE CURSE, (wherein, no matter what line I get into it will be the longest) I foolishly thought to myself, "AH, I've got it made!"

As I put my items on the belt, I started picking up on the conversation between the one other customer and the exasperated clerk. She wanted to know why she couldn't get her can redemption money for her cans HERE because she had purchased them HERE! There was a redemption center in the parking lot which was not yet open, and signs for other nearby centers that WERE open. She wanted nothing to do with any of that, she wanted to talk to, wait for it, THE MANAGER (my checker) and proceded to argue with him for 10 minutes.

Thus I realized I was well and truly screwed. And the knowledge thereof I found to be freeing.

I now warn people behind me that I have THE CURSE, and that they get in line behind me at their peril. I have met a number of other souls like myself, and we smile and nod knowingly to each other while we hum "Amazing Grace" or "Ohm" or the Barney song to ourselves.

Serenity at last, great GOB a'mighty, serenity at last!

Que Pasa? Nada

But wait til next week.

The painter is plugging away, staining and eventually painting to his hearts content. I had hoped the electrician would be there today, but the painter was not to a point where the electrician could work?

This morning I got a "confirmation" call that work on the floor was to begin Tuesday. I explained that I had understood that it was to be Monday, but "Oh no, he doesn't work Mondays" (Did I detect a wee bit of attitude?) Also the tiles would be delivered this afternoon, so I ended up making the drive out anyway. Also got another call, "Gee you were right, they ARE starting on Monday"

Meanwhile I had called the contractor and electrician to say Monday was open, called back "Never mind!"

Did get the corbels installed on the island.

But next week, Watch out! We should have a floor! Which means I can bring in some of the stuff from the garage (TV and the like) Lots of stuff on order, faucets, sink, track and other lights, toilet. Granite slabs are in, and we're going to pick one or two tomorrow. (The granite guy did templates the other day and may be able to do the kitchen and the bathroom vanity with one slab (if it's large enough) plus a remnant.

Daily news

Anyone else NOT comforted by the ideas that you CAN fool all of the people some of the time and you CAN apparently fool some of the people all the time, and that this seems to be good enough to do a lot of damage in the world?

Moving forward

I have to look at comparison shots to remind myself that progress IS being made

Staining is sort of finished. I'm not happy with the top of the pass through cabinets, so I'm guessing they will be resanded and stained. The half column on the right is also much darker than anything else. I'm not sure much can be done about that.

The painter finally found something that matches the ceiling boards close enough for the new boards.

Firehouse cooking

Firefighters have a reputation for good cooking. They also have a reputation for cooking chili. I am a crappy cook, and a dish I DO make that vaguely resembles chili, I do not call by that name because it is so mild. I'm generally not a hot food aficionado, although I like small amounts of wasabi on sushi.

By way of background explanation, I have a small rental that has a small raised vegetable garden. A few years back the renters had vacated during fall. As I was cleaning up the property I noticed what appeared to be stunted bell peppers. (Hey it was fall after all) Hating to see food go to waste, I picked them with the thought that the next day I could make some of my Not Really Chili at the firehouse.

The next day as I chopped the onions and bell peppers, I noticed that the seeds in the peppers were very small and black rather than white.

As per usual, my nose started to itch. Not being a COMPLETE idiot, I knew to wash my hands before scratching my nose because I had been cutting an onion. Hands washed I rubbed the itching spot which immediately felt like it was ON FIRE! So I rubbed it with my (washed) wrist, now a larger area felt like it was burning. I got a wet towel and rubbed it which further inflamed things. Eventually my entire face was involved. My eyes were tearing, and I could barely see. Despite all this I continued fixing the dish while wondering what kind of onions those were anyway.

By the time the food was ready, I had regained my eyesight, and my face had improved so it only felt like a severe sunburn. I served the meal, and took a bite. OMG, it was the hottest chili I had ever tasted. I couldn't take another bite. The other two guys on my crew thought it was excellant however. Apparently those weren't bell peppers, Habaneros more likely.

NOT such a good day

In an effort to stay out of the way of the guy who is doing all the work, I thought I would "help" by converting our new stove to propane. When we bought it I was told they didn't do the conversion, it just came set up for Natural gas, and the change was "Real Easy!" (40 steps)

The low lights of todays trevails, one slashed hand (stove now baptised with blood), 1 (of 7) orifice dropped under the nonremoveable glass cooktop. 1 hour on the phone spent trying to order the replacement. ($30) Access to one orifice just a bit smaller than socket. Eventually found a neighbor who had a tool that would suffice. There was even more...

On the plus side, I am now INTIMATELY familiar with our new stove and am probably qualified to be a repairperson.

A good day

Not only did we get the kitchen cabinets in, we were able to watch whales frollicking while we were doing it! Thoughtful neighbors came over and pointed out a mom and calf playing not more than 50 yards offshore. I saw LOTS of spouts and humps, 2 fin slaps and a head sticking straight up (spyholing?).

Only a picture of the cabinets though, had to keep working.

Cat in a dog fight

Lily WAIT!!!! IT'S ONE OF OURS!!!

Compensation

I heard a cop remark once that a third of the time he was paid too much, a third just right, and a third not nearly enough.
I used to say that 90% of the time I was overpaid, 5% just right and 5% NOT ANYWHERE NEAR ENOUGH.
I got to the link below via Rising Blogger and thought it was worth posting (and I recommend Rising Blogger)

http://totallyun-pc.blogspot.com/2007/07/tonight-im-gonna-party-like-its-1999.html

More floor pour

Looks a lot better. It will get a final thin coat just before the floor tiles go in. Today, as I type, a painter is staining the cabinets, and hopefully priming the walls.


Lily is back to her old life. Although she lost almost a pound, at first, she has gained that back plus a bit. It all seems to be muscle. She's a studette.

You can float a boat, you can float a check...

I didn't know you could float a floor.

Before..

During...

Finish tomorrow due to the depth of the "float". They can only do 1" max at a time. The far corner is 1 1/4" lower than the corner at the lower right of the pic, and most of the left wall is at least 1" deep. They used 12- 60 lb bags of "stuff" ( a technical term) to pour what you see. At least another 12 bags tomorrow.

Cabinets to be delivered tomorrow, and Lily meets with her probation officer, I mean doctor, to get cleared for active duty. We returned her cell, I mean dog crate, to the people we borrowed it from this evening.

Surgery's not my bag baby, yeh!

At least not on HP printers. Paper jam led to surgery using dental picks, which led to creasing the ribbon that runs through the ink cartridges, which is what is causing the "Cartridge Jam" error message I'm guessing.
A new equivalent replacement is $170, hard to imagine it could be fixed for much less.
Sigh!

remodel update

Spent ALL DAY Thursday waiting for the inspector, who showed up at 4:45 pm. Friday was touch up and insulation.

Today (Sat) the sheetrock went in. Monday another inspection, then sheetrock taping. Wed the floor people are coming, maybe Friday the cabinets will be delivered (depending on how the floor goes). Things are suddenly cooking!

Oh! and it's Lily's last week on probation. Appt Friday for clearance to do all the things we're sort of letting her do now under supervision.

Busted by Karma Kop

So I had a restless night last night. The phone message from the contractor, "Looks like we might have a leak in the roof" played to my subliminal fears that the patch job on the remodel was not adequate.

Got to the house early, couldn't find signs of a leak. Contractor arrives. Message should have been, "I see a water stain on the top plate of the wall, near where the leaky skylight was, it's dry, but I don't remember seeing it before."

So I ran LOTS of water across the roof, no leak. I realized it was Karma when I went into a room to check for signs of water, and I wanted to yell out "Were these puddles here before?" even though it was dry, and I realized I might not have appreciated that bit of humor at that moment if someone did it to me.

Contractor spent today "wrapping" the beams with clear fir plywood. I got to sand them. (I'm HELPING!")

BEFORE

NOW

When is an unseasonal rain & leaky roof a GOOD thing?

During a summer remodel, before you have done work that would have gotten screwed up.

Update, shower (bath kind, not weather) came in, but it was damaged in transit, new one may be in NEXT Tues.

Cabinets are done and we have nowhere to put them. Builder will hold them for a little while...

Roofer update

They showed up sometime this am and installed the skylight. The downside is that they discovered a change order from the roof job that cost us another $371. I have to think if I had let them forget about the skylight they might have forgotten the extra bucks. oh well.

Today is our ACTUAL 30th anniversary

For those unable to attend due to being in colder or warmer climes or ships at sea. And also those who couldn't hear my mumbling. Following is the text of our ceremony.

Wedding Renewal Vows for Steven & Kathleen


The quality of love is that which gives meaning to all human relations. A lasting, loving relationship is one of the mysteries of life. On this occasion, we are witnessing the reaffirmation of those vows of love made by Kathleen and Steven on their wedding day July 9, 1977.

During the intervening years, Kathleen and Steven have lived through sickness and health, pain and pleasure, success and loss. Because of their love for each other, they have persevered through the bright sunlight of the mountaintops and the shadows of the valleys. Their love has brought them together to this joyous occasion, where hand-in-hand they renew their vows of love and trust in each other.

Before the vows, Kathleen and Steven will read “The Art of a Good Marriage.”

The Art of a Good Marriage
By Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end
with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and
demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience
understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

Kathleen and Steven, you have come to this place together to continue to confirm to each other and to make public that your destinies shall be one and that your joys shall not be known apart. You are saying, “I love you” as a full commitment of yourselves to each other. You are again declaring your intention to make this venture of faith and love.


Steven, having full confidence in and love for Kathleen, will you continue to be her loving and faithful husband in sickness and health, in prosperity and need, in joy and loss, and to respect her privileges as an individual as long as you both shall live? (“I will”)

Kathleen, having full confidence in and love for Steven, will you continue to be his loving and faithful wife in sickness and health, in prosperity and need, in joy and loss, and to respect his privileges as an individual as long as you both shall live? (“I will”)


Will you who have witness these promises do all in your power to continue to uphold these two persons in their marriage? (“We will”)

Update

New Roof-CHECK!

Party- CHECK! Renewal of vows- CHECK! Good time had by all- CHECK!

Lily's stitches out-CHECK

(ONLY 4 more weeks of house arrest)

Next remodel inspection-delayed, floor prep/installation delayed

I actually have a day off! CHECK and DOUBLE CHECK!

Lily's Surgery X rays

Yes, you've all (both of you)been waiting for it, and HERE IT IS!

SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!

This Sunday, Moonrabbit and I are celebrating 30 years of marital bliss here. (It's actually 3o years on the 9th). So if you remember, perhaps lift a glass for us.

Update: Roofers showed up today!

Theory- All Roofers have brain damage

#1. Previous post see May's "WTF Roofers Chapters 1 & 2 "

#2 Still no new skylight which was supposedly ordered at that time, I called last week "It's on order" Yeh right.

#3 Roofers (different Co.) to replace/repair removed parts of remodel roof supposed to do it last Friday, couldn't make it, be there monday, couldn't make it, maybe Wed/Thurs, no show....

Don't you feel sorry for me?

Challenge=Opportunity+Angst

The challenge- replace large sections of roof/ceiling due to dry rot. Creates opportunity to replace obvious termite damage in ceiling in bathroom not otherwise being worked on. 2X8 T&G had to be custom milled because they are smaller now than what's in house. We also removed a skylight that was prone to leakage and didn't fit in with reconfigured floor plan.

Also an opportunity to replace/move wiring run between roof and roofing material. We can run wire for track lighting in the hallway.

Visual signs of progress

Or the REAL reason we got permits. (Nothing else shows from the outside)

BEFORE

NOW

Still needs some trim.

Lily is home

She's back, but not too happy with us.

This is the view we get most of the time

Mostly she sits in her cell..I mean crate, with her back to the wall, bouncing a baseball against the wall and catching it. I think she might be plotting an escape.