Pine Floors

I know this will all be worth it in the end. I just have to admit, I'm tired.

Finishing the pine floors is the largest task on our diminishing list, but not the last. We rented a disc sander from a place in town, and after I tried to use it, unsuccessfully with the thing just winging around in wide, dangerous circles (no wonder the cord has so many electrical tape "repairs"), I gave up.


Number One came home, and somehow he mastered the machine. In his underwear. He wouldn't let me take a picture. I really wanted a video, it made me laugh. He worked on the floor for several hours last night, and it is looking great. It still needs another couple of hours of attention, but we'll get there.

In the meantime, we are using a belt sander around the edges of the kitchen and dining room, and by "we" I mean our helper, the second irrigator of the season who has been helping us in the house and doing random tasks around the ranch since the irrigation water dried up.

We'll get some wood putty to fill in the imperfect gaps we've noticed while I (yes, I) vacuumed the entire room(s). I don't know why we don't have any around, but I can't seem to find any.

For the beautiful knots, I will wait until the floors are finished, then go around and fill them with a clear, high-gloss resin so they will still be visible, just not susceptible to filling up with dirt.

That is the plan anyway. I'll keep you posted.

The Universe, and Other People's Money

Number One and I feel extremely lucky and fortunate these days. And happy. We feel like The Universe has told us that we are exactly where we are supposed to be right now in this life. Case in point: this remodel has gone so well! There haven't been many disagreements, not many mistakes (not counting the electricians, of course), and whenever we've been worried about the budget, we find an awesome piece on clearance or Home Depot calls and gives us a huge, unexpected refund. Seriously, it happened.

I don't feel like it's a secret that ABEG is paying the bills on this remodel. They own the ranch, after all, it's their investment. But they are investing in our future, which is incredibly nice of them. It makes us feel good.

There are a few people, one in particular, who during the course of the remodel have commented snarkily, "It must be nice spending Other People's Money."

And that comment just hasn't felt right to me.

I feel like I need to address this issue, right here, in the open, with the blessing of The Universe behind me.

It is true, ABEG is footing the bills. And for that we are eternally grateful. But let me make this abundantly clear: no one in this economy, not even A Big Environmental Group, has money to spare. Once the contracting bid was negotiated and approved, we had a very specific, defined budget and very specific areas in which we had to spend this money. We were given the freedom to choose everything that went into the interior, as long as it fit in the limits of the budget. Number One and I have certainly not taken our responsibilities lightly, and from the beginning it has been our goal for this project to come in Under Budget.

Under Budget is practically unheard of in the construction industry, I'm sure anyone who has undertaken any sort of remodel, addition or new construction would agree. So it was an ambitious goal for us. Even ABEG was skeptical.

I can't give you the numbers of our budget, which is part of a confidential agreement with ABEG. Let me just say, it was meager. Minimal. Teeny tiny. In fact, most people couldn't even remodel a kitchen on the entire budget we had to use for a kitchen, dining room, pantry, mudroom and master suite.

Number One and I (especially) are good shoppers. We know how to find a bargain, and we can wait patiently and persistently until things go on sale or shipping is free. There are very few things that we purchased for this that were full price, and we are so proud of this! We got everything we wanted, including a tongue-and-groove pine ceiling, pine floors to match our old pine flooring, a fabulous kitchen, a bathroom that resembles a spa, and more.

I have kept meticulous records, to the penny, of how much we have spent on what. Our part of the budget would have come in more than $2,300 UNDER, had it not been for the seriously underbid flooring and ceiling materials, which our budget had to absorb. Once we had purchased everything we needed, we were happy to cover the flooring and ceiling with our budget, and we STILL came in almost $500 UNDER!

I'd say that is a success. Number One and I would like to thank ABEG and everyone in the organization who has supported us and had a hand in making this project happen. One person in particular, and She knows who She is. In fact, She will be the Double-Secret Guest of Honor at our fabulous Housewarming Extravaganza.

Oh, and thank you, Universe.

Grace in Small Things: 6 of 365

Things I am appreciating today:

1. My Dad, who taught me how to work with tools and wood, who is guiding me through installing drawer pulls and door knobs, whether he realizes it or not!

2. My Mom, who has enough faith in my sense of color to go with paint choices I recommended to her from 1600 miles away, and who actually likes the results!

3. My Dad (again), and Number One's Dad, who both contributed helpful information and long-distance tips to our successful installation of the island sink.

4. Catherine, who is an amazing artist and friend of the family, for coming to the ranch a day early to help get ready for H-Bomb's birthday party, bring sushi and wine and even washing the windows!

5. All of our friends who attended H-Bomb's party, making his day special and fun, and the family and friends who were with us in spirit.

For this cowgirl's feelings about and inspiration for this, go here.
Here are all of this cowgirl's Grace in Small Things posts to date.
For more information, go here: Grace in Small Things: A Challenge for All of Us.

It's That Time Again...Updated with Results!

That's right, it's County Fair time! (scroll down for results + judges comments, plus my comments about the whole deal below Class 6)

I hadn't had any time to get any photo submissions together for the fair this year, but I started to feel bad about it. I decided my being busy was no excuse for not submitting photographs, especially since I won every category last year. I also managed to sell two photographs last year due to the County Fair exhibit.

How could I not try again this year? So at the last minute, I decided to enter. I ordered prints and mounting boards and supplies, paid for overnight delivery and HOPED everything would arrive in plenty of time. And what do you know, everything did arrive!

There was a slight problem with the self-adhesive mounting board I ordered this year. It was supposed to be "re-positionable" and wouldn't be "permanent" until pressure was applied. WRONG! I almost ruined my Still Life entry because the corner was going on crooked and somehow the adhesive had already become permanent! Grrrrr.

Not having much of a choice, I got out my old adhesive, which I love, and used the back side of the "self-adhesive" boards to mount my photos. I managed to iron out that darn corner with my brayer, now I'm just praying that it holds on there through the judging at least!

Without further ado, here are my submissions for the 2009 County Fair:

Class 1--Animals/Wildlife/Domesticated
1st place, Blue Ribbon
Judges comments: Nice use of light and shadow

Class 2--People
1st place, Blue Ribbon
Judges comments: Stunning sky!

Class 3--Still Life
1st Place, Blue Ribbon
Judges comments: Sausage texture is very interesting-would like a clearer center of focus


Class 4--Landscape, Plant Life, etc.
2nd Place, Red Ribbon
Judges comments: Good job! Clouds have interest. I'd like to see this scene with better light.

Class 5--Miscellaneous
2nd Place, Red Ribbon
Judges comments: Good job! I'd like to see the foreground in sharper focus.

Class 6--Postcard
(no picture of this one yet)
2nd Place, Red Ribbon

The last day of the fair was yesterday, so we went in to see the results and later pick up the photographs. Let's just say, I am going to take more time choosing my entries next year!

As far as the results, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. I was expecting a total sweep like last year, especially since I just chose the photos last week, but I was expecting to do better. The "best of show" this year was a photo that is so overdone and common (everyone who hikes to that spot takes the same photo) it was discouraging. And to be honest, if your photo doesn't get a blue ribbon, it gets a red ribbon. So really, red ribbons are meaningless to me, because they signify last place (there are no other ribbons, this "everybody's a winner" mentality drives me crazy).

Here are my comments about the judge(s): If you thought my photo mounting was "excellent," it makes me question your judging qualifications. I'd like to see a judge with a more creative vision that celebrates the unusual instead of the typical.


In the mean time, here is H-Bomb's photography entry in the 4-H division:


He won 1st place (honestly I think all the kids in his class did), a blue ribbon and $3. He was VERY excited about the $3.

Old Bathroom, New Paint

This is the old bathroom (and used to be the only bathroom!) in the existing part of the house. We decided that since no one can remember the last time the interior of the old house was painted, certainly not since we moved in six or so years ago, we ought to paint the entire thing while we're at it.

The only other things we did in this bathroom are install a tube skylight, above, upper right, and a new light fixture. Both greatly improve conditions in that bathroom!

Benjamin Moore paint
in Wythe Blue and Mountain Peak White.

With the bathroom almost finished, there are only two more rooms to go. The old master, which will be the boys' room; and the old boys' room, which will be the guest room and possibly a crafty, sewing place. We'll see...

Today's Projects

I thought I would take a break to show you some of things I've been working on today.

Our dear friend Margaret, with me as her assistant, returned this morning to finish installing the dining room chandelier. Isn't it lovely? It came in about 5 million pieces, with two small, vague pictures for "instructions." We had to figure it out ourselves, but we did it. Margaret is awesome!


I love how the chandelier centers the room, creating a nice, warm focal point, and how it contrasts with the red, and matches the windows. It will also eventually match the dining room chairs, when we get some.


Now I just need to get some light bulbs...and chairs for our new table. I promise I will post more pictures with lightbulbs and chairs! Someday!



I've also been working on installing the drawer/door pulls in the kitchen. The door knobs were simple, I actually put all twelve of those on the hickory cabinets and the island a few weeks ago.


The drawer pulls, I think technically they might be called "bin pulls," those are quite another story. We have a total of 25 drawer/bin pulls to install. The other day I put on three, then had to buy longer screws because our cabinets are apparently built so well. Today I put on six more, so far. See?


The gorgeous hickory cabinets fronts did NOT come pre-drilled, not that I expected them to, but I just thought I would point that out. It's not as simple as putting some screws through existing holes and tightening them. Noooooo.

First, you have to determine where EXACTLY you want the pull. You have to measure for the center, both horizontally and vertically, but you can't only measure for the center, because you have to take into account the height of the pull. So that's a bit tricky. I made a mark on a wooden yard stick, so I can put the pull on the yard stick, line it up and mark the horizontal center directly on the front of the pull.

Then, I use a little trick that Catherine taught me. She learned it from her father-in-law, John, and it is really great. I chalk up the screw holes on the pull itself, you know, so the holes in the pull where the screws will go have chalk on them. I line up the center of the pull on the horizontal, holding a small level under the pull, make sure it's level and then press the pull onto the drawer front. Just to be sure, in case the chalk doesn't touch the drawer front for some reason, I also mark around the screw hole thingies with a little pencil. If I'm lucky, I'll have a chalk mark and a pencil mark, which is reassuring to me.

Then I get my drill. I carefully drill the holes through from the front, countersink from the back just to clean things up a bit, then install the pulls. It is getting a bit easier with each pull I install, but I will be very happy when this project is done!

Did you ever think this cowgirl was so handy? Number One is a lucky guy. And I'm lucky too: while I was working, Number One grilled some delicious burgers made out of venison and pork, with tomatoes and onions inside. A toasted bun = perfection!

Oh, and I almost forgot! In Pantry News, Number One finished his gorgeous shelves the other day!




The shelves were inspired by this Swedish Shelving from Williams-Sonoma (below), but the price of their corner unit alone is $199.00. (not including tax & shipping)


We were sure we could make shelves for less than that, and we were right! We paid just over $200 for all the materials it took to make ALL our shelves that run the length and width of the pantry, with two corners included! There's no telling how much Williams-Sonoma cash that would have cost us, maybe someday I'll do the math.

I drew up the plans and figured out how much wood we would need in a couple hours, and then Number One built the shelves. I think they turned out much nicer than the inspiration, and they are sturdy--both boys were perched on the upper shelves the other day, "helping" their dad!

I'll post more pantry pictures when it is fully stocked and organized too.

Butcherblock Island, So Far

Number One's dad donated a butcherblock island countertop to the cause (our remodel) and we are so happy and grateful. Ranch Hand helped us trim and install it. It is almost finished.

I have coated it with several thick coats of mineral oil, letting it soak in for hours and days on end.


The only thing we have left to do on the island is install the bar sink and faucet. We had to coat the sink hole cut with several coats of good sealant, to prevent any warping or cracking in case it ever got wet. Number One and I will caulk the sink in and drill the faucet holes, then the plumber will be able to come back and hook them up to the plumbing, then it will be completely finished.

Number One wanted to use the butcherblock the other day to slice bread, so it's already showing some signs of use. Soon it will look like it's been there forever!

I keep talking about attention to details in everything we've done in the house. Well, here's another one. Number One's dad has a butcherblock island countertop in his kitchen (with no sink). The detail we borrowed from him? An electrical outlet strip under the countertop.


I spray-painted the outlet strip black before the electricians installed it, so you can barely tell it is there. The average person probably wouldn't even notice it unless we pointed it out!

Our kitchen is simply amazing. More pictures soon!