Finally, the tools are disappearing...

Well, almost.

I realized this past weekend, after living here for almost a month, that I'm tired of seeing tools around the house - the level, the tape measure, a random paint pan, a screw driver, the powerdrill - it means we're not quite done with the house renovations.

I've talked to our neighbor about this and it appears that "house projects" go on forever. Apparently, there's never an end in sight. THIS scares me. But we're heading out for a little vacation mid June to San Francisco, so I mark that time as the turning point, when the renovations end and the "small projects" begin. Where we actually get to live and decorate the place, and call it our own.

But we finally have finished the major projects - the new kitchen counter is in and fits the corner perfectly; the kitchen sink is in, with all appropriate attachments in working order. And also thanks to my Dad's guidance, we have a stove hood vented outside. Now Ray can cook his tempeh without the smell seeping into all corners.
The carpet was installed in BR1 by LaValley's about one week after we moved in. Here Ray fills a hole in the floor and boards up an old, unused heating vent. (Yup, that's Ray underneath the floor!)

"The grounds" are really taking shape. Since a minimal number of perennials and plants existed before we moved in, I've been busy planting. Very busy. At left, the pin cherry tree in our yard puts on a show.

A brief Hiatus

Well, after weeks of life in a flurry, we moved into our house on Saturday in a record 3 hours. Unbelievable. My mom insists its because I have a diligent husband, which I would say is a big part of the reason, plus we had a great group of folks helping us. We would like to thank everyone who helped us move into our first home of our own - Sue, Alexis, Vivian and Chris, Andy and Laura, Alyssa and Colin, Peter, Emily, Ellen's Mom and Dad (who has helped on every apt. move over the years, about 10?), sister Nancy - You all made it such a pleasant, stress free experience. Thank you.

Our kitchen still remains half finished (we need a counter so we can hook up our sink!) and we need to paint some final trim and the built in cabinet in the living room, most of the major work is now done. We'll be back on schedule with some new ventures (sticky floor tile, sheet vinyl or snap in tiles? gardening, and of course the patio door and patio at some point) in remodeling come late May.

Til then...