I have not had much head space or time for blogging, what with the travel and the catching up after the travel and the house and all that. But I have some pictures and I want to show them to you because...well....look!
It's like, almost done.
Which is a really good thing, because we are really sick of living in this:
(The piles of laundry are not usually this bad, but this is pretty much our space for the last four months. We are ready to be done. Really.)
Still life with bouncy boodle (and paint). Should the wheel go there? Or there? How about the other one? Sigh.
We even have a dramatically-lit bookshelf. Also with boodle (incognito). Do you like our fancy-pants lighting? Eleanor has declared it "too fancy," though as Jo points out, this is sure not to last once we're actually living in it.
As I told a few people at Rhinebeck, it turns out that although I, like the model spouse I am (shut up), agreed to maple floors despite my personal preference for oak. Everything was set for maple floors, including the contract. Then they put them in. Oak floors. Red oak floors. The foreman nearly fell over when he found out, and there was a fair amount of muttering about "maple--right here--in my own handwriting...and I ordered oak!" and such. They were all in, and Rhys loves the oak and we were sure as hell not going to lose a week on the timeline, so oak floors we have. I'm happy.
The tile in the entry is going in right now--done tomorrow. Also the slate on the fireplace. Then it's just paint...and closet hardware...and drapes...and... But whatever. There's an upstairs too.
There's even a downstairs. A basement playroom! Pinch me.
The movers come Saturday, and we have some serious work cut out for us. It totally won't be ready, but we kind of totally don't care. We'll be doing a house blessing and lighting our very first fire in the fireplace on Saturday night. It's going to be a good day.
whoo hoo!
and hey, we're co-blogging again ;)
Posted by: Sara | November 10, 2006 at 12:00 AM
It looks gorgeous! May you have many happy times in the new space!
Posted by: Kathy | November 10, 2006 at 12:35 AM
It looks lovely but it will be even better once it's filled with your toys and theirs. I'm pleased for you because the release from captivity is a big thing, small people need space to fill with noise and elbows and big people need space to get away from that from time to time.
Party?
Posted by: Caroline M | November 10, 2006 at 02:22 AM
Yay!!! I'm so pleased for you all. Those four months will soon fade into a distant memory. Space looks, well, spacious.
Posted by: M-H | November 10, 2006 at 03:32 AM
Congrats! Oh, it already looks all house-like and "Come, move in to me! I'm ready!"
May your fire on Saturday be warm and toasty, and your marshmallows gooey and roasty.
Posted by: Thorny | November 10, 2006 at 03:34 AM
oh congratulations! the space is beautiful. how exciting!
Posted by: maryse | November 10, 2006 at 06:26 AM
Congratulations! Survival is therefore almost assured.
I'm going to raise a glass to your travails on Saturday.
Posted by: Laurie | November 10, 2006 at 06:51 AM
Oh, dearie. It's just beautiful. Enjoy that first fire and may it be the first of many happy days and nights in your new space. Can't wait to see it in person!
Posted by: Carole | November 10, 2006 at 06:58 AM
*pinch*
:-)
That's a lot of wheel room ya got there, babe....
Posted by: Lee Ann | November 10, 2006 at 07:00 AM
It looks fabulous. Dare I say, maybe even worth the wait?
Posted by: Jan | November 10, 2006 at 07:13 AM
Man, it is GORGEOUS. All that and a basement playroom? Totally worth every minute.
Posted by: Ruth | November 10, 2006 at 07:36 AM
Yay!
Posted by: Bookish Wendy | November 10, 2006 at 07:39 AM
That is freakin' awesome! I know you're excited for all the grownup stuff you're getting, but the playroom was the best use of space we ever made of a room - amazing how it keeps the clutter down to have a designated kids stuff room.
Posted by: PumpkinMama | November 10, 2006 at 07:50 AM
Happy (renovated, expanded) homecoming and I wish you and your family years of joy in all the new spaces (hopefully the adults will get a small patch of it dedicated to themselves).
My brother and SIL the twins (5 years) and the baby (2) are doing this now and they also have a live in nanny. Their in a little more space than you, but it's cramped and with winter fast approching they are despairing of being able to move back into the rest of the house anytime soon!
Hey, maybe you can get another wheel?
Posted by: amysue | November 10, 2006 at 07:52 AM
Hooray! What great news!
Posted by: meg | November 10, 2006 at 07:53 AM
It looks great. I'm so happy you'll all be able to spread out. YAY!
Posted by: Cara | November 10, 2006 at 07:54 AM
I love the fancy pants lighting. And the fireplace. And the bouncy boodle. Although, I think I'd spend the next 15 years yelling things like "GET YOUR FEET OFF MY PERFECT WALLS!" and "Do NOT stuff your brother in MY FIREPLACE!!". Oh, and "If that ball even BREATHES on that light fixture?? You're all IN FOR IT!!"
Uggh. I hate shopping for drapes. You go have a blast. Ugggh.
Posted by: melissaknits | November 10, 2006 at 08:00 AM
Looks fab!!! wanna send them boys up here to finish mine? zz
Enjoy Saturday
Posted by: Justine | November 10, 2006 at 08:00 AM
Yippee! And what a space! It's going to be fantastic.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 10, 2006 at 08:32 AM
Oh, I just love the fancy schmancy lighting. Please please please let my new master bedroom come out as nicely!
Posted by: Heather R | November 10, 2006 at 08:38 AM
Oh Cate, how wonderful! When people ask what species of wood you used for the floor, tell them it's coincidental oak. It's a local species. :-D What a beautiful place, just in time for the long spate of winter holidays!
Posted by: Carrie | November 10, 2006 at 09:00 AM
Cate, that looks beautiful! I'm sure you're so completely relieved to have all of your space back. So, where's the fiber room? ;-) (Boodle's getting big!)
Posted by: Jenny | November 10, 2006 at 09:39 AM
YaaaaaaY!
Posted by: Marcy, Not so Blogless | November 10, 2006 at 10:30 AM
It is gorgeous! Tell me this construction thing isn't so bad please. The builder starts at my house on Monday. Sigh.
Posted by: Risa | November 10, 2006 at 10:38 AM
You've had quite the adventure. Stories of reconstruction will entertain your family for years as you sit by the fire and enjoy time together in the new space. Many blessing to you all for enduring.
Posted by: margene | November 10, 2006 at 10:54 AM