Progress Update

It's time to post some more pictures.

As mentioned before, Steve and I managed to find and buy a few new pieces of furniture. We needed to bring them home and since our apartment is so small, we needed to get rid of some furniture before we could move the new stuff in. Joc, Tim and Jeff, you might feel your heart tug a little as you look at this next picture. I was sad at first too, but it also felt good to push this old beast of a couch over the edge.

A few weeks ago, we had two good friends, Rachel and Joel, come to help out. Let me tell you, having people help really lifts our spirits. Rachel, worked hard at knocking the plaster off the brick post while Joel carefully nailed boards in the attic.

 

Steve and I have been working tirelessly on the insulation. We are almost ready for drywall.... It took an incredible long time. Note to self: next time spend the big bucks and get foam insulation. Just this past week, we finished installing most of the windows. We only have 1 left to do, but plan to wait a bit on that one. 

Steve also successfully build his first set of stairs. I am pretty impressed with his workmanship. They are already installed in our basement and will soon be painted a funky blue colour...just because we can. 

Wow, what a mess!

Stair master!

 

The Countdown!

June 30th is the day we will need to be completely out of our apartment. The thought of that is a little overwhelming to say the least. That gives us....34 days to get many, many things finished.
Today is all about lists. First, you will find the list of things we have done since January 31. The second is the list of things to do before June 30. The third is items that will need to wait. I am curious to know which one will be longer.

Things Already Completed: 
- gutting (January 31 - March 26)
- purchased windows
- ordered kitchen cabinets
- ordered kitchen appliances
- found a dryer
- bought a chair and a couch
- framing (March 26 - May)

 Things Yet to Finish in 34 Days:
- electrical (April - now)
- insulation (April - now)
- plumbing (April - now)
- heating vents (install and clean)
- secure the sub-floor
- remove old back door and fill in
- put up drywall
- get drywall taped
- paint (officially pick colours, order and paint)
- order flooring (basically done...just need to pick it up)
- put in flooring
- build and install the stairs (both sets)
- install cabinets
- order counter tops
- order bathroom vanities
- get and install toilets and tubs
- purchase a washing machine
- install kitchen appliances
- purchase light fixtures
- built in shelves in the attic

Things That Can Wait....much to my dismay:
- the yard....so much for a garden this year :(
- the exterior of the house
- the porch
- the back sunroom/discusting mess that needs to be torn down...
- removal of the chicken coop...or whatever it is
- entry way shelf unit
- buy a couch
- baseboards and other finishing touches
- install the kitchen counter tops - only because they will take a while to come


I am hopeful that the next 34 days will be productive. If not, we will be borrowing a camper and setting up home in the backyard. Let's hope for the best.

Insulation Sensation!

After receiving our outrageous heating bill, we thought our place needed a little insulating. It was my first time working with fiberglass insulation, that is if you don't count when I was five and built a fort with the pink flamingo stuff in my dad's shop. Since then, fiberglass insulation has not gotten any less itchy. The whole process hasn't been too painful. Steve told me the worst part would be taping the vapor barrier. It turns out it's not that bad. Maybe Steve just sucks at taping :) The difficulty has been creating a vapor barrier through the ceiling/second floor joists. On a more positive note, a year ago I would have had no idea what my last sentence meant. I am learning a lot.
Below are a few pictures of what the main floor looked like right before we put the plastic up. Our next steps are to complete the plastic part and then get the attic finished. We have a little work left to do upstairs before we can get the attic properly sealed up. We hope to start the drywall process this weekend! Then, we plan to hire someone to do the taping, mudding and sanding. Following that, we begin my favourite part, PAINTING!! If only I could make a decision on paint colours...