October 30, 2004

Gee, can you tell I'm excited about the front of the house? Even with the dumpster, its stunning! The taper was working on corners and the electrician was wiring the lights in the basement furnace/mechanical room. I decided to cover all the cold air returns in preparation of the tapers dust later in the week.

The dogs are sleeping on the couch and the steak is about ready to come off the grill...so I sign off for the day...Happy Halloween everybody! Enjoy the extra hour of sleep tonight, I know I will!

porch

October 28, 2004

Its not really a picture of the front rocks, I'm still waiting for the dumpster to go. The guys worked on trimming out the front porch roof. Redwood and rough sawn cedar, it looks really cool! Smart builders that they are, they rented scaffolding for this. Both of them said their necks were sore after looking UP all day. Tonight the insulation will be blown into the ceiling cavities. The weather forecast is for rain tomorrow, so they plan to put up the garage doors. I can't wait to get home from work on Saturday morning to see everything!
porch

October 27, 2004

More rocks, more stones! The front of the porch is now completed with the stones. And its really awesome. Until the dumpster is gone, I won't post a picture because I can't do it justice. They also worked on the redwood and cedar facia and trim over the porch. That will be completed tomorrow.

The sheetrockers sure work harder when their foreman is with them. The garage was completed shortly after lunch. There is an unusual visual effect though...the house looks SMALLER with the sheetrock. But the garage looks HUGE. I'm sure there are more square feet in this garage than there were in my Richfield house.

I signed the contract for the fence today. And no, Wayne, since I have no equity in this house yet, I can't do the HELOC for the fence...but it was a serious thought. The dogs cost much more than anyone's' children ever did.

A beer with the builders at the end of the work day and its time for a nap.

October 26, 2004

If its good enough for the sheetrockers, I guess its good enough for the builders, too! They called it a giant puzzle except the pieces would fall off from time to time. But it really looks neat! Now I have some colors to think about for shutters.

While Corey and Brad were placing stone, Paul and I started putting up the vapor barrier for the garage ceiling. Sounds like the sheetrockers will be back to do the garage tomorrow. The well company was back out installing the pressure tank, too.

Reggie got his first trip to the house today. He checked out every closet, bathtub, and corner. I guess he doesn't want to get lost when we move in. It was his turn for an outing. He got to meet the fence company rep and see their sample. 5 feet is shorter than we had before, but I don't think he's going to try jumping over this stuff.

Getting stoned!

October 25, 2004

A beautiful sunset on the front porch tonight! OK, I didn't actually sit and enjoy it, I was busy hauling scrap sheetrock out to the dumpster. The drywall company owner was with the crew today...and he wasn't very happy about their lack of progress. But he was hunting last week and his guys were slackers while he was gone. Mission accomplished, all the rock is up. I was cleaning up the first floor for about two hours late today, then it was one of the best showers I'd had lately.

The builders, well, Corey said he felt they hadn't done much today, but lots of loose ends were finished. And they got the "skim coat" of cement on the front porch front...tomorrow they start with the stone pieces. Another "visual" that I can't wait to see. The pieces look good on the display board at the lumber yard, but in real life I can't imagine what it will look like.



rock

October 24, 2004
See what I mean about privacy? This is the master bathroom. From left to right you see part of the vanity area, the commode spot and the shower. I'd hoped the sheetrockers would show up on Saturday...but alas, no such luck. Can I hope for a better turnout on a Monday-after a Vikes game?

master bath

October 22, 2004

Privacy, finally! But it sure looks smaller when you look into the bathroom and can't see the garage anymore. The rockers were back in larger numbers today...must be healthier. They got both first floor bedrooms and the master bath done, and completed the basement. Sounds like they'll be at it again tomorrow to finish the rest of the first floor.
The builders were working on the front porch when Carl and I arrived. Carl seemed to like the random length of the 2x6 cedar decking boards. He seemed rather disappointed to hear that they'd eventually be trimmed to the same length.
I'm narrowing down the hardwood floor choices for the first floor. But I need a cabinet sample to decide for sure.
And thanks to Kirsten, I've found a deal on satellite tv! Time to make a call.
Oh...the fence estimate is in! GULP!!!!!!!!

October 21, 2004

Looks like visitors can walk up to the front door now. That is, if they park right in front of the garage doors. Sidewalk and apron were poured yesterday. The rockers arrived Wednesday, but half of their crew was sick so things are proceeding slower than expected. They plan to work on Friday and Saturday to finish up. Benco, the electric company, made the permanent connection, so I'll have real power as soon as outlets are installed. The garage heater was ordered today...winter in MN can be brutal.

I picked up Carl and he's chauffeured me all over southwestern MN today. He drove from Trimont back to St Peter and will get more behind the wheel time tomorrow driving to the cities.

front sidewalk

October 20, 2004

Sore Backs Today! I followed the second truck full of sheetrock up the road this afternoon. The two young guys unloading all that rock sure earned their money. They also had all the stone for the front porch trim, BIG heavy boxes. My truck was a bit overloaded too...with a pallet of ceramic tile. The rock guys were still unloading when I left after an HOUR.

The builders were insulating and putting up vapor barrier. The rockers are coming tomorrow and said they'd be finished on Thursday. While they're rocking, the builders will be "stoning" the front porch. Its gonna be so cool to come home after working tomorrow to see all the progress.

Tonight...Reggie, Lizzy and I are gonna have an evening on the couch. I'd better set an alarm clock or we'll oversleep for work in the morning.

October 17, 2004

Boy, I hope the builders like surprises! I insulated the interior walls around the master bedroom and bath and the wall between the laundry room and kitchen. Sound insulation.

My folks "came down" to check on progress today. It was really cold in the house and anyone who knows Lorraine realizes that she hates the cold. Needless to say, we didn't stay long! Lunch at Country Kitchen rather than Whiskey River...Dad's sore foot prevented trips through the buffet line.


insulation

October 15, 2004
Sorry for neglecting the blog for a few days. Not enough hours in the day! Over the past few days the guys have been busy. Wednesday they built the front porch framework. Thursday it was a workout with the retaining wall blocks. Friday was wiring for the garage, phone, cable, and surround sound. The garage steps were installed too.

I stopped by on Friday just in time to celebrate Brad's birthday! thirty-something. Corey's wife had sent cupcakes, candles and matches for the whole effect but the guys skipped the ceremonial part and went directly to the food.

The errands of the day were getting the electrical company paperwork done, (Benco) and then back to the lumber yard to select cabinet finish. On Sunday I plan to do some prep for the closet organizers (nailing pieces) and also to insulate a few interior walls for noise proofing. My folks are coming down to see the house and go to brunch at Whiskey River. Lets hope its a little warmer outside!



retaining wall

October 13, 2004

Corey was out at the house working today! He said he's still taking the pain pills but was able to walk on the toes of the foot (can't put his heel down yet). Hopefully he's not overdoing things.
He said they were working on "the deck" which I think means the front porch. (remember...pain pills!)

I stopped out early this morning, but they were at the lumber yard getting materials. The siding is completed on the south gable end, yeah! Only one small strip to do, between the two heights of the garage roofs.

I picked out all the ceramic tile for the bathrooms and laundry/mud room today. Wouldn't it be easier if there were only about 10 tile samples to choose from? Believe it or not, I came in really close to budget! I'm not sure which is coolest...the master bath or the other first floor bath.

Working OT tonight and normal shift tomorrow...so nothing new til Friday.

October 12, 2004

What a haunting feeling to show up at the house and find this on the ground and no builders. It was obvious that somebody got hurt, the question was who and how bad?? Within an hour, (during which time I drove to the St Peter hospital and the clinic), they returned with Corey on crutches and vicodin! He'd fallen from scaffolding about 12 feet. He's a lucky man with no broken bones, but one screwed up left leg from the knee down. The vicodin was taking hold...he stayed and measured rooms for tile dimensions before we finally convinced him to go home. But he's gonna be one sore puppy for a while. Thank God he wasn't hurt worse!!!!!

I stayed and helped Brad and Paul with the gable end siding for a couple hours. When I had to leave for a CU board meeting...they only had about two more pieces to finish the side.

Construction may slow for the next couple weeks. But they still have the electrical inspector coming early next week...maybe I'll get to do more work on the house. Running cableand phone lines can't be all that hard. Oh yeah, I have to work this weekend. Now...where exactly is Richfield again????


OOPS!

October 11, 2004

Monday, Monday...isn't that a song? I stopped out early this morning and they were already working on the siding. The back of the house and garage presented some challenges with electrical meter, phone connections, an arched window and a funny angle where the rooflines come together. The did complete all that! Just the south gable end and then the facia.

A new piece of equipment was the toy of the well guys. It was a backhoe mounted on a track system, no idea what its called! But it worked well and the septic is now complete. Sure glad Gene found a website that's basically "septics for dummies." City girl that I am/was, I have a lot to learn.

Cabinets are nearly ordered, of course about $3000 over budget! The very helpful staff at Lloyd Lumber ought to be sick of me by now.

Now for a night to relax!

October 8, 2004

Happy Birthday, Lizard!

I'm officially homeless now. I closed on the Richfield house yesterday, all went smoothly, until I ate Taco John's for dinner...big mistake!

Lots of progress on the new house. They've sheetrocked the firewall between garage and house, worked on the siding until missing pieces became evident, foot door installed into garage. Mediacom buried the cable for tv...although the jury is still out whether or not I can get it now on my street. Electricians worked until dark last night. Septic will be finished on Monday. The punch list of projects to complete before drywall is getting shorter.

October 5, 2004

Is it illegal to post twice in a day? So sue me! Now, imagine you've just come up the reallllllly long driveway, walked up the steps, entered the lovely front door (I actually ordered the one I wanted!), this is what you'll see. Yeah, I suppose there will be sheetrock, flooring, railing around the stairs, trim and probably a dog toy or two to complete the picture. The fireplace is the focal point on the east wall of the great room.




fireplace

October 5, 2004
Great strides made today with the siding. The back of the house is done and they're working their way around the south side. As the day has warmed, there's been a pile of shedded garments...it started about 32 degrees and should top out at 70. The siding color is great, and its just a hair lighter than the windows and trim. We also figured out where the doggie door will go on the back of the garage. I figured they could side and trim around it better than I could.

A trip to the lumber yard finished off the morning. I selected the stone for the front porch, the front door and sidelight, interior trim finish, wood for stairway railing, and got the kitchen cabinet prices. YIKES, it may be time to reconsider the hickory or the style! Guess I have work cut out for the afternoon.

Back to Richfield tomorrow to finish emptying the house and cleaning. Thanks Mom...I appreciate the help!!

siding

October 4, 2004

I'm such an idiot! I hit the wrong button while uploading my camera and erased all of the pictures on the disk! So, you won't get to see the siding, or the fireplace, or the ceiling-can lights, or anything else that was accomplished over the past few days. Yes, I'll be out there tomorrow with my camera (and maybe a new brain!).

Corey said today that the drywall guys are scheduled to start two weeks from today. That's quite the deadline to get the electrical, plumbing, insulation and other misc wires (phone, cable, internet, surround sound) all in. They may be working some long days.

Off to eat dinner...I better watch out or I'll burn the house down! Moving has done a number on my mental capacities!

October 1, 2004

No picture again today, a muddy, muddy place and I forgot to bring my boots. With the temp dropping rapidly and the rain, it wasn't a total surprise that no one was working when I stopped by at 1:30 this afternoon. It looked like the soffits were complete and several boxes of siding stacked in the garage. Telephone install may have been delayed due to unfinished electrical. Just pray for the gas company showing up soon!!

This is moving weekend. I hope to finish packing tonight. Kirsten and Liz will be here to help over the weekend, Carl has bailed on me for 4-H! So much for using his muscle!

Well, off to pack. Check back for pix on Sunday night.