The Extension is UP

Well, when I last wrote we had a nice little ditch. We left for our vacation (who goes away when their house is under major renovation?) our house looked like this:

When we returned it looked like this:

Pretty major difference done in one week, right? Well, let me tell you about the inside.

Bob the builder (seriously, his name is Bob and he’s a builder) wanted to surprise me with how much he had completed.

Whenever I leave for a trip, I go the extra mile to make sure the house is as clean as possible. I like to come home to a clean house. Also, if someone needs to get in while we’re gone; I don’t want them thinking (knowing) we’re a bunch of slobs.

I asked if they would put down tarps from the back door to the bathroom to limit the dirt in the house. They did put down tarps but perhaps I had to let them know they should not smoke in the house, flick their cigarette ashes all over the bathroom floor, and oh by the way, we like the toilet flushed. No water shortage here… so let her rip.

Part of the surprise was to give me access to the new area.
It is nice and fun to be able to walk in the new structure, but I don’t think Bob thought it through completely. Covering what used to be windows and sheetrock with heavy duty plastic just doesn’t have the same insulation rating. I mean--you can’t beat the look of draped plastic in the living room for a design element. It gives it a great lived-in feel and the fresh air is nice. But... Bob... it’s 30 degrees out. I’m freakin’ cold.

Can we just insulate the house and get some heat flowing in the new part of the house?
Well, once a-freakin-gain, we need to wait. We have to call for an inspection of the frame and foundation. They cannot seal any part of the new structure or they may make them tear it down so they can ensure it was done properly. I am grateful to have another pair of impartial eyes look at the work, but I can’t stop thinking about the fuel oil I’m burning at an alarming rate either.

So, we’ll see when an inspector can get their butt over here and review the work. Until then, we’ll bundle up with extra sweaters and blankets at night. Sure, the sound of the plastic sheeting blowing back and forth isn’t quite the ocean surf crashing, but it’s kinda peaceful in a way.

Go ahead and tell me it will all be over soon and worth it in the end—I dare you.