Day #226 - Creekside...

Several years ago, nearby Frederick created a river walk-type park alongside Carroll Creek as part of a flood plan and to provide commercial, residential, cultural, and recreational development for the city (which, by the way, is the second largest in Maryland.) We had a beautiful break-from-the-heat kind of day today, so on the way home from a doctor's appointment, we stopped for some pictures and took a stroll along the promenade.

Day #225 - Floor on the floor...

We have floor... 26 boxes and about 800 lbs of Bungalow Oak floor; two rolls of underlay and a bunch of feet of molding. Lots of floor sitting on the... well, floor! Seems it should "acclimate" itself to its new environment, so we get to look at it until next week's installation. The cats love it - something else to climb on.

Day #224 - Busy brush...

At the risk of boring y'all simple and having you get sick to death of redecorating photos, here's yet another of Lew doing some touch up painting. The contractor comes back tomorrow to repair some ceiling damage from the tile man, then a short wait for the floor and cabinets.

Day #223 - Bathtub blues...

Along with all that's going on downstairs, we had to have the plumber out too to install a new drain cover in the bathtub. The old one had gotten really nasty - rusty and corroded - and no amount of cleaning was going to fix it. Sooooo, after much effort, he put in a new type that won't be as hard to remove if necessary.

Day #222 - Oh bother...

Shoof! Like the man doesn't have enough to do! We decided to keep the old hearth because there was really nothing wrong with it and it would save a few $$. However, after the wood trim around the fireplace was removed, there was a distinct difference in the slate where it was covered by the trim. Soooo, poor Lew has to wet sand the whole thing to remove the build-up of 30-odd years of wax to make it all the same color. Then he'll seal it for protection. What a job!

Day #221 - Stormy weather...

After a couple of 100+ degree days, we enjoyed a respite from the stifling heat when a welcome summer thunderstorm came through. After turning ominously dark, the skies opened up and cooled things off delightfully. Hope it's cooled down where you all are too!!

Day #220 - Cool stuff...

Beating the heat at my house with a couple of scoops of dulce de leche ice cream w/caramel sauce. Shoots the hell out of any calorie count, but oh my... yummy stuff!

Day #219 - Wheeee! More progress...

Okay, now I'm really excited! I am loving this look! With the two sculpture pieces we got for the mantle, this is gonna be so striking.

The tile man returns tomorrow to grout - we opted for a dark color - and add some trim. This is fun!

Day #218 - Foreign objects...

A couple of the souvenirs (shot glass, keyring) my stepdaughter brought back when she returned from duty in Iraq. They've been sitting by the phone in the kitchen for about 3 years... I think it's time to find them a permanent spot, yes? lol :D

Day #217 - Family room progress...

A little up-date on our progress...

Since the fireplace wall is the focal point of the room, it's getting a lot of attention. Lew spray painted the metal surround with fire-resistant paint and it almost looks new. The wall itself will be covered in a gold-coppery-brown glass tile around the fireplace/mantle with cabinets on the other side of the fireplace.
The room is long - about 25 feet - and is used for numerous activities. Relaxing, TV viewing, office, exercise, crafts... it's always been difficult to pull together cohesively. So, a half wall has been installed that will define two separate spaces yet keep it open and light. The support beam (beside the chair) - a stupid post that's always been a real pita and looked dumb, has been covered with wood and will be painted to match the room - looks so much better.
I'm loving the new lighting! Before, we had a ceiling fan light fixture (which I hated but we needed some light) and a couple-three lamps, along with my desk and craft table lights. Now there are five ceiling lights that throw a wash of light on the fireplace wall, as well as two wall sconces, one of which is on the stairs. These three and the sconces, are at the other end of the room. There are also two more ceiling lights in the middle of the room. Fourteen new lights! They add such a warm ambience and glow to the room.

We're getting there!

Day #216 - Father and child reunion...

Our half-way, drop-off point is just outside of Roanoke, VA in a Long John Silver's restaurant. We've made this trip some dozens of times over the years and "our" booth/seats are always there waiting for us!! I think we've only sat somewhere else maybe twice. Anyway, everyone was happy to see each other... it was good to see a little sibling love going on!... and the boys are back home in SC.

Day #215 - Bags are packed...

... they're ready to go. Well, not really, but go they must. Driving to our traditional half-way point in the morning where we'll meet up with Jim and he'll take the boys on home. *sigh*

Day #214 - Games people play...

Just some of the games that we've played almost every day since the boys have been here... Sorry, Chinese Checkers, Trouble, Yahtzee. They'll be going home on Saturday... I'm not sure what I'll do with myself and all my "free" time!! ;)

Day #213 - Sneak peek...

Here's part of the new fireplace wall - the mantle that was finished today. There's been a delay with the cabinetry and wall tile but hopefully the tile will arrive tomorrow or Friday and be installed next week. The cabinets will take about 3 weeks. The electrical work is complete and the floor is scheduled to be installed around the middle of this month. Lew has painted the whole room except for the metal fireplace surround and we're just waiting for the dirty work to be be finished before we install the window/patio door Roman shades. We still have to find cabinets for the other side of the room, but work is progressing very nicely. It's hard to believe it's the same room!