...but we still have a curtain call to sit through.
THE FLOORS ARE BEAUTIFUL !!!!!
Yesterday, on purpose, Peggie arranged a day out. I arranged for the movers to return and replace all of our furniture from the storage pod. I had drawn a schematic so I would know where everything went. The following things were put where they had been before: the phone booth, the dining room table, the four dining chairs, the dining room chest, the murphy bed. Everything else has been rearranged. When Peggie got home, she actually agreed with my placements.
We will post pictures after we decide where to hang our artworks.
We have not moved all of our boxed items back onto shelves and cabinets yet either. There will be a slight delay while we go to Tempe for Casey's commencement activities. (She has her Masters of Education)
The curtain call has to do with some final touch-ups to the paint and a couple of chips in the floor.
So now we have Christmas to get ready for and a bedroom to empty so Casey has a place to sleep when she comes. Oh, and the new window blinds we discovered we needed. And the new cable outlet because we moved the TV and computer.
And....I believe I mentioned once before that there would be things we didn't anticipate. So whatever those are. THEN this episode will be over.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Happy Birthday, Tomoko!
The girls have dibbs on December Birthdays in this family! We hope you're having a great day--a little rest, a little relaxing and a whole lot of celebrating.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Mother Nature's Mischievous Niece
Mother nature has cooperated most generously with our redecorating schedule. Sunshine, 70's, no wind. Windows and doors have had to be wide open so paint and floor stain can dry. Nighttime temps have been just low enough to require a quilt. And we just happen to have a few.
But, Mother Nature's mischievous niece, Disease, has shown up. The floor crew, two guys, have been sick with some virus. One of them has missed three days, and the other is working short days while he sneezes, coughs, and blows his nose. So, we are now a day behind schedule.
But today they are applying the final sealer. Tomorrow, the painters will do touch up. Just in case, I postponed the movers to Tuesday. Then it will be done.
HA!!
Then we can start putting things back on shelves and in cabinets. Perhaps we will have the guest room livable by the time Casey comes for Chistmas. We might even have time to set up the tree.
Peggie has really been living in her studio. She has turned the old so-far-unused cabinet into a talavera (sp?) type. It will go in the main hall for shoes.
I have been supervising the workers from an old recliner on the patio. I have caught up on all my magazines and three novels. I only have to move the recliner three or four times a day to find shade or sunshine as required. I have come to know several local birds who frequent our yard, and developed a real sympathy for the poor dog next door, who gets ignored a lot.
Does anybody know why a cactus wren would want to spend his days chasing a phainopepla around from tree to tree all the time? This is quite an obsession on the part of the wren. The phainopepla seems to be a tease. He whistles his whereabouts until the wren chases him again. They do occasionally pause to eat seeds from the rhus lancia, almost civilly, then the chase is back on.
Okay, I have to go back to the recliner now. That book won't read itself, and I hate to leave Lt. Dallas with an unsolved case. You know how she loses sleep.
But, Mother Nature's mischievous niece, Disease, has shown up. The floor crew, two guys, have been sick with some virus. One of them has missed three days, and the other is working short days while he sneezes, coughs, and blows his nose. So, we are now a day behind schedule.
But today they are applying the final sealer. Tomorrow, the painters will do touch up. Just in case, I postponed the movers to Tuesday. Then it will be done.
HA!!
Then we can start putting things back on shelves and in cabinets. Perhaps we will have the guest room livable by the time Casey comes for Chistmas. We might even have time to set up the tree.
Peggie has really been living in her studio. She has turned the old so-far-unused cabinet into a talavera (sp?) type. It will go in the main hall for shoes.
I have been supervising the workers from an old recliner on the patio. I have caught up on all my magazines and three novels. I only have to move the recliner three or four times a day to find shade or sunshine as required. I have come to know several local birds who frequent our yard, and developed a real sympathy for the poor dog next door, who gets ignored a lot.
Does anybody know why a cactus wren would want to spend his days chasing a phainopepla around from tree to tree all the time? This is quite an obsession on the part of the wren. The phainopepla seems to be a tease. He whistles his whereabouts until the wren chases him again. They do occasionally pause to eat seeds from the rhus lancia, almost civilly, then the chase is back on.
Okay, I have to go back to the recliner now. That book won't read itself, and I hate to leave Lt. Dallas with an unsolved case. You know how she loses sleep.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Happy Birthday, Casey
We went out to breakfast, continuing the tradition which began 25 years ago when Laurie, Greg, and I went out while Peggie and Casey recovered in TMC.
The final coat will go on the floor today. But first, we have to decide how large to make the segments. They will use chalk lines to give us visuals so we can decide.
Yesterday I bought one new door knob set and one switchplate to see how we liked them. We did. So how few can we get away with so as not to completely blow the bank?
The final coat will go on the floor today. But first, we have to decide how large to make the segments. They will use chalk lines to give us visuals so we can decide.
Yesterday I bought one new door knob set and one switchplate to see how we liked them. We did. So how few can we get away with so as not to completely blow the bank?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Einstein was right,
Time is relative.
If you look at a calendar, it was one week ago that our remodel began inauspiciously with a warped storage pod. Now, it is two months later, by our internal clocks, and we are halfway there. We are managing to live upstairs, in the studio, and on the patio. Thank God for the good weather.
Now the floor people have started. The carpet is out and the echo in the empty house is amazing. We had Truly Nolen come in to spray for termites on the advice of someone (we can't remember who) who discovered large cracks in their floor when carpet was removed. The problem, according to the termite guy, is when the crack is large and extends to the outside edge of the house. So he drilled 38 holes and poured 12 gallons of chemicals into them. The holes were "shoelaced" along the crack. That is alternating from side to side.
The colors on the walls are perfect. Peggie's color sense, no surprise, was accurate. We love the new textured ceiling.
This week, which will last another two months, we are living like true rednecks. The appliances are on the porch (patio), and the yard is littered with tools and equipment that look like "yard art" in Appalachia.
But the workmen continue to be reliable. They always arrive within an hour of when they say they will. The workmanship is adequate, once we point out where it needs to be redone. Our fingers are cramping from being continously crossed, hoping the final product will be worth the time and money.
Money. Did you know that those innocuous plastic outlet and light switch covers look dingy after you repaint? Did you know that doorknobs aren't invisible? Once you put new paint on doors and walls, these things suddenly look old. Nickels and dimes add up to dollars very quickly.
We already mentioned the new window coverings and the stair carpet.
Oh, and of course, the wood railings on the stairs, which have always been fine, are now all scratched and need to be sanded and refinished. Remember when Percy (the cat) was young, and liked to walk on them? Cat claws are hard on wood.
Painters don't seem to notice that when they wash out brushes and rollers on the rocks, that the rocks change color.
Peggie missed yoga this morning. But our mantra remains....
Life is good.
Life is good.
Life is good.
If you look at a calendar, it was one week ago that our remodel began inauspiciously with a warped storage pod. Now, it is two months later, by our internal clocks, and we are halfway there. We are managing to live upstairs, in the studio, and on the patio. Thank God for the good weather.
Now the floor people have started. The carpet is out and the echo in the empty house is amazing. We had Truly Nolen come in to spray for termites on the advice of someone (we can't remember who) who discovered large cracks in their floor when carpet was removed. The problem, according to the termite guy, is when the crack is large and extends to the outside edge of the house. So he drilled 38 holes and poured 12 gallons of chemicals into them. The holes were "shoelaced" along the crack. That is alternating from side to side.
The colors on the walls are perfect. Peggie's color sense, no surprise, was accurate. We love the new textured ceiling.
This week, which will last another two months, we are living like true rednecks. The appliances are on the porch (patio), and the yard is littered with tools and equipment that look like "yard art" in Appalachia.
But the workmen continue to be reliable. They always arrive within an hour of when they say they will. The workmanship is adequate, once we point out where it needs to be redone. Our fingers are cramping from being continously crossed, hoping the final product will be worth the time and money.
Money. Did you know that those innocuous plastic outlet and light switch covers look dingy after you repaint? Did you know that doorknobs aren't invisible? Once you put new paint on doors and walls, these things suddenly look old. Nickels and dimes add up to dollars very quickly.
We already mentioned the new window coverings and the stair carpet.
Oh, and of course, the wood railings on the stairs, which have always been fine, are now all scratched and need to be sanded and refinished. Remember when Percy (the cat) was young, and liked to walk on them? Cat claws are hard on wood.
Painters don't seem to notice that when they wash out brushes and rollers on the rocks, that the rocks change color.
Peggie missed yoga this morning. But our mantra remains....
Life is good.
Life is good.
Life is good.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The colors are bold and it's like a new house.
New pictures added to the remodel folder.
Color Color Everywhere and we love it! We're really having a good time watching the changes occur. At one point today we really wondered if two walls that were to be the same color were two different colors. Later, with the changing light and artificial lighting it was clear they were the same. The wall by the front door and the hallway are lighter than the rest but they looked the same...for a while. Tomorrow the last of the colors will go on the walls and then everything will be draped and the ceilings will be primed and painted--swiss coffee which really looks like white. Then fine tuning will occur as they touch up spots that don't look so great.
Monday morning the floor guys will start by taking out the carpet and the vinyl flooring. The termite guy will come by in the afternoon in case there are cracks in the concrete that need treatment.
Bill has been busy supervising and drawing floorplans rearranging furniture and artwork. I've been painting the cabinet we got in Jerome a few years ago that will house our shoes. The cabinet will have a base color of a periwinkle purple but it gets crazier from there. I'm adding decoupaged fabric to the doors and then painting folk art designs everywhere else. I'll post pictures when finished. Trust me, it's going to be great but it's not for the faint of heart. Good thing I'm married to a strong of heart although he did have some reservations at first.
Estimates for new window coverings came in and we took the plunge. We'll have faux wood blinds in most of the windows and a track system of stacking panels on the patio door. Bill chose the fabric and it really ties the red and the ginger together.
A little bit of gin and tonic and we'll be ready for another day!
Color Color Everywhere and we love it! We're really having a good time watching the changes occur. At one point today we really wondered if two walls that were to be the same color were two different colors. Later, with the changing light and artificial lighting it was clear they were the same. The wall by the front door and the hallway are lighter than the rest but they looked the same...for a while. Tomorrow the last of the colors will go on the walls and then everything will be draped and the ceilings will be primed and painted--swiss coffee which really looks like white. Then fine tuning will occur as they touch up spots that don't look so great.
Monday morning the floor guys will start by taking out the carpet and the vinyl flooring. The termite guy will come by in the afternoon in case there are cracks in the concrete that need treatment.
Bill has been busy supervising and drawing floorplans rearranging furniture and artwork. I've been painting the cabinet we got in Jerome a few years ago that will house our shoes. The cabinet will have a base color of a periwinkle purple but it gets crazier from there. I'm adding decoupaged fabric to the doors and then painting folk art designs everywhere else. I'll post pictures when finished. Trust me, it's going to be great but it's not for the faint of heart. Good thing I'm married to a strong of heart although he did have some reservations at first.
Estimates for new window coverings came in and we took the plunge. We'll have faux wood blinds in most of the windows and a track system of stacking panels on the patio door. Bill chose the fabric and it really ties the red and the ginger together.
A little bit of gin and tonic and we'll be ready for another day!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
I Know Why We Didn't Do This Before!
Because--mess, mess, mess, mess. Yikes, what a mess!!
Check out the Remodel Album on Peggie's Photo Gallery.
As Bill posted, on Day 1, Monday, we got the pod loaded with furniture and went to a movie. What a relaxing afternoon.
On Day 2, Tuesday, while the guys were removing the popcorn ceiling (plastic, water, and ceiling goop everywhere) another guy began painting the laundry room and bathroom. Bill supervised by sitting on the patio reading and I went to yoga and coffee and then spent the afternoon in my studio. All good. Daytime temps were great while record lows were forecast for Wednesday morning. We had to re-cover the plants so they wouldn't freeze. Of course we didn't think about that until 10 p.m. while we were soaking in the hot tub!!
Our two main colors are Ginger Palm and Prennial Gold (What is prennial? Is it a misspelling of perennial or something entirely different?) The idea is that the lighter color will go in the darker hallway and laundry room and the darker color will go on the other walls and with all of our light and angles they will appear to be the same color at times and different colors at other times. Boy, the bathroom (the darker) is semi-gloss and sure looks like butterscotch! Did I choose the right color?????? I think so....I hope so....it sure is going to be on a lot of walls (in eggshell, not semi-gloss) so I think it will be okay. I hope it will be okay because walls that go up 24 feet are not in my re-painting ability.
On Day 3, the ceilings were re-textured with hock and trowel finish and the second coat of paint was applied to the bathroom. I like the color but I'm not crazy about the semi-gloss but I guess it's necessary for a bathroom. Painter boss comes over and we decide to do baseboards, doorframes and doors in eggshell instead of semi-gloss. By the end of the day I really wasn't happy with the clean-up job in the bathroom and the paint that was left splattered on the vanity, fixtures and mirror. A few other things made Bill and I decide we needed to be supervising more closely.
Day 4, today-Thursday, painter guys are painting the hallway and closet (lighter color) and the office--formerly known as Greg's room (darker color). Bill and I removed all the mini-blinds and set up cleaning and drying stations outside with frequent breaks to check on things and ask questions. We agreed we couldn't have asked for better weather--very little breeze and temps hit 80 degrees. While I'm getting estimates on new blinds the reality is that we'll probably re-hang our VERY VERY CLEAN blinds even though they are the wrong color. The texture guys finished the hock and trowel work and patched all holes and cracks throughout. Bill asked one of the guys to come put some of the darker color on the wall by the stairs so he could be reassured that it was the color we wanted. Whew! It is. Bill turned to me and said, "You're so good with colors!" Whew! Maybe I'll sleep better tonight and not dream of big butterscotch blobs. It definitely has less butterscotch and more tan appearance in the eggshell finish and in the light.
The Plan tomorrow is to move the Ginger Palm color into the family room and begin painting the accent wall in the office and the accent walls in the family room the deep rust terra cotta color. They may begin the green in the kitchen. More pictures to follow.
Ah...hot tub is on the agenda tonight.
Check out the Remodel Album on Peggie's Photo Gallery.
As Bill posted, on Day 1, Monday, we got the pod loaded with furniture and went to a movie. What a relaxing afternoon.
On Day 2, Tuesday, while the guys were removing the popcorn ceiling (plastic, water, and ceiling goop everywhere) another guy began painting the laundry room and bathroom. Bill supervised by sitting on the patio reading and I went to yoga and coffee and then spent the afternoon in my studio. All good. Daytime temps were great while record lows were forecast for Wednesday morning. We had to re-cover the plants so they wouldn't freeze. Of course we didn't think about that until 10 p.m. while we were soaking in the hot tub!!
Our two main colors are Ginger Palm and Prennial Gold (What is prennial? Is it a misspelling of perennial or something entirely different?) The idea is that the lighter color will go in the darker hallway and laundry room and the darker color will go on the other walls and with all of our light and angles they will appear to be the same color at times and different colors at other times. Boy, the bathroom (the darker) is semi-gloss and sure looks like butterscotch! Did I choose the right color?????? I think so....I hope so....it sure is going to be on a lot of walls (in eggshell, not semi-gloss) so I think it will be okay. I hope it will be okay because walls that go up 24 feet are not in my re-painting ability.
On Day 3, the ceilings were re-textured with hock and trowel finish and the second coat of paint was applied to the bathroom. I like the color but I'm not crazy about the semi-gloss but I guess it's necessary for a bathroom. Painter boss comes over and we decide to do baseboards, doorframes and doors in eggshell instead of semi-gloss. By the end of the day I really wasn't happy with the clean-up job in the bathroom and the paint that was left splattered on the vanity, fixtures and mirror. A few other things made Bill and I decide we needed to be supervising more closely.
Day 4, today-Thursday, painter guys are painting the hallway and closet (lighter color) and the office--formerly known as Greg's room (darker color). Bill and I removed all the mini-blinds and set up cleaning and drying stations outside with frequent breaks to check on things and ask questions. We agreed we couldn't have asked for better weather--very little breeze and temps hit 80 degrees. While I'm getting estimates on new blinds the reality is that we'll probably re-hang our VERY VERY CLEAN blinds even though they are the wrong color. The texture guys finished the hock and trowel work and patched all holes and cracks throughout. Bill asked one of the guys to come put some of the darker color on the wall by the stairs so he could be reassured that it was the color we wanted. Whew! It is. Bill turned to me and said, "You're so good with colors!" Whew! Maybe I'll sleep better tonight and not dream of big butterscotch blobs. It definitely has less butterscotch and more tan appearance in the eggshell finish and in the light.
The Plan tomorrow is to move the Ginger Palm color into the family room and begin painting the accent wall in the office and the accent walls in the family room the deep rust terra cotta color. They may begin the green in the kitchen. More pictures to follow.
Ah...hot tub is on the agenda tonight.
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