Week 128

April 7 - April 13, 2013

We are now in real time, yoohoo.

Have installed blackout blinds on the two west windows.  Before the reno, it would get up to 37° in this room.  Now that there is insulation and has been opened up to allow cross breezes, it is better, but the sun still comes in strong. Have added some storage and a bigger desk so I can get to my artsy stuff.  More a place to pile things on probably.

Week 127

March 31 - April 6, 2013

Now this is a story I have wanted to tell.  Long, long time ago...

When the footings were being redone, all the crap that came out of the basement was, for some reason, piled up along the West side of the hedge.  The whole length of the yard. This crap is all rocks, broken concrete, bricks and crap dirt, nothing we can use anywhere. It has been sitting there since. Now I know why it was left there, not the easiest stuff to get rid of, grrrr....

It has taken a couple of weeks to dig it out, pile it up, load it up and finally get rid of.  Four trips to the transfer station and over $200 later most of it is gone.  Still a bit that needs to go but can be handled in the regular garbage. Big job, man, but good exercise, so not complaining too much.

Now I can get to some fun stuff.

Week 126

March 24 - March 30, 2013

Not so much reno work, but the yard has been ignored.  The weather is starting to get better and now that I have the time I can get an early start.  Spring always seems to spring on me.  The laurel hedges are a big job but very satisfying.  Always think I have killed it, but I am assured I haven't.  The holly, now there is a tree that fights back. 

Holly after

Holly before

Week 121

Artistic Relief

Week 121

Feb 17 -Feb 23, 2013
What an itchy job isulating can be. 

Week 118

Jan 27 - Feb 2, 2013
Another cat picture, can't resist.

Week 118

Jan 27- Feb 2, 2013

Anna came by and finished the electrical in the basement and I can start work in there. Have installed the rigid foam insulation at the foundation. Another thing off the list.

Week 118

Jan 27 - Feb 2, 2013

Door casings started on main floor

Fireplace closed in

Week 115

Jan 6 - Jan 12, 2013

Christmas has come and gone and I am now caught up to the current year.  As you can see not much happened, but I am determined to get going on this house. First some decorating, with Lulu's assistance. Purchased a sheet from Maiwa on Granville Island to make a duvet cover.

Week 108

Nov 18 - Nov 24, 2012

Finally finished all the painting on my floor.  Some patching, touchup and a few walls.  Wanted a 'feature' wall with a great punchy colour. After about 6 test colours and a trip to Benjamin Moore for assistance, have settled something that doesn't glow in the dark.  One thing off the list.

Week 106

Nov 4 - Nov 10, 2012

Bill and Linda have put up railings on the back deck.  Needs to be done for the final city inspection.  Deck repairs will come at some later date and when we have decided what we want to do.

Week 105

Oct 28 - Nov 3, 2012
We are getting things done, slowly. Lots of little things, here and there. Always something to do.

Comic Relief

Week 100

Sept 23 - Sept 29, 2012

Those  &*%$  PAX wardrobes.  Not a fan. Since I had to cut the doors down the edges were raw.  Will (contractor) stripped down the edging off the cut pieces and here I am attaching them to the doors.  Good idea that.  Better than what I was originally going to do. 

Week 97

Sept 2 - Sept 8, 2012

A couple of shots of the garden at the end of summer.  This is the reason I bought the house, for the yard.  Hard to find in the city. 

Have made a few attempts to get the electricians here to finish up stuff, but I haven't been pushing very hard and easy to put things off.  But I am officially done work wise and now I have time. hahaha

Week 87

June 24 - June 30, 2012

Now just stretching for something to update the blog with.  Just enjoying the summer and my last couple months of work.  New gadget for laundry.

Week 87

June 24 - June 30, 2012

Another month and not much happening.  Life and such.  We have been at it for so long and we are finally in a comfortable living space, just want to enjoy the summer.  A few things get done when it strikes us.  The fireplace on the main floor getting there.

Week 82

May 20 - May 26, 2012

10 things on the go.  Not recommended to approach painting in this manner, or anything for that matter.
BUT.  Note the golf trophy on the left beside the mirror.

Week 82

May 20 - May 26, 2012

After taking a tumble down my stairs, time for railings. Not the lack of railings fault but my lack of attention, as usual.
I like it !!

Week 81

May 13 - May 19, 2012
Weather is getting nice and this is what we have been waiting for.  Work, nah  !!
Just want to enjoy the house and you get used to things don't you?  

Week 81

May 13 - May 19, 2012
A few current pics of the main floor.

Week 81

Nice to have a lilac tree.

Week 81

May 13 - May 19, 2012

Nothing, nada, nil has happened in the last month.  Waiting for something to happen and somebody to come by to do something.  Weather is better finally, and we have a few dry days so that my deck can get repaired and grouted.  Looks nice and the flaws in the tile job not noticeable anymore.

Week 76

April 8 - April 14, 2012

This was an exciting week.  The glass enclosures for both bathrooms were installed.  No more baths!!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Week 76

April 8 - April 14, 2012

A gas insert has been installed on the main floor this week. I am sure it is Linda's fav thing. Not a small task, I wasn't here but involved the gas hookup, electrical and the venting up the existing chimney. Another thing off the list.

Week 75

April 1 - April 7, 2012

I tackled the doors for the PAX wardrobes in my bedroom.  It was some time ago, but had loads of fun (not) putting them together.  The doors need to be shortened up, and the width narrowed and more fiddling.  Going in with a different attitude and got it done without too much swearing.  That IKEA stuff is heavy and I had no desire to truck them outside to trim them, so eyeballed everything with a skill saw and created a good mess.  But it is done.  Now how long do you think it will take me to get the handles on?

I'm baaaack

No apologies for not posting.  Just the way it goes sometimes but I am bound and determined to catch up.  Many things have happened, not necessarily on the house.  I am now retired and I have lots of time to work on it and the blog... That's funny. 
So where was I? Oh ya, week of April 1, 2012 the holly out back was just pruned, kinda wonky but better than it was.
At the same time they did the laurel hedge.

Week 75

April 1 - April 7, 2012

So what do you think? Going to have to go with the expert, Steve, the arborist (arboriculturist), but the shape is odd. Since the centre of the tree is bare, he didn't prune the sides as it would look even stranger.  Will fill out apparently. Another 'we will see'.

Week 75

April 1 - April 7, 2012

On recommendation, a fellow named Steve is tackling the project.  With I might add, several disparaging remarks about holly trees in the process.