L_E_DSC_3081
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A giant step backwards...
We really consider ourselves proud first time homebuyers. We want our house to look great. We put a ton of work into it and you've seen the progress on here. Paint inside, siding outside. Shawn keeps the yard watered and mowed, but you have to remember there are other people out there who don't always play by the rules.
This was our front yard a week ago. Shawn got done golfing and was mowing the grass in front of the large hedges lining the front of our yard by the road.
This was those same hedges last night. A neighbor fired an illegal firework into the bush where it exploded. Within seconds the flames were towering. I yelled at Shawn when I just thought they were embers and by the time I ran outside it was completely out of control. The Omak Fire Department responded very fast, within 5 minutes of my calling.
It was so hot, if they had not arrived as quick as they did the whole house may have gone. Here is our new siding, thoroughly melted and distorted.
What is left of our trees and hedges.
Near where the siding melted all the evergreens were charred. If they had gone up there would have been no way to save the house I'm sure.
Although we are really upset at the neighbor I do have to say he has accepted full responsibility and contacted his insurance company last night. I just hope this is a smooth process and we can get our house looking nice again. I was all excited to have an open house after the siding was done, but now I guess we will have to wait for one more task first.
This was our front yard a week ago. Shawn got done golfing and was mowing the grass in front of the large hedges lining the front of our yard by the road.
This was those same hedges last night. A neighbor fired an illegal firework into the bush where it exploded. Within seconds the flames were towering. I yelled at Shawn when I just thought they were embers and by the time I ran outside it was completely out of control. The Omak Fire Department responded very fast, within 5 minutes of my calling.
It was so hot, if they had not arrived as quick as they did the whole house may have gone. Here is our new siding, thoroughly melted and distorted.
What is left of our trees and hedges.
Near where the siding melted all the evergreens were charred. If they had gone up there would have been no way to save the house I'm sure.
Although we are really upset at the neighbor I do have to say he has accepted full responsibility and contacted his insurance company last night. I just hope this is a smooth process and we can get our house looking nice again. I was all excited to have an open house after the siding was done, but now I guess we will have to wait for one more task first.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Making Progress...
Wow... the north wall is done.
And the patio area is coming together nicely...
Sweet cedar box handmade for the weird shaped things.
And the patio area is coming together nicely...
Sweet cedar box handmade for the weird shaped things.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Half Way There...
...And now it is up to Roy. Shawn and I have finished with the prep work. All the shingles are off the house and now it has turned blue with a bit of siding. Hopefully soon it will be all siding. Here's all the progress from Friday and Saturday.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
It's a Start
We've done so much demo, today was the first day of putting up some siding. I came home this evening to see a very pretty start, but first, let me show you what we've been doing.
We knew the stump corner had some dry rot, so Roy addressed this part first. As he started to dig he found some old termite damage and the rot went a little farther then we thought. He jacked the whole house up and replaced the sill board and all you can see. He did a great job and we just hoped there wouldn't be anymore dry rot (by the way there hasn't been so far).
Then came the destruction...
Getting it zipped up in blue with some friends' help.
As far as we got last weekend, the rest of the front
will be coming off, possibly tomorrow.
And finally our first bits of siding... well really soffit. Roy did a great job doing the 45 degree angle at the corner of the house. It really looks great. Apparently that must go up first and then layers come down or maybe go up. That is why we hired someone to do it. I'm looking forward to getting the first panels of siding on to see what the whole house is going to look like. It's so exciting!
Stay tuned for more updates hopefully tomorrow. Hoping the siding is going to speed along soon.
We knew the stump corner had some dry rot, so Roy addressed this part first. As he started to dig he found some old termite damage and the rot went a little farther then we thought. He jacked the whole house up and replaced the sill board and all you can see. He did a great job and we just hoped there wouldn't be anymore dry rot (by the way there hasn't been so far).
Then came the destruction...
The naked back of the house.
Getting it zipped up in blue with some friends' help.
As far as we got last weekend, the rest of the front will be coming off, possibly tomorrow.
And finally our first bits of siding... well really soffit. Roy did a great job doing the 45 degree angle at the corner of the house. It really looks great. Apparently that must go up first and then layers come down or maybe go up. That is why we hired someone to do it. I'm looking forward to getting the first panels of siding on to see what the whole house is going to look like. It's so exciting!
Stay tuned for more updates hopefully tomorrow. Hoping the siding is going to speed along soon.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
A Break...
From home improvement for a bit of horse action. Shawn got us tickets to go see the Lipizzaners perform at the fairgrounds. These horses are a memory from my childhood. I remember in 4th grade, right after I got my glasses, my parents surprised me by taking me to see them at the Civic Center in Augusta, GA. I was riding dressage then and taking lessons from Robert Hall, who had trained at the Spanish Riding School which is what this show is based upon. Although they are not officially affliated, many similarities are still there.
I have to say I was quite suprised by the turnout in little Okanogan. I recognized a lot of people. I guess one way to think of it is that it is a cultural event that doesn't happen very often. Even with the packed grandstand I got a decent enough spot for some great photos. You can see more here.
I have to say I was quite suprised by the turnout in little Okanogan. I recognized a lot of people. I guess one way to think of it is that it is a cultural event that doesn't happen very often. Even with the packed grandstand I got a decent enough spot for some great photos. You can see more here.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
It has Begun...
Work on the outside of the house has commenced. A few months ago we started getting quotes on siding. We checked out vinyl and steel siding and we called out a couple of companies from Spokane and a local guy. Being locally minded people we were happy to chose the local guy, Wilson Construction, and go with vinyl. It helped that Roy was so willing to work with us in ways that we could save money. To save a huge chunk we are doing the demo and installing the insulation on our own. Of course Roy is willing to give us guidance and came out today to go over a plan for all the work.
So now I can present the before photos and before you know it our house will look completely different.
A close up of the cedar siding that is going bye bye. It was in real need for paint, but I can't imagine how difficult it would be to paint this!
The back side of the house after about 2 and 1/2 hours. I did all this myself because Shawn was working on a much harder job (see below). We figure that with both of us pulling siding tomorrow we should be able to finish out this side and get some of the insulation up.
This was Shawn's project for the evening. This icky tree was actually up and growing when we moved in. It had grown up and around the edge of the roof and had dented some of the fascia. Shawn and his dad cut it down the first morning at the house and I had hopes to hang plants off the stump. Well Roy said it was too close to the house and would probably just attract bugs so it had to go. I relented (it wasn't that hard). So along with no more stump, a large chunk of my lilies have been ripped out. I guess they were a bit thick and probably weren't going to flower for that reason. Not quite the way I planned on thinning them, but I guess it works.
And finally our pile of Silver Ash 5" double dutch lap siding to go up as soon as we are done ripping off the cedar siding and putting up the insulation. We are hoping we can get it down through the rest of this week and weekend. Anyone want to help?
So now I can present the before photos and before you know it our house will look completely different.
A close up of the cedar siding that is going bye bye. It was in real need for paint, but I can't imagine how difficult it would be to paint this!
The back side of the house after about 2 and 1/2 hours. I did all this myself because Shawn was working on a much harder job (see below). We figure that with both of us pulling siding tomorrow we should be able to finish out this side and get some of the insulation up.
This was Shawn's project for the evening. This icky tree was actually up and growing when we moved in. It had grown up and around the edge of the roof and had dented some of the fascia. Shawn and his dad cut it down the first morning at the house and I had hopes to hang plants off the stump. Well Roy said it was too close to the house and would probably just attract bugs so it had to go. I relented (it wasn't that hard). So along with no more stump, a large chunk of my lilies have been ripped out. I guess they were a bit thick and probably weren't going to flower for that reason. Not quite the way I planned on thinning them, but I guess it works.
And finally our pile of Silver Ash 5" double dutch lap siding to go up as soon as we are done ripping off the cedar siding and putting up the insulation. We are hoping we can get it down through the rest of this week and weekend. Anyone want to help?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Chelan Photoshoot
Took a little vacation to the cabin on Lake Chelan for the weekend. We met up with our great friends and spent the days laying in the sun, reading books, playing cards and having good times. As Zanna went exploring on the exposed rocks Saturday night I followed (stalked is another term) her with the camera. Pretty soon I was telling her to look this way and that way. I love how the lighting turned out. I think most people would shy away from sunsets because of all the shadows, but I really like the effect I can get. I even convinced her boyfriend to come down for a couple of pictures. Although I didn't even try to get the hat and sunglasses off (he would have fled if I asked) the pictures still turned out great.
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