Dining Room: Part 4 (Ceiling)

With the back doors in...

it's time to get to work on the ceiling (well, technically, the attic floor, then the ceiling, which are two intertwined systems).

the first joist goes in!

Surveying the day's progress. Planning tomorrow's.

Dining Room: Part 2.5 (Sheet Rock)

Well, a HUGE part of the planning/expense for the dining room project involved sheet rock.  Not necessarily the sheet rock for that room, but for the entire upstairs.  James had determined that it would be nearly impossible to get sheet rock upstairs unless it was lifted through the dining room (non)ceiling.  SO, we scheduled the sheet rock delivery to happen as soon as the ceiling was torn out.  And as soon as the 2 guys arrived with the load (about 150 sheets), they quickly called their supervisor.  They were NOT excited about the plan. 

Over the next 2-1/2 hours, 6 men worked non-stop to pass 150 sheets of plywood up to the second floor THROUGH THE STAIRCASE in the garage.  That's right, they refused to put it up through the dining room, choosing instead to slide it along the staircase, having to bend some of the sheets almost 90 degrees.  James had to remove some studs for it to work, but after much belly-aching from the guys, the stacks were in place upstairs.  And not one of the sheets came through the hole in the ceiling...

We were a bit frustrated, considering the money we had just laid out to get something we really didn't have to get at this time, but the fact is, it's done.  It's ready when we're ready. And it looks awfully pretty. and promising.  

Dining Room: Part 3 (A Stormy Night)

Well, a long day has turned into night.  And a major thunderstorm is going on outside. Lots of lightning, thunder, wind, rain, hail.  The usual. Fortunately, the porch roof extends far enough out that James doesn't have to slow down.

But the storm kept a couple of little girlies up, so they came to hang out for a while.

James called it a day after getting the door frame in and putting up plywood on the temp wall, just to prevent critters from joining us overnight.

Back to work in the morning.  Glad we've got some good cheerleaders!

Dining Room: Part 2 (Bye-Bye Ceiling)

Well, everyone finally got their "Christmas stuff" on.  It's about 50 degrees outside AND inside.  And it's loud, if you can't tell from the picture.

The back wall of windows came out quickly...

And the second tarp went up in preparation for the ceiling removal.

Within minutes, we heard loud crashes as James cut free the ceiling joists from above. Sheet rock and insulation and joists falling to the floor. A beautiful sound.

Yes, he's swinging on the joists while he cuts them off.  Trapeze artist?

All done! Well, for now.

The girls and I had a "picnic" lunch in the living room. What they chose to watch?  Home Again with Bob Vila. LOL.

Dining Room: Here we go... (part 1 of many)

The very necessary tarps (1 of 2)

Cleared out and ready to go

 Before too long, the breakfast crowd files in to watch...

Windows out!

Smiling to avoid getting in trouble for crossing into the no-fly zone (as marked by the stools) :-)

a more comfy spot...

It's getting cold in here...

The BEFORE

Dining room ceiling and back wall...

Getting exciting around here!

James is doing some more work on the back porch to get ready for tearing out the back wall. Today, it was removing bricks that will eventually be in the way.  Good to see them go!