The End Is Near

The finish line for a project, that is.

Sorry for the dark humor - this really is about seeing the finish line approaching on our work on the Big House in a Small City. I’ve been hard at work there, trying to drown out current events.

So here’s where we are — the walls and floors are done. The appliances are in the house, if not in place. The downstairs bath is done. Light fixtures are in place.

What’s left? Kitchen cabinets, countertop and a sink. Installing the appliances. A bit of TLC for the gorgeous old wooden windows. Then we turn our attention outside. But it’s way too cold for that right now.

First, I promised you a look at the very small half bath where I decided to go way over the top. Honestly, nothing would make it look big, so I opted for bold. It is not my usual style, and it may give you vertigo in a photo, but it’s honestly pretty great in person. It certainly makes a statement.

Then there are the new appliances, patiently waiting in the family room.

And then there’s my little project - stripping the newel post at the bottom of the stairs. “Nothing to it,” I told myself. “A heat gun and some time is all it’ll take.”

I am such an optimist. I’ve been poking at a gazillion nooks and crannies with sharp implements, soaking them with paint remover, and sanding them. Is it perfect? No. And I’ve taken a good tight shot so you can see just how imperfect it is. I could have done every bit of woodwork in the room faster than this has gone. But I’m still at it. I haven’t given up.

What’s to be done outside? Well, the front porch floor could stand a sand and paint touch up. There’s a big chain link fence that needs to be shortened, and some sad wooden fencing that needs to come down. Then there’s some landscaping to do.

What’s the schedule? The hope is it’ll be available for someone to fall in love with it and buy it by mid-March. So far, that looks possible, but much depends on the weather.

It’s not exactly outdoor work weather in Oneonta these days. February is a tough month.

I intend to be equally tough. I’ll keep you posted.