Counters and 1 balloon

Another weekend come and gone. We managed to do some nonrehab stuff this weekend, too, which is a good thing.

 

Saturday started with rehab, of course.  Here is another look at all the scapholding set up to repair the roof.

 

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They are working on the valley up there and will be reslating the roof over the porch.  So glad I don’t have to be up there.  You know those things that you would never think of doing yourself? That would be roofing for me. I do have my limits 😀

See that pipe on the roof waaaay up there in the middle of this picture?

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That’s where they were last week.  Scary stuff. The back porch is also getting redone (which is why those wires are hanging there).

I was inside working on the counters while John made what seems like the millionth trip to the hardware store.  Sanding and sanding and sanding:

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I have my game face on (kinda scary, actually):

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I actually got interrupted while I was sanding by someone at the door. I thought maybe my sanding was too loud, but it turns out to be a former owner of the house. The owner previous to the one that got foreclosed on. He saw the sale notice in the paper and came to see his old house.  I took him on a tour and he was telling me what he had done to the property and all the things that were missing that the foreclosed owner took out of the house, like the California Closet systems and the French doors.  This gentleman was waxing very nostalgic about the house and said he would have bought it back if he had known it was on the market.  After I went back inside, he was leaning against his car and talking on his phone while looking at the house.  I have to say that it would not surprise me one bit if he approached us to buy the property  – but he can’t have it! LOL!

We spent some relaxing time in the afternoon with some coffee and a jazz duo:

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This was the weekend of the Adirondack balloon festival.  We decided to stop by on Saturday evening, although it was breezy and we didn’t think any balloons would go up.  They didn’t fly, but some inflated a little bit:

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This is how hard they were pulling to control the balloons in the breeze.

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Darth Vader was there, though!

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Darth had his own balloon, but it didn’t fly Saturday.  At least it was nice to get outside and walk around and away from the rehab.

We were able to do our usual 20 mile ride for breakfast on Sunday.  Doing that ride makes it feel like life isn’t quite so crazy, you know?  I do love my routines.  Except I forgot my phone, so no pictures.  Not to mention I missed that my mother texted that she wanted to meet us for breakfast. Oops.

Back to counters. Crack filling and sanding:

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Kim asked what we will be sealing the counters with and it is this product:

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After a lot of research, I chose this product for a few reasons.

A. It is food safe once it cures.

B. It is water resistant (not waterproof) and won’t turn white if it gets wet.

C.  Since this is a wood countertop, chances are it will get dings and scratches. With Waterlox, you can sand just the damaged part and add more Waterlox. Using poly and you would have to sand the whole counter and reapply. 

I’ll have to let you all know how that works out 😀

And an historic moment at Radiance Manor:

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The moving of 2 plants!  This is the 100-pound rose bush and my razzmatazz coneflower.  They are just in the ground. Probably not their permanent homes, but I had to get them over and transplanted so they have a chance to get some roots established.

This week we will be sealing the counters and putting in flooring. Getting close, people!

 

20 thoughts on “Counters and 1 balloon

  1. debby

    My thoughts? That treat that you had with your coffee looks mighty tasty! Now you know where my mind always goes.

    The counters look super.

    So, your house is three stories tall! Does that mean we have not seen nearly all of the rooms?

    Every time you say One hundred pound rose, I think, man, that must be a huge rose bush! Then I remember what it means! Very cool. And so glad you moved it and your beautiful cone flowers.

    1. Lori Post author

      That is a walkout basement, so 3 floors from the back – and I haven’t shown much of the basement at all. It’s quite large, complete with fireplace LOL. It is where John has his business and we will live on the main floor and 2nd floor (where the bedrooms are).

      That treat was good. Raspberry crumb bar.

    1. Lori Post author

      He definitely did have regret. I am glad he got to see it and I told him to come back in a couple months and see how we finish it out.

  2. E. Jane

    From one who enjoys houses and their history, I just have to say that I love your house! It is really something special, and you are making it even more so. All of your hard work will pay off, and I can’t wait to see photos of the finished product!

  3. Leah

    I am refinishing a table and chairs and think of you often lately. 😉 I love seeing the work you’re doing on your house.

    I think I’d be nervous about the guy chatting on his phone after mooning over his previous home, but you handle it well. Your house seems to be a treasure for sure.

  4. Jody - Fit at 55

    That house is amazing!!!!!! Oh well on former owner – unless he gives you enough to retire on & do as you please – no go on selling it to him! 🙂 Beautiful house! You guys are amazing!!!! Pixie will have a lot of exploring to do!

    Yahoo for a little fun too!!

  5. Ali @ Peaches and Football

    You could never, ever get my to do roofing. Yikes!!

    What a super weekend for you guys. Nice progress on the rehab and some really good non-work stuff too! Nothing like a good bike ride to get your spirits up. I’m glad you moved the 100# rose bush. I was hoping that wouldn’t get left behind.

    1. Lori Post author

      I know – I am kind of afraid of heights. Hanging Christmas lights makes me nervous LOL!

      Those 2 plants are the ones I really wanted to move. I will move a few others, too, now that I got my favorites.

  6. Fran

    I think you will live happy in the new house considering that the previous owner was so nostalgic about it.
    The progress is going well.

    I love balloons and seeing this it reminds me that I haven’t seen much in the air this summer, not as many as last year.

  7. Biz

    Alright, at least you have your limits and didn’t decide to tackle the roof repair on your own! We have an 80 year old neighbor that insists on blowing leaves off of his roof while ON the roof – we know it’s only a matter of time before he falls off of it! Glad you guys got out and about too 😀

  8. Jeannie/Qlts2Slo

    My new roof (coming in Oct I hope) will not be nearly so interesting as yours. I’m with Debby wanting the raspberry crumb thing, sheesh. I think you look wonderful in your rehab garb! And to me you are making speedy progress, probably doesn’t seem like it to you but I am so impressed.

  9. Kim

    Thanks for explaining how the counter will be finished – I can’t wait to see the final product because it already looks petty incredible!!!
    I wondered about those wires in the back until you said it was because the porch is being redone.
    I bet y’all are getting antsy to move in!!!
    Glad it is your house now (sorry about that former owner:) – it suits you!!!

  10. Helen

    I am going to be very interested to follow along with those wood counters. We had a bathroom vanity with a wood top and I absolutely hated it (inherited it with our house). Within a couple years it looked completely trashed with peeling varnish because of the water. I was so happy to see it go!

    Nice to see you’re fitting in some fun along with all these renovations.

    1. Lori Post author

      I am curious as well to see how it stands up over time. Someone else who did a countertop like this with the same wood used Waterlox and has had no issues after 2 years, so I think with a little care we will be okay. If not, the counters were pretty inexpensive and replacing them won’t be so bad.

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