This last week, all the work completed has been mostly behind the scenes, such as electrical wiring, plumbing, and the layout for the cabinets and appliances. At the same time, Michael and I have been arranging to have the piano picked up, restored, tuned and stored during the time the house is painted and floors installed; as well as the Grandfather clock (well it doesn’t need tuning, but it does need to be oiled). I am slowly getting everything off the walls and have packed the China Cabinet (8 boxes full)! We have made meals simple by having mostly prepared salads for dinner and cereal with fruit for breakfast. By incredible luck, we have some wonderful neighbors next door that, when they learned we would be without a kitchen for 7 weeks, offered to have us for dinner each week! It is so nice to have a hot, home-cooked meal and then just walk home afterwards (especially given that dinner involves wine). The bonus is that we really enjoy their company and have such a nice time visiting with them.
We’ve been lucky so far that we have had no major problems — only two issues to date — 1. A two by four will need to be replaced because the original builders failed to place it flush against the wall, causing the sheetrock to bulge slightly. And 2. The circulating pump we wanted at the sink (to provide hot water on demand, thereby saving gallons of cold water washing down the pipes while we wait for hot water) cannot be installed due to the fact that we have KiTech pipes, which were involved in a class-action lawsuit. The contractor cannot cut into them due to liability (major leakage issues at risk) and all other options won’t work with these KiTech pipes. Disappointing; but certainly not as bad as it could be, like dry rot, termites, mold, etc! I, for one, can live with these minor set-backs. Oh, yeah, we had good news, as well – passed inspection first time around and don’t need another inspection until we are done!
Next week, things should get more exciting, as they begin to put the kitchen back together, beginning with sheetrock. Stay tuned!
Our temporary kitchen in the bonus room upstairs.
Electric & plumbing done; appliances and island locations painted on floor.
Safari So Good 