Ch-ch-ch-changes

WOW!  Lots of changes at our house this past week.  It was so exciting to see the progress of where we were a month ago and where we are now.  Because, "A pictures is worth a thousand words," I will let these pictures speak for themselves.  Enjoy!

Our attempt at demolition....we know how to swing a sledgehammer!

 

 

Getting ready to excavate!

Checking on the progress

Guys working on the footings.

Digging the footings for the new foundation

Foundation is in for the addition. 

Block work is done and waiting inspection!

 

 

Today, we visited our house and saw the new rooms framed in the upstairs!  Pretty exciting stuff!!

Looking into our new closet and shower!

New linen closet

New guest room closet and view of our master bedroom

Area for the door to our new master suite! 

Time Out for FUN!

As you can tell, this summer has been busy with moving and relocating for our BIG remodel.  Usually in the summer, we take the opportunity to travel to Norway in June, but this year had other plans for us.  So, instead of going to Norway, we decided to go up to the Scandinavian Rivera, aka, The North Shore.  Grand Marais to be more specific.

Last weekend, Craig and I were able to spend a very relaxing weekend hiking, eating, spending time with our family and in nature and sawing logs...both literally and figuratively.  Grand Marais is heaven on earth!  We enjoyed spectacular weather and were able to meet up with old friends and hang out with family.  On Saturday, I won the women's log sawing contest. Yes, apparently, I have a hidden talent... Watch out Craig, I might have a future in surgery too.  :)  We celebrated my youngest niece's 2nd birthday and watched fireworks over the harbor.

On Sunday, after the parade, I took Craig to one of my favorite places to hike.  We took fresh smoked herring, a bottle of wine, crackers and had a lovely picnic.  After the picnic, we hiked up to Devil's Kettle.  It's a fantastic way to spend an afternoon, especially with my MOST favorite person!

We had a lovely stay in a fantastic B&B, which we would highly recommend and most of all, we were able to enjoy each others company and relax away from the hustle and bustle of work, TVs and phones.  It was a perfect weekend.  It was just the break we needed, because now we are back to work. 

BIG progress happening!!

Today, I visited our house and I barely recognized it. Most of the walls are gone on the main level and the floors are getting torn up.  I am amazed at how quickly demolition can go.  I was beginning to be able to visualize what the new floor plan will look like.  It's very exciting!!

While I was there moving some remaining items to the basement and the container, I was transported back to my childhood.  I am a carpenter's daughter and I remember going to work with my Dad when I was growing up.  Long before "Take Your Child to Work Day," my Dad would occasionally take me to work with him.  More often than not, I was given the job of picking up scrap at the job site.  I was never a big fan of that job; I would have preferred pounding nails or running around, or better yet...coffee break!!  I'm sure that I was not a very productive worker when I went with him, but those are wonderful memories that I will always have!  One smell that I remembered from my growing up years is the smell of freshly-sawn wood.  Yesterday, I was reminded of younger days, when I would go to work with my Dad, when I experienced that smell again.  Ahhh....what a nice memory!

Well, as you can see, the project is progressing quickly!  I cannot wait to see what will happen next.  It's changing every day now.

TTFN! 

Averting a Cat-astrophe

Greetings and salutations from the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, our temporary home.  I hope that you have been able to escape the heat and humidity and enjoy the summer.


Sunday proved to be a very eventful day.  Craig and I spent several hours at our house cleaning out our old bedroom, the closet and attempting to get Georgie Girl into her kitty carrier.  Well, we were successful on all accounts!  Hallelujah!!  On Saturday, Craig very cleverly adjusted the carrier so that my smart cat would not be able to enter the house, but would go into the carrier.

 Well, when we arrived on Sunday, the cat was NOT in the carrier, but was still on the deck.  She had ignored her food and treats and was out-smarting our plan.  I had one more idea up my sleeve...I opened the door on the top and walked away.  I tried to coax her into the carrier with promises of treats.  FINALLY!!  She entered the front door, I reached in a grabbed her growling, meowing and hissing at me.  I shut the top door and slammed the front door.  Caught you, you little rascal!

Well, we are settling into our temporary abode, and Georgie Girl is defining her territory.


I hear that the demolition is going well and I am anxious to see the progress.  Life is good; God is awesome and I love my husband and cat.  ;)

A Dilemma of Feline Proportions

Have you ever tried to move a cat?  Well, I have and until now, my success rate was 100%.  That darn cat of mine is so fickle and skittish.  Although the demolition process is well-under way by now, my poor cat is still living in the house, albeit on the four season porch.

Yesterday, I bought Georgie Girl, a new kitty carrier.  It is the "deluxe" model, complete with optional hood opening.  I was so happy and I thought that she would be too!  I put a few toys in it along with a smattering of her favorite treats and catnip (a.k.a. kitty dope).  Well, wouldn't you know, she batted her treats out with her paws, but would NOT enter the carrier!  Grrrr!!!  Well, I tried a different approach....the aerial drop.  Let me give you a visual....have you ever tried to give a cat a bath?  Well, this was the reaction I experienced when I attempted to put her into her new carrier....she "grabbed" both sides of the opening with her paws, hissed and spit and would not go in!!  Good grief!

This is the cat that will voluntarily sit in a vacant box and hide in small spaces, but will not go into a new kitty carrier just for her.  How can that be?  Don't let anyone ever tell you that cats are dumb....oh, no, no my friend!  They are too smart for their own good!  Now I just need to figure out how to out-smart her.

Well, tomorrow, Craig and I will double-team that smart cat of mine.  I have a plan....(evil, diabolical laugh).  I will let you know if we are successful.  Oh, and just in case you wanted to know, our former dining room does not have walls or a ceiling anymore.  More progress!

Demolition Day #1.3gp

As they say on Iron Chef, "Let the battle begin!"

Today, 14 July 2011, the renovation of our home has commenced (by the way, that's Bastille Day to our French friends).  Remember that Bastille Day is commemorating when, over 200 years ago, the French attacked the walls of the Bastille and appropriately today, our contractor attacked the walls of our house.  We have been preparing diligently for this day, almost like we're getting ready to have a baby.  NO!  That is NOT an announcement.  Anyways, I digress. . .   For those of you who are not aware, Craig and I are completely renovating our home.  One might ask, "WHY on God's green earth would you do that?  Why not just buy a new house??"  Well, as they say, "Location, location, location."  We like our location, neighbors and especially the view from our house. We have a beautiful wetland behind our home that is full of wild life, and I don't mean extended relatives.

I will rewind the tape (and I've just dated myself).  A little over 1 1/2 years ago, Craig and I married and I moved into his house.  Now we are going to make it "our" house.  The plans are ambitious to say the least, but we have complete confidence in our contractor and our marriage to forge ahead with this adventure.

One of the biggest obstacles that we had to hurdle prior to this project, was to pack up our home and move out.  How do two people accumulate so much STUFF??  Many have asked where we are going to stay, to which I have replied, "In a van, down by the river."  Well....actually, minus the van, we are renting a lovely apartment down on the Mighty Mississippi.  It's a great view and will provide all the comforts of home, sans servants and au pairs.  But we do have DirecTV and those who know me know that I am glued to the TV during July....Le Tour de France!!  Go Lance!!

This blog will allow those who are interested and those who are merely voyeurs to keep up with the latest in our lives during these next few months.  Yes, I said months.  Did I mention that we are not just renovating our house, but adding onto it as well?  It should be fun to watch the progress.   I hope you will enjoy the trip with us.