Overall: Kyle completed installion of interior trim trim (baseboard, windows & doors) for the house. The shop windows & doors are trimmed out as well. Ordered 30″ convection ovens from Menards, paying for them with 11% rebate bucks. Kitchen cabinets are proceeding nicely. Completed repair, modification and a trial installation of the downdraft vent. Rented a backhoe to complete a list of dirt and gravel related tasks that had been accumulating since late April.
Monday: Carole and I visited the Granite slab supplier our countertop installer uses, so we could select which slabs we want them to install in our kitchen. Kyle is working interior trim install. Having difficulty sourcing deck railing hardware. There are lots of suppliers, but either exhorbitant (my opinion) prices or confusing web sites are preventing me from ordering material. Dry weather is forecast until Sunday, so I reserved a backhoe for Wednesday.
Tuesday: Modified the kitchen island base cabinet by removing the back wall of the box. I needed the extra 1 inch for a little more countertop where the cooktop will reside. We are using a downdraft vent, which goes at the back of the cooktop. Both of these appliances completely fill the cabinet box. The modification adds an inch of countertop at the front of the cooktop. Had a load of driveway stone delivered, in preparation for the backhoe rental tomorrow. The local evening news were forecasting a 70% chance of rain tomorrow ! wait. what ? ! ? I’ve been patiently waiting since late April for the ground to be sufficiently dry so I could complete some important tasks.
Wednesday: Cancelled the backhoe reservation after waking up to light rain. Plenty to do inside. Forecast says, not much accumulation, and sunshine until Sunday. Reserved the backhoe for Friday morning. Kyle is doing a great job, cutting and installing interior trim.
Thursday: I worked on kitchen island electrical work. The induction cooktop is 220v and needs a 60AMP breaker, so large wire is required. Also need a 110v circuit for the downdraft vent, and we have included a couple 110v receptacles. Sourced some slick looking receptacles that will be nearly flush with the island countertop and rise up when a button is pressed on the cover. Brushed stainless like the downdraft vent and cooktop. Kyle completed interior trim install today. Next up – finishing the trim install. Putty on nail holes, caulking small gaps along baseboard trim, and paint touch up.
Friday: Kyle started on finishing trim. I spent the entire day on a backhoe and kept going until the sun started to set. Picked up the machine at 8AM for a 1 day rental, which means 8 hours of operating time. At the top of the list – install a storm water drain at the east end of the breezeway. Also, fill open trenches, prepare the area north of the shop to accept a large propane tank, relocate an eyesore of concrete blocks (extra material from June 2022), move top soil to areas along the front & sides of the front porch, push over and remove a dead pine tree by the house, and a few other tasks. Completed nearly everything on the list, put 7 hours on the machine, and at 7:30 that evening – loaded up and went home for a well deserved cocktail.
Saturday: Worked to complete all of the projects that involved the backhoe on Friday, shoveling dirt, spreading gravel, and laying pavers for a permanent entrance from the driveway to the breezeway. I got started on a similar walkway for the front porch, but ran out of pavers. Finally broke through the internet search frustration for sourcing deck railing material. Ordered posts this evening and will select a supplier for the the cable and end fittings tomorrow.
Sunday: Spent Sunday AM, updating the spreadsheet that tracks everything (lol). I know just enough about MS Excel to create, and adapt Excel to satisfy my simple needs. It has grown from a single worksheet to ten, each dedicated to a specific task from financials to material orders, contract labor, tollgates, and a host of other stuff, so nothing important is overlooked or forgotten. Yes, I’m a mess… I went to the site during the afternoon to complete island electrical rough-in. I want to start Monday with Kyle and I joining, securing and leveling the 8 individual base cabinets into a single structure. The granite installer emailed me on Friday, asking when they could visit to measure and create an accurate template to cut our counter tops. Will call them tomorrow morning after we are done. Was working on the island electrical rough-in and was surprised when I heard thunder which quickly evolved into a solid downpour of rain. Went out to see how my yard drain was working. Was pleased to see it working as I planned.
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