Merry Christmas to you all!
-from a couple of scary leaf people
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
downstairs portion of sink drain
So we had a corroding piece of piping that the sewer guys left there, so we needed to replace it. as you can see by the photo, it's all brandy-new PVC pipe. So now we have a super slick new sink drain. Exciting, eh?
Saturday, October 08, 2005
heat
It's in - all pipes connected and we're rocking out to some nice new hot water and soon - steam. It's nice and shiny. That's really why we picked it, because it looked real nice, not because it was a good one or anything. It is pretty cute, though, don't you think?
out with the old
Here goes the old boiler - friday morning around 9am. A snip here, a cut there and it was loose and out the back door.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Heatness, Hotness, Warmth
So its getting close to the coooold new england winters that we all love so much. And our 30+ year old boiler doesn't look like it's doing too well. So our current project is to replace the aging giant. 3 quotes later and lots of number crunching, we've made our desicion. This is not exactly a do-it-yourself project (though I wish it was, it would save us some $$$) so we enlisted the help of our good friends at Petro. They are going to rip the old one out, and put in a nice new and shiny and efficient boiler to make our toes toasty and our water hot during the frigid winter months (and the other months too, of course). It's a big expense, but we'll save money every month in heating oil and the new boiler will be around for decades.
We've also sent two of our old chipping cast iron radiators out to be sandblasted. We sent the one from the sunroom and the one from the bathroom... they were the two most visible ones. The sunroom one had to be done because really, who wants to put a nasty, ugly, chipping, dirty, gross radiator in a brand newly redone sunroom. That's costing us about $150 a piece to SSPP (or in metal refinishing terms: strip-sand-prime-paint). They will done in two weeks, hopefully before it gets real cold. We'll post before and after pictures soon - they're gonna look great!
That's all for now!
Brad
We've also sent two of our old chipping cast iron radiators out to be sandblasted. We sent the one from the sunroom and the one from the bathroom... they were the two most visible ones. The sunroom one had to be done because really, who wants to put a nasty, ugly, chipping, dirty, gross radiator in a brand newly redone sunroom. That's costing us about $150 a piece to SSPP (or in metal refinishing terms: strip-sand-prime-paint). They will done in two weeks, hopefully before it gets real cold. We'll post before and after pictures soon - they're gonna look great!
That's all for now!
Brad
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Long time
Hello all,
I know it's been a long time since our last post. Still working on the window trim in the sunroom. You know when you get very close to being finished with a project and you just can't seem to get your act together long enough to actually finish? We're there. Our next project isn't really blog worthy, but I'm sure there'll be pictures anyway once the project gets started. We're going to have the boiler replaced soon. Hopefully this'll mean less oil used over the winter. We hope everyone is well. And remember that you're always welcome to stop by. If you call first, there'll be snacks.
I know it's been a long time since our last post. Still working on the window trim in the sunroom. You know when you get very close to being finished with a project and you just can't seem to get your act together long enough to actually finish? We're there. Our next project isn't really blog worthy, but I'm sure there'll be pictures anyway once the project gets started. We're going to have the boiler replaced soon. Hopefully this'll mean less oil used over the winter. We hope everyone is well. And remember that you're always welcome to stop by. If you call first, there'll be snacks.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Irish Blessing
This is what I've been working on lately. It's not a project on the house, but was done in the house. It's a little something I've been working on for my grandmother (Mimi) for about five years. LOTS of that time I wasn't actually working on it. I was so delighted that I finally finished that I just had to show everyone. It's in being framed now. They're even going to put plexiglass in instead of regular so that she can have it in the nursing home. I can't wait to see how it looks all stretched, mounted, and framed. Enjoy the weekend!
Friday, July 29, 2005
Before
This is just for those of you who weren't familiar with the sunroom pre-blog. This is what it looked like before the work began. This is actually what it looked like before we moved in. I really wanted everyone to get the full feeling for the room. Dark isn't it. Ok, off I go.
Any people watchers out there? New subject, old people at the library trying to figure out cell phones. I'm having the most interesting time listening to them. Just a suggestion if you have nothing to do this weekend. Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Any people watchers out there? New subject, old people at the library trying to figure out cell phones. I'm having the most interesting time listening to them. Just a suggestion if you have nothing to do this weekend. Enjoy the beautiful weather!
View from the rug
The new rug is so wonderful that I just couldn't help sitting on it for a while. It's a joy to walk on without shoes. So, this is the view from the floor. As you can see, we moved the table and chairs in as soon as the room had been vacuumed. The picture on the wall is of the Towers. It goes perfectly in this room. Next step is to work on the window trim. Come by and visit sometime. Just be sure to shake all the snow off of your shoes before you step into the sunroom.
The new rug is in!!!
Well folks, it's official, the room is really almost done! The carpet guys were here this morning. They enjoyed working in the room with the speakers. They even asked to play with the volume a little. It was neat to see their enthusiasm about Brad's work. They did ask for the vacuum to finish the floor, but I kinda wanted to do it myself. There's something gratifying about the sound of things going into the machine. Makes me feel like I'm actually getting something done.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
corner with quarter round
This is what the baseboard trim looks like. Nothing much to say about this particular feature. It will look better once the carpet is in. There is an additional piece of trim that's missing. I believe the official name is a shoe. But from what I understand, that goes in after the rug.
Brad hangs door trim
Here's a piece of the trim I've been talking about. We had some issues with the actual hanging of the trim, but it's too complicated to get into now. Feel free to visit the house if you really want the explanation. If you call first, there'll be snacks! In this particular photo, Brad points to some of the features of this piece of trim. Can't you just hear him? "Note the grain in the wood. The knots are expertly placed to improve asthetic value."
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Trim Time
Rest assured, friends and family. The lack of pics this afternoon is not due to lack of progress, just lack of camera. Brad, did you take it to work? The trim is looking great if I do say so myself. And I do. I've been using that elbow saw again. And Dad, you'd be so proud. I'm even using the miter box - correctly!! I'm using it for the corners of the quarter round. Three walls now have baseboard trim. One wall has the quarter round at the top. I'm heading back to my basement dungeon, I mean workshop to stain the rest of the quarter round trim so that I can put that up tomorrow. Oh shoots!! I just remembered what it was I was supposed to pick up at Home Depot. I was out running errands this morning and knew there was something I needed at the Depot, but couldn't remember what it was. I went over anyway figuring that a stroll through the aisles would jog my memory, but to no avail. I came home empty handed, and I've just remembered what I needed. But I'm not going back out now. It'll have to wait till tomorrow. Ok, off I go. Enjoy the rest of your day.
(Please pardon any horrible spelling. The spell checker thing doesn't seem to want to work today.)
(Please pardon any horrible spelling. The spell checker thing doesn't seem to want to work today.)
House in progress
Grrrrrrr!!! I just had a really long update for everyone, and it vanished when I left the room to work on the next trim step. Oh well. Of course now I'm feeling totally uninspired and hope that this last little glitch is not indicative of things to come concerning the sunroom. I'm working on hanging trim today. This means measuring, cutting, hammering, yikes! So far I've cut and stained some pieces that will serve to fix one of the snaffoos (sp?) we've encountered in attempting to make the room look like we knew what we were doing when we started to work on it. I've cut some of the baseboard trim; don't worry Mom, I didn't use the circular saw. I couldn't figure out how to get it to go. I think it could sense my apprehension. I did things Little House on the prairie style. The only moving part on the saw I used (I don't know if there's a name for this saw) was my elbow. The piece fits and now the cut end of it is being stained. I think the next piece I'll do will be the baseboard on the driveway side of the room. Only one cut with the newly named elbow saw. If all goes well, I'll take some pictures to post. Then I'll run to the library to put them up. If all does not go well, you'll have to stop by and see my mistakes in person. Ok, off I go. Time to watch the poly dry. Have a great day. Keep cool. Remember that your local library is a great air-conditioned playground for the mind.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Trim Prep
Just putting the finishing finish on the trim. We're downstairs today where its cooler and easier to work.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
rugs
Hello! The carpet has been ordered. The floors will be photo-worthy by Friday, July 29! Yipee. No other updates on the sunroom.
As for other home improvements, we have some great new flowers about to bloom. They're going to be beautiful. I just wish I knew who planted them. I cannot for the life of me remember purchasing (let alone planting) gladiolus bulbs. But, there they are. They're not growing quite the way they should, though. The flowers will be lovely, but the stems are quite twisted and are growing almost along the ground. I'll have to include a picture next time. I'm at the library now, not able to run out and snap a picture to include. I know, you're thinking I should have waited until I had a picture if I was going to write that I should have included a picture anyway. But you see, if I had done that, I would have had to leave the library 5-7 mintues ago. That means no more (free) air conditioning. So instead, I've given my mom a little something to read when she returns from the beach. Hi Mom! Ok, off I go. What else can I search for while I'm here....hmmmm......
As for other home improvements, we have some great new flowers about to bloom. They're going to be beautiful. I just wish I knew who planted them. I cannot for the life of me remember purchasing (let alone planting) gladiolus bulbs. But, there they are. They're not growing quite the way they should, though. The flowers will be lovely, but the stems are quite twisted and are growing almost along the ground. I'll have to include a picture next time. I'm at the library now, not able to run out and snap a picture to include. I know, you're thinking I should have waited until I had a picture if I was going to write that I should have included a picture anyway. But you see, if I had done that, I would have had to leave the library 5-7 mintues ago. That means no more (free) air conditioning. So instead, I've given my mom a little something to read when she returns from the beach. Hi Mom! Ok, off I go. What else can I search for while I'm here....hmmmm......
Sunday, July 17, 2005
fans up!
It's finally up! We've picked the carpet out and that should be in by the end of July. Now, onto the window trim and door trim.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Second Coat
House in progress
Well, the second coat is done. No pic necessary as it looks just like the first coat of paint. I was a bit worried this morning when I opened the second can because it seemed a smidge lighter than the first can. It looks great though. I am left with a bit of a problem. The second coat of paint was not absorbed as greedily by the walls as the first coat. I find myself the owner of an entire gallon of "casual blue". Turns out there was no need to run for that second can yesterday afternoon. Of course had I not gone for the second can, Murphy's Law has it that I would have needed it. Not only would I have needed it, but it probably would have turned out just the slightest bit darker or lighter than the original and I would have been unable to mix the two. I don't think I've ever spent so much time on the topic of paint in my entire life. Ok, off I go. We'd love to hear what you think of the room.
Well, the second coat is done. No pic necessary as it looks just like the first coat of paint. I was a bit worried this morning when I opened the second can because it seemed a smidge lighter than the first can. It looks great though. I am left with a bit of a problem. The second coat of paint was not absorbed as greedily by the walls as the first coat. I find myself the owner of an entire gallon of "casual blue". Turns out there was no need to run for that second can yesterday afternoon. Of course had I not gone for the second can, Murphy's Law has it that I would have needed it. Not only would I have needed it, but it probably would have turned out just the slightest bit darker or lighter than the original and I would have been unable to mix the two. I don't think I've ever spent so much time on the topic of paint in my entire life. Ok, off I go. We'd love to hear what you think of the room.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
first coat
Let me begin by saying that I was trying to be a little artsy-fartsy with this one. No comments necessary about the picture being tilted.
I have a paint question to throw out there to anyone who might be more experienced in this area than I: How is it that our dining room (1/3 larger than the sunroom) was able to be coated twice from the same gallon of paint with enough left over to coat our kitchen, bathroom and hallway twice, and it has taken me two thirds of a gallon to coat the sunroom once? Is this that new math they're teaching in school?
The photo does not do the color justice. Of course once the rug is in and we've put up some trim (I realize I missed the inch along the floor, but we're putting up 8" trim anyway and I was running low on paint, as mentioned earlier.)The room will look much better. You're welcome to stop by and view it for yourself, assuming you're a friend or family member and not a scary internet creep.
I have a paint question to throw out there to anyone who might be more experienced in this area than I: How is it that our dining room (1/3 larger than the sunroom) was able to be coated twice from the same gallon of paint with enough left over to coat our kitchen, bathroom and hallway twice, and it has taken me two thirds of a gallon to coat the sunroom once? Is this that new math they're teaching in school?
The photo does not do the color justice. Of course once the rug is in and we've put up some trim (I realize I missed the inch along the floor, but we're putting up 8" trim anyway and I was running low on paint, as mentioned earlier.)The room will look much better. You're welcome to stop by and view it for yourself, assuming you're a friend or family member and not a scary internet creep.
not quite ready
Last night while I was out fulfilling my life-long dream of being on The Muppet Show, Brad was tackling more grown-up interests. Seen here is one of the speakers that will provide hours of musical delight while we enjoy breakfast overlooking our neighbor's garage and a huge maple tree. Oops, I mean while we enjoy breakfast overlooking the water.
Also featured in this picture is the new ceiling fan. Almost.
Also featured in this picture is the new ceiling fan. Almost.
primer
Hello! It's Katie. This is my first try at this blog thing. So this is a picture of the first coat of primer being applied to the wall. First coat? You used more than one? You ask? Why of course. It's a little known secret in the world of home improvement that in order to see where you've messed up, you must first continue through the other steps and then back track to fix the missed spots. We finished the priming of the walls and ceiling as well as the painting of the ceiling (2 coats) before we realized that the seams were still not flat enough. After we got all the seams spackled (for the 73rd time) the entire ceiling was primed and painted again. Any tall visitors are advised to duck upon entering the sunroom as the many coats of paint and primer have significantly reduced the headroom despite the fact that this particular room began with the highest ceiling (or lowest floor?) in the house.
Monday, June 20, 2005
my hope
It is my hope that all the hard work that went into the walls and is now covered up - does not go unnoticed. I kinda wish we could have put up clear walls so we could always remember the time we spent working on those walls.
As always, click on these pictures and you'll see all the other great shots of this miraculous room.
Tackling the spakling
Yes we made it! The walls are up! Woo Hoo! First coat of spakle is on the walls and drying as we speak. The end is near.
Monday, June 13, 2005
and finally,
2 of 4 walls are completely done! It's got that finished look to it now. Job well done.
wall
The bottom half of the outside wall. This one sucked going in because of the uneven wall thing we've got going on.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Look up
Ceiling insulation is in - as are the speaker wires for the in-ceiling tunes. Just waiting on the speakers to put the last roll of insulation in.
Next week - drywall
Next week - drywall
mmm, warmth
Tested the electrical work Saturday morning - and IT WORKS! Then put the insulation up... Walls were much easier than the ceiling. The whole gravity thing, you know?
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Outside Light
Got the outside light up the other day. Nautical lantern style.
All electric is in. We need to run the in-ceiling speaker wire through the walls to the stereo for ambient music while enjoying the cool summer evening breezes from our new sunroom.
All electric is in. We need to run the in-ceiling speaker wire through the walls to the stereo for ambient music while enjoying the cool summer evening breezes from our new sunroom.
Monday, May 09, 2005
Getting There
This past week the furring strips have gone up to make the wall level. The electrical wiring has been run, and boxes have been put in.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Status check
Katie checks the status of the work and asks about the noise coming from inside the room.
Snowstorm
Then comes the chipboard that holds the insulation above the ceiling - took that down. With it came about 3 feet of the stuff.
Look Ma! No walls!
The walls are out saturday afternoon and so are about 30 trash bags full of the insulation. Tasty!
Monday, April 25, 2005
Rrrrip
First came the trim - then the ugly dark panels. Here's our friend Meg getting out some stress on our wall - which by the way we found outdoor shingles on the inside of the sunroom. Interesting, but tedious to remove.
Sunroom Before
Here is the beautiful room before this past weekends tearing out. It's ugly and and dark - it should be bright and cheery.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Door To Nowhere
Cleaned out the yard a bit this weekend, raking, digging up stumps, you know - that sort of thing. Well look what we find just under the ground covered in roots and rocks. An old screen door. Looks like it had been there a while. The funny part about this is - we put it out for the trash pickup - and this morning it was gone. Someone took our dirty, old, nasty, broken, buried for a gazillion years screen door. I'd hate to see the house that puts that door up!
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Water Water Everywhere
But not a bit to drink because its all coming out of the ground from a little crack in the cement floor of our basement. So we've had some heavy rains the last couple of weeks, and its finally caught up to us. Went down there the other night, and there was about 4 inches of water, wall to wall. Check out our super raised walkway to the pump so we don't get wet. neat. Yes.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
spring has arrived!
Well, this might just be the first sign in our yard that spring has finally arrived! Look at these things poking up out of the (in some spots) still snow covered lawn! It's getting close now!
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
First posting
Hi everyone
Obviously no one knows about this little "blog" or so its called. It's like my personal diary for 8.5 billion people to view. Not that I keep a diary on paper. And not that I even know that many people.
My quasi brother Nate has a blog that he updates while travelling through Europe. His life is a bit more exciting than mine at this point in time. He's cool. He "Blogs." So it must be the hip thing to do these days. One of our big projects right now is our new house. So this can be a place for people to check up on us, see whats going on in our world.
We'll give this a try and see what comes of it. I'll let ya know. For now, thats all.
Brad
Obviously no one knows about this little "blog" or so its called. It's like my personal diary for 8.5 billion people to view. Not that I keep a diary on paper. And not that I even know that many people.
My quasi brother Nate has a blog that he updates while travelling through Europe. His life is a bit more exciting than mine at this point in time. He's cool. He "Blogs." So it must be the hip thing to do these days. One of our big projects right now is our new house. So this can be a place for people to check up on us, see whats going on in our world.
We'll give this a try and see what comes of it. I'll let ya know. For now, thats all.
Brad
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