From Here to the 20th!

We have to vacate the rental house by the 20th. Brandon, our contractor let us know a while back, that the the hold-up is the counter tops. Right before we left the house yesterday, he mentioned that they were done, but up in Billings (MT). Therefore, if he (or someone) went up to get them, we wouldn’t have to wait till Wednesday for delivery and then installation. Yippee!!

Today, when we drive up to the house, four vehicles are there! All at our house – because the crews had quit work on the other houses being built on our streert.  We guessed it must be super busy inside! …and here’s what we saw:

Grabber Bars for the Guest Bath

So glad to see this bar! Accessibility is very important to us.

More evidence of busy-ness!

Shiny and Sturdy Sinks

One for the Laundry Room and one for the Kitchen.

And the more we walk through the house, the more busy and intense it is!

Willy’s Workshop Flooring

In the context of choosing flooring for the  house, we decided that a workshop area and carpeting do not make good partners, so we decided to have Brandon install laminate flooring into this important area. This way, Willy doesn’t have to cringe when something goes bang or thwack, splat or thud! Yay!

Master Bath Coming Together

These are the discoveries for us today:

A Faucet for Willy’s bathtub. Check!

The tile is almost complete surrounding the tub.

Toilet. Check!

Sink Installation

Sink one-of two. Half Check!

Now to the other side of the house…

Guest Bath (and workman’s toolbag)

Guest shower. Check!

Guest toilet. Check!

Sink – tbi (to be installed).

Hot Water Heater Installed

Water Heater (we forgot to ask if it is an electric or a gas water heater.) Check!

We didn’t want to bother the guy installing appliances in the kitchen because he just looked way too busy!  That way we’ll have more pictures to take tomorrow!

So many busy bodies at work in the house today- at least 5 – made for a super busy house. We were amazed!

We took the camera and went outside to see if we can see the towers that host computer access.  The jury is out on that one… but we took pics anyway!

The Search for Computer Access

As we left the house, I noticed a hole dug into the front yard.  I asked one of the workers passing by from his truck what the hole was for – he said he thought it was the water access. Water and electricity were major players inside the house, today!

To say we are excited is an understatement!  We can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!! Woo Hoo!!!

Well, Now Resuming….. :)

I think the Christmas Holiday painting delay was even longer than the delay while waiting for approval from the City.  But, I had forgotten that when you paint a new house, you have to have at least two coats of paint because it is like sealing the wall board.  And… there needs to be time between paint layers to assure drying.  Time… it takes t_i_m_e!  …and I am not the most patient of people.

Despite the seeming delays, we now have a new lock on our front door.  Thanks to Steve Crayton, our son.  Steve came up one day, spent time yacking with us, stayed the night, installed the locks and left for Colorado immediately after because nasty weather would follow him home.  We have learned to really listen when they predict bad weather here – they mean it!  Down near Cheyenne, Wyoming, he dealt with 65mph winds on the interstate!

Two of My Favorite Guys

One item we have been anticipating is the furnace.  We have assumed that once the furnace gets put into the house, the rest of the work will follow quickly.  In fact, it needs to because we are planning to move into the house in about two weeks.

Furnace Assembly

This furnace is sooooo much smaller than the furnace we had in our old house – it’s downright amazing.  Logically, if you have a smaller house, you will have a smaller furnace. The AC will be added on come spring when the ground thaws, so they can grade it perfectly for the concrete slab the HVAC unit lives on. Frozen ground does not bulldoze easily.We will also have a humidifier added because it is so dry here. The humidifier not only helps keep noses from being dry, it helps preserve the house and furniture.

We were informed that the furnace needs to be working so that the tile can dry completely and evenly.  That makes sense.  It is amazing the tiny bits of information a contractor needs to have in order to complete a house well.

Exhaust fan

Yes, to most people, this picture of a bathroom exhaust fan is boring.  However, to us, it shows progression of the finishing touches.

Inserting Pot Lights

Neat little lights. Inserted by a pro.

And a Fan

With temps higher in the spring and summer, it pays to have a fan or two.

Pedestal Lamps

These will not only look great over the island – more importantly, they will provide good light!

The Working Doorbell

And, another strange picture: a new working doorbell!  We had one in the old house, but we could never hear it back in the rec room.  Electric versus battery powered – a big difference.

We are thinking about curtains and blinds… decisions, decisions.  Given the time constraint, we will use blankets and/or sheets for the short term.

I’ve been looking at lots of ideas to streamline the kitchen.  It will be fun to see it evolve.

Interestingly, the kitchen counter tops will go in shortly, along side finishing the last of the plumbing. I never had thought of them as needing to go together – but sinks and plumbing do go together! As well as all of the faucets, toilets, and sink and shower fixtures. I sure am glad the organizing and work are being done by professionals!!!

Through all of this, we have been amazed at the preciseness in how the house is coming and needs to come together.  So many aspects to consider!  We are so pleased that we have a great contractor!