3.31.2021

So the old saying is, If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb."  It came in like a lion here but I'm afraid it's going out like a lion too!  Check out this weather forecast for tomorrow...

Meanwhile, this is about all the snow that's left on the property today...

Jim continued to work on making pieces for 4 more cabinet doors...

Everything is starting to take shape!

In the afternoon, Jim switched to stair work - he sanded this next flight of stairs.  Always a nasty, messy job...

But sure makes them look like brand new!

After he cleaned up from that mess, he switched to putting a coat of polyurethane on the rest of the stained lower stairs...

High 58/Low 35 - periods of drizzle

3.30.2021

 Jim started picking out pieces to use to make the four upper cabinet doors in the kitchen...

Then started gluing...

Rough pieces are starting to come together...

Then Jim went back to staining the stairs...

This run is now all stained...

It was such a nice day out that we decided to play outside for a bit.  We have just a little bit of snow left along the side of the lower driveway but we also saw the first sign of spring in these little yellow flowers...

We spent about an hour or so cutting down the small rogue tree growth around the pine trees...

After cleaning up from that, we headed into Lowe's - Jim bought the backing board he will need for the landing areas underneath the tile.  

High 57/Low 39

3.29.2021

Jim had to spend the morning working on paperwork again.  He was waiting for a phone call so worked on a few "quiet" jobs while he was waiting - he put a new plug on a cord and did some organizing in the shop.

He sanded our electronics box and gave it a coat of primer...

He resanded the alternate steps today and started staining...

High 42/Low 23

3.28.2021

It was a rainy day - a good inside day.  Jim spent the morning and early afternoon doing paperwork and computer work.  Then we headed into Saratoga for him to get his second vaccine - yay!  

Once home, Jim installed the other painted newel post and put the railings back up.  He'll continue to work on staining so we need the railings up in order to safely navigate walking on the blue Xs!

The newel post caps are painted...

High 50/Low 31

3.27.2021

All of the new oil-rubbed bronze sink parts came in so today was another sink day!  First, Jim had to take all the old strainers and plumbing out...

He had some problems getting the garbage disposal parts to mate with the thicker Corian sink but he eventually got it...

Garbage disposal in place!

Starting to rework plumbing...

He had to cut the existing drain pipes down in order to make the new plumbing configuration work...

Connecting everything...

Water on and testing for leaks!

Now that the plumbing is done, time to switch to his electrician hat and wire up the garbage disposal.  It always amazes me that things like this don't come with power cords but luckily Jim can just make one...

This is a specially-designed garbage disposal for septic systems - every time you turn it on, it releases enzymes to help things break down more effectively and keep the septic system working well.  We had one in Ohio and it worked great.  Installing the cartridge...

Look how beautiful it is - everything is all buttoned up and working perfectly!

High 52/Low 38

3.26.2021

 Jim wanted to make our electronic box a bit nicer - he made wood pieces to fit on the outside edges...

Looks nice!

He mounted the first painted newel post on the stairwell...

And then painted another one...

More stair work today - first, sanding...

Then a coat of polyurethane on the newly-stained steps...

He spent the rest of the afternoon working on plastering...

High 59/Low 38 - windy!

3.25.2021

I had to go into Saratoga today for a Lowe's pickup and grocery store errands.  Jim was busy in the morning getting things put away from previous jobs and doing more clean up.  

It served us very well, but time for the plywood countertop to be cut up and put in the trash.  Kind of sad but not too sad when I go upstairs and admire my new one!

Jim painted another newel post with the hammered finish paint...

Jim put polyurethane on the steps he stained yesterday...

This run looks so pretty all finished - Jim is starting down the next flight...

The view of the bottom run...

It was a beautiful day and close to 70.  While there is still quite a bit of snow on the front driveway, this little bit is all that is left on the top section...

High 68/Low 52

 

3.24.2021

Jim had a late start to the day.  Our next-door neighbor called him and had received another one of our UPS packages so Jim had to go over there and retrieve it.  But the neighbor was in a chatty mood so it took longer than expected! 

Once back home, Jim started the finishing process on the cooler countertop...

He cut the spacers to size and then decided to use just a dab of caulk to hold them to the top of the cooler...

Once it had time to set, he brought up the countertop...

Fabulous!

My kitchen just looks fabulous - I love it!

Jim worked on sanding the lower stair run today, which of course makes some mess that he then has to clean up.

Then he started staining the other steps on this run...

Really looks rich and pretty!  Repeat after me - walk on the blue stairs!

High 50/Low 48 - light rain