Progress Progress

BIG progress this weekend and yesterday with a very unfortunte injury as well to report. First the yard is 90% done as you can see by the pics! The backyard is awesome, we lucked out with a perfect day yesterday to lay the sod, Marco and David got it done in record time! I showed up about 10 am and it was already done and you can see the new tall fence, loss my mature landscape there, men and their machines saw to that but its pretty again. Chris worked all morning and got the front plants out that I liked but was alone and lost on that decision so new sod there as well now.
Inside the tile is DONE in the baths and looks "FABULOUS" darlings, even though Randy English the tile master shakes his head at my selections. The master is soothing and pretty, the large 24 sq. floor tiles almost look like a stained concrete and the subway white are good for the vintage look, then the glass accents and backsplash are just pretty! The hall bath is pure retro fun with the different colored tiles and the geometric design on the floor!
Now to the tradegy, Chris and Scott from NorCal Stone have been working 7 days to get the countertops for the kitchen here, ( Randy is on hold and quick)they delivered about 1/2 on Monday and were loading the rest yesterday on the truck when workers in their workshop ( the landlord and a worker) were finishing a firewall. I guess the workshop has really tall ceilings and the worker was up about 20' on the scaffolding reached down to pick up a tool and the scaffolding went down with him on it right onto our countertops HEAD FIRST. He bled, was out for quite some time and taken to the hospital in an ambulance. No word today on how he's doing, hoping he's okay. The countertops are CESARSTONE- a manmade product like a quartz, its heavy as stone, looks awesome but not something to fall into. Anyway our countertops were in several pieces, Chris is driving this morning to San Leandro to pick up another slab and we're starting over on them. Randy is going to finish the backsplash using a ledger that was installed to the height of where the countertops will be eventually??
Next is kitchen cork floor, appliances and moving. No word from the electrician, he's busy I guess?? He doesn't like me either, oh well. Plumber hopefully Friday. Keep good prayers and thoughts for the man who was injured and I'll keep posting.

Countdown is on

Well, we've been busy as you can see! We sold our beloved Brookside home on the 4th of July! Tile is booking along, should have kitchen countertops (Cesarstone) on Tues and then CORK floor is to be installed. Tile master- Randy- doesn't have my eye for the colors, he thinks I'm nuts. But Marci has confirmed all selections as perfect~
Front door is on finally, you can see all the concrete, sprinklers in and the fence should be done today! Yard get planted on Monday, smoke or not.
For those of you out of the area, its surreal at best! We are on almost day 21 of smoke haze. Check out the magic of Matt and Seth on the new brick patio that matches PERFECT the old!!
Sydney and I walk when we can, Chris is at the gym, BTW- he's getting a partial new knee in 6-8 weeks!! Call often I don't have time!

Fresh Paint, Fresh Start

Its starting to look real! Charlie and his gang went to town and slammed out the fresh painst inside and out! Hope you can tell the colors, Sherwin Williams something about Khaki and Panda White~ There are hundreds of whites and now I know blacks?? Decisions, anyway, its starting to look like home! Cabinets should start getting installed in a couple of days, then the fun begins! Stone fabricator is ready, new tile guy is alittle out, the dymanic duo of Chris and Dennis are going to do the new CORK floors, way cool. I'm on the hunt for light fixtures and a buyer for Brookside Drive~
Here, buyer, buyer, buyer~ Check out the listing of this great house at www.beckysbuys.com
More fun photos will now be coming

Its been awhile

I know, I know, its been to long between postings. We actually went on a quickie vacation and no we couldn't move the house to the beach or visa versus but wish we could. We went to a resort between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, incredible room, hot, amazing water, a good time.
OK- back to reality. We got back and the whole house was sheetrocked and taped! Jeff Eiben and Jim Scott worked all week and got it textured. We went with an imperfect texture. To duplicate the old plaster was going to be a much more detailed, long and expensive process and only one man in town knows how! Hence, this finish which actually looks great.
I also started the fun stuff- picked out most of the tile, got the file setter, mason for the fireplace and new brick patio and Jasper, the magic wood floor man over this week~ I also was in charge of getting the landscape away from the house and to start trimming the jungle up!
Met our backyard neighbor today, his puppy BILLY, ran away and showed up. Luckily the owner, Kent came over otherwise I think Chris may have taken Billy, a cross of something and a border collie!
I think we'll make August 1st now! Jasper has to replace the fir floors parts to match the bedroom's white oak. Tile is being ordered and mason is ready to start. The paint colors are done and the cabinets are going to start being made on Tuesday.
More pictures this weekend I promise!

Almost perfect

The inspection went over an hour, but in the long run it was jsut a few items, like electrical and a few firebreaks in the attic or something like that~
Insulation tomorrow and then sheetrocking starts up on Wed!
We both got the stomach bug this weekend so laid low, didn't go to Filbert once and both lost weight, always a good thing. More pics when Jeff starts sheetrocking, it feels like soon the house will start feeling like a home.
Yeah!

Keep your fingers crossed

Today is a BIG DAY! Chris is over waiting for the inspector- framing, electrical, plumbing and something else important that I can't think of. Anyway, the roof didn't go on as the original plans showed, its safe and better I'm told but if an inspector is a stickler, we could be required to do something like have the engineer write a letter for several hundred dollars saying its okay? Also, the ductwork in the master bed seems alittle squished, hope he doesn't look up although the heating guys said "No problem".
The family room woodstove is is, living room because of the chimney is on order, remeber the crumbling chimney? Crazy, but its been there for probably 50 years that way?? The sheetrock is getting delivered today, we have to insulate and get speaker wires done then we're ready for master sheetrock King- Jeff Eiben.
A sad note that we're facing, our favorite and only tile man the grumpy but loveable Rick Miller passed away at only 50 years old last month. No job will ever be the same without him to give us a hard time.
Brookside is getting spruced up, with the dynamic duo of Debbie and Wim our closets are now clean, almost empty and the master organized like I've wanted for 10 years! We're going to put it on the market sometime soon??
I'll post as soon as the results come in-

Framing Inspection

More progress on the demo and new construction front~ We took out the last of the mst bed sheetrock, Chris celebrated last night the final assault on the hall shower and today all the sheetrock is coming down from the front bedroom! Electrical is done, plumbing is almost done, waiting for Steve and his crew to finish hall bath, install shower valves, and I guess a few other odds and ends. A new discovery- FLEX GAS LINES! We've never seen this before, had seen the flex plumbing lines that are easier and new, but a flex gas line? Its yellow and supposely has metal on the inside of the line! Alittle concern about where and how the gas line goes to the gas fireplaces, but we'll trust the experts??
In the background department- We got plumbing fixtures picked out, kitchen counters choosen, fireplace for the front existing fireplace ordered, new gas fireplace installed, measured for all cabinets, getting the sample with the right wood ( maple or birch) and stain and all the doors ordered!
I'm going to include a picture of our neighbors yard, Dr Wood has a magnificant rose garden and his annual garden open house was Sunday, it was nice of them to invite the newbies on the street! We'll be celebrating hopefully Friday with a 4 way inspection signed off!!I'll let you know

Guys at work

Here's the vision of work being completed today, hope you can see the "wasp/Bee" nest that was discovered in a bedroom wall today, as is there are any walls not yet uncovered! The electrical- Dave or "Sparky" to the framing crew of Dennis, Roy and Chris found this while putting in the new panel. A little more demo today to make way for bookshelves in the old living room/new dining room and fireplace box/hearth, steps into family room and skylites installed today! We say good bye to Roy for awhile, ready for 4 way framing inspcetion coming up soon~ Keep your fingers crossed~

Windows, Heating Ductwork and More Demo~

The windows are in and looking good, at least clean so far~ Chris and Dennis put them in on Monday afternoon, Tues am John Vlach had his crew there at 7 putting in the sliding glass doors! They are slighly smaller than the originals but looking good~
Entry way is now framed in and the hall windows show how much light there is there now and with the mst. bed entry moved forward about 2 feet the hall doesn't seem like the bowling alley it was.
The ductwork is EVERYWHERE~ Of course where I'd ordered 2 sun tunnels for the back of the family room and one skylight for the kitchen now is in peril, probably only be able to use one sun tunnel, air return in in the ceiling at back of family room. I of course asked the HVAC guys if we couldn't move it but NO! I was at the house "Cleaning and sweeping" all afternoon and I don't think they were happy about it, because I kept asking them questions and if the squished ductwork in the master ceiling wasn't compromised, but they said NO! We have 2 thermostats for each side of the home.
Then I figured out with Marci the fireplace, Chris was concerned it was to big a box out into the room, so ROY ( yes he's finally back after being in Thermolito for 2 weeks!)and I went over it and it almost made it, I have to forget the concrete hearth, opening wasn't tall enough, oh well.
The fun stuff has begun, looked for countertops- Thinking Ceasarstone, its look is close to the retro look I'm thinking of, Strada has some good deals on certain granite, although the color of moss was interesting don't think they're right. Ceasarstone looks speckled like the formica look I'm thinking of. The Icestone recycled glass looks to be to expensive- $90 sq. ft.~ Checked out the plumbing fixtures too, looking for a different look than most- as usual! Some fun tiles though, textured for the floor possibily.
More later~

BIG WEEK!

Wow- The progress is showing! Heating and cooling ductwork should be DONE today! Dennis and Chris have cut in new windows in master bath, master bedroom, hall and are framing the new master bedroom entry ( moved in further INTO the hall so the hall doesn't appear like the bowling alley that it is ) and hopefully the chimeny/hearth in the family room! Skylights and added sun tunnels along with windows are being delivered on Monday, plumber Steve is showing up on Monday and Larry the electrician is ON SITE!
I met Marci, the amazing designer/decorator there yesterday and we got the kitchen lay out done. The kitchen has ended up longer than the plans and original layout for the refrigerator was a MILE away from the sink and range. Got the new location for desk, bookshelves for cooking books in the corner, refri against wall that backs to family room and new local for wine refri (MOST important appliance)
We have to tear out "alittle" more plaster on both sides of original fireplace in living room- aghh
Worse part of the week? Chris has bruises and cuts head to toe, I told him he needs a full armor suit to protect him! I'll get a picture for you later!

Remodeling the Remodel!

Well, Dennis R said it best- she's remodeling the remodel already! The new master bathroom is awesome but alittle on the dark side as is the family room and kitchen. Those rooms have limited windows, so I'm adding a east facing window in the bathroom and skylights in the kitchen and bath.
The BIG news is the roof line is done! Chris is calling for a roof nailing inspection on Friday, since we added and subtracted, changed and customized the new/old roof line we're hopeful the inspectors won't notice or have a hard time with it!
Check out the pics!
Trying to decide on exterior of either stucco or matching siding? Any thoughts send them along for the survey!! This would be on the walls EXCEPT front of home.

I am woman!

Well- No pictures to go with this one, there should be though! This morning we went over, Chris is still really sick and hasn't worked at the house since last Wed. Anyway, we went to check on this roof tie in and then got in the attic to get out what we could of the ductwork. PICTURE THIS- the pitch of the roof is low so there isn't alot of room in the attic, its short basically. AND the roof used to be a shake roof with thousands of long nails still sticking down through the roof and of course I was reminded that I could ONLY STEP on the rafters, NO GOING THROUGH THE CEILING- dah! So after crawling literally on the boards, half way impaling myself in the head and back and trying to tug and slice my way( with knit gloves on and an exacto knife) through the ductwork and THEN flinging it over to the opening to Chris we did it! Of course, we were itchy, coughing, sneezing and all that- Yes we had masks on. I was thinking while up there, how many men or women would be doing this crazy work? All so we have a 1/2 new and 1/2 old home??
Progress was made on the roof line, I'll take pics tomorrow, maybe if we could get all 4 guys there on one day they could get it done by the end of week?? Wishful thinking but we'll hope taxes are done, Chris is feeling better and family emergencies are all done.

This one's for Wim

Well- Another day of BIG progress, almost all the trusses are up, another day for the roof jacks? I think that is the end of the hip roofs on the ends of the building. Know the process needs to refine how this is going to tie into the old roof. I've included a 2 pics of the front, showing the higher new roof pitch, and the back. Then there is the entry way extension with no roof. A shed or low pitched won't work, of course I thought of the obvious a patio cover type, which has been explained is ridiculous and so this is where Wim comes in. Our good friend and contractor extradoire is an unpaid consultant and currently in Mexico so this could be hard but he does have a set of plans with him and he's had enough vacation days anyway! Ha- The video is of Chris pulling out more of the old heating ductwork, I still have promised to get up there to get the last of the old wiring out which is supposedly all off! That could be an eventful day but hopefully NOT! Oh- we have a Dennis B replacement- Phil from Red Bluff, must be a deer hunter, but another quick worker that has to learn to slow for the senior citizen crew! More on the roof tomorrow!Another casulty- My IPOD!! we were so dirty, dusty from pulling the last kitchen wall of plaster down on Sat that I went straight into the laundry room and threw everything in the washing machine before getting in the shower, why don't guys think of this procedure? Anyway, the IPOD was in my pockets and although very clean, very out of any sort of functioning, is this a construction expense??

much progress

it"s tuesday march 18th and we're just about finished framing. much of today was spent nailing shear panel up and even some more demo. tired of demo. trying to match up existing building with new always involved demo tomorrow we'll be finished framing and will be waiting for trusses, which are supposed to be delivered on monday. at that time we'll stand the trusses and begin what should be the last of the major demolition. we'll have to cut back the existing roof in order to blend the two together. this will be the moment of truth everyone has anticipated. we'll see. people stop by to check out the craziness of this project and all say the same thing-quite a project you've got going here. must be true. anyway we're doing pretty well for some old guys. more info at truss time.

First Casualty

Well, I'm sad to say we had the first and hopefully last injury on the job today. As I was over visiting and trying to be helpful Dennis B. and Roy were putting down the subflooring over the floor joists and insulation. Dennis was right in front of me, 2 feet away and he stepped through the floor joist, thinking he was on top of one of the blocks ( or bracing between the joists), the crawl space in this section is about 30 " deep and his ribs landed smack on the floor joist besides his thumb getting hyper extended! Ouch to say the least, he did his best to catch his breath and I must say he didn't say a cuss word or quite frankly much else. Off to Urgent Care and he broke two ribs, in the back from the impact! We feel horrible and wish him a speedy recovery but don't know if he'll be back on our job or not. He obviously has to take some time to heal and some "easy going" time.
Chris, Dennis R and Roy carried on, alittle slower but got all the subflooring down. THANK GODNESS, after work it poured rain with huge drops for a short time and we went over in the dark to sweep off the new subfloor, luckily all the insulation is covered. The hall wood floor took it touch again, doubt we'll be able to salvage it though.
Truss company said today maybe 2 more weeks! They were supposed to be delivered next Tues?? So much for a recession, all of the sudden construction is busy?? Then I went to a sale at the appliance store and it was PACKED, had to park 2 blocks away! Forget it. Keep Dennis and the rest of them in your prayers.

Walls, windows and Almost floors!

I tried to get this posting up for the last two days, and couldn't! Sorry~ but I'm trying again from the office. Last week was very productive, with 2 Dennis' and Chris at work we got walls, window openings and ready for floors and trusses. Truth be told Dennis R and Chris needed a break because Dennis B kicked some butt and they got alot done in alittle time. Chris's knee took a beating and the recliner was calling him by 7:30 p.m. Roy only showed a few days, it was to much I think, good to have a younger framer on the site.
Yesterday, the underfloor plumbing got done, today the under floor insulation and the city inspection and then tomorrow the subflooring! Yeah, next week the trusses are supposed to be delivered and then the jigsaw puzzle of how to attach the new roof to the old!
I'll try to get the photos up later, but sticks in the air are a good thing.
As a side note we went over to the BIG HOUSE, El Monte for a quick meeting with the new owners and it is beautiful and they are expecting another baby! Its a good thing.

Wood delivery can only be a good thing

Yes there is lumber, new lumber, at the 1/2 house!! Yeah, the floor joists are going in and actual sticks in the air promised for tomorrow! Can't wait to take a picture on show off!
We are in a good weather pattern, and better frame of mind! Windows, lumber and trusses are all on order! March is the month to get serious with new construction. Framers on the job, wanting lunch delivered of course, but I'm happy to oblige. They did get some lemon bread for a pick me up this morning, the Brookside lemon tree is still going strong, we have at least 50 more lbs, but I digress!
Also, some good news on the prices of lumber and trusses, if you can believe it, those who know Chris we are getting lumber at Moss, Trusses at CFS and as always Vlach's windows. John Vlach is a good guy with great windows and prices!
There is one more item coming down, Chris and the crew of Dennis and Roy have decided that the chimney is in the way and basically falling down, I'm assured that it won't wreck the inside fireplace, keep your fingers crossed! I really like the living room/den fireplace even if it is leaning and not safe for a wood fire anymore.

Hold your breath on the weather and progress with the roof system! More photos coming later

Finally Upward Progress

After the rains and my being gone for a small vacation to my BFF Debbie's, we're back and will finally see something going in the upward vertical direction, not the downward direction!! A few highlights of the last few weeks; while taking out the last of a small 3'high block wall that used to be the back wall of the converted patio it lifted the concrete slab we were hoping to use as a base for the new floor! At only 1-2" thick, it was a blessing because that wouldn't have been enough of a base to handle the new roof, etc. Chris pulled up some of the remaining carpet, that was soaked from the rain, with no walls why would it stay dry?? Underneath is a variety of wood and a few patches, sure to be the trap door to the money box everyone has been looking for! But alas, underneath the floor was an ANTIQUE kerocene heater!! With a huge tank luckily empty for the kerocene and a natural gas line to it for the pilot light, its a wonder this place didn't burn down! After two hours, cuts and bruises its OUT OF THERE!! Let's see what else, the chimney is craking and leaning, and definetly unsafe for wood fires, it'll hold candles for now. And of course we're about double the money we'd allocated for demo and about 3 months behind BUT Chris is keeping a surprisingly optimistic attitude about this and is sure its going to turn out nice. I have to be honest, I was beginning to feel very bad about the purchase and what else were they going to find wrong? But we're at the worst and tomorrow there will be new footings and hopefully before the rain starts again Tuesday a new foundation!! Yeah, we'll be celebrating the END OF DEMO! Oops, can't forget about the shower in the hall bath yet. More to come soon, stay tuned for the NEW DIRECTION NEWS!

Big Progress!

It stopped raining, the sun came out and we have 1/2 a house now! Danny and company with Chris helping got the rest of the familyroom roof down and then yesterday the kitchen disappeared! Started off the day with the roof, cleaned that up and off to the dump, then the walls and finally the floor! The crawlspace under the kitchen and dining room is REALLY Deep for some unknown ( what's new) reason and I think it would be perfect to dig it alittle deeper for a wine cellar, haven't convinced Chris of that yet, but it would be cool, literally!! Now all that is left is the small master bath at the back of the bedroom wing to come down, should take less than a day and then we're ready to start building UP.
Chris kept looking for the money box, hasn't found one yet, but he's hopeful. Would be nice. Of course yesterday a friend who used to live on the street stopped by and said her old house, which we LOVED may be coming on the market and they just put in a pool! AGHH, can't stop this project now, we watched and waited for a home in this neighborhood to come on the market and now there are 3 after we purchased the"PROJECT". Oh well, this will be what we want and hopefully we won't go to far over our guesstimate budget. Enjoy the pics, more next week~

Still Raining

Not much to report or show, we're waiting for the rain to stop and the backyard to dry out alittle so that we can get the backhoe back in without damaging the yard to badly. Chris got the old mantle off the family room fireplace, we're going to become Craig's List sellers,with all the shutters, doors, oven and know a fireplace isnert. I should be able to figure that out. I'll stay on top reporting any progress, but we're on rain hold for now!

Happy New Year~

What a difference a day makes! Danny Springer and sidekick Robert got over yesterday and cleared all the debris out! He was alittle miffed that the county dump was closed on New Year's Day but then realized that most goverment people or places take every day off they can. Anyway, on New Years Eve Chris got the ceiling down in the master bedroom, look at that beautiful wood, we're going to reuse the rafters, full dimension 2 x 6's and most of it clear of knots and straight as an arrow! We're going to vault that room's ceiling as high as we can! The old bath is gone, but after today it's going to be knocked down with the kitchen! Yeah, I'll do another posting tomorrow with more progress, we got a letter from the city, why email or call when you can spend the time and effort to write a letter??? that the permit was ready to pick up, for a mere $789.00!!
Can't wait to start building up instead of tearing down, but the vision is there, at least in my head.. . .