Big News

The big news is Construction!!! I know, I know - right now you're thinking, "Haven't they been under construction for a long time?" and the answer to that question is "Yes, we have". The difference now is that we have hired an actual contractor to kick things into overdrive and really get a lot of work done in a short amount of time. The contractors will be coming in to demo the whole exterior of the house, install new windows and doors, structurally brace it, and add new stucco and paint-ready drywall. We will then finish up ourselves with the painting, kitchen, decks and flooring. It is going to be a very exciting couple of weeks!

Here are some some plans:

This is the existing plan with the areas of demolition marked in blue. All of the exterior walls will be stripped of their stucco, doors and windows removed and the rear deck will be torn off too. The old floor heater and the wall between the kitchen and living rooms will also be removed.

This is the new plan with the contractor's work high lighted in green. It doesn't look like much on the plan, but the whole exterior (except for the roof and the decks) will be new when they get done.

Below are some photos of what we have been doing to get the house ready for the construction crew:

Here's Jason starting his vegetable patch.

Leif and Oda tackle the front yard plants.

This is the lavender that was next to the front door. It was massive, so we split some of it into smaller plants too. Most of these transplants are doing well in the backyard.

Leif fought this Juniper with the pick....

....and the Juniper won.

Jason and Oda happily tending the side yard vines.

We did a little interior cleaning up too. We had to move everything out of the house and into the garage.

Here Leif is leveling the new laundry room doors.

Now the real fun starts. Stayed tuned as the pictures (and posts) should be fast and furious over the coming weeks!