IT BEGINS; HARDWOOD FLOORS: Day 1

8:00am. The Huge Project kicks into high gear this morning. New hardwood floors are being installed and existing floors will be refinished. CA and I spent yesterday afternoon emptying our great room, kitchen, entry, and back hall of everything, almost. The space is cavernous, but will soon be filled with dust. Yuk!

I've been assured that new machinery and procedures reduce the amount of airborne dust that will result. I am a doubter. I've been through this before on a smaller scale, and the residual fine, fine powdery dust was pervasive. For months and months.

I am very excited about the end result--a deeper hue and no more bevel. Our existing floors are red oak and were pre-finished, so there's a slight bevel between boards--dirt catchers. We're also going for a satin finish rather than semi-gloss.

We aren't doing this...

Saw this in a rehabbed 100+ year old house during the CL Service League housewalk a few weeks ago. Talked to KP about replicating--labor intensive, costly, and mostly would be covered up by sofa.

Sigh... I love unexpected touches like this.

RESETTLING

Sconces are new...

In process... Half the upholstered furniture is out for re-do.

Nice combo, huh?

Been home four days. It is fine! We're home for 4 weeks--just the right amount of time for me to center, focus, and accomplish. Back to exercising; yoga for the first time in weeks. Feels so good.

Each day has been about resettling--laundry, errands, appts., and phone calls. GG goes home from the hospital tomorrow with help from friends and Home Instead. I've been coordinating her care since LFW and CA are busy with their respective teaching jobs.

We're in the middle of a rainy season. I love rainy days and nights, so I'm happy and snug. I love wearing sweaters and jackets--cool mornings, midday sunshine, and crisp Fall nights.

We have three days to prepare for our floors to be refinished. Tomorrow I'll finish up some projects-- sewing a fleece throw for the master bedroom and cataloging and photographing the antiques I may sell. All that to rid our space of my clutter so we can pack up the great room, kitchen, entry, and back hall.

Next week will be chaos. There will be dust. KP assures me it will be minimal, but I'm a doubter... I'm planning to live in our bedroom-- even entering and exiting through a low window, if necessary. And, I'm guessing there will be long lunch dates, afternoon movies, and maybe even an overnight with RvH.
CA will adapt, and he's barely home these days anyway. No on will be cooking in our kitchen for at least a week.

On the bright side, when the floors are done the reupholstered furniture will be delivered and we'll be mostly done with the redecorating. It will be gorgeous.

I'm reading lots and enjoying the downtime. Life is good.

PAINTERS

The painters are here. Our exterior cedar siding and facia is being renewed. I love small changes that make a subtle difference. I don't bemoan the expense at all. I love the freshened look, although no one visiting will actually see much difference. For me, the clean, crisp surfaces please me greatly. One less big project on my horizon. Sitting on the screened porch will be total relaxation. And, we're adding fairy lights to the mix. Dinner on the porch will be dreamy.

PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS

Just when I begin to get tired of Groupon in my in-box, I get a fantastic offer for a 4-hour photography class and 2-hour photo safari at Capturing True Emotion next week in Chicago. WOW! Just what I need to get fully on-board with our new camera. We've been mostly pointing and shooting, but I've been wanting to know more and to get better with my photo shots.

So, next Wednesday I spend the day in Chicago expecting to come home psyched and much more proficient than now. Can't believe the great deal.

THESE PROJECT IDEAS GET MY CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING