day 42

It rained all day yesterday.  And we were out Christmas shopping in it.  I've been completely spoiled since moving to our area of Cheese Country and have been able to avoid shopping malls for the most part for almost ten years.  We have an amazing outdoor outlet mall in town and I try to shop there or at stores that are part of the 5,287 'strip mall'/'shopping centers' that keep going up (I might have exaggerated that, but it seems like they're on every corner now!).  Normally, I love this.  I can be in and out of the stores I need without messing with chaotic crowds and without being tempted to browse through other shops.  Yesterday, it was not so fun.  I'm not sure why I took the time to straighten my hair and better yet, why I didn't choose to wear something with a hood.  Oh well.  I'm almost done shopping and was even able to wrap during E's nap today.

The worst part of the rain was that the roofers were not successful in getting the shingles on last week.  The framing crew was back working all day, though, so the house is now a muddy mess -- both inside and out.  We ran by this afternoon after E's nap (and my wrapping marathon) to grab some photos and check out the latest progress.  Ethan managed to make a mess of himself playing in the mud and Keith was even able to hang some solar-powered Christmas lights (thanks Walgreens clearance aisle!).

[hanging Christmas lights!]

The big events this past week include:

All windows and doors have been installed!  I think the wrong back patio door was installed, though.  The current door is full glass, but we had selected grids in the glass.  At least it's an easy fix.

[bedroom windows]

[garage window]

We met with the Electrician for the electrical walk-through on Tuesday afternoon (day 37).  We added 13 can lights (gulp) -- 4 in the kitchen, 4 in the great room, 3 on the back porch and 2 in the master bath.  We also added additional outlets (including one on the mantel and two more on the exterior), had Cat-5 cable run to various rooms, split the bathroom vanity lights from single to multiple fixtures (two 3-light fixtures in the kiddo bathroom and four single sconces in the master bath), added a couple more switches and added a motion-sensor light to the back corner of the house.  The Electrician was super easy to work with and they've since finished adding all the boxes and running wiring throughout the first floor.

[electrical wiring - and muddy floors]

The roofers started installing tar paper and shingles.  The materials were delivered on Wednesday morning (day 38) when I was meeting with the Electrician again to confirm placement of can lights and the bathroom fixtures.  They started roofing on Friday, but were only able to complete the northeast corner.

We met with the Designer again on Friday morning (day 40) to make our tile selection for the fireplace and to touch base on a few other items we needed to finalize.  We're still undecided on a kitchen faucet.  I find it remarkable that I can't find a faucet from Kohler that I like and is affordable.  I did nail down our pedestal sink for the powder room, as well as the faucets for the powder room and kiddo bathroom.  We're still waiting to hear pricing on upgrading a couple of doors and on switching out our tile tub surround for full-bathroom wainscoting in the master.  I know we chatted about more, but I'm drawing a blank.

[fireplace tile (I think!) - Torreon Travertine by Daltile]

On Saturday (day 41), we returned the light fixtures we were unsure of (the kitchen pendants and the bathroom pendants) and picked up three hallway lights and two ceiling fans instead.  That evening, we also spent several hours scouring a crazy number of websites (Shades of Light, Crate and Barrel, West Elm, Schoolhouse Electric, BBC Lighting, Build.com, Lowes, Home Depot, Overstock, Lighting Universe...to name a few) and lighting catalogs (Feiss, Progress, Kichler, Hinkley, Craftmade...to name a few) for replacement kitchen and bathroom fixtures.  I think we finally have them nailed down, but I haven't hit the "Submit" button on my order just yet.  I really didn't think this would be so difficult.  I'll have to do another full post on lighting, but here is a preview of my non-boob hallway lights.

[Oil Rubbed Bronze Frosted Glass Semi-Flush Mount Light from Lowes]

So, as of day 42, the house currently looks like this from the outside:

The inside isn't quite as pretty, but I suppose that's the hard part of going out so frequently to see what is going on.  Here's to hoping they get the roof on soon and that the snow forecasted for this week holds out as long as possible....

* It'd be remiss of me not to mention the deep sorrow we're feeling for the families, friends and community impacted by the senseless tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.  I'm hugging my baby a little tighter and saying an extra prayer of thanks that my current worries are about light fixtures.  I simply can't imagine what they're going through and will continue to send prayers their way, as they learn to live in their new state of reality.

day 36

I started this post last Thursday (day 32), but was interrupted by life.  Imagine that?  E had a fever Wednesday evening and Thursday, so I stayed home with him for a sick day.  Hubby turned the big 3-0 on Friday and we headed out of town over the weekend to celebrate.  Unfortunately, I picked up a nasty bug while we were gone and am having my own sick day today.  So thankful my fever finally broke this afternoon and I'm starting to feel semi-human again.  Moving from the bed to the couch and getting a shower is progress, right?

Update through day 32:

Hubby was anxious to see what all they had gotten done since morning, so we headed back by that night when we ran to the grocery store.  I should note - the Lot and store are in opposite directions.  We're really just that excited.  It's like Christmas morning every time we go out there and see more done. "Look!  Another board is up!"  "Did you see that pile was moved?"  "Oh!  Another hole!"  It's actually a little pathetic.  Anyway, by that evening the roof had almost been completed and the windows had been delivered.

Update through day 36:

I took my in-laws by the Lot when they were in town on Friday afternoon (day 33) and, by then, most of the windows were hung.  Last night (day 35), when Hubby ran by again, he said all the windows were up, doors were hung and that some of the duct work had been started.  We also received an e-mail from the electrician today and set up our appointment to meet with him to do our electrical walk through tomorrow afternoon.  Fingers crossed I'll be less zombie-like in another 20 hours!  In the mean time, any suggestions on electrical solutions?  Things you did and loved?  Things you didn't do and wished you had?

day 27 (on day 30)

Finally some daylight photos!  As of Saturday, all of the walls were up and the roof trusses were ready to be put into place.  We ran by tonight and the sheathing is almost completely on the roof.  After months of nothing, it's crazy how quickly things are progressing now.

Without further ado, here's the tour as of Day 27:

[up the driveway]

[through the back door]

[laundry room - first door on the right]

[drop zone and powder room - after the laundry room]

[basement stairwell...well, sort of - after the drop zone/powder room]

[master bedroom - at the end of the hall - view from the door]

[master bedroom - view from the closet]

[master bedroom closet - view from bathroom toward back of house]

[master bathroom - view from closet toward front of house]

[view from back hallway - kitchen on left - dining area on right - great room straight ahead]

[left out of the hallway and into the kitchen - window faces front of house]

[view from the kitchen to the dining area - windows face back of house]

[view from great room to dining area - master bedroom in the background]

[into the great room from the kitchen - flex room on the left]

[looking into the great room from the front door/foyer - flex room on right]

[bedroom facing front of house - through hallway off great room]

[looking from front bedroom toward bathroom and back bedroom]

[back bedroom]

And from the outside:

[front - looking south - windows from L to R: bedroom, foyer, flex room, kitchen, garage]

[side - looking west - windows from L to R: bedroom, bathroom, bedroom]

[back - looking north - windows from L to R: master bedroom, dining area, great room, bedroom]

[back porch! - great room windows and fireplace]

[side - looking east - garage doors and window in master bath]

[front porch!]

[our Christmas decor! - under the kitchen window]

[stone is stacked and ready to go]

 

We made several lighting/fan choices over the weekend and even stopped by Menards tonight to pick up three more fixtures.  While there, we were able to extend our bathtub hold until the end of the month.  Crossing my fingers that we'll have somewhere to store it at the house by December 31; otherwise, it will be coming to live in the kitchen of our condo.  I've always wanted a bathtub dining table.

day 22

I ran out to the Lot during lunch yesterday to grab a few daylight photos but my iPhone decided to randomly shut down after the first few shots.  Annoying.  Here’s what I captured before it powered down.

[proud renters of a porta-potty and dumpster!]

[side load garage]

[partial exposure basement]

[looking southwest]

[front of the house!]

 If you look closely in the photo above, you can see the red bow hanging from below our kitchen window.  I'm not sure who hung it, but I still smile like crazy when I think about it.  Who would've thought a bit of red ribbon could bring so much joy.  I can't wait to fully decorate next year!

From what I could tell tonight when I drove past (which wasn't much, honestly; it's pretty dark at 11 pm), I don't think anything has changed since Sunday evening.  We did approve our first draw request on Monday and today the granite supplier contacted us to set up a day to pick out our counters -- exciting stuff!

day 21

What a difference a few days away makes!  We headed out of town on Wednesday morning to visit family for Thanksgiving and made a pit-stop at the Lot on our way to the interstate.  The framing crew was there so we were able to chat with the foreman for a bit.  He asked if there was anything special we'd like for him to do or consider and Keith and I looked at each other dumbfounded.  What unique things can be done with framing or putting down the sub floor?  Suggestions, anyone?

[foggy morning - day 17]

We were thankful they were working the week of Thanksgiving, so we quickly made another pit-stop for muffins to drop off before starting our trip.  E was thrilled once we were finally on I-94 and heading South!

[excited to see family!  and, yes, the Illini will always trump the Badgers in this house]

We filled our time home with family and friends and tried to avoid thinking about the house.  Wednesday night we were thankful to enjoy a night out to dinner and a musical (West Side Story!) with my parents, aunt and uncle.  E had just as much fun with his Gram-Gram and Papa K!  Thanksgiving Day was spent at my in-laws, where I was in charge of the non-traditional coconut cream pies.

My father-in-law is a woodworker (and a fantastic one at that) and agreed to make us a dining table for the new house.  On Friday morning, we headed to a guy's house that my mother-in-law had located on Craigslist and picked out some amazing reclaimed, old growth pine.  I am beyond excited for this table.  He planed a sample piece and with a simple finish of linseed oil, the wood is shining.  Simply beautiful.  It'll be worthy of a blog post on it's own.

[old growth pine - my soon-to-be dining table]

We spent Friday evening in Springfield at the Festival of Trees and E loved seeing the lights, riding the train with Papa D, making a craft and viewing Santa...from afar.  Just like last year, he was excited to see the Man in Red, until he was the next kiddo in line.  Maybe we'll try again in a few weeks.

Hubby went rabbit hunting on Saturday morning, but it was otherwise a lazy day to relax with family.  And this morning, we were able to celebrate my sister's birthday with her!  Omelets and Cold Stone cookie dough cake - all before noon - is the perfect start to a travel day!  

Upon arriving back in Cheese Country, we were greeted with the glorious shots below!  We barely made it back before dark, so they're not the greatest photos, but oh-my-goodness was it exciting to see so much work complete.  I was distracted when we turned onto the main road by our house and didn't get the first glimpse that Hubby did.  He immediately made me close my eyes and I was shocked to pull up and see a floor, framing and sheathing hung.  In fact, we arrived just as the crew was wrapping up for the day (and, yes, it's a Sunday).  I felt bad they were out working, but I think it's a race against the snow at this point.  

[fireplace on the left - dining room picture window in the center - master suite on the right]

[looking East from living room - bedroom, bathroom, bedroom]

[view of living room from foyer - still missing a few walls]

[looking West - still need to frame the flex room, kitchen wall, powder room & laundry room]

[view from the Northeast corner]

It sounds like the roof materials will be there tomorrow and then the framing crew will be back again on Tuesday.  Hopefully we'll have a full roof overhead by end of week.

Other To Do items for this week: follow-up with the Designer on remaining selections, finalize the fireplace, meet with our Construction Manager, research dining room table finishes and survive a busy work week, including month-end, audit and our annual forecast.  For now, I'm hoping the "can't believe we have walls" high carries me through at least Thursday!