95 degrees prompted the blinds in kitchen

Screen porch graded and ready to pour

Work

At work again

The hardwood is all in place. We need to clean it, put the soft pads on the furniture and get cozy! Peter was in Marinette most of the week doing concrete, so I got to organize cupboards, drawers, and the pantry. The bad thing was the stove and refrigerator were out of place and the stove out of commission as the hardwood went in the kitchen last and Peter was gone. I wish I had a picture of him crawling over the cupboards, feet in the air, after he hooked up the gas again.
Today it is more drywalling in the basement outside the bathroom and bedroom. Tony is coming down this afternoon to tape and get ready to spray that area and the step walls. I think that will be the end of it, with just painting to do.

Things yet to do: construct screen porch, trimwork inside, doors (not many) finish off closets, tile in entry way and upstairs bathroom, flooring in downstairs bathroom, install sink, stool, mirror and cupboard in upstairs bathroom and install the air conditioner. Landscaping outside and getting the garden started.

We went shopping yesterday and got a cooler for our special artesian water (thanks Mary), a radio for the kitchen that picks up NPR, soft cushions for the furniture, 2X4's and plywood, and a tablecloth for the umbrella table (yes the orange one from Texas), and a covered trash container. Pictures later when we get the furniture moved.

Almost done-Mark fitting final pieces.

Mark Growe from New Holstein

Tear out complete

Oops! Straightening the floor in the living room.

Today Peter and Mark tore up part of the living room hardwood floor, straightened and reinstalled it correctly. Now, Peter knows how to do hardwood floors! Tomorrow Mark finishes the kitchen and the job will be done.

Andrea washing the kitchen window

Window washing

We washed the inside and outside of the North windows-three more sides to go. We also put the screens on-quick and easy.

Marinette Food Fight

TV News Report

Eagle Herald

I think Shawn Limberg was a lifeguard at the Civic.

All set to finish the kitchen

Hardwood in living room almost done

Hallway hardwood-rustic maple varied widths

Micah's signature on their work

The screen porch walls poured Friday

Micah at work on the footings

Peter and the footings for the screen porch

Roman shades up

Roman shades down

Our upstairs bedroom with couch parts

The real bed-look familiar Mother?

Pictures ready to go up in basement bedroom

Hardwood floors in the hallway

Mark Growe is putting in the hardwood floors. I will get a picture of him and his truck soon.
He has the hallway done. It looks amazing! I don't want to walk on them. Peter and Micah poured some sidewalk and the footings for the screen porch today.

I brought Micah back from Marinette today after we poured a little concrete job. He just returned from school in Madison where he is attending the UW. He hadn't been at the house since he helped pour the footings last fall. Tomorrow we begin on footings and frost walls for the screen porch. Pictures soon.

Window treatments

I found 7 roman shades-Thyme in color and a linen looking fabric. They are up in both upstairs bedrooms. We decided that it would be good to have them in the two windows above the steps too. I will be traveling to Oshkosh tonight to pick that one up. They look really good. The only things is there is lots of green when they are down from the outside. Because they will only be down at night, I think it will be good. I can't wait to see how the others will look. I still need one more 36X72 in the Ambria Sahara Natural item number 76421. I did purchase the 48" that they had, hoping we can cut it down if all else fails.

Shopping

I have been having fun shopping for shower curtains, rugs, towels, window treatments, etc.
We found some shades that we really liked at Lowe's today on clearance. The bad thing is they are discontinued. We found 4. We could use 7 more. They are called Ambria Sahara naturals.
I need 2 that are 36X64 and 5 that are 36X72. I found some similar ones online Willow Bamboo #28324. The number for the 36X72 is 76421. They are sold at Lowe's. Haley checked in Marquette-none. We got ours in Manitowoc. Oshkosh also has a Lowe's. I will check there tomorrow. They would be good to keep the cold Wisconsin temperatures out in the winter.

Slept in a real bed

Tuesday night I slept in the almost completed downstairs bedroom. Carpet was installed yesterday and Peter set up the bed and tables. Peter called from Marinette and wondered if I had the pictures hung, lamp etc. He knows me too well. I do have them leaning against the wall. I am going to get something for the window and a lamp tonight. Picture to follow.

Back to work

Ray came down today to do some plumbing-great day for a ride! Dave is coming tomorrow afternoon to put the carpet in the basement bedroom that Peter and I primed and painted this weekend. Mark is going to give us an estimate to do the hard wood floors.

Emily and Jon at Ellen's wedding in Door County

It was nice to get away Friday for Ellen's wedding. It was fantastic. Great wedding service-Father Bill, what can I say? Awesome food and outdoor area on the water. Fun guests and beautiful couple! What a treat to have Emily and Jon home for a week. Thanks Emily for the decorating tips for the house!

Front Porch Comparisson

The front porch looks just like Tom's computer image.

Yes, we have come a long way

We've come a long way

Downstairs bathroom fully functioning-temporary shower stall

Cold air exchanges covered

Electric covers on and all electric completed

Haley and Emily in Marinette Memorial Day

Basement bedroom ready to finish

Wind power up close

Emily checking out the turbines and reporting to Haley

Wind Turbines near our home

Emily comes from Colorado Springs

Emily has some decorating pointers and some Do's and Don'ts.

Sleep in day tomorrow

The inspector gave us the OK and we will be sleeping at 2026 on Friday night! The last 4 safety issues are done so we can puts some beds together and call it home sweet home! Emily and Jon will be staying with us after the Brewer game as they will be heading back to Colorado Springs.
Ellen and Joe's wedding is in Door County tomorrow.

I am having the city get the water softener going tomorrow morning, finalize our loan at the bank, and have an estimate for installing the wood floors. Trim work and a few doors, tile, some paint and carpet in the basement and it will be looking good. Screen porch and concrete work is ahead.

Front porch almost done

The front porch is just like I had imagined it to be. Roofing and stonework around the pillars is next. We have had lots of positive comments about the house. Now that the cedar shakes are on, and the porch, it looks great. The inspector came last night and we will be cleared to move in and finish up the work in about a week. The electrician needs to finish up some exposed wiring issues, we need to put address numbers on the house, the cold air exchanges need to be covered, and the smoke alarms need the plastic removed. We were very happy that these items were quick fixes. Even our temporary "barrier" for the stairwell passed. I can't wait until it is as it is intended. When the wood floors are down, it will look wonderful. Screens and window dividers are necessary very soon.

Night Light

Front door and new light fixtures

Ceiling fan-there are three

More fixtures in

The fixture in the front entryway

The temporary bannister and wall

The electrician at work

Brandon's last day-the front porch

Beautiful blossoms of spring

The orchard behind our house is so beautiful right now. It will be a beautiful sight as well when Brandon and crew build the front porch this week and Dean Sixel's electricians finish up inside.

Pears soon to come

Our house from the orchard

The other view

Ask Bill how he got caught behind the freezer and how he got out.

The steps had to go first

Haley and Bill arrive from Marquette

Bill and Haley helped finish off the drywalling in the basement. Haley and I cleaned up the yard and created a rock border. I have a few stiff muscles today.

Our backyard apple trees are in bloom

The aroma is terrific.

Why the wall must go!