While the Floors Dry

Hard not seeing the dual image here

Although we have taken a 'hiatus' of sorts on the weekly Saturday work days and have tailed off on the weeknights over the past two weeks, believe it or not we've still moved forward quite a bit. This post will have a TON of images because there has been so much going on and it's easier to appreciate the progress by seeing it. I know we are getting closer to a temporary move in date just by the lack of dust! (Although ripping out the 'peach bathroom' did create a boatload of dust - but that's for later discussion.)

Last weekend we had a good number of volunteers including Elisha, Sean, Sarah, Debbie R and Shana saved the day by bringing over soup bowls so we didn't have to eat our hot lunch from our hands.I started the day with only concentrating on the removal of the floor in the bathroom so I went to the trusty rental department at The Home Depot. The guys there literally know me by name now. I also found out that I have over 20 rentals - think about that for a second, that's a lot of rentals and most of those I was renting more than one tool. Anyway, after Sean and I wrestled the new, empty dumpster 25' to a better position under the bathroom window in the driveway, I let him tear into the floor with a jackhammer. Needless to say he was a happy camper. As the house was shaking from the second floor and raining down dust and rubble, the three ladies cleaned the basement of a week's worth of sawdust and muck. Then tore into staining the quarter round for the first floor base boards. After lunch Elisha 'fixed' all of the outlets in the man cave and the fitness room while Sarah helped Sean clear out the newly created rubble floor. All in all a very successful day. The only bummer was that I still had about 6 hours of work in the bathroom getting the pieces vacuumed up and the removing the waste lines so we can replace those with PVC. Although it was very frustrating to finally take out that bathroom when you think about the effort that went into keeping those walls protected and the tiles from busting by COUNTLESS volunteers over the last 12 months, I know it will be completely worth it when it's all complete and Ellie has a great new bathroom that will actually hold all of her hair products, makeup, and other girlie things that I have no idea about.
The first coat of stain/Elisha loves electrical outlets!

Debbie leans into the drill/Sean really DOES love breaking stuff

Sarah is safe from the dust/Then heaves a handful in the dumpster

Sarah takes a break on the tub/The tools of choice

Where the old toilet resided/Where the tub and shower once was


Over the past 3 weeks, King Hardwood Floors (Gene) has been sanding and refinishing all of the hardwood floors on the first and second floors. It has made things a challenge in working around the 'delicate' floors as we tried to continue to make progress. Gene was also a bit apprehensive (major understatement) about needing to stain the first floor before putting down the poly on. After MANY long conversations about how it could be done, he and his wife got it done and it makes the first floor absolutely breath taking. It was money well spent to do the floors and it's one more piece that really brings the beauty and charm back to this old house. Now I just have to keep the dog's claws clipped and don't drop anything too heavy.
Gene starts in the sun room/The sun room with completed

Mrs. Gene back wiping the stain/The difference with & without stain

The two work out of the sun room/The other side too

Tools of the trade/Trimming by the fireplace

Interesting way to start an area/Shameless ad placement


The kitchen has had major progress in that as well. Although we are still waiting for the last wall cabinet, we had major strides made in the tile (yes it FINALLY had a company step forward and take it on) and the backsplash was installed, and this week the floor is being leveled, having radiant heat installed and hopefully on Saturday the tile floor will be laid! The plumbing will be hooked up at the latest next week so I'll FINALLY have a place to wash my hands - it'll be great.
Cool kitchen progress!/Great photo of some of the original windows

Window in the dining room/Rail to 2nd floor

Post at the bottom of the stairs/Rail down to the 1st floor

Newly created post in the basement/Workman's tools

Pass through window to the soon-to-be bar/Basement stairs-doorway

Master bedroom floors/Storage waiting to go into Ellie's room


Honestly though, the past two weeks of 'lesser work' has been a welcomed change. I was really close to the burnout stage and really missed Ellie. I was mentioning to someone that last year when I made the decision to take on this house and the project Ellie was at an age where 'she won't remember it' and to some extent I believed that. At that age children are SO impressionable I have to think that some of this has affected her in how she sees me and the rest of her family and hopefully she feels like she is surrounded by more people that love her than most and that I'm her number one guy. That said, last year has come and gone and there's no going back but there is this year and evaluating what's appropriate is from a different point now. I think that 2-3 is much different than 3-4 in development of personality, perspective and life ling memories. So in a long, winded way I am thinking more time with Ellie is essential and is going to be a major focus. Moving in the house in February before it's 'ideal' is part of that. We may not have a working bathroom for a couple of weeks, but we'll figure it out. We may be in a constant state of dusting, but we'll do the best we can. We may not have a washer or dryer, but there is family and the laundry mat.

Being able to take 2008 to 'catch up' with Ellie and to embark on a lot of 'firsts' is entirely made possible be the people who have helped me. Everyone that stopped over in the evening or gave up their Saturday, all the family that watched Ellie and the folks that provided food all made it possible for 2008 to be the new beginning that it has begun to become. Most of all though, those people that cared enough to pray and keep Ellie and I in their hearts built me up without me ever knowing you by name. I wish i could thank you every single time you thought of us or said a prayer for us, I tell you with all of my heart, I felt it. I know your prayers have made this all bearable and have shown me to continue believing in my faith and trusting the Lord. Thank you all for getting me through 2007 and for helping to create such awesome possibilities that are ahead in 2008. Have a great weekend everyone and I hope that I see you soon.

The Floors Shine

Man there is a TON of things to cover in just the past few days. Someone a while back said that things would start to pick up in pace and I honestly didn't believe them, I should have. I am starting to see the progress almost every day. The house is changing so rapidly that moving in truly feels like it's finally about to happen.

On Wednesday of last week, my sister Mary took a day off and worked on the wood trim in the kitchen. Sanding, taping and more sanding in order to ready the remaining part of the trim so that we could gmove full steam ahead over the weekend. Then end of the week also brought the final coats of varnish/polyurethane on the second floor floors. They look unbelievable! I never thought in a million years that 90 year old floors could look so great! They look brand new, but not in a very good way. The discoloring over the years from varying lighting due to the windows is hardly noticeable and the repairs where walls once were is almost undetectable. Gene - the flooring guy - did some fantastic voo doo to make those floors truly shine! Now on the the first floor this and next week.
The master bedroom and floors/Ellie's room

The extra bedroom/Looking into the landing & master bedroom


This past weekend I had a surprising number of people stop in to help. To start with I had Gma & Gpa Vande Ree show because they wanted to make a final push before they head off to their annual Florida trip for six weeks. Then lola, Amy s., Shana D. and Lola's husband Dave showed up. In all we had four people varnishing, one person staining (gpa) and at least one person filling in the holes with wood putty. We accomplished what I didn't think would be possible - we got the entire first floor wood work to the point of only needing a few holes filled with putty and then a minor sanding away from being ready for the final coat of varnish - which would then complete the re-installation of the original wood work on the first floor BEFORE moving in! Truly an amazing feat that a lot of people helped with, but a lion's share of work (and thank you) goes to my grandpa and grandma VR for putting in a TON of hours over the past three weeks. The wood looks beautiful and unfortunately the pics on this page don't do it justice. You should come over and see it for yourself!
Mary sands the tough spots/Grandma varnishes almost the same spot

Lola fills holes w/ putty/Grandpa stains the stair case

Amy gets in the nooks and crannies/Gramps and Lola work on the small stairs

Gramps gets in there/Then touches up the new window in the buffet

Dave K. fills in holes with putty/Shana varnishes the beams


Then in the past three days Gene and his wife have been hammering away at the sanding of the first floor floors. Again he did some magic getting the old stains out and has prepped the floors for stain tomorrow. I really look forward to seeing what the color is like on the floors and how the grain of that old wood 'pops'. It's great to bring back the old character of the house and bring some glory back to it since it's been so long hidden.

The first landing on the 1st floor/Stairs up close

Into the living room/And again

The maze of wood work and flooring/Very little water stain remains

The 'log cabin' corners make staining and finishing difficult but beautiful


There is so much more for me to write about, but life has me moving and shaking so I will need to sign off and leave you wanting for more. Take care and have a great weekend!