Button Up!

Today was exciting. After two days of quiet, the plumber, electricians and carpenters were back to begin "buttoning up" our renovation. Scott referred to the last two days of activity this way. I like it. I'm glad he didn't say "that's a wrap" yet, as even after tomorrow a few loose ends will have to be tied up. Some by us, some by our kitchen designer. The guys say that clients love to see them at the beginning of the project, but can't wait to get rid of them at the end! We'll miss our crew, but we know that their absence means our new space is finally ours and ours alone .... to pay for!

I thought one contractor was arriving at 10 a.m. today, so took my time getting ready for work. Lo and behold, Toby the plumber showed up at 8:15 a.m. We chatted while I ate breakfast and he installed my kitchen faucet. I learned that he lives in Pennsylvania, not far south of here; that his wife works for the Vet College; and that they found a human foot in Seneca Lake over the weekend. Needless to say, that last bit of information made me lose my appetite.

After my meager breakfast of oatmeal (I only ate half the bowl), Andy the electrician dropped off a dimmer switch. On my way out the door, I bumped into the guys from a seamless gutter company. When I returned home again to drop Wilson off from an appointment, two electrician's and two carpenters had arrived.

Upon our return home from work many additions to the renovation were complete. The dining room chandelier was rehung, the new kitchen pendant lights were installed, under cabinet lighting was added to the "pass through" cabinet, and the outdoor lights were up and no longer blew a fuse when we flipped the switch. We now have running water in our kitchen sink and master bath sink and the kitchen back splash is exquisite. Wow! These are what I would call details. And they make all the difference, including the fixed circuit upstairs. Now I can plug in the vacuum cleaner without setting the new smoke alarm system off. Phew!

Tomorrow our master bath cabinet gets hung, the grout in the back splash gets applied, our oven is properly installed and the yard debris and equipment is moved out. The items on our punch list (that's contractor talk for the "to do" list) are quickly being checked off, although I need to add one new thing - a toe kick for the dishwasher. I just noticed it was missing when I posted the pictures here!

Once we move ourselves back into each room, clean up and settled in, we'll be inviting our missed crew over to help us celebrate our new digs, This Old House style. We can't wait!

Details, details

One of the most impressive building materials we used for our house project was our Maibec's pre-painted Nantucket shingle siding, better known as cedar shakes. Wow! This stuff is beautiful and easy to maintain. They come prestained and have a 50 year guarantee. For those of you living in Ithaca, this same material was used on the Ithaca Foreign Auto building across from Gimme on State Street (Scott Smith also built that beautiful facility). I always wondered why those shakes hadn't faded. Now I know!

We had to reshingle the back side of our house and contemplated clapboard, stone and shingles. The decision to use shakes is in character with the rest of the houses in our neighborhood. Most are a blend of shakes and other types of siding. I love the look of this siding and the details Scott and Tyler added such as the framing around our outdoor switches. I wish the whole house could look like this. Maybe someday it will!

Shout outs!

Just a few more days until we can fully move back into our house. We once again occupy our abode, but as I mentioned in previous posts, things are a bit chaotic. The countdown continues and with the waning days of construction, we feel it is appropriate and necessary to give some shout outs to our good friends, family and neighbors. Without their support, we might have been heading to divorce court by now! Just kidding!

To Bob Mendola: for handing us the key to his house very early on and encouraging us to use his home when we needed space away from close quarters in the apartment (read: from each other!) or the construction! Wilson stayed there Monday night so he could sleep in on his first official day of spring break (8 a.m. wake up calls are not part of his plan). Thanks, Bob!

To Julie Delay: who delivered a very cool vacumm cleaner, the Hoover Floor Mate that does dry vacuuming or wet. The latter is a must for cleaning up all of the construction dust. I tried it once already and it worked wonderfully! You rock, Julie!

To Sam Schuepbach: who supplied us with an abundant amount of food from his wonderful eatery Alladin's, in Collegetown. We ate every morsel of soup, hummus, grilled chicken and eggplant, plus many other things. Mmmmm, mmmm good! Thanks, Sam!

To Brad and Julie Newhouse: while Rob was away in Florida, we had to make a quick decision (as you have heard, one of thousands) about the color of the window and floor trim. As if we had ESP, Julie and Brad appeared at my door at just the right moment helping me choose Benjamin Moore Mascarpone. Of course, the color is the name of a favorite cheese! Italian to boot!

To Jodi Denman: who on Easter Weekend delivered a beautiful bouquet of Star Gazer Lillies. Oh how beautiful and fragrant. Just what we needed to perk ourselves up while we did our taxes! Nothing like waiting to until the last minute. Thanks for this oh so thoughtful gift, Jodi!

To Megan Roberts and Ray Ghirardo: that last minute invitation to Easter dinner was greatly appreciated. Eating off paper plates was not an option. Your fabulous cooking and company - the best option ever! Dinner was delicious, as always!

To John Lamson and Vicki Simarano: Sunday supper in March was wonderful. Thanks for cooking that amazing leg of lamb (we know how it could have turned out :-).

To Diane and Keith Kubarek: who invited us to dinner knowing we were roughing it. We couldn't make the date, but were oh so thankful for your invitation.

And to Jamie Gearhart for his incredible generosity year in and year out. Can't wait to show you the new digs!

We are blessed to have incredible friends and family and look forward to hosting you very soon!