Sunday, November 16, 2008

Construction Zone: A Roof Over Our Heads

. . . brushing away the cobwebs . . .

It's been two weeks since my last post. I don't know how that happened!?! 

Well, actually ... I have an idea. It's called living and breathing the partial demolition and rebuilding of your home right before your very eyes because you are living in it, making executive decisions on architectural, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling system changes in the field, selecting roofing, siding, doors, plumbing fixtures, appliances, flooring, tile, etc., packing away your belongings, restructuring your living arrangements and trying to take care of your husband, two kids, elderly and easily disoriented father-in-law, and four cats the best you can so that their lives go on business as usual while you barely keep your head above water. That's what makes days and days and days go by without making a single blog post or finishing a single book. Yup. That would do it, all right. 

The last post I made here on the construction was Sunday, October 26 and the framing of the first floor addition had just been completed. Despite a few delays here and there due to rain, the construction has been progressing really well. It looks as though we are ahead of schedule, which has put a bit of pressure on me to make some quick decisions on things, but I can't complain. I certainly don't want to be the cause of any loss of momentum on this project. Besides, it's good for me to have strict decision deadlines, because I tend to be indecisive and change my mind a lot when I have too much time to think about it.

So here's what's been going on in the Construction Zone:

October 30, 2008
Second floor walls have been framed. The blue tarp in the background is there to protect the existing structure since the siding has been stripped to the studs on the outside of the house. Remember my 1920s house has no insulation in the walls. We're still at the mercy of the weather until they're ready to put up the new siding at which point they will blow in insulation in the outside walls. 


The side entrance from the driveway. I'm going to love that little covered porch. :) 

November 5, 2008 
Plywood siding has been put up and window openings have been cut out. The roofers are framing the roof for the addition and marrying it to the existing roof line.


November 11-12, 2008
Roofing Day. There was a ton of hustling and bustling and plenty of noise and mess these two days. The roof shingles on the existing part of the house were removed, damaged sections of the existing roof were repaired and new roof shingles were installed on both the existing and new roofs.  The existing roof stripped:


Poof! Just like that... a new roof. 

Note the mattress and box spring ready for the dumpster. My husband and I have no bedroom right now. We'll be camping on a futon mattress on the floor in the living room for a few months. So far it's very hard and very cold. It's only been a week and already I'm thinking of buying a sleeper sofa next weekend.


All the leaves have fallen from the magnolia tree out back and I can finally take photos of the back of the house straight on. 

On Friday most of the windows in the addition got installed, but it started raining so I didn't get a chance to take pictures yet. Next up on the Construction Zone feature will be the inside of the house. Namely the part where I have no bedroom and no kitchen and a skinny piece of plywood between my dining room and the great outdoors. In the Northeast, USA. In mid November. Nice. :) 


28 comments:

  1. We've missed you Christine! The house is looking amazing. But no insulation? I hope they get the insulation done fast.

    As for the futon, you might want to try an air mattress. We have two and use then for traveling and they're pretty comfortable. Hope the rest of the construction goes quickly!

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  2. Missed your posts Christine!

    However, WOW - it's no wonder you have been off the grid for a while. That is a major renovation/construction project and definitely all consuming with added family responsibilities etc.

    Your home does look to be coming along beautifully though and I hope it is everything you and your family had hoped for when completed.

    Best Regards
    Lea

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  3. eeek! Sounds like total craziness. Hats off to you for being able to keep it all together through the transition. :) As for deserting blogging, I know what that's like. heh.

    stay warm!

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  5. Wow! It looks GREAT, Christine! It's soooooo great that you get to do this, winter and all.

    But yeah, sleeper sofa would be much easier on everyone's health--mental and physical!--if you can get it.

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  6. One step closer to the end! It looks wonderful.

    (Psst...Did you know your yards a mess?! :P)

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  7. WOw - it's come really far, really quickly! It will be done before you know it :)

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  8. I've missed you, Christine! Glad to hear the construction is coming along, although I'm sure you're ready to pull your hair out. I always find it's important to keep my eye on the ball when I'm ready to kill someone over home improvements.

    Good luck!

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  9. Wow, chaotic to be sure, but still, it looks fun to have all this new stuff to look forward to. Thanks for the pics. Hang in there!

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  10. Oh I've missed your posts! I can't believe how fast everything is going, but that's great for you. The sooner you get life back to normal the better! The place looks wonderful, thank you for the updated pictures!

    {{big hugs}} and tell your man to give you a back massage after sleeping on that futon! :)

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  11. Wow RL is very busy for you! The house looks great though and I can't wait to see what will happen next.
    Thanks for sharing all the pics LOL I love watching how it goes up in a span of days/weeks.

    Good luck! Hopefully it will be over soon and you will be in love with the new house. So are you just expanding the master bedroom and kitchen? Or adding something else as well?

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  12. WOW what a big job. It looks like you are doubling your house! Hope it becomes sane soon.

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  14. The house looks really great already. Looking at all the pictures - it's totally understandable that you've been busy. There's one picture on "roofing day" that's especially scary. :)

    Wish you the best for the rest of the construction.

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  15. Missed you. The house is looking great. That is very exciting. Hopefully it will go along quickly so you can get moved into the new addition.

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  16. HOLY COW! God bless your patience lady. I'd be a raving lunatic with all that chaos going on!

    It does look wonderful though, and they are getting it done pretty quickly.

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  17. It's looking good, Christine! The new roof gave the house a fresh look. But living in the house when it's being torn apart and put back up, has to be hard. I know you all will be so glad when it's done. Take care!

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  18. Holy Smolie, girl! You've been busy!

    ...I do not envy you with all that going on in the winter time! O.O

    Miss you lots...and for some reason that kid song keeps going through my head right now!

    Have patience, have patience...don't be in such a hurry....

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  19. So good to hear from you! Missing you lots and hang in there. They're working fast though. If only faster, yes?

    :D *hugs*

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  20. Hey, it could be worse...much worse. They could be seriously behind, you lose your power and you end up running down the street screaming at the top of your lungs. Definitely could be worse. :D

    And yes, we miss you desperately! Can't wait to see the finished product!

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  22. Lori :: Thank you! They are working at a great pace. I can't complain about that!

    Kati :: Thank you! I've missed you, too! I'm definitely keeping my eye on the ball--good advice! :)

    Phyl :: I'm definitely looking forward to the new and improved home. I'm very lucky. :)

    Tracy :: I've missed your posts, too! I think we both need massages--we're way too old to sleep on the floor! LOL

    Sarai :: Hey sweetie! My kitchen is staying the same size but getting completely gutted and renovated. We're adding a bedroom, bathroom (for father-in-law who lives with us), and family room on the first floor and a master suite on the second floor. It's going to be great!

    Aymless :: Hiya! The new addition is almost doubling the size of the house. We're going from 1170 sq.ft. to 2166 sq.ft.! 85% increase in square footage. But still, the average american home is about 2400 sq.ft., so it won't be that big. It will be juuust right. :)

    Taja :: Thanks! I know the exact picture you're referring to. I'm sure there will be a few more scary days before this project is finished.

    Kris :: Thank you! I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that in a few months the work will be done. This project has been in the planning phase since Dec. 2006!

    Barbara :: LOL Thanks! I have to admit that I've been pretty level headed so far. A bit tired and stressed--but not raving lunatic yet. ;p

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  23. Brie :: Thank you! I was surprised how something so simple as a new roof could give the house a fresher look. My contractor was just measuring for the new front steps and said, "Wait until the new siding goes up. Your house will look like a new house." I'm excited.

    dd03 :: LOL Thanks for the song! It's kinda chilly for a project like this... but it's not even winter yet! Hopefully the house will be wrapped up and weather tight in the next week or two before it gets really cold around here!

    little_alys :: Hi sweetie! I've missed you, too and am thinking of you all the time, hoping you are doing well. I don't think I could keep up with them if they go any faster. :)

    Lady of the Reveiw :: LOLOL Bite your tongue! But yeah... it could always be much worse.

    I miss you, too. And I thank you for covering my backside with the DIK. I'm very grateful.

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  24. We all just want you to keep sane... or as sane as possible.

    Here's wishing you good weather until it's done!

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  25. No problem. Didn't mind doing it. I hope you like my posts...when you get around to reading them, that is. :)

    I've got a killer headache and need about a year long vacation. *sigh*

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  26. WOW, it looks so substantial now! Of course, I know that's deceptive and it's only now that the lengthiest phase begins.

    Hang in there, Christine!

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  27. azteclady :: The good thing is that since I wasn't very sane before this project started, losing my sanity over it now is sort of a non issue. LOL

    I need another two or three weeks of cooperative weather so all the outside work can be completed and the new heating system is operative. ::crosses fingers::

    Lady of the Review :: I'll get around to reading your DIK posts. Thanks again for taking over for me. :)

    Bev(QB) :: What do you mean the lengthiest part is ahead? Progress slows down from here? What are you saying? ::panic:: ;p

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  28. We've missed you! I'm glad to see things are progressing - the house looks amazing!

    Don't forget with all that is on to have some 'you' time :)

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