Ok, our 2 weekends off are done so we are back to getting this thing DONE! This weekend, we took out the wall that was on the one side of the kitchen sink, put in a new header (so Ciera’s bathroom didn’t come crashing down), and ran some wiring so Rodney has a light outside when he needs to go out. We need to still open the side that we opened up where the sink is at with a header board and that should be next weekend. Once that is done, cabinets come out, flooring comes out and then we can start to really plan where things will be and do all of the wiring.
A HUGE shout out to Dylan as he has been a trooper helping Chad and he helped with the wiring today and found that this house does have a mind of its own!
I have Tovola ordered again for food as we are going to be going back to college living after next weekend – paper plates, microwave meals and plastic utensils!
This is the side to the kitchen sink, this did have all of that cedar siding on it. Now it is opened up so we can make the wall straight.These are the temporary jacks holing up Ciera’s bathroom while we got the new header installed.Header is in! Naturally Rodney has to come and check things out… silly boy!The kitchen looking out to see the header from this angle.This is my funny picture – they had wallpaper on this wall and instead of taking it off, just textured over it. Yep, that is the way to do it – LAZY!!!! Thank goodness all of those walls are coming down!
Before I get into what we did this past weekend, from here on out it will most likely be a combination of the kitchen expansion/remodel, master bedroom and bath as there will be times when we need one of the projects to “set – i.e. drying time” so will move to the other project. May all of the chaos begin, but in the end it should be functional and fabulous! We keep debating on the timing to get it all done. I want the inside 100% done by end of year so by this time in 2026, we are working on the pool, grilling area and sitting area. Chad is being a pessimist and thinks that isn’t going to happen, we will see who is right!
A special thank you to Dylan who came and helped this weekend!
This weekend it was all about getting in the windows set in the kitchen expansion area, moving the old door out to where the new door will be (we have the new door, but when you see the pictures, you’ll understand why the new door isn’t in yet). We also were able to get the window in the master bath installed and pulled out old original windows in the kitchen.
We will be going slow the next couple of weekends as my mom is coming for a visit and then we have Easter, so if I don’t post anything for a couple of weeks, that is why. We also are trying to be very diligent with the kitchen to make sure we put plugins in the right spots, lights were we want them, pool bench where it is functional, all that stuff, so I may need time to just “sit” and think, but worth the wait. I have it in my head, but don’t want to forget something and then mad at myself. We did get the new built-in stove/microwave as they were having a great sale, so that is in the garage waiting for us to catch up. I’m so excited!
Expansion to the kitchen – this is the old door that we moved out as we think the floor that was poured isn’t deep enough, so until we are ready to tile and can verify, the new door is going to stay in the garage. We also are waiting on one window that we are putting in on the wall where you see the ladders, I don’t think it gets in for another week, but it will be up high and to the left of the ladders.
So this was from a previous post, but look at the top open triangle area, that is where we will be installing the window we are waiting on.
outside looking in.
If you look closely at where the door area is, there is about an inch worth of mortar…umm we are a little scared to figure out why, but that can then throw off the whole floor, hence why not installing the new door yet.
This is where the old door was, and we removed the windows, so that is now all open. This gives us the ability to ensure we know where we need to have the supports to hold Ciera’s bathroom and closet (those are the rooms above the current kitchen area).
master shower area and the window. We are going to also replace the skylight with one that you can open, I need to get that ordered, but that will be replaced as well.
Inside ow what will become our master shower. We do not show it here, but there are a few angles in this room so it is going to be unique….just like the rest of the architecture in this house, so it should be perfect.
We had a great weekend! I didn’t get this posted last night (Sunday night) as I was again miserable with my allergies so opted for a shower and doing a little bit of Optum work before calling it a weekend. Chad and Dylan framed the expansion to the kitchen while I had a lot of fun taking down the siding. Now, we all know I love the destruction of things and I had a blasty, blast taking the siding off. My arms are a little sore, but I just kept remembering all the things that tend to irritate me and that siding did not have a chance!
We have to put a couple more spots of ISO up and then Tyvex and we will be ready for the next step in the remodel. Chad is on call this weekend, so we will see how much he is home so could be a ho-hum weekend, but once we get the windows in, door in and siding up, destruction time inside with the walls. I know I have to be careful as the one is a load bearing wall and we need to support it during the remodel, but patiently awaiting my date with the sledgehammer.
The open area in the ISO in this picture is where the door will be.
This picture above, I think I posted with the “concrete” post, is here to make a point. The guys that Chad work with keep thinking I don’t do any of the work…well that is the siding I took off as well as on the other wall to the left. Now I have more “irritant” when we go to destroy the wall (yes that one above) and all of the cabinets. I know how to run a crowbar and a sledgehammer. 🙂
The two expansion areas have the concrete poured! I’m so excited as now the fun demolition and rebuild can start to take place. We did get the former ‘catio’ enclosed and tyvex’d. We need to put the siding up, but the window that is in the existing part of the house is getting replaced, so once we set the new window, then we will put up the siding. The reason for this is then we can do as many full sheets and not have as many cuts across this whole section. Next weekend, the plan is to get what will be the new kitchen expansion area all framed and sealed up. Dylan is going to come help as he is very excited to help Chad with this part of the remodel. I’ll gladly take the extra help.
We still have that area in the extra bedroom closet where we took the old AC out. We did get the drywall up in there as well. We wanted to get it all mudded (first coat) but Chad’s hand had enough and since that is just the extra room, no reason to push it. Plus, Sunday was a killer for my allergies, the wind has been non-stop here causing all this pollen dust and just icky air stuff to blow in, I’m just over it (I think I’ve gone through a whole box of tissues). Therefore, Sunday afternoon became a lazy afternoon.
We were able to get the two areas ready for the concrete pads. The picture with just the dirt, was the catio. After many conversations and measurements, this is going to be where the new shower and Rodney bath will go. I have a picture with orange lines – I’m sure that will show all of you how fabulous that will be (kidding, it is a mess)! We decided to keep the laundry room where it is, but going to move the door and move one of the walls as it backs up to the kitchen, so why not just bust down all walls. LOL! The pad that is already poured is where we will be expanding the kitchen, yahoo!!!
They are supposed to be here on Wednesday to put in the footings and then pour concrete on Thursday. I’m so excited. I know the real work will start after that, but at least the first step will be done. We are aiming for the kitchen and all of the downstairs hallway/entry way to be done before we go home for the 4th of July. I would love to say we could kick this out faster, but we have A LOT to tear down, build up, moving of water lines and so much tile to lay. Let alone painting, wiring and naturally ordering of cabinets, countertops and new stoves (meaning we will be at the mercy of the delivery dates).
I was so happy I got to use Hercules again to bust out the bricks. Kind of sad there weren’t more!
This is going to be a happy-sad entry this week. Our Maize fought a good battle against kitty cancer and passed away peacefully Saturday night. She looked very peaceful and now we know she isn’t in pain. We will forever have a special place in our hearts for our Maize. My crazy Maize, my black beauty, my Halloween kitty, my chunky monkey…our hearts will have a hole, but we will never forget the love she brought us. She was Chad’s helper, Chad’s TV buddy and leg warmer in bed. At the end, some fond memories of Maize. RIP my little Maize.
We did get some prep work done this week. We got the catio torn out so the new concrete pad can be laid
Catio before – which is going to become the new laundry room.
Catio before –
Prep work – this area will have a new concrete pad, we will close it in move some walls and make this area the new laundry room.
Who cares if this floor is dirty – white is the new Maize.
Maize got her toys lost behind the cabinet – we did not know that the construction guys left a hole there. Well Maize and her toys found the hole. Chad was getting them out (hence what he is doing in the background).
Best buds – Rodney and Maize
Cannot have a black cat without a Halloween chair. She loved those chairs.
When I would cook, she would sit like this a lot to watch. This is when we introduced her to spinners.
Her favorite thing to do, sit in front of a door or window and watch for hours.
Ok, so I know it is February…but the attic is done so all of my Halloween decorations are back where they belong. Chad was busy this weekend, I only get credit for work done on Saturday. I spent Sunday with Ciera and then Chad and I went to movies Sunday night. Dylan took my place on Sunday though, so Chad wasn’t 100% having to do things on his own.
Accomplishments, lets just say I’m super excited with what got done! We put the linoleum down in the attic and as I stated at the beginning the Halloween decorations brought back home. We found the company to come and pour the concrete footings for the kitchen expansion and also going to pour the concrete foundation where the ‘catio’ is right now. This task was weighing on my mind as I didn’t know what to expect for pricing. We still might make the current catio into the laundry room, so pouring the concrete at the same time. The final thing was tearing out the old AC unit in the extra bedroom. Now we just have to fix the ceiling frame, put up some sheetrock, add the flooring and that closet will be super functional!
The concrete folks were ready to come on Monday, but we need to get the bottom layer of siding pulled off and in the catio remove the screens and old wood foundation. Chad is going to tell them to give us a couple weeks as next week we are helping Ciera and Dylan with their house, so we need just a little bit of prep time. However, I’m OVER THE MOON excited as I cannot wait to destroy the kitchen, tear down walls to expand it and FINALLY get rid of this icky tile that goes from the entry way to the garage!!!
Attic flooring – very cheap but we all know I get impatient waiting for Chad when it comes to decorating for Halloween, and I tend to slide stuff soooo cheap it is as it will get torn by me.
my friends are back!
Tons more room for more Halloween!
If you recall, we did this closet before we opted to put mini-splits in upstairs. This is where the upstairs AC was…so removed the wall so it is just a big rectangle shaped closet now.
Just need to fix the ceiling frame, then we can put up sheetrock, do that little piece of flooring, texture & paint.
This weekend we had a half day Saturday and a half day Sunday, and if we would have worked the full weekend, this darn attic would have been done. It is completed minus the linoleum flooring and trim around the door. I wanted it all done this weekend, so next weekend we could finish the bottom of the atrium with the intent of March being time to destroy the kitchen. Hopefully the timing will still work out. Chad is on call this week/next weekend, so we will see if anything gets accomplished. The pictures don’t show it well, but the main area is 24×8 and we have just about as much room in the second area, but we cannot go too high to store stuff due to the sloping ceilings.
Main floor (that will have the lineoleum) and then ready to put flooring down on the section section.
Getting the insulation down then the floor. The previous owners had left over tile, so using that on that 2nd section in spots where I know I will walk. it would be too hard to lay linoleum in that 2nd section due to all of the rafters, so using what was leftover in strategic places.
Done! Just need the linoleum on this main section and then we can go get my Halloween decorations out of storage.
I did not get this updated last weekend, so this is our progress from last Sunday, Chad had a snow day on Tuesday and then this Sunday – so 3 days of real work. We were able to move studs in the attic area over the garage, reframe that area and put in a door. This will allow us to enter the attic area over the garage from the one atrium landing areas. We are closing up the garage access to the attic, so only way in will be the new door. We have a little more plywood floor to put down and then put some linoleum on top and that project will be completed and all of the Halloween decorations can come home (right now they are in a storage unit as they would have been in the construction zone).
Studs moved to either side, wiring moved down and out of the way and reframed. This is the garage attic side looking to where the door will be to walk onto the atrium landing.
Framing of the former drop down access from the garage to the attic
New floor! Just need the last couple pieces and to put the linoleum down.
This weekend was a one-day work weekend as Ciera and I went to our first Bridal Expo – let’s just say that was not what either of us expected. Maybe we have too high of expectations?
Anyway, we got the last slab of the concrete in the shed poured, so that is done. We may insulate the inside, but that is not a ‘must’ at this time. We also did a “first” for us. I bought a canvas print that was not stretched and we actually managed to stretch it and get it framed. The funny thing is, I ordered a 60×30 and maybe in the country that it came from that equated to 66×35 and this was not for the extra “white” on the side that you wrap under…so with a little adjustment on our part, we did get it mounted and think it turned out good. Sunday when Ciera and I were gone, Chad tidied up his garage, which made him extremely happy! Next week, busting out that wall into the garage attic (I so love demolition!)
Bones to Beauty 