The view.

We're trading in the view we get now of the north-shore mountains for a view of downtown and the setting sun. (Mind you, this requires creeping to the edge of the roof and zooming in.)

Though if we could get our new neighbours to cut down their trees, we'd have a good view of the mountains from the small balcony being built on the back of the second storey. (Michelle, note mountains are snow capped!)

Here's one of five skylights (this one over the stairwell, one in the bathroom and three in the kitchen extension) that will bring in the light the house badly needs.

 

Speaking of sunshine, what happened to that summer-like weather we had on Friday? (Not only are the crocuses out, but I saw the first cherry blossoms this weekend, FYI at Nanaimo and Kitchener for you locals.) Katie took a "Mama day" off school Friday and requested Kits beach in bare legs and feet. Brrrr.

A welcome break!

9 more sleeps.

Hard to believe it's all got to come together in nine days. Everything is on schedule so far, though it's at a bare-bone stage right now where that doesn't seem possible! 

Actually, the kitchen installation is being moved ahead to the Monday (two days before move-in) instead of this Friday, which is the supplier's fault (i.e., us!), not Tercera's. Hahaha [hysterical laughter].

Here's the new kitchen window put in. (Re-using the original kitchen window from before extension was added).

In the next couple of days, the wiring will be done and the rough-in plumbing.

Then the walls will be done: our wonderful crew will be doing traditional plastering (hence, the cross-border shopping to find a particular plaster our guy wanted). I think it's called "veneer plastering," in which they do a skim coat of plaster over drywall so that it matches the original lathe and plaster. And -- here's the thing -- does not require sanding!

We are so lucky to have Keith McGill of Tercera on our team: from his days of restoring heritage houses in Dublin (where the laws about conserving heritage are much stricter), he brings a wealth of knowledge about how to modernize our house while preserving its character. Excuse the blurry photo.

Why I didn't post all weekend.

Our weekend to-do list.

 Thanks to Kate for helping out with the kids. : )

And to Angelo and Esther for feeding us on Saturday night. Lovely evening! 

Gotta maintain a social life!