What ? has it been two weeks already ?

It has been over two weeks since I posted last about nothing happening well that continued for a bit longer but finally --

Well like Scarlet said  "Tomorrow is another day"  and indeed it finally got here.  The port-a-jon is gone from the font yard and we have moved out of the basement.  Early last week we finally got the last of the various tradesmen, craftsmen, inspectors and so on to complete enough of their tasks to get clean up done and moving back in started.

 above is Oscar the main carpenter guy and below is one of the various painter/plaster guys

 and below was highlight - two different guy from different companies working at the same time.  Also in the photo is the pleasant shade of green port-a-jon that graced our front yard for three short - count 'em - three months.

 Towards the end you would have thought the scene below was what we were aiming for.  Partial completion of about everything.  Ask us if we were frustrated.  No don't scratch that scab.

Anyway moving day finally got here end of last week and we move into the new space day and out of the garage and basement day.  Note the basement kitchen we had been using of microwave toaster oven and not seen but often used hotplate.  Note also neat comfortable arrangement of living space with ample storage of stuff while in the basement.  Note also James doing some of the work.  We were some kinda glad to have him here helping.  He carried hundreds of boxes of dishes, pots, silverware, and stuff back up the stairs.

Here is Patt thinking just what ought to go where and why do we have so many boxes of zip lock plastic bags ?  I packed up all that stuff and knew we had multiples of some supplies- I apparently in my last year or two of grocery shopping think the coupon for zip lock bags for example needs to be used every time you see one since zip lock bags are so handy.  Apparently you don't need umpteen boxes.

 Anyway we are making progress in putting away stuff:  and we do like the open look of the new arrangement.

Getting the rest of the boxes unloaded  and finishing moving in will help.  

And we do like the lighter floor color

We still have a way to go but we are getting there.

The personality of the house is different and it lives differently already.

Looking forward to having some guests. 

A bit of reality check.  We still have a punch list.  Not a long one nor one that is one to worry about, or one that hinders our living in the new space at all -- so compared to where we have been -- we are in good shape- as is obvious.

update on the tomorrow of promise

well tomorrow got here -- which actually was yesterday, and the painter did not show up, the plumber did and completed his work,  and the electrician did too and did a lot of stuff, but he needed the painter to do some plaster work and he also did not have all needed supplies so he said he would be back tomorrow meaning today but it is late in the afternoon and he is not here so perhaps it will really be tomorrow.  The electrician  did discover something that required the gas guy to have to return which he did do today.  - as promised -

did you follow all that, it is complicated -- I am so glad the private sector is so reliable and does things right the first time and gets to critique us government workers -- which the electrician did to no end.  I think he listens to Rush.

no new photos taken but here is one that I am so glad to no longer have operational.  It is of the staircase when it was covered to help control the dust and dirt from all the work.

I can not remember if I used them before of not but they were such a pain to navigate entry and exit to the stairwell and so depressing.  They were a big part of this project.

we actually ended up putting old sheets on the steps to help keep the carpet clean and not track trash up stairs.  Complain complain whine whine whine.  I need to get over it. ya think

at least this stuff is gone.

and upon review and reflection we are making incremental progress - incremental- and the painter is coming tomorrow. 

Getting new floors and Kate Graduated too

Logical title of a blog is't it?  Well actually it is.  Our renovations continue at a snails pace.  (But the snails pace movement is not the link to Kate.)   Over the last two weeks, the floors were sanded -- here is living room with edges sanded and parts of the den sanded (note the new opening between the two rooms)

 Here is an actual worker working in the dinning room.  The entire first floor, old and new floors were sanded and stained.

 and here is the new look.  Lighter and brighter and the finish has some name like "historic oak" or something like that in case you were interested in that type of information.  Just remember, often wrong never in doubt when dealing with me and this level of knowledge about stuff.

I do know the walls are not "urban putty",  We considered that shade of white/gray and did not like it.   I do like the new floors and the new paint on the walls whose proper name escapes me.  I will make up something if it pleases you, or if you want to know exact color of white that is not white or gray that we ended up with.

and now to Kate's graduation and how these posts are linked.  -- While floors were being refinished (during refinishing one can not be in the house due to access and odors/fumes) we were refugees in Graham, which coincided with Elon College's -- check that --University's 2013 Class getting certified.   We stayed with  Janet at het house.  Absolutely enjoyed our time there.  She has the most wonderful screen porch and backyard.  We did indeed enjoy our time there.


And while there we celebrated Kate's graduation many times over.  Kate was extremely patient, being photographed approximately 8 or 9 times.  And she did indeed complete requirements for graduation and has diploma to prove it.

 Photos courtesy of Kelly and Beth, who report that Kate was number 135 from the left in the  photo (or in the program ) out of about 6,483, 497, 357, 344, 361 graduates in Elon's largest class yet.

Here Kate is surrounded by Dad and Uncles with Name tags to assist recent grads, (you know how those Elon grads are)  and uncles have provided no end of good advice on next steps after graduation.

From what we understand the major suggestions still under consideration remain, Charlotte Police Academy, Thomas OTH truck driver & heavy equipment operator's school, and the Professional Bar Tending Institute of Greensboro.  So it is obvious additional training is in the future.

 The full array of aunts, uncles and parental units (also with name tags) 

Congratulations Kate.

and 

btw

we are now back in Raleigh,

the electrician did not show up today, 

due tomorrow,

the plumber did come today

but must come back tomorrow

the painter is due tomorrow 

tomorrow is an important word in my vocabulary you may have noticed

somehow I think tomorrow will not be as full as expected

today certainly wasn't