tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296375502024-03-13T14:48:15.306-07:00adventures in building a homeStories from a family (that might be crazy and) who wanted to rebuild the home that Grandpa built in Julian.Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-84301619499761992562011-04-25T13:10:00.000-07:002011-04-25T14:33:54.210-07:00little changesWow--it's been almost a year since I updated the blog! I guess we've been enjoying the house more than telling everyone about it. ;)<br /><br />And it has been fun. We had an open house on Memorial Day weekend, celebrating the house being finished, and lots of friends (most of whom had been a part of the building process!) celebrated with us.<br /><br />At Thanksgiving, we gathered around a big table with family and friends.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBHCC7_T3hs/TbXmq9BXkfI/AAAAAAAACJU/njJiCUIpuuI/s1600/DSCF5240.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBHCC7_T3hs/TbXmq9BXkfI/AAAAAAAACJU/njJiCUIpuuI/s320/DSCF5240.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599635337314275826" border="0" /></a>And, this spring, we got to start sharing the house with Matt and my new baby, Jonah. Here he is on a visit to Julian, with his first in-the-room exposure to power tools, as his dad finishes up replacing the baseboard on the wall behind the pellet stove.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4H3JG_eU2cw/TbXWAUTV0RI/AAAAAAAACJM/pVNIrE13_SQ/s1600/IMG_0359.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4H3JG_eU2cw/TbXWAUTV0RI/AAAAAAAACJM/pVNIrE13_SQ/s320/IMG_0359.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599617012643254546" border="0" /></a>More recently, we took care of one pesky little problem: a light bulb that was stuck in its fixture, jammed in so we couldn't get it down without climbing up the 26' to the ceiling, in the middle of the big room. It took 5 people holding the ladder...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUY7CU6fk0I/TbXVWlAfsLI/AAAAAAAACI8/Dx7ariHEk2U/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUY7CU6fk0I/TbXVWlAfsLI/AAAAAAAACI8/Dx7ariHEk2U/s320/IMG_0037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599616295573106866" border="0" /></a>...and one brave ladder climber. But now all the lights are working, no one has to dread climbing back up. At least for now.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBmEjPSoc9E/TbXVWrQoXWI/AAAAAAAACJE/kDKBJInorOU/s1600/IMG_0034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBmEjPSoc9E/TbXVWrQoXWI/AAAAAAAACJE/kDKBJInorOU/s320/IMG_0034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599616297251396962" border="0" /></a><br />There are lots of little project remaining, always, but more of the formidable tasks are done. Matt even cleaned out the garage--bringing down and selling things we don't need and hauling out the trash. And, for fun, he planted a bunch of hops plants behind the garage, for future homebrew fun.<br /><br />We've started renting the house out as a vacation home, on vrbo.com. You can visit the site <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/343984">here</a>. It seems like our first renters have enjoyed the home almost as much as we do.Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-13823653621732198142010-05-22T20:47:00.000-07:002010-05-22T21:00:22.531-07:00Final Milestones?As of this Thursday, the house officially has power. And, the french doors have handles.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_il2164GJI/AAAAAAAACEo/C_9gGU2WdQM/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_il2164GJI/AAAAAAAACEo/C_9gGU2WdQM/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474307708674381970" border="0" /></a>As of Friday, the heater/AC unit is working and has a thermostat controlling it all.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilntEwGvI/AAAAAAAACEg/DWOgU_LpHU4/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilntEwGvI/AAAAAAAACEg/DWOgU_LpHU4/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474307448601844466" border="0" /></a>A simple wire and wood post fence is now built by the road, ready to host grapevines when the time is right for planting next year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilnawot0I/AAAAAAAACEY/ZDz1fBMfMDU/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilnawot0I/AAAAAAAACEY/ZDz1fBMfMDU/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474307443685635906" border="0" /></a>Most of a walkway has been built, connecting the landscaped stairs down the hill to the front porch.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilm1-t4gI/AAAAAAAACEQ/r8kVe9309C4/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilm1-t4gI/AAAAAAAACEQ/r8kVe9309C4/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474307433812582914" border="0" /></a>And, on the other side of the walkway, you can see a new oak tree planted in the yard. (An apple tree, too, but it's out of view.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilmgzQ1kI/AAAAAAAACEI/k3bJEiCLV2A/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilmgzQ1kI/AAAAAAAACEI/k3bJEiCLV2A/s320/IMG_0009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474307428127397442" border="0" /></a>The top step is now finished, with an elegant transition between wood and carpet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilmBo11AI/AAAAAAAACEA/jpUhofviHFs/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S_ilmBo11AI/AAAAAAAACEA/jpUhofviHFs/s320/IMG_0010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474307419762185218" border="0" /></a>Besides all this, there's now a functional ice maker, washer and dryer. And, the attic access door is painted and hung.<br /><br />Matt's still anxious about taking care of more details, but we crossed a bunch off the list!Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-68957537382685544992010-05-15T18:41:00.000-07:002010-05-15T18:49:48.775-07:00Done enoughYesterday, we discovered that the house is done enough for the neighbors to come and admire it. Matt and I were glad to welcome some long-time neighbors in to check it out--especially Bob, who's been dealing with significant health issues and hasn't been around much. He approved of the house--and shook Matt's hand to show it. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-9Nf9PebxI/AAAAAAAACD4/hIF8NM3Wdkg/s1600/Bob+and+Matt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-9Nf9PebxI/AAAAAAAACD4/hIF8NM3Wdkg/s320/Bob+and+Matt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471677283689197330" border="0" /></a>We worked on the little tasks that remain--moving a few more things up, arranging things, touching up details, doing some landscaping stuff. I discovered that it's much more pleasant to do all this with an almost-finished house. 'Cause there's a fridge to cool your drinks and nice couches to take breaks on...<br /><br />There are still a few big pieces remaining; the power has yet to be connected. Apparently, the right form didn't get filed after last week's inspection. The new plan is a Monday morning inspection check-off, and line installation on Thursday. Also, on Wednesday, the good folks from Jerry's Heating will come to do the last bits on our HVAC system.<br /><br />Mom and Dad created some lovely quilt hangers this weekend, so we can hang quilts to decorate the big room. I made some pillows for the family room. Matt, Emily, Phil and Shan are up there today, taking care of more things. More and more little pieces will come together.<br /><br />I have to say, these little details are way more fun that the early details: like rebar dimensions and footing depth. It's a joy to be in the house, and we look forward to using and sharing it even more.Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-49159409109531650302010-05-09T16:18:00.000-07:002010-05-09T16:44:09.827-07:00Movin' on up!Yesterday was a big and beautiful day. It seemed really special that on Mother's Day weekend, and on Nona and Grandpa's wedding anniversary we were finally able to move furniture into the house.<br /><br />We started at Matt and my place, loading some stuff we had here, and moved on to Nona's, where most of the furniture and things we purchased (so many years ago!) with insurance money were stored. It was a tight fit, but with all the cars and trucks pictured here full, we were able to get everything up the hill.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDQMLsreI/AAAAAAAACDw/-APuGLX3J_k/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDQMLsreI/AAAAAAAACDw/-APuGLX3J_k/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469414217892015586" border="0" /></a>(We learned a lesson, too: watch what you set under a van you're loading. We trapped our cooler under the sagging weight of the truck. Luckily, neighbor Gary loaned us his jack so we didn't have to drag it up the mountain...)<br /><br />Up the hill, we started the fun process of unloading all the pieces. We fit quite a lot of stuff into that truck.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDPvOCErI/AAAAAAAACDo/c6qUQQGXkSs/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDPvOCErI/AAAAAAAACDo/c6qUQQGXkSs/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469414210117178034" border="0" /></a>All of it made it down the steep little hill and into the house. (Okay, we might have broken one plate in the moving process, but the big pieces were all in place...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDPOrfL7I/AAAAAAAACDg/1AkYS3d_IkY/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDPOrfL7I/AAAAAAAACDg/1AkYS3d_IkY/s320/IMG_0011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469414201382350770" border="0" /></a>Everything made it inside, too, even the big heavy pieces like the fridge and the wood stove.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDOgQ_d3I/AAAAAAAACDY/34FxZwBWJQ4/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDOgQ_d3I/AAAAAAAACDY/34FxZwBWJQ4/s320/IMG_0013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469414188923189106" border="0" /></a>Emily and Nona worked hard at getting the kitchen in order. Josh and Matt R. put electronics together. Matt P and I put some pictures up and I made the beds. Lea hung curtains. Shan organized the bathrooms. Mom and Dad reclaimed a storage rack from the garage. Phil and Dad took down plastic that was still hanging in high-up windows. Everyone hauled lots of things, put things in order and worked hard.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDOETUE0I/AAAAAAAACDQ/wvpO--Kz8ro/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDOETUE0I/AAAAAAAACDQ/wvpO--Kz8ro/s320/IMG_0014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469414181416735554" border="0" /></a>And, then, we shared a lovely evening of relaxation in our beautiful house! Nona made us an incredible Italian feast (lovingly reheated in the microwave, since we don't yet have our final power hook-up...).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDCPweSVI/AAAAAAAACDI/anjw6MDBJ3k/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDCPweSVI/AAAAAAAACDI/anjw6MDBJ3k/s320/IMG_0024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469413978333399378" border="0" /></a>I thought it was kinda fun that we had to use a card table add-on for our first meal at the dining room table. This is a house that's been built by a gracious community of extended family and friends!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDBpaTY7I/AAAAAAAACDA/cY_CWJOKgsw/s1600/IMG_0025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDBpaTY7I/AAAAAAAACDA/cY_CWJOKgsw/s320/IMG_0025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469413968039863218" border="0" /></a>After dinner, there was a game of Cranium in the living room...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDBCkLa4I/AAAAAAAACC4/HFSFi8DGJrQ/s1600/IMG_0027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDBCkLa4I/AAAAAAAACC4/HFSFi8DGJrQ/s320/IMG_0027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469413957612301186" border="0" /></a>...and a movie in the front room...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDAqFABMI/AAAAAAAACCw/ozoqL2RQnio/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dDAqFABMI/AAAAAAAACCw/ozoqL2RQnio/s320/IMG_0028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469413951039079618" border="0" /></a>...and we celebrated Matt R's birthday with Nona's homemade apple goodness, ice cream and trick candles. (Mom says its all they had at the store... Really, we weren't TRYING to pick on him.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dC_2YEu6I/AAAAAAAACCo/Sv4hIzXl0Ig/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S-dC_2YEu6I/AAAAAAAACCo/Sv4hIzXl0Ig/s320/IMG_0030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469413937160436642" border="0" /></a>And at the end of the day, the dishwasher did most of the dishes for us.<br /><br />We're looking forward to sharing many more days in the house, and are grateful for everyone who's helped. It'll be fun to use, together!Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-33709926668344782792010-05-07T16:12:00.000-07:002010-05-09T16:44:50.967-07:00like an archeological digHaving passed final inspection, we called to get our power connected. Only to discover that we never started the proper process for electrical connection--something we ought to have done five years ago.<br /><br />All of which has meant digging--to show the planner and the inspector the power line conduit we laid long, long ago. And which meant figuring out where it was buried, so very long ago. And lots of digging.<br /><br />Also, there seems to be some different of opinion about the proper side of the power pole for a conduit to come up on; I remember that we had to move it to a different side five years ago. And Matt says we've moved it twice since then. North, east, whatever. Here's hoping no one else has other opinions.<br /><br />But, now, having now passed through the planner and inspector, paid the bill for our power hookup, there now remain just 2 more pieces: a final, pre-installation visit from the inspector on Tuesday, and line installing on Wednesday. Here's hoping...Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-16664825632516683192010-04-12T15:00:00.000-07:002010-04-12T23:02:32.276-07:00Hooray!Dad met with the inspector today, and we have passed our final inspection! Hooray.<br /><br />Many thanks to all y'all who've helped build this house with your labor and prayers.<br /><br />Grandpa would be proud.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIsgTOeLI/AAAAAAAACCY/VpqYGbuFwF8/s1600/DSCF3350.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIsgTOeLI/AAAAAAAACCY/VpqYGbuFwF8/s320/DSCF3350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459498208957724850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIsCUpENI/AAAAAAAACCQ/R1-yGAx1hlw/s1600/DSCF3349.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIsCUpENI/AAAAAAAACCQ/R1-yGAx1hlw/s320/DSCF3349.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459498200910598354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIra1f7YI/AAAAAAAACCI/9RaPKchoxIQ/s1600/DSCF3348.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIra1f7YI/AAAAAAAACCI/9RaPKchoxIQ/s320/DSCF3348.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459498190310993282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIkFOgdPI/AAAAAAAACCA/rCg6A-0ra9o/s1600/DSCF3347.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIkFOgdPI/AAAAAAAACCA/rCg6A-0ra9o/s320/DSCF3347.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459498064251221234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIjQ3mC6I/AAAAAAAACB4/C9cL3_qLJC4/s1600/DSCF3346.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIjQ3mC6I/AAAAAAAACB4/C9cL3_qLJC4/s320/DSCF3346.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459498050196474786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIi8JARFI/AAAAAAAACBw/2XVolxHKq2M/s1600/DSCF3345.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIi8JARFI/AAAAAAAACBw/2XVolxHKq2M/s320/DSCF3345.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459498044632351826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIiQ4i7BI/AAAAAAAACBo/ex86QWT_E-o/s1600/DSCF3344.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIiQ4i7BI/AAAAAAAACBo/ex86QWT_E-o/s320/DSCF3344.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459498033020595218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIhtwoyPI/AAAAAAAACBg/No3Yutd_rcs/s1600/DSCF3343.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8QIhtwoyPI/AAAAAAAACBg/No3Yutd_rcs/s320/DSCF3343.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459498023592184050" border="0" /></a>(And there are, of course, still a few little tasks remaining...) ;)Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-19510934717007503172010-04-11T15:38:00.000-07:002010-04-11T17:17:23.137-07:00A Site to SeeIt was a big weekend for our house site--it went from bare dirt and a tractor to landscaped yard. Well, at least landscaped-ish yard...<br /><br />Here's where we were at lunchtime on Friday--Nona kept watch from the porch (and sometimes inside the house, when the wind got too cool) as we moved the dirt around a bit, to make sure we had appropriate drainage away from the house. It was, honestly, pretty disappointing to drive up and see that some of the dirt moving we thought our hired tractor was going to take care of, undone. Dirt moving is SO not our favorite job...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSuUOc2pI/AAAAAAAACBY/YDlC4DxU4TI/s1600/01beginning.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSuUOc2pI/AAAAAAAACBY/YDlC4DxU4TI/s320/01beginning.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016653983242898" border="0" /></a>There were a couple of other little jobs on our list for the weekend--I missed taking a photo of Matt's last indoor railing modifications, and of Dad's caulk around the exterior lights, but I did catch our friend, Jerry, installing his little door to the crawl space.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSMQixbAI/AAAAAAAACAw/iz87XPYI2P8/s1600/06jerrydoor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSMQixbAI/AAAAAAAACAw/iz87XPYI2P8/s320/06jerrydoor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016068879182850" border="0" /></a>And what a cool gift to us it is--a super-engineered door, made from an old metal bedframe, with a handle bearing the Littlehale monogram. Cool stuff. We convinced Nona (and Mom and Dad) to pose with it by the front door. Which now has house numbers on it. Like a *real* house. Thanks for the beautiful little door, Jerry!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSLkkbJKI/AAAAAAAACAo/AU3ywJutc-k/s1600/07nonadoor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSLkkbJKI/AAAAAAAACAo/AU3ywJutc-k/s320/07nonadoor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016057074951330" border="0" /></a>Our friend, Eric, showed up to help, too. Digging in, we realized that dirt moving is lots better with many shovels (and people to use the shovels. Technically, we've had lots of shovels all along, and we know shovels <span style="font-style: italic;">alone</span> are not enough). We got things into place quicker than we'd feared.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSt9eRv-I/AAAAAAAACBQ/oBGTRp9h3dU/s1600/02dirtwork.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSt9eRv-I/AAAAAAAACBQ/oBGTRp9h3dU/s320/02dirtwork.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016647875608546" border="0" /></a>Matt took care of some details for an irrigation system. And, you can see, we brought up a trailer with a big ol' load of mulch from the landfill.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSskMkqBI/AAAAAAAACBA/V5ppaEF0Arg/s1600/04mattplumbing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSskMkqBI/AAAAAAAACBA/V5ppaEF0Arg/s320/04mattplumbing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016623910594578" border="0" /></a>Mom got into the action, too, shaping the front yard.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JStBc4t0I/AAAAAAAACBI/GV7ypFwCHKI/s1600/03momdigging.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JStBc4t0I/AAAAAAAACBI/GV7ypFwCHKI/s320/03momdigging.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016631763646274" border="0" /></a>And, I started unloading that big load of mulch. It smelled wonderfully organic (in the earthy, decomposing sense). That trailer holds a lot of mulch.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSsMX1vVI/AAAAAAAACA4/AY3p-_jr9QI/s1600/05mollymulch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSsMX1vVI/AAAAAAAACA4/AY3p-_jr9QI/s320/05mollymulch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016617515400530" border="0" /></a>As the sun set, we spread our last loads of mulch in the yard.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRbvYUQQI/AAAAAAAACAI/k-fLJdHK5Lk/s1600/11sunset+mulch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRbvYUQQI/AAAAAAAACAI/k-fLJdHK5Lk/s320/11sunset+mulch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459015235343237378" border="0" /></a>Now that we're over five years into this building project, we finally gave one of our wheelbarrows the name it deserves: the Evilbarrow. I painted it on the sides, lest anyone forget. That felt good. (Now that we're nearly done, I think we can offer one Evilbarrow to anyone who would want it. Not that we'd want anyone we love to be subject to this horrible, certain-to-tip-over monster...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSLHrSZ2I/AAAAAAAACAg/__UxeHu1m1A/s1600/08evilbarrow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSLHrSZ2I/AAAAAAAACAg/__UxeHu1m1A/s320/08evilbarrow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016049319110498" border="0" /></a>But not even tipping loads could stop us: here, Phil celebrates the emptying of the trailer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSKnSBWZI/AAAAAAAACAY/PLtUyJ8MJuw/s1600/09philtrailerempty.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSKnSBWZI/AAAAAAAACAY/PLtUyJ8MJuw/s320/09philtrailerempty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016040623200658" border="0" /></a>Before heading in for dinner, we stopped for a quick photo of Friday's crew with the empty trailer (and one Evilbarrow).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSJsUsQuI/AAAAAAAACAQ/_H7gL_YOa4E/s1600/10trailerpeople.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JSJsUsQuI/AAAAAAAACAQ/_H7gL_YOa4E/s320/10trailerpeople.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459016024796709602" border="0" /></a>Saturday, we set to work on the next yard project, which had dual purposes: clearing the piles of brush and branches that have been sitting around the site for years, and making them into wood chips to finish covering the yard. Our friends, Andy and Lea helped us tackle the pile behind the garage, alongside our neighbor, Bob.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRa4i477I/AAAAAAAACAA/jW7ixCs5tM0/s1600/12brushpile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRa4i477I/AAAAAAAACAA/jW7ixCs5tM0/s320/12brushpile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459015220623634354" border="0" /></a>Bob brought some ratchet straps, with which we tied big bunches to drag down the hill to the wood chipper. Kinda like we were human mule teams. Here, Bob and Andy show us how it's done.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRacj5goI/AAAAAAAAB_4/2tq2nmuKCUI/s1600/13boymules.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRacj5goI/AAAAAAAAB_4/2tq2nmuKCUI/s320/13boymules.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459015213111673474" border="0" /></a>Lea and I gave it our best effort, too. It was very satisfying to watch the huge piles of branches dwindle down. I can only imagine that the neighbors are relieved, as well...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRZib5jmI/AAAAAAAAB_w/hABuCO1dsUU/s1600/14girlmules.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRZib5jmI/AAAAAAAAB_w/hABuCO1dsUU/s320/14girlmules.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459015197508865634" border="0" /></a>At the bottom of the hill, Matt R. and Emily jumped in to the chipper-chopping work. (They didn't jump <span style="font-style: italic;">into</span> the chipper; you know what I mean.) This time we rented an even bigger machine than the one we had last time (which was like, um, <a href="http://littlehalehouse.blogspot.com/2006/09/taking-look-back.html">6 years ago or something</a>). It made (relatively) quick work of all that wood we'd had piling up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRY67nrzI/AAAAAAAAB_o/irPgDh5vtWw/s1600/15chipperfromabove.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JRY67nrzI/AAAAAAAAB_o/irPgDh5vtWw/s320/15chipperfromabove.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459015186904493874" border="0" /></a>All the wood--the burned manzanitas at the bottom of the property, pine and oak we'd had to cut down, went in to the chipper. Here, Matt feeds in a tangled, dry branch from an oak tree.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQfxnLczI/AAAAAAAAB_A/LheEoHPwvG0/s1600/16rinehartemily.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQfxnLczI/AAAAAAAAB_A/LheEoHPwvG0/s320/16rinehartemily.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459014205150294834" border="0" /></a>It was a lovely, sunny day. We kept the chipper running pretty consistently for hours, making a couple of trailer-loads of wood chips.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQgp50ilI/AAAAAAAAB_I/PLSsfmR1b9g/s1600/17mattemilychipper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQgp50ilI/AAAAAAAAB_I/PLSsfmR1b9g/s320/17mattemilychipper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459014220260870738" border="0" /></a>This next picture is beautiful for what you can't see: a gigantic pile of old branches. Now, we just have the big logs and dreams of freetime for creative woodworking projects.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQhLXy0bI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/geB6sN5Nunk/s1600/18nopile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQhLXy0bI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/geB6sN5Nunk/s320/18nopile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459014229244957106" border="0" /></a>The wood chips were to quick use, covering the rest of the bare ground. While all this was happening, Dad was hard at work (below, on the left) making a little walkway area by the garage door, using a few retaining blocks and some railroad ties.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQh0xZqQI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/3JBGppMJWlM/s1600/19chipyard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQh0xZqQI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/3JBGppMJWlM/s320/19chipyard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459014240358213890" border="0" /></a>We got kind of busy trying to finish everything up and didn't take many more pictures, but here's the final image of the weekend. We think we've now done everything on the Inspector's list, plus built a swell walkway of woodchips edged by local stone--and even planted a few native plants in the yard. Dad's planning to go meet the Inspector on Monday; hopefully, he'll agree with us that this is a beautiful, code-compliant house, ready for electricity and inhabitation.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQiUYhWsI/AAAAAAAAB_g/zixE9hEj5Fw/s1600/20yardatend.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S8JQiUYhWsI/AAAAAAAAB_g/zixE9hEj5Fw/s320/20yardatend.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459014248843795138" border="0" /></a>Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-41951970472503028782010-04-08T12:22:00.000-07:002010-04-08T12:25:15.839-07:00it's not too late to help!Good news: we got the approval of the fire marshall this week. So, now, we have just 2 things remaining on the list the Inspector gave us recently. Matt will take care of the railing on Friday. <br /><br />You're most welcome to help us take care of the mulch on Friday afternoon or Saturday! We have some piles of brush to put through the wood chipper, and mulch to spread over the bare ground. This is the kind of work that requires little skill, and is way more fun with friends. :) <br /><br />If you're interested, just let us know. We'll bring good food and grateful spirits...Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-72686792311253688142010-04-05T20:45:00.000-07:002010-04-05T21:06:36.110-07:00Inspecting and CorrectingA bit over a week ago, Mom, Dad, Matt and Emily spent a day working on the house. Dad did some finish work inside, while the others worked outside in the yard.<br /><br />Here, Matt and Emily are cleaning out the old concrete wash-out pit, and preparing the area for a set of steps down toward the house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwo-1FV3I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/CKoxuodVxBo/s1600/DSCF3335.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwo-1FV3I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/CKoxuodVxBo/s320/DSCF3335.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456868116619679602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwj1TY7oI/AAAAAAAAB-I/-pgkJUsfmlw/s1600/DSCF3337.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwj1TY7oI/AAAAAAAAB-I/-pgkJUsfmlw/s320/DSCF3337.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456868028163092098" border="0" /></a>They decided to cut up the old, burned power pole, to use as steps, and Emly started putting them into place.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwi1Ve5nI/AAAAAAAAB9w/f0bWMGJjiUc/s1600/DSCF3340.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwi1Ve5nI/AAAAAAAAB9w/f0bWMGJjiUc/s320/DSCF3340.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456868010992002674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwiaGswCI/AAAAAAAAB9o/6kD9JTk9tfE/s1600/DSCF3341.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwiaGswCI/AAAAAAAAB9o/6kD9JTk9tfE/s320/DSCF3341.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456868003682238498" border="0" /></a>Looking good, eh? This will improve both the look and the function of the hill!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7quylEimaI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/3dQrghn342A/s1600/IMG_0055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7quylEimaI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/3dQrghn342A/s320/IMG_0055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456866082480626082" border="0" /></a>Inside, Dad attached the edges to the kitchen counter. It all is looking amazing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwjG-cb1I/AAAAAAAAB94/EHuuVrqk7tA/s1600/DSCF3339.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7qwjG-cb1I/AAAAAAAAB94/EHuuVrqk7tA/s320/DSCF3339.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456868015727210322" border="0" /></a>And, a week ago, we did have an inspection. With a new inspector. He had a whole list of new things to take care of, as well as the news that we cannot have our power connection until our final inspection is signed off on. So, Matt spent some quality time last week crossing things off that list while he was on Spring Break. (Mom and Dad, too.) Piece by piece, we're getting closer!<br /><br />Last Friday--Good Friday--we had some fill dirt delivered, to level out the yard a bit and make appropriate slopes away from the house. Here, Matt caught the truck mid-dump, while some friends and I watched from the front porch.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7quz6bUUoI/AAAAAAAAB9g/31TIh-u23C0/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7quz6bUUoI/AAAAAAAAB9g/31TIh-u23C0/s320/IMG_0010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456866105393173122" border="0" /></a>But, I confess, our Good Friday trip wasn't for work: we went to enjoy the spring wildflowers in the desert. (They were beautiful.) And, we enjoyed our first *real* breakfast in the kitchen, making good use of the new griddle. We ate in the sunshine on the back deck. This is going to be a cool house to hang out in. I mean, really: just look how happy Matt is cooking there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7quzNCY_nI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/hZGyrkavoec/s1600/24149_1381443451851_1104872004_1919954_5799414_n-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7quzNCY_nI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/hZGyrkavoec/s320/24149_1381443451851_1104872004_1919954_5799414_n-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456866093209026162" border="0" /></a>After looking at flowers, we did get just a small piece of work in: cutting a slab out of a log, so Matt could make the two more balusters that the inspector asked for on his railing. He's since cut them to the right dimensions in Dad's garage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7quyARd6_I/AAAAAAAAB9I/jv_vPqZzsIM/s1600/IMG_0057.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S7quyARd6_I/AAAAAAAAB9I/jv_vPqZzsIM/s320/IMG_0057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456866072602733554" border="0" /></a>Now, we'll see what happens tomorrow when Mom and Dad meet with the Fire Inspector. Then, we have just 2 more things on our list: installing those balusters and putting mulch on the dirt where there are not yet growing plants. <br /><br />We'd like to get all this done by next week. Which means that if you, Dear Reader, are looking for a way to help, and are free this Friday afternoon or Saturday, there'd be a job for you in Julian this weekend!Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-34168822390459379252010-03-23T20:56:00.000-07:002010-03-23T21:01:32.996-07:00fixed!For years (now), we've known that we needed to make a fix on our septic system; today's it's done. :) After Roger succeeded in finding the septic line yesterday, Matt went up the hill this afternoon and repaired its connection to the tank.<br /><br />Here, he tested the line by running water through it--everything worked beautifully.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6mNizDV5WI/AAAAAAAAB7U/WykCuLX81n0/s1600-h/Image014.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6mNizDV5WI/AAAAAAAAB7U/WykCuLX81n0/s320/Image014.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452044452867990882" border="0" /></a>Take a good look at these holes and piles--they'll be gone after tomorrow!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6mNieYD3bI/AAAAAAAAB7M/jjjc0VAfUCI/s1600-h/Image016.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6mNieYD3bI/AAAAAAAAB7M/jjjc0VAfUCI/s320/Image016.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452044447317745074" border="0" /></a>Also, Matt renewed our building permit yesterday (after surviving a fire drill in the county office...) All of which means we're now ready for an inspection on Friday. Here's hoping it all goes well!Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-24494394001600506952010-03-21T22:26:00.000-07:002010-03-21T22:45:05.643-07:00details, detailsIt's been a good couple of days of work this weekend, taking care of more details in preparation for an inspection (and for move-in!!).<br /><br />Matt and I went up on Friday, and he lacquered the beautiful cabinet doors that Dad built. Isn't Matt's door-hanging-for-spraying trick clever?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_4pGrwrI/AAAAAAAAB5M/PSOazH9yDkc/s1600-h/IMG_0013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_4pGrwrI/AAAAAAAAB5M/PSOazH9yDkc/s320/IMG_0013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451325747550208690" border="0" /></a>And, of course, he lacquered the drawer fronts, too, as the sun set.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_3gBNsxI/AAAAAAAAB48/t7BVIrO1OtY/s1600-h/IMG_0018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_3gBNsxI/AAAAAAAAB48/t7BVIrO1OtY/s320/IMG_0018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451325727931478802" border="0" /></a>Saturday, Mom and Dad, Emily, Phil and Shan came up to take care of projects. Mom vacuumed. And then re-vacuumed. And, again, re-vacuumed.<br /><br />Building makes a lot of dust.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAXekTdDI/AAAAAAAAB60/AZKD_ieqaIU/s1600-h/IMG_7639-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 318px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAXekTdDI/AAAAAAAAB60/AZKD_ieqaIU/s320/IMG_7639-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451326277297599538" border="0" /></a>Dad hung most of the cabinet doors, which is really pulling the kitchen together. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAXGWbWzI/AAAAAAAAB6s/VzgpIdle0mE/s1600-h/IMG_7640-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 318px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAXGWbWzI/AAAAAAAAB6s/VzgpIdle0mE/s320/IMG_7640-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451326270796946226" border="0" /></a>In the distance, you can see Phil and a piece of trim for the stairway.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cALFm5u8I/AAAAAAAAB6E/D6NpeqWnntg/s1600-h/IMG_7651.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cALFm5u8I/AAAAAAAAB6E/D6NpeqWnntg/s320/IMG_7651.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451326064439180226" border="0" /></a>Here are the kitchen cabinets after Saturday--looking good, don't you think?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAK4Qvc_I/AAAAAAAAB58/LdUbo5aDeGc/s1600-h/IMG_7650.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAK4Qvc_I/AAAAAAAAB58/LdUbo5aDeGc/s320/IMG_7650.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451326060856570866" border="0" /></a>Mom removed all the plastic from the appliances, and she and Shan took more plastic off the windows outside--our view is getting clearer and cleaner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAWwzMgGI/AAAAAAAAB6k/fDkwbBfs6iw/s1600-h/IMG_7658.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 318px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAWwzMgGI/AAAAAAAAB6k/fDkwbBfs6iw/s320/IMG_7658.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451326265012027490" border="0" /></a>Emily and Matt did some landscaping planning, and began reshaping the hill in front to be more lovely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAL0Mvj1I/AAAAAAAAB6U/XLh9lCgZhvQ/s1600-h/IMG_7655.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAL0Mvj1I/AAAAAAAAB6U/XLh9lCgZhvQ/s320/IMG_7655.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451326076945928018" border="0" /></a>I think that removing the giant pile of dirt by the road goes a long ways toward making the property look less like a construction site... :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cALqlEb8I/AAAAAAAAB6M/GXp9ooyfPrs/s1600-h/IMG_7653.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cALqlEb8I/AAAAAAAAB6M/GXp9ooyfPrs/s320/IMG_7653.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451326074363604930" border="0" /></a><br />Shan helped Phil hang a few pieces of trim on the stairs--finishing touches that look excellent.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cABlqiBtI/AAAAAAAAB50/uvkLjEJlAlE/s1600-h/IMG_7649.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cABlqiBtI/AAAAAAAAB50/uvkLjEJlAlE/s320/IMG_7649.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451325901245646546" border="0" /></a>The fading light (and a cold) didn't stop Phil's work.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAA_UC6tI/AAAAAAAAB5k/SIlENyv5-bA/s1600-h/IMG_7643.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6cAA_UC6tI/AAAAAAAAB5k/SIlENyv5-bA/s320/IMG_7643.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451325890950785746" border="0" /></a><br />Today, Matt and I went back up the hill to retrieve the plans, as we realized we need to renew our building permit (again). This gave me a chance to hang some simple curtains in the downstairs bathroom. Now we have a door AND curtains--sophisticated.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_4M-J7EI/AAAAAAAAB5E/wbEmHYSqLPs/s1600-h/IMG_0021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_4M-J7EI/AAAAAAAAB5E/wbEmHYSqLPs/s320/IMG_0021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451325739998243906" border="0" /></a>When we arrived, we found Roger at work digging to help us fix up the septic system. But, when we couldn't find what we were looking for, our neighbor Bob decided to call on the memory of an old friend and neighbor, while Matt explored the options up close.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_3dC89pI/AAAAAAAAB40/5j6NFlt-xik/s1600-h/IMG_0028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_3dC89pI/AAAAAAAAB40/5j6NFlt-xik/s320/IMG_0028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451325727133464210" border="0" /></a>Happily, we've since found some paperwork evidence that should help the task. That, and it's still just exciting to have the help of a backhoe. Backhoes are WAY more fun than shovels.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_28HwReI/AAAAAAAAB4s/twV1asUJAlI/s1600-h/IMG_0025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S6b_28HwReI/AAAAAAAAB4s/twV1asUJAlI/s320/IMG_0025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451325718295234018" border="0" /></a>Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-72201255800212450802010-03-14T22:20:00.000-07:002010-03-14T22:38:09.932-07:00some crappy workLucky for me, I was away this weekend, while Matt was digging to the (overflowing) septic tank. Here he is bailing it out a bit. Crappy, eh?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53FkIaaTtI/AAAAAAAAB4c/749zdnvPsMM/s1600-h/DSC_4208.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53FkIaaTtI/AAAAAAAAB4c/749zdnvPsMM/s320/DSC_4208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448728348712390354" border="0" /></a>Some quite nice things happened, too, though, including one most visible through absence: check out the yard <span style="font-style: italic;">without</span> a trailer parked in it! Thanks to neighbors Bob and Eric, who shared 4wd and expertise to make it possible to get it up the hill to the road.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53Fk0UGe4I/AAAAAAAAB4k/fCqtbKReues/s1600-h/DSC_4205.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53Fk0UGe4I/AAAAAAAAB4k/fCqtbKReues/s320/DSC_4205.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448728360497085314" border="0" /></a>Here's the trailer, which Matt towed down the hill to Nona's driveway, where it'll get a little (much-needed) TLC.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53DyLdc-nI/AAAAAAAAB4M/-kcC6NjwBNM/s1600-h/DSC_4220.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53DyLdc-nI/AAAAAAAAB4M/-kcC6NjwBNM/s320/DSC_4220.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448726391025367666" border="0" /></a><br />Dad helped with lots of projects--including plenty of workshop time at home during the week, getting cabinet doors, drawer fronts and trim pieces ready. Here he is straightening out a 3-way switch that was just a little mixed up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53Fj_tLh-I/AAAAAAAAB4U/4uV8cujirrA/s1600-h/DSC_4213_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53Fj_tLh-I/AAAAAAAAB4U/4uV8cujirrA/s320/DSC_4213_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448728346375194594" border="0" /></a>Matt went up again on Sunday, when the weather was more pleasant, and made good use of the space freed up by moving the trailer! Here, it's home to a new painting spot, for the last interior door.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53Dxgi6hFI/AAAAAAAAB4E/vslvPyacCEg/s1600-h/DSC_4222.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53Dxgi6hFI/AAAAAAAAB4E/vslvPyacCEg/s320/DSC_4222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448726379505550418" border="0" /></a>Then, he continued to clean the garage, heartened by Mom's good work the day before. He built a clever rack for lumber and containing a bit of our mess.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53DxeXdRyI/AAAAAAAAB38/842CCy-VBLE/s1600-h/DSC_4223.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53DxeXdRyI/AAAAAAAAB38/842CCy-VBLE/s320/DSC_4223.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448726378920625954" border="0" /></a>Looks quite organized, no? Perhaps even like the kind of garage you could park a car in!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53Dwqa5mjI/AAAAAAAAB30/OjbJLNSLCZY/s1600-h/DSC_4224.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53Dwqa5mjI/AAAAAAAAB30/OjbJLNSLCZY/s320/DSC_4224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448726364976421426" border="0" /></a>Ah, yes. It works.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53DwVKczyI/AAAAAAAAB3s/a57tiO2zuYI/s1600-h/DSC_4225.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S53DwVKczyI/AAAAAAAAB3s/a57tiO2zuYI/s320/DSC_4225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448726359270280994" border="0" /></a>Nicely done, all!Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-76043285585747856792010-02-28T14:41:00.000-08:002010-02-28T14:54:43.872-08:00putting things into placeYesterday was another wet winter day in Julian--but we kept busy and warm (for the most part) in the house. <br /><br />We put the kitchen range into its place, lifting it carefully over the pretty new floors.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxMompIjI/AAAAAAAAB2k/sRmFctyXKls/s1600-h/DSCF3201_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxMompIjI/AAAAAAAAB2k/sRmFctyXKls/s320/DSCF3201_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428298990887474" border="0" /></a>Matt showed off some acrobatic skill getting it plugged in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxMTOH4KI/AAAAAAAAB2c/4s-8ZPlCtTo/s1600-h/DSCF3205_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxMTOH4KI/AAAAAAAAB2c/4s-8ZPlCtTo/s320/DSCF3205_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428293250900130" border="0" /></a>Emily climbed into its hole to try to corral the cord into place so it'd all fit nicely...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxMJ-C35I/AAAAAAAAB2U/YlitlbggwyA/s1600-h/DSCF3206_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxMJ-C35I/AAAAAAAAB2U/YlitlbggwyA/s320/DSCF3206_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428290767544210" border="0" /></a>and then showed <span style="font-style: italic;">her</span> acrobatic skill in getting out before it slid into its final place.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxWii5gNI/AAAAAAAAB3M/ovNYF68HgXQ/s1600-h/DSCF3208_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxWii5gNI/AAAAAAAAB3M/ovNYF68HgXQ/s320/DSCF3208_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428469163262162" border="0" /></a>Nice, eh?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxWdgR_ZI/AAAAAAAAB3E/QM2sfjWmYfI/s1600-h/DSCF3209_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxWdgR_ZI/AAAAAAAAB3E/QM2sfjWmYfI/s320/DSCF3209_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428467810106770" border="0" /></a>We put up all the final bits of window and door trim, and Mom worked hard getting them all sanded and ready for lacquer. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxV8_HzQI/AAAAAAAAB28/xijrXHR1KFU/s1600-h/DSCF3210_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxV8_HzQI/AAAAAAAAB28/xijrXHR1KFU/s320/DSCF3210_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428459081092354" border="0" /></a>Emily and I put up the rest of the baseboard--now it's all in place. Even behind the laundry area and in the closets. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxVAM16cI/AAAAAAAAB2s/Fy0RWlkPSvE/s1600-h/DSCF3200_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxVAM16cI/AAAAAAAAB2s/Fy0RWlkPSvE/s320/DSCF3200_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428442764077506" border="0" /></a>Matt started hanging the lovely new shower door downstairs--the doors in place, but the tile-cutting bit wore out before he could get the side panel installed. It's gonna look great, though!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxLhKKjTI/AAAAAAAAB2M/ir-WeoH_gQc/s1600-h/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxLhKKjTI/AAAAAAAAB2M/ir-WeoH_gQc/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428279812525362" border="0" /></a>And, again, Mom worked at conquering the muddy disaster that has become of our entryway. Now there's plastic dropcloth protecting it. And, someday, hopefully, our walkway paths will make travel from the street and the garage a little less muddy...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxLc6jcMI/AAAAAAAAB2E/IENTZeEWbIY/s1600-h/IMG_0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxLc6jcMI/AAAAAAAAB2E/IENTZeEWbIY/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428278673305794" border="0" /></a>As Mom and Dad left, the snow began to fall. Matt and I stayed to lacquer the new wood trim, and by the time we left, there were 3" of snow in the driveway. It was coming down fast, in giant clumps! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxVYSQ2OI/AAAAAAAAB20/0wuWPuKvvQc/s1600-h/DSCF3212_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4rxVYSQ2OI/AAAAAAAAB20/0wuWPuKvvQc/s320/DSCF3212_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443428449229265122" border="0" /></a>We're happy to report that the window and door trim is all installed and lacquered, the baseboard all in, the pump that recirculates hot water all wired and functioning, stairway trim partway done, appliances installed...and we're nearly ready for an inspection. Perhaps one more weekend of clean-up and odd jobs and we'll be ready. :) Then (inspector willing) we'll be ready for a real electrical hookup. And we can turn the heater on. Ahhh...<br /><br />Plus, Dad's been hard at work on cabinet doors and drawer fronts in his home workshop. Soon we'll be lookin' like (nearly) finished house.Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-73844423133822863412010-02-20T21:04:00.000-08:002010-02-20T21:20:21.166-08:00a muddy day for detailsWelcome to the house: with gorgeous wood floors, and the tile floor we're sure glad we installed in the entryway. 'Cause look at that mud...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-8l9ge7I/AAAAAAAAB0U/UDawz_xGuqI/s1600-h/IMG_0062.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-8l9ge7I/AAAAAAAAB0U/UDawz_xGuqI/s320/IMG_0062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558298055080882" border="0" /></a>It was rainy all day today, and chilly in the house, but we enjoyed some time together, anyhow. The lemon meringue pie was good, too! (For evidence of this, look at the brightness of Dad's smile as he dishes himself a piece...) The kitchen's as clean as it's been, thanks to Mom's cleaning and sorting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-7gj6ViI/AAAAAAAAB0E/ip1wtzq4kFI/s1600-h/IMG_0066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-7gj6ViI/AAAAAAAAB0E/ip1wtzq4kFI/s320/IMG_0066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558279425676834" border="0" /></a>In the garage, Phil got to work lacquering the baseboard, while Shan put polyurethane on some oak trim pieces.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-8NzFTGI/AAAAAAAAB0M/wvycAcoYhf4/s1600-h/IMG_0064.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-8NzFTGI/AAAAAAAAB0M/wvycAcoYhf4/s320/IMG_0064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558291568905314" border="0" /></a>Dad took care of lots of little jobs, including detaching the range cord so it can be shortened.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_M0b_wRI/AAAAAAAAB00/GgsB_BfuGSs/s1600-h/DSCF3180_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_M0b_wRI/AAAAAAAAB00/GgsB_BfuGSs/s320/DSCF3180_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558576818962706" border="0" /></a>Shan sanded the trim around doors downstairs, getting them ready for lacquer. We ran out today, but things are all ready for next time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_MXzuY2I/AAAAAAAAB0s/7eEgDqWIhk8/s1600-h/DSCF3181_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_MXzuY2I/AAAAAAAAB0s/7eEgDqWIhk8/s320/DSCF3181_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558569133859682" border="0" /></a><br />Shan and I started installing baseboard, getting creative with the strange angles in the big room's walls. It's looking pretty nice!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_hfqCVFI/AAAAAAAAB18/FtMiu_J_--4/s1600-h/DSCF3188.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_hfqCVFI/AAAAAAAAB18/FtMiu_J_--4/s320/DSCF3188.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558932017960018" border="0" /></a>Here we are toward the end of the day. We'd thought we were past the point where saws belong in the house, but the rain and the mud between the house and garage convinced us that the big room makes a fine workspace for the time being. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_aSdDstI/AAAAAAAAB10/hr17zg5OLbA/s1600-h/DSCF3189.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_aSdDstI/AAAAAAAAB10/hr17zg5OLbA/s320/DSCF3189.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558808214778578" border="0" /></a>Phil got some vent covers in, trimming the floor to make it work. If only we hadn't had to move the stairs (almost exactly a year ago!), this would have been less work today, too...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_Z1SngeI/AAAAAAAAB1s/CISkQyHeDuQ/s1600-h/DSCF3191.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_Z1SngeI/AAAAAAAAB1s/CISkQyHeDuQ/s320/DSCF3191.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558800386359778" border="0" /></a>Matt and I also installed the upstairs bathroom vanity--another antique dresser transformed into a vanity. Now, given that it has a door and toilet paper, the upstairs bathroom is definitely the finest one to use. Thanks to Mom for cleaning it all up and getting it ready to use.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_ZWrZfqI/AAAAAAAAB1c/8eRVFuIYsqU/s1600-h/DSCF3182.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_ZWrZfqI/AAAAAAAAB1c/8eRVFuIYsqU/s320/DSCF3182.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558792168799906" border="0" /></a>The big (unexpected) excitement, though, came from our attempts at getting Matt's truck out of the mud. It was convenient unloading the vanity from so close to the front door...but not so convenient to get the car back to the road. Here's a few fun pics of the project--toward the end, you get to meet our new neighbor, Bob, whose pulley figured prominently in the eventual solution. Thanks, Bob!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_Y-9tcxI/AAAAAAAAB1U/TWtn2s4LiB8/s1600-h/DSCF3183.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_Y-9tcxI/AAAAAAAAB1U/TWtn2s4LiB8/s320/DSCF3183.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558785803154194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_PVRlxbI/AAAAAAAAB1M/J1KGdO4HFmw/s1600-h/DSCF3184.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_PVRlxbI/AAAAAAAAB1M/J1KGdO4HFmw/s320/DSCF3184.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558619993425330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_PJHAx5I/AAAAAAAAB1E/_2i-0PqxAco/s1600-h/DSCF3186.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_PJHAx5I/AAAAAAAAB1E/_2i-0PqxAco/s320/DSCF3186.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558616727832466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_OyI6BVI/AAAAAAAAB08/YWc7QoAuGCY/s1600-h/DSCF3187.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C_OyI6BVI/AAAAAAAAB08/YWc7QoAuGCY/s320/DSCF3187.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440558610561762642" border="0" /></a>Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-2910882458135891782010-02-14T22:36:00.000-08:002010-02-20T21:04:00.865-08:00flooredThe big job this past weekend: finishing the wood floor.<br /><br />Matt and I went up on Friday to do our last bits of sanding and prep work, put down the sanding sealer, and get the first coat of polyurethane down. If you look closely here, you can see the reflection of Matt in the left window, as he puts the finish down. :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S3jrj1NwUdI/AAAAAAAABzs/Nm5R5Bdaq8s/s1600-h/IMG_0265.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S3jrj1NwUdI/AAAAAAAABzs/Nm5R5Bdaq8s/s320/IMG_0265.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438355550862594514" border="0" /></a>We finished the first coats on the floor, admiring how good the oak looks with a clear coat on top!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S3jrjq8yAFI/AAAAAAAABzk/5vR9S64sP2E/s1600-h/IMG_0272.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S3jrjq8yAFI/AAAAAAAABzk/5vR9S64sP2E/s320/IMG_0272.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438355548107046994" border="0" /></a>On Saturday, Mom and Emily came up with us, to sand and add another coat of polyurethane, and to do a bunch of other jobs. Now, the electrical box is well-labeled, the wall patch in the bathroom is repainted, the hot water pump is mostly installed, and the step up to the front porch is done and stained!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-Y2b_bDI/AAAAAAAABz8/-L085FFAcTs/s1600-h/DSCF3134.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-Y2b_bDI/AAAAAAAABz8/-L085FFAcTs/s320/DSCF3134.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440557684002614322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-YQmkApI/AAAAAAAABz0/VwpjJBe3bVo/s1600-h/DSCF3137.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S4C-YQmkApI/AAAAAAAABz0/VwpjJBe3bVo/s320/DSCF3137.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440557673846407826" border="0" /></a><br />See, it makes us happy...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S3jrjEjIbNI/AAAAAAAABzc/PtsJ34xnT-U/s1600-h/IMG_0274.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S3jrjEjIbNI/AAAAAAAABzc/PtsJ34xnT-U/s320/IMG_0274.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438355537798917330" border="0" /></a>Today, Matt and I went back for the final coat--here's Matt just before sanding the floor. We definitely got better--or else we did a better job of estimating how long things will take: the last coast took less time than we figured.<br /><br />This is a new phenomenon for us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S3jri0E7fCI/AAAAAAAABzU/uE4nAebirAM/s1600-h/IMG_0276.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S3jri0E7fCI/AAAAAAAABzU/uE4nAebirAM/s320/IMG_0276.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438355533377272866" border="0" /></a>The floor is looking great, and we look forward to it getting nice and hard before next weekend, when we'll return for more fun!Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-34126565131039734402010-01-31T17:55:00.000-08:002010-01-31T22:47:01.363-08:00ready to finishOkay, so the <span style="font-style: italic;">whole</span> project isn't quite ready to finish, but the flooring is now ready <span style="font-style: italic;">for</span> finish. We had a few nice days of work this weekend. We confess that we had a hard time getting back in the swing of things after a lovely Christmas break (including a family trip to Hawaii...), but it actually felt pretty good to get back in the project.<br /><br />Josh came with us on Saturday, helping get the stairs all ready.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y0-2GR2oI/AAAAAAAABzM/URmS8Medlms/s1600-h/IMG_0261.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y0-2GR2oI/AAAAAAAABzM/URmS8Medlms/s320/IMG_0261.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433088254747466370" border="0" /></a>The floor looks pretty lovely. Just no one touch it until it's all sealed up...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y0-Yn_EII/AAAAAAAABzE/o2NeSV7e3K8/s1600-h/IMG_0262.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y0-Yn_EII/AAAAAAAABzE/o2NeSV7e3K8/s320/IMG_0262.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433088246835777666" border="0" /></a>While Josh and I were inside sanding and vacuuming, Matt got to work on the step up to the front porch.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y09u5FgtI/AAAAAAAABy8/vlpy5WoQJ2E/s1600-h/IMG_0263.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y09u5FgtI/AAAAAAAABy8/vlpy5WoQJ2E/s320/IMG_0263.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433088235633214162" border="0" /></a>And we moved the kitchen range into the t.v. room so we can finish the floor underneath. Matt and Josh had a deep conversation about electrical voltage standards in USAmerican houses. I learned that it's a good idea to wear gloves when lifting heavy appliances that have sharp metal edges. We all discovered that carpet scraps, carpet-side-down make a nice slide to scoot heavy things across precious flooring.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y08-mAaLI/AAAAAAAABy0/wbIAmnG09kE/s1600-h/IMG_0265.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y08-mAaLI/AAAAAAAABy0/wbIAmnG09kE/s320/IMG_0265.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433088222668286130" border="0" /></a>And finally, just because they're lovely, I thought we should show off the stairs. Matt finished installing the risers on Friday, and we got 'em all sanded and ready for finish on Saturday!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y08IUNQxI/AAAAAAAABys/FHrh1CSELrI/s1600-h/IMG_0267.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/S2Y08IUNQxI/AAAAAAAABys/FHrh1CSELrI/s320/IMG_0267.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433088208098116370" border="0" /></a>For the time being, you should know that there's a very strict "no dirty shoes in the house" policy. Actually, as far that goes, I think it's a "no one in the house at all, unless they're putting down wood sealer" policy.<br /><br />Soon enough, we'll be able to entertain guests...Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-34821485111055949322009-12-22T20:38:00.000-08:002009-12-22T20:47:57.509-08:00Christmas break?Matt and Phil have been working hard over the last couple of days, making good progress on the house! See, it wore them out:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfc5kZxHI/AAAAAAAAByc/hsNQoLjxv50/s1600-h/DSCF2779.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfc5kZxHI/AAAAAAAAByc/hsNQoLjxv50/s320/DSCF2779.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418287145542075506" border="0" /></a>Matt's been installing flooring on the staircase, making it all look quite lovely.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfViqrOpI/AAAAAAAAByU/yyFL_NDMnoM/s1600-h/DSCF2783.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfViqrOpI/AAAAAAAAByU/yyFL_NDMnoM/s320/DSCF2783.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418287019135285906" border="0" /></a>Phil's been installing doors and trim and things.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfVfOLWKI/AAAAAAAAByM/BhQUjirrKQg/s1600-h/DSCF2784.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfVfOLWKI/AAAAAAAAByM/BhQUjirrKQg/s320/DSCF2784.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418287018210449570" border="0" /></a>Now, nearly all the trim is in place in the house!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfVMWM7ZI/AAAAAAAAByE/wcnIfazaky4/s1600-h/DSCF2788.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfVMWM7ZI/AAAAAAAAByE/wcnIfazaky4/s320/DSCF2788.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418287013143834002" border="0" /></a>I'm told the Mom put the doorknobs on, though, while she was there Monday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfUvZr_ZI/AAAAAAAABx8/9KHkIo95JKs/s1600-h/DSCF2791.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfUvZr_ZI/AAAAAAAABx8/9KHkIo95JKs/s320/DSCF2791.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418287005373824402" border="0" /></a>I think the stairs look quite gorgeous in photos, and look forward to seeing them in person.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfUejckSI/AAAAAAAABx0/uAFyZay9JEQ/s1600-h/DSCF2796.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfUejckSI/AAAAAAAABx0/uAFyZay9JEQ/s320/DSCF2796.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418287000851353890" border="0" /></a>The plan had been to sand and begin finishing the flooring this week, but the sander we rented had electrical problems--it wouldn't run for more than a few seconds without blowing a fuse--so other projects moved up the list, and sanding will have to wait.<br /><br />Monday, carpet was installed upstairs and in the front t.v. room. A nice change-up from the plywood, don't you think?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfCMvWuOI/AAAAAAAABxs/J0Y3FIimab8/s1600-h/DSCF2778.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfCMvWuOI/AAAAAAAABxs/J0Y3FIimab8/s320/DSCF2778.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418286686831818978" border="0" /></a>Phil also got to work on constructing steps up to the front porch from the side, digging a nice footing. (And we thought we were done with digging footings... So naive...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfB9qVLTI/AAAAAAAABxk/2e2HJ6seXpo/s1600-h/DSCF2770.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfB9qVLTI/AAAAAAAABxk/2e2HJ6seXpo/s320/DSCF2770.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418286682784214322" border="0" /></a>Here's the step he built up to the garage's side door.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfBYJfSuI/AAAAAAAABxc/Ce4qtPA2lbc/s1600-h/DSCF2771.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfBYJfSuI/AAAAAAAABxc/Ce4qtPA2lbc/s320/DSCF2771.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418286672714353378" border="0" /></a>Mom tacked a herculean challenge: sorting out the garage. It was kind of messy anyhow, but then because a disaster zone in recent rain and snow storms, when we just dumped stuff in as quickly as possible and shut the door. See, before:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfAw9iiJI/AAAAAAAABxM/OeKoGAV46to/s1600-h/DSCF2772.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfAw9iiJI/AAAAAAAABxM/OeKoGAV46to/s320/DSCF2772.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418286662195251346" border="0" /></a>And after.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfBCQR5YI/AAAAAAAABxU/BBF__SLtkTU/s1600-h/DSCF2780.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SzGfBCQR5YI/AAAAAAAABxU/BBF__SLtkTU/s320/DSCF2780.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418286666837255554" border="0" /></a>Much better.Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-70024737963629047552009-12-16T20:00:00.000-08:002009-12-16T20:03:07.461-08:00stepping it upMatt's in the middle of finals, but has been tempering his study time with some building time; yesterday, he prepared flooring for the stairs. Don't they look nice, all piled up?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SymtBzcfF2I/AAAAAAAABxE/pBJTHL5Akhk/s1600-h/DSCF2724_3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SymtBzcfF2I/AAAAAAAABxE/pBJTHL5Akhk/s320/DSCF2724_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416050273390892898" border="0" /></a>Of course, they'll look <span style="font-style: italic;">even nicer</span> on the staircase!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SymtBobjwgI/AAAAAAAABw8/eb4uNEJTD_o/s1600-h/DSCF2720_4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SymtBobjwgI/AAAAAAAABw8/eb4uNEJTD_o/s320/DSCF2720_4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416050270434214402" border="0" /></a>Thanks for the hard work, Matt.Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-37424788592656628982009-12-13T17:34:00.000-08:002009-12-13T18:04:07.053-08:00nailing down thingsThis week, we finished installing the wood flooring; now it just needs to be sanded and finished. Oh, and installed on the stairs... So basically, we're just done with the big flooring nailgun, but that's a good step. And the good news is that it looks lovely. Matt and I went up Friday afternoon, and worked 'til midnight, nailing it all down.<br /><br />Matt had also gone up for a quick visit earlier in the week, to check the fit on some flooring pieces that needed to be customized, and he installed the second toilet. Now, if there were only doors on the bathrooms... :)<br /><br />We didn't get around to taking any pictures, though.<br /><br />Instead, I'll share these pics from Thanksgiving weekend, taken by Shan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SyWWTx2HjmI/AAAAAAAABws/tsrdldjtNV0/s1600-h/IMG_7124.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SyWWTx2HjmI/AAAAAAAABws/tsrdldjtNV0/s320/IMG_7124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414899393524895330" border="0" /></a>The snow was so lovely through the windows.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SyWWTqMjmGI/AAAAAAAABwk/uTCKQ-0Aa00/s1600-h/IMG_7247.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SyWWTqMjmGI/AAAAAAAABwk/uTCKQ-0Aa00/s320/IMG_7247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414899391471523938" border="0" /></a>We all stopped for a snow-watching break, upstairs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SyWWTVpRs4I/AAAAAAAABwc/YzZSgtr0iMk/s1600-h/IMG_7251.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SyWWTVpRs4I/AAAAAAAABwc/YzZSgtr0iMk/s320/IMG_7251.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414899385954841474" border="0" /></a>And then, looked down for a floor-watching moment. It's gonna be cool.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SyWWS5Xdk5I/AAAAAAAABwU/2COYRTLMdb8/s1600-h/IMG_7255.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SyWWS5Xdk5I/AAAAAAAABwU/2COYRTLMdb8/s320/IMG_7255.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414899378363929490" border="0" /></a>Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-12886788972714994982009-12-05T21:20:00.000-08:002009-12-05T21:27:23.819-08:00flooring itMatt and I spent the night in Julian yesterday; <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> Saturday, we didn't awake to new snow.<br /><br />We made good progress on the flooring. Our hope was to finish, but our desire to do things well got in the way of that. See, we installed flooring up to the point where the floor in the kitchen meets up again with the floor in the big room; the boards were about 3/16ths of an inch off from each other.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sxs_LMjcnyI/AAAAAAAABv0/2q_dBRanVaU/s1600-h/IMG_0007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sxs_LMjcnyI/AAAAAAAABv0/2q_dBRanVaU/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411988838796795682" border="0" /></a>So, we decided to do it right, with the help of a router. And either router we might use, of course, was down the hill...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sxs_K4PRqpI/AAAAAAAABvs/AAI6FmTlUJs/s1600-h/IMG_0006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sxs_K4PRqpI/AAAAAAAABvs/AAI6FmTlUJs/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411988833343482514" border="0" /></a>In the meantime, we did some little jobs--sealing the granite tile and the backsplash in the kitchen, finishing up little duct box over the microwave, sealing and caulking the upstairs shower, and hanging the first stairway handrail. <br /><br />It's nice to cross these little things off the list, but also feels like every one we do reveals 2 more: the toilet needed a different wax seal, there's more patching and painting to do in the stairway and upstairs bath now, the shower spigot needs a different fitting...<br /><br />Even so, it feels wonderfully closer to done than it's ever been.<br /><br />I think we'll go up again next Friday after Matt's morning class, and finish laying that floor.Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-36333513742730495302009-11-29T16:02:00.000-08:002009-11-29T16:22:50.248-08:00Many ThanksWe'd hoped to finish the house in time for Thanksgiving; its incompleteness did not dissuade us from eating there! Here Mom and Nona are making final preparations for a Thanksgiving dinner among the saws and compressors... It was delicious.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMM9HTTQKI/AAAAAAAABvc/nFcqUyzbGxM/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMM9HTTQKI/AAAAAAAABvc/nFcqUyzbGxM/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681821473652898" border="0" /></a>We worked hard over the weekend, too. Here, Matt is laying the first strip of hardwood flooring in the big room, with help from Dad. (Mom helped, too, AND took the picture...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMuw5UKGI/AAAAAAAABvU/wMOuFSVCoHg/s1600/DSCF2691.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMuw5UKGI/AAAAAAAABvU/wMOuFSVCoHg/s320/DSCF2691.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681574940911714" border="0" /></a>So that we could work (and eat!) into the night, Matt and Dad installed more of the lightbulbs. Dad stood up high on the loft to put bulbs on the pole; Matt screwed them in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMuheZlVI/AAAAAAAABvM/I113KDRNoLQ/s1600/DSCF2690.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMuheZlVI/AAAAAAAABvM/I113KDRNoLQ/s320/DSCF2690.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681570801489234" border="0" /></a>Mom enjoyed the beautiful day, working at sanding and painting more of the interior doors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMuQ7qmkI/AAAAAAAABvE/qEnaGRooSv4/s1600/DSCF2678.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMuQ7qmkI/AAAAAAAABvE/qEnaGRooSv4/s320/DSCF2678.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681566360836674" border="0" /></a>Dad's big project for the weekend marked the end of another era in Julian: he took down the old treehouse. Seeing it come down was strangely sad--it had remained as part of Grandpa's legacy there. But, even though it wasn't built by his own hands, the new house stands as a continuing testimony to the legacy of lessons he passed along to his kids and grandkids.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMuPb_QvI/AAAAAAAABu8/1L8vGrUtJSI/s1600/DSCF2674.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMuPb_QvI/AAAAAAAABu8/1L8vGrUtJSI/s320/DSCF2674.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681565959537394" border="0" /></a>We kept working on Friday and Saturday, too--Emily started installing a handrail in the stairs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMM9aase5I/AAAAAAAABvk/c7RWbLUxPiM/s1600/DSCF2705.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMM9aase5I/AAAAAAAABvk/c7RWbLUxPiM/s320/DSCF2705.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681826604940178" border="0" /></a>With a little help, I tiled and grouted the upstairs shower--here it is, midway.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMt4pS6mI/AAAAAAAABu0/ONtqqvGY8BM/s1600/DSCF2701.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMt4pS6mI/AAAAAAAABu0/ONtqqvGY8BM/s320/DSCF2701.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681559841335906" border="0" /></a>Phil and Shan hung doorway trim upstairs, and installed baseboard in all the rooms that will be carpeted. We're now ready for carpet installation--the measurements were taken on Friday, and an appointment made for mid-December.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMhTkwzLI/AAAAAAAABus/-8DDfk3rJJs/s1600/DSCF2700.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMhTkwzLI/AAAAAAAABus/-8DDfk3rJJs/s320/DSCF2700.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681343731780786" border="0" /></a>They were a great team--measuring and cutting, hanging and lacquering.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMhEHBG3I/AAAAAAAABuk/-nCJ7owEAKQ/s1600/DSCF2702.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMhEHBG3I/AAAAAAAABuk/-nCJ7owEAKQ/s320/DSCF2702.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681339580488562" border="0" /></a>Our friend Lea came up on Friday evening, too--on Saturday she did a whole lot of little things, like painting this little box that Dad built to hide the vent duct. (You can see bits of our Thanksgiving table stowed away in the cabinets, too...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMgxmpcpI/AAAAAAAABuc/n2nh7IKHqSQ/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMgxmpcpI/AAAAAAAABuc/n2nh7IKHqSQ/s320/IMG_0018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681334612882066" border="0" /></a>Saturday, we woke to a strange sight: snow!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMgYNt7oI/AAAAAAAABuU/OhsLyHB-ebk/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMgYNt7oI/AAAAAAAABuU/OhsLyHB-ebk/s320/IMG_0011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681327797431938" border="0" /></a>Enjoying the big, gloopy snowflakes through the beautiful big windows, we celebrated what a cool space the house is. Now, we just look forward to trading saws and compressors for sofas and coffeetables.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMgO7EhlI/AAAAAAAABuM/t1E6GHjo_Xs/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SxMMgO7EhlI/AAAAAAAABuM/t1E6GHjo_Xs/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409681325303301714" border="0" /></a>Soon!<br /><br />(And, along that thought, we had a visit from the county inspector on Wednesday; his list of things to do was pretty close to ours, so we're feeling very good. We're on our way.)Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-91712368757201738522009-11-22T19:01:00.000-08:002009-11-22T19:34:29.759-08:00before thanksgiving, after the scaffoldingWe've reached a milestone event: the scaffolding has come down inside the house.<br /><br />Except, as we know by now, things don't just "come down." Phil, Matt and Dad took it down. Now there's space for flooring (and, eventually, furniture!). I suspect this makes the house feel a lot less like a construction zone and more like a dwelling space... I'm anxious to see it in person.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7XdrkjzI/AAAAAAAABuE/DdvX7VN3ipo/s1600/DSCF2628.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7XdrkjzI/AAAAAAAABuE/DdvX7VN3ipo/s320/DSCF2628.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407129208157933362" border="0" /></a>Emily lent a hand, too, preparing the bathroom wall for the sink and vanity.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7RLPGFbI/AAAAAAAABt8/dLij1Z96xAQ/s1600/DSCF2627.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7RLPGFbI/AAAAAAAABt8/dLij1Z96xAQ/s320/DSCF2627.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407129100127442354" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile, the scaffolding got lower and lower...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7QzATTsI/AAAAAAAABt0/n1dCo_JzWIc/s1600/DSCF2629.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7QzATTsI/AAAAAAAABt0/n1dCo_JzWIc/s320/DSCF2629.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407129093622943426" border="0" /></a>Matt and Emily set the antique dresser we turned into a vanity into place in the bathroom.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7QQLpH-I/AAAAAAAABts/7PUkW5SZ0tM/s1600/DSCF2633.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7QQLpH-I/AAAAAAAABts/7PUkW5SZ0tM/s320/DSCF2633.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407129084275269602" border="0" /></a>And finally the scaffolding came all the way apart. "It's the end of an era," Phil declared.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7QH6eMrI/AAAAAAAABtk/vXaFsapv9V0/s1600/DSCF2635.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7QH6eMrI/AAAAAAAABtk/vXaFsapv9V0/s320/DSCF2635.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407129082055766706" border="0" /></a>Soon, we'll have a fully-functional bathroom as a working sink joins the toilet and shower. Just in time for our Thanksgiving work there!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7PoWJMsI/AAAAAAAABtc/gcjAAKHNEsw/s1600/DSCF2636.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Swn7PoWJMsI/AAAAAAAABtc/gcjAAKHNEsw/s320/DSCF2636.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407129073581896386" border="0" /></a>Besides taking pictures, Mom worked hard at cleaning up the place so we'll be ready to put flooring down.<br /><br />Additionally, Matt delivered the wood flooring to the house, along with baseboard, on Wednesday and Thursday; Matt and I milled the trim for the doorways on Friday, and Saturday Matt did work on the stairway handrail and the last bits of hooking up the solar water heater.<br /><br />Now, we're all ready for a big weekend of work over Thanksgiving, installing wood flooring, door trim and baseboard, and tile in the upstairs shower!Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-41013249817028429592009-11-16T09:54:00.000-08:002009-11-16T10:07:32.014-08:00cleaning upWhile I was down the hill in San Diego, yesterday we crossed a threshold: the tool storage room has become a room ready for carpet. Mom did valiant work getting it ready.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SwGSH6BfFcI/AAAAAAAABtM/Vp_jc4BHOQo/s1600/DSCF2617.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SwGSH6BfFcI/AAAAAAAABtM/Vp_jc4BHOQo/s320/DSCF2617.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404761692353533378" border="0" /></a>Shan braved the cool-looking but tricky-to-grout backsplash, Phil worked toward getting the sink all set up. Matt played with electrical stuff (and supervised, as you can see here).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SwGSHk0vNWI/AAAAAAAABtE/tAI4lYYx_bQ/s1600/DSCF2609.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SwGSHk0vNWI/AAAAAAAABtE/tAI4lYYx_bQ/s320/DSCF2609.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404761686662919522" border="0" /></a>As the day turned to night, Mom jumped in to help clean up grout lines. It's all looking quite lovely.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SwGSIHAKg-I/AAAAAAAABtU/WBx14JWGCcY/s1600/DSCF2621.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SwGSIHAKg-I/AAAAAAAABtU/WBx14JWGCcY/s320/DSCF2621.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404761695837651938" border="0" /></a>Dad and Matt worked taking care of last (hopefully!) electrical details, testing stuff and cleaning up any remaining issues. Now, we're nearly ready for inspection! (Well, as you can see those blue outlet boxes in the island still need to be wired, but that's not too tricky, and now that the grouts all done, they're ready to go...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SwGSHeCxCbI/AAAAAAAABs8/OQEp7byedX4/s1600/DSCF2610.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SwGSHeCxCbI/AAAAAAAABs8/OQEp7byedX4/s320/DSCF2610.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404761684842711474" border="0" /></a>It's so wonderful to cross things off the list and imagine completion (or something approximate) as within reach. :) Thanks for hard work yesterday!Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-82193545128507667992009-11-14T18:55:00.000-08:002009-11-14T19:10:57.367-08:00kitchen workLately, we've all put some work into the kitchen--two weeks ago, Emily and I laid the carefully-cut countertop tiles while Matt, Nona and Mom worked away on other projects.<br /><br />On our way home (it was Halloween), Emily got a trick: a flat tire. Here she is on the side of the freeway, after Matt and I stopped to help, with the lovely Halloween sunset.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uBIANFiI/AAAAAAAABss/P-bBkfFlJ_E/s1600-h/emily.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uBIANFiI/AAAAAAAABss/P-bBkfFlJ_E/s320/emily.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404159043475150370" border="0" /></a>Last weekend, Matt and I went up Friday to do the last bits of countertop tile and take care of a few things, like hanging the last big fan. Then, on Sunday, Phil and Shan came up to grout the tile, put in the island's oven and work at installing all the sink fixtures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uBfMOYCI/AAAAAAAABs0/gzbZYh0BBO4/s1600-h/philshan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uBfMOYCI/AAAAAAAABs0/gzbZYh0BBO4/s320/philshan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404159049699581986" border="0" /></a>This week, Dad went up to meet the fire sprinkler-installers so they could do their finishing work. (Unfortunately, they missed one; it makes me feel better that professionals do this, too. I think I've installed the "last" outlet cover about 3 times already, and now we have at least 1 more.) <br /><br />Today, we went back for more. And, in anticipation for whatever Thanksgiving feast we can enjoy there, we took up the deck table that had been waiting in storage. Lunch is much nicer with a table--I wonder why we didn't do this sooner?!? It was a beautiful fall day--a little cool outside, but nice in the house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uA77RlwI/AAAAAAAABsk/HPsjBb5SH-c/s1600-h/lunch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uA77RlwI/AAAAAAAABsk/HPsjBb5SH-c/s320/lunch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404159040233248514" border="0" /></a> Matt helped Dad hang the beautiful upper cabinets he'd built--they all fit perfectly and look great. Hence the nice smiles here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uAdrlqhI/AAAAAAAABsc/VTAnzpcZUO4/s1600-h/kitchenboys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uAdrlqhI/AAAAAAAABsc/VTAnzpcZUO4/s320/kitchenboys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404159032114391570" border="0" /></a>Emily and I tiled the backsplashes, Dad installed the microwave, and Matt worked on wiring in the garage. Things are really coming together and looking wonderful!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uANK0spI/AAAAAAAABsU/pwIYObFenB8/s1600-h/kitchen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/Sv9uANK0spI/AAAAAAAABsU/pwIYObFenB8/s320/kitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404159027681997458" border="0" /></a>It looks unlikely that we'll really be able to use the kitchen this Thanksgiving, but it's gonna be a great place to work in the future. Our friends Beckie, Jake and Leah stopped by, and they had no trouble imagining tasty sweet things coming out of the oven...Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29637550.post-90762992007269817842009-10-24T21:45:00.000-07:002009-10-24T23:11:00.020-07:00practicing for halloween?So, not really meaning to work on costume possibilities for Halloween, I discovered a great way to turn your hair gray: cut lots of granite on a wet saw. Be sure the water sprays your head. Don't rinse, repeat. Mom took this pic of Matt and I at the end of the day, as we ate a feast at Nona's house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPrbZN_wZI/AAAAAAAABsE/JQySnjxznig/s1600-h/DSCF2547.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPrbZN_wZI/AAAAAAAABsE/JQySnjxznig/s320/DSCF2547.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396415634378572178" border="0" /></a>But don't worry: besides coloring hair, we also crossed a few more things-to-do off our list today, on a beautiful fall day in the mountians. (Mom ventured into town for a quick trip to the hardware store, remembering, as she looked for a parking spot, that many people like to come to Julian in the fall. Most of them want to eat pie in town...)<br /><br />Matt worked at perfecting his lacquer spraying skills, adding finish to the beautiful upper cabinets that Dad built. Now they're ready to hang.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPZKSpaCYI/AAAAAAAABr8/nLagIfll_jU/s1600-h/matt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPZKSpaCYI/AAAAAAAABr8/nLagIfll_jU/s320/matt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396395549347416450" border="0" /></a>Emily and I worked on the kitchen countertops, cutting all the pieces for the island and around the sink. Even the tricky angles. (Okay, Matt helped with the tricky cutting, until we got our skills built up more...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPYIelttHI/AAAAAAAABrk/BHrmZXn2YdQ/s1600-h/DSCF2544.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPYIelttHI/AAAAAAAABrk/BHrmZXn2YdQ/s320/DSCF2544.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396394418681787506" border="0" /></a>Here, Emily shows off the beautiful layout. It's gonna look good--if we can ever get it to fit perfectly when we lay it in the grout!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPZKC4NrXI/AAAAAAAABr0/gJvDi4xCgFw/s1600-h/emily.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPZKC4NrXI/AAAAAAAABr0/gJvDi4xCgFw/s320/emily.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396395545114553714" border="0" /></a>Nona supervised, cleaned and read.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPYIfHu5gI/AAAAAAAABrc/IyuWvRyjdkY/s1600-h/DSCF2543_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPYIfHu5gI/AAAAAAAABrc/IyuWvRyjdkY/s320/DSCF2543_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396394418824472066" border="0" /></a>Phil and Shan hung all 5 interior doors. Now it's much nicer to use the functioning bathroom. More discrete, for sure.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPYHz-dHmI/AAAAAAAABrU/TeD01UDLq2Q/s1600-h/DSCF2542_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPYHz-dHmI/AAAAAAAABrU/TeD01UDLq2Q/s320/DSCF2542_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396394407242833506" border="0" /></a>And here's my stunning look from earlier in the day: a trash bag bib and pink sunglasses as protective eyewear. It's important to stay dry and be safe when using a wet saw.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPYH_gFwRI/AAAAAAAABrM/KdowgZGX9cs/s1600-h/DSCF2541_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c0CONZ9OL-g/SuPYH_gFwRI/AAAAAAAABrM/KdowgZGX9cs/s320/DSCF2541_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396394410336698642" border="0" /></a>Molly Vetterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04196781131906007826noreply@blogger.com0