Update 8/29/2011 - Exterior Shots

The exterior work is done and everything looks great.  We're really pleased with the siding, roof, and how well it sits on the site.  Next up is gutters, downspouts and a leaf guard system.  Then some retaining walls and other landscaping.  Mostly all grading, we'll wait until Spring before any plantings...although I am scoping out the new bird feeding sites for this winter.

The big dumpster is gone, a smaller one is off to the side.



A night time shot of the entrance.  Still have the "contractor's door" installed.  When the work is done the new door will be full view glass with an internal blind.

Another shot of our 2011 Up North home.  It has served us well.



Update 8/29/2011 - Interior Shots

It had been two weeks since we had been Up North, lots has been done.  Still shooting for occupancy by 9/15, but there is still a lot to do...well, test plumbing, install appliances, install carpet, etc.  Here's some pics of the interior progress, exterior tomorrow.

The railings were completed and the cabinets almost all hung.  Macy got all the drawer hardware, so that should show up on the pics next week.  We did have a 30 minute conversation with the finishing carpenter today on how high up the doors the knobs should be.  I'm starting to get a real feel for what time management will be like during the retirement years.

Bar is off to the left, upper cabinet not hung yet.

Doors have been hung, here's the entry to the loft bedroom.

Wood floors are in and many of the light fixtures hung.  View from the loft down to the dining area.  Paper protection on the floors.

Spa in the Master Bathroom.

And a couple of shots from the basement.

Don't Trash The Dumpster

I admit this may be a guy thing, but you can't beat a handy dumpster.  Think about it... out the door, on the way to the garage, and there it is.  Plus you can throw anything in it...half full paint cans, dumpster; old TV's, dumpster; mildewy mattress, dumpster; old aluminum lawn chair, dumpster.  You get my drift.  Macy hasn't bought in yet, even though I've given her choice of color.

Hidden Treasures

We had a heavy fog Sunday morning Up North, which delayed our bike ride, so I went down to the lake and discoverd a hidden wonder.  The fog had condensed on the spider webs revealing a world we normally aren't aware of.  There were hundreds all around the bridge, lagoon, and beach.  Here's some pics, but it was one of those wonders that is very difficult to capture in pictures.

Exterior - 8/14/2011

The siding is almost complete, just some final work on the front window wall.  Here's the current views.

The siding contractor is a father and two sons.  They all weigh in around 300 pounds, with full beards.  They bounce around the ladders and scaffolds with reckless abandon, and talk constantly.  Great guys who work very hard at their craft.  They are skilled craftsman, they box in everything...even the electrical meter.