Wow, the place is really changing. The electricity is roughed in, I lost more drywall, the saga of the floor continues, and I have cabinets! Well, cabinets in boxes, but they are finally here. This is getting more and more real.

The cabinets first:
Here is the Kraftmaid truck at my house and one of the guys who was carrying these huge boxes into the house. Not camera shy a bit! Both were so friendly. I think they know they are making people happy.










So my house is filled with boxes, and no longer has a kitchen floor. The demolition crew came this morning, on a Saturday no less...thank goodness! There is still a pile of rubble on the lawn, here is a silly pic. You can see that Dad has arrived!

Before he arrived I had a flooring problem to solve. The flooring guys demo'd the floor but noticed a few subfloor boards that were rotting. Would NOT replace them, so it was my problem. So, my buddy Jack brought his SUV over and we went shopping. After a couple hours of hunting and gathering, then decon/construction, I had it fixed. I am feeling good about it. Subflooring is not rocket science. It seems that this subfloor is not perfect, so I did not worry so much. I think Dad and I are going to fix the old central furnace vent in the hallway and save me 300 bucks. I am not quite ready to install the hardwoods, however, so Monday the crew will be back (and take that pile of rubble!). I bet it will take them only 1/2 a day to do it all. I tried to get them back this afternoon, but no avail.


Here are pictures of Jack, Larry who arrived to help me finish the subfloor, and the kitchen as it stands, missing lots of drywall, and down to the subfloor. If you look carefully at the back wall, you can see the new wiring for receptacles, disposal, undercounter lights, etc.

Tomorrow, while we wait for flooring, Dad and I can do insulation, drywall, fix the hallway floor and maybe even hang a wall cabinet or few. It depends on if we find more crazy secrets this house is hiding from us. She is a srurprising one, this house!

I am so grateful for the help I have had from friends, family, and the skilled people I have hired to do this work already!

More to come! Time for bed for me!

#6 Anticipation!

Well, I am sitting waiting for the Kraftmaid truck and my wonderful electrician Steve.
Steve is almost done wiring the kitchen. He and Jennifer have been a blast to have around. I have learned a great deal about how electricity works. It makes me less afraid of it. Still not quite ready to do it myself... Yesterday, we found that the builders of this house put cross studs in right where the the switches and receptacles should go. So, we ripped out more of the drywall, which means I do not HAVE to tile. (the drywall under the cabinets we ripped out was not paintable. Take a look. Now the seam for the new drywall will be under the cabinets.

So, just to update, while I was gone, the plumbing got fixed too! All new plumbing in an old house really is amazing! The water pressure has gone up and that is wonderful. I saw some of the galvanized pipes that the amazing Tom took out of the house, and it is a wonder that any water came to the house at all! Some were rusted nearly all the way through. Made me think about those health class descriptions of arteriosclerosis. My plumbing was ripe for a heart attack! But Tom did a great multiple bypass surgery. Hot water heater is in the attic with an expansion tank for safety. He did a great job. It is PVC for the cold water and drains, and Pex for the hot water. Pex is new, but I have heard great things about it. Tom is such a perfectionist. How lucky am I!

So, I m ready for the new washer and everything else. What a great shower I had yesterday!

This was always going to be a big project. And that is why I waited so long. I feel like I am doing an infrastructure remodel along with the kitchen. It is stuff that that people will not see necessarily, but it makes the house "right". That makes me feel good. Call me crazy, but houses although inanimate have a personality for me. I feel I am helping out this little gal, so she can stand here for another 55 years.

progress slowed

Hey all, Just got back from wonderful Chicago visiting the family. Had a great time but ready for the work to continue on the kitchen. My flooring contractor has had a calamity and that is slowed a bit. One of his workers hurt their leg...so, contractor is looking for a replacement. Should have one tomorrow. That means demolition of the floor pictures! fun. Thinking about taking the kittens to work tomorrow to save them from the stress of having their house banged on. Off to dinner...

#4 Before Pictures

Oh, I almost forgot. What would a project blog be without Before pics? Here is what I started with.
I know it is pretty cute! HOWEVER, there is literally only 18 inches of counter top space, and the plywood cabinets are starting to split, not fully close, and other stuff. It is time. I promise the new kitchen will be even better.


Today, I am pondering the wisdom of putting the water heater in the attic. Any suggestions?

Feel free to leave comments.

#3 Kitchen

Larry and I demolished the kitchen. Here are some pics.
I dreamt of it all night. I am really committed now.
Of course, you find things you did not plan on.

The cabinets i removed are NOT the originals and I had thought. There were the shadows of older cabinets on the walls. So this is at least the third set of cabinets on these walls. I feel less guilty about tearing out original stuff for this little 55 year old beauty. I cannot help my reverence for history. It is fun to see the old wallpaper and paint colors that this room has gone through.

Also, the drywall behind the sink is a mess. Better get out my drywall skills.... One of the unpleasant surprises of demolition.

Well, I am procrastinating. I need to get this junk out of here! Off to do so.

#2

I just finished watching Veer-Zaara, a Bollywood film that was very good. I love the sound of the Tabla and the Indian/Pakistani music was delightful, even though it was quite commercialized and I am more of a purist. It was quite moralistic about countries getting along based on truth rather than politics. It had quite a message, built around a gooey love story. Good for watching late at night.

It is odd to type to the cybersphere. I am not sure who will read this, who cares. Probably no one. This is an exercise in self-confidence or exploration. Is blogging arrogant? There is part of me that says...Who cares what you think! Well my friends/family often care, but then I just talk to them. Blogging is something different.

Since I am learning the system here at Blogspot...I will try to insert a picture. So i guess it worked. This is an image I created today, based on recent ideas I have had... I will leave you to determine if it is worth anything.

Well, if anyone is reading...I would be interested to hear from you.

#1

Wow, my own Blog.