I had an all day conference today. When I got home, the dogs were eager to explore. Unfortunately, they need supervision as they have discovered the joys of rolling in horse poop. Baths 3 days in a row now.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Max and Teddy Explore
I had an all day conference today. When I got home, the dogs were eager to explore. Unfortunately, they need supervision as they have discovered the joys of rolling in horse poop. Baths 3 days in a row now.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
We're In!
We are finally in and actually sleeping in the new house! What an odyssey! We had moved some furniture in for preliminaries. On Easter eve, the movers came again and we had most of the remaining large stuff transported. It took nine hours and we filled the truck, which is amazing to me since there is still a lot of stuff in the old house. I've been stopping by after work and loading up the SUV. I've also had to begin maintenance yard work at the old place to keep it up for when we finally get it back on the market. There has been continued work, and we had to do additional appliance and cabinet install. Lori and I have been doing a lot of dust up and clean up.
Mom and Dad came and stayed for a week and sure kept busy. Dad took some of the scrap pine we had for the ceiling and made a floor for a downstairs basement closet where the concrete wasn't finished. We worked on a gutter that was knocked down (already) by a very heavy snow that we had. It was very heavy snow and there was a large drift over the gutter so I'm not too concerned about the others giving out.
So far, no major failures and things seem to be working the way that they are supposed to. I haven't been able to keep up with this site given the new and old house maintenance and work. A few photos for now at Flickr.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
March goes out Like a Lion
On Thursday we had one of our great spring snowstorms, with a foot of snow falling through the day. We closed the office at noon. I had the morning off due to a late cancellation of a Hearing I was to attend, which worked out well in view of the storm. I scheduled a meeting with Doug to do a walk through on the heating system. The air handlers/exchangers finally got up and running and we went through the house to review any troubleshooting I might have to do and went over the controls for the handlers. He was impressed with them, indicating that they can turn over the air in the house every couple of hours, and they work pretty well getting the varnish smell that is still present out of the house. The filters on the units are very thorough and will keep the air inside "super clean" as they cycle in from outside. They are very efficient as well, and the heat loss is minimal.
I had to drive to the office after that, and although it was blizzard conditions it didn't take that long because most people were smart enough to get off the roads by then. Unfortunately, I had a report deadline and had to get in to review a file and get it done. The office was already closed by the time I was done and the roads were empty for the return trip, so even though there was already 8-9 inches of snow on the ground the trip was easy. I even drove back to the new house to drop off some lights I had loaded in the landcruiser. They filled the cargo area and I wanted to clear them out. Move in should be coming up.
Today, we went furniture shopping to price a bedroom set and a few other pieces. Tomorrow we have to go and take some measurements to be sure everything will fit.
Our next door neighbor had the opportunity to get out the snowblower and for the first time all season really needed it, sort of. He did the sidewalks up and down the street and did the drive across the street as they were out of town. Fortunately for me, all the snow has melted from the paved surfaces already and I didn't have to bother.
I had to drive to the office after that, and although it was blizzard conditions it didn't take that long because most people were smart enough to get off the roads by then. Unfortunately, I had a report deadline and had to get in to review a file and get it done. The office was already closed by the time I was done and the roads were empty for the return trip, so even though there was already 8-9 inches of snow on the ground the trip was easy. I even drove back to the new house to drop off some lights I had loaded in the landcruiser. They filled the cargo area and I wanted to clear them out. Move in should be coming up.
Today, we went furniture shopping to price a bedroom set and a few other pieces. Tomorrow we have to go and take some measurements to be sure everything will fit.
Our next door neighbor had the opportunity to get out the snowblower and for the first time all season really needed it, sort of. He did the sidewalks up and down the street and did the drive across the street as they were out of town. Fortunately for me, all the snow has melted from the paved surfaces already and I didn't have to bother.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
High dynamic range
A processing technique increases the Dynamic range visible in photos. That can give some dramatic results. Compare this photo with the last post.
I'll have to work on photos that can optimize the effect.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Walkin' on the Stained Floors
Today we could walk on the floors, but in our socks. I have a feeling Lori's going to make me do that from now on anyways. They look good, with another coat of tung oil to go.
Of course, no socks for the dogs so they had to wait outside. We did some dust cleanup as there was more sawdust blown around, and then I took the dogs for a hike out to the back 40, yards that is.
The powder room turned out well. We lined the wall to the level of the vanity with slate, and the floor as well. It's honed, which brings out cool patterns in the stone. The colors match the sink, which is a half boulder of I don't know what, but it has nifty color hues on the inside.
The paint color isn't as peachy as this looks.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Floors Stained
The wood floors are finally getting stained and are looking good so far. Lori and I went out this morning and they were putting on a coat of finish, and unfortunately we couldn't walk and check them out up close.
We ordered these floors from Carlisle a couple years ago now, believe it or not. They were held in the warehouse for a year, waiting for the concrete floor, sleepers and heating to get put in, not in that order. We selected eastern white pine for the very wide planks, and the hit or miss distressing to get a rustic look. While the unfinished floors looked like what we wanted and anticipated, we've been anxious that they were going to turn out with the stain as we had hoped.
Once the floors were delivered, they were installed but we didn't finish them due to all the additional work that had to be done on the house. The concern was that the finish would be damaged with all the activity, dirt, and scaffolding that would be set up and rolled over the top. So the floors were covered with hard cardboard mats to protect them. Once those were pulled off, there were a lot of marks, pits and scrapes evident. It probably was the right call to hold off on the finish, or refinishing with sanding would have been required. The cleaning process involved a lot of vacuuming, some scrubbing and even sanding (which put a lot of new sawdust floating around and settling on everything all over again). The floors are not supposed to be sanded to preserve the look of the saw cuts, knots etc that will come out with the stain, and the floor installers did a great job being careful with that. The clean up looked great.
Picking the stain was no easy task either. Most of the stain in the woodwork of the custom cabinets, doors and baseboards is fruitwood, but we wanted a lighter ceiling stain for the great room and the fireplace columns. The ceiling is pine tongue in groove wood, but a 25% dilution of the fruitwood so that it matched the coloring but lighter. The floors are also pine, but a different type and different milling, and even a 25% dilution was too dark as it sucked it right up, and a sealer went over the top of the stain, tung oil. We wanted the floors to match the ceiling coloration. We decided on a 15% dilution.
Clean up took a couple days earlier this week, stain on Thursday, and coating with the tung oil the last 3 days, Thursday, Friday, and today, with 1 more coat to go.
From what we could see, it's turned out great. The boards are a lighter shade of the fruitwood but the rough cut aspects soaked up more stain and gave the variability that we were hoping for.
The study really looks warm and comfy. I can't wait to add the desk and a big cushy reading chair and ottoman.
The lighting in the foyer gives a better view of the coloring. We wanted lighter to match the ceiling, with the added benefit that it will show less dust, and dog hair, we hope.
The dining room likewise looks very warm and comfortable, with the right touch of rustic but nice finishes with the woodwork.
The kitchen didn't offer a good vantage, but looks good from what we could see.
The driveways were done a while ago, but I didn't really have a good shot up. The finisher who did the basement stain will also do the front porch outside. He offered to do all the driveway for cost, as an advertisement in the area. We are tempted, but it still is a big cost even if it is a deal.
The middle island will have flowers and a strategic tree or two to block out some of the houses across the way.
Getting the paper in the morning should be enough of a daily walk for the dogs.
Starting the drive to work with this view will be a bonus.
Mom has enjoyed the great weather we've been having. Most of the week has had temperatures in the 70's. Pretty soon we won't have the grassy back yard and trees to enjoy, at least until we can get that all started up in the new back yard.
We ordered these floors from Carlisle a couple years ago now, believe it or not. They were held in the warehouse for a year, waiting for the concrete floor, sleepers and heating to get put in, not in that order. We selected eastern white pine for the very wide planks, and the hit or miss distressing to get a rustic look. While the unfinished floors looked like what we wanted and anticipated, we've been anxious that they were going to turn out with the stain as we had hoped.
Once the floors were delivered, they were installed but we didn't finish them due to all the additional work that had to be done on the house. The concern was that the finish would be damaged with all the activity, dirt, and scaffolding that would be set up and rolled over the top. So the floors were covered with hard cardboard mats to protect them. Once those were pulled off, there were a lot of marks, pits and scrapes evident. It probably was the right call to hold off on the finish, or refinishing with sanding would have been required. The cleaning process involved a lot of vacuuming, some scrubbing and even sanding (which put a lot of new sawdust floating around and settling on everything all over again). The floors are not supposed to be sanded to preserve the look of the saw cuts, knots etc that will come out with the stain, and the floor installers did a great job being careful with that. The clean up looked great.
Picking the stain was no easy task either. Most of the stain in the woodwork of the custom cabinets, doors and baseboards is fruitwood, but we wanted a lighter ceiling stain for the great room and the fireplace columns. The ceiling is pine tongue in groove wood, but a 25% dilution of the fruitwood so that it matched the coloring but lighter. The floors are also pine, but a different type and different milling, and even a 25% dilution was too dark as it sucked it right up, and a sealer went over the top of the stain, tung oil. We wanted the floors to match the ceiling coloration. We decided on a 15% dilution.
Clean up took a couple days earlier this week, stain on Thursday, and coating with the tung oil the last 3 days, Thursday, Friday, and today, with 1 more coat to go.
From what we could see, it's turned out great. The boards are a lighter shade of the fruitwood but the rough cut aspects soaked up more stain and gave the variability that we were hoping for.
The study really looks warm and comfy. I can't wait to add the desk and a big cushy reading chair and ottoman.
The lighting in the foyer gives a better view of the coloring. We wanted lighter to match the ceiling, with the added benefit that it will show less dust, and dog hair, we hope.
The dining room likewise looks very warm and comfortable, with the right touch of rustic but nice finishes with the woodwork.
The kitchen didn't offer a good vantage, but looks good from what we could see.
The driveways were done a while ago, but I didn't really have a good shot up. The finisher who did the basement stain will also do the front porch outside. He offered to do all the driveway for cost, as an advertisement in the area. We are tempted, but it still is a big cost even if it is a deal.
The middle island will have flowers and a strategic tree or two to block out some of the houses across the way.
Getting the paper in the morning should be enough of a daily walk for the dogs.
Starting the drive to work with this view will be a bonus.
Mom has enjoyed the great weather we've been having. Most of the week has had temperatures in the 70's. Pretty soon we won't have the grassy back yard and trees to enjoy, at least until we can get that all started up in the new back yard.
Friday, March 06, 2009
25 jobs
The big deal on the news was 25 police academy jobs saved with the "stimulus" bill. 5 million more to go. Hope the pace is better than 30 billion bucks per job
JammieWearingFool
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Stained Concrete
The basement concrete floors got stained this week. It took 4 days, with a day for cleanup, 2 days to lay down the covering thin layer of high density concrete and stain it, and a day for clean up removing all the protective tape and plastic from the wood. It has a rich brown color. The pictures add some red that's not prominent with a live view.
This week, the wood floors should be stained. The painters will also come back in for final touch up.
In the dining room, a hearthstone was placed in front of the fireplace. Earlier, remote controls were put in for the fireplaces and the covers all finished. The remote controls have on off as expected, but also have a thermostat control. If the temp gets below a set level, the remotes will turn on the fireplace. This can work for spot heating and will turn up the heat faster than waiting for the radiant heat, or keep the house warm if the main heating should ever go out.
Other interesting stuff in the house:
Finished great room fireplace wall and cabinets.
Steam Shower seamless glass.
Powder Room. I'll need to get a better picture of the faucets and granite sink
Hallway Hutch
This week, the wood floors should be stained. The painters will also come back in for final touch up.
In the dining room, a hearthstone was placed in front of the fireplace. Earlier, remote controls were put in for the fireplaces and the covers all finished. The remote controls have on off as expected, but also have a thermostat control. If the temp gets below a set level, the remotes will turn on the fireplace. This can work for spot heating and will turn up the heat faster than waiting for the radiant heat, or keep the house warm if the main heating should ever go out.
Other interesting stuff in the house:
Finished great room fireplace wall and cabinets.
Steam Shower seamless glass.
Powder Room. I'll need to get a better picture of the faucets and granite sink
Hallway Hutch
Sunday, February 15, 2009
We Own it Now
Yesterday, we signed the papers and got the long term loan. It was actually quite a good deal, at 5.6% for an interest only, non variable loan, with no origination. For a jumbo loan, that was quite a find and our banker was most helpful. I went to a couple other potential sources and nobody could touch it. I was sweating it out, with the situation with banks and credit I was afraid I'd be stuck getting something much higher, or struggling to get any loan. Now we just have to sell the current house.
The concrete floors are going to be acid stained this week, which will give a stone look to them. Lori and I spent yesterday and today taping off all the baseboards. That was a lot of bending and crawling on concrete, and tonight I'm sore, to put it mildly. We got pretty worn out, cleaning off the floors and with all the taping. No pics of the house, we were too tired by the time we finished.
Here I am in the recovery process. Max made sure I wasn't disturbed.
The concrete floors are going to be acid stained this week, which will give a stone look to them. Lori and I spent yesterday and today taping off all the baseboards. That was a lot of bending and crawling on concrete, and tonight I'm sore, to put it mildly. We got pretty worn out, cleaning off the floors and with all the taping. No pics of the house, we were too tired by the time we finished.
Here I am in the recovery process. Max made sure I wasn't disturbed.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Ovens, Staining and Such
We checked out the house for new stuff. Almost done. The floors need to be stained, and more touch up. Appliances started going in, we'll wait for the floor to get finished.
Max and Teddy are ready to go. If they have to wait, they know where the driver's seat is. I hope they don't learn to honk the horn.
Remember this picture?
Here he is again, only bigger. He really likes the rides now.
But maybe doesn't like my driving!
Below, the Wolf Ovens and microwave drawer.
Touch up painting and staining was done. Some areas got their first coat, including the framing outside the front door. Finally, it looks finished off.
The lights are temporary, and after we get the outside lights these will go to Habitats for Humanity. There are about 19 in all.
I believe all the custom cabinet doors are now in and stained. The doors to the fireplace built in are here. The ones on the left are hideaway.
The doors on the bottom are open, with the plan for speakers to go behind and cloth will cover the opening.
Max and Teddy are ready to go. If they have to wait, they know where the driver's seat is. I hope they don't learn to honk the horn.
Remember this picture?
Here he is again, only bigger. He really likes the rides now.
But maybe doesn't like my driving!
Below, the Wolf Ovens and microwave drawer.
Touch up painting and staining was done. Some areas got their first coat, including the framing outside the front door. Finally, it looks finished off.
The lights are temporary, and after we get the outside lights these will go to Habitats for Humanity. There are about 19 in all.
I believe all the custom cabinet doors are now in and stained. The doors to the fireplace built in are here. The ones on the left are hideaway.
The doors on the bottom are open, with the plan for speakers to go behind and cloth will cover the opening.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
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