Garage push-in and large beam

 
  

Behold, the Mystic Portals!

 
 

Here are the plastic zippers we have to open and close every time we go up- and downstairs. Yes, it's a pain, but it helps keep the dust out. We also use an air cleaner upstairs that seems to help with the dust. Note duct tape and Swingline® stapler repair on lower portal. This was necessitated after I stuck my foot through the thing on the first night of the project.

 

No more ceiling!

  

No more popcorn!!

 The asbestos abatement crew came today. Several guys spent almost twelve hours safely removing the asbestos popcorn from our ceiling. 

Day 5: Framing progress

Framing is progressing, with the main beam installed where the old living room/kitchen wall used to be. We also see the outline of our new pantry on the back side of the kitchen. Where the new sliding glass door will go, they have put in the framing and installed the old door temporarily.

 

Ceiling is out

We found out during the permitting process that our rafters, as of January 1, are no longer up to code. They have to be redone in our first major unexpected expense. $$Ouch.

  

So THIS is what dry rot looks like

 

One day's worth of demolition

Note the size of the drop box relative to the van parked next to it. This is no small amount of destruction.

  

Day 1: What a difference a day makes

Day 1 demolition was pretty serious. What happened to the walls?! 

No turning back now

Sadly, I don't think we'll be able to save that wallpaper.

  

Day Zero: One Last Look Before Demolition

Demolition begins tomorrow. 

The garage is all set

The junk in the middle is just that. We'll be depositing it in the drop-box when it arrives tomorrow. On the left and right, the new appliances (and our old fridge, which we'll keep in the new pantry) are shrink-wrapped. The freezer stays plugged in and in the garage for the duration.

Here's something you won't see after today...

    

Temporary kitchen is set up

We're fortunate to have a large laundry room. Today we also found a small fridge that fits perfectly in the space we have. And my beer fridge fits nicely on top. Hooray for Craigslist!

You know it's getting serious...

...when the port-a-potty shows up!

  

No, we're not getting a divorce!

Today we moved the big stuff out of the first floor and into storage.

Lovely gold curtains for sale!

They're yours if you want 'em. See Craigslist listing.

Vandals have defaced our countertop!