Window Delivery

Our new upstairs windows were delivered today. Alistair was excited to see a big truck in our driveway. We are excited to have windows that will stay open without props, screens that will actually keep out the insects (instead of poorly fitted storms that allow wasps to make nests inbetween the storm and the window), and glass that does not turn our upstairs into a green house.

Although Alistair was excited about the truck, he was also a little scared. "Mommy, come up here. You not be scared," he told Alyssa.

Kitchen Demo Part One

Today Colin started to demo the upstairs kitchen. Although we're excited about the potential for the space, it is somewhat sad to destroy what we worked hard to improve. The upstairs kitchen was the first room we renovated when we moved in. Alyssa spent several hot, humid August afternoons inside the cabinets, becoming overwhelmed by primer fumes. Alyssa's Dad once had an adventure with water while swapping sinks (we had waterfalls of water through the downstairs light fixtures). We toned our arms muscles sanding down the bumps in the walls and ceiling (including what we dubbed the Himalayas on the wall next to the archway). Alyssa learned how to tile when she put up the back splash. Alyssa's Dad made origami cabinets. Colin wired some of his first electrical boxes and fixtures.  We had some of our first adventures in DIY in our kitchen, so we are somewhat nostalgic before the destruction begins.

Besides the all the DIY, we've also had fun hosting Christmas tree chopping brunches, post Shamrock Shuffle race lunches, Pancake Day pancakes, and countless bowls of oatmeal.

Goodbye Brush Pile

This morning, Colin loaded up the brush pile into the pickup truck. Later Alistair helped by raking up the leftover twigs. Malcolm was busy today priming and painting the trim for Alistair's room.

Pickup Truck and Tractor Excitement

Today our neighbor brought over his heavy duty pickup truck so we could load it up with our brush pile. Tom used the payloader on his tractor to push the pile closer to the truck. Alistair was fascinated.

Alistair's Room Primed and Painted

Malcolm, Colin, and Colin's Dad have been busy in Alistair's room. The ceiling is painted and the walls are primed.

Smelly Primer

This afternoon Malcolm and Colin primed the walls and the ceiling. (This was a second coat for the ceiling.) The combination of the two kinds of primer was extremely smelly.

Front Bedroom Ceiling

Malcolm and Colin were busy this morning. They finished putting up plywood on Alistair's bedroom ceiling and started to nail up the bead board that Colin primed over the winter.

Bathroom Window

Yesterday Colin and Malcolm removed the refrigerator and some of the old window debris from upstairs. Today they installed the bathroom window.

Hurricane Irene

We have cleared off the back porch in preparation for hurricane Irene. Hopefully the porch itself will last the storm. Later in September, our contractor will start work replacing the porch. We are very excited, as the porch now is falling apart. We look forward to sitting outside and enjoying the view of the back garden.

The "Meadow"

The previous owner let a rocky corner of our yard go to "meadow". The whole area has been covered in weeds. The first year we lived here, we had a huge, leaning box elder cut down. We managed to eradicate the jewel weed, only for it to be replaced by more creeping jenny, forget-me-nots and dandelions. The whole area is a mess. A few weeks ago, Colin sprayed the whole area with Round-up. Today we went to our favorite nursery (Cider Hill Gardens) and bought some hostas and hellebores. Yes, we have a five week old baby, but we see this as a long term project.