FINISHED WOOD FLOORS!!!!

AT LAST....the wood floors have been refinished thanks to the hard work and skill of Caleb's co-workers. While we were relaxing in Kansas with family, Caleb's two friends refinished the floors during their free time after work. The transformation is astounding. I can't stop staring at them and marveling at how my sock feet aren't completely dusty and gross when I walk on them. Just in case you may not seem to think the transformation is that great (the paint job really doesn't help things), I've added some old pictures just to remind you of how far we've come. Don't rain on my parade here.

The wood is pine. We were advised by many different wood flooring experts to leave the pine natural. They say that pine does not take stain well, therefore, you should only use polyurethane on it. Over time, the poly ambers and the wood becomes darker. You'll see in some of the 'before' pictures the darker wood, but this is the effect of the ambering process over the years. The floors have a lot of "character", which we really do love (or maybe it's just taken so long that we are apathetic, but I think amore is involved). I'll try to post pictures when sun is shining in the windows so you can actually see the beauty of it, but I was too anxious to wait for that. (So my apologies for the dark pictures).

Caleb working on the former living room:

The former living room now:

Here's a real throw-back (looking into the dining room from the living room) :

Same angle:

ahem. bad memories.

Some of the prettiest spots in the floor. This is the wide plank wood that was used to fill in the gaps where the wall used to be.

And might I remind you:

That really is the same spot in the house...

The bedroom (again, a little reminder):

The extended bedroom closet. All the dark spots were where nails were holding down a piece of plywood. Caleb had fun with that little project.

We can now walk on it, but we are still living upstairs, the floors needs about a week to cure. There will be much rejoicing when we move our things downstairs. Soon to come, a shower! Oh the luxuries!

First snow!

It finally did snow after all talk. It is a bit slick, I'll give them that (I fell on my behind last night), but it snowed all day, and this is what it looks like.

Chloe chasing a squirrel, which after it climbed a tree, it hissed at Chloe. They still have not come to get the dumpster. It's been a bad string of weeks to try to pick it up. First it was too wet to move, now, well, there's snow.

The bathroom is semi-complete. The sink is in, and the floor is grouted. Shower doors, not so much. However, we should either see those in before we leave for our KS trip, or I better see them when we return....or else... (empty threats)

Chloe stays warm by the vents.

The linen closet.

The top of the vanity needs another coat of paint since the sink was installed, and we need to paint and re-attach the hardware.

This is how we are attempting to save on energy bills. Classy, no?

Again, Chloe by the vent. I had a revelation the other day that someday, and maybe someday soon, we will live like normal people again, with furniture in our living room and dining room, and no Looney Toons on the walls.

When Liz was here to visit, she was a huuuuuuuuge help in getting the kitchen cabinets cleaned and ready for filling. We ran out of steam after about the second box was unpacked. It was late. But, I promptly finished unpacking the most important boxes the day after Liz left. Our kitchen, however dysfunctional it looks, is in working order.

What you can't see is the hideous corner just to the right. Tools, sandpaper, cleaning supplies, more tools, paint thinner, stain, you name it, tools.

The next post, crossing my fingers, will be our finished floors! And our shower door...or else...