Ryan took his annual work on the house stay-cation.  I couldn’t coordinate taking it with him fully because Evie has been home up until 2 weeks ago and with her just starting daycare I was finally able to start working more fully (more focused) just a week ago.  I did take 2 days off (and gave up taking 2 days next week for thanksgiving as I had planned) and helped a little bit.

One of the main projects that has been going on is a new wood shed that Ryan and Mark have built.  It’s not completely done but close (I think a little siding still to go on and waiting on roof materials).  It looks awesome but I didn’t get a pic yet so I’ll do a post on that later.  Today the guys are out cutting firewood to restock for the year.

The retaining wall project continues.  Mark finished up the second wall.  I think it’s pretty close to still in this state although we now have the blocks for the caps but he started a new project with the leftover block (plus some more purchased) and started retaining walls at the end of the driveway which are just about done with caps and all.  Still some work to finish up the mail box installation but the walls look amazing!

This is from a wh ile ago but it’s the walls basically done except for caps. The end blocks have to be chiseled and installed still . This will be awesome next year when we put in the new door!

Here is one of the new walls (it was cold so I apologize for the inside the car pics 🙂 Mark said he has to snip the cap blocks still to finish but the main wall is done.

Here is the other wall – it was hard to get a picture of the whole thing (again lazy and cold) but I’ll get nice pics when they are fully done. Check out those cute solar lights Mark got too.

Moving inside…

Monday I got the washer dryer closet caulked and nails holes filled then I got a coat of wall paint on the ceiling/walls.  Finally I finished up by priming the trim.  I bought good Killz paint but it is oil based so it was very fumy (ugg) which I didn’t realize.  I’m not sure I will use this in the rest of the room but maybe look for another good cover all primer (we have some bleed through in the upstairs trim I’m trying to avoid).  I think Ryan mostly is using poplar now which shouldn’t bleed as much but still I’d rather not re-paint but use good primer.

Tuesday I got the second coat on the walls/ceilings so now I can finish up the electrical and then paint the trim.

Washer/Dryer closet – can’t wait to move them in here!!!!

Now for the main event… my built-ins and office trim work!  Ryan has built the most beautiful built ins!!!  I poly’d the counter tops he made and then Wednesday he built and installed the bookcase tops then started the chair rail and baseboards in the rest of the room!

Chair rail in one corner is done.

A view of the baseboard (which is done in the whole room) as well as 1 built-in … teaser 🙂

The other built-in … I love that we planned the electrical better this time (rather than in my master where I had to put extender boxes in for electrical)

A close up of those finished counter tops – matches the floor perfectly (since it is flooring)

Just picture how many shelves I can fit in those bottom cabinets and the book cases!  Ryan won’t make the shelves or doors until the trim is all up in the room.  Once the chair rail is finished it’s on to crown.  This room is going to be the best looking room in the house I think and it’s all mine!!!  I can’t wait to fill it up 🙂