many more details are added....

another decision to be made.....what are we going to put around the fireplace?  This is one choice, but we need to wait for some other opinions.  A sample of the living room area rug is in the foreground.

This has been a very busy week for the men.  The hard wood floors have had one coat of sealer, the plumbers have most of the fixtures in place (they are waiting for a few last-minute items), a lot of the trim work is finished, the doors have been sent out to be stained, the baseboard is being put in, and the electricians will be hanging the light fixtures on Monday.

The weather has been somewhat cooperative; there have been a few sunny, "warm" days---by that, I mean that we could open the sun roof.  So, the masons have started the brick work, the garage is being "dried out" so that the floor can be poured, and the front porch ceiling is installed.

We have a firm move-in date set for the 23rd of April, so we will be leaving this home for good on the 30th.  Much of our married life and all of our children's lives have been spent in this house.  Our family has made a lot of memories here and established many traditions.  Many of you have contributed to our lives in this house over the last 36 years, and we are thankful for your friendship. love, and support.  But, it is time to move on; and we are excited to continue to include all of you in a new venue, to keep some old traditions and to make some new memories!  That is what life is really about--friends, family and memories.

Nathan was installing the baseboard today; beautiful workmanship.

the wooden heat ducts are laid out to dry after the first coat of sealer.

Doug is building a platform for the washer and dryer. My old back needs a little help now and then.

you can get a general idea of the master bedroom wall color and the bedding. Even though it is wrinkled from me carrying it around, it will look good in the room.

the master bathroom sink and spigot are a couple of our favorite things.

a view of the front porch ceiling.  There is plastic up to protect the brick work, and the siding still needs to be added, but the porch will be more open than it appears here.

a sample look at the bricks that go on parts of the front of the house.

the front corner of the garage with the door leading into the garage.

It is very exciting to go there each day and see the progress.  Everyone is so helpful and friendly; we will miss seeing all of them when this project is finished.  Thanks to all of them, again!

and another day.....

the master bath vanity---however, this photo does not let you see that the vanity is hanging on the wall, not setting on the floor

a quick look at the tile in the guest bathroom

kitchen sink with  some of the counter top

a look at the "working side" of the island

a view from the other side of the island.  As you can see, the top of the island still needs to be finished

one of three pendants that go over the island

a view of the computer room desk

love the computer room drawer pulls.  We had forgotten that we had chosen these many months ago, so it was a nice surprise that we still like them!

both sides of the island that provide eating space once the top is installed.  The top is being made by a "cement artist" from west of Green Bay.  We saw some of Kevin's work in Brett's parade home, and decided to add a similar piece to the island in our home.  We are excited to see the finished product.

a second-day view from the 4 season room after the cabinet installation

another similar view

and another.....the floor still has to sanded and finished

no gutters on the house yet.  As you can see, winter is still here in Wisconsin.

what a difference a day makes!

Ray has been working hard all day to help install the kitchen cabinets.  He has a great sense of humor and has spent some time living in Kentucky---close to our original neck of the woods.

Ray says that Steve is "the boss" of the cabinet crew of two.  They are from Prestige Cabinets in Green Bay, and doing a great job for us.

The doors are getting hung and the man responsible for that task is one of Brett's carpenters---Doug.  He had to work on his birthday, but he was going out with his wife tonight to celebrate.  Happy Birthday, Doug!

The money is getting a little tight and we had to cut somewhere.  The lighting fixtures will have to wait.  How is this for starters?

This photo does not due the master bath floor justice, but you get the idea.

A close up of the color of the cabinets and the counter top.  We love it!

As you can see, there is a lot more work to do on the kitchen cabinets.  This photo is from the 4 season room looking into the kitchen---you can see where the refrigerator goes, and the stove with a hood goes to the right.

Looking toward the dining room, this is another view of the island, with the oven placement to the left and the sink area to the left of the ovens.

Another view of my favorite part----the island---still needs doors, a top, and hardware.

All of this happened yesterday, in addition to a lot of electrical finishing work.  Everyone who is working on this project for us is great.  It is fun to meet them and learn more about them.  Thanks to all.

A weather update----better than Wednesday, but not much.  There is still a great amount of snow and it is cold, but the wind is not as bad.  We still have hopes that Spring will come.

interior finishing is beginning....

the doors are being hung. This is the closet in the guest bedroom.

Nathan is one of Brett's finishing carpenters.  Everything is looking wonderful.

as you can see, there are stacks of doors and posts, etc....waiting to be installed.

Is it true that Spring started 2 days ago?  One could not tell it today; we have a great deal of heavy, wet snow.  It is a hard job for the snowblower and it is still coming down.  All of the schools are closed, and many things are cancelled.  Brett is in Wyoming on a snowmobile retreat with some of his family.  He really did not have to go that far!!

The lighting fixtures are to be delivered to the house today.  That is assuming, of course, that someone was brave enough to drive up here from Milwaukee.

We have a tentative move-in date of the 23rd of April.  The movers are set for the 26th; that should give us time to move many things ourselves.  Can't wait!

beautiful flooring by Baseman Floors...

a little hard to envision, but the master bedroom received the first coat of paint yesterday---it is really a beautiful shade of grey.

Joel is cutting a piece of wood for the floor

those pieces all get positioned by Mike, who places them in a random order for Joel to staple into place.  They have this down to a science---very efficient!

doesn't this look like back-breaking work?  Dan is doing the finishing around the heating ducts, the stairway and the edges.

the hardwood floor is #2 Maple and this is the raw wood.  There are multiple  sandings, and several applications of sealers and finishes to be done yet. The kitchen cabinets, the doors and trim will match the darker color in the wood.  It is looking good, and we are very excited to see this all coming together.

Bill arrived as we were leaving, so we don't know what his specialty is, but everyone seems to have their specific part to play.  The floor will be beautiful.

a little fabric addition...getting to the decorating

the guest room is nearly finished, so we got a little fabric to help it along---does a headboard sound good?

The days are getting longer and the sun is warmer; we really think that Spring is not far behind.  We do remember however, having some heavy, wet snows in May; so we can't count on this beautiful weather lasting.  People are opening their sun roofs, putting down their rag tops and every baby buggy and dog have had some outside time the last couple of days.  When one lives in Wisconsin, one needs to capture every moment of this glorious weather!  We are doing that too!

the painting has begun...

meet Josh's helper, Tory.  They have a lot of work to do before the hardwood is laid tomorrow.  Good thing that they like to paint!!

Josh is unloading his van to begin the painting...he is the "head painter"

check out the beautiful morning sun that streams through the windows in spite of the snow.....we are happy that we can see this every sunny morning

gallons of paint await the sprayer, the brushes and the rollers

the plaster finishing...

an example of how the windows are finished on the inside

a close up of the window finishing....we love it!

They finished the plastering yesterday.  We have to wait for that to dry for a few days and then they will paint.  The flooring is next and the cabinets are in production.  The cement counter top for the island is ordered.....everything is moving quickly....it is amazing.  AND, Penelope has her first loose tooth!

troweling, troweling, troweling...

Here's Travis (back to work on Monday) and John starting to put the base coat of plaster on the sheet rock.

Brian looks as if he REALLY likes his work!

Here are some of the things that you will need to start your own plastering business...is there a prerequisite that everything be white?


This same crew does a lot of work in the homes that Brett builds.  Nice guys who do good work.  Thanks!