Walls. Walls are good.

The walls are insulated, sealed, and waiting for the insulation inspector. Yes, we have insulation inspectors in Minnesota. If you live here, you know why.
The inspector stopped by at about 8 o'clock this morning, and by 8:20 we had this: These guys are fast!
And we have heat! This set-up is a little more complicated than what we had before. Mike's hoping the plumber will give him a crash course in Zen and the Art of Boiler Maintenance. I think it looks like one of Wallace and Gromit's contraptions. Maybe it makes toast.

October Road

A new vent in the bathroom, since the window is gone.
That's the vent going out the new roof. All the electrical for the porch is roughed in and got the stamp of approval from the inspector today. The insulation and drywall go in tomorrow (in theory).
The old junction box got re-used (again). The electricians have been here all day, and probably will be tomorrow, too.
Steps and a new coat of paint
The door jams were clad in aluminum and the siding is back on. Do you like the blue door? I don't know, I was hoping it would be greyer.

Good Morning!

I really hope the plumber finishes the heat today, because it's 39 degrees this morning. Brrrr!

A new door! They built a little step for us, too, but it needs a little leveling, don't you think? Anyway, I like it much better than the "deck" that was on here before!

Steps! Oh, and topsoil by the house and gravel for a sidewalk, but seriously - steps!
The front door and its rotten sill are out, and the new wood and door are going in, slowly. This door was probably put in when the porch was first walled in sometime in the thirties (or forties?), so it's in rough shape. I'll get a photo of the new door up as soon as it's done.
The rotten sill on the back side has been replaced, too. Not bad, hey?

Almost To The Finish Line

The window is in! The construction guys are not included, unfortunately.
The front porch has been reinforced, insulated, framed up, and walled in. The boys are already calling it "the lair".
We got a load of gravel for the driveway - that's GOT to be a good sign. And the truck is a Mack, Jake's favorite.
The boiler is in, and the gas is hooked up. The radiators aren't connected yet, so hopefully it won't snow.
"Riley, are you crying?"

"Look: Stairs!"

...At The End Of The Tunnel

The floor joists have been reinforced, so the floors no longer "bounce".
The egress window is framed up and ready to install.
The egress from the inside.
This rotten beam needs to be replaced, don'cha think?