I hesitate to write the word “complete” but really… apart from a small handful of cosmetic add-ons and adjustments, the basement is complete. Sure, there are no shelves in the closet, the bathroom is still lacking a mirror, we haven’t even considered drapery, and of course there is the matter of the one or two baseboards desperately seeking nails but in general — at least in the sense that I can sit in this space at a desk, with a computer, light, heat, and a glass of red wine — it is done. And we moved stuff down this weekend. Not much. A start, really. But enough to say that we live down here now and are not just holding it for some later date [...]
Did I mention I’ve not had much time to write all the things I said I was going to write? No? Well, there it is. We’ve been stuffing ourselves into the basement for the last few evenings working away at the final bits of pre-carpet work. I am pretty much sick of ivory paint and 45 degree corners. And if I never see another tube of wood filler again, it will be too soon. We had an exciting weekend. Well, relatively exciting. You may have noticed the weather has markedly improved. That means we got out to the park (see the gallery for pictures) and Sparkle is happy and content because there are once again numerous walks in her life. We’ve been so busy I [...]
The city permit guy just left and in his wake is the end of the basement inspections. Other than actually finishing the installation of carpet and baseboards, we are set to move-in. Bam! Kosher construction. Oh, and don’t forget to vote in the photo contest — scroll down — as there is only a couple days left.
Thanks to the cold, cold weather I’ve managed to find plenty of quality time with the basement renovations. Now that the process is merely one of finishing work, I (and others) have been able to accomplish: Laminate Flooring in the new office, a hundred and fifty square feet of manufactured wood planks snapped together into a faux-naturelle play area for Claire, who has taken to parking in front of the little TV and carting stray construction refuse. One Closet Door in the aforementioned office, consisting of no more than twelve screws and yet to be painted. It has served well to hide our mess, carried back downstairs for tomorrow’s impending (final) holiday gathering. Two Light Fixtures lugged home by Karin after brief shopping excursions, one [...]
December 6 Not too much action… yet… Day 6: Claire and Her Buddy. Ryan and I spent most of the day connecting the bits and pieces that constitute the electrical components of our basement renovation. As of this evening — with just a couple pieces missing for the bathroom fixtures — we have lights in both rooms, the den, and all the outlets work. If I had somewhere to set it besides the dusty floor, I could set up a television or a computer down there! A few more hour’s work — and yet another trip to the hardware store in the morning — and we should be all lit up and ready for carpet. Well, after I do some cleaning.
Posted on Sunday, November 30, 02008 under
fatherhood.
Boring as it was shuttling about the city with her father collecting building supplies for the basement, Claire found plenty of opportunity to strike back at him by falling soundly asleep in the car just as they were arriving at their destination. Knowing the wrath of an untimely woken child, Claire’s father opted to wait out the naps in a variety of city parking lots whilst pondering just how much easier it would be to run errands without a child in tow and knowing full well he wouldn’t trade the collective lot of his toils for the world.
