Still here

It's just that the progress hasn't been very obvious in recent days. In fact, some of it's almost downright invisible. But we're really working like crazy.

But first of all, there's one main reason all this work is completely worth it. Our lifestyle here couldn't be more different from what it was inside the city -- but it also isn't suburban. It's sitting outside on the deck at night and listening to the frogs croak and the wind whir through the trees. It's taking a walk to sit on the dock at C point and watch the waves. And it's eating out back in the fresh air and the shade. We're so happy to have this pit to redo.



The focus recently has been finishing off the grading of the former pond/sludge pit. Jeff got it all filled in and smoothed with topsoil, and then planted a ton of wildflower seed for this summer at least. The sproutlets are already starting to come up -- and they're adorably cute so far. Here's to hoping they won't turn into a weed bed.



I finally finished the doors to the cabinets in the bathroom -- not exactly the easiest thing in the world because I didn't have the right blade for my table saw. When I start in on the kitchen cabinets, I'll invest in the dado.



My wonderful sister helped us out in sewing a Roman blind, made from a shower curtain to match the one we found and liked for the tub. It took a looooong time to get it all done. Things like sewing on those little loops are really a drag.

And then on Sunday I had a semi-emergency while trying to install it. Long story short: My drill bit broke and snagged the top of the shade while I was drilling through the header, twisting and shredding part of the cloth, and ripping out about ten inches of one of the seams. OK, Plan B -- build a valence to cover the ripped part, which will actually end up looking good anyhow. But with no sewing machine, that means I have to take a trip to Bonner Springs (about a half hour away) to use Jennifer's machine for literally 30 seconds' worth of work. Anyhow, it's all done. I love how the valence looks (much more finished than just the blunt fabric top, I think).




And now the whole bathroom really works together. Apart from installing the door, we're completely finished here. The colors are off in this picture (taken at night), but you can get the idea.

Then on to the big bedroom, whose ceiling needed smoothing. I'm getting better at it -- and my little imperfection tags help point out places that need a bit more TLC.



Unfortunately, the ceiling paint we're using doesn't dry very evenly, and you see the lines from the roller if you look closely. That's partly because of gravity, which works differently on a ceiling than in does on a vertical wall. Oh well -- nothing is ever really perfection.

Installed the new ceiling fan too, which is really, really wonderful looking. However -- WORST. INSTRUCTION. BOOKLET. EVER. We figured it out, with lots of wonderful teamwork. And the result is very pleasing.



Tomorrow night, the hallway ceiling gets its primer. Then painting is underway, and hardwood floors are right around the corner. That will make an enormously huge impact.

Loving this process again.