God's Care Amazes Me

The last update was November 2. A lot has happened in ten days. You can't see all the progress with pictures, but be assured things are moving along. God has amazed me over and over again with His care for us. One being the great weather we've had. Seeing the sun come up in all its glory makes a great start to a busy day.

The two new front windows - wider and deeper; new storm door; new exterior door, and two new porch lights. I know the gutters are unsightly, but what is one to do? Have to keep the water away from the foundation.

A close up of the new window and one of the porch lights. Once they are done making a mess on the front porch, I will take over the three chairs I spray painted.

The south side with the completed new window. They were able to remove the siding while they working and re-use it. They came up a bit short towards the end, but a quick trip to Carter Lumber resulted in three perfectly matched pieces that were needed. Notice the burning bush stump has been ground up along with the the pine and walnut tree stumps on the north side of the house.

The front bedroom with the new window. Its definitely brighter. The room seems more in balance now too.

I was a bit concerned this week as I watched the progress with the drywall patching around the windows. I was especially concerned when I saw how much drywall mud they were using. I envisioned all kinds of cracks in the future. I was assured it would turn out fine. I'm still a bit concerned though. This section had another coat of drywall mud applied and looks fine for now. Will see what it looks like in a year.

New and improved view from inside the house.

The windows have really opened up the living room.

I'm still playing with room colors.

The two new exterior lights in the back. This porch rail will be coming down this weekend.

I thought I purchased motion detector exterior lights, but after they were all on the house, I discovered they were not. I think I will be able to purchase some motion adapters for some of them.

Last Saturday this wonderful group of girls came through for me again. They spent hours picking up fallen walnuts and disposing of them in the woods. They will make the squirrels and chipmunks happy this winter. As long as they don't bring them in the house and set up camp under my tub again they are welcome to them.

Ah! This pore homeless sink. I was ready to give it away this week after talking to the cabinet maker. We did haul it out of the house and banished it to the garage.

Then, I started researching sink and sink bases again. I was leaning towards a farm sink, but what to do about a base?

One evening after running house errands, I did an eBay search to see if I could find a smaller Youngstown sink base. The first auction to pop up was for a Youngstown metal sink base with a double sink, double drainboard sink just like the one I already have. There was only a few minutes left on the auction. Should I or shouldn't I?

Problem: it was in New York.

But no one was bidding on it and the starting price was only $50. I had to at least make an effort to find a base for my sink. I placed my bid. Then I got nervous. What if someone came in at the last minute. I raised my bid. Another bidder had entered the auction. What to do? How high could I justify going. I raised my bid three more times and won the auction lower than my highest bid.

Now, the transportation problem. I wasn't looking forward to a ten hour drive and trying to make my way around New York city. I couldn't find anyone who wanted to make the trip and make some extra money.

So I found a trucking company to transport it for me. The owner of the sink graciously agreed to wrap it and put it on a pallet and set it in front of his house. Well at the last minute he decided to take it to the dock for shipment instead of having it picked up. That alone saved me about a $100 charge. I made the same arrangements on my end agreeing to pick it up at the trucking company dock - saving me another $100 charge.

It should be on a truck and on its way to the YRC dock near me. I'm hoping the sink base is in as good of condition as the owner claimed. He was very pleasant to deal with. He wants me to send him pictures once it is in place.

Here's an ad for the Youngstown sink and base I will be using.

I also found an electro-static painter who is willing to travel to my area, sand the cabinets, and paint them in my house - taking the drawers out to the garage to paint. I don't think his price is too bad either.

What's next?

Decide on a painter.

Purchase two interior wood doors - one for between the laundry room and kitchen and one for the downstairs bedroom. I was at Lowe's and Menard's this week buying lights and looking at doors. I left without the doors. I was in decision overload mode and couldn't handle anymore.

I think I know what style I will go with now so I should be able to pick them up soon.

The Crestview Redi-screen came this week. It is standing in my living room looking perky as can be. I have to spray paint it, add some door handles and a lock, and then attach the hardware for the sliding barn door track. It will be the half-bath door.

I stop in a few times a day to check on the progress, but I haven't been spending much time at the house working. I don't like to be there when the guys are working and one of them has been there seven days a week. I think their work is slowing down for now so I should be able to get back in there soon to clean and prep for painting.

The tear apart stage was easier for me than the finishing stage. I knew what I didn't want. Knowing what I do want is more difficult. I'm not a creative decorator so I'm relying on lots of books to give me ideas. Hope you won't be too disappointed with my choices! Or that we won't be.