Monday, October 27, 2014

Cottage Renovation: Walls and a Roof Line

Bubba took off work this week to lend a helping hand to the construction. He must have been quite the helper too because when I came home the house looked totally different! My grandfather only lives ten minutes away, so he decided to come down around lunch time to see if there was anything he could help with too. They were both still working when I pulled in the driveway and finished up just before dark. I'm so lucky to have such hardworking men in my life!

Anyway, here is the progress that was made today:

View from the back.

We have a new roof line!



Looking into the guest room and it's closet.

View from standing in the mudroom looking towards the front of the house.

Exciting, good stuff! I love it :)

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Cottage Renovation: Floor Boards and Framing

The rain and nasty weather slowed us down a bit, but this past week our builder was able to make some good progress on the addition. Bubba and I, along with some help from our family, also pitched in and did our part. Our builder has been kind enough to work with us and allow us to do any of the labor that we're capable of, as well as picking out appliances, windows, doors, etc. that fit our budget.

Here are a few shots of how the addition is coming along:



My grandfather, Pa, Bubba, and his dad, Pee Wee, working on back-filling all of the dirt that was dug out in order to put the foundation in. The pile of dirt was HUGE and after two days of shoveling, tilling, raking, and more shoveling, we were finally able to move the extra dirt to other areas of the yard that needed to be filled in.



View from the back - the AC unit has finally been moved. The shorter area is where the mudroom will begin.



View from the driveway/side. Walls are getting framed up! Finally seeing it come together.



View from the front. I love our little hip-roof, but it is going to change once we're finished. It will be worth it for the views and the extra space we'll have inside the house.


Now for a few fun, sentimental pictures :)


Harper exploring the new digs! She seems very interested in everything that has been happening.



I went for a run this morning and was sitting in the sitting room trying to plan out the closet and where I'm going to put my freshly painted desk. I thought it might be a good idea to snap a picture, that way wen it's finished and I'm inside I'll take another one for the after effect!

Watching the progress has been pretty neat, and it's only going to get more exciting. Things are really going to start rolling this week - can't wait to share it with you!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Cottage Renovation: Footers

I came home from work one day last week and found this sitting in the driveway:


So I guess this is really happening! Our cottage renovation and small addition is ready to get started. In fact, they dug the footers and poured the concrete towards the end of the week before the rain came in.

Before:



Digging the footers:




Filled with cement (and a couple beagle paw prints...):




It may not look like much, but I'm definitely starting to envision to end product! Up next: the AC unit (towards the back) needs to be relocated to the back of the house and then Bubba will be working with our Mason to lay the block. Let's hope the rain holds off this week so we can get cracking!

In the House:
Currently we are working on downsizing and de-cluttering. Today we switched out our warm weather wardrobes for our cool weather clothing, removed two chest of drawers, and took all of the artwork and decor off the walls in the bedrooms and living room. We've also packed up all of our valuables and fragile items from the kitchen, such as our china and serving dishes and moved them to the living room where they will be safe and sound. There will be a lot of banging and hammering going on on the opposite side of the kitchen, so I thought, better safe than sorry, let's gently package this stuff up and put it in a safe place. Next, I will be cleaning the remaining items out of the guest room and giving it a final clean up. Lots of work to do - AND lots of "before" pictures I need to take!

Monday, October 6, 2014

The Blessing of the Fleet

I just love the month of October. It has so much to offer Bubba and I. For example, the first weekend of October, every year, is The Blessing of the Fleet. This is an event that takes place literally 3 doors down from our house, at the St. Clements Island Museum. It is put on by the 7th District Optimist Club and it never disappoints. Since we've lived in Colton's Point, going on 6 years now, we've thrown a party or get-together of sorts to coincide with the event. Though we didn't party it up like we have in the past, we did have a great time! Thank goodness for the nice weather. It allowed us to stay outside the majority of the day. Which was nice since we've already started packing up our house for the upcoming renovation.

You know it's been a good day when you're two brothers-in-law have had a couple drinks and make their way to the kitchen to have a good old fashioned cook off. And their competition item? Crab balls! I think we all reaped the benefits of that one! #delicious #drunkcrabballs


A beautiful day for the Blessing of the Fleet!



Taking a ferry ride to the island with my mom and sister.



One of Bubba's little cousins enjoying the boat ride back from St. Clements Island.



Bubba's homemade low country boil. #spicy #numnum



P.S. - How cute is my nephew, Zack, rocking out to The Sam Grow Band?! Oh I just love this sweet baby boy!



Building Permit - Check!


This is totally happening! The backhoe is being dropped off this week and then we'll be getting started on the footers and demo. I know what I'll be doing tomorrow...all of the before pictures. Cannot wait!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

IT'S OFFICIAL!

The paperwork has been signed and we're approved for our loan. Which means, within the next week we are going to start work on our home renovations/remodel! My goal is to finish getting the rooms cleaned out and to take some "before" pictures. Stand by...those will be coming soon.

YAY!
 
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