Finally a Update

Yea!! I finally updated the blog for all you followers. I'm sorry I've been bad, but it's been a busy summer and a wet one I might add. My whole focus this summer was the staining of the house, which I have finished just this week. What took me so long was the combination of the three stains moving the ladder and setting up the scaffolding which I did buy myself. I must say it does look much better. My camera is a bit off on it's colors. If you see a pink sky it is not your imagination it's just the camera. I would have posted sooner, but I hated to post bad pictures. I'll try to post some better ones later. We have moved in permanently now since we rented the house. We have a nice lawn now, upkeep is going well. I have to do the lawns in Middlebury as well so it takes a little time to complete them both. The docks are on land now and the day's are getting colder, and work on gathering firewood is underway. Natasha is doing fine and seems to be much better than my last post. I've spent some time fishing and kayaking this summer so I've been real busy. I lost a huge large mouth bass this summer when the line broke just as I was landing him. I got a real good look at him as he slipped back into Fern lake with the lure in him mouth. He was probably a 8 to 10 lb class fish a real monster to me, hopefully I'll catch him next summer. I'm still working on some small projects inside that need completing. We also moved items from our storage shed to the basement so we could empty that. We have closed with the bank and are now making payments towards the log home. Until next time, I'll try to update sooner, I promise!!!!

Closet Door Installed

Work continues on the log home. I finally installed the closet door in the front entrance. We could not fine a door that would fit the opening we originally had so we bought two 36" wood doors with panels and made the opening two feet smaller. We decided to do it this way because the custom door we would have had to order would have cost around 500.00 per door and our total for two I installed were just 160.00. I have a little taping to do but the results look great and we saved money. The slate company has not returned any of my calls so it appears that they will not be supplying the slate we need for the fireplace. We are looking at another source for the slate.

Another Fireplace Update

As you can see the stone work is completed on the front of the fireplace. Patti and I completed the work on Sunday. We used a combination of stone we bought and some stone from the property. The sides and bottom still need to be completed but that will go quick. The front was larger and more complicated. We are still waiting for the slate for the base. They don't seem to be calling back and giving me a time frame for the piece of slate. If it doesn't come soon I'll go with plan B and use smaller pieces. We spent last Saturday raking and installing the water fall near the front entrance. Patti was working hard to get this done. The snow is just about gone on the property and the lake is almost open. It won't be long before the good weather arrives so we can finally enjoy our new home.

Latest Fireplace Update

Last weekend we had a chance to put some more stones up on the fireplace. We have a short distance to the top the bottom, and sides to complete. That should not take to long. Hopefully this weekend we will get a few more stones up.

Fireplace Stone Work

Work continues on the fireplace. I just could not wait for the slate anymore, so last Sunday Patti & I started to put up the stone around the fireplace. I left a space for the slate to slide in at the bottom. In the three pictures it shows the different stages during the day. All the stone work was done in one day. It was sort of tricky to install them and make sure it looked natural. It was like putting together a puzzle at times. Most areas it seemed like we had to try just about every rock we had to see if it would work in that spot. Now that we have the technique down we can move a little faster. You can only do so much in one day because of the mortar needed to dry. We made it to the mantle in just the first day!! We are still waiting for the slate to come. The picture does not show the sides which need to be completed.

March Update

We have been working on the fireplace and the moldings in between our busy schedules. The stairway steps are done and now the railings are left to fabricate and install. We still need to put in closet doors and finish the moldings and fireplace. We have been spending weekends at the lake working on every project we can. The framing for the fireplace took some time to complete as well as the design and fabrication of the mantle. As you can see the stone will be installed soon. We are waiting for a piece of Vermont grayish green slate for the base to be cut before I can install the stone.

Latest Update

Your long awaited update is n here for your pleasure to read. The bamboo floors were completed in January as well as the plumbing and heating by Macintyre. We have had many snow storms to dig out from, but work continues to complete the log home. The baseboard trim was completed in the down stairs bathroom and the green room was also finished as well as the hall way. The larger bedroom which we call Casey's red room is about half done with only the ceiling trim left. Patti painted both rooms and has been decorating through out the house. We spent the last weekend working at the house and completed many jobs and also started a few to boot!! We are making a log bed for one of the rooms from some of the white cedar logs we bought. Although the basic frame is completed the detail work will add to the beauty of this bed.

Work on the stairway is also in progress I've added the bamboo to the face and sides of the steps. and the new log railings are being fabricated. Because the logs are fresh cut this winter they need some drying time before I can install them. We will be putting carpet just on the steps because the flooring is very slippery and the risk of falling is to great. This small area is the only area that will have carpet.
As you can see by the pictures there has been a lot of work completed.

With only a small list of jobs left, the house has become the home of our dreams!

Flooring Continues

Progress on the flooring is going strong. The dining area is completed and the great room is just about done. I have installed the flooring myself and I might say it looks great. Once I get started it's hard to stop after looking at the progress. The wood stove is scheduled to be installed tomorrow morning. It will be installed in the basement and will be a great feature for the house when the down stairs is finished off. I took two kitchen photos showing the progress in there. I just have the edging on the granite counter top and the area behind the stove will need a back splash. Floor moldings will be next and the radiators on the first floor should be installed by next week.

Upstairs Floors Completed

The upstairs floors were completed yesterday. The only thing left is moldings and the railings. Patti & I made a trip to Pick up some more flooring in NH on Saturday. We have eight boxes of flooring left to pick up that will make 43 boxes of flooring. We worked all weekend at the house and completed many projects. Patti worked on the painting and decorating. The hall was painted and the entry way color was changed. I put the 2nd coat of joint compound on the bedrooms downstairs and started the last coat. The closet ceiling was put in the linen closet. Sanding of the log walls to get rid of the strap marks left by sitting in the weather. I started putting up the loft railings of cedar logs last night before we left. Lots of trim work left to do but that will be started after the floor is done. In the loft picture shown you can see the wood shade I made that covers the fluorescent lights. I custom made this shade using pine and small birch branches to attach it to the wall.

The Floor is GOING DOWN!

The flooring is finally going down. Rick & Kate our friends from Lincoln Logs let us borrow their floor nail gun. I started last Friday and as of today the upstairs bedroom is completed and the loft is started. I still have to go to NH to pick up the rest of the flooring. I hope to have it completed soon. I still have a little dry wall taping left in the 1 st floor bedrooms and some molding left to do. Many little odds and ends and the fireplace needs to be completed. I am waiting for the wood stove chimney to go in before I start that project. It's nice to see it all come together, but I'll be glad when I can relax and enjoy it.

Heat &Hot Water

You might think how easy it is to turn on the hot water faucet and get hot water. Just think what goes into the process of getting to that point in construction. As of yesterday we have heat and hot water at the log home. All bathrooms are working with hot water as of yesterday. The kitchen sink is also installed as well as the dishwasher and garbage disposal are now working. The jet whirl pool tub can now be used in the master bath. We also bought the flooring for the house and brought enough wood to install the upstairs. We have decided to install bamboo flooring in the house. Although it is a green product and is actually grass it is as hard as maple and has a hard finish that will hold up for many years. It was also much cheaper about half the price as maple. Hopefully this weekend we will be able to start installing the floor. I also started the railings for the loft and stairway

I have been working on a mock up of the railings and hope to have them roughed in by this weekend. Last Sunday I completed the granite counter top and I grouted it today. The last few day's I've been working on sanding the logs that were exposed to the rain and weather during construction. I am happy to say that it looks good after about eight hours of sanding. Four of the five doors have been installed. There is alot of finish work to complete but the big part is completed.

Fall Preview

Progress continues on the home as fall reaches it's peak in Leicester. Color has transformed the lot into a beautiful work of art. I started working on the granite counter top in the kitchen this will be a beautiful project when completed. The wiring is almost completed with only some of the kitchen left and a few small areas. Last Thursday Peter installed the outlets in all the rooms as well as the ones outdoors.
We now have grass on our lawn. All the work that was done late this summer has paid off as you can see in the picture. The last two weeks have been busy because I'm also working at school the past two weeks. Patti & I installed the cabinet knobs and painted the front door the other day. The siding under the deck is almost finished. I worked on it last week. If you remember the contractor did not complete the work for us so I had to do it myself. It will be all log siding and look like the rest of the house. Pictures will follow in the near future.

Lights, Lights & More Lights

Today was another productive day at the log home. Peter energized many lights that I put up and we installed some others. The kitchen and dining area now have the lights installed, both bathrooms, master bedroom , both halls, entry and great room. Many more lights were connected and also installed outside I would have taken more pictures of lights but you get the idea. Also the fireplace was hooked up with propane gas as well as the kitchen stove. We had a new tank installed this afternoon. With the fireplace working we now have some heat in the house, for the up coming cold weather. The plumber will be connecting the furnace the next time he comes. We had to order some fixtures for the upstairs bathroom and they haven't arrived yet. We also have a lawn. The grass that was planted a few weeks back has shown some growth and as you drive down the driveway you can see the lawn. With the tongue and groove boarding done in the kitchen the only room left is the computer room downstairs and that should only take part of a day to complete. I still have some molding left to do but now it looks like a small project and not a major job. Patti has started to put up some curtains and started to decorate where she can without getting things in the way. It really is starting to feel like a home now with some of the comforts you would expect and you take for granted on a daily basis. One interesting point is that we started the ground breaking last October 5th and closed on the 7th. Look at the archives and you can see what really has happened and what we've accomplished. Our dream has come true!!

Kitchen & Bedroom

The tongue & groove in the Master bedroom was completed this week. and the lights were installed. Also the hall and loft ceilings were completed today and the light globes were installed. Only one small computer room and part of the dining area left to put up and the ceilings will be completed. Today I roughed in the granite counter top for the kitchen. The final cupboard was put up over the refrigerator. As you can see the color of the granite is a earth tone brown. I installed the kitchen sink as well. Patti and I decided to do the granite because of it's beauty. I decided to install it myself because it will be completed well before anybody else could do it. Also the cost is just a fraction of what someone else would charge. I am still working on the joint compound upstairs I just have to finish the second coat and do some trim and that area will be completed. I will be pushing myself to get things done and I finally can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Lots of Changes

Ploof excavating has been working on the property leveling and bringing top soil so grass can be planted. He has also placed some flat rocks in our walkway as well as a rock front step. The picture does not look as good as it does in person. These rocks are quite large but were flat enough to use in our front walk way. We had him take a few more trees taken down so we will have a larger yard. The appliances arrived today and the propane gas co was here installing the gas lines for the stove and fireplace. They still have to bring the tank and hook it up because they had to order new tanks, this should happen hopefully this week. I have been installing T & G boards up in the master bedroom. I should be done soon because this area is quite easy compared to the great room. As you can see by the pictures the room is almost done. I should have the ceiling finished by this weekend. We are still waiting for some of the bathroom faucets to come in, they had to be special ordered. This has been a busy summer and I hope to have most of it done by the end of November.

Lights & Water

Today was a very productive day. Our water softener and filter was installed and the we now have pure soft water with no iron. The level of iron was at 9 which should have been zero. It also had tested for organic iron which a charcoal filter took care of. Now we won't get rust stains. The upstairs bathroom toilet was installed along with the water for the sink. I'll have the fixtures for the tub and shower by Friday. The down stairs bathroom sink was also installed today. If you look close you can see soft water coming out of the faucet. Patti and I designed and built the tile counter for the Mexican sink, Also the shower is installed downstairs. Notice the light above the sink and the trim around the sink. Nice touch Huh!! The kitchen sink water line and drain was also installed today.

Now lets talk about lights. Both closets now have lights. Both bathrooms have lights. The front hall entry has lights. Notice the high area T & G in the great room is completed when you look at the new ceiling light installed. I have also completed the sheet rock in the hall with the last coat of compound to go on tomorrow. Two wall lights are installed in the master bedroom. The T & G in the bedroom will start Friday. The oil tank was filled today and we will have hot water by this Friday. I have all the lights for over the doors in the great room which will be installed real soon. Appliances will arrive this Friday. We have low voltage lights outside to light up the house. It looks real cool in the evening with the accent lighting.