Ready to Go (Almost)

I have packed the trailer and now just need to pack for myself. All is ready otherwise. Funny how you keep thinking you are missing something?  Hopefully we won't need whatever IT is! Once we are 'out there' you really don't need anything. It's not like we haven't done this before!

Lots of activity around the house today. It won't be ready before we leave but you can see how much he has gotten accomplished. Looking good!

We'll be out of touch for awhile - taking a break from electronics! We hope the weather will cooperate but even if it doesn't, it is always nice to go camping!

Ugh!

Dentist today! Ugh. Never liked going and still don't. Something must have happened in my childhood! They say they are better now - sharper needles - oh yeah, that makes me feel better. I may be 'down for the count' and 'out of service' for awhile.

Waiting

Our garage is now finished. We just have to put our lights up but otherwise...all done. Looks wonderful. The white trim just finishes it off nicely. He wasn't able to get it all done on Friday. Monday was pouring so he never made it out to our place at all. Tues he was here for the morning and then had to go pick up materials for another job he said. He was not going to be here on Wed as a result. Today...well, he is not here either. Guess the 'other' job took longer than he thought.

So we are waiting. Hoping the rain won't come tomorrow if he finally makes it here. We are supposed to get thundershowers later in the day. Wouldn't you know it....it's been sunny and warm since Tues and rain is predicted for tomorrow. Oh well. At least he hasn't ripped off all the siding on our house yet. That does not take long to do and then he puts up the Tarvac pretty quickl. Still, he said the house would take longer than the garage did. We might not be here for the finale as vacation is coming up quick.

Side view

The old house AND new garage siding

Looking good



HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Happy Father's Day to both my hubby and our son-in-law! Wish we could have been together to celebrate and BE celebrated! Anyway, good wishes were sent out over the wires. Where do the years go?

Brandy and John

Jade with Ethan, Alicia, Josh



Jade with newest - Grace



Rain Sun Rain Sun Rain

Here we go again. Our guy was doing really good until the rain started again. It literally poured and then hailed (pea size) and finally let up enough that he went out and started again. Alas, it did not last, the rain kept coming and it was getting slippery and muddy and so he 'packed it in' for the day. At least he got the Typar up and half the siding.

Wouldn't you know it? 45 minutes later and it is sunny and hot. Of course, I know it won't last as they say more rain but I sure wish he had stayed a little bit longer. Oh well, hopefully Monday will be a nicer day! My peonies are enjoying the wet!

Got all the Typar up before it poured!

It was actually hailing pea-size hail!

Half the siding up but still raining!

It did rain yesterday. Our guy was able to work until about 2:30 when it just started pouring! It did that, on and off for the next few hours. Thankfully, this morning the sun was shining although it did rain through the night. He was back at it at by 9 am and getting the 3rd side nearing completion already!  He is also putting cladding over the window, door and garage door frame so that makes now for non maintenance exterior! Yippeeee!

As I speak, the sky is clouding up and it is supposed to rain this afternoon and all weekend. Although it appears to be scattered throughout the city, it likely will rain here also.

I am off to the Lake with a few girls for a ladies night out -  rain or shine! We plan to overnite and likely get no sleep! Hopefully, I can make it to bed early on Sat nite!

Pouring rain on Thur afternoon



My peonies enjoy the rain and bit of sunshine - no ill effects yet!



Day 1 Down

Well, we made it through Day 1 of our Siding Saga! Although it was supposed to rain, it did not until later in the evening. Our guy got a lot of work done! Today, however, it is raining. He said he would come in the morning to check it out and work till he got soaked. So far, he is not here yet.

I did have the Phanton screen guy come as well. He put in our new backdoor screen. Looks great. As well, we had power plugs put on the back deck and front entrance. For 35 years we have s t r e t c h e d the cord around the house! Now we don't have to anymore - mostly because we have a gas lawn mower and trimmer! but you just never know when you need power! Actually, probably for Christmas lights!

Anyway, a few pics - better than a thousand words.

Our guy removing the siding

Down to the tar paper

Our new power outlet

One side and part of the back garage up

Oops, forgot to rotate this...our new 'hidden' screen door (see left side)

The peonies made it through ok (so far)

It is absolutely POURING this morning so doubt our guy will be here. Oh well, always tomorrow!

Raining

This week we were supposed to start the process of removing the siding to the house. Wouldn't you know it? It is raining. The guy brought the materials and has it beside the garage (which he is doing first) and left it there yesterday (Monday). This morning he is outside now removing the siding from the front and back of it. I guess it is not supposed to rain until this afternoon. He said he would do as much as he could. Oh my poor peonies! they are just starting to bud out! Not sure if they will make it or not. Anyway, it is 8:30 and he is working hard. Hopefully the skies will not dump any rain. I can see robin's egg blue in the west and I hope that is a sign of good things to come. The grass is wet from the overnite rain so I can see tracks in the grass. Ouch! Guess that is what happens when you renovate!

Looks Good

I took a picture this morning of the house now that the windows are in and also the front and back door. Looks good to me. Of course, the siding is the next to get done. That will start next week. I really like that the cedars are down - giving us a more cleaner look already. Now I can see down the street - something you couldn't do when the cedars were there. Change is coming - although it was slow. It looks good. Can hardly wait to see it all completed. That won't be for another few weeks. Oh well, I guess you have to remember it's the journey, not the destination!

Our house without the cedars but new windows & door

More Changes

Well, some more changes happened yesterday. The window people took out our front door and added a new one. That was interesting. I had to chase a few wasps, flies and mosquitos while the big front opening was left for too long a time in my books. I said I wanted to put up a sheet to keep them out and they told me 'it would only be a few minutes'.  Their usual comment was 'we'll be finished in 45 minutes' which ALWAYS turned into and hour and a half as a minimum. However, it is all done and they are gone.

A few changes...

Our old windows

Our new windows (side ones open)



Our old front door



Removing the old front door

Our new front door (you have to turn your head!)

While we were at it, we decided to take down our cedars for a cleaner look. That was a job in itself but the place looks a lot neater.

John with the cedar before removal

I have to go out and take a picture of the finished product. I thought I had one in my camera but I don't. Will save that for tomorrow, I guess.

Today I am finishing the cleaning and priming the door frames. Always just one more thing!

Like New

Things were really busy around here for a few days. Both of us are tired - cleaning up after the workers (as they worked). We like to keep things neat!

Amazing what they can do in a day. The place looks great and it is only half done! today I am busy washing all the windows. Yes, they are new but they are not clean! Since they are vinyl there is some 'sticky stuff' on them and you need to clean out the runners as well as wash them all down. Now, let me see.....that's 18 windows X 2 sides per window X 2 individual panes per window (never mind the varying size of them) = oh, I can't figure that out...I just know it's LOTS!

I washed down the front door and the window and the back patio door and window last night. Today it took me one hour to do the two separate windows in the main bedroom. Now I am taking a break.

Oh...the pics...here's a few...

Our house before new windows June 6 2011

Old bedroom windows outside



Old bedroom windows from inside out



New bedroom windows from inside out



New windows/ front room /bedroom & basement June 8 2011

Now that was as of Wednesday afternoon.  More to changes to come.  Coffee break over - it's back to work!


Day One

It is only Wed but it feels like a week has gone by since I came home from work at noon to help do some cleaning with the window people here. Ah, that was only yesterday! We have packed a week into one day with all that has been done. I guess this is the second full day, although they never got here till 11:30 am and John would say that half the day is gone - and I would agree with him. They left about 6:30 pm tonite but last night they were here till 9:30 pm. 

However, yesterday, they got all the windows on the main floor in and only had a few adjustments for them today. The rest of the day they put the windows in the basement (eight of them) and had to do some work getting them out but but they are done and look great. They were also able to get our back door - a patio door with mini-blind inbetween the panes. When the blind is fully open, it looks like the door is open to the deck! It looks great!  Tomorrow they do the front door which includes the side window and the facing on the back door as well and then they are done! He said he would be here at 8 am but I wouldn't bet the family farm!

I went out this afternoon to buy new hardware for these new doors as we have brass and the glass for the front door and the hinges on the back are peuter. So...we now have new hardware and new keys! Thought I might as well get them all made at the same time.

The next thing will be deciding what blinds or curtains I should get for the new windows. The trim on all of them has these beautiful rosets on each corner so they are 'stand alone' windows but I need something to cover them up at night. Oh what to do....

I will sort through the pics I have been taking so I can do a 'before' and 'after' but until then..the suspense heightens.

New Windows

Well, today is the day. New windows! Whoopeee! It rained overnight and is overcast right now but I hope that will not stop the window people! I suppose my wet grass won't like the workers walking over it but hopefully it will survive the throngs. I am not sure how much I have to put away from in front of or around the windows for them to work but I guess they will tell me. They booked 3 days to do it all so let's see if that is correct. It's only windows, but.....!!!!

BBQ Day

Although it is overcast and only 5 degrees, it is still our life team BBQ day! Hopefully, it will warm up a bit during the day and maybe even see the sun later on. Right now...I am not hopeful.

Anyway, be that as it may, we are on for 5 pm.  Definitely warm clothing is needed or at least, layered clothing. The fair weather people will be in the house. I wonder who will do the bbqing?

Tomorrow afternoon is another BBQ out of town. I have to make a cake for it this afternoon before I go out. Whatever happened to just hot dogs and ice cream?  Oh yeah, I grew up!

Look Mom, No Cavities!

As you can tell, it was a successful day at the dentist. HOWEVER, it was not cheap!

Although I did not have any cavities, I do have a small chip off one tooth on my bridge. Just enough to warrant having to get it repaired. Minor, they say.  Oh yes, and those fillings I had 25 years ago, well, they are about to be refurbished. That my friends, will cost in the order of $1500 dollars. Yes, one thousand, five hundred, dot, zero, zero!  Maybe that is not expensive for keeping your teeth in ship-shape but...without a'Plan" to help you out, it is a big chunk of change from this lady's pocket.

However, I don't want to get ahead of myself or miss the wonderful feeling of "look mom, no cavities" after being out of the doctor's chair for the past three years. Starting next week, I will be back in it again for a little retrofitting! I guess more than our house is getting a face lift!

I Hate Dentists

Ever since I was little, I did not like going to the dentist. I think it was because they ALWAYS end up hurting you. In the 'old days' I don't think they used pain killers and if they did, they used the same needle on everyone as it was sure dull. Nowadays, I know it is better, but...

I am headed to the dentist this morning under my own steam - it's only because I know I HAVE TO go!

I miss my mother arranging it, taking me and in other words...just doing it! I think that is where that expression came from in the first place. Just do it!  I have taken a L O N G time to make this appointment. I know...I am such a baby!  Hopefully, all will be well, but in my gut.....I think I need some drilling done. Ouch! I can only hope that for a change...haha...I will be wrong!  Cross your fingers and toes...here goes!

Four Weddings & A Funeral

You've all heard of that show, right? Well, I only have two weddings, two bridal showers and one baby shower to go to. It doesn't have the same 'ring' to it though, does it?!

A different kind of bridal shower tonite offers Pampered Chef as the host and you don't have to buy ahead of time and worry about wrapping paper, etc., you can buy something for yourself (if you can afford it) and provide a cash or cheque donation towards the bride/bridegroom's 'wish list'. What a novel idea.  However, I was out at the Bay purchasing another bridal shower gift for Monday and bought both gifts at the same time. It is still an option to 'bring a gift' for tonite's shower (that tradition is not oudated yet) as they have their 'wish list' registered at the Bay also!

Another bundle of joy has arrived to friends of ours and so another baby shower is in store. We have a regular 'baby boom' going on! They are all so adorable! So far, most have been boys too!

All these parties have me on the go. I will have to practise up on dropping clothes pegs into the milk bottle. Oh, guess they don't play those kinds of games anymore. Looks like I am showing my age!